May 26
Ride Data
Ride #7 – May 25, 2008
Distance: 35.34
Year to Date Distance: 262.63
Time: 1.59.21
Avg. Speed: 17.7 mph
Max. Speed: 35.7 mph
Ride Description: Velo City Cycles May Fun Raiser – The Dessert Ride
Riding Partners: Scott Chapin, Chris Davison, Mike Clark, Carmen Hannah, Mike Mortorff, Frank Yarde and many others.
Notes on the day: A very nice ride this afternoon and great dessert at thebike shop following the ride.
[UPDATE: My comments this morning were very brief so here's some expanded thoughts]
I had a great pre-ride conversation with Carmen (one of my favorite people!). She shared some of her experience with the Big D. Enjoyed seeing Mr. Mortorff… I wish you would ride more.
May 22
Ride Data
Ride #6 – May 21, 2008
Distance: 23.09
Year to Date Distance: 227.39
Time: 1.47.36
Avg. Speed: 12.8 mph
Max. Speed: 25.5 mph
Ride Description: Ride of Silence – http://www.rideofsilence.org
Riding Partners: Around 25 other local cyclists from all aspects of cycling recreation and sport.
Notes on the day: Tonight was once again cold. Those that know me… know I am a talker. A 13 mile ride in silence was odd for me but very good all the same. I had a couple of really great conversations with myself during the ride – very positive and very therapeutic.
The extra mileage was me riding to and from the event.
May 20
Ride Data
Ride #5 – May 19, 2008
Distance: 43.76
Year to Date Distance: 204.30
Time: 2.30.14
Avg. Speed: 17.4 mph
Max. Speed: 35.0 mph
Ride Description: MCC Monday Night Ride – Sport group.
Riding Partners: A bunch of MCC’ers
Notes on the day: Tonight was cold – low 50’s at the start and it only dropped from there. This was my first ride with the Sport group. Previously I rode with the Tour group. The pace was about perfect. The Race group caught and overtook us on Grafschaap right near the highway overpasses and I jumped on the back but quickly blew up. It is very frustrating to be so much lighter but not even as fast as previous years… I guess that just proves that the 30 lbs I lost was muscle mass…. lighter but weaker.
Ohh well… My fitness is improving but I guess I just need to be more patient. Had a great ‘lawnmower conversation” in my head during the ride. It was positive and encouraging… I look forward to completing the healing process that has begun.
Not sure if I will ride tonight with Velo or not. Looks to be even colder tonight. I have some sprinklers to replace in my yard that were damaged by snow plows this winter and it feels like the perfect time to get that work completed.
May 08
Ride Data
Ride #4 – May 7, 2008
Distance: 24.48
Year to Date Distance: 160.54
Time: 1.35.38
Avg. Speed: 15.3 mph
Max. Speed: 25.8 mph
Ride Description: Jim Mahaney’s Zig Zag route. It started out as our classic East Saugatuck loop but then we basically turned left (south) and right (east) at every corner after we got to 64th and Blue Star.
Riding Partners: Jim Mahaney and Lee Glover
Notes on the day: Tonight was cold.
May 06
Ride Data
Ride #4 – May 5, 2008
Distance: 39.56 (includes 12-14 miles I did on my own prior to the Tour Group ride
Year to Date Distance: 136.06 miles
Time: 2.34.02
Avg. Speed: 15.4 mph
Max. Speed: 32.8 mph
Ride Description: The Macatawa Cycling Club’s Monday Night Ride – The newly formed Tour Group ride.
Riding Partners: John Vandenberg, Tom Ayres, Austen Ayres, Marci Michmerhuizen, Ed Baies, and several others
Notes on the day: So good to see everyone tonight. I really love riding with Marci M. She truly is a genuine happy person. Wish I could surround myself with people like her 24 hours a day for the next few months. It would make healing go so much faster 
The Tour Group ride, I believe was a success. Although the number of poeple who will participate in this ride will always remain small, I believe it is the single biggest commitment the club can make to foster new riders and give them a place to start. There was definitely a couple in the group tonight who joined the club and I am sure would have never came back had the Tour group not been available last night. The pace was light and I acted as Ride Leader. That moniker in itself is kind of odd…. as in many ways I feel like a newb myself…. although I guess after 8 years riding I guess I no longer qualify as a newb.
Next week I may try the Sport group, although the early comments from Jim Mahaney last night said the group pushed 21-22 most of the route and really split up on 60th coming north of 136th Avenue. Not sure my fitness is ready to sustain that for 36 miles yet but trying might be fun.
Last night was also my birthday. It was nice to have the club to hang out with and not be totally alone last night. My STBX (soon to be ex) wife texted me last night “Happy Birthday”. To which I reply (mentally not actually) just eff off! Why the acts of kindness? It just makes no sense to me.
Realized I can’t ride tonight as the Cycling club has a board meeting at 6:30pm. Not sure how I feel about this. I like being involved in the club but giving up riding to be active in the club is an issue…