My Best Ride To Date

My journey on the bicycle began over two years ago. What started as just another hobby, has turned into a full on life consuming activity. To be honest, I'm really proud of the fact that this "hobby" didn't end up in the storage shed like the other five or six "hobbies" I've consumed myself with over the years. I'm prone to picking up something new and exciting and fully immersing myself into it, only to find something new and more exciting months later.

The bike has produced many positives and memorable moments. For starters, my health. When this all began I was way overweight and had just kicked my cigarette habit. I've since lost 40 lbs and am in the best shape of my life.

The memorable moments are numerous. I'll never forget the day I rode my first metric century (62 miles) down in Greenwood, Ms. A big group of us drove down with our better half's and spent the weekend. The day of the ride it must have been 105 degrees. The route had no scenery and the roads were pancake flat. I suffered, badly, but somehow I made it across the finish line. It was my first major ride and it felt great.

A few months later, I rode my first century ride. It left out of downtown Memphis and headed north. During this ride, I got dropped and lost. I was by myself in what I would refer to as North Methville Tennessee trying to use my smart phone Map app to find the course. I was also chased for 50 yards by a pit bull. I later found the course and continued riding. Hours later I began to see the Memphis skyline in the distance, it was my pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. I made my way back down Beale St. towards the finish line to see my entire family who had come out to watch me finish. It was great and I was proud. I was just sorry that they had to wait a little, OK, a lot longer than they thought because I took so long.

This year I rode in my first race series. It was three crit races. On the first two events I was dropped quickly and spent the remaining 25 minutes fighting not only my burning legs, but my head which was asking me "What the hell are we doing"? But I kept riding lap after lap solo, each time passing my kids who were yelling for me with big grins on their face. I believe they thought I was in the lead because no other riders were around, so I just left it at that. On the third race, I had the legs. I was able to stay with the pack and avoid the crashes to finish 10th. It was really cool.

As you obviously know by reading this blog, I will be attempting my biggest ride to date in Leadville, Co in three weeks. I've spent the past four months training for this epic event and I physically feel amazing. I can only imagine what I'm in for, but I know that I have done my best at preparing for the day. I'm excited, nervous and anxious. I'm just ready to put my training in play and go. I look forward to the challenge, the scenery and the experience. I really appreciate everyone who follows this blog and your words of encouragement and I look forward to sharing the Leadville race experience with everyone.

This brings me to my Best Ride to Date. It was a simple ride, only three miles. My average speed was 8mph and I don't think my heart rate ever got above 100. But it was a ride that means more to me than any ride ever will.



This certainly wasn't Asher's and my first ride, but in a way it was. I was sharing my passion with him and he was loving it. That's a new bike and he is so proud of it, not just because it's shiny and has gears, but because it is like Daddy's.

Asher, I'm really proud of you. You're an incredible young man and an amazing son. I look forward to riding with you and watching you create your own memorable moments.

Love, Dad