Wednesday, August 18, 2010

MUDDY BUDDY COMES TO OREGON

This might be my next challenge come October...

MUDDY BUDDY!!!

Described by organizers as:
"Muddy Buddy is all about having fun with a friend, family member, partner or co-worker! Teams of two traverse a 6-7 mile off-road course and 5 obstacles.

At the start of the race, one team member will run and one will ride the bike. At the 1st obstacle, the rider will drop the bike, complete the obstacle, and begin running. The runner will arrive, complete the obstacle, find their bike and begin riding. Teams will continue leapfrogging each other through the entire course.

At the end of the race, racers crawl through the infamous Mud Pit crossing the finish line together as official “Muddy Buddies”!"




I just wonder what havoc it'll unleash on anywhere that'd potentially chafe...

Also, there's a costume contest for the teams too. Winners get event sponsor's swag. I'll keep you posted if I/we do it. There's a kids' event too... Mini Muddy Buddy.

paying it forward

Cycling has provided me with a lot of benefits, as I'd mentioned before. A lot of people have helped me out with free stuff along the way.

Today, I'm paying it forward by passing along my good condition used clothes that no longer fit me.

Monday, August 16, 2010

family time and fitting in cycling

An anonymous commenter recently asked if I ever spent time with my family. I didn't post the comment, as I suspected initially it was a barb directed at me given recent changes in my personal life this past year. However, after thinking about it more, I realized it could be that the person genuinely was interested in whether I saw my family, given their knowledge of my life is limited to what is reflected here online.

I do see my children often - and I spend time with them more than a lot of fathers, even those who are still living with their kids under the same roof. The parenting arrangement is between their mother and I, not anyone else. Their mother has not given me any indication that scheduling has been unsatisfactory as far as she or the children are concerned, in fact, I have agreed with the plan proposed by her, not the other way around. Additionally, she has requested that I refrain from posting personal details about my life and the current situation.

My kids
Rachel - posed for the pic as she wears a helmet when riding at all times


Lauren


I started cycling because I did not want to end up on a slab at the morgue at 38 years-old, a very real possibility according to my physician at the time. I was overweight (230+ pounds) and had extremely high cholesterol and developed high blood pressure. Medicated and unhappy, and seeing my life ending before seemingly it had ever begun, I happened upon cycling in 2007 as a means of improving my health. This blog, amongst other things, has chronicled this journey. I started with the goal of saving money on prescription drugs, co-pays, and add years to my life. I didn't want to die before seeing my kids through high school and college, and enjoying grandkids.

I am telling you today sitting here at about 165 pounds that my life and health have changed and changed for the better - I eat salads now and enjoy it. There have been some personal struggles and failures I have been dealing with in the past year which are independent of my bicycling activities. I am attacking the future head-on with positivity and zeal. I no longer will tolerate negativity and pointless criticism. I will allow time and expect God to judge me.

A book of inspiration for me was "Heft on Wheels" by Mike Magnuson. I would suggest anyone wanting to make a paradigm shift in their life read this book, especially if cycling could be the answer.

I do not want to see my friends and colleagues, a generation of great men, become victims to their diets, careers, and lifestyles. Refuse to succumb to what society thinks is "good enough" and stretch the paradigm. A medicated, overfed, and undernourished lifetime is not enough for me... nor should it be for you or anyone.



Others who have slimmed down through cycling...
Fatty
Frank Kinlan

...I'll add more as I find them...

Thursday, August 5, 2010

the photo shoot

A cell phone pic from this morning's photo shoot...



The company's catalog is released in about 6 weeks for Interbike in Vegas.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

opportunity strikes!

I cannot report on the full details yet, but I am going to be slated to be included in a major US bicycle distributor's 2011 catalog. The photo shoot is this week.

I'm excited!

Details to come, as long as there aren't any disclosures that prevent it.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

the next big challenge

I was considering the High Pass Challenge (HPC) but after having (unrelated to cycling) a knee issue in one leg and a lower leg muscle issue in the other, I am passing on it for this year - I don't even know if they are sold out of registrations for the 600 cyclists this year or not.

I'm still going to try and ride these events with a friend this summer:
Cascade Spawning Cycle (CSC) - Sept 19th
Kitsap Color Classic - Sept. 26th

Then, I think it's back again to cold weather riding and commute-type trips, though with my work and home so close now, I may have to extend my riding quite a bit to get in the miles I'd like to. Of course, I'll throw in plenty of hills along the way too.