CYCLING!
"Jacob? He ain't no
Lance Armstrong, that's for darn sure!" - updated 2/04/03
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Ready to fly, Oct. 02 |
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We are well into the new year, so I'm back in
training. I want to do the MS 150
again, and that means doing some serious miles. This year I'll be
riding with Team Shell. We've already had a couple of training
rides, one of which started when the morning was still well below
freezing. Last weekend I rode in the Frost Bike 50 (see below
for details), and I felt pretty good. Tomorrow I'm going to ride to
work for the first time in several months. My coworkers have been
spared the sight of me in Lycra for far too long!
If you are interested in sponsoring my MS150 ride, just let me know here.
One more cycling anecdote: one of the 1,500 riders in the Frost Bike
ride last weekend, totally out of the blue, asked if I had a web
site. He recognized the Pennzoil logo on my jersey, and the beard on
my face, and remembered seeing this very page. How cool is that?
While you're here, please check out:
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My Wheels:
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GT Force, 1999(?). Cromoly frame and fork;
Shimano RSX shifters, brakes, derailleurs, drive train and hubs. I
bought this bike used in 2001, and just love it. This is the bike
that gets me in shape. The GT signature "triple triangle"
frame is distinctive and compact. The steel frame is a little heavy,
but makes for a very soft ride. The triple chain ring helps with
hills, and the RSX grupo has very smooth shifting. It's a lot of
bike, and should keep me happy for a while. New wheels are my next
priority. |
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Trek 4500, 2000. Aluminum hard tail with Rock
Shox Jett fork; Shimano Acera shifters, brakes, derailleurs, and hubs;
drive train updated to Shimano Altus; Bontrager Jones tires (very knobby).
I bought this bike new in 2000, and it has been my main source of
transport to and from school. I have done some off road riding, but
nothing to brag about. The aluminum frame is light and snappy.
It's a comfortable ride, and great for hopping curbs and pot holes. |
Ride Log:
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Frost Bike 50, February 2, 2003, 50 miles. This was a
good way to kick off the 2003 riding season. About 1,500 riders
doing 40, 50, or 63 miles to raise money for the Jersey Village Drill
Team. It should have been called the Fog Bike 50; it was a misty
morning, overcast, and a good riding temperature. It was a very well
organized ride, with cheer leaders at every rest stop. I'm glad I
didn't try to do the long route, because I didn't have much left in me
after 50 miles. Still, I felt good the next day, and I'm ready to up
the distance. MS150, here I come |
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Bike
Houston "Freedom Ride" Protest, July 4, 2002, 20 miles. In true
Independence Day fashion, Bike Houston
organized a protest ride against Houston
Metro's many blatantly anti-bike policies. About 120 riders met in
Herman Park, rode to Metro's downtown HQ, and back. Along the way we
conducted acts of civil disobedience, including an attempt by two cyclists
to board a bus (denied!) riding in the bus-only lane, and wall papering
Metro's front windows with a list of demands (Martin Luther style).
We made the local news and a good time was had by all. |
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Kiwanis
Shiner Bash, May 18, 2002, 90 miles. Many Texans believe the
Shiner Brewery is the center of the universe, but there's no clearer
demonstration than the annual Shiner Bash. Bike riders leave simultaneously
from Houston, Austin & San Antonio, ride 90 miles, and converge on
Shiner, TX for cold beer and live music. The ride was pretty
challenging. There was a strong cross wind the whole way, and some
long uphill stretches. Fortunately, it was overcast and cool.
Lots of fun. I highly recommend this ride for any intermediate
cyclist. Julie & Dylan met me there for a picnic and a ride
back. |
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BP MS150, April 20-21,
2002, 175 miles. Houston to Austin two day tour with stop over in
LaGrange, TX. I worked for a year to get ready for this one, and
loved every minute of it. More than 10,000 riders participated this
year to raise money to cure multiple sclerosis. Several MBA friends
joined me on the Pennzoil-Quaker State sponsored team. The weather
was fine, and the route was fun, especially the portion through Bastrop
State Park (big hills!). Click here for MS 150
pictures. |
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Gator Ride, March 2,
2002, 65 miles. One day fun ride in Baytown (East of Houston) to
raise money for the area YMCA. The Gator Ride has become the
unofficial start of the Houston cycling season, and the beginning of MS150
training. This year's turn out was pretty low, due to inclement
weather. While it never actually rained, a cold front did come in
half way through the route, pushing temperatures into the low 40s, and
winds gusting 25 mph. Yuck! It was a tough morning. It
was also my first ride of 60 miles+, so it kind of kicked my butt. |
Bicycling Picture:
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| I love biking twice as much now that Dylan and
I can do it together. Here we are in Oct. 2002 riding
around the neighborhood. |
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Here I am, beer in hand, in front of the Shiner
Brewery, May 18 after riding 95 miles in the 2001 Shiner Bash. |
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I don't think I would have completed the MS 150 on my
own. Fortunately, I didn't have to. I rode as a member of the
Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Pacers, and drafted several MBA friends from
Rice to join us too. Left to right, there's Kelly Schuler, myself,
Bruce Schuler, Richard Brusselback and John Brennen, after lunch on day
1. I rode most of both days with this pack, usually struggling to
keep up. John and I crossed the finish line together. |
| Grrr!!! Here I am early on day 2. I handed my
camera over to Richard, and he snapped this action photo as we worked our
way up a hill. |
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Speaking of action photos, I pulled the camera out and snapped a few
shots just as I approached the finish line in Austin. It's a miracle
that this one came out. The others were great shots of my feet or
the sky. Back in Houston me, Bruce and Richard posed one last time
before going our separate ways. |
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