Ready to Ride & warming up to Blog!!

Three Men in a boat, in a car, on bicycles Pt 2

My blogging and riding have been suffering lately as I have been spending more hours in a plane then on a bike. The last two weeks have found me in Dubai (UAE) twice and Singapore once.

In my last episode Phil, Simon and I were heading North from San Antonio to Wichita Falls to compete in the Hotter than Hell 100.

We were quite excited about the event as we had the credibility of an organised team (With our New MULE shirts) to offer some form of resemblance to a plan in riding together: Kenny,Dave,Sean,Simon,Cristian,Philip,Adam and myself.

This really worked out quite well with a really hot start. (Averaging over 21 mph for the first 60 miles) as we alternated the work in 2 minute pulls at the front.

The going was tough at times with a number of riders riding 5 or 6 abreast down the road oblivious to our pleads of wanting to pass.

The heat wasn't there this year which is fortunate as I lost a water bottle after traversing over a railway track earlier in the ride.

The team was great and especially helpful to myself who had written of my bike and my ribs only two weeks before the ride. The last twenty miles was tough but my fellow MULES pulled me through recording an average of just under 20mph for the 100 mile trek.

Then we decided to socialize!!!

Its a TWIN THING!!!

Three Men in a boat,car,bicycles Pt 1

It seems like years since I have sat at my computer to engage in blogging. The main reason for this has been a recent visit from England by my twin brother Philip and his friend Simon.
The main reason for their visit, apart from drinking all my vintage wine was to compete in the Hotter than Hell 100 in Wichita Falls.
Of course I would be failing in my duties as a host if I did not indulge in some tourist like activities en route. So we had the idea of a road trip.

For those of you who have not ventured into 19th Century humor there is one classic that you have to read. It has the fundamental ingredients of such a trip...

• Good Friends
• Lots of Pubs
• Comical Calamities
• and A Dog

Heck even the Great bard himself sprinkled a few Canine characters into his plays to keep his actors on their tows.
The Book in Question is "Three Men in a Boat"
In the original story the book opens with the three men in question spending an evening discussing every possible ailment or illness they fancy they are suffering. They naturally conclude they are all suffering from 'overwork' and need a holiday. A stay in the country and a sea-trip are both considered, then rejected. Finally the three decide upon a boating holiday, up the River Thames, from Kingston Upon Thames to Oxford. A great narration of it can be heard by Hugh Laurie of "House" Fame.

Unlike the adventures contained in the classic novel, of a trip down the Thames our water adventures were limited to Tubes down the Comel river in New Braunfels, Texas. The process is actually very civilized as they provide you with an additional tube to put your cooler in to ensure your beers stay COLD!!! Of course hanging onto that Tube and warding off BEER Pirates is another challenge all of its own. There were casualties!!!

Comel River 1 Phils Camera 0.
The evening took us into lovely San Antonio with its great dedication to Texas Heroes, The Alamo, The River Walk and a fantastic Mexican Dinner!!!!

After the first day on the road we all three shared a room in a hotel (Separate beds - I hasten to add). In the middle of the night I awoke to the sounds of the Serengeti, could it have been a wilder beast? a warthog? NO!!! Phil & Simon Snoring!!

Pt 2 Coming Soon!! as we head North through Austin, Waco and Fort Worth to Wichita Falls

Picnic in The Park - NOT!!!!

Nestled between downtown Houston and the Galleria area is Houston's version of the Golden Gate Park. Its a favourite amongst athletes of all disciplines. For the cyclists their is a 1.25 Mile loop called the "Picnic Loop" which is really great for speed work and is often used to event Criterion's. The loop is closed for vehicle traffic and most pedestrian's and joggers are reluctant to jog the route because of bike traffic and also the numerous other alternative options they have in the Park.

Dave (One of the Mules) and I often try to get at least one midweek ride in at the loop to keep up our training regime and last Thursday was no exception especially with the "Hotter than Hell" ride only two weeks away.

The only trouble was it was raining!

Not to concerned about the rain we set off only for the rain to intensify, the road started to flood and lightning started to strike all around us.

After the second time around the loop we decided to seek shelter in some partially covered restrooms as the lightning was getting too scary. (Partially meaning a 3 ft overhang from the rain and lightning.

As I made the detour I remember seeing the Restroom about 100 yards away and then the next minute I went hurting through the air landing on my left side in a pool of water.

It was certainly the worst tumble I had ever taken, and it reminded me of my earlier rugby playing days after being trampled on the bottom of a scrum. I thought I had broken my shoulder, but the next lightning strike that erupted about 100 yards away made me quickly realize that any pain I was feeling would be mild compared to being hit by a bolt from above.

My bikes front wheel had lodged itself between two concrete pavers and had sunk down 6 inches. The force of the impact and crash not only introduced me to "flying lessons" but also wrecked my front wheel ........Boo Hoo (Mavic Ksyrium SL) and cracked the frame.

We scampered into the rather smelly rest room and spent the next half an hour looking at my now square shaped wheel and the tarmac that I was now wearing on my legs and arms in the form of Road Rash. We also had time to reflect on how quickly situations can change when riding and what was to be a quick 20 mile training ride cost me Physically (Road Rash, ligament damage & heavy bruising) and Financially (New Frame & New Wheel).

I don't think I will go back to Memorial Park for awhile as it certainly was NO PICNIC.

For Kids Sake!!

I just spent the last three weeks with my boys who were visiting from California and if there is one reason enough to try and stay in good shape then the answer is easy. "For Kids Sake"!!!

Being a Dad is one of many roles one has to incorporate while entertaining a 11 and 12 year old.

In the adage of the true superhero "Faster than a speeding bullet,More powerful than a locomotive.Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound." the urban Dad has much more creative roles to play dependent upon the event in Question.

For Instance

The Water Park

Where the roles can change between a variety of characters (In chronological order)

• GREAT WHITE SHARK
• OCTOPUS
• REFEREE
• LIFEGUARD
• SMALLER SHARK
• LIFEGUARD
• Tiny Docile Shark
• LIFEGUARD
• DARE-DEVIL Extraordinaire
• "Fear" Counsellor

The Paint Ball Assault Course

Again the Roles Vary (No resemblance to the picture but smiling is important)

• SUPREME COMMANDER
• TARGET
• GENERAL
• TARGET
• MAJOR
• TARGET
• CORPORAL
• TARGET
• BRUISED & BATTERED EVACUEE

Of course this was only two of many events but I am sure by now you can fully appreciate the pattern of how these develop into complex scenarios.

The boys have left now, back to Northern California and although I am sad to see them go I am happy to purge the fridge and pantry from items that are extremely tasty and decedent but are so bad for my training regime.

• Out with the Cinnamon Rolls in with the Spinach
• Out with the Chocolate Milk in with the fat free Soy Milk
• Out with the Blue Bell Ice cream (Minus one Spoon) in with the Blueberries

One of the things that I know that my kids is that interaction is paramount.I realize that if I don't stay reasonably fit and active in my own life and lifestyle it makes a huge difference in what I am able to do with my kids.

It would be so easy to throw a video game in their general direction, or turn on the TV but to me that has a similar feel to pushing the "Snooze" button on the alarm clock.

I am trying to get my boys into cycling and Sam the oldest (12) was quite thrilled when he was able to sustain a 20+ Mph clip for 5 minutes or so on his first road bike experience. (Sam Right)

JACK -