Moving On

The original purpose behind The Fourteen Percent Ride has long since been fulfilled. So, I've decided that Mighty Proud will be the last posting. It just seems right.

But, don't worry. Or maybe you should. In any event, I plan to continue. I'll keep riding. And writing. Click here to come along in my new blog ~ The Long White Line. <-- check it out!

Thanks

As I've ridden for the last two years, I've picked up on the fact that Shirley, my darling wife, has been more worried about my safety than impressed with my "accomplishments." How do I know this? Well, when I'd come back and tell her, for example, that I'd hit 53.6 mph going down FO, she'd reply, "I don't want to hear it." Being the sensitive sort I figured out, after many such comments, that just maybe we were not on the same page here. But last week, she told me that she would "greatly reduce her focus on the 'fear for my safety' issue." We talked about the tour, looked at some maps, researched nutrition suggestions on the internet, and so on, just enjoying the idea of the ride. How nice is that? Thank you, Shirley!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Terrifying Ride Updated

Going down FO, I reached 50.2 mph. Terrifying? Well, no. I have a good bike and pretty much know how to do the hill. But then there was County OA. Flat, fairly straight. And I was pedaling easily in high gear. Going nearly 30 mph. Now, there are only two possible explanations for this. One, I was ready to challenge Lance or, two, there was a significant tailwind pushing me along. You guess which one. Terrifying? I knew, unless I just rode to Madison, that I would eventually turn around and ride INTO the wind. It was a great 28 mile ride through Barre Mills, up over II and into West Salem and Linda's Bakery -- one good reason to ride. BUT, heading back it was 15 brutal miles of wind. Add saddle sores and, well... 43.1 miles today, 428.8 total.

The update
It turns out that Bill, who'd been on vacation all week, got out on the road Sunday. Here is his report:

"I rode 73 miserable miles yesterday. The wind destroyed me. At one point a dog chased me. It was a 3 legged dog and was going faster than me. It was a horrible ride and I cramped badly. I figure that as there is not time to get in shape I must work on my suffering."

Now, doesn't this all sound like ever so much fun!

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