16 Dec 2011 Ride: 10,000 Miles !!!

As might be recalled, Rachel wanted to ride with me as I passed the 10,000 mile mark.  She claimed that since it was her idea, being that 9,000 did not have as good a ring as 10,000, I should go for the latter.  This was back in late September on a drive down to Shreveport, LA for a soccer tournament.  Jacky, Rachel's soccer mate and Jacky's mom, Elizabeth, concurred.  I hung my head, quickly calculating how many miles per week it would take to reach that 10K goal.  No way.  But, as they say, where there is a will...

Rachel had a half of day of school on Friday and so, earlier in the week, that seemed to be the day we would ride together for 10K.  But, as the days in the week went by, I found myself struggling to just get in 20 - 25 mile rides and I would not have enough miles in by Friday.  Rachel still wanted to ride Friday but we would also plan on doing the 10,000 ride on Saturday.

This was not the way I wanted to finish the end of the year, limping to the finish line like those images of marathon runners with their contorted twisted bodies struggling to make it that last mile.  But, something happened very early Friday morning while I was still sleeping.

Even in my somnolent state, I sensed a rejuvenation so that when I awoke, I felt re-energized and ready to go. I knew it; this was going to be the day.  Carpe diem.  It meant getting out there in the 30 degree weather in the morning and putting in at least 25 miles before I picked up Rachel so that we would have, at most, another 25 miles. 

It was a busy morning of loading up the van with not only my gear but Rachel's bike and gear as well.  It also meant that since Carol and I were going to attend a holiday party at 5:30, I needed to prepare the dish that morning; a spinach/cheese/phyllo dough roll.  By 10:25, I was on the trail.



I thought this would be a good day to try and take pictures of myself with random individuals on the trail.  I always feel a but uncomfortable approaching people to take pictures but I had a good opening line with the 10,000 mile ride happening that day.

Still, breaking the ice was a bit difficult, so I took a different tact.

The library sign was very obliging and didn't mind in the least.


These mops were also very accommodating.

Afterwards, I thought I should have posed with them.



Then, I came across Charles on his bike, stopped, and looking over the creek.  A perfect candidate.  I stopped and we talked and he was most obliging.  As it turned out, Charles had heard of me from a friend of his who I had stopped to photograph back in June. 

Passing these logs in the creek, I liked the way they looked as if they formed the horns of a very large bovine.

The ride was going very well and I was enjoying being out; the excitement of the goal at the end of the day was already pumping through my veins.

The Thinking Biker or...the Biking Thinker?

 One of my CSI shots.  Does a full-sized chopping cart lie buried in the mud?



There is a woman I see fairly often around the Lake Fayetteville area.  I have said hi to her but she usually seems very timid.  She has told me in the past that she is very chemical sensitive and that is why she likes to be in the park, away from car exhaust, perfumes, etc.  Usually, she is collecting aluminum cans from the area.  I passed her today and I stopped and asked if she would do me a favor and pose with me.  I explained why and she was very happy to do so.  

Her name is Sandy and I'm glad the 10,000 miler gave me an excuse to approach her and get to know her better.  She lives in a nearby apartment complex, which is why I see her so often in that area.  Thanks, Sandy.


Time had come to get Rachel with 26 + miles under the belt.  After I picked her up, we drove to the Botanical Garden and parked, where Carol would later meet us at the end of the ride.  As we were getting ready to push off, Ted, who I rode with on the Texas/Oklahoma week-long trip back in April, came rolling in. 

Off we went.  24 or so miles just felt as if it were a stones throw away and my excitement continued to build.  Meanwhile, Rachel was going through some wardrobe adjustments as she was trying to keep her hands warm.  After the third stop, we got it right as I gave her my lobster mittens which she slipped over her other two pairs of gloves.  Fortunately, I had another pair of gloves in my rear bike bag.  When your hands get cold, it's just no fun.

 The Entourage:  Rachel, with Ted in the recumbent behind her.

After about 10 miles, Ted continued on the trail and Rachel and I headed back.  Another mile further down, a special treat as we ran into our friends Ken and Kay that we know from playing pool volleyball each summer.

The sun was beginning to get low in the sky and the chill was beginning to set in but the excitement continued to grow.  One last "hill" on the trail and then it was pretty much all down hill to the Botanical Garden.  And, a special mylifeasabike treat.  The first You Tube link included in this blog.  Below is the last 3/10ths of a mile as we approached the 10,000 mile mark for the year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqhGQAIH6x4

 As it turned out, I had the number of miles needed for 10,000 off.  I thought I needed 49.91, but, actually, I only needed 49.09. 

Posing with the one responsible for this 10,000 mile madness.

 Thank you, Rachel, as it has been a great adventure!




16 December 2011 Ride:  4hrs 37mins.  50.37 miles.  38°-45°   Miles YTD:  10,001.28

Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year:  -0.09

Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to:  Biking for Food,  St Paul’s Episcopal Church,   224 N. East Ave.,   Fayetteville, AR  72701

Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at  www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.

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