Accidents Happen

What happens when you suddenly find yourself on the ground with broken ribs, a concussion and a trashed bike? In many cases it because some one lost concentration in the pelaton and rubbed wheels, a pothole was not called out and your front tire sunk into it, water on the road caused you to slip or a million other things that can go wrong in a sport where separation from each other is measured in inches when going 20 to 25 mph.  Then when the accident happens we pay the ultimate price to be in this ammature sport which is loss of time from work due to accident and in some cases loss of the biggest investment we have, our bike.
I know that I have prepared mentally for the scenario of road rash and trashed kit I've been there before and it's not pretty. I have also gotten a 'Road ID' for $20 so no matter how far out from home, or in the case of not being conscious, it can give EMS the info needed. I also have good insurance to back me up incase of an emergency. This was always a concern before in the early 80's when I had no insurance. What did I do then if a major thing happened I had no clue. But it's alot more comforting now too know I have protection but my bones sure as heck don't heal as fast and my bruises don't go away as fast as when I was 20 something.
And what about my spirit and what about my bike? The only thing I could find about insuring my bike was found at  : http://www.examiner.com/x-7060-Insurance-Industry-Examiner~y2009m8d11-Insurance101-Where-to-buy-bicycle-insurance . There is some solid info here but the only real actual honest to god insurance for your ride is from England. I have no idea why non of the big insurance agencies don't do business with us little guys. Maybe we are like weekend basketball players to them, I don't know. But I do know that to replace my ride would be a major investment...again. The wife would shot first and ask questions latter!
Watching the Tour of California I saw the team cars stop for the down riders, help them up, check their bones and give them a new bike and off they went. For some reason I don't think that's going to happen if I go down in the maylai of the Tuesday or Thursday night ride.  Hopefully my fellow riders would have pity on me and stop  to make sure everything is good.
But what about the days and weeks ahead? For this I would think that I could count on a few of my friends in the Pelaton to buoy my spirits and give the wife a break from entertaining me. I've gotten to know several of the pack simply by asking how they are and whats up with them and just being a mentsch. And why not? This is my social group and I ride with them 4 to 7 hours a week and these are the people I choose to spend that time with. Why not get to know them? If any of these guys were to have trouble I would be there for them and I believe they would be there for me too. That is also part of the healing process and good sportsmanship to boot.
So give yourself a gut check on all three of the majors, accident backup on insurance for your self including a Road Id, insurance for your bike and support for the guys in the Pelaton. You will never know how good it is until you or your friends need it.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

Zealous or Zealot

zeal·ous

  

–adjective

full of, characterized by, or due to zeal; ardently active, devoted,or diligent.

	'zealot'  (zĕĺət)
	Dictionary.com · The American Heritage® Dictionary - (2 definitions)

[Middle English zelote, from Latin zēlōtēs, from Greek, from zēlos, zeal.]

(noun)

1. 
   
   
   

1. One who is zealous, especially excessively so.
2. A fanatically committed person.

So which one am I? I prefer to go through the test to find out which one fits me. I know that there is a fine line between being zealous for cycling and being a zealot. It is possibly that most people mistake my incessant ramblings as me being a zealot. So let me see, what would be my indicators: really enjoy cycling; really enjoy talking about it with whoever will listen; spend time at the bike shops just to look and talk tech to the staff; have other interests but don't talk about them to others. What do you think zealot or just zealous?
Ok I could add watch all the cycling races I can and read a lot of blogs, magazines and video blogs about the latest tech. But still this is not an all consuming passion. Seeing that I have had long recovery times because of my age and still being 20 pounds up in weigh I had waited a couple of days to feel right. BUT, then the tech rears it's ugly head and I do research on the recovery process of all the different manufactures. When I ride, the constant tinkering of position, pedal stroke and physiologic balance keeps me always intent on my form.  I don't know does that sound like a zealot? This personal journey is not narcissistic, it's cathartic in nature and there fore has to be because of zeal and not fanaticism. 

Yes I write a blog and yes I have and will always cycle from now on but I will never be short sighted enough to only 'see' my passion as the entire being of my existence...

If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

Ahh Yes...

Of course, It always seems that in this world we take one step forward and three big steps back. In this case I'm referring to the bill that is in legislation to force cyclist on the sidewalk as well as golf carts, mopeds and motorized scooters. You know I get enough crap when I'm in the bike lane by ignorant motorists but if this is law then we will never be able to deal with the mind numbing foolishness of the driver in a 4000 pound car. So much for 'going green' in Florida. Hey if you don't believe me feast your squinty eyes on this: http://www.floridaracingmagazine.com/?gclid=CMrM4oSVxqECFRfF3Aod-VDZQA
As I sit behind my monitor that opens my mind to the world I see that the older generation that has no idea about the cycling world has declared war on us in the only way they know how, that being the sneaky and underhanded politics that would limit the potential of cycling future. And why is this? Aren't these the very ones whose generation heralded rock and roll much to the chagrin of the then older generation? Are we that rapacious in our neat lines and team oriented movement that these older ones would want to eradicate us? Truth be said I feel the same myself sometimes when I'm driving and there is a bike lane on the road but the cyclists are in the car lane instead of the bike lane. That is stupid to me because next time I ride I'm going to get to enjoy the reaction by the oldsters who were treated to this display of narcissism by the previous jerks in spandex who pissed them off, thank you very much for that!
My most recent experiance while in the peloton was last Tuesday ride. Since we are a resort town there is a constant influx of 'vacation rides' who really are there to show us just how good they are. So this night our normally  disciplined group of 20 riders was swollen to 40. And these visitors were not interested in following the rules of the peloton. This was distressing because the police are putting the pressure on us because of this type of stupidity. Well needless to say the badist dude actually got right in front of  car causing it to stop for no reason other than he is the John Wayne of cycling. Then he proceeded to berate the driver and his wife. Of course we asked him to leave the group at which he said he had done us a favor by his actions. Ah huh!
So I can't completely ignore the publics anger at some of the jerks we have to endure. This is not a race situation when we are on the rides, it's fun and relaxing yet competitive in nature but not antagonistic. And if that is they ride you want I whole heartedly invite you to join the ranks of category racing, otherwise get your act together and have a good time.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying!

Microwave Nation

I want instant gratification and I want it NOW! This is now the motto of our nation. Especially in the cities were the blackberries rule because e-ail and phone calls just aren't fast enough.  To focus on or specific sport, it has invaded the cycling world with books on how to be hyper competitive in a race while training only 6 to 10 hours a week. This is so foreign to an organic style of training that just the thought of this 'frenzy' style race prep is looked upon by the established cycling world as an American phenomenon. Because it is squarely opposed to base building before intense training.
I almost fell victim to this way of thinking. I thought if I followed the method that by mid-may I would be riding 250 a  week especially having been such a prolific rider...30 years ago. Yep, I thought I would set my butt on a saddle and wall-ah, nine months later I would be riding high milage @ 28 to 32 miles an hour! Talk about instant gratification.
So with this in mind and the fact work occupies 55 hours a week and I realize that this is my base building year. I will be happy to get to 150 to 200 miles a week and recover that same week by the end of 2010. That is with out losing my mind or sleep. Of course that was so easier 30 years ago and my body could get it's but kicked ever day and be ready for more the next. That was then this is now and I still have some home work to do but i'm gaining on how to get recovered by Zipvit, Hammer and Cliff. But let's get to it this year so next year can be the best yet.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

Greasy Goodness

Thats how I describe what is possibly the greatest concoction made by man...EVER! What do you think I'm talking about? A Cheeseburger thats what. That several billion dollar a year industry that has millions of restaurants, diners and fast food chains devoted to this one sandwich!

My first memories of this favorite food of mine was going to the 'burger joint' my mom managed. This was the old fashioned kind of place that offered burgers, shakes, fries or chips and thats it. If you remember the SNL skit from the 70's, "cheese burger-cheese burger, Pepsi no coke" that was my moms place.  There was no mushrooms, bacon or swiss in those days just good burgers. hot and juicy. there was nothing to get in the way of this perfection on a bun.

Any way, as I walked into 'Giant burgers', my moms place, the smell would almost knock me over and in this stupor I would be wafted to my seat at the counter. Uh, in those days no self respecting burger place had booths just a long counter! I watched as the women working there were pleasant and efficient. As they produced their wares their joking and service were the only appetizer. 

As each one was completed the burger itself was placed into a paper, yellow for cheese and white for no cheese, and neatly wrapped like a newborn in a snug blanket. Then placed on top of hot fries in a basket and put in front of you with an incredibly thick shake...mmmmm.

Man, the anticipation of unwrapping and sinking my teeth into it got me every time and it was all I could do to sit still. As this juicy goodness ran down my arms in the first bite, my mouth exploded into a frenzy of steamy pleasure . If thats not love then I don't know what is!

That was then this is now. To say I'm still in love with this ideal goes with out saying. But until I went to "5 Guys burgers and fries" I had missed this simple yet very organic to my being pleasure.  As I opened the doors to this place for the first time I was greeted by that same familiar smell of grilled burgers and fresh fries, it was if an old friend was welcoming me home. 

Then there is the taste test, the truth of weather it was just me wanting it to be right or did they have the goods; the true proof of every memory, ideal and dream that goes into making up my burger fantasy. Well it did and I have made the pilgrimage to many enjoyable meals at this shrine to the of juicy meat in a bun.

I am sure that there are thousands of great places for burgers across our nation and that each devotee of this sandwich has there favorite joint to which they get there best memory. Yet for me it started all those years ago in humble beginning and for now it's 5 Guys that fulfills this unction.

If I pass you on the road stop at 5 guys, because your buying and I've already had my Peets. 

the Tuesday Thursday ride

For the last eight months I have ridden my Trek from 20 miles a week to 140 mpw. Since November I have been a faithful club rider twice a week starting with the B's and now getting into the A's. Yes those insane A's who promise to ride@ a max of 24-mph only to beat the crap out of each other @ over 28-mph on the back stretch. The clincher is the last few miles when speeds of 30 to 32 are reached in the train just before the sprint...or so I am told because I haven't gotten that far, YET.
So far the months of hard training and the rides for pure joy and everything else in between has really paid off. How can I tell? tonight I rode with the A's almost halfway @ a constant 24 to 26 mph. For me that was a real testament to a good work ethic. Does that mean I'll go to the Olympics? Heck no but it does mean I'm gaining on the others and that even with my biologic age of 52, I'm not far off from the A's speed and stamina. Oh sure most have several years of hard work and long miles on their legs but that will not stand in my way. Spoken like a true 'A type' personality right!?
So here I sit in the after glow of my improved stats etched on my minds eye and the fading glory of burning legs and lungs still heavy on my body, the thought of all the new horizons that have just opened unto me. How will the next few months unravel before me as I plan new and grievous tortures to get myself ready to take my place in the A group and eventually go farther? Yet once there too surpassing unto the next level  that will be as sweet wine unto my soul as my legs and lungs  are out of the saddle in a low altitude flight pattern that brings pure joy to my soul? How long? How much effort until the effortless? What cost to my body? When I think of this beautiful experience all I can think of is the Michael Angelo painting of man touching his creator...pure joy and yet pure effort to attain the unattainable.
And that is what cycling is to me. In the May issue of Road Bike Magazine it featured an article of men who are riding in the pros as old as 48 years of age. There is hope for me to ride in fast club rides yet! If I can do it so can YOU, don't give up!
If I pass you on the road stop  at Peets, because your buying.

Crazy

The world has really gone mad for different foods since I was young. I freely admit to being a perpetuator of this movement from my teens and with whoever was adventurous enough to go in on it.  As a kid in the 60's anything that was not 'American' food was looked upon as an exotic meal only to be had on very special occasions and never more than once a month. And the people you saw in there were somewhat more into 'cuisine' and conversation than just a good meal and go. By the time 1979 rolled around I had eaten Thai, Sushi, Korean, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indian, Real Mexican (not Taco Bell), Brazilian, Costa Rican, French, German and the like but not as curiosities but as a way of thinking and enjoyment. This was the San Francisco bay area and all her bounty was at my disposal.
To day as the wife and I sat in an 'Asian' but mostly American restaurant, I looked around and saw not the seeker or the gourmet who looked forward to this as a dining experience by every day folks from all walks of life who just chose this place to eat as one would chose which fast food restaurant to get a 'burger' in. Don't get me started on my favorite burgers or I'll never get to the point. Yes there is a point here but I just can't seem to find it...oh yah.
It struck me at that moment when I was young and exploring Yoga, meditation and of course my great love, cycling,  it was just the tip of the spear. It was us intrepid few the hand full of restless ones who sought more from life than a roast for dinner and a 9 to 5 job. I'm not knocking a 9 to 5 either, trust me. It's just that now where I live it is commonplace on any morning to see ten to fifteen guys in full kit on a carbon bike headed out for a forty to sixty mile ride and no one gives them a second look...NO ONE. It's not exotic or unusual or even on a special occasion, it's just life and everyone is doing it. Running, cycling, Yoga, swimming and it's just great.
I remember how each time I had to go to the bike shop that had pro gear it was out of the way and I mean way out of the way. That is after I searched in the yellow pages to find it or maybe it was just dumb luck that I stumbled onto it at all. Which ever it was, more or less, the fact remains that cycling found me when I didn't know I was looking for it but I knew I was bitten by the bug from there on after. Me and a few others like me who knew they were onto something but it was not for mass consumption, it was to exotic.
Bottom line is everyone takes for granted that they can just find a great place to have a fine meal at what was once hard to find and the only reason you went there to 'try it'. Because, after all, you had it once before when your great aunt visited and you wanted to give her a 'treat of a lifetime' and you didn't remember everything but you think you liked it. Same with our new found organic-yoga-running-cycling lifestyle, it was once for trying now it's in our everyday vocabulary and I think it fits us really well. I'm truly glad at the transformation of this positive force in our lives in only 30 years. That's crazy right?
If I see you on the road stop Peets, because your buying.