Cap2Cap Century

The alarm went off at 5:00 am. Through bleary eyes, I checked my phone’s weather app. It was 60 degrees and threatening to rain. The forecast told me this would be the warmest part of the day. Maureen and I got up and began the process of getting our act together for the 2022 Cap2Cap […]

There’s Always Something Else To Do

Lately, I’ve been feeling like a big shot.  After all, I have recently run a marathon and I routinely cycle distances that leave most of my coworkers (and keep in mind I work for the Department of Defense) shaking their head.  This year I’m hoping to push my limits even further with a planned ride of […]

Cycling v. Running

As I staggered into the Fredericksburg Pizza Hut at the conclusion of last weekend’s 200k ride, I was well and truly knackered (a British expression meaning exhausted, or “ready for the knacker’s yard,” meaning a worn-out farm animal ready for slaughter).  As I chatted with other ride finishers, I mentioned that this was the hardest physical […]

How I Cheated Death At Lake Anna

Yesterday was the first running of the Lake Anna Century Classic.  As with any first-time event, I expected a few hiccups.  It’s hard to work out all the little details that make up a successful event on the very first try. I was not disappointed. The first hiccup occurred at registration, where I noticed there […]

Cap2Cap

That wasn’t so bad! I made it to the end, but please let me start at the beginning. Prologue 5:00 AM is early to get up on a Saturday.  The night prior I had triple-checked all my equipment.  Everything except my cycling clothes was in the car, ready to go.  The forecast was for a […]

Breaking Down The Cap2Cap Ride

The Cap2Cap Century is this Saturday, and the time has come to focus a little bit on the route.  I realize this makes me different than many participants in rides such as this, who seem quite content to simply show up and go with the flow.  I’m not very good at going with flows, so […]

Culpeper County Ride

Many people (including commentors on this blog) advise not to try new things when embarking on a long ride.  This is good advice.  New equipment may not perform the way you expect it to.  New food may not agree with you as you had hoped.  A lot can go wrong with new things and it […]

All Signed Up, But Not Ready To Go

  I’ve decided to register for the Culpeper Cycling Century this October 2.  I’ll only be doing the 63 mile route, however.  This will be my first organized ride and will hopefully provide me many good lessons for the 2011 season, where I intend to do a few more events including a century or two. […]