B the Bike

Last night I was the Bike’s B*tch.  When I began my ride I immediately felt off pace and my hamstrings quickly felt the pain.  Hmmmm, in previous rides it took awhile to feel the pain.  After about 10 minutes I hit my stride and the ride was going all right.

Then it was time for high speed low gear intervals.  I felt good during my first set.  My legs were moving quicker than they had in a long time.  Sweat poured off of me as I swiftly cranked the gears and then settled into a slow pace for a short recovery time.  Life was good.

With five minutes of pedaling at travel speed under my belt it was time for the second set of intervals.  Before attempting the first high speed stint my legs were hurting.  The second set of intervals nearly killed me, but I managed to survive.

I continued my journey at traveling speed for 15 minutes before doing my high resistance intervals. 

Unfortunately at this point in the ride my mind was all over the place.  I wasn’t focused, my performance was unimpressive and it took great effort just to keep going.  I didn’t have my goal in front of me last night and it compromised the quality of my exercise.  There is a lesson to be learned.

With five minutes left to ride I hit my stride.  I focused, found my inner Kung Foo and then the ride was over.  Go figure.  After a terribly hard ride I ended feeling like I could have continued the journey.

I spoke with my coach yesterday and we put together a game plan for my training this week. Part of the game plan was for me to add a half hour to my ride today and believe it or not the extra time felt great.

I hope that you chose not to believe me because my hamstrings definitely feel the difference. An hour into the workout I couldn’t help but be psyched about what I’m doing. I was psyched to be covered in sweat, pedaling hard and feeling muscles I haven’t used in this way for some time.

I’ve also discovered that sound and sight are important factors in my workout. During my first week of training for the ride the soft whir of my trainer was similar to the sound of a room fan on low speed. Only one week later my turning wheel has accrued extra speed resulting in a noise similar to a room fan on its highest setting. Most important to me is that the loud whirring I now hear from the trainer is consistent throughout my entire workout.

I enjoy exercising in the dark. Tonight the lights were off and I enjoyed a zen like experience pedaling my night away. The only images I saw were those created by my mind. [Alert the rubber room police.]

I know that tomorrow I am going to feel my ride from tonight. I say, “Good!” The rewards have been well worth the effort so far. My only concern is that I show too much pleasure in the pain, which then may result in my coach deciding to totally kick my ass.

As soon as I stepped off of the bike tonight my phone rang. I answered and my real estate agent was on the phone. On Sunday a couple interested in my house popped in and I gave them a quick tour. I suggested that the couple call my agent and believe it or not they did. They’ve asked for a second look and they are coming back to my house tomorrow. Please send all the good vibes you can afford to send. Sell that house!

Latah – B the Bike

The vibe during my ride yesterday was different than my previous rides. I found that I was unconsciously pushing myself harder and that the time seemed to pass a little more slowly. I also felt soreness in my hamstrings and yes, my ass still hurt.

Although the ride was more difficult it was also more rewarding. The challenge ahead of me is enormous and by working harder I felt a greater reward. When I felt the soreness in my hamstrings my first thought was, ‘now we are getting down to business.’

I value this ride for many different reasons, not least of which is the fact that it is friggin’ hard. Part of the payoff is taking on a challenge and emerging the victor. My father said to me, “Why don’t you try something easy or easier your first time out?” I don’t want guaranteed success. I’ve usually hedged my bets in life, taken the safe route. Part of the excitement for this ride comes from the knowledge that I don’t know if I will be successful. All I know is that win, loose or draw I am going to try my best.

Last night I went to a luau to celebrate a friend’s 30th birthday. The early part of the evening was awesome with laughter and dancing. It didn’t take long before a few of my friends half-heartedly gave me crap for not drinking. They see the change in me.

In the past a zombie like group of friendly alcoholics insisting that I pop a top would have beset me upon. They knew that wouldn’t work. Most of them don’t even know about my mission yet, but they do see my different attitude. I wasn’t pressed hard about not drinking.

I spoke with Jeff last night and asked him to be my roadman. Next Friday night we are going to drive to his camp in Colebrook. Then on Saturday morning we will travel my cycle route while taking copious notes throughout the drive. I will also return to the north country before my final ride to section cycle some of the areas. (Jeff had already agreed to do the above).

I’m going to lean upon Jeff to help with gear and logistics during my journey. Jeff will be for me what Louie was to Rocky in Rocky I, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V and coming soon Rocky XLI.

B – Unleashing his inner Kung Foo in a theater near you!

Life is full of surprises. When embracing the challenge of training for a cross state bicycle ride I anticipated sore legs, sore calf muscles and a questionable cardio baseline. Much to my surprise my cardio is okay (for a baseline) and my legs feel great.

“What are the surprises?” you ask.

My ass is killing me. I mean seriously, “OWE!” I so did not see that coming!

Fortunately I had the opportunity to speak with Double A Ron tonight and he was not at all surprised by my saddle sores. As a result of our conversation I will be purchasing padded riding shorts before I ride tomorrow.

Surprise #2 – Because I’ve had so much to think about while riding the time on the bike passes quickly.

Special K kindly provided me with an awesome CD for motivation. The classic/new rock mix has just the right edge to keep the blood pumping and feet moving while on the trainer.

I think that training for this cross state ride may keep me sane during the next few months. In the past week I’ve put my house up for sale, shared my life plans with my family and discovered what happens to your derriere when you ride. Those challenges are insignificant when compared to being away from the one I Love and want to be near. So with each turn of the crank I’m a few moments closer to my destination.

I’m doing this for me, but the ride would be incomplete without you.

Yippy, Hurray and other exclamations of joy leapt from my lips as I loaded the original SequoiaFast (“SF”) into my Blazer tonight. It was a day late, but Mark from Tri City Bicycles delivered my shiny silver stallion back to my stable. If I haven’t mentioned it before Mark is awesome.

When I arrived home I methodically installed SF onto the trainer. I actually followed the directions to be sure everything was just right.

Once SF was well settled it was time for me to get ready. I powered up my Apple to make an hour long play list, my official timer if you will. I cheated. Aaron said to only ride for one hour, but the play list lasted for an hour and four minutes. I’m sure he’ll forgive me for the extra four minutes.

With the play list set it was time for me to suite up. Shorts, Joe Bar t-shirt and sneakers…check, check and check. I decided that I would begin the play list and minimize iTunes so I could look at a picture of Kelly while riding.

My favorite Kelly picture is her “jazz hands” picture from her 30th birthday party. Her lively spirit is all over the photograph. Inspired.

Music on, iTunes minimized I leap onto the bike and start peddling. Aaron’s instructions are going through my mind as I begin the ride. I keep a steady pace, but not so fast that I can’t hold a conversational tone. After just a few minutes I hit my stride. Yeah!

Five minutes into the ride my laptop screen goes to sleep. DAMN! There goes my beautiful view. [Laugh at me if you want to, but this is my blog so I get to say what I want. If you don’t like it, tough sh*t. If you know me you know I’m romantic at heart.]

With Kelly’s picture gone I decide to look at the scenery. I know the route I’ll be riding like the back of my hand so it is easy for me to turn to my right and see Log Haven roll by in Colebrook or I can look to my left and see Wildcat go by in the Presidentials. The views are great and I can’t wait.

I’m not sure how everything will go from here, but tonight was a positive beginning. I feel great. My body feels great.

Thanks Aaron.

B the Bike.

Today has been a mixed bag of upsets and successes. At approximately 2:30pm this afternoon it hit me like a ton of bricks and I instantly knew – my bike would not be ready on time. I called Mark at Tri City Bicycles already knowing what news I would receive.
“Hey hambone.” I said.
“Hambone one to hambone two what up?” came Mark’s reply.
“Dude, can I still pick up my bike today after work?”
Well you probably know the rest. In true bike shop dude fashion Mark told me that my wheels would be held captive for another day. I’ll definately be able to pick up my bike tomorrow, I hope. Son of a B*TCH!
Now that I’ve vented let me share some awesome news. On February 8 I’m flying down to North Carolina for the weekend to spend time with Kelly [literary note: Kelly's first mention by name 1/22/08]. Sa Weet! I’ll be cycling hard towards that wonderful weekend of bliss.
I also sold my first item on Craigslist today. My HD TV is now gone. I’ve made the move. I’m now television free for the first time in my life. Truthfully, I like it. I actually haven’t had the TV on in several days and I’m much more satisfied with life. Everyone should be free of TV at least once in their life.
So I’ve lost four precious days in the saddle. I will again work my core muscles tonight and pray that tomorrow lends itself better to turning wheels.
I was a vegetarian today.
I’m wheeling on. Latah!

Well, I’m glad you asked. I’ve made a few changes over the weekend, which will indirectly impact my cycling.

1. I listed my television on Craigslist for sale. Less TV = More Health = Better Cycling (it took far too long for me to learn that equation).
2. I’ve completed the paperwork to list my house on the market. Positive Movement Towards My Big Picture Goals = Improved Mental Health = Better Cycling.
3. I’ve freed myself to be totally unguarded with the woman I Love.

Considering the quality equations above it is really no surprise that I was on the math team. I wish I could make words sing like I do engineering specs!

So now I wait. Will I be able to sleep knowing that Christmas comes tomorrow? At 6pm on Tuesday I’ll be receiving the original SequoiaFast from Tri City Bicycles. I’m brimming with anticipation.

Today I experienced my first true feeling of doubt about my ability to make the trip. The doubt I felt was miniscule, but it is important I identify its first appearance here in my training narrative. I anticipate doubt will become more present the more I train and push my body. Everyone knows that courage is not the absence of fear, but acting despite the presence of fear. I hope I am courageous in my cycling journey.

So to ensure success I need some very important things to happen:

1. I must choose a theme song (something totally kick ass)
2. I must give the journey a name (like Rambo:First Blood only not totally lame)
3. I need to shut up and get on the damn bike. (Tomorrow)

I had a vegetarian day today. Any suggestions for themes are welcome.

My brother Aaron and his wife Jen have generously donated a trainer to my cross state cycling effort. Cycling outside during the New Hampshire winter sucks as you can well imagine. While unboxing the device that will make my legs strong I felt like a child at Christmas.

Unfortunately this triumph of technology that will assist in my overall success will have to wait until Tuesday. Much to my dismay the bicycle shop needs until Tuesday to complete my tune up. My bike guy, Mark, is awesome. I’ve told him what I am doing and he is going to provide me with some additional mechanics training before my journey begins.

So the trainer sits in my living room. It is taunting me. “Don’t you wish your bike were here?” it asks.

“Yes damn it, don’t ask stupid questions.” I reply.

To keep moving in the right direction I took about a 2 mile hike today. I moved quickly to raise my heart rate and to enhance my overall cardiovascular fitness. Despite the cold and limited available time I had a wonderful hike. I was blessed with a special message while at the summit.

I’ll be biding my time until Tuesday.

In 2006/07 I hatched a plan to bicycle across the state of New Hampshire. I wanted to ride from the intersection of Rte. 3 and the Canadian border to Prescott Park in Portsmouth. I wanted to touch Canada and the Atlantic Ocean in one journey.

Unfortunately the timing for my ride wasn’t right. 2007 offered workaholic Brian too much to do and too little time to do it in. While I didn’t have the opportunity to properly prepare for a cross state ride I did put a plan in motion that was destined to become a reality.

I found Brian in 2007.

I finally embraced my thoughts about the person I want to be. I am a man of dreams and passion. I want to live hard. I made changes to become the man that I am. I left the workaholic life to never go back. I left a relationship that wasn’t right for me.

As the sun set on 2007 I opened the best part of myself to the world. Despite my fear I sought out the woman that has been with me since we first met over a decade ago. That openness has created a light within me that glows in the darkest night. There will be much more to come about her in the future.

It was at the end of 2007 I decided to resurrect my cross state bicycle journey. I want this bicycle trip. I will enjoy seeing NH by the strength of my own legs and the fuel of my own determination. Double A Ron and Jenny D thank you and I love you for your continued support and of course the trainer.

While I may be taking this trip alone there are a few people helping to make my voyage possible and one person who will be in my soul with each pedal. In subsequent entries I’ll talk more about the people helping me along the way.

Am I afraid of failure? No, because I’ve already found what I’m looking for – Brian Adna Shaw. Hello all, it is good to be here.