The news this week is that cycling champion Alberto Contador failed not one, but two drug tests back in July. This is all very disappointing. I’m not a fan of Contador — I found him to be self-centered after witnessing his actions in the last two Tour de France races, and a bit pompous in his disaparaging comments about Lance Armstrong in last year’s race. Still, I have grudging respect for him as an athlete. He’s got talent.

Now, disappointment. Seriously, even he was possibly doped up? How can so many of these racers be doping? I acknowledge that these races are difficult. They’re absolutely grueling. To watch an athlete succeed in spite of the conditions is what I find amazing. To have the stamina, courage, and hardened will to win each stage, or the overall race at the end. It’s riveting to watch the absolute pain on the rider’s face, and still do their best to push their limits to try to win. To find out that these riders had been doped up……

Disappointment.

After a long week and a half, I picked up my bicycle today. It’s not perfect, as I ordered a new rear wheel, but delivery on the wheel has been delayed. Maybe next week. In the meantime, I got the rest of the work done, new spoke on the rear wheel, and they’ll put the new rear wheel later on for no additional charge.

The work I got done:

• Retaped the handlebars with new handlebar tape, so I’ll have more cushion for my hands.
• Replaced the broken rear spoke.
• Two new tires and a replacement tube.

While I was at the shop, I spoke to one of the guys there that I don’t like the clipless pedals that I have on there now. They aren’t wide enough to provide enough foot support, and my shoes aren’t so great anymore. Guess what they told me? Those pedals are more suited for mountain biking! I asked why the guy that I bought them from at the bike shop (Diamond Cycle) would recommend them. I was getting infuriated, thinking I was hoodwinked. However, he told me that those might suggested for someone learning clipless pedals for the first time. I harrumped, but was partly mollified.

Okay, so I wasn’t hoodwinked, but I want real road pedals and shoes. I don’t want to be out there struggling with the wrong gear, making my ride unecessarily more difficult. I browsed the pedals and shoes, but decided to hold off after consulting my wife. New shoes and pedals would run me another $250. Add in today’s repair bill, and I’m looking at nearly $500 flying out the door today.

Hmmmm, maybe next month then.

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I’m a little behind on my riding time this year, due to some busy weekends. However, let’s be happy for the milestone itself. I rode 26 miles today around central NJ, and hit a nice milestone for the year — 200 road miles. Good, but I don’t have a target for the year before autumn. 500 miles? Hard to say, but let’s try. The most I’ve ridden in a year was 595 in 2004, I think. That would be tough this year, but who knows what the future holds.

200 miles so far for the year 2010

Big news: I’m getting in some quality cycling time nowadays. On most weekends, I”m getting away for a few hours to ride the long roads of central NJ. Partly because I want to be on my bike, partly because it’s great exercise to help me lose the excess weight I accumulated, and partly because my wife has been willing to take care of the kids on her own so that I can get some free time. I started riding in late April, but I’ve also been working out at least once at the office fitness center, and I’ve significantly improved my diet. More fruit and vegetables every day, smaller/healthier food portions, and way less junk food snacking.

So far, I’m to announce this week that I’ve lost 5 lbs. since March. Now that I’m working out more often, I expect to see the weight loss continue. My goal is 170 lbs, so I have another 30 lbs. to go. Sounds like a long road ahead, and yes, it is. However, this isn’t a fad. It’s a complete change in my lifestyle to have healthier life. I don’t want temporary improvement. I want a permanent one.

So what does all have to do with being a professional cyclist? Cycling is still my favorite outdoor activity, and I want to do it right. I want to increase my stamina. I want to ride as fast and consistent as other riders. I recently dumped my kickstand, as most riders don’t use one. I thought it was simply to reduce overall weight, but apparently it’s worse than that. Having a kickstand is akin to walking around with a pocket protector. Gosh, that’s embarassing. I don’t want to be the nerd of cyclists.

I also moved to a smaller seat. I’ve used a big, fat cushion of  a saddle for eight years, but real riders use a smaller, firmer saddle. Last week, I swapped it out, and used my original Fuji bicycle saddle for a ride last Saturday morning. My behind was so sore, I cut short my ride to 18 miles because I couldn’t take the pain anymore. I also found out my rear wheel was crooked. Tuesday morning, I took my bicycle to the office so I could visit nearby High Gear Cyclery to fix the rear wheel, and pick out a new more comfortable saddle. $75 later, I walked out with a fixed rear wheel and a new saddle.  I’ll be trying it out during this coming Saturday’s early morning ride. I hope I’m not in for another morning of pain. The new saddle has more gel and is a bit wider to better support my sit bones.

Selle Royal Lookin Saddle

I wanted to take a moment to talk about last Sunday’s ride, and explain how important it was to me. Provide a little context, so to speak.

At the bar after the ride, some of them were still surprised that I had hung in there and completed the entire 43 miles. I was overweight, slow, and I didn’t have the fancy bikes they had. Although it wasn’t at all meant to be malicious or demeaning, when they doubted me during the ride, I started to doubt myself too.  I started to doubt my ability to even do the full 50 miles during the actual MS Ride, and wondered if I had finally bit off more than I could chew. What was I thinking? I’ve ridden between 18 and 23 miles three times now since late April. And here I was, trying to ride 50 miles, attempting to keep up with people who take spin classes during the week?

I’ve always been a fighter. Back in 1992-1994 at CHSN when I lived in Rockland, I took AP courses in Bio, English Language, and American History. When I took the AP American History in my junior year and AP English Language in my senior year, I didn’t immediately perform well. Both respective teachers, accustomed to working with the “smart” kids, suggested a few early months into the classes that I should drop, and move into the Honors version instead. Both times, I was devastated. I liked being in the courses. I was pushing myself, and I was learning.  I didn’t want to drop and give up. I’m a fighter.

Maybe the teachers were reluctant to have me waste their time and my time. Maybe they felt it would just be better for me. Instead, for both classes, I opted to stay late every week after school to work on practice essays and assignments with my respective AP teachers. Seriously, every week. In the end, after the doubts, I passed both AP exams with a “3″ score, which meant I passed. Both of my doubting teachers were surprised and proud of me. I’m a fighter.

On this ride, I was being doubted and doubting myself. Yes, it’s true that I’m not currently as fast or as young as I used to be. I’m 34 years old, I don’t have they energy to stay up late anymore, and my body is more creaky. But so what? Some things don’t change. I’ve been calling this “The Year of the Turnaround.” I have been adamant about going back to basics, and focusing on improving myself. Being true to myself. Being who I am. After all this time, I felt that I had not been true to who I was, what I am capable of, or achieving what I wanted in life. I had stagnated under the weight trying to raise two young children with my wife, and maintaining a house, and all the new expenses. It’s been a daunting task for both of us these past five years.

Five years later, the stress is beginning to lift for us, and we’re happier now. The kids are getting easier to manage, and we’re getting things done. This year is the year of the comeback. I call it “The Year of the Turnaround.” My wife and I are finally focusing on taking care of ourselves, enjoying life a bit more, and smiling. We’ve been going out more, got the house painted, and been cleaning the clutter and detritus that has accumulated over five years. Personally, I want to return to being the man I used to be, and that includes getting back in shape.

So when these people on the Sunday ride started doubting me, it felt like a setback. I doubted myself and what I was trying to do. Trying to improve. Trying to be. I could have given up, taken the easier route, and let them go on ahead, while I should turn around. I’m happy to say declare that some aspects about myself never changed. I never stop fighting. I hung in there. I did it at my own pace, but I rejoined the group, and I made it to the finish line.

Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years. I’m a fighter.

A week away from the 19th annual Bike Tour down the Jersey Shore, the ride leaders for Team CentraState ridin4tracy organized a team ride this morning (Sunday) around the Freehold area. We would meet up at the CentraState Fitness and Wellness Center (where it turns out many of them work and exercise) and ride out from there. There were two rides — 25 miles and 50 miles. I guess whoever couldn’t make the 50 mile trip would turn around at 11 miles and head back. After the ride, we were to meet up at Moore’s Tavern & Restaurant. I’m not sure I’m recapping all this from just a few days ago, but oh well. I’m getting senile in my old age.

I wanted to do the 50-mile ride, as there’s something to be said for jumping in with both feet. I’m doing the 50 next week, so no time like the present. I thought I was prepared. I had a bagel, bought two energy bars, and I brought two water bottles. Turns out the distance wasn’t the problem, but the pace they kept. I had a lot of trouble to keep up with the rest of the riders. I’m generally a solo rider, so I don’t normally worry about keeping up with anyone. I speed up, I slow down, I’m still getting where I need to go. In the group ride, much like the last time I tried one of these, I was left behind.

That’s not entirely true. One of the ride leaders, Ravi, was a gentleman, and he returned often by himself to check on me, make sure I was okay, and give me direction. We’d catch up, and the team would be waiting for at the next major intersection/turn. Should I go ahead and talk about how embarrassing it was at times? I didn’t want them to wait for my slow self. Just go ahead, I’ll keep up.

Near the 11-mile mark, when I could (should?) have turned around, another ride leader asked people if they were okay or if they wanted to turn back. Unfortunately, I noticed he was only looking at me. I said, “No, I’m still hanging in there.” At about 20-miles, we came to a fork where you could go up the big hill or take the easy flat way. It looked like I’d be the only person taking the flat easy way, and the nice ride leader (Ravi) initially appeared to be offering to escort me. Uh, no. Uh, hell’s no. I said I’m still here, let’s do the hill. They were a little shocked.

Near the 30-mile mark just outside Six Flags Great Adventure (you could literally see the Kingda Ka rollercoaster), I was dead tired. Sure, I had lower back pain, my thighs were hurting, and the rest of them had disappeared over the horizon. I finally had to stop and really rest. Ravi came back to check on me since I was gone a long time (10 mins?), so I chatted with him about my situation. I told him to go ahead, I’ll keep my own pace, but I’ll still make it. He felt bad, but I told him don’t worry.

My argument would have been stronger had I not immediately fallen off my bike at that moment. I kid you not — my right foot got locked in the pedal, and I tipped over. Only my pride hurt, folks. Only my pride. Ravi rode off, and I used the Google Maps app on my BlackBerry to guide me the rest of the way. I took my own pace, and stopped worrying about being embarrassed. Around mile 38, I found this main road, dangerous as all hell with heavy traffic, that would lead me all the way to the fitness center. Google Maps stated the center was only 3.5 miles away, and I was elated. The home stretch! The light at the end of the tunnel!

I pedaled. No, I pedaled! I climbed up that long series of hills, trucks and cars whizzing dangerously close. One mile left to go, I passed an intersection with 3 riders waiting to cross, and then they yelled out my name. It was three people from my team! While the team took the safer and longer route, I had nearly caught up by taking the dangerous shortcut. I couldn’t believe it.

Surprised, they called me a bloodhound, and wondered how I found my way. We rode the last mile or so locally, and found the rest of the riders waiting in the cars about to leave CentraState and head to the bar. I got some surprised looks, some cheers, and the ride leader who kept doubting I’d make it? He was proud and gave me a huge high-five. I snuck into the fitness center locker room with some folks to shower and freshen up, and change my clothes. I drove over to the bar, had a pint of Stella, and a half turkey sandwich. I got my team jersey, took a group photo, and chatted.

Pictures of the team jersey are below, front and back.

Team jersey (front)

Team jersey (back)

Last month, I mentioned that I was interested in returning and riding again for the National MS Society (NJ Metro Chapter) 19th Annual Bike MS “Coast the Coast” Ride. I’m not quite ready to ride 50 miles, so I was a bit reluctant to commit. However, a few points drove my decision to register for the ride, albeit a little late.

1. A childhood friend from elementary school was recently diagnosed with MS.
2. My wife knows someone who recently died after suffering long-term with MS.
3. I told this acquaintance on the Centrastate team that I would be interested.
4. I realized that committing to this ride would encourage me to train harder.

I joined a team (“Team CentraState riding4tracy“) associated with the CentraState hospital / healthcare system. Given the short time to raise money, I set a modest goal of $500, and immediately started emailing friends and family asking for donations. As of today, I’ve raised $270 through contributions. I have another week to go, so I’ll continue to keep asking people. I hope I can do it. The MS Society’s sets up a personal page for every participant and team, and I have a personal page too.

The team has already achieved its team goal, raising $14,600+ so far, which is phenomenal.  There’s a team ride / get-together this Sunday that I would like to attend. They (we?) are riding Sunday morning, with an after-ride get-together for drinks at Moore’s Tavern & Restaurant. I don’t think I’m ready to do a 50 mile ride right now, but I think I better try this weekend. The real ride is 1.5 weeks from now. It might be a good time to put up or shut up.

The weather has been one of extremes. In the Northeast, the weather this spring has fluctuated between  unseasonably warm and unseasonably cold. Just a few days ago, it was cold, then nice, and now hot and humid. Global warming  supposedly results in extreme changes of weather. You may not believe it, but I do.

On Saturday, I was up early and at the church to help out with the Spring clean up. Every season, church members get together to help tidy up the church. Cleaning up branches, weeding, removing leaves, etc. With all the late winter storms, we had a lot of fallen branches (and trees.) I spent the morning working on removing fallen tree branches and leaves, using the blowers to clean the parking lot, and sweeping. I opted out of weeding, as I don’t enjoy doing that at my own house, so I wouldn’t want to do it here either. We finished around 12 noon, and I came home to have lunch with the family.

I took Josh out later in the afternoon to accompany him as he rode his bike around the neighborhood, and we hung out at the playground for a while. An ice cream truck was down the street, so I encouraged him that if he did some serious pedaling, I’d treat him to an ice cream cone. Wow, he rode fast, so another example that it’s all about the incentives. I bought him a $2 soft serve ice cream cone, and it was a race between him eating and the ice cream melting. Unfortunately, the ice cream was winning, so I helped him out by eating some of his ice cream. He’s not ready for riding sans training wheels, but he’s getting better at pedaling.

22 miles to Jackson NJ roundtrip

On Sunday after church and lunch, most of us took an afternoon nap. Josh seems to have inherited the Ipe energy genes, and he rarely naps in the afternoon anymore. Around 4:30pm, hoping to beat the predicted isolated thunderstorms, I jumped on my bike, and took a ride. I missed an opportunity to ride last weekend, and certainly didn’t want to miss another one this weekend. I rode to the Jackson Outlets 22 miles and back, which I was proud of. That’s certainly an improvement from 17 miles I rode two weeks ago. It’s a far cry from the 50 miles I hope to ride later this month at the MS Bike Tour, but it’s a start. Riding wasn’t too painful, but there was a terribly long hill on the ride home that had me alternating between swearing profusely and crying like a little girl. I had a stitch in my side that hurt like hell. At certain moments up the hill, I looked around and hoped there were no children around to hear me swearing and crying.

Sunday evening, the family made a run to our local ShopRite. My wife has been doing a lot of cooking in the kitchen this past week, following new recipes, and it’s been a delicious week of experimentation. Prior to the supermarket run, she made a big list of grocery items to pick up, and I’m looking forward to this week’s culinary experiences. This is an example where being a guinea pig ain’t so bad.

New Louis Garneau cycling gloves

Another beautiful spring day to appreciate today. It was so nice, I had to ask myself why I wasn’t making plans to go appreciate it? I had not yet picked up by bicycle from the bike shop Wednesday or Thursday. It seemed a little chilly at 61 degrees, so my resolve began to waffle. Still, the weather was so nice, and a day off, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go riding. If I passed it up, it would be another day that I didn’t go riding. I picked up the bike from the shop, bought some new cycling gloves to replace the ratty ones I purchased back in 2003 or 2004.

You would probably wonder why my resolve to go riding would waiver if I love cycling that much. That happens to me every time whenever I want to go exercising in any form. I start making excuses about why it would be a better idea NOT to exercise. It must have something to do with Newton’s 1st law of motion:

In the absence of a net force, the center of mass of a body either is at rest or moves at a constant velocity.

At these times, I try to remember a small piece of advice that I read in a bicycling magazine (yes, they do exist.) The writer stated that sometimes it difficult to find the motivation to go riding. You have to get the center of mass (your lazy butt) and apply some force to get it to move. You have to prep the bicycle. You need to get dressed. You need to get your supplies together, like water or an extra tube in case you get a flat tire. This doesn’t apply to riding a bike down to the general store. This is committing yourself to a few hours of rigorious physical activity.

May 2004 at the MS Bike Tour, back when I was in my prime.

So what is this sage piece of advice? If you don’t want to go riding, go anyway. Ride for five to ten minutes. If you don’t feel like it at this point, turn around. However, most of the time, you will be happy you decided to go. This advice has always worked for me. One time (and I do remember that day in particular) that I went riding, it was too cold and I turned around. Every other time that I have ridden for at least five minutes, I never looked back.

Acknowledging the fact that I am 30+ pounds heavier than I used to be when I was in my prime, it was still difficult to ride those first few miles. When I say difficult, I mean I was dragging my heavier self down the road. I was winded, I was slow, and I was lethargic. At three miles, I was tired.

After three miles, I felt better. I rode around Monroe, exit 8a on the NJ Turnpike, and back through Cranbury. In total, I rode 17.5 miles in about 2+ hours. Was I surprised? Very much so. I have not ridden in two years, and I am very much put of practice. What is more surprising is that I’m basically no worse for wear. My seat is still a bit sore, but nothing else hurts. I’m ready to again next weekend.

An acquiantance of mine, someone I met at a dinner party a couple of months ago has asked me to join her for this year’s MS Bike Tour, which I last did in May 2004. Back then, I raised $1200, and I’m still proud of it. This year, a childhood classmates/peer was diagnosed with MS. If not for any other reason, I’d like to ride this year in support of my friend.

Late lunch today between meetings, we ran to a nearby Subway for quick sandwiches. Next door to Subway is a cycling store called InVita Sport. I had seen the store back in April, but it was closed at the time.  I didn’t want to go in, so I did one of those hovering-at-the-front-door-wanting-to-go-in-but-not-sure-if-I-should deals, but the store owner smiled and called out to me that I could come in. I smiled and checked out the store.

My goodness, she had the most beautiful bicycles that I have ever seen, but I’d never heard of the names.  Speaking to the the owner, she said she focused solely on Italian frames, such as Wilier, Pinarello, and Torpado, based on the quality.  In my limited view, Trek and Cannondale were the biggies.  In that store, the Pinarellos were absolutely gorgeous.  Top-to-bottom carbon frames, forks, stays — the whole shebang.  I lifted one, and it was light as a feather. 

The prices made me put them down gently.  The average for the road bicycles were around $3000, and the time-trial bicycle in the window was a cool $10,995.  For that kind of price, you’d have to get it insured.  High prices, but they were just beautiful.