Hey River Readers!
Yep, I still feel great even after yesterday! I've heard from all but one of the riders and everyone seems to be doing great! We all agreeed that it was good to have had a real long ride to iron out kinks and listen to what our bodies were telling us.
Here's some things we learned:
Keep a nice social pace and you can ride forever.
Eat light but eat often
Drink up!
Make sure those shorts fit.
Sunscreen is a beautiful thing! Just don't wipe your hands on the back of your shorts or your have white hand prints on your rear.
Sunglasses are a must. You should see my eyes today! Dracula red! Bad Geo bad!
Laugh and sing songs.
Laugh at yourself.
Surround yourself with good people and you won't notice when you get tired.
Take a friends advice.
Folks, I am getting so excited now about the ride! The training yesterday just boosted my confidence level 100%
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
We did it! Training ride to Russellville and back!
Jack, Me, Rebecca, Coach Mark, Chris, Jim, Razz, Marvin, Keith H, Shawdawg, Shawkitty, Everyone's Mom and Yale
Heading out from Cook's Landing
Proof that we were really there!We did it! We went to Russellville and back yesterday and I logged 147.87 miles!
12 of us started out at Cook's Landing and rode through Maumelle, Mayflower, Conway, Menifee, Plumerville were we were met by Yale's mom and her husband Jack. They are the most awesome folks! We had cold drinks, and fruit as well as cold water soaked towels.
Several were only planning to ride to Conway and back but everyone was feeling so good they stayed with us until Plumerville. 5 of us headed on out and by the time we got to Russellville it was the perfect time to stop. We all felt great but were ready for a break.
We crowded around an outdoor picnic table at McDonalds. I was as nervous at that point more than any other time on the ride. I usually can't eat a meal on a long ride. My tummy hates it but I knew I had to eat something so I got a fish sandwich without the tartar sauce and drank a Sprite. I worked with no problems at all!
We then reloaded our water bottles with cold drinks and hit the road for the ride home. One of my bottles had water and the other had green tea. I love that stuff and it has a calming effect on me. I usually drink it with my lunch at the office. Sweet tea does the same thing.
We rode into the wind and worked as a team taking turns at the front pulling. At times we would be rocking along at 18-20 then others when the wind would gust we could be seen going 14mph. The ride ended with and average of 16.6mph. My actual ride is set at 15 mph so I really felt good about that.
I did get a cramp just outside of Morriton but it quickly went away as I took a replacement cap.
As we rolled into Morrilton everything was closed except the Big Star grocery store so we loaded up on water and ice and Yale picked up a 6 pack of small V8 drinks. He stands by those as the drink to have when riding long rides. Again I decided to experiment with something while hot and getting tired. I drank the V8 and it was awesome! I had no idea those tasted so good! I'm hooked! Thanks Yale!
My coach had also given me a drink mix to try. It was great and I could tell between the drink mix and the V8 that I was going to do good the rest of the ride. Thanks Mark!
We rolled on pushing through the winds. They weren't wicked but just enough to make you wish they weren't blowing. I was excited as we rounded a curve to spot the hill that takes us back into Conway. It was one of those "almost home" feelings you get after a long trip.
We stopped at the Citgo (sp?) station on Tyler and Hogan St and we were all just having a great time. Everyone was still feeling good with over a hundred miles already behind us. Yale's mom comes driving in and what do they have? Cold drinks!! I had another almost frozen V8 drink and I was so good!
We then headed toward Mayflower and stopped on the side of the road for just a moment and rolled on to Maumelle. I remembered the hills just before Maumelle and the last one before the turn onto Maumelle Blvd smacked me up the side of the head. I was glad that that would be one of the last hills on the actual long ride on June 28th!
We got back to Cook's Landing and everyone was smiling from ear to ear! We had done it! Yale opened the back of his Element and there sat an ice chest! We had cold drinks and Yale made turkey sandwich halves with a thin slice of dill pickle. I laughed and told him it was the best sandwich I had ever eaten! We chased it with huge strawberries and blueberries!
All in all it was a fantastic day with great friends... great memories and great training! My hat's off to the greatest friends in the world for coming out and riding this! Yale, Ironman, Rebecca (Mrs. Ironman) and Razz... they stayed with me the WHOLE ride. Shawdawg, Shawkitty, Jim A, Coach Mark, Keith (Hey, you smell really nice! HA!) H., Robert, and fearless Marvin ... you guys rock!
12 of us started out at Cook's Landing and rode through Maumelle, Mayflower, Conway, Menifee, Plumerville were we were met by Yale's mom and her husband Jack. They are the most awesome folks! We had cold drinks, and fruit as well as cold water soaked towels.
Several were only planning to ride to Conway and back but everyone was feeling so good they stayed with us until Plumerville. 5 of us headed on out and by the time we got to Russellville it was the perfect time to stop. We all felt great but were ready for a break.
We crowded around an outdoor picnic table at McDonalds. I was as nervous at that point more than any other time on the ride. I usually can't eat a meal on a long ride. My tummy hates it but I knew I had to eat something so I got a fish sandwich without the tartar sauce and drank a Sprite. I worked with no problems at all!
We then reloaded our water bottles with cold drinks and hit the road for the ride home. One of my bottles had water and the other had green tea. I love that stuff and it has a calming effect on me. I usually drink it with my lunch at the office. Sweet tea does the same thing.
We rode into the wind and worked as a team taking turns at the front pulling. At times we would be rocking along at 18-20 then others when the wind would gust we could be seen going 14mph. The ride ended with and average of 16.6mph. My actual ride is set at 15 mph so I really felt good about that.
I did get a cramp just outside of Morriton but it quickly went away as I took a replacement cap.
As we rolled into Morrilton everything was closed except the Big Star grocery store so we loaded up on water and ice and Yale picked up a 6 pack of small V8 drinks. He stands by those as the drink to have when riding long rides. Again I decided to experiment with something while hot and getting tired. I drank the V8 and it was awesome! I had no idea those tasted so good! I'm hooked! Thanks Yale!My coach had also given me a drink mix to try. It was great and I could tell between the drink mix and the V8 that I was going to do good the rest of the ride. Thanks Mark!
We rolled on pushing through the winds. They weren't wicked but just enough to make you wish they weren't blowing. I was excited as we rounded a curve to spot the hill that takes us back into Conway. It was one of those "almost home" feelings you get after a long trip.
We stopped at the Citgo (sp?) station on Tyler and Hogan St and we were all just having a great time. Everyone was still feeling good with over a hundred miles already behind us. Yale's mom comes driving in and what do they have? Cold drinks!! I had another almost frozen V8 drink and I was so good!
We then headed toward Mayflower and stopped on the side of the road for just a moment and rolled on to Maumelle. I remembered the hills just before Maumelle and the last one before the turn onto Maumelle Blvd smacked me up the side of the head. I was glad that that would be one of the last hills on the actual long ride on June 28th!
We got back to Cook's Landing and everyone was smiling from ear to ear! We had done it! Yale opened the back of his Element and there sat an ice chest! We had cold drinks and Yale made turkey sandwich halves with a thin slice of dill pickle. I laughed and told him it was the best sandwich I had ever eaten! We chased it with huge strawberries and blueberries!
All in all it was a fantastic day with great friends... great memories and great training! My hat's off to the greatest friends in the world for coming out and riding this! Yale, Ironman, Rebecca (Mrs. Ironman) and Razz... they stayed with me the WHOLE ride. Shawdawg, Shawkitty, Jim A, Coach Mark, Keith (Hey, you smell really nice! HA!) H., Robert, and fearless Marvin ... you guys rock!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunday
Great weekend so far! Met up with friends and rode some of the Carti training ride but a few of us had a late roll out due to a flat among our group. We caught up with the back of the group and then we got off track somewhere along the way. Still had a good time.
This afternoon I drove from Maumelle to Conway to check the route I will be riding tomorrow. There are several of us going out in the morning and riding the day out on the course. I'm looking forward to time on the actual course.
If all goes well then I will log 142 miles tomorrow. Tough day ahead but it's a good route that almost runs right along the interstate and there a small c-stores dotting the route as well so if anything were to happen to any of the riders it wouldn't be hard for a family member to pick him/her up.
This afternoon I drove from Maumelle to Conway to check the route I will be riding tomorrow. There are several of us going out in the morning and riding the day out on the course. I'm looking forward to time on the actual course.
If all goes well then I will log 142 miles tomorrow. Tough day ahead but it's a good route that almost runs right along the interstate and there a small c-stores dotting the route as well so if anything were to happen to any of the riders it wouldn't be hard for a family member to pick him/her up.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Memorial Weekend just ahead
Well awwwwright! The weekend is about to start so this is a quick hit!
Tomorrow finds me at 8am at Burn's Park soccer fields to meet up with riders doing the CARTI training ride. We've been having a lot of fun on these rides! Planning on riding out to the farmlands toward England. I have a great sponsor out that way -- DELTA GROWS. Everyone who knows me knows I love the farmlands.
Sunday is an easy ride and then... Monday....
143 mile ride from North Little Rock to Russellville and back. I love it love it love it!!
Have a great Friday y'all!
Geo.
Tomorrow finds me at 8am at Burn's Park soccer fields to meet up with riders doing the CARTI training ride. We've been having a lot of fun on these rides! Planning on riding out to the farmlands toward England. I have a great sponsor out that way -- DELTA GROWS. Everyone who knows me knows I love the farmlands.
Sunday is an easy ride and then... Monday....
143 mile ride from North Little Rock to Russellville and back. I love it love it love it!!
Have a great Friday y'all!
Geo.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Honored
Remember when I was laughing about the Governor's Office calling mine? Look what came in the mail yesterday! It's the appointment letter from Governor Mike Bebee for the advisory board of infant hearing. What an honor!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
5.23.07 Part II
Work day over and clipped in and rode to the house. Well not straight home. I rode along the river and got 15 in before heading to the house. Saw JBar out crankin'. Good ride and good wind most of the time. The one real climb on the way home was met with a pushy snot headwind. Nothing like a shoulderless road, lots of traffic, a hill, headwind, and the Cow God. But hey, I survived. I keep telling friends about riding to the Cow God. I'll take a photo of what I'm talking about this weekend and post it. There is a meat warehouse on top of this hill and it has a huge black angus cow on the roof. One day a year ago I was really hot, tired and bonking to the hilt and it was like the cow was putting some evil curse on me. It was one of those sweat in your eyes and stinging like crazy sort of days. Since then I've called it the Cow God. When I climb that hill I won't look up because it's head turns a looks at me and it's eyes turn red. Ok, I'm lying but it sounds cool huh?! Speaking of things comin' to life -- Transformers the Movie comes out July 4th! Oh Yeah!!
Anyway, the ride home was good and it was one of those rides where when you stop and every sweat gland explodes. I was sweating a river!
Ok so the weekend plans (hey, it's Wednesday night! Long weekend is almost here!)
Coach tells me to save the legs... I tell him he's a pain in the butt some days. So I'll save the riding for the weekend... maybe. (I see Coach M. rolling his eyes! HA!)
Thursday: Maybe easy spin
Friday: No ride
Saturday: House -- Carti Training Ride -- not with the front group since I'm saving the legs.
Sunday: Easy spin
Monday: (Fasten the seat belt baby cakes here we go!!!) Cook's Landing and on wheels at 7am for a ride to Russellville and back for about 143 miles. Several folks are going. Some all the way out and back and some part. It will be steady and easy pace due to the distance. Ya wanna ride with us a bit? Come on out and feel tha loooove!
Hey, check this out -- Coach M likes Blue Coast Burrito's Fish Tacos and Baha Tea. I knew there's was something about this guy. Blue Coast owner lives just down the hill from us too. I need to get them on as a sponsor. My family thinks I'm the only person that likes fish tacos.
Don't forget to go over to www.archildrens.org and make a donation to the ride or send a check to the hospital for the ride! Man, it's a tax write off and you know you need it so send a lot!
Well awww-right, I'm outta here!
Geo.
Anyway, the ride home was good and it was one of those rides where when you stop and every sweat gland explodes. I was sweating a river!
Ok so the weekend plans (hey, it's Wednesday night! Long weekend is almost here!)
Coach tells me to save the legs... I tell him he's a pain in the butt some days. So I'll save the riding for the weekend... maybe. (I see Coach M. rolling his eyes! HA!)
Thursday: Maybe easy spin
Friday: No ride
Saturday: House -- Carti Training Ride -- not with the front group since I'm saving the legs.
Sunday: Easy spin
Monday: (Fasten the seat belt baby cakes here we go!!!) Cook's Landing and on wheels at 7am for a ride to Russellville and back for about 143 miles. Several folks are going. Some all the way out and back and some part. It will be steady and easy pace due to the distance. Ya wanna ride with us a bit? Come on out and feel tha loooove!
Hey, check this out -- Coach M likes Blue Coast Burrito's Fish Tacos and Baha Tea. I knew there's was something about this guy. Blue Coast owner lives just down the hill from us too. I need to get them on as a sponsor. My family thinks I'm the only person that likes fish tacos.
Don't forget to go over to www.archildrens.org and make a donation to the ride or send a check to the hospital for the ride! Man, it's a tax write off and you know you need it so send a lot!
Well awww-right, I'm outta here!
Geo.
Wednesday 5.23.07
Rockin' Mount Nebo!The Rock and Republic pro racing team is awesome!
Sorry, forgot to post Sunday. I went to Mt Nebo to watch the pro's race. Found a new team to cheer on -- Rock and Republic (www.rockracing.com).
Monday -- Pop up rain shower. Weirdest thing happend. I was sitting in the den and started to get up and I couldn't. Serious, on my knees couldn't sort of stuff. Felt like someone hit me with a baseball bat. I'm all bent over and walking like an old person. It was sore most of the night but I was able to sleep and woke without any pain. Maybe it was just a catch or something. Never had that before and don't want it again.
Tuesday -- Plan was to ride home from the hospital. Storm came up. Daughter's car in the shop,they called and said 4 days and over $1,000. I gave her my Explorer and Went to Enterprise and picked up a truck for the week. Yep, I'm a manly man now with a truck. Only the truck bed is too short for the bike so I had to turn the wheel and lay it down. I was able to get out and ride after the storm past. It was one of those cool, humid rides and a fast 24 miler.
Today -- lunch almost over and I'm riding to the house after work if no rain. Plan to get some miles in and maybe ride tomorrow too. In-laws coming in from FL (They live there) so plans may change.
Oh hey Phonak will be here tomorrow with test gear! Oh yeah!!!
Funds are coming in for the kids and we are 5 days from the 1 month count down. I have one more large batch of letters that need to go out and will work those over the long weekend.
Monday -- Pop up rain shower. Weirdest thing happend. I was sitting in the den and started to get up and I couldn't. Serious, on my knees couldn't sort of stuff. Felt like someone hit me with a baseball bat. I'm all bent over and walking like an old person. It was sore most of the night but I was able to sleep and woke without any pain. Maybe it was just a catch or something. Never had that before and don't want it again.
Tuesday -- Plan was to ride home from the hospital. Storm came up. Daughter's car in the shop,they called and said 4 days and over $1,000. I gave her my Explorer and Went to Enterprise and picked up a truck for the week. Yep, I'm a manly man now with a truck. Only the truck bed is too short for the bike so I had to turn the wheel and lay it down. I was able to get out and ride after the storm past. It was one of those cool, humid rides and a fast 24 miler.
Today -- lunch almost over and I'm riding to the house after work if no rain. Plan to get some miles in and maybe ride tomorrow too. In-laws coming in from FL (They live there) so plans may change.
Oh hey Phonak will be here tomorrow with test gear! Oh yeah!!!
Funds are coming in for the kids and we are 5 days from the 1 month count down. I have one more large batch of letters that need to go out and will work those over the long weekend.
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