Monday, June 4.
Said goodbye to Charlottesburg and headed up into the hills through some very pretty country. I spent the morning out in front of the group by myself up to our first stop at Chiles Orchard. The strawberries were great but the peaches were heaven. Better than any drink, so sweet and juicy.
Jim Ormans and I left together (the old guys) and climbed and climbed and climbed. Next stop the Humpback Rocks Visitor up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Feeling strong. The up and down of the Parkway was strenuous for me but the views were breath taking.
The toughest 62 miles I've ever ridden. 4,600 feet of climbing today. Today was dedicated to Rob Fontes. All the glorious moments were shared with you Rob and all the times I had to push myself on those hills I yelled my battle cry, "For Rob! This is for you Rob!"
I was really glad to see the turn off for the Bicentennial Trail down into Vesuvius. What an incredible ride that was. Fast fast fast down the switchbacks riding the brakes to stay under 40 mph which normally wouldn't be a big deal but here was on the verge of being out of control and holding the curve. Ate and ate at Gerties's in Vesuvius. I'm still not convinced that we can eat as much as we want. I'm sure I'm gainning weight. The scenery all day was beautiful and the temperature difference between the parkway up top and Vesuvius down in the valley was amazing.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Charlottesville, VA and 203 miles
Three days into the ride and we have covered 203 miles.
The first day, I rode about 63 miles, through old Williamsburg, Jamestown and almost to Richmond. Ted Hanson and members of the Williamsburg Area Cyclists, the WABs, invited me to a nice lunch at a church in Williamsburg. I arrived at the Willis Church United Methodist Church just before a thunderstorm. I scored a private room which was a storage closet and slept pretty well. The wonderful folks at the church have been hosting cyclists on the Bicentenial Trail since the first year in 1976, but this was the first time they served a dinner which was greatly appreciated. Thank you pastor Mark Brooks!
Yesterday, June 2, the route covered 81 miles, but I ended up doing about 4 or 5 extra by going off-route. It was a cool day and beautiful. Seven people at once had flat tires as they rode through an area full of roofing tacks. We slept behind the Mineral VA fire department last night and it was a rough night. Trains coming be every hour and my heart decided to start acting up so not much that could be called sleep.
Rode about 55 miles today. Some pretty big hills into Charlottesville around Monticello. We had reception at the James Miller Clinic for MS. We are staying at the Trinity Presbyterian Church tonight. So much kindness. I'm next up for a shower so have to run. See you soon!
The first day, I rode about 63 miles, through old Williamsburg, Jamestown and almost to Richmond. Ted Hanson and members of the Williamsburg Area Cyclists, the WABs, invited me to a nice lunch at a church in Williamsburg. I arrived at the Willis Church United Methodist Church just before a thunderstorm. I scored a private room which was a storage closet and slept pretty well. The wonderful folks at the church have been hosting cyclists on the Bicentenial Trail since the first year in 1976, but this was the first time they served a dinner which was greatly appreciated. Thank you pastor Mark Brooks!
Yesterday, June 2, the route covered 81 miles, but I ended up doing about 4 or 5 extra by going off-route. It was a cool day and beautiful. Seven people at once had flat tires as they rode through an area full of roofing tacks. We slept behind the Mineral VA fire department last night and it was a rough night. Trains coming be every hour and my heart decided to start acting up so not much that could be called sleep.
Rode about 55 miles today. Some pretty big hills into Charlottesville around Monticello. We had reception at the James Miller Clinic for MS. We are staying at the Trinity Presbyterian Church tonight. So much kindness. I'm next up for a shower so have to run. See you soon!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Getting the heck outa Dodge
Had planned to leave this morning. Why always so hard to get out of town? Sitting here with my babies, my dogs Rudy and Gretchen, their heads resting on my legs. Hard for me to leave them for two months.
Dad is driving to Virginia with me and we would like to play tourist for a day or two before the ride. I'm especially interested to see Colonial Williamsburg. Need to get back to packing now.
Dad is driving to Virginia with me and we would like to play tourist for a day or two before the ride. I'm especially interested to see Colonial Williamsburg. Need to get back to packing now.
Saturday after St Patrick's
Another great day riding. It was cold this morning. Started out with a group of mostly Memphis Hightailers I think on "Vic's Ride" from the Lakeland Factory Outlet Mall. Same as last week in that as soon as we hit a hill, I fall back. So I lost the group after a few miles. Never let it be said that West Tennessee is flat.
Ending up riding with Bruce Friedman who was a good companion and riding at my pace. We ended up doing 55 miles. Legs were weak, rubbery, and some pain and discomfort as the day went on. But I guess this could be described as a good kind of pain.
Another great day riding. It was cold this morning. Started out with a group of mostly Memphis Hightailers I think on "Vic's Ride" from the Lakeland Factory Outlet Mall. Same as last week in that as soon as we hit a hill, I fall back. So I lost the group after a few miles. Never let it be said that West Tennessee is flat.
Ending up riding with Bruce Friedman who was a good companion and riding at my pace. We ended up doing 55 miles. Legs were weak, rubbery, and some pain and discomfort as the day went on. But I guess this could be described as a good kind of pain.
Monday, April 16, 2012
1) Photo on the left: Before: July 2011 on Lake Michigan. Approx. 240 pounds. Picked up another 15 by Thanksgiving. Chronic back, knee, and heart problems since 2000. Last fall, I couldn't do anything remotely strenuous without intense chest pain. "Get better or make arrangements." my cardiologist said. I decided I was going to get better or die trying. I've relearned a lot about what it means to make a decision. (More about that another time)
2) Photo on the right: I won't call it After. How about On the Way: April 1, 2012, Missouri River near St. Louis. Approx. 185 pounds. After 4 months of literally working (and juicing) my butt (and belly) off. On this day, I did a 63 mile bike ride with my son, Ben, around St. Charles county and over the Missouri into St. Louis. My heart seems to be doing fine. Heart cath showed everything totally clear. Blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol levels all good.
About a month ago, I was feeling so grateful for my new lease on life (you have to understand how unhealthy I've been the last 12 years) that when I came across the Bike the US for MS website, I felt immediately that this is something I had to do. Since then, I've been raising funds and training.
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