I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out).
"The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget."
Mario Cipolini
"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
John F. Kennedy
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
Sunday, January 19, 2003
Frist ride in two weeks!
Well, today's ride was a success! While I was weak, I did the entire 32 miles without too much pain. The ride was mostly flat. We started in fog, but it slowly cleared as we neared Silverton. Along the way, I came upon this old barn.
We had a nice stop in Silverton, but with all of the clothes I was wearing, it was very warm in the bakery. So, we soon left and headed for home.
I do wish automobile drivers would pick up after themselves.
Lastly, I did not ride on Saturday as I attended the Peace Rally in Portland, Or.
Friday, January 17, 2003
My first weekend off this year
I did not ride last weekend. I have been having some strange pains and when I woke up on Saturday, I did not feel up to riding. I went back to bed fell back asleep. Same for Sunday.
On Tuesday, I saw my doctor. Here is a short report to the management team at work...
Let me give you all an update on my condition. (Thanks to Berniece for reminding me).
He poked. He prodded. He shook his head and will refer me to another doctor.
He said the pain is in the area where the large and small intestine meet. (Hi, good to meet you!) The gastroenterologist (spelling courtesy of Google) will do a look/see. Yes, that involves inserting a tube with a camera to the area in question. They will sedate me. I will be in la-la land and won't remember a thing. Too bad.
My doctor will be sending paperwork to the gastro.... who will be contacting me for an appointment. I suppose then we will schedule the procedure.
Yesterday was a bad day for me - all day long. I do not know if the poking and prodding caused additional pain or not, but today, the pain is not as bad. I'm still feeling a bit lightheaded, but I am better than yesterday. However, I no longer look forward to mealtime.
Now, what to do about my bicycling vacation which is suppose to start on January 25? Well, I'm going to force myself to get on the bicycle this weekend, and I guess I will just see how it goes. Wish me luck...
Monday, January 06, 2003
The First Metric Century of the Year!
Woke up to fog, not rain on Sunday. It was a bit cold, but not to an extreame - 42 degrees F.
I intended to ride both Salem Bicycle Club rides - a 38 and a 17 miles. The morning ride started at 10:00 am and we rode in the fog for the entire ride. I almost believe that I would rather ride in the rain than ride in a thick fog. Our return to Salem took us on Aumsville Hwy and over Aumsville hill. The descent was in a very heavy fog. I could not see cars until I was almost upon them. I did have my rear flashing blinking, but I was a bit concerned. Fortunately, no cars came up behind me on the descent.
I stopped briefly at the house before heading out for the second ride. I had just turned north on 17th St NE when I heard "Come here boy". I thought nothing of it until I heard the sounds of a dog running on asphalt behind me. Since I was in front of him, my first reaction was to sprint away from the dog. However, this dog was fast, or my legs were tired as he stayed with me. I turned to look and saw a large white dog running hard in the traffic lane just behind me. As the dog was in the traffic lane, he was blocking a black SUV.
After seeing the dog, I decided that my fear was unfounded. He was not growling or making any threatening moves, he was just having fun running with me! We came to a red light and I stopped in the left turn lane. The dog came up to me and looked at me as if he was asking why we stopped? He wandered over to a field and when the light turned to green I made my turn and left him behind. I hope he made it home OK, but then not all dogs that wander are lost.
I finnished the day with 62 miles, my first metric century of the year!
Saturday, January 04, 2003
The First Flat of the Year!
Oregon is known for it's rain. And this morning, it was raining. It was raining as we dressed for the ride. It was raining as we rode down to the ride. It was raining as we were signing in for the ride. But, once we were on the ride, the rain ended and the sky cleared. However, Tom Tilque also got the first flat of the year.
The weather was very good (for Oregon in January). We were in-between rain showers with warm temperatures. I saw a faint rainbow behind three old farm trucks. This seemed to be the defining moment of the ride.
Wednesday, January 01, 2003
First Ride of the Year
Woke up to a very overcast sky, temputures in the low 50s, wet roads but no rain!
Not only was it the first ride of the year, but it the club also had it's first accident of the year. Before the ride, Rod Coakley was standing over his bicycle, waiting. Then, apparently without cause, he fell to his right. He must have attempted to start, but each wheel was on the opposite side of a car park stop. No, he was not hurt.
In addition, I came upon the first abandoned car of the year.
