One of the most satisfying things about cycling to me is the fact that you never know what each ride will bring you. Today my ride brought me joy and plenty of stories to share with you. THIS is what summer is all about. A ride. A post-ride lunch of chicken salad, red grapes and watermelon chunks after a shower and then the ritual of writing up a ride post out on the screen porch with a large lemonade at my side.
Before I left today I told my wife about a running gag I have regarding Saturday rides in Whitnall Park. I decided that is where I would go today to check out all the people at picnics there. I explained to Sandy that there is a bubbler in a picnic area right in the middle of what is my crit course there.
Over the years while riding here on a Saturday I have stopped there for water as a large family gathering was enjoying a party in that same area. Not once has anyone offered me something cold to drink. Not once. Seems odd to me.
I told Sandy that maybe today would be the day that someone would actually offer a hot cyclist something to eat or drink from their party.
But before I get to what happened there, I must first share the first of the carrot stories with you.
Not far into the ride I picked up a couple of roadies wearing matching gold-ish in color jerseys that said 312 on them. After they passed me I decided to stay within shouting distance. This meant picking up the pace to about 19 mph to hang with them once I caught them. I like to take situations like this and use them to push myself to ride a harder tempo than normal.
I have found this summer that I am slower than ever, getting much too comfortable in the middle ring most of the time going 15's. Not today. Today it was like old times. Big ring. Hard tempo. The two riders stayed on the path while I went straight at one point on the Oak Leaf Trail.
While waiting at the light at Highway 100 I figured I would see them cross on the path a couple of blocks down. After a couple of minutes...boom...there they were. The chase was on again for me.
I kept repeating in my head to myself, "Bridge...bridge....breathe...bridge....bridge...close the gap nice and steady."
I was able to catch them a second time when they slowed at an intersection. Then this time for some reason I ended up taking the point. So there I was turning 19's in front working hard and they were having a nice little conversation back there. Then it went quiet. They must have turned off. I appreciated having them to use as my carrot to chase.
Into Whitnall Park I saw about a 10-point buck just meandering down the side of the road next to me. Then another few miles down the road I saw three more deer eating.
When I started doing laps there they were...a family gathering right where I had predicted there would be one today. I did two laps hard to make sure they saw me before I pulled off to get water.
There must have been 50 people there and it appeared as if they were all in the process of gathering for a large group photo. I got a few looks as I pulled out a Powerbar and stretched my legs at a nearby table.
A cute young girl in a sun dress gave me a shy glance a couple of times. I thought to myself, "This could be it. This could be the moment when someone, after all these years of doing this, was going to offer me a cold drink!"
"Would you mind taking a few pictures for us?"
Are you kidding me? That's why you were looking my way?
Sure. Who can say no to a cute girl in a sun dress on a summer afternoon? She piled two smart phones into my sweaty, gloved hands and showed me where to snap.
I proceeded to take numerous pictures for them with both phones. Then another lady from what I believe was the Hansen clan came out from her pose and asked me to take more pictures with HER camera.
I did.
Then I pointed the camera at myself and took a picture, giving them all a laugh. As I filled my water bottle a guy walked toward my bike and was looking at it. Maybe this would be the one to ask if I wanted a soda!
"Just checking out your wheels," he said. Then he proceeded to tell about his bikes. Then I filled my water bottle up and mounted up. Someone yelled out thanks. That was it. Not a single offer of food or drink. My streak stays in-tact. I don't get it. But that seems to be the norm.
Getting closer to exiting the park I saw a sign that said Landworks at what appeared to be a company party. I pulled in because my wife has an old friend of hers that owns that company and I wanted to see if indeed it was her company. As I pulled in I saw her at a table and we chatted, having not seen each other in years. It was a nice chat, but again, no offer of a cold drink. Good thing I wasn't thirsty or low on fluids on this ride.
Then the second carrot was dangled in front of me on the way back in Root River Parkway. Approaching Loomis I looked up only to see what appeared to be an amazing pair of legs riding at me in the opposite direction. (Not a guy's legs either!) I never in that glimpse even saw what those legs were connected to. All I remember is thinking to myself, "Why aren't legs like that ever ahead of me? Why are they always just passing me from the other direction?"
I rode on to Loomis and then decided that my body felt pretty good in the heat. It was time to push again. I would hit the hammer (as much a hammer as I have these days) and ride hard in an attempt to see if those legs were somewhere ahead yet. She had a big head start on me, so this seemed a little foolish. But what the heck? A carrot to chase is a carrot to chase, right?
For a long time I held a steady 20 mph as was working to do that. Nothing in sight up ahead. I forged on hoping it would pay off, making this a game of sorts now.
Then I saw someone...yes...a rider up ahead. Maybe it was legs.
I pushed on closing the gap rather quickly only to find it was a dude.
I passed him and pushed onward. After a couple of miles I saw something ahead again. Yes. Maybe this was legs. Keep pushing.
I caught her. It wasn't legs. It was an elderly lady.
I was pretty gassed and nearing Greenfield Park by this time so I gave up any chase, knowing that the carrot in the shape of nice legs served me well today. For the first time in a while I rode with purpose today. Rusty, but it felt good.
Partly sunny and warm
84
Wind 5-10
Whitnall Crit 2 laps + Loomis Loop, 31 miles (15.5 mph ave)
Two years ago seeing that average speed would have been a disaster. Now days, I'm quite pleased with my effort today.
So lets review shall we?
--No one at a family picnic has ever offered me a cold beverage yet
--Nice legs make a good training carrot to chase
--I'm slow
--I still love the simple joy the adventure of a ride can bring.
Season Miles: 1,468
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Happens to the best of them
It's Saturday and the weather can not seem to make up its mind...clouds or sun? At least it's dry and I am thinking about taking a ride later in the day. Errands and yard work call for most of the day however.
Reading my friend Matthew Busche's blog I had to smile at his stories of bike woes while racing in Poland. Even the pros with the best of equipment can struggle at times. His was an odd chain issue out of nowhere.
He had a puncture too, something I have not had to deal with in a long time. But I guess I just jinxed it now.
A week from today it's the PhilCast show ride...Tour de PhilCast II, rolling out from Backyard Bikes in LaGrange at 11:00...as long as it's dry! Social ride...two groups...13 and 26 miles with lunch outside afterward.
phil@thephilcast.com if you are interested...let me know.
Reading my friend Matthew Busche's blog I had to smile at his stories of bike woes while racing in Poland. Even the pros with the best of equipment can struggle at times. His was an odd chain issue out of nowhere.
He had a puncture too, something I have not had to deal with in a long time. But I guess I just jinxed it now.
A week from today it's the PhilCast show ride...Tour de PhilCast II, rolling out from Backyard Bikes in LaGrange at 11:00...as long as it's dry! Social ride...two groups...13 and 26 miles with lunch outside afterward.
phil@thephilcast.com if you are interested...let me know.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Thank god for Andy and iced-cold Pepsi
Turns out I bit off more than I could chew today.
My schedule was open and the weather was great. I decided to put some miles in today....more than usual. I wasn't sure exactly where I would end up, but I headed west with my jersey pockets stuffed with lunch.
All along the plan was to take it easy, thinking maybe I'd even attempt a round-trip out to the lake house and back, which would be 80 miles. Could this have even been the day I attempt my one solo century of the year?
I rode out to Wales feeling fine. After a break to eat the PB&J and banana lunch I packed I hit the trail west again. I stopped to do a good deed, helping a rider I saw west of Wales who was walking with his flat front tire in hand. Turns out he changed his flat but the air cartridge he had didn't work for him....stranded....until I came along because I ride with a small hand pump on my back. I gave it to him and he pumped up the tire enough to be on his way. So was I then, feeling good about the fact that I could help out a fellow rider in need.
I took Waterville Road just east of Dousman and its rolling hills feeling the energy leaving my body. As I continued it became clear there was no way I was going to ride 80 miles today. I began to struggle.
I had the thought to turn around before making it out to the lake house to make the return trip a little shorter. But that would have left me without the chance to re-fuel on food and beverage at the lake house. I was stuck heading all the way out there.
I made it to the lake but was spent. The thought of riding 40 miles back seemed impossible.
I called my friend Andy on his day off and as luck would have it he was ready, willing and able to drive out and give me a lift home.
That's why I say thank goodness for Andy and ice-cold Pepsi, which sure hit the spot once I got to the house.
Sunny, 82
Wind 8-12
40 miles
What seemed like it was going to be a great long day in the saddle turned out to be an interesting 40 miles instead.
Who knows why? Some days you just don't bring it. But in my head I thought I was going to be able to.
Still, a 40-mile ride on a beautiful sunny afternoon ain't bad....as long as you've got a good friend on standby to come get you once you crap out!
Season Miles: 1,437
My schedule was open and the weather was great. I decided to put some miles in today....more than usual. I wasn't sure exactly where I would end up, but I headed west with my jersey pockets stuffed with lunch.
All along the plan was to take it easy, thinking maybe I'd even attempt a round-trip out to the lake house and back, which would be 80 miles. Could this have even been the day I attempt my one solo century of the year?
I rode out to Wales feeling fine. After a break to eat the PB&J and banana lunch I packed I hit the trail west again. I stopped to do a good deed, helping a rider I saw west of Wales who was walking with his flat front tire in hand. Turns out he changed his flat but the air cartridge he had didn't work for him....stranded....until I came along because I ride with a small hand pump on my back. I gave it to him and he pumped up the tire enough to be on his way. So was I then, feeling good about the fact that I could help out a fellow rider in need.
I took Waterville Road just east of Dousman and its rolling hills feeling the energy leaving my body. As I continued it became clear there was no way I was going to ride 80 miles today. I began to struggle.
I had the thought to turn around before making it out to the lake house to make the return trip a little shorter. But that would have left me without the chance to re-fuel on food and beverage at the lake house. I was stuck heading all the way out there.
I made it to the lake but was spent. The thought of riding 40 miles back seemed impossible.
I called my friend Andy on his day off and as luck would have it he was ready, willing and able to drive out and give me a lift home.
That's why I say thank goodness for Andy and ice-cold Pepsi, which sure hit the spot once I got to the house.
Sunny, 82
Wind 8-12
40 miles
What seemed like it was going to be a great long day in the saddle turned out to be an interesting 40 miles instead.
Who knows why? Some days you just don't bring it. But in my head I thought I was going to be able to.
Still, a 40-mile ride on a beautiful sunny afternoon ain't bad....as long as you've got a good friend on standby to come get you once you crap out!
Season Miles: 1,437
Monday, August 1, 2011
Old school
When I first started riding the main route I took was south to Loomis and back, a simple urban 26 miles.
I don't ride it that much these days because 26 miles seems short to me.
But today, with some dark clouds looming I wanted to keep it short...thus a return to the old route.
But about 1/4 of the way in I decided to try to ride it harder than usual, you know, treat it like a TT. This is the same distance as the TT that Cadel Evans used to win the Tour de France.
Problem is that if you want to ride this fast you need to do that from the start. Plus, it would help if I could get out of the saddle, which I still can not. My right foot is still hurting. In fact the front half of that foot was numb with pain for much of the ride.
This is a tough route to ride for average speed. There are a lot of intersections meaning a lot of stop lights and signs.
In the old days it went like this:
-Normal average speed on this route would be in the 16's.
-Average higher speed/bigger effort would be 17's.
-Fastest was an 18 ave. speed all out on this course.
Today my average speed was 15.3. Yikes. I was actually trying in the big ring for the first portion of the ride too!
Hot and muggy, 92 degrees, hazy sun/clouds mix
Wind 8-12 mph
Loomis, 26 miles
I hope this condition with my foot goes away before the snow hits! It's too bad because the rest of me feels pretty good these days out there.
Season Miles: 1,397
I don't ride it that much these days because 26 miles seems short to me.
But today, with some dark clouds looming I wanted to keep it short...thus a return to the old route.
But about 1/4 of the way in I decided to try to ride it harder than usual, you know, treat it like a TT. This is the same distance as the TT that Cadel Evans used to win the Tour de France.
Problem is that if you want to ride this fast you need to do that from the start. Plus, it would help if I could get out of the saddle, which I still can not. My right foot is still hurting. In fact the front half of that foot was numb with pain for much of the ride.
This is a tough route to ride for average speed. There are a lot of intersections meaning a lot of stop lights and signs.
In the old days it went like this:
-Normal average speed on this route would be in the 16's.
-Average higher speed/bigger effort would be 17's.
-Fastest was an 18 ave. speed all out on this course.
Today my average speed was 15.3. Yikes. I was actually trying in the big ring for the first portion of the ride too!
Hot and muggy, 92 degrees, hazy sun/clouds mix
Wind 8-12 mph
Loomis, 26 miles
I hope this condition with my foot goes away before the snow hits! It's too bad because the rest of me feels pretty good these days out there.
Season Miles: 1,397
Friday, July 29, 2011
The new path
First off I can report to you that the new path section that goes under the still-torn-up Bluemound Rd. is now open, although there is a nasty bump as you start the asphalt section coming on....marked by an orange barrel for now.
Being a nice sunny hot day I went out to do "Three Bridges" route easy, although I guess this could be called SIX Bridges because I went out on the path with the bridges and came back the same way via a turn-around at the Milwaukee Sports complex, thereby passing on any climbing on the way home. (my right foot is still swollen enough in the shoe that the front of my foot keeps going numb on a ride!)
For as a nice a day as it was there were very few people out and about on the route. It was kind of a dull, workhorse ride for the exercise.
Sunshine, 84 degrees
Light wind
Three Bridges, 36 miles
And now to my other news...
I've made a personal decision to end a 10-year relationship.
When I started riding after my hip replacement surgery ten years ago now, the first bike I bought was a Trek. I have purchased and enjoyed riding three more different Trek bikes in that time frame, including the Madone I am riding now. It's over.
I tried to be brand loyal because Trek is based here in Wisconsin and I was satisfied with the product as well.
That's why earlier this spring when I heard about a job opening at Trek I thought it would be a great opportunity for me. Many people in my profession have made the jump from being on the air to becoming involved in corporate communications, something I never used to have an interest in doing.
But when I saw an opening at Trek for a media relations assistant it sounded like the perfect chance for me to make that leap as well.
Cycling. Trek. Wisconsin. Media. Perfect fit.
I applied for the position, even taking a day trip to HQ in Waterford to check the place out. After not receiving anything back from them in weeks I even called and was personally transferred to the office of the man who was making the hire, where I left a message describing who I am and what I was looking for.
I never received a call back...not even a simple email back. Nothing.
What kind of way is that to do business, especially considering this is a MEDIA RELATIONS person? I'm a 30-year media veteran in this market with a known passion for a decade of cycling. It was like I didn't exist.
I believe it was rude and unprofessional of them to never at least let me know what happened with filling that position.
Then it dawned on me....Why, as frustrated as I am with how that company treated me, am I riding around advertising one of their models on the road? I guess I just got so used to all things Trek=positive that I never thought of it until now.
You've lost my loyalty with that kind of treatment Trek. I am sure there are many other makers of fine carbon fiber road bikes that will be interested in my business in the future. Meantime, I think I'll put some black tape over the big Trek decal on my bike.
Shame on you Trek. It could have been such a good match, and even if you didn't feel that way you should have at least informed me of that fact, not just ignored me. Great media relations guys. Bye-bye.
Season Miles: 1,371
Being a nice sunny hot day I went out to do "Three Bridges" route easy, although I guess this could be called SIX Bridges because I went out on the path with the bridges and came back the same way via a turn-around at the Milwaukee Sports complex, thereby passing on any climbing on the way home. (my right foot is still swollen enough in the shoe that the front of my foot keeps going numb on a ride!)
For as a nice a day as it was there were very few people out and about on the route. It was kind of a dull, workhorse ride for the exercise.
Sunshine, 84 degrees
Light wind
Three Bridges, 36 miles
And now to my other news...
I've made a personal decision to end a 10-year relationship.
When I started riding after my hip replacement surgery ten years ago now, the first bike I bought was a Trek. I have purchased and enjoyed riding three more different Trek bikes in that time frame, including the Madone I am riding now. It's over.
I tried to be brand loyal because Trek is based here in Wisconsin and I was satisfied with the product as well.
That's why earlier this spring when I heard about a job opening at Trek I thought it would be a great opportunity for me. Many people in my profession have made the jump from being on the air to becoming involved in corporate communications, something I never used to have an interest in doing.
But when I saw an opening at Trek for a media relations assistant it sounded like the perfect chance for me to make that leap as well.
Cycling. Trek. Wisconsin. Media. Perfect fit.
I applied for the position, even taking a day trip to HQ in Waterford to check the place out. After not receiving anything back from them in weeks I even called and was personally transferred to the office of the man who was making the hire, where I left a message describing who I am and what I was looking for.
I never received a call back...not even a simple email back. Nothing.
What kind of way is that to do business, especially considering this is a MEDIA RELATIONS person? I'm a 30-year media veteran in this market with a known passion for a decade of cycling. It was like I didn't exist.
I believe it was rude and unprofessional of them to never at least let me know what happened with filling that position.
Then it dawned on me....Why, as frustrated as I am with how that company treated me, am I riding around advertising one of their models on the road? I guess I just got so used to all things Trek=positive that I never thought of it until now.
You've lost my loyalty with that kind of treatment Trek. I am sure there are many other makers of fine carbon fiber road bikes that will be interested in my business in the future. Meantime, I think I'll put some black tape over the big Trek decal on my bike.
Shame on you Trek. It could have been such a good match, and even if you didn't feel that way you should have at least informed me of that fact, not just ignored me. Great media relations guys. Bye-bye.
Season Miles: 1,371
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Hottie and the hot tar
Well despite the fact that I really had no business being on a bike today I went out just to do what I call a hair coloring ride...nice & easy.
This bout with gout is almost a month old now, and although it's almost gone it lingers, and today was bothering me a lot more than yesterday on the bike.
But the weather was so nice there was no way I could sit still and stay off my feet today.
Sunny, 82
Wind 10-12, east
Springdale and back on NB trail
There were pretty many people on the trail today taking advantage of the sunshine. On the way out with the tailwind I put in only a small bit of work. On the way back I sat up, wincing with some pain once in a while from that sore right foot that was slightly swelled and uncomfortable in my riding shoe.
I can report that they were putting fresh hot tar on the new underpass bike path at Bluemound, so although you still can not cross on top, you'll now be able to ride underneath that road out there on 100-and-whatever it is where it's all torn up.
On the way back they were rolling the hot tar and I stopped to walk my bike on the grass. A hottie construction worker chick smiled and said, "It's almost done." Then she told me, "As soon as he's done rolling it there you could take your bike on it. But I don't know, you might pop your tires because it's so hot."
Huh?
Kinda funny. I passed on the chance to be the very first rider on the newly-topped path there and instead walked over the gravel and grit on the side. It sure will be nice to have that new section done though.
Know what else would be nice?
NO MORE FOOT issues! It's a shame because the rest of me feels pretty good on the bike, but this deal just cripples you because you can't put any pressure onto the pedal whatsoever. Yuk. Rain tomorrow...rest for a couple of days at least.
You ridin' with the PhilCast on the Tour de PhilCast II ride? Let me know with an RSVP to phil@thephilcast.com Sat. Aug. 13...rolling out from Backyard Bikes in LaGrange, WI at 11:00. Meeting for outside picnic lunch after the ride. 26 and 13 miles social ride routes.
Season Miles: 1,335
This bout with gout is almost a month old now, and although it's almost gone it lingers, and today was bothering me a lot more than yesterday on the bike.
But the weather was so nice there was no way I could sit still and stay off my feet today.
Sunny, 82
Wind 10-12, east
Springdale and back on NB trail
There were pretty many people on the trail today taking advantage of the sunshine. On the way out with the tailwind I put in only a small bit of work. On the way back I sat up, wincing with some pain once in a while from that sore right foot that was slightly swelled and uncomfortable in my riding shoe.
I can report that they were putting fresh hot tar on the new underpass bike path at Bluemound, so although you still can not cross on top, you'll now be able to ride underneath that road out there on 100-and-whatever it is where it's all torn up.
On the way back they were rolling the hot tar and I stopped to walk my bike on the grass. A hottie construction worker chick smiled and said, "It's almost done." Then she told me, "As soon as he's done rolling it there you could take your bike on it. But I don't know, you might pop your tires because it's so hot."
Huh?
Kinda funny. I passed on the chance to be the very first rider on the newly-topped path there and instead walked over the gravel and grit on the side. It sure will be nice to have that new section done though.
Know what else would be nice?
NO MORE FOOT issues! It's a shame because the rest of me feels pretty good on the bike, but this deal just cripples you because you can't put any pressure onto the pedal whatsoever. Yuk. Rain tomorrow...rest for a couple of days at least.
You ridin' with the PhilCast on the Tour de PhilCast II ride? Let me know with an RSVP to phil@thephilcast.com Sat. Aug. 13...rolling out from Backyard Bikes in LaGrange, WI at 11:00. Meeting for outside picnic lunch after the ride. 26 and 13 miles social ride routes.
Season Miles: 1,335
Monday, July 25, 2011
Under a blue sky
I had the time to do it today so I headed south to 7-Mile Road for a longer ride in the afternoon. 50 miles in all to the south and back on a day that saw near-ideal conditions to get lost in time traveling down a country road.
Sunny and 84
Light wind, 5-10
7-Mile Rd. via 92nd., 50 miles
Things were very dead out there today. On the way down in Franklin an elderly lady waved me down, her 'bent' leaning on a picnic bench and with a map in her hands. She wanted to know if the street she was about to turn onto was indeed Drexel. It was. She was happy for the help. I think she might have been from out of state because a saw a flag on her bike with the name of a town and a GA after that.
She smiled and said, "Sorry I slowed you down to ask."
Huh, I must have looked fast to her!
For some reason although my right foot feels much better I can not climb out of the saddle at all yet. The pressure on the ball of that foot and the toe area is so painful (I tried it ONCE) that my entire leg almost collapsed in pain. So any hill I came upon had to be climbed in the saddle. And the worst part is that the front half of that foot keeps going numb during the ride too. Whatever.
I stopped to eat the PB&J I brought along for lunch in some shade next to a creek. Then in the final miles I was pretty tired and ready to park it.
Getting hot again...and more humid on Tuesday too.
Sounds like a ride day to me.
Season Miles: 1,315
Sunny and 84
Light wind, 5-10
7-Mile Rd. via 92nd., 50 miles
Things were very dead out there today. On the way down in Franklin an elderly lady waved me down, her 'bent' leaning on a picnic bench and with a map in her hands. She wanted to know if the street she was about to turn onto was indeed Drexel. It was. She was happy for the help. I think she might have been from out of state because a saw a flag on her bike with the name of a town and a GA after that.
She smiled and said, "Sorry I slowed you down to ask."
Huh, I must have looked fast to her!
For some reason although my right foot feels much better I can not climb out of the saddle at all yet. The pressure on the ball of that foot and the toe area is so painful (I tried it ONCE) that my entire leg almost collapsed in pain. So any hill I came upon had to be climbed in the saddle. And the worst part is that the front half of that foot keeps going numb during the ride too. Whatever.
I stopped to eat the PB&J I brought along for lunch in some shade next to a creek. Then in the final miles I was pretty tired and ready to park it.
Getting hot again...and more humid on Tuesday too.
Sounds like a ride day to me.
Season Miles: 1,315
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