Ride For The YMCA

Did you know that 124,987 calories translates into…

gniotta — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:26:48 +0000

… 290 breakfasts of Egg McMuffin & Hash Browns or 1,760 Snickers bars or 568 Krispy Kreme traditional donuts or 368 Starbuck’s Iced Caramel Macciatos or338 Beef Chalupa Supremes from Del Taco or183 Black Cherry ice cream cones with Gummi bears & Reese’s pieces or 543 Long John Silver’s battered fish or 89 meals of Big Mac, large fries & M&M McFlurry from McDonald’s or 245 Banana Splits or 312 A & W Chili Cheese fries or 116 visits to In & Out for a Chocolate shake and a double-double or 212 Carl’s Jr Famous Stars or 136 Double Western Bacon Cheeseburgers or 651 8 oz glasses of Cabernet Savignon.

Recap

gniotta — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:10:19 +0000

Wow!

It's all over!

Nice pool

As they say in boxing….This is the tale of the Tape.

Total Miles: 2428

Total Hours: 156

Total Vertical Feet of Climbing: 77,796

Average Speed: 14.84

Total Calories Burned: 124,987

Average Heart Rate: 105 bpm

Day 30- 102 miles. Monthly Total- 2428

gniotta — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:00:14 +0000

Today was the last day of my Challenge. It was obvious that I would not reach 3000 miles but I was determined to do my best for the YMCA.

I started and finished at the YMCA just as I did on day one. This time I had the company of Butch Murphy, one of only two riders that completed a full century with me over the month. Butch said he was in for the long haul today…100 miles. The weather was perfect so we decided to ride around Lake Elsinore, this time the temperature was more agreeable, 68 beautiful degrees!

Same Sign...different result...just 1 week ago it was 100 degrees!

We were making good time averaging 15 mph so we decided to meet my wife for lunch, we made her pay. We then headed to Temecula Wine Country and stopped by South Coast and visited with Jon and Javier. They were hard at work bringing in the harvest. We then headed in and around Old Town Murrieta. We finished up the day on the road we started on, Margarita Road. As we got close to the YMCA I got a little anxious, this was it, the month was over, I had completed something special. Butch said to sit on his wheel and he’d tow me home but I didn’t want the help so I sprinted past him and rolled in the parking lot. It was over, 102 miles in 6 hours and 40 minutes. I thank God for watching over me and keeping me safe.

Thanks to all the cyclist’s I met alomng the way for your encouragement and well wishes. Thanks to all my friends who joined me on the road, it was really appreciated.

Butch and Me ...It's all over!

Day 29- 101 miles. Monthly Total- 2326

gniotta — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:02:32 +0000

Only one day left and I have mixed emotions about it. It’s been an amazing month, physically, mentally, emotionally. I am disappointed that I wasn’t able to achieve my goal but I am happy for what I did accomplish. I rode my bicycle for more miles than the Tour de France! We as a community raised over $5,000 for the YMCA! In a two month period I rode over 3,500 miles. I only got hit by one car!

Today I met Glen and Randy at the Oceanside bike trail. Glen has put in a lot of miles with me this month but this was Randy’s first ride with me. Our intended route was north through Camp Pendleton to Dana Point and then back south to Encinitas then finish back at the bike trail. Glen had to leave us at the Las Pulgas gate on Camp Pendleton. Randy and I continued north to Dana Point. The skies were a little overcast but temps were in the 70′s as we made out way north. When we got to Dana Point the sun came out and we decided to change the route- Laguna Beach. I had never riden to Laguna and I like riding new roads. The terrain was rolling with a few steep climbs but the views were awesome.

View from Las Brisas in Laguna Beach

We saw some people playing Bocce Ball or Lawn Bowling too. The ocean was their back drop.

Lawn Bowling @ the Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club

It was the first time Randy had ever ridden a century and he did a great job finishing strong at the end. The slight tailwind we had all the way back from Laguna was well appreciated. We ended up finishing in 6 hours and 20 minutes.

Randy's 1st Century

Day 28- 25 miles. Monthly Total- 2225

gniotta — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:00:57 +0000

The day from hell today! Life and work got in the way today and I wasn’t able to get out and ride until 4:45 pm. I was able to get a much needed massage earlier in the day. I’ve got two days left and I plan to finish strong.

Day 27- 100 miles. Monthly Total- 2200

gniotta — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:52:55 +0000

Jeff Messerly decided to drive done from Temecula and we met in Carlsbad. Our route for today was un-planned and as I waited for Jeff I noticed a lot of groups heading north. When Jeff arrived we agreed to head north. Our plan was to hook in with a group and hopefully get a faster pace through Camp Pendleton. We weren’t more than a couple miles down the road when we ran into a group of about 20 riders on a training ride for Challenged Athletes Foundation www.challengedathletes.com , a fundraiser to help people with physical disabilities pursue and active lifestyle through physical fitness and competitive athletics. I recognized one of the riders, Mike Henderson, from another group I had ridden with and asked if we could sit in, he said sure and we rode with them the rest of the day. Here’s Mike’s blogspot: www.findingwaystohelpothers.blogspot.com. They also have a fundraiser this Thursday, here’s the link; http://qmdc.kintera.org/rancho

Rider Leader Mike Henderson

CAF riders- When you gotta go you gotta go!

The group rode a great pace averaging about 18-20 mph through the base to San Clemente where we took a water break and then got started on the trip back to Solana Beach. As we rode I learned about the CAF ride that was coming up in October and the commitment that these riders had made. I was impressed. Each rider had to raise $10,000 for the foundation. All the riders trained together too. They had been riding together since May. They have ride leaders and coaches dedicated to helping them reach their goals; 650 miles in 7 days from San Francisco to San Diego. The route was impressive and I was extremely jealous when they told me they were treated like professional riders, meals, massage, accommodations etc. I might have to try it next year. I did volunteer to be a sub should any of their riders get injured.

Rider Leader Mike Hower

Thanks again for allowing me to ride with you. I did my fastest century today, 6 hours.

Day 26- 50 miles. Monthly Total- 2100

gniotta — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:31:10 +0000

I joined a group of riders from Temecula today. The met me at the Oceanside harbor and we headed south towards Del Mar. It was a nice ride with a good pace, they had a fast group and a slow group. I decided to hang with the slow group. We climbed Torrey Pines and then the slow group and I stopped at the Stratford Cafe for some coffee. Nice little spot at Stratford and 13th in Del Mar, free refills.

Conor, Rod and Me- Heading back toward Oceanside

The skies were a little overcast most of the ride and I noticed that while everyone else is riding without arm warmers and a vest I needed them. I’ve lost a lot of body fat throughout the month and added muscle so I am a little chilly. Remarkably my weight has remained the same as the day I started. After 50 I decided to call it a day and hit the beach with my wife and daughter. It was a beautiful day and the waves were awesome!

Day 25- 72 miles. Monthly Total- 2050

gniotta — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:45:10 +0000

I cracked the 2000 barrier today. My friend Butch was with me when I did it. We were just outside of Camp Pendleton in the campground next to San Onofre.

Mile 2000 with Butch Murphy

On our way back towards Oceanside we met up with Jeff Messerly, another friend from Temecula. Jeff rode with us from San Clemente through Camp Pendleton. As we neared to gate I decided after 70 miles I would be done for the day. My body felt much better than yesterday but I’m still not 100% and with 5 days left I want to make sure I can finish strong.

Jeff, George and Butch at McDonalds

After the ride we got together for a pizza at Knockout Pizza in Carlsbad, New York style pizza, pretty good too.

Day 24- 18 miles. Monthly Total- 1978

gniotta — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:44:16 +0000

As I suspected yesterday wore me out. I was thankful I had a lot of work to do so I was forced to rest and not try and get 100 miles in. At about 2:30 I went out for an hour and a half just to see how the legs and rear end felt. Ouch! We’ll see what tomorrow brings, I have two buddies joining me.

Day 23- 150 miles. Monthly Total- 1960

gniotta — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:47:09 +0000

Today’s entry is entitled “Lessons Learned”

What I learned today:

1. You must have a valid I.D. to cross a military base. I left my license in my room and used a copy with my emergency information written on the back to gain access to Camp Pendleton. On my return trip the guard looked closely at my I.D. and I had a problem. The only way around the base by bicycle is the 5 freeway. After 25 minutes it was determined I wasn’t a security risk, they took the cuffs off me-just kidding, they confiscated my I.D., and allowed me to cross the base. I was lucky.

2. There is a big difference between riding 100 miles and riding 150 miles, a real big difference. Today was the toughest ride I have had all month. I was on the bike for 9 hours and 49 minutes. For the first 100 miles I averaged 15.7 mph, for the last 50 it dropped to 14.3. My average cadence is 85 rpm, that means I turned the cranks over 66,000 times. I started riding at 7:45 am, I finished at 8:45 pm. I burned over 8200 calories. My average heart rate was 93 bpm for at total of 72,540 total beats during the ride.

3. Riding at night “sucks”. It’s not the same as riding during the day, no scenery just darkness. It is peaceful and quiet. Along the coast there is a lot less activity, less traffic but even with a headlight you’re one pothole away from a crash. Even with a rear flasher you still think your odds of getting hit are increased so your stress level rises.

4. People who ride over 500 miles in one week should be paid for it! I had great respect for the professional cyclist before I started my ride, it’s even greater now. I can see why they get a massage everyday and they are meticulous about their nutrition, rest, sleep and everything else associated with this sport/activity. I have pushed my body further than I ever thought I could and I am proud of what I have accomplished so far.

5. Cycling 3000 miles in one month and working a job don’t mix! I thank all my staff and friends for all they have done for me to enable my pursuit of this goal and raise funds for a great cause. If I only had the cycling to focus on and nothing else I could knock it out easily. Having a life outside of this has been stressful and I thank my family for the sacrifices they have made.

6. I need interaction with people! It’s a lot more fun to ride with a group. I started riding to get in shape but the social interaction that resulted is what has made it more fun. I enjoy the conversations and the spirited competition during the rides. Riding solo wears on you and I find myself seeking out riders to talk to and ride with as I put in the miles. The rides I have ridden with people I’ve met on my journey have been some of my most memorable. Thank you, all the riders who weren’t afraid to say hello and converse with a stranger, you don’t realize how much it means to me.

7. John Cuchesi was the owner of San Clemente Cyclery. Back on Day 18 I posted some pictures of a memorial to a local cyclist. Today I decided I needed a good light since I would probably be riding in darkness the rest of the week so I stopped in to San Clemente Cyclery. While I was there I saw another picture of John and noted that he had passed away just recently in May. I decided to ask the person at the counter about him. I turns out it was his widow. She told me that he was on his regular Sunday ride and had a heart attack. He was 54 with no history of heart problems. She said John had run the business and now her and her 18 year old son are. She was very nice, I wish her success and my condolences. Rest in Peace John.

8. There are a lot of dogs in San Diego County. I have never seen so many dogs and dog related businesses before. I spent one day just taking photos of them, here are a few:

Muttropolis- Solana Beach

Grateful Dog- Encinitas

Dog Wash in Solana Beach

Now to todays ride.

As I stated earlier I went north across Camp Pendleton. Just inside the gate I stopped for an espresso at Maui Wowi where I met Tamara and Jake.

Me and Tamara in front of the coffee stand, good coffee.

After “the incident” on my return trip I headed to Del Mar. As I went south the weather warmed up. I could only imagine the temperature in Temecula and was thankful it was only in the 80′s. I turned around in Del Mar and then back to the hotel room to change my sweat soaked jersey, eat some lunch then head back out. My body felt pretty good until mile 130 then my body struggled. I don’t think I have a muscle that’s not sore. I know I need a new but!

9. Last lesson. I will do my best to honor my committment but I realize I will not make it to 3000. I need to ride 150 miles a day for the next 7 days to reach the goal, a total of 1050 miles. After today I realize I just can’t recover enough to ride that much daily. I will ride 100 miles a day until the end and finish somewhere around 2700 miles.

Thanks for your support and I’ll keep you updated daily as usual.

George