Good times in Downtown Naaalbany..dog...

Went out for a leisurely ride around the city after the rain. Stepping out onto the porch, I was greeted by a wonderful punch to the lungs by the humidity. I don't think I've ever encountered humidity like last night.

So I hear thunder off in the distance, but felt that I still had a good 1/2 hour to just cruise down spring to the heart of downtown, then back up Market. Lot's of good jumps along the way. Overall it was a good little ride, but here's an observation I've made on my tours in Naaalbany.

Whether I invite it or not, it seems that I'm always the target of some type of commentary by locals. Or, I at least get the "brush-off" by a motorist, no matter how much room the car/truck has in the lane, it seems that I'm nearly rode into the gutter.

I don't know if it's the site of seeing a grown man on a kids bike, tattoos, or what, that compels the locals to make audible commentary, but for some reason, I kind of get bummed out that a guy can't simply go out for a peaceful bike ride in this town.

I know that the people out in the country side of floyd county are not exempt, as I had a guy deliberately ride me off the road up by the school in the Knobs...it's where if you climb Spickert Knob, then make a left at the top and ride that road to the 4 way stop and there's the lawn-mower store and you hang a right there. Well, last year, I'm just riding, going up the little climb after the school and I had this guy towing a front end loader drive right next to me, then slowly drifts to the outside of the road. He sees me roll off into the ditch there and then speeds off.

Good times I tell ya'!

Anyway's, it's always an adventure, no matter where I ride here in New Albany. Keep it safe out there and I'd like to hear if anyone else has the same experiences.

22 Miles

Went out late this afternoon (circa 17:00) and got in 22 plus miles in a mild sprinkle of rain that felt pretty darn good considering how thick the air was with humidity. Did some fab hills in the Knobs before a serious shower forced me home.

Jon perhaps we have a ride after work this week for a ten miler or so?

Chugging

The summer has witnessed an ongoing platform of 2-3 rides per week, along the lines of 7-10 miles, perfectly relaxing and capable in that narrow window of tolerable humidity and availible sunlight. I have been plagued by arthritis for years but as of late my right knee has been killing me. I was much relived after my solo ten mile ride yesterday to have some relief. I will likely tackle a similar track this afternoon.

22.4 Miles

Went out after the brief shower this morning and rode to Georgetown/Lanesville and back home in what would be typical Bay Area weather, less it being a little warmer and more humid. We take for granted the area in which we live and ride our bicycles. The hills here are such a wonderful way to train if you are planning on taking a bicycle vacation sometime. My thoughts toward such this morning came about after having a great ride and appreciation for where I live.

evening news coverage....

Thanks to Matt for doing the story...only one error though....the race isn't next weekend, it's July 26th-29th.


Racing is an adrenaline rush for local BMXersBY MATTHEW CRESS

Matthew.Cress@newsandtribune.com


Thirty more seconds of madness. That’s what New Albany resident and nationally-ranked BMX bicycle racer Tommy Board will be seeking as he prepares for a trip to Victoria, British Columbia next weekend to compete as part of Team USA in the 35-and-over class at the event.
And he won’t be alone.
Board will be joined by Clarksville native Weston Pope, a BMXer who once ascended as high as No. 8 in the world rankings in 2002, all while playing four seasons for the Generals’ basketball team.
It’s a trip that Board and Pope have waited for a long time, and now the question is whether all the preparation will be in vain.
It’s a question of money, mostly. Neither Pope nor Board make their livings from BMX racing, as of now riding as amateurs on the national circuit.
“My pro days have come and gone,” said Board, now at 36 calling himself a “old man” in the sport. He was also a professional rider from 1998 to 2004. “Now, there are more important things. It keeps me young at heart, keeps me in shape. My physical condition is the best it’s ever been.”
Pope is a younger man, riding in the 17-24 age group — among the fastest-growing groups in the sport, and the launching point for those who are on the verge of becoming professional riders and making a living in the unheralded sport.
Now, their presence at one the biggest events of their careers is in jeopardy, up in the air due to the lack of money in a sport that is rarely taken seriously in a local world that eats up more traditional sports.
“This will always be an area that is consumed with football and basketball,” Board said. “I’ve tried to get as much exposure for it as I can. This is not a game like tee-ball or soccer. BMX is more a way of life.”
An expensive way of life. Board has already covered the $300 fee to sign up and enter the Canadian race. But that doesn’t cover lodging, food, or a rental car for the trip which spans from June 24-29.
“We’ve got it estimated at $1,200-1700 at most,” Board said. “It’s a sport that you really need to be financially secure to do all the necessary traveling.”
BMX racing is once again on the upswing in the United States, after a decade of lean times and flagging participation following its peak boom of the 1980’s.
Tommy Board, racing for 25 years, has been there for all of it.
“Our class is the largest class, because the guys who are still riding are the kids who started during the 80’s and have stayed with it,” Board said. “The bottom dropped out in the 90’s, but there was a resurgence around ‘98.”

14.8 miles
note: Quarry Road is freshly paved

Bicycling Film

Please check out this short film of cycling in San Francisco titled Russian Hill Roulette. It is about 5 minutes long and has both Windows and Quick Time.
http://www.russianhillroulette.com/

Caltrain 22nd Street Station San Francisco,CA

racing the kiddos!!!

Over the weekend, a race dubbed "Battle of the Villes" took place in Evansville, Indiana. This is a 3 race series, where Louisville, Evansville and Nashville bring their best to compete against each other for braggin' rights of sorts.

I can't tell you how hot and muggy it was in Evansville, but at one point, I thought I saw the devil in turn 3..lol..

The turnout and atmosphere was great and I think everyone had a great time!

We did have a pro/am race. I decided to get in it and race the kiddos and show 'em the "old man" still has some pony's!!! lol...here's the video from that race. Keep an eye on the guy in red, ;)

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

25 miles

24.7 Miles

First day back on the bike since returning from the Left Coast a week ago; still kicking myself for not taking it with me to South Carolina. Roger I'm glad your back on the bike, it must seem like starting over building both ends of the body if you get my drift.....

Help!

I've been researching airfares, hotels, license and entry fees for the UCI World Championships. I'm seeking the community for help! I have a legitimate shot at becoming the World Champion for my class, however I don't have the resources to pay for it all.

I have sponsors, yet they only pay for NBL sanctioned events.

I'm willing to cut your grass, wash your car, walk your dog...pretty much whatever. If there's a generous ear out there, willing to help please contact me. I'm sure that this cold be a tax deduction for something like this too, so any business looking for a tax deduction, the same goes for you.

The license and entry fees are $300.00
Airfare is ranging from $400.00 - $600.00
Hotel $100 per night, so that would add up to approx. 4 or 5 night $400.00 - $500.00

Those are the major expenses..through in food and it's looking to be about a $1500 - $2000 tab...

I'm humbly begging for help here...

V/R,

Tommy Board

USA Cycling BMX Championships

USA Cycling (USAC) had it's first BMX Championship in Waterford Mi. on June 9th. I participated in the 30 and over men and 35-39 cruiser classes and I had a shot at both titles, but fell a little short.

I slipped the gate in my 30 and over men's semi race and couldn't make the moves to get into the main event, however, I was able to make the main in the 35-39 cruiser class!!! I drew the perfect lane position and I felt that I was just 30 seconds away from becoming the first ever USAC Champion for our class. When the gate fell, I guess I was a little too excited and spun-out on the pad below, all the while the rest of class was boogie-ing down the first straight. I was able to make it back to 4th or 5th position on the second straight, but people were all over the place and I was pretty much pushed off the track. I think I finished 6th overall and i'm now qualified to represent Team USA at the UCI World BMX Championships in Victoria, Canada!!!

Now I just have to find a way to pay for this venture! lol... If there's anyone that would like to donate to the cuase, let me know!

Left Coast Bike Ride 2007

Well my 2007 edition of cycling in California has come to close. Over three hundred miles in seven days is actually down a bit from what we achieved last year, but had to trim things back a bit due to my buddy TR's recovery from knee surgery that is still causing him some discomfort. My personal rides in San Francisco and the Santa Cruz mountains were lost without my riding partner in tow, but very very rewarding. I did two streets in Frisco that according to my bike map are 20% grades. Some others streets were 10% plus grades. The new Cannondale bike was perfect and most helpful, kudos to Bob Peters for assisting me in the purchase. Bob made some recommendations for that type of riding and he was right on the money. Support you local bike shops for sure! I will try to place some photos and more detail of rides at a later date, I'm re-packing for a trip to Charleston, SC to see our son in the morning.....

Mr. G gets to Great Lake Erie

Preview: Time to wheel it in and wrap up about this Underground Railroad Tour adventure. I'm done. Access to broadband terminals (and free time) was sketchy on the road but I want to finish these notes. This post will catch me up to Lake Erie. One more will describe my gentleman's tour camping through the northeast's wine country and getting to Niagara Falls. A last post relating the pros and cons of my experience seems in order. Since I'm online again, I'll also field any questions.

I awoke rested, warm and dry after surviving semi-rig alley to get to the motel outside of Mansfield, OH. I was also off route, even off the map I carried showing the way to Oberlin. The Adventure Cycling Assoc. route required backtracking and a big left turn to get going the right way (North). I decided on freelancing the hypotenuse of the triangle on county roads into and through Ashland and picking up the route 20 miles later. A free county map at the desk helped me sort out a plan.

The sun shone brightly after the prior day's rain. A 15 to 20 mph head wind out of the north, though tough, now seemed a bargain compared to yesterday's weather. You just tuck, get as sleek as you can, use your gears and grind it out. A fast and easy downhill on U.S. 42 toward town seemed a good omen. Climbing up the other side of the gentle valley, before reaching Ashland's city limits, had me pay for every fun foot in altitude I used in that downhill. My friend David "Bump" Runge interchangably refers to these as "altitude and/or attitude adjustments" and anyone who's ventured farther than a 6-mile fun ride knows what he means. Soon after getting off the highway onto the main road into town (Claremont Ave.), I saw a one-horse Amish buggy coming towards me trotting at a spritely pace. I marveled then, and many days afterwards, about what "one horsepower" was capable.

Also reaffirmed was what poor judges of distance most people are. After passing a major intersection, I pulled off into a car dealership to double check my route. The owner was cordial, said he had passed me on U.S. 42 on his way to work, and assured me the downtown intersection for which I was looking was only a mile away. "A professional," I thought. He was off by almost 100 percent. Persistance found the interesection 1.8 miles later. This happened so many times it was noteworthy how people were wildly off in their estimates of distance, often by miles. So, check as often as you need but don't obsess. Making my way through 30-plus more miles into the wind also tamed me of watching the computer too closely. Like waiting for the tea kettle to boil, the miles don't pass if you're constantly watching them.

It was a long afternoon and no towns had cafes for a lunch break (an unfortunate fact related to our car-dominated modern life) until I got into a small burg called Sullivan with an intersection sporting a park, Masonic lodge, antique store and post office on one side and a small grocery store next to the volunteer fire department on the other. Good food becomes a hallmark of each day when cycling and the Sullivan Market delivered with a more than respectable ham and turkey sub dressed with fresh tomato and lettuce on a bun the girl assured me was "baked right here every day". A couple of root beers out of the cold case and I was revitalized for the final run to Oberlin. A 42-mile day mostly against the wind had me delighted to reach this destination, home of the first college in America to admit women and blacks and today still a beautiful, historic town crawling with students happy the school year had just ended. I downed a pint of Newcastle Ale at the local watering hole and then, sitting on the deck of my B&B host, called home to share the good news. That evening I pored over maps with my host, an experienced sailor and outdoorsman, considering a turn westbound along Lake Erie to make a loop homeward. We agreed, despite the logistics of getting back home, the one way route to Canada was more open-ended, adventuous and in keeping with the spirit of my trek.

I awoke with aches. While nothing seemed wrong, I could feel every muscle bundle in my thighs. Never having done a trip of this magnitude, discretion seemed wiser than pushing to an injury. I arranged a late morning hour with a massage therapist and left just after noon. Considering it a "recovery day", I pedaled only 30 miles through scudding clouds and occasional light drizzle to Medina where I treated myself in a fine restaurant on the town square to a great sushi dinner to celebrate Kathy and my wedding anniversary. I felt blessed but deeply missed her, our girls and home.

Under sunny skies next morning, I started east bound for Cayuhoga National Park and points beyond. Just five miles out of town I ran into some steep uphill rollers that I handled without strain, confirming the prior day's "easy mode" was a good decision. Later, after a delightful lunch in Peninsula with a couple cycling the tow path (Nate and April who posted a picture here earlier) there was nearly a mile long climb out of the valley. My legs felt strong and the break had done me good. Unfortunately, the skies darkened with threatening clouds and lowering temperatures soon after I reached Hudson, around 5 p.m. Several trys for lodging at local guest houses proved fruitless this Sunday evening, and I quickly moved on to Streetsboro where I could get a motel with breakfast thrown in. I was playing safe, but having left the National Park also meant all opportunities to camp were well behind me. Only 37 miles for the day, but I was out of the weather and able to get a nice diner before hitting the sack.

The next morning, Monday, the sun shone again and I was determined to get back on pace as I headed north. The weather held as I travelled through truly beautiful countryside east of Cleveland and into Amish country towards Ashtabula. I had my eye on a campground on the edge of town, but when I called ahead to inquire for a site with trees for my hammock, they said I "had to have a tent" to camp there. Unfazed and with sunny skies, the miles slipped away as I pushed on. Long lines of drying clothes at the Amish homes suggested they too were glad for sunny weather after the past three days of threatening skies. Blue jumpers, bib overalls, sheets, towels, T-shirts, bed spreads, most anything washable in the house was strung out taking advantage of the clear day. Sixty-one miles later, the last 8 on the Greenway Reserve Trail, I pulled into Austinburg and made arrangements for the night. A great day.

Tuesday, it was only another seven miles into Ashtabula on the shores of Lake Erie. I had to pass through all the town before getting to the rather industrial looking port and bridge over the Ashtabula River, but the wide, flat, green expanse of water as far as the eye could see was a major milestone in the trip. I stopped at the Hubbard House, one northern terminus of the Underground Railroad from which fugitives would have to cross only one quarter mile to the family's portside warehouse before catching a steamer (like the Indiana or Sultana) with a sympathetic Captain to be carried across to Canada. Today a historical museum, I was disappointed to read on the door it wouldn't open until Memorial Day, the official beginning of summer in these northern parts. I pushed off to see the lake and head eastward for lunch in Conneaut ("Conny-aut") another 11 miles out and ending the day after 50 miles in Erie, PA, where I stayed with a gracious family who hosted me with a cookout, visiting friends and a taste of the finer wines I could expect in the coming season. All along the day's ride, I was surprised by flowering redbud trees, dogwoods, lilacs and rhododendrons and cool breezes off the lake. The wonderful Spring weather just added to the delight of having made it without serious mishap 721 miles from home. (Knock on wood) with

Keep 'em coming.

It's a different sensation for me to be living vicariously through the rides of other -- Tommy down South, Mr. G up North, and Edward now out West.

Meanwhile, I'm told by my surgeon that in three weeks, maybe I can go out for a bicycle ride, it being suggested that by then the shoulder will have healed sufficiently to make the risk of reinjury lower.

It's been killing me not to be able to ride; January was the last time in the saddle. It's the longest I've been off the bike since taking up the sport again in 1999. Walking's okay, and my walking legs are back, but the biking legs are gone. It's looking like late June or early July, and devoting the remainder of the year to rehabbing for a big comeback in 2008.

Thanks for posting, guys. I've really been enjoying the accounts.