The Eclectic Adventurer

Why?

2005-04-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

I once heard of a college professor providing an exam to philosophy students. There was only one question on the exam... "Why?" You can imagine the responses that might have littered the surface of many a page with such a question on a college final. One student, whether jaded or simply a genius, answered "Because." and turned it in. As the story goes, there was only one perfect grade that day, and it belonged to that student who answered with that one word response.

I rode in the Cure de Tour the other day (Saturday, April 23rd). It took almost half a mile before I realized that my legs felt much like a painful mixture of oatmeal and thumb tacks. I simply couldn't produce the type of ride that mentally I have come to expect of myself. As the ride went on, that one question kept popping up in my thoughts was "Why?". (I had plenty of time to think because everyone was pretty well ahead of me...)

My way of thinking suggests that I should not only look for an answer but also for the source of the question.

The source is my competitive drive and the need to do well. I want to meet past accomplishments and expectations and exceed them. I suppose in essence I have come to define my self to some degree through my self avowed personal successes. So what happens when these successes aren't duplicated? Excuses, whining, insecurity about abilities, and maybe even dissatisfaction with the sport in general. The inevitable question that arises in the midst of this kind of personal struggle is "why?" Why am I putting my self through this? Why can't I do better? Why have I dropped so much money on a sport where those who have spent a fraction of what I have are about 2 miles ahead of me right now? And so on and so on...

The answer... Putting aside my expectations, I realized that the reasons I got into this sport were fitness, camaraderie, the mental release from my worries that cycling provides to name a few. In no way does my not having averaged 19 - 20 mph like I did last year, detract from my accomplishing my original objectives. What a revelation!

It would seem that the question "why" is derived from some ugly place within me that has a desire to be on the bike for all the wrong reasons. It draws on all the poor attitudinal aspects of performance and pride and lumps it all into one heterogeneous lump of negativity. The question is much like saying "I will try" never realizing that in saying it, you have already created doubt in your ability to "do" it.

Like the wise green sage of George Lucas' world once said, "Do or do not. There is no try..."

In retrospect, I did do it. I met all my original goals in being on that ride and in addition helped some people that may not be able to help themselves. The only thing that detracted from my ride being a success was... me. Goals are great, but realistic goals are better. You want to do better... train more, but never forget the reason you started! My new philosophy is that life is about small victories. The big ones never happen without the little ones. I should cherish those! Now I know better what "Because." means.

NASCAR Driving Experience

2005-04-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, I had the opportunity to go to Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. While there I was not only able to ride in a NASCAR vehicle but I was also able to put up about eight laps on my own.

The experience was very enlightening. If you can imagine that point that we've all been in where your vehicle feels like it is getting ready to lose traction in a really sharp turn, kinda of that "oh crap!" moment and multiply that sensatin by about 10 while having the tires stick to the road, that would about sum it up. The professional driver I rode with took me about 175 to 180 mph around the track. Very fun!

The driving experience was exhilirating and frustrating at the same time. The object of the driving experience is to stay within three to five car lengths of the pace car consistently around the entire track while at the same time following the same lines the pace car takes. The better you do this the faster you are allowed to go. Makes sense. When first setting out from the pit area, I was amazed at the pickup the vehicle had. In no time I was up to 100 mph. There are a few things though that I did not consider. The first is how har it is to drive in the straight away. You are constantly being pulled to the left and you have to focus to keep from being pulled down in the lane next to you. The second is how much concentration it takes to make the turn in turn three. I went high almost every time. Ideally accoring to the staff, you should try to be low in order to follow the correct line.

About the time you get the hang of it, you get the checkered flag and it is time to go to the pit area again! This was in complete opposition to what my personality is capable of accepting! I need to be able to meet my expectation (though they are often high and unachievable...) I knew I could do better and never got a chance to really dig in and give a solid lap. My top speed was 137 mph. That was near the top of the group I went with. No one rode over 142 mph.

Frustration aside, it was a pretty cool experience and I definitely have a much greater respect for those guys who consistently drive 190 mph for 500 laps. Who says these guys aren't atheletes?!

Bundles of Joy

2005-04-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

For me, when it comes to meeting some expectation or personal goal I quite often make silly sacrifices for the pettiest things. But I love to shop for those things. I absolutley love a good deal. Finding something for 30-50% off that you can't get anywhere at that price is like blood in the water. I become ravenous to acquire it.

Recently, I have figured out that it is not necessarily the deal that drives me. I am beginning to understand that I am addicted to the thrill of simply waiting on the package. When I was a kid, I remember the excitement of getting something in the mail that acutally had my name on the envelope or package. That excitement is addictive. I don't drink or smoke, but I'd bet the buzz I get is none the less potent. Getting a package in the mail that contains some gadget or widget (that I could usually and easily do without) makes that one or two days a month where something is delivered like an early Christmas.

No matter how good the deal I see that it still does not make me a savy buyer. In other words it's not smart. With all the recent upgrades to my equipment (i.e. bikes, backpacking, collections, etc.) , I could easily have just put another 20% into my purchases and come out with the same products but at least 50% cheaper than what I currently have in them. But I do not think that I would not have had near as much fun doing it. :-)

It's a cyclical process. I have researched and determined the best product. There is the rationale that I have shopped for the best deal and found it! I pay for it and deal with the buyers remorse always attached to it and sleep if off because I know tomorrow or the next day there will be a package to be delivered!

First Bike Ride of the Season

2005-04-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

With the change in time and weather (I do not ride if it isn't at least 70 degrees!) over the last week in North Carolina, it became imperative that I get out on the bike at least once before the cold weather seeped back in. So I took a day off from work, washed and degreased the bike, and prepared to hit the road. I have been on my CycleOps trainer two to three times a week for the last month and felt comfortable that I may be able to do reasonably well on the first seasonal ride with a large club. I was also hoping that the triathlon training I spent so much time doing last year would have some residual effect.

The opening ride at the Greensboro Farmers Market did not dissapoint. About 60-70 riders showed up. I recognized many of them from the previous year and was becoming more exited the closer we got to the ride. I started towards the front where a good friend of mine usually rides to make sure that I didn't get dropped in the first big rush about two miles in. I was fine until I hit the first big hill. Trainers can get your cardio and cadence in order but short of intense intervals they are not able to produce the lactic burn that a good hill can induce. Needless to say after about 10 miles and a few hills I was left in between the B+ riders (average speed of 19.5 mph) and the B's (average of 18 mph).

When all was said and done, I took a short cut (stick a fork in me, I am done!) and ended up with about 24 miles in about and hour and twenty minutes or so. I averaged about 18.5 mph and wasn't too discouraged until the rest of the group started to come in. Many were averaging 20 to 21 mph on about a 30 mile stretch. It would seem that they started up right where they left off the previous year. Incredible.

I am pleased however with a few things...

First, my bike. I have a 2003 Trek 5200. Every year before I head out on the first ride I look at newer bikes and try to figure out a way to get a second mortgage to buy a new one without my wife knowing! After figuring out (again... *sigh*) that it would be crazy to even consider such a thing, I get on my bike and ride. Every year I go through this and every year I get to re-discover exactly why I love my bike so much. After my ride last night, I wouldn't even consider a bike if it weren't carbon. I also love the weight, rigidity, and comfort of the entire package.

Second, is the ride time I did get in. I am doing a 100k charity ride in a few weeks. Any road time is a plus right now. And, after all, 18.5 mph average isn't too bad for the first time out since September. With any luck by the end of April, my team and I, will have raised money for Diabetes, and will be able to enjoy the 3-4 hour ride through the foothills of North Carolina.

Blog, Blog, Blog

2005-04-01T08:20:00.000-08:00

After having heard so much about this crazy new venue, I thought I'd have to give it a shot. I'll be honest, having had a career in web development and having seen all the internet related fads come and go over the years, I have been skeptical about the longevity of the BLOG world. I think, however, that no one can deny that I am thus far mistaken in my cynical approach. So now I have the opportunity to throw my minutia into the vast mix.