The Fall Challenge

OK, so I usually do 2-3 organized bike rides a year.  The first is the Diabetes ride in Reston (I'm a diabetic so it's enlightened self interest).  Bike Manassas normally does that ride together and we usually pick the 33-mile version.  Last year we got lost (long story) and ended up doing a 45-mile version of the 33-mile ride.  It's down the W&OD so it's pretty chill and flat.  It starts and ends at Reston Town Center which is, of course, a fabulous location.

The second is Bike Virginia.  I love Bike Virginia: it's a 5 day tour of a selectd part of Virginia that will also ramble into other states.  This year I believe we crossed the Potomac 3 times.  I normally ride the 50-mile route each day so if I'm off by 8:00 I'm done by 11:30-12:00, depending on how much climbing there is.  Last year was in Blacksburg so those were long days in the saddle with grades exceeding 20% near the tops of some of those climbs.

The longest I've ever ridden was 80 miles and that was for the 100 miles of nowhere fundraiser for livestrong.  That number may surprise some as the big number is cycling is the "Century Ride".  It's a 100 mile ride.  I have never been able to hack out more than 80 miles and 50 isn't all that comfortable because I have a bum back.  When I was a kid I was helping the Red  Cross winterize their office and was, in the process of removing window unit a/c's, pulled through a window when the guy on the outside dropped the bloody thing.  I spent Christmas in the hospital.  Fast forward 20 years and it's become a bit of a problem: I'm fatter and older.  My back siezes up after about 40 miles.  If I break every 15 it's manageable but after I cross the 50 mile mark it's done in.  Especially when I have to generate a lot of power for climbing.

So, behold the "Fall Challenge"!  I've gone and signed up for the Culpeper Cycling Century ride.  The full-boat 100 mile version.  In order to complete this, I'll need to do two things: do 1 hour of core yoga everyday and lose 15 pounds.  The yoga part I've got covered.  I have an app on my Mac that gives me a choice of 5 different core strength routines.  It's crucial that I strengthen my core.  

In a normal month, I could pull off the weight loss with  regular cycling and the absence of wine in my diet…it would be doable….There is, however, a sticking point and it is substantial.  See, before I signed up for this ride I registered for an industry convention in New Orleans.  Now the 3 foods that are closest to my heart are: cajun (or any country cookin'), proper Creole and French.  These foods are present in appalling numbers in New Orleans.  I think my only hope is to hit the gym every morning, run and then just not eat until dinner.  I suppose a reasonable person would suggest some amount of self-control but this is New Orleans baby.  Take me to Commanders, Arnaud's, K Paul's or O'Briens!  I ain't eating cardboard hotel food….and that's the root of the problem.  I'm 239 now, wish me luck!  Maybe if I absolutely starve myself I can get down fast enough that New Orleans isn't a problem….but I doubt it…:)