A Long Bonk of a Commute

I make no mistakes for having a bad day of riding. We all have them from time to time. Yesterday was one of those for me. I left Vermillion for Sioux Falls to work at the (last ever) North Central Conference Track Meet. I got a bit of a late start leaving at 11:00am. The wind was ENE around 10 so it was a side/head wind. I was doing great for the first 30 or so, but all of a sudden my back tightened up, I was getting a head ache, and my legs felt thick. I already thought that my speed was way slow so I was glad when I got the call that my friend/co-worker at the meet was leaving town so I headed toward the interstate to meet him and give up my quest of making it to Sioux Falls so I would not be late to the meet.

After guzzling a quart of chocolate milk (my favorite recovery drink) and liter of Mountain Dew, a bottle and a half of water, and an Amp that my wife sent along for my headache, and a trip to the bathroom, it was evident that I was a bit dehydrated (without going into the details). Lessoned learned.

I don't think I've mentioned that I took all computers off my bike so I could "enjoy" my summer riding more. I do carry my Garmin 301 in my jersey pocket to download data afterwards however. It could be a good thing, or a bad thing. Even with the wind, I averaged 16mph which is better than I though, but I'm still not anywhere near the shape I was in this time last year. It will come with time...

Garmin ride details HERE.

Other Family Happenings

A couple of random photos.

Here is Marissa after her choral concert:



Carson and Mittens watching some 'toons:

One Last Crazy Week

Riding has been minimal. This "spring" is still kicking my behind. It is decent this week, but my work schedule has been hectic with finals. I've been required to be at various final exams to make sure the technology is working properly and that online finals can be taken.

Monday I had to go to Sioux Falls to help the Nursing program. Of course, at the same time our Tsunami Wireless Bridge from one of our off campus programs went down causing mass chaos. So, what did I do? I went and had lunch with Snakebite. One has to have his priorities. That and there was truly nothing I could do about it while in Sioux Falls. Tuesday and Wednesday nights I had to cover exams which limited my riding time.

The highlight of riding right now is how excited Carson is over the Trail-a-bike. Sunday, his first day on the trial-a-bike, he went NINE miles. I kept asking him if he wanted to go home and he kept saying "no". Finally the following conversation took place:

C: Dad?
me: Yes?
C: My pee pee hurts.
me: Want to go home now?
C: Okay.

He has also ridden to Pre-school Tuesday and Wednesday. He loves to ride. Tonight after covering yet another final and missing a ride with some of my "posse", Carson wanted to go for a ride again. Seven miles later I told him we needed to get home because he was supposed to be taking a bath. He tried to talk me into "just a little farther", but I had to shut him down.

Last year's Gut Check didn't defeat me, but Carson might wear me out this summer. That's perfectly fine by me. That's why I decided against training hard for the Gut Check and other things. So once again, my plan is coming together. Now I need to get Laura out more.

Last Child on the Trail-a-Bike

I was excited to get the Trail-a-Bike out for the last of three children to adorn it, but at the same time I was sad because of the same fact. There will be many more "lasts" when it comes to Carson, but I will be there to enjoy them all God willing.

Taking off!


Back home, all smiles!

Turkey Creek Ride

I survived a very long day at Howard Wood Dakota Relays. I was going to run a short bike race this morning (there were runners and walkers as well) but I couldn't get motivated to race on a bike path and over some nasty railroad tracks on little sleep. I did stop by to support the cause as the USD Physician's Assistant program students were in charge of the event.

Cactus-Eyed-Joe ran the 5k race, then went on a 30 mile road ride and then agreed to meet me for a 30 mile biking excursion this afternoon after church. Crazy or not, he hung right in there, albeit a little tired from his already busy day. We like to do this ride on occasion as there are some very good climbs on this gravel road. It is also part of the upcoming Bunyan's to Bob's ride. For those of you looking to tag along on this ride, here is the profile of the first 15 miles:



And to be honest, we have never ridden the second section of gravel other than by car. It has some equally challenging climbs. It promises to make us earn our ten thousand calorie lunch at Bob's.

**Disclaimer - The claim to a ten thousand calorie lunch depends on if you order the cheeseballs or not.

Brass Cojones

As I sit inside the crows nest at the Howard Wood/Dakota Relays track meet with a space heater on, my mind drifts to Snakebite as he attempts to ride the first two legs (Sioux Falls to Mitchell and then on to Chamberlain) today. Normally a decent feat, but today, a feat that will test the mettle of any man. Right now, at 12:55pm it is 48 degrees and the wind is NW at 24mph. I can only imagine what it was like at 5:30 am, Snakebite's scheduled time of departure.

I also noticed that CycleSD is planning on meeting Snakebite at Mitchell and ride with him to Chamberlian. I'll give him the "aluminum" cojones award for this feat. Not ideal conditions. Tomorrow is supposed to be 72 and the wind is supposed to be out of the SW so it should be a side/helpful wind on the way back. Better conditions as long as they survive today. Good luck boys!

Two Rides and Rain

Wednesday night CDV and I braved winds 25 mph plus to head to Elk Point for 30 miles. I realized on this ride that I haven't put in many hard miles this year yet. I pulled the whole way into the wind, something that I often do, but Thursday my quads felt very tight. That's something I am NOT used to. I need to ride some more. Period.

Thursday Laura and I got out on the tandem for a quick 7 miles. The temp was dropping as the front with the storm was moving in so we kept it short. Significance of the ride? Laura clipped into the clipless pedals (Crank Brother Quattro Pro's) for the first time ever! It was hard and frustrating for her, but it will get better.

Today I am supposed to be at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays track meet but the called today's session off yesterday already as they knew the weather was not going to be good already yesterday. Soon I'll be heading up to Sioux Falls though as we are going to stay overnight as the running events start at 8 am and the last event is scheduled for 9:40 pm. They are compressing as much as they can into one day. We are not sure the Rapid City schools will even make it as they had the interstate from Wyoming to Wall closed due to a blizzard (yup...BLIZZARD) so they might bring a limited number of kids. They also lost some college competitors too as North Dakota State dropped out so many of the South Dakota State runners have to follow NDSU to a different meet due the meet NOT counting as a NCAA Division I meet after NDSU dropped. It's all a big confusing mess, but the meet had to be called. It's under 50 degrees and raining. It wouldn't have been a pleasant experience for the kids to run in.

Tomorrow is supposed to be 58 and sunny so that should make for a MUCH better day at the track meet. It's going to be a LONG day though. There will be bicycling on Sunday though! A mountain bike excursion is planned to Newcastle after church on Sunday. Testing the first part of the Bunyan's to Bob's route. A route we have ridden many times. A great mountain bike ride and it should be perfect weather.