Peach Blossom Metric Century in Byron Georgia

the Peach Blossom Metric Century in Byron Georgia. I met some of the usual CGC members at Craker Barrell in Warner Robins before we headed over to the start. I was prepared for the hot day ahead. The weather Channel had predicted 87 degrees. There was a large turn out. I set out to best my time in the previous Biking Bleckley Metric Century. Got off to a bad start when my camera quit working right after the word GO. I really was pushing hard for the first half. I was keeping up with some people and was not all alone. I beleive that helped me keep a good pace. We traveled on some pretty major roads, I got blown off the road near Fort Valley on HWY 49. A huge semi-truck doing about 70 mph passed within two feet of me. At the halfway point in downtown Fortvalley I refuled by eating a protien bar and refilling my bottle of perpetuem. I felt strong and decided to pick up the pace after that. I had no cramping or pain. This route was much more hilly than I thought it would be. I would get in a tucked aerodynamic position on the down hills so I could carry as much speed as I could going up the other side. Around mile fifty I could see some fellas on the side of the road ahead. One was laid out on the grass. I rolled up and offered my cell phone. They said they were just cramping. The guy laying on the grass showed me a huge knot in his shaven quadracept (thigh). I took off my camel bak and grabbed some of my tried and true Power Bar Gel 4X sodium Gel Packs for him. He ate it and within a couple minutes said he was feeling better. I was glad to help them out. I would hate for them to have to quit being only about 12 miles out from the finish. I left them there to regroup and pedaled on. I could see them coming down the road behind me as I entered the Finish at the church in Byron. I was very pleased with my time. It feels good knowing I'm riding stronger. During the whole 63 mile ride I ate 10 gel packs and three water bottels of Pepetuem + a protien bar.

PeachBlossom Metric Photos

 PeachBlossom Metric, 62.8 mi, 4 hrs 43 min, 13.3 mph avg.

Biking Bleckley Bicycle century Cochran, GA

Today I got an Early Start meeting Some Folks at Cracker Barrell in Perry at 6am. We were gathering to cravan over to Cochran for Biking Bleckley. A recreational road ride put on by the Cochran-Bleckley Chamber of Commerce. I had a few things to do when I got to the Bleckley County court house for the start. By the Time I got registered and used the bathroom and got over to the start the Metric Group was leaving allready, before the 8:30am start time. I did not get any pictures of the mass start. I just hung on the back of Shane, Diana, and Ralph for about a mile before they dropped me. I didn't want to start out too fast and blow up. I new I had a LONG way to go. I stuck with my proven regamine of a Power Gel pack every 30 minutes and drinking Perpetum as well as sipping on Plain water. I was drinking too much cause I had to stop on the side of the road 3 times to relieve myself. Ok, I know TMI. The roads were clear and not any traffic. There were Police at most of the intersections during the first half of the ride. I just enjoyed the Scenery and tried to keep a good pace spinning in an easy gear. At half way I ate a PowerBar protien bar and a banana. I knew I needed somthing other than gel-packs and perpetuem. At the 50 mile cut off I noticed I was all alone. I did not see anyone after that. Finally a SAG truck pulled up beside me and said "You are the last one". Great, LAST as usual. I didn't let it bother me and just enjoyed the rest of my ride. I entered the "Twighlight Zone" at the last two rest stops. There were tables with water, cookies and stuff laying around but not a soul to be found, nobody. It was wierd. And by that time the wind was really gusting. I had to pedal down hill the wind was soo strong. I caught myself saying (outloud), "I love Wind", "Bring on the Wind", "Wind is my Middle name". I'm sure I was delirious. All in all a Great ride and good training for me.

Biking Bleckley : 65 miles, 6 hrs, 11.4 avg mph

Biking Bleckley Photos- -

IDIDARIDE 2007

Great
Weekend! Mark D and I left Perry at 12:00 noon on Friday bound for
Stephen Foster State Park in White Springs, Florida. We got
there in time to set up camp, register, and pre-ride the
first 7 miles of the IDIDARIDE. Shane, Diana, and Jessie were arriving as we got back. We hung
out at their campsite Friday night, Mark D provided a Spagetti Dinner. Chip, Bill, and Alina showed up later and set up camp at our site. I woke up Saturday morning at 5:30 am
to a Hissing sound. I felt my air matress slowly deflating. I guess that was my que to get up and get started! Got the coffee going before I went over to take a shower. The tempurature
was ~38 F. I was plesently suprised at the showering facilities
there. Clean, Roomy, and had a Heat Lamp over each shower!After several cups of Coffee and lubing up the chain It was time to roll down to the the Start. There was a Pancake and sausage breakfast provided. I rolled up a plain Pancake and stuffed it down before the masses convereged
on the Suwannee River trails. Had I known any better I would have put
a couple in my pocket for later. I had filled my water bottle
with Perpetuem and also had several Power Gel packs that were a life saver later in the ride when
my legs began to cramp. Before we reached the Halfway point I boosted my Trail Karma by fixing someone's broken chain who was about to walk out. He (Ted from Pensecola) ended up finishing before I did. At the Half way Stop there was lunch provided, I had some yummy
Chicken and Rice made with Saffron Rice. After refilling my Camel Bak and washing my face
I continued on. There were open, fire road, double track and tight Saw Palmetto lined single track. The pack was more spread out by now so I rode many miles by myself. I
finally made it to the last rest stop where there was Cheese, sausage, and Wine provided. I was not planning to stay long but ended up having to change a tube out for someone
before getting back out on the trail. I'm glad I brought all my tools and three extra tubes. I even handed out 6 of the 10 gel packs I had brought with me to various people
cramping along the way. I was feeling ok after I left thelast rest stop and had no Idea how much further I had to go. My GPS had been loseing reception in places with Heavy
Canopy Cover (Trees) and I was not real sure just how far  had been. I decided that I better stop and take a rest and eat somthing along the trail cause I was really weak.
I stopped ate a couple granola bars, drank some water, and stretched out for over 10 minutes. Little did I know I was only about a Mile and A half away from the Finish.
At the finish there was a hugeeal prepared, Chicken, potatoes, salad, green beans,
and rolls. After a Hot shower we grilled some Itailian sausages and bratwurst for an evening snack. I didn't even mind that I was going to sleep on the ground with no
air mattress. The next mornin Mark D cooked up some
scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast before we bolted. A perfect weekend of great riding, food, and friends. If you did not attend this year I would highly recommend putting
it on your calander for next year.                                                                       

www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster

www.suwanneebike.org

www.georgiamtb.com

Tumbling Creek Rumble X Gainesville, Ga

Made it home safe from our weekend trip to Gainesville, Ga. The
Ride up was trecherous. Pouring Rain and Major Traffic thru
ATL at rush hour. We stayed at the Country
Inn & Suites near the Mall of Georgia. They had an
indoor pool but we forgot to bring bathing suites. We spent
most of the trip exploring the Mall Of Georgia. It was not as big as I had expected but large none the less.I got up Early Saturday morning and headed out to Pre-Ride the Gainsville College Course. I stopped off at Jittery Joe's for coffee on the way. I ended up just hanging out there for an hour as I could tell it was too damp to ride since the highway was still wet and it was still drizzleing.
I had a Medium roast cup, black to start out with then had
a double mocha before I left. Fine cup of coffee it was! They
had their new Jittery Joe's Jerseys in stock but not one my size. I
just ended up buying a Cup and a Can of Whole Bean Sumatran.Traffic in ATL was the worst I have experienced in all my 18 year's of driving up there. Saturday night we fought through the
traffic and made it to Dave and Busters. We had a great time and the food was above my expectations. This was the first time I have played video
games in many years. Sunday was a beautiful day for a race. We got there in time to set up a spot for Jill and Cassidy to watch. There were not too many Central georgia folks there this year. I did speak to
Renee and Beth who were there racing. I did not take time to warm
up like I should have. It was a fast start. I was quickly
in last place. I rode fast and as hard as could. I was determined
not to stop for the whole 3 laps, and didn't! I just got over
to the right when people wanted to pass. I had the next to
last place guy in my class in my sights for most of the first
two laps but then lost sight of him starting the Third lap.
I was determined to catch up and pass him so I would not come
in last. I struggled through the muddy sections bogging down
but put the hammer down on the flat twistiy sections. I finally
caught him at about the last mile of the race. He looked back
and saw me catching up and started sprinting. I sprinted too
and caught up to his back wheel but just could not pass. I
gassed the last 100 yards and he beat me by about thirty seconds.
This was A LOT of fun. I actually felt like I was racing for
a change. Trying to beat him was like trying to come in First
Place. It was a Blast!

ALL THE PHOTOS

Today's
 1 hr 40 min

RESULTS

www.georgiamtb.com

4 Hours of Pig Macon Georgia 2006

Great Race today out at the pig trail. There were not as many
racers as I had anticipated. I'm guessing only about 50 all
together. My Brother Tom, his wife, My sister and niece all came along to root
me on. I was feeling good before the race and was only hoping
to complete 4 laps. I started out slow and seemed to gradually
get faster as the day went on. I climbed the hardest climb
every time (Chandler's Challenge). My preperation for the
day was like this: I started the day off with some fine columbian
coffee, eight o'clock brand. I had a Clif Bar on the way to the Race. Drank some High quality H2O before the start. Half Way through each lap I ate a Power
Bar Gu Packet. After two laps I drank a Water bottle full
of Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem. Before my last lap I ate a Gu with
Caffine in it and took off my Camel Bak and rode with a water
bottle. Taking off that extra weight really made a difference.
I could peddle much easier. I was very happy with my Finish.
I got lapped by several people. A really fun event. Nathan
G. and I had a wager on this race as well. If He beat
me he could take the Tie Off at work. Well even though he
got off to a Fast start Looks Like He will STILL be wearing
a Tie to work. Chris H. offered to make a friendly wager before the Race but
I knew better than to Bet him. I probably weigh 100 lbs more
than he does. He ended up Lapping me on my last lap. I asked Charles if he would give a CycloCross class out at Thomson before the Season begins. I hope he does
because I have never raced Cross and am planning on trying
out a couple of races this year.Today's
RACE: 4 Hrs of Pig Trail, 5 laps, 35 mi, 9.2 avg mph




www.georgiamtb.com