Selling my Cannondale to raise funds for MS

The 2008 Cannondale I rode for the Valero Bike to the Beach, donated to me by The Bicycle Schack of Boerne, is now up for sale on eBay at this link. All funds from the sale will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Surprised myself; rode the entire 164-mile route

It's been busy since Sunday, when I crossed the Finish Line for the 19th annual Valero Bike to the Beach! Yes, that's correct; with just 9 weeks training I completed the 164-mile, 2-day fundraiser. I felt so strong on the first day that I opted to ride the 100-mile route...I need to be BOLD in all that I do to make a difference, just like you did with your donation! Thank you so, so much for your support.

This note it going out from my heart to all donors and supporters of my personal cause, as I attempted to fundraise in Pauline's memory, and also raise as much money to maximize the $50,000 matching offer made to me 10 weeks ago!

You'll remember, somebody dared me. Actually they challenged me, basically saying that they doubted my ability to even be ready to line up for the ride, and if I did ride I wouldn't finish! You know me well, that kind of challenge is like a red flag to a bull, right?

So I slogged through high temperatures, leg cramps (aided later by heavy Pickle Juice consumption), very high and relentless head winds on both days (gusting to 28 MPH).

Pauline's Last Hurrah team lined up with 69 members! We crossed the Finish Line having fund-raised $105,000...and counting! This does NOT include the matching of $50,000 for my fundraising. As of today my personal total is at $49,100, just shy of $50K. There is a fundraising momentum in place that I believe will carry me beyond $50,000 by this weekend.

My brother David, and Pauline's youngest son Jeramie (a.k.a Jez) flew in from Australia to ride with me and for Pauline. Actually, I ended up riding in her memory, but also adopted a little girl (Mallory Reid) as my Champion, a program at the Society that allows us to connect with someone living with MS. Mallory is all of 6 years old, and was diagnosed with MS at the ripe old age of 2! Unacceptable, right?

The ride was a hugely emotional-filled adventure. It was an awesome time for the three amigos. Lots and lots of "ata boys" coming from the crowd, riders, volunteers, staff and other folks living with MS, all proud of the three of us riding in Pauline's memory. We were quite the buzz of the weekend!

David is quite the athlete, and of the three of us the Lance Armstrong equivalent. David finished both days in record time, taking no prisoners, just getting it done! But I'm proud of our first-day accomplishment, because the three of us took up and completed the 100-mile optional route! Geez, I hope Pauline appreciates that, my bum hurt all night... :-)

Youth is wasted on the young! Jez raced ahead and finished well ahead of his uncles on the first day. Dave waited for his older brother at the 93-mile mark, which was the ending mark for almost everyone else, but the two Ralf brothers met up and made it a Century Ride together. We circled through the route and headed for the finish line, and rode across the line in victorious salute to Pauline to thunderous applause and lots and lots of "yahoos" and praise from the announcer of the PA system. Then my boss doused me in ice-cold water...

David headed out on Sunday with the HOLT CAT team at 7 a.m., 30 minutes before the official start. They wanted to get a head start on the anticipated 28-knot head winds forecast for Sunday, the second day.

The PA announcer was calling my name to come up to the front of the Start, as my boss grabbed the microphone and sought encouragement from the 3,000 cyclists for me to lead off the group...I was pumped!

The day proved to be very difficult. The head wind was constant throughout the day, exhausting and relentless! But we weren't to be denied our victory. David finished the event at about 11 am, 4 hours after he started the 64-mile journey. Jez unfortunately was hit by another cyclist as he was helping another cyclist with a flat tire. Jez rode to our lunch stop, and the Medical staff diagnosed a strained Achilles tendon. Strapped it up and told him to call it a day! So my boss drove him from lunch to the Finish Line. He was disappointed, but was in no condition to pedal the remaining 30-plus miles with such an injury.

That left just one family member out on the route. It's amazing how lonely it can be riding in an event with 3,000 riders! The wind just strung us all out, and when we did pass each other we were so exhausted it was difficult to even say "hello!"

We passed a beautiful field filled with thousands of sunflowers in full bloom, tracking the sun across the sky, Pauline grew sunflowers at home. That began the emotional turmoil in me, as it conjured thoughts of Pauline, and so began the hardest leg for me. But I wasn't about to give up.

I arrived at the last rest stop before the finish, just 12 miles away. A good friend and cycling mentor rode back out from the Finish to escort me along the final leg of this journey. I noticed some of the official vehicles (vans, police escort, motorcycles) giving me the thumbs up as rode this final leg. I found out later that the entire HAM Radio network, about 150-200 operators, had been given instructions to track my every step for the entire 2 days. So the radio chatter had increased during the final hour.

Then we met the Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge, the last mile of the journey. The arc of the bridge's road surface is as steep as the arc of the Sydney Bridge! So you can imagine I wasn't looking forward to this final challenge. But I did it, my friend was encouraging me all the way, riding alongside me as I slowly, ever so slowly pedaled. It hurt so much. I didn't ever look for the top of the bridge. Just kept looking at the road surface, thinking of Pauline and hearing my friend's encouragement, "Come on Tony, you can do it for Pauline..."

I reached the top, physically drained, and that's when the realization hit me like a truck...I'd done it! Coasting down the other side of the bridge was exhilarating, picking up speeds of 30 MPH.

There had been a stream of riders standing out of my way, hugging the side of the bridge, which I thought was a bit odd, but later found out they'd been asked to wait there for my passing...

Then I saw police flashing lights ahead of me as two local police pursuit vehicles pulled out in front of me. I thought I was going to be busted for speeding!

What happened was that the HAM radio chatter had cleared the course for my arrival. The police were there to escort me the final 1,000 meters to the finish, sirens on and lights flashing.

Sorry, but here's where the emotion bubbled up and the tears I'd been holding back ever since the sunflower field 2 hours earlier just poured fourth. I was greeted by thousands of onlookers, the DJ was saying something about me, Pauline, the team and the fundraising, but it didn't mean anything to me. I was sobbing like a new born baby as I crossed the finish line to the roaring applause. It's got me welling up now just reliving it and writing it for you!

I rounded the corner heading along the final 200 meters to the parking lot where I was met by my ever-supportive and sobbing wife, Bow, Jez...David hiding his tears behind his sunglasses (he has to remain cool), and a mass of people just wanting to share in the emotion of the moment.

It was a wonderful outpouring for Pauline's memory.

R.I.P. my dear Pauline...this one was for you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Gruene today rounds-out my 10-week training schedule

I headed to historic Gruene this morning to hang out with my buddies (the newbies) from Velo Valero, and we were joined by several members of the Broadway Bank team, and a solo rider from Clear Channel and from Golds Gym. It was like a mini Valero Bike to the Beach!

I felt strong all ride long. Depending on who you asked, we did anywhere from 34 and 37 miles. Several long hills, but none caused me any problems. My good friend Bob Harwood, team captain for HOLT CAT, changed allegiances (well at least for today) and wore a Pauline’s Last Hurrah jersey. It was a special ride for me, since I’d not seen Pauline’s image being worn by another rider. Very special…

The morning started out quite chilly, and didn’t really heat up. We returned to Gruene around noon, and hit the Gristmill Restaurant for a group lunch. Lots of fun. And lots of good people.

Thank you everyone for your tireless efforts to prepare me for the Valero Bike to the Beach on Oct. 4-5. I’m confident of putting in a good showing.

C ya on the road! Tony
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Santa Fe, NM, a riding paradise…2 weeks ago

I had the good fortune 2 weeks ago of traveling to Santa Fe, New Mexico, with 130 bike-riding top fundraisers of the National MS Society Lone Star Chapter. Wow, as much as I’ve only been riding for 8 weeks, Santa Fe must be a rider’s definition of paradise!

Chapter employees took on the role of volunteers and orchestrated the 4-day cycling holiday. But when my colleagues and I came back together at the end of the first day to go over our duties and tasks for the remaining 3 days, my boss told me that I could participate in the second of the 2 days of riding.

I had driven SAG on the first day, a 55-mile ride that went by way too quickly. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the landscape. Flat, flat ground stretching for hundreds of miles, and then hitting mountains that shot up into a crystal clear, electric blue sky! Oh my, if my days had ended then I would have left this mortal coil a happy person. I was at peace!

Anyway, after getting over the shock that I could ride the 2nd day, I realized I didn’t have a thing to wear! I turned up on the day of the ride in sneakers, my signature neon yellow socks, surfing shorts (white with brilliant orange flames), and a borrowed BP MS 150 jersey. Oh, did I forget to tell you that I didn’t have a bike either!!!!!

Our good friends form Sun and Ski had brought out some rental bikes (brand new I might add). But all I had to choose from was a 61cm, which would have me stretched out way further than I could reach. I’m only 5 foot 10 inches! The second bike was a 51cm, but was a women’s bike…shorter frame, odd looking saddle! Anyway, I opted for the shorter bike. I went to have a light breakfast while the bike was fitted with cage pedals.

At breakfast, I sat with my now good friend Jenifer McIntosh. We’d been joking with each other for the past 24 hours. So over breakfast, she said since I was going to ride on a women’s bike, I should wear a women’s jersey (she happened to be wearing a bright pink, ‘Ride Like A Girl’ jersey). She dared me!!!! So in the middle of the dining room we took of our jerseys and exchanged them. You know me by now, I’m open to most any dare for fun!

The day was a rare treat for me, and I appreciate my colleagues working with me to allow my training to continue. One small problem, when I turned the front wheel it would hit my feet…it was a very short bike. But all those issues evaporated when I cleared the brush on one hill to be presented with a vista that only God could create. If you’ve never ridden around this area, in particular around Los Alamos, NM, I would highly recommend you add it to your Bucket List.

C ya on the road! Tony

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

$100,000 v's $144.75...it all counts!

So we held our exclusive Top Fundraiser's Packet Pick-Up on Monday, at Pappasito's Cantina on IH-10 in San Antonio, and many of our Club 100 fundraisers stopped by. One in particular...

A little birdie had told us that this fundraiser was going to add to his fundraising account for the Valero Bike to the Beach in a big way this night. So, we rolled out out reporter friends at TV, lined up a microphone, and made the place welcoming. We were not disappointed. Valero Chairman of the Board and CEO Bill Klesse stopped by and wrote a personal check for $100,000 to start his fundraising (that's Bill and me, I think he's holding me up)!

We had some nice speeches at 5 pm, and we were pretty much done by 5:10 pm. I'd promised the Valero team and my staff that I would "spin" for the duration of the event. So I jumped in my riding gear. Jumped on my bike, parked in the back of one of our wonderfully decorated Toyota Tundras, and pedaled for nearly 3 hours.

Knowing I'd be on a bike, I figured why not be shameless and raise money at the same time for my fundraising (remember, it's going to be matched by one of my donors). So, at the end of the night, I had in the jar $144.75 as friend, riders and total strangers stopped by to visit with me and drop a few dollars in my kitty. Thank you everyone!

The Bike to the Beach is just days away, Oct. 4-5.

C ya on the road! Tony
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Tony completes his first Century...well metric anyway!

Today established a new chapter in my training, I completed my first EVER Century Ride…well metric century anyway! I rode 63 miles today in Houston’s Tour de Pink (that’s 101.388 kilometers for my family back in Australia)! I am so very pleased with my progress, even if I do say so myself!

The Tour de Pink support’s breast cancer research which, as you may know, was one of the three cancer’s Pauline was diagnosed with. This event also was my first organized bike ride.

Today’s ride was the outcome of my search for a training ride in Houston, since I had to run an errand for MS to our Houston office on Saturday. My good friend Margaret Shelton (also a member of Pauline’s Last Hurrah) is a university professor by day but the Tour de Pink event director by night. So she suggested that I sign up.

The event offered several route distances. I really wanted to challenge myself given my 50 miles just last weekend. I was tempted to go for the 80 miles (and wish I had), but thought I should be a little conservative. After all, I wouldn’t want to have gone on the 80 miles and not completed it! I had no idea how I’d handle the 63, but handle it I did; it took me just 5 hours to complete the course (and stopping at all the breakpoints). I crossed the Finish Line feeling very, very strong and realized I could have handled the 80 miles. There was a 100-mile option, too! But I think I’ll hold that personal accomplishment for me and Pauline on the Valero Bike to the Beach on Oct. 4!

The event started and finished at Prairie View A&M University. Wheels down at 7 a.m. we were treated to brisk conditions, a little chillier than I’m used to. But sunrise came soon enough with a huge orange ball sitting on the horizon as the route headed east. It was magnificent. As the sun rose in the sky, which was the coolest electric blue all day, the mist laid heavy and carpeted the grassland of this rural setting, located about an hour or so west of Houston, Texas.

It was a very pretty ride, although there was a pretty good head- and cross-wind to contend with for most of the day. That said, I was able to keep a good speed for many miles (at least in the 19’s or low 20’s MPH).

ACCIDENT: About 15 miles out, I turned into the second to last breakpoint. My calf muscles had been twitching at the top of them for several miles just itching to cramp! But I had been repositioning my feet for many miles (turning them in, turning them out, pulling with my clip-less shoes instead of mashing) in order to relocate the muscle flex to another part of the calf. Anyway, I pulled into this breakpoint, had already unclipped my right foot, stopped the bike and proceeded to unclip my left foot when my calf cramped like a mule kick! Anyway, I lost my balance and fell to the left, still clipped in to my pedal and fell square on my left knee (I’ve fallen on this now for the 3rd time in 4 weeks)…and hit my helmet on the road to literally add insult to the subsequent injury. The guys from the local bike shop at the breakpoint came over to untangle me from my bike as I tried to work out how I could stand up with my calf in a major cramp spasm. Needless to say, I reached my feet and tried to stretch through the cramp…not wanting to look anyone in the eye because I was so embarrassed and so frustrated, since the day had gone so well!

Finally, I was able to elongate the muscle and just hop around as the “knot”-pain subsided. I looked down and had blood oozing from my knee and noticed a 2-inch high swelling protruding from the left side of my knee, and a growing lump on the right side of my left knee. I figured I’d broken the thing! I hadn’t, at least I don’t think I have as I sit at home writing my blog entry. But I was very worried about the joint seizing up. I grabbed a quick drink of water. Hobbled to the bathroom. Had to fix the chain on my bike, since it had come off during the fall. I quickly got back on my bike and on the road, hoping the knee mechanics would carry me to the Finish Line.

The final 15 miles were equally delightful. I forgot about my knee…well, decided not to look at my knee!

I soon hooked up with rider Number 10, her name was Joanne. She is a cancer survivor, and so I road at her pace (8 MPH) for the rest of the ride. What an inspirational story she had to tell. But that’s a subject possibly for another blog entry!

C ya on the road! Tony

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Completed 50-ride, successfully...

Finally breached the 50-mile (or 81 kilometers, for my family in Oz) riding test for me on Sunday, and still felt pretty strong at the end of the ride. The ride took place in temperatures running in the mid-90’s (35C), and that probably was the toughest aspect of the day.

The 50 miles represents the distance for the Valero Bike to the Beach from the Start Line to the lunch stop on the first day. So it’s be a psychological challenge for me.

I made the point of drinking, drinking and drinking some more. Carrying onboard a 24-ounce water bottle with POWERade and a 2nd water bottle with plain water, I filled them both two more times on the ride and had drained them both by the time I arrived back to the Start/Finish line. And I’m “relieved” to say that I did need a bathroom a few times during the ride! You’ll recall, in my early training I was worried about not having to use the toilet. I think I’ve found “my” hydration balance. Also, I've become a major fan of "Gu."

The ride itself left Comal Elementary School, out Highway 3009 (jarred the fillings in my teeth), headed to Gruene on Highway 1826 (smooth as glass), turned back towards New Braunfels, headed east to cross over Interstate 35 for the loop on Green Valley Road.

The heat and the distance left me thinking this was a brutal ride for me and my limited training. But it was a ride that helped me test several personal factors: stamina, strength and speed (I really used my big ring and small cog) on all the flats I put my head down and hit the pedals hard. It felt good!

Walking the bike while standing in my pedals is becoming a favorite pastime for the hills I encounter, and it makes me feel a good deal more in control.

I’m heading to Houston on Saturday, running some errands for the MS Society, and will be looking to jump in on a training ride on Sunday, Sept. 7. I’ve put out feelers to some of my friends over there to see what rides they might be participating in that I can join.

FUNNY: When I unloaded my bike the front tire was as flat as a piece of paper! Never had a flat until now and I guess the good thing is that it didn’t happen during the ride. I carefully ran my fingers around the inside of the tire and found no sharp objects. I ran my hand over the outside of the tire and found a piece of glass. It left a three side hole in the tire, so my buddy Pete Templin (by phone) said you could use the tire again, but how many future tubes are you willing to sacrifice! He told me about the “old dollar bill” trick as a temporary fix to extend the life of a tire, which I’ve heard before. Needless to say, I’m off to Bicycle Shack of Boerne Tuesday (they are closed Mondays) to buy a new tire.

C ya on the road! Tony
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Conquered Highway 211 Saturday

I completed a 28-mile ride this morning, that felt like 50 miles! But I’m so impressed with my performance. The route left Roger Soler’s in Helotes, my backyard, and headed north on Highway 16. Turned left on Highway 211, to be greeted by a series of rolling hills, although the outbound journey wasn’t too bad.

The group I was with turned left off 211 at Culebra Road, and we headed for the Exxon gas station just a few hundred yards up that street for a small break. I wasn’t looking forward to the return trip, since I’ve driven SAG for many training rides on this route, and know that 211 from Culebra Road is 7 miles of HUGE, continuous hills. Anyway, I sucked it up and hit the road.

I’ve become a particular fan of the big ring on my bike, so I stayed in it, shifting as I needed, but refusing to go to a smaller ring. I had to test myself. I had to push myself. And I did.

I conquered 211 and remained in my big ring for the entire trip. Granted, there were a couple of times that I slowed. My riding companion up 211 was Lloyd Hensley, I asked him how we were doing for speed, and to my surprise up 211 I was pulling 10 MPH! For me that’s a huge accomplishment.

Anyway, we took a group photo (well my other riding companion, Lillian LaFave did) at the top of the last hill before taking an exhilarating ride down a great hill on 211 back to Highway 16, and a right-hand turn back to the start.

Many of the group had asked: “Tony, are you ready for ‘The Wall?’” That’s another huge hill that greets you as you make the right-hand turn from 211 to Hwy 16. With bravado, I said, “sure!” Anyway, Lloyd had been sharing with me the finer points of his hill work, and had demonstrated how he “walks his bike” while still in his pedals.

We made the turn, and ventured up “The Wall!” I rode seated for a couple hundred feet, but realized that if I was to remain in the big ring I was going to have to pick up some momentum. So, with Lloyd’s encouragement ringing in my ears, I stood in my pedals, leaned forward over the handlebars and proceeded to appear like I was walking in my pedals, and driving up the hill. It really was quite efficient.

Anyway, the trip from there back to Roger Soler’s was a series of rollers. I was told that in the group I was riding in we were maintaining 20 MPH on the flats. That really made me feel good.

I had a good deal of energy still to give so I sprinted off for a ways (not sure how far), just riding as fast as I could. It felt good. I feel good. I believe my training is paying off. At the end of the ride I learned that I’d covered 1,295 feet of elevation during the morning’s outing!

I’m ready for my 55-mile ride Sunday, leaving from Comal Elementary School at 7:30 a.m.

C ya on the road! Tony
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Slippery when wet...28 miles later, good ride!

So, your humble author spent time at the offices of the San Antonio Express-News today, having photographs taken to accompany a story about, well, me! Terrifying to think that my story is of interest to anyone, but if it helps further the awareness of MS then so be it! Apparently it will appear either Sept. 8 or 15.

I had to dress up in my bike-riding garb for the photo shoot. When it was all over, I just felt like riding. I knew of no training rides tonight. And, if I live up to my promise to my wife and not go out on the open roads alone…which is probably not a smart approach for anyone, I had few options.

But if you’ve been following my blog, I’ve used my neighborhood (Sedona in Helotes) as an early-morning ride, maxing at 17 miles. Well today, I re-mapped a route that helped me rack up about 28 miles, and by doing this adding at least 3 hills per circuit (about 23 circuits).

I’ve been toying with the idea of testing my experience and desire to power up hills, so tonight I shifted to the biggest ring and largest cog, and stood up to drive me through every hill. It was intoxicating as I drove the pedals down and began the slow rocking movement of the bike frame from side to side to oppose the force on each downstroke. A couple of times I thought I knew what I was doing, but was quickly reminded that I don’t as I over compensated on the rocking motion and wobbled through nearly wrecking though never lost the control. Phew…

It rained during my training tonight, but I didn’t stop my ride. MS never takes a day off, and people living with MS never have the chance to NOT have the disease be in their lives. The roads were dangerously slick, not fully being washed by the rain but wet enough to float whatever grime was on the roads. I realized there existed a potential hazard, so applied the brakes more heavily as I approached corners, applying them well before the turn in order to dry them.

But one road condition I hadn’t experienced before was how slippery those black strips of tar can be that the road crews use to just fill and seal cracks in the road. A couple of times I could feel my rear wheel “free spin” slightly as I crossed the black lines. Needless to say, I learn quickly and avoided all black lines for the remainder of the evening.

I dodged kids playing football in the streets, quickly maneuvering myself up on the sidewalk as the kids enacted a “hail Mary” long pass without noticing if any vehicles were around let alone me! On lap 5 or 6 the kids began to expect me, and so factored me into their plays.

It was a good ride, and will help me strength train as well as accumulate mileage.

C ya on the road! Tony
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Valero Bike to the Beach poised for new records!

The Bike MS: Valero Bike to the Beach is poised to set new records this year. Event fundraising past the quarter-million-dollar mark this past week, up 55% from this time a year ago. Last year the event realized $1.65 million, while this year’s event budget is projecting $1.80 million. So far there are over 2,350 riders registered for the year, which is about 68% of our 3,500-rider goal. We’re all making a mark, and dealing a decisive blow against the disease and in support of a world free of MS. Thank you on behalf of my family and families across the country who live with this disease every day. Tony

C ya on the road! Tony
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Pauline joined today's 45-mile training ride!

Gruene Hall and New Braunfels were welcome distractions on an enjoyable 45-mile ride today, a very special training ride (see photo) as I took Pauline out in public for the first time…well at least the team jersey for Pauline’s Last Hurrah! It was a feel-good situation for me, and helped with another MPH on my average speed as my chest swelled with pride!

We headed out from Comal Elementary School, and wound our way through some pretty scenery. We bumped and bounced along Highway 3009, a particularly challenging routing from the point of view of both the hills and constant jarring. But it was all worth the trip as we rounded the corner to be greeted by a smooth-as-silk (relatively speaking) Highway 1863. Wow, what a pleasant experience.

One frustration today was that for probably 10 miles or so I had difficulty with my clip-less pedals. I couldn't "clip in." I stopped to clean out my shoes and the pedals. Carl poured water on my shoes to washout road debris, it worked for a mile or some, but was not a permanent fix. Not sure what the problem is. I'm assuming some adjustment will be needed. I'll visit my buddies at the Bicycle Shack in Boerne.

The crew, largely Valero riders, was lead by the always caring and nurturing of newbie riders (including your author) Carl Crawford. Alas, he took more than one for the group as he repaired 3 of his own flats. But believe there was some agenda behind his tire problems! We later found out that beer begins to flow at noon at Gruene Hall, so we assume he looked for sharp objects just to slow us all and so make it there for drinking time… But his attempt was foiled, we hit Gruene Hall at 11:15 a.m., still a very dry drinking establishment. :-) Next time, Carl.

Our route took us along Gruene Road, passing the Rockin’ “R” tubing area, crossing the Guadalupe River and up the shortest but very steep hill into Gruene. I had to walk. I hit the hill with some momentum but it wasn’t enough, my forward motion was stopped within 20 or 30 feet. It was difficult to get a good running start at the hill given the tubing tourists and vehicular traffic.

We headed out of Gruene (sober), out on Common Street. Headed back to New Braunfels, passing Schlitterbahn water park to the screams of fun-lovers and the over-the-top music blasting across the area. We continued out of town on Spurs Road. Turning south on the IH-35 Frontage Road and back on Farm 482 and the Start/Finish Line at the school in Comal.

This was my longest ride yet. I’m anxious to break through the 50-mile barrier, and hope to do this next weekend. Thanks Carl for a well-supported, enjoyable ride with an equally fun-loving group of riders.

ITEM: my friend and neighbor Monika believed an earlier blog entry in which I talked about being overjoyed at having to use the bathroom was, she believed, a story of me taking care of business while still on my bike! Absolutely not! My point, my fine friend, was that finally I was consuming sufficient quantities of fluid to have to use the bathroom AT OUR NEXT STOP! :-)

C ya on the road! Tony

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Weekend in Kemah, railroad tracks, I go THUD again!

I took some time of from the Blog, lots of stuff happening at the office in preparation for the Valero Bike to the Beach. You know by now that I’m the Vice President for the National MS Society in South Texas. But I still rode this past weekend, with an incident!

I ended up in Kemah, Texas, with some cycling friends. I rode on Saturday, though it was hit and miss after a torrential downpour overnight. Anyway, after breakfast, the skies cleared and the sun came out. So we all raced back to our rooms to change into our cycling gear…though I suspect there was some disappointment, since the night before we had celebrated a little and likely more than one of us on Saturday morning was feeling a little under the weather…

Anyway, we hit the rode. I made it over the Kemah Bridge, slowly! About 10 miles into the ride the heavens opened and the group found itself in the middle of not only monsoon-style driving rain, but also the distant rumbling of thunder. But the intrepid group rode on. Somewhere around mile 15 we approached railroad tracks (still raining). Our lead rider made it over, but the second rider didn’t (I was 3rd). The tracks hit the road at a 45-degree angle, no I didn’t measure the angle, but you get the idea. All the books and cycling gurus will tell you that crossing tracks should be at 90 degrees. So I guess it was inevitable that my friend’s accident was bound to happen.

It was her rear wheel that lost traction on the tracks and skidded out from under her. This pushed her front wheel into the “groove” of the tracks and so she went down with a wet THUD! Fortunately, she was able to walk away with just a small road rash on her knee. Unfortunately, her front wheel folded like a taco. Unable to ride on, she and a fellow rider hung out at the scene as the rest of us rode back to secure a pick-up vehicle.

Riding back to the start, where the vehicles were located, a huge flash of lightning was followed by a bone-shaking thunderous boom. It set off car alarms on the parked vehicles we were passing. Not needing to prove anything, and knowing our friend was okay, we all ducked under a car awning and waited out the weather.

About 30 minutes later, the thunder let up, we hit the road. We later rescued my friend, and that evening relived the ride on the jetty of our host’s home (jutting out into Galveston Bay), grazing on a fantastic shrimp boil and home-marinated quail. And some adult beverages.

We debated the day’s ride distance, but I calculated from the conversation it was around 22 miles.

On Sunday, we awoke to a brilliant morning. I don’t think everyone had breakfast, though most had coffee. We hit the roads around Kemah and pulled off about 44 miles. I felt strong all day, so was looking forward to at least completing my first 50 miles. But before I knew it, the ride was over and we were sitting at the table eating a wonderful breakfast, before helping straighten up the home and then driving back to San Antonio.

Oh, did I forget to mention that I fell on Sunday morning? What worse is that I fell in the driveway BEFORE the ride started! And, I fell on the same knee I’d fallen on just 2 weeks earlier. I haven’t ridden this week because of the swelling and the ache as I walk. But I plan to put in a solid 40 miles on Sunday, wheels down at 7 a.m., at Comal Elementary School.

C ya on the road. Tony
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Twenty neighborhood laps helping with my stamina

I hit the neighborhood at 6 a.m. this morning, much to the surprise of my wife (and me), after rolling from side to side in bed fighting the urge to train! But each training opportunity missed, will be one step backwards for me in my goal of riding 160 miles on October 4 and 5 in the Valero Bike to the Beach.

But I double-surprised myself this morning. Approaching the usual 15-lap mark, about 13 miles, I continued to feel strong. So with no regard for the time I just decided to round it up and rode 20 laps around the outer perimeter of the neighborhood for 17.5 miles (28km). And, for the first time since starting training, my thighs ached as I walked to the office and for much of the day…but it was a good pain. A pain that told me that it’s good to be alive and that I clearly must be doing something correct finally!

Something I didn’t share with you from Saturday was that I actually peed on that training ride! Another first for me, and I was so proud (LOL)! And I had the urge again during my 75-minute training session this morning. Many of you were telling me that I must “take care of business” while riding, and if I’m not, then I’m not drinking enough fluids.

Anyway, I pushed my envelope a little today and kept the bike operating in the big ring only, shifting up and down the rear cassette as needed. This clearly was a contributing factor to my thigh ache throughout the day, but I also felt that it pushed my bike workout to the next level.

I plan to “ride the hood” Wednesday and Thursday mornings. I’m heading out of town to Kemah, Texas, this weekend, where the event I’m involved in will hold a non-drop, relatively easy 30-mile or so ride both Saturday and Sunday. We’ll see if I can pickup my cadence and/or speed this coming weekend.

I haven’t been able to report exact, computer-generated statistics since the weekend. I found that a wire became dislodged from my bike computer, likely a result of the fall I had on Saturday. I can’t see where to plug it back in, so home my cycling buddies on the weekend can help.

C ya on the road! Tony
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Team ETC full of zip...up and down hills

Thanks to Team ETC for taking me up on my offer to wear a team jersey, ride with the team and be photographed in that jersey, all for a $50 donation. I hooked up with this great group of people on Saturday (just rcvd the photo today). Had an excellent, very hilly ride, and the group partied hardy after the ride for their team’s Kick-Off Party for the Valero Bike to the Beach.

C ya on the road. Tony
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Flying high with the VCrew from Valero...

The VCrew of Velo Valero, the new folks to riding, invited me out on Sunday for my $50-donation photo offer. Here I am in the multi-colored Velo Valero jersey, riding through strong head winds and flanked by a U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. (ret.). I am so sorry for not remembering her name, but she kept her eye on me most of the day. I know she’s training with her husband for the Rock ‘n Roll marathon in November. Thanks to Carl Crawford/Velo Valero for "shooting me!"

C ya on the road. Tony

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Long day made worthwhile by lady with MS.

I completed my longest training ride so far, 43 miles, out in the Cibolo area. While it was referred to by several on the ride as a “recovery route” (from the rigors of training on Saturday), it was nevertheless very challenging with a head wind nearly all the way.

Okay, I hear every alumni cyclist saying: “We told you so, Tony!” I've always understood the complaints about the head wind on the Valero Bike to the Beach, there's nothing I can do about it, but now I can appreciate those comments.

Anyway, as hard as the ride was today the difficulty just evaporated after my interaction with a lady (Gloria) at our half-way point. She saw the name of the Bike to the Beach on several jerseys and so naturally asked if we were training for the October ride. She introduced herself and said “Thank you, I have MS!” We had a nice chat, and she went on her way.

As we saddled up and rode out of our half-way stop, I heard Gloria (still in the parking lot) proudly tell a lady standing with her, “See those guys, they are riding for me!”

The rest of the day was easy, thanks to Gloria and the appreciation she had for us doing what we do for her. It was a great day! I'm not going to let today's blog end with this and Gloria's wonderful spirit.

C ya on the road. Tony
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

THUD...now that's out of the way!

Clip out…clip out…clip out…clip out…

Clip out…clip out…clip out…clip out…

That was a constant companion phrase circulating my thoughts all day today, but it didn’t help. Yes, as all my cycling buddies warned me, going with clipless pedals will result in at least one fall. So I fell! My hope is that my fall today has removed this cycling right-of-passage from my training! But probably not…

I rode with Team ETC (Energy Transfer Company) today. The route was tough, lots and lots of hills. We headed out from just northeast of Boerne, riding for 37 miles to and back from Kendalia. The curious thing was the new sensation of power in my pedal on the up stroke, given my new pedals and shoes. My struggle before on hills was my ability, with cages, to just “mash” the pedal down with my thigh muscle, with my up-hill speed languishing around 4-5 MPH. But today, I was very happy with speeds of above 8 MPH on equivalent hills.

TALE OF THE COMPUTER:
Average cadence: 62
Distance: 36.8 miles
Average speed: 11.5 MPH (very hilly)
**Maximum speed: 38.3 MPH (oh yes, I remember this hill)
Trip time: 3:10 hours

TEAM ETC

My thanks to the team for taking me up on my fundraising offer: I'll wear any team jersey for photographs, and join the team on a training ride. I'll post the photograph of the jersey on the event website, all for a donation of $50. The photograph was taken at the Hanse residence, where they put on a party for the team and their volunters. I'm waiting for a copy of the image so I can post on my website. Alas, I had another early-afternoon team comitment in Kerrville, so had to leave shortly after the end of the ride. Those I rode with were a lot of fun, when I saw them! There was a time when I was NOT the last person in the group, but the folks behind me sagged in, so I ended up being the back of the pack, as usual!

THE GLORIOUS HILL
The route was Highway 474 north to Highway 473 east to Kendalia. We turned south on Edge Falls Road until we hit Highway 3351, continued south again until we turned west back into the sub-division where we started, the home of one of ETC’s executives Lee hanse and his charming wife, Libby. Not sure now exactly where this hill was, but it went across Curry Creek, and while it was the most thrilling experience I’ve had on a bike so far, my hands had subconsciously covered the brake handles. But at those speeds (above 30MPH) I would have had little chance of correcting any poor judgment on my part using breaks, right?

THE CRASH
The street name says it all: Edge Falls Road! This was a mammoth hill. I had built up some reasonable speed, and even called out to a couple of my riding buddies “on your left, I don’t want to stop.” Within 5 feet I had lost my speed, and my forward momentum was quickly deteriorating. I was frantically shifting, looking for the Granny gear when the chain came off the front assembly. So you all know what happened next: no forward momentum, legs (clipped in) spinning frantically but with no gear resistance, and so over I went THUD on the road. I guess the good thing out of this was that the fall took place from a dead stop, since all forward motion had ended. Anyway, I quickly unclipped while laying on the road. Pulled myself up, brushed myself off, and began walking up this behemoth hill until I could find a flat spot to get back on my bike.

SCENERY

I rode over a diamond-back Rattle Snake today, a recent road kill and the closest I want to be, thank you very much! I swirved around several quite dead Armadillos, and ducked at one time when several Turkey Vultures descended across in front of me to join a dozen or more of their buddies tearing into a road-kill deer.

I rode up 3 hills today that I believe were a steeper grades than the Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge. You’ll remember, the bridge is the new route to the Finish Line of the Valero Bike to the Beach. So I’m very pleased with my performance.

Off to Cibolo on Sunday, for a 7 am start with a group from Velo Valero.

C ya on the road! Tony.

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Clipping in this weekend...for the first time ever!

It’s late Friday evening as I type this. Just smoked a hamburger and fries for dinner. I had planned doing the right thing and eating lots of pasta tonight, but I was late getting back from the Bicycle Shack in Boerne, after they converted my Cannondale to clipless pedals! I added Speedplay X5 Chrome-moly pedals, and bought a pair of Diadora cycling shoes. I look the part, but it remains to be seen if I stay upright or not on both my rides this weekend or not, and so whether the true Tony (Genie) stays in his bottle and doesn’t walk away from riding altogether…

My cage pedals are now a part of my cycling-training history.

I had planned to try clipping in and out tonight on my trainer, but it’s late, and I need to be in Boerne for wheels-down at 7 a.m. So I’ll be using the new pedal system for the first time in a real training ride environment! It’s 40 miles Saturday. On Sunday, it’ll be wheels down from Cibolo City Hall at 7 a.m. for another 40-mile, no drop ride.

C ya on the road (just hope I'm not sprawled out on it...) Tony

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Computers...do they lie?

Okay then! I’m now officially high tech on my bike. Thanks to Stephanie Gordon, co-owner of The Bicycle Shack in Boerne, I now possess a working bike computer…problem is, I can’t read my computer at the office without reading glasses, so how the hec am I supposed to read the screen of something no bigger than a postage stamp?

I could see shapes moving on the screen, and an occasional number (13 or 14.5, I think) as I rode under a tree and the shadow helped reveal the readout. I couldn’t wait to get home to look at my performance. So here are the stats:

Average cadence: 68
Distance: 14.03 miles
Average speed: 13.1 MPH
Maximum speed: 29.6 MPH (but I don’t remember that hill…)
Trip time: 1:03 hours

It all appears quite impressive to me, especially the maximum speed number. I’m sure if I saw that number on my computer at the time it was being recorded I’d likely have begun to wobble in abject fear! Scary stuff, right? Tony Ralf riding a bike at nearly 30 MPH. I need a drink (adult beverage).

The route was hilly, but not totally challenging like my Sunday outing. Interesting, as much as it was a NO DROP ride, I passed two groups receiving help by our leader, Andrea Shull (from Valero Energy Corporation)…flats and pedal problems. As a result, I ended up not catching the front of the group and so rode alone for at least 30 minutes, crossing lengthening shadows on the road as the sun began to set, and for a while I was riding directly into the sun as it just hovered on the road ahead waiting for me. It was a cool feeling to be riding alone, although not recommended, my heartbeat and deep breathing (sucking air) keeping me company.

I hadn’t been on the bike since my 42.5 miles on Sunday, and it showed, well at least I could tell. I was back to breathing hard and my thighs ached again like they did on my first ride 10 days ago.

Heading out to Boerne on Saturday morning with Team ETC (Energy Transfer Company), and to Cibolo on Sunday with a larger Valero contingent. Both teams have agreed to pay the $50 in order for me to wear their team jersey on the ride and to take a photograph with me. Cool fundraising idea, right?

C ya on the road!

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Pappas Posse Jersey...

So here’s the first taker of my offer to wear a team jersey for a donation to my fundraising, and to post the photo on the event website. “Pappas Posse.” Team captain is Chris Shaw (on left), aka General Manager of Pappasito’s Cantina (IH-10, San Antonio). I wore the Pappas jersey for 42.5 miles on Sunday. Posting the image on the event website is in the works.

Remember, for a $50 donation, I will wear your team jersey either on my next ride or with your team on a training ride. Photograph the opportunity and post it on our website.

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Huge elevation, longest mileage...and BONK!

Today’s ride was, for me, particularly grueling. However, the outcome was something I am rather proud of! Mileage for the ride from Bullis County Park totaled 42.5 miles (68.km), which is another first for me since its the furthest I’ve ever traveled on a bicycle. Coupled with this impressive feat was the fact that the ride took place with 2,000 feet (609.6 m) of elevation…a whole bunch of hills!

What’s additionally pleasing is that the first day of the Valero Bike to the Beach takes twice today’s distance, and an entire day, to achieve an elevation of just a little more at 2,600 feet (792.48 m). So I’m definitely feeling an accomplishment.

However, adding to today’s series of firsts was the fact that I “bonked.” I was within about 2.5 miles of our destination and just couldn’t ride another step. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t fall of my bike, or foam at the mouth or any worrisome things like that. My gas tank was just on “E.” I called out to my riding partner (coach and instructor Pete Templin aka Obi-Wan Kenobi), “That’s it mate, I can’t go any further!” We pulled over to a shaded area. I lent against the bike for support awaiting Pete’s completion of the ride and return with his truck to SAG me in.

I don’t see this as a defeat, rather a good realization of my limits this early in my training.

You may remember that I joined (and completed) a 22-mile Velo Valero ride out of Bullis Park on Wednesday. So when Pete mentioned on Saturday that he was going to lead a ride from that park Sunday, I called my mate and HOLT CAT team captain Bob Harwood, inviting him to join us. I rode with Bob and his team (30 miles) just yesterday. I told Bob that the route was relatively easy! While we were on the “relatively easy” route initially, the group paused at a point where a 46-mile route split off, up Spring Branch Road…the road from H-E-DOUBLE “L.” It was very, very tough. Sorry Bob!

I seemed to have found a “sweet spot-system” for the hills, though it’s a tad dangerous. I shift to the smallest of my 3 front rings, and the largest of my gears at the back. I grab the lowest part of my handlebars, tuck my head down looking at the road only (dangerous) and focus on just pushing the pedals around. I couldn’t care less where the top of the hill is, it’ll appear soon enough! I just concentrate on the cadence. It seemed to work on all but one hill today. I had to stop 2/3rds of the way up a hill on Spring Branch Road at a sign post for “Canterbury Road,” and walked about 200 yards up to where my riding “hammer-head” partners were waiting for me. I chuckled, Canterbury Road was where my sister Pauline, brother David and I grew up in Australia! Not sure what it all meant, but the sign-post was poignant reminder for me why I’m doing this training. I got a little chocked up as well!

So, in the driveway of a very kind homeowner, we hung out for few minutes under a shade tree. I sucked down a second GU gel pack (Mint Chocolate, yummy), and continue the ride again. The road was just an endless series of hills, and even the flat was an subtle incline. Each time I exited a curve in the road, there was yet another hill greeting me, mentally challenging for this kid from Sydney!

At mile 27 I ran out of liquids. However, about 3 miles further on out popped a Valero gas station. Bob purchased two POWERades, on sale, one for each us. I poured the contents into my water bottle and what was left I downed it in seconds…it didn’t touch the sides. The lady at the cash register allowed us to re-fill our other water bottles from the facet behind the counter and ice from the cold drinks fountain.

It was the hottest conditions I’ve ridden in so far. The sun was constantly on my back and the wind was hot. I’m writing this at 4:30 pm, 2 hours after my ride ended, and the temperature is currently at 104.5F (40C). So I think it would be safe to assume that we were riding in at least 100-degree heat today. Funny thing, I don’t sweat on my face or head. My arms glisten, but I put that down to the sunscreen I put on at the beginning of the ride. But my jersey was very wet.

Also a curious situation, I don’t need to pee! Sorry, but need to add this feature to the blog, since I’m guessing it means something. I expected to need to use the bathroom regularly given all the liquids I’m drinking…but not at all! I just never get the urge. Any thoughts, anyone?

Oh, one other challenge for me today. My left pedal developed a loud clicking noise about half-way into the ride. I figure it’s come loose! Initially it wasn’t a problem but later in the ride, when I was sucking air and trying to stay focused, the clicking became annoying…and I began to count the clicks, which I didn’t want to do. Fortunately for me, after several miles I was able to ignore this distracting noise. I’ll definitely take it in to my bike-shop sponsor Bicycle Shack in Boerne for a tune-up.

I’m taking a break from training on Monday, I am very tired. Stephanie Gordon co-owner of Bicycle Shack is coming by my office to pickup the bike so she can affix my new, still in the box onboard computer. So she’ll need to keep the bike overnight and return it to me on Tuesday. Not sure what training I’ll do if any on Tuesday, though I did hear of an easy Tuesday ride from Bullis County Park…!

C ya on the road!
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Longest ride, aching muscles, Police bust...

Saturday morning saw me complete my longest ride yet, I believe it was about 36 miles (58 km for my family Down Under), at least according to riding partner Guy Clumpner’s bike computer! We started out at Leon Springs Elementary (8:00 am). We were originally supposed to leave from Starbucks across IH-10 from the school. A late night phone call corrected that…but I forgot to pass that on to my buddy Lisa Danembaum Shaw. She called me half-way through the ride: “Where are you?” And “Where were you?” Reminding me of our plans to hook up at Starbucks. She forgave me, but I felt bad. Sorry Lisa!

The route ended up in and around the back roads of Boerne. We backtracked for the route back to the start, hitting Scenic Loop and Boerne Stage Road. I’m renaming the city BURN-EE; my thighs were on fire on some of the hills…long, gradual hills. I seem to recall one of my riding partners letting out a statement, “Now you know what YOUR ride will feel like.” Reality check, I need more hills.

I appreciated the care given to me by all the HOLT CAT folks on the ride, but especially want to thank Neal Carmichael for hanging with me for much of the ride. A seasoned cyclist originally from Indianapolis, Neal helped me through some of the up-hill grind and the efficiencies of shifting quickly and correctly!

We arrived back at the start around 11:30 am. Like my ride on Wednesday, the heat was a challenge for me. I went through a bottle of POWERade, a bottle of water (each 22 ounces), and filled up at a Valero gas station with another 22 ounces of water. I had no liquids left on my bike at the finish, which I guess was a good thing, right?

One of the riders in the group suffered through 3 flats, while yet another had a flat at our turnaround point…this one saw Guy help change the flat, but as he ran his fingers around the inside of the tire, he sliced his finger open on the offending metal shaving that caused the flat. Nobody had a band aid, so he was leaking the red stuff for a while. It was a solid opportunity for me to learn the finer arts of changing flats…not sure I have that skill yet, though I could likely fumble through without an audience and I do have the supplies when it does occur for me! (Oh, no I don’t we used them to fix today's flats).

A Boerne Police Department cruiser stopped our group to educate us on the need to ride single file on city streets. I’m not sure that we hadn’t been doing that, but I guess someone had called in a complaint! Apparently, this isn’t an infrequent occurrence. The cop was nice enough about it. We made sure we complied for the rest of the trip, which was a good thing since he followed us for some distance…those darn criminals on bikes.

The roads for today’s rider were probably the busiest I’ve experienced so far on my bike. It’s an interesting perspective to see both driver impatience and also driver courtesy. A couple of intersections (controlled by stop signs) required a good deal of attention with increasing vehicle activity as the morning dragged on.

On the drive home I was feeling good, though a little back ache had me promising myself a hot bath at home. I took my bath. Ate lunch (boiled chicken and salad). And took an hour nap. (Hey I’m old as well as tired from the ride…) Anyway, I noticed that my pecs and triceps ached a good deal more than when I worked them out on Thursday. Curiously, my leg muscles haven’t complained once after the rides are over! The route today was quite bumpy, and longer than I’ve ridden before, so I’m guessing my muscles were just complaining about the excessive workout they received. Curiously, my leg muscles haven’t complained once after the rides are over!

When all’s said and done, I continue to feel good about my performance. Am I ready for the Valero Bike to the Beach? “No.” I am, however, looking forward to another 30-mile ride opportunity on Sunday to continue my preparation. This ride will start around 7 am, an hour earlier than today, so I’m hoping the heat will be less as a result (it's forecast tomorrow to be at 100 degrees F., or 38C for the folks in Oz). But I hear you all saying, “Tony, this is Texas…welcome to the summer!” Yeah, well I will remind you about a song by Alice Cooper, “Welcome to my nightmare…”

By my reckoning my bike and I have accumulated 127.35 miles together...still not yet the 160 miles of the the Bike to the Beach, but we're getting there, one mile at a time.

C ya on the road!
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Want to promote your team jersey?

Want to give your team jersey some publicity? I will proudly wear your team jersey on an upcoming training ride (evening or early morning, or invite me to your training ride to hang with your team…I need the mileage), I’ll photograph the situation and post that photo on the event’s website. However, always looking for unique approaches to the mission of a world free of multiple sclerosis, and because I am fundraising for the Valero Bike to the Beach each jersey request will cost you a $50 donation to Pauline’s Last Hurrah. I’ll mail the jersey back to you, if you wish, washed and at my expense.

Contact me either (210 694-3222) or tralf@nmsslonestar.org
Alas, I can only do this in the San Antonio area, sorry, but I have barely 9 weeks of training left before the “big show” Oct. 4-5.

You can't beat that with a stick...!
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Gym work, slight pumped swagger and weekend rides

Hit the gym for some upper body work at the end of the day. Ouch, I’m not getting any younger, and I ache like a son-of-a-gun! But it hurts so good, right? Pecs, delts, traps, biceps and triceps. But that pumped-up feeling after the workout was kinda cool, and the muscles were hard. So I took off my t-shirt and strolled back to my truck wearing my sleeveless shirt and a slight swagger in my step…”Hey, if you’ve got ‘em, show ‘em!”

Slept like a baby Thursday night, thanks to the workout and oh yeah, (shhh) the two beers I drank in my neighbors driveway!

Friday morning, bounced out of bed at 6 am, hit the neighborhood for 15 miles. “Howdy” to all the neighbors. Exchanging a few “passing” words with a couple of them now, joggers and a lady pushing her baby in a stroller. No, DeAnna, no monster cat today!

Also, I might be new to riding, but I’m not slow in learning the best approach, nor am I reluctant to take advice. As a result, I am pushing myself to use the more efficient bigger ring as often as possible. I noticed how much smoother the pedal stroke was, and how much further you can travel with a little less exertion.

The 15 miles went by quickly, which I think took about 65 minutes. Which makes me feel good, since I seem to have picked up some mileage with little loss of time! By my calculations, my mileage is now up at 91.35 miles since starting my riding last Saturday. So, it’s taken me 6 days to accomplish the mileage of 1 day for the Valero Bike to the Beach…! Er, gonna have to do something about that...

Had intended hitting the gym again today (Friday), but computer system problems at the office saw me and my colleagues staying later than I had planned. And there were some “honey do” things I had to take care of.

SATURDAY: I’ll be out and about in the MS Society’s Toyota Tundra, which is covered in bright graphics promoting the Valero Bike to the Beach, over the weekend so look for me and say “hi.” I’m riding out of Leon Springs Saturday (8 a.m. wheels down) at the elementary school near Rudy’s BBQ. Riding to Boerne with the HOLT CAT team and captain Bob Harwood. I’ll be wearing HOLT colors, so look for me in the yellow and red jersey. This could be my toughest ride yet, especially if we hit Toutant Beauregard Road…the up-hill direction!

Also working with my buddy, my first coach Pete Templin, to ride Sunday. Possibly out of Bullis County Park. Remember, that was my Wednesday ride, and my first experience of rolling hills. I’ll be wearing my Team Qantas jersey on Sunday.

If you want me to wear your team’s jersey, I’ll take a photo to send back to you (and return the jersey if you want (washed), contact me (tralf@nmsslonestar.org). However, I’m fundraising, so it’ll cost you a $50- per-jersey donation to Pauline’s Last Hurrah.

C ya on the road…!
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Cats, heating and clipless pedals...

Racked up 13.6 neighborhood miles this morning, and 20 miles this evening with friends from Velo Valero and others. A good day, but I’m spent as I write about the latest training shenanigans.

The “monster cat from hell” stalked me again this morning, but it was more of a comfort than a concern, since I know where it lives and it knows I’m coming through! I believe mutual respect has been established.

I was able to squeeze in an extra mile before heading home for breakfast and the work day. I used my new LED white light this morning. It was so bright in the pre-dawn hours that I swear a couple of planes circled thinking it was an airport landing light! I felt a good deal more confident because of the LED this morning than I did yesterday, when the novice in me placed a red flashing light on front and back…I figured I need something.

The day was filled with anticipation for this evening’s training ride, which did include hills, because it would be during busy traffic, and with about 20 riders. However, I didn’t see many of the riders for much of the 2-hour gig. I brought up the rear for the entire ride. Hey, someone has to be at the back, right?

My thanks to Andrea “Android” Shull and husband thunder-thighs Chase who, despite obviously being able to ride at speeds twice what I was able to muster, hung with me throughout the 20 miles.

We started from Bullis County Park way outside Loop 1604 on Blanco Road. This was my first experience riding in real high heat. My previous rides in Cibolo and my neighborhoods have been largely early morning or at least well before the heat of the day sets in.

There was a time when I realized I was overheating, and fumbled for a couple of miles trying to pull my jersey zipper down to ventilate myself. Needless to say I wasted a good deal of water on my head in a nervous attempt to cool myself, unable to release the zipper. The zipper was a preoccupation, and several times caused me to wobble dangerously. Fortunately, as I said above, I was the last rider so any harm would have been to me!

Anyway, I finally was able to bare my chest and offer an exit for the body heat. Boy it felt good. Gaining my composure, I set about attempting to again understand the timing of shifting.

Lots of rolling hills on this ride, well there seemed lots to me! Andrea told me that my cadence was too fast. So I selected a bigger, more efficient ring, and it seemed to afford me a feeling of control and clearly more power with less exertion.

Still need to be better prepared for building the down-hill speed in order to achieve the beneficial momentum to drive me up the next hill, so that I don’t slow to the point of searching for the Granny gear and just spin up the hill!

I asked the novice question: “When do you know, when do you commit that you’ll stand up in your pedals to drive you up the next hill?” And to my surprise, the answer came back, YOU don’t stand up! Well at least, the suggestion was that I shouldn’t look to be doing that. It was explained that by standing up in your pedals you are expending energy just to be standing! Energy you could better use to more efficiently “ride” up the hill.

Observations: even at this early stage I think clipless pedals are the way to go. My sneakers are not fixed in one position in the cages, and so I’m forever having to reposition them away from the bike frame. Also, this evening’s ride headed to the west on some roads, and the sun was setting directly into my eyes. I never realized how that situation prevents you seeing very far up the road! Not sure what that means or what I can do about it, but there you are!

Anyway, good lessons learned, again! I’m taking tomorrow off, though might hit the gym to work on some upper-body toning. I’m feeling an ache across my trapezius muscles, especially around the base of my neck, and a little on my front deltoids. So I think a little muscle workout might strengthen them a little. And the workout can’t hurt, right?

I’LL BE BACK…!
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

Cats, computers and lonliness of the early morning ride

Training today, road time, was considerably more enjoyable than working the trainer hooked to my bike yesterday. I clocked about 12.75 miles this morning, according to my calculations, since my bike computer remains in the box in my kitchen! (More on the computer later).

That makes 42.75 road miles in 2 outings, two more outings that I've done in the past 42 years...

I overslept again, awakened by my wife at 6:10 am instead of 6:00 am. The reason for why the alarm didn’t go off remains a mystery under close FBI investigation, with heavy mutual finger pointing in my household. I rushed into my bike shorts, catching my toes on the flimsy legs of the shorts several times, slowing my attempt to dress.

Dressed, I grabbed my bottles of Powerade and water, headed for the garage and pumped 115 PSI into my slumbering blue Cannondale! Gloves. Helmet…no lights! It’s still quite dark even at 6:15 am. I had two toy red flashing badges. I stuck one on my jersey pocket and the other on a front break cable. I know, I should have had a white light on the front. My thought was that at least “car up” and people walking would see a moving light…

My buddy Lloyd Hensley came through later in the day with a strong, LED white light that I’ll use tomorrow.

It was amazing to me to see so many of my neighbors on the streets of my sub-division during my 45-minute ride. “Hello.” “Good morning.” “How are you?” Echoed on the quiet streets of my sub-division as I passed track-suited shapes in the pre-sunrise conditions.

This was my first experience riding around parked vehicles, and making space for passing vehicles or vehicles reversing out of driveways. Even the drivers were welcoming, and waived as they passed. Wow, what a nice neighborhood I live in!

I’m still frustrated by using the wrong left-hand lever to shift, especially as my heart rate peaks and my breathing becomes hard with the hills. But it all feels good, despite the loneliness of riding alone!

On Saturday, there were a couple of times when fenced dogs, and a few that weren’t, made threatening noises or movements towards my training-ride buddies. So riding alone this morning, I was prepared for a couple of houses where I knew dogs resided.

At one point of the ride I detected a metallic clinking noise. I know we have to be sensitive to noises on the bike, so I’m looking all over the bike to find the source of the noise…not watching the road. This investigation also challenged my shifting prowess, and so I ended up in the Granny Gear on the smallest ring several times…suddenly pedaling very, very quickly, but going nowhere!

The metallic clinking noise continued and seemed to be getting louder. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I detected movement quickly coming towards me. My heart skipped a beat and began to race, as I prepared for my first threatening-dog encounter.

I quickly looked in the direction of the movement, fumbling but succeeding in shifting to a larger ring. Then the object of my brief cycling nightmare sprang into view, and in a split second scanned the road ahead to see what I would hit as this huge animal attacked…

The animal turned out to be a 4-pound black and white cat with a bell attached to its collar, the source of the metallic clinking!

This morning’s ride felt good. I was actually a little tired when I got to my office. But I put that down to the reality that I didn’t get to bed until half-past midnight!

BIKE COMPUTER
I purchased ($39.99) a Cannondale IQ114 14-function computer with cadence. Looks good on the box. The computer appeared as a gray square object in the window of the box. I was ready to rack up the miles now, able to verify my MPH and establish an efficient cadence. Not so fast Tony! There’s about 4-feet of wiring, a couple of O-rings, a dozen zip-ties, and a few other things in this package that turned out to be my Pandora’s Box! Despite the instructions, and despite being handy with electronics, no way am I going to overcome the instructions and mount this on my own. So I’ll be heading to my friends at Bicycle Shack in Boerne on the weekend!

Looking forward to my 6:00 am neighborhood, solo training ride Wednesday, and also a training ride Wednesday night (6:30 pm) at Bullis County Park with the Velo Valero team, and training-ride leader Andrea Shull. Remember, I have barely 10 weeks to prepare.

C ya on the road!
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.

2 Free Tickets to Sydney, Australia...

Did I mention that in Pauline's memory I am personally donating to the Valero Bike to the Beach two free round-trip tickets to beautiful Sydney, Australia?

To be entered in this drawing, all a person need do is raise a minimum of $1,000. For every subsequent $1,000 raised, another entry will be placed in the drawing in that person's name. The more money a person raises, the chances of their name being drawn increases, too!

Ernst & Young has agreed to audit the drawing, to take place on Dec. 4 (coincidentally, which would have been Pauline's 52nd birthday), at our 2008 Awards and Volunteer Appreciation Party. The drawing is open to anyone and everyone*, including registered bike participants, volunteers and persons with MS; it's all about the fundraising. All I ask is that you sign up for the ride; perhaps you will consider joining Pauline's Last Hurrah.

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.