July 18, 2010
Day 16 - 114.8 miles
What a day. After two days of hills and going inland, I did it again. Not really to smart but I wanted to ride with people. Got up and out the door by 5:15 am. Did 40 miles and then met Bruce and his group of Sunday riders. These are all experienced bikers and ride fast. Bruce said that since it is Sunday they would not be so quick. Not so quick for them is quick for me. There were about 10 of us all in a line. I was right in the middle and you really have to be alert. The pace was between 17 and 18 miles an hour. That is on the quick side for me considering what I had to do. If I had not biked 40 miles before and was not going to do another 40 after them and had not rode what I had for the past two weeks, it would have been no problem. I am strong enough to ride that fast for short distances but I did not want to push it today. After 15 miles, two riders went in a different direction and were going to do 15 more miles than Bruce's group at a slower pace. I went with them.
Turned out to be a nice ride. More hills but OK. What ws not OK was the weather. Temperature rose to over 95 degrees. We had struggled with a strong headwind for 30 miles and that also was not fun.
When I finished I was a little dehydrated and really tired. This is getting awfully taxing mentally. Not enough time to eat properly and do some work I have to do. If it wasn't for Rene I wouldn't have food to eat. I am writing this at 6 pm, I still have to eat, take an ice bath plan tomorrow's ride and get to bed by 8:30. You can tell I am getting a little frustrated. Oh well only one week left!
Total Distance: 115 miles
Total Time: 7 hours and 50 minutes
Total Elapsed time: 8 hours and 20 minutes
Total Weekly Distance: 721 miles
Total Weekly Time: 50 hours
Phil
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A Good Hard Ride
July 17, 2010
Day 15 - 121.9 miles
I really looked forward to this ride. I rode with Bruce today and he keeps me honest and pushes the pace just a little more than I am used to. I first did 43 miles before I picked up Bruce at his home. He lead me west at a pace of 16 mph which is about 1 1/2 more than I usually ride. We did some hills and I tried to keep up with him up the hills. Did OK. When we stopped for water and a drink, Bruce met some people he knew so we talked for about 5 minutes. I never take a break while riding. Get my drinks and eat as I peddle. This was good. Might do it again, not rush so much. Bruce led me for about 55 miles and then I went on hone to finish the last 22 miles. It got real hot so I did not push it. Great to get home just when the mileage says time to stop. Thanks Bruce, great job. Might meet him and his fellow riders tomorrow if my legs are OK.
For me I have broken the rest of the Tour into two stages. First stage consists of 3 more days and a rest day. The second stage are 4 days that are not to taxing. Imagine saying that 108 and 118 are not taxing. But I look at the last two days of 35
and 63 as the days I am shooting for. But my mind set is one day at a time and tomorrow is 115 miles.
Total Distance: 122 miles
Total Time: 8 hours and 10 minutes
Total Elapsed Time: 8 hours and 45 minutes
Phil
Day 15 - 121.9 miles
I really looked forward to this ride. I rode with Bruce today and he keeps me honest and pushes the pace just a little more than I am used to. I first did 43 miles before I picked up Bruce at his home. He lead me west at a pace of 16 mph which is about 1 1/2 more than I usually ride. We did some hills and I tried to keep up with him up the hills. Did OK. When we stopped for water and a drink, Bruce met some people he knew so we talked for about 5 minutes. I never take a break while riding. Get my drinks and eat as I peddle. This was good. Might do it again, not rush so much. Bruce led me for about 55 miles and then I went on hone to finish the last 22 miles. It got real hot so I did not push it. Great to get home just when the mileage says time to stop. Thanks Bruce, great job. Might meet him and his fellow riders tomorrow if my legs are OK.
For me I have broken the rest of the Tour into two stages. First stage consists of 3 more days and a rest day. The second stage are 4 days that are not to taxing. Imagine saying that 108 and 118 are not taxing. But I look at the last two days of 35
and 63 as the days I am shooting for. But my mind set is one day at a time and tomorrow is 115 miles.
Total Distance: 122 miles
Total Time: 8 hours and 10 minutes
Total Elapsed Time: 8 hours and 45 minutes
Phil
Friday, July 16, 2010
My Day In The Mountains
July 16, 2010
Day 14 - 130.8 miles
Yesterday I was afraid of today. It was another day of 130 miles. It was going to be in the high 90s and very humid and I had decided to ride my 110 mile course going west. I have not done that yet so to be honest I forgot how many hills were on the course. I did remember that with the day so hot I would need someone to meet me at about 50 miles with water and some food. Janice agreed to help me and I sure did need it. Thanks Janice.
The day started out at 5:15 am and I was lucky. There was a good cloud cover until about 8 am for me. Makes all the difference. Riding west it is about 10 degrees hotter than on the shore. As the sun broke thru the temperature began to rise. I really had to work this ride. In the first 30 miles there were several steep hills. Not to long but steep. Riding in the big gear I really worked hard. Pictured myself in the Alps just like the Tour riders are now doing. After 30 miles the roads flattened out till about 80 miles and then we had some more inclines and hills. Remember I am not comparing these to mountains, just hills. Also remember I am 64, it is 95 degrees and I am doing over 100 miles everyday. The surprising thing is I feel stronger each day and I am recovering each day. I must recommend an ice bath. They are great for the legs. All said an done, it was a good ride.
Tomorrow I am riding again with Bruce. I have to do 122 miles so I will try and get about 40 in before 8:30 and then ride as many as Bruce can handle and finish up on my way home. I am now in the home stretch. 4 more days than a rest day and than the last 4 days. The big question is: what will I do when this is finished?
Total Distance: 131 miles
Total Time: 9 hours and 15 minutes
Total Elapsed Time: 9 hours and 45 minutes
Phil
Day 14 - 130.8 miles
Yesterday I was afraid of today. It was another day of 130 miles. It was going to be in the high 90s and very humid and I had decided to ride my 110 mile course going west. I have not done that yet so to be honest I forgot how many hills were on the course. I did remember that with the day so hot I would need someone to meet me at about 50 miles with water and some food. Janice agreed to help me and I sure did need it. Thanks Janice.
The day started out at 5:15 am and I was lucky. There was a good cloud cover until about 8 am for me. Makes all the difference. Riding west it is about 10 degrees hotter than on the shore. As the sun broke thru the temperature began to rise. I really had to work this ride. In the first 30 miles there were several steep hills. Not to long but steep. Riding in the big gear I really worked hard. Pictured myself in the Alps just like the Tour riders are now doing. After 30 miles the roads flattened out till about 80 miles and then we had some more inclines and hills. Remember I am not comparing these to mountains, just hills. Also remember I am 64, it is 95 degrees and I am doing over 100 miles everyday. The surprising thing is I feel stronger each day and I am recovering each day. I must recommend an ice bath. They are great for the legs. All said an done, it was a good ride.
Tomorrow I am riding again with Bruce. I have to do 122 miles so I will try and get about 40 in before 8:30 and then ride as many as Bruce can handle and finish up on my way home. I am now in the home stretch. 4 more days than a rest day and than the last 4 days. The big question is: what will I do when this is finished?
Total Distance: 131 miles
Total Time: 9 hours and 15 minutes
Total Elapsed Time: 9 hours and 45 minutes
Phil
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Great To Have a Companion Rider
July 15,2010,
Day 13 - 114.5 miles
I was excited when I got up this morning because I knew I was going to meet a friend to ride 50 miles with me. As I have found out that really makes a difference. When I went outside I was expecting sun but got a very overcast sky. It did not rain and thus kept the beginning part of the ride rather cool. I headed south with a strong wind at my back. When I got into Spring Lake I saw a group of 6 riders heading north. I quickly turned around and with a strong effort caught them so I had someone to ride into the wind with. These were hardcore bikers and were really moving going into the wind. I didn't know if I should put out the effort to keep up with them but I did. They left me in Asbury Park to turn around while I was left alone to fight the wind for another 20 miles.
Got to the Hook right on time to meet Dick Cohen. At the age of 45 Dick biked across the country so he was no stranger to biking. He has not rode in a couple of years but said he would help me out. He was great. We did 5 ten mile loops on the Hook. Went real quick with company. A big thank you to Dick. So far Bob, Dick and Bruce have ridden with me and those days have been the best. After Dick finished and the sun came out, I headed home. A good ride. Tomorrow will be another story. It is a 131mile ride and the temperature is supposed to be in the high 90s.
Total Distance 115 miles
Total Time: 8 hours and 15 minutes
Total Elapsed time: 8 hours and 45 minutes
Phil
Day 13 - 114.5 miles
I was excited when I got up this morning because I knew I was going to meet a friend to ride 50 miles with me. As I have found out that really makes a difference. When I went outside I was expecting sun but got a very overcast sky. It did not rain and thus kept the beginning part of the ride rather cool. I headed south with a strong wind at my back. When I got into Spring Lake I saw a group of 6 riders heading north. I quickly turned around and with a strong effort caught them so I had someone to ride into the wind with. These were hardcore bikers and were really moving going into the wind. I didn't know if I should put out the effort to keep up with them but I did. They left me in Asbury Park to turn around while I was left alone to fight the wind for another 20 miles.
Got to the Hook right on time to meet Dick Cohen. At the age of 45 Dick biked across the country so he was no stranger to biking. He has not rode in a couple of years but said he would help me out. He was great. We did 5 ten mile loops on the Hook. Went real quick with company. A big thank you to Dick. So far Bob, Dick and Bruce have ridden with me and those days have been the best. After Dick finished and the sun came out, I headed home. A good ride. Tomorrow will be another story. It is a 131mile ride and the temperature is supposed to be in the high 90s.
Total Distance 115 miles
Total Time: 8 hours and 15 minutes
Total Elapsed time: 8 hours and 45 minutes
Phil
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
7 Hour Ride - INDOORS
July 14, 2010,
Day 12 - 111.2 miles
Before I went to bed last night I was hoping that the rain would hold off till the afternoon. I got up and looked outside and saw it was overcast but decided to give it a try. One block out it started to rain hard. I said let's go inside. Brought my bike downstairs and put it on my trainer. That's where I stayed for the next 7 hours. I trained all winter this way so it was not real hard. In fact, I welcomed the change from the same courses I have been riding outside. I put on CNBC, then I watched a preview for the British Open golf tournament that begins tomorrow and finally I was able to watch the whole stage of the Tour. I also put on a Spinerval DVD that I trained to during the winter. The DVD kept me focused and the Tour kept me motivated.
After 7 hours I wanted to ride the last hour outside, so I brought the bike up and started to ride outside. It looked like rain but wasn't. As it turned out it rained the last 45 minutes of my ride. But it was good to get outside and stretch my legs.
For me these are the "dog days" of the tour. These are long days and riding alone and repeating the courses can get to you. Tomorrow I have a friend who will ride about 50 miles with me and hopefully another friend who will ride with me on Friday or Saturday. Main objective is to get to next Wednesday, the rest day. After that there will be only 4 days of which two are very short.
I found a new snack to eat while I ride. Cheese crackers with peanut butter on them. The ones you get in vending machines. They are great for the ride. That along with my turkey sandwich, oatmeal raisin cookies and a banana, is my meal each day. It looks like the hot weather is returning over the next several days. I am ready for it.
Total Distance: 111.2 miles
Total Time: 8 hours
Total Elapsed Time: 8 hours and 30 minutes
Phil
Day 12 - 111.2 miles
Before I went to bed last night I was hoping that the rain would hold off till the afternoon. I got up and looked outside and saw it was overcast but decided to give it a try. One block out it started to rain hard. I said let's go inside. Brought my bike downstairs and put it on my trainer. That's where I stayed for the next 7 hours. I trained all winter this way so it was not real hard. In fact, I welcomed the change from the same courses I have been riding outside. I put on CNBC, then I watched a preview for the British Open golf tournament that begins tomorrow and finally I was able to watch the whole stage of the Tour. I also put on a Spinerval DVD that I trained to during the winter. The DVD kept me focused and the Tour kept me motivated.
After 7 hours I wanted to ride the last hour outside, so I brought the bike up and started to ride outside. It looked like rain but wasn't. As it turned out it rained the last 45 minutes of my ride. But it was good to get outside and stretch my legs.
For me these are the "dog days" of the tour. These are long days and riding alone and repeating the courses can get to you. Tomorrow I have a friend who will ride about 50 miles with me and hopefully another friend who will ride with me on Friday or Saturday. Main objective is to get to next Wednesday, the rest day. After that there will be only 4 days of which two are very short.
I found a new snack to eat while I ride. Cheese crackers with peanut butter on them. The ones you get in vending machines. They are great for the ride. That along with my turkey sandwich, oatmeal raisin cookies and a banana, is my meal each day. It looks like the hot weather is returning over the next several days. I am ready for it.
Total Distance: 111.2 miles
Total Time: 8 hours
Total Elapsed Time: 8 hours and 30 minutes
Phil
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A 7 Hour Concert
July 13, 2010
Day 11 - 127 miles
Today was going to be a long one and I decided to head to Sandy Hook and do the loops out there. Heavy rain was forecast so I did not want to go to far from home. I took my iPod and listen to music for 7 of the 9 hour ride. Wonder what a 64 year old who is not a real music buff listens to, here goes. Bob Dylan, Bruce, James Taylor, Crosby Stills and Nash, Jimmy Buffet, The Dixie Chicks, Paul Simon, Simon and Garfunkel, Elton John and Meatloaf among others. Rather varied group all from the 60s and 70s. Keeps me moving along.
The ride started off real well. South east wind that did not bother me to much early on. There was a very heavy cloud cover but it seemed the rain would hold off. Humidity was high. Brought plenty of food and found a place on the Hook where I can get more water when needed. About the 60 mile mark it looked like the rain was coming. I headed home. Continued all the way back to Sea Girt, fighting a strong wind for 30 miles, where I had been hours earlier. I now had 90 miles and still needed 37 more. The rain came slowly. As I reached near my home, the heavens opened. It was raining so hard I just opened my mouth and it was like a cup of water came in. I was able to ride a 4 mile loop around my home. The rain slowed so I stayed outside. I just did not want to go inside. With 27 miles to go I saw lightening and heard thunder right by me. Inside I went for the last two hours. Luckily I was able to watch the end of the tour. Riding inside just kills my "butt". Long day but completed.
After I came in I saw my iphone had died. Spent the next hour in the ATT store getting a new phone. Came home ate dinner and now I am righting this and then going to bed to start over. I could use an hour of relaxing. Maybe in 12 days.
Total Distance: 128 miles
Total Time: 9 hours
Total Elapsed Time: 9 hours and 30 minutes
Phil
Day 11 - 127 miles
Today was going to be a long one and I decided to head to Sandy Hook and do the loops out there. Heavy rain was forecast so I did not want to go to far from home. I took my iPod and listen to music for 7 of the 9 hour ride. Wonder what a 64 year old who is not a real music buff listens to, here goes. Bob Dylan, Bruce, James Taylor, Crosby Stills and Nash, Jimmy Buffet, The Dixie Chicks, Paul Simon, Simon and Garfunkel, Elton John and Meatloaf among others. Rather varied group all from the 60s and 70s. Keeps me moving along.
The ride started off real well. South east wind that did not bother me to much early on. There was a very heavy cloud cover but it seemed the rain would hold off. Humidity was high. Brought plenty of food and found a place on the Hook where I can get more water when needed. About the 60 mile mark it looked like the rain was coming. I headed home. Continued all the way back to Sea Girt, fighting a strong wind for 30 miles, where I had been hours earlier. I now had 90 miles and still needed 37 more. The rain came slowly. As I reached near my home, the heavens opened. It was raining so hard I just opened my mouth and it was like a cup of water came in. I was able to ride a 4 mile loop around my home. The rain slowed so I stayed outside. I just did not want to go inside. With 27 miles to go I saw lightening and heard thunder right by me. Inside I went for the last two hours. Luckily I was able to watch the end of the tour. Riding inside just kills my "butt". Long day but completed.
After I came in I saw my iphone had died. Spent the next hour in the ATT store getting a new phone. Came home ate dinner and now I am righting this and then going to bed to start over. I could use an hour of relaxing. Maybe in 12 days.
Total Distance: 128 miles
Total Time: 9 hours
Total Elapsed Time: 9 hours and 30 minutes
Phil
Monday, July 12, 2010
REST DAY
July 12, 2010,
Day 10 - Rest
Hard to believe I have made it thru the first 10 days of the "Tour". For 11 months I wondered what it would be like to ride over a 100 miles every day for 3 weeks. Here is what I have found. Physically I have trained enough to do it. Unlike the marathon where it takes days and even weeks to recover to be able to run another marathon, here I am able to do it again the next day. Yes I get stiff and have some aches and pains but they are nothing like the pounding one gets from the marathon. What is much harder is the day to day mental grind it takes to be on the bike for 7 to 10 hours weeks in a row. The days I have had a companion, 2 of them, have made that ride easier. This is my fault. I really should have planned better if I knew this would have been the case. Some days I listen to the iPod, others I just listen to the wild life and the sounds of nature. Other days if I am feeling good, I dream that I am a "bike racer" and go for it.
The other challenge so far has been the weather. I have been lucky in that I have not had any rain yet. Missed the thunderstorms of last week. The heat the first three days was a real challenge but I survived. Over the next several days rain is forecast and I will have to adjust. In case of heavy rain I will come inside to finish the ride. Cloud cover has been a real blessing whenever it has occurred, but not to often.
The support I have gotten has really been fantastic. I am getting emails from people reading the blog and saying encouraging things. A lot of people are thinking of me and are concerned. Makes you feel good when you know people care. I truly appreciate that.
Even though I had a rest day today, I was at my desk trying to catch up with business and personal items at 5 am this morning. Then I had to get a massage and take my bike to be tuned up. So it might be a rest day from biking but not a "rest day" from daily life. To me these next 8 days will be the hardest mentally. I will find ways to play tricks with my mind to keep me motivated and moving forward.
Thanks to everyone for their support and encouragement and I am now ready for the next section of the event.
Total Distance Since the Start on July 4th - 970 miles (Average of 121.25 miles per day)
Phil
Day 10 - Rest
Hard to believe I have made it thru the first 10 days of the "Tour". For 11 months I wondered what it would be like to ride over a 100 miles every day for 3 weeks. Here is what I have found. Physically I have trained enough to do it. Unlike the marathon where it takes days and even weeks to recover to be able to run another marathon, here I am able to do it again the next day. Yes I get stiff and have some aches and pains but they are nothing like the pounding one gets from the marathon. What is much harder is the day to day mental grind it takes to be on the bike for 7 to 10 hours weeks in a row. The days I have had a companion, 2 of them, have made that ride easier. This is my fault. I really should have planned better if I knew this would have been the case. Some days I listen to the iPod, others I just listen to the wild life and the sounds of nature. Other days if I am feeling good, I dream that I am a "bike racer" and go for it.
The other challenge so far has been the weather. I have been lucky in that I have not had any rain yet. Missed the thunderstorms of last week. The heat the first three days was a real challenge but I survived. Over the next several days rain is forecast and I will have to adjust. In case of heavy rain I will come inside to finish the ride. Cloud cover has been a real blessing whenever it has occurred, but not to often.
The support I have gotten has really been fantastic. I am getting emails from people reading the blog and saying encouraging things. A lot of people are thinking of me and are concerned. Makes you feel good when you know people care. I truly appreciate that.
Even though I had a rest day today, I was at my desk trying to catch up with business and personal items at 5 am this morning. Then I had to get a massage and take my bike to be tuned up. So it might be a rest day from biking but not a "rest day" from daily life. To me these next 8 days will be the hardest mentally. I will find ways to play tricks with my mind to keep me motivated and moving forward.
Thanks to everyone for their support and encouragement and I am now ready for the next section of the event.
Total Distance Since the Start on July 4th - 970 miles (Average of 121.25 miles per day)
Phil
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