"I Had The Million Dollar Suitcase"

   This weekend was my son Kevin's birthday.. He turned 14 on Saturday.. He was busy with friends so we planned on getting together on Sunday.. Sunday started out awesome.. as I was going to get my coffee I found $5.00 in the middle of the road.. I thought to myself.. today is going to be a great day.. Spending time with my kids is always awesome.. So my kids and I went to Sports Connection.. we are trying to save our tickets for a big prize.. so we play a variety of games to big amounts of tickets.. So we are playing our last game together..The 4 of us.. Kevin, Conner, Kellie, & I... Its "Deal Or No Deal".. So as they shuffle the suitcases.. Kellie's say's "7".. so we picked it..we picked 5 suit cases.. first deal was 35.. no deal..pick 4 suitcases.. second deal 36.. no deal.. we all took turns picking suit cases.. over my left shoulder "Kevin say's" we got the jackpot.. So we wittle down to the last to suitcase.. one with 3 tickets or jackpot of 200 tickets.. The deal was for a 101 tickets.. We took the deal.. to much to lose.. but we had the JACKPOT.. of 200 tickets.. Imagine if we were on the game show.. "Deal or No Deal".. A Million Dollars.. As we left Sports Connection I added the tickets up.. we are at 1,325 tickets.. Its fun working together for a prize.. I had a great weekend.. Hope you did... Be Safe...

3X..3X..3X

   My friend Ray said it best.. 3rd time is the charm.. This will be my 3rd "24 Hours of Booty" ride.. this time I will make no promise of miles or funraising goal.. I will raise money.. but I'm going to enjoy the event.. Hopefully its under 100 degrees, last time it was closer to 110 degrees.. Cycling is my thing.. I'm very passionate about cycling.. Its not my favorite thing to ask for money for charity.. but I do.. cause I'm trying to turn my passion into money.. to help people who have come down with a cancer.. This will be my 5th cycling event.. where you were required to raise money.. I've personally raised over $5000 for  a variety of charities.. Personally, I love challenges.. If I can turn a challenge into money for cancer or a organazition who helps people.. I'm up for it.. One idea is to bicycle ride from Charlotte NC to Charleston SC.. Leaving Charlotte NC at sunrise and arrive at Charleston SC before sunset.. same day.. Well getting back to the event "24 Hours of Booty".. It doesn't matter if I train or not I will do 200 plus miles.. My team (Diamond Springs) will just go with the flow.. I like the idea of bicycling the 24 hours and letting miles add up.. And letting the dollars add up.. so if any one can find $5, $10, or $25 please let me know.. or you can support my team or me.. This is only one of a hand full of 24 hour events.. this will not be the last time I mention this.. be safe...

Goals for 2012

   For this year I want to mix it up more.. Not to put to much on one thing.. Participate in more running events.. more trail riding.. This year I plan on doing many things.. The Duke Energy run.. which this year its a race up to the 50th floor.. hopefully a mini-triathlon.. I will do the 24 hours of Booty again.. 3rd time is the charm..This time doing the booty I'll set no goal.. just have fun.. and enjoy the event.. But..the big thing I got planned is The C & O Canal ride.. Its a very historical trail that goes back 200 plus years.. It goes from Cumberland MD to Washington DC..they say George Washington surveyed the land to get building materials & supplies DC.. Its 185 miles long.. My friend Ray & I have talked about it for years.. No more talking.. time to do it.. Really looking forward to it.. Ray and I are seriously considering going it both ways.. cause if we park our car in DC.. how we going to get to our car from MD.. Well this is just a short list of things I've got planned for 2012.. hope you all have a successful 2012.. Be Safe...

"A December to Remember"

   As I enter the month of December I needed 320 miles to get to 4,000 miles.. I felt confident I would get to 4,000 miles.. But I was looking at alot of work and I had to stay focus.. As we all know December is a cold month.. There was plenty of time I could of talked myself out of a ride.. Most of the time its not the tempeture that gets you.. Its the wind.. It doesn't matter how many layers I wear.. When the wind can gust up to 20-25 miles it can make it alot colder.. temps that just eats at you.. The 1st weekend I did over 100 miles putting me in good position.. the 2nd week I did 71 miles putting me less than 150 miles.. the 3rd week I did only 40 miles.. As of December 18th I only needed 109 miles and looking good.. But 2 things happenned.. I could fell myself getting sick and it was rainning alot more.. especially when I could ride.. plus the shortest days with the least amout of sunshine.. so 6 days latter I still haven't been on the bike.. So I knew in order for me to get to 4,000 miles.. I needed to go to the docter so on December 24th early in the morning I went to Urgent Care.. So I could get the medicine I needed to feel better.. I also thought doing over 100 miles in the final week would be only fitting.. On Christmas Day.. still not feeling good I went out for a 21 mile bike ride.. the next day.. My neighbors Ray, Mike, and I did a 21 mile ride.. Its always great to ride with friends.. After these rides I only needed 68 miles.. On Thursday I was able to get a solo 15 mile ride.. Then Friday I got a solo 19 mile ride.. this ride was a fast pace ride.. I hit a rythem early and never let up.. I only wanted to do 15 miles.. but I stayed out for a extra 4 miles.. even though it was dark.. I was starting to feel alot better.. So here we are.. On Saturday, December 31st needing 33 miles for 4,000 miles for the year.. My friend Scott called me 2 weeks earlier saying he wanted to be with me when I pass 4,000mi.. So we met at Jim's house at 11am.. The weather was awesome.. around 60 degrees and sunny.. Scott says to Jim and I he had a surprise for us.. so when we hit 4,000mi. we pull over.. Couldn't help me think what is Scott up to.. alittle more than 2 hours later.. we hit 4,000 miles.. we pulled over for alittle high five.. when Scott pulled out a bottle of champange and glasses.. we had a toast to health, family, and friends.. What a great idea Scott had.. We finished with 48 miles.. putting me at 4,015 miles for the year 2011.. Not only did I pass 4,000 miles.. I finished with 125 miles for the week and 334 miles for the month..  What a phenomenal year for cycling.. Back in January I would of been happy passing 3,000 miles.. When I looked at a map.. 4,015 miles is like getting in my car in Waxhaw, NC.. and driving to Alaska.. thats along ways.. who knows whats in store for 2012.. Today I turn 51 years old.. And I've been blessed with a great gift.. and thats my health.. God bless America.. I like to wish everyone a blessed 2012.. Be Safe..

The pursuit of 4,000 miles.. Update..

   When the month of December started I needed 319 miles to get to 4,000 miles.. I know I can do it.. but to do 319mi. in a very cold month like December.. plus the sunsets around 5pm.. is a daunting challenge.. I just can't let the cold weather defeat me.. I know I can do it.. just stay focus..
   So on Friday.. Dec. 2.. I got home a little earlier than usually so I quickly got on my bike for a 21.3 mile ride.. it was sunny an chilly especially as the sun went down.. the ride was a out and back route.. down to the bridge that goes over the Catawba River.. its also the border of North and South Carolina..
   Then on Saturday.. Dec. 3.. I got out for a bigger ride.. 31.1 mile ride.. this is a very scenic route that I've down before.. its one of my favorites.. its a loop with much to see..  I go on very quiet roads and goes over 3 bridges with great views..
   On Sunday.. Dec. 4.. I met with Scott & Jim on a new route.. we met early.. this way I could see the Pats game.. I had plans to see with my kids.. the game stared at 1pm.. It was a 35.9 mile route with rolling hills.. It was cold when we started and it never really warmed up.. I was dressed appropriated.. its always fun to do new routes.. I've been on these roads by car.. but not by bike..
    On Thursday.. Dec. 8.. I got out for a cold ride.. 12.6 mile ride.. do you see the theme.. COLD rides.. it was a out and back route..
   On Saturday.. Dec. 10.. I got out for a chilly & windy 27.35 mile ride.. this is pretty much the same route I did last Saturday.. it does get old riding in cold weather.. need to get more cold weather gear..
   On Sunday.. Dec. 11..  I didn't ride.. not only was it cold.. I had plans with my kids.. so if I wanted to ride I would of had to wake up early.. It was in the 20's when I woke up.. and the weather forecast said it won't warm up much.. so I passed for today.. I still feel I'm in good position.. not only that its supposed to warm up to 50's & 60's later in the week... I now stand at 3,809 miles.. I'm getting closer..
Be Happy.. Be Safe..

Breaks Over

    I had a great break from bike riding.. 9 days of no riding.. Spending Thanksgiving with my Mom & Dad was great.. Got to see my sisters, nieces, nephews, daughter, and grandson.. The only sad part was my own children didn't come.. Being in a car for as many hours as it would take was hard to over come.. it was a long drive.. 17 hours up to Boston in 1 day.. Then on the way back broke it up in 2 days.. the 2nd day was no fun lots of delays.. everyone understood..
    One of the many joys of the trip was spending time with my grandson.. Ryan 2yrs 8 months.. and talking one on one with my daughter Katrina.. we had many great conversations..
   2nd was going to my nephews last high school football game.. He is a Senior at North Shore Tech.. I think he played awesome.. Even thou I froze to death with his mom.. my sister Dawn.. I'm glad a went.. the final score was not in their favor..
   3rd was going to the Beverly vs. Salem game.. which is played on Thanksgiving at 10am.. this year was the 113th time they met.. My nephew Ryan & I went.. what a great game.. Beverly won 46-20..
   the 4th thing that made this trip so special was LOBSTER.. I've been dreaming about lobster for along time.. When you go to New England.. if you want some of the best lobster you better get it.. I was planning on it.. I told everyone.. So we actually had 2 Thanksgivings.. On Thursday we had a traditional Thanksgiving with all the trimmings.. at my sister Dianne's house.. it was very good.. but on Friday.. was a day to remember.. we talked about it for weeks.. On Friday morning my sister got a email from a friend saying he was going out in his boat to catch lobster and asked how many would we like.. we said 12.. so around 2pm he delivered to our house.. 12 of the finest lobsters all about 1.5lbs.. for a great price.. they didn't have a chance.. they took longer to cook then to eat.. we also had fried clams.. fried shrimp.. chix fingers.. onion rings, french fries.. we had our own.. seafood fest.. we will all remember this day.. on Saturday I took 3 lobster home to North Carolina.. they made the trip.. 33 hours later.. I'm cooking lobster for my children.. It had mix reviews.. but they all got eaten..
   Bottom line is I had a blast.. the drive SUCKED.. but I would do it again.. I really like living in the Carolina's.. but around the holidays it doesn't feel the same.. nothing like family..
   Now its time to get back to some bike riding.. I'm 319 miles short of 4,000 miles.. I do feel I've got a good shoot at doing this.. but I'll have to make the most of my opportunities.. the sunsets around 5:10pm.. so weekend rides are going to be were I get most of my miles.. On December 31st.. which is a Saturday.. I'm hoping to end the year with a 100 mile bike ride weather permitting.. I got my fingers crossed.. Here's to my best year of bike riding.. Be Safe..

" DING "

   On Sunday I reached my goal of 3,650 miles..My goal was to reach my goal this weekend so when I go to Boston I could relax and not ride.. but to reach it I biked a ice cold late Friday afternoon ride.. I got on the bike @4:55pm..I was racing the daylight as the sunsets at 5:20pm..I didn't get off the bike till 5:40pm...The temps were dropping fast with a good breeze..temps were in the 30's.. I finished with a 12.4 mile ride..
   On Saturday I got my car checked out.. so when I go to Boston I had nothin to worry about.. so by the time I got done it didn't leave me much time for a ride.. thats why I had my bike with me.. I ended up parking my car by a school.. getting on my bike around 3pm.. I hit the road heading south.. as I head south I had no idea were I was going.. I figured I head south 11 miles then turn around.. My turn happened to be Buford,SC.. when I saw the sign I immediately thought of Jackie Gleason's charator in "Smokie and the Bandit"..."Buford T. Justice"..this was a fast course with easy rolling hills.. I finished with 22.4 miles.. it was a mild day..

    This set me up to pass 3,650 miles today.. a couple of days ago I called a couple friends.. Jim & Scott.. to see if they were interested in a ride.. they both said yes.. so the plan was to met at Jim's house 9:30 am.. So on the way over I bought some bagels.. make sure I had some carbos in me.. I only needed 32.06 miles to reach my goal.. just to let you know.. Both Jim & Scott like to go at a fast pace.. they didn't let me down.. I could feel my legs were getting tired even before the ride.. between riding late yesterday and not sleeping well.. through the first 20 miles we were averaging 19 mph.. a very fast pace.. I was not going to back down.. I did all I could to keep up.. My thighs felt like a motor with a fan belt that was about to explode.. but I kept going.. kept pedding all I could this was a important day.. and nothin was stopping me...NOTHIN...Scott was still recovering from a car accident.. he stopped at 30 miles..Jim & I kept going.. we were having a great time.. at 32.06 miles we took a celebratory break.. it was @11:45am and took a quick pic.. Jim is such a strong rider.. For a Sunday in November it was a mild day..started with sunshined ended with clouds.. this ride was going to be about 46 miles.. but we wanted to end with 50 miles.. so we did a couple loops in his neighborhood.. ended with 51.03 miles.. It was great to share this with good friends...YAHOO.. thanks Jim & Scott...it was great to be pushed today....I go to Boston to visit family & friends knowing this is behind me.. I can celebrate.. Sam Adams are on me...knowing I passed 3,650 miles... Turkey & Lobster is going to taste sooo GOOD.. can't wait......Be Safe...