PSYS

Wanted to share a story with all of you. Been meaning to get this typed up and have had a crazy week. I got my first real bike last June. 2014 Trek 8.2 DS. I put about 300 miles on it last year from about the second week in June to about the end of September. The longest ride I did last year was 49 miles. I bought a Garmin 810 for my bike last year and love keeping track of mileage, heart rate, consistency, pace, etc, etc.

This year, a buddy of mine let me know about the National Bike Challenge that started on May 01 and it's helped motivate me to ride more. I rode all but five days last month (May 2015) and today is the 22nd day in a row I've ridden my bike. In the month of May, I rode 389.9 miles and am chasing riders at work in the challenge who taunt me (jokingly). But friendly competition is good for the soul, right?

On Memorial Day, I plotted out a 68-mile course on my Garmin and vowed to complete it for all of our fallen soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. I completed my 68-mile course with an average 13.30 mph pace. This was my new personal best at the time.

Last Saturday, I mapped out an 85-mile course on my Garmin. I set out at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. At less than a mile into my ride, I started thinking about my Uncle Dennis (my Mom's brother) and I thought to myself - I'm going to bang out this 85-mile ride for him. Been a while since I talked to him on the phone. He's a great, great man. I am certain I get my sense of humor and quite a few physical characteristics, like my height from him. He taught me to fish and showed me what the great outdoors had in store for each and every one of us. He was a wealth of knowledge about so many topics. He was incredibly supportive growing up in Michigan before we moved to Hawaii. I remember spending more time with him than I think I spent with my own father. I kept in touch with him throughout the years and would always call him every 3-4 weeks just to check in and see how he was doing. My Aunt Tina (his wife) was diagnosed with cancer last year and passed away earlier this year. It broke my Uncle's heart. After my Aunt passed away, I never really knew what to say to my Uncle anymore and as time went on over the course of the last few months, my phone calls to him became less frequent. It became difficult for me to talk to him like we had used to. I could not fathom the kind of pain he was going through and it was tough for me to vocalize that to him. He had a cabin and some acreage in Northern Michigan just a few hours away from where we live in Wisconsin. I always told him that I wanted to come visit him at the cabin and spend a weekend out there just catching up. He would say things, like, "Sure! We'll be in touch!" Of course, that still hasn't happened.

At mile 78 and about 5.5 hours in to my ride (yikes!), I got a bad stroke of luck and got a rear flat tire. I was so bummed and disappointed! I mean, seriously... I was incredibly bummed out! Since I only had about 7 miles left to go on my 85 mile course, I was not very far from home (thankfully!). I called my wife and she came and picked up me 'n my bike with our truck. Since I'm still somewhat of a newbie rider, I have not yet amassed the 'stuff-to-put-in-your-pack-when-you-riding'. Since last Sunday's debacle, I've purchased extra tubes and will be upgrading the tires on my bike.

I was really disappointed when I got home as I really wanted to finish this 85-mile route. Sadly enough, my Mom called me not too long ago after that to tell me that Uncle Dennis passed away. I immediately broke down. Not exactly how I expected my ride or last Sunday, overall, to turn out. This news coupled with my 78-mile ride left me exhausted mentally, emotionally and obviously, physically. The last time I saw Uncle Dennis was 13 years ago. He was 6'5" and bigger than life to me. I always contemplated and sort of made an assumption that he didn't want me to see him in his current condition, especially after my Aunt Tina passed away. The man who I held up on a pedestal growing up with such high regard was now reduced to such sadness and despair. That completely wore on me to the point where I thought about it regularly for quite some time. It would make me sad so I'd change course and think about something else. I'm ashamed by that. I did not get to say goodbye. I did not get to tell him what he meant to me growing up. I didn't get to tell him I loved him immensely. I didn't get to tell him that he made such an incredible impact in my life. I so badly wish I could've told him so many things and then some. And now...? It's far too late for that.

For some odd reason, I thought about him a lot last Sunday morning as I was setting out on my ride this morning. Depending upon what your beliefs are, I have to think that perhaps on Sunday morning when I dedicated my personal best ride to him that I was hoping to accomplish... maybe that was the moment he passed away, made peace and ultimately, got to see my Aunt Tina again. I hadn't even gone a mile into my ride and I knew I was going to finish it for Uncle Dennis. I know I didn't fail him, but it sure felt like it. The rear flat tire left me sorely disappointed.

In the end, I found a local bike shop open on Sunday afternoon. I brought my bike to them and they fixed my flat on the spot. My wife dropped me back off at the intersection where my Garmin clicked over mile 78 and I finished out the rest of my 85-mile ride late Sunday afternoon.

Sorry for the lengthy post. I think as riders / cyclists / enthusiasts / hobbyists we can respect the fact that when we're out there pedaling like there's no tomorrow, we're all fighting a battle to some degree or another. Maybe we are just cruisiing for the heck of it which is completely what it's all about, but it does make me a lot more conscientious of those individuals who I know nothing about who may be breaking a personal best for one reason or another.

doctor j

Well done on getting the miles in.

Get some spare tubes, tire levers etc., and learn how to use them.

KenshiBiker

There's a lesson to be learned in your post.

So sorry to hear of your loss. Glad to hear you are making progress in this hobby of ours, and that it is bringing you enjoyment. Whenever I encounter a particularly hard ride or section of a ride I tell myself that I'm riding for those friends and family that cannot ride (whether for physical, or "other" reasons).

LGHT

Sorry to hear about your lost, but I love how you get motivation from others to accomplish goals. I also find myself thinking about family members and friends who've passed as motivation. I just learned an old high school buddy who let his weight get the best of him passed recently. When I'm tired and don't care to complete the ride I think about how that could have been me and I actually push harder and ride faster.

TenSpeedV2

Nicely done, congrats on your personal record, and sorry for your loss. I have ridden for loved ones that have passed and know how important it is.

Our local hospice does a hike and bike event and last year, the event was on my Mom's birthday. She passed away in 2008 after spending time in a hospice in Florida where she lived with my Dad. He happened to be here in town, so we did the event. He hiked a 5k, and I set out to do a 40 mile ride that was mapped out. 20 miles in was the halfway point, and a rest stop. I headed out on the way back with my map and a small group of people that said they were fast riders. Well, they weren't, and I could not continue on that snails pace. I dropped them and continued on with my map and rode on that cool September day, in the rain, the wind, and of course, managed to get lost. Google Maps wouldn't work well since I was in a spotty coverage area. I rode on, hoping to get my bearings on the country roads and get back. I finally found civilization and a small country store. They had no idea where I was going or how to get there. Finally we got things straightened out and I headed out. It was a long ride back since I was a bit out of the way. It rained, I was hungry, tired, and now cold since the temps dropped. I rode in the sun, and in dark downpours with headwinds that almost knocked me off my bike.

I made it back though, made it back to my Dad, and an empty parking lot. Everyone else had left the event since it was over. My 40 mile ride turned into a 59 mile ride through what I like to call hell and back. I thought about her though, and what she went through and I simply would not quit. Not when my Dad tried to call me to pick me up, not when the rain started again, and not when I thought I couldn't turn the pedals any more. Giving up simply was not an option. I had to finish that ride, for her.

My thoughts are with you and your family, and hopefully the happy memories you have of him will comfort you.

TownieRig

My condolences and Congratulations on not just a personal best but the perseverance you showed. That's heart right there, and wow an 85 mile ride! WOW, I am a newbie again and I have rheumatoid arthritis but cycling makes me happy and I too think everything happens for a reason. One of the reasons I love night riding is the chance to reflect on things in my life in complete silence. I often get inspired by my dad who always bought me the best bikes and passed away at 51 and I remember him carrying my bike on his shoulders while I road on handlebars for my miles since I got a flat and it was way before cell phones. True heart and congrats again.

VCSL2015

Scott (kneels I am not worthy) Wow! what an inspiration you are especially to me just got my first serious bike at 200+lbs. Amazing stats your giving however riding farther than 15km without a toolkit would scare the crap outta me. Everyday is a new day let me know how it went learning how to fix your bike etc. Peace

OldTryGuy

Well done. The tenacity to get back out to complete the ride bodes well for your cycling future. The events associated with that epic ride along with your personal loss will remain with you forever and should be a source of inspiration when doldrums creep into your life.

Bike on!

PSYS

Really, Really appreciate the replies, you guys.

I've since purchased a couple of spare tubes which I shall keep in my pack.
Today, I intend to get to my LBS to pick up a toolkit of some kind as well as a tire lever and mini-pump.
Then I believe I'll be prepared out there.

Of course, when I get this little kit assembled, I'll need to spend some time in the driveway removing the tires, tubes and re-installing so I know when in the heck I'm doing in the event of an emergency.

I've been as tenacious as ever on my bike lately and I know I can keep this momentum up.

Thanks for sharing your stories, as well. Sharing things like this on the forum I believe really drives the momentum in each of us. Safe travels and pedals for each of you during these up and coming summer months. May our personal bests continued to be bested!

- scott.

KenshiBiker

Good thinking right there. I'm always amazed that more people don't do this. I don't buy new bikes (or wheels) very often, but one of the first things I do is verify I can dismount and mount the tire with the tools in my seat bag. I figure if I can't do it in the comfort of my garage, what hope do I have on the side of the road.