Excuses? We don't need no stinkin' excuses!!!

OK another obscure reference to a movie - this time The Treasure of the Sierra Madre - if you haven't seen it watch it - a Bogart classic.

Thought it was time for an update on my progress since my last posting, after having miserably failed to avoid the "Winter 10" - or more like the Winter 15 in my case.

This time I can claim success.  In the 30 days of April, I logged 32 rides and 624 miles - full disclosure - I did not ride on April 11th - something about a raw throat and full sinuses, but I did manage to get out every other day (and made up for the "miss" with a couple of days where I rode twice) and every day so far in May.  My most adventurous ride was on April 22nd - 43+ miles, with lots of climbing. in the pouring rain with a temperature of 42°F - reminded me a lot of the climb up Rogers Pass on the ride across Canada.
My attitude that day was:
1) It's only water.
2) Cycling is an outdoor sport, no?
3) Once you are soaked, you can't get any wetter.
 I rode the Piccolo Fondo route out of Morristown, and at the half way point registered for the Miles for Matheny ride so I could get a hot lunch to refuel.  I managed to get a wickedly cool registration number for the event.

MOOOOWAHaHaHaHa!!!

When they handed me the Bib at the registration table I said "Wow, that is ominous!"  They looked at the number and asked if I wanted to return it for another to which I replied "No this was a keeper!"  Two hamburgers and a hot dog later I was back on my bike for the final 23 miles in pouring rain watching the temperature drop steadily.  By far the most memorable ride of the last 5 weeks.

The stats so far are 36 rides in 34 days, 695 miles and 8 lbs lighter than on April 1st.
I am amazed at how good I feel and I am slowly working my way back to the weight I was when I finished my ride across Canada. (another 12 lbs to lose.)

I am also amazed at how the body and mind react to regular aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

I feel very confident that barring injury, I will be able to complete my 10 weeks of riding daily.

Fun rides coming up:

May 8th: Marty and I are in NYC riding a tour of the bike shops to promote Gran Fondo NJ 2012, and attend the NYCC meeting.
May 9th: I am riding my 2nd Commuter Challenge on May 9th - a 5 mile "Time Trial" against an electric bike, a Toyota Prius, and a Train/folding bike.  I rode a preview of the route on this evening's ride and managed a 22 mph average.  Should be fun to see the results next week.
May 20th: I am riding in my 5th Montauk Century - the first big ride of the season through the mansions of  eastern Long Island.

Some parting words to think about - "My therapist is 4 years old, weighs under 20 lbs and cost less than $4,000." Get out there and enjoy your bike, however far you ride.

Serge and PA, you continue to inspire me!!!