Ride for Saturday 8/30/2008

Saturday's Ride. Looks like Big Michael is coming to Birmingham from ATL. Saturday, he and I rode 28 miles in Oak Mountain State Park. Good Pace. As with anytime we get to spend together, it was great. Can't wait until I get to his level. NO STOPPING ON HILLS AT ALL TODAY. Good to see Greg if only for a minute in passing.

BOT Ride 8/26/2008

Well I rode by the Botanical Gardens today expecting to see no one there. To my surprise I saw 15 or so folks getting ready to ride even with the threat of a shower. I thought about it for a minute and then I said what the heck. It's only water. Today I went a tough 20 miles at an avg. of 15 mph. Yes we did get a little wet on the way back but it was all good. With the smaller group today I met some more folks one on one. Thanks to Jerry and Laura for checking on me when I had my chain got off track. Again I was glad I rode even though I did get wet.

Trussville Recovery ride

Well today Neal and I rode 12 miles in Trussville. After the first 5 miles Neal thought I was trying to kill him but we rode the last 7 miles on the awesome flat hometown neighboorhood streets of Trussville and he saw first hand why I love the town. It was a great ride and Neal said a great recovery ride from Tuesday.

Note about Trussville: I don't think there is a more active outdoor city in Bham. Just today we saw, little league baseball, girls softball, adult slowpitch softball, peewee football, middle school football, tennis, road cyclists (other than us), mountan bikers, flag football teams, walkers, runners, frisbee golf, dog trainers and soccer. I am sure I forgot something but you get the point.

8/19/2008 Botanical Ride

Wow yesterday's ride was excellent. 17.97 miles with an average speed of 14.4 mph. I managed to make the 1st red light but got caught by the next 2. With that in mind I thought the rest of the group was right behind me but I was wrong. They got hung up at the 1st light twice and apparently I got way ahead. I saw Kev by the country club and then I lost sight of them at the red light @ Euclid and Montevallo. Greg caught up with me in the neighborhood that leads into the Eastwood Mall. I made it to the turn around point for the out and back and decided to wait on Matt and Neal there. Neal said he was "spent", "toast", something to that effect..LOL. We rode the reverse route back and it was fun. Matt and Neal blew by me one time when I got a little ahead of them. It was funny because I couln't respond in the gear I was in at all. Hope to ride again this week. Till then..Ride Safe.

HOT 100 -- Tuscaloosa, AL

WOW WHAT A DAY!

We left the house before 5 A.M. this morning headed to the Hot 100 in T-Town. Brian, Greg, Dave, Matt and myself rode today. Greg and Dave went 46 miles while Matt, Brian and myself went 34 miles. I averaged 17 mph which is my highest average on a ride of substantial distance. Also on this trip were my wife Melody and Brian's son Brandon. They both worked as volunteers at the first and last rest top. Thank You. Now the ride was interesting. It was my longest distance to date and my calves are now making me aware of it. NOTE(I should have taken advantage of the free massage at the end of the ride like Dave and Brian did.) There was one hill (DRY CREEK) that was brutal for a newbie like me. Greg and Dave went up it like mountain goats. The Hot 100 was a very well organized event and the people were very nice. The freebies were cool. I like the t shirt. Wow this day was awesome and I can't wait to come back next year.
PHOTO LINK http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v294/MichaelHayes/DCBC%20STUFF/Hot%20Hundred%20History/Hot%20Hundred%202008/

Week of August 10

Well this week will prove to be interesting. Saturday, some of us are going to Tuscaloosa to ride in an event called the Hot Hundred http://www.druidcity.org/north_harbor.html . (We are doing one of the shorter routes NOT 100 MILES). Sunday I squeezed in a 10 mile ride. Today I am hoping to get 20 miles in. Tuesday is the Botanical Ride but weather is not looking favorable. We will probably ride again on Thursday as well as we prepare for Saturday. Updates to follow....

UPDATE: Well Tuesday got rained out so I went to the YMCA and worked out. Planning to go to the YMCA as well today. Thursday Neal and I rode 22 miles @ Oak Mountain State Park. It was pretty tough but we made it.

Week of August 4

Back from white water rafting in NC. Looks like I'll do 20 miles in Trussville today and then the Botanical ride tomorrow. I met some cyclists in NC and they were very experienced and riding some serious climbs. I hope to be there one day.

UPDATED: Got 11 miles in on Monday night and 18 in tonight at the Botanical ride. Good to ride with Kevin, Neal, Brian, Greg, and Matt tonight. Oh yeah....Turned the wrong way down a one way in MtnBrook Village. Neal is still trying to catch his breath from the old guy blowing his horn. Completely my fault. I apologize to the old guy in the car and to Neal and Matt.