While the MS 150 is only part of our bike season, it is such a fun ride. We get to ride with many of our friends and not nearly as serious as some other events. It's our reward for a long season.
If you're only riding serious races, I encourage you to raise some money for MS and come on a really fun, well managed ride.
steelrider2
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
North Florida MS 150 ride
Just in case I forget, I should start off by saying the MS 150 is a great cause for raising money.
There's something exciting about seeing 2000 riders in the pre-dawn hours getting ready to ride 150 miles. Actually there's a certain electricity in the air. Lots of nervous first timers. Lots of anticipation. Lots of "let's get this show on the road."
This was the second time for me to ride the event. Last year we were shortened to a one day event because of hurricane damage. But this year the weather was perfect, the route was much improved and my fund raising effort had paid off.
I rode for the Cody's Challenge team. Last I heard, we had 125 riders and were the largest team. My wife, as she always does, rode for the Bank of America team. Very strong team also.
I started out riding with some of my Hammerhead Racing buddies, but after 15 miles of 25+ mph grinding, realized I needed to save a little energy to finish with. So I rode with Mike and Rex...we maintianed a steady 20 mph pace.
The route was great especially after turning on A1A (beach highway) for about 30 miles. A good bit of the time we could see the ocean. Riding A1A energizies me. Although I didn't see any, I heard there were a few crashes...I don't want any part of that stuff. Being in front of the middle of the pack has a few advantages.
As I posted before...my Hammerhead buddy Jason Langston ran the Saturday leg of the event. Jason...you're a stud. Way to go!!
Mike, Rex and I finished in about 4 1/2 hours. Although we hit all the rest stops, we didn't hang out. After waiting for 2 more hours for Karen, we spent time in the pool catching up with all of friends.
Our fundraising efforts paid off because Karen and I were both at the Top Banana level ($1,000 or more raised). This got us in a special dinner and also allowed me to slip out early so I could catch the Gators/Vols game. Go Gators!!!
As you can see from the pics, there were a lot of riders. While all the rest stops were very well done and all the bike shops did an excellent job of supporting the event, my vote goes to Scott Summey of Open Road Bicycles as the premier support guy. Oh I have forgotten to say that flats were the name of the game this weekend. If there was junk to run over, I found it all. Three flats.
Sunday was a great ride back to St. Augustine. By 140 miles, I was ready to be doing something else....anthing else. But it was so much fun. I rode back with Karen and our friends from the Prosperity Bank team (Shirley, Tony, Diane, Traci, Debbie and Karen). Those post race burgers never tasted so good. Thankfully they didn't have Spam...I'd probably have eaten it.
For Karen and I, riding in honor of her college roomy Anne, who was diagnosed with MS last year, really made the event special. Can't wait for it roll around next year.
steelrider2
There's something exciting about seeing 2000 riders in the pre-dawn hours getting ready to ride 150 miles. Actually there's a certain electricity in the air. Lots of nervous first timers. Lots of anticipation. Lots of "let's get this show on the road."
This was the second time for me to ride the event. Last year we were shortened to a one day event because of hurricane damage. But this year the weather was perfect, the route was much improved and my fund raising effort had paid off.
I rode for the Cody's Challenge team. Last I heard, we had 125 riders and were the largest team. My wife, as she always does, rode for the Bank of America team. Very strong team also.
I started out riding with some of my Hammerhead Racing buddies, but after 15 miles of 25+ mph grinding, realized I needed to save a little energy to finish with. So I rode with Mike and Rex...we maintianed a steady 20 mph pace.
The route was great especially after turning on A1A (beach highway) for about 30 miles. A good bit of the time we could see the ocean. Riding A1A energizies me. Although I didn't see any, I heard there were a few crashes...I don't want any part of that stuff. Being in front of the middle of the pack has a few advantages.
As I posted before...my Hammerhead buddy Jason Langston ran the Saturday leg of the event. Jason...you're a stud. Way to go!!
Mike, Rex and I finished in about 4 1/2 hours. Although we hit all the rest stops, we didn't hang out. After waiting for 2 more hours for Karen, we spent time in the pool catching up with all of friends.
Our fundraising efforts paid off because Karen and I were both at the Top Banana level ($1,000 or more raised). This got us in a special dinner and also allowed me to slip out early so I could catch the Gators/Vols game. Go Gators!!!
As you can see from the pics, there were a lot of riders. While all the rest stops were very well done and all the bike shops did an excellent job of supporting the event, my vote goes to Scott Summey of Open Road Bicycles as the premier support guy. Oh I have forgotten to say that flats were the name of the game this weekend. If there was junk to run over, I found it all. Three flats.
Sunday was a great ride back to St. Augustine. By 140 miles, I was ready to be doing something else....anthing else. But it was so much fun. I rode back with Karen and our friends from the Prosperity Bank team (Shirley, Tony, Diane, Traci, Debbie and Karen). Those post race burgers never tasted so good. Thankfully they didn't have Spam...I'd probably have eaten it.
For Karen and I, riding in honor of her college roomy Anne, who was diagnosed with MS last year, really made the event special. Can't wait for it roll around next year.
steelrider2
Monday, September 12, 2005
What a great weekend...
Life is great. This weekend was all about cycling. On Saturday, I did a 91.1km Patriots Ride, sponsored by Cody's Challenge (more later). It was in remberance of those patriots who lost their lives 9/11/2001. One of my good friends Joe Pelley is the ride organizer. He works harder than any organizer I know. He is also sooo passionate about the ride and making sure we all remember those heroes. The ride was in beautiful St Johns County. The weather could not have been better. Coolish by Florida standards...started out in low 70's. Traffic was not bad...so all in all a great ride. I ended up riding in with a friend who had bonked at 45 miles...we chatted our way into the finish.
Then on Sunday I did the North Florida Bicycle Club's Watermelon Ride. Something like the 19th year. It doesn't happen too often but I got to ride the 73 miles with my wife. She had some kind of problem in the first 15 miles but got in gear after that and had an excellent ride. We finished strong probably at 20-21 mph. Meet some nice folks and generally enjoyed the day.
All of this is done in preparation for this coming weekend's MS 150 ride from St. Augustine to Daytona. Last year we were hurricaned out and only rode a short ride. I am on the Cody's Challenge team. Cody is a friend of Joe's who has MS and we all ride in his honor. This year I was fortunate that I collected over $2,500.00 in contributions to the MS Society. I think the Cody's team will be 120 strong. Roughly 1500 riders for the two day event. I'll take pics and post 'em next week.
I spent time tonight cleaning my bike. Yeah, I know about as exciting as watching dough rise. But...I know the importance of keeping my Masi clean...many years on good rides. It's kind of a challenge...to see if I can keep my bike at least as clean as my wife keeps hers dirty.
Ok...I've been waiting. Waiting for a fixed gear bike. I definitely have a preference, Masi. But not sure if they will have one this year. If not, I'm probably going to buy a 2006 Specialized Langster. But then again, I like the Bianchi Pista. Steel or aluminum???? Langster, Pista or the Masi???Give me your opinion. At any rate, I want to participate in a new fixed gear group headed by my friend Scott Summey at Open Road Bicycles. We'll ride throughout the winter (Florida standards 40's to 60's). I can't remember being this excited...well maybe last year when I got my new Speciale Carbon. Yes...frequent visitors will see a lot about fixed gear stuff in the future.
Nap Time!!!
steelrider2
Then on Sunday I did the North Florida Bicycle Club's Watermelon Ride. Something like the 19th year. It doesn't happen too often but I got to ride the 73 miles with my wife. She had some kind of problem in the first 15 miles but got in gear after that and had an excellent ride. We finished strong probably at 20-21 mph. Meet some nice folks and generally enjoyed the day.
All of this is done in preparation for this coming weekend's MS 150 ride from St. Augustine to Daytona. Last year we were hurricaned out and only rode a short ride. I am on the Cody's Challenge team. Cody is a friend of Joe's who has MS and we all ride in his honor. This year I was fortunate that I collected over $2,500.00 in contributions to the MS Society. I think the Cody's team will be 120 strong. Roughly 1500 riders for the two day event. I'll take pics and post 'em next week.
I spent time tonight cleaning my bike. Yeah, I know about as exciting as watching dough rise. But...I know the importance of keeping my Masi clean...many years on good rides. It's kind of a challenge...to see if I can keep my bike at least as clean as my wife keeps hers dirty.
Ok...I've been waiting. Waiting for a fixed gear bike. I definitely have a preference, Masi. But not sure if they will have one this year. If not, I'm probably going to buy a 2006 Specialized Langster. But then again, I like the Bianchi Pista. Steel or aluminum???? Langster, Pista or the Masi???Give me your opinion. At any rate, I want to participate in a new fixed gear group headed by my friend Scott Summey at Open Road Bicycles. We'll ride throughout the winter (Florida standards 40's to 60's). I can't remember being this excited...well maybe last year when I got my new Speciale Carbon. Yes...frequent visitors will see a lot about fixed gear stuff in the future.
Nap Time!!!
steelrider2
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Message for Lance
STAY IN RETIREMENT!!!! Spitefulness is unbecoming a champion. It will also be a set back to US cycling and cause other countries to hate us even more. If you want all this EPO jazz to go away, my suggestion to you is lay low and keep your mouth shut.
steelrider2
steelrider2
Monday, September 05, 2005
My view of important things...
I have watched with great interest the different aspects of rescue and recovery of Hurricane Katrina. My heart breaks for the residents of those impacted. There have even been points where I had to turn off the TV because I just could not bare the enormity of human suffering. I have heard the reports of frustration that have been manifested in shootings and looting. I find those things predictable. Once the basic levels of human need is not available, the frustration is bound to set in. While I understand it, looting is still wrong.
I was encouraged today while watching a local news report to see that Jacksonville has responded in such a caring way to those in need. I am also hopeful that citizens of other cities and states are responding in similar ways. Some of those displaced from their homes have made their way to Jacksonville. Some will be in the hospital, others in temporary housing and still others will be enrolling in schools and universities. This is very encouraging.
One consistent theme I have heard is, "Why did God do this to us?" I prefer to think of other questions, "What is God trying to teach me in this?" or "How can God be praised?" None of us will never know God's overall plan. All we can do is to see where God is working and join those efforts. Through all the suffering, through all the devastation, there is one thing I know for sure. God is working in the lives of many. My hope is that many who don't know the saving grace of Jesus Christ will come to see how Christ is working in the lives of the rescuers, volunteers, military and those impacted and will want to secure an eternal life for themselves. If you are reading this and you don't know about eternal life, please email me. If you don't email me, please contact a minister in your area and ask about eternal life. I will be praying for you.
My plea: Please find a place to help. If you can't donate money, please donate your time. And pray for everyone impacted. God is listening.
steelrider2
I was encouraged today while watching a local news report to see that Jacksonville has responded in such a caring way to those in need. I am also hopeful that citizens of other cities and states are responding in similar ways. Some of those displaced from their homes have made their way to Jacksonville. Some will be in the hospital, others in temporary housing and still others will be enrolling in schools and universities. This is very encouraging.
One consistent theme I have heard is, "Why did God do this to us?" I prefer to think of other questions, "What is God trying to teach me in this?" or "How can God be praised?" None of us will never know God's overall plan. All we can do is to see where God is working and join those efforts. Through all the suffering, through all the devastation, there is one thing I know for sure. God is working in the lives of many. My hope is that many who don't know the saving grace of Jesus Christ will come to see how Christ is working in the lives of the rescuers, volunteers, military and those impacted and will want to secure an eternal life for themselves. If you are reading this and you don't know about eternal life, please email me. If you don't email me, please contact a minister in your area and ask about eternal life. I will be praying for you.
My plea: Please find a place to help. If you can't donate money, please donate your time. And pray for everyone impacted. God is listening.
steelrider2
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