Words from Walter

I can’t imagine a person becoming a success who doesn’t give this game of life everything he’s got. – Walter Cronkite

Where is your road leading?

“Though the road you’re walking may be well-traveled, that does not necessarily mean it is leading to your destination.”

– unknown

The Rock vs The Bike – ca-ching!

Recently, I ordered the bike of my dreams as a birthday present to myself.

When I returned to cycling after a 30 year break, I purchased a good bike (Trek 1500), just a step or three above entry level, and one that would take me towards my goals. My previous bike had been my brother’s Peugot which was about 40 years old by now.

I don’t want to imply that the Trek 1500 is no longer of use. That could not be farther than the truth! While its still my baby (something only a bike geek could understand), I have bike envy. I also told myself that if I stuck with this for two years then I would buy a “forever bike”, one that would be around another 40 years.

Week after week, I continued to climb the stairs at Helen’s Cycles (where they keep the special bikes) and eye them like a hungry orphan watching the fat cats dine on meals just out of reach. Each time, I would tell myself that these are for the real cyclists and return to the bikes downstairs, the ones for the rest of us.

Then came my birthday, it was time. In the last two years I’ve cycled more miles than I ever thought any human could, least of all this human. I’ve signed on for more events and have organized a team. I very rarely drive any more, if at all. It was most definitely time for that forever bike.

Back to Helen’s I went. Right up to Tony, the Manager and announced which one I wanted. I was committed now! As we were doing the paperwork, I quietly joked/asked if this was too much bike for me. He replied “probably, but not by next year.” There it was, confirmation that by the time I was done paying it off, it would be the right thing to do.

A day later it hit me… I told my husband that I realized the bike was more cash than the very nice engagement ring I was wearing. He nodded, told me that he was well aware of it and that the ring had better be viewed as the “forever rock”. No worries, sweetie – I’m here for the long haul. But the diamond …

Inspiration is everywhere

By now, you’ve most likely see it, the Powerade ad campaign that beautifies naked athletes. If you haven’t go there now. Run, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Rebecca Romero, a woman whose previous experience of cycling consisted of working in a bike shop as a teenager,  is one of the three nude Olympic athletes portrayed in this amazing display meant to sell another Coca Cola product, Powerade. To me, its an attest to what the human body can be.

Rebecca Romero - PowerAde Ad

The athlete, who modestly describes herself as ‘generally a lazy person’, beat Wendy Houvenhagel by about 2.5 seconds for the gold at this summer’s Olympics in Bejing. And so is confirmed as one of the few, if not only, Olympic medalist in 2 endurance sports.

It’s more than a month past the summer Olympics, so why am I touting her accomplishments now? Because the image stays with me. She is a fine tuned machine of muscle and dedication. She is no more and no less then anyone of us, getting on her bike day in and day out putting the miles behind her. There is no history of cycling since she could walk, just a love of the sport and maybe a little more ambition to take the gold then you or I have at this moment. Most importantly, she shows us what we can accomplish and I, for one, plan on keeping that in front of me as I continue to pedal towards my goals.

Quote of the Day

Courage to start and willingness to keep everlasting at it are the requisites for success.

— Alonzo Newton Benn

Where I am on my cycling goals

I set a goal for 2008 of 2600 miles. Since I had not set mile goals before I was in a position of not really knowing what to base it on. I thought 50 miles a week sounds doable and still maintain a real life (uh huh). I’ve had some weeks where I have more than toped that, others where I have slacked off completely. I may not be making my weekly miles but I am certainly more focused than I was last year.

Last year was a lesson in being on the bike – I mean it, it was that basic. Ride from the house to my son’s school (1 mile) with out passing out. Taking my hand off the handlebar to reach for the water bottle without wiggling all over the road. Let’s not forget looking over my shoulder to change lanes or just see who is passing me!

This year, I’ve worked on the mechanics as well as getting over my fears. Many times I do things simply because it felt like good sound advice, but more and more I am learning the whys of these things and even passing on simple advice to others. These are things I should have added to my goals for 2008. So right here, right now, mid year I am adding “become a more knowledgeable rider” to my cycling goals.

Events I have participated in this year:
• Solvang Century – March
• Crusin’ The Conejo – May
• Los Angeles River Ride – June
• The Ride to Conquer Cancer – June

Events I will participate in:
• Moonfest – July
• Marin Century – August
• Spooktacular – October
• Solvang Prelude – November
• Tour de Foothills – November

How Peer Pressure Made Me Get Over Myself

About a month ago I rode with one of my BNI buddies. He had not been on the bike in over two years, and I am not the most experienced rider in the world – it seemed like the perfect match. We would ride, do lunch and discuss how we can help each other in terms of our businesses (This is called a One to One or Dance Card in BNI).

I learned more than just about his business that day. I learned that peer pressure is a powerful tool. As we rode I asked many questions to really understand not what he does, but the type of connection I could make for him. We tried to stay at a pace that matched each other so we could carry a conversation that involved just the right amount of yelling and hearing. I’ve got a fear of hills — not the uphill part but out of control speed you get going downhill without your breaks. Every time I would feather my breaks he would yell “No breaks, no breaks!” much to my chagrin. Eventually, I was so embarrassed that I just gave in.

In one day, he accomplished what my coaches, hypnotherapists and cycling partners have been unable to do. When I rode the Solvang Century ride a few weeks ago I could hear the voice of  “No Breaks Man” yelling at me to take the descent for everything it was worth. I found myself zipping down hill at 58 mph (OK, I will admit I threw up a little later). I would not recommend this to anyone else as a training method, I prefer a different kind of motivation, but I did have to ask myself “what’s working?”.

I like to ride my bicycle, bicycle! Goals for 2008

Like everyone else this month, I’m reviewing my goals for the coming year. For the most part they are realizations of what  could have done better in terms of cycling.

I’m a firm believer that results go with goals and goals are accomplished by being able to track your progress and results. So far, my goals have been specific events, they still are, and for 2008 I’ve added more events then the two I did in 2007. What I did not do is track my miles.