Exhausted

I drove up to Princeville today to ride to Wyoming...the town, not the state, to ride that section of the Rock Island Trail. It is a 20 mile round trip. My longest distance to date was 22 miles, so I thought "No, brainer"

I parked by the Princeville water tower and headed out. I found this section of trail a bit more scenic. I also found this section isn't quite as level and easy riding as the Alta to Princeville section. There was also a section for about 2 miles (between mile markers 16-18) where two trees had fallen across the trail. A wind storm must have gone through that section as there were twigs and branches all over the place. I get to Wyoming and had just broken a fair sweat. Was kinda disappointed that the Rock Island Trail Depot Visitor Center wasn't open...just on the weekends. So, pedal off to the business district. I don't ache. I'm not breathing hard. I made the 10 mile jaunt in just over an hour (had to stop and tighten seat). I said "heck with it, I'm off to Toulon" (which is the end of the Rock Island), its only about 5 miles; 10 miles round trip. Off I go.

I get to Toulon and the trail just stops dead....it just ends. What the hell is that? It isn't anything like the Alta end of the trail. I mean I wasn't expecting Neuschwanstein or the Holy Grail or Toulon city council members handing out "I Rode the Rock Island Trail to Toulon and All I Got Was This Lousy Bumper Sticker" bumper stickers or Dave Hoffman playing fanfares to my arrival, etc., but just end? No sign, nothing. As it is anti-climatic, I ride into Toulon. Ok, now I have closure.

I head back. All the while, I knew the wind was picking up and I'm riding into it. At the end of the 5 miles into Wyoming found me struggling...starting to tire and the wind was noticeably picking up to which made me think "there was rain in the forecast...now I have to out run rain". I got about 1/4 way to Princeville and had to stop. I took about 10 minutes. I realize at this point I'm at about the 22 mile mark that I rode previously and I'm struggling badly. I concede that I can't keep up the pace, and while though rain may be on its way, it is better rain soaked than hurting myself or causing a heart attack. I shift into a middle gear and take it easy the remaining 7-8 miles. No rain, but I'm soaked and I hurt.

I had pushed the previous 22 miles in just at two hours. It took me 4 hours, 15 minutes to finish this 32.

In hindsight, I still don't think the distance was the entire issue. First, I started at about 10:30 am and it was quite bit warmer than when I did the 22. Second, I don't remember a wind when I did the 22. And my butt was really starting to hurt. Need to weld the passenger seat of my Monte Carlo or the Stratolounger in my basement on the bike for a seat. Guess I'm going to have to develop some ass callouses.

Though exhausted, I still have a smile on my face. But I got to remember to take two things with me in the future: a sweatband and OFF! Nuclear Strength Bug Spray. I can't remember EVER being pestered by so many flying objects while riding a bike.

Looking to ride again on Friday!

Ridin' the Rock

I guess I'm doing this journal more for myself than anything (or one) else.

One of my new years resolutions was to lose some weight and get back into a little better shape. My blood pressure had crept up, was starting to feel lethargic and I know my weight was slowly increasing.

I have always been on a bicycle. Learned young, had a paper route, rode the darn thing everywhere until I got a car. Still rode a bit after that. Fast forward to the early mid 90's I got back on and rode everywhere while in upstate New York (should have taken the bike to Hilton Head...it was faster to walk the mile to work than drive it sometimes). But coming back home through Indianapolis, I stopped to take a driving break and someone cut the chain and stole the bike!

Fast forward again to a month ago and I've bought a new bike. My guess is I've put on 100+ miles. Been on the Rock Island a few times...the longest distance is from Alta to Princeville in back. Been on the Fondulac and the Pimiteoui Trails also.

The ultimate goal is to build up to ride the Rock, the whole Rock, in a day.

Ok, to some of you, that 52-58 (depending on who you talk to) miles might not seem like much. I guess if I took it nice and easy I could make it now. However, I have this certain bit of competitiveness in me that won't let me "take it easy". I feel I need to keep a certain pace, even though there isn't a MPH tag to put on it. From my best guess, this pace is about 12-15 mph. Thusly, this out of shape, overweight body wears out far before that round trip would ever occur. The goal is to keep the pace the whole time except to check out some of the towns along the way.

So, that is my plan. I might not ride the Rock daily or weekly. I might be on one of the other trails working on building up some endurance and dropping a few pounds.

And why this online journal....well, if I make my plans public, maybe someone might actually shoot me some barbs if I'm not posting some updates about my efforts to complete the above quest.

New Blog - Old Site.

I discontinued "Culinary Hotline" a few months ago as I had far less questions asked than I had anticipated. Anyone who has a cooking question can always e-mail me at the address in the post below and I will be more than happy to answer it. Might not be an immediate answer.......

Shutting Down

I'm going to shut down this blog. Doesn't seem to get much use. Most people e-mail me or find some other form of contact. Got a cooking question in the future, e-mail me at kevin@chefkevincooks.com or fill out a contact me form at chefkevincooks.com

Thanks for all those who asked questions.

Chef Kevin