Day 5

Well today was going to be the queen stage of this ridiculous challenge. Last year for my birthday, I rode 100 miles with Sean. This year, in pure American tradition of bigger and better I figured we should aim for 200km this birthday. A nefarious cast of characters showed up: WJones, Schnur, Sam, Adam, Burton, Marcus and a cameo of EBernard. What started out a freezing ride turned out pretty sweet;  except of course for the two back to back flats. The silver lining is that I learned mini pumps do actually work if you run out of C02 cartridges and need more air. Anyway, all day Sam and Schnur were in beast mode and did the Lion's share of the work. Sam's story was super impressive as he managed to get on ESPN, see Breesus break the NFL passing record, briefly nap, and make it to Laffy town to bust out our ride. All in a span of less than 24 hours. Mucho impressive. For the ride, I FINALLY got to ride into Washington. I've always wanted to detour on the long rides, and today was the day. A city founded in 1720 is always gonna strike up my interest. As for me, I am shelled. Tomorrow is back on the chain gang, but I may be a bit slower after the queen stage.

Today's ride - 117.5 miles (189km)
Total so far - 381 miles (614km)

Pretty maids, all in a row 

The engines of today's pain train 

Day 4

This morning started out taking a zero. Waking up to the gloom and rain outside, I already had the pen and paper out trying to calculate if I bailed on today's ride how much I would have to make up every day to the 31st. Missing today would jump my mandatory daily mileage from 70 to 80. Just as I was gonna pull the pin (I even sent out the pulling pin email to all my buddies who were even thinking about riding), Marcus texted something like "If you wanna ride, I'll ride with you." and "The rain really isn't that bad in Lafayette." Which was basically making me realize I was being a Prima-Johnna. So I got suited up for another ride in the cold and rain. I tried a new shoe/shoe cover combo that I was convinced was more waterproof than yesterday's setup. Well I guessed wrong. I wish I had a photo montage for you, but really it was raining so hard most of the ride that I was afraid I'd ruin the phone if I took it out. And let's be honest, one of my biggest fears is ruining my phone and losing all the contacts. Sure I back up, but in this nightmare iTunes sync decides to be "difficult." Anyway, I digress. For 3 hours, Marcus and I just chatted about every subject under the sun. And then, like that, complete silence. Not another word was spoken. It was almost as if we simultaneously hit the wall and were ready for the ride to end. After that, it was just get the miles done and get home. The highlight of the day was easily the elderly couple in the station wagon that passed us on the way in. That old lady's face was priceless, like she had just seen an alien ship take a left at the stop light. The low light had to be at the end of the ride, when my boss was walking to his car at the exact time I was changing into dry clothes in the parking lot. You really can't even play that off. You just kind of have to own the embarrassment. Anyway, tomorrow is the queen stage of these shenanigans. I'm not real sure, but I know the distance is gonna be in the 200km range. No better way I'd like to spend my birthday then riding around telling lies with my buddies. I'm pretty tired (as in so tired that I fell asleep in the dealership waiting room this afternoon, sitting in a chair), but still looking forward to the rides ahead. And a little tidbit for you. If you're gonna ride in the rain, might as well ride long. Why? Because it easily took me an hour and a half to clean all the crap off the bike. Then again, smart people would've ridden the trainer!


Today's ride - 52 miles (84km)
 Total so far - 263 miles (424km)

Day 3 - 47miles

As awesome as it was yesterday riding with a jovial crew of misfits, today was a complete turn of fortunes. I woke up to a dreary cold, damp morning. The whole time I was getting ready, I was trying to figure out how bad it would actually be if I took a zero today and just made it up the rest of the week. After at least 3 espressos and bribery that included promises of nutella bagels, I finally ventured out solo into the dank, dark day to bust out as much as I could. Truthfully, the miles are starting to stack up in my legs. I could feel the heaviness whenever the road kicked up ever so slightly. My main goals today were (in no particular order): don't get hit by a car, stay off the painted road lines, and get home at 10:15 so we could be on time for family yuletide festivities. I discovered if the day is really crappy in the future yet I have to ride, ride an out and back heading into the wind at the start. Once you hit the halfway turnaround, all the misery of the wet, cold and wind is completely erased. Essentially the ride is over when you get to cruise home with the wind. Even though the weather didn't exactly cooperate, Christmas morning is an awesome time to ride. The roads were empty, and I had time to just daydream and get lost in my thoughts. Not too lost, as we are far from over with these shennanigans. Here are a few pics I snapped between showers this morning:

Today's ride - 47 miles (76km)
Total so far - 211 miles (341km)

Cold AND wet? No problem. Thermal socks, and 2 waterproof booties. Gotta keep the tootsies warm 

Uh, yeah. This was an attempt to catch some beauty even if the weather was dreary

Roads looked like this most of the day 

Wal-Mart closed?! It was eery to see the empty parking lot. Sam Walton must be turning over in his grave 

Spraying these booties with the waterproofing tent spray was a stroke of genius! As long as my feet and hands are happy, it's pretty easy to keep on keepin' on

This was my attempt to be artsy. It did hurt my heart to see the Italian stallion filthy, but she held up like a champ 

No ride is complete until you see the big ass brass indian statue. (Look closely) 

No  smiles today. Just glad to be donesky.

Day 2 - 77 miles

Today was the "Twas the Ride before Christmas" ride. And it definitely lived up to it's name. My buddy Will Jones put together a fantastic route through the Felicianas and a good bit of Livingston parish. Really, it is the best riding that south Louisiana has to offer. The only place in Louisiana I'd say gives St. Francisville a run for it's money is Minden. A lot of the roads we hit are part of the Rouge Roubaix course. And since Will was in such a gracious and giving mood, he threw in a solid gravel section as a gift for all. The pictures I'm posting don't do this ride justice. Not only was the scenery beautiful, but the ride today reminded me what is so awesome about your riding buddies. The miles just rolled by. We are still a good bit away from 1000km, but hopefully I get a bunch more good days like today.

Today's Ride - 77miles (142.2km)
Total so far - 164miles (264.5km)

 Historical Main St. in St. Francisville

 The most famous drag strip in Louisiana. The finish line of Rouge Roubaix

 The Posse getting ready. Raisin' Canes jerseys made me want a Caniac, no slaw extra toast

Sam trying to figure out how to put the 5 finger glove on. It's no mitten, son 

This is a perfect represtation of a lot of the roads we rode today. Pure paradise. 

I'm taking it that this is a volunteer fire station

We pretended it was Rouge Roubaix recon. Really it was just to be out here riding 

 The premier gravel section on today's ride. Always cool whenever hunters give a shocked look at the herd of roadies rolling through the gravel on road bikes

 Mr Jones was not only generous with the gravel, but also the sand

 One of the billion gorgeous old homes along the route

And the horse smells the barn. Time to wrap up the ride 

I never get tired of the plantation homes. If only the walls could talk 

Sam and Blair. Blair has been dominating the Louisiana CX scene this year. After riding with him, I totally see why.

Day 1 - 87miles

What a fun and frosty way to start off 1,000 Christmas K's. 3 brave souls, Marcus, Adam, and Eric came along for a pretty basic loop. The Port Barre/Washington/Opelousas/Arnaudville loop ride. They said it would warm up to about 60 degrees today. They lied. As for the legs, they felt fine but I think they know what is around the corner for them. I can just see at about Day 6 or 7 of this challenge, I'll be saying "It seemed like a good idea at the time". Either way, today was a great reminder of why I ride my bike. So I can see cool stuff and hang out with my friends. Here's some pics from today:

The Italian Stallion, ready for action. Safe to say that this is as clean as she'll be for a while. 

30min into the ride, and we are already having a potty break. It's like I'm babysitting my brother's kids 

My partners in crime today. And WTF is that brick thing in the background? 

King of Style, Eric Bernard. Pumped to be 40miles in, and done with the headwinds 

Marcus, the young Jedi 

Adam, Still drunk from last night's shennanigans at The Tap Room (notice the helmet) 

An Acadian flag painted on a Cello, or a big ass violin. Either way it's cool 

Historic Grand Coteau. Complete with 1972 Green Chevy Nova 

Before you yell BLASPHEMY! The HR monitor is only to keep miles, and how many Christmas sweets I can eat after the ride

Grand Coteau, complete with historic sign 

Keepin it real at my favorite coffee shop in the swamp, Fly's coffee in Breaux Bridge 

Free Wi-Fly, clever. And giving kids espresso. Pure genius 

This is as much holiday cheer as I'm gonna muster 

Easily bathroom break #17 for the day.  

Day 1 in the books. Can't wait to do it again tomorrow!