No BMW content: Knary's Good Ride

[knary]

<b>Everyone wants to make a difference in this world.</b> We all strive to make the lives of our friends and families better. Sometimes we have an opportunity to do something more. This, for me, is one of those opportunities. I hope you'll see it as one for you as well.

<img src="http://www.conary.org/tnt/scottbike3.jpg" width="240" align=right vspace=12 hspace=10 border="1">As some of you already know, I've committed, for the <a href="http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/">Leukemia & Lymphoma Society</a>, to raising $3,400 and riding the 109 mile <a href="http://www.pbaa.com/Home.html#ElTour">El Tour de Tucson</a>. The money my teammates and I raise will help fund medical research and assistance to improve the lives of children and adults afflicted with Leukemia or related disease. As an annual charity event, the El Tour de Tucson Tucson has both emerged as one of the premiere century ride in the United States and raised more than $2 million since its inception.

Nearly every day I'm on the bicycle training for November 19th, the day of the ride. As I pedal down the pavement, the miles ticking by, I still can't believe that I'm going to do this. The immediate reward is obvious. But pushing me up those hills is the young girl who was supposed to be at our kick off meeting but who is no longer with us, and the man who did lead the charge. Leukemia had taken her but because of a treatment developed by a group of researchers funded by the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, he was there to cheer us on.

I hope you'll join me on this ride. We need your help and I hope my commitment will inspire you to contribute financially to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. To help me meet my goal of raising $3400, I am asking for your sponsorship with a tax deductible contribution. Whatever you can give is enough. Of every dollar donated, 75 cents goes directly to research, patient aid, advocacy, education, and communtiy services. Each and every dollar you donate is 100% tax deductible. I will raise this money even if all of it has to come out of my own pocket, but it will get done because it is my opportunity to make a difference.

Please consider making a donation.
Click here (http://www.active.com/donations/fundraise_public.cfm?key=sconary) to donate on-line.

If you'd prefer to make a donation by check, PM me.

No donation is too small.

I'll keep you all up to date on my progress, both towards the ride and the fundraising. Many of you have already been extremely helpful in getting me as far as I have on the bike. Thank you.
:beer


ps. I'm sorry to disappoint, but no small children or their brand new bikes will be hurt in this ride.

[kbasa]

Excellent! :thumb

dang, you've lost some weight, man.

[knary]

Excellent! :thumb

dang, you've lost some weight, man.

:D
Yes, I have. I topped out over 200 lbs of giggle after the artist-in-residence gig this past winter. I'm down to bit under 185, including a good bit more muscle weight. My pants don't fit anymore.
:clap

[username]

has that photo found it's way into jo mamma over on advrider yet? :brow

[knary]

has that photo found it's way into jo mamma over on advrider yet? :brow

:nod

So far everyone is playing nice.

The thread is here. (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96598) It looks familiar, eh? :D

I'm waiting for that ritalin boy to chime in with something about "brown". :lol3

[BradfordBenn]

In :brad

And even signed up for more info....

So what is the deal with the hair?

[knary]

In :brad

And even signed up for more info....

:clap

Thank you

So what is the deal with the hair?

A balding man with helmet hair.

:bottle

[BradfordBenn]

Quickly approaching your goal. Yesterday when I donated you were at 29% of the goal. Today you are acorss 50% :clap

What I meant by the hair was that last time I saw you you had shaved your head. I am suprised to see you with hair.

Where did my hair go?

[knary]

Thank you, Brad!

:clap

The response has been great. Whenever I try to explain to people how great this group of people is, they look at me like my head is spinning. "You've got..umm...in-ter-net friends?" "Well, no. I mean, yes. I...uh...they're good people and if you say anything otherwise, I'm going to have one of the large ones come over and knock your block off." :lol2


Saturday was another bigger training ride. Starting in Troutdale, east of Portland, we went down the climbing and winding historic Columbia highway to Multnomah falls and back. I can't recall the last time I had so much fun on anything with two wheels. Crown Point was the mid-point on the way east, and, of course, the way back. The ascent had the legs burning but I couldn't wait to reach the top. The views are amongst my favorite - the columbia river stretches east and west, volcanic cliffs looming on the south side, patchwork of man's activities on the bluffs across the way. And from the top, you get to go down. The way easy is a long series of descending switchbacks and curves, most marked for 20 mph. My friend, and one of the mentors, and I chased each other down each side; bikes leaning hard; both of us cackling with the fun of speed and the exertion.

Each Saturday we add some miles and difficulty. Saturday, was a 45 mile day. This coming Saturday will, with some extra miles I'll be doing to get to and from, will be a near 60 mile day. For some of you, these aren't miles to notice, but each one of these rides marks the new furthest distance I've ever ridden on a bicycle.


So who wants more photos of me in the shorts? :rofl

[lorazepam]

Thank you, Brad!

:clap

The response has been great. Whenever I try to explain to people how great this group of people is, they look at me like my head is spinning. "You've got..umm...in-ter-net friends?" "Well, no. I mean, yes. I...uh...they're good people and if you say anything otherwise, I'm going to have one of the large ones come over and knock your block off." :lol2


Saturday was another bigger training ride. Starting in Troutdale, east of Portland, we went down the climbing and winding historic Columbia highway to Multnomah falls and back. I can't recall the last time I had so much fun on anything with two wheels. Crown Point was the mid-point on the way east, and, of course, the way back. The ascent had the legs burning but I couldn't wait to reach the top. The views are amongst my favorite - the columbia river stretches east and west, volcanic cliffs looming on the south side, patchwork of man's activities on the bluffs across the way. And from the top, you get to go down. The way easy is a long series of descending switchbacks and curves, most marked for 20 mph. My friend, and one of the mentors, and I chased each other down each side; bikes leaning hard; both of us cackling with the fun of speed and the exertion.

Each Saturday we add some miles and difficulty. Saturday, was a 45 mile day. This coming Saturday will, with some extra miles I'll be doing to get to and from, will be a near 60 mile day. For some of you, these aren't miles to notice, but each one of these rides marks the new furthest distance I've ever ridden on a bicycle.


So who wants more photos of me in the shorts? :rofl

First time I rode a bicycle as an adult, I rode around 4 miles and puked my guts out. It just got better from there. When I was riding a lot, I could do back to back century rides on the weekend, and enjoy doing it.

Good luck on your training, and I know you can do it. If my lard butt can bedal that far, I know you can too. I lost a sister to Lukemia, and I cant think of a better ride to do for research.

[knary]

First time I rode a bicycle as an adult, I rode around 4 miles and puked my guts out. It just got better from there. When I was riding a lot, I could do back to back century rides on the weekend, and enjoy doing it.

Good luck on your training, and I know you can do it. If my lard butt can bedal that far, I know you can too. I lost a sister to Lukemia, and I cant think of a better ride to do for research.

Gale,
I'm sorry to hear about your sister. It is reminder, for me, of why this is so important. Newer and better treatments are coming everyday. I know that every dollar we raise for organizations like the LLS can make a difference.

[username]

So who wants more photos of me in the shorts? :rofl

everyone does.

[knary]

everyone does.

:bottle

Lemme get myself pre-hic-pared.

We crossed the $2k mark earlier today. Another $1400 +/- to go. :clap

[BradfordBenn]

Thank you, Brad!



I can only take credit for a small but enjoyable part of that amount. I am sure that there are some others around here that helped.... just remember every little bit helps. Also when you donate, you can chose to hide the amount if you want.

[knary]

I can only take credit for a small but enjoyable part of that amount. I am sure that there are some others around here that helped.... just remember every little bit helps. Also when you donate, you can chose to hide the amount if you want.

:thumb

Thank you, Brad.

[BradfordBenn]

70% and growing. Then again I have been spammed by Scott three times in the past week to donate.... man is he merciless. I am thinking about donating more just to get him to stop :stick

[knary]

70% and growing. Then again I have been spammed by Scott three times in the past week to donate.... man is he merciless. I am thinking about donating more just to get him to stop :stick


I gotta do what I gotta do. :buds



We're about $1k short of the goal at this point. :thumb

The training is still going well. I put in another 25ish miles yesterday including a climb to the highest point in Portland. The ride down, as the rides down seem to always be, was exhilarating. I'd ridden down the same twisting urban back road on the motorcycle. On the bicycle, my adrenaline pumps madly as I take steep downhill curves marked for 15mph at 35+mph.

Training notes:
<blockquote>- each week, I'm adding another 20 miles or so and more and bigger hills. This coming saturday I'll be doing around 60 miles. This week will see a total of around 150 miles. Not much by some standards, but quite a change from where I started not many weeks ago.

- The painful muscle cramps I was getting in my calves seem to be a thing of the past. I've tweaked my diet and have been stretching as much as I can.

- My recent birthday awarded me a new seat. The place that shall go unnamed behind the boys is MUCH happier now. :D

- I'm getting some nagging pain at the front of my left knee cap. I don't have an answer to that yet. I do my best to not mash my way up an incline.

- How do you warm up? How long does it take you to warm up? 10 or 15 miles into a ride, I sorta just wake up. Until then, my legs feel like they're not getting enough fuel.

- There seem to be two different kinds of fitness at work here: cardiovascular and muscular. They never seem to be on the same page. Sometimes my legs keep pumping without a worry, but my chest is going to explode. Or the other way around. I am happy to say that as I get into better and better shape, it's my legs that are struggling to keep up.</blockquote>


Again, thanks to everyone for the support. :clap

[lorazepam]

I gotta do what I gotta do. :buds




- I'm getting some nagging pain at the front of my left knee cap. I don't have an answer to that yet. I do my best to not mash my way up an incline.



Again, thanks to everyone for the support. :clap


I am assuning you are using clipless pedals, (the kind you snap into with your shoe) If so, check how your foot is pointing when you pedal. This can sometimes cause what you are experiencing. It doesnt take much movement right to left of the foot to cause pain.

[knary]

I am assuning you are using clipless pedals, (the kind you snap into with your shoe) If so, check how your foot is pointing when you pedal. This can sometimes cause what you are experiencing. It doesnt take much movement right to left of the foot to cause pain.


:thumb
I'm going to tweak the seat and foot positioning and take her for a spin.

Thank you X 2.

[BradfordBenn]

Still not there yet. Only 82%... I am just happy I have not gotten anymore Knary spam. Might be the kill filter....

[knary]

Still not there yet. Only 82%... I am just happy I have not gotten anymore Knary spam. Might be the kill filter....


I'm easing back for a short spell before pouncing again. :ha

We're up to roughly 87%. :clap

Training has slowed while I let my left knee recover. I've made some adjustments to the bike and I'm going to let everything heal before I push too hard again. I'll be riding again tomorrow, but something flat and easy. Maybe a nice 30 miler out to Sauvie Island and back.

Brad,
Thank you. :thumb

[knary]

Creeping towards the goal!

91% and $302 to go. :D

[username]

how's the knee?

[knary]

how's the knee?

Sore. :mad

I took a week off the bike. I went for a brief ride on Sunday and again yesterday. The knee didn't scream at me, but did do some load groaning. It's not happy. I may have an appointment with a physician in the near future.

It's very frustrating. The rest of my body is loving this training. I haven't been in better physical shape since college. Damn knee.

[username]

maybe your knee is telling you to cross train.

see a sports doc. a regular doc'll tell you, "take it easy for a few weeks."

[knary]

maybe your knee is telling you to cross train.

see a sports doc. a regular doc'll tell you, "take it easy for a few weeks."


Good advice.
I'll see if such a thing is available through my fantabulous HMO.

[username]

Good advice.
I'll see if such a thing is available through my fantabulous HMO.

that's kind of rude. i would think a straight guy could also recommend a doc to you.

oh wait...

but seriously, go to a place where lots of people play basketball or volleyball or run. look for people with knee braces. interrupt their workout with a couple of quick questions: who's your knee doc and do you recommend him/her. look for a pattern. then see if your HMO has any overlap.

i'll bet that we've got lots of folks on here that have had knee surgery and can fill your head with how it was determined that they needed (get it?) surgery instead of just more pain meds. they might not be reading this thread because they aren't comfortable with the thoughts that come into their heads when they see you in the dick pants, errr, i mean cycling shorts. :D

i know it's also been discussed over at advrider several times.

i've got a tweak in my knee (thanks to going skiing one year without training properly beforehand and overdoing it) and i can lessen it by doing a little roller blading every now and again, and just keeping things a little stronger. get cheap roller blades, and theyre nice and heavy and give you a better workout. ;)

good luck gutting out the ride and the rest of the training.

[BradfordBenn]

You may also want to look at the proper set up on the pedals. As someone with bad knees who used to ride a LOT think 100+ mile days, the proper alignment of the pedals and cleats on the shoes was key. I would go to my local bicycle store to purchase the shoes. Then I would put the bike on a staionary wind trainer to have them adjust the cleats.

It made a world of difference. Cause having someone else watch you move helps a lot - they are objective. As people we often see what we feel.

When I started running the biggest change and improvement in my physical feeling came after changing shoes that had a better control pattern.

[BradfordBenn]

bump

[SweetT]

Hey thanks for doing this!

My mom died from Lukemia at the end of July. Earlier in June I had participated in the TNT ride around Lake Tahoe. What a life changing experience! Like my first ride on a motorcycle. Now I've just finished my 3rd century ride of the season and I am planning on doing more in the future.

I wish you the best!

BTW, I dont know if you remember, but we had a couple of phone conversations in june when I was debating purchaisng an R1150GS. I bought a K1200RS instead and LOVE IT! :thumb

Oh, and I'll be making a donation to your cause of course!

[knary]

Hey thanks for doing this!

My mom died from Lukemia at the end of July. Earlier in June I had participated in the TNT ride around Lake Tahoe. What a life changing experience! Like my first ride on a motorcycle. Now I've just finished my 3rd century ride of the season and I am planning on doing more in the future.

I wish you the best!

BTW, I dont know if you remember, but we had a couple of phone conversations in june when I was debating purchaisng an R1150GS. I bought a K1200RS instead and LOVE IT! :thumb

Oh, and I'll be making a donation to your cause of course!

Tarren,
Thank you.

The loss of your mother must be incredibly hard. I hope that this little thing helps some of those battling these diseases. Again, thank you.

[BradfordBenn]

Congrats on hitting the goal! But c'mon guys we can do more, right?

[dancogan]

A couple of other things that can cause knee pain on a bicycle: saddle to low or too high, and pushing in a gear that's too high. Going up hills you still need to maintain a good cadence. Your normal cadence should be in the 80 rpm range or above. If you really need to slow down, even in lowest gear, on an uphill, then alternated sitting and standing. When you stand you can use your body weight to help. Good luck. Like B2, I've done many, many miles on a bicycle.

[knary]

What a ride.

Yesterday, we set out to ride 80 cold and wet miles through the rolling farmland southwest of Portland. What started as a light drizzle with the temperature hovering a little over 40ºF turned nasty. The entire region was under a flood warning. We faced that flood. Twenty miles in, the temperature dropped as the wind picked up. The rain soon followed. A few of us led at the front, cheerily bitching about the weather. One hill, famous for its steep grade had my front tire hopping with each pedal stroke. All but a few of us skipped the hill as it was but a brief side trip from the main route. But the ride down made the effort worth it. Blasting down at more than 45 mph with the rain pelting our cheeks had all of whooping and laughing.

At 35 miles, the group stopped in a desperate attempt to warm up. One of the mentors, my friend Mike, couldn't get warm. He'd had to deal with a flat and his core temperature had dropped too much. The early stages of hypothermia had set in for him and another rider. Shivering uncontrollable, they opted to take the sag wagon. This left us with a debate. Part of the day's ride included a dozen or so hilly miles that would cross back to where we were stopped. John, the coach, told us again and again that he would fully support shortening the day, that it was that bad. With this as our last big ride it seemed important to try. For me, with the time I'd had to take off, it seemed that much more important. Having battled the deep chill on the motorcycle, I knew that while I was cold, that I felt good. After some debate, four of us and the coach decided to ride the full 80 miles. The rest of the team opted for the shorter route.

Stopping to warm up doesn't work. Your body warms up, but your clothing cools off, even the waterproof gear. As soon as you get moving again, you freeze. Fingers stop functioning. Feet are sodden blocks. The only remedy is ride harder to turn yourself into a furnace. The weather helped by increasing the effort. The headwind blew harder and harder. The riding got harder and harder. We'd do our best to blast ahead through the fiercest weather and relax whenever we found shelter amongst the trees.

At 55 or 60 miles, my tank ran dry. No matter how hard I pushed, I couldn't manage more than 15 mph on the flats. The rain continued. My teammates held back and waited for me. We'd played this game with each other as each of us went through an energy depression. All of my food was gone, but John remembered a gel he'd stashed in his saddle-pack. The unidentifiable flavor (it was an old gel) didn't deter my pleasure. It was delicious and was the boost I needed.

At 70 miles we stopped at a little convenience store. While we all packed the calories and fluid in, we laughed at our stupidity. "Can you imagine anyone riding in this weather? I know I can't." Marsha, one of the riders, realized that we could take a short cut and trim our ride down to around 75 miles. With the commanding voice of an experience mother, she told us we were taking the short cut. She could have whispered it and we would have opted for it.

Sitting at a restaurant an hour or so later, with hot cocoa, coffee, and whiskey all around, we swapped tales of the ride. Marsha, who has ridden the Tucson century twice, and our coach emphatically agreed that our ride in two weeks will be the far easier ride. What we'd accomplished wasn't lost on any of us.

What a day. What a ride. :clap

I meant to smile for this photo.

http://www.conary.org/tnt/scott_coldride.jpg

p.s. checking the weather reports, with wind chill (never mind riding!) the temp was down in the 30's.

p.p.s. My knee is sore today but didn't bother me at all during the ride. :thumb

[BradfordBenn]

Great going Scott. I think I saw the smile.

[Callmethebreeze]

Good guts, Scott.


Breeze

[username]

i think that report belongs over on the rounders forum!

nice ride man. arizona is going to feel really good now.

[lorazepam]

nothing like a little adversity to strengthen ones resolve. You will do fine in Arizona, and have a safe, fun trip.

[knary]

Thanks guys. I'm looking forward to the ride in Tucson. With the knee issue, I was having doubts. After Saturday's ride, I can't wait to get down there and see what we can do. :D

[knary]

Before the warm glow of dawn, we will gather at the starting line, a handful of riders amongst 5,000. Minutes after the sun climbs over the mountain ridges, the thousands of legs will begin to churn the air as we begin the 109 mile trek to the finish line. Tomorrow, we ride.

:clap

[kbasa]

Go for it, man.

Spend enough time in airplanes this week?

[PacWestGS]

Pictures and a Ride Report. :clap

Two wheels are two wheels.

May the wind be at you back, and your down hills longer than the up hills.

Russ

[knary]

a very tired boy.
a fantastic day.
Not everything went as planned or as expected, but I had two goals and met a third. I finished well ahead of a friend (we're a bit competitive), finished in under 7 hours (even with some long stops, I came in at 6:59:48), and, surprisingly, was the 2nd member of our 10 person team to finish.
I'm tired.
and very proud of what we accomplished.

The LLS's Team in Training trains 35,000 'athletes' each year and this year is well on to its goal of raising 2.5 million dollars. We were part of it.

More later. But for now, a big thank you for all of the support.

[PacWestGS]

More later. But for now, a big thank you for all of the support.


Thank you Scott. :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

[BradfordBenn]

Congrats Scott. Now where is the Ride Report?!?!?!? :stick :p