Tour de Judy

Ok, cyclists. Another ride.

The Judy Ride Foundation's Tour de Judy gives people of all ages an opportunity to join the ride to save lives. The festivities begin at 8:00am and will include a 30-mile ride (7:30am registration, 8am and a 10-mile ride (8:30am registration, 9am start), and a 100-yard kids Tour de Judy jr. street sprint (10:30am registration, 11:00am start No Entry Fee Required!). So bring your bicycles, tricycles... basically anything with wheels! And bring your family and friends, too.

This one hits closer to home than Tour de Cure and the MS 150 - in both 1994 and 1999 I had breast lumps removed - thankfully benign. My godmother is a breast cancer survivor. I missed Race for the Cure this year because I felt I desperately needed a long training ride that day. So here's my chance to give back...and locally.

30 miler. Join me in Clayton on the 9th.

hln

MS 150, Year 3 Indeed

This year's MS 150 was a surprise. I was ready! I can certifiably say that although I finished last year's, I wasn't really ready.

Saturday's forecast was for a high of 93, I believe, with winds up to 18 mph. Ewww. Thankfully, I don't believe it was either that hot or that windy. It was moderately hilly and essentially the same 75 mile course as last year. I should probably have done the century, but I usually err on the side of caution. So I did (most of the smiling people in the extended entry did do the 100).

Burned about 3500 calories during ride time (I turn off the heart rate monitor every time I stop). I inhaled 3/5 of a medium pizza for dinner, and I was in bed by 9. At 2:30 I woke up starving and ate two bowls of Raisin Bran. Back to bed. Started out Sunday with a mess of hills and no warm-up. Ouch. The first 35 miles or so were brutal in that fashion. For about an hour's worth of ride time I questioned my sanity (after knowing basically what to expect from last year). Then it was lunch time, and I ate some pickles. And then I ate more pickles - must've really been craving salt. Had a sandwich, too. Starting out from lunch, it was a dream come true. Tailwind. Flats to rolling. Flying, baby.

My average speed on both days was just shy of 14 mph. Not going to win any races, but considering my conservative approach, not too bad. I can (and will) push a bit harder in the future. Just didn't want to bonk.

So I was home by 6 last night, which was very nice.

Pic in extended entry. I'm the pale one.

hln

Tube and Tires and Tubes, oh My

Well, as I mentioned about a week ago, I had my first flat, and being that my bike tires had about 2500 miles on them, decided to replace them. Took bike to bike shop. And that's where the fun started.

I got the bike back on Tuesday. Wednesday a.m., I was up at normal time (around 5:00 a.m.) and noticed the tires were a bit low on air. Checked the sidewall to make sure these tires were rated for the amount of pressue I like to put in them (102 psi, baby), and pumped both to that.

I was wandering around when I heard these squeaking uneasy noises from my office. Entered office and set bike to have better posture, and, yes, you who ride know what those noises were a precursor to. POP! Very loud. Woke Brian up, who probably dreamed of a gunshot. So, no ride for me.

Took the bike into work so the guys could take a look at it and tell me what I did wrong/assist me in learning how to change a tube and replace a tire properly.

Ryan set the bike upside down balancing on the seat (why didn't I think of that), and we took out one of my spare tubes. He released the wheel and explained the what/how/why of what he was doing. Tube was pissy and obstinate, but he got it in there, and we put some air in. Nearing full air, the bad dog popped. Yeah. POP! In the office, no less. And EVERYONE and his dust mites heard it.

So, if you're counting, that's two tubes and zero miles. At that point, we noticed that the tube (which the guy at the bike shop had just handed me, and I didn't check) wasn't the proper size for the tire. Well, at least that blown tube made sense.

Took the bike in at about 3:40 on Wednesday - took off early to do that. Needed to ride. The guys at the bike shop are really laid back - both a detriment and a calming effect. One takes the bike and hangs it on a stand, reviews the blown tubes and my previous tires. Which are a different size (yes, the tires) than the new tires, though Ryan had said the new tires SHOULD fit my wheel rims. The bike mechanic tries to put a new tube (of the proper size this time - they exchanged them for me) in the back tire, but really has no luck and goes to find new new tires from the warehouse.

There's an additional bike mechanic in the workroom. I chat with him a bit, and then I start wandering the store while awaiting the new new tire. Spontaneously, as in a "poetic justice," "icing on the cake" moment, the front tire, which has been silent and feeling neglected, blows its tube. POP! It was all I could do not to crack up.

An hour later, I left the bike store with new new tires (yes, two) of the previous size. And all is well with the bike.

3 blown tubes. Zero miles ridden. That's just obnoxious.

hln

Heather meets the SAG wagon

So I planned on a century today - at least a metric century. Could've happened, but my back tire had other plans.

I have a bad habit of bragging about never having had a flat tire. Well, I don't do anything halfway, so when I had a flat tire, I completely blew the tire. Fortunately, it was between quarter of a mile and half of a mile from the last rest stop before completing 69.1 miles (which would've been about 71 for me because I took a wrong turn earlier). I was riding along at warm-up pace when all of a sudden I heard a loud POP and then felt this woosh of air on the back of my leg. And I knew why.

There was a man riding behind me who agreed to give me a hand with the tire (back one - after all, I've never changed one). Well, he was so fast that by the time I dug out the pump and my spare tube, the wheel was already off and the tire pried from the wheel. So much for learning, but I certainly wasn't going to complain to him. I play the damsel in distress REALLY WELL.

His comment, "well, at least it was just the tube." Au contraire! (as we discovered after replacing everything - big old shred marks on the back tire). So I took the bike back to the rest stop, and everyone there agreed that a call to the SAG was the best course of action. As it was on its way, one long-time rider did rig it with a Powerbar wrapper, but the SAG was just pulling up as I was about to head out (and I'd already called Brian to tell him I was going to end my ride at the 55 mile point), so I took the air-conditioned, non-self-propelled way back. A bit safer, since I had no idea the skill of the person who was working with the bike. And I was a bit squeamish.

All in all, though, good ride. 55 miles in 4 hours and 6 minutes. I would've been fighting the wind the 16 remaining miles, so it would've dropped a bit, but I felt good the whole way, and I think I'm ready for the MS 150 in 2 weeks (yeah, doing that again). Unfortunately, the bike's in the shop - needed a tune-up before the big ride, and I'm having both tires replaced (figure I have between 2500 and 3000 miles on them; it's time), so no ride tomorrow.

hln

5:45 a.m. IS a Good Riding Time

This summer, I've started my morning cycling at sunrise if at all possible.

For those of you (some have to my face) who question why, I offer the following:



Any questions?

hln

"Their Original Purpose"

Ah, the Post's online venture Stltoday.com features an article about the Tour de Cure and grumbly motorists.

It starts a little something like this:

Trouble is brewing in the bucolic hills and dales north of Alton, say some who use the roads there for their original purpose - to handle cars, trucks and farm vehicles.

I think this author ought to be reprimanded. After all, is "bucolic" actually in the 6th grade vocabulary? Of course, I'm being snarky. Nice word, Sue.

The article goes on to state that riders of June 11th's Tour de Cure up by Grafton were discourteous. And I don't doubt that's the case. Bad drivers make bad cyclists. Some very simple rules apply:

• Slow traffic, stay to the right
• If you don't have a rear view mirror, you don't have any business riding two abreast.

One interviewee complains that an adjacent bike trail isn't used and wonders why. Well, interviewee, I'll tell you. It's often full of obstacles caused by downed limbs and branches. Try riding that on your road bike. Same deal with a bike lane that doubles as a shoulder - if it's not well maintained, my 100 psi very thin tire isn't going to be rolling over it.

So, there you have it. Bike-friendly Illinois is being non-bike-friendly. Remember this?

hln

The Open Road

I was insane enough to go riding at 6 a.m. on Saturday. These folks were insane enough to join me at various points along the way.

So here's my route. If you're local, you'll enjoy this. From Maryland Heights down Dorsett/Midland into U City. Stopped at the Starbucks (picked Ryan up along the way) and met Hans and his brother, Kurt. Went into the city. Saw our cycling buddies Susan and Linda at another Starbucks along the way - they had ridden up from the south. Rode south down Broadway/Lemay Ferry to Jefferson Barracks. Rode around Jefferson Barracks a bit. Rode up a "shortcut" to Forest Park. Hans and Kurt split off, and Ryan and I got separated and met at the big Amoco. (Anybody local knows what I mean here). Went up to Big Shark to get Ryan some new gloves. Continuned on home via Skinker up to Olive then Olive west to Midland. (Yes, I'm a nutbar; I rode my bike on Olive during normal traffic hours). Then Midland to Link/Midland intersection.

It's at this point that I sat down, figuring I'd eat a bit and let my heart rate return to normal human points before trying to tackle the nasty hill at Midland and Adie just past Lindbergh. It never really did that slowing down thing, so after 20 mins, I called Brian, and he came and got me just 4 miles short of home. Still, 60 miles in heat and pushing it (the guys are faster than I am) - worth it.

Got a heart rate monitor from my mother for Christmas, and I'm just now getting around to training with it. It's really telling. Like...I run out of steam on hills because I'm usually working at 156 - 165 bpm before I start a hill. And at 174 - 180 it is all right to feel like I'm dying. I am NOT a natural athlete, and it's been suggested to me that I try some interval training. I've had to build back my strength from near zero (some health issues in February/March - turned out to be nothing serious), and muscle/strength/resistance training come pretty naturally. This cardio stuff, not so much.

Last week I made it out to Creve Coeur two mornings and rode for about an hour and fifteen mins each time. This week I had planned to do the same, but the weather isn't going to cooperate. My legs were complaining about the strain I put on them Saturday, so I walked/ran this morning for an hour, and it looks like cardio at the gym for the next 3 mornings b/c of the rain.

I have 2 months until the 150 (September 10 and 11 of this year). I should be fine. The heart rate monitor does prove that I'm not dogging it or anything - I work like a good little mule. Just don't get all that much output for my effort. And that makes me grumbly.

hln

Now I Don't Feel So Clumsy

President Bush has more bike accidents than I do.

President Bush collided with a British police officer during a bike ride Wednesday evening, suffering scrapes on his hands and arms that required bandaging, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

The officer, from the Strethclyde Police Department in Scotland, was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. He was treated and released, after an evaluation revealed no fractures, McClellan said.

Of course, I don't ride in Scotland. And I avoid times of day on trails where 6 year-olds might be found; I've learned my lesson.

But one thing - why does CNN use scare quotes in the next paragraph.

Bush "visited" with the police officer for some time after the accident and asked White House physician Dr. Richard Tubb to monitor his situation at the hospital, McClellan said. The president was expected to call the officer later, McClellan said.

I'm scratching my head.

hln

C'est rose vif

Poor Jan Ullrich. How do you motivate yourself to ride the Tour on your pink bike with your pink buddies?



(Photo's lifted from here, where the caption is "Pretty in Pink." Exactly).

hln

Ride Ride Ride

I had a 65 - 70 mile weekend...dunno exactly. My bike computer crapped out on me, and with my current level of physical fitness, that's probably a good thing (otherwise I'd be upset).

Around 32 yesterday with Bryce, the only one brave enough to join me for the 5:45 a.m. ride. This is the perfect summer start time for a weekend - no cars on city streets, the sun's fully up, and it's temperate outside. Yesterday's forecast was for 95 degrees. When we finished, it was only about 83. Two others were supposed to join us but later declined. You know who you are.

Today was the Bridge Bash up at Old Chain of Rocks. It was so hot I had chills...probably that's not a good thing, but I managed to finish my 30+ with energy to spare. I took an unplanned ride into Granite City after taking a wrong turn. That added a good 2 - 4 extra miles. The road was great - I was sad it wasn't our route. Oh well.

MS 150 is September 10th and 11th. If I continue at this pace (increasing mileage each weekend and making sure I get appropriate hill dosage and doing some weekday riding, that shouldn't be a problem).

See, back to old form talking about old things.

hln

What NOT to do on Your Trailnet Ride

Drunken cycling!

OGDEN, Ark. - An allegedly drunken bicyclist wound up getting a ride to jail after a state trooper saw him take a clumsy spill at a state highway intersection.

Don Evans, 46, was riding where U.S. 71 and Grand Street intersect early Saturday when he fell from his mountain bike onto the highway pavement.

Trooper Jamie Gravier was about 50 feet away.

"He was pedaling through the intersection of Highway 71 at the Grand Street crossover and fell off the bike. The pedals kept hitting the kick stand and he couldn't keep it up. He was in the middle of the southbound lanes of traffic," Gravier said.

First mistake? Mountain bike on a highway. Eww. 2nd - kickstand. What's that again? I guess if you're going to go carousing it does make more sense to take the crap bike.

Doesn't mention whether the police officer impounded the bike.

hln

Tuckered Out

But still slightly skipping through the office today.

MS 150 160.25 was this weekend.

The guys did 200 (both century options), but they couldn't talk this girl into that without having a 150 under her belt. So, maybe ONE century next year now that I know what to expect.

Saturday started when the camera broke right when it was time for our official picture. Due to the wonders of modern technology, though, we still got group photos. (I'm the girl).



The first day was 77.25 miles, and it had 7 rest stops, so about one every 10 miles. The 4th rest stop was lunch, served and provided by Lion's Choice. Lunch was wonderful, but I started out too early after eating it and had some stomach issues the last 30 miles. Still, went fine. Too many casual riders on the first day (most didn't show up for the 2nd) - meaning they got in front of you on hills and you had to slog it up on your own power with no momentum. Ow.

On day 2, the course was 84 miles. I remembered I had brought my digital camera, and at some of the rest stops, I actually took some pictures and had some taken. Like this one at rest stop 7, the 150 mile sojourning spot. Not the most flattering picture of any of us, but very funny, and truly illustrative of how the body felt. (See how YOU look when you've had more than a gallon of fluids to drink each of the last two days).



Why are we so wiped out? Because the route was 84 miles of #@)%(&@#)(%*#@)(% HILLS! I exaggerate not. There was some wind thrown in there, too, to ensure we weren't bored.

But, we all finished. This is my friend Susan congratulating me after I crossed the finish line. She still looks pretty put together after all that riding. Me - heh - no. But I'm smiling. Those muscles weren't sore.



So there'll be a next year. There's a local century in a couple of weeks I'll probably try to do provided it's not pouring down rain, freezing cold, or hurricanously windy (anything above 14 mph means I'm at home snuggling with a book if it's cold).

Oh, and as Brian pointed out, it's not too late to sponsor me for this ride. At 160 miles, $1.60 would be a penny a mile, $3.20 two pennies. $16 is 10 cents a mile. Anything would be wonderful.

hln

MS 150 (Again)

I just printed my rider packet .PDF thingee, and it notes that Anheuser-Busch is sponsoring a Beer Garden, and the MS 150 Expo site features sand volleyball. And showers!

Because, you know, right after a 75 or 100 mile bike ride, the things I just can't WAIT to do are drink a bunch of beer and roll in the sand. Maybe that's what people who are really in shape do. Or those who star in television commercials - can't you just see it? Out of the bike helmet (with perfect hair but a bit of dirt on the leg) - some steaks cookin' on the grill, and happy, slender, muscled people with perfect white teeth and tanned skin (and not wearing anything but their cycling shorts and maybe sports bras) are batting around a volleyball)? We've conquered our mountains and have set down to play. Bussssssch!

That shower thing sounds good, though. I'll be happy if I'm still coherent and not asleep (I guess those go hand in hand) at the end of the day's ride. (What I can promise is that EVERY ounce of my quite long hair will be sweat drenched.)

hln

2 Days

MS 150 is Saturday and Sunday, so I won't be around this weekend. I'll either be riding, eating, or sleeping, possibly two of those at the same time; hoping sleeping isn't one of the combined ones.

hln

Gateway MS 150, September 11 and 12, 2004

This evening I finally signed up for this year's MS 150, due to take place in a scant 5 weeks. I'm sorta ready - could do the ride, but it would be serious suffering. So I'm going to be training and training seriously the next 4 weeks because it's the smartest thing to do.

Managed 57.5 yesterday - yes, that's miles. Two to three weekday mornings, or, becuase of fluky weather, afternoons for this upcoming week (it'll be about 50 degrees in the a.m. - no thanks) hold 15 - 20 mile rides for me, and there's always the indoor trainer if there's rain. Joy.

I need to increase my leg strength training regimen because, oddly, I seem to lose leg strength in cycling season. Part of it is that I cut down leg strength training to once a week, so I'm going to try to up that without having an adverse effect on the cycling. Could be interesting. For example, I trained legs today. If you're interested, the scoop's in the extended entry.

In the next couple of days I'll put up a donation link because I'd like a bit of support. There's no little short easy option for the MS 150 like there is for Tour de Cure (where I did the 50 mile option - which turned out to be only about 44). This is some serious training and pain...and accomplishment. I'm encasing my feet in antibiotics and not leaving the house for the week before. If you're scratching your head at that statement, go here.

So, yeah, here I am again begging for money. Please remember it's not for me. It's for people like you and me who just have a bit of luck going the wrong direction. Brian and I had a good friend diagnosed (early, thankfully) with the disease just a couple of weeks ago.

You can donate as little as three dollars. Just think - that's two cents a mile (and I'm only half joking here - three dollars would be great).

I can't find the way to do a single click donation, but you can go to the MS 150 site itself and search for Noggle under last name and Missouri as the state. That should bring you right to me.

Today I did:

Presses on the sled - 12 reps at 180 pounds, 10 reps at 200 pounds, and 8 reps at 220 pounds.

Another Hammer leg press, meant to be worked single leg at a time or both, that targets upper parts of quads/thighs - 180 pounds, 10 reps, 2 sets.

Dorky omnipresent but effective inner thigh machine - 65, 70, 75 pounds, 10 reps each set. (Remember, as you scoff at this low weight, these pups are sore from yesterday).

Equally dorky and attached to same machine abduction exercise (hip shaper, outer thigh). Same machine is not properly balanced, as these muscles are weaker, but strangely I can use more weight. 3 sets of 10 - 115, 125, and 140 pounds.

Hamstring curls, 65, 70, 75 pounds - 10 reps each.

Quad leg extension (ow ow ow) - 60, 75. (Two wimpy sets - sore quads).

Hammer calf machine, 180 for 1 set of 12 and then 230 for 2 sets of 10.

And then I stretched and prayed I'd be walking well enough to ride the bike on Tuesday.

hln

Brian Told Me To Post

But I don't really know what's going on in the world or with your blogs, so, well, here's what I did yesterday.

I rode 42 miles. To non-cyclists, I'm sure that seems like a whole lot. To cyclists, well, in context, that means I wimped out of the 51 mile option I was given. I have about 6 or 7 weeks until the MS 150, so I'd best be upping my mileage (18 yesterday). Oh, and I need to sign up with my team.

I'm unevenly sunburned, but it should turn in a couple of days.

See? Inane. And I already have a Bonfire post.

hln

Tour de Cure

Yesterday's Tour de Cure was held in almost perfect weather - drop the wind about 5 - 7 mph, and then we're in the "Perfect Weather Zone." As it stands, it was cool enough that I was more comfortable in tights over my shorts.

The routes were 25, 43.5ish, and 100. I did the 43.5ish route and wimped out of the 100, but I'm up to ride again today, bits of saddle soreness and all.

My team, Velocity, will pull in close to or right at $5,000. I'll post some pictures when I get them - I wasn't one of the folks with a digital camera. But the jerseys are amazing. Venerated jersey designer.

hln

The Perils of Cycling

I left work early today - beautiful day, but a bit windy. Creve Coeur Park opened up its trail that connects to the Katy trail on Friday, and I wanted to take a look.

After about 14 miles, I decided to head the 2 miles back to my car and call it a good after-work ride.

If I were to describe the trail at between 3 and 5 in the afternoon on a weekday, the first word would be "empty." And we cyclists like it that way - means we have fewer worries when we get up to or near training speeds. There's one stretch, though - the "feeder" part of the trail...the part where most of the parking lots (and my car) reside. I actually thought this over. It's so true.

I'm about 1/4 mile from my car, when I notice two little girls riding really near each other on their kiddie bikes - don't think much of it. They're heading out to the main part of the trail, and I'm heading back to my car, so we're traffic in opposite directions. I'm going about 17 - 18 mph. When I reach them, the smaller of the two girls, who (by this time I've finally noticed is not looking anywhere but down) cycles into my lane. She doesn't swerve - she RIDES. Her whole bike is there, almost perpendicular. And I just couldn't stop that quickly. Other girl is in proper lane, can't fall that way (didn't even have time to process this). Sand to the right (would've been the better decision). No, I try to stop. I fail.

I smashed into her. My 150+ pounds of self and bike collide with maybe 50 pounds of girl. And not lightly, either. I'm so shocked, though, that I don't tense up at all, and my first thought of myself (sprawled on girl on trail) was, "wow, that could've been worse."

Her sister, who's probably 10, untangles our bikes and starts to scold the little one (who's wailing up a storm, and, amazingly, only a small scratch on her). I help calm down the little one by pointing at my oozing elbow and cracking jokes about how fine I am (probably because of shock or what have you...because about 5 mins later, zow, that hurt). She finally calms down, and I (after looking both ways to ensure cyclistwalkerrollerblader traffic is not going to be impacted) move her across the trail into the grass.

The girls' father (who was for some reason not with them at collison time) finally approaches on bike. And apologizes. It's pretty clear older sister has filled him in on the details. I point out the young girl's cracked helmet and remind him to replace it. It's "used." The older sister picks up my sunglasses and looks strangely at my mirror. I say to all in earshot, "that's so I can see behind me and pay attention to everything."

When all's said and done, my derailleur is a bit beat up, and my handlebars are all off, and, of course, I did just get this bike a tune-up. But a kind guy who sees or hears me clopping (my clips make noise) back to the car gives me a hand with it and says it won't need another tune-up. So, that's good.

When I got home, I surveyed the damage. Elbow - wow, oozing, bleeding, ugly, and bruised. But that's all. Left quad and thigh took a pretty bad beating. I iced them and will hopefully be ready to ride again by the weekend, but probably not tomorrow.

Any good come from this? Hopefully that father won't leave his children unattended. It's a good lesson in wearing your helmet, too (comment directed at everyone). You never know when a non-attentive kid will suddenly ride into you for no reason. And for the girl - I'm very glad she had hers on. I could've done her some serious damage.

St. Louis people - Creve Coeur trail's great. I didn't actually ride on the Katy - figured I wanted to get home in time for dinner, so I'll check that out next week. Looks to be stable enough for a road bike. Never been on it.

Good night. I'm going to go ooze elsewhere.

hln

Helmets

CNN has a thing today about kids and bike helmets. I have a few things to say, but CNN can have its say first.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Fewer than half of all U.S. children wear helmets while biking, skating and riding scooters, a survey by safety researchers said Tuesday.

Many children observed in the survey who were wearing helmets were wearing them improperly, leaving them vulnerable to head injury, the nonprofit Safe Kids campaign found.

The researchers found that helmet use was lowest on residential streets, although that is where most accidents occur because that is where children play most frequently. Only 33 percent of children watched on residential streets were using helmets, the campaign said.

But in states with mandatory helmet laws, 45 percent of child bikers were seen wearing helmets, as opposed to 39 percent in states with no helmet laws.

Somebody want to find the main idea for me? <sarcasm>Make a law!</sarcasm>

First, what's the purpose of the helmet? No, first, did you know that you should only "use" a helmet once? Yes, really. If you smash your noggin while wearing the helmet, that helmet's fin for the scrap heap. Or it should be. Back on track. What's the purpose of a helmet? Does kid riding fall under that purpose?

I rode a lot as a child. I never, and I mean NEVER, wore a helmet. On my kid bike and my sportin' 3 speed that I had in junior high, I'm pretty sure I never exceeded 12 mph, too. If a kid's clipped in, that kid should be serious enough to wear a helmet. If not, guess what...kid's probably smart enough and possess enough reaction time to land on a different body part.

Adults need helmets more than kids, and many organized rides require them so as to reduce liability. And this is smart. If I'm careening down a poorly paved road at 30 mph, I need a helmet. It's usually a sign of a serious cyclist; you know, a sign that the person obeys traffic laws and doesn't run over kids pedalling on the sidewalk...because that cyclist is ON THE ROAD.

Okay, that turned into a rant. Yes, CNN, the brain is fragile. Kids, if you're planning to do some serious riding, you'd be wise to acclimate yourselves to bicycle helmets. CNN, shhhhhh. Can't you focus on slamming Big Food or something? Tomorrow? Ok.

hln

Initiation

The first long ride of the season was Saturday. Six of us took off from U City and rode around Mid County and out west. My total for the day was 33.5 miles, though a few others rode more like 50 and 60 miles.

Must ride more. Hilly = very slow right now.

There are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening rides as well as sponsored weekend rides (this one Saturday was a coworker ride). No softball this summer, so over the course of the next few months, I should lessen hill hell into hill torture.

hln

Yes, It's Cycling Season

Wow, April already. The bike and I did our first outdoor dance since December last Friday. Creve Coeur Park has expanded its trail from 5 miles to about 9 miles with a planned extension all the way to the Katy Trail. There're now some hills (thankfully).

The thing about April is this dastardly wind. Okay, anytime you're outta distance cycling cardio shape, the wind's going to knock you around a bit. That and the beating my poor ego took when I stuffed my winter-comfy body into cycling clothes. Zowie. Too many dark chocolate Hershey's kisses means no modeling for Frank J's t-shirt contest. Whom shall I endorse?

But, I rode about 9 miles on Friday, 22 on Saturday (Riverfront Trail), and 12 on Monday. Only a bit sore in the neck since I don't generally train my neck. Wasn't even saddle sore, though I expected to be. Unfortunately, the weekend isn't projected to be warm at all; rather, it'll be in the 40s and rainy. So that means indoor ride time and then pick up the outdoor stuff on Wednesday when Spring resurfaces.

And, potential cyclists - those of you with bikes that are not as used as they could/should be, remember that there are charity events you can ride in to raise money for worthy causes. In most major cities, there's Tour de Cure (mine's in June in St. Louis) for Diabetes research and the two-day MS 150 to raise money to fight Multiple Sclerosis.

Peace be with you and yours. I gots a hockey game to watch.

hln

The Bike!

Take a look at this Corima Puma brought to you in this post by Scott of Taco Flavored Kisses. Sexy frame on this bad dog, no.

Read the post, too - it's quite good. Don't mean to slight the post...

hln

Helmet Honor

Victor, my MuNu Godfather, has a very good post up about the cyclist who was stuck and killed by the former Miss America.

Actually, it STARTS off about that but quickly morphs into a very honest, very good rant about why one should wear a helmet while cycling.

hln

Bikes and Haters of Bikes

Nic has a post up today regarding why she's wary of road riding these days.

hln

The Century I'm Not Gonna Finish

Is what I called the ride midstream today. Our century ride met up with the normal group I ride with, Bicycle Fun Club (Trailnet). The rides converged in a big soupy mess of confusion - riders not sure whose rest stops were whose, which arrows to follow (most were blindly following other cyclists...because usually you can).

So one guy asked me, "which ride are you on?" And that was my response, "The century I'm NOT gonna finish."

And so it was. Riding today was sheer hell, the second toughest ride I've ever endured. I put in just shy of a METRIC century, though, at 65.8 miles. That was the end of loop one, where everyone met back for lunch. And where our cars were. That was enough, I'm told, for about 2/3 of the people slated to do today's Flat as a Pancake Century ride.

For starters, my clothing was inadequate. I purchased a long-sleeved and some spandex for fall rides, but, thinking it would eventually be just too hot, I opted for lesser layering. I wore my normal jersey, the long-sleeved jersey, and a mere pair of biker shorts. I suffered. Poor Hans and Ryan were wearing less still. I've not gotten their ride stories from them yet. I'm sure those'll surface tomorrow.

The morning was just cold. My extremeties and rear complained for the first 25 miles because of it, and I never felt like my muscles got warm. At our rest stop, I went into the bakery located at the rest stop (I'll plug the name in here tomorrow when I have the business card of the place with me) and stood near the oven (with blessings of the staff, of course). That was warm.

Oh, and the wind. What can I say about the wind that isn't obscene? The wind in central Illinois today was BRUTAL. And cold. Enough said. At points it was 15 mph or more, and I know at least 15-20 miles of the ride was directly into the wind.

So this is why I did not finish my century. My knees are creaky, and I had my left quad chirping at me for the last 12 miles. My average speed was laughable, and I was really, really cold.

I think I prefer the 95 degree weather to ride. At least I get a funky tan. I believe most of the rest of my cycling for 2003 will be indoors. Brr.

Thank you to my friend Tim for hanging with me. This ride appeared to be pretty much unsupported, and without someone to complain to (mostly "BRRRR" or inane laughter on my part), I'm not sure I could've finished the 65.8 I did. And it wasn't about conditioning. I barely broke a sweat ;)

UPDATE! - Ryan validates that I'm no pansy!

hln

Cycling Races in the Rain

The RiverfontTimes has an article this week about the Gateway Cup, that took place this weekend in St. Louis.

I'm sure that was a grand time; it rained almost the entire weekend except for parts of Saturday. I'm sure that adds an element to the torture, described in the last paragraph.

For, as the very best in the sport often claim, road racing is predicated on suffering. Not just "pain" or "sacrifice," but Suffering with a capital "S," from physical exertion and the occasional crash. In his letter to race participants, grand-poobah Cup organizer Tim Ranek writes, "I hope to have even more St. Louisans come out and watch you all hurt yourself. That is the fun of cycling." Consider starting the Labor Day weekend on Friday night at a Lafayette Square beer garden, watching gaunt athletes suffer at 40 mph in surreal backlighting, amidst thousands of other fans.

I think I'll skip racing for a few more years.

hln

Mileage and Other Weekend Feats

Sorry, no 132 for me like the venerable Phobia. I logged 93 this weekend, but the first 43 (Saturday) were hillier than normal.

On Saturday, I left my home and rode into University City (about 12.5 miles), stopped, snacked, and continued on east to Skinker (the dividing line between St. Louis County and St. Louis City), followed it south for about two miles, and turned to the right (west) onto Clayton Road, which I took for many, many miles into west St. Louis County. Back up north to catch Clarkson/Olive, and then to Olive and Fee Fee, and finally on home (about another 2.5 miles from there). Phew.

Not a bad route - about a mile and a half to two miles on Clarkson is a bit hairy - traffic wanting to merge onto the interstate, but it's otherwise a very pleasant ride. I'm going to try it the opposite direction next week to see if I can avoid most of that ugly traffic.

Sunday - today. Edwardsville ride. Pleasant, not too hot - about 50 miles. Then, because for some insane reason, since that was not enough, my friend Susan and I decided to hit the gym for an hour and a half (yes, really) of heavy upper body weight lifting. I'll be lucky if I can type tomorrow. Yow.

Two weeks. And, remember, if you have $3 spare dollars I'm SERIOUSLY BEGGING for sponsorship for the MS 150. Begging. Pleading. Offering to arm wrestle strangers on dirty street corners. Begging.

hln

Heather Begs (Gently)

Heather Begs (Gently)

In two short weeks (yes, indeed), I will ride my first MS 150. I have probably mentioned that "ride" is a strange word for pedal-powering a bicycle for long distances, but ride I shall.

The MS in MS 150 stands for multiple sclerosis. This is one terrible disease. When I was growing up in small Sandusky, Michigan, I lived across the street from the middle school principal. His wife suffered from multiple sclerosis. I believe at that time she was the same age as I am now. She was often too exhausted to transport herself, opting instead to use a yellow motorized wheechair of sorts to move her instead. The couple had a very young son, too.

The MS 150 raises lots of money each year to combat the disease; still, it remains among us uncured.

If you have a few spare dollars ($3.00 is 2 cents a mile; $6.00 is 4), please consider sponsoring me for my efforts for this ride. It's simple to do. Here's how.

Option 1: Go to http://https://www.nationalmssociety.org/pledge/index.asp. Type Heather into the first name box and the lovely surname "Noggle" into the last name box. Choose Missouri as the state. Submit the web form. Click on the link that bears my name when it appears. Sponsor.

Option 2: Click the "Sponsor me" link on this weblog. Click through the certificate info, and then enter your pledge.

I thank you in advance.

hln

Weekend = Blur (in many ways)

Saturday: Near 70 miles in 95+ degree heat in the middle of Illinois. I can't remember much of Saturday after that. Did I do anything? All I remember is intense heat, being slower than every other person, and having to stop to put my poor head between my knees a few minutes before being able to resume the ride. Ewww.

Sunday: Brian returns! Oh, and 24 miles at the Grafton Ferry Ride, where Heather got disgusted while waiting too long for the ferry and made it the Grafton Back-And-Forth-From-The-Beginning-To-The-Ferry-And-Again Ride. Never hurts to improvise.

hln

Yesterday

Yesterday

I'm afraid the cycling was limited to one day this week, mostly due to last night's party and the alcohol consumed before/during it. At 11:00 p.m. or so, the thought of a 7:30 a.m. ride was, well, banished. So, 45 miles yesterday.

Somewhere mid ride, there was a bit of excitement I would learn about at the Yellow Dog Saloon where all ride paths met with only 4 miles remaining. Had I digital camera, you would see this little excitement, but, alas, no. Supposedly (and this is third hand), a dog was chasing a kitten out in the middle of nowhere, and one of the cyclists actually wiped out to avoid hitting the kitten, who is so small she fit in my hand. A couple of good-hearted folk transported the kitten to the YD Saloon, and said kitten was scampering about the parking lot, enthralling cyclists of both genders.

Since I'm cat qualified, I held the little ball of fur above my head and pronounced her a girl. I promptly named her Shimano, which stuck, I believe.

I believe someone adopted her - no way to figure out where she belonged, and there was no identification on the kitten. What can you do?

Last night's Atari party was sparsely populated, compared to last year's. Still, we had a good time. I think more people will appear next year as again I shave the Atari logo into the back of Brian's head. We did not do that this year. As usual, Warlords was the most popular game. If our pictures turn out, I'll post one or two. UPDATE -> no need. Brian handled it for me.

Okay, that's personal enough for a while. I have a few things planned to blog, and I actually have an essay running through my mind that might make it to electronic format in the next week.

One more thing: I'm a loser, and I like it!

hln

Stop the World! Kids Wear Bike Helmets Incorrectly!

Stop the World! Kids Wear Bike Helmets Incorrectly!

Now. If you're my age or a bit younger or older, you probably grew up riding your single, three, or ten speed, without, SHOCKER, a helmet! We're still here!

But, MSN feels the need to write a snippetly article about helmet usage by children and publish it today.

First, "children" aged 18? Um, I'd be remiss not to tell you, but those "children" can vote. I think that's a strange age for a study about children.

At any rate, here's the "state the obvious" quote of the day.

Wearing a helmet while cycling has been found to sharply cut the risk of head injuries, but wearing it improperly reduces the protective benefit, the report said.

Better even:

Parkinson urged pediatricians make a helmet fitting part of a child’s regular check-up.

If we do that, then watch for the physicians' helmet certification program and associated malpractice suits.

Gah!

(Brian, I am sure, is cackling right now. I often gripe at people (usually while driving by - doing no one any good) cycling at speeds at which I believe require a helmet. He's used the word "fascist" in correlation with my ranting. Indeed.)

hln

Morning Search Engine Revelation

Wow, I'm the number 2 hit for "hot chicks on bicycles" according to Yahoo.

I hope the person wasn't disappointed; probably was. I'm clothed.

Here's #1.

I probably fared pretty well alongside that.

ADDENDUM: Oops, I didn't notice that "41 - 60" - someone must've done some digging. Perhaps I was a more appropriate 42.

hln

And for the THIRD Time, Blogger. Don't Eat this Post. 88.8 Mile Weekend

No, really, I have written this THREE times. It's short, so I've not had the foresight to, you know, save it in another window, but you'd best believe I'll do that now.

And on to the topic.

Yesterday, I put in 32.5 miles on the bike - a nice ride by myself in some good weather. I had to cut it a bit short because of a scheduled family reunion in the afternoon.

Today, Hans and I rode 46 miles together (roughly, that's from my house to Illinois and back), and then we went our separate ways. I'd imagine he logged another ten to twenty more. I returned home, ate, rewatered, put sunscreen on my face, and went to a bike trail to finish out my riding day with another 10 miles.

So, that's a total of 88.8 (it was 56.2 or something - guess 56.3 for today) for the weekend. And while that's not 150, it's not bad.

The good news? I could've done 20 more pretty easily if need be. Tired quads, slightly sore shoulders, but everything was functional. Yahoo.

A note to the idiot on Creve Couer Park trail: please leash your dogs. I'm sure they're perfectly well behaved, but, you're not the only guy on the trail, and you and the dogs don't get to cover all inches of the two lanes on the trail. Sorry. I'll swerve to avoid a dog, possibly even wipe out. You'd not be as lucky, you jerk.

hln

Damned Kids, Get Offa My Lawn

Hans points us all to this illogical stockpot full of spurious assertion stew by, sadly, a conservative in Illinois. I know, I know, you say - is it possible for conservatives to argue illogically? Yes, sadly, it is.

Joyce Morrison is pissed. She's pissed that the highways of Illinois (HER highways, dammit) are sometimes populated with, gasp, CYCLISTS! Let's give her a moment in the sun, here, ladies and gentlemen, before we break down to a proper paragraph-level fisking.

OPINION -- Beware of bicycles - they could be hazardous to your health.

There are 55 bicycle trails in Illinois.

In fact, within "bicycle distance" of where we live is the Chain of Rocks bridge. This bridge crosses the Mississippi River, which connects the Illinois bicycle trail beginning at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton, Illinois, to the well-known Katy Trail in Missouri. The Chain of Rocks Bridge was recently renovated especially for pedestrians and bicycles and was paid for by we the taxpayers.

With that wonderful recreational provision, why would 4,500 bikers (mainly from St. Louis) choose to make a 100 mile bike ride on roads already heavy with tourist traffic that are two lane, curvy, hilly roads under construction?

Okay. There's the argument. With all o' those trails, why are you on the roads? First, Trailnet sponsors road rides. You know, sponsor, with cars driving by periodically checking on the riders to ensure they are all right. Second, because roads are for bicycles, also. Third, what, silly, do you think all FIFTY-FIVE of those bicycle trails are accessible by every citizen of Illinois/Missouri at all times? Um, might I remind you that Illinois is a STATE. It is a state of 57,918 sq.mi. You do the math.

That is what Derry Brownfield of the Common Sense Coalition would call "ignorance gone to seed."

Can we examine this? Ignorance means "lack of awareness." Ignorance: The condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed. Joyce, silly, ignorance is YOURS. Claim it. Because you draw some pretty broad-stemming conclusions based on something you've OBVIOUSLY NOT DONE. (More soon...suspense.).

Last Sunday on our way to church, we had the "privilege" of having our patience tested. We were behind one batch of these bikers going up a normally busy road with a steep winding hill, blind curves, no road shoulder. And these bikers were not about to budge out of the way. To top it off, the road was freshly milled in preparation for a new surface.

To see these two wheelers peddling up the hill with rear ends stuck in the air in tight fitting britches is a humorous sight. But it wouldn’t have been funny to have seen one stretched out along the road with tire marks across him. These Sunday road warriors were literally risking their lives to prove they had the right.

Joyce, honey. Tight-fitting britches. That's a compound modifier. Please get it right; you're the professional writer. And, please allow me to explain. Those tight-fitting britches save a cyclist's skin from blistering/chafing - all of those unplesantries from extended periods of exercise. And, humorous? Strange, maybe. In a country where most people can't fit their fat asses INTO these "tight fitting britches" (sic), I bet it is funny. Joyce, you're making fun of what you do not know. How...six year-oldish.

We were in our car. We had our seat belts on as required by the law - our insurance and license fees were paid. We had paid fuel tax when we purchased our gasoline. Now wouldn’t you think that would give us a bit of a priority?

What was that biker’s investment that would give him the right to go down the middle of the highway? Bikers have no license, no vehicle insurance, no seat belts, no fuel tax. They are not making any contribution into the local economy in the way of tourism dollars. They had their own manned rest stops that furnished them with food and water, and they certainly can’t pack home much from the local shops on the back of their bikes or in those tight britches.

Waaaaaa! Fuel tax? I don't get it. Please explain. How is it again that bicycles and riders, weighing very little, tear up the road to the point that it requires maintenance? And, at least last week, fuel tax was for, um, FUEL? Forgive me, I promise this is as left-wing as I'll ever sound, but, really, people, logic. Joyce would have us believe that none of these cyclists pay fuel tax. Um, no.

And "they are not making any contribution into the local economy by way of tourism dollars." Okay, brace yourselves. On July 4th of this year, I had the pleasure of riding in and around Millstadt, IL. I was enraptured by the small town that reminded me much of the town in which I grew up - so much so that I plan to return and visit its Bed and Breakfast someday. People were home, largely because of the holiday, and many stopped to wave at our posse of four. Drivers honked and waved (oh, yes, without fingers extended). Our cycling group communicated, falling into single file at first sign (visual or aural) of a car. We visited the town store and purchased food and beverages.

So, Joyce, how is it that you KNOW all of these things - no contribution into the local economy. Obviously, you would not have proffered forth such a strong statement without, GASP, proof or firsthand knowledge.

Maybe we should blame the route sponsor and not the bike rider for being guilty of this stupidity, but if these people cared about their lives, they should have just said "no - I won’t go on this unsafe route." Whatever spared someone from being run over - or these bicyclers causing a vehicle to have an accident - must have been God’s hand of protection, because it wasn’t their common sense.

For a number of years bikers have made riding on our twisting, dangerous roads, putting themselves and others at risk, a common weekend occurrence in our area.

Okay, a route with construction - eek. I would not do that. So I'll yield you a point. Score one for Joyce. But you get a minus one for throwing God into the equation. Tsk. And, you know, if the roads are so dangerous, perhaps you should consider an alternate route. Just caution speaking.

Bikers have the reputation of having an attitude of superiority and are not popular in rural communities. Many are very rude. They choose to take the middle of the highway as their right-of-way, disregarding local residents who are trying to get to their destinations... and they refuse to budge. They appear to be saying, "I just dare you." They readily ask for help when they have a problem but show little appreciation.

Haven't I addressed this "not popular in rural communities" theme? I think so. Maybe my tight-fitting britches make me cuter than you.

They demand the government to provide and pay for their "entertainment and recreation." The government must provide parks, paths, scenic areas, fishing and boating opportunities, tourism, and all kinds of free outings. To accommodate these provisions, the property is many times taken from private property owners to make public areas. Then, these "recreational demanders" choose not to use those areas but to infiltrate areas not intended for their use.

Wow - there's a stretch, from cycling to FISHING. I knew we could get there. Come on, everyone, repeat after me. A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle. So THAT's what this is about. You know, Joyce. I didn't ask for the parks, but since they're there, and, as you have so aptly stated, and they're FREE, WHY NOT USE THEM? Oh, wait, I haven't demanded anything...what should I demand so Joyce can have another point?

I don’t know about you, but our recreation and exercise is not paid for. For one thing, we have little time for recreation these days trying to earn enough to pay the taxes that pay for bike trails which bikers choose to avoid. Our exercise comes from our work.

Journalism...exercise. Uh, no. Minus one for Joyce. Oh, and if you're lacking for recreation, try working smarter and not harder. I know some great trails if you want to start an exercise program.

Are these groups really into recreation and exercise, or are they being mentally trained for the Sustainable Communities where bicycles will be a way of life?

What the hell? I own a bike; therefore I'm a hippy? Amazing.

It goes in crazy directions from here. If I gave this to a fifth-grader and said, "find the main idea," I think the only possible response is, "wow, this woman hates bicycles and doesn't know much about them."

She concludes.

Bicycles have been around for a long time and brought joy to many. If used responsibly, a bicycle is a wonderful source of exercise and recreation. But are we being prepared to be forced to use bicycles for our major mode of transportation? Could it be this activity is purposely being placed into an elitist status with no restrictions and licensing in an effort to lure people into this mental mode?

If you are a biker, please ride responsibly on a trail that has been provided for your entertainment, and for your own safety and the safety of others, please keep off the highways.

FORCED TO USE BICYCLES AS OUR MAJOR MODE OF TRANSPORTATION?

Joyce. Shut your seed-cracking beak.

hln

Eek, This Could've Been Us!

Well, actually, no, because we're not in Florida, but, still, considering my near 44 miles logged today in a group of seven (six of whom cycle much faster than newbie I), it hits close to home.

Bikers down.

I'm going to try to forget I read this.

hln

These Things I Know...Now The

The Giant OCR 3 and I logged some serious road time today, and I learned a few very valuable biking things. I shall enumerate.

1) Riding in extreme heat (97 degrees when we stopped) requires more than 4 liters of water and 1 liter of Gatorade.

2) Rolling hills after 37 miles in said 97 degree heat = hard.

3) Riding on tires with 30 psi pressure is very difficult (as I have been for a while). Riding on tires with 102 psi is a dream and makes one very, very zippy.

4) 45 miles on a hot day requires at least an hour and a half nap and at least a fifteen minute shower.

5) Chiggers might attack if you sit in the grass to stretch. I say might because, well, they didn't. But I was warned.

6) Sleeveless cycling jerseys in aforementioned oppressive heat - coveted.

7) Illinois makes a bicycle map. Oh baby.

I have learned all of these things today. The hard lesson of number one was difficult. I ran out of all liquid with about 4 miles (most of it hilly) to go. This was a bit scary for those four miles, and I slowed the group down quite a bit, but all was well in the end.

MS150 requires 75 mile days, not 45. I sure hope the weather's a wee bit cooler. Plus, I was reminded that we'll have all day, not just from 9:00 until 1:00 or so.

hln

Tour de Cure

Today I rode Tour de Cure for the St. Louis area with a bevy of my coworkers. There were three mapped routes - 20, 50, and 100 miles - all with full support should something go awry.

The event took place in Illinois, which seems to be an amazingly friendly bike state (trails AND roads) - at least it is in all of the areas in Illinois in which I have ridden.

I was slated to ride 20, thinking it was 25 up until the moment I received the map. The savvy gentlemen from work with whom I rode decided 20 was really too much of a cakewalk, so we proceeded up the 50 mile map until about the 16 mile point, and then we turned around - ride totalling about 32 miles.

I really like this bike thing. The weather was perfect (that is, it was perfect if one does not mind reapplying sunscreen three times) and only mildly windy. The whole experience was quite pleasant except for the lovely man in the pick-up truck who could express himself no better than to flip me off. Thank you, Mr. Asshat (thanks, Rachel, for the term) lazy-brained-finger-wagging imbecile. I wonder how you'd fare on a 32-mile ride. Probably not as well as I.

This was good training for the MS150, which I'll be riding in the Columbia, MO area in early September (6th and 7th, to be exact). If ever there was a time to beg for money for sponsorship, this is it. MS150 is a fairly large event, and it's quite a formadable thing to accomplish for a new cyclist.

hln

Off-road Road Bike

Off-road Road Bike

(Subtitled: "Uh oh.")

Vacation is such a good thing. The alarm rings at 5 a.m. I shun it. My poor spouse, who has opted to take vacation a day later than I, scuttles off to work. I awaken at 7 and begin my day.

I putz, I putter, and then I decide to get real things done (because dish-doing, laundry, and bed making are just normal, everyday chores). I take the bike out and hook it onto the bike rack contraption on my car, and off I go to the trail.

The weather is gorgeous. It feels much more like October than June (which is great when it's not rainy). I set out to do 10 or so miles at the local trail, which is twice around. I figure this will be amazingly easy compared to some of my earlier outings - weekends and holidays. And, indeed, the trail is quite empty. The only thing standing between me and a nice soothing (but sweaty) ride is a healthy, gusty, occasional wind.

Oh, and two innocent, slow-moving, widely spaced Islamic-looking women who decide to span the entire breadth of the trail.

Of course, the point at which they do this is right before the bridge, which is a small incline to cross over the lake itself. I try to be polite and go around, but there's just no room, and I veer off a bit too much to the left, having already braked. Oops, on the grass. Clip out right foot and lean right. Nope. Clip out left foot, and lean left, yep. Brake. Lean HARD left. Gently stop self with tree. Still in one piece; not on ground. Whee. That was fun.

All this within the first two miles? What else does my day hold? What quest awaits?

<meoldrama>Oooh</melodrama>

hln

In Search of Sit Bones

"Sit Bones" is terminology I had not heard until recently, but it's cyclist nomenclature for the proper way to position oneself on a bicycle in preparation for a lengthy ride. Finding your Sit Bones is supposed to mean riding proves less offensive to one's genitalia.

I gave my Sit Bones a call today, but I got only the answering machine. So, upon returning home, I asked friendly Google for some advice.

hln