Hikenit's Cycling Page

3/10/09 I have officially started my “comeback” into cycling last Saturday, I joined the Y at the first of the year to work on my core strength and endurance and it has already paid off. Last year I couldn’t ride six miles without having to stop and stretch my hamstrings. The past two months I have been working out three times a week and going to YOGA two times a week. The Yoga has been a tremendous help in getting rid of the soreness and tightness in all my major muscles. I highly recommend Miss Amanda’s Yoga class at the North River YMCA in Hixson. This past weekend I went for what I thought was going to be a short ride of 10 miles or less. After a few miles in I felt so good that I continued on. It was still short but 22 miles NON-STOP at an average speed of 16.9 mph was the best ride I have done in a long while. The biggest plus was that I could actually turn my head around to see if cars where coming, I haven’t been able to do that since I was racing back in the 80’s. To further my motivation I rejoined the Chattanooga Bicycle Club again today and will be riding in tonight’s Tuesday Night Ride. It’s really fun to see how people show up for this ride and chat with old acquaintances. I remember the days where Chuck Brewer, Danny Cox, and Lynn Olsen “Team Speed” used to burn this course up long before this ride got so popular. Of course my specialty was the climb, but that was 64 pounds less and twenty years ago;-) 7/16/07 Started back again on the bike yesterday, I rode great earlier in the year and found myself hitting a low point for about three months. Hopefully I'm fixed and can resume training to ride the Century ride in October. 6/19/05 Game On! 12.5 miles and a long road ahead to get back to where I was a year ago. I guess it's also time to head back to the YMCA, after all it's costing me over $50 a month in dues to be a member but I wonder how long is it going to take to get back to 400 llb leg press. Only time will tell. I'll be back on the bike Tuesday if the saddle sore wears down, OUCH! 4/05/05 Hi Folks, I'm back in the saddle again! Looks like after almost 11 months off the bike, no exercise and 30 pounds of fat added on I think it's time to hit the road again. My injury in the truck has been a pain in the ass to overcome but I took the bike to the battlefield on April Fools Day and rode a whopping 12 miles. Today my cousin and I are heading to the battlefield to see what I can do. Hopefully I will get at least a 20 mile ride in. Anyway, thanks for all the prayers and words of encouragement, I needed them and I appreciate it. 6/21/04 Just one week after the last update, "BAM" a lady rear ends me in my truck and sends my promising cycling career into dismay. I have been off the bike since the wreck with a spinal injury that prevents me from bending over for very long. I will update you all when I hop back into it, but for now it's all about medications, rest and lawsuits. Take care and I will be back on the bike soon. 5/07/04 Sorry for the update being so late on the 3 State challenge. I finished it with a time of 5:20:02 which I couldn’t believe it. The first mountain Suck Creek was a rude awaking on what was to come since I haven’t been up any mountains this year. My chain came off twice, my brakes were rubbing and the legs weren’t warmed up yet. In plain words, I suffered going up. I got to the first sag stop and quickly grabbed some PB sandwiches and refilled the water bottles and away I went. My top speed down the other side of Suck Creek was 52 and boy that made me nervous, especially when a Chevy Nova comes into your lane passing a car. I got to the next sag stop in Haletown and hooked up with a pretty fast group of 8 people and drafted all the way to Burkehalter Gap. I am so looking forward to being done at this point but I kept pushing it. I nearly collapsed going up that dang mountain but remembered that I have climbed it twice before, I got inspired and over came the mountain. I got the last sag stop and loaded up on some eats plus a few GU's and carried on to the finish. The bike club should be thanked in this blog for putting on such an awesome event. I got the jersey, t-shirt, and the finishing patch to remind me that I can do it anytime I like to. 4/29/04 The 3 State 3 Mountain challenge is in two days so be on the lookout for me sucking wind up the mountains Saturday. In the mean time check out the pics from the Tour De Georgia 4/09/04 I have been riding great since my last blog entry. I am now 50 miles shy of meeting last years mileage and it only took me a month and a half of riding. I am now starting to rack up the miles and am having no problem hanging with people anymore, guess it was all due to taking care of mother for a month and just sitting still. Anyway, I feel great after my rides now and I want to ride again the next day and that’s nothing but a good thing. Only 21 more days to the big 100 mile ride. 3/23/04 I did a great ride on Saturday. I rode 35 miles at an avg. 15mph. I passed my co-worker who had to leave early Friday because of his back. Kind of funny, he didn't look hurt on the bike other than his sick looking gut hanging practically over the handlebars. Anyway, the ride was awesome and I am feeling a little more confident that I can hang on to the goal of 100 on May 1st. I just need to keep it up. 3/8/04 Well I pretty much bonked on Saturday riding with the club. I finished the benchmark at 8 min 42 seconds. We rode a five mile warm-up to the starting point and took a turn for the 3 mile test. I started off way too fast for a newbie and my legs told on me about a mile and half into it. I recovered and rode the last half mile pretty strong. We finished up with a twenty mile recovery ride and that’s were I lost it. The club had to wait for me at a stop sign and I tried to stay with them a second time but couldn’t, little to my knowledge I had to ride back to the truck anyway so off I went on my own separate way, sorry if yall were looking for me. Another test in eight weeks ought to see some surprising results. I was at the Y today at a spin class to get my legs going faster...I hope it helps. 3/05/04 I started back riding a couple of weeks ago and I am getting a true test on my overall condition tomorrow at Chickamauga Battlefield. The Chattanooga Bicycle Club I am in is doing the Chris Carmichael and Lance Armstrong test that they have a book on. This ought to be interesting. Check back for the results!!! The Tour De Georgia is coming soon!!! *Update 1/12/04 I have been busy lately with my new dog and taking care of some family business so riding my bike has been pretty much on the back burner. My gal Robin got me some arm and leg warmers to start my new year off the right way. My overall fitness is still great though, the dog and getting back at the Y sure does keep a man busy. Anyway, I am doing the 3 State 3 Mountain Century on May 1st. and I will be ready for it. * Update 8/20/03 Well I joined a local club called The Chattanooga Bicycle Club last month and have really enjoyed the company. I have hooked up with these people on their Tuesdays night ride in Red Bank. It's only 20 mile ride plus another five mile warm-up from the house and is a really nice ride. I use to ride the same course many years ago with my cousin Chuck and friend Danny. I sure do miss my youth. Anyway, my personal of hitting the race scene next season is right on track. 756 miles on the bike so far in two months ain't all that bad. All words of encouragement are welcomed!

Click here for Tour De Georgia 2004 Pics taken from yours truly!

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