Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Thursday, May 19, 2005
What happened?
Nice morning for a ride. Had a decent turnout at the meeting area. Chatted with Randy about research and how certain names are used more than others. We have some cool stuff that will be put into print soon. More on that some other day.
We started out very civil for a thursday ride and slowly picked it up to finish at the turnaround going about 28. Everyone worked well going out. The return trip was a little different. People started getting tired and no one could decide on which side to pull off on. I started to get a little irratated with some who seemed to be worried about more behind them than in front. Eyes forward if you are the lead man, your responsible for the safety of the ones following. Pay attention!
After too many encounters like this I pulled through pretty hard. Randy and Rob stuck with me and we had a little gap. We just kept it motoring all the way home. Beautiful! Not sure how fast we were going but we all were working well together. I love it when that happens.
Turns out our gap had grown too much for some and they decided to chase. When they went through some traffic they had some problems. Well someone hit their brakes and then people were flying off the levee and a flat occurred. So they all stopped. We didn't hear anything since we had a decent amount of ground between us and them. I think some of the guys were happy to help the young lady with her mishap, especially Ronnie. He sure can make some pretty girls uncomfortable, so beware ladies when the Ronster is around.
We started out very civil for a thursday ride and slowly picked it up to finish at the turnaround going about 28. Everyone worked well going out. The return trip was a little different. People started getting tired and no one could decide on which side to pull off on. I started to get a little irratated with some who seemed to be worried about more behind them than in front. Eyes forward if you are the lead man, your responsible for the safety of the ones following. Pay attention!
After too many encounters like this I pulled through pretty hard. Randy and Rob stuck with me and we had a little gap. We just kept it motoring all the way home. Beautiful! Not sure how fast we were going but we all were working well together. I love it when that happens.
Turns out our gap had grown too much for some and they decided to chase. When they went through some traffic they had some problems. Well someone hit their brakes and then people were flying off the levee and a flat occurred. So they all stopped. We didn't hear anything since we had a decent amount of ground between us and them. I think some of the guys were happy to help the young lady with her mishap, especially Ronnie. He sure can make some pretty girls uncomfortable, so beware ladies when the Ronster is around.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
No show
Richard talked me into meeting at 6 for the tuesday ride. Well I was there and he wasn't. So I decided to go alone instead of waiting for another 15 minutes. It was tough but I managed to stay away for the entire ride. Thought there might be a large group but turns out they were not well organized this morning. Ended up being several small groups. Maybe I should have waited and I wouldn't be so tired. It was a good workout anyway. I will sleep well tonight.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Getting old is scary
Had some great rides over the weekend. Went 46 on both days and felt pretty good. Decent workouts carrying most of the load on each ride. Feels good to be able to take care of others.
Speaking of taking care of others, today we had a scare or at least I did. Joe, whom is exceptional for his age, something like 75, gave us a glimpse of what is to come of us who are not at this stage in their life. The morning was nice and cool, but pretty windy. I knew it would take some work to get home. Tailwind going out and everyone was taking it easy. Today is normally an easy ride, we kept at 19-20 just soft pedalling.
The ride home we picked it up some, some of us need to go to work. When we got to Florida Ave. I turned to ask if Joe was still with us. Turns out he wasn't. So I turned around and went back for him. He came around the pumping station soon after I turned and he jumped on. I asked him if he was ok. He said yes and he would stick right on my wheel. We caught back up to Bob and Richard and began to pick it up again. We seemed to have a little bit of a tailwind at this point so it was pretty easy riding. As we turned into the wind at the golf course I just held the speed we were doing and pulled these guys. We reached the road for the sand trucks and I asked if Joe was with us. Nope, he had fallen off again. I said I am going back for him.
When I turned around, I got a bad feeling, I didn't see him right away. Then I saw him in the distance, hunched over on his left, slowly pedaling toward us. I got up to him and asked if he was all right. He stubbornly said Yes. Then I informed him of how he looked. He didn't even realize he was hunched over and was having a hard time supporting himself with his left arm. I made him downshift and he swerved, clipped my rear wheel and went into the grass. He didn't fall, got back on the path and we decided to ride very slow. I kept asking if he was ok. I started going over CPR and first aid stuff in my mind, wondering if he was having a heart attack or something else. I made him stop. We stood around for a while as I kept asking about his arm, if he had pain or any strength left. Well it turns out his back was bothering him and I think it had been for a while. His arm was so tired from supporting his weight he had nothing left.
I felt relieved but we still had to get back. He kept going eventhough we were going about 10. Bob and Richard stayed with us and we made it back safely to the Zoo. I don't know if Joe made it all the way home, but I assume he did. Scared me, but I am glad I was there. Everyone else would have left him.
Speaking of taking care of others, today we had a scare or at least I did. Joe, whom is exceptional for his age, something like 75, gave us a glimpse of what is to come of us who are not at this stage in their life. The morning was nice and cool, but pretty windy. I knew it would take some work to get home. Tailwind going out and everyone was taking it easy. Today is normally an easy ride, we kept at 19-20 just soft pedalling.
The ride home we picked it up some, some of us need to go to work. When we got to Florida Ave. I turned to ask if Joe was still with us. Turns out he wasn't. So I turned around and went back for him. He came around the pumping station soon after I turned and he jumped on. I asked him if he was ok. He said yes and he would stick right on my wheel. We caught back up to Bob and Richard and began to pick it up again. We seemed to have a little bit of a tailwind at this point so it was pretty easy riding. As we turned into the wind at the golf course I just held the speed we were doing and pulled these guys. We reached the road for the sand trucks and I asked if Joe was with us. Nope, he had fallen off again. I said I am going back for him.
When I turned around, I got a bad feeling, I didn't see him right away. Then I saw him in the distance, hunched over on his left, slowly pedaling toward us. I got up to him and asked if he was all right. He stubbornly said Yes. Then I informed him of how he looked. He didn't even realize he was hunched over and was having a hard time supporting himself with his left arm. I made him downshift and he swerved, clipped my rear wheel and went into the grass. He didn't fall, got back on the path and we decided to ride very slow. I kept asking if he was ok. I started going over CPR and first aid stuff in my mind, wondering if he was having a heart attack or something else. I made him stop. We stood around for a while as I kept asking about his arm, if he had pain or any strength left. Well it turns out his back was bothering him and I think it had been for a while. His arm was so tired from supporting his weight he had nothing left.
I felt relieved but we still had to get back. He kept going eventhough we were going about 10. Bob and Richard stayed with us and we made it back safely to the Zoo. I don't know if Joe made it all the way home, but I assume he did. Scared me, but I am glad I was there. Everyone else would have left him.
Friday, May 13, 2005
It's hot
Spring has passed us by and now summer is upon us. Mornings are super humid, days are hot and evenings bring the showers, which don't cool anything off. The city just releases steam when it rains. No different on the bike.
This morning I had to end my ride early on account of field work later in the morning. By the time I had reached the meeting area I was all ready drenched. Just can't seem to stay cool in this weather. Now my bike will really begin to rust out from underneath me. Had a nice evenly paced ride to just spin out the lactic acid from the previous three days of hard riding.
Hopefully tomorrow won't be so humid... HA! what a joke.
This morning I had to end my ride early on account of field work later in the morning. By the time I had reached the meeting area I was all ready drenched. Just can't seem to stay cool in this weather. Now my bike will really begin to rust out from underneath me. Had a nice evenly paced ride to just spin out the lactic acid from the previous three days of hard riding.
Hopefully tomorrow won't be so humid... HA! what a joke.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Smooth and fast
Today I was just glad to get out with the group. I had intentions of cutting my ride short, but I was enjoying the pain in my legs too much. I really needed to get to work earlier than normal, but riding lately is just too much fun. I won't be able to ride for two weeks coming up, so I am trying to get in as much as I can now.
We started out easy, only about 8 of us. Good size, unlike tuesday when we had 20+. We began to crank it up and picked up two on the way out. Everyone working well together. Had a scare after the parish line. Someone had left a nice sized stick on the levee and a few of the guys hit it as it made it's way through the group. Randy said he almost went down. Great to have Robin in the group, he stopped and took care of the stick problem.
Once we made the turnaround, Rob, Randy and Matt sat on the front jabbering away about something. We were going about 20 and I thought "we need to pick this up so I can get home." Finally after about three miles Rob picked it up and just sat off the front. I went around Matt and Randy and decided to work with Rob. This went well for a few miles then more joined in. Good. I can finally get home at a decent time. Only problem was with Donald. I don't know what ruffled his feathers today, but he just sat on as third man in the line today. At this point Randy and Rob were doing all the work. Once we reached Florida Ave, I had enough and went around Donald to help out. Much better, because I hate just sitting on when I am actually feeling pretty good.
Jeff made his way around and worked with us. As we got to the golf course someone yelled, "Flat!" Rest at last, but I needed to get home, so Jeff, Justin and I took off. No offense to the guys who waited, we just needed to get to work. All said in done, I averaged 20 for the entire ride. Pretty good considering all the easy riding starting and ending.
We started out easy, only about 8 of us. Good size, unlike tuesday when we had 20+. We began to crank it up and picked up two on the way out. Everyone working well together. Had a scare after the parish line. Someone had left a nice sized stick on the levee and a few of the guys hit it as it made it's way through the group. Randy said he almost went down. Great to have Robin in the group, he stopped and took care of the stick problem.
Once we made the turnaround, Rob, Randy and Matt sat on the front jabbering away about something. We were going about 20 and I thought "we need to pick this up so I can get home." Finally after about three miles Rob picked it up and just sat off the front. I went around Matt and Randy and decided to work with Rob. This went well for a few miles then more joined in. Good. I can finally get home at a decent time. Only problem was with Donald. I don't know what ruffled his feathers today, but he just sat on as third man in the line today. At this point Randy and Rob were doing all the work. Once we reached Florida Ave, I had enough and went around Donald to help out. Much better, because I hate just sitting on when I am actually feeling pretty good.
Jeff made his way around and worked with us. As we got to the golf course someone yelled, "Flat!" Rest at last, but I needed to get home, so Jeff, Justin and I took off. No offense to the guys who waited, we just needed to get to work. All said in done, I averaged 20 for the entire ride. Pretty good considering all the easy riding starting and ending.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Feelin the groove
Eventhough I felt pretty sore from yesterday, I rode well today. I actually thought we were early, but the group had all ready left the meeting place. We kicked it in, but they were riding slow. After catching up with a few of the guys we picked it up. Turns out I was pulling at 25. Didn't know it since I my speedometer hasn't worked all year. This might be a good thing. On the return trip I hit 27. Everything was feeling kind of easy and there were no surges, just good tempo. I won't complain, just hope this feeling stays around for a while. Glad to be over the creeping crud.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Spoked
First hard ride since encountering the creeping crude every allergy suffer has to face sometime during each spring. Still coughing and blowing my nose quite a bit. Sorry to all that were behind me during one of my farmer blows.
The ride started out under a thick fog and no one was too eager to set the pace. Randy and I were on the front riding easy and chatting about the Giro. Looks as if there is some conspiracy between the sprinters. Always some excuse when you don't win. Once we got to the Golf course the levee cleared a little and the pace began to pick up. I decided to go to the back and see how I was going to feel.
We had a pretty large group and I didn't feel too safe with the fog. But I got stuck at the back and just waited for my pull and then tried to find a place at the front. It got a little crazy once we passed the parish line and there is a place where the levee is not too smooth. Guys started hitting their brakes in the line and Robin had the misfortune of having to slam on his brakes and busted a spoke. I didn't know this until after the ride. But the group had no organization so I decided I had had enough. I jumped out and hit it hard to catch a few guys who had thought the same.
Turned out to be a good move since I ended up working with Todd and Howard and felt safe to be out of the chaos. We worked well and I was feeling pretty good, then Howard flatted and it was just Todd and myself. We were working hard and caught Justin. By this time my lungs were starting to suffer and I began coughing. But we began to work well again, just a little slower. We were caught by Donald and 3 others and that helped. I sat on and made it to the turnaround without losing it.
The way back was much more civil. Most everyone took a decent pull before dropping back. A few times the pace increased and it became hard to blow the nose. I left alot of snot on the levee today, but I am glad the nose was running. Not so good for my brother. I found out today that he is having surgery on his sinuses and a deviated septum. I sure hope I don't have to go to that extreme someday.
The ride started out under a thick fog and no one was too eager to set the pace. Randy and I were on the front riding easy and chatting about the Giro. Looks as if there is some conspiracy between the sprinters. Always some excuse when you don't win. Once we got to the Golf course the levee cleared a little and the pace began to pick up. I decided to go to the back and see how I was going to feel.
We had a pretty large group and I didn't feel too safe with the fog. But I got stuck at the back and just waited for my pull and then tried to find a place at the front. It got a little crazy once we passed the parish line and there is a place where the levee is not too smooth. Guys started hitting their brakes in the line and Robin had the misfortune of having to slam on his brakes and busted a spoke. I didn't know this until after the ride. But the group had no organization so I decided I had had enough. I jumped out and hit it hard to catch a few guys who had thought the same.
Turned out to be a good move since I ended up working with Todd and Howard and felt safe to be out of the chaos. We worked well and I was feeling pretty good, then Howard flatted and it was just Todd and myself. We were working hard and caught Justin. By this time my lungs were starting to suffer and I began coughing. But we began to work well again, just a little slower. We were caught by Donald and 3 others and that helped. I sat on and made it to the turnaround without losing it.
The way back was much more civil. Most everyone took a decent pull before dropping back. A few times the pace increased and it became hard to blow the nose. I left alot of snot on the levee today, but I am glad the nose was running. Not so good for my brother. I found out today that he is having surgery on his sinuses and a deviated septum. I sure hope I don't have to go to that extreme someday.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Sharted
The other day I went to work and was still feeling like crap from the sinus crud that has engulfed my head. Coughing up this nice juicy post nasal drip. Eyes are soo droopy I can only see what a glaucoma patient can see.
While sitting at my desk I really had to fart, so I let it go. Boy that didn't feel quite right. Felt a little wet. Man... don't tell me I just drew mud! I walked up to the restroom and it felt kinda weird. Kinda mushy. Man, I don't believe this. I made it to the stall and pulled down my shorts and sure enough I had sharted. Disgusting! Then I think, I know others have done this... just to make myself feel better about it. Not really. I have shit in my shorts!
Well I took my underwear off which served it's life long purpose by protecting my shorts, tossed them away so I wouldn't be carrying them around. I finished what was started at my desk and decided I better go home. I felt like crap and I took a crap, right in my shorts no less. Just started to think I was actually feeling better. What a way to end the day.
While sitting at my desk I really had to fart, so I let it go. Boy that didn't feel quite right. Felt a little wet. Man... don't tell me I just drew mud! I walked up to the restroom and it felt kinda weird. Kinda mushy. Man, I don't believe this. I made it to the stall and pulled down my shorts and sure enough I had sharted. Disgusting! Then I think, I know others have done this... just to make myself feel better about it. Not really. I have shit in my shorts!
Well I took my underwear off which served it's life long purpose by protecting my shorts, tossed them away so I wouldn't be carrying them around. I finished what was started at my desk and decided I better go home. I felt like crap and I took a crap, right in my shorts no less. Just started to think I was actually feeling better. What a way to end the day.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Big D
Trying to recover from my trip to Dallas. Brought back some nasty sinus stuff. Spent last night coughing up this green crap. Now my head feels really full. I think I will go home and pop some sudaphed and take it easy for a while.
As for Big-D, we all had a great time. I got to see Scott and Angela and their two new ones. They are beautiful kids. Spent some quality time with the bros before the Wide Spread Panic show. Celebrated Burkley's first birthday, what a ham, and also got to see what a great kid he is. Looking forward to seeing them all grow.
Nothing like family.
As for Big-D, we all had a great time. I got to see Scott and Angela and their two new ones. They are beautiful kids. Spent some quality time with the bros before the Wide Spread Panic show. Celebrated Burkley's first birthday, what a ham, and also got to see what a great kid he is. Looking forward to seeing them all grow.
Nothing like family.
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