This post has nothing to do with Internet Marketing or making money on the web. For the past three months I have been training as much as possible for a bike ride that covered 100 miles over three mountains, through three states. It’s one reason why I have been doing very little as far as producing crap for the web. Training, and my girl’s softball, has been much more important.
Well yesterday was the big day. It rained virtually all day. It was the most challenging bike ride I have done. I suffered greatly on the last mountain. But I did it. You can read about my ride at the 3-state 3-mountain challenge 2009 by clicking the link to my WordPress.com blog. (No, I don’t suspect many will care or do so, but I am spreading some backlinks, so bear with me.)
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Hey man, props for such an awesome accomplishment! That was incredible to read. Way to keep your priorities straight too, it is ever so hard in this game.
My kick is rock climbing. Of course, now I live in a beach town where there isn’t a decent rock for miles. Surf sucks too here. Traded a website for a hand made skim board which I’m gonna be trying out this week, it’s no 100 mile bike ride, but we do what we can!
Thanks. And thanks for reading.
I felt the same way about you do about rock climbing when I moved up here to middle TN. I used to live in GA and where there are mountain bike trails all over the N. GA mtns. It would take me an hour to get to my favorite rides. Where I live is flat in comparison and there are precious few mountain bike trails. I ride the road now but I would much prefer mountain biking. The drive back down is around 4 hours each way.
I know where you are coming from. My son-in-law has been in training for the Lumberjack 100 here in Michigan. His guts churn just thinking about it. This race books quickly in January and is one of the most challenging races here in Michigan.
Both he and my daughter are scheduled to do The Iceman Commeth Challenge in November, which is the largest one day bike race in the US.
This stuff is grueling. I myself just got a new Giant leasure bike. I try not to fall down.
I guess we have more than IM in common.
Yea ultra endurance mtn biking is something I haven’t tried. I can’t imagine training for that. Mtn biking can be so much more grueling than road riding. Particularly races. There are virtually no chances for drafting. The Iceman Challenge is unique in that it is a point to point race. You don’t get that much in mtn bike racing. I’ve never raced one before. Only multiple loops.
Splork, you are da man!
You’re inspiring me to get off my butt and do something ambitious, fitness wise. I really need to counter balance being on the freakin’ computer all day with something healthy – something outdoors.
Congratulations!
Kudos! As an ex-Colorado cyclist there were few choices that didn’t include big climbs, and high altitude as well. The Leadville Loop is a great for road bike training and the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, but for pure fun I liked the White Rim Trail, Utah, the best.
Dan, thanks. I appreciate it. Just get moving. It will give you some time to think about stuff if nothing else. When I am on my bike I find that I come up with better ideas or more motivation for working.
Thanks Jason. I bet it was tough to leave those options. I’ve read the stories in Velonews and other rags on those routes, most recently the Leadville 100 that Armstrong raced last year and came in second. I love mtn biking but I just don’t know I would be ready for 100 miles of suffering on the trail.
Splork, I love the outdoors too, but it’s been years since I touched a bike. The last mountain bike I owned was stolen by some creep.
I do hike when I have the opportunity. Hiking and enjoying nature is something I always enjoy.
I love to hike too. Actually wish I spent more time doing it.