Hey folks - I'm back in North Carolina (beautiful Boone to be exact!) and my plan is to write up some details about the trip and post them tomorrow.
My legs are sore, I have an incredible farmers tan and I'm tired, but I have to say I am proud of myself for doing this. I almost can't believe I thought of a goal and stuck to it - all the way to the end. While I skipped half of Day 4, I still completed well over 400 miles on a bike in one week. I'd say thats not half bad.
Hopefully if you take anything from this, you'll realize that you can do more than you think. Go find something that seems just beyond reach and go for it... you'll probably get it if you try hard enough.
Monday, July 30, 2007
whoops
Ok that link doesnt seem to be working...this one should be correct.
http://appstate.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2094158&l=da6b1&id=29709721
http://appstate.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2094158&l=da6b1&id=29709721
link to pictures
Here's a link to my photo album for RAGBRAI... it has explanations on it!
http://appstate.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2094158&l=da6b1&id=29709721
http://appstate.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2094158&l=da6b1&id=29709721
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Hello from Cedar Falls
Hey folks - We're staying tonight in Cedar Falls, by far the largest town on the ride. It's also the home of UNI and if you know college sports, you know that my Appalachian State Mountaineers beat them for the 2005 1-AA National Championship... so I can't wait to wear my ASU shirt around town.
Good Morning Rock Rapids... Blake dancing to wake up Jim on top of the RV on Day 1.
I've finally got some pictures to show!
Here's the whole group L-R: Jon Heinz, Jim DeLung, Andrew Clausen, me, Blake Anderson; Elle Schurtz and Travis Birchem joined up on Monday night to ride through Thursday.
Good Morning Rock Rapids... Blake dancing to wake up Jim on top of the RV on Day 1.
Day 1: Just outside Rock Rapids
Ashton, a stop on Day 1.
Jim passed out on the RV floor at the end of Day 1.
My new buddy John Myers from NY and I at "Lei Over in Laurens" on Day 2.
This is Ms. Monahans, the neighbor of Dr. Judas (Jim and them's old H.S. principal) who allowed us to shower in her home in Humboldt.
Mayberry in Eagle Grove (Day 3).
Singing "You are my Sunshine" in Alexander (Day 3)
Crossing I-35
With the ladies of KLMJ (I think)... I won a radio contest in Hampton!
Travis getting jealous of Jim rocking out on Guitar Hero 2 at the Hahn's in Cedar Falls.
I'll be honest, this day was difficult. I was actually unable to finish it, which was disappointing. I made it more than halfway into the day then I ran into Jim's parents who kindly brought me to Cedar Falls to get some rest so I can finish the week. This is a very difficult ride under the hot sun. We've already ridden over half the route and its going to get even more hilly. I'm hoping the extra rest will help out. Thanks for reading and I'll update again soon. Time for a shower and some Guitar Hero!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
sorry.... pictures
I'm on Blake's laptop and my memory disk is not formatted for the laptop, so I'll probably not be able to post pictures tonight... major disappointment. But, I will do my best to do it tomorrow in Cedar Falls. Don't worry, they'll definitely go up as soon as they can.
GREETINGS FROM HAMPTON, IOWA!
Hey folks! I'm not dead! It has been difficult at times to say the least. But, we've done three days and about 220-230 miles. We're technically halfway across the state but in terms of the actual route, we'll hit halfway tomorrow.
We finally made it to Rock Rapids, which is about 20 miles from S.D. and 10 miles from Minn. late Saturday. Jim and Andrew slept on top of the RV... that was interesting. We thought we'd wake up at 6:30 on Sunday to start... well those plans got foiled by the early riders by our RV and the people yelling BREAKFAST!
The first day was alright... what made it most tough was the wind. From the south and we were riding directly into the south. Blake and Jon finished first, Jim and I came in about an hour later. I think I'm the only one who's making this a social event... I've met riders from everywhere and of all shapes and sizes. On Day 2, I met a guy named John Myers, a photographer from Rochester, NY who's on his 15th ride. He rode with me for many miles and even bought my lunch at "Pastafari."
One of the most interesting things are the team names. There's cheesy ones, serious ones, and obscene ones, haha. Team "Dairy Air" from Wisconsin; Team "Achin' Knee" from Ankeny, IA and Team Darel... they just call each other Darel instead of their real names.
The towns have been great... quaint and historic and lively and full of great food. There was "Lei over in Laurens," "Holiday in Humboldt" and "Relax in Rolfe" to name a few. There is church cooking everywhere along with all sorts of sandwiches, sweet corn, smoothies, etc. Also, along the way, many homes have setup places for shade, water, some food, and yes, water and beer slides (Blake did it, not me!). The people are incredibly hospitable, like Ms. Monahans who lives in Humboldt and allowed us to shower at her place.
I'm sunburned like you wouldn't believe. My butt hurts even more! I don't know how they ride on those seats for so long... no wonder the racers go so fast. My left knee knows its being overused and gets sore towards the end of each day, but I drug up on Aleve, ice it up and walk it off. I know I have to finish.
I'm going to attach some pictures to show you what's happened along the way. Thank you for all the great comments and support. This is tough but fun and I only hope I can finish in one piece!
We finally made it to Rock Rapids, which is about 20 miles from S.D. and 10 miles from Minn. late Saturday. Jim and Andrew slept on top of the RV... that was interesting. We thought we'd wake up at 6:30 on Sunday to start... well those plans got foiled by the early riders by our RV and the people yelling BREAKFAST!
The first day was alright... what made it most tough was the wind. From the south and we were riding directly into the south. Blake and Jon finished first, Jim and I came in about an hour later. I think I'm the only one who's making this a social event... I've met riders from everywhere and of all shapes and sizes. On Day 2, I met a guy named John Myers, a photographer from Rochester, NY who's on his 15th ride. He rode with me for many miles and even bought my lunch at "Pastafari."
One of the most interesting things are the team names. There's cheesy ones, serious ones, and obscene ones, haha. Team "Dairy Air" from Wisconsin; Team "Achin' Knee" from Ankeny, IA and Team Darel... they just call each other Darel instead of their real names.
The towns have been great... quaint and historic and lively and full of great food. There was "Lei over in Laurens," "Holiday in Humboldt" and "Relax in Rolfe" to name a few. There is church cooking everywhere along with all sorts of sandwiches, sweet corn, smoothies, etc. Also, along the way, many homes have setup places for shade, water, some food, and yes, water and beer slides (Blake did it, not me!). The people are incredibly hospitable, like Ms. Monahans who lives in Humboldt and allowed us to shower at her place.
I'm sunburned like you wouldn't believe. My butt hurts even more! I don't know how they ride on those seats for so long... no wonder the racers go so fast. My left knee knows its being overused and gets sore towards the end of each day, but I drug up on Aleve, ice it up and walk it off. I know I have to finish.
I'm going to attach some pictures to show you what's happened along the way. Thank you for all the great comments and support. This is tough but fun and I only hope I can finish in one piece!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Almost there!
Ok this is it... almost. I leave on Friday for Iowa. It's going to be a long drive but I think I'll enjoy it... I love seeing new places and there's alot of places between here and there that I haven't seen.
This past Saturday I rode 83 miles... bangin'! But then you have to realize Sean finished waaaay ahead of me and actually did more miles. Skinny punk, haha. But still, I did it. My knee was absolutely killing me though after I was done... I'm slightly worried but I won't let anything stop me at this point from doing the ride. I'm going to get drugged up on Aleve and hope for the best.
Tonight I took my bike to REI to get a couple things looked at.... and I came away with a new one, haha. Well, I'll pick it up tomorrow or Wed. hopefully, but still. They have an incredible 100% satisfaction guarantee and since I'm a member, I was able to replace my bike for a bigger one (everyone said the other was too small) at no extra cost. Wow. Yall shop there, they're great.
Ok, once again, my plan is to update this with stories and pictures once the ride starts, if I am able. If not, I'll definitely do it after the ride. Please check back for postings starting this weekend!
www.ragbrai.org for more info on the ride.
Thanks for your interest, drop me a line sometime if you wish.
This past Saturday I rode 83 miles... bangin'! But then you have to realize Sean finished waaaay ahead of me and actually did more miles. Skinny punk, haha. But still, I did it. My knee was absolutely killing me though after I was done... I'm slightly worried but I won't let anything stop me at this point from doing the ride. I'm going to get drugged up on Aleve and hope for the best.
Tonight I took my bike to REI to get a couple things looked at.... and I came away with a new one, haha. Well, I'll pick it up tomorrow or Wed. hopefully, but still. They have an incredible 100% satisfaction guarantee and since I'm a member, I was able to replace my bike for a bigger one (everyone said the other was too small) at no extra cost. Wow. Yall shop there, they're great.
Ok, once again, my plan is to update this with stories and pictures once the ride starts, if I am able. If not, I'll definitely do it after the ride. Please check back for postings starting this weekend!
www.ragbrai.org for more info on the ride.
Thanks for your interest, drop me a line sometime if you wish.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Another delayed update
It's been so long I almost forgot what has happened. But, don't you folks fret, I have not given up yet.
Since the last time I did my longest ride yet - 52 miles. Awesome you say? Yes, except for the fact that it's still 4 miles shy of the shortest day in Iowa. But hey, I did it, and I'm going to keep working at it.
I've also been going to the gym/personal trainer regularly. I've lost close to 10 pounds, but these frequent trips home always give me a chance to cheat on my diet. I figured I have to have some not-so-good stuff occasionally so that I'll actually stick to eating good stuff the vast majority of the time. So, at this point, I feel as if I've bottomed out without reaching my first goal and I've fluctuated some, but this week I'll have to be hardcore about it so I can get below that certain figure and towards the next one.
I leave in two weeks! Actually, it starts in two weeks... I leave on 7/20. I think things are working out... not sure who our driver is and still haven't heard about from housing in Rock Rapids, but oh well. It's going to work.
This week I plan on learning how to change my tire/tube in case it gets flat. I also need a first aid kit.
This past week I rode on Monday and Tuesday night. On Monday, I found my way to Hains Point, where the racers go. It's a good stretch all within East Potomac Park and they can usually get up to good speeds. Well on my way I decided I would fall and cuss in front of tourists. Go me. I unclipped my left foot from the pedal and shifted just so slightly to the right, falling right at Independence and 14th SW. I didn't have anything to clean with so it was super-bloody but really wasn't that big of a scrape, just a square inch or so below the knee. I was also bruised on my thigh which actually hurt worse.
Tuesday I rode with my friend Sean up to this bookstore on NW to hear Floyd Landis talk and get him to sign his new book. That was also an experience. Sean is a hardcore cyclist and races with a local team... we met on the metro because he had all his cycling stuff with him and I struck up conversation. Anyway, Connecticut Avenue is straight uphill over there and it was tough, but I made it. Good talk to - alot of folks don't know who Landis is and I really didn't care all that much until I heard him talk, so now I can't wait to read his book and hear in depth about why he's innocent. Sean was definitely more excited... I'm sure I'll get that way if I meet some politician.
So, from here on out I'll try to update some more... I'm planning a very long ride on both Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend (sorry church, gotta skip to ride this time). And, my goal is to use this on the trip to talk about each day and upload some pics. I'm not sure how internet access will work out there but hopefully I'll be able to do so.
Thanks for reading and staying interested.
Since the last time I did my longest ride yet - 52 miles. Awesome you say? Yes, except for the fact that it's still 4 miles shy of the shortest day in Iowa. But hey, I did it, and I'm going to keep working at it.
I've also been going to the gym/personal trainer regularly. I've lost close to 10 pounds, but these frequent trips home always give me a chance to cheat on my diet. I figured I have to have some not-so-good stuff occasionally so that I'll actually stick to eating good stuff the vast majority of the time. So, at this point, I feel as if I've bottomed out without reaching my first goal and I've fluctuated some, but this week I'll have to be hardcore about it so I can get below that certain figure and towards the next one.
I leave in two weeks! Actually, it starts in two weeks... I leave on 7/20. I think things are working out... not sure who our driver is and still haven't heard about from housing in Rock Rapids, but oh well. It's going to work.
This week I plan on learning how to change my tire/tube in case it gets flat. I also need a first aid kit.
This past week I rode on Monday and Tuesday night. On Monday, I found my way to Hains Point, where the racers go. It's a good stretch all within East Potomac Park and they can usually get up to good speeds. Well on my way I decided I would fall and cuss in front of tourists. Go me. I unclipped my left foot from the pedal and shifted just so slightly to the right, falling right at Independence and 14th SW. I didn't have anything to clean with so it was super-bloody but really wasn't that big of a scrape, just a square inch or so below the knee. I was also bruised on my thigh which actually hurt worse.
Tuesday I rode with my friend Sean up to this bookstore on NW to hear Floyd Landis talk and get him to sign his new book. That was also an experience. Sean is a hardcore cyclist and races with a local team... we met on the metro because he had all his cycling stuff with him and I struck up conversation. Anyway, Connecticut Avenue is straight uphill over there and it was tough, but I made it. Good talk to - alot of folks don't know who Landis is and I really didn't care all that much until I heard him talk, so now I can't wait to read his book and hear in depth about why he's innocent. Sean was definitely more excited... I'm sure I'll get that way if I meet some politician.
So, from here on out I'll try to update some more... I'm planning a very long ride on both Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend (sorry church, gotta skip to ride this time). And, my goal is to use this on the trip to talk about each day and upload some pics. I'm not sure how internet access will work out there but hopefully I'll be able to do so.
Thanks for reading and staying interested.
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