Probably better ...

I've been actively participating in a few cycling organizations over the past few years as a bent rider. Earlier, as a DF rider, I'd have occasional reason to be involved in these organizations but not as actively.

I'm better on a recumbent than I am on a DF. In fact, I'm probably in the top 10% of recumbent riders/racers, even with the minimal amount of time I have been able to devote to training. Age notwithstanding (or, despite my age).

When I consider that I entered RAW 2010 with fewer than 1500 miles of outdoor training and did as well as I did ... being a DNF with 415 miles in 25 hours ... is evidence.

On too many ultra events I have found that I am discounted. First my age. Next, that my platform is a recumbent.

I am less for neither.

This month I was 3rd in all categories on a 24 hour event. The race organizers overlooked this and reported erroneous results; failing even to refer to my result. When brought to their attention they apologized and issued a correction. They are sincere. And they certainly regret it.

I accept that cycling is predominantly considered a DF world.

So, what does it mean that I took home the `trophy' for being the Recumbent Champion of the recent 24 hour event! I was the ONLY recumbent entrant!!

And what does it mean that I own the UMCA cross state recumbent records for Illinois and Indiana ... when I had a lucky tailwind for both!

The organizers of these events are wonderful people with unselfish motives and a sincere and genuine desire to give to the sport. The folks are, in my mind, heroes and mentors.

Nevertheless, when I consider the sacrifices and effort that I put into training on the recumbent I resent these oversights.

So, as a recumbent racer, it is probably better that I ratchet down my expectations for acceptance in most ultracycling events.

The plan is to become gravely serious about breakthrough performances at ultracycling events; not to just show up for the fellowship, or to use the event as a good training experience.

The plan is to target the fastest times from point A to point B in all categories and on all platforms.

I am not a `grandmaster.' I ride a two wheeled machine. It is a recumbent.

I won't be stopping to etch an early gravestone.

"The knowledge that every ambition is doomed to frustration at the hands of a skeleton have never prevented the majority of human beings from behaving as though death were no more than an unfounded rumor." - Aldous Huxley

Two speeds: Stop and Race.
__________________

- Dan

"For really I think that the poorest he that is in England hath a life to live as the greatest he: and therefore truly, sir, I think it’s clear, that every man that is to live under a government ought first by his own consent to put himself under that government.” 17th-century Englishman, Colonel Thomas Rainsborough

Reading and Balance

Now that I've let loose of the need to spend hours each week either training or feeling guilty for not training I'm getting some balance back into my life. 

Week 1 post the UltraMidwest 24 Hour Race I attended to urgent (paperwork) matters associated with my work and our family finances.  Week 2 post UM24 I attended to important but not urgent similar matters.  Now that I'm into Week 3 post UM24 I've begun to read for pleasure. 

I'm rereading Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness for about the 4th time.  I seem to reread it every decade, uncovering meaning that I couldn't possibly have understood the previous decade.  Age and experience matters. 

I'm putting myself to sleep every night with 3 to 5 pages of John Grisham's The Brethren, a scattered and clumsy novel that bores me into a snooze. 

I spend most every morning sitting with my wife, Annie, reading the NYT and sipping coffee.  We catch up on what the other is thinking about, discuss plans, share ideas. 

Ah, yes, and for Mia and Mickie, the grandkids, 7 and 5.  We make up stories and tell eachother about the dreams we had last night.  And we play `cheese and baloney' when we don't have the patience for bedtime stories. 

And half a dozen books on geology, paleoecology of the Southwest, and various ant colonies. 

UltraMidwest 24 Hour Race

‎24 hours after the UltraMidwest 24 Hr Race. Glad to be (oldest) one of the 4 who did it all and proud to have earned the UltraMidwest 2010 Men's Recumbent Champion trophy. Hardest part turned out to be sleep dep. Cold, windy, hilly and long. Uncomfortable, but not a show-stopper.

Official miles are 332.  Add in the `bonus' miles for getting lost 3 times and it comes to 360 miles. 

As this was an unsupported race (i.e., no crew) I provided my own food and fluids.  I decided to ditch the `all liquid' idea after a disastrous Race Across the West experience.  Instead, this time I ate anything that didn't eat me back.  I shocked myself at how `much' I ate.  Sandwiches, cookies, dozens of turkey hot dog wieners.  All went down well and stayed there.  Good energy, too.