Bucket List

Everyone has their own “bucket list” of things they want to do before they die. Here are just a few of mine that I’m daydreaming out this afternoon…

1. own a high end Italian made road bike

2. speak Italian and French reasonably well

3. climb Alpe D’Huez and several other famous Tour de France and Giro D’Italia climbs.

Harpeth River Ride: back from the “dark place”

I learned a lesson on Saturday; several of them. The first is that you simply can not “fake” your way through a century ride and not pay for it dearly. That was my plan heading into the 12th annual Harpeth River Ride. My long ride beforehand was just 50 miles. My thinking was that I had ridden 106 miles through the North Carolina mountains last November having only ridden 70 miles in preparation. Of course, I had also done several 50 plus mile rides in addition to that. My training for Harpeth consisted of a few 35 mile rides with that single 50 miler. I could ride 100 through the hills of middle Tennessee after having ridden 106 through the mountains. Right? Wrong. I underestimated the course and worst of all … my conditioning.

David Boatman arrived on Friday afternoon from Charlotte,NC to ride with us. Big Wave Dave brought a $50 bottle of bourbon and $40 worth of good beer with him too. David and Daniel Tardy spent the night at my house in Spring Hill since I live only a few miles from the ride starting point. We grilled out on Friday and drank…and drank…and drank…and threw horseshoes. It was a blast. Tardy mentioned more than once that it might be fun just to skip the ride altogether and continue enjoying the night before festivities.

We awoke Saturday morning at 6:00 am and loaded up the cars. Marshall Walker arrive right on time at 6:45. We drove to Thompson Station church where the ride began at 7:30. As usual, there were a handful of crashes right out of the gate. It always happens when you have 1000 bicycles all packed onto a narrow roads. 20 minutes into the ride the 22/42 mile riders split off form those of us who were going 62/100 miles. That opened the roads up considerably. Daniel and David took off at some point and Marshall and I stayed back knowing that we’d see them on the climb into Theta in just a few miles anyway.

Once we hit the bottom of the B. Dobson road climb you could see the carnage of hurting cyclists all over the hill. I got a kick out of it, since that particular hill is one of my regular roads when training for climbing. I passed a ton of people on that short hill and came alongside Tardy about half way up as expected. Marshall fell off of my pace a bit, but passed most of the people on the hill himself. Boatman was on ahead. The first rest stop was atop the climb in Theta. They had tons of food. They had a new treat I’d never had before – cooked new potatoes with a salt. Perfect!

We descened the dangerous descent on Snow Creek out of Theta and turned off towards Leipers Fork. Most of this riding was easy with the exception of one easy, but very long climb on Leipers Creek. Our reward was a “Margartitaville” rest stop once we arrive in Leipers Fork. I enjoyed a virgin margarita along with more food. Marshall warned us that there was a big climb only a few miles ahead as we headed north.

The 4 of us all hit that climb together. Tardy took the jump off the front, but it was short lived. I climbed past everyone on the hill and was soon joined by David. He had gotten hung up behind some slower climbers down the hill otherwise he would have led the way to the top of the climb. He did The Assault on Mt. Mitchell just two weeks ago, so he brought his climbing legs with him. He dropped me on the climbs the rest of the day.

Shortly after this climb we stopped to say farewell to Tardy who was splitting off on the 62 mile route. The remaining 3 of us made the fateful decision to hang a left and continue on with the 100 mile route despite a word of warning from a couple of guys in Pabst Blue Ribbon jerseys.

It was sometime shortly after making the split that I found myself in “the dark place” where endurance atheletes never want to go, but all to often do anyway. Cramps were setting in on hamstrings, I couldn’t satiate my hunger, my head was beginning to ache, my voice was getting hoarse. I’m not sure I could have told you my name. That’s the “dark place” when  you want to give up. Unfortunately, the climbing didn’t relent. I hadn’t considered that we would climb into Fernvale and Fairview on the route. The surroundings were beautiful – we didn’t pass through a single town or city street. It’s amazing the countryside that rests so close to the large towns of Franklin and Brentwood. As we came through Fernvale Marshall pointed out the destruction of a tornado that passed through in the spring. It was a perfect back drop for how I was feeling, and how Marshall was feeling as well. I broke down and asked David for some enduralites. These are pills that replenish your sodium. I had only taken these once before and that experience ended in severe stomach cramping. I was desperate though because I knew the hamstring and now quad issues were going to only get worse. I couldn’t get enough fluid in me, so I took the chance with the pills. 20 minutes later the cramps were gone and my stomach had weathered the storm as well. I wasn’t feeling great still – or even good – but I had survived “the dark place”.

We climbed another long hill that seemed to last for a couple of miles at least. I had my jersey completely unzipped and wide open. I was laboring up the climb. It was humbling for me, as climbing is sort of my specialty on the bike. If I were talented enough to be a tour rider I’d be considered a “climbing specialist” meaning I’d win a stage or two in the mountains, but eventually finish somewhere in the middle of the pack when all was said and done due to my inability to time trial and descend.

At a “60’s” themed rest stop Marshall started talking about dropping out. We were only a few miles from his house at this point. I did my best to talk him out of it and even blocked his way when we passed roads that went towards his house. We were finishing this thing together. I advised David to ride on without us and let us limp to the finish. To his credit, he continued to wait on us.

Up ahead lay the final big climb up Stillhouse Hollow Rd. David rode ahead while Marshall and I drafted together just to get to the bottom of it. The climb wasn’t that painful as I think I was numb at that point. I do know it was a big climb though because I passed several guys who seemed to be standing still or mere seconds from just falling over on their bikes. Finally at the top we were treated to another rest stop. More taters and gatorade!

With just 25 miles to go David encouraged Marshall and I to catch a second wind. Amazingly enough, we did although we both knew it wouldn’t last. We rode strong over a handful of additional climbs until we found ourselves only 12 miles from the finish. We were on the outskirts of the “dark place” again. I told David to stretch his legs and finish strong. Marshall and I would make it on our own terms. We rode slowly and completely isolated from any other riders at this point. Those 12 miles felt like 50, but we eventually found ourselves at the finish line.

All in all it was a great day. I think it was harder for me than The Nantahala Nightmare because I didn’t prepare for it properly. The course is far from easy as I had hoped it would be. If you ride Harpeth be prepared to climb more than you’re expecting to. There was ample SAG support. Actual ride time was right around 6:00 hours / clock time around 7:00 hours.

I’ll be back next year. Next up…6 Gap Century in the north Georgia mountains on September 28th.

Chased up the Climbs – tomorrow we’ll ride 100

Tomorrow we’ll ride. There will be moments when I’ll have to be someone other than myself in order to survive. Perhaps I’ll be Marco Pantani…more likely Lance.

I found this pic of Marco today. I think it perfectly illustrates the life of this talented climber who carried the Devil on his shoulder until he could outrun him no longer. RIP Marco.

2 Days until Harpeth River Ride

Today is the key REST day for me leading up to the Harpeth River Ride century (100 miles) on Saturday morning. Although this ride won’t be half as difficult as my last century, the Nantahala Nightmare, it should still  be a good test of my ability to suffer on the bike.

I’ll watch plenty of these Lance and Pantani vids along with some old Tour De France dvds in the next couple of days. Enjoy this vid of the greatest!

Just like an old monster movie

The Muskrat vs. The Figurehead.

Although we’ve known each other since 1985 (or has it been longer) now is the first time you can see our alter-egos side by side.

Early Father’s Day Gift

Here’s what Izzy picked out, all by herself, for my father’s day gift. Karen says they were strolling through Target when they passed the book section. Izzy immediately stopped and started jumping up and down wanting to “pay” the Jimmy Buffett book for daddy. That’s my girl!

It’s a cute story so far. Lot’s of parallels to my life right now…the main characters, other than the pig, are twins. We’re expecting twins right now. The early part of the story is set in southern middle TN – exactly where I live.

Karen says I’ve been reading too much serious stuff lately on top of the heavy load I’m carrying already. She’s right. Nothings better than a Jimmy Buffett, Tom Corcoran, or Clive Cussler novel for summer reading.

Valverde leads…Leipheimer and Evans close behind

Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde leads midway through the Dauphine Libre this week. The Dauphine is widely considered to be the final tuneup for serious Tour De France contenders. A solid finish this week is a good predictor of your finish at the Tour. Valverde finished in 6th place at last years Tour De France.

In 2nd and 3rd place sit American Levi Leipheimer (3rd at the 07 TDF) and Australian Cadel Evans (2nd at last years TDF).

Last years Dauphine winner, frenchman Christophe Moreau, ended up 37th overall at the 07 Tour De France after a complete meltdown on stage 13. The 2007 Tour De France winner Alberto Contador finished 6th at the 2007 Dauphine.

Other top TDF contenders current Dauphine position: 06 TDF winner Oscar Pereiro 7th (10th in 07 TDF), Haimar Zubeldia is 14th (5th in 07 TDF), Carlos Sastre is 23rd (4th in 07 TDF).

UPDATE 6/13/08:
After 5 stages Valverde still leads. Evans has moved ahead of Leipheimer who now sit 2nd and 3rd. Zubeldia has moved up to 9th. 2 stages to go.

My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges

First let me say this…I’m a big MMJ fan. My boy CT hooked me up with the new one just yesterday and I’ve only had limited time to listen to Evil Urges. Here’s my first blush reaction to tracks 1-8:

1. Evil Urges – “oh cool…it’s the new Flaming Lips album!”
2. Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 1 – “Wow, the new Lips album sounds alot like Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots!”
3.Highly Suspicious – “Awesome! Mike Patton and Faith No More do a guest track on this thing.” This is dead up like FNM at their silliest moments or even Mr. Bungle.
4. I’m Amazed – “Classic MMJ stuff.”
5. Thank you Too! – “Now we’re in a rhythem with the classic MMJ sound.”
6. Sec Walkin – “Wait…turn it back…this is AM Radio Gold station.”
7. Two Halves – “The Beach Boys??! Cool…I think.”
8. Librarian – “Who switched the station back to AM Radio Gold? Did he even just mention Karen Carpenter?”

Sounds negative, right? Nah, the new album sounds great. They are certainly taking some chances though with the new “experimental” sound. It’s cool…it was cool when the Flaming Lips did it too.

I’ll post about the rest of the tracks later.

A Disgrace

Thiago Alves = a disgrace. This punk showed up to the biggest opportunity of his life 4lbs over weight. That’s pathetic. I’m sorry his little ankle was hurt and he couldn’t cut weight…by say…sitting on a bike, sitting in the sauna, or any other means by which weight can be cut. Matt Hughes is a legend of MMA. He’s one of the guys that the UFC built it’s name upon. He shouldn’t have been put in that situation by Dana White. Dana should have tossed Alves from the card instead of forcing Matt to fight a guy that eventually probably weighed 15 pounds more than Matt at fight time. This isn’t the first time Alves has showed up overweight. Please, Dana White, either kick this scum bag out of the UFC or put him in there with St. Pierre, Koscheck, or Sanchez and let them humiliate him.

I miss Superchunk and 1992

Superchunk WAS indie rock. They were one of my first tastes of true independent music. I remember thinking that only people in Chappel Hill, NC and a handful of us kids in Hendersonville, TN knew who they were. I saw them at the Exit/In in Nashville sometime in the early 90’s (can’t recall exactly, but somewhere between 92-94). Sadly, at the time, I somehow identified with the lyrics to this song. I love this band! I love this song in particular! Viva la Superchunk!

Congrats Alberto Contador

Alberto Contador, winner of the 2007 Tour De France, claimed the fabled Giro D’Italia on Sunday. After the race Phil Liggett referenced disgraced former Italian cycling icon Marco Pantani. No one has performed the “double” of winning the Giro and the Tour in the same year since Marco pulled off the feat in 1998. As it stands today Tour De France organizers are still denying Contador’s Astana team a spot in this years Tour De France. What a shame we won’t get to see the Spaniard paced by American Levi Leipheimer up the climbs of the Tour in pursuit of the double. He would certainly be the odds on favorite.