Nearing the Achievement of my Goal

Folks, we have almost done it. You have nearly raised $4,200 for Braeden and JDRF! There are not many things I can to do express my gratitude for the contributions you have made. Braeden's life is so dramatically affected by diabetes. Your donations to JDRF are personal and moving to me.

I set out a few weeks ago to put together a slide show that at once helps raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and thanks the many individuals who have helped me get so close to my 2009 Ride goals. That slide show is posted below. This video was first shown two Friday's ago at a benefit dinner for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes team The Braeden Bunch; it was a hit. Thank you for everything you have done to make an improvement of the lives of those with type 1 diabetes.

Allen

Rain = Slower, Cooler

Both yesterday and today I rode a portion of my distance in the rain. This is a first for me, and I'm glad it finally happened. Since there is no guarantee that the weather will be nice on Ride Day, being familiar with riding in weather, including wind, rain, and cold, gives me some confidence.

What did I learn? Staying cool is no problem when riding in the rain. Visibility is reduced quite a bit due to water droplets on glasses and the tendency to squint through the spray. Shoes get heavy once they are waterlogged. Cold rivulets probe your neck and back. The normal sounds of the bike are muffled or inaudible altogether, drowned out by the report of a million rain drops on the road, trees and rider. The water on the road and the extra weight on the bike act like a brake, slowing acceleration and dropping the top speed by a few mph.

Maybe we should all hope for some nice weather on 29 August in Killington!

A Bug's Life

Two quick updates about the fundraising effort before a short account of recent training:

(i) Today you helped me reach 90% of my fundraising goal!!! There is less than $400 to go. WOW!

(ii) I will be sending a detailed email update to my d-list in the next several days that will include a link to a cool video I think you'll like. It highlights Braeden's experience with diabetes. I am excited about finishing the production and rolling it out to you.

Rides last month and in April have been great. The warmer weather really has spoiled me. I don't look forward to 90 degree temperatures, but I also think I would struggle in those 40 degree days I experienced in winter. Maybe these moderate days will last another full month or two.

With all of this moderate weather, I am getting a nice cycling-short tan. You know the one...everything north of the top of the knee is snow white. There are sharp lines that betray the happy homes of my shorts cuffs. I guess it beats a farmer tan. Like I say, there is a lot more sun with this better weather, but that is not all.

Now there are bugs, too! Holy heck, let me tell you how tough your car windshield is. It takes neither much speed nor size for a bug to leave a mark. And, a big bug--say a bumble bee--at 34 miles per hour can crater the flesh. It is very important to wear glasses while cycling for obvious reasons. But who knew that you needed a grille, too? Oh yeah, those little winged critters jet through the air intakes, too! And since I am most often breathing like a 747 at take-off, often the first indication of a breach is the sensation of a pointy little insect ricocheting off my uvula or rattling down my trachea. These little things get netted in my helmet, too. Heimlich the Beautiful Butterfly may be minding his business flitting around the north-bound lane one minute and then trying to figure out how to escape a maze of impact foam through a vent on my hat the next. So far, no humble bumble has gotten hung in the attic and tried to sting its way out. However, I think that will happen very soon.

Here's to creepy things on your scalp and warm sunshine! Thanks for the continued support, and be on the lookout for that video soon!

Nice Weather and Good Riding

All the good things about Spring seemed to arrive at once this year. Daylight savings time was brought out of exile as the warm weather sneaked, if for a moment, out of the southern hemisphere. The pears are beginning to blossom in the back yard. Winter's bitter varnish is yielding to more than the sun's golden bomardment; it's brittle shell crazes with the thundering of a thousand bicycle tires. Yes, the cyclists have taken to the roads.

Last week, I climbed astride the saddle for three rides and amassed about 65 miles. Previously, I rode this much in two to 3 weeks' time. I hope to increase my distance quite a bit over the next month.

I had a great conversation with the JDRF national coach a while back who provided some great advice. He encouraged me to ride about 500 miles of long, steady distance (LSD) over a two-month period. Then, he said I should vary my rides each week in this pattern: (1) Tuesday interval ride; (2) Thursday pace ride; (3) Saturday LSD ride. I should shoot for roughly this breakout on distances: Tuesday, 1/6 weekly mileage; Thursday, 1/3 weekly mileage; Saturday, 1/2 weekly mileage. By August 1, I will be on track if I can comfortably ride 75-80 miles.

Changing gears a little, my fundraising reached $3,000 last week. This was a major milestone for me, and it gives me reassurance that I can reach the required $4,200 even in these tough times. I continue to be humbled by my friends and colleagues who give selflessly for this great cause. No recession appears ready to stop you. Amazing. Thank you.

Having a Blast

It is time I admit how much fun I am having getting ready for the JDRF ride. Part of it is the better weather. Part of it is my improving comfort and stamina. Whatever the reason, jumping on the bike for training rides has become a blast!

And, I ought to have a contest to see who can come the closest to guessing the number of dogs that will chase me next month without going over. Why the heck do dogs chase bicyclists anyway? It is amazing. I figure I must look like fleeing prey. But, maybe it's something else like the irresistable allure of whirring wheels or a John Travolta/Archangel "Battle" thing like from the movie Michael. What self-respecting terrier could face his mutt friends if he passed on an opportunity to topple the Great Wheeled Biped? I'm sure the dogs in my neighborhood dream about mixing it up at the Tour de France.

Regarding training, the JDRF folks have advised me they are going to put me in touch with the national coach for some expert guidance on the right way to do things. This will coincide nicely with longer days and more frequent suitable riding weather. I should have ample opportunity to get properly conditioned by August for the century ride barring injury or other setbacks. Through now, I have thoroughly checked out my equipment and gotten in better physical form so as to be ready for the serious work.

And, now it's off to the pantry for a snack. You gotta fuel the fire if you want to outrun those dogs. Quoth the canine, "Battle."

First Month of Fundraising

"It is more blessed to give than receive." --Jesus Christ

What an amazing group of people! I've rarely been so touched by generosity. Never have I experienced anything of this magnitude. What we are doing together is among the greatest of thrills. I am grateful for the way you have offered your support at my urging for a cause mostly unknown to many of you only a few weeks ago.

The 19th of February will mark the first month of my fundraising effort. Already, 60% of the goal has been realized. This is, quite simply, WONDERFUL! Benjamin Franklin is purported to have remarked, "...The heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it." I feel that kind of debt to my team of donors. Though their contributions are not meant for me, my dream is being realized through their generosity. I will keep riding and preparing, taking my goals seriously, and thoroughly enjoying being a part of something so positive.

Thank you, everyone. I am truly grateful for a wonderful start!

Allen

Super Sunday Ride

The weather was awesome for riding today. 54 degrees, mostly sunny, and mildly breezy. From the forecast, I knew it was time to take off the fleece and plan a longer ride. Today I tracked down 33 miles of asphalt and beat the low energy gremlin that plagued me on a 28-mile ride in early January. And, instead of returning home on my route, I met Jessica and the boys at Willow Spring Park, which made the outing even more cool.

Braeden's new pump arrived and his sugars have been better since my last post. Nothing specific about the pump was ever found to be at fault. However, the blood sugar readings say something is not right. When blood sugars start to spiral out of control with a pump, there is a pretty long list of things to check: wobbled up infusion set; air bubbles in the cartridge or tubing; did the 4-year old let the diabetic drink his chocolate milk, etc. So we have to be thorough before we blame the $6,000 pump built like a flight data recorder. Hey, it turns out stuff breaks. It's all part of being dependant on a mechanical device.