Day 98: On A Mission, Pt II

Update: 215.2 lbs, 43.0 lbs so far, 38 lb Goal Reached Day 74. - 7.0 lbs to NEW 50 lb goal.

Just following up on this morning's post after riding out to Willamette Mission State Park. If you're actually reading my second post on this blog on a Saturday, then you are either some sort of bike geek, a really good friend, or the stalker I've feared has been following me around all these years.

The ride out to the park wasn't all too bad, about 8 miles out there. I sent Nick a text message with the sign in background, and thought about just getting back on the road, but figured I was this close to the actual park that I might as well ride on in. Good thing I did because I forgot that we were the home of The Largest Black Cottonwood In The Nation! And just in case you think I'm making it up, here's living proof:


That's Nick's sweet Torelli in the picture. Getting the most out of it while he's gone, I think I crossed 130 miles this morning -- so cool of him to lend it to me while they've been partying in Disneyland. Having that speed demon for the past week was a HUGE determining factor in me ordering up one of my own...should be done by Thursday. Almost the same thing, but only blue and a black seat, cause the Mrs hates the yellow seat. (You should have seen the look on the bike shop owner's face when I told him that she said it looked like the $20 Schwinn she bought at a garage sale last year!)

Anyway, nothing too eventful on the ride aside from the fact that I put in 24 miles on the ride. Went out to the park, then back out and continued on Wheatland to Matheny, then around to where it intersects River Road, and back down into Keizer, and then into the neighborhood. Took me a little over an hour and a half, but showed me I could do the Reach For the Beach 26 mile segment, if I didn't have an activity that Saturday already.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, so Happy Mother's Day to all the momma out there. If you were here, I'd crank up Guitar Hero and Charles and I would do a duet of 'Mother' for you.

Hasta!

Day 98: On A Mission

Update: 215.2 lbs, 43.0 lbs so far, 38 lb Goal Reached Day 74. - 7.0 lbs to NEW 50 lb goal.

Hello faithful, but few weekend readers. Very short post this morning. Gotta go pick up donuts for the birthday sleepover that took over the house last night, then I'm off to ride out to Willamette Mission and back. It's a 20 mile loop, so this will be my longest ride so far. If anything exciting happens, I'll come back and update. Otherwise, have a great Saturday! (That's the old Mission House, in case you were wondering.)

Hasta!

Day 97: The Accidental Tour-ist

Update: 215.8 lbs, 42.4 lbs so far, 38 lb Goal Reached Day 74. - 7.6 lbs to NEW 50 lb goal.

I got an hour freed up last night and decided to head out to do The Loop on my loaner bike from Nick. Just as I was about to cross Chemawa and head out Windsor Island, I remembered that the Salem Bike Club had a Thursday night ride that did that same loop, but couldn't remember what time they started, so I looped back to Cummings, and sure enough, a stream of lycra was pulling out of the parking lot, so I hopped in line at the end. Let me just say, where I've been cautious about the 'lycra in public' issue - there are some others that should actually have more of that concern than myself :)

Anyway, I ended up in the middle of the group riding behind a dad and his pre-teen kid who was out for the first time. They were doing about 14 mph so it was a comfortable cruise, not too fast, not too slow. Turns out it was his first time on a road bike, so I just kind of held back a little, in case he needed any help. He was squirrelin' all over the place, and ended up having a bike light fly off his bike without knowing it, so I turned around and snagged it for him, caught back up to them, and handed it off at the top of the hill.

Last night was the first chance I had to take the Torelli up either of the Ravena hills, and I went up the easier one since I hadn't done any real climbing on a road bike yet. I'm happy to report that it's a whole different experience on a light, nimble 'roadie' compared to a big old heavy cruiser type rig. Probably my favorite part of the ride was that where I'd normally find myself slowing down, I ended up just wanting to keep pace, so I stayed at a steady speed for the entire ride. Again, nothing too tough, but nice and steady. Next week, if I head out, I may try to get out with some of the quicker guys towards the front and see if I can work a little harder....we'll see, I'm still a newbie.

Looks like another beauty of a day...hope you get to get out and enjoy it!

Hasta!

Day 96: 5 Day Plateau

Update: 215.8 lbs, 42.4 lbs so far, 38 lb Goal Reached Day 74. - 7.6 lbs to NEW 50 lb goal.

Sorry for the late post to all the faithful readers out there. I had an early morning appointment out of town today, and am just stopping at the Starbucks to get directions to University of Portland to go watch my eldest sing her solo at the Best of The Northwest choir festival.

Despite working hard this week - I've put 75 miles on Nick's bike since Friday alone - I'm on a 5 Day Plateau right now, essentially staying right at this 216 lb mark. If it's true that I'm building up lean muscle mass from working hard on the bike, then I'm ok with that. Definitely the legs, arms, and shoulders all feel like they're starting to build a little something, but someone forgot to send the memo to the gutteral area that we're trying to build up anything of the lean variety. It's still hanging onto the "stuffed crust" look for now. It's actually going down, but only proportionately to the rest of the components, so it's still the most obvious.

At any rate, I said I would be happy with whatever rate I drop the weight, and for the most part, I still believe that, especially if the benefit is that I'm building some sort of muscles along the way. Good news is, at least we're not tipping the scales the other way yet!

That's it for now, gotta hit the freeway and continue up North.

Hasta!

Day 95: Starbucks in 8 Minutes Flat

Update: 215.8 lbs, 42.4 lbs so far, 38 lb Goal Reached Day 74. - 7.6 lbs to NEW 50 lb goal.

Short post, I'm waiting to meet with someone here at Starbucks on the Expressway. Meeting at 8:45, and I looked down at my watch before taking off from mid-Keizer and it was 8:37. I thought 'there's no way.' But I gave it my best "team Cinzano is coming to town" effort and made it right at 8:45.

I'm pretty sure if I was in the Durango it would have taken me more than 10 minutes. I even stopped at all signs and obeyed all proper traffic laws. Yes, I'm a little muggy here now in the over warm Starbucks, but what a fun little sprint! (PS - Starbucks reminds me....get your guesses in!)

Hasta!

Day 94: Of Sunrises and Puppy Dogs

Update: 215.8 lbs, 42.4 lbs so far, 38 lb Goal Reached Day 74. - 7.6 lbs to NEW 50 lb goal.

The sun was rising in Keizer this morning right around 5:30 a.m. I normally think it's rising right about now, at 6:20, when I can see it coming over the top the travel trailer parked in our driveway, but when you get out in the open tule fog fields of Windsor Island Road, you can see it's actually rising a littler earlier than you thought. Here's a shot from the ride:


I was out there in the brisk morning air, clear sunny day on the docket, body, soul and mind all working together towards one common goal of getting that bike down the road as quick and steady as I could. And as I looked around and breathed in God's amazing creation, no one else on the road for probably a mile in either direction, the thought suddenly occured to me - "what in the world am I doing out here so early, I could be in my warm bed sleeping until I have to wake the girls up at 6." I guess it's true, getting out on the open road really helps a fella to think some deep thoughts.

Another mile and another revelation. I guess I need to learn the difference between 'chubby' and 'pregnant.' Yeah, my homeboy, CGS (Chubby German Shepherd - for those who have been glued to the blog) is apparently a homegirl. She was looking a might bit skinnier today as I rode by, and at first I thought it maybe was just the flattering light of the morning glow, but then about a couple hundred feet up the road, in the front yard of the home she protects, was a sign that said "Puppies For Sale." Now I feel so bad for mocking her chasing abilities....she was really just being part of the circle of life. Sorry there little momma seeta - I'd buy one of your puppies if I didn't already have one, and if I didn't think German Shepherds would eat my kids!

So looks like about 3 1/2 weeks till the first Starbucks Challenge guess so far, on June 2. That's just a tad over 2 lbs per week between now and then to get to there. If I was a betting man, I think that could be optimistic, but pretty doable. Click on the link to the right in the Starbucks Challenge box and get your pick in! I've got 50 miles in on Nick's bike since picking it up Friday night, including a 'what was I thinking' ride yesterday on my lunch break, from our office in Keizer/North Salem out to South Salem Cycleworks on Liberty, south of Madrona. That's a 300 ft climb, they tell me after I get out there, all sweaty and winded. More interviews today, so I can't wear shorts and get all sweaty...gonna have to save that for later!

Hasta

Day 93: Let The Bidding Begin!

Update: 216.0 lbs, 42.2 lbs so far, 38 lb Goal Reached Day 74. - 7.8 lbs to NEW 50 lb goal.

Ok, I'm down to the last 8 lbs or so before hitting the 50 lb mark, and as promised, I have a new Starbucks Challenge on the line. Guess the date I will hit the 50 lb mark and I send you (or buy you if you are in the area) a Starbucks drink of your choice. SeagravesJ has already received her card for being the closest to the 38 lb date. Here are some tidbits that may or may not help your guess:

Originally started the whole calorie cutback 93 days ago and have lost 42.2 since then.

Hit the 38 lb goal on day 74, almost 20 days ago exactly, and have lost 4.2 lbs since then.

I'm still aiming for 1500 calories per day, although sometimes that does count net calories, so if I burn off 500 cycling, I eat into those calories a bit, but keep the net down under 1500.

I do have Nick's super cool, super light, super fast Torelli road bike for the week while they are on the Va-Ca, and it IS a lot of fun to ride, so I could easily get a ride in every day if the weather holds.

Hmm, I can't think of anything else that may influence your selection. Post your guesses here, I have in the past received a few by email, IM, or in other places around the web, and I'll post those here as well. I think I'll track on the sidebar so you don't have to dig down into the old posts to find it. I'll keep it open for about a week or maybe a week and a half, then we'll wait it out and see who was Closest for the Coffee Crown (alliteration for C-dubs bennie.) You can change your pick up until the official close date!

Release the Pound (guesses)!

Hasta!

Day 92: Seis De Mayo

Update: 215.8 lbs, 42.4 lbs so far, 38 lb Goal Reached Day 74. - 7.6 lbs to NEW 50 lb goal.

How in the world did I miss Cinco De Mayo yesterday? Between an early morning ride, a birthday party at the carousel, a graduation party way out South, girls heading off in two different places, Tiger sneaking to within one going into the last round, picking up an Italian speed demon bike, picking up some stuff at the bike shop, stopping for Spiderman snacks, mowing the lawn, getting out for a quick evening ride, and finishing up some work....I MISSED CINCO DE MAYO!

Me! The Tyrannosaurus Mex! I missed it!

Have a great Sunday!

Hasta!