|
|
|
Event Update!
PMC 2007 is over!
It's time to start training for PMC08.
Friday, August 10, 2007
We had a wonderful experience in this year's PMC and immediately afterward we began making plans for next year. There were so many memorable moments and images along the ride:
- the people along the route clapping, cheering, and thanking us for riding
- the heartbreaking photos of pediatric cancer patients lining the road into the lunch stop
- each of the "themed" waterstops
- riding under the balloon archway just before the Wellfleet stop
- the massive lunch gathering on Saturday
- dinner at Mass Maritime Academy
- riding over the Bourne bridge
- the bike paths on the Cape
- first glimpse of the monument in Provincetown
- finishing!
We felt very well prepared for the ride; on Sunday we could have easily gone another 20 miles! All of our training really paid off especially in the hill-climbing department. We did not experience anything like the hills around Bucks County, so it was very easy for us to make it up "heartbreak hill" on Sunday. The headwinds on Route 6 made things interesting toward the end, but again, we felt very strong coming into the finish.
Weatherwise, obviously Saturday was brutally hot and we did worry about overheating in the blazing sun exposure. Janet's constant reminders to hydrate were most welcome! Sunday was just a beautiful day for riding and really made up for any discomfort the day before.
Once again, we thank everyone who donated to our rides -- your generosity enabled us to enjoy our weekend without the worry of being behind on the fundraising. The deadline for donations is 10/1 so there is still plenty of time for us to make $10,000!
I've put together all the photos I took along the way -- they are in a Flickr slideshow; or if that doesn't work for you, they are in a set here.
Brian 6:46 AM
Sunday, August 05, 2007
 Well, it's time to wrap up the mobile blogging. We'll be unwinding for a few days at this lovely little cottage at The Inn at Cook Street. When we return we'll fix up any posting mishaps and add some photos from the 'real' camera. Signing off from PMC '07...
Brian 4:44 PM
Mileage: 161 -- we made it! Now it's time for some food and rest. More later...
Brian 1:38 PM
 Last hill before the finish.
Brian 1:26 PM
Brian 12:45 PM
 Riding on route 6.
Brian 12:36 PM
 Mileage: 140 -- just before the last water stop.
Brian 11:01 AM
 Carol and Janet on the bike trail. Beautiful riding.
Brian 9:48 AM
 Mileage: 123 -- awesome riding today; the local support is inspiring. Much cooler still this morning. P-Town here we come!
Brian 9:33 AM
 Mileage: 106 -- first water stop, yay for coffee! Beautiful ride over the bridge and onto the cape. And, much cooler today.
Brian 7:59 AM
 Heading over the Bourne Bridge.
Brian 6:10 AM
 Ready to head out - 6 am.
Brian 5:57 AM
It's 4:40, time to get up!
Brian 4:48 AM
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Mileage: 83.2 -- 4:00 arrival at MMA!
Brian 4:35 PM
Mileage: 76 -- last stop before Bourne! Did I mention that it's hot? Icewater, melon, and PB&J are going down easy...
Brian 3:14 PM
Mileage: 58 -- water stop. It's still hot!
Brian 1:28 PM
 Mileage: 44.5 -- lunch! We're feeling good and the lunch is hitting the spot. So far the most striking thing about the ride is the cheering and support along the way. Oh, plus it's really hot!
Brian 11:42 AM
 Traffic jam!
Brian 11:20 AM
Mileage: 20 -- first water stop. Easy ride out of wellesley, amazing feeling to be part of this group. More to follow.
Brian 9:22 AM
 Carol, Janet, Brian before the start.
Brian 7:29 AM
Getting ready for the start!
Brian 7:21 AM
 Filling up.
Brian 6:48 AM
Up early and on our way to Wellesley from Carol's home in Boston. It's 78 degrees already!
Brian 6:02 AM
Friday, August 03, 2007
Dropping the bikes Friday evening.
Brian 7:21 PM
We hit the road around 12:15 and made decent time across the GW and into CT. Now we seem to be stuck in some heavy traffic on the Merritt. Also it's 99 deg out! Hope tomorrow is cooler...
Brian 3:01 PM
Mileage: 0 -- it's Friday morning and we're getting ready for the drive up to Wellesley. I hope we remember everything! Stay tuned...
Brian 6:43 AM
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Total training miles: 627.46
Total funds raised: $7,340
Our final training ride is over! We went back to our "classic" route for an early morning speed run. Well, speed run for us, that is -- we averaged 13.7 mph. We were highly motivated to return home early for our planned "send-off breakfast" with the kids. French toast, bacon, and Allie's famous fruit salad!
We head into this coming weekend feeling that we have achieved a lot since Fall '06 when we made the decision to ride. We've gotten in shape, lost weight, discovered an exercise class we enjoy together, put on 627 miles, and raised over $7,300. Now all that is left to do is ride the ride and be a part of something much bigger than ourselves. We can't wait!
Sunday Morning Ride Stats:
24.23 mi distance
13.7 mph avg speed
1hr 46min ride time
38 mph max speed
For my dad, Charles Titus. 5/1/1970
Brian 9:49 AM
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Total training miles: 603.23
Total funds raised: $7,340
It's our last weekend before the PMC! We had very modest goals for today -- just a quick ride to stay tuned up without exhausting ourselves. For fun we decided to ride out to the hill on Eagle Rd and then turn around and do it in the opposite direction. A nice little workout that added 15 miles to our training and just took us over the 600 mile mark.
In other news... we've both achieved our fundraising minimums! Many thanks to our generous sponsors for their support.
Saturday Morning Ride Stats:
15.30 mi distance
12.1 mph avg speed
1hr 15min ride time
32 mph max speed
Brian 11:01 AM
Thursday, July 26, 2007
A big shout out to Ron in the back row at spin! At the end of class Monday, our instructor Rachel gave an impassioned pitch for the PMC and distributed copies of The Advance article. Ron made a very generous and much appreciated donation.
Janet 2:34 PM
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Total training miles: 587.93
Total funds raised: $6,650
Another great day for riding. We paid another visit to our friend Eagle Rd and managed to do pretty well with it. Followed yesterday's route out to Carversville, remembering (too late) that just beyond Peddler's Village there is a nasty hill similar to Eagle Rd. A chocolate croissant & coffee at the General Store erased any hard feelings...
Instead of continuing on our "standard" route, after Fleecydale & River Rd we crossed the pedestrian bridge to NJ. We had a route planned but had to modify when one of the roads turned out to be gravel. After a bit of wandering around, we picked up the route and eventually connected with part of our Stockton route from a month or two ago. After a stop in Lambertville for a delicious lunch, we continued home via New Hope, which was jam-packed as usual.
Sunday Ride Stats:
51.89 mi distance
10.9 mph avg speed
4hr 39min ride time
31 mph max speed
Janet on the Pedestrian Bridge
Brian on the Pedestrian Bridge
View of the Delaware from the Pedestrian Bridge
Brian 3:44 PM
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Total training miles: 536.04
Total funds raised: $6,650
A gorgeous summer day; perfect for riding. We decided to revist the hill on Eagle Rd just to see if having done it once it would be any easier. It wasn't! As it turns out, we did our 'big 3' hills all in one ride -- Eagle Rd, Paxson Hill Rd, and Windy Bush Rd. Of course in order to recover and/or prepare for them, we had to stop at the Carversville General Store and sample the sticky pecan rolls...
Saturday Ride Stats:
38.85 mi distance
11.5 mph avg speed
3hr 17min ride time
38 mph max speed
Janet climbing on Eagle Rd
Corn fields on Street Rd
View from Creamery Rd
Brian 1:07 PM
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Total training miles: 497.19
Total funds raised: $6,340
Today we took some different roads out to Carversville. Eagle Rd between Woodhill and Lurgan turned out to be a killer! We took Street Rd out past Peddler's Village and then Carversville Rd into Carversville. Made a brief stop at the Carversville General Store and rewarded ourselves with delicious homemade chocolate croissants and coffee. Then, it was back home via Aquetong to Windy Bush, etc. etc.
Sunday Ride Stats:
35.41 mi distance
12.4 mph avg speed
2hr 49min ride time
36 mph max speed
Fresh baked goods await!
The mighty steel Motobecane drew some comments today.
Brian 11:13 AM
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Painting by Michael McNelly
Today's ride was difficult. Not for the typical reasons; the miles were modest, the hills familiar and predictable. As is the case most weekends, we rode out on Linton Hill Road. It takes us up and out of Newtown Borough and into the Township. Several weeks ago on an overcast early morning ride we experienced a rare moment coming up that hill. Looking right, we saw a red fox running down a dirt path toward the woods. We stopped to watch and quite unexpectedly, the fox stopped too. Silhouetted against the trees, she was spectacular, a full russet tail with a paint-dipped white tip. As we watched, she watched. It was a fleeting honor to make eye contact with this magnificent creature.
Every ride since, we look for that fox. We call to each other just before the hill, "keep your fox eyes on!" This morning as I made the ascent on Linton at the exact spot, I looked hopefully to my right, down the dirt path. Nothing. Then I glanced left and gasped. By the side of the road lay a fox, I caught only a glimpse and turned away. Our friend with all her strength and grace could not outrun a speeding car. The sobs came from somewhere deep, down where pain of the unnecessary lives. We crested the hill, crossed onto Creamery Road, tears flowing as they would for most of today’s ride.
Coming home, we could have turned right onto Sycamore, avoided Linton altogether. We didn't though, we rode back down the hill. This time, aware of the limp form now on my right, I trained my eyes left, only left to the woods' edge, the memory vivid in my mind’s eye. The memory trying without success to quiet sobs that come with needlessly losing something (someone) so beautiful.
Janet 12:13 PM
Total training miles: 461.78
Total funds raised: $6,290
Saturday Ride Stats:
24.25 mi distance
13.0 mph avg speed
1hr 51min ride time
34 mph max speed
Coming up the hill on Windy Bush
Brian 9:19 AM
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Just In! Read our story in the Newtown Advance. Better yet, pick up a copy and support your local newspaper!
Spinning update!
We survived our "special" 2-hour class with Rachel this week. It was a ride I could not have imagined just 7 months ago; now it feels like we are in shape and almost ready for the PMC.
Brian warming up. The Curious George jersey makes a special appearance at LA Fitness.
Brian 10:10 PM
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Total training miles: 437.53
Sunday Ride Stats:
22.76 mi distance
13.0 mph avg speed
1hr 44min ride time
37 mph max speed
Janet at Aquetong and Windy Bush
Brian 8:57 AM
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Total training miles: 414.77
Saturday Ride Stats:
40.56 mi distance
11.8 mph avg speed
3hr 22min ride time
41 mph max speed
Stopping on Cuttalossa Road
Brian 11:55 AM
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Total training miles: 374.21
Sunday Ride Stats:
24.31 mi distance
12.4 mph avg speed
1hr 57min ride time
36 mph max speed
Creamery Road
Brian 1:29 PM
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Saturday Ride Stats:
53.22 mi distance
12.0 mph avg speed
4hr 24min ride time
38 mph max speed
Farm fields in Bucks County, PA
Brian 5:14 PM
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sunday Morning Ride Stats:
40.69 mi distance
12.9 mph avg speed
3hr 10min ride time
35 mph max speed
Sunday Rider in Fairfield County, CT
Brian 1:33 PM
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Saturday Morning Ride Stats:
24.39 mi distance
13.1 mph avg speed
1hr 50min ride time
35 mph max speed
Beautiful day in Fairfield County, CT. Carol on the road.
Brian 12:09 PM
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Wednesday Evening Ride Stats:
9.91 mi distance
11.9 mph avg speed
49min ride time
30 mph max speed
Brian 9:26 PM
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Happy Father's Day!
Sunday Morning Ride Stats:
40.64 mi distance
12.3 mph avg speed
3hr 14min ride time
35 mph max speed
Brian 11:50 AM
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sunday Morning Ride Stats:
24.05 mi distance
12.7 mph avg speed
1hr 52min ride time
35 mph max speed
Brian 9:18 AM
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Saturday Morning Ride Stats:
31.68 mi distance
13.4 mph avg speed
2hr 21min ride time
37 mph max speed
Stopping to look at the sheep on River Road
Brian 9:41 AM
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Sunday Morning Ride Stats:
23.76 mi distance
13.0 mph avg speed
1hr 48min ride time
30 mph max speed
Brian 10:35 AM
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Saturday Morning Ride Stats:
23.56 distance
13.7 mph avg speed
1hr 42min ride time
34 mph max speed
Brian 4:50 PM
Friday, June 01, 2007
Hitting the Road
Well, we finally got out on the road bikes over Memorial Day Weekend. Saturday we did 28 miles around Stockton, Sunday we did 23 miles to New Hope and back, and Monday we did 27 miles around Lumberville and Stockton. Many thanks to Rachel our spin instructor -- we felt very prepared for our first rides of the season. Now we just have to start piling on the miles and spending more time in the saddle...
While having lunch on Monday in Stockton, a fellow cyclist was staring at my bike that was standing in the rack. I thought he wanted me to move it so he could fit his bike in but he apparently just hadn't seen a Motobecane in a long while. He asked me when I got it and I had to think a bit to remember that I had bought it new in 1981! Someday maybe I'll join the carbon-fiber set, but for now, it's steel tubing and downtube shifters for me.
Brian 6:28 AM
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Sad news.
Janet's mother Pat passed away March 16 after a very sudden and brief battle with acute myelogenous leukemia. We are heartbroken.
Brian 7:45 AM
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Spin, Spin, Spin....
We've been trying to do at least 2-3 classes per week. We're definitely seeing results and hopefully this will be a great run-up to riding on the real road this spring. In other news, thanks to colleague Jill for a $25 donation! Only a gazillion more dollars to go!
Brian 1:37 PM
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Not much to report on the training front. I've been going to spin between 2 and 4 times per week. It's a great workout and after about 3 classes, I started seeing a big difference in my aerobic fitness.
Brian 1:47 PM
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Spin class tonight! I've been taking the spin classes at LA Fitness and this will be my 4th class so far. After the first class I thought I was going to die. By the third class, I was able to do most of the standing and jumps. I'm hoping that tonight I'll be able to go the whole way and do everything the instructor says. It seems like this will be a great way to build leg and cardiovascular endurance.
Brian 8:47 AM
Saturday, January 20, 2007
First Donation! Many thanks to my friend and former colleague Asad for kicking things off with an egift.
Brian 8:25 AM
|
|
