In April the big weekend came; I finished the two day MS 150, riding a total of 173 miles, and raised about $400. It's taken so long to post to my blog about it because, well, it seemed anticlimatic, and I've been a little busy. The bloom is off the blog, so to speak.
The photos from the ride are posted here: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~dustin/biking/MS-150/MS-150.html
The first day of the ride was very tiring, and I would have been tempted to go home if I had had the chance. When I got into La Grange about 5:30 p.m. I was beat, tired, sleepy, tired, and a little down. The perks offered by the Continental Airlines Racing team were great, and that helped a lot. My pedal partner Lori was in La Grange at the beer tent, so I went over and gave her a hug. Also, Carlos, a friend from Rice, was volunteering in the Continental Airlines tent, pouring up beer, so I saw some friendly faces.
I piled into my sleeping bag early, put on a sleeping mask I had picked up on one of my Continental Airlines flights, dozed through the fireworks, then, with a little help from two clonazepam, slept right through the night until about 4:30 a.m., when I had to get up and get ready. By 6:00 a.m. or so I was waiting with 12,000 other bikers for the start.
I was ready to ride to Austin, come hell or high water. I felt good Sunday morning, and I did well on the Bastrop hills. I kept my pedaling pace, even if I was only moving a few inches at a time. I never had to stop and walk up the hill, and I didn't have to SAG at all. I made it into Austin around 3:45 p.m.
I have not decided if I will do the MS 150 again. I've been on my bike a few times, and enjoyed some short rides. One thing I have figured out is that blogs are not a good way to raise money unless you have some way to "drive" people to your page, and I did not have that angle. So, thanks for reading, and happy biking! Go Lance!
Later,
Dustin
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Friday, April 09, 2004
I Join the Continenal Airlines Cycling Team
After the Continental Airlines Cycling Classic on the 13th (that I missed because of ear problems), I got an e-mail advertising the availability of a bunch of left over t-shirts from the ride. I replied to the e-mail and got back an invitation to join the Continental Airlines Cycling team. All I had to do was to buy a jersey for $50 and I would get special meals, flush toilets, and access to massage therapists on the ride! Kewl! So I ordered a jersey and joined the team. Continental has always been one of my favorate airlines, so I am glad to be on the team. At one time I was a OnePass Platinum Member but since I've been at Rice I've rarely traveled and I think I've been bumped down down to Lead.
Flyin'
Dustin
Flyin'
Dustin
I Ride the Westpark Tollway Free Ride With Thousands of Others
On the 20th of March there was a free ride for MS 150 riders only. They opened the new Westpark Tollway up for bike riders before it was ready for cars. It started at 8:00 a.m. I got my trunk rack and bike set up the night before and got there early, about 7:30 a.m. or so. There were thousands of bikers there. Parking was in the Alief Hastings High School parking lot, off Dairy Ashford Road at the corner of Alief-Clodine Road and the lots filled up quickly.
A stream of bikers walked their bikes through the parking lot, by the tent where waiver forms were dropped off, then across the street to the starting line. I was waayyy back in the starting group. We could barely hear the guy who was talking on the loudspeaker up the road. The only way I could tell the ride had started was when I saw the starters riding over the crest of the overpass about a mile away.
My plan for the day was to take it easy, not ride more than two loops around the route. It was 5.6 miles from the start to the break point and 6.3 miles from break point to western turn-around. I had http://www.gatorade.com/ and Power Bars , so I could stop anywhere along the route and carb up.
On the first loop I did not stop at the break point since it was only about 6 miles out. I thought I should keep going around the route. When I got back to the start point, I carbed up while standing near the top of the overpass overlooking the starting tent then headed back for another loop. The ride was pretty uneventful; I did a second loop then heade home.
The great part about the ride was to be on the tollway above Beltway 8. The break point for the ride was within sight of the Southwest Freeway. Even though I had the new slicks on the bike, it didn't seem like my speed was improved to any degree, although I was a little tired so I might not have noticed. Riding up and down the overpasses was good hill training, so it was a good ride to be on. Total distance was about 26 miles.
Tollin'
Dustin
A stream of bikers walked their bikes through the parking lot, by the tent where waiver forms were dropped off, then across the street to the starting line. I was waayyy back in the starting group. We could barely hear the guy who was talking on the loudspeaker up the road. The only way I could tell the ride had started was when I saw the starters riding over the crest of the overpass about a mile away.
My plan for the day was to take it easy, not ride more than two loops around the route. It was 5.6 miles from the start to the break point and 6.3 miles from break point to western turn-around. I had http://www.gatorade.com/ and Power Bars , so I could stop anywhere along the route and carb up.
On the first loop I did not stop at the break point since it was only about 6 miles out. I thought I should keep going around the route. When I got back to the start point, I carbed up while standing near the top of the overpass overlooking the starting tent then headed back for another loop. The ride was pretty uneventful; I did a second loop then heade home.
The great part about the ride was to be on the tollway above Beltway 8. The break point for the ride was within sight of the Southwest Freeway. Even though I had the new slicks on the bike, it didn't seem like my speed was improved to any degree, although I was a little tired so I might not have noticed. Riding up and down the overpasses was good hill training, so it was a good ride to be on. Total distance was about 26 miles.
Tollin'
Dustin
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
New Slicks Put on the Bike; Got the MS-150 Safety Check
Took the week of March 15th off from work to paint the house and spread mulch in the various beds and gardens we have in the yard. Took the opportunity to get new slick tires put on my hybrid bike to take the place of the rougher nobbies. I also had the Bike Route do a safety check on the bike so I could get one of those stickers that gets me free mechanical repairs if anything konks out on the road to Austin. Slicks look interesting, got the ones with gummy light brown walls. Hopefully they'll enable me to ride a lot faster with the same amount of effort due to less tire-road friction.
Ordered 14 yards of hardwood mulch to spread in the flower beds, tree rings, and raised garden beds in our yard. Got a big dump truck to drop it in the driveway. Hmmm, smells good! Pretty easy to move using a wheelbarrow, lifting that shovel is good weight training. The yard always looks nice after mulching everything. Of course, here in Houston it takes about two months for the mulch to rot and the cats to mess in it and it starts looking normal again. Those weeds grow through it pretty fast. I've generally done this every two years, could probably do it every year.
Speedin',
Dustin
Ordered 14 yards of hardwood mulch to spread in the flower beds, tree rings, and raised garden beds in our yard. Got a big dump truck to drop it in the driveway. Hmmm, smells good! Pretty easy to move using a wheelbarrow, lifting that shovel is good weight training. The yard always looks nice after mulching everything. Of course, here in Houston it takes about two months for the mulch to rot and the cats to mess in it and it starts looking normal again. Those weeds grow through it pretty fast. I've generally done this every two years, could probably do it every year.
Speedin',
Dustin
I Miss the Continental Airlines Cycling Classic!
I had signed up for the Continental Airlines Cycling Classic up north of Houston on 13 March 2003 but ended up missing it after having a bad ear ache the night before that kept me from getting a good night's sleep and left me somewhat unbalanced (physically, not mentally [at least, not any more than usual]). I was looking forward to biking the hills of Montgomery County to get ready for the hills of Bastrop. Guess I'll have to wait for the realy thing!
Ear-i-ly,
Dustin
Ear-i-ly,
Dustin
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
I do the Gator Ride!
On March 6th I did 45 miles (the "in between" distance) in the Gator Ride in Baytown, to benefit the Baytown YMCA. The Gator Ride t-shirt is pretty cool, with a big green gator on it; it came in handy on St. Patrick's Day, when I had to wear green. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
For me the draw of the ride was that 1) it was on a Saturday; I would not have to miss going to Church; 2) it included a trip over the Fred Hartmann Bridge and the Lynchburg Ferry; and 3) it offered an intermediate length ride that I could handle.
I was still nervous before the ride. I had bought Saris Bones trunk rack for my car and this would be the first time I used it. I could just see myself tooling up Hwy 59 or IH 10 in the middle of Houston and have my bike fall off the back of my car, causing injury and destruction. The night before the race, I carefully put the rack on my trunk and tied it on pretty tight. I put my bike on and tied a rope from pedal to the front and back to keep the handle bars from rotating back and forth in traffic. I know from experience that the rattle and bumping of traveling on roads can loosen up the tightest bolt or knot (in one of my prior jobs we would send large water treatment pilots by truck to customer sites and they would arrive with all their nuts and bolts loose, even after being tightened at the factory).
Since I had had trouble on the West U Warmup with a low carb loading, my wife had gone to the store and bought Power Bars and Gatorade for me. I put those into the pack that I would carry on the back rack of my bike. I was all set and ready to ride.
The morning of the ride I got up at 5:00 or 5:30 a.m., ate breakfast, and headed out. As I rode along the highways of Houston, watching my bike on the Saris rack, I became more comfortable when it did not go bouncing off at the first pothole (which, on Houston streets, was not far along the road!).
It had been a long time since I had been in Baytown proper. I grew up in Channelview, and when we were kids we went to Baytown to shop because there was nothing else anywhere close. Our Church was in Baytown, and my parents' friends were all in Baytown. My Dad worked for Exxon (Enjay Chemical when I was young), and his office was in Baytown, where did mechanical engineering projects at the refinery. But the last time I remember being in Baytown was for his funeral in 1979. So, the memories came flooding back to me that morning on the 6th of March as I drove into the rising sun to find a parking place in downtown Baytown, Texas.
I parked in the first spot I saw, which turned out to be the farthest parking lot from the action, in the Lee High School Annex parking lot. But the start times for the rides were staggered, and I had arrived plenty early, so I had lots of time to get my bike ready. Since I was a little off the beaten path I went ahead and took the trunk rack off the car and locked it inside so it would not disappear while I was gone.
I rode over to the starting line. There were a lot of people waiting for the 42 mile ride. The Mayor of Baytown talked to the crowd before the race and started us off at 8:30 a.m. It didn't take long before the Fred Hartmann Bridge loomed before us. Even that early on, there were quite a few bikers stopped with flat tires; most of them had road bikes with the tiny, thin tires. But I was surprised that so many flats happened so quickly. As we road up the access road to the bridge, people slowed, and some stopped and got off their bikes. The hill climbing that we had practiced in Kim's spinning class had prepared me well however, and I found myself passing other people on the uphill climb.
The people on this ride were a lot quieter (i.e. rude) than those on the West U Ride. Few people said anything as they passed on the left, and lots of people rode side-by-side, sometimes three or four across, making it difficult to pass. As we crested the bridge and headed downhill, most bikers stopped pedaling, but I kept it up as much as I could without running up other bikers backsides. My top speed downhill was 28 mph; I'm sure I could have gone faster if not for the crowds ahead of me.
After the bridge, we wound down and around the ramps leading from the bridge and settled into routes through refineries and chemical plants. There were odors aplenty. If not dead fish or crabs, it was olefins, thiols, aromatics, or other hydrocarbons wafting through the air. As a typical chemist would say "that's not an odor, that's the smell of money in the air!" There was lots of money in the air!
We approached the San Jacinto Monument and I had to get what I thought would be a great shot of it; well, as the photo shows, you can barely see it. It was much more impressive in person. It was great seeing it on the approach to the Lynchburg Ferry. On the way down to the ferry we passed at least one marker that indicated where the Texians had camped or fought during the Battle of San Jacinto.
When I got to the ferry I found a long line of bikers waiting to get on. The line curved around to the rest stop and back to the ferry landing, where groups of bikers were lead onto the boat. As I waited in line for about 30 min, the youth group from Westminster Presbyterian was passing around orange and banana halves; I dove into the Powerbars and Gatorade I had packed on my bike and stayed in line for the ferry.
I had some good discussions with fellow bikers while waiting for the ferry, and after getting on. The ride across the San Jacinto river was quick and uneventful. I was well rested during this first rest stop. We got off the on the other side and headed out to the Highlands, just across IH 10 from the ferry. The road leading from the ferry was pockmarked with what looked like craters from cruise missile hits. I nearly bounced my teeth out of my mouth. But we made it up the hill to the overpass over IH 10 and crossed. The next stretch was through Highlands that I vaguely remembered but had really changed from my youth. Thinking back, I remember our family's dentist was located somewhere in Highlands. Now, why would that come to me now?
The next rest stop came up pretty quickly. I ate lots of bananas and drank the Gatorade provided at the rest stop. I stretched and got a good rest, then headed out again, feeling pretty good. The carb loading really made a difference in my strength and endurance. We passed some nice houses on Wallisville Road, one with Azaleas that I tried to take a photo of but missed as I pedaled by. A big old oak tree got in the way.
The last stop was manned by a Boy Scout troop. Before getting there, about 100 bikers had to stop for a train that passed by, so I got some extra rest and had a peanut butter Powerbar (yummm!).
The last leg of the ride was through residential areas, then back to the shore of a bay or some body of water. The Fred Hartmann Bridge came back into view, so I knew I was close to the end of the ride. The last two or three miles I really dogged it. I was getting tired and the wheels did not want to turn as quickly. I got a little turned around when I arrived back into downtown Baytown and I never actually crossed the "finish line" so I asked a fellow biker I met in one of the parking lots to take a photo of me at the finish. I wandered around until I found someone who could point me in the right direction and I headed back to the parking lot for my car.
In all, 45 miles of distance. Not bad for my second official ride. I loaded up the bike and drove through McDonald's for my first official cheesburger from Mickey D's since I started the South Beach Diet on September 6th, 2003 (funny how I remember that date!). I figured a little carb and fat would not hurt me.
On the way back home, I stopped by Westminster Presbyterian on Bayway Drive. This trip to Baytown had brought up a lot of old memories, and I wanted to see if the brick monument sign that my Dad and I had helped build was still there. You see, not only was my father Ralph James Jr. a mechanical engineer; he was also a carpenter (he built our house twice, both before and after it burned); a welder; an aircraft pilot (during World War II he was a flight trainer for the Navy. When he died, he was building an experimental airplane, the Pietenpol Air Camper.), and a bricklayer. I have a memory of helping him lay the brick for the sign in front of the Church back when I was a young teenager. I helped by mixing the mortar using a hoe in the old concrete mixing tub we had. I was the typical bored young teenager, and didn't realize at the time how important that time with him would become thirty or so years later.
So, I drove up and parked in the Church parking lot. I got out and went over to the sign. I could not tell if it was the same one we had built or not. Nonetheless, I felt a strong compulsion to reach out and touch it reverently, as if in the touching I could somehow touch him again. It was a strange and unexpected feeling to have. The one touch left me sad and reflective of my memories of him.
No one but the janitor was at the Church, so I could not inquire as to how new the sign was, or if anyone remembered my Dad. I looked inside the building and it was virtually unchanged since I had last been there, at my father's funeral. I could still remember the hallways and the classrooms, and Sunday School classes I had taken, the many times I had passed down the halls.
Somehow, being in Baytown that day seemed like a journey home, like answering a call from my past that would help define my future. Who knew that the simple act of getting on a bike would eventually lead me to pass through this place?
I could not help but know that God knew.
Peace,
Dustin
For me the draw of the ride was that 1) it was on a Saturday; I would not have to miss going to Church; 2) it included a trip over the Fred Hartmann Bridge and the Lynchburg Ferry; and 3) it offered an intermediate length ride that I could handle.
I was still nervous before the ride. I had bought Saris Bones trunk rack for my car and this would be the first time I used it. I could just see myself tooling up Hwy 59 or IH 10 in the middle of Houston and have my bike fall off the back of my car, causing injury and destruction. The night before the race, I carefully put the rack on my trunk and tied it on pretty tight. I put my bike on and tied a rope from pedal to the front and back to keep the handle bars from rotating back and forth in traffic. I know from experience that the rattle and bumping of traveling on roads can loosen up the tightest bolt or knot (in one of my prior jobs we would send large water treatment pilots by truck to customer sites and they would arrive with all their nuts and bolts loose, even after being tightened at the factory).
Since I had had trouble on the West U Warmup with a low carb loading, my wife had gone to the store and bought Power Bars and Gatorade for me. I put those into the pack that I would carry on the back rack of my bike. I was all set and ready to ride.
The morning of the ride I got up at 5:00 or 5:30 a.m., ate breakfast, and headed out. As I rode along the highways of Houston, watching my bike on the Saris rack, I became more comfortable when it did not go bouncing off at the first pothole (which, on Houston streets, was not far along the road!).
It had been a long time since I had been in Baytown proper. I grew up in Channelview, and when we were kids we went to Baytown to shop because there was nothing else anywhere close. Our Church was in Baytown, and my parents' friends were all in Baytown. My Dad worked for Exxon (Enjay Chemical when I was young), and his office was in Baytown, where did mechanical engineering projects at the refinery. But the last time I remember being in Baytown was for his funeral in 1979. So, the memories came flooding back to me that morning on the 6th of March as I drove into the rising sun to find a parking place in downtown Baytown, Texas.
I parked in the first spot I saw, which turned out to be the farthest parking lot from the action, in the Lee High School Annex parking lot. But the start times for the rides were staggered, and I had arrived plenty early, so I had lots of time to get my bike ready. Since I was a little off the beaten path I went ahead and took the trunk rack off the car and locked it inside so it would not disappear while I was gone.
I rode over to the starting line. There were a lot of people waiting for the 42 mile ride. The Mayor of Baytown talked to the crowd before the race and started us off at 8:30 a.m. It didn't take long before the Fred Hartmann Bridge loomed before us. Even that early on, there were quite a few bikers stopped with flat tires; most of them had road bikes with the tiny, thin tires. But I was surprised that so many flats happened so quickly. As we road up the access road to the bridge, people slowed, and some stopped and got off their bikes. The hill climbing that we had practiced in Kim's spinning class had prepared me well however, and I found myself passing other people on the uphill climb.
The people on this ride were a lot quieter (i.e. rude) than those on the West U Ride. Few people said anything as they passed on the left, and lots of people rode side-by-side, sometimes three or four across, making it difficult to pass. As we crested the bridge and headed downhill, most bikers stopped pedaling, but I kept it up as much as I could without running up other bikers backsides. My top speed downhill was 28 mph; I'm sure I could have gone faster if not for the crowds ahead of me.
After the bridge, we wound down and around the ramps leading from the bridge and settled into routes through refineries and chemical plants. There were odors aplenty. If not dead fish or crabs, it was olefins, thiols, aromatics, or other hydrocarbons wafting through the air. As a typical chemist would say "that's not an odor, that's the smell of money in the air!" There was lots of money in the air!
We approached the San Jacinto Monument and I had to get what I thought would be a great shot of it; well, as the photo shows, you can barely see it. It was much more impressive in person. It was great seeing it on the approach to the Lynchburg Ferry. On the way down to the ferry we passed at least one marker that indicated where the Texians had camped or fought during the Battle of San Jacinto.
When I got to the ferry I found a long line of bikers waiting to get on. The line curved around to the rest stop and back to the ferry landing, where groups of bikers were lead onto the boat. As I waited in line for about 30 min, the youth group from Westminster Presbyterian was passing around orange and banana halves; I dove into the Powerbars and Gatorade I had packed on my bike and stayed in line for the ferry.
I had some good discussions with fellow bikers while waiting for the ferry, and after getting on. The ride across the San Jacinto river was quick and uneventful. I was well rested during this first rest stop. We got off the on the other side and headed out to the Highlands, just across IH 10 from the ferry. The road leading from the ferry was pockmarked with what looked like craters from cruise missile hits. I nearly bounced my teeth out of my mouth. But we made it up the hill to the overpass over IH 10 and crossed. The next stretch was through Highlands that I vaguely remembered but had really changed from my youth. Thinking back, I remember our family's dentist was located somewhere in Highlands. Now, why would that come to me now?
The next rest stop came up pretty quickly. I ate lots of bananas and drank the Gatorade provided at the rest stop. I stretched and got a good rest, then headed out again, feeling pretty good. The carb loading really made a difference in my strength and endurance. We passed some nice houses on Wallisville Road, one with Azaleas that I tried to take a photo of but missed as I pedaled by. A big old oak tree got in the way.
The last stop was manned by a Boy Scout troop. Before getting there, about 100 bikers had to stop for a train that passed by, so I got some extra rest and had a peanut butter Powerbar (yummm!).
The last leg of the ride was through residential areas, then back to the shore of a bay or some body of water. The Fred Hartmann Bridge came back into view, so I knew I was close to the end of the ride. The last two or three miles I really dogged it. I was getting tired and the wheels did not want to turn as quickly. I got a little turned around when I arrived back into downtown Baytown and I never actually crossed the "finish line" so I asked a fellow biker I met in one of the parking lots to take a photo of me at the finish. I wandered around until I found someone who could point me in the right direction and I headed back to the parking lot for my car.
In all, 45 miles of distance. Not bad for my second official ride. I loaded up the bike and drove through McDonald's for my first official cheesburger from Mickey D's since I started the South Beach Diet on September 6th, 2003 (funny how I remember that date!). I figured a little carb and fat would not hurt me.
On the way back home, I stopped by Westminster Presbyterian on Bayway Drive. This trip to Baytown had brought up a lot of old memories, and I wanted to see if the brick monument sign that my Dad and I had helped build was still there. You see, not only was my father Ralph James Jr. a mechanical engineer; he was also a carpenter (he built our house twice, both before and after it burned); a welder; an aircraft pilot (during World War II he was a flight trainer for the Navy. When he died, he was building an experimental airplane, the Pietenpol Air Camper.), and a bricklayer. I have a memory of helping him lay the brick for the sign in front of the Church back when I was a young teenager. I helped by mixing the mortar using a hoe in the old concrete mixing tub we had. I was the typical bored young teenager, and didn't realize at the time how important that time with him would become thirty or so years later.
So, I drove up and parked in the Church parking lot. I got out and went over to the sign. I could not tell if it was the same one we had built or not. Nonetheless, I felt a strong compulsion to reach out and touch it reverently, as if in the touching I could somehow touch him again. It was a strange and unexpected feeling to have. The one touch left me sad and reflective of my memories of him.
No one but the janitor was at the Church, so I could not inquire as to how new the sign was, or if anyone remembered my Dad. I looked inside the building and it was virtually unchanged since I had last been there, at my father's funeral. I could still remember the hallways and the classrooms, and Sunday School classes I had taken, the many times I had passed down the halls.
Somehow, being in Baytown that day seemed like a journey home, like answering a call from my past that would help define my future. Who knew that the simple act of getting on a bike would eventually lead me to pass through this place?
I could not help but know that God knew.
Peace,
Dustin
Thursday, March 04, 2004
"Whap" Up Side the Head!
OK, today I realized (again!) that the whole reason I'm doing this bike ride is to raise money to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. This brilliant realization came to me as I was signing up on-line for the Continental Airlines Cycling Classic in Montgomery County on March 13th. Should be a good practice run for the hills of central Texas. Anyway, I need to quit whining (see below) and get on with it. After all, I can ride a bike!
In that vein, I bought a pack that goes on back of my bike so that I can carry all that biking stuff that I'll need--tools, pump (when I get a good hand pump), innertubes, rain gear, food, water, etc. Didn't get the knobbies replaced with slicks yet, that'll have to wait until next week. Also got a Saris Bones three-bike trunk rack for my Honda Accord. Have yet to try it out, but this weekend's Gator Ride in Baytown (home of the Presbyterian Church I grew up in) will be the perfect opportunity. As I thought about that ride yesterday, I feel a little worry begin to creep in again, as in "can I go that far?" and "will I fall over and knock someone down?" (not as worried about that one as I was on the first ride), and "do I really want to get up at 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning to drive an hour in my car to Baytown and ride 45 miles on an uncomfortable bike just to prepare for getting up at 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. on a bunch of other Saturdays and/or Sundays so that I can ride my bike a lot further and get a lot more sore?" And that's where the whining came in.
So, STOP IT!
Thanks, I needed that.
Gatoring,
Dustin
In that vein, I bought a pack that goes on back of my bike so that I can carry all that biking stuff that I'll need--tools, pump (when I get a good hand pump), innertubes, rain gear, food, water, etc. Didn't get the knobbies replaced with slicks yet, that'll have to wait until next week. Also got a Saris Bones three-bike trunk rack for my Honda Accord. Have yet to try it out, but this weekend's Gator Ride in Baytown (home of the Presbyterian Church I grew up in) will be the perfect opportunity. As I thought about that ride yesterday, I feel a little worry begin to creep in again, as in "can I go that far?" and "will I fall over and knock someone down?" (not as worried about that one as I was on the first ride), and "do I really want to get up at 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning to drive an hour in my car to Baytown and ride 45 miles on an uncomfortable bike just to prepare for getting up at 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. on a bunch of other Saturdays and/or Sundays so that I can ride my bike a lot further and get a lot more sore?" And that's where the whining came in.
So, STOP IT!
Thanks, I needed that.
Gatoring,
Dustin
Monday, March 01, 2004
Bored with Bloggin'--Yee Gads!
I don't know how people blog every day, much less once or twice a week. The last week or two I've run out of things to say. The bloom must be off the blogging rose or something. Run on over to htownblogs.com and read some of their blogs for entertainment. Oh, I did do 13 miles on my bike Saturday. Went to spinning this morning and sweated to Kim's tunes, one from Costa Rica. It's taken me a while to recover from the West U Warmup ride, I'm still tired.
Spinning wheels keep on turnin',
Dustin
Spinning wheels keep on turnin',
Dustin
Friday, February 20, 2004
First Organized Ride: West U Warmup
On February 15th I participated in my first organized ride, the West U Warmup, sponsored by one of my favorite bike shops, West U Cycles (or West U Schwinn, depending on what sign you read) at 2519 Rice Blvd in the Rice Village, phone 713-529-0140. I did the 29 mile ride, the shortest one.
The day began at 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning, one of the coldest days of the winter. Our heater was not working well and it was really cold in the bedroom. I did not want to get out of bed when that alarm went off. I was nervous--would I fall over and wreck someone else due to cluminess or inexperience? Would I get run over by a car? Would I finish? How do you ride in a group? Would everyone else go faster than me? I was really, really tempted to roll over and go back to sleep. But then I knew I would have to write about not going in this blog and all 3 readers would be disappointed, and then I would have to tell Kim in spinning (who happened to be running the Motorola Half-Marathon in Austin that same day) that I didn't do it, and would have trouble justifying spending any more money on this crazy hobby if I didn 't get up and go.
I had loaded up my bike the night before. After breakfast I packed stuff into a large belt pack I would wear on my waist, and I brought our digital camera for photos along the way. I took Beltway 8 over to Tom Bass Park and made it there around 7:00 a.m. Quite a few bikers were there, but plenty of parking spaces remained. I parked and walked around the parking lot, drooling over the bike racks that others had on their car, trucks, and SUVs. After examining several Bones Racks on car trunks I pretty well decided that's what I would get for my Accord. I walked around trying to get warm, and took a few photos as the sun rose over the parking lot that was quickly filling with cars and bikers in all manner of biker dress. It was damn cold. I don't have any tights, so I went with my biker shorts, but I wore the polyethylene shirt under the West U Warmup shirt that was under a striped multi-colored cotton sweatshirt. I had worn the same sweatshirt in Norwich, New York when I went cross country skiing. I knew when I got hot I could zip it down a little and vent some sweat.
The crowd started queing up at about 7:40 for the 8:00 a.m. start. The 65 milers would leave first, followed by the 52 miles, then us 29 milers. I got into the back of the 29 mile crowd, but not all the way to the back. The ride started and it took us a few minutes to get out of the blocks. Finally, once I got started, I found that I was riding a little faster than the pack I had started with, so I sped up a little, riding in the left lane of the road.
I was introduced to all sorts of new things that bikers in groups do. Most of the bikes had those road tires that are about 1/2 inch wide, so they were pretty concerned about gravel on the side of the road. Every time the rider in front of me passed a pile of gravel (they were everywhere out there in the country), she would point down and shout out "gravel!" for me to relay it back. Now, I have to admit I did not do that very well since I was not too worried about the gravel with my knobby tires, but I heard other people behing me relaying it on.
Another thing they do when they are in groups riding on the side of the road is warn the bikers ahead by yelling out "car back" when a car was approaching from behind. So as I was going along, one two or three bikers beside each other, you would hear "car back" being passed up the line. That was really helpful in the crowd since it was hard to see back there. Of course, one time I thought I saw a car back and I yelled "car back" and there was not one there. Ooops!
Another great thing the bikers do is to say "to the left" when they are passing you to the left (and you always pass to the left). That way the person to your right does not suddenly decide to veer to the left and steer into you; if you are on the right, you know there is someone approaching you on the left. When I am riding on the walking trail in the park I always yell "passing to the left" to walkers or bikers ahead of me. So many walkers wear headphones when they walk that it is sometimes hard to tell if they hear you, so I try to make sure they do and slow down if they do not hear me. The nice thing about a hybrid bike is that I can ride off the trail if I need to in order to avoid a walker or group of walkers.
During the first leg of the ride (about 10 miles), when we were still pretty bunched up, we had to stop at a red light. The bikers ahead yelled "slowing" or "stopping" and held their right hands down with their palm facing backward to let those behind them know that they were slowing down. After all, bikes don't have brake lights! So, in a crowd, it's all about talking to those around you to let them know what you are doing.
At the first rest stop, at the Manvel City Hall, there was a police officer directing traffic because the rest stop was on the left side of the road. The place was pretty crowded with a large group about the free food table (cookies, bananas, that type of thing) and another large line at the Port-A-Pottys. I took a couple of photos and drank some of my water, but decided not to get any food. That might have been a mistake, as I found out on the second leg of the ride.
For the second leg, we veered off from the route the rest of the bikers were following. On the first part, before the 1st rest stop, most of the roads were fairly smooth asphalt but on the second part of the route after the rest stop we were on either rough asphalt or grooved concrete pavement (Hwy 6). I had averaged 15 mph on the first leg but found myself struggling to maintain 12 mph on the second route. Partly because the pavement was much rougher and my knobby tires caused a lot of drag, and partially because I did not carb up a the first rest stop and so I was running out of energy. That second leg was much more solitary also. After I passed a few fellow bikers I pretty much saw riders off in the distance, or saw their backs as they passed me. I was alone for the rest of the ride. I really started dogging it on Hwy 6, which was a long straightaway, something like 5 or 6 miles.
Finally we turned off Hwy 6 onto some back roads then onto FM 521. It seemed like it took forever to get to the second rest stop. I passed a guy on inline skates but that's about all the passing I did. Mostly it was maintaining. The ride was on the shoulder, with traffic whizzing by. At the second rest stop, I carbed up on chocolate chip cookies, cheese Doritos, and Gator Ade. I rested, stretched, took some photos, and listened to The Buzz blaring from a volunteer's car. Those volunteers are great! Thanks to all of y'all who might be reading this for being there for me and the other riders!
After the second rest stop I felt better but still could only maintain about 12-13 mph most of the time. I was very much alone most of the time; some parts of the route were not well marked, but I had looked at the map so I knew where to do. We passed by some chemical plants tucked away out there in the woods, one or two of which I have visited on business. I didn't realize that Pearland had so many.
The home stretch was on the Beltway 8 feeded. I was nervous about those cars coming off the Beltway at 80 mph, so I tried to really pump up the speed, especially going through the green lights. I was talking to myself here and there, motivating myself, and really breathing hard. I gave it all my energy because I did not want to be a sitting duck for those cars to pick off; I wanted to be headed somewhere away from there quickly.
I entered the park at about 10-15 mph. The photographer took my photo as I hustled by. There were no marching bands to meet me, just a parking lot with a lot of cars. I wheeled over to the starting line where some volunteers were sitting and asked one of them to take my photo with my digital camera. Then I ate a banana or two, put my bike away in the CR-V, got out of some of my biker clothes, and headed home.
All-in-all, it was a great experience. I found that I was a lot more tired than I thought I would be. It took me a day or two to recover to some extent. A week later I am still somewhat tired. Don't know if it's from the ride or what. The next organized ride is the Gator Ride on 6 March, in Baytown. See you there!
Whooeee,
Dustin
The day began at 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning, one of the coldest days of the winter. Our heater was not working well and it was really cold in the bedroom. I did not want to get out of bed when that alarm went off. I was nervous--would I fall over and wreck someone else due to cluminess or inexperience? Would I get run over by a car? Would I finish? How do you ride in a group? Would everyone else go faster than me? I was really, really tempted to roll over and go back to sleep. But then I knew I would have to write about not going in this blog and all 3 readers would be disappointed, and then I would have to tell Kim in spinning (who happened to be running the Motorola Half-Marathon in Austin that same day) that I didn't do it, and would have trouble justifying spending any more money on this crazy hobby if I didn 't get up and go.
I had loaded up my bike the night before. After breakfast I packed stuff into a large belt pack I would wear on my waist, and I brought our digital camera for photos along the way. I took Beltway 8 over to Tom Bass Park and made it there around 7:00 a.m. Quite a few bikers were there, but plenty of parking spaces remained. I parked and walked around the parking lot, drooling over the bike racks that others had on their car, trucks, and SUVs. After examining several Bones Racks on car trunks I pretty well decided that's what I would get for my Accord. I walked around trying to get warm, and took a few photos as the sun rose over the parking lot that was quickly filling with cars and bikers in all manner of biker dress. It was damn cold. I don't have any tights, so I went with my biker shorts, but I wore the polyethylene shirt under the West U Warmup shirt that was under a striped multi-colored cotton sweatshirt. I had worn the same sweatshirt in Norwich, New York when I went cross country skiing. I knew when I got hot I could zip it down a little and vent some sweat.
The crowd started queing up at about 7:40 for the 8:00 a.m. start. The 65 milers would leave first, followed by the 52 miles, then us 29 milers. I got into the back of the 29 mile crowd, but not all the way to the back. The ride started and it took us a few minutes to get out of the blocks. Finally, once I got started, I found that I was riding a little faster than the pack I had started with, so I sped up a little, riding in the left lane of the road.
I was introduced to all sorts of new things that bikers in groups do. Most of the bikes had those road tires that are about 1/2 inch wide, so they were pretty concerned about gravel on the side of the road. Every time the rider in front of me passed a pile of gravel (they were everywhere out there in the country), she would point down and shout out "gravel!" for me to relay it back. Now, I have to admit I did not do that very well since I was not too worried about the gravel with my knobby tires, but I heard other people behing me relaying it on.
Another thing they do when they are in groups riding on the side of the road is warn the bikers ahead by yelling out "car back" when a car was approaching from behind. So as I was going along, one two or three bikers beside each other, you would hear "car back" being passed up the line. That was really helpful in the crowd since it was hard to see back there. Of course, one time I thought I saw a car back and I yelled "car back" and there was not one there. Ooops!
Another great thing the bikers do is to say "to the left" when they are passing you to the left (and you always pass to the left). That way the person to your right does not suddenly decide to veer to the left and steer into you; if you are on the right, you know there is someone approaching you on the left. When I am riding on the walking trail in the park I always yell "passing to the left" to walkers or bikers ahead of me. So many walkers wear headphones when they walk that it is sometimes hard to tell if they hear you, so I try to make sure they do and slow down if they do not hear me. The nice thing about a hybrid bike is that I can ride off the trail if I need to in order to avoid a walker or group of walkers.
During the first leg of the ride (about 10 miles), when we were still pretty bunched up, we had to stop at a red light. The bikers ahead yelled "slowing" or "stopping" and held their right hands down with their palm facing backward to let those behind them know that they were slowing down. After all, bikes don't have brake lights! So, in a crowd, it's all about talking to those around you to let them know what you are doing.
At the first rest stop, at the Manvel City Hall, there was a police officer directing traffic because the rest stop was on the left side of the road. The place was pretty crowded with a large group about the free food table (cookies, bananas, that type of thing) and another large line at the Port-A-Pottys. I took a couple of photos and drank some of my water, but decided not to get any food. That might have been a mistake, as I found out on the second leg of the ride.
For the second leg, we veered off from the route the rest of the bikers were following. On the first part, before the 1st rest stop, most of the roads were fairly smooth asphalt but on the second part of the route after the rest stop we were on either rough asphalt or grooved concrete pavement (Hwy 6). I had averaged 15 mph on the first leg but found myself struggling to maintain 12 mph on the second route. Partly because the pavement was much rougher and my knobby tires caused a lot of drag, and partially because I did not carb up a the first rest stop and so I was running out of energy. That second leg was much more solitary also. After I passed a few fellow bikers I pretty much saw riders off in the distance, or saw their backs as they passed me. I was alone for the rest of the ride. I really started dogging it on Hwy 6, which was a long straightaway, something like 5 or 6 miles.
Finally we turned off Hwy 6 onto some back roads then onto FM 521. It seemed like it took forever to get to the second rest stop. I passed a guy on inline skates but that's about all the passing I did. Mostly it was maintaining. The ride was on the shoulder, with traffic whizzing by. At the second rest stop, I carbed up on chocolate chip cookies, cheese Doritos, and Gator Ade. I rested, stretched, took some photos, and listened to The Buzz blaring from a volunteer's car. Those volunteers are great! Thanks to all of y'all who might be reading this for being there for me and the other riders!
After the second rest stop I felt better but still could only maintain about 12-13 mph most of the time. I was very much alone most of the time; some parts of the route were not well marked, but I had looked at the map so I knew where to do. We passed by some chemical plants tucked away out there in the woods, one or two of which I have visited on business. I didn't realize that Pearland had so many.
The home stretch was on the Beltway 8 feeded. I was nervous about those cars coming off the Beltway at 80 mph, so I tried to really pump up the speed, especially going through the green lights. I was talking to myself here and there, motivating myself, and really breathing hard. I gave it all my energy because I did not want to be a sitting duck for those cars to pick off; I wanted to be headed somewhere away from there quickly.
I entered the park at about 10-15 mph. The photographer took my photo as I hustled by. There were no marching bands to meet me, just a parking lot with a lot of cars. I wheeled over to the starting line where some volunteers were sitting and asked one of them to take my photo with my digital camera. Then I ate a banana or two, put my bike away in the CR-V, got out of some of my biker clothes, and headed home.
All-in-all, it was a great experience. I found that I was a lot more tired than I thought I would be. It took me a day or two to recover to some extent. A week later I am still somewhat tired. Don't know if it's from the ride or what. The next organized ride is the Gator Ride on 6 March, in Baytown. See you there!
Whooeee,
Dustin
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Cycling Advocacy Information
As the rain falls steadily on Houston, I happened to stumble across this cycling advocacy information page. It's got some links to interesting statistics about safety. I wonder how well their studies translate to Houston, since I'm not convinced I'm safer riding in the street than on the sidewalks. What is the saying "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics"?
Staying dry,
Dustin
Staying dry,
Dustin
Sunday, February 08, 2004
The Super Breast--One Week Already?
Has it been a week since the Super Breast--er Bowl? It was a great football game, down to the wire. As to halftime, I'm way tired of that.
Yes, I live in Houston and the only thing I did related to the Super Bowl was to watch it on TV. Didn't buy a shirt, didn't go downtown, didn't have a party. Now that it's over, I'm looking foward to getting downtown and enjoying what it looks like without all the celebs and traffic.
I did 17 miles on the bike that afternoon. A beautiful day. Lots of families were out in the yard and cul-de-sacs BBQing, riding bikes, throwing footballs around. I saw more people out that day than any other time I've gone riding. Lots of cars being washed too.
On Monday it was spinning class. Packed full, almost didn't get a bike. They have 5-6 broken bikes so one or two latecomers were turned away. Had a good ride. Wednesday, aerobics. Another good workout, not as many people. Must have still been hung over or something.
Yesterday (Saturday) rode 15 miles on another beautiful day. It's a little cloudy and cold today, don't think I'll be getting out on the bike, need to finish a review article I'm writing.
I've been reading "The Immortal Class". It's an interesting book about bike messengers. I'm not into the bike-everywhere thing right now, but this book is a great look into that world; there are others.
Planning on riding in the West U Warmup next weekend. See you there!
Dustin
Friday, January 30, 2004
Welcome to Houston!
If you are cruising by this site on your first virtual trip into Houston, Welcome! It's Super Here! We've put our smile on! :-)
As for training, did spinning on Monday, step aerobics on Wednesday, and signed up for the West U Warmup and the YMCA of Baytown's Gator Ride. Will try to get out this weekend for riding around the neighborhoods, get some miles in. The Gator will be interesting because the route I signed up for goes over the Fred Hartman Bridge and Lynchburg Ferry. If I can manage to ride up the bridge and not fall off the ferry I'll do great!
Peddlin',
Dustin
As for training, did spinning on Monday, step aerobics on Wednesday, and signed up for the West U Warmup and the YMCA of Baytown's Gator Ride. Will try to get out this weekend for riding around the neighborhoods, get some miles in. The Gator will be interesting because the route I signed up for goes over the Fred Hartman Bridge and Lynchburg Ferry. If I can manage to ride up the bridge and not fall off the ferry I'll do great!
Peddlin',
Dustin
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Biking in Georgetown; SU Class of '79 Reunion Planning Started!
Over the weekend I attended a Reunion Planning Workshop at Southwestern University (I graduated from SU in 1979). We are coming up on our 25th reunion in October and I volunteered to be on the planning committee. It was great to see several of my classmates again! Our reunion will be a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to teaming up with my fellow committee members to get it planned.
Since the topography of Georgetown is very similar to the hills of Bastrop and Austin through which we will be riding at the end of the MS 150, I took my bike on its first road trip. I don't have a bike rack yet, so I hauled my bike in the back of our Honda CR-V, which worked pretty well since it rained most of the way there. I didn't have to worry about the seat and handle bar tape getting soaked. I was busy with the workshop all day Saturday, but this morning broke sunny and clear so I hauled the bike out, dressed up in my biking clothes, and rode around San Gabriel Park. I climbed a pretty minor small hill. Reality hit! Boy, is that ride into Bastrop going to be tough! I managed 5 miles total distance. I probably could have ridden more but I needed to get back to the hotel to check out and drive home.
Go Pirates!
Dustin
Since the topography of Georgetown is very similar to the hills of Bastrop and Austin through which we will be riding at the end of the MS 150, I took my bike on its first road trip. I don't have a bike rack yet, so I hauled my bike in the back of our Honda CR-V, which worked pretty well since it rained most of the way there. I didn't have to worry about the seat and handle bar tape getting soaked. I was busy with the workshop all day Saturday, but this morning broke sunny and clear so I hauled the bike out, dressed up in my biking clothes, and rode around San Gabriel Park. I climbed a pretty minor small hill. Reality hit! Boy, is that ride into Bastrop going to be tough! I managed 5 miles total distance. I probably could have ridden more but I needed to get back to the hotel to check out and drive home.
Go Pirates!
Dustin
Thursday, January 22, 2004
"It will be a pedestrian-friendly venue -- something you don't see a lot around here,"
HoustonChronicle.com - Free four-day street party leading up to Super Bowl
It is true that in the past Houston has not been pedestrian friendly, something that was confirmed for me when I was almost killed walking across Main Street from the Rice U Metro stop recently. Last Friday I needed to pick up our race packets for the Houston Press/Metro 5K race the following Sunday (see previous post). I decided that I should ride the Metro Light Rail train from the Rice U stop to downtown since I had advocated the construction of the light rail line but I had yet to ride it. This seemed like a perfect opportunity to "put my money where my mouth is."
We had drizzle and rain off-and-on Friday afternoon as I accomplished my errand. The train ride was smooth and uneventful, and walking from the Main Street Plaza stop over to the George R. Brown Convention Center was quick and easy. It grew dark as I returned to Rice, and the rain continued with its sputtering. I got off the train, walked across Fannin, and waited for the signal at Main and Sunset to change so I could cross. It was 6:25 p.m. (I looked at my watch so I would know how long the errand had taken). The "WALK" light came on, and I started across all six lanes of Main, three northbound, and three southbound, with a seventh left turn lane in the middle. As usually occurs with "WALK" lights, it started flashing about 5 milliseconds after I started across, telling me "you better hurry up and get across or you're going to be flattened by an SUV going 50 mph". It was raining and dark, and I was walking carefully so as to not slip.
I then looked over at the line of vehicles waiting to turn right onto southbound Main from Sunset and noticed that a large garbage or dump truck was waiting for me to complete my journey across the road so that he could turn. People in cars behind him were honking their horns. I started to walk faster diagonally across the southbound road so that he could turn around me once I had advanced far enough across. I could not see into the truck, and so could not tell if the driver was motioning for me to cross or what. He started revving his engine, turning his wheels, and accelerated into the street, turning much more quickly into my path than I anticipated. As I stared into the radiator of the advancing behemoth, I realized I would be killed if I did not take corrective action. I moved quickly to my right, and put out my right arm to straight-arm the fender of the truck, as if I could stop a few tons of rolling steel. That action accomplished my goal of getting out of the way of the truck. He drove most of the way past me and stopped. I was totally pissed off and I yelled at him "hey buddy, I was in the crosswalk!" He yelled back something like "you weren't crossing fast enough" and I replied rather obviously "you could have killed me!"
I looked around and realized I was standing in the middle of Main St. in front of three lanes of southbound traffic waiting for the light to turn green. There were some people looking out of their cars at me from the northbound lanes and left-turn lane, but I could not be sure that anyone else could see me, given how the corner is not well lit, and the pavement and trees suck up the light when its raining like that. So I muttered and continued to walk across the street. The truck driver drove away. I didn't even get his license plate even though I was probably standing about 2 feet away from the rear of his truck. I was so pissed off and jazzed up that I didn't think about it. I made it to the corner, and I muttered to another pedestrian "what do you have to do around here?" to get across the street safely.
As I made my way across the Rice campus, I noticed groups of students headed over to the street corner, probably to ride the Metro train, and I began to worry that one of them would get hit by a car or truck trying to cross the street in the dark.
My right arm began to hurt on my way home, so I stopped in at the Rice Police Station to report the incident. But it was not on Rice property and without a license plate no one could do anything anyway. I was upset that I had forgotten to get the plate number. Since I had my cell phone with me, I could have called the police right from the street, and I didn't even think about that until later.
All sorts of things rolled through my mind as I thought about my brush with injury. I was not hurt (my arm was fine the next day), and it is unclear whether the truck driver really saw me or not as he moved into the turn. I would have had to spend a lot of time with police and lawyers and such, and for what end? To get a guy fired from his job driving a truck? So I probably did the right thing in not getting all torqued out of shape about the whole thing. Who can be sure?
I have not ridden my bike since Sunday before last, about 10 days. I did manage to work out a couple of time since then (and of course I walked 3.1 miles on Sunday). Today I bought new pedals with toe clips for my bike and a bottle and bottle rack from West U. Cycles on Rice Blvd. in the Village. Great store; they have answered a lot of questions for me when I've been in there. Still trying to decide what type of bike rack to buy for my car--trunk mount, like a Saris Bones rack, or roof mount, like a Thule? I don't have a trailer hitch mount, so I can't do a hitch-mounted bike rack. I'm leaning toward a Sarie Bones rack.
It is true that in the past Houston has not been pedestrian friendly, something that was confirmed for me when I was almost killed walking across Main Street from the Rice U Metro stop recently. Last Friday I needed to pick up our race packets for the Houston Press/Metro 5K race the following Sunday (see previous post). I decided that I should ride the Metro Light Rail train from the Rice U stop to downtown since I had advocated the construction of the light rail line but I had yet to ride it. This seemed like a perfect opportunity to "put my money where my mouth is."
We had drizzle and rain off-and-on Friday afternoon as I accomplished my errand. The train ride was smooth and uneventful, and walking from the Main Street Plaza stop over to the George R. Brown Convention Center was quick and easy. It grew dark as I returned to Rice, and the rain continued with its sputtering. I got off the train, walked across Fannin, and waited for the signal at Main and Sunset to change so I could cross. It was 6:25 p.m. (I looked at my watch so I would know how long the errand had taken). The "WALK" light came on, and I started across all six lanes of Main, three northbound, and three southbound, with a seventh left turn lane in the middle. As usually occurs with "WALK" lights, it started flashing about 5 milliseconds after I started across, telling me "you better hurry up and get across or you're going to be flattened by an SUV going 50 mph". It was raining and dark, and I was walking carefully so as to not slip.
I then looked over at the line of vehicles waiting to turn right onto southbound Main from Sunset and noticed that a large garbage or dump truck was waiting for me to complete my journey across the road so that he could turn. People in cars behind him were honking their horns. I started to walk faster diagonally across the southbound road so that he could turn around me once I had advanced far enough across. I could not see into the truck, and so could not tell if the driver was motioning for me to cross or what. He started revving his engine, turning his wheels, and accelerated into the street, turning much more quickly into my path than I anticipated. As I stared into the radiator of the advancing behemoth, I realized I would be killed if I did not take corrective action. I moved quickly to my right, and put out my right arm to straight-arm the fender of the truck, as if I could stop a few tons of rolling steel. That action accomplished my goal of getting out of the way of the truck. He drove most of the way past me and stopped. I was totally pissed off and I yelled at him "hey buddy, I was in the crosswalk!" He yelled back something like "you weren't crossing fast enough" and I replied rather obviously "you could have killed me!"
I looked around and realized I was standing in the middle of Main St. in front of three lanes of southbound traffic waiting for the light to turn green. There were some people looking out of their cars at me from the northbound lanes and left-turn lane, but I could not be sure that anyone else could see me, given how the corner is not well lit, and the pavement and trees suck up the light when its raining like that. So I muttered and continued to walk across the street. The truck driver drove away. I didn't even get his license plate even though I was probably standing about 2 feet away from the rear of his truck. I was so pissed off and jazzed up that I didn't think about it. I made it to the corner, and I muttered to another pedestrian "what do you have to do around here?" to get across the street safely.
As I made my way across the Rice campus, I noticed groups of students headed over to the street corner, probably to ride the Metro train, and I began to worry that one of them would get hit by a car or truck trying to cross the street in the dark.
My right arm began to hurt on my way home, so I stopped in at the Rice Police Station to report the incident. But it was not on Rice property and without a license plate no one could do anything anyway. I was upset that I had forgotten to get the plate number. Since I had my cell phone with me, I could have called the police right from the street, and I didn't even think about that until later.
All sorts of things rolled through my mind as I thought about my brush with injury. I was not hurt (my arm was fine the next day), and it is unclear whether the truck driver really saw me or not as he moved into the turn. I would have had to spend a lot of time with police and lawyers and such, and for what end? To get a guy fired from his job driving a truck? So I probably did the right thing in not getting all torqued out of shape about the whole thing. Who can be sure?
I have not ridden my bike since Sunday before last, about 10 days. I did manage to work out a couple of time since then (and of course I walked 3.1 miles on Sunday). Today I bought new pedals with toe clips for my bike and a bottle and bottle rack from West U. Cycles on Rice Blvd. in the Village. Great store; they have answered a lot of questions for me when I've been in there. Still trying to decide what type of bike rack to buy for my car--trunk mount, like a Saris Bones rack, or roof mount, like a Thule? I don't have a trailer hitch mount, so I can't do a hitch-mounted bike rack. I'm leaning toward a Sarie Bones rack.
Monday, January 19, 2004
Finished the Houston Press/METRO 5K Yesterday!
So we got up at 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning to get dressed for the Houston Press/METRO 5K run/walk. We drove into Houston, parked before 6:00 a.m. in a covered garage, hung out for a while, then walked over to the George R. Brown Convention Center to see the sights. It was the first Houston Marathon scene for both of us. Pretty cool! The main problem was standing in line for the restroom before the race. The guy's line moved fast; my wife had to wait a lot longer.
We walked out toward the start line and waited for the Marathon and Half Marathon runners to start (wow, there were a lot of people, and that start cannon was LOUD!). While they were clearing out from the start line, we listened to the UH pep band (or a portion thereof) entertain the crowd. As we lined up for the start, we found out the band was lining up too. It looked like there were about 1,500--2,000 participants in the 5K; the band had about 20 members. They were good, loud, and enthusiactic, which helped us feel better, being on the street in downtown Houston at 7:25 in the morning.
The cannon blasted and we started walking. It seemed like it was a lot farther than 3.1 miles. It took quite a while to get to mile 1. There were groups from various high schools entertaining us along the way. The participants thinned out as we went under 59 to the east side of downtown. We walked into an underpass and saw the runners coming the other way on the other side of the street. We wound through warehouses and manufacturing sites as we headed back toward the convention center.
As we got closer to the finish line, we saw that half-marathoners were already finishing. So, people could run 13.1 miles faster than we could walk 3.1 miles; a little humbling, but we weren't there to win any races, we were there to raise money for the Lupus Foundation (together we raised over $200, mostly by my wife). I finished in 1 h 3 min 29 s; overall I was 1,439; I was the 646th male, and 84th in my age division, whatever that is. We went in the convention center, got our finisher medals, had our timing chips clipped off, and had some breakfast dished up by HEB.
Over all, it was a fun experience. We knew quite a few people who were running or walking the marathon. I don't think I'll ever be a marathon runner because my knees would not take it. But I can see myself doing the 5K again.
Walking,
Dustin
We walked out toward the start line and waited for the Marathon and Half Marathon runners to start (wow, there were a lot of people, and that start cannon was LOUD!). While they were clearing out from the start line, we listened to the UH pep band (or a portion thereof) entertain the crowd. As we lined up for the start, we found out the band was lining up too. It looked like there were about 1,500--2,000 participants in the 5K; the band had about 20 members. They were good, loud, and enthusiactic, which helped us feel better, being on the street in downtown Houston at 7:25 in the morning.
The cannon blasted and we started walking. It seemed like it was a lot farther than 3.1 miles. It took quite a while to get to mile 1. There were groups from various high schools entertaining us along the way. The participants thinned out as we went under 59 to the east side of downtown. We walked into an underpass and saw the runners coming the other way on the other side of the street. We wound through warehouses and manufacturing sites as we headed back toward the convention center.
As we got closer to the finish line, we saw that half-marathoners were already finishing. So, people could run 13.1 miles faster than we could walk 3.1 miles; a little humbling, but we weren't there to win any races, we were there to raise money for the Lupus Foundation (together we raised over $200, mostly by my wife). I finished in 1 h 3 min 29 s; overall I was 1,439; I was the 646th male, and 84th in my age division, whatever that is. We went in the convention center, got our finisher medals, had our timing chips clipped off, and had some breakfast dished up by HEB.
Over all, it was a fun experience. We knew quite a few people who were running or walking the marathon. I don't think I'll ever be a marathon runner because my knees would not take it. But I can see myself doing the 5K again.
Walking,
Dustin
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Clemens's Decision Doesn't Annoy Jeter
Clemens's Decision Doesn't Annoy JeterAs an Astros fan from way back (when I learned to ride my first bike, I used to circle around the yard with a transistor radio ear plug in my ear, aimlessly meandering while listening to games called by Gene Elston, one of the legends of sports radio, and Loel Passe, an Astro's fan if I ever heard one), I am really excited about having Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens on the team. I get the feeling that this will be the best chance ever for Biggio and Bagwell to be on a World-Series winning team. Too bad for the Yankees; they seem to be whining a bit, except for Derek Jeter.
Houston--with the 2004 Super Bowl, the 2004 All Star Game, three new sports arenas, and the MS 150! It's a great year win it all in every sport (give the Texans another year or two).
Play Ball!
Dustin
Houston--with the 2004 Super Bowl, the 2004 All Star Game, three new sports arenas, and the MS 150! It's a great year win it all in every sport (give the Texans another year or two).
Play Ball!
Dustin
The City Life: Rounding the Island, on Wheels
The City Life: Rounding the Island, on Wheels This is a great Op-Ed in the New York Times (registration required) about a biker's ride around the city. You definitely get a different view of your surroundings when you walk or ride a bike versus speeding by in your car, encapsulated in your own little world. There are so many houses, yards, streets, and neighborhoods that I would not have seen had I not gotten on my bike and toured them. As my training progresses, I hope to meet more residents of the community of bikers, or cyclers, whatever they want to call themselves. It'll be fun!
See ya,
Dustin
See ya,
Dustin
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Please Donate to the Lupus Foundation
In the list of links to the left you'll find one to make a donation to the Lupus Foundation. I'll be participating on the Houston Press/Metro 5K on Sunday the 18th of January. The pledges I get will all go to the South Coast Texas Chapter of the Lupus Foudation of American. Please make a donation.
After 5 days of bitter cold (on a Houston scale) and rainy days we got some great weather this weekend and I went out riding yesterday afternoon. It was absolutely gorgeous and I put in 15.8 miles on the bike, the most I've done in one ride so far! Whew! Top speed 21 mph on the park track. The odometer on my bike now reads 65 total miles. Not very far yet, but I'm getting there.
Welcome to H-Town Bloggers! I've asked to join the H-Town Bloggers; as part of joining, I've placed a link to the H-Town Bloggers Web page to the left. Please cruise on over and take a look. If you came over from there, thanks!
Biking is a pretty expensive hobby/pastime/vocation/routine. I've got to buy pedals with toe clips, and a bike rack for my car, so I can take the bike to all these rides I'm going to be signing up for. I even need a bottle cage to hold a water bottle on my bike--no I didn't get one of those when I bought the bike originally. After all, if you're going to let your bike sit in the garage for 5 years and never ride it, who needs a water bottle? ;-)
I've been watching the new episode of Alias while I've been writing this. It's one of my favorite shows in TV. Our son has been in college and missed the first two seasons, so he bought them on DVD and watched them during his break.
It's getting to the climax, gotta go!
Dustin
After 5 days of bitter cold (on a Houston scale) and rainy days we got some great weather this weekend and I went out riding yesterday afternoon. It was absolutely gorgeous and I put in 15.8 miles on the bike, the most I've done in one ride so far! Whew! Top speed 21 mph on the park track. The odometer on my bike now reads 65 total miles. Not very far yet, but I'm getting there.
Welcome to H-Town Bloggers! I've asked to join the H-Town Bloggers; as part of joining, I've placed a link to the H-Town Bloggers Web page to the left. Please cruise on over and take a look. If you came over from there, thanks!
Biking is a pretty expensive hobby/pastime/vocation/routine. I've got to buy pedals with toe clips, and a bike rack for my car, so I can take the bike to all these rides I'm going to be signing up for. I even need a bottle cage to hold a water bottle on my bike--no I didn't get one of those when I bought the bike originally. After all, if you're going to let your bike sit in the garage for 5 years and never ride it, who needs a water bottle? ;-)
I've been watching the new episode of Alias while I've been writing this. It's one of my favorite shows in TV. Our son has been in college and missed the first two seasons, so he bought them on DVD and watched them during his break.
It's getting to the climax, gotta go!
Dustin
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
New Year, New Step Class Routine
Going home in the evening from work, I pass by the Ernest & Co. Gym at the corner of Greenbriar and Holcombe, where the aerobics class participants are on display in the first-floor store front windows. I can usually tell what steps they are doing since I've been doing step for a long time, but I wonder what the other drivers think as they drive by. Do they think the steppers look goofy? Do they think "I should be working out"? I wonder what it's like to be in that class and have the cars pass by and watch you while you sweat in your spandex and old t-shirt. I'm used to watching myself and others in the mirror while doing aerobics, and having club members pass by the windows and watching us. But not a whole street full of people.
Since September we had been doing triple step in advanced step class, with Fernanda's great instruction. Triple step was a nice change from the single step routines before, but Fernanda promised a new routine come January. Today was the first day of the new class and the new routine was wonderful, although I kept getting tied up directionally. I like the variety of doing a step class on Wednesday after a spinning class on Monday.
So that was my training for the day; no miles on the bike.
Steppin',
Dustin
Since September we had been doing triple step in advanced step class, with Fernanda's great instruction. Triple step was a nice change from the single step routines before, but Fernanda promised a new routine come January. Today was the first day of the new class and the new routine was wonderful, although I kept getting tied up directionally. I like the variety of doing a step class on Wednesday after a spinning class on Monday.
So that was my training for the day; no miles on the bike.
Steppin',
Dustin
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Baby, it's COLD Out There! I'm "Houstonized"!
A year after we moved to Houston, we put a pool in our backyard during the summer. We swam in the pool through the month of December, thinking nothing of swimming in sub-80°F water (maybe even below 75°F). Since then, we've gradually gotten spoiled by the warm weather, and find that it's difficult to swim in the pool unless the temperature is at least 80°F. preferably higher. We joke that we've become "Houstonized". I am definitely Houstonized, and am not looking forward to riding my bike with biting cold wind running through my body.
Over the weekend of 3-4 January, we were wearing shorts outside it was so warm and humid. Come Sunday night, a cold front moved in; Monday morning it was absolutely FREEZING, even though the temperature was not below 32°F. I'm glad I had a spinning class to go to instead of trying to ride my bike outside in that chill (I don't have a stand for riding inside yet; haven't gotten that fancy).
It was a great class Monday morning. Kim led us through several sprints downhill and uphill. For those of you not familiar with the bikes we use in spinning, they have one wheel in front, a solid flywheel. The heights of the handle bar and seat are adjustable by loosening and tightening set-screws; the bar and seat can also be moved forward and backward to fit your trunk and leg length. The flywheel is moved using a set of bicycle pedals, attached to the flywheel by a rubber belt. The pedals have toe clips to fit the front of your shoe into, so you can put energy into the pedals on both the up and the down strokes; on most bikes the flat side of the pedal will fit a clip-less shoe, for those that have clip-less biking shoes. A set-screw with a knob is positioned on the frame so that you can adjust the tension on the flywheel. Turning the knob clockwise applies more pressure on the flywheel, making it more difficult to pedal; turning the know counterclockwise releases the tension, making it easier to pedal. In class "1" is no tension and "10" is the most tension you can apply and still get the pedals to move. We usually start off at 5 and vary up from there. The numbers are self relative; there are no markings on the bike that indicate whether you are at 5, 6, or 10. So you have to use your judgement and set it according to your own fitness and preferences. I've found that each bike is slightly different, and a 5 on one is an 8 on the other.
In spinning, as in aerobics, the instructor brings a disk full of music to play. Monday Kim had a couple of new tunes, including "Hey Ya" by OutKast. That song is all over the airwaves, on pop, rock, hip-hop, and stations in-between. Anyway, it was a great song to spin by. That's one thing about the early morning class that really gets you going; besides the exercise, the music energizes you and stays with you during the work day.
The class usually starts with music having a slower beat. You warm up and stretch out at 5. Then, depending on Kim's plan, the music speeds up or slows down. One number might be a sprint at 5; another might be an uphill climb at 10. Sometimes we sit, sometimes we stand in the pedals, sometimes we stand with our bodies low. There is usually a break of 15-30 seconds in between numbers to rest, get a drink of water (I keep forgetting to bring my bottle, so I have to get up and get a drink at the fountain), stretch, keep going, whatever. The variation of music with difficulty and objective makes the class interesting. It's a wonderful way to train.
Had a good class, and a good first day back to work. I estimate that I went 5-7 miles on the stationary bike; have no real idea since there is no odometer.
No, I didn't train today; too dang cold! :-(
Stay warm,
Dustin
Over the weekend of 3-4 January, we were wearing shorts outside it was so warm and humid. Come Sunday night, a cold front moved in; Monday morning it was absolutely FREEZING, even though the temperature was not below 32°F. I'm glad I had a spinning class to go to instead of trying to ride my bike outside in that chill (I don't have a stand for riding inside yet; haven't gotten that fancy).
It was a great class Monday morning. Kim led us through several sprints downhill and uphill. For those of you not familiar with the bikes we use in spinning, they have one wheel in front, a solid flywheel. The heights of the handle bar and seat are adjustable by loosening and tightening set-screws; the bar and seat can also be moved forward and backward to fit your trunk and leg length. The flywheel is moved using a set of bicycle pedals, attached to the flywheel by a rubber belt. The pedals have toe clips to fit the front of your shoe into, so you can put energy into the pedals on both the up and the down strokes; on most bikes the flat side of the pedal will fit a clip-less shoe, for those that have clip-less biking shoes. A set-screw with a knob is positioned on the frame so that you can adjust the tension on the flywheel. Turning the knob clockwise applies more pressure on the flywheel, making it more difficult to pedal; turning the know counterclockwise releases the tension, making it easier to pedal. In class "1" is no tension and "10" is the most tension you can apply and still get the pedals to move. We usually start off at 5 and vary up from there. The numbers are self relative; there are no markings on the bike that indicate whether you are at 5, 6, or 10. So you have to use your judgement and set it according to your own fitness and preferences. I've found that each bike is slightly different, and a 5 on one is an 8 on the other.
In spinning, as in aerobics, the instructor brings a disk full of music to play. Monday Kim had a couple of new tunes, including "Hey Ya" by OutKast. That song is all over the airwaves, on pop, rock, hip-hop, and stations in-between. Anyway, it was a great song to spin by. That's one thing about the early morning class that really gets you going; besides the exercise, the music energizes you and stays with you during the work day.
The class usually starts with music having a slower beat. You warm up and stretch out at 5. Then, depending on Kim's plan, the music speeds up or slows down. One number might be a sprint at 5; another might be an uphill climb at 10. Sometimes we sit, sometimes we stand in the pedals, sometimes we stand with our bodies low. There is usually a break of 15-30 seconds in between numbers to rest, get a drink of water (I keep forgetting to bring my bottle, so I have to get up and get a drink at the fountain), stretch, keep going, whatever. The variation of music with difficulty and objective makes the class interesting. It's a wonderful way to train.
Had a good class, and a good first day back to work. I estimate that I went 5-7 miles on the stationary bike; have no real idea since there is no odometer.
No, I didn't train today; too dang cold! :-(
Stay warm,
Dustin
Sunday, January 04, 2004
Time to Get Back to Work
Tomorrow I head back to work after two weeks off. It will be interesting to see how my training progresses. I don't think I'll be riding at night; I don't have all the night gear and I'm not that eager to run into cars that won't see me. I'll go to spinning on Monday mornings and aerobics on Wednesday mornings. I'll find out if I can get up early enough to ride a few miles on the other mornings before I have to take my daughter to school and then head to work. I think January and most of February will be spent getting up to the 15 and 20 mile range on weekends, then I'll probably sign up for my first races in late February and March. I've been looking at several bicycle club pages, and I don't think I'm fast enough for some. Others are too far away. There is one near me that sounds interesting; I'll try it after a few more weeks of training.
I've enjoyed reading Steve Sievert's Thursday cycling column in the Houston Chronicle. It's been a good introduction to the sport for me. One link he pointed out is http://www.bicycletexas.com/bike_links.htm for finding links to bike clubs and rides.
One problem with the MS-150 warm-up rides is that most seem to occur on Sunday mornings. I assume the vehicular traffic is less on Sunday mornings, but it sure does make it hard on those of us who attend church regularly to get training. Since I'm an usher captain at my church, I need to be there on a regular basis to fulfill my volunteer obligations. I'm sure that with prayer and planning, I can both train for the MS 150 and practice my God-given gift of hosting.
Oh yeah, I did ride this afternoon, 9.15 miles. It has been really humid in Houston this weekend. Humid and warm. It felt like it might rain at any time, but I never felt any drops. I looped through several neighborhoods and rode the path at the nearby park. I still avoid riding on major roads--I take the sidewalk instead. I'm just not up to riding the curb to avoid fenders yet. I'll get there soon. Anyway, it was a good ride.
Happy New Year!
Dustin
I've enjoyed reading Steve Sievert's Thursday cycling column in the Houston Chronicle. It's been a good introduction to the sport for me. One link he pointed out is http://www.bicycletexas.com/bike_links.htm for finding links to bike clubs and rides.
One problem with the MS-150 warm-up rides is that most seem to occur on Sunday mornings. I assume the vehicular traffic is less on Sunday mornings, but it sure does make it hard on those of us who attend church regularly to get training. Since I'm an usher captain at my church, I need to be there on a regular basis to fulfill my volunteer obligations. I'm sure that with prayer and planning, I can both train for the MS 150 and practice my God-given gift of hosting.
Oh yeah, I did ride this afternoon, 9.15 miles. It has been really humid in Houston this weekend. Humid and warm. It felt like it might rain at any time, but I never felt any drops. I looped through several neighborhoods and rode the path at the nearby park. I still avoid riding on major roads--I take the sidewalk instead. I'm just not up to riding the curb to avoid fenders yet. I'll get there soon. Anyway, it was a good ride.
Happy New Year!
Dustin
Friday, January 02, 2004
5:00 a.m. on New Year's Eve? Ya' Gotta Be Kiddin'!
Kim had promised that she would lead a spinning class at 6:00 a.m. on New Year's Eve, even though it was not on the schedule, she was going to show up so we could burn all those Christmas treat calories off.
Dutifully, I set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. Wednesday morning so I could get up and drive in to do my spinning. After all, it would count as my training for that day, and if Kim was going to go to the trouble of leading a class, I should be there. Us 6:00 a.m.'ers have a weird loyalty to our instructors. Don't know if that is true for classes during other parts of the day because I never go except in the early weekday mornings at 6:00 a.m. But, come hell or high water, I almost always make it to those classes. When I find an instructor I like, I go.
I had to be in Houston to get my allergy shots anyway, so I planned the day in my head. First, to spinning class. After class I would shower and dress, drop into Rice Epicurean for my breakfast (a diet peach Snapple and a Yoplait no-fat, no sugar yogurt) and say "hi" to Bea, the cashier who's worked there at least as long as I've being going in for breakfast (about 5 years); then off to the allergist's office for my shots; drop by Just Brakes to have my 4,000 mile check-up; and finally get my Honda's oil and filter changed at Mister Car Wash, along with a car wash. A pretty good plan, if I do say so myself (and I did)! I figured I could do all that and probably be home before many were even out of bed. That's the beauty of getting up at 5:00 a.m. to exercise, it starts your day off right.
My intention was not as good as my plan. Yes, the alarm went off at 5:00 a.m., and yes, I turned it off and rolled over back to sleep with no feelings of guilt. I was just too darn tired, and it's hard to get back in the swing of things when you've been sleeping late for days. When I got up, the "plan" was screwed. I still had to get my allergy shots so I wouldn't get two weeks behind, and still I needed to get my brakes checked before the 4,000 mile warranty was up. So I did those errands. By the time I got to Mister Car Wash around noon, there were too many SUVs already in line, so I gave up and went home.
I ended up grocery shopping that afternoon (HEB was packed to the gills), and not getting any training done. New Year's Eve was uneventful--we ended up watching TV, reading our books, and smooching as the clock struck midnight.
BUT, I did manage to get in 7.4 miles on New Year's Day! We slept late, and relaxed most of the day. I kept thinking "I need to get out on my bike, gotta train!" but the opportunity didn't arise until that afternoon. Then it started raining pretty hard, and I almost gave up on it. Luckily, the rain let up and I got out on my bike and had a great ride. My legs felt really powerful, and I was able to push into the 15-20 mph range some of the route. When I got back home, there was a streak of black dirt up my back from the water that had been tossed up by the tread. Biker's stripe! Kewl!
Alas, no training today. A friend drove down from Austin and we went to see the exhibit "The Heroic Century: The Museum of Modern Art Masterpieces, 200 Paintings and Sculptures" at the Houston Museum of Fine Art. It was great to see light rail running down the streets of Houston! When is Austin going to get light rail?
Happy New Year!
Dustin
Dutifully, I set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. Wednesday morning so I could get up and drive in to do my spinning. After all, it would count as my training for that day, and if Kim was going to go to the trouble of leading a class, I should be there. Us 6:00 a.m.'ers have a weird loyalty to our instructors. Don't know if that is true for classes during other parts of the day because I never go except in the early weekday mornings at 6:00 a.m. But, come hell or high water, I almost always make it to those classes. When I find an instructor I like, I go.
I had to be in Houston to get my allergy shots anyway, so I planned the day in my head. First, to spinning class. After class I would shower and dress, drop into Rice Epicurean for my breakfast (a diet peach Snapple and a Yoplait no-fat, no sugar yogurt) and say "hi" to Bea, the cashier who's worked there at least as long as I've being going in for breakfast (about 5 years); then off to the allergist's office for my shots; drop by Just Brakes to have my 4,000 mile check-up; and finally get my Honda's oil and filter changed at Mister Car Wash, along with a car wash. A pretty good plan, if I do say so myself (and I did)! I figured I could do all that and probably be home before many were even out of bed. That's the beauty of getting up at 5:00 a.m. to exercise, it starts your day off right.
My intention was not as good as my plan. Yes, the alarm went off at 5:00 a.m., and yes, I turned it off and rolled over back to sleep with no feelings of guilt. I was just too darn tired, and it's hard to get back in the swing of things when you've been sleeping late for days. When I got up, the "plan" was screwed. I still had to get my allergy shots so I wouldn't get two weeks behind, and still I needed to get my brakes checked before the 4,000 mile warranty was up. So I did those errands. By the time I got to Mister Car Wash around noon, there were too many SUVs already in line, so I gave up and went home.
I ended up grocery shopping that afternoon (HEB was packed to the gills), and not getting any training done. New Year's Eve was uneventful--we ended up watching TV, reading our books, and smooching as the clock struck midnight.
BUT, I did manage to get in 7.4 miles on New Year's Day! We slept late, and relaxed most of the day. I kept thinking "I need to get out on my bike, gotta train!" but the opportunity didn't arise until that afternoon. Then it started raining pretty hard, and I almost gave up on it. Luckily, the rain let up and I got out on my bike and had a great ride. My legs felt really powerful, and I was able to push into the 15-20 mph range some of the route. When I got back home, there was a streak of black dirt up my back from the water that had been tossed up by the tread. Biker's stripe! Kewl!
Alas, no training today. A friend drove down from Austin and we went to see the exhibit "The Heroic Century: The Museum of Modern Art Masterpieces, 200 Paintings and Sculptures" at the Houston Museum of Fine Art. It was great to see light rail running down the streets of Houston! When is Austin going to get light rail?
Happy New Year!
Dustin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
