tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27918102461462543152024-03-14T01:49:51.945-05:00Jackson's SWLA cyclistMy cycling journey to better health.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-8556446627830538582011-01-10T08:53:00.001-06:002011-01-10T08:53:59.207-06:002010 recap2010 Recap<br /><br />Well I will have to start 2011 off better than I ended 2010 on my blog. The last half of the year I wasn’t very diligent on keeping my post up. I am going to try to keep up a once a week post this year. <br /><br />So to recap 2010. I had lots of ups and downs. But all in all I am happy with the year. Lots of things have change. I started the year one way and ended up in a place I had long thought I would never be. I always try to keep most of the personal stuff out of the blog. I don’t know how others feel about being talked about. So I try to focus on me.<br /><br />I did make my M.S. ride this year. It was all the challenge I had thought it would be too. I fell short on what my goal for that ride was. That is why I am going back to the same one this year and go after that mark. I know now what I have to do to prep myself to make that Century ride in San Antonio. <br /><br />I rode 4060 miles in 2010. That is averaging just over 78 miles a week. It was short of the 100 miles a week I wanted. But as a friend has told me. I might have set the bar too high for my 1st year on the bike. I had my road bike for just 11 months of this year. So now I have some miles in my legs I am ready to tackle 2011. <br /><br />I have already set a schedule for the year. Already have my events picked out and am going to start to prep for the MS ride in October again. October 15-16 is the dates. <br /><br />So off I go for 2011.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-35384664569751410642010-12-02T19:00:00.001-06:002010-12-02T19:00:41.615-06:00Trying to get caught upWell I need to get this caught up. <br /><br /> The Tour of Beauregard and the La Vernia Hammerfest.<br /><br />The Tour of Beauregard was in Deridder, LA. The ride was suppose to be 35 but ended up being 41. It was a great ride. I liked the route and it was great to ride some new roads. <br /><br />Now on to the La Vernia Hammerfest. I think they should change the name to the Sufferfest. This was by far one of the hardest rides I have ever done. The ride was in the Town of La Vernia. Which is just out of San Antonio. I chose this ride because it was in the area where the MS ride was going to be. I rode the 65 mile route. I really didn’t know what I was getting myself in to. The 1st 22 miles was into the wind and up and down hills. Boy did I learn quick how to handle hills. But the wind was made them even tougher. I took an extended break at the SAG stop. The next 16 miles to the next SAG I guess I got in to a grove. After the 2nd SAG the next 10 miles was the worst stretch of chip seal road that I have ever rode. I guess they knew what they were doing to us because the next SAG was right past that part of the road. After a break to get the feeling back in to my hands and feet I headed out. The last 16 miles was in light showers to heavy rain. The outer rain bands from Hurricane Karl that had made land fall in Mexico had come in to the area. That was some hairy riding. But boy I was glad when that was done.<br /><br />The Valero Ride to the River<br />Left Lake Charles on Thursday and traveled to Houston to meet up with my dad. Dad was going along to provide support. Boy I was glad to have him there. We left Houston Friday morning to head to San Antonio. When we got in to the SA area we went up and scouted the 30 mile century option route. He and I made the decision that I would only ride the 70 miles on the 1st day. We went out to eat with my cousin and her husband for some great Italian food that night.<br />Day 1 started early at 530. Happy Birthday!!!! Your going to ride 70 miles up and down hills!!!! I was beginning to wonder what I had signed on for. <br />We went to the starting area. The Alamo Dome. Was a little chilly but I dressed light because I knew it was going to warm up quick. It took about 20 minutes to get out on the road. The top ten fund raising teams got to start 1st. And I was doing this solo.<br />Got out of SA alright. This ride has the best s upport I have ever seen. Police everywhere. It made it easy to get thru town. I never even saw the 1st SAG stop. I was rolling with a group that was making good time. That was until right at the 13 mile marker. I came to a stop with a flat tire. I was praying that this wasn’t an omen for the day. (turned out it was just fate giving me a Bday present)<br />I was making great time after I changed the flat. I was really surprised at how well I handled the hills. I made a quick stop at each SAG and drank and eat something to keep my energy up. Dad met me at Texas Lutheran University and we ate lunch. (That really was a mistake!!!!)<br /><br />After lunch it was 23 miles to the Fairgrounds and the end of day 1. Oh the 10 miles after lunch were some of the toughest miles I ever rode. My body thought that I had finished for the day when I stopped for lunch. It was tough to get going again. I will say that when I saw the turn off for the century option I thought to myself that I know I couldn’t make that and still ride 60 the next day.<br />I got to the fairgrounds and Dad picked me up and I went to the hotel and enjoyed a nice long shower and watched some football. I had a great night sleep.<br />Day 2<br />Got up and going again at 530. Was surprised I wasn’t too sore. We ate breakfast and I chatted with some other cyclist that had rode the 100 miles. I was glad to have only rode the 70. We loaded up and drove to the fairgrounds for the return trip. <br />I was lucky and got out in the 3rd flight of riders. The start was really hard. Right out of the gate and we have to make a long climb. The real reason I wanted to get out 1st in our group was not to have to fight with slower traffic. Once we topped that hill I found a group of riders who’s pace I liked and I stayed on their wheels. I hit every SAG stop but the last one. <br />About half way thru I came along a group of rides that I knew that where Sun and Ski employees from Houston. I stayed with them up until the last SAG stop. I was really making great time but all that changed at 49 miles. We came to a long climb that was three separate hills but they were back to back. That was the point were I started to cramp up. That is the reason I skipped the last SAG at 54 miles. I only had 4 miles left and I didn’t know if I got off the bike if I would be able to get going again. <br />There was another few climbs before the Alamo Dome. And they felt like they were the Swiss Alps too. They really added insult to injury by making us climb a Rail road over pass right before we got in to the Alamo Dome parking lot. But I will say that when I felt the burst of A/C from inside the Dome it was great. <br />I did 130 miles in 2 day. Day 1 was 4 hours and 1 min. Day 2 was 3:30 mins. I averaged 17.5 for both days.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-70516314974338791462010-09-05T16:18:00.000-05:002010-09-05T16:19:07.647-05:00Update timeWell I have really been slacking on keeping my blog up to date.<br /><br />Things in my personal life have kept me busy as of late. I will not go in to too much details on that. Other than to say that life is good.<br /><br />On the cycling front. I am starting to get back in the swing of things. August was a hard month with the heat. But I managed. September has started off good. I had 2 great rides this weekend. Yesterday I did a solo effort of 60 miles. The Grand Lake loop with a detour to Gibbstown Bridge. The weather was great. The wind could have been better but I won’t complain about that.<br /><br />This morning was by far my best ride ever for speed. I hooked up with a really fast group and stayed with them for 24 miles of the GL loop. The average was over 20 mph when I pealed off. They were going for a little longer ride than I had in me. I ended up with a 18.8 average for 42 miles. By far my best ride ever in a group.<br /><br />I am planning on a easy ride in the morning. Then Tuesday I am getting that pesky tooth pulled. So I Hope to be back riding Wednesday or Thursday.<br /><br />Future rides that I have planned right now are: Tour of Beauregard on 9/11. The La Virna Hammer Fest in SA on the 9/18 (65 miles). Tour De Pink on 9/19 (47 miles). (That is going to be another test weekend). All of this is leading up to the MS ride on 10/9 – 10/10. With the temperatures cooling off it will make it a little easier for me to ramp up the efforts. <br /><br />Well enough for now.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-30101275886086011182010-08-12T06:46:00.000-05:002010-08-12T06:47:06.635-05:00changesWell I have been busy as of late. Work is really keeping me busy. And I am racking up the miles on my car too.<br /><br />Since my last post I have hit some great milestones. On August 3 I had my 1st anniversary of when I started to ride. I think back and it seems like 10 years instead of just a year. While I remember the 1st ride it seems like that was so long ago. <br /><br />Well all the drama of my shoulder has made me think about things more. (Thinking can be a dangerous thing for me) But I think it has made me reflect and refocus. And not just in my cycling but in my personal life too. Changes are a coming. But change sometimes is a good thing.<br /><br />As for the cycling. I have found that I have a renewed spirit and I am focused again on using cycling to lose weight. That was the whole reason to ride. Lose weight and transform myself. Some were along the way I got caught in the speed trap. While riding fast is fun, it is not the reason I need to ride for.<br /><br />I have also learned to ride within my limits. My body doesn’t like the heat right now. (Most likely because I am still rather large) I have come to the fact that any temp above 92 degrees is the breaking point. Any hotter and I have to just take a leisure ride. My heart rate just jacks up way too high when it is hot. <br /><br />There are many other changes that are going on in my life. But for now they will stay private. But I do feel that they are changes for the good.<br /><br />Well I really need to get going. Till the next one. Later.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-76394829310407042522010-07-27T14:01:00.001-05:002010-07-27T14:01:42.823-05:00ups and downsI have been really slacking off lately.<br /><br />Well were to start? My shoulder had really flared up. I went to a Doctor to get it checked out. Initially he thought that I had a tear in my labrum. So I had to get a MRI. So for about a week I thought that I was going to have to have surgery on my shoulder. I got a good report back from the MRI. No tear. So off to physical therapy I went. 4 weeks of it. I am currently in week 2. I am having positive results too. The pain is mostly gone. But the shoulder is still really sore. <br /><br />Thru all this I did have a great ride in Katy, TX. A group from here in Lake Charles went over for the Katy Flatland ride. It was a great ride. We all rode the 40 mile route. Dad even rode it too. (Every one but Lisa, she is always being a solo Queen!!!! Hahaha She rode the 62 miler.) Was a great ride. Dad did great. He really doesn’t group ride much and we really pushed the pace on him. Jessica also did eally good. She has came leaps and bound from the 1st little 15 mile ride that I rode with her.<br /><br />The physical therapy and now a dental issue have kept me off the bike since the Katy ride. But I have not got down about the situation. It is better to have a break now than to be burnt out and need ing one in September or October. I need to be hitting a peak in October. So a short break now is ok with me. Plus it is just so hot too.<br /><br />I hope to get out on the bike some time later this week. Will have to see what the deal is with the dentist. My appointment is in 30 minutes. So I guess I need to wrap up this post.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-89715156326886907552010-07-07T22:06:00.000-05:002010-07-07T22:07:14.836-05:00Back to bloging!!!Well time for the long awaited update.<br /><br />The month of June really sucked for me. I messed up my shoulder. Which affected my riding. I had a wreck with another rider. Damaging my good wheel set. And all in all I hit a plateau.<br /><br />Well I decided to take some time off. I did not ride my bike since 6/30. 6 days off. That is not to say I did not think about cycling. <br /><br />Over the weekend of the 4th, I went to Lafayette to watch some of the local riders’ race in a Stage race over there. It was a great weekend.<br /><br />I had planned not to ride till 7/7. Well I just couldn’t help myself. So I went riding tonight. Charles, Stefen, John and Lindsay and I went for a 27.6 mile ride. I was please with how I performed. My shoulder was and is a little stiff but no pain like last week.<br /><br />I looked back at my log. The last time I had a 6 day break was in the 1st week of February. Don’t think that I will have another for a good while too.<br /><br />Well it is late and I need to get to sleep so I can get out early and earn my paycheck to get my wheel fixed.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-56307006909448104062010-06-24T21:15:00.001-05:002010-06-24T21:15:54.631-05:00Bad Day!!!Ok bad day it was.<br /><br />I guess I can do a mid week update.<br /><br />I rode Tuesday. Was a solid ride. Not too fast but had some good moments.<br /><br />Now on to tonight’s adventure. Or misadventure.<br /><br />Started off good. By the time we got to the light at McNeese St. I heard someone grumble behind me about the slow pace. We did 16-17 mph down Kirkman. So when the light changed I picked up the pace. I was only doing 18 mph. Well some how I broke away from the group. Mike G. rode up to me and asked if I was trying to make an attack this early. I found this funny. I was just trying to keep a good pace. Well he and I stayed together for most of southpark. Another rider joined up with us. Be ended up with a nice little break way. Well Mike and the other guy made a dash to catch the light at Tom Hebert and I missed the jump. But I was still off the front for a good while. I brought back to the main group past the light and stayed with them for another couple of miles. By this time they had really picked up the pace and I fell off the back. I kept a good pace by myself going down 397.<br /><br />This is where the adventure turned to misadventure. I saw a group of riders coming back down the road. I looked to see if I was clear and started to U-turn to ride back with them. Well I didn’t see a young lady coming quickly on a TT bike. Well a TT bike @ 18-20 mph and a Tarmac doing a U-turn= one bent rear wheel and some road rash for her. It really could have been lots worse. <br /><br />I won’t know what the damage is to the wheel till later. I wonder how much $$$ it is going to cost me to get this fixed. We shall see.<br /><br />So a great ride turned in to a bad day.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-744637149615462052010-06-22T15:47:00.001-05:002010-06-22T15:47:45.414-05:00The long awaited updateWell time to get an update in.<br /><br />The week of June 7th to the 13th ended with a thud. I spent the weekend helping move the bike shop. So not rides to add for that week. Ended a streak of 8 week with over 100 miles a week by only getting 80 for the week.<br /><br />Now for the week of June 14th to the 20th. <br /><br />I rode Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Ended up with just 121 miles. The heat is on here in Southwest Louisiana. I had wanted to ride 45-50 miles Sunday. But pulled up short at a 32 miler. It was just really hot and humid. <br /><br />I think I have hit a peak right now. I am just really tired and just can’t get thru the wall right now. I think I am going to take it easy for a few weeks. Might go to a every other day ride schedule right now. Don’t know what I will do yet. Just thinking about easing up on myself for a small break. <br /><br />Work is in full swing right now too. I think that has played a factor in my malaise right now. I have been studing for some test. Took one today and passed with a 94%. One more to go and I will make a jump from a Tech 3 to Tech 4. I will be putting the nose to the grindstone and will try to get that one done by next week.<br /><br />Till the next one!!!Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-57095500379571999972010-06-11T17:00:00.000-05:002010-06-11T17:01:30.645-05:00The Late UpdateWell, a friend has sent me a note (yes that’s you Stoney) that it time that I get my blog back up to date.<br /><br />The month of May was a great one for me. I rode 601 miles. That is the most I ever have rode in a month. <br /><br />I was off of work on Monday 5/31. Memorial Day. I rode with a group from Sam Houston Park for 33 miles. It was a great day!<br /><br />Rode the Tuesday group ride and did 27 miles.<br /><br />Didn’t ride again till Saturday. I rode the Spindle Top Spin in Beaumont, TX. There was a group of folks from L.C. who made the trip over. (Stoney, Lisa, Jessica, and Craig were the group that I went with) Was a really fun time. I know that there are a few parts of that ride that I will be talking about for years to come. We did 52 miles.<br /><br />My personal mileage challenge status<br /><br />Miles needed 2200<br />Total Miles 2073<br />Miles behind 127<br /><br />I was busy last week helping the Bike Shop move to the new location. That has keep my days riding down. This weekend is the big move. So I should get back on track next week.<br /><br />I will make another post on Sunday to rap up this week.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-10476665795208282602010-05-30T16:31:00.003-05:002010-05-30T17:03:44.339-05:00Weekly recapWell time to round up the week.<br /><br />Rode <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Monday</span> night. Nice easy ride 22 miles.<br /><br />Tuesday I took off.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Wednesday</span> was the Monthly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">TT</span>. Almost thought it wasn't going to happen. Had some heavy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">thunderstorms</span> move <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">thru</span> right before we started. We started late but we did start. The wind was ready strange. Was in your face just a bit on the southbound leg. On the way back it was more in your face. never really got a tail wind.<br /><br />I ended <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">up</span> with a 18.75 average. A little slower than last month. But I am not down about it. I feel that this was my best effort yet. I was at 18.1 at the turn and had to wait on traffic to turn. Even with a slight headwind I gained time on the way back in. Not as much as I would have liked but I did gain time with the wind on my face. Also my time was 39:22. 20 seconds slower than last month. Not to worry. You can't always set personal best. <br /><br />Had a great ride on Thursday. Had a great 1st section of the ride. I hung in on the front pack for 7-8 miles. We were going from 22-25 mph. Still can't keep that up for long yet. But I will get there. Ended up with 27 miles though.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Didn't</span> ride on Friday. Went to the meet and greet for my class reunion. (20 years, scary to think about that!! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span>)<br /><br />Was going to ride with Ron Saturday night but some heavy weather blew in again.<br /><br />This morning did a ride to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gibbstown</span> bridge and back. Rode with Mike G. and John V. They are both really strong riders. They pulled for me in the wind and really help me make this one of my all time best efforts. We did 52 miles at a 18.2 avg. <br /><br />Personal mileage Challenge.<br /><br />2100 miles needed.<br /><br />Total miles for the year 1960<br /><br />Miles behind 140<br /><br />For the month of my so far I have rode 569 miles. This week was a light one, only 4 rides for 117 miles.<br /><br />I am planning on riding tomorrow. I am hoping to get the 31 miles that I am short of making the 600 mile mark for this month. If I do get there it will be great. If I don't? No big deal. Just have to work harder next month!!!<br /><br />Well enough for now.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-37002177105952052242010-05-23T14:10:00.000-05:002010-05-23T14:11:07.831-05:00Weekly RecapOh what a week!<br /><br />Monday was an off day. That was a good thing. We had some heavy rain came thru that would have made a ride a bad deal.<br /><br />Tuesday work lasted late so I just rode my bike up to the Shop to do the group ride. Ended up with a nice 35 mile day. <br /><br />Did a nice solo ride. Rode 15 miles out on to the Island and back so ended with 30 miles total.<br /><br />Thursday was a group ride again. Help Jessica with her bike (they had a tire problem) so we fell way back of the pack. Stoney and Lisa waited on McNeese and we proceeded as a group on 4. Did 23 miles.<br /><br />Friday I rode from home to the Shop and met up with Charles and we rode the short route (21 mile) with the distance from home to the shop and back, I ended up with 28 miles.<br /><br />Took Saturday off the bike.<br /><br />This morning I got up and did the Grand Lake loop solo. Ended with 44 miles today.<br /><br />Well I finished the week with a new weekly best mileage 160 miles. I am feeling really good on the bike.<br /><br />Personal Mileage Challenge.<br /><br />Miles needed 2000 Miles total this year 1843 Miles behind 157.<br /><br />Made a big dent in the deficit for the year this week. <br /><br />I am on pace to blow thru the 485 miles that I rode last month. I only need 34 miles to match that. Also this week on Wednesday is the monthly TT. So there will be some new news in the next update.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-59361584519947120752010-05-16T14:08:00.001-05:002010-05-16T14:08:57.485-05:00The Weekly UpdateWell time to wrap up the week.<br /><br />Wednesday’s ride was a solo ride. It has been some time since I have been out riding solo. Ended up with 20 miles. Rode a little harder than I would have liked too. Kind of got going and just did it.<br /><br />Thursday’s ride was 27 miles and was at a good pace. Was surprised that I was able to do it after riding too hard on Wednesday. Really been burning both ends of the candle lately. Between work and helping Dean at the Bike shop. Plus keeping up my riding.<br />Wasn’t able to ride again until Today. Went to the T-Gator Tri to help with the SAG on the bike leg. After the Tri, I rode with John, Stefan, Mike, Craig and The Megues Brothers. We did 31 miles. For them it was a easy pace. For me it was one of my fastest ever. I averaged 18.5 pace. <br /><br />Riding out of Sam Houston Park was different for me. I encountered hills. (I know that they are not real hills. But going from South LC to up there it was a big difference.) I will have to try to go up that way and do some more rides. <br /><br />Well on to my personal mile challenge.<br /><br />Miles needed 1900 Total Miles ridden 1683 Miles Behind 217.<br /><br />Only had 101 miles for the week. But I think I have been pushing it hard as of late. Hope I an have a better week this week. I have now gone 6 straight weeks with 100+ miles a week.<br /><br />Well till my next post.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-47199775310814625152010-05-11T20:22:00.001-05:002010-05-11T20:22:54.557-05:00Weekly RecapWell I guess I need to get caught up.<br /><br />I rode Thursday night. Did 27 miles. As usual the wind was howling. Really wasn’t the best effort. I think I was just feeling a little worn down.<br /><br />I was going to ride Saturday morning but I had a bout of Allergy problems. I am thankful this year. Lots of people have been fighting them this year. I would normally be really messed up with them. I think the exercising has been the difference. <br /><br />Sunday morning I rode with Big Ron. Ended up with 36 miles. Had 114 for the week.<br /><br />So for my personal mileage challenge.<br /><br />Miles Needed 1800 Total Miles so Far 1581 Total Behind for the Year 219<br /><br />I made up 14 miles this week. Was hoping to make a bigger dent in it but such is life.<br /><br />Well today was the 1st ride of the week. I only did 23 miles but I had some good moments during the ride. A friend who I ride with has a saying. “Any day you get to ride your bike is a great day” I really agree with this statement. I know that when I ride, I feel better. <br /><br />Well till the next time.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-47844110499489433702010-05-06T09:17:00.000-05:002010-05-06T09:18:51.274-05:00RamblingsWell I felt like making a post today.<br /><br />Monday was my off day so nothing to report there. I rode the Tuesday group ride. <br />The plan was to just take it easy. Like that really happened. Those of us middle packers started off earlier than the Fast group. Well some of the riders from that group who would normally get dropped after Tom Hebert Rd. left with us. We started off a nice pace. 16-18 mph. When we hit Southpark we went to the 17-19 mph pace. I will say that I really was enjoying this ride.<br /><br />When we got to Tom Hebert Rd a small group broke out of the front but we had a group of 8-10 of us who stayed together. We rode the 17-20 pace all the way out to Helms Rd on 397. A group of 6-7 of us turned around and headed back in. We kept the same pace. That is till the Ladies got to the front and decided to show their power, the picked the pace up to 21 mph. (Thank you Lisa!!! LMAO) <br /><br />We lost the Stoney man on Lincoln Rd and Lisa dropped back with him. (Stoney is the toughest guy I have met. Nothing seems to hold this guy back!) I stayed with the group. And we kept the 17-20 pace going. <br /><br />I stayed with it till Southpark. That’s where when the pace got up to over 25 mph that I fell off. I regained the group on McNeese for a easy ride back to the shop.<br />This was by far one of my best group rides. I enjoyed the people I was riding with and the pace was fantastic! <br /><br />Last night I rode with Ron. Jessica messaged me and wanted to ride so we all rode from Ron’s house. We did an easy 23.5 mile ride. Big Ron wanted to push the pace but like I told him “save that energy for tonight’s ride” <br />So with that ride I have 126 mile for the month of May. (We are only 6 days into the month) and 50 miles for the week.<br /><br />I am really feeling strong right now. I know that there will be low points, but right now I am making some solid gains.<br /><br />Sunday I pulled up an old Email I had sent my dad back in September of last year. It was only 6 weeks in to my riding. I listed a bunch of goals. I have stuck to most of them. Some of them I have just blown clear out of the water.<br /><br />I was talking to a friend on Tuesday. The said that I might have to make a higher <br />goal for my annual mileage goal. My response was that I won’t set a number above the 5200 miles I set. I will just beat that number in to the ground if I can do it. <br /><br />One goal that I wrote about in that email was the Seattle to Portland ride. It is 202 miles. I wanted to do that in 2011. I have decided that I will do that one in 2012. But that is a ride which I will be doing!<br /><br />Will be riding tonight, Saturday and Sunday. So I should make another post on Sunday with a recap of the tail end of the week.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-80450846589555691272010-05-02T11:14:00.006-05:002010-05-02T11:28:33.830-05:00The Weekly Update<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZDdLjTr8v2s/S92mTYq4NoI/AAAAAAAAACc/OVV9IN0vJaw/s1600/teamwall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZDdLjTr8v2s/S92mTYq4NoI/AAAAAAAAACc/OVV9IN0vJaw/s320/teamwall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466708374667671170" /></a><br />This was the gang that we Rode with. AKA Team Wall. The 2 ladies from Beaumont who rode with us gave us that name. LMAO<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZDdLjTr8v2s/S92mJNAfSiI/AAAAAAAAACU/10aNgYehVNo/s1600/tourlafitte.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZDdLjTr8v2s/S92mJNAfSiI/AAAAAAAAACU/10aNgYehVNo/s320/tourlafitte.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466708199738395170" /></a><br />My dad, Big ROn and Myself before the Start of the 2010 Tour Lafitte.<br /><br /><br />Well time for an update. Where to start? This week was my best ever on the bike.<br /><br />I rode 23 miles with Ron on Monday. Normally Monday is an off day. But the Monthly Time Trial that they said was going to be the 1st Wednesday of the month, is actually going to be the Last Wednesday of the month. So I make a change on the fly so I could rest Tuesday and make a good showing on the Time Trial.<br /><br />Now to the time trial. Last Month I did the TT in 42M 33S. Its 20K. My average speed was 17.3.<br /><br />I did this one in 39M 3S. Average speed of 18.9 mph. Dropped 3M 33S off my time. The is a long list of reasons for the improvement. New wheel set, Lots of training miles (420 miles from the last TT), better ride planning just to list a few. I was really stoked by my improvement. Can’t wait till the end of May to do it again.<br /><br />I ended the month of April with 485 miles for the month. My best ever before this was 401 miles in November of last year. I could have rode Friday and broke the 500 make but I had Tour Lafitte on Saturday and the weather was going to be a issue and my dad had came in to town for the ride so I just left the 500 mile barrier up to break for another month.<br /><br />Now on to the Tour. I decided early in April to ride the 40 mile route with my dad and Ron. Very glad for that decision. I had a great time. There was a group of 8 people and we stayed together for the whole 40 miles. The wind was brutal but as a group we made the ride.<br /><br />This morning I capped off the best week ever on the bike. I went out on a ride with Big Ron. We rode to Boone’s Corner and back home. He ended up with 33, I rode to his house and back home so I had 35 miles. He did great!!! I know that that was his fastest ride ever. This after a very hard 40 miles yesterday in the wind at the Tour Lafitte!!! He is making great strides. <br /><br />I ended the week with 140 miles in 9H 33M. My most miles and longest time ever!!! The funny thing is that I feel like I could do more! But not to worry. I will keep building up the miles.<br /><br />My mileage goal update.<br /><br />Week Miles Needed Miles Rode Total Miles <br />13 1300 79.7 960.0 -340.0<br />14 1400 112.6 1072.6 -327.4<br />15 1500 125.2 1197.8 -302.2<br />16 1600 129.3 1327.1 -272.9<br />17 1700 140.4 1467.5 -232.5<br /><br />I am now only 232 miles behind of my goal. As you can see I have been hacking away at the deficit each week. At this pace I should be back on track by mid-July if not sooner. 5200 is the goal for the year.<br /><br />Big Ron and I are planning a road trip to Beaumont on the 5th of June to ride the Spindle Top Spin. We will be doing the 50+ mile route. Then for July we are going to ride the Katy Flatland ride. Will most likely do 60 mile ride there.<br /><br />Well enough for now.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-28037498890310590952010-04-25T13:01:00.000-05:002010-04-25T13:02:14.146-05:00What a great week!!!Were to start? <br /><br />Will start with a weight update. Back in March my scale went out. The old on had me at 238. Well when I got on the new one I was at 247. That was a mental blow. But the good news is that I am now at 238 on the new scale. So that means that I lost 9 pounds during the last month. <br /><br />Now for the bike update. Thursday nights ride was very poor. I just didn’t have anything in the tank. Not to worry. Momma always said there would be those days. <br /><br />Friday was an off day. (think I needed it). Saturday’s ride was some what questionable. Really had to watch the weather. But Big Ron and I got the ride in. Just a nice easy 21 miles.<br /><br />This morning was the big ride for the week. Big Ron and I did 40 miles. (That was Ron’s longest ride ever. Pace was easy for me. Big Ron suffered in the wind. But really was a good ride. (We did the Grand Lake loop).<br /><br />That ride set some new milestones for me. I have broke my best mileage for a month (old best was 401) I still have 3 rides left so I will post later on the new best total. New weekly best 129 miles for the week.<br /><br />Mileage Goal Update<br /><br />Week 16<br /><br />1600 needed<br /><br />1327 miles total so far<br /><br />So I am now just 273 behind for the year. Made up 29 mile this week. I love the good weather!!!<br /><br />This week will be a busy one. Tour Lafitte is on Saturday. Dad will be in town on Friday. <br /><br />I don’t think I will be doing another post till next Sunday. So till then.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-26827340264289444502010-04-21T21:33:00.000-05:002010-04-21T21:34:56.876-05:00Long WeekWell time for my slacker butt to catch y’all up.<br /><br />Had a great weekend on the bike.<br /><br />Friday evening Big Ron (AKA The Blue Ox, From the Paul Bunion tails) did an easy 21 miles. He is still working on building his conditioning but is making progress.<br /><br />Saturday evening I rode by myself and did 22 miles. Rode from my house to the Cameron parish line on Big Lake rd.<br /><br />Sunday Big Ron and I made a long ride (for him) We rode to the Catholic church out in Grand Lake. 32 miles for me just 30 for Big Ron.<br /><br />That put me at 125 miles on the week. My new personal best for a week. <br /><br />Haven’t updated my mileage goals lately, so here it is.<br /><br />Week 15<br />1500 miles needed.<br />Total so far, 1198<br /><br />So I am 302 behind at this point. But I am not worried. I will get back on track.<br /><br />Monday was my off day.<br /><br />Last nights ride was the group ride out of the Bike shop. We did 27 miles at a 16.9 pace. Was a fun ride.<br /><br />With that ride I hit another milestone. I broke 2500 total miles since I started to ride. I also have rode over a 1000 on my new bike too. The miles just keep rolling.<br /><br />Tonight was an easy pace with Big Ron. We did 20 miles. I really am enjoying the company while I am riding.<br /><br />Well I really need to get to sleep. Long day tomorrow.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-34971696983044082512010-04-15T22:03:00.003-05:002010-04-15T22:08:11.075-05:00Time for a UpdateWow. Been a busy week.<br /><br />Went to Houston to visit dad and do a ride over there.<br />We rode the Katy Ram Challenge. Did the 35 mile route. Got there early and was really surprised at the size of the crowd. There was close to 2000 riders. (might have even been over 2000) Just before the start the was a Beautiful double rainbow in the sky. (The call them Rainbows for a reason) Started the ride with a sprinkle of rain. It then turned in to a full blown rain. The 1st 12 miles was all rain. We came to the 1st SAG stop and it stopped while we were there. Thank you very much!!! <br /><br />Took off from there thinking the worse was past us. We had quite a few more showers during the next 12 miles too. After leaving the 2nd SAG stop we saw the sun a little. But didn’t have any major showers on the last 11 miles.<br /><br />It was great to ride with my Dad. He is coming to Lake Charles for the Tour Lafitte on May 1st. This ride will really be fun. <br /><br />On Sunday my dad and I rode on the multi-use trails on the westside of Houston by the G.H. Bush resivor area. Ended up with 21.6 miles. It was a very senic route. <br /><br />On the Tour Lafitte. I have decided to just ride the 40 mile route. My dad is going to ride that route. We will also have the company of Big Ron on the ride!<br /><br />Big Ron has upgraded his ride to a Tarmac Comp. (His 1st ride on it was tonight!!!)<br /><br />Have rode on just Tuesday and Thursday so far this week. Did 25 miles both nights. Planning on riding tomorrow night and Saturday with Big Ron.<br /><br />Well I better get off to sleep. Early day tomorrow!Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-18430103662752518262010-04-08T21:16:00.000-05:002010-04-08T21:17:20.704-05:00Update timeWell life has been busy. Sorry for the long gap in my post.<br /><br />Road Thursday night was a really windy night. Did 24 miles. Was still a little tired from my Time trial ride the night before.<br /><br />Friday was Good Friday. I went for a ride with Big Ron. We did 15 miles. I then turned around and did another 14 for a total of 29. I know the feeling of riding alone. So I really don’t mind hanging back and staying with Big Ron. <br /><br />Saturday just didn’t feel too good that morning. The seasonal allergies are kicking me some.<br /><br />Sunday was Easter. Didn’t make a ride. Spent the day at Big Ron’s, and ate way too much food.<br /><br />The 1st ride for this week was Tuesday’s group ride. Had a small group of five of us, Did a 23 miler at around 16.5 mph. Nice little ride. Wednesday night rode a short one with Big Ron. <br /><br />Tonight was group ride night again. Ended up with 23 miles. Wind was brutal out of the Northwest. So the pace wasn’t too fast. Had to fight home.<br />Did have one milestone though. I hit 30 mph for the 1st time. I was shocked!!! <br />But it was fun.<br /><br />I am traveling to Houston tomorrow. Saturday I am riding the Katy Ram Challenge with my Dad. We are only riding 35 miles. So will post early next week on how that went.<br /><br />Till the next one!!Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-17480774091881565102010-03-31T20:19:00.000-05:002010-03-31T20:20:45.964-05:00Monthly TTWell did the Jolly Roger time trial tonight.<br /><br />The time trial is on ward line road. We start at Hwy 14 and go to Helms Rd. It is a 12.2 mile ride.<br /><br />I finished in a time of 42M 33S. Just over 17 mph average. Not too bad. The wind going out was bad. But I was happy to have the hard part be the 1st half. The ride back in was really fast.<br /><br />The 1st 6 miles was hard. I started off good. But lost a lot of time during the 2nd mile. After the 3rd mile I got in to a grove and made good time. I think my time would have been lots better if I had got in to a better rhythm earlier.<br />When I made the turn, I dropped it in to the big ring and started to push the speed up. It was a very fast 6 miles back to the finish. My max speed showed a 26.5 mph. I love a good tail wind.<br /><br />I did this on a pure road setup. No aero gear. Now I have a base line to see how my fitness progresses thru the year. I will be fun to see. They will be doing this once a month.<br /><br />Well that’s it for now.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-36088070128133187222010-03-31T08:39:00.001-05:002010-03-31T08:40:12.196-05:00New Rider Alert!!!Well Time for another post.<br /><br />Well I enjoyed my weekend. Did not ride on Saturday or Sunday.<br /><br />I relaxed and enjoyed time with friends.<br /><br />I did end up with 88 miles for the week.<br /><br />Friday after work I did a 25 miler. The weather down here is great right now. I plan on enjoying it. Because June, July and August are not far off and the Heat will be on.<br /><br />I rode the group ride last night and pulled tail end charley for Dean so he could visit with his parents who were in town. <br /><br />The most eventful thing on the ride was that Big Ron finally got off the easy chair and on a bike. Big Ron is my one of my Best Friends. He is like I was last Summer. Large and needing to get back in to shape. It is great to get Big Ron on a bike. I think that this will help me too. I know that when we get him back in to shape he and I will be doing some crazy rides.<br /><br />Work (I have to do something to support my cycling addiction.) Is picking up. But the good news is looks like I will be getting some help so it shouldn’t affect my riding too much.<br /><br />Well more laterJack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-22356056840755803112010-03-25T20:50:00.000-05:002010-03-25T20:51:34.505-05:00Mid-week updateSorry for the large time gap. <br /><br />I was down for the count during the weekend. It’s spring and the allergies hit me so I was not in any condition to ride this weekend.<br /><br />Got back on the bike Monday afternoon. Did a nice easy 21 mile ride. Tuesday was group ride night got in to a nice small group and again did 21 miles at a 15.5 pace. Weather was poor on Wednesday, so didn’t make a ride. <br /><br />Rode the Group rides again tonight. Again did 21 miles. Was going to push for a longer ride but the wind was really bad out of the Northwest. So I took a shorter ride. But the pace was good. 16.2 mph. All and all it was really a good ride.<br /><br />Planning on riding tomorrow and Saturday. So will post an update on Sunday.<br /><br />MS-150 update. Already have had 2 sponsors!! I have 300 dollars in donations so far!! I want to get to 1000. So friend and family help me out.Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-88564379589666941512010-03-19T18:03:00.002-05:002010-03-19T18:08:22.609-05:00Group Rides & MS150Well time for an update.<br /><br />I rode Wednesday and Thursday.<br /><br />Wednesday I rode from Capitol with a small group. It was only 23 miles but the pace was fast!!! (For me it was fast, 3 of the guys are racers so for them it was a easy pace). Was by far the fastest I have ever ridden. It was great.<br /><br />Thursday I rode from Capitol again. This time I made it an easy ride. Dean is leading the beginner group. I told him I would ride with him. We had a young lady who just started to ride so we did a short 15 mile ride. Was good that I took it easy. I was still feeling the effects of my Wednesday ride.<br /><br />Today I signed up for the MS 150 Ride to the River ride in October on the 9th and 10th. I am planning on making the 1st day a Century ride. I have decided to make this my 1st century. It is going to be on my birthday and I think I will remember that for a life time.<br /><br />MS is a cause close to my heart. I lost my mother in 2005 after a 23 year battle with MS.<br /><br />Well I will keep everyone up to date on the train up for the ride.<br /><br />This is the link to my MS150 Personal Page<br /><br />http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?px=7871081&pg=personal&fr_id=14441&et=tz5HHAde8UcFpjtRf11DLA..&s_tafId=158358Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-67130805453478690502010-03-17T10:03:00.000-05:002010-03-17T10:04:01.949-05:00Weather RantWell good ol’ Louisiana weather strikes again. It started with a 20% chance of rain the upgraded to a 40% chance. That just means they have no clue what mother nature is going to do.<br /><br />The reason for the weather rant today is because it rained yesterday. So that means the official start of group rides here in Lake Charles has been put off till Tomorrow (Thursday). <br /><br />It’s a good thing I got on the bike and made a ride on Monday. Just 22 miles.<br />If the mother nature works with me today I will ride this evening. Hope to ride the next 3 days and Sunday. (70% chance of rain for Saturday, if the weather whinnies get it right)<br /><br />There will be no weight updates this week. My scale went out on me and the replacement is due in on Monday. (Thanks to the great deal on Wal-mart.com and free shipping)<br /><br />Not much else to rant about today. Just had to complain about the weather and lack of a good forecast by the weathermen.<br /><br />Till the next time!Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791810246146254315.post-24344824508326102992010-03-14T21:26:00.003-05:002010-03-14T21:31:00.794-05:00Chilly Roger Pics<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZDdLjTr8v2s/S52bM2TtHAI/AAAAAAAAABI/bhS5w9mx_w4/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 221px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448681769227066370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZDdLjTr8v2s/S52bM2TtHAI/AAAAAAAAABI/bhS5w9mx_w4/s320/003.JPG" /></a>Well this is me. I am very adverse to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cameras</span>. So it might be a while before you see another one.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZDdLjTr8v2s/S52bMl8iTVI/AAAAAAAAABA/zDp_tTUyMu4/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448681764834921810" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZDdLjTr8v2s/S52bMl8iTVI/AAAAAAAAABA/zDp_tTUyMu4/s320/002.JPG" /></a>This is my road bike. </p><p><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZDdLjTr8v2s/S52bMaI5TsI/AAAAAAAAAA4/RMWmA-HtcF0/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448681761665535682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZDdLjTr8v2s/S52bMaI5TsI/AAAAAAAAAA4/RMWmA-HtcF0/s320/001.JPG" /></a> The starting area for the 2010 Chilly Roger</p>Jack Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17198830717819921204noreply@blogger.com0