This post is about the statistics of my blog, mostly over the last half a year. Ironically, screen shots paint a better picture without too many words. It comes as promised before my little rant about the U.S not living up to its ideals as a government or nation regarding its horrible, immoral immigration policy of separating children from their parents at the Texas border. Agree or disagree, but I believe I’m on the right side of the law, history and human decency on this one.
While some may appreciate my view and others may not, fortunately we do still mostly have freedom of speech in the U.S. And this blog is primarily an attempt to document my bicycle journey and to inspire others to do the same. It’s also an experiment in writing that I started January of 2016 but have not worked on intensively until 2018. That said, let me show you a look under the hood of http://www.ADudeAbikes.com (aka http://ADudeAbikes.WordPress.com)!
Today I went on yet another 30 minute daily walk. I try to go early because it’s so friggin’ hot and humid here in Austin, Texas in late June. Summer came early this year (thanks, global warming!). While there are strategies for dealing with the heat that I outlined in a previous blog, acclimation – getting used to it – is inevitable if you want to keep up a fitness routine. (Thanks to Julie78787 for reminding us of this important step.)
But I’m finding my walking is getting a little stagnant. I’m not a morning person but that’s the best time to go to get some Vitamin D without too much harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. It’s not led to any weight loss, noticeable gains in strength, or huge uplift in my mood. But I keep doing it because I believe that it will pay long-term benefits. Here are some: Continue reading →
Bicycling 448 miles in a day seems not just insane, but impossible. But according to a post in today’s Austin American-Statesman by Pam LeBlanc of FitCity, some dude did exactly that. Pam’s a fitness addict/badass herself, doing biking, swimming, paddling, throwing axes, hiking, zip-lining, heavy metal goat yoga and who knows what else. And not all for her day job. She was also the author of theJanuary 15 profile about A Dude, a far less proficient but definitely way more sane cyclist. But all kudos go to Andrew Willis for his accomplishment. (He is the co-owner of Holland Racing who put on the Driveway Series Thursday night bike races I wrote about back in April and also runs Bike Night at COTA (Circuit of the Americas), something else I’ve done.) It’s awesome, but so what, right? The right question is “What can we learn from him?”
Ramadan is the month-long holiday of day-time fasting, prayer and other practices observed by people of the Muslim faith. It ended yesterday, making today Eid al-Fitr. What does that have to do with me and bicycling? I’m glad you asked, so I’ll tell you. Recently I wrote about self-compassion. And then I met a man on a bike ride who was only riding at night. When asked why, he said it was because he was observing Ramadan. No water or food until nightfall, and then biking? To me that was impressive because it showed some serious dedication to both his religion and his sport. He’s a Nigerian living in Texas.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in Kenya, a fellow blogger posted a story about encountering a poor woman on the street. She too is an African Muslim who was observing Ramadan. But despite the blogger being charitable and giving away some of her money, the beggar still berated her, and told her it was not enough. One of the teachings of Islam is to be additionally generous during this month, and so she grappled with doing that but not receiving the gratitude she expected. The two encounters were too coincidental not to share.
1,634 days is a long time to do something consecutively, but today, June 6, 2018, marks that anniversary for me. Back on December 6, 2013, I began a regular yoga practice of 30 minutes per day. (It was actually 12/4/13, but I missed two days early on so I move the anniversary date up two days. If you want to get technical my anniversary is 12/25.) The point is that I have continued practicing yoga ever since, every day – without interruption – at all. I resolved to follow some advice I didn’t have words for at the time: Don’t Break The Chain, when I blogged about forming habits back on January 2. It’s ironic to be proud of what at heart is an humbling and internal practice. But important milestones bear acknowledgement, and since a major thrust of this blog is to try to inspire people, my yoga is a major component of that goal, as well as my life. Continue reading →
To say that I rode my bike alot in May is an understatement. 543 miles is 125 miles per week and almost 18 miles per day. My activity app Strava, paired with my Garmin GPS watch, are fairly accurate. Believe me, I feel it in my bones. Also, this was the hottest documented month of May in Central Texas ever. So I’m feeling pretty happy about that accomplishment, seeing how my original goal for this year was 50 miles per week. It could all change in a moment, and there are some things on the horizon which may mean I’m spending less time on the bike. But that’s all fine. For now, I’m satisfied that I still have some legs. Oh, and I also walked 45 miles. Today is a well-deserved rest day, so let’s dig into the stats a bit, shall we?
According to an article in the May 25, 2018 Austin American-Statesman a new study finds obese patients are more likely to survive certain conditions and illnesses when hospitalized. It originally appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is by by Najja Parker.It says that while of course being fat is bad for your heart, blood sugar and more, “the extra fat could have some benefits, according to a new report.”
It was a very lazy Sunday. I hadn’t done anything much save read Sue Grafton’s penultimate novel, X, and lounge around listening to classical music. I wanted to see a movie, but it was a hot 18-mile round trip, and I could just stay home in the safety and comfort of my little rented casita. Pages were read and turned, the phrases “page-turner” and “couldn’t put it down,” both applied. Meals were eaten. Time ticked by. “What was I going to have to blog about Monday?” crossed my mind more than once. It was 6:00 pm. The temperature had gone down, and the light was turning softer. I was 10 hours too late for the group rides. But like a cat starved for food or affection or both… Continue reading →
Yesterday morning I slept in to recover from watching Avengers: Infinity War Saturday night with movie pal Larry. I eventually got out there on a beautiful day to take a lazy Sunday walk. Once home, I made a smoothie and languished around the casita. I thought it was Mother’s Day so I called up dear mom. I was a week early, but news was exchanged. Despite some challenges, it was nice to connect, and I was reminded that I got my tenacity from her. She can be like a dog guarding it’s bone if you didn’t want to refund all her money for returning something to the store. I can get that way on the bike, and you better not fucking tell me otherwise. Someone once told me they didn’t think I could ride 100 miles, and I went out and did just that. (107 miles, to be exact.)
Preparation for Take-Off
Sunflower sprouts and seeds, romaine, cucumber, tomato, feta cheese, lemon, oil and vinegar.
After the call, trying to find the motivation to write and do yoga, I remembered to take my vitamins and made a late lunch. It was sweet and russet potatoes with pork loin and a nice big salad. Looming large in my mind was the question of whether to go for my third 100-mile week on the bike in a row. The brain was tired and just wanted to go see another movie, but the legs had other plans. “Shut up, legs!” is a famous slogan by retired pro Tour rider Jens Voight (also his book title). But they would not, so I decided I would stop thinking about it and Just Do It.
Normally you want to be well-rested, fed and hydrated, and get an early start. But if you’re like A Dude and on a later schedule (thanks South by Southwest!), you can still do most of that. Planning ahead I knew that I might be out after dark, so I had my back-up light. I put in some snacks: a non-caffeinated Gu gel, Gu gel blocks, Nuun hydration tab in one of two water bottles, a chocolate peanut butter packet, and an Oatmega protein bar. Knowing I’d be able to refill my water and buy snacks as needed at convenience stores, I wasn’t as loaded down as I might be going on a ride in the country. The only snack I got though was a Think Thin chocolate brownie flavor sugar free protein bar. If only thinking one is thin made it so.
Naturally, it being near 90 F in Texas, I applied sunscreen. I don’t know about other athletes, but in this fathlete’s case, it’s de rigeur to smear some Chamois Butt’r on the ol’ derriere and inside my padded Sugoi bike shorts. Today I also chose some thicker wool socks and made sure I had both back-up inner tubes and my pump. Making sure I had my phone, keys, wallet, I did my ABCQ check: Air in the tires, Brakes working, Cassette/Chain ring working and oiled, and Quick Release to be sure the wheels were in securely. (Thanks, Safety Dave, for that lesson!) And then it was time to go before I lost the light. This paragraph heading reminds me of a 90’s rap lyric by The Offspring: “I’m pretty fly for a white guy.”
I Can Bike for Miles and Miles and Miles
My goal was 34 miles to make it to 100 for the week, and I wasn’t sure I’d make that. I headed for the movie theater in case I wanted to bail out and have an air-conditioned way to break up the ride. But in the back of my mind, I felt I had more in the tank, and as you can see, I rode 50. By itself, that may not sound like much, especially compared to many of the longer rides I’ve done over the past two years. I didn’t plan on 50, but once on the road and realizing I wouldn’t make it to a movie, and that I would pass 40 miles, I figured why not go for half a century?
Here’s the route I took, in a 10-second video video map on Relive. As you can see, I went a far piece. I favor loops though part of this was out and back on a road with a wide shoulder called Parmer Lane. Also known as a former Republican president who shall be unnamed here. (The anagram of his full name is Insane Anglo Warlorld! I shit you not.) Also, here’s the Strava map with some photos and data and stuff. I just had to quote LL Cool J in the title, having already used MC Hammer’s“2 Legit 2 Quit” and John Wick’s“Yeah, I”m thinking I’m back.” Because when you’re on a 4-hour bike ride, you have time to sing songs to yourself.
Sunset with my Silhouette, a heron framed by my spokes and without them, road sign, and Brushy Creek.
I also added these notes in the description:
“10! PR’s [Personal Records] — not bad. The trailer for Deadpool 2 has this LL Cool J classic rap in it, which got stuck in my head. For me, what I’m gonna knock out are the naysayers (sometimes.myself) telling me I can’t or shouldn’t do long rides on occasiom if I set my mind to it. “And all the girlies say I’m pretty fly for a white guy…” This ride will put some heron your chest. (That’s a heron in the pictures. Hey, don’t blame me, the O’Henry Pun-Off – www.punpunpun.com – is coming 5/12.)”
Getting into the mindset to go a distance further than what makes sense logically is interesting to me. I haven’t ridden 30 miles for a while, so shouldn’t I do that and 40 before 50? The last time I did 50 was October, am I crazy? It’s not just about my riding, but for anyone doing longer distances. Why do we do it? And how? I don’t know, but I think we do it because we can. There are some people I follow in Strava who are doing a heckuvalot more than I do on the bike. Many also run and/or swim, train for races and triathlons, and are kicking a shit-ton of ass. That’s all well and good. They inspire me, just as I hope those reading this who may not be able to do what I do are also similarly inspired. “Comparison is the death of joy,”Buddha said, remember?
Sport Hurts; It’s Worth It if You Can Manage Some Pain
Biking takes being tenacious and the willingness to suffer a bit. Not the “My children don’t have enough to eat” or “The US used drones to drop bombs on my Syrian village and my arm got blown off” kind of suffering. That’s serious. Mine is more along the lines of “The TV show Once Upon a Time is ending it’s run and I won’t get my dose of Captain Hook, the Evil Queen, Rumplestiltskin and Cinderella living in Seattle anymore.” type of pain. So, not exactly comparable.
Dania Ramirez as Cinderalla in Once Upon a Time on ABC. Source: ABC/Eike Schroter
However, unrequited love can be excruciating, like torture. So Dania Ramirez, if you’re reading this, please get in touch. Tu eres increible, con mucho talento, graciosa, y si, tan bella que no tengo palabras para decirte cuanto estoy bien desviado y enamorado mirando a ti en un tamano muy grande que la vida en la tele. Anyway, A Dude is a big fan, wants to have your babies, and is able to speak Spanish pretty well! Practice with you will make perfect. I can be princely — charming, even!)
Sorry, I got a little distracted. But if you weren’t aware, yes, there is pain associated with most sport, and it is real. In fact, if you’re not hurting, you might not be applying enough effort. My legs got very tight and I had a cramp in one calf for a while. My ass and taint got pretty sore since I was out of practice, so I was squirming around on the saddle, standing on the pedals to get some rest, the wrists became numb, and a bug flew in my mouth. Still, it’s a choice to bike and create this temporary discomfort. If I were in better condition, weighed less and so on, it would be less of a struggle.
A racer named Death Valley Beth once told me “miles are mental.” At one point while I was doing my first century, I realized she was somewhat right. Assuming the body is capable, much of the resistance to it is in the mind. But sometimes the mind/body can do a lot more. It’s sports psychology. Adrenaline, competition, encouragement, visualization, will power, prizes, glory, simply improving oneself – these are all factors in what can lead to a higher level of performance than one expects of themselves or others think is possible. For me, the number of miles I do has been a big motivator, for some reason, for better or worse. (Ask me how I’m feeling tomorrow!)
What Goes Through One’s Brain Goes into the Legs
Whether it’s my daily yoga and walking practice, cutting out virtually all processed carbs, resting and napping, or daily biking due to being car-less, I have an ability to bike for longer periods. Plenty of people my weight, age, and health situation bike; I’m not special. But as someone once said, most people AREN’T doing it, and I am. That doesn’t make me superior; lots of people could and do do what I do, and faster and better, if they wanted. (Heh heh heh! I said doo-doo.)
However, alot of them have families, spouses, kids, jobs, houses, pets and cars. Since I don’t (at least I will have to get a job soon), sometimes I go out and kick my own ass on the bike. In so doing, I occasionally will exceed my own limitations. Motiviation is not hard to find. If you’re carrying extra pounds like I and most Americans are, it’s our duty to exercise our booty. Cycling certainly tones things up, even if muscle is covered with a protective layer of fat, I mean padding. Making the time is the hard part, next to doing it.
So, I was out there today, biking away, mapping in my head where to go, how fast, what to eat and drink. I strategized when to stop to rest, and when to pedal harder or easier. How much effort on hills, resting on downhills. But always pedaling, the miles ticking over: 1, 5, 10. Some easier than others. There was the focusing of my mind on the whole-body effort of staying upright by avoiding broken glass, stray branches and other debris. Not much room in there for worry about other stuff.
Of course, you have to be hypervigilant about cars and maintain awareness of their location in proximity to you at all times. Knowing your body, the roads and lighter Sunday traffic certainly helps. There’s no room for failure with cars screaming by, no support vehicle behind, and no insurance if something goes wrong. Having a Garmin watch to monitor heart rate, average speed, and time helps.
Recovery and Conclusion
After a ride it’s important to keep drinking and eating. Preferably protein and carbs, like a smoothie. A Dude likes rice cake with tahini and honey with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg or yogurt, fruit and nuts. Biking is fucking hard work, so you have to replenish the engine. The beneficial after-effects of exercise will continue to accrue. My next ride will be a good bit easier. But it pays off. I feel as if my body were a washcloth that has been wrung dry. There’s less stress and my mind, though tired, is relaxed and clear. I know I have done something a little bit special. Maybe it will get a dozen kudos on Strava, or 30 likes on this blog. But the main person I’ve impressed is me.
Yet there’s no satisfaction greater than going out there and kicking some butt, whatever that means for you. Whether that’s walking a mile or so in half and hour or running a marathon in under five hours, biking five or 50 miles, or whatever you can do that pushes you to do a little more than you planned or thought you could, that’s a good day. Even if it hurts like hell the next day. That’s how you know you’re on the right track. Whether you win any races, lose weight, or get the number of a cute woman you pass on the road or not, at least you tried. You’ve put in the work, seen some new things, and proven to yourself that today at least, you’re the master of your own domain. Go us!
How do you manage to exceed your expectations and limitations to achieve greatness in biking or your chosen sport?
“Mama said knock you out, I’m gonna knock you out!”
–LL Cool J, “Mama Said Knock You Out”
(Bet you didn’t know that stands for Ladies Love Cool James! You’re welcome.)
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