| Biking
with Bill |
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May 3 TRAINING AND PREPARATION
Most of the equipment and items needed are currently in place. My new bike is great! We have been spending a lot of time together, as you can imagine, and every day I'm pleased with the choice I made. This TREK 5200 high performance road (or touring) bike is made of super-lightweight OCLV carbon fiber that creates "the strongest, fastest, and most durable frame out there." It is the bike of Lance Armstrong and the USPS team, so I'm starting with the best equipment, if certainly not the strongest pair of legs. As some of you know, I had a little trouble mastering the clip-in pedals and biking shoes---but the "wounds" are healing and I'm staying "vertical" now.
My training schedule continues to be very demanding. I ride almost every day and work out in the fitness center to build stamina and strength. The EXHAUSTING "spinning" classes I take at the Y and at Gold's gym are terrific for cardiovascular improvement as well as leg strength. I have put 1,000 miles on the new bike in the last 5 weeks and will have cycled well over 2,500 miles in the period from January 2004 to the June 5 start date. Last week I completed my second "century" ride (100 miles in a day) in the Ocala, FL area. The week before, I completed three back-to-back-to-back 80 mile days to test my endurance factor.
In order to keep commitment to those of you that asked me to keep a journal on the trip and provide commentary and photos on this web site, I am researching laptop computers and digital cameras to be able to do so.
I look forward to the trip...and the challenge...and the rewards. - Bill
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Contact Bill now at bill@bikingwithbill.org |
With only a month to go before our America by Bicycle group of cross-country cyclists gathers in San Francisco to begin our ride, I wanted to bring you up to date on my preparation and training for this challenging trek.
I can't say the seat is comfortable, but I am able to ride long distances without difficulty. I'm reminded that they never said it would be a "walk in the park." I have several different brands of biking shorts (as advised) to minimize chafing, etc., and a very colorful, highly visible array of biking jerseys, the latest of which is one with Audubon CARES on the front and the American Cancer Society flag or logo on the back, with the initials EJW on the sleeve. It is an excellent reminder of who supports this trip and why I am making it.
With 30 days to go I will continue to ride...really at the expense of almost all other activities--even TENNIS! My favorite venues are the "rails to trails" rides near Ocala and the Chokoloskee Island-Everglades City to I-75 route (and return).
I continue to be extremely pleased and amazed at the support I have received for this ride for the American Cancer Society. The Naples Daily News article on the trip has brought about numerous letters and contributions from local folks and friends that are truly inspirational! The scroll of names I will carry now exceeds 40...with more to go.
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