Father of Six

I did two new bike rides this weekend.

On Saturday, I rode from home to Parker and back.40 miles.I was surprised that once I got to Parker Road on the 470 bike path that I didn’t have to ride on the streets. Parker has a great bike path system and according to the maps, you can ride all directions for a pretty significant distance.

Today, Sunday, I rode up a portion of Deer Creek Canyon. It was 6.2 miles up, over 1000 feet of elevation gain, and some pretty steep stuff. It took me 40 minutes. Then the ride back. It was exhilerating. I hit a top speed of 43 mph, and it only took me 14 minutes to get back down. That was serious fun.

The new bike plan is coming together. I should be set by 8/13. Trust me, it’s turning out just fine.

I wonder how Tim and his fellas are doing at the Dork Olympics … and if everyone is injury free.

So the long weekend was great.

Visiting with Dad and Susan was great, as usual. We had a little diner party with all the kids on Friday evening. Greg came over too. On Saturday we all climbed into the basement and watched a movie called Honeydripper. In general I wouldn’t recommend the film, save for the final 90 seconds. If you’re ever in need of a reminder of how it feels to absolutely love the moment you are in, with utter joy and abandon, watch these 90 seconds - it’ll make you feel good. Later that evening, Trohe, Rick, Tanner and Macy joined us for a fine dinner. Dad and Suze made their way back to Missouri early Sunday morning.

Sunday was spent trying to stay cool. It’s been hot around here lately.

Later in the day, we met Tim and Jeanne for dinner at Cafe Terracotta in downtown Littleton. As usual - great food, and even better company. It’s fun to try these new hole-in-the-wall and not the run of the mill type places.

I extended the weekend one day by taking Monday off. I had a nice 25 mile bike ride on the pig and spent the rest of the day just relaxing.

It has taken a full three days, but I’m just about back to feeling normal again. The Mo vs. Pig saga isn’t over yet, but it is no longer dramatic. Don’t look for posts about that topic unless a final solution is reached.

We took Boomer to see the movie, Wall-E yesterday. I think he enjoyed it. Boomer is a very quisitive sort, and he follows the plot quite well. But he sure does ask a lot of questions. What I’m saying is that he hasn’t learned to just let the story happen, nor has he learned about theatre etiquette. And it cost us just as much for tickets for 5 of us as it did for popcorn and drinks. No wonder I don’t frequent the movies.

I’m looking forward to this Independence Day weekend. I don’t feel any pressure to train, but am looking forward to sneeking a couple of rides in. Will probably do a bit of landscaping. And we’ll have the traditional backyard bbq too.

Completed the challenge yesterday. Now I can mark that off my list of things to do. Weather was warmer. I was a tad bit quicker than Saturday too. My allergies were raging - I probably blew my nose 100 times.

I was extremely tired the rest of Sunday. I took two naps, and it was all I could do to keep myself upright.

I probably won’t do another one of these events. Takes too much time to prepare, and you’ve got to get up early - pre-pre-dawn - to actually participate.

I won’t follow-up this post with another listing of the songs played on my iPod during Sunday’s ride. There were some great selections, but I didn’t like the way yesterday’s post appeared. Write me if you’re interested in the list, and I’ll share in with you.

Thanks to every one who contributed to the MS Society on my behalf.

For the musically inclined, the musically curious, or for those of you who know someone that would be fascinated by a list such as that which will follow, I offer the songs that took me 75 miles on my bicycle today. I set the iPod to shuffle and went on my merry way.

(Of course those of you who might be completely disinterested, feel free to skip this post.)

There’s something for everyone: Blues, Country, R&B, Classical, Opera, Rock and various sub-genres of Rock, Rock Opera, Jazz, Gypsy Jazz, Flamenco, Spoken Word (2 Forms,) and Pop.

Print this list. See how many songs or artists you recognize. Share it with your friends. Total the time and see if you can tell how long I spent riding my bike today. The potential for fun and games is endless.

Hey Love 2:45 Stevie Wonder
Bye Bye Blues 3:52 Rishell & Raines
Broken Dreams 6:29 Diana Krall
Fleche d’or 6:48 Biréli Lagrène
World Looking In 4:08 Morcheeba
Nature Boy 6:15 Biréli Lagrène & Jimmy Rosenberg
All Night Thing 3:52 Temple Of The Dog
One Of These Days 4:52 Bill Frisell
Love Gun 3:16 Kiss
Early In The Morning 2:13 Corey Harris
Sonnet 64 1:00 William Shakespeare / Ossie Davis
1e 6:05 The Teaching Company (High Middle Ages)
Jockey Full Of Bourbon 3:33 John Hammond
Christine Sixteen 3:10 Gin Blossoms
Ouachita Run 2:39 Alvin Youngblood Hart
I Got the Fire 3:10 Montrose
Skinny Woman 2:10 R.L. Burnside
For Your Love 5:01 Stevie Wonder
Ixtapa 5:14 Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Soulshine 7:43 Gov’t Mule
Fantasia in D minor, K 397 (K 385g) 7:16 Mozart: Mitsuko Uchida
I Don’t Know (Satisfaction) 3:53 Sly & The Family Stone
Cracker Ass Cracker (Live) 3:26 Keller Williams
Everyday People 2:23 Sly & The Family Stone
Preaching Blues 2:52 Robert Johnson
La belle vie 1:55 Biréli Lagrène
Endless Parade 8:59 Gov’t Mule
Turkish March (From The Ruins Of Athens) 1:50 Ludwig Van Beethoven
Coriolan Overture 9:18 Ludwig Van Beethoven
When I Was A Cowboy (Western Plains) 3:14 Alvin Youngblood Hart
Sonnet 16 1:06 William Shakespeare /Brian Stokes Mitchell
The Fool And Me 3:55 Robin Trower
Power Of Love 6:58 Jimi Hendrix Band Of Gypsys
Long Line Skinner 5:53 Mississippi Fred McDowell
Dune Buggy 2:44 The Presidents Of The USA
God of War 7:11 Tyr
Tidal 4:19 John Paul Jones
Stone Cold 4:24 Rainbow
H.C.Q. Strut 2:58 Django Reinhardt
Mr. X 2:22 Alex Lifeson
Sample In A Jar 4:57 Phish
Handel: Messiah - But Thanks Be To God 2:13 English Concert & Choir
The Ocean 4:31 Led Zeppelin
Gitano Soy 3:04 Manuel El Chachi & Spanish Gipsy
A Mí Manera 3:51 Gipsy Kings
Oceans 2:42 Pearl Jam
Rag Doll 4:25 Aerosmith
Bloodshot Eyes 2:49 Pat Benatar
Guided By Wire 3:22 Neko Case
Le jazz et la java 2:36 Yves Montand
Midnight Rider 4:28 Gregg Allman
Passion (Instrumental) 3:02 Gipsy Kings
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is 3:22 Chicago
If You Really Love Me 3:00 Stevie Wonder
In Your Eyes [Live] 5:09 Jeffrey Gaines
Time To Confess 8:28 Gov’t Mule
Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning 2:03 The Word S-WORD
Motherless Child 2:57 Eric Clapton
Fortunate Fool 3:47 Jack Johnson
Orff: Carmina Burana Dance1:42 Vladimir Dolezal,Orff: Carmina Burana
Malted Milk 2:22 Robert Johnson
I Got A Problem 4:35 Albert Collins
Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning 2:55 Corey Harris
Baba O’Riley 5:09 The Who
Sonnet 54 1:08 William Shakespeare/Gerry Bamman
Consequences 4:28 Robert Cray
Plume 3:38 Smashing Pumpkins
When It’s Love 5:39 Van Halen
There Is No God 6:08 Extreme
Train In Vain 4:46 Annie Lennox
A Tu Vera 3:12 Gipsy Kings
Let Me Serenade You 3:06 Three Dog Night
Orff: Carmina Burana-Ave, Formosissima 2:04 Vladimir Dolezal,Orff: Carmina Burana
Down By The Seaside 7:52 Robert Plant & Tori Amos
String Quartet #1 In G, K 80 - Adagio 6:21 Mozart: Éder Quartet
10c 4:37 The Teaching Company (High Middle Ages)
Everything’s Alright 3:35 Andrew Lloyd Webber (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Un Amor 3:38 Gipsy Kings
Night Life 4:26 Willie Nelson
157 Riverside Avenue (Live) 7:38 REO Speedwagon

The pig did me right today. I did day one of the MS150 with no problems or issues. I was finished and off my course by noon.

I only have two real complaints. #1, you have to get up damned early to participate in this event, and #2, it was completely overcast and I don’t think the temperature got to 75 while I was riding. There really isn’t a problem with the temps; it was probably better for riding. But if I had known (or paid attention to the forecast) that it was going to be 55-75 degrees for the duration, I’d have worn me long sleeves.

Looks like Mo might have to be euthanized. The total damage was not limited to just the wheel and rear dérailleur. Looks like the rear triangle part of the frame was tweaked 3mm to the left. This means the new wheel won’t fit normally without rubbing against the frame. The mechanics can “dish” the wheel to match the distorted frame but this would cause the rim to rub against the back brake. I could ride without a rear brake, but that’s a little too risky. Since the frame is aluminum, this means that it is likely to break under stress - including tweaking or riding. This means I won’t be riding Mo for the MS150. It also means that I need a new frame.

So, I’m about to suffer and suffer badly. I will be riding 150 miles on the pig. I’m in big trouble.

I’m over the shock of losing Mo. I’m over the fact that I will be riding a 35lb bike instead of a 23lb one. I’m over expecting to finish each day fresh. I’m over expecting to finish each day in about 5 hours. I am now looking at at least 6 & 1/2 hours each day.

I’ve got to remember that this is not a race. I’ve got to keep in perspective that I am challenging myself to a test of endurance, and how quickly I finish matters not. I also need to remember all of you who have contributed to the MS Society on my behalf, and that I owe each of you a performance worthy of your contributions.

I will endure these 150 miles. And I’ll find a way to enjoy myself whilst doing so.

I’m ready to roll on the Colorado edition of the MS150. I’m picking up Mo this afternoon, complete with a new wheel and rear dérailleur. (Thanks for bird-dogging the shop, honey.)

I went to New Orleans for a couple of days this week. Stayed in Slidell Tuesday and had a great dinner at Nathan’s.

Happy birthday Mom!

(While I was gone, some visitor to the neighbor’s backed out of the driveway and into my fence. Had to have 3 posts replaced. Tami dealt with the neighbors and with the property maintenance guys to get the fence repaired.)

Stayed in New Orleans Wednesday night, and had another great dinner at Tommy’s on Tchoupitoulas. Flew home yesterday.

Tami and I went to the MS150 team carb-load party last night. I picked up my jersey and rider packet.

I went for an easy 20 miler this morning on the pig. I have a few errands to run, will try to hydrate all day. I have to be at the event start location by 5am tomorrow morning.

Thanks to everyone who has supported and encourage me in advance of this big adventure.

Note to Brit and Daner. Tami and I stopped by your place last night. You weren’t there. Dang it.

My throat didn’t hurt so much this morning, so I got up and was determined to ride the pig on the Platte River, Bear Creek, 470, back to the Platte, Lee Gulch super loop.

And off I went, another 40 miler. While riding the pig is slower than Mo, I really can’t complain too much. The new slick tires have worked out great and I actually enjoyed myself.

I made the Chicken and Leek Pie for dinner. It was fantastic!. Tami, Nana, myself and Becca all enjoyed it. Tami and I had two servings, and I was very surprised that Becca cleaned her plate. There’s leftovers if anyone wants to come over for a sample.

The news from the bike shop leads me to believe that Mo won”t be back to me until Friday next. So I bought slicks and tubes for the pig and swapped out the big knobby tires with them last night.

I also picked up Danielle at the airport late last night. She was returning from her trip to New Orleans. Fleur-de-lys.

This morning I rode the pig on a loop of the Highline Canal, the 470 Bike Path, the Platte River Trail and the Lee Gulch Trail. I did one particular section, including the Lee Gulch climb, three times. Total mileage = 40. That a lot for the pig, but it was a decent ride.

I feeling a bit under the weather. Sore throat and tired. Stress?

I hope to get another significant ride in tomorrow morning (as long as I’m feeling well enough) and then I have a recipe for a Chicken and Leek Pie that I hoping to prepare for supper. Great Expectations.