Originally composed 7/17/12:
"Listen to your own heart beating," fine advice from the man who gave us Danger Zone and Footloose. Standing on the doorstep of 43, I am attempting to be intentional in my actions. The why matters. "Because it feels good" is no longer sufficient. The instant gratification that I have lived most of my life by is failing to make me happy. In fact, it is having the opposite effect. Then a remarkable thing happened. My decision to race the Great Divide flipped a switch in my head. All of the fragments that seemed to define a life well-lived snapped into place like metal shavings lining up for a magnet. It's hard to overstate the difference. Soda and snacking has been a fixture in my life. Soda is gone. I still snack but I give some thought as to why I want to eat and what I am going to eat. Obviously, the bottom line for now is weight. As of today, I weigh 252.4. I started at 281 on May 6th. I have been using a spreadsheet to track progress so that I don't overemphasize recent results and lose motivation as I am wont to do. At this pace, I will go below 200 pounds sometime in January...for the first time in seventeen years. 186 is still the goal.
Regarding the bike, I definitely need wider handlebars and more comfortable grips. Ergon seems to be universally loved. Getting lighter will help my hands some, but for six or seven hours in the saddle I need the ergonomics. If all goes well, I'll do a century on the road bike on July 28. The next challenge will be a 120-mile "Gran Fondo" on September 2 on the mountain bike. Then a 400-mile multi-day in Virginia beginning October 20 will give me a chance to sort out the kit. Which reminds me that I need to get busy on any DIY pieces of the kit, so it can be thoroughly tested. So much to do.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
I got 99 problems but the bike ain't one.
130 miles on the 29er, 10 hours, and I'm still over 250 pounds and have 10 1/2 months to train. This was a very good day. Just what I needed after a lackadaisical week.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The resultant devil of my details
Originally written on 7/13/12:
There are known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns. For instance, there is the known iPhone app Strava that uses GPS to record your ride and rank you against other riders over known segments. There are the known physical forces that govern momentum, center of gravity, and inertia. To wit, an idiot in motion tends to stay in motion until acted upon by the ground. Then we get into the known unknowns. I know there is a correct line through an obstacle. I just don't always know what it is. And finally, there are the unknown unknowns; heretofore, the province only of amateur philosopher Donnie Rumsfeld. Apparently there is circuitry in my head that thinks changing lines in the middle of a descent is a perfectly reasonable course of action. I'm here (fortunately) to tell you that it's not. I have knots, bruises, and abuggered rear derailleur bent rear dropout as proof. This is not something I thought I would have to guard against, another member of the unknown unknowns.
So what's the common thread here? The competitor in me was trying to break my personal best (and maybe a few other rider's personal bests on Strava). I was really locked in, successfully navigating all obstacles except the creek/tree/rock combo. And when I arrived at the section which dismounted me, the perfect line revealed itself to me just milliseconds AFTER entering the root-riddled spur. One particularly obtrusive root vetoed the late move, sending my front wheel in a direction that body and mind were not prepared to follow. The rest was a series of negative stimuli, a few deep breaths, and a powerful lesson about riding at the edge of one's abilities. The lesson? "Decide, commit, and decide again" has one too many steps. Decide and commit. Period.Now...how much does a rear derailleur cost? Steel bends. Steel is good. Oh, I almost forgot. I took eight minutes off my previous loop even with the takedown.
There are known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns. For instance, there is the known iPhone app Strava that uses GPS to record your ride and rank you against other riders over known segments. There are the known physical forces that govern momentum, center of gravity, and inertia. To wit, an idiot in motion tends to stay in motion until acted upon by the ground. Then we get into the known unknowns. I know there is a correct line through an obstacle. I just don't always know what it is. And finally, there are the unknown unknowns; heretofore, the province only of amateur philosopher Donnie Rumsfeld. Apparently there is circuitry in my head that thinks changing lines in the middle of a descent is a perfectly reasonable course of action. I'm here (fortunately) to tell you that it's not. I have knots, bruises, and a
So what's the common thread here? The competitor in me was trying to break my personal best (and maybe a few other rider's personal bests on Strava). I was really locked in, successfully navigating all obstacles except the creek/tree/rock combo. And when I arrived at the section which dismounted me, the perfect line revealed itself to me just milliseconds AFTER entering the root-riddled spur. One particularly obtrusive root vetoed the late move, sending my front wheel in a direction that body and mind were not prepared to follow. The rest was a series of negative stimuli, a few deep breaths, and a powerful lesson about riding at the edge of one's abilities. The lesson? "Decide, commit, and decide again" has one too many steps. Decide and commit. Period.
Singletrack!
Originally written on 7/11/12:
I am busting today. My weight continues to fall and the Gunnar is a fabulous piece of steel heaven. For just the second time in my life I rode singletrack and absolutely loved it. The first time was last Saturday, so I'm a total noob but the learning at this stage happens by leaps and bounds. There were too many dismounts the first time through. The second time there were just four, and I think I can see a way through all of them. Finding a skilled mountain biker to follow around should accelerate the learning.
I am busting today. My weight continues to fall and the Gunnar is a fabulous piece of steel heaven. For just the second time in my life I rode singletrack and absolutely loved it. The first time was last Saturday, so I'm a total noob but the learning at this stage happens by leaps and bounds. There were too many dismounts the first time through. The second time there were just four, and I think I can see a way through all of them. Finding a skilled mountain biker to follow around should accelerate the learning.
The friction that binds men's souls
Originally composed 6/27/12:
Last night was a bit of a battle to get myself out the door. This happens every once in a while. If I were more diligent about keeping a training log I might be able to identify the trends that sap my motivation. Perhaps I could minimize the friction that wears on the mind. It's a strange thing because for all my problem-solving ability, I tend to jump to the conclusion that my lack of motivation, dedication, or ability is to blame. Little by little I'm learning to cut myself a break and look for the clues that will lead me to a legitimate root cause. Case in point, I've been having problems with my saddle. Even short rides were causing a lot of discomfort. Strange as I've had this saddle for a while and never had problems in the past. When I took a moment to think of the possible causes, it occurred to me that I had removed the seat post to add a bottle holder. I assumed that I had replced the seat post and set it at the right height. A quick check showed that my assumption was wrong. No more discomfort, no mental friction.
Last night was a bit of a battle to get myself out the door. This happens every once in a while. If I were more diligent about keeping a training log I might be able to identify the trends that sap my motivation. Perhaps I could minimize the friction that wears on the mind. It's a strange thing because for all my problem-solving ability, I tend to jump to the conclusion that my lack of motivation, dedication, or ability is to blame. Little by little I'm learning to cut myself a break and look for the clues that will lead me to a legitimate root cause. Case in point, I've been having problems with my saddle. Even short rides were causing a lot of discomfort. Strange as I've had this saddle for a while and never had problems in the past. When I took a moment to think of the possible causes, it occurred to me that I had removed the seat post to add a bottle holder. I assumed that I had replced the seat post and set it at the right height. A quick check showed that my assumption was wrong. No more discomfort, no mental friction.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The Man in Black
To quote the late Johnny Cash "I hurt myself today..." though I have no concerns regarding my ability to feel. Last day in the Finger Lakes, and I took full advantage banging out 60 miles. I drug my 260-pound body over 2,500' of climbing. I am well aware that this is hardly epic, but my legs got me through. I really need to lighten up and reward my legs for patiently waiting for me to remember that I am a cyclist, and then bailing me out when I nibble off a little more than I should. Thanks legs!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
GDMBR prep
I have been a bit lazy with the posts lately. To catch the reader up, I have been ill. Nothing identifiable mind you, just an annoying bit of congestion and throat soreness. For the most part it has gone, though a cough persists. I'm not sure what I weigh right now. I am currently in the Finger Lakes region of NY state attending some company-sponsored training. The road bike and I have done rides of 55 and 35 miles on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Head and side winds were brutal making the ride mostly a lesson in mental toughness. I hope to get back in the swing of things next week with my training log. It will certainly help me keep a positive attitude. No small feat considering the self-flagellation that takes place in my noggin. Aside from riding I have been scouring the Interwebs for lightweight bikepacking equipment. I picked up a Niterider Pro 1400 on eBay. I enjoy riding at night and currently rely on an old Cateye light. The Niterider will be a big upgrade. Looking at some of the DIY options for gear, mostly bags. I'm looking for multi-purpose equipment. I figure that will save on weight.
Finally, I was fascinated with the discussion on the bikepacking.net forum regarding the essence of solo, self-supported riding. I look at it this way. I am racing, first and foremost. However, I am not racing against other riders. The challenge is to push my limits while adhering to the rules laid down by the sanctioning body. Now, that may leave a very unsatisfying taste in the mouths of any spectators be they real or virtual, but this was never supposed to be about the watchers, only the doers. And when it comes to crying foul on another racer, a "do unto others" approach is best. Before you say "I've got nothing to hide because I follow the rules" remember that nearly all of the information available to us is less than perfect. Once the accusation is out there, it's awfully hard to take it back.Guilt or innocence is a moot point.
Finally, I was fascinated with the discussion on the bikepacking.net forum regarding the essence of solo, self-supported riding. I look at it this way. I am racing, first and foremost. However, I am not racing against other riders. The challenge is to push my limits while adhering to the rules laid down by the sanctioning body. Now, that may leave a very unsatisfying taste in the mouths of any spectators be they real or virtual, but this was never supposed to be about the watchers, only the doers. And when it comes to crying foul on another racer, a "do unto others" approach is best. Before you say "I've got nothing to hide because I follow the rules" remember that nearly all of the information available to us is less than perfect. Once the accusation is out there, it's awfully hard to take it back.Guilt or innocence is a moot point.
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