Cruising On A Sunday Afternoon...

The flat tire was overcome (caused by the point -speck on the sink edge- of the twig pictured above), and again we ride! Alberto Contador wasn't as fortunate, being stripped of a title, and suspended until August of this year!

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-doping-contador

No matter what sports you may like, dislike, or may be involved in, this is a class act!!! Here is a quote from one of Alberto Contador's fellow cyclists (Radio Shack/Nissan/Trek rider Andy Schleck), and toughest competitors:
“There is no reason to be happy now,” Schleck said in a statement issued by his team. “First of all I feel sad for Alberto. I always believed in his innocence. I battled with Contador in that race and I lost.”

That's classy no matter what the sport may be!!! He embraced the pain of a fellow rider and didn't bash him, and say something along the lines of:
It would've been much better if they had caught this cheater in the first place, so I would not have had to win it this way! He realized that purposely or not, he is still a cyclist, and if it was contaminated meat that caused this, and the doping was not intentional, then it could very easily happen to anyone, even him!

What's even classier, however, is riding with a friend that will ride with you even though they haven't been on a bike in several years! ;) Sunday was a casual take it easy ride, but had great company, and a great day to enjoy! The sun, and the Sunshine were brilliant! Until the next one.

Count Down To The Century... Trek 100 Here We Come!

Saturday Morning Mud Fest'

We were hoping for later rains today, but the rains came early, and often. There was a light steady rain all morning, that turned to a drizzle, then back and forth between the two for the rest of the morning. My knees were still a little tender from the ride on the mountain, on the road bike, from the day before, but still up to a little fun on the mountain bike.

The mud was slick, and thick. Makes for some tough up or downhill rides. Tire deep mud can be a chore to ride in. Nonetheless we had a great time. No one busted it while riding, but on our break...

I almost fell in a four foot pool at the creek, and my riding partner was more concerned for me, than willing to laugh at me! Even though I, after seeing him crash, and seeing that he was alright, horse laughed him at the bogs would have deserved like treatment. No flats, and no crashes on a very wet and muddy trail today, made for a good day.

We even had time to track a deer. Should be interesting to see what tomorrow brings. Looks like another wet one, so more than likely another short, muddy, slip and slide, ride. Until then...

Time To Look Back to Look 4Ward...

It was a beautiful Friday, sun shining, mild NW wind, just gorgeous. I got in a little later than what I had anticipated. I thought after my late arrival that I would not have the opportunity to ride like I wanted. Then one of my best friends, and my little sister caught me in the driveway. Wow, now I'm really thinking no ride for me today! I changed the top half and slipped into my jersey, and jacket while they talked with me, then went inside to change the lower. My son asked if he could go to his best friends house, and so now I've lost my riding partner! Uggghhh, what next! God steps in, and says ride, and take me. My little sister, my mom, and my life long friend pull up beside me and tell me that they are the team car. Boosted my spirit, and let me begin my ride with a smile.

I took my few hours of sunshine and took the ride to the mountains. The mountains make me feel free, so I called on them and then rode back into town. The vista from the Chalet was unreal!!! You could see for miles!!! I could see two counties over at the top! Then came the Blue Ridge Parkway! The head wind took my top mile per hour down, so I couldn't descend as quickly as I would have liked to, but it was a fun downhill regardless of the head wind, and the chill.

I got to spend time in meditation on the ride, and do a ride through town. No I didn't shoot at anyone, not a ride by, but a ride through. I had time to think about those that mean something to me, and felt even closer to them as a car almost backed out into me. Hahaha the reflexes are still working! Maybe not as good as they once were, but with Gods' hand they moved me out of harms way. I didn't go as fast as I would have liked to overall on the ride, but I did get to go hard! I saw friends in town and along the way, and I stopped to talk with them rather than wave, seem too busy for them, and then just ride by. Life is too short not to show people that you care for them! Take time to show you care, God "made" time for you (literally Genesis 1), and He will "make" time for you (John 15:26&27)!

The inaugural Family Remembrance Ride was perfect!

A Ride To Remember (For Grandpa Wales)

It's February, and at 7:30am it is in the upper 40's!!! I am still in shock that I can ride in shorts, which could mean that the heat is so intense in June, that I will have to ride near naked! Wait some say cyclist do that anyway! But you see what I'm saying. Gorgeous day and season so far!

Groundhog Day... You know sometimes we just don't pay attention. We just don't focus enough. So today let me be a better listener. Today let my memory be a bit better, so that I can say, "I do remember..." Today let me try harder. Groundhog Day is a day with more purpose now. Since the ride for the day is done, tomorrow (today) will be a ride to remember Don Wales in, and the wonderful family that he is waiting to one day reunite with.

Training for Trek 100 Day 6 Foggy Blog

Yes, believe it or not there is a bicycle underneath all the drying clothing. 40 something degrees on a January morning ride... I'll take it! It drizzled for a bit, but nothing extreme. I didn't check the forecast, and missed the 80% chance of precipitation for the rest of the day, so it was a little too dark and too wet for the evening ride. God willing, tomorrow will be a different story. Until then sleepride stepping on feathers and dream the rubber side down.