Weekend Review: Apr 27th & 28th

Every weekend there are new sights, sounds, and taste to consume. There are other sensory inputs that tickle my brain too, but saying there is stuff to feel sounds creepy. This is a weekly journal of my weekend endeavors. Enjoy!

Hardywood Twilight 4 Miler
Post 10k I have been lazy piece, not exercising, not stretching and subsisting on a diet of beer and sweet sweet pastries. As a preventative measure I signed myself up for a trillion events this Spring and Summer. The first of which was a 4 mile run out from Hardywood and back by way of the Fan. It was a fun run so the pressure to finish quick was only in my head and the reward afterwards was beer. Specifically the Twilight Weiss, brewed for the event. The whole thing was a blast, it seemed like all of Richmond was there, well except for the angry Richmonders on Broad St. That mess was blocked for an hour plus for the run.

Fort Harrison Loop
In preparation for my next event (Cap 2 Cap), I needed and still need cycling miles on my legs. Sunday morning Mike and I met at my place and spun our way out to Rocketts Landing to meet Whitt. From there we made our way East to Fort Harrison, where we turned around and crossed the river to Whitt's place for bottle fills and a cold beer (best idea ever). We departed Casa Clements and crossed the river again to head home. Less than a mile from my house, Mike and I were singing our victory hymnal when he hit a painted line that was not a painted line, but a 6 inch tall concrete strip. I watched as he tumbled in slow motion. His body fighting gravity at every turn and ultimately losing. It looked painfully, but hope the worst of it was scrapes and bruises. We limped our way back to my place for scones, beer and band-aids. Not a great way to end a good ride, but them's the breaks.

Problem & IamSu!

Mixtapes are the best. They are free, come out more frequently than full studio releases and are great exposure for new artist. For the past three weeks I've been listening to Problem and IamSu's Million Dollar Afro. It super heavy on the bass and features Juvenile of all people. Pretty dope all around and no barrier to entry. Give it a try.

Devils Backbone Mountain Cross

Saturday morning I saddled up early in Richmond and drove 90 minutes out to Nelson County, VA. The Devils Backbone event that I attended came in two flavors. 27 miles of brutal climbing or 65 miles of brutal climbing. For my first cyclo-cross event and first trip to the mountains I decided to go with half brutality. You know, ease into it a bit.

The course was a mix of pavement (17 miles), gravel (10 miles) and not a whole lot of actual cross. It was one big loop, there was no reason to dismount (I lost a bottle on a really bumpy downhill) and it wasn't an actual race as far as I could tell. What it ended up being was a lot of fun though. I road my normal setup, which usually feels out of place, but was perfect for this course. The hills mountains were ultra tough. Two 17%-20% grade climbs and a category 1 climb that was just shy of 6 miles of up. I ended up having to walk twice and wished for lower gear options both times, but the 28s (tires) were great for everything.

Afterward we (there were 8 of us) had a late lunch and beers at Devils Backbone. A well deserved meal and plenty of laughter and chatter. The tired drive home was not as pleasant, but a nap when I got there set the world right. If you asked me 4 miles in to the cat 1 climb if I would do it again next year I would have grunted and spit at you, but two days removed and I would sign up in a heart beat!

Annual Report 2012: Exercise

(Click to Embiggen)

My year in exercise has been up and down. Always maintaining a through line of running and riding, but plagued by injury and life events that left me a little disappointed by the end of 2012. Overall miles were up over the prior year, but 2011 was a diet and return to exercise year. If you compare both years from May to December, 2011 is up 275 miles on it's younger brother.

Running
I had a banner year in running events in 2012. Participating in 4 times as many as I did in 2011 and improving my mile pace in each event. Shaving 10 seconds per mile from March to November. On the other hand two knee injuries (stupid Basketball) to the same knee (stupid Football) took me out of the game for multiple weeks at a time and even kicked off a month of physical therapy in June. I might have gotten back on the streets in the late fall in winter, but instead there was a steady drop in all activity and a rise in cookie and beer consumption (not pictured).

Riding
I have never been an event/charity guy for bikes (mostly racing), but April was the most miles I've ridden in three years running (Sept. 2009: 200+). I have Cycle NC to thank for that. It made for a great weekend of cycling and some intense long miles at fast paces (mostly flat). When the knee injuries took me out of the running shoes they took me off the saddle too, but I was pretty consistent with Sunday rides all year. Something I have to give big thanks to my regular group for, I hit a 9 Sunday streak from March to April. 2012 was also my return to mountain biking. A sport I miss all the time and want to do more of ever time I get out on the trail. Two crashes this year too, but lets breeze by those before my wife bans me from the bike.

Weekend Review: September 1st & 2nd

Every weekend there are new sights, sounds, and taste to consume. There are other sensory inputs that tickle my brain too, but saying there is stuff to feel sounds creepy. This is a journal of my weekend endeavors. Enjoy!

The Campaign 
Friday nigtht was date night. I made steaks and asparagus on the grill and we went to a movie. The Campaign trailers looked funny enough and it got two friendly recommendations. Good enough for us. We both like Galifianakis and Ferrell well enough and the film was face achingly funny for the first half. The shine came off, as it does with most comedies, in the back half though. It threw a few funny jabs out here and there near the end and managed to be recommendation worthy overall. It may sound harsh, but it remained funny longer than most movies do and that is an accomplishment in and of itself.

Revival
I read the first two issues of this book Saturday based on a recommendation (Ethan) and really liked it. A select group of residents in a small town find they have the ability to return to life after death. Only a little bit crazier every time. The art is wicked good, the story feels legit creepy and the characters are already fully established. Totally worth a read.

The Once and Future King
I started this back in high school and made it through 2 of the 4 books the compilation contains. While struggling to find a new fantasy book post ASoIF I went back to the realm of King Arthur. I'm not incredibly far into it yet, but the old memories flooding back. I love White's writing style, humor and occasional word I have to look up. Really glad I returned to finish this some 15 years later.

Crossroads
I don't think 52L will make it over to southside anytime soon, so this one is not going to step on any toes. Post Sunday ride our skeleton crew pulled into Crossroads for coffee and scones. I have been to the South of the James truck a few times and really enjoyed it, but never to the actual coffee shop. It was nice enough outside and we were sweaty enough that we sat out on the patio. The iced coffees hit the spot after an ultra humid ride and my scone was super tasty. I'll be going back for sure.

Angry Birds
Heck of late to the party on this one, but my three year old recently became obsessed. Which means I end up playing it a fair amount too. I first played it back when it original blew up on the iPhone and was bored with it pretty quickly. Too much of the success seems to be based on luck and inconsistent physics. That said  my son loves it and could care less about the pass/fail portion of it. Win or lose he is off to another level. If I had to say a few nice things about it, I'd go with:

1. I hate the free to play model and Angry Birds stands as the shinning example of not free to play (mostly).
2. Playing Angry Birds has introduced my son to familiarity with the iPad. Which has let me introduce him to more educational games. He spends as much time with dem birds as he does with Letter School and a matching game that escapes me.

Safe As Milk

Cycling buddy, Hip Hop aficionado and friend o' mine, Mike got his bee-log up and running again. Give it a visit!

Family Bike Ride

On the same week that we bought Kaden his first bike I took him across the river to pick up a bike trailer from a friend. It is not the greatest picture in the world, but you can see him in tow above. Post first bike ride he was not immediately sold on riding in the trail. When we showed him were he could put snacks and a drink though he was all in.

When he got up from is nap that same day we pulled our bikes out to the street and hooked up the trail. It was awkward at first. Backing up my bike was a pain. Getting started on a hill was too. Both of which I tried to do from the start. For the first four miles I was super nervous. Feeling out how wide the trail was. Trying to avoid pot holes for two of us and keeping my cadence smooth.

Eventually I got it, but not without a few lingering complaints. My heel sticks back far enough to rub the connector where the trailer attaches to my frame. If I don't want to scuff it on every pass (hint: I don't), then I have to turn my left heel out slightly to avoid it. Which lead to a little bit of knee joint pain post ride. If I can get over the shoe rubbing I will still have to deal with the biggest flaw of the trailer though.

It is like pulling a giant Lego block. Scratch that a square parachute. It is an aerodynamic mess. What feels like the effort of a 16 mph pace ride, but we are really going 12 mph. I have to work my butt off to keep it going. Hills are the worst, clicking down to my middle ring for stuff I could power up at 18-20 normally. I don't think we will ever take it on a 30-40 mile trip, but it was still really fun.

We spun our way over to my parents house first. He got out and visited with them for a while and we were back on the road. Our next stop was Moe's for a light dinner. Kaden was tickled pink that we rode our bikes there and got to sit next to them outside while we ate. Following dinner we stopped a playground and let him get out and burn some energy. Our first ride ended up being a 13 mile out a back test run, that really was a ton of fun. I could use the exercise.

Kaden's New Bike

What started two weeks ago as a helmet purchase for his push motorcycle, turned into a full on bike purchase last week. We talk about bikes a lot in our house. Two to four bicycles have been present in his playroom since he was born. He knows not to touch to chains. He likes to see me ride out in the street and he has been talking about getting his own for a month. So on a whim Crystal picked up his first bike on Wednesday last week.

It was late by the time it got to the house and also unassembled. So we sent him off to bed and I attempted to put it together. At minute ten I realized that the fork was bent so badly that no man power was going to set it straight. So I boxed it back up and went to bed. Crystal returned the next day with an assembled bike and a story about the manufacturer packing their bikes poorly.

That evening we went on a bike ride in the neighborhood. I on my bike, Kaden on his and Crystal keeping him straight and offering the occasional push. He pedals surprisingly well. He lacks the leg strength to push through if he stops at an odd angle, but he can string together 5-6 good strokes with regularity. After his first 1/4 mile lap we stopped at the house to raise his seat. That involved pliers and a wrench. He watched vigilantly as I adjust the post to his little height and we were on our way for another quarter.

The next morning Crystal came down stairs to find him in our sun room (his playroom) with his Fisher Price tool set splayed out on the floor. Pliers and wrench in hand, mock adjusting his seat post height.

Riding with my Bride

June has been an exceptional month for Tabib cycling. Never before have I been on so many rides with my lovely wife. Prior to Kaden, riding was something Crystal enjoyed, but was not passionate about. We were both overweight too. So were I would push past my plump pounds to get on the road every weekend, she would simply pass. Post Kaden, even if she wanted to ride it was a matter of finding a babysitter.

Now that we are each 13% lighter, exercise has become enjoyable and routine. I am running 3-4 times a week. She is walking and Tae Bo-ing the same amount. So when we get a free weekend morning together, we go for a ride. In June we had the chance to do that three times. Putting in 68 miles for the month. Easily Crystal's most logged ever and also breaking her longest ride, at 32 miles this past Sunday. I was extremely  impressed by her the whole ride. I hope we get the chance to break her miles in a month record in July.

Saturday on Studley

At this point the country roads of Goochland and rolling hills of Riverside are well tread by Pant's tires. I think I've worn a grove into Patterson Ave to be honest. So when I get to roll on new paths it is always a pleasure. On Saturday I met up with the brothers Brick for a ride north east of our city. We piled into Landon's car and landed at parking lot by Atlee Rd. and Chamberlayne. The lot was nearly empty when we arrived and we were two wheels rolling by 3:20p.

The roads were low on traffic and high on hills. We stuck mostly to our cue sheet despite MapMyRide.com trying to get us lost on two occasions. What finally did us in was poor road planning, not website logic. We had to huff it for a half mile and a massive hill on Mechanicsville Turnpike at the half way point. We noted our mistake for next time and spun back to the car. What we found was a classic car show that had engulfed Landon's Buick. All around us were hot rods and shinned chrome.

The rest is in the pictures...

Side by Side

Looking beyond my one ride in January and February when I never rode, the official kick off to the 2011 riding season was this past weekend. I'd like for 2011 to shape up to be a better riding year than the last. In fact that is my goal that I never accomplish every year. My high-water mark is a month not a year actually. If could get close to September of 2009 every month that would be ideal.

Starting with a 17 mile ride in mid-March is not near where I want to be, but it is something. Something is always a better start than nothing and riding a little with good friends is better than not riding at all. The weather was warm-ish and the hills of Old Gun are great to climb and even better to descend. The rest, though brief, is in the pictures.

ACT Run

Riding from Laurel Park Shopping Center to Ashland Coffee & Tea is also known as the ABC (Ashland Breakfast Club) route.  A ride I've taken more times than I have fingers and toes.  Even with my toes exposed. It is also the best ride around town to introduce beginner rides to the hobby.  Flat, shaded and at 20 miles it is a good ride for a newbie to brag about. It is also a great welcome back to cycling ride.

This past weekend I took Crystal for her third and Gabriel for his second tour of the ABC.  We were two wheels rolling by 8:30am and made it to Ashland Coffee & Tea in just under an hour.  The weather was great, a bit of a cold nip, but nothing a jacket couldn't solve.  At ACT we chowed on bagels with Cran-Apple spread and sipped on tasty coffee. The weather warmed up a bit for the return lap, but not enough to warrant jacket removal. The end result was two riders who want to try and keep cycling for the foreseeable future.  I hope they keep at it. The rest is in the pictures.

Northside to Riverside

Saturday marked my first group ride in the Fall for 2010.  I hit the streets of Richmond on my own last weekend and put in 27 good miles.  Not the same with friends though. I met up with Grant and Landon (The Brothers Brick) at 8am and we were two wheels rolling not 15 minutes later.  Headed east from the Northside the first half of our ride was all parts of Richmond I had never seen before.

Fascinating that 28 years of life in this city still brings me to places I have never seen before. Of note was the Oakwood Cemeteries confederate grave site which for some reason I didn't even know existed.  Heading out of the East End and into Shockoe Bottom we crossed the river into familiar territory for the rest of the ride. Ending the ride at just under two hours and just under 25 miles.

Our post ride meal was brunch at Bill's Barbecue.  A weird place to go at 10:45am, but still as tasty as always. Landon had never eaten there before and was impressed and Grant got a lemonade refill that tasted like it was made with box wine.  Yum!  The rest is in the pictures.

ABC in March 2010

New faces and like minded cyclist are always a welcome addition to a morning ride. Such was the case this Saturday when I hooked up with Ethan, Mike, Ronan and Dena to ride a 32 mile variation of the classic ABC route. It was a not a Pants pace and by that I mean a conversation/casual pace, but it felt good to push my limits a bit. I need work on hills and recovery post hills in a bad way. The rest is in the pictures.

Cold Rides Cometh

Every year I look forward to riding in the cold weather of late autumn. The leaves have left the trees, the temperature drops and it is the perfect time to bundle up and spin. My first ride of this lovely season was on Riverside early Sunday morning with Mike. We took what has become our new standard loop for a 19ish mile warm up to this coming weekends World AIDS Day ride. More on that later, but the rest is in the pictures...

Mehtul muffinsMmm!

Mike and me

"S" turns on the side

Train bridge in autumn

The check

Shakedown at Surry Part 2

Sunday brought the thrilling conclusion of our cycling tale. After a night of drinking and eating with friends sleep came easy, but not comfortably. I foresee a sleeping pad of some sort in my future, but for this trip I slept on the earth. Breakfast was less elegant than the grilled chicken I cooked up for dinner the night before, but instant coffee and pastries still hit the spot. We bid Grant and Erin farewell and were two wheels rolling soon after. Russ, Mike and I decided on a more southerly route for our return home. It took us through a lot of remote farm country that was a nice contrast to the constant that is Rt. 5. The rest is in the pictures...

Sleeping on the ground makes me feel old.

One last shot with Grant before we roll out.

Grant & Erin: American Gothic edition

Two wheels rolling.

Turkeys!

Lost?...Just a little bit.

First break of the day.

To refuel.

Cutting through Petersburg National Battlefield.

Old Towne Petersburg.

The trip back was slightly shorter (58mi vs. 62mi), but we finished in Colonial Heights and caught a ride and some lunch back to Grant's in the Northside. All in it was it was the most I have ever ridden in two days. I had never camped between rides either, we tried it on our last trip to Cumberland County, but were too pooped to proceed. Cycling goals aside all 120 miles were spent with my good friends in Pants Richmond. Hopefully the years that Russ is away from Richmond pass quickly, because he will be missed on the bike and off.

Shakedown at Surry Part 1

As mentioned on this very bee-log the farewell to Russ tour took off this past weekend for Surry, VA. Many miles were pedaled, laughs were had and we wished our friend goodbye and good luck Pants Richmond style. The route we took was last graced by our pants in 2007 when we did the same ride with the same cast. Since then the capital to capital trail has gotten closer to Richmond, but there is still plenty of road to ride on. The rest is in the pictures...

Russ's Pics | Grant's Pics | My Pics

TWR at 7:30am

Stop to take a seat on Rt 5.

Landon

Grant

Mike

Russ

The whole crew

On the ferry to Surry

I'm on a boat!

Gulls

Watching the gulls

An album cover group shot is mandatory

Reflection on life

Russ goes for swim

The water was warm

We followed up the ride with camping at Chippokes Plantation State Park. Lisa, Erin and Matt soon joined us for dinner and late night chatter. Matt helped us carb load for the next day and we were off to bed early. A big camp fire would have been nice, but having a cooler full of food and change of clothes brought by car to us was just as nice. Next up is the return to Richmond, see you soon.

Double Dose of Ride

It is rare these days that I get to take two rides that aren't separated by the vast gully of the weekdays. This holiday weekend I did just that. Grant and I, in preparing for the coming Shakedown at Surry*, rode east of downtown one day and west of west another.

Fort Harrison (28.33 mi) | (Pictures)
This is a well known ride amongst our crew that usually reminds me of unbearable heat. The route is a tour de geographical areas, in that it starts amongst skyscrapers and loops out to farm country. I say I associate it with heat because most of the Ft. Harrison rides I have done have been mid-summer sweat fest. Saturday was not the norm, the weather was crisp and cool in the early morning and by the time we wrapped up post 11am it was just starting to get warm. While this is not a route that bears repeating too frequently, it should not be missed as a point of habit. The climb out of the Bottom offers some incredible views of the city and the park that marks the half way point is a canopy of shade that offers a nice historical back drop.

Rockville (27.41 mi)
Yet another well worn ride for the pants syndicate, riding west of the West End is where we got our road riding start years ago. Now educated, graduated and grown up we can look back on it with not so rosy colored glasses. The old loop just doesn't have the spark that other rides around Richmond offer. That is unless you find ways to give it life. Grant hit up Google maps and spiced up the ride with some super country roads and a two mile gravel bit that was remote as remote can be. Think corn fields on both flanks and out of the way huntin' dog breeders. The weather leaned toward cool, but not cold and the miles felt easy on the legs. Additional map based additions to this ride might bare even tastier fruit. We shall see.

*What I lovingly refer to as the Shakedown at Surry is really a farewell ride to fellow Pants Richmond member Russ. He is off to serve in South Korea for a number of years and as such will no longer be riding with us. To see him off we have a camping ride planned for this coming weekend to nether regions of Surry, VA.

Do the Riverside Dance

My dreams are haunted by the Sesame Street songs Kaden watches on DVR these days and apparently my post topics are too. "Do the cucumber dance".

Moving on, our crew assembled on Saturday at the house that Mehtul built for some cycling. New to the group was Ethan, a cyclist, Dad and like minded geek who happens to be related Kevin Bacon style to our group. How our ships passed in the night for so long I can't say, but I have worked with him at the same company for three years. Yet some how we didn't know we had the same hobbies. If that weren't enough, Grant also works with his wife. Long story short Ethan is a good guy and now a member of Pants de Richmond.

Saturday we were two wheels rolling by 8:30am and hit the same Riverside loop we did previously, but in reverse. The ghost of late night video game past came calling for me half way through the ride in the form of a near bonk. The hills of Old Gun are an unforgiving mistress to those that do not come prepared, take heed. A little break and understanding from my fellow riders and we were on our way. The rest of the day was mostly uneventful and we have plans to do it all again this coming weekend. The rest is in the pictures...

Group shot with the "Z"

Grant and Mike

Ethan

Deer

Grant and the "Z"

My ride.

Ethan's ride.

Raid Progression
Well, as I stated Tuesday 3.2 did drop this week. The new raid content was underwhelming in that we cleared all of it and took a trip back to Ulduar in one night. The new epic gems are nice and easy to get and give me an opportunity to actually use my old heroism, valor and conquest emblems for once. The inclusion of triumph emblems is nice, but I don't plan to change my raid logging ways to get them in the daily 5 man quest.