This was absolutely the worst ride I have ever had.
Average speed was 14.9 and I usually average 19-20 on the same ride, top speed downhill was 32 and my best has been 45, my ride time was 55:36 and its usually 36:00-38:00.
Yet when I stepped off my bike I was crying with happiness. Why?
Because I did it. Today I reached my 2,000 commuting mile goal.
I wish I could memorize every moment of today’s ride because, although it was the worst ride ever in, it was the best ride I’ve ever had. From the very first crank of the pedals I felt all my loved ones, my friends, and even complete strangers, all of those who’ve dealt with or are dealing with this disease, riding with me - a ghost army of riders that were giving me strength.
I knew from the weather report last night that the wind would be blowing 20-30 miles an hour with occasional gusts up to 40 mph coming from the west - just the direction I would be riding in tomorrow morning. But I also knew that I was 13.6 miles from my goal, and nothing was going to keep me from reaching that goal today.
So at 6:30am I headed out.
To get out of Northport you immediately have to climb a ¼ mile incline that has about an 8% grade. As I started the climb I began to think about all the names on “The List” - the names of people who are fighting cancer, who have fought cancer and are in remission, and those who have passed away from the disease. My sisters, my mother, Hope Machedon, Becky Grella, Michelle Kullack and others passed through my head as the first blast of wind caught me and almost tipped me over. Then on I got my “wind legs” and knew how I needed to adjust to the gusts.
The rest of the ride was pretty much a battle between me and the wind. Sometimes I’d be in the lee of the wind as I went behind a windbreak of some sort, but then I’d turn a corner and get 30 miles an hour right in the face. I’d just crouch down, “close the cup”, and crank harder. It seemed to take forever, including going down the big descent where I usually make up time at 40+. Not even that descent could help me make up time, but I was strangely happy as I watched the odometer turn from 1997 to 1998. As I hit the top of Stillwell Hill it started snowing in small flurries, and the first thing I thought was that Hope was sending them down. I wiped back some tears and kept going.
The last two miles were a tossup between pedaling faster and watching the odometer slowly change towards 2,000 miles. As I came exactly to the front of Syosset High School I hit 2,000 and immediately yelled out in triumph. The car that was passing me to the left must have thought they hit me. I yelled to colleagues in the parking lot (who all thought I was completely insane to be riding in weather like that), pulled up outside the entrance to my office, dismounted and immediately started crying tears of joy. Once again I thought of all those names and faces who had ridden with me that day.
As I walked my faithful steed into the hall I noticed all my theatre kids huddled up in the theatre with smiles on their faces, so I went in. Suddenly they were throwing streamers and yelling “Congratulations!” Then I noticed that Amy and my children were there as well.
Apparently, knowing I would reach my goal today, she’d mobilized all my kids to share in the triumph. And again I started crying tears of joy. I couldn’t believe that these kids (many of whom are definitely not morning people) had all gotten there so early to celebrate with me, I couldn’t believe my wife had done this, I couldn’t believe I had done it - and all the gratitude just came pouring out.
I was a moment I’ll never forget.
So, 2,000 miles has come and gone. But I’m still riding for Connor’s Army. We haven’t quite reached our $10,000 goal and the fight isn’t over.
In 2011 we plan to start in San Diego and spend six weeks riding back to Long Island. This time our goal will be to raise $50,000 for cancer research. And this time Sarah hopes to do some of the riding with me. Connor’s Army is far from finished. We haven’t yet won the war against cancer and I’ll keep riding until we lick this disease.
Stay well and I'll see you on the road!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
What a Difference a Year Makes.....Part Deux
Every now and then I like to go back and look over my old blogs to see where I was and where I’ve come. Sometimes it’s a humbling experience and sometimes it’s an exhilarating one. This time it’s the latter.
On Tuesday I reached 1923 miles, and I still have roughly four and a half weeks left to ride. With any luck I’ll reach 2000 miles next week. We’ve raised $8,578 with about $800 more pledged to come in.
It’s truly overwhelming to me that people have been so generous and giving to our cause and to our mission. Although Amy is more optimistic than I that we’ll reach our financial goal, I know beyond a doubt I’ll reach my mileage goal and then some. Hopefully I can put in 2300 miles before the end of the year, which would be amazing.
Then we’ll celebrate with the first (hopefully) annual Victory Ride. Maybe some of you reading this would like to join us. We hope to team up with ACS to make this a yearly Long Island cycling event to raise money for cancer research, although perhaps not on January 1st every year.
But back to my main thought.
It was a year ago today that a fairly inauspicious occasion took place, but because of what happened yesterday I just had to celebrate and mark the occasion with all of you. You see a year ago today I took place in my very first A level ride and got my butt handed to me on a platter.
It all started when my friend Karen Gellert, who’s the Secretary of the Huntington Bicycle Club, talked me into joining the club. I’d only ridden solo or with her up to that point so it was a new experience for me. I went on about three B+ rides before she suggested that the B+ group was holding me back and I should think about riding with the A group. She was right, but I didn’t want to seem conceited about it.
So I went on my first ride the day after Thanksgiving and it was not pretty. I had celebrated my gratitude perhaps a bit too much, got too little sleep, didn’t eat a good breakfast, and didn’t hydrate enough. Needless to say, of the nine who went out on the ride I was the ninth one back in. The whole ugly story is chronicled in last year’s blog.
This year was a different story.
I’m older and wiser, and I planned ahead. I lubed and checked over my bike Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, before we headed out to New Jersey, I laid out all my cycling apparel and supplies. At the Thanksgiving celebration I limited myself to two beers over the seven hours, and drank about nine glasses of water - determined to stay hydrated. I didn’t overeat and I made sure that at the first sign of a headache I took some Advil so that I wouldn’t wake up with it (I’m prone to stress headaches).
However we got home later than we’d thought we would and when I woke up at 7:30 I started to think better of the idea. It was cold (34 degrees) and windy (steady from the W/NW at 6-10 with gusts to 12) and I thought I’d just wait until Sunday for my monthly ride. But my wife insisted it would make me feel good, and thanks to her I actually got up and started getting ready to go. Once again her encouragement helped me reach goals I myself didn’t think I could reach.
My main goal going out on this ride was simple … DON’T GET DROPPED!
I figured if I could achieve that one simple goal I’d be happy. I wasn’t planning on pulling too much, I wasn’t going to be suckered into sprints, I was going to ride my own ride on the hills, etc. The problem was this ride was feted as the Moore’s Hill/Lawrence Hill Road/Snake Hill Road triple, which meant we’d be climbing some of the nastiest hills on the North Shore of Long Island in quick succession - at least that was the plan. Now I’m an okay climber, but definitely not stellar. So my plan for this ride was just to hang on and stay with the pack, climb at my own pace up the hills, but always be able to stay in sight of the pack.
From the start I knew I had my work cut out for me. Of the seven of us that headed out, five were the same bunch from a year ago - Warren, Paul, Mel, Jeff and myself. I knew those guys were all solid riders who do a lot of riding - and for longer distances than the 25 round trip I normally do. I also gathered from the pre-ride conversation that the other two guys - Don and John - were also very strong riders who do a lot of climbing and riding with fast groups.
I mentally gulped and started preparing myself for a serious spanking.
As we headed out it wasn’t too bad and I held on really well. After about 8 miles the group started to split up a bit. It was Warren (the rabbit) taking off with Paul, Don, and John with him. Then there was me trying to bridge up, and Jeff and Mel following about 200 meters behind; and it stayed all the way up through Sweet Hollow Road, and to the first regrouping. At that point I latched onto Warren, determined to try to stay with him.
He’s the father of one of the kids I know from the High School and last year when I was struggling on the way home he kindly told me to latch onto his wheel, and he would pull me for a while so I could rest and get my energy back up. Problem was I couldn’t even do that without dying after about 500 meters. This year I wanted to try to stay with him and not get dropped by the group. I did pretty well … and then we started up Stillwell.
“This is it,” I thought. “I’m on my stomping grounds. I’ll fly up and then wait for them at the top.” I thought if I did that I could then just sit in the rest of the ride until Moore’s Hill and maybe I’d have a chance. Unfortunately, the other guys didn’t read the script and they blew by me halfway to the top. If I’d been smart I’d have latched onto a wheel and stayed with them. Instead as demoralized as I was I decided to just climb at my own pace, and I knew I wasn’t dropped since Jeff and Mel were still behind me so I wouldn’t get lost. However, I felt strangely good. I didn’t have the fatigue that I’d had last year when we got to the top, and I’d been hydrating every mile or so. I actually felt pretty fresh, so I decided to try to stay with the leaders from there on.
And I never went to the back of the pack again!
I found that by drafting, taking turns pulling and really attacking the small climbs to Glen Cove I was able to keep up with everyone. When we got to Glen Cove and I was at the front with the other riders I had my first victory - because last year I’d been dropped twice on the way to Glen Cove. At the break Warren and Paul both made comments about how improved I was as a rider and they both noticed I was on a new ride (leave to a cyclist to notice these things - bike envy). I told them how much I’d been riding I told them how much I’d been riding and felt pretty proud of myself. After the break I started attacking all the climbs with vigor. I felt really good and since I’d been hydrating so much I felt strong.
Now came the big test - the three big hills.
I do have to confess here that I scoped out the trifecta climb on Tuesday on the way home. I rode the three hills so I could strategize what I’d do on the climbs and how and when I’d stand and attack. On the way to the first of the climbs I stayed at the front, took a number of turns pulling and setting the pace and I was loving the day. It was still cold and windy (it seemed we never got a tailwind, even when we headed East) but strangely I didn’t seem to mind it.
When we got to the base of Moore’s Hill, I’d been pulling for a while but I felt good. I attacked and immediately knew I was going to be alright the rest of the ride. John passed me standing up in the saddle and I stood up with him for a while, but then I just sat back down when I remembered that I had two more hills to climb. I figured I’d just keep him in my sights and catch him on the descent. That plan almost worked until we realized we should hold up for the others because they were nowhere in sight!
I couldn’t believe it - I felt like a beast!
When they finally came down and we regrouped, we thought better of it decided to forgo Lawrence Hill. But we still headed off to Snake Hill. Mel gave us a route that was a big loop away from Moore’s Hill and back that was very winding and kept constantly climbing, but I attacked early on and stayed at the front all the way back to Moore’s Hill.
At that point, Mel took off and I went to catch him while the rest of the group followed behind. I caught up to him just as we turned to head up to Snake Hill to let him know the rest of the group were about 200 meters back. He told me to soft pedal to let them catch up, which I did. But I noticed that even my soft pedaling was 16mph, and I was pushing against the wind and hardly pedaling. I hit the base of the climb and started attacking standing up and pumping. About 2/3 up I could tell John was on me (I had sat back down and was just pedaling far back in the saddle) so I stood up again. I was determined not to be caught on this one. We pulled up and waited for the others who were about 50 meters back. Warren once again took off and I stayed with him, eventually pulling in the front for a large chunk of the ride. John and Don peeled off and it was just the five of us, and I never let go.
Of course, I was riding so hard I missed the turn back to the station. By the time I turned around Warren had made the turn and, though I tried to catch him, I ended up being the second wheel in - my stupid bad luck.
But the big point was, no one had to wait for me this year and I wasn’t the last in. And that is a huge victory.
Am I getting ready to be a Cat racer? Or even a weekend racer? No way -when do I have the time? But I can say that while I’ve been riding thousands of miles waging this war against cancer, it’s also made me a better rider. I’ve devoured everything I can read in Bicycling Magazine, CyclingWorld.com and other sources to find tips to become a better rider and some of those tricks paid off on this ride.
Might I get dropped on the next A+ ride when Mike, Scott, Don and the other serious triatheletes and racers take part? Quite possibly. But when Warren and Paul stuck their hands out to me at the end of the ride to tell me what a great job I did and how much I’ve improved, I have to say I was proud of myself. And I think I was even more proud of the reason behind it. I’m a better rider now because of the riding I’m doing to fight cancer.
This journey has changed me, possibly in more ways than I’ll ever know; but for now it’s nice to have this small fringe benefit.
Although the January 1st ride is shorter than they normally do, the guys said they might register and make it a part of their ride on that day. Whatever the case, I hope all of you reading this will consider being a part of this ride and climbing a small hill or two on New Year’s Day to help fight another battle in the war against cancer - and to celebrate the small victories that will eventually help us find a cure.
On Tuesday I reached 1923 miles, and I still have roughly four and a half weeks left to ride. With any luck I’ll reach 2000 miles next week. We’ve raised $8,578 with about $800 more pledged to come in.
It’s truly overwhelming to me that people have been so generous and giving to our cause and to our mission. Although Amy is more optimistic than I that we’ll reach our financial goal, I know beyond a doubt I’ll reach my mileage goal and then some. Hopefully I can put in 2300 miles before the end of the year, which would be amazing.
Then we’ll celebrate with the first (hopefully) annual Victory Ride. Maybe some of you reading this would like to join us. We hope to team up with ACS to make this a yearly Long Island cycling event to raise money for cancer research, although perhaps not on January 1st every year.
But back to my main thought.
It was a year ago today that a fairly inauspicious occasion took place, but because of what happened yesterday I just had to celebrate and mark the occasion with all of you. You see a year ago today I took place in my very first A level ride and got my butt handed to me on a platter.
It all started when my friend Karen Gellert, who’s the Secretary of the Huntington Bicycle Club, talked me into joining the club. I’d only ridden solo or with her up to that point so it was a new experience for me. I went on about three B+ rides before she suggested that the B+ group was holding me back and I should think about riding with the A group. She was right, but I didn’t want to seem conceited about it.
So I went on my first ride the day after Thanksgiving and it was not pretty. I had celebrated my gratitude perhaps a bit too much, got too little sleep, didn’t eat a good breakfast, and didn’t hydrate enough. Needless to say, of the nine who went out on the ride I was the ninth one back in. The whole ugly story is chronicled in last year’s blog.
This year was a different story.
I’m older and wiser, and I planned ahead. I lubed and checked over my bike Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, before we headed out to New Jersey, I laid out all my cycling apparel and supplies. At the Thanksgiving celebration I limited myself to two beers over the seven hours, and drank about nine glasses of water - determined to stay hydrated. I didn’t overeat and I made sure that at the first sign of a headache I took some Advil so that I wouldn’t wake up with it (I’m prone to stress headaches).
However we got home later than we’d thought we would and when I woke up at 7:30 I started to think better of the idea. It was cold (34 degrees) and windy (steady from the W/NW at 6-10 with gusts to 12) and I thought I’d just wait until Sunday for my monthly ride. But my wife insisted it would make me feel good, and thanks to her I actually got up and started getting ready to go. Once again her encouragement helped me reach goals I myself didn’t think I could reach.
My main goal going out on this ride was simple … DON’T GET DROPPED!
I figured if I could achieve that one simple goal I’d be happy. I wasn’t planning on pulling too much, I wasn’t going to be suckered into sprints, I was going to ride my own ride on the hills, etc. The problem was this ride was feted as the Moore’s Hill/Lawrence Hill Road/Snake Hill Road triple, which meant we’d be climbing some of the nastiest hills on the North Shore of Long Island in quick succession - at least that was the plan. Now I’m an okay climber, but definitely not stellar. So my plan for this ride was just to hang on and stay with the pack, climb at my own pace up the hills, but always be able to stay in sight of the pack.
From the start I knew I had my work cut out for me. Of the seven of us that headed out, five were the same bunch from a year ago - Warren, Paul, Mel, Jeff and myself. I knew those guys were all solid riders who do a lot of riding - and for longer distances than the 25 round trip I normally do. I also gathered from the pre-ride conversation that the other two guys - Don and John - were also very strong riders who do a lot of climbing and riding with fast groups.
I mentally gulped and started preparing myself for a serious spanking.
As we headed out it wasn’t too bad and I held on really well. After about 8 miles the group started to split up a bit. It was Warren (the rabbit) taking off with Paul, Don, and John with him. Then there was me trying to bridge up, and Jeff and Mel following about 200 meters behind; and it stayed all the way up through Sweet Hollow Road, and to the first regrouping. At that point I latched onto Warren, determined to try to stay with him.
He’s the father of one of the kids I know from the High School and last year when I was struggling on the way home he kindly told me to latch onto his wheel, and he would pull me for a while so I could rest and get my energy back up. Problem was I couldn’t even do that without dying after about 500 meters. This year I wanted to try to stay with him and not get dropped by the group. I did pretty well … and then we started up Stillwell.
“This is it,” I thought. “I’m on my stomping grounds. I’ll fly up and then wait for them at the top.” I thought if I did that I could then just sit in the rest of the ride until Moore’s Hill and maybe I’d have a chance. Unfortunately, the other guys didn’t read the script and they blew by me halfway to the top. If I’d been smart I’d have latched onto a wheel and stayed with them. Instead as demoralized as I was I decided to just climb at my own pace, and I knew I wasn’t dropped since Jeff and Mel were still behind me so I wouldn’t get lost. However, I felt strangely good. I didn’t have the fatigue that I’d had last year when we got to the top, and I’d been hydrating every mile or so. I actually felt pretty fresh, so I decided to try to stay with the leaders from there on.
And I never went to the back of the pack again!
I found that by drafting, taking turns pulling and really attacking the small climbs to Glen Cove I was able to keep up with everyone. When we got to Glen Cove and I was at the front with the other riders I had my first victory - because last year I’d been dropped twice on the way to Glen Cove. At the break Warren and Paul both made comments about how improved I was as a rider and they both noticed I was on a new ride (leave to a cyclist to notice these things - bike envy). I told them how much I’d been riding I told them how much I’d been riding and felt pretty proud of myself. After the break I started attacking all the climbs with vigor. I felt really good and since I’d been hydrating so much I felt strong.
Now came the big test - the three big hills.
I do have to confess here that I scoped out the trifecta climb on Tuesday on the way home. I rode the three hills so I could strategize what I’d do on the climbs and how and when I’d stand and attack. On the way to the first of the climbs I stayed at the front, took a number of turns pulling and setting the pace and I was loving the day. It was still cold and windy (it seemed we never got a tailwind, even when we headed East) but strangely I didn’t seem to mind it.
When we got to the base of Moore’s Hill, I’d been pulling for a while but I felt good. I attacked and immediately knew I was going to be alright the rest of the ride. John passed me standing up in the saddle and I stood up with him for a while, but then I just sat back down when I remembered that I had two more hills to climb. I figured I’d just keep him in my sights and catch him on the descent. That plan almost worked until we realized we should hold up for the others because they were nowhere in sight!
I couldn’t believe it - I felt like a beast!
When they finally came down and we regrouped, we thought better of it decided to forgo Lawrence Hill. But we still headed off to Snake Hill. Mel gave us a route that was a big loop away from Moore’s Hill and back that was very winding and kept constantly climbing, but I attacked early on and stayed at the front all the way back to Moore’s Hill.
At that point, Mel took off and I went to catch him while the rest of the group followed behind. I caught up to him just as we turned to head up to Snake Hill to let him know the rest of the group were about 200 meters back. He told me to soft pedal to let them catch up, which I did. But I noticed that even my soft pedaling was 16mph, and I was pushing against the wind and hardly pedaling. I hit the base of the climb and started attacking standing up and pumping. About 2/3 up I could tell John was on me (I had sat back down and was just pedaling far back in the saddle) so I stood up again. I was determined not to be caught on this one. We pulled up and waited for the others who were about 50 meters back. Warren once again took off and I stayed with him, eventually pulling in the front for a large chunk of the ride. John and Don peeled off and it was just the five of us, and I never let go.
Of course, I was riding so hard I missed the turn back to the station. By the time I turned around Warren had made the turn and, though I tried to catch him, I ended up being the second wheel in - my stupid bad luck.
But the big point was, no one had to wait for me this year and I wasn’t the last in. And that is a huge victory.
Am I getting ready to be a Cat racer? Or even a weekend racer? No way -when do I have the time? But I can say that while I’ve been riding thousands of miles waging this war against cancer, it’s also made me a better rider. I’ve devoured everything I can read in Bicycling Magazine, CyclingWorld.com and other sources to find tips to become a better rider and some of those tricks paid off on this ride.
Might I get dropped on the next A+ ride when Mike, Scott, Don and the other serious triatheletes and racers take part? Quite possibly. But when Warren and Paul stuck their hands out to me at the end of the ride to tell me what a great job I did and how much I’ve improved, I have to say I was proud of myself. And I think I was even more proud of the reason behind it. I’m a better rider now because of the riding I’m doing to fight cancer.
This journey has changed me, possibly in more ways than I’ll ever know; but for now it’s nice to have this small fringe benefit.
Although the January 1st ride is shorter than they normally do, the guys said they might register and make it a part of their ride on that day. Whatever the case, I hope all of you reading this will consider being a part of this ride and climbing a small hill or two on New Year’s Day to help fight another battle in the war against cancer - and to celebrate the small victories that will eventually help us find a cure.
Friday, August 24, 2007
On Vacation in Lancaster, PA
My day began last night as I put my bicycle together for this morning’s ride. I put everything together, set out my riding clothes, and wrote out a detailed cue sheet.
The morning began early as I quietly got dressed and got the bike prepared and outside. James woke up right before I left and I got to see the sight of he and Amy snuggled in bed together before I left. She had a look pure contentment on her face!
Then at 7:20am my ride began in earnest.
As I headed off into the foggy morning I was struck by the fact that, aside from Europe, this was truly some of the most beautiful countryside I’d ever seen. No, it didn’t have the majesty of the Vermont or New Hampshire mountains; but it had a quiet power that comes as much from the people who care for the land as from the natural attributes.
I saw some simple and incredibly beautiful sights. The Amish were going about their lives and I got to see the juxtaposition of a woman cutting the grass with a power mower right across the road from a man using a push mower.
Yesterday Amy was struck by how odd it must be to live your life as a curiosity as the Amish do, and on my ride I seemed to be a bit of a curiosity to them. I guess they’re used to seeing people in cars, on motorcycles, in buggies and even on plain bikes - but a man on a racing bike in bright yellow spandex must have been quite a sight to them.
I also realized that the roads were smoother than any I’d yet ridden and that they were notably devoid of roadside trash. Of course, immediately after I thought that I saw a McDonald’s French fries container on the shoulder. So even in this bucolic setting and fairly pristine setting the corporate poster child of excess reared its ugly head.
Shortly thereafter I rounded a curve and there rising up before me in the middle of this farm country was a subdivision of McMansions called “Valley View.” I guess there really is no escape from Long Island and its creed of acquisition.
From the very first there were three things evident:
1) With this new frame my ride was going to be easier than any of my previous vacation rides,
2) Although it was much windier, this terrain was nowhere near as difficult as Vermont, and
3) Although I had studied the maps for two days and prepared a detailed cue sheet, I had grossly miscalculated the distances on the map!
To begin with, what I thought was about .8 miles ended up being double that. Then as I continued on, it was evident all my distances were way off. So only 20 minutes into my ride I began to think I was going to have to curtail my planned route simply because it was going to take too long because I’d promised Amy I’d be back in an hour and a half.
Then I realized I’d somehow missed my turn to head back north. So I decided to take a random road that headed northward. Was that a good decision or a bad one? Fairly shortly I confessed to myself that I had no clue where I was. I had to swallow my pride and ask for directions to Route 772, which would get me back on track towards the Red Caboose Motel. She told me that the road I was on would take me through Gap (was there an ironic message there?) and I’d hit 772 on the other side. But I surely didn’t want to go through downtown Gap on my bicycle, she said. I assured her I’d be fine, not wanting to go into a description of rollerblading in NYC traffic (even my wife doesn’t like me to go into that too much). I headed off leaving her looking a bit dubious, but figured it was probably a bit of the spandex reaction again.
Now, I’d been passing flocks of sheep, herds of cattle, and horses all morning thinking how much Sarah would love them. But what I found when I hit 772 made me vow that the day wouldn’t be complete until we brought Sarah back. It was miniature pony horse farm, and in a pasture next to the road were dozens of them - including several foals! Sarah would be in heaven!
Now that I was back on track, the rest of the ride passed pleasantly and uneventfully. I passed a huge high school (probably for the whole area), got some coffee and Gatorade at the Quick Mart in Intercourse (insert your own joke here), and discovered the American Military Museum of Edged Weaponry.
When I returned to the caboose (yes, at the Red Caboose Motel each room is a real caboose!) I found my family at the petting zoo. They’d been snuggled, fed, showered and dressed; and they were for another day of exploring. Of course, later in the day we visited the miniature pony farm and I was a hero!
The morning began early as I quietly got dressed and got the bike prepared and outside. James woke up right before I left and I got to see the sight of he and Amy snuggled in bed together before I left. She had a look pure contentment on her face!
Then at 7:20am my ride began in earnest.
As I headed off into the foggy morning I was struck by the fact that, aside from Europe, this was truly some of the most beautiful countryside I’d ever seen. No, it didn’t have the majesty of the Vermont or New Hampshire mountains; but it had a quiet power that comes as much from the people who care for the land as from the natural attributes.
I saw some simple and incredibly beautiful sights. The Amish were going about their lives and I got to see the juxtaposition of a woman cutting the grass with a power mower right across the road from a man using a push mower.
Yesterday Amy was struck by how odd it must be to live your life as a curiosity as the Amish do, and on my ride I seemed to be a bit of a curiosity to them. I guess they’re used to seeing people in cars, on motorcycles, in buggies and even on plain bikes - but a man on a racing bike in bright yellow spandex must have been quite a sight to them.
I also realized that the roads were smoother than any I’d yet ridden and that they were notably devoid of roadside trash. Of course, immediately after I thought that I saw a McDonald’s French fries container on the shoulder. So even in this bucolic setting and fairly pristine setting the corporate poster child of excess reared its ugly head.
Shortly thereafter I rounded a curve and there rising up before me in the middle of this farm country was a subdivision of McMansions called “Valley View.” I guess there really is no escape from Long Island and its creed of acquisition.
From the very first there were three things evident:
1) With this new frame my ride was going to be easier than any of my previous vacation rides,
2) Although it was much windier, this terrain was nowhere near as difficult as Vermont, and
3) Although I had studied the maps for two days and prepared a detailed cue sheet, I had grossly miscalculated the distances on the map!
To begin with, what I thought was about .8 miles ended up being double that. Then as I continued on, it was evident all my distances were way off. So only 20 minutes into my ride I began to think I was going to have to curtail my planned route simply because it was going to take too long because I’d promised Amy I’d be back in an hour and a half.
Then I realized I’d somehow missed my turn to head back north. So I decided to take a random road that headed northward. Was that a good decision or a bad one? Fairly shortly I confessed to myself that I had no clue where I was. I had to swallow my pride and ask for directions to Route 772, which would get me back on track towards the Red Caboose Motel. She told me that the road I was on would take me through Gap (was there an ironic message there?) and I’d hit 772 on the other side. But I surely didn’t want to go through downtown Gap on my bicycle, she said. I assured her I’d be fine, not wanting to go into a description of rollerblading in NYC traffic (even my wife doesn’t like me to go into that too much). I headed off leaving her looking a bit dubious, but figured it was probably a bit of the spandex reaction again.
Now, I’d been passing flocks of sheep, herds of cattle, and horses all morning thinking how much Sarah would love them. But what I found when I hit 772 made me vow that the day wouldn’t be complete until we brought Sarah back. It was miniature pony horse farm, and in a pasture next to the road were dozens of them - including several foals! Sarah would be in heaven!
Now that I was back on track, the rest of the ride passed pleasantly and uneventfully. I passed a huge high school (probably for the whole area), got some coffee and Gatorade at the Quick Mart in Intercourse (insert your own joke here), and discovered the American Military Museum of Edged Weaponry.
When I returned to the caboose (yes, at the Red Caboose Motel each room is a real caboose!) I found my family at the petting zoo. They’d been snuggled, fed, showered and dressed; and they were for another day of exploring. Of course, later in the day we visited the miniature pony farm and I was a hero!
Sunday, July 8, 2007
My First Century....Almost!
Well, I said I’d be writing the occasional blog entry over the summer and I guess I occasional was the operative word.
I’ve been riding to my new summer job at Park Shore Day Camp in Dix Hills, and the people there have been really great about it. Excited and supportive, even though they probably think I’m a little bit crazy when I roll in the front gate with my tights and jersey on. Oh, well.
It’s been good, though, because I needed to get myself into shape for the Huntington Bicycle Club’s annual 100 mile Gold Coast Ride. It’d be the furthest distance I’d ever ridden to date.
Steve was planning on doing the 70 mile ride, and I was excited to have company since most of my riding is done alone and I haven’t been able to go on as many club rides as I’d hoped.
I was a bit nervous because I’ve been getting this “clicking” sound coming from my bottom bracket/crankset area and I wasn’t sure what was going on. I dropped by Adams Cyclery on Friday and he told me that if I could leave it he’d get it back to me in time for the ride. Since I was riding at the time, I sprinted home, changed and loaded the bike in the car to get it over to Darren. They delivered as promised and by Saturday afternoon it was ready to go.
I laid out all my materials and did a once over on the bike last night so I was certain everything worked right. I have to say I’m still not completely dialed in on the new Black Betty, but I’m getting closer. It was another reason I was a bit nervous. Also, I wasn’t sure my body was ready for such a long ride on a bike that only has about 200 miles on it.
Today dawned with a temperature of 68 degrees and it looked to be perfect. I took all the precautions I usually don’t take with the club rides - I ate breakfast, didn’t drink too much coffee, and stretched.
So I get to the sign in and I’m looking around at all these hard core bikers - some on teams, some on $6,000 road bikes, some on time-trial bikes (wasn’t sure about that one), and then others on hybrids and mountain bikes - okay, so they weren’t so hard-core. I was getting even more nervous until I realized it was just going to be me and Steve and whoever we were able to hook up with.
I registered and went back to my car to put away my t-shirt and get Betty ready, hoping I’d see Steve. Instead I saw a couple of guys from the city who said they were going to be doing their first century, and to be honest I thought to myself that I could take those guys. They had really fancy, expensive Canondale and Specialized road bikes, but they didn’t look to be in the best of shape.
I just kept stretching and getting Betty ready to go, and then I rode over to the registration hoping that I’d find Steve and then we’d be off. We’d mentioned leaving at 7:30 and I was early, so I figured I’d just wait for him and maybe I’d get to see my friend Karen at the same time.
Then I saw Steve. He was wearing a Huntington Bicycle Club jersey and regular walking shorts and shoes. What the ????? So I asked him where his bike was. He replied, “didn’t you get my message?” and I said, “Yes, didn’t you get mine?” He said no and that since he hadn’t heard from me he’d assumed I wasn’t going to make it so he decided to volunteer to work the ride instead.
Aaaaaaaggggggghhhhhhh!
He was my big hope to have someone fun to ride with. Now I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.
When I mentioned I might try the Century, he called a friend of his who was supposed to be on her way and was planning to do it. Maybe she and I could ride together. But she said she wasn’t going to be there for another 45 minutes. Hey, that’s at least 15 miles. I couldn’t wait so I headed out - still debating whether I was going to stick to 70 miles or go for the whole shebang!
The ride itself was incredible! Everywhere I turned or rode I saw another cyclist on the way. I’m so used to doing my commute early in the morning, and it’s rare if I see anyone else. If I do it’s either going up Stilwell or on the other side of the road heading in the other direction. Sometimes they wave back at me. Most times they don’t. It makes me a little sad. I figure that no matter how “serious” we are about our workout/ride we should acknowledge the fact that others are joining us.
Anyway - back to the ride …
At various times I was able to ride with someone or other that I either fell in behind or who fell in behind me. I’d pull a while or they’d pull a while, but we just kept going. Sometimes people would pass me and many times (at least at the beginning) I passed others. I even stopped twice to help other cyclists in trouble, and I have to admit I was surprised no one else did.
The big high came after the second snack break.
As I was refilling my Gatorade and eating my second orange, I noticed a group of riders wearing the same jersey getting ready to roll out. They were members of a bike club sponsored by one of the larger bike shops out east. I figured, what the heck it could be fun, so I latched on. The next thing I knew I was in the midst of my very first bona fide peloton!
Wow! I mean, I’ve been riding somewhat seriously and over the last year I’ve probably logged about 3,000 miles, but this was the first time I’d ever ridden in the middle of a pack of 20+ riders! What a rush! To be honest, I’m not even sure where I was when I connected with them, I think it was Oyster Bay. However, I used all the information I’d learned from my various readings of Bicycle Magazine and I stayed in the pack, I drafted (watching the hips of the rider in front - not his wheel), I powered forward on the climbs to stay in the middle of the pack at the apex, and when I looked down I realized that I was going 26 miles an hour and we’d covered ten miles!
This was Nirvana - I was in cycling heaven. Betty was handling really well, my new wireless cyclocomputer was working flawlessly and I was in the middle of a peloton!
However, as with all good things, this too had to end.
On a long climb leading into Sea Cliff the mighty cycling machine started to spit parts out the back and I was one of them. I didn’t care - I’d ridden in a pace line at 26 miles an hour for twelve miles and I was having a blast.
At this point it started to get a bit hairy.
There was a lot of crosswind and I went through a long flat that gave me nothing but wind right across my broadside. At that moment I wasn’t too sure if I was going to make the 70 mile course, much less anything more. But if I’m anything, I’m stubborn.
I made it to the third rest stop at the 42 mile mark and I felt a bit tight in my chest. Apparently there was some kind of crazy heat index of 100+ degrees going on and there were all kinds of particles in the air as a result. It all combined to cause my asthma to flare up. But I rehydrated, ate some fruit and an energy bar, availed myself of the bike mechanic who was doing some tune-ups (turns out my headset had worked itself a little bit loose so he added another spacer and tightened it all up), and headed back out on the road.
At the exit there were two signs, one pointing the way for the 70 mile route and the other to the 100 mile route - I took the latter, call me crazy I guess.
You know, it was hard but I had a great time!
It took me on another 25 mile or so loop, and about halfway through I hooked up with another cyclist and we took turns pulling for each other. He was more experienced than me, but I found I was able to keep up with him - boy was I proud of myself. As we got close to returning to the park after the loop we got a bit lost and as we were crossing a busy intersection he had a problem clipping in and fell. He made it back to the park, but had busted his hand up some in the fall. So he had to call and get someone to pick him up, and once again I was on my own.
I was feeling tight in the chest again and I had used my emergency inhaler once again - darn good thing they weren’t testing for steroids! I rehydrated, refueled and got back on the road, this time at the park exit I took the left turn to get me heading towards home.
At this point I was at 62 miles and I felt pretty good except for that tightness in my chest every time I tried to take a really deep breath.
After about five miles or so I hooked up with another rider who’d had some people bail out on him and was also trying to do the Century but was just pushing along. So we decided to push on together, again each of us taking turns pulling as the temperature continued to get hotter.
We hit the last rest stop at the 82 mile mark and we both discussed if we were going to take the 8 mile route straight home or the 18 mile longer loop around. At this point I couldn’t breathe deeply without wheezing - and this was after two hits of my inhaler - so I decided to err on the side of health. Mike opted to pack it in too and we headed back to the finish.
Of course, the competitive “gene” got the better of me about two miles from the finish when we were passed by a guy sprinting towards the end. For some reason my legs suddenly felt much fresher so I decided to give chase and I caught him, drafting a bit and then passing him right before the turn in to the finish. I glanced down at my cyclometer and saw that I was pushing 21 mph - sorry I don’t have a power monitor so I can’t tell you how many watts I was pushing - but I felt great that after 90 miles I was able to do that! It made me wonder what if …
Next time I’ll train a little more and I can’t wait to finish my first Century … for real.
Stay well and I'll see you on the road!
I’ve been riding to my new summer job at Park Shore Day Camp in Dix Hills, and the people there have been really great about it. Excited and supportive, even though they probably think I’m a little bit crazy when I roll in the front gate with my tights and jersey on. Oh, well.
It’s been good, though, because I needed to get myself into shape for the Huntington Bicycle Club’s annual 100 mile Gold Coast Ride. It’d be the furthest distance I’d ever ridden to date.
Steve was planning on doing the 70 mile ride, and I was excited to have company since most of my riding is done alone and I haven’t been able to go on as many club rides as I’d hoped.
I was a bit nervous because I’ve been getting this “clicking” sound coming from my bottom bracket/crankset area and I wasn’t sure what was going on. I dropped by Adams Cyclery on Friday and he told me that if I could leave it he’d get it back to me in time for the ride. Since I was riding at the time, I sprinted home, changed and loaded the bike in the car to get it over to Darren. They delivered as promised and by Saturday afternoon it was ready to go.
I laid out all my materials and did a once over on the bike last night so I was certain everything worked right. I have to say I’m still not completely dialed in on the new Black Betty, but I’m getting closer. It was another reason I was a bit nervous. Also, I wasn’t sure my body was ready for such a long ride on a bike that only has about 200 miles on it.
Today dawned with a temperature of 68 degrees and it looked to be perfect. I took all the precautions I usually don’t take with the club rides - I ate breakfast, didn’t drink too much coffee, and stretched.
So I get to the sign in and I’m looking around at all these hard core bikers - some on teams, some on $6,000 road bikes, some on time-trial bikes (wasn’t sure about that one), and then others on hybrids and mountain bikes - okay, so they weren’t so hard-core. I was getting even more nervous until I realized it was just going to be me and Steve and whoever we were able to hook up with.
I registered and went back to my car to put away my t-shirt and get Betty ready, hoping I’d see Steve. Instead I saw a couple of guys from the city who said they were going to be doing their first century, and to be honest I thought to myself that I could take those guys. They had really fancy, expensive Canondale and Specialized road bikes, but they didn’t look to be in the best of shape.
I just kept stretching and getting Betty ready to go, and then I rode over to the registration hoping that I’d find Steve and then we’d be off. We’d mentioned leaving at 7:30 and I was early, so I figured I’d just wait for him and maybe I’d get to see my friend Karen at the same time.
Then I saw Steve. He was wearing a Huntington Bicycle Club jersey and regular walking shorts and shoes. What the ????? So I asked him where his bike was. He replied, “didn’t you get my message?” and I said, “Yes, didn’t you get mine?” He said no and that since he hadn’t heard from me he’d assumed I wasn’t going to make it so he decided to volunteer to work the ride instead.
Aaaaaaaggggggghhhhhhh!
He was my big hope to have someone fun to ride with. Now I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.
When I mentioned I might try the Century, he called a friend of his who was supposed to be on her way and was planning to do it. Maybe she and I could ride together. But she said she wasn’t going to be there for another 45 minutes. Hey, that’s at least 15 miles. I couldn’t wait so I headed out - still debating whether I was going to stick to 70 miles or go for the whole shebang!
The ride itself was incredible! Everywhere I turned or rode I saw another cyclist on the way. I’m so used to doing my commute early in the morning, and it’s rare if I see anyone else. If I do it’s either going up Stilwell or on the other side of the road heading in the other direction. Sometimes they wave back at me. Most times they don’t. It makes me a little sad. I figure that no matter how “serious” we are about our workout/ride we should acknowledge the fact that others are joining us.
Anyway - back to the ride …
At various times I was able to ride with someone or other that I either fell in behind or who fell in behind me. I’d pull a while or they’d pull a while, but we just kept going. Sometimes people would pass me and many times (at least at the beginning) I passed others. I even stopped twice to help other cyclists in trouble, and I have to admit I was surprised no one else did.
The big high came after the second snack break.
As I was refilling my Gatorade and eating my second orange, I noticed a group of riders wearing the same jersey getting ready to roll out. They were members of a bike club sponsored by one of the larger bike shops out east. I figured, what the heck it could be fun, so I latched on. The next thing I knew I was in the midst of my very first bona fide peloton!
Wow! I mean, I’ve been riding somewhat seriously and over the last year I’ve probably logged about 3,000 miles, but this was the first time I’d ever ridden in the middle of a pack of 20+ riders! What a rush! To be honest, I’m not even sure where I was when I connected with them, I think it was Oyster Bay. However, I used all the information I’d learned from my various readings of Bicycle Magazine and I stayed in the pack, I drafted (watching the hips of the rider in front - not his wheel), I powered forward on the climbs to stay in the middle of the pack at the apex, and when I looked down I realized that I was going 26 miles an hour and we’d covered ten miles!
This was Nirvana - I was in cycling heaven. Betty was handling really well, my new wireless cyclocomputer was working flawlessly and I was in the middle of a peloton!
However, as with all good things, this too had to end.
On a long climb leading into Sea Cliff the mighty cycling machine started to spit parts out the back and I was one of them. I didn’t care - I’d ridden in a pace line at 26 miles an hour for twelve miles and I was having a blast.
At this point it started to get a bit hairy.
There was a lot of crosswind and I went through a long flat that gave me nothing but wind right across my broadside. At that moment I wasn’t too sure if I was going to make the 70 mile course, much less anything more. But if I’m anything, I’m stubborn.
I made it to the third rest stop at the 42 mile mark and I felt a bit tight in my chest. Apparently there was some kind of crazy heat index of 100+ degrees going on and there were all kinds of particles in the air as a result. It all combined to cause my asthma to flare up. But I rehydrated, ate some fruit and an energy bar, availed myself of the bike mechanic who was doing some tune-ups (turns out my headset had worked itself a little bit loose so he added another spacer and tightened it all up), and headed back out on the road.
At the exit there were two signs, one pointing the way for the 70 mile route and the other to the 100 mile route - I took the latter, call me crazy I guess.
You know, it was hard but I had a great time!
It took me on another 25 mile or so loop, and about halfway through I hooked up with another cyclist and we took turns pulling for each other. He was more experienced than me, but I found I was able to keep up with him - boy was I proud of myself. As we got close to returning to the park after the loop we got a bit lost and as we were crossing a busy intersection he had a problem clipping in and fell. He made it back to the park, but had busted his hand up some in the fall. So he had to call and get someone to pick him up, and once again I was on my own.
I was feeling tight in the chest again and I had used my emergency inhaler once again - darn good thing they weren’t testing for steroids! I rehydrated, refueled and got back on the road, this time at the park exit I took the left turn to get me heading towards home.
At this point I was at 62 miles and I felt pretty good except for that tightness in my chest every time I tried to take a really deep breath.
After about five miles or so I hooked up with another rider who’d had some people bail out on him and was also trying to do the Century but was just pushing along. So we decided to push on together, again each of us taking turns pulling as the temperature continued to get hotter.
We hit the last rest stop at the 82 mile mark and we both discussed if we were going to take the 8 mile route straight home or the 18 mile longer loop around. At this point I couldn’t breathe deeply without wheezing - and this was after two hits of my inhaler - so I decided to err on the side of health. Mike opted to pack it in too and we headed back to the finish.
Of course, the competitive “gene” got the better of me about two miles from the finish when we were passed by a guy sprinting towards the end. For some reason my legs suddenly felt much fresher so I decided to give chase and I caught him, drafting a bit and then passing him right before the turn in to the finish. I glanced down at my cyclometer and saw that I was pushing 21 mph - sorry I don’t have a power monitor so I can’t tell you how many watts I was pushing - but I felt great that after 90 miles I was able to do that! It made me wonder what if …
Next time I’ll train a little more and I can’t wait to finish my first Century … for real.
Stay well and I'll see you on the road!
Friday, June 22, 2007
And the Verdict Is........!
I can’t believe that it’s the last day of the school year and I’ve exceeded my goal by two hundred miles!
Going off of last year’s tally I figured I could get about 1,100 miles by the end of this school year. Then I’d be able to do the remaining 900 miles in the fall pretty easily.
As of today, though, Connor’s Army has logged 1302 miles for the year.
Through rain and sleet and cold and heat (okay, not so much heat yet) I’ve managed to rack up a good chunk of mileage, and now I’m thinking I’ll do more than 2,000!
We’ve also managed to raise (drum roll please) $5,647.30! So, it’s been six months and we’re past our halfway mark in fundraising, too.
Although I won’t count the miles I ride over the summer, I’ll still be riding and I’ll still be writing the occasional blog entry. I’m signed up to do 70 miles of the Huntington Bike Club’s Gold Coast Ride for fun with Steve Jimenez and I’ll let you know how that goes. I’m planning to ride to work at Park Shore Camp and I’ll give you an update on how they react to my cycle wear.
Already, though, I can’t wait to get started again in the fall and work my closer and closer to the 2,000 mile mark.
And, of course, I’d be completely remiss if I didn’t wish a Happy Birthday to my sweet Sarah!
Stay well and I’ll see you on the road!
Going off of last year’s tally I figured I could get about 1,100 miles by the end of this school year. Then I’d be able to do the remaining 900 miles in the fall pretty easily.
As of today, though, Connor’s Army has logged 1302 miles for the year.
Through rain and sleet and cold and heat (okay, not so much heat yet) I’ve managed to rack up a good chunk of mileage, and now I’m thinking I’ll do more than 2,000!
We’ve also managed to raise (drum roll please) $5,647.30! So, it’s been six months and we’re past our halfway mark in fundraising, too.
Although I won’t count the miles I ride over the summer, I’ll still be riding and I’ll still be writing the occasional blog entry. I’m signed up to do 70 miles of the Huntington Bike Club’s Gold Coast Ride for fun with Steve Jimenez and I’ll let you know how that goes. I’m planning to ride to work at Park Shore Camp and I’ll give you an update on how they react to my cycle wear.
Already, though, I can’t wait to get started again in the fall and work my closer and closer to the 2,000 mile mark.
And, of course, I’d be completely remiss if I didn’t wish a Happy Birthday to my sweet Sarah!
Stay well and I’ll see you on the road!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Take That Trekman!
If you’ve been reading my blogs on any kind of consistent basis, you know that I have a bit of a competitive streak - okay, a little more than a bit. That being said I have to gloat just a bit, because the times I can are few and far between.
Today without really meaning to I was involved in a good old-fashioned road rider smackdown! And it happened, of all places, going up Stillwell.
As I was turning on to Cold Spring Harbor Road I noticed a guy on a road bike about 50 or so yards ahead of m. I was doing about 25 miles per hour so I thought, “Okay, I’ll catch him at the bottom of the hill and just ride with him a while and try to hold on. I won’t ‘race’ I’ll just try to maintain and ride my own ride.” As I drew closer I saw he was on a shiny Trek wearing riding tights, a CSC team jersey and aero shoe covers. He looked pretty hardcore so it was going to take some doing. I figured I’d just try to hang on to his wheel up the first bend and he’d probably drop me before the first stop sign.
I caught up to him at the base of the climb and I held on to his wheel. When I checked my odometer I realized I was only going 8 mph, so I decided to just ride my ride and see what happened. I figured he’d probably blow by me and leave me in the dust like that other guy did before.
Well he actually latched on to my wheel for about fifty feet until I started cranking it at about 14 mph. I don’t know if it’s the new frame, but it felt like nothing!
After a while I looked back and he was way behind, and when I checked again at the top of the hill I couldn’t even see him. I have to admit I felt good. Here I was on a no-name brand of bicycle that I (and the boys from Adams Cyclery) had put together and I left his nice shiny Trek way down the hill. It made my day! Of course, as my in-laws would say, “Not racing”.
To cap it off, when I got home my odometer read 1,274! I have one more day of riding and then I have to stop logging until September. I’ll definitely take the long way home tomorrow!
Stay well and peace to you all.
Today without really meaning to I was involved in a good old-fashioned road rider smackdown! And it happened, of all places, going up Stillwell.
As I was turning on to Cold Spring Harbor Road I noticed a guy on a road bike about 50 or so yards ahead of m. I was doing about 25 miles per hour so I thought, “Okay, I’ll catch him at the bottom of the hill and just ride with him a while and try to hold on. I won’t ‘race’ I’ll just try to maintain and ride my own ride.” As I drew closer I saw he was on a shiny Trek wearing riding tights, a CSC team jersey and aero shoe covers. He looked pretty hardcore so it was going to take some doing. I figured I’d just try to hang on to his wheel up the first bend and he’d probably drop me before the first stop sign.
I caught up to him at the base of the climb and I held on to his wheel. When I checked my odometer I realized I was only going 8 mph, so I decided to just ride my ride and see what happened. I figured he’d probably blow by me and leave me in the dust like that other guy did before.
Well he actually latched on to my wheel for about fifty feet until I started cranking it at about 14 mph. I don’t know if it’s the new frame, but it felt like nothing!
After a while I looked back and he was way behind, and when I checked again at the top of the hill I couldn’t even see him. I have to admit I felt good. Here I was on a no-name brand of bicycle that I (and the boys from Adams Cyclery) had put together and I left his nice shiny Trek way down the hill. It made my day! Of course, as my in-laws would say, “Not racing”.
To cap it off, when I got home my odometer read 1,274! I have one more day of riding and then I have to stop logging until September. I’ll definitely take the long way home tomorrow!
Stay well and peace to you all.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
How Sweet It Is!!!!
It may not be the 2007 special edition Trek Madone but I’m in heaven!
I finally finished putting all the parts on my new Scattante frame Monday night! I couldn’t ride it on Tuesday because I had to stay for the ACT Spring Showcase and ITS (International Thespian Society) Induction Ceremony, and it’d be very late and dark by the time I came home. My wife hates it when I ride home late at night so I generally don’t ride if I’m going to be very late at school.
But boy was I itching all day to get on that bike!
The kids who performed last night were wonderful! I’m very lucky as a teacher that I get to spend my days - and afternoons, evenings and sometimes weekends - with such good kids. They’re caring and generous. Many of our contributors are either current or past ACT members. They’re really a part of our family no matter where they go in life. It’s strange to think that many of the faces I saw last night were performing for the very last time at SHS. Tonight they graduated, and soon they’re moving on to the next part of their lives. I’m going to miss them in September as I greet the new students. I’ve gone through this every year for ten years now, and it never gets easier.
I was a bit nervous when I rode out this morning because I wasn’t sure how the new ride would perform and if there would be any appreciable difference to make the change worthwhile. I also wasn’t sure if I’d dialed in all the adjustments correctly, and if I’d fine tuned all my shifting and braking adjustments right. I didn’t want to be stuck on the road trying to make major adjustments.
Not to worry, though, Black Betty was a dream to ride. Yes, I know I had also called my last bike Black Betty; but I figure if BB King can call all his guitars Lucille, then I can call all my bikes Black Betty.
She’s so much easier going up the hills, and I can almost feel myself flying on the roads since the down tube and top tube have aerodynamic tear-drop shapes. Supposedly aluminum is a stiffer ride but I didn’t notice that much difference - I guess it’s a result of the carbon fork on the front. She shifts well and I feel good on her. The only thing that bothered me is that there’s a slight amount of toe overlap. It really shouldn’t be an issue unless I make a quick, sharp turn at slow speed when my feet are in the three and nine o’clock positions so I guess that’s okay. I ordered a medium frame and the label on the seat tube says it’s a 54, so at my towering height of 5’6½” I don’t think I really could’ve gone with a bigger frame. I’ll just have to be aware of it when I’m rolling slowly. Other than that she’s a beaut!
So if you happen to be on Pulaski and you see a black, white and yellow streak - it’s probably me logging more miles for ACS. I won’t be put off if you holler encouragement!
Stay well and I’ll see you on the road!
I finally finished putting all the parts on my new Scattante frame Monday night! I couldn’t ride it on Tuesday because I had to stay for the ACT Spring Showcase and ITS (International Thespian Society) Induction Ceremony, and it’d be very late and dark by the time I came home. My wife hates it when I ride home late at night so I generally don’t ride if I’m going to be very late at school.
But boy was I itching all day to get on that bike!
The kids who performed last night were wonderful! I’m very lucky as a teacher that I get to spend my days - and afternoons, evenings and sometimes weekends - with such good kids. They’re caring and generous. Many of our contributors are either current or past ACT members. They’re really a part of our family no matter where they go in life. It’s strange to think that many of the faces I saw last night were performing for the very last time at SHS. Tonight they graduated, and soon they’re moving on to the next part of their lives. I’m going to miss them in September as I greet the new students. I’ve gone through this every year for ten years now, and it never gets easier.
I was a bit nervous when I rode out this morning because I wasn’t sure how the new ride would perform and if there would be any appreciable difference to make the change worthwhile. I also wasn’t sure if I’d dialed in all the adjustments correctly, and if I’d fine tuned all my shifting and braking adjustments right. I didn’t want to be stuck on the road trying to make major adjustments.
Not to worry, though, Black Betty was a dream to ride. Yes, I know I had also called my last bike Black Betty; but I figure if BB King can call all his guitars Lucille, then I can call all my bikes Black Betty.
She’s so much easier going up the hills, and I can almost feel myself flying on the roads since the down tube and top tube have aerodynamic tear-drop shapes. Supposedly aluminum is a stiffer ride but I didn’t notice that much difference - I guess it’s a result of the carbon fork on the front. She shifts well and I feel good on her. The only thing that bothered me is that there’s a slight amount of toe overlap. It really shouldn’t be an issue unless I make a quick, sharp turn at slow speed when my feet are in the three and nine o’clock positions so I guess that’s okay. I ordered a medium frame and the label on the seat tube says it’s a 54, so at my towering height of 5’6½” I don’t think I really could’ve gone with a bigger frame. I’ll just have to be aware of it when I’m rolling slowly. Other than that she’s a beaut!
So if you happen to be on Pulaski and you see a black, white and yellow streak - it’s probably me logging more miles for ACS. I won’t be put off if you holler encouragement!
Stay well and I’ll see you on the road!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Just Another Day in the Saddle
I really don’t have much exciting to report write now, but I wanted to give you an update on mileage and money raised so far.
The ride is going well and my endurance is getting better. The ride is getting easier each day (most of the time) and I can pretty much depend on getting to school in well under 40 minutes. I’m fairly consistently averaging 19+ miles per hour on my commute, so I’m really getting the hang of it. On the way home I try to go up Snake Hill Road with its killer hill as much as I can and I usually average about 9-10 miles an hour up that hill. For those of you who know it, that’s not bad!
And now for the big news …
The new frame arrived yesterday!
However, as much as I want to, I can’t yet switch all the parts over. I’ve installed the new Bontrager select seat post and the Shimano 105 brakes, but I need to go to my good sponsor at Adams Cyclery (if I haven’t said it enough before, you need to give them your business - they’re absolutely the best service and help around!) and get an adapter for my front derailleur. My old frame uses a 25.4 derailleur clamp and the new one is larger so I have to get a new derailleur clamp before I can finish switching everything over.
We got good news about Randi’s mother the other day. She seems to be responding well to the treatment and the doctors are optimistic about her prognosis. Our friend Michelle is also responding well to her treatment. My sister Angela also is getting positive news in her check ups, and she and her husband been told they can start trying to have a baby so we’re very happy for them.
Although the riding is just another day in the saddle, I’m constantly reminded that the money I’m trying to raise is going to help our friends and even people we don’t know get better, and to aid in the research that keeps them hopeful.
The mileage so far is 1,215. I’m hoping in the next week - the last week I’ll count my mileage until September 5th - to try to squeeze in another hundred miles and end with 1300. I guess I’ll take the long way home a few times.
Stay well and I’ll see you on the road!
The ride is going well and my endurance is getting better. The ride is getting easier each day (most of the time) and I can pretty much depend on getting to school in well under 40 minutes. I’m fairly consistently averaging 19+ miles per hour on my commute, so I’m really getting the hang of it. On the way home I try to go up Snake Hill Road with its killer hill as much as I can and I usually average about 9-10 miles an hour up that hill. For those of you who know it, that’s not bad!
And now for the big news …
The new frame arrived yesterday!
However, as much as I want to, I can’t yet switch all the parts over. I’ve installed the new Bontrager select seat post and the Shimano 105 brakes, but I need to go to my good sponsor at Adams Cyclery (if I haven’t said it enough before, you need to give them your business - they’re absolutely the best service and help around!) and get an adapter for my front derailleur. My old frame uses a 25.4 derailleur clamp and the new one is larger so I have to get a new derailleur clamp before I can finish switching everything over.
We got good news about Randi’s mother the other day. She seems to be responding well to the treatment and the doctors are optimistic about her prognosis. Our friend Michelle is also responding well to her treatment. My sister Angela also is getting positive news in her check ups, and she and her husband been told they can start trying to have a baby so we’re very happy for them.
Although the riding is just another day in the saddle, I’m constantly reminded that the money I’m trying to raise is going to help our friends and even people we don’t know get better, and to aid in the research that keeps them hopeful.
The mileage so far is 1,215. I’m hoping in the next week - the last week I’ll count my mileage until September 5th - to try to squeeze in another hundred miles and end with 1300. I guess I’ll take the long way home a few times.
Stay well and I’ll see you on the road!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Holy Town Proclamations Batman!
Okay, so I’m flabbergasted beyond belief!
Remember way back last month when I wrote about how I was asked by Huntington Town Councilman Mark Cuthbertson to help him and Huntington Township kick off “Bike to Work Week”? Well, last week I got a call from Steve Jimenez telling me that the Council wanted to award a proclamation to me at the next Town Council meeting. I figured it was either for the “Bike to Work Week” ride, or for the Sunday I spent with Chuck Adams and Huntington Bicycle club promoting “Bike to Work Month.” Steve told me it wouldn’t take long and when I asked if I could bring the family he said sure.
Tonight when we got to the meeting there were lots of kids being honored for a spelling bee competition in which they scored very well. It was great to see a large group of kids being honored for being smart and accomplished. I figured that everyone else from the ride or the promotion would be there, but I didn’t see anyone.
Then they called my name and as I went up Councilwoman Glenda Jackson read a proclamation in front of everyone praising my efforts with Connor’s Army. I couldn’t believe it! Steve had told me that Councilman Cuthbertson was really impressed with my efforts and was behind us all the way, but this was something else! It was so unexpected and I was truly touched. It belongs as much to everyone supporting me as it does to me.
In addition, the councilman has also put his money where his words are and has supported us with a very generous donation. I have to say that I’m proud to live in a township where the elected officials care so much.
Afterwards the family and I then went to celebrate at Ben and Jerry’s. We had fun getting lots of goopy ice cream and watching the people going by. It’s a great thing to be able to share these things with my family because I want them to remember that we’re not alone on this earth. We’re here to help others any way we can. Some do it by making laws, some by writing books that change the way people think, some by giving lots of money, some by teaching, some by using their bodies to make a difference. I’ll never make laws or write a book that changes the way people think, but I hope by using my body to raise money to give to ACS I can make a small difference to help others. I want my children to see that example and to see that we’re part of a bigger family - one that we need to help no matter where they are. And that when help is needed by anyone, it’ll be there for them.
Well, that’s all for now. See you on the road.
Stay well.
Remember way back last month when I wrote about how I was asked by Huntington Town Councilman Mark Cuthbertson to help him and Huntington Township kick off “Bike to Work Week”? Well, last week I got a call from Steve Jimenez telling me that the Council wanted to award a proclamation to me at the next Town Council meeting. I figured it was either for the “Bike to Work Week” ride, or for the Sunday I spent with Chuck Adams and Huntington Bicycle club promoting “Bike to Work Month.” Steve told me it wouldn’t take long and when I asked if I could bring the family he said sure.
Tonight when we got to the meeting there were lots of kids being honored for a spelling bee competition in which they scored very well. It was great to see a large group of kids being honored for being smart and accomplished. I figured that everyone else from the ride or the promotion would be there, but I didn’t see anyone.
Then they called my name and as I went up Councilwoman Glenda Jackson read a proclamation in front of everyone praising my efforts with Connor’s Army. I couldn’t believe it! Steve had told me that Councilman Cuthbertson was really impressed with my efforts and was behind us all the way, but this was something else! It was so unexpected and I was truly touched. It belongs as much to everyone supporting me as it does to me.
In addition, the councilman has also put his money where his words are and has supported us with a very generous donation. I have to say that I’m proud to live in a township where the elected officials care so much.
Afterwards the family and I then went to celebrate at Ben and Jerry’s. We had fun getting lots of goopy ice cream and watching the people going by. It’s a great thing to be able to share these things with my family because I want them to remember that we’re not alone on this earth. We’re here to help others any way we can. Some do it by making laws, some by writing books that change the way people think, some by giving lots of money, some by teaching, some by using their bodies to make a difference. I’ll never make laws or write a book that changes the way people think, but I hope by using my body to raise money to give to ACS I can make a small difference to help others. I want my children to see that example and to see that we’re part of a bigger family - one that we need to help no matter where they are. And that when help is needed by anyone, it’ll be there for them.
Well, that’s all for now. See you on the road.
Stay well.
Friday, June 1, 2007
A New Ride is on the Way!
Okay, so if you’ve been following my blogs you know I’ve been really putting myself into this. Each time I hear about someone in my life battling this disease I’m more inspired to get out and ride. I wish I could afford to just give $10,000 on my own. If I had it, I would give billions of dollars to fight this disease. Not only so my sisters and my mother won’t have to deal with it anymore, but so my wife and my children and everyone’s families could be protected from ever having to worry about it. I really hate this disease!
For all of you supporting me you’ll be glad to hear that my efforts are going to be a bit easier going forward - I’m getting a new ride!
My Diamondback hybrid (go back and check out my very first blog for all the specs) has been a great ride, but a “performance” machine it’s not. Oh, it’s very solid and has a forgiving ride; but it’s heavy, especially on the hills. If you read my May 23rd entry you know just how heavy it can be. I’ve been through a variety of parts on my meager budget (okay, I do a lot of scavenging and even some dumpster diving) to try to optimize this frame; but it’s still heavy.
So when people began asking what I wanted for my birthday I asked for gift cards from PerformanceBike.com. You see, I’ve been saving up for a while and I had a 10% off coupon from buying my cycling jerseys (which were printed up by Nelson Quimby of ElsoGraphics and look great btw). I’ve been keeping a covetous eye on a Scattante frame they sell, and I’ve watched the price fluctuate from as low as $199 to as high as $299. Well, it finally came back down to $219 and, with the help of gift cards from my very generous wife and family, I went for it!
In a few days a medium-sized, GLOSSY BLACK, compact race frame will be delivered to my door! I can’t wait to shift all my parts over and get the fit fine-tuned so I can ride up Stillwell even faster and easier.
I’m now at 1,078 and the miles are rolling by. My deepest thanks to each and every one of you who has given your support - not only with donations and sponsorships, but through your prayers, your well-wishes, and your spreading the word of what we’re doing.
Peace to you all and stay well.
For all of you supporting me you’ll be glad to hear that my efforts are going to be a bit easier going forward - I’m getting a new ride!
My Diamondback hybrid (go back and check out my very first blog for all the specs) has been a great ride, but a “performance” machine it’s not. Oh, it’s very solid and has a forgiving ride; but it’s heavy, especially on the hills. If you read my May 23rd entry you know just how heavy it can be. I’ve been through a variety of parts on my meager budget (okay, I do a lot of scavenging and even some dumpster diving) to try to optimize this frame; but it’s still heavy.
So when people began asking what I wanted for my birthday I asked for gift cards from PerformanceBike.com. You see, I’ve been saving up for a while and I had a 10% off coupon from buying my cycling jerseys (which were printed up by Nelson Quimby of ElsoGraphics and look great btw). I’ve been keeping a covetous eye on a Scattante frame they sell, and I’ve watched the price fluctuate from as low as $199 to as high as $299. Well, it finally came back down to $219 and, with the help of gift cards from my very generous wife and family, I went for it!
In a few days a medium-sized, GLOSSY BLACK, compact race frame will be delivered to my door! I can’t wait to shift all my parts over and get the fit fine-tuned so I can ride up Stillwell even faster and easier.
I’m now at 1,078 and the miles are rolling by. My deepest thanks to each and every one of you who has given your support - not only with donations and sponsorships, but through your prayers, your well-wishes, and your spreading the word of what we’re doing.
Peace to you all and stay well.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Connor's Army is a Family Affair!
I have probably the most amazing family anyone could ever hope to have! Not only do I have an incredibly supportive wife without whom this project would ever have gotten where it is; but I have some truly awe-inspiring children. Let me ‘splain.
My daughter Sarah (if you look on the “Gene’s Story” link you’ll see her adorable face in the middle of the family picture) decided last month that she wanted to sell lemonade to raise money for Connor’s Army. She had a lemonade stand two years ago to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, in which her Aunt Winnie lost her home. She called it “Lemon-Aid”. We set up a booth in the front of the house, and during Cow Harbor day she sold lemonade and raised more than $200.
This year she decided she wanted to do it again on Memorial Day before, during and after the parade that passes right in front of our house. We set up the stand, amazing Amy put up signs on the white picket fence to advertise and we mixed up the lemonade - pink this time. I loved the smell in the kitchen. We figured she’d make about $75 this time.
The parade started at 10:00, and she began bright and early at about 9:30 selling Lemon-Aid for fifty cents a cup. Some of our friends joined us to watch the parade from our porch - the Oliveri’s with their two girls and the other Connor’s with their three. The girls all helped and with six adorable little girls selling there was no way they weren’t going to do well.
When it was all said and done, Sarah had raised $187.30!!!!
She has now become one of my biggest contributors - not that she isn’t already. I’m really proud of her, not only for doing so well, but for having such an empathetic heart. So many people would think of doing something nice, but not follow through when they realized they’d be working during the parade instead of watching it. But Sarah did it and wants to do it again for Cow Harbor Day.
She also wants to do a junior version of my ride and pledge to ride ten miles (ten trips to the park and back) without training wheels on her bicycle - she is indeed a special little girl!
Peace to you all and stay well.
My daughter Sarah (if you look on the “Gene’s Story” link you’ll see her adorable face in the middle of the family picture) decided last month that she wanted to sell lemonade to raise money for Connor’s Army. She had a lemonade stand two years ago to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, in which her Aunt Winnie lost her home. She called it “Lemon-Aid”. We set up a booth in the front of the house, and during Cow Harbor day she sold lemonade and raised more than $200.
This year she decided she wanted to do it again on Memorial Day before, during and after the parade that passes right in front of our house. We set up the stand, amazing Amy put up signs on the white picket fence to advertise and we mixed up the lemonade - pink this time. I loved the smell in the kitchen. We figured she’d make about $75 this time.
The parade started at 10:00, and she began bright and early at about 9:30 selling Lemon-Aid for fifty cents a cup. Some of our friends joined us to watch the parade from our porch - the Oliveri’s with their two girls and the other Connor’s with their three. The girls all helped and with six adorable little girls selling there was no way they weren’t going to do well.
When it was all said and done, Sarah had raised $187.30!!!!
She has now become one of my biggest contributors - not that she isn’t already. I’m really proud of her, not only for doing so well, but for having such an empathetic heart. So many people would think of doing something nice, but not follow through when they realized they’d be working during the parade instead of watching it. But Sarah did it and wants to do it again for Cow Harbor Day.
She also wants to do a junior version of my ride and pledge to ride ten miles (ten trips to the park and back) without training wheels on her bicycle - she is indeed a special little girl!
Peace to you all and stay well.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
With Apologies to Monsieur Dickens - Part Deux
Today it was another one of those, "It was the best of rides, it was the worst of rides". The last time I wrote with this heading it was back in February and it was cold.
Today, it was one of those days when the sun was shining nicely, the temperature was a relatively balmy 52 degrees, and I had the added incentive of knowing that when I made it to school today I would have passed 1000 miles!!!!! I left with a nice bounce in my step and ready to tear it up.
That’s when my body decided to remind me to never get too cocky.
For some reason I just didn’t have any legs today. No matter what I tried I just couldn’t get into the groove - the rhythm just wasn’t there. I was cruising along at a decent tempo, but every time I checked my times I saw I was falling further and further behind. For those of you who don’t know the route I follow every day it goes like this:
I start my morning with the big hill up Church Street and cross 25A to Elwood. From there I take a right onto Pulaski and pretty much follow that all the way to the Cold Spring Harbor train station. I take a right at the station (I never remember the name of that road and am constantly reminded of the time I got my mother-in-law totally lost because of that) and go about ½ a mile to Stillwell Lane. I turn left onto Stillwell and climb that hill all the way to the end at Cold Spring Road. That left and another put me onto Southwoods Road, and from there it’s just ¾ of a mile to the entrance of the teacher’s parking lot.
Today each of my split times just kept dropping steadily behind. No matter how hard I kept working it, I just couldn’t feel any zip in my cadence.
The absolute worst came when I met this guy I’ve been seeing on the road lately who’s obviously also commuting to work. He’s a fit looking guy on a mountain bike and usually I see him going up Stillwell. Now, I’m definitely not one of those elitists who thinks anyone who isn’t riding an $8,000 semi-custom road bike is scum - remember I have relatives who live in mobile homes and my own bike is cobbled together. So I always try to wave to those I see passing me in the other direction. I usually see this commuter on his mountain bike on the hill ahead of me; and then pass him easily as I go up the hill, always saying “good morning” as I pass.
Well, today he spanked me hard.
I saw him about a hundred yards ahead of me at the base of the hill. But today not only could I not catch him, he pulled away from me - on a mountain bike! That’s when I knew the cycling gods were not smiling on me today.
So of course the competitor in me just got mad and, although I didn’t catch him, I did manage to do a pretty fair job at coming up with a good split time for the last leg.
When it is all said and done, though, the reminder is there - I’m doing this to help other people, some of whom are too sick to even get on a bike and pedal.
I’m doing it out of thankfulness that the people I’m riding for are well and are winning their personal fights against the disease.
I’m doing it to help the American Cancer Society fund research to develop new tests so that my wife and children can stay cancer-free.
So I remind myself that it’s not about getting to the top of the hill first on the fastest bike, it’s just about getting there and fighting the fight.
I’m now halfway to my goal - here’s hoping I reach 2000 and then some!
Peace to you all and stay well.
Today, it was one of those days when the sun was shining nicely, the temperature was a relatively balmy 52 degrees, and I had the added incentive of knowing that when I made it to school today I would have passed 1000 miles!!!!! I left with a nice bounce in my step and ready to tear it up.
That’s when my body decided to remind me to never get too cocky.
For some reason I just didn’t have any legs today. No matter what I tried I just couldn’t get into the groove - the rhythm just wasn’t there. I was cruising along at a decent tempo, but every time I checked my times I saw I was falling further and further behind. For those of you who don’t know the route I follow every day it goes like this:
I start my morning with the big hill up Church Street and cross 25A to Elwood. From there I take a right onto Pulaski and pretty much follow that all the way to the Cold Spring Harbor train station. I take a right at the station (I never remember the name of that road and am constantly reminded of the time I got my mother-in-law totally lost because of that) and go about ½ a mile to Stillwell Lane. I turn left onto Stillwell and climb that hill all the way to the end at Cold Spring Road. That left and another put me onto Southwoods Road, and from there it’s just ¾ of a mile to the entrance of the teacher’s parking lot.
Today each of my split times just kept dropping steadily behind. No matter how hard I kept working it, I just couldn’t feel any zip in my cadence.
The absolute worst came when I met this guy I’ve been seeing on the road lately who’s obviously also commuting to work. He’s a fit looking guy on a mountain bike and usually I see him going up Stillwell. Now, I’m definitely not one of those elitists who thinks anyone who isn’t riding an $8,000 semi-custom road bike is scum - remember I have relatives who live in mobile homes and my own bike is cobbled together. So I always try to wave to those I see passing me in the other direction. I usually see this commuter on his mountain bike on the hill ahead of me; and then pass him easily as I go up the hill, always saying “good morning” as I pass.
Well, today he spanked me hard.
I saw him about a hundred yards ahead of me at the base of the hill. But today not only could I not catch him, he pulled away from me - on a mountain bike! That’s when I knew the cycling gods were not smiling on me today.
So of course the competitor in me just got mad and, although I didn’t catch him, I did manage to do a pretty fair job at coming up with a good split time for the last leg.
When it is all said and done, though, the reminder is there - I’m doing this to help other people, some of whom are too sick to even get on a bike and pedal.
I’m doing it out of thankfulness that the people I’m riding for are well and are winning their personal fights against the disease.
I’m doing it to help the American Cancer Society fund research to develop new tests so that my wife and children can stay cancer-free.
So I remind myself that it’s not about getting to the top of the hill first on the fastest bike, it’s just about getting there and fighting the fight.
I’m now halfway to my goal - here’s hoping I reach 2000 and then some!
Peace to you all and stay well.
Monday, May 14, 2007
This is the Way We Bike to Work, Bike to Work, Bike to Work
In three days we open A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Everyone’s worked really hard to put together a GREAT show, and the kids are having fun doing it. They’re really into the 1960’s setting. We spent part of Saturday’s rehearsal tie-dying show shirts and they’re really psyched to go onstage.
On the Connor’s Army front, I was asked by Huntington Town Councilman Mark Cuthbertson to help him and Huntington Township kick off “Bike to Work Week”. So this morning instead of going to school at my usual time I rode to the Councilman’s house at 8:00am. Also in attendance were Steve Jimenez and a few other dignitaries, one from the State Department of Highways! We cruised along at a reasonable pace, and had the chance to talk to the people from Channel 55 so they could use their footage on TV that night.
I’m now at 870 miles and going strong. I’m hoping to be able to at least finish out the school year on June 22nd with at least 1200 miles. I have a little more than a month to do it. Of course, if I can get more that would be great! Since this is “Bike to Work Week” I plan to ride as much as I can - as long as it’s dry!
And so for now, to any of you reading the blog - get on your bike and ride at least once this week to work (unless of course you work more than 25 miles from home - then do it part way!) - you’ll be saving money, doing your heart good, and saving a little bit for the environment as well!
Peace and stay well.
On the Connor’s Army front, I was asked by Huntington Town Councilman Mark Cuthbertson to help him and Huntington Township kick off “Bike to Work Week”. So this morning instead of going to school at my usual time I rode to the Councilman’s house at 8:00am. Also in attendance were Steve Jimenez and a few other dignitaries, one from the State Department of Highways! We cruised along at a reasonable pace, and had the chance to talk to the people from Channel 55 so they could use their footage on TV that night.
I’m now at 870 miles and going strong. I’m hoping to be able to at least finish out the school year on June 22nd with at least 1200 miles. I have a little more than a month to do it. Of course, if I can get more that would be great! Since this is “Bike to Work Week” I plan to ride as much as I can - as long as it’s dry!
And so for now, to any of you reading the blog - get on your bike and ride at least once this week to work (unless of course you work more than 25 miles from home - then do it part way!) - you’ll be saving money, doing your heart good, and saving a little bit for the environment as well!
Peace and stay well.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
National Bike Month
Hooray, Hooray, the First of May…..Riding to Work Begins Today!
Yes, I began National Bike Month with a great ride to work. It was one of those days when the temperature is just right and there’s no breeze - just a perfect day to ride.
Last Sunday, the Town of Huntington sponsored a kick-off to National Bike Month. They set up some stations at Huntington Town Hall to help promote the upcoming month and to encourage people to ride their bikes to work. When Steve Jimenez from Councilman Mark Cuthbertson’s office called to ask if I’d like to participate, I was both flattered and excited. And I was especially pleased when I found out that representatives from both the Huntington Bicycle Club and Adam’s Cyclery were going to be there.
Chuck Adams is one of my most enthusiastic sponsors and I say again to any of you out there reading this - GO TO HIS SHOP! He and Darren are really knowledgeable about road bikes and he’ll go out of his way to help you. He’s really one of the best sponsors a guy could have.
Anyway, about Sunday.
We were there for about three hours and no one showed up - not one single person. And it was cold! However it wasn’t all bad. I got to hang out with some great guys and talk about bikes. And I rode over so I got a good bike ride in and even a boring day on the bike is a great day! So despite the disappointing turn-out, I really enjoyed the day.
As far as my progress goes, when I start this month I’m at 776 miles and counting. I’m hoping to hit 1200 by the end of the school year so the fall isn’t so bad - although if I hit 2500 that’s okay too!
So, get out there and ride your bike this month!
Peace to you all and stay well.
Yes, I began National Bike Month with a great ride to work. It was one of those days when the temperature is just right and there’s no breeze - just a perfect day to ride.
Last Sunday, the Town of Huntington sponsored a kick-off to National Bike Month. They set up some stations at Huntington Town Hall to help promote the upcoming month and to encourage people to ride their bikes to work. When Steve Jimenez from Councilman Mark Cuthbertson’s office called to ask if I’d like to participate, I was both flattered and excited. And I was especially pleased when I found out that representatives from both the Huntington Bicycle Club and Adam’s Cyclery were going to be there.
Chuck Adams is one of my most enthusiastic sponsors and I say again to any of you out there reading this - GO TO HIS SHOP! He and Darren are really knowledgeable about road bikes and he’ll go out of his way to help you. He’s really one of the best sponsors a guy could have.
Anyway, about Sunday.
We were there for about three hours and no one showed up - not one single person. And it was cold! However it wasn’t all bad. I got to hang out with some great guys and talk about bikes. And I rode over so I got a good bike ride in and even a boring day on the bike is a great day! So despite the disappointing turn-out, I really enjoyed the day.
As far as my progress goes, when I start this month I’m at 776 miles and counting. I’m hoping to hit 1200 by the end of the school year so the fall isn’t so bad - although if I hit 2500 that’s okay too!
So, get out there and ride your bike this month!
Peace to you all and stay well.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
What a Difference a Year Makes
One year ago April 24th, 2006 dawned rather auspiciously in the life of one Gene Connor. It was the first time in my life I had ever had surgery of any kind. Well, that is if you don’t count the numerous times I’d been stitched up for various youthful mishaps.
This time was different, though - this time it was scheduled. My wife has undergone surgery for various things before (not the least the births of our children), but I had never experienced the surreal experience of lying awake in an operating room while someone operated on you.
The idea was to repair ligaments in my right ankle that had been damaged many years ago during a production of West Side Story. What we thought at the time was only a partial tear turned out to have been a full tear. Over time, as I rehabbed from that injury, I learned to compensate. But I could never fully get up on relevé in dance class (those of you who have been following might remember I used to be a ballet dancer and musical theater performer). Nevertheless, I developed significant lower leg strength to compensate and to help me get through my career. It was while warming up for a performance of The Nutcracker that I felt a pop on the inside of my ankle, and after that I began to experience pain that sometimes was too much to bear.
However, I ignored it (as dancers are wont to do) and kept on for another year and a half before I decided to see someone. I tried physical therapy for a while, but it didn’t really work so I went back to gritting my teeth and bearing it. I finally ended up seeing my uncle-in-law - Dr. Arthur Gudeon, a major New York area sports podiatrist - who thought it was a bone spur causing the problems. He thought surgery might be the only answer, but suggested I see a colleague of his from the College of Podiatry - Dr. Barney Martin. (Yep, Doc Martin - I kid you not.)
Dr. Martin took x-rays and MRIs, and discovered that it wasn’t anything that had been diagnosed before. Basically I had a non-functioning ligament on the outside of my right ankle that was allowing so much lateral movement that I was wearing away the lining on the inside of my right ankle - hence the pain, bone on bone.
So on April 24th he went in and repaired the ligament. After removing all the scar tissue he had to sort of crochet it back together. I started physical therapy a few days later. Six days after the surgery I participated in a March of Dimes walk-a-thon in a wheelchair. If you look at my Facebook picture, that’s when that was taken.
Amy and I had already discussed the idea of Connor’s Army at that point, and we knew we wanted to do it; but we also knew that with the surgery there was no way I could do the 2000 miles we set as the goal. By then I had commuted about 400 miles and I knew I wouldn’t be able to commute again until June - if I was lucky. So we decided the 2006 calendar year would be a “dress rehearsal” to see how much I could do. We counted the miles I commuted to Usdan in the mix to sort of make up for the two months I was out of commission.
Dr. Martin gave me the clearance to start working on a trainer in the basement at the end of May and by mid-June he cleared me to go on the bicycle. In the meantime I went through a lot of physical therapy at Northport Physical therapy under the firm guidance of Mary English. It if weren’t for her pushing me, I wouldn’t have been able to bounce back so quickly. It did help that I was in pretty good physical shape before the surgery, and that afterwards I was determined to get back on the bike as fast as possible.
In the end I was able to put in another 1280 miles with my commuting to Usdan and to school in the fall - my goal was to try to reach 1500 miles and we were thrilled when I passed that goal.
Which brings me to now.
It’s been exactly a year since my surgery and I’m in full swing with the Connor’s Army ride. We’ve had such an outpouring of support from our supporters, our sponsors, and even from the press. It’s four months into the ride and as of today I’ve logged just a tad over 600 miles of commuting - not bad considering the weather has just now gotten better.
I’ve begun taking a different route home that adds three miles to the evening commute and makes me climb one of the baddest hills on the north shore of Long Island - Snake Hill in Cold Spring Harbor (if anyone knows of another in the area let me know). I’ve climbed it five times now in the last two weeks and my average climbing speed is about 9 mph. Not bad considering that a year ago I was lying in bed with lots of painkillers in me hoping I’d be able to ride and dance again.
What has this to do with anything?
It’s been a long year full of ups and downs, and a long trip to getting me in the physical shape where I am now commuting close to a 100 miles a week. But it’s all nothing compare to what other people have gone through and continue to face.
The people I think about when I’m climbing Snake Hill Road in the 70 degree heat are my mother who’s dealing with Merkel Cell Carcinoma and has to be monitored every six months, our very good friend Michelle who goes into surgery on Monday after having suffered through eight rounds of chemo, my sister Angela who’s almost two years cancer free but is still dealing with complications, and my colleague Randi Sachs’ mother who goes into surgery tomorrow to remove lymph nodes and find out how treatable her lung cancer is - these are people who know what pain is.
As I say on the web site, “every drop I sweat will be in gratitude for Winnie, Angela and TaMara. Every hill I struggle up will be for my children. Every mile I ride will be to help beat this disease that ravages the lives of everyday people”. This past week has reminded me of that fact in spades.
I’m so grateful for the fact that my wife and children are healthy and beautiful and active. I appreciate every day that I come home from my ride and I see them running to meet me at our front gate. A year ago this website and this fundraising experience were just an idea - now we’re well on our way to our goal. We have further to go, but I’m grateful for every mile on the way and everyone who has helped so far on the way.
Peace to you all and stay well.
This time was different, though - this time it was scheduled. My wife has undergone surgery for various things before (not the least the births of our children), but I had never experienced the surreal experience of lying awake in an operating room while someone operated on you.
The idea was to repair ligaments in my right ankle that had been damaged many years ago during a production of West Side Story. What we thought at the time was only a partial tear turned out to have been a full tear. Over time, as I rehabbed from that injury, I learned to compensate. But I could never fully get up on relevé in dance class (those of you who have been following might remember I used to be a ballet dancer and musical theater performer). Nevertheless, I developed significant lower leg strength to compensate and to help me get through my career. It was while warming up for a performance of The Nutcracker that I felt a pop on the inside of my ankle, and after that I began to experience pain that sometimes was too much to bear.
However, I ignored it (as dancers are wont to do) and kept on for another year and a half before I decided to see someone. I tried physical therapy for a while, but it didn’t really work so I went back to gritting my teeth and bearing it. I finally ended up seeing my uncle-in-law - Dr. Arthur Gudeon, a major New York area sports podiatrist - who thought it was a bone spur causing the problems. He thought surgery might be the only answer, but suggested I see a colleague of his from the College of Podiatry - Dr. Barney Martin. (Yep, Doc Martin - I kid you not.)
Dr. Martin took x-rays and MRIs, and discovered that it wasn’t anything that had been diagnosed before. Basically I had a non-functioning ligament on the outside of my right ankle that was allowing so much lateral movement that I was wearing away the lining on the inside of my right ankle - hence the pain, bone on bone.
So on April 24th he went in and repaired the ligament. After removing all the scar tissue he had to sort of crochet it back together. I started physical therapy a few days later. Six days after the surgery I participated in a March of Dimes walk-a-thon in a wheelchair. If you look at my Facebook picture, that’s when that was taken.
Amy and I had already discussed the idea of Connor’s Army at that point, and we knew we wanted to do it; but we also knew that with the surgery there was no way I could do the 2000 miles we set as the goal. By then I had commuted about 400 miles and I knew I wouldn’t be able to commute again until June - if I was lucky. So we decided the 2006 calendar year would be a “dress rehearsal” to see how much I could do. We counted the miles I commuted to Usdan in the mix to sort of make up for the two months I was out of commission.
Dr. Martin gave me the clearance to start working on a trainer in the basement at the end of May and by mid-June he cleared me to go on the bicycle. In the meantime I went through a lot of physical therapy at Northport Physical therapy under the firm guidance of Mary English. It if weren’t for her pushing me, I wouldn’t have been able to bounce back so quickly. It did help that I was in pretty good physical shape before the surgery, and that afterwards I was determined to get back on the bike as fast as possible.
In the end I was able to put in another 1280 miles with my commuting to Usdan and to school in the fall - my goal was to try to reach 1500 miles and we were thrilled when I passed that goal.
Which brings me to now.
It’s been exactly a year since my surgery and I’m in full swing with the Connor’s Army ride. We’ve had such an outpouring of support from our supporters, our sponsors, and even from the press. It’s four months into the ride and as of today I’ve logged just a tad over 600 miles of commuting - not bad considering the weather has just now gotten better.
I’ve begun taking a different route home that adds three miles to the evening commute and makes me climb one of the baddest hills on the north shore of Long Island - Snake Hill in Cold Spring Harbor (if anyone knows of another in the area let me know). I’ve climbed it five times now in the last two weeks and my average climbing speed is about 9 mph. Not bad considering that a year ago I was lying in bed with lots of painkillers in me hoping I’d be able to ride and dance again.
What has this to do with anything?
It’s been a long year full of ups and downs, and a long trip to getting me in the physical shape where I am now commuting close to a 100 miles a week. But it’s all nothing compare to what other people have gone through and continue to face.
The people I think about when I’m climbing Snake Hill Road in the 70 degree heat are my mother who’s dealing with Merkel Cell Carcinoma and has to be monitored every six months, our very good friend Michelle who goes into surgery on Monday after having suffered through eight rounds of chemo, my sister Angela who’s almost two years cancer free but is still dealing with complications, and my colleague Randi Sachs’ mother who goes into surgery tomorrow to remove lymph nodes and find out how treatable her lung cancer is - these are people who know what pain is.
As I say on the web site, “every drop I sweat will be in gratitude for Winnie, Angela and TaMara. Every hill I struggle up will be for my children. Every mile I ride will be to help beat this disease that ravages the lives of everyday people”. This past week has reminded me of that fact in spades.
I’m so grateful for the fact that my wife and children are healthy and beautiful and active. I appreciate every day that I come home from my ride and I see them running to meet me at our front gate. A year ago this website and this fundraising experience were just an idea - now we’re well on our way to our goal. We have further to go, but I’m grateful for every mile on the way and everyone who has helped so far on the way.
Peace to you all and stay well.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Connor's Army Hits the Air
Okay, so it’s only been a few days but I just had to update you on a very cool thing - the podcast interview!
Marc Curtis of MilitaryBrat.com interviewed me today. That in itself was a saga. Our phone line went dead Friday night and the phone interview was scheduled for today. And he didn’t have the time to do it again for weeks. So we had to get it done today. Since doing it by cell phone wouldn’t be clear enough and would also be expensive, we had to figure out another way.
It turned out that our entire neighborhood was affected by the phone problem, so none of our neighbors could help. And calls to our other friends got only answering machines. We started to wonder if everyone was at a party we hadn’t been invited to! In the end the Fox family came through for us, but thank you to everyone in Northport who I called and left a desperate message for.
It was sort of weird being interviewed knowing my voice could be heard by hundreds - hey, let’s hope thousands - of interested people. If only some of them are able to help us in our battle against cancer by making a donation, it’ll be amazing. And maybe some might even want to create a Victory Ride event of their own. Of course if anyone wants to donate a new road bike to the cause that would be most appreciated as well.
Not much else to update you all on for now except to say, check out the website at www.Militarybrat.com and hear the interview for yourself.
Thanks again to all of you who’ve helped us so far - let’s keep up the fight and let’s try to reach our goal of $10,000!
Peace to you and stay well.
Marc Curtis of MilitaryBrat.com interviewed me today. That in itself was a saga. Our phone line went dead Friday night and the phone interview was scheduled for today. And he didn’t have the time to do it again for weeks. So we had to get it done today. Since doing it by cell phone wouldn’t be clear enough and would also be expensive, we had to figure out another way.
It turned out that our entire neighborhood was affected by the phone problem, so none of our neighbors could help. And calls to our other friends got only answering machines. We started to wonder if everyone was at a party we hadn’t been invited to! In the end the Fox family came through for us, but thank you to everyone in Northport who I called and left a desperate message for.
It was sort of weird being interviewed knowing my voice could be heard by hundreds - hey, let’s hope thousands - of interested people. If only some of them are able to help us in our battle against cancer by making a donation, it’ll be amazing. And maybe some might even want to create a Victory Ride event of their own. Of course if anyone wants to donate a new road bike to the cause that would be most appreciated as well.
Not much else to update you all on for now except to say, check out the website at www.Militarybrat.com and hear the interview for yourself.
Thanks again to all of you who’ve helped us so far - let’s keep up the fight and let’s try to reach our goal of $10,000!
Peace to you and stay well.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Another Month Bites the Dust
Well, here we are at the end of our second month of the journey. I’ve only logged another 75 miles since the last blog installment, mainly because the weather has been wet and freezing. I know I said the cold wouldn’t stop me, but riding on ice on skinny tires sort of puts a damper on things. We also had vacation for a week and even though I rode, I don’t count those miles in the grand total.
We’ve added another couple of hundred dollars to the total and we’re up to $3650 - well over a third of our goal!
The rides have been up and down, mostly due to the fact that it’s February and blustery; and riding against 15 mph wind gusts sort of stinks. I just duck my head and keep cranking. It lowers my average mph and my average time but it really doesn’t matter - I just remember why I’m doing this.
On a personal note, as I mentioned in the last blog the boys just had a birthday. They’re now in the fearsome fours (okay, I just made that up, but it fits). Sarah is just as smart and beautiful as always. We’ve been working on her Invention Convention project and we’re very excited by all the response she got to her “Biker Helper” which is basically a sort of removable umbrella to put on your bicycle for inclement weather. She said she wanted to help me with my Connor’s Army project. I may have mentioned before that she also wants to help by doing her own bike-a-thon riding ten miles between the house and the park (not all at once mind you); and setting up a lemonade stand during the hot weather. She really is an amazing little girl.
Speaking of amazing girls - my wife has been incredible in all of this. She really is much of the driving force of Connor’s Army. On top of running a local performing arts series and handling the confusing schedule of three kids, she’s taken on the management of Connor’s Army full force. She pursues donations and sponsorships, and handles all the PR. She’s secured all the great press we’ve received so far through her press releases. I’m even scheduled to do a podcast with Militarybrat.com. They’re interested in the military connection and my upbringing as a military brat and how that ties in to what we’re doing now.
Next up in the Connor household - Sweet Charity at the high school! For those of you who are actually reading this and are in the area it’s going to be a really good show. The dates and times are: Thursday, March 15 at 7:00; Friday and Saturday, March 16 and 17 at 7:30; and Sunday, March 18 at 2:00. The cast is talented and really excited, and the show will be amazing. I’ve waited a long time to do this show and it was well worth the wait.
Show week also brings the logging of more miles. I try to ride in as much as I can so we can take one car back home at night - Amy designs and creates the costumes for all my school shows, and Sarah will make a “guest” appearance in the opening scene of this one! We keep it all in the family. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years here at SHS. I never thought we’d be where we are today.
I’ll probably have another entry in the next week, until then stay well.
We’ve added another couple of hundred dollars to the total and we’re up to $3650 - well over a third of our goal!
The rides have been up and down, mostly due to the fact that it’s February and blustery; and riding against 15 mph wind gusts sort of stinks. I just duck my head and keep cranking. It lowers my average mph and my average time but it really doesn’t matter - I just remember why I’m doing this.
On a personal note, as I mentioned in the last blog the boys just had a birthday. They’re now in the fearsome fours (okay, I just made that up, but it fits). Sarah is just as smart and beautiful as always. We’ve been working on her Invention Convention project and we’re very excited by all the response she got to her “Biker Helper” which is basically a sort of removable umbrella to put on your bicycle for inclement weather. She said she wanted to help me with my Connor’s Army project. I may have mentioned before that she also wants to help by doing her own bike-a-thon riding ten miles between the house and the park (not all at once mind you); and setting up a lemonade stand during the hot weather. She really is an amazing little girl.
Speaking of amazing girls - my wife has been incredible in all of this. She really is much of the driving force of Connor’s Army. On top of running a local performing arts series and handling the confusing schedule of three kids, she’s taken on the management of Connor’s Army full force. She pursues donations and sponsorships, and handles all the PR. She’s secured all the great press we’ve received so far through her press releases. I’m even scheduled to do a podcast with Militarybrat.com. They’re interested in the military connection and my upbringing as a military brat and how that ties in to what we’re doing now.
Next up in the Connor household - Sweet Charity at the high school! For those of you who are actually reading this and are in the area it’s going to be a really good show. The dates and times are: Thursday, March 15 at 7:00; Friday and Saturday, March 16 and 17 at 7:30; and Sunday, March 18 at 2:00. The cast is talented and really excited, and the show will be amazing. I’ve waited a long time to do this show and it was well worth the wait.
Show week also brings the logging of more miles. I try to ride in as much as I can so we can take one car back home at night - Amy designs and creates the costumes for all my school shows, and Sarah will make a “guest” appearance in the opening scene of this one! We keep it all in the family. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years here at SHS. I never thought we’d be where we are today.
I’ll probably have another entry in the next week, until then stay well.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
With Apologies to Monsieur Dickens
To paraphrase one of my favorite authors, “It was the best of rides, it was the worst of rides”.
Ordinarily I set my riding threshold at 28 degrees or thereabouts. I have gone down to 20 on occasion but usually I stick to around 28. Today was different. The temperature when I woke up was 15 degrees and the wind was gusting at 10 to 15 mph - giving it a “real feel” temperature of close to zero. Add the fact that I’m riding at about 16 - 20 mph it was, well, let’s just say it was cold.
However, I had a real reason to ride today. Our friend Michele was scheduled for her last two hour session of chemotherapy today. I saw her on Sunday at the birthday party for the boys (at the Northport firehouse followed by pizza at Michaelangelos - they were in total heaven!) and she was looking good. While talking to her she mentioned that today was her next session of chemotherapy and I told her that, barring rain, I would ride for her.
I have to say at about halfway through the ride, somewhere around Lennox and Pulaski my toes felt like big rocks in my shoes. I had bundled up everything, even wearing my balaclava and heavyweight ski gloves; and everything was pretty warm - except my toes. I even had the old standby of wool socks and plastic bags underneath my neoprene shoe covers - but my toes were still pretty frozen.
It was just about this time that I started thinking, “Am I crazy?! Why am I out here in this?”
Then I though, “This is nothing compared to what Michele is going through today, what my mom went through to have all of her cancer removed, or what my sisters have gone through.”
Just thinking of these brave women and all the other people I know who’ve faced their various cancer battles gave me the answer to my question. Yes, I am a little crazy; but I knew exactly why I was out there.
I have to tell you it’s not easy to ride in that cold when you have tears freezing to your face.
Right now I have 125 miles and we’ve raised $3400. We’re getting great coverage in the local press; but Connor’s Army still has a long way to go in both mileage and funds. Sometimes it seems daunting but every time I wonder about why I’m doing this I just think about Winnie, Angela, Tamara, my mother and Michele; and I have my reason to keep cranking down on the pedals.
Peace to you all and stay well.
Ordinarily I set my riding threshold at 28 degrees or thereabouts. I have gone down to 20 on occasion but usually I stick to around 28. Today was different. The temperature when I woke up was 15 degrees and the wind was gusting at 10 to 15 mph - giving it a “real feel” temperature of close to zero. Add the fact that I’m riding at about 16 - 20 mph it was, well, let’s just say it was cold.
However, I had a real reason to ride today. Our friend Michele was scheduled for her last two hour session of chemotherapy today. I saw her on Sunday at the birthday party for the boys (at the Northport firehouse followed by pizza at Michaelangelos - they were in total heaven!) and she was looking good. While talking to her she mentioned that today was her next session of chemotherapy and I told her that, barring rain, I would ride for her.
I have to say at about halfway through the ride, somewhere around Lennox and Pulaski my toes felt like big rocks in my shoes. I had bundled up everything, even wearing my balaclava and heavyweight ski gloves; and everything was pretty warm - except my toes. I even had the old standby of wool socks and plastic bags underneath my neoprene shoe covers - but my toes were still pretty frozen.
It was just about this time that I started thinking, “Am I crazy?! Why am I out here in this?”
Then I though, “This is nothing compared to what Michele is going through today, what my mom went through to have all of her cancer removed, or what my sisters have gone through.”
Just thinking of these brave women and all the other people I know who’ve faced their various cancer battles gave me the answer to my question. Yes, I am a little crazy; but I knew exactly why I was out there.
I have to tell you it’s not easy to ride in that cold when you have tears freezing to your face.
Right now I have 125 miles and we’ve raised $3400. We’re getting great coverage in the local press; but Connor’s Army still has a long way to go in both mileage and funds. Sometimes it seems daunting but every time I wonder about why I’m doing this I just think about Winnie, Angela, Tamara, my mother and Michele; and I have my reason to keep cranking down on the pedals.
Peace to you all and stay well.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Happy Groundhog Day!
Well, I’m now into my second month of the battle, and I have to admit I’m a bit off the pace/goal of 200 miles per month. I had bronchitis, which kept me off the bike for a couple of weeks and then we were hit with a string of bad weather. Last Sunday was the first time I was able to get on the bike in about two weeks.
I went on a ride with the “A” group of the Huntington Bicycle Club, and got my tail handed to me on a platter!
I did pretty well for the first 48 miles, especially given my extended break from riding. Unfortunately, when we got to what I thought was going to be the very last leg of our ride (at which point I was already lagging behind) the group turned off in a different direction and I think mentally that did me in. I just didn’t have any leg left.
I think had I been in better health (I had to take a few hits on my asthma inhaler during the ride) I might have been a little better suited - at least I could have hung on a bit longer. One of the other riders, Paul, was very nice and came back for me; and stayed with me the last six miles of the ride. I was just spent. I felt pretty bad about holding him and the others back, but they were in good spirits about it. I’m just too stubborn to quit.
My goal now is to go on an “A” ride and not get dropped! It’s something to shoot for.
As far as the ACS ride is going, I’ve become more and more convinced that my erstwhile base line of 28 degrees should not be an absolute. Yesterday I rode with a beginning temperature of 25 degrees and it was great. If I can find the right clothing combination I’ll keep going lower and lower in the temperature category. I guess the main thing that has me starting in this vein is that I’m 100 miles below my target mileage at this point and, more importantly, because one of our dear friends is going through chemo right now.
From everything I’ve read about chemo, one of the things you get - aside from the nausea - is the feeling of coldness that seems to come from inside and makes your bones ache. I feel that for 12 miles I can deal with numb toes and fingers because its nothing compared to what my friends and so many others are going. No, it may not make me a more competitive rider with the “A” group, but right now the main thrust of my riding is trying to log miles to battle this disease. My wife and I can’t afford to give the money we’d like to in order to help the people I love and the ones I’ve never met; but I can give this. So if it’s a little cold - oh well.
For those of you who’ve been getting the word out - keep it up. We’ve already raised $3300, and the more we get the word out, the more we can bring in to fight this disease!
And for those of you who want to “gear up” for next year, start getting ready for the Victory Ride on January 1, 2008!
That’s it for now, peace and health to you.
I went on a ride with the “A” group of the Huntington Bicycle Club, and got my tail handed to me on a platter!
I did pretty well for the first 48 miles, especially given my extended break from riding. Unfortunately, when we got to what I thought was going to be the very last leg of our ride (at which point I was already lagging behind) the group turned off in a different direction and I think mentally that did me in. I just didn’t have any leg left.
I think had I been in better health (I had to take a few hits on my asthma inhaler during the ride) I might have been a little better suited - at least I could have hung on a bit longer. One of the other riders, Paul, was very nice and came back for me; and stayed with me the last six miles of the ride. I was just spent. I felt pretty bad about holding him and the others back, but they were in good spirits about it. I’m just too stubborn to quit.
My goal now is to go on an “A” ride and not get dropped! It’s something to shoot for.
As far as the ACS ride is going, I’ve become more and more convinced that my erstwhile base line of 28 degrees should not be an absolute. Yesterday I rode with a beginning temperature of 25 degrees and it was great. If I can find the right clothing combination I’ll keep going lower and lower in the temperature category. I guess the main thing that has me starting in this vein is that I’m 100 miles below my target mileage at this point and, more importantly, because one of our dear friends is going through chemo right now.
From everything I’ve read about chemo, one of the things you get - aside from the nausea - is the feeling of coldness that seems to come from inside and makes your bones ache. I feel that for 12 miles I can deal with numb toes and fingers because its nothing compared to what my friends and so many others are going. No, it may not make me a more competitive rider with the “A” group, but right now the main thrust of my riding is trying to log miles to battle this disease. My wife and I can’t afford to give the money we’d like to in order to help the people I love and the ones I’ve never met; but I can give this. So if it’s a little cold - oh well.
For those of you who’ve been getting the word out - keep it up. We’ve already raised $3300, and the more we get the word out, the more we can bring in to fight this disease!
And for those of you who want to “gear up” for next year, start getting ready for the Victory Ride on January 1, 2008!
That’s it for now, peace and health to you.
Monday, January 15, 2007
New Year, New Blog
Hello again everyone! Now that the whirlwind activity of the holidays is over I figured it was high time to update you all. In the future, I’m hoping to write at least once a week.
The 2007 Connor’s Army ride has now officially begun! We’ve raised a little over $3200 and more support keeps coming in from everywhere!
I got off to a great start the first week of January and rode twice (once when the temperature was 25 degrees), so I’ve logged 50 miles already. The weather so far this month has been incredible for riding (credit El Nino, I guess); but the second week of January saw me not riding at all for two big reasons.
First of all, I contracted a major chest cold and I pretty much lost my voice completely - never an easy thing for an acting teacher to lose. With my asthma, I have to be careful about riding when I have any sort of chest congestion.
Secondly, Amy was in Hell Week for her production of Sweet Charity and really needed my help in the morning to get the kids out. She was rehearsing till all sorts of ungodly hours, and was pretty much exhausted most of the week. If you haven’t yet gotten the chance to see her you have three more chances to see her perform in a role she was born to play. She’s amazing and I’m so proud to be married to her. When you see her up there you completely forget it’s Amy and all you see is Charity - she really is that incredibly good! If you miss her doing this show, you’ll really be missing an incredible experience. (You can get tickets at www.TownshipTheatreGroup.com if you want them.)
On other fronts, a lot has happened since the last blog!
I had written last time about a friend of ours who had been diagnosed with Stage 2+ breast cancer that was behaving very aggressively. She’s started chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery, and the doctors at Sloan Kettering are optimistic about her case. We’re all praying for her recovery, and we’re standing in the wings to help the family out in any way we can.
Even closer to home - it was right after I last wrote that the results of the tests for my mother’s skin cancer came back. The doctors have determined she has Merkel Cell melanoma, which is a very rare and highly aggressive form of skin cancer. The biggest issues are that it can metastasize rather quickly (usually in more than 50% of cases), and it tends to recur in other spots even when all the cancerous growth is removed.
Right after Christmas the plastic surgeon removed the cancerous tissue and some of the healthy tissue as well. They performed a biopsy and determined they’d gotten it all, but they also did a die test to highlight “hot spots” in her arm. They found four - two of which were lymph nodes.
They removed these on the spot, as well as a small connecting duct that connected the lymph node closest to her affected elbow with the rest of the lymphatic system. They installed a stint to drain fluid out of her arm and they placed her arm in a full cast.
Given the aggressive nature of this particular form of cancer and the fact that it had been misdiagnosed (most likely because of its rarity) six months earlier, we were all pretty terrified about what the results of the tests on those four spots would be. So you can imagine our tremendous relief when they all came back negative!
On Friday, they removed the cast and did a full body scan to make certain there wasn’t anything else in her body. Right now the doctors (GP, plastic surgeon, and oncologist) are all pretty certain she’s clean, but we’re anxiously awaiting the results of that test.
She visits the radiologist next week, who may recommend she have some radiation treatment just to be on the safe side; but it doesn’t look like any chemo will be required. So we’re very excited and very happy.
And I can’t even begin to thank everyone who’s been praying for her and sending her positive energy. A member of Amy’s cast of Sweet Charity even gave us a medal for her that had been blessed by the Pope!
The family is growing like weeds and we’re so blessed. Sarah is such a joy and is smart as a whip. The boys’ personalities are emerging more and more every day, and we’re more and more amused by their wit. Amy is amazing - how she manages to do all she does in a single day (and did I mention manage to be so amazing in the show) and still have such a positive, nurturing influence on our kids still mystifies me.
School is going well. I just returned from a trip last weekend to Kerhonkson, NY. For those of you who know my personal story, you may remember that Kerhonkson is where the National Shakespeare Conservatory where I studied for two years used to hold its summer program. I spent a really great summer there, and it was fun going back to that neck of the woods. I was there with 20 terrific kids attending the New York Theater Educator’s Association student conference. Our kids had a wonderful time and learned so much. I even got drafted to fill in for a teacher who was too sick to make the conference, and I had a great time teaching the workshops; but I completely lost my voice by Saturday night. When I called Amy she didn’t even recognize me! I’m planning on teaching again next year - only this time I’ll have more than 12 hours to prepare!
Except for the fact that the bus arrived an hour and a half late (we’re still not sure why) - the weekend was a great experience and I was so proud to be associated with such great theater students.
The weekend was not a total joy, however. Saturday night my beloved Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs in what was definitely one of the most dramatic and bizarre football games I have ever watched. I happened to be watching with my colleague Pete and at least twice he said “That’s it, the Cowboys have this one.” (Thanks for being a Cowboys fan for an evening with me, Pete!) But I kept telling him to wait because I’ve had my heart broken one too many times to feel it was in the bag. I won’t describe the entire horror of the last minute/second loss (it’s just too painful to relive) but my Northport “friends” seemed to have taken great delight in my pain. On my return I learned that mini Butterfinger candy bars with the name “Romo” written all over them had been scattered all over my lawn. And there was a big sign on my front door with a football and the words “Caution: Slippery” on it. Thank you so much Mike and Greg. MY only answer is, it’s now January 15 and we have one thing in common - none of our teams are in the playoffs! Ah well … there’s always next year.
Now that I am healthier (although not completely back) and the weather is still unseasonably warm, I can’t wait get back on my bike. My goal is to do at least 200 a month so I have a little to make up for January, but I’ll get there.
We should have all the jerseys printed and ready to wear by the beginning of February, so to all you wonderful sponsors I once again say thank you and want you to know you will be fully advertised soon.
Oh, by the way, check out the links to more news articles. I’ve done a lot of interviews - once again, due to the efforts of my incredible PR wife - so click on the In the News link to read the ones that have already come; and keep checking back for the ones currently still in the works.
And please let all your friends know about Connor’s Army. The more we spread the word the more support we gain for the ride, and the more money we can raise to fight this horrible disease.
I’ll sign off for now. Check back with me to see what’s going on and for updates with press releases, miles ridden and my adventures with the off-season rides with the Huntington Bicycle Club. For now, stay well and be grateful for the loved ones in your life.
Peace and health to you all.
The 2007 Connor’s Army ride has now officially begun! We’ve raised a little over $3200 and more support keeps coming in from everywhere!
I got off to a great start the first week of January and rode twice (once when the temperature was 25 degrees), so I’ve logged 50 miles already. The weather so far this month has been incredible for riding (credit El Nino, I guess); but the second week of January saw me not riding at all for two big reasons.
First of all, I contracted a major chest cold and I pretty much lost my voice completely - never an easy thing for an acting teacher to lose. With my asthma, I have to be careful about riding when I have any sort of chest congestion.
Secondly, Amy was in Hell Week for her production of Sweet Charity and really needed my help in the morning to get the kids out. She was rehearsing till all sorts of ungodly hours, and was pretty much exhausted most of the week. If you haven’t yet gotten the chance to see her you have three more chances to see her perform in a role she was born to play. She’s amazing and I’m so proud to be married to her. When you see her up there you completely forget it’s Amy and all you see is Charity - she really is that incredibly good! If you miss her doing this show, you’ll really be missing an incredible experience. (You can get tickets at www.TownshipTheatreGroup.com if you want them.)
On other fronts, a lot has happened since the last blog!
I had written last time about a friend of ours who had been diagnosed with Stage 2+ breast cancer that was behaving very aggressively. She’s started chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery, and the doctors at Sloan Kettering are optimistic about her case. We’re all praying for her recovery, and we’re standing in the wings to help the family out in any way we can.
Even closer to home - it was right after I last wrote that the results of the tests for my mother’s skin cancer came back. The doctors have determined she has Merkel Cell melanoma, which is a very rare and highly aggressive form of skin cancer. The biggest issues are that it can metastasize rather quickly (usually in more than 50% of cases), and it tends to recur in other spots even when all the cancerous growth is removed.
Right after Christmas the plastic surgeon removed the cancerous tissue and some of the healthy tissue as well. They performed a biopsy and determined they’d gotten it all, but they also did a die test to highlight “hot spots” in her arm. They found four - two of which were lymph nodes.
They removed these on the spot, as well as a small connecting duct that connected the lymph node closest to her affected elbow with the rest of the lymphatic system. They installed a stint to drain fluid out of her arm and they placed her arm in a full cast.
Given the aggressive nature of this particular form of cancer and the fact that it had been misdiagnosed (most likely because of its rarity) six months earlier, we were all pretty terrified about what the results of the tests on those four spots would be. So you can imagine our tremendous relief when they all came back negative!
On Friday, they removed the cast and did a full body scan to make certain there wasn’t anything else in her body. Right now the doctors (GP, plastic surgeon, and oncologist) are all pretty certain she’s clean, but we’re anxiously awaiting the results of that test.
She visits the radiologist next week, who may recommend she have some radiation treatment just to be on the safe side; but it doesn’t look like any chemo will be required. So we’re very excited and very happy.
And I can’t even begin to thank everyone who’s been praying for her and sending her positive energy. A member of Amy’s cast of Sweet Charity even gave us a medal for her that had been blessed by the Pope!
The family is growing like weeds and we’re so blessed. Sarah is such a joy and is smart as a whip. The boys’ personalities are emerging more and more every day, and we’re more and more amused by their wit. Amy is amazing - how she manages to do all she does in a single day (and did I mention manage to be so amazing in the show) and still have such a positive, nurturing influence on our kids still mystifies me.
School is going well. I just returned from a trip last weekend to Kerhonkson, NY. For those of you who know my personal story, you may remember that Kerhonkson is where the National Shakespeare Conservatory where I studied for two years used to hold its summer program. I spent a really great summer there, and it was fun going back to that neck of the woods. I was there with 20 terrific kids attending the New York Theater Educator’s Association student conference. Our kids had a wonderful time and learned so much. I even got drafted to fill in for a teacher who was too sick to make the conference, and I had a great time teaching the workshops; but I completely lost my voice by Saturday night. When I called Amy she didn’t even recognize me! I’m planning on teaching again next year - only this time I’ll have more than 12 hours to prepare!
Except for the fact that the bus arrived an hour and a half late (we’re still not sure why) - the weekend was a great experience and I was so proud to be associated with such great theater students.
The weekend was not a total joy, however. Saturday night my beloved Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs in what was definitely one of the most dramatic and bizarre football games I have ever watched. I happened to be watching with my colleague Pete and at least twice he said “That’s it, the Cowboys have this one.” (Thanks for being a Cowboys fan for an evening with me, Pete!) But I kept telling him to wait because I’ve had my heart broken one too many times to feel it was in the bag. I won’t describe the entire horror of the last minute/second loss (it’s just too painful to relive) but my Northport “friends” seemed to have taken great delight in my pain. On my return I learned that mini Butterfinger candy bars with the name “Romo” written all over them had been scattered all over my lawn. And there was a big sign on my front door with a football and the words “Caution: Slippery” on it. Thank you so much Mike and Greg. MY only answer is, it’s now January 15 and we have one thing in common - none of our teams are in the playoffs! Ah well … there’s always next year.
Now that I am healthier (although not completely back) and the weather is still unseasonably warm, I can’t wait get back on my bike. My goal is to do at least 200 a month so I have a little to make up for January, but I’ll get there.
We should have all the jerseys printed and ready to wear by the beginning of February, so to all you wonderful sponsors I once again say thank you and want you to know you will be fully advertised soon.
Oh, by the way, check out the links to more news articles. I’ve done a lot of interviews - once again, due to the efforts of my incredible PR wife - so click on the In the News link to read the ones that have already come; and keep checking back for the ones currently still in the works.
And please let all your friends know about Connor’s Army. The more we spread the word the more support we gain for the ride, and the more money we can raise to fight this horrible disease.
I’ll sign off for now. Check back with me to see what’s going on and for updates with press releases, miles ridden and my adventures with the off-season rides with the Huntington Bicycle Club. For now, stay well and be grateful for the loved ones in your life.
Peace and health to you all.
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