More Than A Bike and Jersey

Life is more than a bike and jersey - but those two things can lead to friendship that can't be replaced. I think this year has proven that. This past January Goose and I started indoor training and had Egg and Crilli up to motivate/make fun of us. I do believe the race is won in January. Next came the trip to Helen GA when family men didn't have to indulge a 3 year old, but they did (and yes that does include Crilli and Guru). After coming home, encouragement/orders were given to Goose to ride with the Cows. He listened sometimes/other times not. At times everyone (including me) made fun of Goose - but everyone always encouraged him. People let him suck wheel when they know he is hanging for dear life, and they don't complain. Ron took time to explain my camera to me (which I am still learning) ---- get your ass back out on the bike MTHD. This makes true friendships. No, everyone doesn't see each other everyday, everyone is going opposite directions - but I truly believe a true friendship has been made.

So -- to all the Cows that have encouraged (and made of fun of) Goose - THANKS.

Goose Lost His Chain

The Goose is loose on the river. The canoe portion started off 1/4 mile up river with a turn around, then heading down stream for 1 mile and then back up stream. Excellent canoe portion.

Diesel showing his support. After Goose was in the bike transition area, I saw a very familiar jersey - MAD COW! He headed out on the course, not sure how much he road on the course - but thanks!

Goose heading out of the bike transition. Please talk to Bruce E. - he saw Goose riding AND HE WASN'T IN HIS AEROBARS! BTW - Congrats to Team Troy (with Bruce as the cyclist -- and he also ran the course, even though he didn't have to) winning this Troy Vs Piqua Challenge

A no chain Day for Goose

Da' Goose near the end. The boy needs some meat on those legs!

That says is all - Glad the race is over, Boy did I have fun and an excellent race.

Won't know the results until later tonight, but it doesn't matter, Jeff had a good race day and he had fun. Next race? Lake Loramie - I think he will probably take the pro boat that day. Until then, lots of roads to be ridden and trails to be run.

Can Ya Believe the Goose Rambled!

Goose got his bling wet tonight :(

I guess they think they will melt in the rain - but guess who was out in the rain taking their picture!

After waiting out the down pour, it came time to get off the Jeep and head out. Small group tonight - started out Egg, Rhino and Goose. Egg had written out excellent directions for me (THANKS!) I headed out to Tipp Elizabeth to catch them after the "warm-up". After many roads (which you will have to refer to Egg's blog), I saw a familiar jersey coming the opposite way - it was Diesel (which now I understand how he got his name). He pulled a U Turn and they continued on. As I pulled forward, I noticed the below ---


absolutely beautiful. I was so close - but Mom eventually wanted to head across the road. They crossed right in front of the cows (don't they know? Cows rule)

Once again Egg can tell you exactly what road this is --- I just know it is before the rollers. I was really happy with how Goose road the rollers tonight. I had the radio turned up, so I didn't hear him "goosing" --- but everyone agreed he let out a few good ones.

After he road, Goose went out for a short run, wanted to test the legs. He is thrilled how they felt after riding.

Goose wanted to make sure I blogged how much he appreciated the group tonight - everyone helped him to to what he did - you have helped prepare him for his race. Now from Noose - thanks - this was a character/confidence builder for him.

This was a triple treat for me today - I rode early (to beat the rain). I took pictures of the Cows and saw the beauty of the wildlife. What more could a person ask for?

Another Beautiful Day

Wow - another beautiful day to be outside. Goose knew he was getting in the water again tonight. Late night at work, but he still went. He had a great workout - home and dinner (after 8 - which is becoming a norm in our home).

I went to the "free" movies with AJ and Rebecca. After a great lunch at their house, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Decided to go out a ride. Made a new route (yeah all by myself) which I thought was flat - nope - 3 nice climbs in a row. Had fun - would have been more fun except was "stung" 3 times by something. Need to find a way to carry my EpiPens with me.

Goose has committed to riding Wed evening. I hope to get done early enough and try to get some pictures of the Cows along the way.

Sunday Fun Time

Goose and I went to Mass this morning and was very surprised to see Crilli with his family. Afterwards, small talk, pokes and jabs, advice given, we headed home. Goose had already decided he was going out for 30 miles and try out his legs and cold/allergy status. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Goose and Crilli thought it would be good to go out and just "spin" the legs out.

Goose headed out in sunny skies, I decided to stretch out first and see how my legs felt. After a 30 minute stretch I decided to go out and just spin (slow). Decided to stay flat and wondered through the back roads to Troy Frederick and guess who was waiting on me - Goose. Remember I said slow, spin - that wasn't his idea for me. I hung for a while on his wheel but finally told him to go on home. Luckily he didn't (he was playing Egg today) and coached me home. I am glad he stayed with me.

After I asked how he felt. He said he just tested the climbs and his legs. Except for just soreness in the calf, said he felt really good. I'm not going to post his plans for the week, because when I do, something happens and he can't do what he wants. So lets hope that the weather holds out in the evenings and he can do what he wants.

Beautiful Day

Saturday morning/afternoon was a beautiful day. Unfortunately Goose is still under the weather with a cold/allergies. Very unusual for him - usually it is me that is sick. Changed drugs and they seem to be working better.

I had planned on riding this morning. Goose talked be into adding another small climb with incline most of the road. Headed out with NW winds - yuck - much prefer SW. I decided early on to just make it thru the ride. I hit Peters with more wind than I preferred after riding this week. Thought I would make a decision on continuing at the halfway point - after all if I turned around I would have one heck of a tail wind. Nope, decided to keep going. Actually didn't have to use my inhaler at the point I usually do - was happy with that with the air feeling heavy. Made my first "climb" really well (for me) and got back into the wind on Karns. (but had record speed for me) Hit Garland, the road I hate, and got a nice little tail wind and was at the farm house before I knew it and ready to turn onto Frederick. Decision time, do I take the new route with the added climb, or call it a day and turn home. Nope took the new way. Climb wasn't that bad it was just the continued include after it. Added a mile or so to the route, still stayed within the time I usually do the other. So I am happy with my ride and glad I am done.

Goose worked today and had to make a "sales" call after work. He decided to get in the water another day - no running with the congestion. Looks like if he rides Sunday, it will be alone. He knows what 62 miles would do to him and with racing next Sunday he needs to shake what ever he has.

Character Building Day

Goose is still recovering from the calf pull/bruise. He knew he was going to get in the water one more day before heading out on his bike Thurs. After getting his wheel fixed, I thought I would head out - wrong - showers set in so I thought I would wait until they passed. They did, I got changed and oh wait, showers again. So I did what I didn't want to and watch the radar. I didn't check wind speed because I knew I would talk myself out of riding. I finally got to head out into NW winds. I reached my half way point and had to decided if I wanted to turn around and get a good push home or continue on my adventure in the head/crosswinds. I decided to build some character today and finish the ride. Apparently I need more character than I wanted, lots of wind and what I thought was a long time on the bike. All said and done, it didn't take me as long as it felt, the MPH average I am really happy with. Frederick Garland actually went really well - not sure if the wind was pushing or if it finally died down on that road. On Michaels Rd coming home - I actually pasted another bike (and no it wasn't a child - it was a young lady also struggleing in the wind) Fun day on the roads for me.

Hopefully Goose can get out tomorrow and get some good miles in.

OH - I just watched Egg's video with Guru - I needed a chuckle - nice trip Guru!