What A View!

I set out later than I wanted on the cloudless Saturday morning. It was already a warm Southern morning with the dew burning off quickly, and the sun muscling its way through the cool morning breeze. I knew the climb would be tough enough, and now I also had a feeling that the heat would be a factor as well. 77 degrees can feel like 107 when you are fatigued and early in a season, and especially when you are not used to the temps rising. Mild temps or high temps, I wanted to be in more than just survival mode, I wanted to be a conqueror! My endeavor this Saturday morning was to test the legs to see what we had left. My analysis: the heart is still good, and according to many, the mind has always been questionable, but they both begged the legs to get us all to the top of the mountain. Six thousand, six hundred, and eight....y - four (6,684) feet to the summit at Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi, with a new bike, old legs, and the same frame of mind! I tried to stay hydrated, I had two bottles of H2O, and a small 12 oz. bottle of (Blue)Berry Gatorade. For nutrition I took a couple of energy bars (a Power Bar and Zone bar) for an extra boost, and fared well. I put my empty bottles back in the cages, and my empty wrappers back in my under the saddle carrier. I was amazed at how others had not done the same thing! There were empty water bottles, and nutrition bar wrappers left after the ride (The Assault on Mt. Mitchell) this past weekend, all along the road side. I understand that this is a competition, but I also understand that cyclist leaving trash behind gives biking a blackeye! Yes it was consistent enough to confidently evidence to all others that the trash was left on the roadside by riders. If you are that close to the front, or if you are well off enough to ditch a bottle, then you should be well off enough to have a clean up crew as well. If you just don't care, then you shouldn't be too uptight with my wishing your being banned from future Parkway events.

I witnessed a few other irritating things along the way... first and foremost "horseflies!" Count all things joy the Bible says, so I can say that the horseflies were motivators, and encouraged me to pedal a bit faster, to rid myself of them. I saw several little green garden/field snakes dead on the road, and one ginormous Black snake, that appeared to be toting around five baby rabbits that she had for breakfast!  The Black snake was slithering off the road into the high grass, and looked to be approximately thirty-six or thirty eight inches long, and as big in diameter as a mountain bike tire. I am not a fan of snakes, so needless to say, this too creeped me out! If I had been mowing, this snake would have been a dead one as well.

THEN, yes a big then is very necessary for this one, THEN a playful Black Bear cub came wandering out of the woods! I nearly had a coronary, but as I stated before the heart is still good, and the will to live even better! I stopped, we looked at each other for a second, and I asked Kert what we should do next. Kert turned back downhill, and said he may not eat me, but I don't want your blood on my conscious, or my mangled frame. Kert is such a loser sometimes, but I love him, he's the most awesome bike I've ever had! At that point I prayed that the cubs mother was somewhere far enough away to give me a shot at a forty (40) mph downhill. I don't think that a Black Bear can run that fast, and even if they can, I am skinny enough to hopefully be a waste of time for one to expend that much energy. The playful cub then ran up the mountain side, and watched me from the ridge top. I was thankful that he observed from a distance, and all alone.

The ride in the the Blue Ridge mountains are beautiful. The Parkways dark tunnels, the views down into the valleys below, the mountain tops, it's so serene, and peaceful, that it truly leaves you with a sense being just a mile below heaven. I was in a head down, keep spinning, groove when I took a quick I look up and just at a glimpse noticed something round the curve slightly ahead of me. My initial thought, "Oh great what now, a rabid coyote!?" But this time it was a rider, and he was on the same quest. He too had his family trailing him, and was fighting to stay hydrated as well. He told me later that the last twenty-five (25) miles of the Assault from Hwy 80 up to Hwy 128 were much tougher than the seventy-five (75) miles from Greenville to Marion. After the climb to the summit, I am inclined to believe him! I also met a rider from Florida that said the same. He didn't like the decent as much. He said, "You don't have drops, and mountains like this where I'm from!" I am a downhill junkie myself! fifty (50) mph and more if I can get it!

The fire tower is a welcome sight. You know you have one last downhill after the watch tower, and that you are getting ever so close to THE mountain top.

I had finally arrived! I could see the sign for the State Park, and my heart went from a heavy beat to a flutter! Knowing that I was only three and half miles, or roughly just under four miles away from the top was encouraging. On the flip side knowing that my quads had started to tighten, and nearly seize after the twenty-eighth mile were a slight discouragement. I honestly didn't know that I would be able to climb Hwy 128 to the summit. My middle son, looked out the window and said, "You can do it!" I can't begin to tell you how that hit my heart! My wife was also yelling out encouraging words, "Come on old man!" Not really, she may have inside, but she yelled out, "You can do it baby!" My baby girl in the back seat yelling, "GO DADDY GO!" I knew at that point the only thing that would keep me from the top was the Rapture really taking place, or my legs just completely seizing up, and not churning the cranks to push me to the top. I would not quit, and would simply not turn back. The quads knotted, the hamstrings knotted, and I chugged a Strawberry Gatorade, and just kept pushing! I am one blessed fella to have a family stick behind me, and encourage the old man, to push to the finish. A twenty miler on Sunday is possible, but it will not involve a gradual three thousand foot gain! To God for sparing me one last climb, hopefully the first of many, to my family, to all cyclist, and my boy Kert, and Trek Bicycles, this blogs for you!

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What's Scarier Than Thunda & Big Bears?

What's scarier than Thunder and Big Bears? A couple of things.

1. Hearing Mark Cuban say, "Maverick" like Sarah Palin.
2. The Heat that strikes like lightning!

OK my bold, but humble Lakerless, prediction goes as such:

The Grizzlies match up better with the Mavs. I think Randolph mirrors Nowitzki better than Kendrick Perkins or Serge Ibaka. The backcourt match up is a bit better defensively with the Grizzlies too. Offensively the Thunder with Westbrook can put up some big numbers. Now it's just a matter of whether or not the Thunder can take care of that home cooked meal and advance. My prediction is a comfortable margin of victory for the home team (the Thunder).

Overall the Mavs take the West. Often times youth and zeal are no match for age and treachery. Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, and Jason Kidd have all been around and still get up and down pretty good, so they will be tough.

A look at the beasts in the East. Rose is becoming one of my favorite watches, but the Bulls are sadly enough stacked with too many Dookies for my liking. And again I have to refer to age and treachery in this match up, but also add one other small detail... star power! Who gets the call, Joakim Noah or Chris Bosh? I'm going to give Bosh a slight edge over the newby. Now how about D Wade and Derrick Rose? Wade still has star power but Rose is the Kia NBA MVP. Three letters in the last three words and acronyms, hmm... would a three letter, three word answer be impressive? OK here goes: Dee has him! I almost can't lose there, you pick which D it is. Oh wait Wade is D3! It's that whole basketball omen, so Wade it is. Then there's the no brainer. Carlos Loozer or Lebanon James? Nuff said. Enjoy watching the NBA Star Power, sadly enough I believe it's going to decide this years champ.

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Carried Away?

Aircraft Carrier Deck Will Host College Basketball Game | Playbook

Rumor has it that this is the ship from which Bin Laden's body was cast and buried. Freaky for some to think about that and honorable to others to have the game played on a vessel that was a part of making the world a safer place, and ridding the civilized world of the body of a mass murderer.

The game is scheduled for my wifes birthday! So she may get her trip to the coast after all. Not really, but it sounded good. They are playing in San Diego so the imperfect one will miss this one. Not that I could get on board the USS Reagan in September anyway. The Big Ten team will be Michigan State rather than Wisconsin, so the missus wouldn't be an easy sale on this one. Which is more than likely a good thing because they will be playing against the 2011/12 National Champs, my North Carolina Tar Heels. Approximately 7500 will be able to attend, the Nationally televised game and attendees will consist of mainly military personnel. The game marks the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11, one of our nations most tragic events. It is bitter sweet because it is also one of my more favorable memories, as it is also the week after my eleventh Anniversary, and my celebrating my wifes birthday for the eleveth time with her. Should be very interesting and well secured so unless you have a pass I suggest you not attempt to attend. No tickets will be sold. It is said that if there is inclimate conditions, that the game would be held below deck. An amazing story, so what's your take? Feel free to leave comments below.

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What Just Happened!?

 

 

What happens when you take a group of guys that can bang in the paint, but do not play the transition game as well? You go to the low block right? Well what happens when the opposition collapses into the paint and forces the tough shots inside? You kick it outside right? What happens if the back court doesn't knock down the open J? Then you put in the slashers, and let them penetrate right? What if none of that works either? Wait, let's also throw in the biggest, "What Happens... What happens if you play poor perimeter defense, and the other team shoots lights out! Then you go home defeated! Phil thanks for the excitement in Tinseltown. It was a great run. Kobe, I hope you retire a Laker and your attitude changes for the better, as you look for positive ways to motivate your teammates, but just know that I am not holding my breath, for that, or for Koach K, to coach my beloved Lakers. I have heard that Byron Scott was content with where he is, but would consider being back in LA again, this time as head coach, and that would be a beautiful thing! So Mitch, what say you? You got another, "What Just Happened" in you for the NBA community? I hope so! Mitch "I Make It Happen" Kupchak, do it to it Mr. GM!

It would not bother me a bit to see the next generation in a tough, high flying, up and down, shoot two hundred and twenty shots between the two teams, at a very high percentage, fire fest! Bring on the Bulls and Grizzlies! Then let all the front runners ask, "What just happened!" I am not a fan J. Noah, but I would take them in 7 against the Grizzlies, although, I would be pulling for the Grizzlies, if I had to choose a team. Jerry West has them where they are today, like it, or believe it or not... Happy Mother's Day Hoop fans of the motherhood sorority!

I Saw The Light

I was happy and somewhat eager to see the final score of the Lakers and Mavs. I had anticipated that the Lakers would play with a hunger that would lead to a blow out. Kobe had 32 points and Bynum, Odom, and Gasol all had double - doubles. The bench out played the Mavs bench, and the Lakers won by 19.

Then the Dodgers, Andre Ethier had another hit and extended his hit streak to 30 consecutive games! What a perfect sports night. All this is great because I haven't jynxed him yet, and I am believing in his surpassing D'Maggio's major league record by three (3) games. Yes, I called it here first! Fifty-seven straight!

Well in an imperfect world, an imperfect Christian realizes that the perfect nights sleep is calm and ends well with a joyful wake up call. I was up on and off all night concerned about a sick mate and then ridely awakened too early by reality. I picked up my phone checked the Dodgers page and Ethier had safely reached base for the 30th consecutive time! That was great news, then came the not so great. The Lakers had dropped Game #2 at home to fall behind in the series by as many games. Am I panicking? No. I feel that they can still win this thing, but next year will be a reconstruction like no other, and I think it will be ugly. Beginning with a replacement for Coach Jackson. But in the mean time will Pau come thru in this series against Dallas, and can Mr. Ego refrain from taking that one nasty momentum shifting shot that turns the game around in favor of the bad guys? You know the double coverage, off balance, man open in the corner - but I'm a selfish non- passing shooter - shot.

Time will tell. But what changed my whole outlook on the playoffs was something by far bigger than the playoffs. I really believed with my entire being that the Lakers would be victorious in the game last night. I was nearly sick at my stomach when I saw the score. Frustrated I moved on to check my email,and that's when I received a prayer request that brought me back to earth. A request for intecessory prayer. A friend concerned for another friend, and it all hit me... it was sobbering actually. This is just a game, but today is a day that you have experienced life in. It was not guaranteed, nor was it promised, but it is here and so are you. As a Christian and a sports lover we should strive to face each challenge head on and help someone else make the best of their day and challenges along the way. So, needless to say I got over the loss quickly enough, and prayed. However, I'd be a liar if I said that I wasn't thinking hours after the prayer request about Game 3. Thinking about it with confidence and hopeful for another victorious series both on and off the court. Life is not just a game, but we should make it just as fun!

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#1 or One #?

My Philosophy is: You never know what one is capable of, until that one has done it.

Heisman jinx, Jamarcus Russell comparisons, and all of the negative press you can throw at Carolina's new adopted football son. Who is this manchild? Cam Newton that's who. His father took full responsibility for possible commitment to NCAA rules violations, and was banned from his sons biggest game, the NCAA National Championship. To show that he's a man of integrity (said with heavy sarcasm) he shows up abruptly on National Television to give Cam a hug after he and his team win. So, this goes to show you how much his father cares about his son. Hmmm be selfish and turn this into an all about me event and help scar my sons reputation a bit more, yeah the run down to the field is worth it. Sorry, I am just not a fan of greed, or stupidity. Most critics have said that Carolina has made a crucial mistake. The so called experts have rated Cam as a C+ pick. So did Carolina make such a huge mistake after all? Cam is no slouch, but is Coach Rivera the Cus D'Amato of the new era NFL? And can he fuel the fire in a QB that will have to be the Mike Tyson of the new era NFL to make Carolina a success? Charlotte is not NY, or LA, the fans won't pay top dollar in the Dirty South just to boo you. No instead they will stop going to games. So now Mr. Richardson did you indeed make the right choice? Back to our QB, Mr. Newton how do you silence the critics? The same way Cus and Iron Mike did... by swelling the mouths of the nay sayers shut by knocking opponents out! The only factor here is Cus dealt with a fatherless Mike Tyson like Mike was a D'Amato, like his own son. Cam on the other hand has a corrupt father that he is very close to. For the sake of the Panther Nation I pray that the Panthers have a game plan to sign that ego of Cams and a plan to keep daddy far, far away from the negotiations table. It's already evident that Cam's father is caring of one thing... money! How do I justify saying that? For grins and giggles let's say the money that he took costs Cam his collegiate career. Dad has a fist full of dollars and Cam has no shot at a Heisman or #1 draft slot. So, you tell me it wasn't 'bout the Benjamins! Cam I wish you well and to your father all I can say for him is that I'm praying!

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What Are The Odds Of A Threepeat?

Lakers - Hornets:
OK I picked the Lakers up big over the Hornets last night in Game 5. I like most just have a hard time going against talent, experience, size, and home cooking! So what are the Lakers odds at a 3peat? Better than the odds that the racist, or the extreme right, or the extremely stupid, and yes even better odds than the Don in trying to say that OUR President doesn't have a birth certificate! A picture is worth a thousand words so here ya go...

OK on to the next series.
Heat - Sixers: I missed the call on the blow out, because it didn't happen. I felt that Miami should have won by an average of 20 points and swept the series. Well they say the big boys get geared for the big games, and I guess a W is a W in the first or last round as long as it's in your teams favor.

Spurs - Grizzlies: I felt that the Spurs would rebound in Game 5 of their series with Memphis as well, but it will be tough to take 3 straight from a young unafraid Grizzlies squad. Wow, what a barn burner in SA! Just what a young team doesn't want to give a crafty veteran squad, hope, and confidence! The Grizzlies not only gave the Spurs one shot at OT, but two, and they took full advantage of it and live to see another day! Great overtime game!

Celtics - Anthony/Stoudamire I mean Knicks: The Celtics get the benefit of waiting for their opponent after sweeping the Knicks in the first round. Shocked, not really, but definitely didn't see the broom coming in this series. I am telling you now, that even without Perkins, the Celtics may be a mature team, but they are not a dead team!
Magic - Hawks: I did see a big win coming in this game as well. The drubbing that Orlando put on Atlanta at home, was a confidence builder, but will it lead to over confidence for game 6? Time will tell.

Bulls - Pacers: I really expected the Bulls to sweep the Pacers, but they were one game shy of that. Leagues youngest team in the playoffs, and best record in the NBA regular season, but will drive and youth allow them a title? I say not yet, but again time will tell.

Nuggets - Thunder: George Karl, Ray Felton, Ty Lawson, brotherhood! Other than saying that Durant is a  beast, nuff said!

Mavs - Blazers: That is the other match up right?

OK on to more important issues, here's some playoff look-a-likes for you kiddies:

Ashton K, and Kyle K...

Kurt Thomas now a Bull could be a bigger thug double for Dizzell!

And last but not least... Steve Urkel said that Shane Battier should yell, "Oh did I do that every time he gets an assist to Zach Randolph who looks just like his best bud Eddie Winslow...

So who else has an NBA look-a-like? Marc Gasol does not count, his brother is not a great actor because he flops well in Hollywood, although he and a few others are deserving of Oscars, but he is also a Laker!