July 6. Back in the office.
Suches Life
Yesterday I had one momentary lapse of reasoning which convinced me that it would be a good day to ride Three Gap with ITP-Reader Bob and his friends. We met up at an Einstein Bros on some road called “Windward Parkway” before convoying up to Dahlonega.
The last, and only, time I road the gaps was six or seven years ago (eight perhaps?) when I was about fifteen or twenty pounds lighter. It was tough back then, it was as tough if not tougher yesterday. There may have been eight or so riding yesterday, I was by far the slowest on each and every climb. It was good of them to wait at the top of each climb to make sure that all was okay, but I have to admit that I can’t stand being the one making people wait.
I meant to get a photo of the Wolfpen Gap sign after the climb, but I felt that I’d held up the riders long enough so I didn’t. Since I didn’t get that photo, here’s an elevation map of the ride we did yesterday. The first climb is Neels Gap, the second is Wolfpen Gap, and the third is Woody Gap.
(click on it to get to see a larger version)
The ride was similar to what I remembered from all those years ago, except Neels kicked my ass more than I remembered it doing so then, and I felt that I handled Wolfpen much better this time around.
I’ve come to the realization that there is a reason that Nike‘s slogan has long been “Just do it.” and not “Do it well.” because I’m proud of myself for doing it no matter how poorly I did it.
And hmm, I may have to up my riding goal for this month. Today is July 6th and I’m already half-way there. W00t!
ITP Flickr Pic
I’m trying to break out of a creative rut. In order to do so I’m trying different things like using wide angle lenses at different vantage points.
This was taken at the last (only?) turn of the Peachtree Road Race on Sunday. I like that the woman waiving the flag is sharp, though I wish that the flag was waving into the photo instead of out.
Fool Me Once, Shame On Me. Fool Me Twice, Won’t Get Fooled Again.
I had originally planned to ride the gaps, come back ITP, and then head back OTP for the special Monday night Black Sheep Hash. I had everything packed and ready to go, but when push came to shove I decided that my legs were too trashed to hash. I did make it to the start, which only made matters worse since I saw everyone who was there to hash, but I think that I made the right decision to go home and settle in for a night of “Mad Men” viewing (I’m almost done with Season One) and turning in early.
Besides, I’m not a fan of pool endings. I don’t exactly have a body that I’m looking to show off.
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – fair, confused
Current Music – listening to yesterday’s le Tour de France stage
Website Of The Day – Yesterday I rode past High Valley Resort, which was the start/end of the Muscle Mountain Mania a few years ago.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – cycling: 35.8 miles
Morning Weigh-In – didn’t check
Pages Of 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die Read – 77
Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~3 miles, Wheel Mileage – 71.8 miles
Pushups – 0, Situps – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 6 (6)
Vegetarian Days – 0, Carnivorous Days – 5
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0
July Goals
– Not to get sick for the entire month (still waiting to accomplish this)
– Not get fired from my job
– Ride my bicycle no fewer than 150 miles
– Get the Sharpened Stone, LLC moving further
– Complete at least one iPhone application
– Completely plan out my August/September Colorado trip
2010 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 185 pounds (starting weight was 198 pounds) [update: On July 1 I’ve sadly gained weight; I’m at 203 pounds]
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
– Earn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Sharpened Stone.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Enter no fewer than three photographic competitions / gallery showings
– Get the Black Sheep stats out of Excel and online
– Ride in no fewer than two 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Complete my Taco Mac Passport requirement of 125 beers
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in PHP and CSS Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Don’t sell yourself short, you did the 3 gaps. Not a lot of people can do that.
The rest of the group we were with are the ride 6 days a week type. I have no need to punish myself like that. I like to enjoy my riding and had a great time hanging with you and grinding out the hills.
We’ll have to do it again.
Thanks man. I don’t know which was harder for you, waiting for me, or waiting for our food at that restaurant. LOL. And it was a pity that fudge shop was so samn crowded, otherwise I’m sure Laura would have been pleased that you brought some home for her.
Bob, I’ll ride again, but not very soon since the rest of the weekends in July are already scheduled.
The Pearl Izumi “Factory Store” is still open. I considered stopping in, but in the end decided to drive all the way back to Atlanta/Marietta instead.
A bit of good news today. My old iPod that I had stored at work is a 60GB model. So, while I’d love to have a 160GB model again, I’m going to soldier on with the 60GB until it dies or my music collection outgrows it. Sure, the screen has defects now, one of the reasons I upgraded to the 160GB, but since I never watch video on the small screen of an iPod that doesn’t matter to me.
Paulie – you can ride with me anytime & have to wait for me…… I’ve gotten used to usually being the last one up the hills with most of the people I ride with. A good way to make yourself feel better is ride an organized ride (like this weekend, the GA400 ride – there will always be people going much slower 😉
I didn’t realize you weren’t coming to the end of the hash – and the water at the pool is on the chilly side, which on a hot afternoon is good, but in the evenings, not so good. I don’t think even half of the hashers got in the water.
Tour Update (no spoilers) : The Boys are on the cobblestones now…
I’d ride this Sunday buy Public Enema is hosting his annual Cheesy Yellow Tour de France Sunday Run so if the weather is nice I plan to ride from my house to his, eat / drink, and then ride home.
I was considering riding the Three Gap 50 this year (even after yesterday’s ride) but it is being held the same weekend as Lake Hartwell this year.
Also going to make my schedule a bit hectic over the next two weeks is reccying for my July 18th Black Sheep hash. I also need to find the time to get my emissions checked, license plate renewed, yadda, yadda, yadda.
I am impressed that you rode. The new bike is nicely geared for a long day of climbing, but I rode almost 50 Saturday and the legs just don’t have that recovery factor yet.
I saw a nice interview with Fabian earlier and he said it’s one thing to have lots of crashes on cobbles.. it’s a whole different thing on a stage like yesterdays. I sort of get it, but after the group forms back up, then start racing again.
-FP
I was pretty confused by that whole thing @ the Tour yesterday – hopefully Bobke can explain it tonight.
I’m not sure what I’m doing Sunday yet – the cheesy yellow sunday run/bike sounds like fun, and the GA400 ride was a good one last year. Allan isn’t working, maybe I’ll make him decide.
Cockpit said last night she is your co-hare for the 7/18 BS.
Yep, she’s been suckered in to co-haring with me this year. After my five-snare debacle last year I’ve recruited a sacrificial lamb. 😉
Steve, I’m actually surprised that I don’t hurt much today. Sure, about half of the Three Gap ride is downhill, but those uphills are big enough to cause lactic acid build up.
I should have gotten back on my bike Sunday, but waited until Monday. Not too bad though. While that ride up Pine Mountain is a bit sttep, it certainly isn’t as long as 3 Gap.
You would be well advised to go out for a little spin today.
Anyone have heart rate monitor recommendations for cycling?
I have a Suunto that I like. It has various “pods” you can connect.. heartrate, GPS, bike computer and download them all to a PC for your training log.
I just use the HR and it does keep a little history on the watch.
If you want to go all-in you can explore here.
http://connect.garmin.com/
Good stuff, just pricey.
Great job on getting out there and riding those hills. It isn’t the destination that’s important, it’s the journey that counts!!
I took it easy this weekend, ran, hit CF, hung out at the pool(s), cooked out and got a little too much sun. I really wasn’t in the mood for much more.
I have a Garmin Forerunner 305, it comes with the HR monitor and you can get a bike mount kit or just wear it on your wrist. I sprung for the cadence sensor as well (when I thought I would use the trainer).
I’ll be at PE’s on Sunday, looks like I will be solo (if the weather turns, I can always give you a ride home)…Jerry wants to run some trails instead.
If I’m not pulling my hair out over my conference next week, I’ll be at the Cheesy Tour with a cheesy dish.