Keep Your Fingers Crossed!!!!

Okay, so I'm back on my bike again (as if I could stay off for long!) and I wanted to give you some updates/musings.

First of all, the title of this blog is all about sending out positive thoughts, vibes, prayers, good luck charms, etc that my video will make the semi finals of the "Win Any Bike Contest" sponsored by Bicycling Magazine.

On my last post I mentioned how I had assembled my crack team of future film directors to create a fun, hip video for the contest. Well, here is what they created; http://video.bicycling.com/video/Ride-for-the-Sunrise. I was going to just embed the entire video but unfortunately that's not allowed per the contest rules. So instead, I would encourage everyone you know to go on and rate it highly - perhaps that will encourage the judges to put me into the semifinals. MAKE COMMENTS! GIVE ME A HIGH RATING! (okay, enough of the subliminals).

I'm really not doing this for capitalistic reasons - my wife will tell you I really don't have space for another bike. However, with all that has happened to my family as it has fought its many battles against cancer I really need to do this ride to not only help those still fighting the disease but to show my gratitude that my immediate family is still healthy. My current bikes just aren't up to the challenge but I can't afford to buy one that will be right for the job so I'm hoping against hope that I can break into the semifinals and win one!

So, enjoy the video. After the final results I'll be embedding it on my blogsite for all of you to see but for now just click on the above line and post your comments!

Stay well, and I'll see you out there!

Riding in the Rain, Just Riding in the Rain

Okay, so maybe its not quite as etertaining as that great musical theatre classic tap number;

And I do have to apologize, since for all of those purists out there this is sacriledge! However, trust me, if Gene Kelly had thought about it, there is not one of those moves he couldn't have done. He was an amazing dancer, my idol and one of the greatest thrills of my entire life was the week I got to drive him around Dallas when he was there for his series of lectures about film and dance at SMU. I even got to go on a "double date" with him for the big gala reception with the high society of Dallas. It's a long story and maybe someday I'll chronicle it all. Needless to say, at the beginning of the week I was nervous to be in his presence, by the end he was telling me war stories of his time in the Navy during WWII. So I'm fairly certain that had he thought about moves you see up there, he would have put them in. However, for those you more pure about your classic movies here ya go;



But I have really digressed. What I did today instead was "Riding in the Rain". I don't know why I just felt like I had to ride today and it was raining so I put on the rain jacket, took a spare (read dry) set of clothes and headed out. So while it wasn't quite this bad;

I did manage to get thoroughly soaked to the skin. But it was worth it! It was so much fun! It wasn't too cold and I actually had one of the best rides ever! You always see those signs that have cute little sayings like, "a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work". Well, I have to say that it REALLY applies to cycling.

Then after school my film crew (Daniel, Dan Kahn and Phil) worked on the video submission for the Bicycling.com "Win Any Bike" contest - http://video.bicycling.com/contests/5K2KDZ3D8QTR7Z8G?cm_mmc=Bicycling%20NL-_-2010_03_11-_-contest-_-win_any_bike_2010 . You see, last year I did an honest and direct plea from the heart for a new bike so I can have something that will help me on my cross country ride next summer. I don't want anything incredibly fancy, just something that is going to help me get over the mountains and across the plains. However, I didn't even make the finals. What ended up winning was a slick rap-style video that was clever but it still made me think that the winner was only wanting a new bike for his own narcissitic purposes. Okay, here's the part where I reveal I'm not really a nice person - yes I was jealous! Even if it wasn't my video, there were a lot of people making appeals on the basis of various altruistic reasons and wishing to raise money for various charities. The winner got a bike because he wanted to look good.

So this year I enlisted the help of my potential Steven Spielberg types and I asked them to take charge of the filming and post production of the one minute video. So yesterday I rode around the parking lot for about 20 minutes while Dan, Phil and Dan filmed me (Dan Kahn even ran beside me filming while I rode very slowly...very very slowly). I'm sure its going to look amazing because they are the dream team behind a bunch of great promo videos for the theatre program here at SHS. Now, again I don't need anything fancy - and indeed Chuck Adams at Adams cyclery has told me that he could help me get a great price on a Trek cyclocross bike - a 2009 model from the distributor. However, I don't even have the money for a down payment to put it on lay away (ah, the life of a public teacher) so I'm hoping I can win one from Bicycling Magazine. That will take one part of the logistics for next summer's ride off of my check list and I can then focus on getting the RV, gas cards, camping and other items donated by sponsors - but first, THE BIKE!

Anyway, then it was off for home - with the 20 mph cross winds! Woohooooooo!!!!! I may have been slow but it was fun. I even managed to catch and pass another cyclist on the way......but I'm not racing!

So stay well and I'll see you on the road - and maybe someday it will be on my new bike as I train for the cross country Connor's Army tour!

Sarah Connor - Environmental Rock Star!

Today was an amazing day! You remember who saves the earth and all of humankind at the end of The Terminator?Okay, well, not really the character Linda Hamilton played in the movie. Although I am thinking of another Sarah Connor that might save the earth some day. Perhaps the one we see in this little movie;

Today was definitely an amazing day for our beautiful little girl. As many of you know, Sarah has had a rough year this year. Between school not really being challenging enough and all of the other angst that being prepubescent holds (not to mention some of the bullying she's been subjected to) its been a really rough ride for her. Its hard for her to remember that she is special and that its okay to think differently than those around you. Even in fifth grade its not easy to be a nonconformist. Its hard to think differently than others and to still feel like your special.

Well, this day was for her. We rode the train in (always a treat for the kids) and met Myna and Papa on the train (another treat) then we went into the city and rode the subway (again a treat). Then we finally made our way to the New York Headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Myna, Papa, Sarah, James and I made it pretty well unscathed through the metal detectors although I was glad I had on clean socks since we had to remove our shoes, belts, and anything else that might have metal in it. Amy and William had gone to Duane Reade on Broadway inbetween Duane and Reade Streets to get some cough medicine. They got caught in the big throng of people trying to get into the event and it took them forever to clear the detector.

But we finally made it to the top for a magnificient sun drenched view from the 30th floor! The kids were in heaven as they had refreshments ready for us. James even got to see the Statue of Liberty - which really made his day. The official photographer took a picture of the family and then we finally went in to where the ceremony would take place. Of course, William fairly early on announced "I'm Bored!" while James began reading his Geronimo Stilton book. I gave William my phone to play "Dig Dug" but ultimately ended up "fighting" with him because of his enthusiasm. Its just bad form to yell "yeah! awesome" when an elder of the Iroquois Nation is talking about how the environment is being destroyed by human activity. In the end he decided he wanted to listen. He paid attention long enough for Sarah to get her award (as you see in the video at :59). Then back to Dig Dug!

However the best part for Sarah was after the ceremony was all over. There were 40 different recipients of awards today but Sarah was the only child (at least in attendance)! As a result, almost everyone wanted their picture taken with Sarah. Even when she was getting her award, all of these people were coming up and taking pictures while she was getting her plaque - people we had no idea who they were! This pretty much kept up until we left the building. People wanted to shake her hand and kept telling her how she was the future! See - she will be the Sarah Connor that saves the world!!!!

Then we started walking towards dinner and we stopped by a memorial that was built to commemorate the African graveyard that was uncovered when they were digging the foundation for the federal building that currently houses the EPA Regional office. (check it out here at http://www.africanburialground.gov/ABG_Main.htm ) Anyway, there were a group from the High School for Film and Media Arts there looking at the iconography and taking photos. Anyway, once again people wanted to film the kids! These students just fell in love with our kids and one of them asked if she could take a picture with them. Then the advisor said, "maybe you'll see them in our yearbook next year!" I mean, I know my children are beautiful and all but really?

The rest of the day was pretty much a blur - dinner at the Vietnamese restaurant. A walk through Chinatown to get to the subway. Carvel ice cream at Penn Station and a train ride home. We ended the evening with video watching (what else?) Planet Earth. All in all it was a great day to be a parent - to see your child accomplish something that will last her entire lifetime, to accomplish something that many adults never achieve in their life, to see your child become the future of the planet. I hope she remembers this day and this feeling and the fact that no matter what the mean girls say - she is an incredibly special young lady - AN ENVIRONMENTAL ROCK STAR!

Stay well and oh yes, I WILL see you on the road!

What Now?

Okay, so it's not REALLY a reference to my sister-in-law Laura's online site although she is one of my biggest sponsors and supporters. No, what it's referring to is what do I do now with my blog? You see this happens to me every time I do the Victory Ride. I feel my blog is a way to connect the riders and those who are interested in my efforts to fight cancer to stay connected to what we're doing. But after the ride is over my feelings are that no one is interested in my mundane life so what do I write about? It leaves me feeling adrift. Sort of like this;

Considering this is Earth Day, it seemed like an appropriate image to put up. My daughter the budding environmentalist keeps reminding my wife and I about what happens with global warming and the animals that are affected by our actions. Of course, we have to remind her that part of that is turning off her light when she leaves her room.

But back to the real dilemma of this post. What would people want to hear about from me now that the ride is done? My regular commute? My love of the bike? My thoughts on life as I ruminate from the saddle? Will I possibly come up with some great revelation about the human condition or a life-changing scientific formula?

Of course, I doubt I'll have any great revelations unless I hit my head on a curb again.

I've also been using this also as a way to help me manage and talk about my grief. To tell the truth I'm still not done with that but every day gets a little better. But I know whatever I'm going through, its only worse for my family down in Knoxville. I only saw David periodically, they miss his presence daily. Between the bicycle and the blog I've been able to deal with it. Off course, the added double whammy of Aunt Janice's passing has also been difficult as well. My emotions still go in waves again and ebb and flow constantly which is why I've been riding a lot this week. The ride on Sunday was amazing but I still need the bike to help me manage my feelings.

I guess I keep hoping someone will comment on a post or give me an indication that what I write is still pertinent to someone other than myself. It does help me to write and it does make me feel better but you know what they say about people who do things for themselves because it makes them feel good - they can go blind!

So, I am going to keep writing my blog and keep musing on life and hope that it makes a difference. I know it has been to me. One thing I will say, in a strange way what I've been doing has been helping some people. I've gotten a few comments from people telling me how reading what has been going on has helped. I don't know. I guess what I'm saying if any of this makes sense to any of you let me know by casting me a line and just saying keep it up or something.

On another note, its really strange how I've found myself lately very connected to my departed loved ones as I ride. Not only my family but teachers, friends, former colleagues and others that have made an impact on my life. I found myself thinking of them sometimes as I ride but not in fretful, sad way but in a peaceful way. I sometimes find that as I ride (particularly on long, flat stretches or going uphill) I get into that Zen "state of flow" that occurs and all I'm thinking about is turning the pedals and breathing - not much else. Its at those times that I find myself thinking of those who have passed in my life and I (more often than not) find myself feeling at peace, as if they are smiling down on me. I guess that reminds me that I'm not riding for myself, I'm riding for them as well. My riding was begun as a way to show solidarity and support for those who have fought the battle against cancer. I guess in a way I'll always ride for them, no matter if its a charity ride for children with cancer or if I'm just out for my daily commute - I ride for those who can't. I ride to say someone believes in them, someone remembers them - as long as my pedals can turn, I will ride for them. And that's what's next!

Stay well and I'll see you on the road!

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS - AGAIN!

Yes, dear friends WE DID IT! We managed to put together our third annual (but second ACTUAL) Victory Ride to fight cancer! Connor's Army was able to finally get together a ride that looked like the one I had in my head three years ago! Of course, it only makes me now hope for bigger and better next year. Anyway, this year we changed our focus and decided to THINK GLOBALLY BUT ACT LOCALLY and 37 (that was the number registered but I think the actual number riding was 35) people banded together to make a difference in the lives of children! So you know what I think (click on the arrow below)?

There were all walks (or rolls) of riders out there today and I think most of us found ourselves challenged in various different ways by the ride. Overall, I think it was a great success - especially when you consider the fact that Amy Pilott and I didn't sit down and start planning the ride until January!!!! In only three months we were able to mobilize and get 30+ cyclists of all abilities and walks of life to come together with one common goal - to make a difference! I think the near $4,000 we raised will make a difference.

Was the ride perfect? Well, to be honest, no. From the beginning it was clear that some riders were not as prepared for the course as they could be whether it be mechanical issues or clothing issues. But as I told them at the start - this is not a race, its about being together and looking out for each other and leaving no one behind. We had three different routes - 13 miles, 26 miles and 44 miles and I think at the end of the day we all felt a little like this (Please note: these are only actors portraying the cyclists, no actual cyclist was harmed during the participation of this ride):

But, like I said, this was our first time organizing this event and from the comments of the riders we learned a lot of very useful ideas. The first thing is that we need to reevaluate the 26 mile ride. It seems people were split - some liked it, some thought it was too hard. For next year we may need a 26 mile route and a 26A mile route (the 26A would just follow what went on this year) with the 26 mile route going to the same rest stop but being less hilly overall. From what I heard the 13 mile route was perfect and I think the 44 mile route was a great one - especially since it gives the rider the option to climb Moore's Hill (as Chuck did solo, I wanted to stay with Dan and make sure he got back okay) which can be a great workout.

The second big thing we learned is that we need signs of some sort to point the way. This year the various villages requested we not paint the roads to indicated the routes. As this was our first year doing this we certainly did not want to tick off the powers that be because we want to be back next year. Now nothing as detailed and elaborate as this mind you:

But maybe something along the lines of this;

With perhaps a sunrise in the middle instead of a cyclist. Just an idea. I think that way riders can go at their own pace since they'll have the "trail of bread crumbs" to follow. This year we wanted to keep everyone together so some people were frutstrated because of the constant stopping to regroup. I know some people were frustrated because they'd just start to get a groove and would have to drop back. Personally, I know I could have finished the entire ride in less than three hours but again, this wasn't a race and the entire idea was for EVERYONE to feel as if they got to finish what they started. But, to those who want to go faster - we're working on it for next year - even if we have to stick small signs in the ground - no matter what, everyone WILL know where they're going so no one will feel like if they go ahead someone will get lost.

Some of the really good things we found from our first effort were;

1) the volunteers from the Peer Helper group who, along with the selfless help of Heidi Burian, made sure all 20ish riders from the combined 26/44 mile rides were fed (both times in the case of the 44ers).

2) the police escort for the 13 mile route!!!! Who knew???? They offered to escort us through the housing area but I thought they'd leave it at that. I certainly didn't think they'd escort them the entire way but they did! They had one car in front and one in back and then others that leap frogged forward to make sure the intersections were clear. Then when they came back to camp they had the sirens going - what a great thing for the riders to come back to!!!! If I get some video feed of it or pictures I'll update the blog with them.

3) the riders seemed to appreciate the food at the end of the ride. We got them heroes and other goodies and by the time I finally got back (more on that later) there was only 2 foot of heroe left from the 12 feet we started with! Hey, they worked up an appetite and it was well worth it, they worked hard and deserve to be fed. For many it was the first real ride of the season so to have that many people working up an appetite for such a good cause made me glad!

So in a nutshell, here is how it all went down;

At the start of day we gathered all the riders around and thanked them for their efforts and reminded everyone to take up as little road space as possible, watch out for each other, and don't leave people behind. As I told them, its a ride not a race (we'll save that for next year) the ride we took off with 36 riders (yes, I'll get a photo here to show you what it looked like) and we were all massed together although strung out on Colonial Springs Road. I took sort of a ceremonial head of the column until we got to Northcote then I stayed there to direct people into the turn. I later caught up with everyone as we regrouped to catch the stragglers. As we found out from the housing area, even that was a little hilly for some of the riders.

Our first area of confusion happened as we split off for the 13 and the other rides. Without me at the head of the colum (I was trying to play sweep and help some of the other riders stay together) the 26/44 milers took a right instead of a left but then got back on track. Maybe next year we'll have a volunteer with signs helping out. The next part of the ride seemed to work fairly well. We all stayed together up until the intersection of Sweet Hollow and Chichester Rd. until we realized that five of the riders missed the turn (I had seen them as I was at the back taking off leg warmers and I told them to turn but they missed it). However, Sandy Burian was with them and knew the area real well so we told them to just meet us at the rest stop.

Anyway, since Sandy was the sweep I was now in charge of staying at the back and making sure everyone got in to the rest stop. As a result I was the last one in to the stop. Its sort of embarrassing since it was sort of "my" ride but I was the last one. Oh well, it was more important to me that those at the end felt good and I could talk to them and help them up the hills! We all had peanut butter and jelly and/or honey sandwiches, fruit, gatorade and fueled up for the next part of our journey. Unfortunately, because it had taken us longer than planned to get to the rest stop, we lost a lot of our 44 milers. Of the ten we had signed up only five of us went forward with the extra loop - Chuck Gleason, Sandy Burian, Brett Burian, Dan "The Beast" Incalcaterra and myself.

Well, we thought we could make it back in an hour but it took a little longer. Brett and Dan were on mountain bikes and although I admire their ability to ride up hills on those, it did slow us down a bit. Brett is determined to do the ride again next year and I've already promised him he could borrow Pearl (my Diamondback Frankenbike) - if I still have her! Well, we eventually made it back to SHS (after some gorgeous riding) and Brett was cooked. His mom, dad and myself all told him to pack it in as he was already cramping up - but he'll be back!

We finally left SHS about 1:40 for the short ride back. It was pretty uneventful except for climbing up Hartman Hill Road. I think in the interest of the riders I will work on trying to get them a better route for next year - at least for the 25ers! It would be interesting to see what it would be like if we had really hammered the 44 and then hit Hartman Hill Road! That would have been a real sufferfest!

So we rolled in at 2:50 and we were the last ones there. I got the chance to see Amy and William on their way out to the party (William was very adamant that he wanted to see me come back) and my sister Angela and Brother-in-law Per and neice Annika were all there as well. James and Sarah were there cheering and welcoming us back. One of my favorite parts of the same day was the look of pride on the faces of my children as they saw their daddy doing something to help others. So you see, many of my main reasons for riding were all right there to welcome us back! And an added benefit was the fact that the original Team Lederman (yes, Jason and Ben - the dynamic duo) was there along with Amy Pilott who had been waiting patiently. So at least we got a welcoming committee of sorts.

At the end of the day, Amy told me that everyone seemed to have a good time and said they'd be back next year. I hope so. I know we didn't get it all right our first time but we're learning and trust me, we are going to try our best to take your suggestions and incorporate them so we can make this a ride that everyone wants to do. It really is important to these kids that so many people care and even if they never meet us, we know that we've done something to make the life of a child better! And honestly, what more can we ask as a purpose for our lives?

I met so many interesting and wonderful people today. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to talk to each of you individually and thank each of you for what you did today. So riders one and all, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, the bottom of my soul, and the bottom of my tired feet for all you did today. Please come back next year and help us make the 2011 ride even better - I promise you won't regret it!