Yesterday was a momentous occasion for the Thomson Trail. A combined group from Central Georgia Cyclist and Ocmulgee Mountain Bike Assoc. constructed an Information Kiosk with bike rack at the Thomson Trail Head. I don't know the final count that were there for the build/grillin party, but I'm sure it was over 20 people.

I have to admit, the first time I saw Mark D strap on his Heart Rate Monitor I had no Idea what it was. I thought to myself "Poor fella has Heart problems". Well I now know better and have invested in one to help me get into better shape. In order to reach my fitness goals, I need to exercise at the right intensity. Heart rate is the only accurate measurement of your intensity or your exertion level. I didn't get the one with all the bells and whistles. I just wanted the one that Monitors your heart rate and kept up with workouts. I got the POLAR F11. It creates a workout program to tell you how much, how hard and how long to exercise to reach your goals. Displays heart rate, exercise time, and average heart rate, Manual and automatic heart rate limit settings. I'll update later after I have used it a few times. My resting Heart rate today is 49 beats per minute.

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Sunday, March 25, 2007

Wow! It seems like my weeks just keep getting more busy. I hardly have time to blog anymore. Between My daughter, Work and Bicycling I'm a very busy person. And by saying "Bicycling" I don't mean just the act of pedaling my bike. Last Wednesday I got off work early to have a small membership drive for OMBA. I set up a table at the Thomson Trail head along with a Cooler full of Drinks. I neatly spread out membership applications and some print outs of a Club description I typed up. I put up a color, laminated sign I made at the entrance to the trail. I was able to hand out a few drinks and only managed to give out one membership application. It was my first try and really just an experiment to see just how to go about a Membership drive. I brought Cassidy with me and she got to ride her bike around the field and on the dirt humps wile I hung around the table. While I was waiting for people to come by I was practicing my bike handling skillz on the log ride at the trail head. It is made up of three Rail Road ties lined up in a row with one atop, spanning the other two. If You have never tried it you should. It's a little intimidating at first, but being so low to the ground, once you fall off its easy to catch yourself. It has taken me Several tries before I made it across. Cassidy and I also did one "by-pass" loop. She rode the whole thing with no problem. It was her first time completing a loop at Thomson.

I have also been converting some logos from raster to vector for the CGC Kits. Making up a Flyer and Ad for Thomson Day 2008. As well as making promotional graphics for the "24 Solo" Movie that will be at the Capital Theater in downtown Macon on the first day of the Tour De Georgia.

Saturday was the Peach Blossom Metric Century in Byron Georgia. I met some of the usual CGC members at Craker Barrell in Warner Robins before we headed over to the start. I was prepared for the hot day ahead. The weather Channel had predicted 87 degrees. There was a large turn out. I set out to best my time in the previous Biking Bleckley Metric Century. Got off to a bad start when my camera quit working right after the word GO. I really was pushing hard for the first half. I was keeping up with some people and was not all alone. I beleive that helped me keep a good pace. We traveled on some pretty major roads, I got blown off the road near Fort Valley on HWY 49. A huge semi-truck doing about 70 mph passed within two feet of me. At the halfway point in downtown Fortvalley I refuled by eating a protien bar and refilling my bottle of perpetuem. I felt strong and decided to pick up the pace after that. I had no cramping or pain. This route was much more hilly than I thought it would be. I would get in a tucked aerodynamic position on the down hills so I could carry as much speed as I could going up the other side. Around mile fifty I could see some fellas on the side of the road ahead. One was laid out on the grass. I rolled up and offered my cell phone. They said they were just cramping. The guy laying on the grass showed me a huge knot in his shaven quadracept (thigh). I took off my camel bak and grabbed some of my tried and true Power Bar Gel 4X sodium Gel Packs for him. He ate it and within a couple minutes said he was feeling better. I was glad to help them out. I would hate for them to have to quit being only about 12 miles out from the finish. I left them there to regroup and pedaled on. I could see them coming down the road behind me as I entered the Finish at the church in Byron. I was very pleased with my time. It feels good knowing I'm riding stronger. During the whole 63 mile ride I ate 10 gel packs and three water bottels of Pepetuem + a protien bar.

Today, I had to pay some dues. My Brother Tom has put his neck out on the line at Butler Toyota to help me and OMBA by sponsoring the last ArrowHead Race and is on board with the upcomming 24 Solo movie "OMBA Membership Drive" at the Capital, go here for the Movie trailer. He needed me to help him put on a little dog and pony show at the Cherry Blossom Festival Finale event at Weslyan College. I got to Drive a brand new 50th aniversary, Hybrid, Toyota Camery. Wow it was nice. But of course the New Toyota Tundra Stole the show and had the most intrest of visitors.

PeachBlossom Metric Photos

Yesterday's Ride: PeachBlossom Metric, 62.8 mi, 4 hrs 43 min, 13.3 mph avg.

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Monday, March 19, 2007

The First race of the Georgia State MountainBike Championships was a huge success. The temperature was right around 32 degrees when folks started rolling into ArrowHead Park on Lake Tobosofkee. There were Cannondale Demo Bikes for people to ride, Concessions from Roly Poly Wraps, and New Toyota Tundra Trucks for people to ogle over from Butler Toyota.

Cassidy and I got an early start and ate at Cracker Barrell on Eisenhower Pkwy at 7:00 am. The parking lot was full of cars with bikes strapped on as we left. We got to ArrowHead Park in plenty of time for Cassidy to get acclamated to the cold. She had on Two pair of Sweat pants, Two Shirts, Thomson Beanie hat, Gloves and a Sweater. There were 6 Boys and Girls in her 9-11 Kids Race. They did three laps over to the Trail head and back starting in the Corrall below the Pavillion. Cassidy came in Third Place! She was soo proud and so was I. That makes Three Trophies in the past Three Weekends for her.

Since I have been doing my fair share of Trail work latley, I believed my Trail Karma is Peak. I decided to put my Race in the hands of the Trail Gods and race Bare. No, not that bare! I had weighed my Camel Bak the day before, full of water, pump, tubes, and tools. It tipped the scales at 25 Pounds! I decided I would only carry a water bottle in the Race and see if sheding those Pounds would help. Although I did cut my time cosiderably I don't think it really helped me. I am just SLOW, I was still the last finisher. I did run a personal best lap time for that course of 41 minutes. I really enjoyed the race, there were people cheering me on around every corner and at the top of all the hills. I had no mechanical problems and my bike rode flawlessly.

Photo Courtesy of Mark D (I forgot my Camera)

GSC Arrowhead Race

Race RESULTS

Today I got off work early and went out to ArrowHead Park. I wanted to do the Sport Race distance of 3 laps and see how I would do. Not Too Good! 2 Hours and 20 minutes. I did stop and talk to Stan who was working on the creek crossing, for a minute. At that pace I will be finishing when the White Wave (Beginners) will be starting. My time for last years race was 2 hours and 51 minutes so I guess I have improved.

Cassidy and I ran the Rhythm Run 5K today. It was held at the Houston Medical Center. Cassidy came in 3rd place in 9 and under age group. Her time was 44 min 27 sec.

I went out to Arrowhead for a few laps after that. I will be out there all day tomorrow working on the trail and grilling food for all the volunteers.

oday's Run: Rhythm Run 5K, Cassidy, 3rd place, 9 n under

Today's Ride: ArrowHead, +2 laps, 11.8 mi

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Monday, March 5, 2007

Well the new trail running shoes I wanted are on back order til the end of March. I decided to go ahead and order some road running shoes for now and get the PUMA TrailFox shoes later. I ordered a pair of PUMA Heras III. These were my next choice anyway. I ordered them from Zappos.com. They have free overnight delivery and a great 365 day return policy.

CHAIN LUBE: When I bought my HARO I took some advice from Rick C. at Bike Tech and got some TriFlow Chain lube they carry. I have been using it ever since but never have been satisfied with it. I guess that's what I get for listening to a Rodie. (All in Fun Rick, No offense). It just seemed like a light weight lube suited for a road bike. Well, Back in the day I used Phil Wood Tenacious. This lube rocks! It is made for extreme conditions. I ordered Two bottles the other day from speedgoat.com for $6.00 each. If you are looking for a heavier weight chain lube I would highly recommend the Phil Wood Tenacious.

Went out to ArrowHead to meet up with some Central Georgia Cyclist to ride. I was hoping to get in at least 3 laps. A good crowd showed up and we had a fun "no one left behind" ride. Shane, Diana, Jessie, Juan, Ronnie, Craig, Alina, and I. Juan had to bow out early, he was recovering from respitory problems. Ronnie had some major mechanical problems requiring his cassett to be removed and replaced on the trail. He got fixed and we continued. A fun time was had by all. I did one lap after that and time ran out so I could not get in a third.

Beautiful Day to Run the GEICO 5K/12K in Macon. The event was benifiting the Special Olympics. We got there in plenty of time to get our T-shirts and use the bathroom. Cassidy was very excited. We started the Race in the very back of the pack. I wanted to stay out of the way of people flying out of the Start. Cassidy was smiling and saying hello to people as we passed. I stayed just a little ahead of her, jogging and walking fast. I wanted her to keep a good pace but not nagg her about hurrying. We just went along having a good ole time. When we reached the water station at 2 miles I don't think she realized we were as far as we were. Once we finished I told her How proud I was of her. She said "aw it was nuthin". She did not even realize she was up for a Trophy. We waited around after the race and ate bagels and drank powerade. I was talking to Chip D and Alina G who had done the 12K. (Alina came in 3rd overall Women) I was just bying time til the Awards. When They called out Cassidy for first place in Girls 10 and Under she was shocked. She was sooo suprised, it had not even crossed her mind that she was gonna win a Trophy.

Today's Run: GEICO 5K, Cassidy, 1st place, Girls 10 n under