My Trek 708-N1 On Top Of Tooth Of Time-Philmont 2009 “A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room.” Sir Robert Baden Powell
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Almost November...Finally Cool
So: What have I been doing the last few months? Well, I took a job at REI part time in September. Its only 1 night per week if I am home plus weekends. I usually have one weekend day off but during the sale the last 2 weeks, I have been working all they need me. I work in the paddling/cycling area OR as they call it "ACTION SPORTS". What a great company and what cool people. I have enjoyed every minute there. The training is very thorough and sometimes it gets intense. But overall they do a great job presenting the company to you. Yeah it cuts into my free time but it also is helping to pay down some debt. Which at this point is well needed. I am still riding about 150 miles per week on weeks I am home from traveling and on weekdays I can ride. So its still cycling season in my book. Today is low 40's this morning. Probably has hit 50 or more as I write this at noon. Tuesday, my oldest son Kyle hit 18 years old. A big milestone in any mans life. He and I and one of his friends who also just turned 18 a few weeks back had a cigar on the porch in celebration of this achievement. I hate cigars and I hate smoke but it was a once every so often thing I felt like I had to do. He got an I-Phone 4S yesterday. Its a great invention but almost too involved. It scares me sometimes to see what they keep coming up with. I never thought I would be so "Connected" to everything and everyone. Things that are coming up for me include a backpack trip with the Venture Crew in mid November to Grayson Highlands. We did this last year and it was a lot of fun. They are not into hiking miles and miles but they are a fun group. Hopefully we can see ponies and it wont be freezing cold all weekend. Other than that, no real plans as I know my other job will keep me busy most weekends through Christmas. I need to update this blog more but time is limited. I should try to make at least one entry per week. I need to have a record of some things I do. Adios
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Grayson Highlands with Scout Troop
This past weekend, the Scout Troop did a 3 day backpack trip to Mt. Rogers/Grayson Highlands. Its an annual event that usually sees us picking and eating so many blueberries that we all get sick. This year, the blueberries were less than plentiful. In fact, they were basically non-existent. I lead the longer trek in from Elk Garden which is west of the state park and we had another long trek that came in from the Backpackers lot along with 2 short treks. We arrived at Elk Garden on Friday night about 7:30PM. When we left Mooresville, the weather was warm and clear. But as we were about 5 miles out from Elk, the rains came and they were pretty heavy. The group sat in cars until the rain subsided a bit and by the time we put on rain gear and started waliking, the rain stopped. We only had a mile walk to the meadow and set up camp. It actually cleared quite nicely for about an hour after we set up. We were outside talking and staring at some cows in the meadow when the rains came back. I got in my tent and it rained heavily for 2-3 hours. The rain falling on my tent kept me calm and soon I was sleeping fairly sound.
Saturday morning we got up, dried stuff off as much as possible then set out for the campsite for Saturday night. I wanted to try out a new area I scoped out last November when I was with the Venture crew. It was about 5 miles an we hiked it in less than 3 hours. We got to the site and there were 2 guys packing up. One of them pointed out a yellow jacket nest in the best flattest site in the camp. We set up tents to dry but it was still very cool for August and not sunny at all. BUT NO RAIN!! Rather than sit around in camp all day, we loaded up some slack packs and headed off to make a 10 mile loop around the AT and back. All day, the wind was whipping and it never got to 60 degrees. It felt good but was cooler than I had hoped for. We made our way down the Crest Trail to Scales and took a short break there. We hooked up with the AT at Scales and hiked towards Wise Shelter. There we ran into 2 guys who were hanging out with at least a gallon of whiskey. I talked to one of them for a few minutes and learned he owned a bike shop in Charlotte. They had a really cool dog who started hiking with us but went back somewhere on the AT. We kept passing and getting passed by a group of Latter Day Saints from Mooresville. About 3 o'clock we crested Massie Gap and the sun finally peaked out from the mist for a while. Another hike up Rhododendron Gap and we were ready to pump water from the spring at Rhodo Gap. We headed into camp about 5PM tired and hungry. It was hard to really sit around camp as the wind never let up all evening. Finally a Scout got a small fore started and we were glad to have the warmth. Most of the group turned in around 10PM.
Sunday morning we rose early and headed out at 7:30AM for the 5 miles back to Elk Garden. Like always, the sun shone brightly all day. Who would have thunk it??? Back to the car for a 3 hour drive back to Mooresville. A quick stop to get a REAL RC Cola at Sparta and we were back in Mooresville by 12:30PM. Even though the weekend was cold and misty, it was a great weekend.
Saturday morning we got up, dried stuff off as much as possible then set out for the campsite for Saturday night. I wanted to try out a new area I scoped out last November when I was with the Venture crew. It was about 5 miles an we hiked it in less than 3 hours. We got to the site and there were 2 guys packing up. One of them pointed out a yellow jacket nest in the best flattest site in the camp. We set up tents to dry but it was still very cool for August and not sunny at all. BUT NO RAIN!! Rather than sit around in camp all day, we loaded up some slack packs and headed off to make a 10 mile loop around the AT and back. All day, the wind was whipping and it never got to 60 degrees. It felt good but was cooler than I had hoped for. We made our way down the Crest Trail to Scales and took a short break there. We hooked up with the AT at Scales and hiked towards Wise Shelter. There we ran into 2 guys who were hanging out with at least a gallon of whiskey. I talked to one of them for a few minutes and learned he owned a bike shop in Charlotte. They had a really cool dog who started hiking with us but went back somewhere on the AT. We kept passing and getting passed by a group of Latter Day Saints from Mooresville. About 3 o'clock we crested Massie Gap and the sun finally peaked out from the mist for a while. Another hike up Rhododendron Gap and we were ready to pump water from the spring at Rhodo Gap. We headed into camp about 5PM tired and hungry. It was hard to really sit around camp as the wind never let up all evening. Finally a Scout got a small fore started and we were glad to have the warmth. Most of the group turned in around 10PM.
Sunday morning we rose early and headed out at 7:30AM for the 5 miles back to Elk Garden. Like always, the sun shone brightly all day. Who would have thunk it??? Back to the car for a 3 hour drive back to Mooresville. A quick stop to get a REAL RC Cola at Sparta and we were back in Mooresville by 12:30PM. Even though the weekend was cold and misty, it was a great weekend.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Lance Armstrong and me
Well, yesterday was my 49th birthday. I dont feel 49 but then again, What does 49 feel like? I am older and I get tired easier. I dont have the stamina riding I once did. I dont get up and bound out of bed at 6AM as easy as I once did. I cant run as far, ride as far or even drive as far. But I still feel young. So I guess the saying is true: "You are only as old as you feel".
Some of my cycling and non-cycling friends have asked me recently if I believe Lance Armstrong doped. This past week, a man I admire greatly, George Hincapie came out and said that Lance used EPO early in in his career and possibly as recently as his comeback 2 years ago. Tyler Hamilton said it, Floyd Landis said it and so did Frankie Andreu. All of these guys rode with Lance at some point in his career. Frankie rode early on, Floyd and Tyler for a couple seasons. But George was there for all seven TDF wins and every training session and almost all of his days in the saddle in events. Big George is well-liked by everyone and is of the highest integrity. Hearing that he had testified to the drug use by Lance basically leads me to believe that Lance was doping. I followed Lance from his very early days as a teenager in Texas winning triathlons by miles over the pros. I watched him win the world championships in the early 90's, watched and prayed for him when he was dying of cancer and cheered for him as he made his return to cycling. Back in 98, I was training for the Assault on Mount Mitchell and had the opportunity to ride with Lance (well for about 500 feet in Blowing Rock). He was training with 2 guys I didn't know but learned later it was Chris Carmichael and Bob Roll. They rode past me on Highway 181 and spoke to me and asked me how far to the top. I think I gasped out 3 miles and they blew right by me. I knew it was Lance because I recognized the Cofidis Jersey and his awesome prowess on the bike. I later read in his book that that week was his revelation and return to the competitive world. In 2003, I had a better chance to meet George Hincapie. I was in Greenville riding with a friend over Paris Mountain. George was living there on the mountain with his family and was out riding a few intervals up Paris. The guy I was riding with knew him a little and George slowed to chat with us. It was the highlight of my cycling day. He was such an effortless climber, but also a great guy. He was "just a guy out for a ride". I tried to stick on his wheel as he started to take off. I am proud to say he only beat me to the top by 20 seconds. I was on the rivet as they say and I doubt George was pushing it too much. I became a fan that day. I put up a poster in my office that still stands. I wanted him to win Paris-Roubaix so bad but the 2 years he was in his best form, he crashed out. He also almost had the yellow jersey at the tour a few years back. I wanted it for him more than I ever wanted it for Lance. So, my respect for George is great.
So I guess as I sit here tonight thinking about the events of this last week in cycling, I am still numb over the realization that Lance Armstrong probably doped. Lance is not a hero to me. Very few people are a hero. My Dad is a hero, Jesus is a hero and the people who protect us from harm are heroes in my book. Professional athletes are not heroes and should never be called that. They get paid to go out and perform. But even though Lance was not a hero, he was someone I respected greatly. He was(as someone called him) "A BADASS ON A BIKE". I cant recall ANY athlete living or dead who I could watch for hours. He was THE MAN. So its sad that its come to this.
Now do I think he should be stripped of his 7 TDF titles? ABSOLUTELY but only if he is proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt. I feel like Lance thought he was just leveling the playing field. Almost every cyclist from that era has been tested positive. The list is long: Hamilton, Landis, Andreu, Rasmussen, Pantani, Zabel, Riis, Ullrich, Millar, Hueras.....even the great Eddy Merckx was found using banned substance in the 70's. (click here for more) Landis was stripped of his title so why is Lance any better. The difference was, Lance was never tested as positive....ever. So in reality, even if everyone says he was a doper, no one has any proof beyond a shadow of a doubt. As far as I know, unless Lance comes out and admits it (which I doubt he ever will), it will remain unproven. But the fact that George admitted he doped and saw Lance dope means a great deal to me. I am not ready to crucify him, but I have lost a lot of hope...
In reality, I always suspected there was cheating going on with Lance.. I didn't want to believe it nor do I want to now. I looked up to him as an athlete. So the thought he may have cheated will never be an easy thing for me to digest.
None of this takes away from all of the wonderful things he has done for Cancer victims all over the world. His support and influence has helped so many people deal with this horrible disease. How many yellow bracelets have you seen out there? I wore one for 5 years myself. I still have so much respect for him as a person. He used much influence to help others. You cant take that away from him.
So what will Lance's legacy be now that so many people have testified against him? I guess that remains to be seen. I still think he may be one of the greatest athletes of our time. Clean or dirty, no one could hold a candle to him. It will be a sad day if it ever is proven that he doped. I know I will not feel the same about him. I am sure many others will feel like he let them down too. Only time will tell if Lance will live out his legacy as a great cyclist. There is no doubt he will live a legacy as a humanitarian.
Some of my cycling and non-cycling friends have asked me recently if I believe Lance Armstrong doped. This past week, a man I admire greatly, George Hincapie came out and said that Lance used EPO early in in his career and possibly as recently as his comeback 2 years ago. Tyler Hamilton said it, Floyd Landis said it and so did Frankie Andreu. All of these guys rode with Lance at some point in his career. Frankie rode early on, Floyd and Tyler for a couple seasons. But George was there for all seven TDF wins and every training session and almost all of his days in the saddle in events. Big George is well-liked by everyone and is of the highest integrity. Hearing that he had testified to the drug use by Lance basically leads me to believe that Lance was doping. I followed Lance from his very early days as a teenager in Texas winning triathlons by miles over the pros. I watched him win the world championships in the early 90's, watched and prayed for him when he was dying of cancer and cheered for him as he made his return to cycling. Back in 98, I was training for the Assault on Mount Mitchell and had the opportunity to ride with Lance (well for about 500 feet in Blowing Rock). He was training with 2 guys I didn't know but learned later it was Chris Carmichael and Bob Roll. They rode past me on Highway 181 and spoke to me and asked me how far to the top. I think I gasped out 3 miles and they blew right by me. I knew it was Lance because I recognized the Cofidis Jersey and his awesome prowess on the bike. I later read in his book that that week was his revelation and return to the competitive world. In 2003, I had a better chance to meet George Hincapie. I was in Greenville riding with a friend over Paris Mountain. George was living there on the mountain with his family and was out riding a few intervals up Paris. The guy I was riding with knew him a little and George slowed to chat with us. It was the highlight of my cycling day. He was such an effortless climber, but also a great guy. He was "just a guy out for a ride". I tried to stick on his wheel as he started to take off. I am proud to say he only beat me to the top by 20 seconds. I was on the rivet as they say and I doubt George was pushing it too much. I became a fan that day. I put up a poster in my office that still stands. I wanted him to win Paris-Roubaix so bad but the 2 years he was in his best form, he crashed out. He also almost had the yellow jersey at the tour a few years back. I wanted it for him more than I ever wanted it for Lance. So, my respect for George is great.
So I guess as I sit here tonight thinking about the events of this last week in cycling, I am still numb over the realization that Lance Armstrong probably doped. Lance is not a hero to me. Very few people are a hero. My Dad is a hero, Jesus is a hero and the people who protect us from harm are heroes in my book. Professional athletes are not heroes and should never be called that. They get paid to go out and perform. But even though Lance was not a hero, he was someone I respected greatly. He was(as someone called him) "A BADASS ON A BIKE". I cant recall ANY athlete living or dead who I could watch for hours. He was THE MAN. So its sad that its come to this.
Now do I think he should be stripped of his 7 TDF titles? ABSOLUTELY but only if he is proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt. I feel like Lance thought he was just leveling the playing field. Almost every cyclist from that era has been tested positive. The list is long: Hamilton, Landis, Andreu, Rasmussen, Pantani, Zabel, Riis, Ullrich, Millar, Hueras.....even the great Eddy Merckx was found using banned substance in the 70's. (click here for more) Landis was stripped of his title so why is Lance any better. The difference was, Lance was never tested as positive....ever. So in reality, even if everyone says he was a doper, no one has any proof beyond a shadow of a doubt. As far as I know, unless Lance comes out and admits it (which I doubt he ever will), it will remain unproven. But the fact that George admitted he doped and saw Lance dope means a great deal to me. I am not ready to crucify him, but I have lost a lot of hope...
In reality, I always suspected there was cheating going on with Lance.. I didn't want to believe it nor do I want to now. I looked up to him as an athlete. So the thought he may have cheated will never be an easy thing for me to digest.
None of this takes away from all of the wonderful things he has done for Cancer victims all over the world. His support and influence has helped so many people deal with this horrible disease. How many yellow bracelets have you seen out there? I wore one for 5 years myself. I still have so much respect for him as a person. He used much influence to help others. You cant take that away from him.
So what will Lance's legacy be now that so many people have testified against him? I guess that remains to be seen. I still think he may be one of the greatest athletes of our time. Clean or dirty, no one could hold a candle to him. It will be a sad day if it ever is proven that he doped. I know I will not feel the same about him. I am sure many others will feel like he let them down too. Only time will tell if Lance will live out his legacy as a great cyclist. There is no doubt he will live a legacy as a humanitarian.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Where have I been?
Friday, February 11, 2011
In Florida and its COLD
I am in Orlando for a pool and spa show. It was warm in Ft. Lauderdale yesterday but in Orlando today it was NOT. Its not a whole lot warmer than home. The low tomorrow morning will be 40. Thats not Florida. I did get a run in this AM of about 5 miles. Going to try to get in the same tomorrow.
Total Road Cycling Miles 2011- 729 Miles
Total Running Miles 2011- 53 Miles
Total Road Cycling Miles 2011- 729 Miles
Total Running Miles 2011- 53 Miles
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
In Orlando-Nice and Warm but no bike
I flew into Orlando today but not before I took a quick 24 mile ride before leaving. It was raw at home today. It had never made it to 40 before I left. When I landed in Orlando it was 72. Its 11:30 PM and still 64. I am really going to enjoy this week....
Total Road Cycling Miles 2011-729 Miles
Total Running Miles 2011-48 Miles
Total Road Cycling Miles 2011-729 Miles
Total Running Miles 2011-48 Miles
Getting Ready to head to warmer weather....No riding though :(
Later today, I fly out to Orlando for a few days. I am looking forward to getting to a little warmer weather but wish I could take the bike. I used to do that up until 3-4 years ago and decided I hated driving 8-10 hours to get to a destination. Then work there 2-3 days and drive back 8 or 9 hours home. Yeah...Not fun. So its in the plane for 1.5 hours (plus getting there an hour early and going through the TSA checks etc). Still, its better than driving all day. I took Monday off completely which I needed. Yesterday was cool but not bitter cold like it has been on and off. I think it might have hit 50 but I am not sure. I put in 26 miles and really enjoyed the ride. My legs seemed a little fresher but I am still going to back off for a few weeks and see if I can get my MOJO working again. So off to Mousetown FL until Saturday.
Total Road Cycling Miles 2011- 705 miles
Total Running Miles 2011- 48 Miles (Will go up over the next 3-4 days.)
Total Road Cycling Miles 2011- 705 miles
Total Running Miles 2011- 48 Miles (Will go up over the next 3-4 days.)
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