Category Archives: Ride Reports

Kick back and enjoy reading the exploits of fellow cyclists

Like a Kid Again…

It is Fall Break in our little town, this means the kiddos in our neighborhood are out and about on their bikes. I see them riding in one’s, and three’s, and five’s. What are they talking about… Where are they going…

I sit on the back porch and hear them ride through our “natural area,” a little woods beside our home. I made a path so they can ride through here without disturbing my native plants and other plants I’ve planted for my enjoyment. But I have to say, I made them a path so I could enjoy seeing and hearing these children at play too. As they talk, and laugh, as they travel through, it reminds me of simpler times when you just road your bike for the fun of it.

Twice last week, I did just that — I road by bike (mountain bike) through a few fields, just for the fun of it. I rode it off the road and off the side walk and up and over the hills and dales where I usually don’t go. It was a blast. I loved seeing all the pretty little plants and dodging the ruts and roots that nature provides. I also loved the freedom…the wind whipping about…holding on for dear life…and me and my bike just having a grand ole time.

I challenge you… This fall, ride your bike and feel like a kid again. I think you’ll like it!

Sequachie Valley Century, Hammer Time

Hey guys!
Well I’ve finally thawed out from Saturday’s ride! We started things off by having a in-depth conversation on attire selections and proper application of embrocation. Having solved those issues, we queued up for the start near the front half and waited for the start. Everyone starts slowly rolling and clipping in, and to my left I notice a rider who has missed his pedal and is leaning hard to my side, hopping on one foot, and is going down… he falls on me on the way down but I give him a little elbow shiver to keep myself from getting involved and keep rolling. Little did I know the boys got caught up in the mayhem behind me… it took a few moments for us to regroup during which the lead group was trying to make the split. We got together and started to put the hammer down to catch up… I felt like I didn’t have much pep in my step but we were rolling about 28-30mph ripping by people left and right… We finally gave up the ghost after ten miles or so of just us five guys killing it and decided we would stick together and ride it out.
We got to rolling along and feeling pretty good (except when Bob killed us on the hills:) and picked up a group of lead stragglers out there somewhere around mile thirty or so… We were happy to stick together but someone (DAVE 🙂 decided nobody is gonna get a free ride on our backs! So we picked up the pace and cut thru them like a hot knife :). The long run NE thru the valley had a tough headwind and we pushed on and finished in just over 5 hours… tough wind, rollers, and hard riders made for a memorable ride. I think I had four bags of beans and four bottles of gatorade endurance and no cramps, but I was tired at the finish! good ride and great company made it a very fun day!

Sequatchie Valley Century, PB & J Rider

What a ride Saturday! You guys are definitely a force to be reckoned with and so was the weather!

When we first arrived, I was wondering how I was going to manage with a persistent chest cold among 4 very strong riders, ready to hammer. As I did my small (about 1 minute max) warm-up lap, which was really a cool-down lap, I realized I either had to lather in the embrocation cream, or freeze. However, Mike graciously loaned me his vest, which was a life-saver.

After that small obstacle was resolved, it soon changed to “man down” at the starting line, which caused an immediate separation from you men and myself. I had fleeting thoughts of either riding for miles upon miles to catch back up, or going semi-solo for the entire race, but thankfully there were enough turns at the beginning to keep the pack at a slow pace which afforded me an opportunity to catch back up.

After ten, lung burning, leg thrashing miles, I was wondering what I got myself into, but thankfully it seemed that the pain and anguish was at least verbally shared amongst us, although I am unsure if BOB THE IMPALER was ever suffering. Continue reading →