Posts Tagged ‘Ride for Mike’

I fought the wind and the wind won

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Saturday I decided to do a dry run toward Saluda. Instead of going out with a particular wattage in mind, I planned to focus on keeping my speed over 18 mph while riding as easily as I could.  Everything went great… until I started home.

On the way out I had two things going for me: 1) the wind was at my back, and 2) the route drops in elevation over 400 feet between Greenville and Saluda. This meant with a medium effort, I was able to maintain an average speed of 18.7 mph.

400 ft. drop in elevation over 57 miles

400 ft. drop in elevation over 57 miles

You’ll notice at the beginning and ending of the ride there are some noticeable dips. That is the terrain between my home and Augusta Street. In my attempt to keep my speed up before reaching Augusta, I had to put out some wattage. I was about an hour into the ride before I reached 18 mph.

That won’t be the case next Monday. Augusta Street runs along a shallow ridge. On the actual day, I’ll have a lot less climbing and should be able to reach the 18 mph average without as much work.

As I think about Saturday and plan for Monday, I realize that I am going to need to slow it down even more. 18.7 mph is still too high of an average. I’ve got to stay by my plan and I can’t push it. As much as my emotions want me to build a time buffer, my experience tells me I have got to conserve energy in these first four hours if I want to survive the final four.

On the way down I rejoiced in the tailwind. However, I knew that I would have to go back. A feeling of dread started to creep into my mind. Looking around I could see the trees waving wildly and flags standing out straight straining against the cords holding them to the poles. This was not going to be fun.

Still, I could tell I was feeling pretty strong after the first three hours. I decided to give it a try to maintain my 18 mph average back to home. Of course, the two things working for me on the way out would be conspiring against me on the way back.

At first I was feeling even more confident because I was managing speeds of 19 to 21 mph. Of course, I was in a more protected area at that point. That all came to an end about an hour in to the return.

I reached a point where the road kicked up in the midst of a large pasture. The wind was howling toward me. At the bottom of the hill I kicked into an uphill. I was going about 22 mph at that point. I maintained that speed for a bit until suddenly I was hit by a wall of air. The speed dropped immediately to 19.3 mph.

That was my experience for most of the return ride. It was a constant battle against the wind. As I fought, I kept watching my average speed drop. Still, I didn’t give up and kept pushing.

How can I explain riding into a stiff headwind? The closest experience I can relate it to is riding about 70 miles an hour on the Interstate in an old model convertible. You can take it for a bit, but then it starts to wear you out.

Yes, it isn’t just the effort of pedaling into the wind that wears you down. It is the constant buffeting as the wind swirls around you. It is the sound of the accelerated wind deafening you. It is the chapping of the salt against your cheeks and various other joints as the wind dries out your sweat.

For me it is also the way the wind makes my nose run profusely. It is almost as though my body stops sweating and decides to get rid of extra fluid by running it out my nose! It isn’t that my nose is congested. The water just pours right out.

Finally, at 5 hours in I gave up. I had dropped to 18 mph and I was feeling like a prize fighter against the ropes with my competition throwing lefts and rights. I remember distinctly the buffet of wind that nearly stopped me in my tracks.

It was time to pedal soft and live another day. I ended the day with a 17.3 mph average. I also learned a lot that will be helpful to me when I go out for real in about 7 days.

Here is the good news. As I look at the extended forecast, I see the winds consistently coming out of the west. I realize that things can change, but the winds also should be low.

Here is hoping my enemy stays home.

Money: Root of evil or stem for a flower

Friday, October 14th, 2011

There are many ways we can show we care. Meeting the needs of another person is just one way to express compassion. I know I have been asking for money a lot lately, but it really isn’t about the money. The fund raising is just a way to express how I care not only for little Rebekah, but for Mike’s family as well. It also gives others a chance to join with me.

The fact is, there are needs and compassion expressed in giving is effective. At first I thought it a little uncomfortable to make a public display of raising money for a family. Then I realized that for them it is a lot more than a fund that helps pay their medical bills. It is an emotional shot in the arm. It is a reminder that people care. Seeing many people taking an interest compounds the compassion.

Little Rebekah is at a tough point right now. I’m not a doctor, but I’ll put it as simply as I can. Her heart is not like the hearts of most. Let’s just say that the plumbing leading into, within and going out of her heart is not complete. For this reason she does not have the typical connection from her heart to her right lung. The heart also seems to be routing blood back to itself.

There is the possibility of an operation that would allow the doctors to take the “pipe” that is reconnecting to the hear and connect it to the lung. This would help to relieve pressure on the heart and also get some blood flow to the lung. Frankly, it would be experimental. There are no blueprints to go with because no one else has a heart like Rebekah.

That is why I ride. That is why I raise money. My three children are strong and healthy. However, I can imagine what I would feel if one of my own faced what Rebekah is facing.

I have also seen how doing the Ride for Mike has encouraged Mike’s family over the last few years. I actually did not know them that well before Mike passed, but now (though they are miles away and our contact isn’t constant) I feel a deep connection with them. This endeavor has created a bond that I cherish.

That leads me to my final point. It is amazing how when you set out to help someone you find that you are helped in the process probably more than they are. I am so thankful for the Ride for Mike, because not only has it allowed me to help others — it has helped me to grow.

It is true that money can be the root of all kinds of evil, but when money is used for good it can result in a beautiful flower. I hope that the 2011 Ride for Mike will nurture the spirits of the Ellis family. I pray that the money will help Rebekah to grow and flower.

Thank you to all of you who have given so far. As of this morning, we are at $3,250 of the $4,400 goal. If you would like to participate, give here and learn more here.

Do not leave me here at Coon Dog Lane!

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Just a short note to ask you to help me get through Orangeburg, South Carolina. The fund raising for the 2011 Ride for Mike is just 10 miles out of my stop in Orangeburg. It is exciting to see we are up to $2,560, but we need to get to $2,760 before I can stop and eat!

Rebekah Grace Ellis

Rebekah Grace Ellis

Again the goal is $20 per mile between the cities of Greenville and Charleston. The money is going in its entirety to the family of little Rebekah Grace Ellis. This little girl has battled much in her first few years of life with a heart condition and only one operating lung.

You can help her family by making a pledge. We’ll direct you to information on how to fulfill it through Helping Hands Ministries. Your gift will be tax-deductible.

Where exactly are we? Looks like we’ve made it to North Road and Coon Dog Lane near Northside Lake. Please. PLEASE. Don’t leave me here! Just $20 per mile — $200 will get me into Orangeburg. Then we’ll be two-thirds of the way there and it will be time to head on to Charleston.


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Make your pledge today and help me on my way!

Trainer Pain

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

Looked at my power management chart in WKO+ last night. My CTL is the highest it has been this year. Actually, it is getting close to the highest it has been ever. Would have liked to have had that in June instead of October, but it is what it is.

It has been a challenge staying focused. I hear friends talking about their fun rides and see on Facebook the adventures other cyclists around me are engaging in and then here I am still training away. It is a fight to stay motivated.

The Ride for Mike is two weeks away yesterday. In my mind I’m thinking, “Does it really matter how much more I train at this point?” Last night as I set up the trainer for a two hour spin session, I couldn’t help complaining, “Can we just go ahead and get this over with?”

It was around 7:30 p.m. and I was still feeling a bit tired from the effort on Saturday. I was not in a good mood as I considered the workout ahead of me. Fifteen minutes warming up followed by 40 minutes at 240  to 280 watts. I’d get a short spinning break and then go right into a  second 40 minute block at the same wattage.

It isn’t so much that it is hard to do physically — though that first 40 minute block is always the hardest. It is just monotonous. On top of that the trainer doesn’t move. You are planted on it and that begins to cause various parts of your body to go numb.

Thankfully, I had a couple of episodes of Top Gear I hadn’t seen yet. Between Clarkson, Hammond, May and a variation of cadence I made it through. Just as instructed, I held the wattage toward the low end of the prescribed level – 243 watts on the first block and 244 on the second. I slipped off the trainer around 9:30 p.m. feeling a bit better about myself.

Then it was time to go to sleep. I was tired and it felt great when I lay down close to 11 p.m. in order sleep. Unfortunately, I couldn’t. I could tell my heart rate was just a bit elevated. The exercise was still with me. I find this often happens when I exercise later in the evening. Long days followed by the trainer often lead to long nights for me.

I will admit that I still look forward to a break. I’d love to have a week completely off the bike. At the same time, I see all this fitness I’ve amassed and I sorely hate to lose it! Can I bottle it up and bring it out next spring?

2011 Ride for Mike: Leg Two

Monday, October 10th, 2011

Four hours after leaving Greenville on October 24, I hope to be in Saluda. That will be a distance of around 72 miles. The plan is to stop there to eat and meet up with Dave McQuaid. If I can make it there a bit sooner, then all the better. I may need that time later in the day. Once I tank up, it will be time to head out again on the second leg of the journey.

This section could be one of the hardest of the trip. The terrain is still rolling in the beginning and I’ll already have a good amount of miles in my legs by that time. It will also be during this stretch that I will ride past the marker indicating the longest distance I’ve ever ridden. The good news is that will be just outside Orangeburg — the second stop on the ride.


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138 miles in, I’ll be able to take a break. While I plan to fuel on the bicycle, I believe these two stops along the way to eat something more substantial are going to be key to finishing strong. If I make it to Saluda in 4 hours, that will put me there around 10 a.m. That is about the time my body clock starts telling me to eat something on a normal day. If I plan for a 30 minute stop in Saluda and another 4 hours on the bike, it will put me rolling into Orangeburg at 2:30 p.m.

It will also be helpful because to reach Saluda in 4 hours, I will need to average 18 mph. To cover the distance between Saluda and Orangeburg in 4 hours requires a 16.5 mph average. Rolling terrain, tiredness, and traffic lights make this a reasonable speed to plan for. At the same time, there is reason to be optimistic that I could pull into Orangeburg ahead of schedule. Having Dave McQuaid will be a big help toward that goal.

If all goes according to plan, I’ll be back on the bike for the last leg by 3 p.m. It will be interesting to find how I feel at that point. No doubt I will be physically tired, but my hope is that the emotions of starting out on the final leg will propel me to a strong finish.

Stay tuned for the final lap!

UPDATE: Interestingly enough, this morning the total raised for the 2011 RFM is $2,520. According to my $20 per mile goal that would put me at 126 miles. Two things about that number: 1) It is the longest distance I have ever covered to this point, and 2) It is 12 miles from the stopping point in Orangeburg. It would be cool to finish up today with this post helping to generate the remaining $240 needed get there. Please consider giving at the Ride for Mike pledge page.

The story behind the story

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

Saturday morning found me tightening up my Specialized shoes and climbing on the Felt AR for a loooong day in the saddle. I also decided to use the ride as an opportunity to test out the directions capabilities of my Garmin Edge 800. I set device to deliver me to a McDonalds in Chesnee, South Carolina.

I rolled off and arrived there in Chesnee about two and a half hours after starting. I wasn’t so excited about the route that the Garmin chose for me. It sent me straight down Highway 29 into downtown Spartanburg! Then I headed north into Chesnee.


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At first I had planned to eat in Chesnee, but I got there a little sooner than I thought I would. So, I decided to head over to the Cowpens Battlefield National Park. Wow, what a beautiful place to ride a bike!

13 miles farther down the road was the town of Gaffney. I decided to finish my “out” ride there where I would get something to eat. I pulled up to get refueled at the 60 mile mark.

Then it was time to head home. I didn’t want to go back the same way. I gave the Garmin another try. This time it set me more the direction I would have chosen. I was looking forward to spending more time on the scenic Highway 11.

At least I was until I started to tire. I was supposed to keep my wattage around 210 – 230 watts. I had been managing that pretty well on the way out. Perhaps stopping to eat cooled me down a little too much.

I kept the wattage up for a bit, but then a strange thing happened — I got a tailwind and some rolling terrain. You would think that would be a good thing. The problem was, I was nearly spinning out trying to get my wattage up. I was flying speed wise, but had to work very hard to get the wattage going downhill. Then I would face a climb and would use up even more energy.

At that point, I had a bit of negative energy seeping into my thoughts. It got to the point where when I reached another climb, my legs would start complaining. Each new climb brought louder protestations.

Ashamed to say, I finally started listening to my legs. About 80 miles in, I started riding to get home. I was ready for this day to get over.

I had left at 9 a.m. after getting the children up and having a few moments with them. Here it was mid-afternoon and I was still sitting on my bike. I wondered what my family was doing.

It also crossed my mind the fact of the P3 riders who leave this morning to start their relay to Austin, Texas. Consider the fact that though the ride starts today and will cover over 1000 miles, these folks have been riding and training for months to prepare. I’ll be riding 220 miles in one day come October 24, but I’ve ridden hundreds of miles and spent dozens of hours training for that day.

It isn’t a party. It is a lot of work. When we are asking for people to support our causes, it isn’t that we are asking for people to give while we “just ride our bikes.” When you give, know that you are giving at the request of someone who is working hard to do their part.

It also makes me thankful to my family. They have supported me in all of this. I have to say, I’m looking forward to being a husband and daddy again when the ride is done.

Finally, I’m also thankful to those people who have taken an interest in this project and have given over $2500 to the 2011 Ride for Mike. You really have no idea how much it encourages me while I’m out there pedaling all alone.

I still have two more weeks of long tempo rides to go. I also still have $2000 dollars I need to raise before I’ll reach my goal. Please, consider giving to help me down the road — both during training and during the Ride for Mike.

2011 Ride for Mike: Leg One

Friday, October 7th, 2011

This is for David McQuaid. Dave is planning to meet me in Saluda, SC to help pull me along on the 2011 Ride for Mike as I travel on to Orangeburg. I greatly appreciate him taking a day from work to come help me out.


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My plan for the first leg is to ride straight through to Saluda. I’ll stop there at a Subway and grab some carbs for the next leg of the trip. I’m thinking that I can arrive there with about an 18 mph average. That would put me in Saluda in about 4 hours.

Of course, there is a part of me that would love to beat that average. It is a balance between keeping my time in the saddle down and not using too much energy. The last time I rode to Saluda I averaged over 19 mph. However, I was putting out wattage consistently around 230 watts.

I do think that I can keep my speed up. The difference this time on this section is that I am not having to hold a consistent wattage. Rather than training with wattage, I’ll be performing with speed. While in training I kill myself on the downhill trying to keep my wattage up, on the actual ride I can just coast down and maintain my speed while conserving energy.

That is my goal: go as fast as I can with the least amount of effort possible.

Group leaving from Greenville for Savannah.

4:15 a.m. and 240 miles to go!

Today is kind of cool as well because I’m following Steve Sperry as he SAGs for a group of riders who left Greenville at 4:15 a.m. this morning to ride their bikes to Savannah, GA. It is about 240 miles – very close to my target. If you want to follow along, you can check out Steve’s Facebook page. I think they plan to be in Savannah by 8 p.m. tonight.

Ride for Mike is halfway there!

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

With $2,220.00 raised toward the $20 per mile goal for the 220 miles between Greenville and Charleston, the 2011 Ride for Mike is now halfway there! Some gracious gifts over the last two days pushed us beyond Saluda closer to Pelion. Next stop? $580.00 will bring us to Orangeburg — two-thirds of the way. That is exactly how much was given Sunday and Monday of this week.


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Please consider making a pledge. Once you make your pledge, you will be given instruction on how to fulfill it. It is simple and is tax-deductible.

Let me explain how it works. You might ask, “Why can’t I just give?” Due to their arrangement with the IRS it is a policy of Helping Hands Ministries not to divulge the amounts of the funds to people outside of the organization and those the charity is serving. So, if you give directly to HHM without using the pledge system, then I am not able to track how much is given. I apologize for the extra step, but it is necessary to allow me to express my thanks to those who participate and to know to whom I should be providing the Low Cadence coffee.

Maybe you have just come upon this blog and you are wondering what this is all about. To learn more about the 2011 Ride for Mike, go to RideForMike.com. We have 20 more days to go before the pedals start turning. Thank you to all who have helped so far. You really do not know how much of an encouragement you are!

Paint the road green

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

It is getting to be about that time of the year again. That time when I wonder if people cringe when they see me coming. We’re coming down to the wire for the 2011 Ride for Mike and I’ve got to be out there promoting the ride in order to meet the goal.

What is the goal? I am looking to raise at least $20 per mile for the October 24th ride from Greenville to Charleston. Depending on the route you take, that will put the distance at 220 miles and a grand total of $4,400.

So, I’m asking you to help me paint the road green between the GHS Children’s Hospital and the MUSC Children’s Hospital. Follow this link to the pledge page. Make your pledge and you will be directed to information on how to fulfill your pledge. We’ll be taking the pledges all the way to Charleston and reporting on the status via the @lowcadence Twitter feed.


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Thanks to all of you who have already given. With your help, I have made it a little past Saluda, South Carolina and on the way to Batesburg-Leesville. We’ve only got 138 miles to go. We’re over a third of the way there!

Rebekah Grace Ellis

2011 Ride for Mike helps Rebekah Grace Ellis


Won’t you help me? Oh, and to make things even better — today is National Coffee Day! On the pledge form is an option to request a pound of the famous Low Cadence Coffee. They are beans on a mission to support little Rebekah Grace Ellis and her family. But those beans need to end up in your coffee cup to complete their journey!

Count down to GO!

Sunday, September 25th, 2011

It is September 25, 2011 and I’m a month away from the 2011 Ride for Mike. While a lot of people are winding down their season or getting ready for the short efforts of cycle cross, I’m out doing long rides. I’m enjoying it!

Early morning near Pumpkintown.

Early morning mist near Pumpkintown

I delayed the ride for a bit because at 7 AM it was still pretty dark. Sure, I could have started out in the dark, but there wasn’t a real need to get out that soon. Why not be safe? Besides, it didn’t take long for the sun to pop up and 30 minutes later, I was off on my ride.

It didn’t really matter where I was going. I knew that I could go out 2.5 or 3 hours before I would need to turn around and head home. With no clear plan, I hopped on the Swamp Rabbit and started warming up.

At that time of the morning on a Saturday morning, runners were everywhere! Once again I came upon my brother-in-law and his wife as they are training for upcoming running events. Nearing a Children’s Garden I saw a group of cyclist pass in front of me along River Street. I continued on alone along the trail.

Later on the trail, I caught up with another group of cyclists that included one of my P3 team mates, Kerrie Sijon, and my dentist, Greg Caputo. We rode along together until we passed Furman. Then I struck out on my own.

I decided to ride out to Highway 288. It was such a beautiful day and as I rode through the winding roads to get there my senses were kept busy taking in all the smell, sounds, and sights surrounding me. It was that feeling of being all alone that isn’t lonely.

There I was thinking that I was the only person out there as I neared 288 on Pace Bridge Road. Suddenly I heard a voice behind me, “Good morning, Jonathan!” It was Samantha Smith along with Steve Baker and some of the riders I had seen earlier in downtown Greenville.

We rode along together until we reached 288 where they took a right toward Marietta and I turned left toward Pumpkintown. After passing through that great metropolis, I came upon the the sign pointing off to the right “Table Rock State Park.” At that point I changed my mind of targeting Hwy 11 and decided to ride to the park – a place I hadn’t taken my bike before.

Table Rock State Park

Table Rock State Park

I felt kind of guilty about doing it. Earlier I had talked with David McQuaid about the two of us riding out to the park some time. It didn’t feel exactly right going there without him. Of course, if the ride was as enjoyable every time as it was today, then I wouldn’t mind doing it again soon.

Of course, I was unable to get close to the top of the rock. The park is at the bottom of the big hump. You hike up various trails to get to the top. Don’t think that would work too well with my road bike!

Inside Table Rock State Park

Inside Table Rock State Park

After spinning through the park, I took Hwy. 11 to Hwy. 178 and then to Hwy. 288 to Marietta. Riding through the town I looped away from Geer Road and then back to it. Old White Horse Road got me back to New McElheeny and then to the Swamp Rabbit trail for the cool down to home.

I’m really starting to feel more confident about my October 24 ride. Now, I just need to keep the donations rolling in for Rebekah. So far people have given over $1000. Please consider giving. You can learn more about Rebekah and my plans at rideformike.com.