Tour de Pink-Houston
 

Anyone riding the tour de pink? It's going to be hot.

did it last year, it was great fun...

My wife and I were going to, but we already have a few things going on that weekend, not to mention only the second week since I'll have kids back in the classroom.
Is it always in Prairie View?

I'd like to go - if I am not on call I will be there.

I signed up for the century, it will be my first. See y'all there.

I will be there. Already raised over $7.000.00 If you are looking for a team to join click on Team Lanterne Rouge.

I'm doing the 100 mile ride. If you fly Contiental Airlines this month they have an article on page 20 of the in-flight magazine about the ride.

Remember how hot it was there last year. There were plenty of well stocked rest stops, but I was hurting by the 60 mile mark.

I well remember. It hurt but I know anyone who has had cancer would trade with me in heartbeat.

This and the 24 Hours of Booty ride in NC are my favorite rides.

Rode it last year and likely will do again this year. I met some cool folks (including ripa), and it was a good time.

It's a good ride but a little boring, all flats. I'll be there because It's a great cause.

As far as the heat goes, welcome to Houston.

Sgt. Spillco

But it is a fast course.

True, but going fast during a organized charity ride is a recipe for accidents. I reserve riding fast when I'm with the race team or riding solo.

I'm not talking about racing I'm just saying it is a fast course.

Oh, too true! :-)

Looks like the weather will hold out for the ride this Sunday? Who's riding what distance? I'm doing the 100-mile course. I'll be the tall guy on a Tommasini with a pink Lanterne Rouge jersey on.

I'll be doing the 30'ish course on a LOOK KG96 fixed gear w/ the bike barn team (I *think*)

It looks like low humidity and sunny skies for the ride tomorrow. 1,500 riders already registered.

So how did eveyone do?

Here's mine..

Total distance: 102 miles



Course time: 5:36. This is the amount of time I was out on the course from start to finish including all stops.



Saddle time: 4:51. This is the amount of time actually riding the bike.



Avg course speed: 18.3 mph



Avg ride time speed: 21.03 mph. This speed counts most since it is just saddle time.



Max speed: 32.4 mph (down hill with a tail wind)



Calories burned: 5,378 (this is just slightly more than Michael Phelps eats at one meal, crazy!)



Leg cramps: YES!! Mile 92 – 95, the names on my list carried me through this portion. I thought I may have to get off the bike but then I pulled out the names and read them as I rode. They helped pull me along when I needed it most. I need to thank everyone on that list for helping me push down on the peddles. I know they fought hard during their battle with cancer so I knew I could not quit on them.



Total single day weight loss: 9.7 pounds. Just like last year, I will put this weight back on and then some in the coming weeks. This begs question…is cycling really helping me if I gain the weight back plus a few pounds each time. Note to self…need to change diet.



Flat tires, crashes, or other mechanical problems: ZERO!! Thank goodness.



Sunburn: YES!!! I look like a lobster even with SPF 38! I thought I smelled something cooking out on the route, I just didn’t know it was I.



Most inspirational moment: Cancer survivors or people fighting cancer are given a pink bib number so you know whom they are. I Iook for them along the ride to offer words of encouragement. Between miles 65 – 75, I came upon a lone rider with a pink bib number on. As I passed her, I told her to keep it up and she was doing great. I then noticed she was crying, I slowed to ask if she was ok. She shook her head no and then said she was hurting really bad. She explained she was on the 100-mile route and did not know if she could complete the ride. She was upset because she was a stage 4 cancer patient and this was a way for her to let cancer know it had not won. Then she said something that shook me up. “I won’t be here next year…cancer will win this fight and I know it. I won’t beat cancer and I know this but I will beat this ride. I will finish.” She explained the furthest she had ever ridden was 40 miles but she wanted to complete the 100 miles as a personal goal. I told her to get on my wheel and I would help pull her along and block the wind for her. We rode to the next rest stop where we gathered up seven riders who rode at her pace and would help pull her along.



Several of us waited until after 2:00 pm to cheer for her when she crossed the finish line. To see the smile on her face was well worth the wait.



Finally, the most important numbers, drum roll please!



Team Lanterne Rouge donation total: $18,288 and counting



My pledge donation total: $13,183 and counting

I did the 100 mile route... my first century. Total saddle time was 4:51, I was shooting for 5 hours, so I beat my goal, which I'm proud of. I was the big guy on the red Trek with the Aggie kit on. I never thought I would feel so good riding 100 miles, but I really never felt bad, save for the last 5 miles where the wind was right in your face and I was all by myself.

my car broke down :( didn't make it.

I thought the entire ride was well organized and lots of fun. The 63 route was just right for me. All of the rest stops were well stocked with food and the volunteers were very friendly. Maybe next year I'll do the 100 mile route.