Running with the Stars

 Jared has been participating in the after school program "Running with the Stars" for the past several weeks.  He really works hard at this program and has done extremely well.  

His first accomplishment was winning the 4th grade Turkey Trot this past November.  His prize, a 23 lb turkey that he brought home and we had for Thanksgiving dinner!  I believe that's the first time he's contributed to putting food on the table.

He's been practicing a couple times a week after school.  Basically, this means he runs around the school field non-stop for one hour.  He's a little feisty and competitive with wanting to come in first place.

This past weekend was the finale to the program.  The event is a 5k run out in Ashburn, VA.  Of course the program calls for a buddy runner and Daddy was up for the challenge.  Timing of this event wasn't so good, as I just rode the Casa River Century in West Virginia the day before.  But what the heck, aren't we all still young?

Pre-Game Photo

Finishing Times:  Jared 25:04    Daddy 27:37

Very proud of Jared.  I just couldn't keep up with him.  He shot off from the starting line and never bothered looking back for his "Running Buddy".

Post finish dessert: Colossal donut from SFW

Runners with their fan base

Here are the official running results: http://www.runningwiththestars.com/index.php/results/spring-2012

Here is the Garmin result from my run: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/180099300

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CASA River Century

Saturday May 20 was a perfect day with perfect weather to ride a perfectly wooded and rolling route through the hills of Shepardstown West Virginia and beyond.  From the results of this ride, I'm thinking I have a shot at riding the Mohican 100 in 2 weeks time in under 12 hours!  But this day myself and my buddy Dan Wolfe got up early and drove to Shepardstown University to join 400 other riders on the tour.

This had pretty consistent rolling hills on roads that weren't too frequently traveled.  The rest stops were stocked well (except missing gatorade) and we took full advantage of each and every one.  So Dan, you haven't been riding much but how's your pre-ride feel?  Check the video below.

I'm thinking that all this commuting on the bike and once/week 70 mile trips out to Purcellville are really paying off.  This was my strongest century thus far.  At the 85 mile mark came the biggest hills of the ride.  Attack - Attack - Attack these hills by standing and sprinting up them. This repeated for about a 5 mile stretch.  I felt pretty darn good on these hills and was ready for more.  Check another video!

Here's a few other videos if you're interested in different parts of the ride.

First video - a few miles in.

First Rest Stop

Typical riding scene .. very beautiful.

Infamous Butler Chapel

50 Down, 50 to go

72 Miles

Mile 93 - Home Stretch

Garmin statistics: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/180099387

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Middleburg Mountains x 2

Middleburg Mountains x 2

Awesome weather and time to kill got me off the couch and out west to Middleburg for another training ride in preparation for the Mohican 100 mile mountain bike race on June 2.  Packed up my things and off I went.  I was a little nervous because this was to be the first time I tackled two mountains instead of just the one up Blue Ridge Mountain Road.

20 miles I reached my first nemesis in Blue Ridge Mountain Road.  This road has crushed me in the past.  It's long, steep, and just seems to keep going up up and up.  Today would be a different outcome, as I motored up it with not a significant amount of effort.  I did have a little trouble with the video recap as you can see below.

Recapping the end of Blue Ridge Mountain road below.  I never liked trying to slow down quickly on the road bike.  The Cannondale CAAD10 doesn't like to slow down.  After this video, I headed down 50 a little more to get to the second mountain.  Have I mentioned how much I hate dogs, especially when they chase me?  More on that later.

This was supposed to be just another training ride through Middleburg and the Blue Ridge Mountains.  For the most part it was, but it got ominous at the rest stop in Linden.  If I hadn't known better, I'd think I was in Northern Georgia (if you get the reference).  For a hint, check out this video.

A few ride statistics and elevation profile.  68 miles, 4 hours 55 minutes, Full Garmin ride statistics.

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New York 5 Boro Ride

I rode the New York Five Boro Bike ride on Saturday May 7.  It's the single largest bike ride in the world (or so they say) with around 33,000 riders.  Riders come in all shapes and sizes, some on rent-a-bikes and others on Cervello's.  It's quite a mix and a little scary in tight places.

I saw six crashes, one of them fairly serious.  It sounded like a car wreck with metal crunching and I looked back to see at least one guy and girl both flying through the air and crunching the pavement.  Similar to this crash from yesterday.  Well, enough with the roadkill.

The ride is around 42 miles of almost all flat roads.  The only inclines are the bridges, the last one being the Verrazono bridge.  It's quick to see the riders and the wanna-riders when the road starts to tilt.  Lots of people huffing and puffing, with a plenty walking.

Some of the most prominent takeaways from this ride are:

1. There are a lot of cops in New York.
2. I'll never get bored of the New York skyline.
3. Central Park is an incredible place to visit.
4. Don't go to New York if you enjoy elbow room.

Our Host Nicholas

Accommodations in New York can be hard to found if you're on a budget.  Thanks to www.AirBNB.com for helping me find a room on Staten Island.  Nicholas (on the left) rents a fine room for a "Few Dollars More" (love Clint) than 42 miles on this ride.  He's an exceptional host who enjoys the company.

Make sure to ask him for breakfast as his omelette special with ham, tomato's, apple juice, coffee and toast was fantastic.

It's about a 3 minute bike ride to the Staten Island ferry from his flat.  A 25 minute quick trip and we were among the most riders I have ever seen.

The ferry ride was not as packed as it has been in the past.  This was the first year for staggered starts.  Although, even with the staggers there were a ton of riders everywhere you looked.  The car bay was jammed with bikes from front to back.

There was tremendous excitement in the air as we were herded to the starting line.  I think "Herded" is appropriate as how else could you describe thousands of people funneling to a common location?  Moooooooooooo!

Right off the Ferry	Getting to the Start
Still Getting to the Start	Aerosmith, Live!

Eventually we got moving as we sailed down 12th avenue to start (I think) and on to Central Park.  The road started out pretty wide as there were no cars allowed, but got narrow at points and that's where the fun begins for those who don't know rider etiquette.  So if anyone is wondering, here's a few rider etiquette tips:

1. Hold your line. Not sure what that means, then go straight.
2. Don't look behind you when in congestion. Same rules when in a car dummy!
3. Swerving and weaving is not acceptable at any time.
4. Slow riders to the right, faster riders to the left.  Again, dummy!
5. Farting when riders are close behind is encouraged.

	By now you must be thinking "What is Kenny doing up there all alone in such a dangerous, smelly and hostile place?!?!?!"   Have no worries.  My buddy Michael was the only one to take me up on my offer (and I'm sure you were included) to attend the event.
	This is Charles's Bench

He's another avid rider who rides his bike to work every single day, rain or shine.

6th Street	Harlem Hospital
Bronx	East River Tunnel

One thing about this ride is there were riders everywhere.  33,000 riders over 42 miles is very congested.  The Seagull Century has 8k-10k riders over 100 miles and you constantly are among other cyclists.  I wonder if they all knew where they were?  I, for one, had absolutely no bearing on NSEW or any of the buildings around me.  Never had I seen any of these roads, nor will I ever remember them.

Astoria Park	21st Street

Staten Island Ferry Ride to Start

Overall this ride was a whole lotta fun.  It's 42 miles of almost all flat car-less roads. Only a few people had to walk on the bridges, especially when the headwind got to you.  Logistics worked great, weather was great, all was a good time.  I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to pedal around New York.  Don't let the distance intimidate you, it's easy.

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