tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173974132024-03-13T21:47:34.034-05:00commuterDudeLife is better with bicycles. commuterDude, inspiring cyclists since 2002, represents bicycle commuting and randonneuring in America's Heartland, and this blog is a collection of tales from the open roads of the midwest, interspersed with insight, personal reflections, the occasional product review, and more. It's all about good friends, good rides, and mind over mileage. Enjoy! kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.comBlogger752120tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-64877791483145096182024-01-20T16:52:00.006-06:002024-01-27T13:33:45.343-06:00Did I Have it Right All Along?<p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">If
you've spent any time at all surfing these pages you know I have posted
hundreds of thousands of words trying to articulate the benefits of commuting
to work by bicycle, and it is very nice to see that this topic is still as
relevant today as it has ever been. Back in 2008 during the financial
crisis and subsequent inflation and big spike in petrol prices in the states,
traffic to this site nearly tripled. Today, that cycle continues - at
least evidenced by YouTube content, social media, podcasts, and everything else
that has taken the place of the humble blog. My own fault, really: a
personal education journey and subsequent tripling of my workload in the office
has wiped out any desires to spend additional hours at the keyboard to type out
what others are articulating very well in fewer typed words or well produced
videos. <br />
<br />
To that end, I want to share the following with those of you loyal readers some
of my favorites from the vast array of content out there these days,
particularly from a source which - in my opinion - represents the best of
cycling on the internet: GCN. <br />
<br />
Now, hold on ... there are as many opinions about other people’s opinions out
there as there are.... well, <i>opinions</i>. Some have
criticized GCN as being too "racer" focused, which may well have
been accurate a few years back, but I contend they have become quite aware of
this notion. Their content of late is broad, well-balanced, and it paints
a far wider picture of cycling than it had perhaps originally intended.
Simon Richardson seems to be a champion of this balance, with a terrific
blend of well-timed delivery, humor, research, and first-hand knowledge
across a wide range of cycling topics. Needless to continue reinforcing
what is clearly apparent here: I'm a fan of their stuff and have been
watching it here and there for over five years now. This isn't a plug,
really -- they're doing just fine on YouTube, and certainly don't need my
endorsement - and to be transparent, they haven't prompted, asked, or
compensated me in any way for the posts below. I simply feel they are
worth sharing.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt;">The first video delves into winter commuting - which may be a
touch easier to stomach in the UK than, say, commuting in upper Manitoba this time of
year ... or the American Midwest. UK winters may not have the staggering
Arctic temps and icy roads we must contend with here in the central US, but the
content still translates well - especially considering most would only consider
riding to and from work if the temperatures were well above freezing anyhow. Beyond
that mark, not much actually changes ... just add layers, and ride carefully.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z2LXNNU1hNY" width="320" youtube-src-id="Z2LXNNU1hNY"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Reinforcing another point that I've attempted to make on this blog
over the years is the beneficial training that commuting to-and-from
work provides. For me, this was simply observational: I did it
because I liked it, and I just also happened to attend randonneuring events and
the occasional ultra-distance race. I never had much time to train in big
chunks, so the commuting to and from work just had to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The daily exposure to the elements allowed continuous
improvements in layering techniques, required adaptation to daily workout
loads, demanded that I listen to my body, it kept the weight off, sharpened my
logistical sensibilities, allowed me to experiment with lights and reflective
gear, and so-on.<br />
<br />
It never occurred to me that riding twice daily was actually a highly beneficial
training tactic that others have begun to adopt, from pros to aspiring
amateurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out, recent research backs
this up, and GCN (this piece also presented by Si), produced a brief video
discussing it in some detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nqKlIn7EJSs" width="320" youtube-src-id="nqKlIn7EJSs"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Obviously,
both videos have done quite a bit toward getting me back into a routine.</span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The pandemic un-did a lot for many, but I can
only speak for myself:</span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">comparing my
fitness between 2018-2019, and today, a clear piece is missing that I have
never successfully replaced:</span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">
</span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">consistency.</span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> I</span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> have, however,
not had a physical office to return to since our company radically downsized
our real estate footprint in early 2021 … but that is beginning to change.</span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Now that our team has a mandatory
once-per-day appearance at the office on the calendar, I have put bicycle commuting
back into my lifestyle – and I didn’t realize just how much I’d missed it.</span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As I get my legs back underneath me and set big
targets this spring, you can bet that I will be commuting to and from the
office beyond our current once-a-week mandate, adding consistency and
twice-per-day rides as a big part of my training regime. </span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Not only has it worked for me in the past, but
research backs it up … not to mention all of the mental health benefits
that will come with it.</span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">
<br />
Remember that big bicycle boom that started during 2020?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still have that bike today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, here we are, friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think, especially considering the current
financial climate, riding back and forth to work may be just the thing for all
of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope to see you out there!</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><br /><p></p>kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-35038843449586491622023-04-30T16:47:00.005-05:002023-12-06T21:12:46.959-06:00Mental Health and My Recent Cycling Struggles<p>Vulnerability time. This isn't really a post with a lot of research or specific insights into the benefits of cycling on mental health, but is rather a simple reflection on the last few years of my personal cycling, and - more specifically - how the pandemic seems to have really jerked the rug out from under me.</p><p>Yeah, yeah.... "boo hoo": another complaint about how damaging the lockdowns and the pandemic was for an individual, when it truly did have an impact on us all. My case is simply another in a long list of evidence to the fact that "things were great until" ... yeah. You know. </p><p>One need not look much farther than the title of this blog, my email address, and all of the evidence that dates back to 2002 in these pages that commuting to and from work by bicycle was sorta my thing. In fact, it was truly a large part of my identity. This is a dangerous thing, really, in retrospect ... and I think there is evidence that suggests wrapping oneself up too much in one aspect of personal identity can be dangerous on the premise of what might occur if that with which one identifies is taken away or lost. Taking away sight from someone passionate about photography or painting, for example. Someone deeply enamored with a spouse, someone for whom they find purpose... and then that spouse gets ill and passes away. A construction worker losing their hands in an accident. A musician falling deaf. A cyclist or runner who loses their legs. Granted, each of these examples is an extreme case, and mine is not nearly so tragic ... but, I have noticed a marked difference in my attitude, my confidence, and how I approach problems these last three years since we transitioned from working in an office to working at home full time. </p><p>First world problems, yes. I still have my sight, my hearing, my arms, and my legs - and I still ride my bike here and there, even pretending to be a randonneur on occasion. But, the consistency, the daily, self-forced exercise, the self-imposed routine that I once identified with so closely and loved is gone. I have only been to the office a handful of times since March of 2020, and each of those times - because of a drastic remodel of the building and its facilities - have been by automobile. In short, I feel like a sham, a failure, and honestly... I'm not even sure why I have renewed this domain name. In so many ways, I'm definitely not the "commuterdude" I once was.</p><p>Why is that such a bad thing? Well, in short, I have had a hard time standing on my own two feet as a person. I think I had that problem before I started riding, which helped me find some self-worth and purpose in life. That seems really, really silly typing it here ... which is the point of this entire post and exercise in self-discovery: this "problem" isn't nearly as large a problem as it has become inside my own head. I have self worth. I have value in ways other than bicycle-centric subject matter. The problem is, I haven't been believing it...and at the end of the day, I don't put myself first. Hell, I usually don't put myself tenth. </p><p>I'm relatively healthy, I have two wonderful children, a terrific life partner in my wife, people whom I consider friends, and a long standing career in data visualization for a global company. In many regards, I have it better than a vast majority of the population. So, what then is my problem exactly? Is it not enough? How dare I complain, honestly. </p><p>You see, I love this sport. I honestly think that I owe a large part of my adult health and mental fortitude to cycling. Prior to finding myself needing to ride to work because of a broken down car so many years ago, I was not really in a good spot. I wasn't taking care of myself, and I really didn't have much to point to as far as self-worth. I worked hard, but really didn't like myself that much. This is a problem that persists today. In large part, cycling has been something about which I have been very passionate ... but, at the same time, I've only been using it to slow the bleeding, in a manner of speaking. I still struggle with anxiety, depression, social awkwardness, low self-esteem, and have a tendency to try and bury all of this underneath a pile of poor eating habits. Cycling - as passionate as I am about it - isn't enough to fix all of the root of those issues... it simply was enough exercise to keep my bad habits from sending me to the doctor's office. Even going back to school as an adult wasn't enough to unload a lot of my personal baggage. For some reason, what I have accomplished (regardless of category), and what I think of myself, are at odds.</p><p>I'm great at making plans, though. </p><p>The last two years have seen me teeter-tottering on a repeating wave of big plans, and cancelled plans. Big dietary plans, but quick cave-ins. Big cycling plans, but big cancelations. I still struggle from this problem of "if I can't be perfect, then I shouldn't even try", or "if I can't do it all, then what's the point of doing anything?". The evidence of that is clear.... BIG plans to ride all of the spring brevets, but then consistently missing every single one of them. Then, however, I'd go out and ride a solo 100km ride, on the heavy bike, and not die... so, what was I afraid of? Am I embarrassed to let people see how far I've let myself go? Am I worried about being last?.... like it even matters? I have even shown up at the local Monday night ride on "the wrong bike", and have managed to hang in with the group... but, I still don't think I belong. My jersey is too tight... I have too many bags.... I have fenders.... or I <i>don't</i> have fenders.... or I'm not a real gravel guy.... or those REALLY talented local racers will look at me funny... like that should matter.... or whatever my manufactured justification for not going might become in the hour or so leading up to the ride start, which is barely a mile from home. Rinse. Repeat.</p><p>The hard work that got me here has been forgotten, and there is part of me that doesn't want to hurt or suffer to try and get back to that good place again... the place where 200ks are "easy", and hanging in with the front group while having a conversation is just expected. I am afraid to fail, but also afraid to do the work.</p><p>For the second year in a row, I find myself watching other people achieve things on Strava, while I ride alone... terrified to show myself, or to be judged, measured, compared. I mean, I'm not fast. Never have been. And, no-one has ever cared, except me.... so, why this is a problem now, well, I'm still trying to figure that out. But, it's a problem. I'm actually in therapy. Which... for me... someone keen to fix everything himself, or ignore the problems altogether, is a huge step. Apparently it's "hip" to have a therapist nowadays, so, there's that. </p><p>Most recently, I managed to try my hand at touring, and attempted to ride out to see my son at his school in Rolla, MO. Missouri is a really pretty state, with the Ozark Mountains, and - of course - the Lake of the Ozarks, the Katy and Rock Island trails, and dozens of other notable cycling attractions - plus, it's also really hilly. I planned for months, figured out the routes, hotels, and logistics ... and actually managed to get out of the driveway on day one! Unfortunately, I ended up getting chased, caught, pulled off the bike, and bitten by a stray dog, about 20 miles into day two of six, which really put a damper on things. Day three was spent in a regional ER getting the first round of rabies treatments, which is the standard course of action when the animal's vaccination status can't be verified. Of course, this was a completely random thing, and while there are likely a dozen different scenarios I can think of where I got out of that unscathed, the fact is, I didn't... and things - like them or not - tend to happen for a reason. At the end of the day, however, I was DOING IT.... and I felt really good. I even completed the day two ride, not receiving the local sheriff's phone message about the dog's status until hours later ... and the bite itself was minor enough that the EMT's cleared me to continue. Heck, I was ready for day three, which - in my mind, all told, should be success enough... but the trip still felt like another failure to complete something that I'd set out to do. Needless to say, the subsequent trip to visit the daughter at her school in the opposite direction a couple weeks later was canceled, while I instead searched the internet for the best dog deterrents and pepper sprays.... none of which I'll likely ever need again. Statistically, my dog-incident-per-mile ratio remains absurdly low, as is the case for most cyclists in this country. Overthinking is something I do well, however - and more often than not, my noisy inner dialogue has talked me out of personal growth and challenges that I should be facing. </p><p>As we move into May, I have finally had enough of all of this. I am committing myself to starting a more sustainable dietary regimen, to get my health back on track. I have committed to simply showing up ... which, clearly really is the hardest part of any journey. I have committed myself to getting back into that which I love most: randonneuring ... and to stop making excuses and saying "no" to myself and my goals. Also on tap, I want to ride all of the local rail trails in their entirety over the next couple of years, including the monster loop of the Katy Trail and the proposed and planned Rock Island trail that (once finished) will create a 400-mile loop across Missouri and back. Part of that trip will involve an off-course jog down into Rolla, so I can finally say "yes, I made it to Rolla by bicycle, under my own power". Also, I will ride the Flint Hills Nature trail out to Council Grove (if not beyond to Herrington, should they ever finish it), and then up into Manhattan, KS. </p><p>And finally, as my company finally starts to emerge from the throes of the pandemic and starts bringing us back into the office once a week, I will pack up my stuff into some panniers and ride there instead of driving. Like I love to do.</p><p>Goals are good, plans are good ... and if none of these things actually work out, well.... life is still good, and I am still worth the effort. I think more than ever I am a work in progress; and while most might think someone of my age and experience would have this all figured out, trust me: I don't. I don't think a lot of us really do, and that's okay to admit. We get up, dust ourselves off, and keep at it.</p><p>I think the pandemic threw most of us off of our game ... but, in time we can hopefully each start to see the way back. The painter can still find ways to be creative without eyesight, we all know what Beethoven accomplished after he lost his hearing, and even when we lose a loved one we can each still find purpose within ourselves. That is my quest. I hope you are each finding your way forward, too. Much of my journey will still be atop a bicycle, because it still feels right. I hope to see you out there. There are a lot of great miles left to cover together.... and they don't have to be ridden alone. I need to remember that, and allow myself to show up. Trying to do all of this alone for the last few years, well.... yeah, it hasn't really worked. Time to get back to it. </p><p>Thanks for reading, as ever.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uwWgugkUsWNFz3TsGRzaoygz99RZ-UtrqPfv8CCm6_lqTnA88Mq9pcO-zgTIk57iJMs6xXlq9iZ7SxW1gTff9ae77wocyvuG16n4Rfcs9lhmIvnlornh3jwgL0AT-cKru3EzGlUjxrGl9FCvBiskRRW0KXfIr-D1sTlLSH49JdcnNFeiFA/s3648/PXL_20230420_190927378.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uwWgugkUsWNFz3TsGRzaoygz99RZ-UtrqPfv8CCm6_lqTnA88Mq9pcO-zgTIk57iJMs6xXlq9iZ7SxW1gTff9ae77wocyvuG16n4Rfcs9lhmIvnlornh3jwgL0AT-cKru3EzGlUjxrGl9FCvBiskRRW0KXfIr-D1sTlLSH49JdcnNFeiFA/w300-h400/PXL_20230420_190927378.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trip to Rolla, April 20th, 2023: Day Two, after the dog bite, climbing some ridiculous hills on the way to Eldon, MO., and still finding a reason to smile. Is it ever really "that bad," after all?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-37740245504961768672022-12-28T13:43:00.004-06:002022-12-28T13:50:56.570-06:00Confidence and Passion: Like Fine Wine? (A 2022 Wrap-Up Post)<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As 2022 draws to a close, it seemed like - once again - a good time to draft a post to wrap up some thoughts on the year... and some random spouting on the completion of a 5-year journey through adult education that just wrapped up, as well.<br /><br />The excuses are beginning to fall by the wayside ... yes, yes, my educational journey is now complete, and - as promised, both to you (if you're still here) and myself - that means a steady return to recreational writing. Balanced against a bit of academic PTSD, perhaps. The sprawling, 30,000-word epic posts are likely a thing of the past. I'm not sure my wrists can take it, and in this early-21st Century culture of short attention spans and social media snippets, I'll save those longer stories for a future published book, perhaps.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, as many might wonder, after a long educational journey, what have I learned?</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> It's a fair question. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm sure I know a little more than I used to. I definitely know a lot more about myself than I expected to learn. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For now, I am simply happy to have finished. Honestly, I'm content to avoid thinking about </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">anything </i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> might have learned for a while.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If life is like a wine cellar, we must treat our myriad bottles of personal knowledge and experience like bottles of good wine. There's a bottle for this hobby and that, and one for each chapter of life; that old relationship, those times with good friends forgotten, and all those miles on the road.<br /><br />The main purpose of storing wine bottles on their sides is to prevent the drying out of the cork; yet another benefit involves the even distribution of sediment across a broader surface. Wine enthusiasts and scientists still debate this; maybe horizontal storage simply maximizes available space; maybe dry corks are a myth. Maybe it solved the issue of accidentally toppling upright bottles while fumbling about in dark cellars 150 years ago. Regardless, as we put some of our experiences on the shelf (if only temporarily), horizontal storage prevents the best of our experiences from being packed too tightly, buried at the bottom of the bottle. When the time comes to revisit them, only gentle agitation is required to bring them back into suspension.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Having given my bottle of mental fortitude a good shake, it is important to let things settle. It is all in there. Some lessons float to the top occasionally, but most will inevitably settle - which reinforces the importance for each of us to occasionally give ourselves a gentle turn once in a while. Use it or lose it, others might succinctly say. Fans of brevity and tidy analogies should shop elsewhere.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">According to a few sources, only 10% of the wine produced today is meant to be stored and aged: most is meant for immediate consumption. No matter what I've learned, experienced, or chosen to store - upright or otherwise - the point is to open it and enjoy it. There is little as sad in this world as a bottle left undrunk, acrid, and past its prime.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I could say the same for my bicycling experience since the pandemic took hold, now coming on three years ago. What I had taken for granted has settled to the bottom of that particular bottle. The last few years have seen fits and starts of various diets (all failed), panicked returns to training (most short-lived), brief returns to long distances, and the frustration associated with having left the bottle upright for too long. Frustrated shaking has yet to unstick what daily commuting to and from work used to do for me, mentally and otherwise.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yet, even as</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> my own worst critic, that particular vintage still tastes perfect. No matter how many times I decant it, despite the many hard lessons, missteps, and missed opportunities, I keep coming back. The bright notes carry it well, and it tends to pair well with everything.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've come to terms with the psychology of it all, at least today. Cycling, for many, becomes an identity - especially when one struggles to confidently define themselves otherwise. It is something that I do, yes, but it often takes too much of me when I let it. Self-inflicted pressure tends to squeeze the joy out of most otherwise-terrific pastimes. Surely as the title of this blog suggests, commuting to work became not just something I did - I had manufactured a responsibility for myself to do it, write about it, talk about it endlessly, obsess about it, and leverage it as the sole training base for my randonneuring endeavors. Once it was gone, I felt a bit hollow ... but only because of what I had allowed it to become in my own mind. But, in my own mind, what good was I without it?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, what have I learned? Balance. Self-awareness. Emotional intelligence. A better understanding of the world. Perhaps some confidence, too. Pursuing education as an adult yielded a degree, yes, and righted a long-held personal belief that I had somehow done something wrong by not taking a more traditional path when I was younger. The truth is, I took the journey I did from a lack of confidence. Back then, I didn't think I could, so I didn't try very hard. I barely showed up. Instead, I took an arguably more difficult path, slowly gaining the confidence to endure what life threw my way. I still survived, thrived... which should have told me I had what it took all along. Own worst critic, indeed. My only regret now is that I wasted far too much time being angry, anxious, and hesitant for no good reason.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For each of us, we get where we are - and appreciate where we are best - by valuing the lessons provided through the journey, not begrudging it through useless comparisons to misguided definitions of normalcy. I rode back and forth to work on a bicycle because I enjoyed it - and it certainly does not follow societal norms in this area of the world. The relative hardships of it were never a deterrent. Even the harshest weather was looked at as a challenge. Life should be no different: when there is passion and confidence, you simply get dressed and go. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All told, my way is the only right way for me, yours only right for you. Education or hard knocks... it </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">doesn't matter</i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">. While each can impact the fabric of our character, neither are all-defining. C</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">onfidence and passion share a place in the bottle, each enhancing the other. When both exist, we can be unstoppable if we'd only </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">believe it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I wish that simplistic view could translate and provide some hope for everyone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Now, perhaps some cycling content?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've managed to keep enough confidence and passion stirred up to get close to 5,000 miles logged for the year, which I'm pleased with. Without the previously-normal back-n-forth jaunts to the office, many of these miles have been daily lunchtime rides, interspersed with longer weekend rides, and - yes - some "fake miles" on Zwift. Say what you will, but for me, struggling with my weight, fitness, and consistency, indoor training with a smart trainer has been money well spent. Granted, it is not doing anything for my recent timidity regarding the cold weather, but it is helping with every other aspect. If I can get myself outdoors once in a while, that will be good for what I'm sure will be some chilly brevet starts in the coming Spring.<br /><br /><br />Miles aside, 2022 has found me finally showing up for a few things I'd never done before, like the terrific "<a href="https://www.cranksgiving.org/directory/kansas-city-mo-2/" target="_blank">Cranksgiving</a>" event here in Kansas City. I was invited to participate with a great team of friends, and with home-built and beefy modified bike trailers, we managed to haul in around 4,900 lbs. of food for a local food pantry, and had a great time doing it. Afterwards there was chili, beer, and live music, and hey... the cold temps didn't "kill" me. I'm already looking forward to next year!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi7jvK4tF3k2sFDjJ_Bb87fqIHg-GlEMlSXs8ys_fGtSLqdc0jCgpq7uQKl_F84CcAhO-8xgoFsuU9LQ17MEADvIvYHow23f5gf2rjby4x0AbEz98ie-bFd8mA1pQWm9RNKlXCtAkAvuG3TbrRgbNoePTKv9JRGwVyYMjQHbEaymBFvuyTQ/s2048/Paul_Cranksgiving22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi7jvK4tF3k2sFDjJ_Bb87fqIHg-GlEMlSXs8ys_fGtSLqdc0jCgpq7uQKl_F84CcAhO-8xgoFsuU9LQ17MEADvIvYHow23f5gf2rjby4x0AbEz98ie-bFd8mA1pQWm9RNKlXCtAkAvuG3TbrRgbNoePTKv9JRGwVyYMjQHbEaymBFvuyTQ/s320/Paul_Cranksgiving22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul T., Captain of Team Big Grin with a monster haul at the 2022 K.C. Cranksgiving! I mentioned "cold", and yes... case in point, Paul is indeed wearing shorts here. I, on the other hand, looked like I just came off the night shift of an Alaska region brevet. The average temperature during the event was 26ºF, and it was quite windy... which clearly means different things to different people!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPijnVY8e29-cXMmySgGhtKgYzwyqgJifygzxrlPMrE4FVrmCuGNEG3zwt1hvmPVWlVN4Lgm0ia_P92tdiDDX0U-HsOmqV9saVWRqKrB38caslRQU1u87c0hoJhCzwY4DdFpMA0DV6vM3zRfHNzZTIjExHpG8hPH5L66mfPad2Hem-rnR6mg/s2124/IMG_6057.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2124" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPijnVY8e29-cXMmySgGhtKgYzwyqgJifygzxrlPMrE4FVrmCuGNEG3zwt1hvmPVWlVN4Lgm0ia_P92tdiDDX0U-HsOmqV9saVWRqKrB38caslRQU1u87c0hoJhCzwY4DdFpMA0DV6vM3zRfHNzZTIjExHpG8hPH5L66mfPad2Hem-rnR6mg/s320/IMG_6057.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Big Grin, 2022 Winners of the Heaviest Team Haul!<br />Yeah, that's me on the left... apparently, I can't ride a bike without a reflective vest anymore, and I'm always freezing. Haha!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Long-distance riding? Absolutely! With school work still dominating my free time for much of 2022, I still managed to get in a few randonneuring events, including a terrific 300km event that included 177 miles of new-to-me roads up in Nebraska. It was a day filled with long stretches of awesome open road, scorching heat under cloudless skies, severe thunderstorms chasing us across the plains, and some really good group riding in the last 100km as a few of us regrouped after dark. I'm immensely glad I made it out for this event, and I got a cool, limited, 100th Anniversary BRM 300km medal to remember it by.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_hwl1fkkX9LWHs-wXG4gQYlvAht3hh2M7lduCeXRHtt8GxLaOZ4S0JgMDGar6FzelNMq4I3fCdwnfZ9-m4QbCXD1ZizfmOziFAyWFpGVWxvfa48TbxGelA5lCw313ULkExLiWIZPrPJS0OFpOPvorKMTmK3KMaHBn0GcowM7cNu6IH4Gsg/s4608/IMG_20220611_062117318_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_hwl1fkkX9LWHs-wXG4gQYlvAht3hh2M7lduCeXRHtt8GxLaOZ4S0JgMDGar6FzelNMq4I3fCdwnfZ9-m4QbCXD1ZizfmOziFAyWFpGVWxvfa48TbxGelA5lCw313ULkExLiWIZPrPJS0OFpOPvorKMTmK3KMaHBn0GcowM7cNu6IH4Gsg/s320/IMG_20220611_062117318_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 11th, 2022, 300km event: Randonneurs heading out of St. Joseph into a great day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMG6i8ibCaSCWTSfU2pGzv872B61h4JGK6ly5aRlUhub3WVWr1o0zGQ7PY2r0cWg-kVxj4-qNqqK10z-0tPnDwCs9NTpeePrSZrbodPbCFpSyrG45ccJaq-_mcqnjlJxGuPRkkGnvkfYmmDIilgmuVK3CLdJk3fPchBHR7BR26MD66BCfEQ/s4493/IMG_20220611_085243011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4493" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMG6i8ibCaSCWTSfU2pGzv872B61h4JGK6ly5aRlUhub3WVWr1o0zGQ7PY2r0cWg-kVxj4-qNqqK10z-0tPnDwCs9NTpeePrSZrbodPbCFpSyrG45ccJaq-_mcqnjlJxGuPRkkGnvkfYmmDIilgmuVK3CLdJk3fPchBHR7BR26MD66BCfEQ/s320/IMG_20220611_085243011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fixed gear is the way... at least for these two intrepid riders! The route heads west across the vast Missouri River Valley, approaching Rulo, NE. (John S. on the left, and Spencer K., Audax KC and Nebraska Sandhills Randonneurs RBA, on the right)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQifNUivVLrEVpb2DRfQCykrT9LElOYEs3TaWdofEDV5dMGIGxUtS4iiynmXjTvWdP9dd3woQQ6j0hnqvHuiPTMM6OO13c62vZjOJ7DST8qRjoAdo2Ukd0fBAJNXHFNIwbTPms-lyrzzBZWdZyCt3wnbMbYG5La_8fm3QcLNj3BV3ZQKv-dg/s3456/IMG_20220611_163145645.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3215" data-original-width="3456" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQifNUivVLrEVpb2DRfQCykrT9LElOYEs3TaWdofEDV5dMGIGxUtS4iiynmXjTvWdP9dd3woQQ6j0hnqvHuiPTMM6OO13c62vZjOJ7DST8qRjoAdo2Ukd0fBAJNXHFNIwbTPms-lyrzzBZWdZyCt3wnbMbYG5La_8fm3QcLNj3BV3ZQKv-dg/s320/IMG_20220611_163145645.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supercell thunderstorm about 20 miles behind us and closing. While the shelf cloud mercifully provided some much-needed shade from the sun, the storm ultimately produced a tornado and baseball-sized hail around Marysville, KS. and other rural communities on 6/11/22. As we cyclists rode along in the open, we were lucky the storm turned south and missed us. Later that night, we were treated to quite a lightning display and only experienced a few errant sprinkles of rain. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The June 11th 300km event went well enough that I began to think about establishing another streak of monthly rides to capture the personally-elusive 6th R-12 award - something I've started and stopped at least four separate times now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This year was hot, to say the least. The randonneuring events I rode over the summer months (five in total, four finishes) averaged 87 degrees Fahrenheit over their duration, with heat indexes exceeding 100 in almost every case. When temperatures finally broke in the Fall, I had become so acclimatized to things that 70 degrees felt chilly enough for arm warmers. It was ridiculous... and amid the pressures of various paper deadlines, homework, and family obligations, the streak ended yet again. To say that I'm already eyeing 2023 as the year to get R-12 number six done might be an understatement... but there are other plans in the hopper, too. <br /><br />As far as new roads go, I did quite a bit of exploring in 2022, covering over 400 miles of never-before-ridden roads. The previously mentioned 300km in Nebraska took care of much of that number, the rest being on local neighborhood roads that I've been trying to fill in on my <a href="https://wandrer.earth/" target="_blank">wandrer.earth</a>, <a href="https://veloviewer.com/" target="_blank">VeloViewer</a>, <a href="https://squadrats.com/" target="_blank">Squadrats</a>, and <a href="https://www.statshunters.com/" target="_blank">statshunters</a> maps. Pick your favorite, but any of these terrific sites that integrate with your Strava activities can reinvigorate your cycling experience, and introduce you to challenges you might not have considered trying: many in your own backyard, which is great to keep with wheels turning in the winter months when you'd perhaps not fancy being dozens of miles from home in the cold and wind.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Also notable in 2022 was the culmination of a lot of planning in the form of attempts to visit each of my kids at their respective colleges via bicycle. In each case, the round trip will end up being at least 400km... double that for one of the trips. After getting the routes, stops, and hotels all perfectly planned, it never really occurred to me that I ought to perhaps train for the cycling itself. While I thought I was prepared, I made several classic bikepacking (eh, more like loaded touring in my case) mistakes: I packed too much, under-estimated my abilities, and under-estimated the impact of a fully-loaded bicycle on average speed expectations and daily mileage plans... and, critically, I under-estimated the psychological impact of not meeting those expectations. In my mind, I had it decided that this would be "just like a brevet" and I'd be cruising along with a 14-mph overall average, "no problem." Instead, the sudden cold snap and 30 MPH headwind on day one had me barely averaging 10 MPH on the very hilly gravel route I'd chosen. The attempted "leg one" of the journey ended up being a bust. Like most cycling challenges, everything fell apart between my ears ... had I readjusted my expectations in the moment, I very well could have made it to the hotel - just later than planned - rested up for Day 2, and given it a good try once committed to the reality of my location the next morning. Instead, I folded at the halfway mark and turned around for home, and having not ridden sensibly, I was too tired to enjoy the tailwind. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Training? Check... it was still a solid 100-mile day with a full load, and I learned a lot. I have since regained some fire in my belly around personal dietary concerns, some focused training over the winter, and some important mental reflection, with my eyes set on completing the goal before May this year... basically, my last chance to do it since they'll be graduating.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1GdoWqOgSx3Mx3ef3X3NAz5NSxn7Uy72on4W8iFkeP7GH3cDw1kzCT6lw1ASa26PbeolaWRUgThm0wYLxKedQZ_3G29SSIUgHVcHp0rLRnlN7l3NZ0IDPn0Av-qmIjVPTrqBpfxAFMtrjqiJVDmdEQ5OHRwV1X-lC_AjNARJkBf7zZyZjw/s4608/IMG_20221013_145132204_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1GdoWqOgSx3Mx3ef3X3NAz5NSxn7Uy72on4W8iFkeP7GH3cDw1kzCT6lw1ASa26PbeolaWRUgThm0wYLxKedQZ_3G29SSIUgHVcHp0rLRnlN7l3NZ0IDPn0Av-qmIjVPTrqBpfxAFMtrjqiJVDmdEQ5OHRwV1X-lC_AjNARJkBf7zZyZjw/s320/IMG_20221013_145132204_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycling is often 80% mental, and 20% legs and logistics. In early October, surprised by a cold front and strong headwind, I got things the wrong way around. Sometimes we have to re-learn these sorts of lessons. Here, 50 miles from both home and the planned hotel, I would argue silently with myself for 30 minutes before cashing it in and heading back home. I still ended up having two really great weekends with each kid - I just got there "the easy way" instead. 2023...stay tuned.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All told, 2022 was a great year on the bike, and apparently I still have a good amount of passion for the sport. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hopefully, you've all had a terrific 2022 on the bike! I'm looking forward to a great season of Spring brevets, since it is once again a P-B-P year (<a href="https://rusa.org/pages/pbp" target="_blank">the Paris-Brest-Paris 1200km Grand Randonnee</a>), which means there will be a lot of attention on qualifying, which generally equates to more riders! Even if P-B-P is not in your sights, randonneuring is still a great way to spend time on a bicycle. Come join us, eh? If you have the passion, stretching your legs out to 100, 200, 300, 400, and even 600km is a really good test and a great way to build some confidence incrementally. You'll be amazed at what you can do! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Check out <a href="http://RUSA.org">RUSA.org</a> to find out more about randonneuring in the U.S., <a href="https://rusa.org/cgi-bin/eventsearch_GF.pl" target="_blank">search for rides near you</a> and try something new for 2023! <br /><br /><br />Hope to see you out there, and - as ever - thanks for reading!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-34183352678248169482022-08-03T07:49:00.001-05:002022-08-03T07:49:13.309-05:00The Summer Check-In<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> It's the 2022 edition of the summer blogpost... which will be very, very short indeed... we are still in the throes of the educational hurricane, but only a scant handful of weeks left until we get spit out the other side. 75-days from this writing, to be precise. What will that mean? Eh... we shall see. Perhaps a return to the careful cadence of long-winded ride reports. Perhaps something else entirely... there are still tales to tell, miles to discover, and goals to achieve.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For now... a photo drop.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYscOvOJwVAvuCh0TCIocmGN7DEpBaoNyB-vdHZ4noB0xOt2YhEtGNbZidVw2OG-T9s8A30iVAH5BxW7Z-QrLcVOHsQTXxz88CD1yp4pmr-ktte0-FHffxDsYBladzxra27ufCITpqEM7mTBBJeVu27FhhJsP4TLlPUuZLKNUOVFnbT3HAw/s4608/IMG_20220723_084429166_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYscOvOJwVAvuCh0TCIocmGN7DEpBaoNyB-vdHZ4noB0xOt2YhEtGNbZidVw2OG-T9s8A30iVAH5BxW7Z-QrLcVOHsQTXxz88CD1yp4pmr-ktte0-FHffxDsYBladzxra27ufCITpqEM7mTBBJeVu27FhhJsP4TLlPUuZLKNUOVFnbT3HAw/s320/IMG_20220723_084429166_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't really call anything a streak... the pandemic, school, and work generally conspire to keep me off the long rides more often than not; but, we are still trying for that elusive R-12 #6, on our way to an eventual 10 total (at least). This time, a wildflower shot from somewhere along the road between Centerville, KS. and Mound City, KS. on my most-recent 200km installment. Ride report? It was HOT. Eyes on August... no relief in sight.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnO7ulIG8J0g-Lm7AggqXV_GBnppojoG9YxmMPwNW7RpAGDK3baLYTbM1EXpTOcHDgsRe9KQD47yQjv-pBABSmUeec0OuJ-Pf09-DztSqFgujTv_nYlDFDJ61mfVAAXydgZhTsqjMla7tbsL6LOq_9j5y2OltB2vL22la-kgxnV5UBITr5A/s4608/IMG_20220709_142125164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnO7ulIG8J0g-Lm7AggqXV_GBnppojoG9YxmMPwNW7RpAGDK3baLYTbM1EXpTOcHDgsRe9KQD47yQjv-pBABSmUeec0OuJ-Pf09-DztSqFgujTv_nYlDFDJ61mfVAAXydgZhTsqjMla7tbsL6LOq_9j5y2OltB2vL22la-kgxnV5UBITr5A/s320/IMG_20220709_142125164.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caution: This vehicle stops at railroad crossings</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9IdAcZ0HKLMx3dIHYw_2jTr5iqS8jj4v2G7P5ZhzL06hbDYFpcuoS0ZSIXIIq6R6pc1FGHjGTt_oHr6atmL_Uzz6BqQj6Snb3Hn7mxExDJiY0HA-Jho1ZFHgrY_LdblNNxOPWVCT8cy9I1mIHfLXNZfqPvTbJCoYBxJTQhI3EXKwm4OeEg/s1080/IMG_20220614_120527_363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9IdAcZ0HKLMx3dIHYw_2jTr5iqS8jj4v2G7P5ZhzL06hbDYFpcuoS0ZSIXIIq6R6pc1FGHjGTt_oHr6atmL_Uzz6BqQj6Snb3Hn7mxExDJiY0HA-Jho1ZFHgrY_LdblNNxOPWVCT8cy9I1mIHfLXNZfqPvTbJCoYBxJTQhI3EXKwm4OeEg/s320/IMG_20220614_120527_363.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two fixed gears on the Missouri River Valley highway back on June 11th's ACP 100th Anniversary 300km event.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dK-rXdbBXziT2RvTMi4O0Zsdptnu1oW1vtHYmzL9hjCuTGdS-o09S4nBr2HIK3ZNK6VhFOBVaUUg2BoG1gQzWTxD25OoWk95Ol0YD5edLglEN1K94FSTvMAbhMG6ef0qy4zUY0TIqcYTJj1V0rsoqHNH0k0oQsDG9OAlf0IIi88mOKccjQ/s784/IMG_20220614_120527_555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="784" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dK-rXdbBXziT2RvTMi4O0Zsdptnu1oW1vtHYmzL9hjCuTGdS-o09S4nBr2HIK3ZNK6VhFOBVaUUg2BoG1gQzWTxD25OoWk95Ol0YD5edLglEN1K94FSTvMAbhMG6ef0qy4zUY0TIqcYTJj1V0rsoqHNH0k0oQsDG9OAlf0IIi88mOKccjQ/s320/IMG_20220614_120527_555.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the ACP 300km, all roads lead to Nebraska. Back in Rulo again...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp7dSiNKXdMi9ij-Z8-PQm6h-gT2TkAEcg3D8pIHR2RWYUSTSwYXaY9GUSuGQgEDo8drdL3iA32VHW-F-GtIoqcV6kxqxo59za4aTa18Mp4_tKOM6syKEQVwyGpWFuGL7vE2mahNHXGHEaSFcLNiQKSEKox8CaXgpLXp9bOXBwyr1v6YfOw/s3456/IMG_20220603_161016_313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp7dSiNKXdMi9ij-Z8-PQm6h-gT2TkAEcg3D8pIHR2RWYUSTSwYXaY9GUSuGQgEDo8drdL3iA32VHW-F-GtIoqcV6kxqxo59za4aTa18Mp4_tKOM6syKEQVwyGpWFuGL7vE2mahNHXGHEaSFcLNiQKSEKox8CaXgpLXp9bOXBwyr1v6YfOw/s320/IMG_20220603_161016_313.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge-hunting on a solo gravel century back in May '22</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPI7s-B7c2p_3xHaLuaL75Xoh0BwouUFdWP5QIz34R-R3YCUgZUxZzbHPL0u9MGC09vlxhwYudXrgCpRyiwqftBlaTM8qgx6g8TpBUXazZEUe1SlNdjU9LTIWlWFnV2JrndaE4WdK7CSVI58GgzC_uCnYk1gQOESkxTQnek5QiMXzwcMipQ/s2300/Screenshot_20220528-181820.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2300" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPI7s-B7c2p_3xHaLuaL75Xoh0BwouUFdWP5QIz34R-R3YCUgZUxZzbHPL0u9MGC09vlxhwYudXrgCpRyiwqftBlaTM8qgx6g8TpBUXazZEUe1SlNdjU9LTIWlWFnV2JrndaE4WdK7CSVI58GgzC_uCnYk1gQOESkxTQnek5QiMXzwcMipQ/s320/Screenshot_20220528-181820.png" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tile hunting, too. You know about <a href="https://veloviewer.com" target="_blank">VeloViewer</a>, don't you?<br />You're welcome.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Stay tuned ... stay hungry ... stay out there ...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Thanks for reading!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-63850791107004081842021-08-05T08:28:00.002-05:002021-08-05T08:28:54.705-05:00The Horizon Gets Closer<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yep yep ... it's been pretty quiet on this site for a long time; but more content is on the horizon. For now, we're still out there writing a great story.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How 'bout you?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mbkkEKDU7a0/YQvmgeZNwsI/AAAAAAAA-j4/39m7w7mHrRY8NrO_WzBSvSA2wM9KmU5ugCPcBGAsYHg/s4608/IMG_20210705_110625174_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mbkkEKDU7a0/YQvmgeZNwsI/AAAAAAAA-j4/39m7w7mHrRY8NrO_WzBSvSA2wM9KmU5ugCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_20210705_110625174_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />The view from Signal Oak, 7/5/2021</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p>kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-59007149041185593672021-03-01T09:40:00.008-06:002021-07-21T08:32:14.973-05:00Spring Training<p> I write this with a great deal of hope for the new year, as it seems the headwinds are ... slowly ... shifting toward a better outlook. While it might be another full 12-months before we're truly back to "normal" (whatever that looks like), it feels like there is more bad news behind us than in front. There's still a lot of caution required, and being this close to the finish line I cannot even begin to suggest that anything is "over" until it is well and truly over. I think it's fair to say we cannot approach a new season of riding with reckless abandon but it finally feels like the season can, at the very least, actually happen. It is up to each of us. </p><p>All told, the prospect of posting new events, instead of canceling them, is exciting.</p><p>After a full year of introspection and discovery, I have begun looking at the bikes - and myself - and wondering of what I might be capable. I wonder how many others are wondering the same thing. Winter is loosening its grip, and I cannot help but notice <span></span>the slow march of morning sun across a different part of the floor in my work-from-home office. Gads, I need to get out of this little room... if only for a day. A blissful, warm day full of sunshine, the faint tinge of chain oil in the air, and the reassuring promise of cleats clicking into pedals accompanying the first birdsong of a new dawn. <i>Let's GO.</i></p><p><i>Wait a shake... </i>how long has it been? </p><p>Well, for me, it's been a bit. After a long, long while under wraps during the last year it is probably safe to suggest we could all use a little less stress in our lives, especially if we're out there trying to ride away from it. The first few events on the spring calendar are fast-approaching, so it's time once again to check your bag!</p><p>Tubes. Yeah, yeah... after lots and lots of research, tubes are very much still relevant for a lot of riders, even serious ones. I won't debate things here. If you catch me talking about marginal gains, hysteretic damping, rotating mass and angles of attack while I'm riding around with four full water bottles, a canvas saddlebag and at least 20 lbs of COVID weight around my midsection.... you should hit me over the back of the head with a really accurate torque wrench and call my wife. Yes, the horror ... INNERTUBES. </p><p>Little else is as frustrating as reaching into your seatbag to swap in a new innertube and feeling the sticky, rubbery resistance of a spare tube that has pretty much welded itself together due to age and oxidation. Check your spares! And hey... check them early, and get in touch with your local bike shop ASAP. Supply chain issues and backorders are still a problem going into the new year ... which is both a good thing, and a terribly bad thing at once. </p><p>On that note, how new are your tires? If you spent a lot of time on an indoor trainer over the last fall/winter, your bike tire might be completely torched, also. </p><p>How about your patch kit? Tire boots? </p><p>Okay, okay.... to make sure I'm not talking to nobody here: when was the last time you refreshed your sealant? Got enough plugs? Tubeless folks, especially, how IS that spare tube you should be carrying anyways?? Maybe that spendy Tubolito thing isn't such a terrible idea after all? After all, it takes up a lot less space in your bag, right? <i>There.</i></p><p>Wait... what's in my bag, anyways??</p><p>For me, I still fall into the trap of the "ample" saddlebag. It's apparently like this with laptop bags, full-frame hiking packs, as well as cycling seatbags: the bigger the bag, the more apt one is to want to fill it. Further, the easier it is to forget what you have in there!</p><p>Each year it is important to take full inventory of one's saddlebag contents and repair kit. On my last run-through, I found I had been carrying around a spoke wrench for a type of wheel that I'd sold off maybe seven years ago. Maybe it was a good luck charm? <i>yeah, yeah... that's it. </i>Further, while I'm all about preparedness, I'm not sure I really need to be carrying around waterproof matches in July. Or a space blanket... despite that one, really nasty experience ages ago. Or spare postcards for information controls... which, maybe aren't even a thing anymore? Maybe those are good fire-starter kindling... or could work as a tire boot... the places my brain goes sometimes... </p><p>Granted, a big saddlebag makes it easy to want to carry the kitchen sink - and REAL tools, in the heat of a ditch repair, are FAR more useful than weirdly-shaped multi-tool tools, but an annual inventory is a good exercise. Spread everything out on the dining room table, and just walk through WHY you're carrying it in the first place. Remember that ingenuity weighs nothing, so it's important to consider that in those roadside moments you should never let what you do not have prevent you from being inventive with what you do have. Little zip ties and a couple feet of duct tape? ...yeah, those can stay in there. But, that <i>really </i>specific spoke wrench for a wheel that I'm not riding? Yeah, back in the toolbox at home. Even that couple of bucks in quarters for a random vending machine... I dunno, but it did save my ride that one time up in Iowa... and I'm still on the fence about that tiny Swiss Army knife in my kit that I have, literally, never EVER used. Sigh.... I'll sleep on it. </p><p>More stuff to check after some time away from randonneuring.... </p><p>My cleats. All the fasteners on the bike... are they snug? Are all my generator light's wires in good shape? When's the last time I checked the battery on my spare headlight and taillight? Is there any cushion left in this handlebar tape? </p><p>It's not like our bikes have been dormant, or left collecting dust, but, these sorts of annual checks can prevent a lot of roadside heartache when it comes time to get out there on a long ride. Take the time, and ride assured! </p><p><br /></p><p>Maybe we'll see you out there this year! </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sb2ynOghJP8/YD0K0LpRtmI/AAAAAAAA89U/kgnce9FNszIeMsKg3IGyj62uJdqhE8PEgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/20200728_130614_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sb2ynOghJP8/YD0K0LpRtmI/AAAAAAAA89U/kgnce9FNszIeMsKg3IGyj62uJdqhE8PEgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200728_130614_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-13028832356826814562021-01-10T13:48:00.023-06:002021-07-13T08:49:22.261-05:00Getting the Best Out of the Worst<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Welcome to 2021 ...</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But, before we get all wistful and begin predictions on how great </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">this </i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">year will be, I just want to take a breath and hope for a second that we're all not just fooling ourselves. 2020 taught me a LOT, and even if "normal" is never really normal again I have a lot of tools in the shed to at least make it easier to navigate things. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As I look <strike>down the barrel </strike>...<i>ahem </i>... to the hopeful horizon of this new year, some thoughts.</span></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The commute is dead</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"We're not even considering having anyone back in an office until the end of 2nd quarter."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Those words sorta hung in the virtual air during our last executive conference call last month. No matter what happens with the virus, the data is in, and working from home is not the slacker-ridden filth-storm all of the naysayers assumed it might be. We are more productive, happier, and - yeah... at the end of the day, because a lot of folks don't know how to clock out when the laptop is 20-paces from the couch, they're getting a lot of bang for their buck out of us these days. The office lease is up this year, too ... and with all of this evidence in place why would ANYone renew it?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">(update: harrowing statement was revised later: "we're not going back to the office until 2022, at the earliest.") <i>What is "commuting," again??</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">That in mind, I have been looking at the bikes lately and wondering why I still have a rear rack mounted. It's basically a REALLY heavy taillight mount, and has been since March 13th, 2020. Fenders.... well, granted, on a must-finish brevet they are worth their weight. On a commute, they're essential ... even on nice summer days, the bike trail is usually riddled with run-off, puddles, mud, dust ... there are always sprinklers running somewhere along the way ... I don't think I can bring myself to remove the fenders, even if it "never rains". All told, the concept of "riding to work", which has been a massive chunk of my annual mileage since before this blog existed, is sorta dead. I'm also inherently lazy, no matter what my mileage numbers look like. Without the NEED to ride in the morning, I don't. I have long since traded it for extra sleep. No matter how much I try to trick myself into riding a quick AM loop to my own house, I haven't done it. I'm looking forward to the time when I could actually wake up, ride to some cool coffee shop and hang out for a spell, and then ride back home for work ----- without the crushing anxiety and COVID worry that accompanies my personality type. I could see adding that into my morning routine. Right now, it's just not something I'm willing to do. I'll give it a few more months, and maybe my morning commute comes back in that sort of guise. For now... the rack is still mounted. I keep getting these inklings that as soon as I undo those bolts, they'll call us back to the office.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I also forget that the rack and my commuting panniers can also enable <i>touring.... </i>just keep 'em, dude... think ahead.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All told - when it comes to cycling in general, riding back and forth to work is terrific ... but the only thing it really prepared me for was ... well, riding 12 miles at a time. Yes, you CAN gain fitness within that framework, but my commute miles were largely spent in "no man's land". Not losing fitness, but not really gaining anything either. The rest days always too hard... the hard days not hard enough. Finally being free from that framework has allowed me to switch to longer lunch rides, where I can apply a bit more training theory. I'm still terrible at it ... but, I think I'm farther along than I would have been had 2020 been "normal". 2021 will be more about embracing this new framework, instead of wondering if I'll ever ride to and from a particular building again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And maybe removing the rear rack. Maybe. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Getting the best out of the worst</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sometimes I need to get pushed outside of the box to move forward. Maybe that's the case for all of us. 2020 was weird in so many ways, so it's no surprise that my mileage fell into the same category. "Weird." Many would say "fake", and part of me agrees ... more on that in a bit. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I never really latched onto the concept of the 100km ride, but this year I managed to rack up thirty-four (*) of them. When it was warmer, they were all genuine, outdoor gravel adventure rides ... not terribly fast (never are), but all within RUSA guidelines for the distance. Turns out, for me, 2020 was terrific brevet training for a lot of the little intangible things. The goal was as-little-as-possible contact with stores or towns, and sometimes I managed zero-contact rides with no stops at all. Well, not including stops in the shade. Ultimately, running into a C-store, once I was okay with it, really wasn't that big of a deal. Just be sensible. Put on the mask, go get what I need, and get out.... you know, like normal (but with a mask). This has helped me get better at the get-in/get-out concept, which - on control efficiency - has always been a problem of mine. I dawdle. I'm WAY better at it now. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Go Longer</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While brevets should be manageable for all skill levels, it came up in a recent conversation that having controls too close together can become a crutch. Sure, the sport will - and should - stretch people; but, for new riders used to charity events, passing a store every 20 miles or so - even if it isn't a control - is really helpful when easing into rando. For me, again with the laziness.... I often leaned on them a little TOO much. I either hydrate too often, or, carry too little to stretch much beyond 30 miles between controls. While most would consider this to be reasonable, it isn't always practical. Some of the longer events get into areas where it can be 45-60 miles between towns, and sometimes you're lucky if you get a store at all ... sometimes it's a water pump or a vending machine that </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">might </i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">be working that day. My "pack everything" 100km solo missions this summer helped me better understand how much I can carry, how much bike weight <i>doesn't matter</i>, how many calories I actually need, and how to manage pace and effort when it is just stupid hot and there is no store to fall into for 30-minutes of air conditioned recovery. In a "normal" year, I'd never have tried it ... and while I won't know until later this year if it pays off, I have to think it will be something I can pull from. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fake Miles?</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">(*) Fake miles... ultimately, my bubble popped. I occasionally suffer from burnout, in a bad way. As much as I'd like to be one of those guys that can just perpetually keep knocking out 800-mile months, I reach a point where just getting dressed for a ride starts to feel like a struggle. This is all mental: anxiety, stress, mental fatigue, way too much internal dialogue, self-doubt, excuse-making, fear. Sparking this, during one of those personal 100km rides in late summer, I had a close-call with an automobile and it rattled me pretty good. I wish I had the ability to just let things roll off my back so I can move forward - but even at my age I still struggle. I've been working a lot on mindfulness this year, for that and many other issues, but sometimes various feelings and incidents are at the front of my mind like a brick wall that I cannot scale. As a result, the existence of a single car on any given road pegged my needle immediately as "too much traffic." ANY wind is hurricane force. If it's below 60 degrees F, it's "freezing". By mid-October, just the slightest drop in temperatures was enough for me to justify spending the rest of the year inside. All the winter gear, past experience ... didn't matter. The upswing in COVID cases didn't help the process. I wasn't going out there. I dove into work, worked through lunch, and worked late, skipped taking vacation.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Another part of my brain, however, was still keen on various numbers and goals. I mounted the road bike into the trainer, activated a Zwift account, and took to cyberspace. This was also something I'd never have previously considered doing at the lengths I did in late 2020. I've used TrainerRoad before in Jan/Feb to get high intensity and threshold training - which has always paid off - but never for more than an hour at a sitting. Cut to today, I have effectively ruined the bearings in the trainer's roller, have flattened and worn out the tread on a perfectly good tire, and watched most of the first season of the Original Star Trek series while finishing a virtual challenge that saw me ultimately stacking up seventeen of the years thirty-four 100km events inside the garage. If I hadn't had the <i>permission </i>to finish the rides indoors, the challenges would not have been completed. I'm confident of that. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What I learned from riding seventeen metric centuries on an indoor trainer is summarized as pure saddle time and mental patience. I cannot say it's any easier or harder than riding the same mileage outdoors; but I can tell you that it is extremely uncomfortable. Without the floating feedback from the road to keep muscles and tendons from locking up, without the ability to coast, without the rewarding distractions of fresh air and scenery ... yeah. It may be fake mileage ... but I begin to understand why a few ultra-distance professionals offer that if you can't ride RAAM (for example) on the indoor trainer, you probably can't ride it in real life. A local gravel legend even took the concept to the outdoors itself ... gravel racers often poo-poo riding <i>on pavement </i>as "junk miles" ... and he often retorts "if you can't ride a double century on pavement, you can't ride it on gravel." There is truth in that. "Fake" or "Junk" miles still have their place, and t</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">rust me: being able to sit on a trainer for four hours, even with tiny breaks, makes riding outside feel like cheating.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Would I ever do it again? Probably not. The translation to actual outdoor road speed is absolutely disappointing - especially in my case, using a classic trainer. Apparently, I can hammer out 62 miles in under three hours in this virtual world, but in real life? Heck no. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While I <i>can </i>sit on a bike for far longer now at a stretch, climbing real hills with real wind resistance? ... yeah, I'm no faster outdoors than I was in September.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Has the time indoors helped? In some ways, yes. Indoor training is just a tool, and what I did this fall is largely <i>incorrect </i>use of that tool.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Indoor training is not "worthless", however ... if that were the case, professionals wouldn't do it at all. But, slogging away on an indoor trainer for three hours is not "training" unless I make it "training". </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At the end of the day, all I was doing was "getting the number". </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Investing in a smart trainer would help me get closer to a real experience, and would genuinely provide real, focused, measurable training; but, honestly, If I had a grand to spend on anything I'd be riding a far nicer bicycle. All told, </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I don't think upgrading my </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">indoor</i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> experience helps me improve as a rider the way riding outdoors year-round has in the past. I need cross training - not "more cycling", so, dollar for dollar, I'd buy a rowing machine. In any case, I'm cancelling my Zwift membership and putting the old, worn-out classic trainer in the dumpster. Partly because the bearings are shot, but partly because it's time for me to just "get out there" again. That's not a judgment on indoor training - that's something I need to do, for many reasons. Despite matching my 2019 mileage and getting some gains, all told I have still gained the wrong kind of weight, and have gotten very soft with regards to the weather. Gotta work on this. Soon.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm still glad I did it. If 2020 was about trying something new, that accomplishment was a biggie. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Goals achieved, gains achieved in butt-time, pure cardio, and mental patience ... but, I don't think an "indoor 12-hr challenge" is in my future; and while I'm proud of my ridiculous result - yeah, it's sorta ridiculous. I may be able to sit on a bike for longer now, and that will certainly help - but now I need to get back outside and learn how to sit on a bike for longer <i>when it is cold and windy</i>. If it really is absolutely nasty outdoors, then I probably need the break anyways ... especially considering what I mentioned earlier about burnout still being a very real thing for me. But, today, the combination of 2020's massive late-season base will absolutely pay off this year, and I'm happy with the result. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Should the asterisk be there? Well, I'll be the first to put it there. With my brain, and the challenges of 2020, I'm glad riding indoors was an option. I'd hate to see what condition I would be in right now had I <b>not </b>logged those trainer miles. Even if there was no pavement passing under my tires, my legs, resting pulse, my backside, and how I feel riding outside again each convince me it was, indeed, "real". Not fake ... just </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">different. Like 2020. </i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YMMV.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><u>Addendum</u>: (1/18/21)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Added in a few days later, yeah ... the above may come across as "harsh" in places with regards to indoor training. My season (2020) would be in the dumpster without Zwift, however. People will have their opinions on it, but, when the goal is just good training without the hassles of traffic and finding the right stretch of road, man... it's REALLY hard to replicate what indoor training can do for the aspiring cyclist. Heart rate control, managing effort, endurance, FTP gains ... especially for riders who don't have the benefit of power meters on their outdoor bike ... there is a lot to be discovered indoors, and honestly -- while I am not in a hurry to stay inside, the benefits the experience have provided are already paying back on the road. I've used it even in the best of years, including last year, just to focus on improving fitness. Most of the time when I ride outdoors I am <i>not </i>focused on such things, and the trainer forces focus. It is efficient. Using TrainerRoad in the past has yielded big gains, and Zwift has been terrific throughout this very odd season. Would I replace all of my outdoor riding with it? Of course not ... I'm not sure any of us would. But, doing those hard indoor miles, whether they are "real" or not, is no different than yoga, stretching, lifting weights ... it prepares and enables more enjoyment once you're back outside again. I convinced myself that 3-hour tempo sessions didn't get me anything but a raw number, but, I've already seen evidence to suggest otherwise. I ultimately do plan to invest in a better indoor trainer for even more improvements in the future, based on real power numbers and utilizing variable resistance. For now, well, </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have taped-up the vents on my shoes and busted out the gloves, because I have to be ready for cold brevet starts, for sure. One thing the trainer definitely doesn't prepare me for are headwinds and chilled legs! But, seriously, make no mistake: if you want to get faster or better at climbing, tempo, sprints, or "whatever", using an indoor trainer and a structured training plan will get you there. It's not a bad investment at all.</span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here We Go Again</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Even though I finished with the first chapter of my return to school back in August, with the last assignment turned in and the final grades posted, I knew I wasn't finished. I took the fall 2020 semester off, yet as I write this I'm only a few days away from starting the graduate portion of my education journey. The online, compressed format will afford me a Masters degree in only 20 months ... but, it's <i>another </i>20 months of saying "maybe" to myself and my riding buddies. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>It will pay off. It will pay off. /repeat/ ....</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If anything, I am already used to the routine and have a good idea from others on what to expect. It should actually be less hectic, in some ways, than the accelerated undergrad program proved to be. So, with high hopes, I just need to give myself permission to take a break and go ride. The 2021 brevet schedule is out, and I have a plan. Time to execute. I will absolutely NEED the mental breaks that randonneuring provides. A good, long ride ... yes, challenging, but challenging in a way that returns energy to handling life's (and schools) challenges. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In any case, this post serves as a small preamble to the forthcoming silence ... this basically means the fingers will be typing for academic purposes only, and that once again the blog will get a little stagnant.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">By the time I post again, heck... maybe things WILL be "normal" again. Whatever that means. I</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">t is impossible to know what life will bring, but worrying about it is pointless. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It isn't always about what we've been handed ... it's what we can make of it. Even though 2020 was very "weird" in a lot of ways, even from a cycling standpoint, I think I managed to make the best out of the worst.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm looking forward to spending a little time outside now, taking some photos, and always, <i>always </i>learning a little bit more about myself, how I can improve, and how I can help others.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hopefully 2020 yielded some positives for all of you, as well - as "weird" as it was. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cheers, friends -- and thanks for reading!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZjXIJOjgX0/X_tTY-FJt-I/AAAAAAAA8Q4/MHEwseeTToYHkEXv_WLW5PE3wZQ0rYT7wCPcBGAsYHg/s4608/IMG_20201226_143354817_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZjXIJOjgX0/X_tTY-FJt-I/AAAAAAAA8Q4/MHEwseeTToYHkEXv_WLW5PE3wZQ0rYT7wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20201226_143354817_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-69607125588065191432020-11-12T17:03:00.008-06:002020-11-13T11:15:15.395-06:00Another End-Of-Summer ...er, Fall... Post<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">... But, this time it's 2020 ... (sigh)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm not going to say much about it here. Why add to the noise? Until this whole thing blows over, I'm basically sticking to my original plans to limit contact with people as much as possible. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's not you, it's me. (<i><-- cool, I finally get to say that to someone!</i>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's not ALL bad news, however. Outdoor activity here is alive and well, and my bike store friends are calling it "the great bike boom of 2020", something we've all been secretly wishing for ... but certainly would have preferred under better circumstances. I can't even get inner-tubes right now! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>(gawd, he STILL uses inner-tubes?)</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Among all the bad news out there, at least some industries are set to thrive for a long time. When it blows over, the FB Marketplace and garage-sale market for bikes and parts is going to be IN-SANE. Time to rebuild the stable with some solid beaters.... </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">yissss</i></p><p><i style="font-family: helvetica;">See, silver linings abound... patience...</i></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For my own outdoor activity, I'm focusing on trying new things this year. The daily commutes to/from the office - obviously - are long gone, the panniers packed away, replaced with a steady cadence of lunchtime rides instead. A lot of additional motivation has been provided by various virtual challenges, helping keep me focused (distracted) and staying active. On the weekends, I've fallen into a decent habit of longer rides ... and while I did grab one 200km back in May, I've pulled back and embraced the 100km distance. Further, in the absence of RUSA rides for the majority of the year, it has been deeply satisfying to stray off the beaten path, discover a lot of new roads, and - ahem - steer clear of the usual string of c-stores, the usual pockets of traffic, and see some new horizons. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">100km. I always sorta poo-pooed that distance, and I'm not sure why. I was definitely a 200km junkie. There was a lot of chatter in the forums surrounding the permanent's program earlier this summer that unleashed opinions about what does and does-not constitute a "real" randonneur. Depending on the perspective, well.... I am not, and never will be, a randonneur. That's fine. Much like the stigmas about bike racing .. and how much it costs to be "competitive" these days, apparently I don't clear enough annually to be a "cyclist" at all by some definitions, which is also fine .. and that's assuming I have the physique or the genetic talent to look like or perform like a racer in the first place. Zipp wheels? I still doubt I've spent that much on all of the wheels I've ever had built up. Also fine. I'm dancing around a lot of highly-charged social commentary here, but ... in general ... people will continue to divide themselves, even as I am doing here. I don't belong anywhere, and so I separate myself even more to make sure that I don't. I'm getting too old to lose any sleep about "fitting in" anyhow, even though I'd like to. I'll just say it, as much as it has become a "necessary evil" in our society, social media certainly doesn't help. Comments like, "those aren't real bike-packing bags", "that's not a rando frame", and "that's not very fast"... and those "what the ___ are you doing here on THAT bike" looks in the group ride parking lot before the start ... yeah, I'm good. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This isn't a "better than thou" statement ... though if I have to type that.... HAHA... maybe it is ... but many riders I've encountered lately seem to still be preoccupied with pointing out differences instead of simply accepting them and trying to learn from their surroundings. I just wanna ride my bike. That's ultimately all we're doing, right? We all want the same things, right? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Morrissey seems to get it. I'm okay by myself. I don't need the draft, the noise, the politics, the hatred, or the attitude ... even though, yes, I'm slathering on a thick attitude here just by bringing any of this up. Nice and cozy, hiding behind the keyboard again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It isn't always sunshine and roses, no. And, yeah... I suppose I AM degrading into "grumpy old man" mode. Or is it "angry, middle-aged jerk-face"? Depends on when you catch me, I guess. I've been called worse, for sure.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maybe I've got it all wrong ... again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Compared to years past, in 2020 it does seem that cyclists DO, <i>finally</i>, wave back. Almost universally, at least in this small slice of the world I see lately. I think maybe we all sorta realize how lucky and fortunate we are to have the freedom to do what we do, and that by cycling -- in all of its forms -- we are overcoming the toils of this particularly nasty year, separately, but somehow together. A nod, a tip of the cycling cap, or a full-on, arms-up wave. I've seen it from kids on the sidewalk, the hybrid riders, the racers, and the weekenders. Helmets, no helmets, mountain, road, e-bike <i>(grumble).</i> We've all waving back. It's nice. We're all trying to improve ourselves or just escape. We're all out riding a bike ... no matter what that looks like. We've either been doing it for 2 weeks, 2 years, or 2 decades.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Especially since I am struggling with a cycling identity crisis of late, I'm down for waving at EVERY-body. That previously-mentioned ugliness that popped up in the forums earlier this year, the more I think about it the more upset I get. Most times, those hiding behind their keyboards do NOT represent majority thinking, myself included ... but, that fact aside, when you are already comfortably identifying within a niche of a niche, well... maybe there shouldn't be any loose stones laying around in this particular garden, eh? No matter how you define "randonneur", one does not climb Everest without first learning to climb the hill behind their house. We should spend a bit more time giving one another a chance, and less trying to sort ourselves into boxes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Whoof, so 100km ... Besides being long enough to satisfy any distance itch I might have, it has served keep my weekends a little more open, allowing more time for around-the-house projects that I've been ignoring for years now. Now that I'm stuck in with DIY projects, my brain is being exercised in new ways, and my confidence is growing new roots in more diverse areas. I think for a while there, I was using the bike to avoid such things. Chicken. I've grown a bit in the last couple of years, if nothing else. Now I ride for the health benefits, for the mental benefits, and to get out of this increasingly over-populated suburban deathtrap for a few hours. Perhaps before I was riding to prove something else? I dunno ... not enough space here, but I have thought about it. I still enjoy it, love it, but it is nice in some ways to not "need" it quite as much as I once had. That's progress.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All told, I will likely continue to stack 100km rides ... even as the weather turns, and various bikes go into dry-dock for maintenance, we have also embraced the interesting novelty of Zwift and indoor riding. WHAT? The dude?!? Say it isn't so! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Oh, c'mon.... it's training!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Well, it seems to help anyways ... weights, treadmill, core, stretching, and yes -- indoor mileage. Since my personal Achilles heel on brevets always seems to be long, flat stretches of road with seemingly no end, well.... Zwift has already started to pay back a little. I mean, if nothing else, it is NOT comfortable. Those guys that did a virtual RAAM this year? COME ON MAN.... I think that might actually be more difficult than the real thing. So, if I've gotten into the habit of watching football games from the saddle, instead of from behind a bag of chips ... that's 3+ hours of really long, numbing, uncomfortable slog on a really, really long flat road. It's working. It's all about the mental game. Because yeah, I want to be halfway through a 600km ride in a few years and be able to say "hey, at least we're not stuck on an indoor trainer for this long!" Those little "I've had worse" nuggets HELP.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">With that, HA.... "Thanks, George!" <-- you know who you are... apparently I have 15 more 100kms to go this year if I want to claim a sticker that says "Ultra 100km" or somesuch... better get to it. Hey, that sticker means a LOT right now, pal. LOL</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It has been, and continues to be, a remarkable year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yeah, I can't wait until all of these bothers are behind us ... b</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">ut, I have to remember that, historically, humanity comes out of adversity with a newfound appreciation for nearly everything. While 2020 was supposed to have been "the year" for a lot of things, it is impossible to say what our collective redirection yet means in a larger, longer sense. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Only time will tell. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My personal timidity will change with time, certainly; but for now I am keeping things safe and distanced. I don't lose very much in that scenario - nothing I can't deal with, anyhow. In another few months, things will begin to look progressively brighter for everyone, and then it will legitimately feel "right" to return to what we love ... no matter what that looks like at an individual level. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For now, stay safe, take care of each other, and ... yeah, maybe start a blog? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Never know. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehmqfBsQgzA/X62-OszxoBI/AAAAAAAA7mw/bkalEwnHIfcOWpnp1Yu5BEktwLdFnCMoQCPcBGAsYHg/s3000/1603671874347.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="3000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehmqfBsQgzA/X62-OszxoBI/AAAAAAAA7mw/bkalEwnHIfcOWpnp1Yu5BEktwLdFnCMoQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/1603671874347.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe I'm not as weather-hearty as I used to be, but Zwift sure is nice when it's just miserable outside.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwzSuuuIRQw/X62-OtmPw0I/AAAAAAAA7mw/dudtrdltwUgKBcZ0me-wprETj0ye0v98gCPcBGAsYHg/s1127/20201017_151118%257E3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1127" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwzSuuuIRQw/X62-OtmPw0I/AAAAAAAA7mw/dudtrdltwUgKBcZ0me-wprETj0ye0v98gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20201017_151118%257E3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who let the cows out? </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0yQnjBq4CI/X62-OoeVBbI/AAAAAAAA7mw/0HGZEd1mpScfOYQHrjo7sTNyio1-fwwPACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/20200830_135918_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0yQnjBq4CI/X62-OoeVBbI/AAAAAAAA7mw/0HGZEd1mpScfOYQHrjo7sTNyio1-fwwPACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200830_135918_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where we measure time, and distance, in centuries</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0yQnjBq4CI/X62-OoeVBbI/AAAAAAAA7mw/0HGZEd1mpScfOYQHrjo7sTNyio1-fwwPACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/20200830_135918_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sf3EBoXEQT4/X62-Ogn8x0I/AAAAAAAA7mw/B6UCSJ1dN4YtflGhti75f182Qbp8KC5VwCPcBGAsYHg/s2560/20200823_150357.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sf3EBoXEQT4/X62-Ogn8x0I/AAAAAAAA7mw/B6UCSJ1dN4YtflGhti75f182Qbp8KC5VwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200823_150357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variety is good ... although I'm not ready for 100km on FOOT, a half-marathon might do here and there.<br />Walking ... we're not completely crazy. These knees can't take that anymore.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jF097T_5Qb4/X62-OtKCxuI/AAAAAAAA7mw/ujFFfzwkcW0d2O5Gvi48Pq8zz8fGVk2dACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/20200801_144229.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2794" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jF097T_5Qb4/X62-OtKCxuI/AAAAAAAA7mw/ujFFfzwkcW0d2O5Gvi48Pq8zz8fGVk2dACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200801_144229.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where ya been ridin' lately?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgL0UlDAOtU/X62-OmiU92I/AAAAAAAA7mw/oJtOaFYN5SY5sdDrXCKSXKSCze5lLvhoQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/20200719_141736.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgL0UlDAOtU/X62-OmiU92I/AAAAAAAA7mw/oJtOaFYN5SY5sdDrXCKSXKSCze5lLvhoQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200719_141736.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden treasures</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HbXuoNnRWs/X62-Om8LkJI/AAAAAAAA7mw/1WhJF5_dztY5M3G6FFCx_uBgV5hjXGRUgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/20200719_140332.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HbXuoNnRWs/X62-Om8LkJI/AAAAAAAA7mw/1WhJF5_dztY5M3G6FFCx_uBgV5hjXGRUgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200719_140332.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No longer hunting for R-12 this year ... just out collecting old bridges and schoolhouses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yFDfFrbL224/X62-OtcaA8I/AAAAAAAA7mw/3MHoG_b7sdEPzsjKkc8A86h2EtiB7RHOgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/20200719_124236_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yFDfFrbL224/X62-OtcaA8I/AAAAAAAA7mw/3MHoG_b7sdEPzsjKkc8A86h2EtiB7RHOgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200719_124236_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGw7VmO_4Pw/X62-OtT7NeI/AAAAAAAA7mw/vtywsh6zwBIHFTtcyf4CVVn55y_mnfmUwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/20200719_144138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGw7VmO_4Pw/X62-OtT7NeI/AAAAAAAA7mw/vtywsh6zwBIHFTtcyf4CVVn55y_mnfmUwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200719_144138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHGrdT_gVLw/X62-OjZ0HMI/AAAAAAAA7mw/llmZFa0vpRI_8tZBCAsDqCLimvyUgNuewCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/20200614_143509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHGrdT_gVLw/X62-OjZ0HMI/AAAAAAAA7mw/llmZFa0vpRI_8tZBCAsDqCLimvyUgNuewCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200614_143509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rp9-7lhbQ8s/X62-Oi8jWuI/AAAAAAAA7mw/IwwvsC6IGAE3sduKafzk-lUVvr_wvWQBwCPcBGAsYHg/s3120/IMG_20200524_190042_437.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rp9-7lhbQ8s/X62-Oi8jWuI/AAAAAAAA7mw/IwwvsC6IGAE3sduKafzk-lUVvr_wvWQBwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200524_190042_437.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long distance in 2020 ... "Just add water."<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-68096307057435444672020-05-03T14:16:00.004-05:002020-06-18T16:29:39.928-05:00A 200km Tale: Flirting with Disaster ... again ... and Lessons for Long-Distance Cycling's New Landscape.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">M</span>ore than a photo dump from a recent big ride, this post hopefully serves as a personal list of do's and don'ts for any of my future events in this "new world" we live in these days. Little doubt exists that ... <i>sigh, do I HAVE to type it out? ...</i> COVID-19 has changed everything, quite literally. I do not think any aspect of our lives have remained unaffected by this pandemic. Long-distance cycling is no different. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter how many times we have said across myriad long-distance webpages, and randonneuring-speak in general, the descriptive phrase "long-distance <u>self-supported</u> bicycling" has never really resonated until very recently for me. Granted, resupplying oneself at a c-store in "the old world" was still considered self-support: the phrase originates from the idea that, unlike professional cycling, you cannot have a support car following along or handing things up to you while riding. You're largely on your own, and in this sense perhaps randonneurs were already good at this sort of behavior. It simply is and has been "what we do." </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">However, the concept of removing the c-stores, usually spaced every 50km at a minimum for most routes, has changed quite a bit of the tone of "self-supported." Like a long-distance tourist, perhaps akin to those brave souls that pack up for a multi-day epic across Asia, it has become paramount to change how we approach randonneuring.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not want to get on record as saying that traditional, pre-COVID-19 randonneuring was "easy," because the distances are still daunting, even with regular control breaks. By comparison, however, yeah .... I suddenly miss being able to stop at a c-store, with nary a care in the world, pull up some sidewalk with a bunch of fresh water and food. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Granted, I suppose this new behavior varies depending on regional realities and personal preference. The c-stores are still there, many still open and serving their local customers - with lots of changes in place, of course. For me, however, living in a densely-populated (by contrast) area, I still do not feel comfortable intermingling with smaller communities who should not have to worry about who I am, where I came from, what I might be carrying (even though I know that I am, more than likely, not carrying anything), as well as the risks of me entering unfamiliar areas close to highways which may be exposed to travelers from who-knows-where. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">There is little need to belabor everything we already know ... no need for reiteration. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe 20 years from now, someone reading this might need some context, but the rest of the internet might suffice in filling that need. We ALL know what's going on today, in the early part of 2020. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So, how does an aspiring long-distance cyclist cope? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We add the ability to carry the only things we really need to keep moving: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Food and water. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1cn3XD_AHt7Spz0nZ93yhQzUAkS7b2MxFkpDWnmvvzwqXnmfgh-gwoS4zslJR57i50jti-wsVQUtTTCU6MQLr9gHvxkiE1ZJ9_jcyMnalPg-QoTBkzvoedy-NzzawZzSLDJp/s1600/20200501_194225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1cn3XD_AHt7Spz0nZ93yhQzUAkS7b2MxFkpDWnmvvzwqXnmfgh-gwoS4zslJR57i50jti-wsVQUtTTCU6MQLr9gHvxkiE1ZJ9_jcyMnalPg-QoTBkzvoedy-NzzawZzSLDJp/s320/20200501_194225.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like local, but when I can't get it my notion of "local" simply expands a little bit. Long considered the best and strongest bottle cages money can buy, <a href="http://www.kingcage.com/" target="_blank">King Cage in Durango, CO, USA</a> is the best way to add more water-carrying capacity. These "drop cages" slide the standard 63mm mounting points up an inch, which can allow for larger bottles in the frame, or to better fit bottles under an under-top-tube frame bag. In this case, they help get my bottles in the right place on what I will call a "weird" fork ... with bizarre, non-standard braze-on locations. At the bottom, I used a longer bolt to go through the cage, a washer, the fender stays, another washer, and into the fork.... which, I know, trust me: I cringe when I read that last part out loud. I prefer and strongly recommend ONE fastener for ONE thing for each ONE braze-on... but, like I said, this is a weird fork. The top mount is held in place using a King Cage bolt-clamp, basically a really good quality hose clamp with a M5 stud tacked to it, all stainless, super-strong. The included washer and nylon lock-nut cinches everything down nicely. Repeat on both sides of the fork, and - boom - two extra bottles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QeJjRwpb3Fw4h4F8TqGY2Yg16Lg7vqjNVbasR0rImLmxuyc4X8zkUefH4ouynLB1lasONjyglXHEu-97sgpMuKLhjH30_NNAtixZZqQwBwSyedqxr9-AqdYo2x4H6rOBt0XQ/s1600/20200501_194207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QeJjRwpb3Fw4h4F8TqGY2Yg16Lg7vqjNVbasR0rImLmxuyc4X8zkUefH4ouynLB1lasONjyglXHEu-97sgpMuKLhjH30_NNAtixZZqQwBwSyedqxr9-AqdYo2x4H6rOBt0XQ/s320/20200501_194207.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unique challenges of a weird fork with canti brakes caused a bit of a faf, but once complete I can carry double the water and extend my radius ... and avoid needing to stop anywhere. I envy those with "real" triple-bolt forks and disc brakes right now, but, this'll do nicely. After 130 miles on some questionable pavement and rail trail, the cages didn't move a millimeter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1ug8TT-uht_VNks9Vev_aGU64haoEdkHudrVGEUhuP9cQ6BlRr5WcRrZ2HAf4_a-MnRGNkBKfzYCOoLv2rCRTFswGMkaLeEjsEQJmKoXLLr2qu-gWbBb3cLWGfdvCujIltia/s1600/20200502_103206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1ug8TT-uht_VNks9Vev_aGU64haoEdkHudrVGEUhuP9cQ6BlRr5WcRrZ2HAf4_a-MnRGNkBKfzYCOoLv2rCRTFswGMkaLeEjsEQJmKoXLLr2qu-gWbBb3cLWGfdvCujIltia/s320/20200502_103206.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The King Cages are really good, and I had little doubt about their ability - but, a full water bottle mounted in a non-standard location creates extra loads and forces in odd directions: so, to be on the safe side and help protect the cages and keep the extra water in check, a couple Voile straps around the fork leg and the bottle's neck ensure nothing wobbles about or rockets loose while riding along. Looking downright Bike-Packer-ish here! What you don't see are the 2L of water inside the Carradice saddlebag and one more 21 oz. insulated bottle for my center back jersey pocket, two flasks of Hammer Gel and four Honey Stinger waffles. That last piece, the food, yes.... part of my personal notes, that is not NEARLY enough food or water for what I was about to undertake. I figured that out at mile 87, big-time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Food and water,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">... food and water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> As much as I DID carry, it ultimately ended up not being enough. Drama suspended, if I had just two more water bottles, one extra liter, the last part of the ride would have gone far better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Some quick notes (as quick as the 'dude gets to ANY point, ever):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ALWAYS take more than you think you need. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">When a respected ultra-cyclist and multiple DK finisher (including DKXL) says "take the Camelbak," no matter how much you don't want that stupid thing on your back.... TAKE THE FREAKIN' CAMELBAK. If you still don't want to, then wait until the next weekend when the other two bottle cages arrive for the rear rack, and <i>then </i>go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Once said of firewood for a Canadian winter: chop what you think you need, then double it. You don't want to find out you were wrong in early February. That mistake could kill you.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a saying that you should do things that scare you a little bit. This is good for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT, you should absolutely control your own destiny and guarantee yourself some success. The part that scares you should never, ever be your logistical ability to complete the event. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Either carry enough stuff, or don't go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The positive aspects of carrying a LOT of extra stuff enabled me to pick a route that would likely never fly as a RUSA event. Almost no way to control it, passing absolutely no services of any kind, and no way to get the traditional brevet card signed. As a straight out and back, there's no way to shortcut it - but short of a GPS track there is scant little way to prove you actually rode it. <i>Well, save for the receipts one might get had they been smart enough to stop somewhere to re-supply.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This all makes for good training: riding a fully-laden bike loaded with 9 bottles of water, that bike normally meant for gravel rides, and one that's a bit heavy and slow on pavement on a good day ... yeah, that's good training. Adding in 40 miles of rail-trail, well, there's no way around it: it's slow going, and even if it's fast going it surely takes more energy for the same speed compared to even traditional gravel. That pea-gravel just sucks the speed out of anyone - I swear regular gravel roads are faster. Add in a consistent headwind for the first half, and that it was the hottest day of the year so-far in 2020, and that I had not ridden a single 200-km ride in over a year (Feb. 2019), and had only ridden two 100km rides this year, one in March, one in April, both paved ... well, I should have been a little more prepared. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Food. I'm not sure why I thought just <i>four </i>Honey Stinger waffles and two flasks of Hammer Gel (one serving per hour for 10 hours) would be enough food. I had plenty of normal food at home I could have packed... but for some dumb reason, I just didn't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Hammer Gel is always around for my long rides, but just as "top-off" fuel. It was always used on the assumption that I was stopping at c-stores and buying as much real food as I could stuff down, like Casey's pizza, potato chips, the occasional Snickers or Mounds bars, or fast-food fare ... and for this ride it apparently did not cross my mind that those four Honey Stinger waffles would not nearly fill the gap of c-store food I would normally enjoy every 20-30 miles or so. A massive, gigantic calorie hole was waiting for me... and in typical fashion, one falls into that hole suddenly and dramatically.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_EKVXsiGIA/Xq7zsFUVMyI/AAAAAAAA26g/eCN78VkWzEQxpyOy-M6cog-68F6g9xO1ACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200502_120129.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_EKVXsiGIA/Xq7zsFUVMyI/AAAAAAAA26g/eCN78VkWzEQxpyOy-M6cog-68F6g9xO1ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200502_120129.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, do not jump any fences around here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pB8aCi5-Rd8/Xq7zsNypMgI/AAAAAAAA26g/_rd_DNfZ-G8BT6Xw34uawhrUJa2yhlQ3ACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200502_133401.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pB8aCi5-Rd8/Xq7zsNypMgI/AAAAAAAA26g/_rd_DNfZ-G8BT6Xw34uawhrUJa2yhlQ3ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200502_133401.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rock Island Spur Trail, which currently runs from Pleasant Hill, MO. out to its intersection with the KATY Trail in Windsor, MO. The surface is great.... for a rail trail ... and with the headwind and rolling-resistance-sapping surface, well... I'd burn a lot of energy in this middle 40-mile section out to Chilhowee, MO. In retrospect, I should have pushed an additional 10 miles to Leeton, MO., and hit the Casey's there for a complete refill of water, and the purchase of a lot more food. Instead, keen on remaining contact-free, I opted to ration my supplies and turn around at Chilhowee for an even 200km day. Big mistake, considering I'd be forced to abandon my zero-contact plans later anyways, after bonking hard and running out of everything. As counter-intuitive as it might have seemed at the time, the extra 20 miles out to Leeton and back would have netted a better overall ride later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvItwJp_DOY/Xq7zsBE8AzI/AAAAAAAA26g/qN--M99iL-Y2MZ4olY-3pGU4KRCZ_VdJACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200502_134934.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvItwJp_DOY/Xq7zsBE8AzI/AAAAAAAA26g/qN--M99iL-Y2MZ4olY-3pGU4KRCZ_VdJACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200502_134934.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...But, it was absolutely worth it. The rail trail system offers views of the countryside previously reserved only for the railroad employees, and some areas have been untouched since the railroad was cut through. Really old, original blastings through limestone and ancient trestles, it is a trip one should definitely take. But, yeah ... there are no services, at all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHeA9EXRQQI/Xq7zsNK2HTI/AAAAAAAA26g/EyoHULzqqnwhbnAS4qp6JcmPex4qeJWuwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200502_152020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHeA9EXRQQI/Xq7zsNK2HTI/AAAAAAAA26g/EyoHULzqqnwhbnAS4qp6JcmPex4qeJWuwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200502_152020.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at my new turn-around, and the regrets that would follow. In my mind, at that time, I was being more sensible by not stopping anywhere. Considering the time lost later on, and the physical toll, pushing to Leeton should have been the smarter option. At this point in my ride, however, it felt good to have arrived somewhere, and that I could turn around and enjoy a tailwind. There is a c-store in Chilhowee, yes.... as a big sign on the trail-side professed, but I was dead set on my zero-contact plan, personal safety, hydration, and caloric deficit be damned. Instead of being sensible and making a quick stop at a store that likely held very few risks for me, I saw the need to refill as a personal weakness. "Quit being a complainer, and just pedal." Stupid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1TIM7ZtUrRk/Xq7zsKFfW4I/AAAAAAAA26g/H7PtoUq1ejAVPmw1YRlVHswYE6HWY8qfwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200502_160414.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1TIM7ZtUrRk/Xq7zsKFfW4I/AAAAAAAA26g/H7PtoUq1ejAVPmw1YRlVHswYE6HWY8qfwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200502_160414.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legacy farmland far from anyone's eyes for decades until the rail-trail conversion was complete.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kthSQMDpRTc/Xq7zsKugVuI/AAAAAAAA26g/_Qie9ooaOoM1LQBaWGi_UGiTiJqp33qpACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200502_164150_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kthSQMDpRTc/Xq7zsKugVuI/AAAAAAAA26g/_Qie9ooaOoM1LQBaWGi_UGiTiJqp33qpACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200502_164150_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old Rock Island / MO-Pac system switch and signaling cabinet at a long-forgotten at-grade crossing, on MO-131. I remember seeing one of these alongside MO State Route O, on the Mighty Peculiar permanent route, and thinking that "someday" the rail-trail would be there, and I would ride to it a different way. Mission accomplished.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XijbPak5hm_AwXUPeVB7SjR-IkdC13brS57cDwhKiUchCQ8wWs-3umpkra-PC1veX1mrfibDoslalqt0UkODSxDbm59Shpt8vNKfAV2t8oiVjH2nDQM4xAOsyLL6ZjSqX7__/s1600/20200502_170322_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XijbPak5hm_AwXUPeVB7SjR-IkdC13brS57cDwhKiUchCQ8wWs-3umpkra-PC1veX1mrfibDoslalqt0UkODSxDbm59Shpt8vNKfAV2t8oiVjH2nDQM4xAOsyLL6ZjSqX7__/s320/20200502_170322_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikepacker-chic in appearance only ... still a lot to learn, for the rider. Atop the East Lost Creek trestle, WAY above the trees and creek below. 100+ year old steel and rivets, apparently un-phased by decades of neglect, now proudly supporting traffic once more.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yy7KMsuosog/Xq7zsN08igI/AAAAAAAA26g/pi3-l9pT7H8knp00QakyRWeQQOWCKEY7ACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200502_171836_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yy7KMsuosog/Xq7zsN08igI/AAAAAAAA26g/pi3-l9pT7H8knp00QakyRWeQQOWCKEY7ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200502_171836_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smiling selfie, only 10 miles or so before the bottom would drop out. This is my "I'm fine, having a blast" face. Apparently I'm just a human, and can't really knock off 90 miles on 800 calories ... you'd think the 'Quarantine 15" might have kicked in at some point ... and really, I probably did burn quite a bit of fat, ultimately, but yeesh man EAT something. It helps. You're not Rob Kish ... who famously rode something silly like 800 miles on ONLY WATER. Yeah, NOBODY is that dude, except for THAT dude.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFAbvT1AIyg/Xq7zsKBpRdI/AAAAAAAA26g/JAvM4MpVoUwmdnNoc8iZ8bh6QR2k0sbnwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200502_182757_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFAbvT1AIyg/Xq7zsKBpRdI/AAAAAAAA26g/JAvM4MpVoUwmdnNoc8iZ8bh6QR2k0sbnwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200502_182757_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MO State Route P and Funkhouser Road ... forever a personal memorial of how NOT to do a self-supported, supposedly zero-contact 200km ride. After leaving the Rock Island Spur only 4 miles earlier, with a short rest and some texts home, my mental outlook had been fresh. I was full of the excitement of a near guarantee of more speed from smooth tarmac, leaving the trail behind and having access to a tailwind. Leaving the shade of the trail behind, however, and sitting atop fresh blacktop, maybe the sudden spike in heat was a factor as well. Thankfully, some clouds rolled in to block the sun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After 40 miles of rail-trail, I was excited to get back on pavement and "fly" home, with better rolling resistance and a persistent E, NE tailwind promised. Only four miles later, however, the plug was pulled from the drain in dramatic fashion. My caloric needs had been increasing over the past few hours, and I had not kept pace. Rationing water all morning, as well, I had fallen into a deep hole. Climbing a hill, the crest in the photo above, suddenly I felt a dramatic reduction in power. I could not push any more, I began to feel nauseated, I suddenly began to sweat a LOT more, and felt a little dizzy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I was reminded of a MS-150 ride, years ago, where I had something similar happen ... feeling awesome, setting personal bests all the way, and then BANG: I was in a porta-john, bidding farewell to everything in my gut, shivering from being completely dehydrated, and on the edge of passing out. Today, it felt like history repeating, and the biggest bonk I've had on a ride in ages.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I stopped and dismounted, and just stared at the ground for a while, concentrating on breathing easily. I decided, we're not passing out. We're not going to throw up. We're going to breathe, we're going to drink the water we have, and slowly eat something, and we're going to stand here and cool down until we feel better, because we are NOT going to the hospital. No sir. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It took time ... thirty minutes, who knows. It would have been time lost to the sidewalk at a c-store in the "not so old" days, so, who knows <b>why </b>I had been so dead-set against not stopping, not resting, not giving in to the essentials. I replayed images of myself getting refills and real food in Leeton, or even Chilhowee... no sense dwelling, your plans just changed, Jack. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The closest pass to a town left on my route was Peculiar, MO., and the Casey's there. Two miles off course, but now essential to me finishing what I'd started. I knew people would see my GPS track hitting the c-store, and I was ashamed. I knew that I had failed at my zero-contact plan, and I was upset. I didn't want to do it. I even called ahead to make sure it was okay with the store employees, almost hoping they'd tell me "no". It was open, with all current rules and guidelines being observed. Finally feeling human again, instead of on the edge of a cliff looking into the abyss -- but now with only enough water to make it to that Casey's, and not all the way home -- I headed out again, thankful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes the best-laid plans require modification. I got over it pretty quickly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Flexibility is key when the chips are down, I suppose ... there will be critics, but none louder than me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A reluctant left turn, then a right, and then the Casey's. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Normally a brevet oasis, and a very welcome sight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Today... anxiety. Dread. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Three minutes. A liter of water, a bottle of V8, and a packaged, employee-retrieved slice of cheese pizza. A carefully distanced transaction. A quick joke about a line from the movie <i>Aliens</i>, no receipt, and I'm out the door. Barely touching anything, no-one else inside the store... I'm fine right? Right? This would repeat for hours after the visit, every time I had the urge to dab my nose with my glove... still today, as I type, I replay everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But, in the moment, REAL food... V8.... and precious water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">One freakin' liter, man .... if you had just packed two more of those half-liter bottles in the saddle bag. They probably would have fit fine. Idiot. Just a couple of PB&Js. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So many notes for "next time", and an anxious 5 days to wait and see if I doomed myself and my family because of my stupidity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ultimately, I have to let it go. But these days, my impact on others is a point of concern, as well as the impact of poor planning. This is the reason, perhaps, I should not have gone out. For now, I can statistically hope for the best after visiting a store in a town with very few confirmed cases at all, in a scenario where almost no person-to-person contact took place, and certainly none within the recommended six feet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I am smarter for all of this. If there is a next time, it will be vastly different, if not far shorter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps I think too much ... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After all, in these circumstances the statistics are on my side, but, I still have to consider my impact on others, myself, and ultimately my family. It is not to be taken lightly, and clearly I do not. In retrospect, I should have instead taken part in the shorter, more local, virtual Fleche that took place ... but, I knew I wouldn't have been able to get out as early as that ride had begun. So many what-ifs ... so little time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to move on, mentally -- and on the ride in that moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Reflective vest on, ankle bands on, it was time to at least be clear of any heat-related issues, and enjoy some night riding on limp-mode. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Even with the rush of calories and the worry of water removed, the bonk had taken its toll. ANY hill of ANY gradient became a struggle, and my moving pace plummeted. In some ways, this is the sort of ride I typify: tenacious, not fast beyond a point, but I will simply limp it home if I have to. We aren't breaking any records here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Considering this had been my first 200km ride in over a year, and with minimal training to ramp me up to this distance again, of course the speed was going to suffer. This was simply "butt time," getting acclimated again, especially on this bike. A capable as it is, it is not "fast" by any stretch, certainly not when compared to the bike I'd normally use to do these rides. Thank goodness for tailwinds, and downhills. At least I was moving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xE_DxszbGjk/Xq7zsDVVy2I/AAAAAAAA26g/gmRT7_iQL_gkCJvirXePxR6WOnJ846zgACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200502_203427.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xE_DxszbGjk/Xq7zsDVVy2I/AAAAAAAA26g/gmRT7_iQL_gkCJvirXePxR6WOnJ846zgACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200502_203427.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need to do some research on the massive farm which seems to straddle both sides of I-49, marked by signature stone columns across the roadway and various old, abandoned driveway entrances. A family compound of some kind from a distant past, even having its own water tower, consistent visual evidence of the property repeats for miles and miles along 195th Street around Raymore, MO.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwZCkjj3O4MMbmDLS2zY4smEkR5PzkCoSoq9dCS31N0wqMgcjdLND6c-zkIFI002Tcf4vzIbdo9l-fdbydAmZv5IlcP6wt7W85nPpvkqSGGlsHMV1CdLkdmggSxWVL3zi_6ZX/s1600/20200502_203434.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwZCkjj3O4MMbmDLS2zY4smEkR5PzkCoSoq9dCS31N0wqMgcjdLND6c-zkIFI002Tcf4vzIbdo9l-fdbydAmZv5IlcP6wt7W85nPpvkqSGGlsHMV1CdLkdmggSxWVL3zi_6ZX/s320/20200502_203434.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lights ablaze, miles away from the bonk, at least we're moving again.<br />
Thank goodness for generator lighting ... I had not planned on being out after dark, and once again what I tend to take for granted comes to the rescue. Like extra food and water, the marginal weight and drag of a generator system is NEVER lamented.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMh_m-fcF70/Xq7zsFBYHiI/AAAAAAAA26g/tQSYGO9pnmojlflGbsAoB62XB5vskmJRwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200502_205102.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMh_m-fcF70/Xq7zsFBYHiI/AAAAAAAA26g/tQSYGO9pnmojlflGbsAoB62XB5vskmJRwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200502_205102.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The past is in the past.<br />
<br />
(Sidenote: The Bontrager Flare-R taillight really does burn for 12+ hours; despite what was just mentioned above about generator lighting, the addition of a day-time visible taillight and nighttime strobe helps identify my position and is probably more effective than a reflective vest, where the steady-burn generator taillight provides a consistent position indicator. Together, this two-light system is just about perfect.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't personally know if a zero-contact 200k is feasible unless I add another two bottle cages to the rear rack, or -- ahem -- actually take the advice and just wear the Camelbak. In addition, maybe take along some ACTUAL food beyond just a few short-distance cycling nutrition items. Cold pizza, PB&J ... if I can get more water ON the bike, and out of the saddlebag, then carrying more food will not be a problem. I have seen others post "fan-blade" rides, like Audax KC has done with events like St. Joe Crank ... where an event like 1,000km is split into stages that all begin and end at a central hotel. You can carry less, and you are back at one location for resupply at set points. Using the home as a hub, I can simply head out for a few 30-mile out-n-backs in various directions, and I'm back at the "home control" for refills as needed. Of course, that makes it hard to head back out ... something I've struggled with at past ultra events... it's almost better if I go WAY out with no choice but to make it back. We shall see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, all things that I might trial at the 100km distance before heading out to make more mistakes - especially considering that even hotter weather is ahead. It's barely May, and if I'm having problems with hydration due to restrictive rationing NOW, then I definitely need to add at least two more bottles, if not four. There is a company called Widefoot in Nebraska, where I have been looking at their triple-mount bottle cage that holds a full Nalgene-style liter of water, and the even bigger Nalgene 48 oz. silo of water. Fashioning two of those to the rear rack, with cages or simply with Voile straps, held like panniers, would supply more than enough reserve. Lots to consider. Though it does add extra weight, over time I will get used to it ... and the extra weight means diddly if I'm bonking and fighting heat exhaustion because I don't feel like I can drink at-will for fear of running out. It's the same as the generator lights and fenders ... the extra weight of the water is quickly forgotten in times when it is desperately needed. Just carry enough, and <i>enjoy</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We can still enjoy long-distance riding, yes, and ultimately I did enjoy this ride. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">With time, especially with the confirmation that I dodged a bullet with my c-store visit after a week or so, this will likely go down as one of my most memorable rides. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If nothing else, it has reinforced self-sufficiency, and on perspective - yes - when things return to normal, the standard brevet format will indeed seem FAR easier by contrast. It's also really nice to just ride, free-route, and go explore without worrying about c-store locations and control spacing. Big jaunts into the Flint Hills could happen, long, uninterrupted stretches of remote gravel, tile-hunting without restrictions ... all seem do-able now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-70179259759642471412020-03-21T12:59:00.005-05:002020-03-21T13:05:20.130-05:00What We Can - and Should - Do.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Some of this is echoed in social media already, but
expanded-upon and revised, so give it a read – even if you already have
recently:</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m trying to avoid typing any buzzwords here - that's not
the sort of click-bait sorta stuff I'm into; but, if you're reading this in the
early days of Spring 2020, well - ha - you should probably know what I'm on
about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Right about now I'd much rather be blogging about a
successful 200km ride; but, clubs around the country - the world - have pulled
the plug on their calendar of events. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I normally shy away from social media, for various reasons; but
lately, there isn't much else to do. I
found myself falling into a dark web-hole, unfortunately, reading about lots of
cycling stories taking on a dark light amid misinformation, maybe fear, and
realized that we - as cyclists - do have a larger responsibility to one another
and to the communities with which we often interact. With everyone essentially being told to stay
indoors and not travel anywhere, we cyclists tend to stick out like a sore
thumb if we choose to venture out solo. Professionals
and amateurs alike, most of what we love is gone right now. However, for many of us (your author
included) cycling is something we desperately need on a deep, mental
level. So, we are heading out solo. According to city, county and state
governments in even the most tightly locked-down communities like NYC and San
Fran, this activity is still considered acceptable, so long as it is not done
as a group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Locally, my county is on a hot-list now, with news articles
coming out from surrounding, rural counties recommending a 14-day
self-quarantine if you have visited the K.C. metro area recently. What does that look like, from their
perspective, when a lone cyclist rolls through their town, then? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It got me thinking about our responsibilities as
long-distance cyclists. Even though I am
okay to bicycle solo, I could introduce risk to small-town c-stores at which I
might normally stop for resupply. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Consider that these stores are often THE gathering place and
perhaps the sole source of groceries for these small towns. Though I am symptom-free, the folks in these
towns don't know that, and shouldn't have to wonder about me and my impact on
them. Golden Rule stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To my fellow cyclists out for big miles these days: consider the opportunity to train for the
long-haul: I can think of a few local
brevet routes that have 60-plus mile sections between controls, often a
logistical challenge. This is the time to
train for such rides. Roll heavy. Pack extra water and food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I like to think we help support these communities with
our purchases, we can - and should - pick that up again in earnest on the other
side of all of this. In the meantime,
pack like you're on a long, self-supported tour, and just move on through,
keeping a safe distance as you do, and don't needlessly hack or spit on the
roadside near anyone, or anyone's home.
Wait for a clear ditch in the middle of nowhere. Heck, that's a good guideline in the best of
times ... imagine being a homeowner, on your own, quiet patch of land ... and
some random guy on a bicycle hocks a fat one on, essentially, your front
lawn. That's just rude, regardless. Put that in your cheek and wait, or spit down
the front of your baselayer. You're
already disgusting anyway, right? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Think beyond the moment.
Golden Rule... repeat... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just honest, simple steps like these can go a long way. While cycling is often ALL about us, remember
it really isn't about us right now in these regards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally ... be smart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't needlessly inject yourself into the healthcare stream:
ride with your head as much as your legs: be safe, be seen, be courteous, be
conscious, be aware, wear a helmet, and don't take unnecessary risks. Imagine if you do fall, and end up in the ER:
likely right where no-one wants to, nor should be, right now. Don't pull healthcare and first-responder
resources away from where they're truly needed by being an irresponsible
jack-wagon on your bike. Traffic counts
are low, which makes for some good riding ... but, please be smart and avoid
complacency, and don't become an accessory statistic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I look forward to better times when we can all get together
en masse once more. I dream of a 15-strong
pace-line on a glorious stretch of country farm road, and a cold beer waiting
at a CROWDED bar at the finish. That
will be sweet, and I won't even care if I can't get a table. I'll happily stand shoulder-to-shoulder once
more with my fellow cyclists, friends, and strangers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, be good to each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading, as always.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4YUjhIAuFng/XnZSiAMyjNI/AAAAAAAA2PU/jaCZqNVYvEUJA5vpM41SYfPrQ6NfsyqNwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200318_163623_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4YUjhIAuFng/XnZSiAMyjNI/AAAAAAAA2PU/jaCZqNVYvEUJA5vpM41SYfPrQ6NfsyqNwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/20200318_163623_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-42323793222413264342020-03-13T17:14:00.000-05:002020-03-23T10:45:40.776-05:00In Appreciation of Permanents<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
For those in the RUSA circle, we all know about the "accident" and "lawsuit" - and today, because of the difficulty in obtaining insurance, the RUSA permanents program, of which I had been a frequent flyer and had stacked up five R-12 awards through its use, is now gone. This is obviously a heartbreaking thing, but, with my school schedule - yeah, <i>still</i> - riding and even organizing/officiating them had become a bit of a struggle. I was certainly not alone.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
I had been watching a passionate forum thread about the permanents program, and found my mind wandering about my own riding over the past few years and about the future of RUSA, and ultimately felt compelled to weigh in. The result was a bit of a thank-you letter to permanents, some closure, and a look at the bright side ... at least my version of it.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br />
Before RUSA, I suppose I was a regular cyclist ... I rode to work, enjoyed the weekend warrior stuff, and trained for the local t-shirt, club, and charity centuries here and there. I was never really fast enough for racing, yet I always found myself wondering "what's next" after those local club centuries. "Man, wouldn't it be wild to ride the 2-day, 150-mile charity ride in ONE DAY? Whooof..." Big dreams...<br />
<br />
Then, it happened. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br />
I found our region's RBA 20 years ago and the rest is history. Before the internet, I still don't know what sort of magic aligned to get me on his email list back then, but I'm SO grateful it happened. A lot of it was through my good friend, the Warbird, and his friend from work, the legendary Grim Rieper.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br />
RUSA transformed me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Those early rides were truly self-supported ... organized by Bob Burns, my favorite old-school hard-liner. Boy-Scout, military preparedness ethos ... hand-scribbled cue sheets ...dim, halogen generator lights if you were lucky enough ... GPS wasn't even a "thing" yet, and getting lost simply made for a better story. What happens if it rains? You'll get wet. You drink the wrong nutrition? You'll be pukin' in the ditch ... but, dang-it, you'll have a good ride. AND WE DID. Sixty miles between controls? Suck it up, kid. Just pedal, everybody's tired. That's how I was taught, and it was GREAT. Never realized in the moments, those rides were seldom about the rides ... they were about figuring myself out, learning tenacity, patience, resilience.<br />
My only regret is not finding it sooner.<br />
<br />
With that upbringing, it would be easy for me to also be a hard-liner about some of the things being discussed over the last few days (<i>the notion that permanents and anything less than 200km is not truly the mark of a randonneur</i>), but I'd rather be inclusive and try to grow the sport, because I know what it has done for me.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
"Not a randonneur." I've said that about MYSELF. All the talk back then about rando was getting to Paris, yes. That was the title goal, justifiably. If it wasn't Paris, it was racing Ultras.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br />
But, I was never going to be able to afford going to Paris. With kids, multiple jobs, returning to school ... the longer rides, still to this day, just aren't going to happen.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Amid carbon fiber and custom steel, my early brevets were done on cobbled Frankenbikes .... not to make a statement as I'd professed, just because I couldn't afford anything nicer.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
I slowly amassed skill and better parts, and ultimately grabbed a SR series. The journey has been amazing. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Considering my personal journey, I am immensely proud of my one, single 600km ACP medal. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br />
Permanents were around back then, but riders were not allowed to repeat a route to chase the relatively new R-12 award ... so <i>getting </i>the R-12 in those early years was a genuine feat. Back then, only the giants in the sport need apply ... early hints of future K-Hound heroes, brevets and the R-12 were simply the byproduct of people training for RAAM ... back when RAAM didn't require 15 corporate sponsorship deals just to pay for gas.<br />
<br />
All goals ... all out of my reach.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
So, in 2008, when the RUSA perms rules changed to allow repeats, I instead latched onto the R-12 as a personal goal.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
What I noticed, however, is that I started finding myself riding solo more often than not. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br />
I found myself sometimes skipping a club ride because I knew I could "keep my streak" with a 200k later that month, on my own terms.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
In doing so, I isolated myself and removed one of the key elements of randonneuring.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
When I look at the future with a lack of perms in place, I see the opportunity -- if only from a personal standpoint -- to put the "camaraderie" back into my cycling. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br />
The sudden rarity of organized RUSA and ACP events compared to the "whenever I want" permanents should actually serve to enhance the experience, not leave us missing what we've lost. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br />
That's the silver lining I can see. I'll drive a few hours to a dark parking lot a couple times a year for that opportunity. I've never come away thinking it hadn't been worth the trip, even if I'd slept in my car.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
I will still ride a 100 or 200km every month if I can help it, credit or no credit, just to keep my edge sharp, to refine my gear and approach to controls, in the hopes of someday practicing what I've learned in Paris or around one of the Great Lakes, or in the Rocky Mountains. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br />
In the meantime, the lack of perms can be a bit freeing.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
If I want to wander off-route and see where that road goes, spend a little too much time at a pie stand, try some gravel to get off "that dang highway" finally, or finish in my own driveway instead of the sketchy gas station where I used to need to get a final receipt .... all the better, right?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
If the only "credit" I can get anymore is with a group of like-minded randonneurs again, once or twice a year ... that could be a VERY GOOD thing for randonneuring.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Scarcity will re-sweeten randonneuring for me ... and with this perspective in mind, losing the perms may be the best thing to happen to my cycling in years.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
I am proud of the miles I spent, alone, in the dark, chasing my goal over my R-12 runs .... but if I can share a pull and a sunrise with even one other rider, because we each, now, only have THIS ONE BREVET .... that's a good thing.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
I'm not sure we need more rides, necessarily, because - like I had - people will invariably "just catch the next one". When that happens, we aren't building relationships, sharing miles, or growing the sport. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Granted, it can STILL happen with monthly rides ... and it does in many regions. Where ridership is already scarce, however, it might dilute things.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
I think we should look at this an an opportunity to bring randonneuring back to what I had slipped away from.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
P-12 and R-12 are still amazing goals to set, considering that randonneurs of ANY caliber represent the outlying 2% of anyone who ever throws their leg over a bicycle ANYways. There are some strong riders out there who work all year just to ride ONE CENTURY at the end of summer, and we have folks riding one per month? That's incredible, and shouldn't be cheapened. No matter what ANY cyclist is ... being a randonneur pushes us to achieve 120% of ourselves, whatever that 120% might be. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
When looking at the RUSA membership uptick that occurred when RUSA began offering the perms and subsequently the R-12, we should remember our collective quest to keep building membership and giving those wondering "what's next" a place in our big tent.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
But, I think we can do so without the perms program .... not sure what it look like yet, but, it's whatever happened to connect me with my RBA those years ago.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Load up the Facebook groups, plaster the LBS with flyers, make rando club jerseys and wear them on every ride, host a few coffee shop rides and talk about what that "weird big saddlebag is for" .... and see what happens.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
I found some of my best friends that way.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Let's just keep on riding, eh?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>(addendum, 3/12/2020:)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Especially with what has befallen our world in these last few weeks, we could use some good, clean fun out in the fresh air. Please enjoy responsibly.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jD-aU6TXnE/XnjZokWTrnI/AAAAAAAA2Qo/AjBDVYewGRU99jHjt743csX9Axl4ZN1VwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191222_165918_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jD-aU6TXnE/XnjZokWTrnI/AAAAAAAA2Qo/AjBDVYewGRU99jHjt743csX9Axl4ZN1VwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/20191222_165918_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-6006378606927679012019-08-04T16:24:00.001-05:002020-03-23T10:44:37.284-05:00It's not a question of "if" . . .<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A very safety-conscious boss of boss looked me dead in the eye and said, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"on safety, it's not a matter of "if" you'll get hit by a car; it's a matter of "when."</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Taking the onion back an extra layer, this message was not delivered out of malice, but from a place of concern for the well-being of others - his team. His concerns, his placement of the value of his people above their station or job position, is admirable: and a key leadership attribute, really. But, delivered on a Friday, late afternoon, while I was packing my panniers and preparing for my evening ride home from work, his words would sit on my head like an anvil - for at least the next 12 miles. ...er... 48 hours?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even though it comes from the same place as essentially telling a smoker that "those things will kill you," </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">his words hung around my neck like a noose on my ride home, and I began to notice the poor behaviors of the traffic around me. Everything became amplified. Nothing had really changed, but my Zen was gone, my Chi disrupted, my Mojo in the ditch. That was a pretty crappy ride home, among rides home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, it's my own fault for letting someone get inside my head. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Believe me, you don't want Hannibal Lecter inside your head."</i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jack Crawford was right to warn her. </span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No, my boss's-boss is not a cannibal; but, he still took a voracious bite out of my soul and enjoyed it with a nice Chianti and some fava beans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Statistically, mile over mile, bicyclists may remain ahead of the accident and fatality curve, but I do not like to throw numbers at things to justify behaviors or dispel conjecture when discussing human life. Statistics don't do much to ease the tragedy of loss when one finds themselves at the far end of the bell curve. The question should take some form of "what are you doing to keep yourself out of danger?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Evidence of a difference?</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found myself driving out to Lees Summit yesterday to pick up an order, and in doing so I took my usual sort of way ... avoiding the highways and poking around some of the old cycling routes I used to frequent. Enter Longview Lake, on a Saturday, late morning... there will be cyclists. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm a cyclist, so, I am more apt to see cyclists when I am out and about. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ah, the Baader-Meinhof principle! C</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ase in point: r</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ounding over a hill on Scherer Road, a long, sweeping corner with a downhill slant and a mile of good visibility. It was clear and sunny with low humidity. There were cyclists. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First there were two. Then four. Why the change? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first two were wearing some sort of bright, solid-color jersey. Yep, neon yellow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One was running a blinking daytime running light. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pair stood out immediately as they moved along the shoulder in front of a backdrop of dense trees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other two had been there the entire time, and were, in fact, closer to me than the brightly-colored, well-lit pair had been. These two were not running daytime lights and were dressed in darker jerseys. Despite being closer to me on the road, I simply did not see them right away. There is a difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Considering the distracted driver (which we must now, sadly, assume to be the behavioral norm) who peers up at the road ahead for a few seconds before returning to glance at their phone screen, in which group of cyclists would you prefer to be included?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am biased perhaps, and I am a card-carrying lifetime member of #TeamNeon. (not a real thing) Yes, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I look ridiculous when I ride, and I don't particularly care.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My equipment and dress rationale is based on over two decades of situational experience comparisons, wherein I have come to find I endure fewer close calls and negative automotive-to-bicyclist interactions when displaying bright, solid colors, good lights and reflective material than when wearing darker colors with patterns that render like urban camouflage at distances beyond 25 yards. Visible function far outscores fashion when the risk of the latter can - at the VERY least - create a situation that might limit my future bicycling enjoyment; therefore I exclusively opt for the former. Similar to turning on a car's headlights when it is raining, one must consider the potential for positives even in the absence of statistical evidence, instead of defaulting to the notion that it "makes no difference" because it is "daytime." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your mileage may vary - but my associations of positive results from specific behaviors will not.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Causality versus correlation. I agree on the number of variables in play here. I am merely referencing my own experiences. I know of at least two cases where the existence of neon yellow and reflective gear still resulted in the death of a cyclist. There are others who will argue that drivers can't hit what they don't see (<i>explain that one to the family of any police officer struck by a car while standing by their fully-lit cruiser on the side of a highway</i>), or that running lights and reflective gear actually draws motorists closer to cyclists and increases the dangers. I understand those theories, but have not personally found them to be accurate. I contend that outcomes can be influenced (not guaranteed) through controlling one's variables. As long as I exist in this equation, I'm controlling my variables, Jack.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Full chemical impairment aside, no driver <i>wants </i>to hit </span><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">anything </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in or near the road... be it a trash can, a rabbit, or a jogger. In our right minds, hitting ANYTHING complicates our lives.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As my example from Lees Summit yesterday demonstrates - </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">if we can suppose that </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">even a non-distracted driver with a cognitive bias for bicyclists will identify those wearing neon-colored jerseys and running daytime-visible lights before identifying those without, even if those without are physically closer to their approaching vehicle, then we can reasonably suppose that a driver with no cognitive bias for cyclists who may or may not be distracted will likely miss the bicyclists dressed in black altogether, or at least not recognize them with sufficient time to formulate how they will safely pass them, or to correct their position in the road to at least ensure they will be missed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even those staunchly opposed to cyclist's rights only ever intend to frighten a cyclist in order to send a message about their opinion, as certainly they have the base intelligence to understand the consequences for taking a human life are not equal to however they feel about a bicycle sharing the road. Cyclists aren't "the British", and this is not 1700's Boston. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Common sense, unfortunately, is a spectrum. It must be recognized that there are some drivers who simply will not look up and aren't in their right minds, no matter what we are doing or wearing, right or wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cue the bitter, venting bloggist</b></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then there's traffic. My recent preference for gravel over pavement has little to do with its popularity or the availability of special equipment; rather I think its popularity may stem from many cyclists reaching similar levels of frustration with traffic. It is more closely related to choosing better roads. If I am passed by more than a car per minute, I don't like where I am anymore. I am constantly shifting my routes around to avoid traffic and various intersections that "don't feel right," and I think we each have a responsibility to do so. If you find yourself riding down Nall between 119th and 135th streets <i>just because Overland Park painted a stripe there last month</i>, I would invite you to at least worry about your own sense of adventure, if not your own safety. I'm also talking to you, riding west on 151st Street near Blackbob at 5:20PM on a weekday in <i>thick </i>rush-hour traffic "because you can." Dude.... what you're doing, while legal, is perhaps a touch irresponsible. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know </span><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> not perfect; but we all hold a stake in the bigger picture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bitter? Perhaps. I just don't like the way hospitals smell, and life is too short to put my loved ones in a courtroom hoping an appointed lawyer successfully compels a jury (<i>who'd rather not be there</i>) to decide who screwed up, on the hopes my wife might be able to afford putting me in the ground without losing the house. Wearing the right things, doing the right things, and being on the right road WHEN something happens may well guarantee your loved ones a reasonable outcome, as opposed to a dismissive one resulting from the possibility of negligence on the part of the cyclist. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You decide for you.</span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't particularly like the idea that someone else is holding my time card ... but, <i>none of us are immune to that which we cannot control.</i> We can control, however, what we wear, how we behave, and where we ride. If the risk is being hit by a car ... remove as many cars as you can, and stack the deck in your favor while you can.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Just stay inside</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"You need to get a Peloton, man ... it's just too dangerous out there."</i></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the coming glory days of Peloton, Zwift and Virtual Reality in general, it is going to become easier and easier to completely negate the risks of modern cycling by retreating to the basement </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and the trainer. But, anyone reading this is getting something else from cycling far beyond the "sitting on a bike" and "exercising" part, and VR is not going to meet that need. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For everyone still on the roads, I see you. I know why you ride. We need you around, and so do the ones who care about you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For as long as we take the risk, we have a responsibility to ourselves and each other to ride by the rules, to set the example, and to make it easier for drivers to live with us. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Riding safely, being visible, controlling our variables, behaving predictably and reasonably, and being courteous are all important attributes toward keeping cycling relevant in the 21st Century. We each have a responsibility for our own individual safety, the safety of our friends who are cyclists, and the community as a whole - on a global scale. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the masses may retreat to virtual reality, we can still do a lot to restore the often crappy brand we place on cycling in the eyes of non-cyclists. The more cyclists that do "give up" and run back indoors, the rest of us represent fewer and fewer reminders to motorists that we are still out there, so our interactions begin to hold more and more value ... for better or worse. We do have some control over that last piece. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>It's our responsibility</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have more to lose, so YES ... it's <i>our </i>responsibility. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We absolutely cannot expect technology and collision avoidance in future cars to protect us or write the impossible guarantee. We cannot expect drivers to intrinsically know what to do with us, or to see us at all; regardless of the responsibilities driving a car carries. It simply isn't taught, and the law only punishes after the fact, after it is too late for us. It might make the news, and someone might lose their license for a while, and we might get a white, spray-painted bike propped up at an intersection for a few years; but shortly after the scene is cleared and the road reopens, we're right back to a situation where . . . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nob</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ody. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cares. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unless WE DO. Unless <u>we</u> take the responsibility, n</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">othing will change. The responsibility is ours to write a slightly better circumstance for ourselves in the absence of a guarantee, if only to delay the "when." </span><br />
<i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All told, nothing changes simply because my boss's-boss demonstrated his concerns in a not-so-subtle way on a Friday afternoon. But, it got me thinking, and it got me to post something with some actual content for the first time in three months. It has turned into a decent head-check against my own potential complacency after dozens and dozens of uneventful rides to and from work and in the wilds of Kansas and Missouri on over a hundred randonneuring events and scattered gravel rides. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I submit that succumbing to fear is far worse a fate than smartly mitigating the risks while responsibly enjoying the rewards. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being visible and responsible is not succumbing to fear - it's part of our responsibility for our own safe outcomes. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have to be safe, be predictable, be visible, and be courteous to other road users, and help write our own guarantee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cycling <u>is</u> a dangerous activity, yes; but, acknowledging the risks occasionally is not a terrible thing, for it helps defuse the sort of complacency which often becomes our undoing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A matter of "when?" Perhaps. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, I will continue to do what is necessary to prevent my own injury, because I know what I am riding home for, and what I am riding to work to accomplish. I know my responsibilities and can only hope that the drivers around me understand theirs. Should some higher authority decide to intercede, I accept it. I expect to have that conversation some day, but, we each have a responsibility not to do anything to expedite that inevitable meeting. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rest is up to the man upstairs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEBYa4212M4/XUc5N5u8_4I/AAAAAAAAztc/f1Arc0sBdlYszqWPnquuKg-oKED4OOMMQCKgBGAs/s1600/20190707_142320_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEBYa4212M4/XUc5N5u8_4I/AAAAAAAAztc/f1Arc0sBdlYszqWPnquuKg-oKED4OOMMQCKgBGAs/s400/20190707_142320_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The literal middle-of-nowhere, and I still have the stupid neon reflective triangle and lights. While you and I both know there are absolutely NO guarantees, the people we love demand one. Being safe and visible helps the bigger picture, and eases the minds of those who support our passion. Be safe. It weighs nothing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-91966697869336611872019-05-23T10:59:00.003-05:002019-05-23T11:05:39.776-05:00One more year . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Upon realizing how long it has been since I posted ANYthing in these pages, seeing a well-timed Facebook throwback, and the resulting recent revisit to a <a href="http://www.commuterdude.com/2009/05/nice-to-meet-me.html" target="_blank">post I wrote a decade ago</a> --- well, interestingly, NOTHING lately has inspired me to ride long again like basically reading a love letter about randonneuring addressed to my future self. I'm not sure if it is "burn-out,", but I have not ridden a 200km ride since February '19, and my last distance beyond commuting was a gravel 104km ride back in March. I let March slip by without a 200k ride, thus ending a streak of 10 rides toward the elusive 6th R-12 run, and I wasn't that upset about it when it happened. I have been making really easy excuses to NOT ride long of late. Reading that old post helps... and it's obviously been enough to get me out of the tedium of APA-format research paper writing long enough to get my fingers moving to a different drum. Thus, this short post. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yeah, we're still here. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So much has transpired since my return to the educational process over two years ago; I have continued to ride, I managed to complete another R-12 (#5), rediscovered gravel with a rampant fervor, decided that "no, I'm not too old for this," thanks to my son taking up cycling and giving me, once again, someone to chase. (He's difficult to catch, too ... yeesh...). That got me losing a bunch of mid-40's body fat, and actually spending a lot of time really training this last winter, when not riding to work. Strava has been transformative, personally, though it isn't the end-all, it DOES help me. Fast is still not "everything," but it sure is fun to challenge oneself. I spent too much of my life "settling" from a physical standpoint. The work is good for me. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've successfully managed to be car-free (at least, to and from work) for over a year now, having the most "successful" winter of commutes since perhaps I first started trying to ride through all of the seasons. I used Uber a few times during this particularly icy and nasty winter, but, I never drove myself to the office. That feels good. Still, in some ways, the mental baggage from such a winter has been a strong desire to pick-n-choose the rando events I want to endure. Basically, if it isn't sunny with a double tailwind on tap for anything more than 30-40 miles, I haven't been interested. I think, mentally, I NEED some sunshine. Life has been busy, to say the least, and definitely challenging enough... which, tenders the desire to be mentally tested during that which should only exist to provide some much-needed personal stress relief.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As a result, I have skipped (or, justifiably missed due to my kids' graduation (or other) activities or my own homework) every single organized rando event in Kansas City this year, despite grandiose plans I made back in November when dreaming of Spring brevets.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Depressing? Perhaps... but, I also understand that enduring a massive amount of distance into a constant headwind may have only served to dig me deeper into the hole I've been sitting in, with regards to distance riding. Commuting has been enough.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But, I'll only be in classes for maybe another year. Just one more year.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One more year . . . </span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This morning, however, I feel some hope. I feel some sunshine amid the nearly constant potential for thunderstorms this week. Sometimes, we see posts for a reason - considering I almost never hang out on Facebook.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sometimes, a note we leave to ourselves, like the aforementioned post above that I just happened to re-read, is a good idea. One thing I can suggest for randonneurs, even shorter-distance guys out there discovering themselves: write things down. Even if it is bullet points, or social media posts. Save them. Lock them away for later, or share them with the world... but, when you need it, they will be there. The written word and a few photos transport us back to time and place unlike anything else - and we need the reminder. <i> Why are we doing this? What's the point? Man, I just can't do this anymore... do I still love this hobby? </i> YES, listen to your mind and body. Take breaks. Don't destroy yourself... but, when you need to get that feeling back, open those love notes to your future self, read them. Read them twice. Listen. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then you'll know it's time. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We'll see you out there... and we may even see you on the longer distance stuff... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cheers, and - as ever - thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrGbYrMZ8rc/XOa0RM4v-3I/AAAAAAAAyqk/01vb3_dKRScVk5K4Iuumi72RWuKUBwP0ACKgBGAs/s1600/FB_IMG_1558540151667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="604" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrGbYrMZ8rc/XOa0RM4v-3I/AAAAAAAAyqk/01vb3_dKRScVk5K4Iuumi72RWuKUBwP0ACKgBGAs/s320/FB_IMG_1558540151667.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US-69, 2009... it's still out there, and I think I need to go find it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CU79ijYyJCo/XOa0RPQ15JI/AAAAAAAAyqk/O5MrFd3QAQs9_Xjo0M_zNteIAsTDf9yxACKgBGAs/s1600/20190421_134348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CU79ijYyJCo/XOa0RPQ15JI/AAAAAAAAyqk/O5MrFd3QAQs9_Xjo0M_zNteIAsTDf9yxACKgBGAs/s320/20190421_134348.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The woodpile", somewhere in Miami County, KS., on a personal gravel training loop I love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bsGzT-tE88/XOa0RD5Um9I/AAAAAAAAyqk/m5joNrFMl4gofQZ8hmnFXpV2PfEKJ5eYgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190413_200156_531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bsGzT-tE88/XOa0RD5Um9I/AAAAAAAAyqk/m5joNrFMl4gofQZ8hmnFXpV2PfEKJ5eYgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_20190413_200156_531.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching a pre-dawn training group while on the way to the office, for some unexpected and personally rare paceline time... which I promptly screwed up for everyone once I tried to go to the front. Probably why I don't (shouldn't) race.<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-68512153565961560502018-09-12T14:37:00.002-05:002018-09-12T14:37:32.224-05:00Guest post - The Mac & Cheese 1,200km Grand Randonee<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Randonneuring is all about pushing one's limits and exploring far-off places... and a lot of our local randonneurs have made very good on those goals this year - as they do each year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One such event was the recent Mac-&-Cheese 1,200km, which takes place in Michigan and Wisconsin -- more information on this event can be found <b><a href="http://www.macandcheese1200k.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gary D., whom I've been lucky enough to share a fair number of miles with, put together this particularly good tale from his experience, and I asked for his permission to re-post it here with his photos. Please enjoy this sweeping tale of lucky stones, mythically-large cinnamon rolls, and bike mowers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks, Gary!</span><br />
<br />
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span>he Mac and Cheese 1,200k is done, and we’re left with
stories, memories, and new friends. I took a few pics for the FB page, with
some summary, and pasted them into the document below. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
We had a few hiccups regarding sleeping arrangements for
Sara, a volunteer and myself, but things smoothed out. Sara got to bed at
6:30am after the first night-not the easiest vacation ever. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
I had a great time, got plenty of sleep, and always had
sufficient food and water. I carried an energy bar that Peter took down the JMT
and ate half of it. I made a PB sandwich for day two and carried it home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
The ride had a nice mix of new and old rando’s, although
most of us are over 50. The old randos had a paceline and sang karaoke songs.
It was a fairly large group for me, say 8-12 riders, so I eventually abandoned
them. There was a joke about whether this was a brevet or a pub crawl. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
The ride had an international flavor with a rider from the
Netherlands, Ireland, and several Canadians. From the US, we had riders from
Washington, NJ, FL, CA- all over the US.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.75pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
I am apparently one of the few mortals that rely solely on
a cue sheet and wrist watch for navigation, and that was tested when I went off
course, thinking it was a cue sheet error. I made a greater attempt to ride
with others at night, or be sure others were nearby, after that. It makes me
rethink this strategy, although in the end, following is cue is part of what I
love about the sport. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.75pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Thus, the first story: <o:p></o:p></div>
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 4.8pt; text-align: center;">
Lucky stones <o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6O3W_iJY3w/W5lpq__FKoI/AAAAAAAAvik/DsYDF7I_3rgPHjcWKO1iG0ezd1XOr4ZuwCLcBGAs/s1600/luckystones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="959" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6O3W_iJY3w/W5lpq__FKoI/AAAAAAAAvik/DsYDF7I_3rgPHjcWKO1iG0ezd1XOr4ZuwCLcBGAs/s400/luckystones.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 50.8pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
On day 1, leaving Petoskey after dark, by myself, I
mis-read the cue and expected to turn at Harbor Springs Airport Road just 0.3
mi from Division, at the first paved road. I had skipped the line about riding
another 3.3 miles on the trail. I rode a mile or so, then doubled back. As I
passed a park shelter, I heard a voice coming from the darkness. I braked and
directed my light towards to shelter and asked for help. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
From the back of the shelter came an old hippie-looking
man, about my age. I asked if he knew where the Airport road was, and he
assured me I was heading the wrong direction. (He was right.) He asked where I
was heading, expressing disbelief at the answer, Mackinaw City. Studying the
next few lines on the cue sheet, he exclaimed that, no, there was a much better
way to get there. I explained that I needed to follow this route, regardless,
but was afraid that I had missed a turn. He then offered to take me up the trail
and started walking. “Come on”, he said waving for me to follow. I pleaded that
no, it would take forever to get there walking.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
“Do you smoke marijuana?” he asked. I’m unsure of where
this line of questioning could take us.
I tell him that I will continue to backtrack until I either get my
bearings or encounter other riders, and as I prepare to leave, he asked me to
wait and let him give me some lucky stones. Arrayed on the shelter handrail was
about a dozen small stones. He studied them intently, then selected these four
small stones, and handed them to me. I dropped them into my handlebar bag,
thanked him, wished him well and said goodbye.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .05pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
The opportunity to meet new people, even so briefly, is one
of the things I love about randonneuring. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.75pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
It’s also why I love to navigate via cue sheets and a wrist
watch instead of GPS navigation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<h1 style="margin-right: 3.75pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></h1>
<h1 style="margin-right: 3.75pt; text-align: center;">
River Rd <o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebQs6fhPd18/W5lp3JGCYRI/AAAAAAAAvio/GnLP-e4g_64vDc_IecmmMqP8mGasfb1JwCLcBGAs/s1600/riverrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1428" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebQs6fhPd18/W5lp3JGCYRI/AAAAAAAAvio/GnLP-e4g_64vDc_IecmmMqP8mGasfb1JwCLcBGAs/s400/riverrd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 3.5pt 0.0001pt 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 7.9pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .05pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
River Road, on Day 3, along the Menomonie River, was one of
the most beautiful parts of the course. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.85pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Shady and well paved, with glimpses of the river near
sunset. <o:p></o:p></div>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 3.9pt 4.7pt 0.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></h1>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 3.9pt 4.7pt 0.5pt; text-align: center;">
Stop CX <o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy77ZhJ9DhM/W5lp_gssViI/AAAAAAAAviw/6KeK-53x5psC2JNpkoxsjriVEibocqZ5wCLcBGAs/s1600/stopxc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1429" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy77ZhJ9DhM/W5lp_gssViI/AAAAAAAAviw/6KeK-53x5psC2JNpkoxsjriVEibocqZ5wCLcBGAs/s400/stopxc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: right; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
I’m not sure what they have against cyclocross up here.
(Stop XC). I was amused about the road work being behind, not ahead. I wish
that I had noticed the old log shelter barely visible to the left of the frame
when I took this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.75pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
We rode about a mile on this lumpy stuff, and I recalled
Michele’s words “If you are riding more than 30’ on gravel, you are going the wrong
way. Stop and go back!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 3.75pt 0.0001pt 0.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></h1>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 3.75pt 0.0001pt 0.5pt; text-align: center;">
Don’t jump<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y-m-BaWi24/W5lqI1sjQmI/AAAAAAAAvi4/0U5x-wF0klECgmw5b35djN9oSbjYIWaCgCLcBGAs/s1600/dont%2Bjump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1269" height="196" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y-m-BaWi24/W5lqI1sjQmI/AAAAAAAAvi4/0U5x-wF0klECgmw5b35djN9oSbjYIWaCgCLcBGAs/s400/dont%2Bjump.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 27.4pt 0.0001pt 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
This red-head was finishing her breakfast when we came down
to eat at the Econo-Lodge. Yes, we know most people ate across the street,
where they make real food, or around the corner, where they make great coffee
and pastries. Let’s just say we are
suckers for free waffles, scrambled eggs, and cold cereal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.05pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Anyway, I didn’t think to engage this lady in conversation,
and she disappeared as riders swept into the breakfast nook. After departure,
when we saw her looking back to shore, we recognized her from the motel, but
still didn’t approach. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.9pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Looking back, I wonder what her story could be, why she was
travelling alone across the lake. If she had jumped the rail, would anyone have
noticed? We were swept up in the group of riders, organizers and volunteers,
and I never saw her again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<h1 style="margin-right: 3.9pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></h1>
<h1 style="margin-right: 3.9pt; text-align: center;">
Bike mower <o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhUdC8Jpb-A/W5lqOEVUWxI/AAAAAAAAvi8/TNecs8YMmtoBUj19-pNOI3J9g7uaHgc1QCLcBGAs/s1600/mower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1430" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhUdC8Jpb-A/W5lqOEVUWxI/AAAAAAAAvi8/TNecs8YMmtoBUj19-pNOI3J9g7uaHgc1QCLcBGAs/s400/mower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 1.1pt 5.35pt 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Now here is an answer to that age-old question, “Why would
I want a bigger yard?” I’ve wanted one of these mowers since I read that that
old guy, Chuck Harris from Ohio, who made Harris helmet mirrors, had made one.
Genius. I just wonder how many randos stopped to take this picture. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.05pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 7.9pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 3.75pt 0.0001pt 0.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></h1>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 3.75pt 0.0001pt 0.5pt; text-align: center;">
Jack’s <o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ENukHNwvb4/W5lqUJPU-3I/AAAAAAAAvjA/d-dDsr5Y4ZYBEhRABoShY0CajHZKYQDGgCLcBGAs/s1600/jacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1012" height="258" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ENukHNwvb4/W5lqUJPU-3I/AAAAAAAAvjA/d-dDsr5Y4ZYBEhRABoShY0CajHZKYQDGgCLcBGAs/s400/jacks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 139.15pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_219" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:330pt;
height:213.75pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/ekeigat/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image011.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.9pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Jack’s, in Rapid River, Day 3, was well placed for second
breakfast. Our neighbor has roots in the Upper Peninsula and recommended this
place. It was awesome. As I was getting ready to pay, I spotted some of the
largest cinnamon rolls I have ever seen. With frosting. Sorry for no picture. I
will be dreaming about these for as long as I live. Can something so large and
beautiful still be tasty, in equally excessive proportions? These are things I
wonder about when I ride. <o:p></o:p></div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<br /></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Lakeshore<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 107%;">
</span><o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9mQujSnQv0/W5lqYWvwTkI/AAAAAAAAvjE/_k9nD7bE_U0f0oEqIxMK10sPaCCwtCiJQCLcBGAs/s1600/lakeshore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1430" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9mQujSnQv0/W5lqYWvwTkI/AAAAAAAAvjE/_k9nD7bE_U0f0oEqIxMK10sPaCCwtCiJQCLcBGAs/s400/lakeshore.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 1.1pt 0.0001pt 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
The last few miles of any long event are always special.
Here we were treated to some intense displays of power by Mother Nature. Up by
the Nuclear Plant, we were treated to bolts of lightning and thunder, with
near-torrential rain. The temps would drop 10 to 20 degrees, then immediately
climb back towards 80. Waves of mist would roll towards us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Coming south from Two Rivers, the storm settled out from
shore, and as I headed in, I tried to capture the intensity of the waves
crashing against the shore. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
This lake-front trail has a number of well-kept gardens and
memorials. I snapped this picture to capture the ship (visible above the
flowers) which appears to be going down. I suspect it is really just partially
embedded in fog. There were many people stopped along the trail taking pictures
of this ship, so who knows? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 2.2pt; margin-top: 0in;">
I grew up just a few hundred feet from Lake Erie. This ride
reminded me of the power and intensity of wind and water. My sincere thanks to
Michele, Jeremy, and the army of volunteers that made this experience
possible.</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-33380145217561590142018-08-26T17:13:00.000-05:002018-08-26T17:13:13.240-05:00Summer 2018 - An Exercise in Brevity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I</span>'m not about to go on a 25,000 word rant...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And yet, here I am again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In our modern, truncated world of social media and short attention spans, here I still am.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I won't get into my disenfranchisement with social media... because I still put stuff out there, just not on "the big one." I prefer Instagram. It feeds Twitter. Twitter is visible here, on the right (look, look!). Yeah, follow that, instead. Far fewer words, far more pictures, far more subtext; which is sorta my style anyways. Subtext. Subtext on everything. The point I've learned from all of this writing for years and years is that perhaps the subtext should remain unspoken. I've spent a lot of time here trying to convey it, but it remains very intangible. It's a look between friends, the vague colors of a landscape at dawn, or the moments behind the perceived motion caused by lines blurred by too-long of a camera exposure. It's the long pauses, the spaces between the words, and the impulsive chortle of agreement that sneaks past your breath when something resonates.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The sun may be setting on this little project of mine, if for no other reason than a complete and utter lack of available time. The sensations and subtext, however, are indeed available at least once per week on Instagram ... <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rusadude/" target="_blank"><b>@rusadude</b></a>. Just go do it ... (please, and thank you) ... and then go for a ride, for cripes-sake. THAT is where "it" happens ... not here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...for now... here's a few that didn't make the feed (but likely should have and may still) from the last few randonneuring adventures. Yeah, it's a "streak" again... time to go for R-12 #6. Why not? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0dGhxRO6TM/W4HNHse5k7I/AAAAAAAAvMg/iCiWEKsSxA4L7dTy00uSwkShRGGG8HBCwCKgBGAs/s1600/20180629_105325_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0dGhxRO6TM/W4HNHse5k7I/AAAAAAAAvMg/iCiWEKsSxA4L7dTy00uSwkShRGGG8HBCwCKgBGAs/s320/20180629_105325_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the June 2018 edition of the rare Aliceville Twister 200km permanent. It starts a bit out of town, but, for that very reason, offers a change of scenery and a chance to see the Flint Hills of Kansas - if only briefly. Starting in Garnett, KS., and heading generally west to Madison, KS., there are miles of sky and field to enjoy. Under clear skies, and really high humidity and eventually hot conditions, Terry B. and I had a really good time knocking out June - just in time. Taken with the 400km ride back on May 5th, this was #2 for this latest run at the annual R-12 goal. Here, the utility poles have disappeared and we're approaching the edge of a big ridge which drops into the valley containing Lamont and Madison. With the haze and heat, it looked like the entire west was opening up - like looking out over the ocean. Amazing, and something the camera simply cannot convey properly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WV7GwO8Pgms/W4HNHkMvItI/AAAAAAAAvMg/QpeeTZljsXUFQscJllKg2WvcExR09QkWACKgBGAs/s1600/20180629_163258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WV7GwO8Pgms/W4HNHkMvItI/AAAAAAAAvMg/QpeeTZljsXUFQscJllKg2WvcExR09QkWACKgBGAs/s320/20180629_163258.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back east after the halfway, Terry B. dishes out the pace while we work toward the sanctuary of Colony, KS., which promises water, air conditioning, and a rest. As you might see here, the route offers no shade - and at this point the temperature is well into the upper 90's, with a heat index far higher. Not pushing too hard, staying hydrated, and keeping a good mental outlook are critical. "It's only a few more miles," on repeat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HOcntW30u8/W4MWfuUmgdI/AAAAAAAAvNs/zE3DgwLdtBI1bCMNmTQlLw1o9SEZ8We3gCKgBGAs/s1600/20180629_083910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HOcntW30u8/W4MWfuUmgdI/AAAAAAAAvNs/zE3DgwLdtBI1bCMNmTQlLw1o9SEZ8We3gCKgBGAs/s400/20180629_083910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the experience are the murals of artist Jim Stukey, which can be found in Le Roy and Gridley, KS. along the route. Sadly, the one in Gridley was on a building which was recently razed (unsure why), but this one (in Le Roy) survives.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWan66WqKGk/W4MWfrgkqII/AAAAAAAAvNs/ajKj5K6CQGAYASzyIdV9GJaqSKKOxaGCACKgBGAs/s1600/20180629_110926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWan66WqKGk/W4MWfrgkqII/AAAAAAAAvNs/ajKj5K6CQGAYASzyIdV9GJaqSKKOxaGCACKgBGAs/s320/20180629_110926.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, the camera tries, but fails, to capture the breadth and emotion of this vista. Heading west, the entirety of the valley opens up in front of you and invites you to find the opposite ridge. It's amazing... I struggled with including it here, but it really isn't a spoiler: the real thing is far, far more amazing... especially from the saddle of a bicycle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Similar to last year, yet this time not really wrapped up in a competition -- possibly, and rightfully, due to some backlash from the Strava-heavy nature of last year's National Bike Challenge and the practical motivation of the challenge compared to what it turned into -- I decided to try again on a solid, summer-long streak of commutes to work. After all, that's sorta what I'm supposed to be doing anyways; it's what I prefer. I don't like who I am when I drive, not really a fan of other drivers, and my personal and mental health are more important to me than saving a handful of minutes transporting myself to and from wherever I happen to go. So, there's a good streak happening there, also. Feels pretty good; you should try it!<br />
<br />
<br />
Ah, July...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMSFH-k_sb8/W4HNHkhzCAI/AAAAAAAAvMg/u5FgD5fmtbAEKFhk6_mDQdxFtAUirObZQCKgBGAs/s1600/20180727_064132_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMSFH-k_sb8/W4HNHkhzCAI/AAAAAAAAvMg/u5FgD5fmtbAEKFhk6_mDQdxFtAUirObZQCKgBGAs/s320/20180727_064132_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another route I hadn't ridden in years, the Left of Centerville route includes a handful of cool, old bridges, a lot of railroad track parallels and crossings, and plenty of long, open stretches of road between towns. Once more creeping up on the last part of the month, Terry B., and (here, on the Potawatomie Creek Bridge on old K-7 (er, old US-169, also, I think)) along for the fun are Drew and Ryan, the Rando Bros. (tm); a couple of genuinely nice dudes, and strong, strong riders. The day was loaded with good tempo work and lots of great conversation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYC6VZOpG6c/W4HNHuT5SLI/AAAAAAAAvMg/bBuWq2DIt882iDj0uon3DfIysTVV1UfewCKgBGAs/s1600/20180727_085329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYC6VZOpG6c/W4HNHuT5SLI/AAAAAAAAvMg/bBuWq2DIt882iDj0uon3DfIysTVV1UfewCKgBGAs/s320/20180727_085329.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Due to a hilarious miscommunication, Terry B. was actually at least 15 minutes ahead of us here, as we take a break at Centerville, KS. We thought he was lagging behind at Parker - yet, he quietly managed to sneak past us there. Not a control, but low on water already - we had to stop at Parker - and Terry, ever the constant rolleur, just doesn't need to stop as much. Joke's on me... the rest of teh day would be spent trying to reel him back in. Not many cares, we hang out for a bit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYOFdzB36Q0/W4Mben7UKDI/AAAAAAAAvOE/hKi901CMwiwJsb0N_DdERFh6VvZG4dBkgCKgBGAs/s1600/20180727_085956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYOFdzB36Q0/W4Mben7UKDI/AAAAAAAAvOE/hKi901CMwiwJsb0N_DdERFh6VvZG4dBkgCKgBGAs/s320/20180727_085956.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And if we hadn't hung out in Centerville, we wouldn't have met "rando-cat."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIefojcCK5A/W4MaUUCOWsI/AAAAAAAAvN4/8SHQt0dpyeIWNs1cQ8zPMBwPWpOa8reDgCKgBGAs/s1600/20180727_135745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIefojcCK5A/W4MaUUCOWsI/AAAAAAAAvN4/8SHQt0dpyeIWNs1cQ8zPMBwPWpOa8reDgCKgBGAs/s320/20180727_135745.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Later in the ride, an unexpected detour. Sometimes the road construction web-pages are wrong, and the result creates a gravel detour of exceptional quality with outstanding scenery. We ended up with almost identical mileage to the official route, despite almost none of it being visible on a map. It was nice when a local happened by, otherwise we might have ended up with a long backtrack. Instead, we rode across a couple more interesting bridges, through an honest-to-goodness forest of some kind (the trees in one particular section, I swear, don't look like they belong in Missouri) and we saw some wildlife along the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Adding to the fun of the July ride, I elected to ride to and from the ride start in Paola, adding about 50 miles to the day and capping off the month nicely. <br />
<br />
<br />
August...<br />
And I feel a little old... sometimes.<br />
I remember the 10th Anniversary RUSA ride back in 2008. I remember it being brutally, brutally hot. I remember it being a pretty good day, and I have the medal. <br />
This time, the 20th Anniversary RUSA ride, for 2018... yes... new faces, old faces; new bikes, old bikes... it was great! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zqMFS-O0x0c/W4HNHhx2-sI/AAAAAAAAvMg/4DnWzpeEp_I-jReq66Sn20XV4I-xL0ZnQCKgBGAs/s1600/20180818_070339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zqMFS-O0x0c/W4HNHhx2-sI/AAAAAAAAvMg/4DnWzpeEp_I-jReq66Sn20XV4I-xL0ZnQCKgBGAs/s320/20180818_070339.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile One of the Princeton Roundabout route takes riders up and over I-435 on Renner Rd. and generally makes me question lots of things about myself ... like what I ate the night before, or a few minutes before, the start. It's not a brutal climb, traditionally-speaking, but it does continue for quite a while and provides a nice warm-up. If you are thinking of winter permanents to continue your streak, this is a good route for this reason -- if nothing else, you get right up to operating temperature in almost no time at all. Here, "everybody" gets down to business; Adam, Drew, Ryan, Karen, Greg, Terry, Paul, Jack, Ron, Carl, Dave, Steven, Gary.... gads, I'm losing track already. It was a great turnout!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6LRdYg8SBrs/W4MhuPB_ZFI/AAAAAAAAvOQ/3Q2mlGtLsrAvuX9QiHtRoSLC_6S2oRV0QCKgBGAs/s1600/20180818_084731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6LRdYg8SBrs/W4MhuPB_ZFI/AAAAAAAAvOQ/3Q2mlGtLsrAvuX9QiHtRoSLC_6S2oRV0QCKgBGAs/s320/20180818_084731.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An honest-to-goodness Cannondale CAAD3 Saeco Team Edition, with actual Spinergy Rev-X wheels and Shimano Dura-Ace 7700. So much cutting-edge tech for it's day, and still a wicked awesome example of the bicycle racing arms race which continues today, being a fan of the exploits of Cippolini and the Saeco squadra, I wanted one of these - <i>bad</i> - back in the day. So cool to see one. Some great gear showed up in the parking lot for this ride, including a terrific Litespeed, the cutting edge of gravel-tech from Lauf, two stunning examples from Colnago, and the rest of our usual randonneuring squad's always interesting variations of "how we do this crazy stuff." Showing up early in the parking lot of ANY rando ride is a treat - plus, it's a big help to the organizers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0h9F5LAyMrM/W4HNHnuhYpI/AAAAAAAAvMg/-YdVZyzgOm4GrjQHbE9jQu4H8QnGrTJGgCKgBGAs/s1600/20180818_133900_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0h9F5LAyMrM/W4HNHnuhYpI/AAAAAAAAvMg/-YdVZyzgOm4GrjQHbE9jQu4H8QnGrTJGgCKgBGAs/s320/20180818_133900_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm happy the bag didn't get in the way... the under/aft shots seldom turn out; but, this time we get Adam resting after a pull along John Brown Highway, which runs east-to-west between Osawatomie and Princeton, KS. We had a decent day on this outing, and while we didn't break any records and certainly fell off the pace of the fast folks off the front, we demonstrated a terrific amount of consistency for what (for me, anyways) is normally a brilliant start, a shaky middle, and a death-slog ending. Instead, we actually managed to improve on our rolling average speed over the last half of the route - without any tailwind assistance. In fact, if anything, we had a slight headwind for the last 20 miles, but, we managed to finish quite well. That, honestly, feels really, really good. It means the dietary consistency I've been exercising has translated to better performances on the bike - which, along with obvious health benefits, was my goal. Let's keep it going! By the way, Adam is a strong rider ... I'm happy to be here. We're talking about a guy that RUNS 50km events, on trails, for fun. He's one of those good dudes that makes the miles easier; good vibes, good discussions, and solid attitude. This sport is all about good people, and good, long rides. Perfection on the lonely roads of east-central Kansas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ieOrDOxSAlc/W4MhuI-B_sI/AAAAAAAAvOQ/su_oO2nsn_AamHwjC6cj3Qep82JpQiA5wCKgBGAs/s1600/20180819_091829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ieOrDOxSAlc/W4MhuI-B_sI/AAAAAAAAvOQ/su_oO2nsn_AamHwjC6cj3Qep82JpQiA5wCKgBGAs/s320/20180819_091829.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Anniversary, RUSA! See you in 2028... or 2023... will there be a 25th Anniversary medal?<br />Who knows ... let's just ride it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
More to come, yes... but in smaller chunks like this.<br />
We have a good streak going... stay tuned! Oh, and seriously... look for me on Instagram for the rest of the story. <br />
<br />
<br />
As always, thank you for reading! <br />
<br />
Let's go ride.... <i>allez, allez!</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-59192818408260987432018-08-09T13:02:00.001-05:002018-08-09T13:02:13.040-05:00Milepost 1445<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmRBP5mnhUA/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />
via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT:</a><br />
Full selfie from yesterday's ride home, hopefully to-be-featured on our corporate wellness vendor's annual calendar. Working to get more awareness for commuters and the benefits of riding to work! #rideyourbike #commuteharder #milepost1445<br />
https://ift.tt/2OopVyO
kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-23425781601007892882018-08-02T14:02:00.001-05:002018-08-02T14:02:10.061-05:00Milepost 1445<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl_JymDHZ7s/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />
via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT:</a><br />
Built in 1932, the Pottawatomie Creek bridge on old K-7, with The Rando Bros. @tri11ionaire & @evans6302 on tempo, dawn patrol, Left of Centerville 200km permanent, 7/27/18. #rideyourbike #AudaxKC #bridgehunter #milepost1445<br />
https://ift.tt/2vuxLzq
kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-62032573055451005722018-08-01T13:02:00.001-05:002018-08-01T13:02:20.371-05:00Milepost 1445<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl8aIRdnPEJ/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />
via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT:</a><br />
Happiness is an old barn at sunrise. From the Left of Centerville 200k, 7/27/18 #barnhunter #rideyourbike #milepost1445<br />
https://ift.tt/2KgIGSC
kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-61556543129448233572018-07-30T11:02:00.001-05:002018-07-30T11:02:14.296-05:00Milepost 1445<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl3Gp13nnie/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />
via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT:</a><br />
The old US-69 sentinel remains. Its smaller twin to the south, sadly, looks to have been replaced; so, not sure how much longer this guy will be here. On Ungenhour Rd. near K-52. #bridgehunter #rideyourbike #milepost1445 #AudaxKC<br />
https://ift.tt/2mRmaX7
kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-58331425102816299532018-07-28T23:02:00.001-05:002018-07-28T23:02:14.294-05:00Milepost 1445<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlzP1SuHKxw/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />
via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT:</a><br />
Gettin' after it in the early hours, on the road to Centerville. 200km permanent, 7/27/18, with The Rando Bros. & Terry B. #AudaxKC #rideyourbike #milepost1445 @tri11ionaire @evans6302<br />
https://ift.tt/2LQHwSM
kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.com0