Week three is in the books

The good news is that as a team we have a net loss of 11 lbs. this week. The bad news is that a couple of our team members struggled and gained a pound each this week. As a team we have already surpassed our total team weight loss for the team in last year's competition.  Personally I lost 4 lbs. This week for a total of 15 lbs. so far. I am very happy with my loss and feel very positive that we will all continue to lose weight.

I heard the news this week that once again the Viva Bike Vegas event has been cancelled.  Apparently the negotiations between the organizer and the various municipalities and regional transportation commission stalled and there is no funding for the safety teams for the event.  That is a shame.  I thought that this was an awesome event.  I'm starting to feel like my participating in an event is a curse for the event.  3 major events I have participated in have all been cancelled:  Viva Bike Vegas, The Tour De Cure and Ride: MS. Its getting to the point where there are very few large, charity rides available in the area.

2014 Tour De Cure Las Vegas

The 2014 Las Vegas Tour De Cure was a success.  Thank you to those who donated to this worthy cause.  The goal for the event was to raise $175,000 and I am happy to report that the event blew that number away, raising over $200,000!  Way to go!

OK, I have to come clean though.  I did not ride all 20 miles in the Tour De Cure. Sure it was a tough day with Temperatures hitting the high so far this year - 97 degrees and winds blowing 25 mph with gusts into the 40's. Sure I hadn't ridden as many miles before the event as I should have, but these were minor factors in my not riding all 20 miles.  The main reason was my back started cramping about 10 miles in. It was between my shoulders and up into my neck.  I suspect the culprit was the camelback I was wearing with the extra water in it in response to the heat plus having had to deal with riding on rumble strips for the first several miles of the ride.

Regardless of the reason, I made a promise to those who donated for my ride that I would ride the entire distance or I would match their donations.  Since I didn't make the whole 20 miles, I am making an additional donation of $121 to the ADA.

Now for the ride.  I woke up early and got everything ready to go.  I had the carrier on the car, bike tires inflated and bike loaded on the carrier, water bottles full, gear in the car, all before 7:30 am.  The 20 mile ride wasn't scheduled to start until 9:30 am which meant I didn't need to leave the house until 8:15 or so to get there, get checked in and ready for the start. So once I had everything ready I sat down and waited to go.  I have to admit I was anxious as I knew the temps were going to be hot and the wind was starting to blow.

Finally at 8:00 I couldn't wait any longer.  I kissed my wife good bye and headed out the door.  As I started towards the M casino I thought it might be a good idea to get some fuel in me before the ride so I stopped to pick up a Sausage McMuffin with egg and a large orange juice which I ate and drank on the way to the start.  Even with the stop and the slow service I was still at the M by 8:40.  I decided to make a trip inside to use the restroom instead of using the port a potties by the starting line. For some reason I got a few strange looks as I walked through the casino to the restroom.

Once I had taken care of business I went back to the car and got my gear together and bike off the car.  I installed my frame bag, put my Fat Cyclist water bottle in the holder (I love this from last year 100 MON - thanks Fatty!!!), strapped on the camelback and rode over to check in.

Check in took all of 2 minutes and I got my ride number - 325.  One of the volunteers helped to pin the number on my camelback.  I took my coupon over to the tent to get my event t-shirt which I then took back to the car.  It was 9:10 by this point.  I had some time to kill so I found our team tent (I was part of the BikingLasVegas.com team) and had a seat.  Seems like the other members of the team were doing longer distances as there was no one else there.

Finally they were calling for all of the riders to line up for the 20 mile ride.  One last trip to the rest room and I got into the queue at the start.  We had a wonderful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner for a student adn the Las Vegas School of the Performing Arts, we said "Stop Diabetes!", we sang happy birthday to Chris who is a red rider and celebrating his 12th birthday by riding in the event.  For those unfamiliar with the Red Riders, they are riders who have diabetes, themselves.

It was then time to go.  9:30 on the dot.  With the band playing we headed out of the start area and into the wind.  It took a while for the group to get themselves sorted out.  For the first mile or so I think we were moving at less than 6 or 7 mph. When we made the turn, heading north on Las Vegas Blvd, the riders started stringing out and the speeds started coming up. There were 2 factors helping out speeds at this point - a tail wind and a slight downhill.  I mostly enjoyed the first 5 miles of the ride, pedaling very little and reaching almost 30 mph at one point!  Due to the gravity assist I was able to actually sail by a number of riders.  This left me away from the back of the pack, which I wasn't used to.

Once we reached Pebble and mad the turn to the East, the wind became more of a crosswind and the road leveled out with a few minor ups and down along the way.  My speed slowed down and I started getting passed back, especially since it seemed I ended up stopping at each and every light.  Seems my timing was just off enough to catch every light just as it was turning red.  The other riders then accelerated away from me when we finally got the green light.

It was along here I saw two young women on the sidewalk.  I asked if they needed anything as I approached and they said yes.  I stopped to find they were having issues with a flat tire.  Their CO2 inflator was giving them issues.  I was grateful for my frame bag as I had various items that might come in handy.  One was my own CO2 inflator.  What appeared to be the problem was their inflator was for schraeder valves not the presta valve on the tire. I quickly pulled mine out, put in a cartridge and inflated the tire for them. Unfortunately this was a sort lived solution as the tire immediately started losing air. Apparently there was a sizable puncture in the tube.  She had skinny 26" tires and no other tubes. My spares were entirely the wrong size.

While they thanked me for stopping, I was unable to get them back on the road. Fortunately at that point on of the safety riders rolled up on their motorcycle and called back to the command center to get them assistance. They thanked me and I was back n my way. It was about 2 1/2 miles to the rest stop from this point.  I was now in the position I was used to - basically riding by myself near the back.  I passed 2 more riders, both taking care of flats.  I asked if they needed any help, but they said they didn't.  I kept going.

I was a mile from the rest stop when my back started getting tight.  I had been feeling some extra strain in my arms and neck from the position of the camelback, but didn't think much of it.  Just as I hit the overpass across the 215, my back got really tight and started to hurt.  I stopped and try to stretch it out.  It seemed to help and after a minute or so I started again.

I had no momentum so decided to drop to my small ring on the little climb up to the rest area I could see ahead.  I shifted and immediately dropped my chain.  I stopped and bent down to fix it and my back started cramping again.  I got the chain on and managed to get into the rest stop.  The great volunteers helped me make it with their cheering and enthusiasm. The volunteers were from Target.  Thank you!

They took my bike, offered me cold drinks, fruit, etc.  I grabbed a chair and had a seat, trying to ease my back and neck.  While it did loosen up some, I knew I was done.  I texted my wife that I was at the rest area, but wasn't going to go any further.  She wrote back Good Job - you did what you could.  She is always so supportive of my efforts - thank you dear!!!

As I sat there in the rest area, there were other riders who had arrived before me and they were acknowledging that it was hot and they were done as well. We talked to the volunteers who made a call to the command center requesting a SAG vehicle to pick us up.

One of the riders I had passed who had a flat came in and had to change his tube a second time.  He also needed to adjust his rear brakes as they ended up being too tight after he changed his tire.  Fortunately I was able to oblige with my multi-tool from the frame pack.  He got his brakes adjusted and was ready to go in a few short minutes.

As we waited, a few more stragglers came in that were behind us. One of them was a 6 year old girl who was a Red Rider.  I'm sad to say I cannot remember her name. most of the riders fueled up and took off. There were 5 of us in the rest stop who were looking for a SAG ride back to the start.  3 of the other riders were Red Riders, one being the 6 year old girl and another her older brother.  Eventually the SAG vehicle arrived and the 5 of us loaded up our bikes and 3 riders got in the bed, while myself and the 6 year old got into the cab.  I had tried getting in the bed, but was overruled.  We then headed back towards the starting line.

As we rode the young lady and I got to talking.  It was a 30 minute ride or so and we talked about many things.  I found out she had been diagnosed about a year earlier with diabetes, that she was turning seven in a month and that she had been camping the previous week in California. She said she needed some biking shorts and biking gloves.  I suggested that those might be a good suggestion for her birthday.  She agreed.

We talked about many other things as well on the way back.  In the back were her older broth and her step-dad.  Her older brother at 12 was also a Red Rider.  She said her step-dad rides all the time and he stopped because she did.  I have to say I was very impressed with that young lady.  I wish I could remember her name.

On the ride back in the SAG vehicle we passed several other riders who were stopped at the side of the road.  We stopped and talked to some of them.  All were waiting on a SAG ride.  Unfortunately we had no more room in the vehicle.  Finally we determined that we needed to get back and not keep stopping unless the riders looked hurt or in need of emergency aid.   We passed several more riders, but none seemed to need emergency assistance.

The driver said that they were down a couple of vehicles this year because there were a couple of other events going on this weekend, the biggest of which was the Susan G Komen walk for the cure. There were also fewer radios.  We called the base on his cell to let them know there were other riders in need of assistance, but the connection kept cutting out. We eventually got the message through.

Finally we were back near the finish line.  We unloaded the bikes and all 5 of use rode over the line to the finish area while the driver headed back out to get more riders.

There was cheering and clapping as I rode in, but I felt like a bit of a fraud.  Sure I was successful in raising awareness and money for the cause, but I hadn't accomplished my goals.

I met my wife and daughter in the finish area and they congratulated me on doing what I did.  Thank you!  I love you!

Part of what made the ride more significant for me this year is that my wife was just diagnosed with diabetes on Friday. Right now she is at the lowest reading to be diagnosed with this disease and we know that through diet and weight loss we can beat it, but this added one more reason to why I ride.  I also ride for my mother, my Aunts, and friends who have this disease.

So I didn't make the distance, but I did have a great experience and will be back again next year and hopefully my wife and daughter and maybe my grand kids, will be joining us.

Eat better.

Move more.

Get on your bikes and RIDE!

Early morning ride

Got up at 3:35 this morning to get in a nice longer ride.  In fact this was my longest ride so far this year.  That's not saying a lot, except that I am starting to increase my mileage. I needed a longer ride to make sure I will be ready for Saturday's 20 mile Tour De Cure (Hey, if you haven't donated, how about slipping them $10 or more HERE?).  Its too bad I couldn't start when I want to, which would be about 5:00 am to try and stay out of the heat.

OK, anyone familiar with the schedule for Saturday will say I could, in fact start early.  As early as 5:30 am, but only if I'm doing one of the longer distances.  I'm not, so my start time will be 8:30.  That's still significantly earlier than last year.

This morning I knew i had to go at least 10 miles which represented half the stated distance for Saturday's ride. So I set the alarm to get up at 3:55 so I would have to ride, cool down and post the ride to my various websites (Daily Mile, Strava, Plus3, Map My Ride) and then get showered an to work at a reasonable time.  Now, astute readers will note the difference between my alarm and the time I actually got up.  I knew that if I tried to get that last 20 minutes of sleep, I was putting the morning's ride in jeopardy.  So, when I woke up 20 minutes early, I just got up and started getting ready.

For some reason knowing that I was up early had me taking my time to get ready and out the door.  I ended up on the bike about the same time as it would have been if I had gotten up at 3:55.  Funny how that works.  Anyway, by 4:08 according to my Garmin, I started pedaling.  The temperature was in the low 60's with a NNE wind of 10 gusting to 18 mph.  Not too bad, except the direction.

I felt good as I got into my rhythm and completed the first lap around my usual morning training loop.  On the second lap I decided I needed to change things up a little and did my longer loop.  I was still feeling good and looking at my Strava report of the ride I see I actually did my third fastest time on the long loop. Not too bad.  I continued mixing it up between the 2 loops trying to take my mind off the fact that my arms and shoulders were feeling it this morning for some reason.  By the 8 mile mark I was also starting to feel it in my saddle area.  I know its from a lack of saddle time.  I wanted to stop at this point, but knew I needed to keep going to put in the distance.

I did push through 3 more laps and ended with a total of 11.67 miles this morning and an average speed of 12.9 mph.  Not too bad at all.  Have I ridden faster and farther?  Sure I have, but this tells me I can manage to get through the ride on Saturday.

Have any big rides planned for your weekend?

Get on your bikes and ride!!!!

Motivation is the key

I have a ride coming up on Saturday.  Its the Tour De Cure here in Las Vegas and I am planning on doing the 20 mile route.  With that in mind I know I need to get in more rides to have a better day on the bike.  I have increased my number of rides significantly this month over last month and I have the impending ride to thank for that increase.  It has been the motivation I needed to actually get on my bike and ride.

It wasn't, however, motivation enough to get me to ride this past weekend.  The temperatures weren't bad, nor was there any significant precipitation to limit my riding.  What my limited motivation had to overcome was wind.  Specifically wind that was in the 25 to 25 mph range with gusts into the 40's or even 50's.  Sure, the added wind gives a harder workout, but it also sucks.  I can't get myself motivated to strain against the wind, pedaling for all I'm worth to eek out a mere 5 or maybe 6 mph on my bike. Part of that is becasue my motivation doesn't involve needing to ride to get anywhere.

If I was on a bike tour, or my bike was my primary means of transportation, then my motivation level to get somewhere would probably have been able to overcome the wind, but when I am riding for fun and exercise, primarily for fun, then the wind wins as it just isn't fun to me to struggle like that at this time. I imagine a day, in the not too distant future where I would take the wind as a personal challenge and relish pitting myself against natures fury to prove my supremacy, but frankly I'm not that cyclist, yet. I hope to get there in the future, though.

That is why I sign myself up for these events like this coming weekend's Tour De Cure.  It gives me the motivational nudge to overcome my basic inertia and get off the couch and on my bike.

What is your motivation to ride?

Riding weather is here

Saturday was a sunny day, with highs around 82 degrees and almost no wind.  Not a bad day at all to get out on the bike.  So as I was sitting in the house thinking about riding, I got up, changed and headed out on my bike.  I thoroughly enjoyed my ride.  It wasn't far, only 8.3 miles, nor was it fast, but I got out there and I enjoyed it!

This morning I got out again before work.  The weather was again wonderful - temperature around 70 degrees, almost no wind.  I had my alarm set for 4:00 am as usual when I get out before work.  It went off and I didn't even hesitate, I got right up and started getting ready.  Shorts, jersey, socks and headed downstairs and grabbed my Garmin.  I have a Forerunner 305 which I've had for 3 1/2 years now.  I love it, but the last couple of times I've used it, I had to wait almost 5 minutes for it to acquire the satellites and be ready to go. I'm wondering if it might be time to start looking at a new device.

After getting a stick of gum, I headed out to the garage and put on my shoes.  I then topped off my tires.  It amazes me how the low volume of air, losses pressure so fast.  They were up to 84 psi on Saturday.  This morning I had to pump them up from about 72 psi.  Once I had them up to pressure, I grabbed my helmet and gloves, hit the opener and headed out to get ready to ride.  I started my Garmin, put on my gear, turned on my lights and waited for the Garmin to be ready.

And waited. And waited.  It was almost 6 minutes before the Garmin finally showed that it was ready to go.  I had debated just using my phone and Strava, DailyMile or MapMyRide to record the details of this morning's efforts, but decided to wait it out since i wanted to update all 3 sites with the data.

Yes, I am on all 3 sites, plus a fourth called Plus 3 where logging my rides earns money for charities.

Fortunately once it found the satellites, it performed flawlessly and recorded my ride.

The ride itself was uneventful.  I was feeling it a bit after 5 laps and had to push through to make the 8 I completed.  The interesting part was that it wasn't my legs so much that felt it, but my arms and hands.  I guess I'm just not used to riding as much as I should be.  That will change as I am riding the next 3 mornings as well as at least one day over the weekend.  I plan to repeat the morning rides next week in preparation for the Tour De Cure on May 3rd.

I hope the weather is improving in your area and that you were able to get out and ride as well.

Remember, eat better and get on your bike and ride!

April Fools Prank - NOT!

I had considered writing a post in honor of the April Fool's Day prank tradition that other bloggers have followed but I find I'm just not that clever or witty.  I can't come up with something that is believable enough so as to not be a transparent ruse. With that in mind I offer a link to Fatty's post for today which is well done.  He has a tradition of these posts going back several years.

With that said I want to talk about my lack of motivation for riding of late and my upcoming Tour De Cure.  I have been slacking in my preparation and this is unacceptable to me.  There is a general lack of motivation at the moment and I fear part of it is the fact that I have very little support for my ride in terms of donations.  In fact, besides myself I have had only one other person make a donation.

I will do the ride.  In fact I will make a pledge that if I do not finish the 20 miles ride on May 3rd, I will personally match any donations made.  I was going to honor a money back guarantee, but the logistics would be a nightmare.  This is a better option as it will force me to put my money where my mouth is for this worthy cause.

Please help me to get motivated and support my training efforts by making a donation here.

I think you and the American Diabetes Association thanks you.

Get on your bikes and ride!

My 200th Post

I realized this morning as I was looking at the blog that I had written 199 posts since I started the blog almost 4 years ago.  For some 200 posts is no big deal, but I actually find it a bit amazing that I've found enough things to write about that I've written that many posts.  I like to try and keep things interesting here by not posting the same things over and over again.  Sure I could post daily about what I ate, how many steps I've taken, how far I've ridden and daily weigh ins, but I want this blog to be more than that.

I want to highlight the more human side of what I'm doing and since I have a relatively quiet life and have periods where very little exciting is happening, I tend to not write for a while.  Today, though I'd like to reflect on what I've done and been through over the last 199 posts.

I've ridden in various bicycle related events from the Viva Bike Vegas to the Tour De Cure to the Bike:MS Vegas Challenge and even a Corporate Challenge race.  Heck, I've even completed the Pumpkinman Sprint Triathlon.  Beyond that I've eaten right and lost weight only to fall off the wagon and gain it all back several times.  I've explored various tools for watching and tracking both my weight and calories, I have a Strava account as well as post all my rides to Daily Mile.

I have found friends through this medium of the Weblog and I appreciate all of you.  Thank all of you for reading, it does mean a lot to me to know you are out there even if you aren't commenting!

I am planning on continuing to share my adventures and I may give a bit more of the mundane details as I successfully conquer my weight and make a permanent lifestyle change.

Get on you bikes and RIDE!!!!!

A short spin is better than no spin

Over the weekend I had planned on getting out on 2 wheels and starting to put in some decent mileage, at least for me right now.  Our 2nd oldest grandson was with us for the weekend and I had plans to get him out for a few rides to tire him out.  Unfortunately one ride is all we managed in the 4 days we had available.  There is no good reason why either, really.

We did get out and took a few laps around the block.  He was complaining after the first that his legs were tired, but he did manage 2 more before throwing in the towel.  After we were done and things put away he mentioned that he hadn't been ready to quit, that he just wanted a rest.  I must have misunderstood him then since i heard him say he was done.  Oh well.  That was on day 2 and I figured it was no big deal and we would get out a couple of more times before the weekend was over.

Alas other things came up and took up the time.  The next thing we knew the weekend was over and we had only managed the one 3 mile ride.

I need to change my riding habits and quickly as the Tour De Cure is quickly approaching on May 3rd and I need to get  some miles under my belt before it arrives.

I hope Winter relinquishes its hold and everyone is able to get out and ride!

2014 is flying by

I was just looking at the calendar and realized that we are already 7 weeks into 2014.  Whee has the time gone?  I had big plans going into this year to put up some decent mileage number in both January and February to jump start my training and get moving towards my goal of 2014 miles for the year. Obviously that hasn't really happened yet as I sit here having only ridden twice so far this year for a grand total of 11 miles.  Not tearing it up by any means.

Part of the issue has been my health, first waiting on the doctor's OK to start exercising after my hospital stay and second the fact I had a nasty cold this past weekend when we had the nicest weather of the year, setting a record high temp of 81 degrees on Sunday.  Fortunately I am feeling much better and will be riding this weekend.  In fact I need to get my butt out there as there are only a scant 10 weeks until the Tour De Cure on May 3rd.

Not only does that mean I have to start putting in some serious miles to get my body back into riding shape, but it also means I need to get on the fundraising to meet my goal for the ride.  In the training department I am going to ride 28 of 31 days in March and 27 of 30 days in April.  I know better than to pledge to ride every day for 2 months straight as I would quickly burn out.  I need strategically placed rest days to prevent that.  In order to count for the above goals, each ride must be at least 5 miles in length.  Ii hope to do all of the ride outdoors on my bike, but in the event of inclement weather, 5 miles on the sin bike at the gym will substitute.

Diabetes is a terrible disease and I hope that my small efforts both in terms of fundraising and awareness raising through participating in the Tour De Cure will help to put an end to this disease.  Won't you please donate to help?

On a secondary note, I received a notice this week that the BIKE: MS VEGAS Challenge is not going to be held this year.  I really enjoyed that ride last year and was thinking about adding it to my calendar again this year, but apparently there wasn't enough turnout last year.  Bummer.

And the weight is coming off

Its not amazing, but it is remarkable.  The basic, simple truth is that if you eat less calories than your body burns in a 24 hour period, you tend to end up losing weight.  I can prove it by looking at what has been happening with me over the last 6 weeks or so.  I started the year at 470 lbs. and I am down to 429 lbs.

Now that is an impressive 41 lbs lost, but I have to be honest.  Not all of it was fat. In fact there was a significant amount of fluid weight that has been lost.  I was very swollen at the beginning if the year after my hospital stay.  That was slowly correcting itself, but my doctor prescribed a twice a day diuretic which has helped immensely.  Realistically, I would say that I have lost about 11  lbs. of actual fat and 30 lbs. of fluid.

Now its time ti increase my exercise so that I am getting a larger daily deficit which will aid in the weight loss.  It will also help me to increase my endurance and achieve better muscle strength.  My plan is to visit the gym 3 to 4 times a week for a little cardio and more strength training.  Then on the weekends I'm going to be riding my bike to get in additional cardio work, not to mention get into shape for my upcoming rides and ultimately Pumpkinman come fall.

Speaking of upcoming rides, I am once again participating in the Tour De Cure ride which is coming up on May 3rd.  Please donate what you can to help those afflicted with diabetes, like my mom and my Aunts.  Thank you.

2013 is done, bring on 2014

OK, I guess its almost a requirement for anyone who is writing a blog to post a year end wrap up and look forward to the New Year. So here is mine.

2013 saw me participate in several events, all of a cycling nature.  The first was the Tour De Cure where I was totally unprepared for the difficulty of the hills on the chosen course and I had my only DNF.  Next was Fatty's 100 Miles of Nowhere where I completed a metric century of which I am very proud..  After that was the Viva Bike Vegas, which I got to ride with my dad and is the highlight of my year.  Last was the BIKE:MS challenge where I completed the 30 miles day one ride with no problems.

Unfortunately I didn't hit my mileage goal for the year and the only one to blame was myself.  In fact I was just shy of 1000 miles for the year.

The year ended with a bit of a health scare and 4 days spent in the hospital.  Seems I had a bit of an intra-abdominal bleed which caused my blood pressure to drop dangerously low.  Among the effects from this was a temporary shut down of my kidneys and very low hemoglobin.  The good news is that 4 days of IV fluids, some antibiotics, iron and potassium and I was well enough to head home.  Unfortunately 4 days of bed rest has left me bloated, stiff and hardly able to walk, but that is improving day by day.

This was a wake up call and I am actually seeking out a new primary physician and have an appointment coming up this Friday.  Time to start taking my health seriously. One major issue is my weight which has unfortunately gone back up.  On 1/2 I weighed myself and was not happy - 470.4 lbs.  I know several of the pounds are from the fluids I still have to work out of my body, but its still a horrible number. Time for a serious commitment to doing what I know is right.

We have joined a new Planet Fitness opening near our house very soon and will be spending quality time there several days per week.  I will also get back on my bike and get more miles in this year.  I'm aiming high again - 2014 in 2014.

As for organized events, the only one I have planned so far is the Tour De Cure ride coming up the first weekend in May.  I hope to redeem myself after last year's poor performance.  The main focus will be losing weight and getting healthy as the title of the blog goes.

I hope everyone has a healthy and active Year.

Get on your bikes and ride!!!!

Be Thankful

I was just reading a few blog entries on being thankful when I came across Chris' over at From the Pavement's Edge titled Scrooge You! In it he decries the ever encroaching commercialization and creep of Christmas Consumerism that is encroaching on and taking over one of the Simplest and purest holidays of the year - Thanksgiving.  I have to say I agree with him on this point.  The meaning of Christmas is getting lost in the consumerism that is being promoted through all of the big Box retailers trying to fatten their bottom lines by making us feel we need to buy buy buy to give to those we love. Its gotten so bad that they have started opening on Thanksgiving day and not waiting until the day after, essentially erasing this holiday for so many who have to work.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we have and be thankful for it.  A time for family and friends to gather and just revel in the company of others by sharing good food.  Its not a break from work for the majority just so they can get to the stores and spend more money faster.

It may be that I am getting older and wiser, or as my daughter and wife seem to think older and grumpier, but to me the idea of Thanksgiving is being lost, as is the meaning of Christmas.  No where does it say that there has to be mounds of presents for the children.  No where does it say we have to spend and spend and spend until it hurts to buy more crap that is quickly forgotten by the next holiday.  For me the most wonderful gifts are those that come from the heart.  For me spending time with family and friends and sharing common experiences far outweighs the 'stuff' that everyone seems to think they can't live without.

I am thankful for my family and my friends.  I am thankful we are all in mostly good health and that we have enough to eat and roofs over our heads.  I am thankful to my employer that they provide me with a job which gives me the means to keep these things in their proper way.

I am thankful that I have the ability and the opportunity to ride my bike and to do so at various events which in some small way help others whether its through the Tour De Cure, LVESTRONG, BIKE:MS or Viva Bike Vegas.  I hope to be able to do more of these types of charity rides in the future.

I am thankful for my grandchildren and how watching them grow and learn helps me to grow and learn as well by seeing the world through their eyes.

I am thankful for all the men and women who are serving and have served in our armed forces to keep us safe and protect our freedoms that we too often take for granted.  These are mere words which pale in the light of what many have given to protect us, but thank you.

So take time this Thanksgiving to reflect on all we have to be thankful for.

Eat some good food with family and friends.

Ride your bike.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Bike: MS Update

My next event of the year is the BIKE: MS Las Vegas Challenge coming up in just over 3 weeks on November 9th & 10th.  My goal is to complete the 30 mile ride on each of the days.  This is definitely going to be a challenge in the mileage department.

Now, unlike the Tour De Cure last April, there won't be such steep hills to climb, but there will be climbing. Its more the steady, long grade variety instead of the steep sharp climbs that did me in when combined with the heat that day.

I am planning on putting in a good deal of riding leading up to the event.  I haven't been doing as much as I had planned, but I will be doing a lot.

What's also not up to level I had planned is my fundraising for the event.  I had hoped to have met the goal of $250 by now, but have not.  Please, if you have an extra $5, $10, $20 or more, donate it to help support the fight against this terrible disease HERE.

Thank you.

Get On Your Bikes And RIDE!!!!!

Reflections on my 51st birthday...

Its been over 3 years that I've been posting to this blog and honestly, I've not made much progress towards my title's goal of losing weight and getting healthy.  In the last 3 years I have done some thing I never would have imagined.

I've completed a very challenging triathlon, I've ridden more miles than I can count, I've completed several group rides including Last year's Viva Bike Vegas, a metric century for Fatty's 100 MON 2013 and The previous year's Corporate challenge bike race.

Over the last 3+ years I've lost and regained over 200 lbs.  I've restarted my efforts numerous times and am restarting again.  Today.

More importantly I've figured out a few thing about myself and made a few friends through this wonderful medium of technology.

I've ridden along with so many other riders who have accomplished significant, awe inspiring things.  I've also re-ignited my love of cycling fro when I was a kid.

As I reflect back on the these things, I also have to look forward and start to shape my future plans.

This Saturday I'm looking forward to an awesome ride with my dad in the Viva Bike Vegas.

Beyond that I'm doing the Bike MS Vegas Challenge in November, the Tour De Cure Las Vegas next April and I hope to complete Fatty's 100 MON next year as well with a true Century.

While those are personal goals, I have others as well. I want to encourage my grandchildren to ride more and take them on longer and longer rides.  I am going to look into adding a different form of riding to my repertoire - Mountain Biking.  As I become at least a little proficient in that, I'm going to look into the local MTB scene and possibly look at starting some type of MTB team in the local schools.

There is so much more I want to accomplish and I recognizer that I need to be healthy for many years to do it.  Riding is just not enough.  I need to tackle the food demon that has me constantly eating more than I should.  I need to keep away from those foods I know that are bad for me and focus on the good.  I need to also focus on portion control and impulse control.  I can and will conquer this.

Funny, but it seems easier to me to ride 100 miles than to constantly focus on what I'm eating.  I guess the reason is that when you are riding there is a set distance and a beginning and an end and the progress is very real and self evident.  In the eating arena and losing weight, there really is no end to the eating right and the progress is so much slower that it is easily doubted.

I am using this occasion to get back on track and into the groove  My goal is that on my 52nd birthday I will be at least 100 lbs lighter than I am right now.

As fizzhog so eloquently puts it.

Eat better.

Ride your bike.

2013 Tour De Cure Report

Today was the 2013 Tour De Cure Las Vegas.  Thank you for all those who sponsored me.

I was up early and had to wait around at home since registration wasn't until 9:00 and the 30 mile course start wasn't until 10:00.  I couldn't wait around all morning and actually got to registration early and picked up my number:

I also picked up my t-shirt and took it to the van.  Then it was a matter of waiting for the start.

To pass the time I ran by and talked to J from ProCyclery who was manning the bike check.  Thanks J!!!!

Finally it was time to line up for the start:

And then we were off!

As is normally my modus operandi, I faded towards the back of the pack leaving the start line.  Eventually I was riding behind another rider - Juan.  He was a red rider.  He was setting a very comfortable pace and I resisted sprinting around him on the flat/slight incline we started on.  However we hit a small downhill and I couldn't hold back, I let the gravity assist boost me forward hoping to get a good run up the next hill.  It wasn't enough, but I was able to ride up the next hill.

We continued on and it was getting warm, but I was enjoying the ride.

The next hill was more than I could handle.  Lots of people were walking their bikes so I did the same.  It sure felt like walking was as hard as biking up the hill.  I had to stop several times on the way up.  Juan caught up to me and he was awesome.  When I had to stop and rest he stopped as well and encouraged me on.  Thanks Juan!

To make a long story short, there were 4 or 5 more tough hills that meant lots more walking and I was getting hot and tired.  We did hit a few decent downhills and I surely enjoyed them.

We got to what is essentially the lowest point and started up the next little hill and I was really done.  Juan stopped with me as did the SAG.  Juan talked to me about going to sit in the SAG to cool off, but I knew I was not going to continue.  I really think it was a combination of the heat, bad nutrition and a lack of hydration.

One great lesson I learned - if you are going to ride hills in the heat of the day, then you should train on hills in the heat of the day! :)

Next year I will conquer this!

Thank you to the Lions Club for manning the SAG vehicles and giving me the lift back to the start.

Biggest Winner Week 7

Hard to believe we are already 7 weeks into this 10 week competition.  Its been a pretty good week.  I've eaten decent, gotten in some exercise so I figured I would see some progress on the scale today.  Unfortunately the scale didn't agree and showed me with a gain of .8 lbs this week.  Sure, its not a big gain, but I really was expecting a loss.

According to my FitBit report  I averaged over 4700 steps per day and had a net calorie deficit of about 7000 calories for the week.  I rode my bike 35 miles over the last week.  All of this would make me think I should have lost something on the scale. That is not the case, though.

I know I am doing the right things.  I know that the weight will come down as I get in more exercise and watch what I eat.  I just wish it would be a bit faster since I am in the competition and there are only 3 weeks left.

I am going to stay the course.  I know it works and I just have to trust the process.  This Saturday will be a big test for me - the 30 mile ride for the Tour De Cure.  Watch for a full report.

Wonderful, unremarkable ride

Got on my steed and headed out on Blue Diamond towards Red Rock. Noticed right away how awesome my ride felt.  The new tires and wheels gave a smooth and stable ride.  The gatorskins had noticeably less rolling resistence.

Funny but it was a great ride primarily because nothing remarkable happened.  The winds were in the 10 MPH neighborhood the sun was shining and temps in the low 70's.

The above picture shows the road looking towards Red Rock by Blue Diamond.

Yesterday I did a quick 10 laps around the block as a test to gauge what the 100 Miles Of Nowhere was going to take.  The 10 laps netted 4.71 miles which means it will be 212 laps to hit the 100 miles on June 1.

Before that, though I have the Tour De Cure coming up on Saturday.  30 miles with 1960 feet of climbing.  It will be a challenge, but I'll do it.  Join me in fighting Diabetes by making a donation on my page.

Thank you.

Weight Loss challenges

OK.  Let's take a moment and talk about the strategy and philosophy of weight loss challenges.  Most challenges are structured to reward those who lose the highest percentage of their body weight over a fixed period of time.  Fairly simple.  To calculate the percentage of weight lost you divide the total pounds lost by the participant by their starting weight.  The idea of using the percentage of weight lost is it tends to be easier for larger individuals to lose more pounds.

So with this in mind, I have a weigh in today for a 10 week weight loss challenge - The Biggest Winner, which is part of the Las Vegas Corporate Challenge.  I am actually the captain of a 5 person team representing my company.  It is our combined percentage of weight loss, when measured against the other teams, that will determine or placement at the conclusion of the challenge.  To prepare for this weigh in, I have been eating lots and today am adding in salty foods and drinking lots as well.  By my estimation I will have added about 10 lbs. over where I was last week.  Is it wrong to "stack" the deck like this for a challenge?  Personally I think it falls into the realm of game play and have no doubt that other teams are doing exactly the same thing.

Right now I'm predicting my weigh in weight to be about 440 435 lbs.  I will consider my competition to be a success if I can get below 400 over the next 10 weeks.  Towards this end I will be tacking my progress here.  Every Tuesday morning, I will weigh in and track how much weight I have lost both in lbs. and percentage of initial.  My secret weapon will be that I am going to start walking and riding like a mad man.  I have the Tour De Cure coming up next month and the 5k in May.  All that training and exercise, along with maintain a strict accounting and adherence to a total calorie intake of 2000 per day will get me where I want to go.

By the Way, If you haven't done so, could you please support my effort to stop diabetes by donating to my Tour De Cure ride? Every little bit helps!

Thank you.

Registered - 2013 Tour De Cure

I've just registered for my first ride of the year - the 2013 Tour De Cure - Las Vegas.  The ride is on April 27th and I've elected to do the 30 mile option being my first big ride of the year.

There are several reasons why I have chosen this ride.  My biggest reason is that my mother and 2 aunts are all living with diabetes and I want to do what I can to stop this horrible disease.  Knowing that these close family members are afflicted adds another strike against myself and makes it that much more likely that I will get, or possibly already have diabetes.  I know my weight and poor diet are huge risk factors as well and that's why I have undertaken this journey to a slimmer and healthier me.

I can't do this alone, though.  I have set myself a goal of $1,000 in fundraising for this cause and have contributed $79 myself towards this goal.  I ask that if you have the means, please donate here at my personal page.  If you are unable to donate, how about riding with me?  The weather in April in Las Vegas is wonderful!