Ride of the Century (Prepping 4 Trek 100)

This is how a pro dresses in the cold...

This is how a non-professional, (poor man) dresses in the cold...

Okay my attire wasn't that hideous, and I didn't fight the wind and the cold in coveralls. Today was actually a great ride, with the exception of my being scatter brained. I forgot my riding shoes in the kitchen, at home, had to wear my running shoes to ride in, then drove into snow to get started. It snowed pretty hard for about the first three miles, and fell at an angle as the SW winds blew hard across my body, forcing me into a slight lean to the right. Amazing the difference in just three to five miles! Almost five degrees warmer in one township, than the other! After I had cleared the snow it was just a bit breezy and the sun shone perfectly in a Carolina Blue sky. I made it back to my mountain top home just before the second wave hit, and in time to watch the Lakers beat the Heat. Kobe scored thirty-three points, D Wade fouled out, and the Lakers held on and won by ten. Plus my Heels won the ACC Regular Season Championship last night by beating the bad guys (Duke) by eighteen. Therefore, it was a great basketball and cycling weekend for me. Now I am trying to get back on track for the count down to the Trek 100! Time to figure out how to set up my Paypal account, get some funds in there for the MACC Foundation, and raise money to help those fine folks find a cure for pediatric cancer.

Oh but before I close this particular blog, let me say this in a picture...

You know you've ridden well when your much younger partner looks like the guy above. Now time for the old guy to go find some hot water and relax!

18>1

http://blogwieser.blogspot.com/2012/03/unc-beats-dook-at-cameron.html

Eighteen to one is the margin of victory that inspired this blog. I wrote the above blog (see the link) on Valentines Day 2012. I wrote it as a confident, but bitter Tar Heel. I was a bit upset for a few reasons. Upset because I knew that Roy Williams, and the 2012 Tar Heels, injuries and all, had the tools to beat a well coached, healthy, and full Duke squad. I initially had the score at 89-73 in the previous blog, but changed it, so as not to look arrogant. Afterwards, and after the obnoxious Duke remarks, I thought, "This is Duke, and always go with your heart when you are this confident about a victory over Duke! That would have been a pretty close prediction too. I was confident that UNC would win this game. I had the same feeling about this game as I had about them winning it all back in 2009. I was confident for two reasons:

1. Kendall Marshall said that he was ready to take back what rightfully belonged to them, the rest of the team had the same (confident not arrogant) swagger, and...
2. Coach K said that he knew that his team couldn't rely on making thirteen (13), three's (3's) to pull them through again.

Well Coach K was correct, and Kendall, and the gang were just hungry enough to make an example out of their conference foes, and erase the much talked about "3." I am also a firm believer, in the fact that if John Henson doesn't play soft, or too cocky, and the Heels stay healthy, that Carolina will also be ACC Tournament Champions. I also believe and am calling it here, saying Duke will not be their opponents in the final. If they were (but they won't be), then I would once again be going with my gut, not my heart and pick a final score of 85-79 UNC over the devils again.

As for the big dance, let me say now, that Kentucky has talent, but I don't see Kentucky and Coach Cal winning it all. I think "The Cuse" has the raw talent to get it done again and Coach B has the Orange playing a mean transition game, but I don't think Syracuse will be there either. I see a lot of people being shocked by who the new champs in Mens College Hoops will be. This is an election year, and in every election year a favorite has won the title, but not necessarily the Overall #1. Not to say that it can't be a year for Cinderella, but this is the year that will more than likely see another top notch, albeit unexpected major basketball school to shine. Excluding (but not excusing) 11 time champion UCLA this year. It would be nice during the tournament to see my Heels play with the consistency to give us (The Tar Heel Nation) the same confidence we had in '09 and in last nights game. So there you have it, and you may have heard it here first here! If you did/didn't, but are just curious to see how well my basketball prophecy is... you'll have to stay tuned to the blog here to find out if I am correct or incorrect. See in Atlanta, it's tourney time, Go Heels!

Peace...

UNC beats Dook at Cameron!

 

89 - 83
Coach Williams makes the adjustments to make the lead stick this time around. UNC beats conference rival Dook 89-83. Florida State drops another one, and Carolina goes into the ACC Tourney as the #1 seed, and first round buy. Next up meeting FSU in the ACC Tournament to avenge the earlier loss in Tallahassee, on our way to the ACC Crown, and a bid for a #1 in the NCAA Tournament, and on our way to avenge the loss to Kentucky! Meeting UNLV along the way would be a nice bonus, but won't happen.

The River was high in February, ran dry in March, and the Barnes rose above it! We don't need a cellar, that's to close to the devils den, we have a Zeller in our foundation!

The date on this blog should tell the story. Have a great March. ;-)

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.