Race Reports and Results
On August 7 and 8, 2010 I rode in the 31st annual Pan Massachusetts Challenge. This was my twelfth year of participation in the 192-mile bicycle tour from Sturbridge to Provincetown. Donations from sponsors benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2010 more than 5,000 cyclists participated, working toward the goal of raising [...]
The tire was flat before I even took the bike off the trunk rack. I wrestled the tire from the rim, replaced the tube and put it all back together. The new tube conveniently exploded as I pumped air into it, so I repeated the process, the second time being more careful not to pinch [...]
The cold iron bars were just a little too close together. Try as I might, I could not squeeze through. Eventually the guard brought a filthy bowl full of gruel. While he watched expressionlessly, I toyed with the gruel, even used the cracked plastic spoon to take a sip of the nasty stuff. Evidently bored, [...]
The Cap 2 Cap Century is a 100 mile round trip between Richmond and Williamsburg, a fundraiser for the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. The engine of the Team Nature’s Path Blue Train sat rumbling, steam rising from the stack. At 7:20am the pistons slid inside the cylinders. Crankshafts, connecting rods and coupling rods strained to [...]
The physician’s assistant released my arm and gave me The Look. “This shoulder is still pretty stiff. You need a cortisone injection.” “Okay. I can come back Monday or Tuesday…whatever works.” “Take off your shirt.” Moments later her fingers held a hypodermic the size of a baseball bat (apparently the really big one was unavailable.) [...]
I held the four-pound weight straight out behind me and winced. Reagan frowned. “Not like that. Try to keep your palm down. The motion should be like bowling.” “I’m a horrible bowler. Most golfers would be thrilled have a score like my bowling score.” She smiled, but stayed and watched to be sure I exhibited [...]
At 7:45am I lifted the snarling beast from the trunk rack and placed it gently on the pavement in the parking lot at Conte’s. It huffed and snorted, stretched out a bit, then pawed at the ground impatiently while I loaded it with water bottles and donned gloves and helmet. The sky was overcast but [...]
In my first year of participation in the Pan Mass Challenge I crashed twice, had three flat tires and rode through a deluge for 80 miles. As I crossed that Provincetown finish line eleven years ago, half drowned, blood seeping from my bandaged right elbow, pedaling on a cracked left cleat and with several new [...]
For those who enjoy cycling very fast in a densely crowded field on a short loop with cracked pavement and nasty potholes (and really, who can resist?), Richmond’s Bryan Park is the place to be on a Tuesday evening. My criterium goals are modest: Don’t wreck and don’t get dropped. Usually I stay near the [...]
The Cartersville ride is among my favorites. Saturday morning we rendezvoused at the Old Goochland High School waaaay out there on Route 6, then pedaled along a circuitous route, alternating between west and south with each turn. The sky was clear and the sun glowed. It was a beautiful day, warm but not so hot as to be uncomfortable. [...]