8:00am 10/16/2011
I've just rolled off the starting point of the 2011 LiveStrong Austin Challenge cycling event.
I'm riding today in support of LiveStrong and the powerful work they do to assist those impacted by cancer.
A special thank you to all the fine folks who donated on behalf of my ride; we raised $725!
Cancer Sucks!!
It was great way to kick off my families Summer 2011 visit with me in Austin, TX... visiting Mellow Johnny's and picking up Emily Jane's new Trek 20" Cruiser Bike.
For d a d, it was planting seed day in the hearts of his children; cycling is cool and it's good for you. And there's great bike shop staff (Kyle Davidson) to share in the cycling culture fun of brand new bike day.
I hit it off with Kyle upon my inaugural visit to Mellow Johnny's. He noticed my 2003 Hilly Hundred tshirt and enlightened me that he had been a founding father of Revolution Bike and Bean in my home town of Bloomington, IN. Small connected world I'm blessed to operate in. My kids and cycling roots reside in B-town; this summer we're all together for the first time in Texas.
Special special thanks to my Mom for her help making the Summer 2011 visit happen.
Oh, and Mellow Johnnys 'tweeted' the following-
@mellowjohnnys mellowjohnnys
Congrats to Emily W. at MJ's all the way from Indiana for her birthday present yfrog.com/klrualqj
Cool stuff!
My cycling4fitness season has ran July 7th thru July 6th each of the past (2) years.
I rode 6,234.13 miles in 422 hours 27 minutes 4 seconds for an average of 14.8 mph in 2010-11!
Hightlights of my riding season are as follows-
The primary reason I ride my bike(s) can be found here!
As I enter into a new riding season, I'll be mashin pedals on a road bike for the first time. I'm excited about the new riding options that a road bike should offer.
In closing, Ride Your Bike and Please Be Kind To Cyclists!!
I've been cycling off/on for over 18 years. In that time, I've never owned a road bike.
That's no longer the case!
Isn't she a beauty?
My trusted Gary Fisher dressed for road will now get her much needed rest!
My second group ride since locating to Austin offered some beautiful country views, quiet roads and outstanding weather!
The 78 mile route ended up being 81.41 miles on my bike computer which I completed in 5:04:46 for a 16 mph average; pleased with the effort/result.
Rest stops were staffed with kind souls and the best fueling foods and drink offerings I've ever encountered on a sponsored ride.
Special thanks to Vicky a triathlon athlete I encountered around mile 35 who was riding at 'my' pace - we mashed out 8-10 miles together. And to Mark another triathlon athlete and family man who caught me at mile 60 - we rode together about 15 miles or so.
The only suck about this ride was the limited number of porta pots at the Start; excessively long lines were the end result of that 'call'.
In conclusion; great ride, friendly volunteers, awesome course.
Lord willing, I'll be back in 2012!
