Ouch, my knees!

February 1st, 2012

Played basketball again on Tuesday night. Monday night I put in an hour on the trainer with a couple of harder efforts. All day Tuesday my legs had that happy but tired feeling that comes after a good workout on the bike. That all changed after the torture of the hardwood!

Jumper's Knee

Yep, that is exactly what hurts

My knees still had a tinge of aching from the last week, but I hoped the new basketball shoes I got would make them handle things better. It seems that I have a case of “jumper’s knee.” Right off the bat I knew the stiffness in my knees was going to give me issues. I just couldn’t uncoil smoothly for an outside shot. During warm-up I was missing badly!

The same thing was happening when I attempted to drive. There was very little elevation – at least it felt that way. I just hoped that things would come around in the game.

Ah, when we started playing I ended up guarding a guy who had an incredibly fast step. I figured he was in his early 20s’. It was all I could do to keep him from driving on me. Then each time I would close him out, he would step back and elevate for an outside shot. I’d have my hand in his face, but turn around to see the ball swishing through the net.

One time I was trying to take away his right hand and he did a crossover dribble and moved left. I tried to slide to my right to shut it down, but he was so fast that I lost my balance and ended up sitting on my butt!

The outside shooting woes continued. I finally started getting some baskets by posting up low, putting back some rebounds and slashing to the basket. However, it was just one of those nights and the other guys I played with seemed to have the same issues. We ended up getting creamed every game during the hour I played.

If I were to go by perceived effort, I would say an hour of basketball leaves me feeling about like a 30 minute crit. It is all the bursts of energy that get to you. At least the way I have to play (due to my lack of ability) has me constantly moving to create space. There is very little standing waiting for a pass. By the end of the evening, I was bending over grabbing my shorts.

I don’t know how all of this is going to translate over to the bicycle. The jury is still out whether or not this will be helping me physically. I do know that it makes me have a new appreciation for the bicycle and even the trainer!

The pounding my body takes – I’ve already mentioned my knees, but there was also the elbow to my face which caused my tooth to cut open the inside of my lip – has me rolling out of bed the next morning feeling like a truck hit me. Now in my third week of playing things have improved for most of my muscles, but my knees really do hurt.

Today I’ll get back on the trainer. It will not be so much for a workout as it will be to recover from basketball! Spinning helps warm up the muscles without the impact of all that lateral movement. At least it doesn’t increase the pain in my knees.

At the same time, this experience is showing me that I can’t depend solely on the bicycle for my health. The bike is awesome for the heart and lungs. My legs are stronger – for the most part – than ever. However, there just are parts of my body that the bicycle can’t affect. So, here is hoping that I can play through the pain to the other side.

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2014 Para-Cycling Road World Championships in Greenville

January 31st, 2012

Around 2 PM yesterday a press conference was held at City Hall in downtown Greenville to announce the UCI decision to bring the 2014 Para-Cycling Road World Champships to the city. The events will be held over a five day period beginning August 28 and conclude on September 1. The routes the racers will compete on were not announced. The fact that the race will be held here is a great thing for Greenville. This is a world class event with a strong international involvement.

Here are a few ways to learn more about the event:

It is exciting to see what cycling is doing for Greenville. It began many years ago with some passionate local riders. Then there were those early races like the Michelin Downtown Classic. Into this atmosphere came George Hincapie and the following National Championships. Now we see this opportunity expand with an international event.

Bryant Young

Greenville para-cycling athlete, Bryant Young

Yes, it takes a lot to make these events happen. The role of sponsors cannot be downplayed. With out the Greenville Hospital System and the support of the county and city governments these events would not happen. This support should not be taken for granted. Without it it would not matter what type of terrain, weather and passion Greenville brings to the table.

Greenville area cycling coaches Jim Cunningham and Simon Bennett will be excited to see the para-cycling event come to Greenville. They have worked hand-in-hand with the US para-cycling team to help train athletes for competition on the national and international scene. I can only imagine the feeling of satisfaction they will feel to see their efforts bring fruit on the streets of their city.

I am also excited for Greenville residents like Bryant Young. Bryant is an amputee who has not let the loss of a limb keep him from competition. He has made his own attempts to reach the worlds. It is kind of cool that now – in a way – the worlds are coming to him.

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Riding back in time

January 29th, 2012

I started out yesterday morning reading some from The Time-Crunched Cyclist (more on that later). Then it was off to take my son to his baseball tryouts. After moving branches from a tree that fell in my backyard and fixing the shed door, I stopped for lunch. Lunch done, I put up a new light fixture in the hallway. I helped my son burn some of the branches and then I was free to ride my bike.

It was around 2:30 PM when I rolled the Felt out to the driveway. The weather was beautiful. Just around 60 degrees and feeling even warmer when I stood in the sun. I wondered if I was going to get too warm with my long sleeve under layer and knee warmers. Figuring that the wind would make things a bit cooler, I decided to stay dressed.

This ride was a throw back to days gone by. I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t even know where I would go. Turning right out of the driveway decreased my options, but there would still be plenty of varied terrain to mix things up.

In about 8 minutes, I was in Cleveland Park. I decided I would stay there a bit and do some laps. This would also be a return to days gone by.

Back when I was first starting to ride I had no inclinations to race. I thought it was way beyond me. However, I did like going fast and enjoyed competition. If I couldn’t race other riders, I would race myself.

Little did I know that what I was doing was an unsophisticated type of interval training. What I did was do up to 10 laps of the park – about a 2.5 mile loop. There are two climbs that require a good effort and some downhills that give you a minute or so to recover. The rest of the park is pretty flat as it runs along the Reedy River.

As I did these laps I would focus on either 1) beating the time of my previous lap, or 2) try to maintain a certain speed for the entire lap. I still remember how pumped I was when I managed to hold a 22 mph average for the 20 or so miles. I can’t remember my fastest lap, though I don’t believe I ever got under 6 minutes — though I did get close.

Well, on this beautiful Saturday I pushed my lap button at the bottom of the climb on Woodland Circle. The first lap was more a warm up. Because of all the people and the traffic, I finished the first lap close to 8 minutes.

I picked it up a bit on the second lap, but still got caught at the doggie park because of all the people parking along the side of the narrow road to unload their dogs. I went a little harder once I got clear in an attempt to make up time, but that was a mistake. I’m not ready for those kinds of efforts! Still, I shaved off about 30 seconds.

The earlier effort caught up with me on the third lap. I focused on keeping a cadence over 90 rpm and tried to make sure I kept spinning circles instead of mashing on the pedals. This time I got held up by pedestrians crossing the road and cars slowing for speed bumps, but got the lap done in about the same time as the second lap.

I made that one my last and slowly made my way toward the Swamp Rabbit Trail to go downtown to get a cup of coffee. What a wonderful thing to see all the people! It is a great place to people watch. There are some interesting characters, but also it is fun to watch the cyclists who are trying to be “all that.”

About an hour was under my belt when I stopped for my coffee. As I pulled up to dismount my bike, I saw two racer type cyclists — probably college age — go by. Their jerseys were unzipped and they looked like they had been putting in an effort. I wondered if they were coming in from the UWBL.

Several cars went by with bikes on top. I figured they t00 were used for the several hour long ride that leaves from downtown most Saturday mornings during the winter months. Unlike the past, I didn’t feel a pang of guilt for not taking my bike with them.

I tried to finish the last of my coffee so I could get going and ended up burning my tongue. I had parked my bike on the outside of the shop and sat near the door. I wanted to get riding again, but also wanted to attach myself to the bike before someone else did!

Now I was on the Swamp Rabbit Trail headed toward Furman University. Once again I found myself moving around people skating, walking their dogs, running, walking or riding their bikes. Today there were a lot of bicycles.

As I neared Furman, I was glad I had kept my knee warmers and under layer. The wind was cooler now and I was in more shaded areas. The layers made me feel quite comfortable.

Once you reach the portion of the trail that goes through the Furman campus, Paris Mountain becomes an obvious landmark. As I glanced up from the shaded trail to see the sun shining on the mountain, I decided that going over it would be the fastest way home. That would make my ride about 2 hours total and it would be fun to make my first attempt of 2012.

I had absolutely NO thoughts that this was going to be a good time. I didn’t even try to make it so. I put the bike in the easiest gear and started to climb. Frankly, I was feeling pretty bad by the water tower section. I was starting to second guess my decision!

Getting around the first turn after that section, I was feeling a bit better. I was more in a rhythm.

I reached halfway in 7 minutes or so. Hmmmm, that wasn’t so bad for not really trying. As I started, I thought it might be nice to hit 18 minutes. Now I was thinking I might make it in 16.

Sure enough about two-thirds of the way up I bogged down. This is typical for me. Still, I just kept looking ahead to the next turn and kept spinning. I reached the wall just under 15 minutes. I stood and started rocking the bike toward the top. Maybe because I had not pushed hard to this point, I found that I was feeling pretty good.

Paris Mountain KOM

Looking through the trees atop Paris Mountain. Looking toward Saluda.

I pushed the lap button at 15:33. This will be my base time to start the year. Each time I make the climb, I’ll try to bring it down. Granted, it won’t be hard to drop it with a little bit of effort. However, I know the time will come when it will be very hard to improve the time.

Coming off the mountain, I let the Felt go. I love big-ringing it down Altamont and swooping like an eagle around the turns. It helps me forget about the pain of the climb.

I pulled up at home after just over 2 hours on the bike. There was no guilt that it hadn’t been 4 hours. I sat down by the still burning logs to talk with my son. There was a smile on my face — and on the inside.

It was good that the bike was telling me how to love it instead of everyone around me.

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2012 Goals

January 26th, 2012

You may ask that with all these changes in my approach to cycling this year, “What are your goals for 2012?” That would be a good and fair question. It is a question I’ve asked myself and struggled with. I guess my first goal is to set some goals!

Typically, I divide my goals with the bicycle into three sections — racing, personal and charitable. Racing goals can be your typical “A”, “B” and “C” type events that you try to peak for. These goals can also be aims within the race — improvements in performance and knowledge of the sport. Personal goals are more associated with training. Working toward a certain FTP or a time up Paris Mountain. Charitable goals have normally culminated in my Ride for Mike events.

I guess I’ll do the same thing this year. One thing I know is that I need some goals in order to stay motivated. It is just up to this point, thinking of goals has made me tired.

Racing

There will be plenty of opportunities to race locally this year. It all starts with the Spring Series in mid-February. You can have some pretty serious racing under your belt by the end of March. Also in March is the Spring Cycling Extravaganza — a new two day series presented by the POA Cycling Team. As for April, I don’t know if I’ll take the trip down to Charleston for the SC crit championships this year, but the St. Francis summer series starts up locally.

May presents opportunities at the Spartanburg Regional Classic and another St. Francis race. June brings about the SC road race championship, the SC time trial championship and, yes, another St. Francis race. July could see me in Asheville again for the French Broad TT and road race. There is a St. Francis race near the end of the month as well.

The new race weekend “End of Summer Blowout” will take place in August along with the continuing St. Francis race. September brings the end of most racing — except cross — with the final St. Francis race. So, there is plenty of racing right in the general Greenville area. Throw in other races within an hour or so drive and you could nearly race twice a week or more the months March – August.

That isn’t my plan. My “A” race is going to be the SC Road Race Championship on June 9. My goal is to be as fit as I can be to be on form for a top 10 finish. I’ll use any racing up to that point as a means to reach that goal. I’m definitely not planning to explode out of the gate for the Spring Series!

Other than that, but goals will be to put a more conscious effort into watching and learning — becoming smarter. That means better skill wise, better reading moves and better at using the field to put me in the best place. This will happen by racing and watching riders I know have been in this game for a long time. The goal is to set a lesson plan for each race, focus on that one thing and grade myself at the end.

Personal

This one is simple. I want to return to my obsession with the mountain. I realize many people think this is a Don Quixote endeavor.  However, when I think back to some of my more fun periods on the bike, they include my attempts to bring my time down on that 2.2 mile stretch of road.

My goal here is simple. I want to get a personal best climbing Altamont Road. That means I have to climb it in less than 11 minutes and 24 seconds.

Charitable

Here is where I face a challenge. In the past, I have always had a clear road ahead for my goal by this time in the year. For 2012, I don’t have an “epic” ride in mind.

Originally, my goal was actually much larger. My plan was (is?) to start a new foundation — iridefor.org. Its purpose is to help others who want to be an encouragement by personally supporting people in need. Basically, it would be to provide tools and knowledge to help anyone carry out their own “Ride for Mike.”

The problem for me right now is that to make this a success, I would have needed to be much farther along in the process right now. I just don’t know if I can pull it off on the same scale for 2012 that I originally dreamed.

At the same time, if you don’t have goals, you might as well not dream. I still have a dream for iridefor.org. While I may not hit the stars this year, I don’t see why I can’t land on the moon.

So, there you go. I’ve laid it out what I’m thinking. That is another part of setting goals… you need some accountability. That is one of the main reasons for this blog.

Thanks for keeping an eye on me.

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The cross training experiment continues

January 25th, 2012

In an earlier post I mentioned that something I am doing differently this year is trying to do more cross training. Now that I am doing it, I realize all the more why athletes need it. I just hope I can survive it!

For me an important part of cross training is that it needs to be something I enjoy. It has to be something I enjoy more than riding my trainer. Where I have gone wrong in the past is doing cross training that I don’t enjoy more than the trainer — say, running for instance.

What I arrived at was basketball. Here is a sport that I used to love playing. I would spend hours on our dirt driveway shooting baskets. As I grew a little taller I would put a concrete block in a strategic spot and dunk. Unfortunately, that is one part of the game I never got. I never graduated from the ability to dunk a volleyball.

I played high school and was “the man” on my team. In college I enjoyed pick up games and intramural league. As a matter of fact, basketball was one of the reasons I spent the last three years of college digging out of a giant GPA hole!

It was actually a football injury that ultimately moved me away from basketball and toward cycling. In high school I was a wide receiver and sometimes an option tailback. In one game while running out of the backfield, I made an abrupt change of direction while planting my left knee. The cleats got hung up in the centipede grass and my left knee twisted. Immediately it swelled up like a melon.

I recovered from that for the most part, but during college I could be walking up a flight of stairs and pivot left at the top and there would go my knee. The same would sometimes happen as I played basketball. I just never knew when it would.

The doctor said I needed to build up the muscle around my knee. I did some gym work in an attempt to improve the stability of that region. I still had a fear that my knee would go out at any time.

Once out of college I got married, started a job and basically stopped playing basketball all together. That is what brought me to the bicycle. Not exercising left me very unhealthy. I knew that cycling was a way to exercise with low impact on my knees. The rest is the history of this blog!

Now I’m looking for something to shake things up and basketball certainly fits the bill of being something I enjoy more than the trainer! Plus, I’m less than a mile away from some awesome facilities. Last night was my second night of pickup. I saw dramatic improvements in my game. Giving up the outside shot, I decided to do more slashing toward the basket. That combined with picking up some trash points from offensive rebounds had me scoring pretty well.

The body has taken the toll though! We moved to full court and I was doing a bit more running. Plus, I’m wearing my Mizuno running shoes which offer zero lateral ankle support. I never sprained my ankle, but I could definitely feel my ankle muscle straining.

My knees also took a bit of a beating. As we were finishing the final game, I could feel a tightness in the tendons just below my knee caps. By the time I went to bed, it hurt to bend as I lowered myself to sit on the edge of the bed. This morning it was even worse when I got up. I’m pretty sure some actual basketball shoes would solve some of these issues.

At the same time, some of the other muscles that were screaming at me after my first game night were much more happy. My t band was pretty much what it is now days. I basically live with that pain — it is the new normal. However, my hamstrings and upper body were not complaining.

This is good. All the years riding my bike have given me the stamina to run with the youngins’. Running with the guys on the court is giving me a break from the monotony of the trainer while also strengthening those muscles that the bicycle doesn’t affect. It makes me enjoy the time on the trainer more if for no other reason than because it helps take away the aches and pains!

This morning is a commute morning to work. I’m sure the fixie is going to give those knees a workout. Still, I’ll enjoy it all the more because of last night. Now to to get some shoes!

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Thanks, Coach. Thanks, Friend.

January 24th, 2012

Over the last several years I’ve had the privilege to be coached by Jim Cunningham. As I look back at any success I have had, I can attribute a lot of that to Jim. Where I haven’t done so well, I can attribute that to me not listening to Jim! Now in 2012, I’m moving in a different direction. As I do so, one of the things I’ll miss is having Jim covering my back.

I couldn’t believe that in all the photos I have of me cycling, I don’t have one with Jim! Here is the closest I have to it — this is a photo of Chris Hartzler wearing a Low Cadence kit standing next to Jim. Chris had just attended a hill climbing clinic that Jim was holding on Paris Mountain.

The coach

Jim Cunningham and Chris Hartzler

This is the one thing that brings a little pang of regret. Not having Jim pushing me along means that the official coach/athlete relationship comes to an end. I’ll have to admit, I’m not so much going to miss the coach structured training as I will Jim the coach.

The same thing goes with the decision not to race on a team this year. I definitely know it is for the best, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t miss that feeling of “belonging” that comes with having mates in the peloton. Sure, it isn’t like I’ve been disowned, but it just isn’t the same.

It is going to be interesting finding my spot in the cycling world. The bicycle was the primary connection that I had with most folks in the community. My “other life” moves in a different sphere than most other two-wheeled junkies.

Now I’m going at it a little bit alone. I’m hoping that Jim will still be willing to give me some pointers and kick me in the seat on occasion. He definitely has the knowledge and desire to see those he helps succeed. Take a look at his recent article over at CarolinaCyclingNews.com.

I highly recommend his services. If you want to improve as a cyclist, one of the best ways is to get yourself a coach. The knowledge and accountability it brings will definitely move you to a different level. If you can’t get Jim, then let him point you to someone he knows can help improve you.

Thanks, Coach! Thank you, my friend!

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Love. Hate. Love. Hate. Pro cycling

January 23rd, 2012

I knew the Santos Tour Down Under was underway last week. It was just something in the back of my mind the first couple of stages. Then I sat down to look up a show I had recorded on my DVR and found that because of my automatic setting from last season my DVR was recording the NBCSports coverage of the race.  So, while doing some stretching exercises on a rainy Saturday morning I pushed the play button.

Ahhhh, pro cycling. It is a love hate relationship. I won’t get into all of the baggage here, but will just say that much of the past has left me jaded. Granted, last year seemed to be an improvement over some previous ones. Perhaps the peloton truly is casting out its demons… but like most demons, the specters won’t go quietly. I fully expect that we’ll have our share of announcements during this year.

Still, despite the times in the past where I’ve flown too close to the flames of disappointment, the first few stages that displayed on my TV screen awakened the love for the sport. I realize that if you have never competed in cycling it might be hard to understand. However, if you have ever felt the pain of riding to the edge of your endurance to advance a teammate or maintain a breakaway — not to mention the exhilaration of having that pain pay off with victory — you understand.

I’ve said it before, but that is the thing that makes the sport so intimate. Watching most other sports and you can plainly see that the ability of the participants vastly exceeds your own. I admire watching my favorite basketball player soar to a thunderous dunk. However, I’ve never experienced that feeling first-hand (except maybe the times I played on an 8ft. goal). I’ve played backyard football before, but it isn’t anything like what we saw this weekend with the AFC and NFC championship games.

Pro cycling is deceptive. “Hey,” I’ve even heard, “It’s just a bunch of grown men riding bicycles.” How many times have I been asked, “Are you ever going to ride in the Tour de France?” It is in that way that pro cycling — especially on TV — is deceptive. It is harder to tell the difference between the professional and the amateur.

Is there a difference? You betcha! The power output, the speeds, the skill, the close quarters of the peloton… they are steps above. At the same time there is a relative similarity. A top sprinter is putting out 1800+ watts going toward the line. I’m pegged at 1300 at best. Those guys would leave me like I was sitting still. However, if you were to look at our faces and attempt to judge our efforts, you couldn’t tell that much of a difference. The uninitiated would not have the same sense of awe that I would.

While I was watching Will Clarke riding to hold off the rushing peloton around Sterling I not only got caught up in the excitement of the chase, I also had an inkling of what the Tasmanian was going through. I was on that bike with him willing the break to succeed. As he rolled across the line with his limbs shaking I could empathize.

I climbed on the trainer later that day with a little more motivation than usual. Watching the pros helped awaken a little more of the desire. During one stretch on the trainer when I set a goal to hold a certain wattage for a certain period of time, Clarke came to my mind as my mind started questioning my ability to do it. I imagined myself trying to hold off the peloton and if I could just hold the wattage until that time I would be the winner!

Of course, I was reminded once again of the darker sides of cycling when Alejandro Valverde took the fifth stage. I guess that is part of the story as well. I guess we all hope for forgiveness and redemption. In a way, I’m looking for a little of that myself in 2012.

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Back to the lair

January 20th, 2012

I call my basement office the “Low Cadence Lair” (what it looked like back in 2009). Over the last several years, I would like to know how many miles I’ve ridden down there! I’m certain the whirring of the trainer has been heard for dozens of hours. Well, the sound returned last night for the first time in many months.

13 minutes in to the first trainer ride of the winter

13 minutes in to the first trainer ride of the winter

As I was groaning about to roll out of bed Thursday morning, the beautiful redhead whispered in my ear, “You need to exercise today.” Rather than hitting her with a pillow, I agreed. It wasn’t just for the physical benefits of it, but for the stress release as well. I determined I was going to get on the trainer that evening.

After a bit of delay due to the fact I couldn’t find the skewer for my trainer, I got the bike set up and climbed on board. I had the same feelings that I have at times when I’m about to set out on a ride that I know is going to be a long one… this wasn’t just the start of a trainer ride. It was the start of the new season!

I had a dread of 1) the boredom of an hour being spent going nowhere, and 2) the realization that this would reveal just how out of tune I am. To battle the first issue I started a  movie on my iPad. I figured I could avoid number 2 by spinning easy this first time and just letting my legs get back in the motion.

Wow! The basketball business was hurting! One thing this all has revealed is how desperately I need to cross train. My non-cycling muscles had all kinds of aches and pains going on. It was even affecting my stroke on my left side. Some tendon on the backside of my knee was tight and caused me to pedal blocks and swing my heel out with each revolution.

Those negative thoughts began to seep in… “I’m getting old.” “Most of the guys have been out doing long base mile rides. I’m so far behind, I don’t know if it is worth it.” “Do I really want to go through this again?”

The voices in my head got so loud that I even turned off the movie. I wasn’t paying much attention to it. I just silently spun for a moment being lulled into a trance by the rhythm of the spinning wheel. By this point I was starting to warm up and the pain and stiffness was leaving.

I raised my head and looked around the room. Right in front of me were jerseys covering the wall. Each one of them told a story… Assaults on Mount Mitchell, Challenge to Conquer Cancer rides, podium finish in the state criterium championship, and numerous charity events. There was that Greenville Spinners jersey from my first ever win.

All those memories started pushing against the negative thoughts. It has been a good ride over the last five years or so. Whatever the future holds, the bicycle has been good to me.

Perhaps where I have gotten off course is trying to be something I’m not. In my mind, I’ve always seen myself at the front. I’ve wanted to be one of the “fast men”. Early on, I was. However, as you move up it takes more and more commitment to stay at the front. It is a commitment that I now realize I can’t invest.

You know, that might sound like a negative thought. However, it is freeing. I’ve got a lot of great memories of success to hold onto. I’ve also got a lot of great opportunities and memories to make off the bike.

I looked down at the meter and saw my hour was nearly up. My legs were feeling pretty good (though that one push for a few seconds at around 750 watts reminded me I’ve got work to do before spring). Best of all, my mind was feeling pretty good.

Me and the bike are going to have a more mature relationship this year. I’m looking forward to it.

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It is official

January 19th, 2012

For many years my neighborhood has worked to get sidewalks put in along the street that runs in front of my house. It is a “cut-through” between two main roads leading into downtown Greenville. I was shocked to learn that thousands of cars come down the road. Some of them well over the 30 mph posted speed limit. Well, we finally got our sidewalks… and a bonus to boot.

The plan was to put a curb and sidewalk on one side of the street. Our side of the street would not be altered in any way. However, shock of all shocks, the project came in significantly under budget. Since the money was earmarked for the project the project was expanded to include adding curbs on our side as well.

I was loving the changes. The only thing that would have topped it all off would have been to have the street repaved. The drainage work, curb work and moving of the stripes had made a mess of the asphalt. It was pretty obvious that we were going to have some erosion issues.

Lo and behold, the resurfacing request got approved and around Christmas time we got a newly paved road. Then to add to my contentment, the idea of bicycle lanes was broached with the community. At that point, there were some pretty vocal opponents to the idea. Even so, I had a good feeling that something would come through. I was well aware of the city’s Complete Streets Program that makes it a priority to consider all means of transportation — car, bicycle and pedestrian.

Our road was a perfect example of where this could be used. It was already a wide road so basically nothing had to be done to accommodate the space needed for the lanes. The road was already being used by cyclists and pedestrians. It would also help with traffic calming as it would visually narrow the road.

After one rather testy community meeting, I knew we would have the lanes. Then about two weeks ago the guys showed up to stripe the road. There was plenty of room for both the cars and bicycles — and a nice smooth sidewalk for the pedestrians.

Finally, last night as I was sitting eating dinner, I noticed some more street painters appear. I watched as they made it official. Right in front of my house in the far lane of the road, they painted the bicycle man and arrow.

Now, I can use bicycle lanes all the way from my house to the Swamp Rabbit Trail and — before you know it — be out in Travelers Rest. Not only that, but I am already seeing commuters using the lanes. I hope there will be more opportunities to see the Complete Streets initiative become a reality.

Granted, there are some downsides to having bicycle lanes in your neighborhood. You cannot place yard waste in a way that obstructs the lane. This can lead to your lawn being destroyed by the garbage man. You also cannot park on the street in any way that obstructs the lane. This will be a problem for my neighbors who enjoy throwing a party from time-to-time.

The city is working with those neighbors to offer them a permit that temporarily gives them the right to block the lane. It is like I mentioned to the neighbors in the meeting about the lanes. We are a community. Our road is something we share with each other, but it is also something we share with other Greenville residents. Their taxes helped us get our sidewalk, road and bicycle lanes. We have to work and sometimes compromise to make the best opportunities for the whole.

The Complete Streets initiative does this for our city. It is more than a logistical necessity. It creates many intangible benefits. For instance, bicycle lanes with their little cyclist signage gives the perception of intimacy. Much like sidewalks they are footprints of human movement. They are indicators that there is a soul in the city.

Thank you, Greenville, for bringing that footprint to my neighborhood.

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Not the first time

January 18th, 2012

Yes, I know that it has been a long time since there has been a post here at Lowcadence.com. If you are a blogger, you probably know the guilt I’ve been feeling about that. Looking back, I realize that there have been other times when I’ve gone a month or so without a post. I’ve always come back, and most likely will again.

What I have I been up to? Nothing. Absolutely.  Nothing. Since October, I can count on one hand the number of times I have gone on a ride over 30 minutes. There have been the occasional commutes to work (like this morning), but for the most part the bikes have stayed in the basement.

The thought of a long ride in the cold is not appealing to me. The idea of an hour or so sweating on the trainer going nowhere is also uninspiring. The realization that I am way off my fitness level gnaws at the back of my mind. I know what it is going to take to get back and the motivation to do it just isn’t there.

I’ve tried running as a way to cross train. However, the hip pain that continues to be with me seems to be exacerbated by pavement pounding. Besides… see the first sentence of the paragraph above.

Last night I went and played basketball for the first time in… Well, I can’t remember the last time I played a pickup game. It has been years.

I enjoyed it. I woke up this morning feeling like I had raced a crit, but the actual participation was enjoyable. If it wasn’t for my defense and rebounding, I think I would have gotten laughed off the court, but you can’t expect to hit many shots when you haven’t played in years.

One thing that surprised me was the fitness that still seemed to be hanging around. Not having a big body and no outside shot, I have to move a lot to get a position to rebound or score. I managed to play for an hour and it wasn’t until near the end that I started to wain.

At the same time, I’ve been catching up a bit with the Tour Down Under. Other than the crashes, I’ve found the racing to be motivational. It reminds me that warmer weather is coming. I’m going to want to be on my bike when it does. Now is the time I need to start getting ready.

I think I’ll keep playing basketball, but also set up my trainer. I don’t know what this season holds, but I do know that I am going to want to be on my bike. To enjoy the spring and summer, I have to stay with it during the winter.

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