Sunshine

Sun's out Guns out, right?

It has been a super busy week, getting bike clubs rolling and working on my super secret project. The project is set to be unveiled soon but I want to take it for a test run first! Gonna be sweet, and the family is excited too.

In the meantime, I continue my intermittent ride schedule!! 

Inconsistently Content

 I was off the bike for 7 days.  I finally got a ride in.  Only 1.5 hours though.  My "training" has been so inconsistent this year.   And with the Pisgah Stage Race coming up in only 2.5 weeks.  I'm doomed...... to enjoy the ride instead of "racing".

I'm ok with it though.  I have sacrificed a lot of my ride time doing other things I love.  Spending time with family being at the top of that list.  I had a bikepacking trip planned 2 times this winter, but they were postponed.  One due to butt cold weather, the other due to sickness in the family. 

#life

It happens.

Early this winter I set a goal to have fun on the bike.  I rode the rollers 2 times, and decided never to do that again.  I don't enjoy it.   I don't have the drive to and commitment to endure that boredom anymore.  I just want to have fun and ride my bike.  I also determined to do some long rides. I've checked Stoney Fork off my list, but I want a rematch.  I have a new gravel weapon,  it rolls fast.

But first the Stage Race.  I'm going to go my "race pace" on day one and then see where I land.  If I'm in the competition, I'll continue racing.  If not, I'll enjoy the ride.

Like a Freight Train

 Life,  rolling by like  a freight train.  Can't stop it, so might as well jump on and go for the ride.  Things are hopping on the work end and I don't have a lot of time for long adventures.   I am getting out for rides and have had a couple of good days of windsurfing this year.   I'm hoping that the spring brings some steady wind. 

The Pisgah Stage Race is in 6 weeks.  I'm looking forward to it.  But sickness is running through the family.  I'm hoping to dodge it,  but just gotta wait and hope I guess. 

I finally figured out the perfect multi day loop in the area.  I have packed up and gotten ready to go twice, only to be thwarted by life,  one time was freezing temps, the other time was the sick family...  Just waiting for that ol' window of opportunity to open for me! 

Pisgah Photo Barrage

 I started the weekend off right, by connecting with Kevin to take my up Stoney Fork for my first time.  Such a beautiful area.  Such a tough climb.  Getting to the FS gravel road is just about as hard as the road itself!  

 After winding around and over 2 mountain ridges, we entered the town of Dillingham. A stark reminder that not everyone in the area has a good life. 

 Seasonal businesses that might never re-open. 

 And then the climb,  lots of time to get lost in the pedal stroke.

 Finally at the top.

 Rewarded with great view on the return trip down the Parkway!

Sunday I hit the trail on the mountain bike for a  Laurel/Pilot/Pilot Cove loop. 

 Nothing like some hike a bike.

I-9 Wheelset

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Running, Hiking and Biking, Oh My!

View from Lane Pinnacle

 For years, I have contemplated getting up on top of Lane Pinnacle.  It is a prominent peak that can be seen from south east area of Asheville.  The Mountains to Sea trails goes over it, and the BRP passes below it. It was a rainy wet day.  I decided to get to the  top.  From the valley I headed up some trails then bushwhacked up the shoulder.  I followed a game trail, half hoping I would spot the game that made the trail, but realizing, that the game might not like me using it's trail...

I made it to the top and enjoyed my sandwich while watching the fog roll through the gap. 

More Snow Pics

BRP

Big Black Bear Tracks

Great View from the Top

Catching Air

Getting Out There.

The Fam

4ft long icycle

Snowstorm 2017

Bacon on the grill in 6 degrees.

If a family is going to play in the snow all day,  they better eat something that sticks to their ribs! The Breakfast of a Lumberviking.

 It snowed,  quite a bit.  It is butt cold though.  The temps have been below freezing since Friday night.  That keeps the snow from melting.  Makes snow play less frantic for sure.  

 Lots of sledding, snow ball fights etc .   The normal.

I just can't make myself ride inside anymore.  Too masochistic or something.   But what to do with snow and ice?  I finally broke down and bought some YakTrax-  chains that wrap around shoes to give traction.  Holy Moly,  that was amazing,  Then I went out and ran 1.5 hrs, getting back after sun set.  

 Another amazing day!

Second Guessing

 My brain won't stop.  I'm not sure if it is just a bad habit or the way I am wired.   I second guess everything in my head.  I could be having the time of my life and I question whether I am having the time of my life.  I need to turn it off, and relax.  And that was the focus of today's ride.  Breathe the cold mountain air,  smell the forest,  enjoy the view. 

 I took the kid to Best Buy last night.  He finally saved enough money to purchase a new iPod Touch.  He has been saving and researching for close to a year.  Totally proud of the kid.  But,  then I stressed him out.  What, on the surface, felt to me like helping him make a solid decision, led to him second guessing his purchase.  Good grief.  That is not a trait I want to pass on.  He felt good about his decision and had planned ahead to make it happen.  I need to let that go. 

What it boils down to is lack of trust, worry and anxiety.  I'm supposed to let go of anxiety: "be anxious for nothing".  That also means letting go of control.  Crap,  if I'm not in control...... actually,  I'll be better off.   But I need to practice living like this.  Easier said than done,  but I'm gonna try.   It will free up a ton of mind space.

Go enjoy the view!

So Long

 If you want to move forward in life, become a better person, and be a positive influence on those around you, you can only beat yourself up for so long.  You have to stop second guessing every move and commit.  You have to move forward and live the life you have created, or will create for yourself.

I have spent way too much time wondering about choices.  It is an ingrained habit that  I am determined to break.  In fact, I waffled about writing this post and almost didn't, but knew that I had to fight that and just do it.  Writing the post is something that will help me, and hopefully others, so just do it. 

The same goes for riding my bike long distances.  I have to do it, it is part of who I am and what I enjoy.  I can't spend the entire time on each ride, wondering if I should be spending that time with family.  I do need to spend time with family and I do, plenty.  I can't feel bad for spending time on myself.

I'm determined to break this detrimental habit, cause I know I'll regret it down the road if I don't!

Happy New Year!

 Something feels different, and I have not been able to put my finger on it.  I have spent a lot of time over the past several months working through some things and I think I have finally come to peace with some demons.

A tough situation that could have been worse, I was able to deal with some issues and let them go.  I don't remember that happening before.  I'm pretty sure the situation was meant to stir up emotion and create conflict.  I'm tired of conflict, I'm all about resolving issues,  and I mean what I say.  As I started to get angry about the situation,  a calm came over me and I realized that I should let it go.  And I did.  It took mere seconds to work through rather than months or year that previous conflicts took.  That was cool! 

 More mental space means more energy and better time spent with the family.  We took off in hunt for Elk in Cataloochee.... and got skunked.  We'll be back.  

 And with the New Year, I'm once again trying to figure out my race/ride schedule.  So many option, so little cash flow.  I'm thinking this might be the year of some big solo rides.  The wife's schedule is so weird that it is difficult to plan father out than 6-8 weeks.  I have several friends who want to plan trips, but I frustratingly can't.  Hopefully something will work out. 

I missed riding consistently in 2016.  I'm determined to get out more this year, and attempt to be the year round rider I used to be.  I got pretty slack over the year, and while I spent a lot of time with the fam, I can't neglect myself and the challenges that are out there.  Riding a bike is a gift, a privilege, and I am determined to take advantage of it! 

Cheers to big rides in 2017!

Little Adventure Week

 It has been somewhat of an adventurous week for me.  Mixed it up, and missing the bike, but glad to get out and push my boundaries.  You just don't know what you can do unless you give it a try. 

Half way to the in law's house, I realized I didn't have the proper cold weather gear for riding.  Fortunately,  I always pack my trail running gear just in case. 

When we got to Roanoke, I dropped the wife and kid off and headed to the hills.   An 8 mile round trip to MacAfee's Knob was just what I needed to relieve the stress of the day. 

The next day,  I wanted to attempt both Dragon's Tooth and Tinker Cliffs but the dog needed some exercise, so I headed out to Carvin's Cove for another 2 hr run. I felt pretty good considering I had been sick the previous week and have not run in a long time.... 

 Fast forward to later in the week, and 40 mph hour wind gusts in the forecast.  I loaded up all of my sails this time and headed to Lake James to see what it was going to be like.  The whitecaps were pretty dense and the wind was blowing spray off the tops of the waves.   That is a lot of wind.  I was not sure if I could handle it so I rigged my 4.6 and headed out.  Nope.  Can't handle it.  I was getting worked.  I made it across the lake, and turned around,  wondering if I would be able to make it back. 

The 40 plus mph winds were crazy. 

I had a couple of back up plans and was prepared to go that route if needed.  I fell in, a couple of times and managed to get back up.  Once I got going it was ok, still getting worked, but making it back across the lake. 

 I got back to the beach and hung out for a few minutes,  allowing the burn in my forearms to subside.  Then there was a lull,  meaning the wind dropped down to about 20 mph.  I took off again and enjoyed 2 runs before the fierce winter wind kicked in again.  

 I decided that I had pushed beyond my limits, so I packed up and headed home.  Disappointed and excited at the same time.  This was the strongest wind I had ever sailed in!  

Now I'm watching for the next storm. 

Heavy Heart

Man,  my heart is heavy this morning.  All day yesterday and looks like today.  When will the sadness end?  I know I gotta let time do it's thing, but good grief. 

I had a dream about Alex early Sunday morning.  We were at the park, he was being silly.....  good times. 

I got to spend the weekend with the kid.  Since it was rainy and cold, we didn't do a lot.  Went to the toy stored to buy some toys for Toys For Tots.  Toured Field and Stream,  wrapped gifts at REI.  Chill weekend.  I have to consciously peer through the cloud of sadness and realize how good I have it.  It is easy to lose sight of.  Although, none of what I have is mine,  it has been granted to me from my Creator. 

That helps me keep things in perspective.  I don't know why Alex and Milena are gone, but if I truly believe in the grand scheme, then I believe that there is or will be a purpose for their leaving us. 

Several interesting thoughts have come to mind through this. 

- Kids are angels who have come to earth to learn how to be human.  Totally unfounded other than my mind doing it's thing.  But,  what if it were true?  We better step up our game and fight the good fight!

-In general, people are only motivated through tragedy.  Floods, drought, pipelines, the presidential race etc.  People tend to only react when something negative impacts them.  Maybe if nothing negative ever happened,  then we would sit around being self absorbed, bon bon eating, lazy bones.  I don't know, but its something to think about. 

In Memory of Alex and Milena

They were more than just kids on the playground.  We had unofficially adopted the kids.  They were special.  They taught us a lot.  We have been going to that playground since we moved here,  we know the parents and kids who meet in the evening to walk, play and socialize.  I call us "the park family".  We share stories, success and frustration.

Alex and Milena joined us about 5 yrs ago.  Their caretaker, Abuelita, lives across the street, so they became regulars at the park.  Alex was an intelligent, upbeat and downright silly kid who was always goofing off.  I was really impressed recently as Alex had learned to respect his peers and his school work improved.  He was a cool kid with a lot of promise.  I loved him as my own, and would have done anything for him,  as I would my own kid.

Alexander Bautista-Gomez

Milena was an amazingly smart and cute little girl.  She always had a smile and a hug.  I spent countless hours, pushing her on the swing and chasing her around the playground.  She was a bright light at the end of the day.  I could always rely on her to bring some giggles and laughter to the playground.

Milena Maria Alejandro-Bautista

I'm gonna miss those kids.  The playground family is gonna miss those kids.

I stopped by the playground after dark last night.  I was alone.  Bright stars in the sky. Shadows cast by the streetlights.  The air was chilly and slight breeze moved across the swing set.  No kids laughing, no adults walking.  Just me and the quiet, sad playground. 

Needless to say, the heavy sadness will linger for a while.

They were crossing the road after walking to the dollar store to get sweatpants.  Crossing the road to get some Subway because the kids were hungry.  A car coming down the hill, just after dark did not see them.   No one person's fault, just a series of tragic events.   Abuelita was also hit, but sustained only minor injuries. 

A couple of weeks ago, we were hanging out and waiting for the super moon to rise.  It finally did and in the light of the moon, Alex asked the wife, "What happens when we die?  Do we just "poof", disappear?"  The wife responded, telling him, " Well,  we believe that if you believe in God then you will go to heaven when you die".  Alex responded " Oh, that's good, because I believe in God".

Enjoy that playground in heaven, little ones.

Peace.  

Need a Little Help.

Click here to help.

  I have been hesitant to put this out there, because I never want to be a burden to the community that supports us so well.  But sometimes, we all need a little help from our friends, and I am humbly reaching out. 

I am the director of Trips For Kids WNC.  Along with the support of the community, we provide mountain bike outings to youth who would not otherwise have that opportunity. 

The truck I am using to haul bikes for the outings, to support area events, and to pick up bike products to stock The Bicycle Thrift Shop is ailing and threatening to stop in it's tracks sooner rather than later . 

$5000 will give us a healthy down payment on a quality truck and leave us with a manageable payment plan.

Please help Trips For Kids WNC continue to fulfill our misson.

As always, thanks for the support.

Weekend at Home

 I always get a little sad when the wife and kid head out of town.  This year was the same, especially when I realized that I had nothing planned for myself.  In the past, I have either done a bike trip or a huge home improvement project.  This year, I was actually wanting to take a windsurfing safari to the coast, but I'm a worried about driving the truck that far.  I decided to keep it local.

 I managed to find some simple things to do, like cutting down a crepe myrtle,  much to the dismay of all the old people in the area.  Crepe Myrtles are on the invasive species list.  And I don't really like them. 

 Got out on the bike for some gravel.....

and of course with some mild wind predicted ,  got out on the lake for a little while.  The wind was pretty light, but I got a couple of good strong gusts. My high speed today was 22.4mph.  I was able to get my gear a little more dialed,  I'm confident that I can break 30mph on this board, and 35 mph on my little board!!