3-30

Things have been pretty busy around here lately.  Bike Rodeos, fundraiser, prep for Take A Kid Mtn Biking Day-Spring:

It is going to be a fun weekend.

Yesterday I got out for a 2 hour chilly, gloomy ride.  I felt like I was pedaling triangles,  it wasn't the most fun ride, but I was outside, and that was good for my head as much as anything. 

Last night I went to hear a presentation about a couple riding their bike to all 50 states in one year for charity.  I'm ready to pack up and join them: Give A Bike: 50 State Tour.  Check it out!!

The story is compelling and the pictures are amazing. 

3-25 & 26

The kid has been struggling with some sort of allergy, congestion, post nasal drip, sinusitis for most of the winter.  Every time he almost gets better, it hits again, complete with fever.  I took him to the doc last Monday taking care of him for the week.  The fever came and went and pretty soon, I was hit with it too. 

I had several trips planned and was able to pull them off despite feeling like poop. 25 kids on bikes was totally worth it.

The weekend was rainy and blah filled with lots of tv and recovery time.  The kid and I laid around most of the weekend.

I rode the rollers for an hour on Saturday while watching Ride The Divide, still a good movie. 

Sunday, I was able to get out for an hour hike:

Fog in the woods.

Reaching for sunshine

Spring Flower

MTS Trail

Somewhat of a boring weekend, but relaxing.  And spending quality time with the kid is priceless.

3-23

 Went for a ride, because that's what I like to do.  It was warm and sunny, and I didn't have much on my mind.  My legs were tired and my sinuses were slightly irritated, so I just kept a smooth steady pace.

meadows and mountains

 I headed out on the loop that we do on Thursday nights at Liberty Bikes. Check out the Pedal Link Project! It is a fun loop with lots of rollers and a couple of grunts, interspersed with flats.  The winding roads take you past cow farms, tomatoe farms, Smiley's Flea market,  some rural neighborhoods, before an epic finish along Hendersonville rd, showcasing Asheville's finest corporate establishments!  That fast food never smells as good as at the end of  a hard ride. 

Sweet Pastiness

 My pasty white legs are eager to get out into the sunshine so they can turn a pasty pink for the rest of the summer.  Today, I brought my water bottles, filled with nuun, and my pockets bulged with Honey Stinger product.

This one is for you, Mike Keeley!

I decided to treat myself after the ride.  I rarely do this, but today felt right.  So I got some treats and relaxed in the warm sun.  The only problem with this is the 1 mile I have to climb before descending to my house.  Not a big problem, but it is uncomfortable nonetheless. 

3-22

It was a weird day.  Lots of little things went wrong:  I forgot my water bottles on my ride, I burned lunch, I got a huge allergy/sinus attack,  and I won't bore you with the rest.  It was just one of those days. 

 It was nice to get outside and enjoy the sunshine in spite of everything.  The view across the valley was nice, although I didn't stay long because I was parched. 

Not much exciting happened yesterday.

Did you pick up your Bottle For Change yet?

3-22

 After taking the kid to the doc for yet another sinus infection, I came home and laid him on the couch to recover.  I took the opportunity on this first day of spring to cut the grass.  Then plant some seed.  Why?  So I could have more grass to cut.  I'm not big into spending a lot of time making the yard look prim and proper,  I have way more fun things to do. But there is something satisfying about a nice green lawn to play soccer on.

After the wife came home I hit the parkway for my BC loop.  I am so fortunate to be able to ride on pavement for 30 minutes and then access dirt and single track.  I rolled around the trails out there for a while,  enjoying the sunshine and warmth.

 There is a flower in the middle of the picture: 83 degrees? woot!

I raced back onto the Arboretum property at 5:55pm.  Just in time to get inside the gates before I was considered trespassing.  Filling up the water bottles, I breathed deep and relished the mental freedom that I had begun to experience since I let go last week.  As much as I try to, I can't control people. 

Riding home on the parkway, sun on my back

It was a great day and a great ride.  My legs felt snappy and strong.  I don't know that I was going fast in comparison to others, but I felt  good, and I was having fun,  and at the end of the day,  that's what really matters to me.

3-19/20

After spending 1/2 writing about the weekend, blogger kindly erased it.....
So, here is the summary:
Kid entertains self while I attend PAS/Pisgah FS volunteer meeting.  I'm proud to be one of 6 sawyers allowed to work.

The kid and I ride 8.5 miles on the Ecusta Greenway Trail in Brevard,  stopping at Poppies for an overpriced PB&J for lunch.

The kid takes great pictures, the two above are his.

The kid is worn out from his longest ride ever.  After getting home I went out for a 3.5 hr ride of my own.  I got busted for accidentally trespassing on Arboretum property.  The Security guard thought it was a big problem, the gate keeper thought it was fine....interesting.

Sunday, I had the opportunity to teach a kid how to ride a bike.  He had the foundational skills, just needed a little extra coaching.  After an hour of riding around the park, he did not want to stop!!

Getting kids on bikes:  that's what I do.

3-18-2011

After waking up with cold/allergy symptoms, I decided to take a walk in the woods with the wife instead of a long ride that would wear me down and leave me sluggish all weekend. We saw deer, experienced warm/cold temp variations as we climbed out of the valley and back into it.

It was a good decision. There will be long rides in the near future, and rest is good!

3-16-2011

A ride out the door on my single speed CX beast of a touring track bike.  After 30 minutes of pavement, I hit the dirt and road down to and  around the lake.  It was quiet, it was pretty, and my brain was working overtime. 


I've been dealing with some relationship issues (not with the wife, she is awesome, just for the record) for the past 8 months.  My intentions were good, and still are.  I simply tried to express my feelings, express how the other party was making me feel.  And I did just that.  But, for some reason, it was not received as intended.  Then things got quickly out of hand. 

Fast forward 8 months later, after lots of stress, pondering, and trying to figure out what to do.  In the past month or so, I came to the realization, that anger is not the driving emotion behind the intent.  And I am not angry now.   For me, in this situation, it is sadness that prevails.  Sad for broken relationships.  Sad that I tried to do what was right and things fell apart.  

Then as I was cruising through the woods,  I distinctly heard the voice in my head say: " This is not about them, this is about you.  Let it go".   To which I responded " WHAT? Let it GO?"  And the voice said " Yes, let it go!!".   

And so, I let it go.  I have learned a whole lot about myself and the positive things I am capable of doing.  And yes, the voice is correct,  this has been more about me than the others.   It is interesting sometimes what happens when I set out to help someone else, and I end up growing through the process. 

As I pedaled back towards home on the pavement,  I felt like the light at the end of the tunnel had grown brighter.   That I was going to be able to move past this circumstance and focus on what lies ahead.

It's a good day.

3-13-2011

 After Saturday's interestingly fail/success ride, I set out again on Sunday for my typical Bent Creek Loop.  Riding down the Parkway, up Hardtimes and into the little corner of Pisgah called Bent Creek.  There were lots of people but I still rode alone the whole time.  

I was feeling good and put some speed into my workout.  Pushing up the little grunt climbs, up and over, breathing deeply, coasting down,  catching air (little air).

I had two goals today:  1.  clear my mind,   2. ride some logs.  

There is a log somewhere on Sidehill that has been bugging me for years.  I rode it once, but for some reason have not ridden it since.   I've been practicing, though.  At the local playground on the skinnies,  in the backyard etc.  I hoped today would be the day. 

 

 As I wound down Sidehill, the adrenaline was pumping.  The sky was bright and the views were clear,  the trail snaked out in front of me, leading me to the log.  I rolled up to it, gently lifted the front wheel up, shifted my weight and brought the back wheel up.  I was on the log and froze for a split second, let out a breath, and pedaled across.  Off the other end I let out a whoop.  (just to make sure it wasn't a fluke I turned around and rode it two more times).  

As I rode back down the road to my house, I felt good,  relaxed and had accomplished my 2 goals.  I ate some lunch with the fam,  loaded up the bikes and took the kid to the pump track......it was a good day.

3-12-2011

 

I've had the bikepacking bug for a while now, and it finally looked like I was going to get to use all the gear and knowledge that I have been collecting. I had planned on leaving Friday morning, but then the temps dropped and it was snowing,  with a low forecast at 30,  I could have still gone, but did not feel like spending the night shivering.  In addition, I didn't want to have to carry the extra gear that would keep me warm.  So, After talking to the wife, I made plans to head out first thing Saturday morning.  

It was 28 degrees when I left the house, but was supposed to warm up to 65 with a low of 40.  It was looking like it would be a perfect time in the woods.  

 

The kid gave me monkey to take along with me,  I strapped him to the seatbag.  The funny thing is, there was a monkey on my back as well.  I could not shake it.  I felt good on the climb up Yellow Gap Rd, then turning onto Laurel mtn...my body felt good.  But, there are things going on in my head lately that drain my thought process.  As I pedaled, I tried to enjoy the scenery,  I did a little, but even with all of the sunshine there was still that monkey.

 

 

After an hour and a half of grinding up the hill, I stopped in the middle of the trail.  I knew what I had to do, and stood there chewing on it.  I decided to pull the plug on the trip.  I have a goal of riding 100 miles in the woods and even have a route picked out.   But this was not the weekend that it was to happen.  

Interestingly, after I made the decision, and committed to bailing, I felt lighter.  I knew that it was the right decision and as I made my way back to the truck, I had no regrets. 

The hugs from the wife and kid when I got home would have erased all doubts about my decision, had there been any left. 

Instead of a long ride battling my own demons, I got to load the kid up and ride 4 miles in Bent Creek with him.   That was  a much better way to spend the day...this time.

Hub Cyclery

Cool news from my frame builder in Idyllwild, CA.  He and his wife are opening a bike cafe Hub Cyclery, in there town.  Among other fine products they will be selling the famous Performance Art Siren Bicycles!!  I ride one, and you should too!

Check out their grand opening the weekend of April 9th.

Sunshine

My nephew, Garren, is still laying in the hospital.  There are a lot of thoughts and emotions going through my head right now that I won't share.  

What I will share is that Garren is being discharged on March 23rd.  He will be moving home where his family will need to re-vamp their house to accommodate him.   This will take time and constructions materials.  Can you help?

The other huge pressing need the family has is a wheelchair accessible mini van.  Can you help?

As we say in sports, "dig deep".  It will take a whole community in this situation.

If you can help,  contact them:  geoffrey@thejaneses.com

Thanks