I'm a Tally Ho

Okay, serious bikers will laugh, but to those of us who used to exercise by changing the channel manually, this is significant.

After toying all summer, I officially hit the bike on September 10th with a training program and a desire to:

1. Get in shape.

2. Ride a century.

3. Not die young.

Considering the statistics for professional cyclists and heart attacks before the age of 40, well . . . I should be happy that I'm slow. I've been talking with a Cat 1 cyclist/trainer who happens to be an exercise physiologist (and yes, he's one of my authors) who has been helping me safely tweak out my plan for the century and avoid "underperformance". That he's almost got me convinced to custom build a bike with a $3000 frame only means he understands my inner geek. Plus, I've been getting great advice from a physicist/cyclist who not only helped me avoid headaches, but actually managed to teach me to travel backwards in time.

Anyway, since getting on the bike (and recording this stuff, not counting riding with the kids are goofing around in the neighborhood) here are some statistics:

Hours in the saddle: 17.5
Miles travels: 238
Average Speed: 14.2 MPH
Maximum Speed: 24.4 (And I freaked out and slowed down.)
Longest Ride: 17.355 miles

Frighteningly, I'm starting to get to "know" the other riders on the trails. We seem to keep the same schedule. I'm still the pudgy guy on the mountain bike, but one day . . .

Today, after I crossed back over the Missouri river into St. Louis County some guy and I were having fun quietly chasing each other. He'd pass me, I'd pass him. Once we whipped around back toward the lake the game ended because of a bitch of a head wind. Made it feel like riding through oatmeal.

My point being, I'm addicted. I love biking now. Freaky. I love the exercise. Even freakier. And I plan on sticking with it. Will I ever race? Hell no. Have you ever seen how close those guys get to each other? Too complicated. Will I ever ride in an organized event? Yes.

Am I considering getting a Racer X jersey? Hell yeah.

So, if you live in St. Louis and are bored Saturday mornings, I usually hit the trail between 9 and 10 for my long ride of the week. Sailboat Cove at Creve Coeur Lake. Come join me.

Or else . . .