Day 31: 1,001 miles

My last day wasn't as easy as I would have liked. 55 miles is a tall order. But I managed to get 56 in through some persistence. I did a few victory laps around my neighborhood. I can't wait to go home and sleep after work rather than saddling up once again! I am pretty sure I will skip the Wednesday night race in honor of my 1,000 miles.

Daily mileage: 56 miles
Final total: 1,001 miles

Day 30: I can see the end...

Sunday was a wlid affair. It's not easy finding something to do on a Sunday with Monday off. Yager's and Streets of London were closed. So, it was off to the venerable Powerhouse Pub where good times can be had by all. But, even Powerhouse closes early on Sunday, so we headed home and slept.

Sleeping in on a Monday feels great, but maybe not so good when you have other things to do. So, I had to squeeze in a quick 50 before another bbq. (I am not complaining, I love bbqs!)

I was hoping to have all my miles done by today, but that didn't work out as scheduled. It looks like the last day will be a hefty 55 miler at least!

Daily mileage: 50
Running total: 945

Day 29: Crank it back up...

Feeling sorry for myself wouldn't help me in my 1,000 mile goal, so I re-bandaged my hands and did the glorious Folsom Lake Loop. Not only is a a gorgeous ride, it's fairly challenging with 4,400 feet of climbing.

Great ride and a great day, it almost made me forget the idiocy of Friday night.

Daily mileage: 63 (I biked to the meeting area and home in addition to the loop.)
Running total: 895

Day 28: Just when things looked good...

So, my day of rest ended abruptly when me and some friends decided to blow off some steam after a week of work. That turned into a crazy night which resulted in me doing a "Sidewalk Superman". In short, I banged up my knees and scratched my hands pretty badly falling down stairs. I go from 1,000 miles being in the bag to actually making it work again. Anyone who knows me knows my penchant for making the easy difficult.

I had to cut my mileage short today because I had 3 bbqs to attend. I only made 2.

Daily mileage: 34 miles
Running total: 832 miles

Day 27: Time to rest

I decided to take it easy today and just take a nap after work. It felt great.

Daily mileage: 6
Running total: 798

Day 26: Keep on truckin'

Am I tired? Of course I am. But the hardest revolution is always the first one...

Daily total: 44 miles
Running total: 792 miles

Day 25: He who LAFs last.

If you haven't checked lately, the LAF website is back up. It's much better than the last version for sure. Check it out (WARNING: Grown men in spandex!)

Did most of my riding again on the river trail. It's amazing how many people I know out there. Some by name, others just by bike or some other unique feature. It's nice to turn around and chat with someone for a mile or two and head back on your way. Or if your busy, just a friendly "Hey" and a wave. Good times.

Daily total: 38
Running total: 748 miles

Day 24: One week to go...

Looks like I have my work cut out for me now. 290 miles in one week. Good thing this is a holiday weekend.


Daily total: 41 miles
Running total: 710 miles

Day 23: Giro d'Italia

As you may know, the Giro d'Italia is going on right now in Italy. It's a grueling race much like the Tour de France. I think my favorite part though is seeing Italy. What a gorgeous country.

Daily mileage: 40 miles
Running total: 669 miles

Day 22: Other rides I am doing.

I am a sucker for punishment, I admit it. There's something about doing something terribly difficult that makes me want to do it. Will I enjoy it? Possibly, but doing something considered challenging interests me that enjoyment is secondary. But I usually always do enjoy it. It's a vicious circle.

So, in addition to the Ride for the Roses I have scheduled two additional rides, although I reserve the right to do more.

Sierra Century - I have only heard good things about this ride. Riding through the wine country of Amador County seems like a dream to me. Of course, somewhere in the middle of 123 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing I am sure this might change. But this is all just a warm-up for the...

Death Ride - Of course the name always draws peoples attention but this looks to be one great ride. It's dubbed "Tour of the California Alps" and that nickname seems appropriate. 129 miles and 15,000 feet of climbing should be enough for any human. I plan on eating as much food as possible after this one. Who's with me?

Well, my two day total this weekend was only enough for the Death Ride but at least 12,000 feet short on the climbing part...

Daily total: 69 miles
Running total: 629 miles

Day 21: Ride for the Roses

In October, I plan on riding in the Ride for the Roses in Austin, TX. This looks to be a great event. Austin already is a fun town any time of year and to be down there with lots of cyclists enjoying the food, weather and people will be hard to beat. I have seen video from last year's and am excited to be going to my first.

Wonderful riding today along the overflowing American River. We are on flood watch and it's May! What a crazy year for weather.

Daily mileage: 60 miles
Running total: 560 miles

P.S. The 'day' may not correlate with the posted day. I could always change it, but then it feels weird to post the wrong times. So, while it is Monday I am going to put down Saturday and Sunday today. This is all within standard accounting principles, I am sure.

Day 20: Bike to Work Day!

Friday was a great day for Bike to Work Day. The weather was perfect. I found this online and I think it's better than anything I could say.

Submitted By: Joyce Calkins
I am a 72 year old great grandmother of 5 who has been cycling with the Sacramento Wheelmen since 1977. I retired in 2000 and cycle as many miles now as I did when I worked.

Ten years ago I developed arthritis in my thumb joints and could no longer ride a traditional road bike. I went to Steve Rex and told him what I could and Could not do as far as a bike goes. He came up with a truly great bike for me, a little on the funky side but it works for me. I ride about 3000 miles a year, with the bike clubs, with my husband, daughter and alone.

Cycle for your well being!!

joyce calkins

Indeed.

Daily mileage: 18 miles
Running total 500

Day 19: Bike to Work Day Eve

I hope everyone was a good little boy and girl this year. It's so hard to sleep on Bike to Work Day Eve. I had my cycling socks hung by the chimney. The smell of chain grease was definitely in the air and Queen's biking carol 'Bicycle Race' blaring from the stereo. Yes, this is the joy of Bike to Work Day Eve!

Lots of areas sponsor a car-bike commute challenge during this week. I know most people think that cars are faster than bikes. This is not always true and even if a bike is faster, sometimes it's not substantial.

Here are some examples:
http://www.cascade.org/Education/btw/btwbikecarchallenge.cfm
http://www.sacbike.org/articles/article.php?mode=display&lognum=6

There are countless other examples. Challenge a co-worker that lives near you.

I cranked up the mileage once again. I'm almost halfway done!

Daily mileage: 41 miles
Running total: 482 miles

Day 18: Want to go to Ecuador?

OK, I abridged the title a bit, it should read 'Want to donate money for my friend to go to Ecuador and build houses for Habitat for Humanity'. I think the title, while accurate, would be a little wordy. My buddy Joe is hopping on his bike and raising money to go to Ecuador. No, he's not biking *TO* Ecuador. Honestly, he's not biking anywhere. There's a good chance he will never leave his basement. (The bike is stationary.) But it's a very good cause and please pledge him some money.

I would ride my stationary bike in the basement as well, but I don't have a basement. Or a staionary bike. Who invented that anyways? Someone with nowhere to go?

Daily total: 27 miles
Running total: 441 miles

Day 17: Biking for $$$

Biking has many advantages that I'm sure many know, but if Congressmen Blumenauer (D-OR) and Foley (R-FL) have their way, bicyclist will get tax breaks. Bicycle Commuter Act (H.R. 807) will allow employers to offer employees that bike commute a $100 a month. Currently, employers can offer this benefit to users of public transportation.

It makes sense to me. I'm not sure why bicycles weren't included in the first place. It will encourage more people to bike which will reduce traffic. Estimates are that traffic costs American $70 billion a year, growing to $90 billion in 2009. It's clear something must be done. I certainly don't think this bill will solve it, but might as well reward the people doing the right thing. I don't think it's a coincidence that the cost of traffic per person ($1,160) is almost exactly the same amount bike commuters would get back ($1,200).

I know how I would spend an additional $1,200 a year!

Daily total: 41 miles
Running total: 414 miles

Day 16: Everyone knows it's Windy

Wow. I think this is the worst May I have ever seen for weather in northern california. It seems the wind wants to blow me backward now. Luckily for me, I rode past some friends and drafted off of them for a while. Some tough miles tonight.

Daily mileage: 41
Running total: 373

Day 15: More racing

Today was the Golden State Criterium and a great day for riding. I stayed wit the pack for the whole race and found myself top ten with 5 laps to go. I panicked since I didn't want to be on the front that early and dropped back. Wrong move. I never made it back up and finished 38th out of 100.

Pretty violent race though with about 5 guys going down and one was taken off in a stretcher. I hope everyone made it home and will be safe at work tomorrow.

Happy Bike Commute Week.

Daily mileage: 32
Running total: 332

Thank you

I just wanted to thank everyone that has helped me in one way or another. Either by donating money, asking me how the miles are coming, telling people about my ride or just beeping at me as I ride by. It means quite a bit to me to know I have so much support.

I also want everyone to know that www.laf.org is down for the weekend. So, if you were planning on donating this weekend, please wait just a bit longer. It's going to be a new and improved website. I've read about the imrovements and they sound good. So, let's hope it's a success. Fear not, no matter what happens I will keep riding!

Hope to see some of you at the race tomorrow. Looks like it's going to be a great day.

OK, go do something!

Day14: Summer's coming

Looks like Northern California's bad weather spell has ended. Today was a beautiful day and perfect for riding.

I did a loop of Lake Natoma in Folsom. This is part of the great American River Parkway 32 miles of multi-use trail. At any given time there are heron, turkeys, deer and squirrels littering the trail. (So to speak.) Today the parkway was bustling with families eager to enjoy the day. If you live near Sacramento and haven't hit the trail, then do so right away. And if you ever happen to find yourself in the Sacramento area, be sure to take a least a short hike or bike along it. You will be glad you did.

Daily mileage: 26
Running total: 300 (Yes, I planned it!)

Day 13: Friday the 13th

When I was a kid, Friday the 13th was almost a holiday. It was like Halloween popping up unexpectedly. Nothing of note ever happened though, maybe that's why I forget about it completely nowadays.

So, I am resting up for the Golden State Criterium race on Sunday: http://www.ncnca.org/road/2005/GoldenStateCriterium.pdf

Miles will increase greatly next week.

Daily total: 10
Running total: 274

Day 12: Why I'm riding

Of course riding a bike is very enjoyable to me, I don't consider myself punished riding quite a bit. But I certainly wouldn't ride 1,000 miles in just a normal month, usually about 500.

I am riding for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. There are 4 main points to the foundation:
1.) Advocacy
2.) Education
3.) Public Health
4.) Research

I like this approach as we would all like to see a cure for cancer, we must do something for those who have cancer now. Treat people, not the disease.

Today I want everyone to realize that cancer can strike anyone, anytime. It's not a disease that happens to someone else. Please get annual check-ups and remind those around you as well. Sure, it's not comfortable or light conversation, but it honestly could save someone's life.

Even if nobody gave me any money at all, if one person gets diagnosed in time due to my 1,000 mile ride, then every mile was worth it.

Daily mileage: 34
Running total: 264

Day 11: Money, money, money

Everytime I gas up my car I write down the mileage, gas price and gallons. I never do anything with this information. I figure it's something to do while I wait for the tank to fill. I decided it's time to actually use this data and see what's there!

I have leased my 2003 Subaru WRX since February 2003. Since then I have gassed up 103 times for a total of 1,341 gallons of gas costing me $2,952 which took me 29,000 miles.

Saving all the mathophobes the dirty numbers, counting insurance, lease payments and gas my car has cost me $17,505, a whopping 60 cents per mile! Bikes, on average, run about 5 cents a mile.

Just something I think about while riding...

Daily mileage: 32 (Cost me $1.60!)
Running total: 230

Day 10: Back in the Saddle

Finally, I am riding my bike once again! I won't be out of town for the rest of the month.

Tonight I got to help present Bike Commute Week and the Million Mile Challenge to Folsom City Council. I was quite impressed to hear Councilman Andy Morin had 103 miles already. When it was announced that I had 180 miles, Kerri Howell announced that Andy was only 77 miles behind me. I threw in that I was leaving for a ride right after the presentation. I feel like I did my civic duty for the week!

Great riding today, I saw two deer.

Daily total: 53
Running total: 198

Day 9: Aw, hail!

My trip home was uneventful, but when I got back to Folsom I noticed a white ground covering. It wasn't snow but we did have a hail storm. Incredible.

Day 8: Graduation Day

Contratulations Mom!

Day 7: Home Sweet Home

Well, first day back in Ohio has been great fun! Somehow, northest Ohio has better weather than northern California. What are the odds?

And I got to check out the up and coming part of the area, Ohio City. Great restaurants and bars surrounded by gorgeous older homes. If you are looking for some non-traditional fare, be sure to eat at Johnny Mango. Good food and a great 70's atmosphere.

My favorite part about Ohio City was all the bicycles I saw there. It seems that owning a track bike is what all the cool kids do now. Just be sure to roll up your right pant leg!

Daily mileage: 0
Running total: 145

Day 6: Not my day

Ever have a day where nothing works ut, well that was Friday for me. While my fender worked well at keeping my back dry, my shoes were soaked. So, I just rode in normal sneakers. Anyone who has biked over about 5 miles will tell you bike shoes feel much better than normal shoes. Plus it was windy today. Give me hills, give me rain, just no wind.

OK, I am not going to whine anymore because nobody wants to hear it. On a good note, I am in Ohio for my Mom's college graduation from Walsh University. I can't wait to hear what Brother Power has to say. I think that's my favorite religious name ever. "Can you feel the love of BROTHER POWER! SAY AMEN!"

So, no riding this weekend. I am formulating a plan to ensure 1,000 is reached. Trust me.

Daily total: 5 miles
Running total: 145 miles

Day 5: Cinco de Mayo

What a great day to be Mexican! It was quite a day seeing all the Mexicans from the greater Sacramento area celebrating Mexico's defeat of the French!

Seriously, I think people need any excuse to party. Why not celebrate another country's holiday commemorating an historic battle?!?!

At any rate, yesterday was wet, really wet. So wet that I had to buy a fender for my bike. Now, no more back spackle!

Daily mileage: 20
Running total: 140

Day 4: Race Day

Bikes have so many different types; road, hybrid, touring, track, cyclocross, recumbent, single speed and mountain bike. I remember my first 'mountain bike'. I ordered it from a Sears catalog and put it together myself. I rode my crappy mountain bike all over the mountains of Northeast Ohio. I wonder what happened to that bike.

I ended getting two more mountain bikes when I realized last year that I don't really ride that many mountains. Northern California has some excellent mountain bike riding, but I really don't like packing up may car and driving 45 minutes to ride my bike. I like opening the garage door and heading out my driveway on my bike.

But, it is fun and extremely challenging. I really need to work on my skills so what better way than to race. The Prairie City Race Series is a great way to jump into mountain bike racing. It's very friendly atmosphere and some great riding. Not to mention they give away one bike frame a week!

The last race I placed 3rd in the beginner, so I figured might as well move up to sport(intermediate). Ouch. While I may be a good beginner mountain biker, I am not as good intermediate mountain biker. But, I survived and piled on 10 more miles towards the cause. Plus, I won a $20 gift certificate at Fleet Feet!

Rumor has it you are supposed to count 1 mile of mountain bike riding as 2 road miles. While that may be true, I will not count miles double.

Daily mileage: 16
Running total: 120

P.S. Here's the big daddy hill from the race. (I got 16th out of 23.)

Day 3:Biking whitens your teeth!

OK, this is a misleading title. There is no study I know of that proves cycling improves oral hygiene but I did bike to the dentist today. I got a few strange looks but they had a bike rack so obviously bikes are permitted. The hygenist asked me if I was on my way to school (I brought my backpack in.) Did she really think I look like a high schooler? I must have my father's young looks!

Daily total: 39
Running total: 104

Day 2: When cars attack!

Mondays are usually my rest day. Sunday involve hard training rides and Mondays I usually just commute to work and that's it. Well, not when I am doing 1,000 miles! And what a day it was...

Commuting to work was uneventful as usual, but I had no idea how exciting my evening ride would be. I was planning on doing about 20 miles after work and meet a friend for dinner at 7PM. Said friend called me about a quarter through my ride to say he wanted to eat now. So, I headed directly home. I took a route I normally don't take, it's got a lot of traffic, but it would be faster.

I'm sitting in the left hand turn lane, with a white Dodge and a red VW behind me. You pay attention to these things when you are cycling. Well, after what seems an eternity, the arrow turns green. I hop on my pedals and accelerate hard and drft out towards the right hand curb. Suddenly, the white Dodge drifts over to the right, turn signal flashing. I realize, I AM ABOUT TO FLY OVER THE HOOD OF THIS CAR! I yell "NO!" and pass her on the right, hoping I can get around her before the turn. I look to the right and see two Mormon kids riding ILLEGALLY on the sidewalk. The white dodge stops, I pass and the Mormons pass. Situation avoid! *SCREECH!!! BLAM!!!* Hmm, I think there was an accident.

Apparently, the red VW couldn't stop in time and took out the rear left panel of the white dodge. I went back to the scene and gave my details to each party. They were both nice and I kept iterating that the important that everyone is OK. The man driving the VW had a daughter with him. The woman driving the dodge seemed slightly irritate but calm.

Both parties were extremely upset with the Mormons. Riding on the sidewalk is DANGEROUS. People think it's safer, it's not. You are a hazard to pedestrians and cars don't see you. If the woman in the white dodge had made her right hand turn, they would have been severely injured. I could have possibly followed her in the turn but it would have not been a head on collision.

At any rate, an exciting day and a reminder that biking is very safe and fun when done correctly.

Keep the rubber side down!

Daily Miles: 17
Running total: 65

It has started!

I am not sure who said it, but a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. In my case, it was a revolution. I rode with a few people from the Bicycle Planet team. We did a few hills, then took the bike trail over to the canal. Riding the canal is a hoot. The canal reminds me of watching CHiPs as a kid. It seems all the bad guys always crashed into the LA canal. I forgot my camera today or otherwise I would have been able to show the lizards, ducks, turkeys and geese I saw today.

So, an honest 48 miles today. I really would have liked to have started National Bike Month with a bang, but I was hurting today after breaking rocks in the hot sun yesterday for Rebuilding Together. It's great seeing people come together and help someone they don't know.

Well, it's pretty clear the weather is not going to help me out too much on my 1,000 mile month. Rain is forecasted from the 4th to the 10th. Looks like I will be getting some free bike washes!

Daily total: 48 miles
Running total: 48 miles
Goal: 1,000 miles