Reflections on the Year - 2012

WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA

This does and does not lend itself to a Top Ten list. I like to do a Top "Ten" because 10 is such a nice number. But for a year that began hoping I'd go to Italy or Ride the Rockies, I had to settle for something less. At least that's what I thought. A year in which I rode more than any year before (6,500 miles) there are too many memories to narrow them to just 10.

It was a year in which I did not have a week without a ride. As for what defines a "ride," I do not count the miles running "errands" including 0.5 mile to the Mall in D.C. at lunchtime to play Ultimate Frisbee. I define a "ride" as just that -- it has to be a minimum of 10 miles to make my count. But I did count one ride of less than 10 miles - the 7.6 miles up Mount Washington. Was that wrong?

In all I had 10 days of more than 100 miles in the saddle.

My Top Ten (or 11)

1. Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb - When I first started dreaming about climbing the big mountains in Europe, I discovered Mount Washington. I wanted to do it once and now have ridden it five straight years. This year was crazy because I had all but decided not to go then changed my mind, drove up Friday morning, arrived late Friday, did the race on Saturday, then drove home Saturday night, arriving just after midnight. I remember this one most for the uber nice Gabinksi family who gave me a ride down the mountain: Vic, Alison, Alexa, and Lucas.

The Last 50 Yards

The 50 yards before the last 50 yards

2. Bike Virginia - I looked forward to Bike Virginia for a chance to ride with my cousin, Kay Walborn. We didn't ride much, mainly because she was on course each day before I could ride to the course since I elected to stay at Bethany's and Ashley's places. But we rode some. I also rode with a former work colleague, John Dockins. But mostly I remember being struck by a car. That hurt. But I survived.

Barry with cousin Kay
(Don't know the dork in the background)

John Dockins, Barry Sherry

3. Pedal Pal - Let me be clear - I wish I didn't know what it was to have cancer. But I am a survivor and that has opened some new opportunities for me including being a Pedal Pal for Patrick Sheridan. I rode out on Day 1 with Team San Francisco from Baltimore to Alexandria and rode in with them on Day 70 from Mill Valley, Ca. to San Francisco. But it was mostly about Team Portland and Chey Hillsgrove supporting Jake the Hero Grecco.

Chris, Lauren, Patrick, Jeff

Patrick Sheridan, Barry Sherry

4. Mt. Tam - My friend, Eric Scharf, always said "you have to ride Mt. Tam." And so I finally did. I was on a rental bike and missed my Trek Pilot. I really missed my bike. This bike didn't have the climbing gears my bike did and I was suffering. But the best "compliment" may have been made by Kevin Barnett, when he asked what we did with Peter (Bai) who rode with Rodrigo Garcia Brito and me that day. Kevin said Peter came in immediately after the ride and crashed.

Peter Bai

View from Mt. Tam

5. Mt. Shasta Summit Century - While on the west coast I found the Mt. Shasta Summit Summit Century. Like Mt. Tam, I wasn't on my own bike but a steel touring bike lent to me by Deron Cutright, a friend from our Trek Travel trip to France two years ago. Beautiful scenery and some pretty long climbs.

View of Mount Shasta

Early morning at the ride start

6. 24 Hours of Booty - My first Booty and it won't be my last one. While I joined Team BootyStrong, in Columbia, Md., I rode in memory of Jake and established a team for 2013 - Jake's Snazzy Pistols.

7. RAGBRAI - Every cyclist must ride across Iowa once and this was the year it worked out for me. I can't say it is my kind of event because it is much too crowded but I enjoyed the point to point riding each day. And I killed the mileage knocking out 700 miles in a week of riding from South Dakota to Illinois.
 

Tractor at a road side Farm stand

 

 




8. Jeremiah Bishop's Alpine Loop Gran Fondo - This is a fund raiser for some local charities including the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project. I invited Chey Hillsgrove to join me and we had a great ride until he crashed out.

Barry, Chey

9. Riding with Dad - I never went for a ride with my dad until he turned 82. Memorial Day weekend we rode on the Great Allegheny Passage between Frostburg, Md. and Meyersdale, Pa.

My dad, me, angry sister

10. Civil War Century - One of my favorite rides but wasn't a century. Cut dangerously short at Mile 75 by severe weather I took a shortcut back to the start. I returned five weeks later and rode to Gettysburg by myself to finish the ride.

The Road Back to Start in Thurmont

Rest Stop at South Mountain

11. Livestrong Gala and Challenge -- Given the 1,000 page report by the USADA outlining systematic doping at U.S. Postal and Lance Armstrong, I am still sorting out my thoughts. But thousands of cancer fighters not named Lance support and are served by Livestrong. It was fun being among them, and Lance, for a weekend in Austin.

Always ride for Jake

With 6,500 miles on my butt for 2012, I now have surpassed 10,000 miles for two years and 15,000 for three years. Cancer-free. I can't predict where 2013 will take me although I would like to do Bike Across Kansas if the route is right and Ride the Rockies. A trip to Europe would be nice. And maybe a repeat of Bike Virginia. As for the Mt. Washington Hillclimb, I just received my private registration code since I have ridden it five consecutive years but don't know if I will do that one again (I said I wouldn't and I mean maybe).

The best rides are just following the road ahead and I'll go where the road leads as long as my health permits.

Peace!

Livestrong Weekend

AUSTIN, TEXAS

It's not about the bike -- is both a Lance Armstrong book title and frequent comment of cyclists. But it's not about the cyclist either. Arriving Friday for the Livestrong Gala was a bit weird. With a damning USADA report just released outlining years of doping and Lance electing not to defend himself, this would be his first public appearance since the report. But nowhere would people be more supportive than at the 15th Anniversary Gala.

Yellow Carpet Entrance at the Gala

I was conflicted as I knew I would be. Lance, the founder of Livestrong deserved the benefit of the doubt. But fresh in my mind was the report detailing 15 years of cheating. Of lying. And with all his teammates lining up to take admit their part, the time was right for Lance to take responsibility. But he seemingly never addressed any of the allegations other than to rely on the tired statement that he passed 500 drug tests.

Minimum Bid for Lance's Seven Podium Jerseys:

 $10,000

From backstage Lance appeared and the crowd stood. I wanted to remain seated but also wanted to see so I stood too. It was weird for me. During his prepared remarks he only talked about Livestrong. But there was a technical glitch so he and Matthew McConaughey appeared together and Matthew referred to the past few weeks. Lance said he has had better days - but he's also had worse. That seemed sincere until ...

Twelve minutes before the Gala

...This morning I was in line with the 100 mile group to roll out of the Palmer Event Center for the Livestrong Challenge. I couldn't quite see the stage but I could hear Lance. And he told the crowd that he has had better days - but he's also had worse. It left me wondering if it was just a line that his PR people came up with.

In Memory of Jake the Hero Grecco, 8

But it's not about the bike. And it's not about the cyclist either. Livestrong is about the 28 million people with cancer (or is that fake too?).

Memory and Honor Bibs at the Livestrong Village

Yesterday I made a "bib" in Memory of Jake the Hero and promptly hung it at Livestrong. I made another. I hung it there too. I made one in my hotel room and the wind tore it off. I made a fourth.

None of my bibs survived the strong winds

We rolled out of Austin on a warm morning. The temperature was already in the mid 70s. I never felt comfortable in a pace line and did very little riding on other's wheels. If I was going to I was scared off around Mile 22 when some guys started to pass me and when one got right beside me to went down hard and took out three riders with him. He just missed taking me down.

I think every farm in Texas is a ranch

The wind was quite strong but never so much that I complained. I love riding with the wind in my face -- maybe not quite this much, but it was fun.

Big flags. Big wind.

The elevation was listed as only 2,200' for 100 miles which seems like almost any flat ride would have that. I expected more and believe that was off by at least half.

At Mile 48 we were riding on the flat plains when I could see cyclists ahead climbing a "wall." My initial thought was "what in the hell is this?" followed by "alright!, finally a real hill."

I'm not that good. But I like to climb. And this one was formidable. It wasn't overly lengthy, maybe 3/4 mile, but it went from valley floor to what must be a butte summit and rose quickly. I had not used my granny gear and never thought I would but seeing this hill up ahead knew that I would.

Only about 200-300 yards in they had painted "16% grade" on the road and I'm sure it was. I would estimate that fully 2/3 of riders I saw were walking at some point. I passed many -- slowly, but I passed. I would not let a hill beat me.
At the top was a rest stop manned by the Texas 4000 -- the University of Texas version of the 4K for Cancer. I had met some of the kids yesterday at check-in and a couple even called out my name. That was pretty cool actually.

Texas 4000 Rest Stop

The Livestrong Challenge is well-supported with a rest stop about every 10 miles. And I stopped at every one to fill my water bottles. At each stop I'm sure stronger riders kept on going so I may have lost my place in line with faster riders. Actually, when I lined up at the start I was at the end of the 100-mile group anyhow so basically anyone faster than me I probably never caught. I was here for a relaxing and reflective ride.


 

Some of the Texas 4000

Around Mile 70 we pulled into Blanco Vista, a new suburban community. While 3,999 riders stayed on the street, I took to the path/sidewalk which was about 20 feet wide. I curved back and forth making for a fun ride. Riders looked at me leaning into the curves of the empty path. I told them this was lost more fun. I was feeling great!

Bike on stand at rest stop. The back tire never was right.

At mile 78 I decided I could lift the pace a little bit. Once I hit the road I started pulling back people for the next 20 miles. Not once did I get passed by anyone. As I approached an intersection a policeman slowed me down to let out opposing traffic but told me not to stop and lose my momentum. Once traffic cleared he waived me on. I popped out of the saddle for an extra burst and he said "Wow! You look like you just stated riding." I told him I felt good.

Texas 4000 Information Stand

And I thought about that. Maybe all the fast riders started before me and were gone but this is the place where lots of distance riding kicks in. For those riders who were pushing themselves beyond a typical 20 or 30 mile distance, the body simply isn't used to it. And I actually felt better at Mile 80 than at Mile 10. For him to recognize that meant a lot.

I stopped to help this deaf rider at Mile 69

For the next 10 miles I just pulled people back until I came to an intersection with about 30 cyclists waiting. Once we got the green I moved past them all except one rider, Mark from Irvine, California. He came with me and sat on my wheel. He told me he was glad I came along. He said he just wanted to follow me (in  my draft) as long as he possibly could. I obliged. I don't really know if it costs me anything in terms of energy doing all the pulling. Usually we would swap off but I felt that strong I did all the pulling. I even backed off at a couple of rises in the road so not to drop him.

Riders on Course

With a mile to go in city traffic, we were in with other riders we caught. And after feeling good all day with no signs of cramping -- it hit. A severe cramp in my right hamstring. I could not pedal. We were going downhill and I unclipped but any position hurt. I thought I might have to be sagged back with a mile to go. But I would crawl first.

We came to the last light before entering the river side park where the finish was. I unclipped, put both feet down. When the light turned green the cramp was gone and that was that. Mark and I rolled into the finish, I stayed to the right for survivors.

Still selling Livestrong gear

At Philly the survivor's finish was a separate chute to the right. And that was special. In Austin it was just stay to the right. Still the announcer called out my name and I was handed a yellow rose.

My friend, Vanessa Beltran, came down to meet me at the finish. And that was special. It was the first Challenge where I had someone at the finish. 

I don't know the future for Livestrong. But I hope it remains a vibrant cancer supporting organization. At the heart of the fund raising are the challenges. They are wonderful events - to ride - to reflect - to remember.

The Survivor's Yellow Rose - of Texas

As for Lance, I had a great day on the bike. When people passed me I didn't feel challenged that I had to beat them. And over the last 20 miles I averaged more than 20 miles an hour - solo -- which is the best I think I ever have done at distance by myself (wind aided). But it never was about beating every person I passed. It was simply me having fun. I hope that someday Lance can ride a bike for fun. Maybe Lance can find peace on a bike.

---

5,000 Miles

LANDIS STORE, PENNSYLVANIA

Total miles ridden in one year was never a goal; specifically, I never set out to ride 5,000 miles in one year (8,047 kilometers). Rather, it was a byproduct that in this year of my recovery riding was the one activity where I felt normal.

Although I made an effort to track every mile in 2009, I gave it up once I was diagnosed with cancer. In prior years I simply noted the odometer on my bike at the end of each year. My previous mileage counts were in the 2,500 mile range and in three years on this bike I had 6,600 miles at the end of last year.

This year was different. I recorded every mile in a spreadsheet. On August 22 I completed the LIVESTRONG-Challenge Philly and went over 3,000 miles for the year. On that day I noted that I could hit 5,000 miles by the end of year if I could keep riding deep into the fall. It becomes difficult because the light of summer evenings turns to the darkness of the fall. Weekends could be cold and rainy and the enthusiasm for being on the bike wanes.

I looked at where I had been and what I needed and knew I would reach 5,000 miles. It was a question of when. That was answered yesterday. I had left myself just 27 miles short and could break 5,000 on the Reston Bike Lane shop ride or go to Pennsylvania. I decided on Pennsylvania. I rode 21 miles in the late afternoon and left myself needing just 6 1/2 miles today.

My niece, Emily Cramer, was in the Pennsylvania Outstanding Young Woman competition in Reading. She was the winner of the Somerset competition and was representing Somerset in the state-wide competition. Emily and I also rode together on July 4 when we encountered a bear.

Rev. Harry C. Sherry, Emily Cramer, Naomi Sherry

Not far from Reading the LIVESTRONG-Challenge Philly course rolls by. The longest and steepest hill is on Oysterburg Road up to the village of Landis Store. This is also where the "devil" will taunt riders trying to make it up the hill.

Ha! It was too cold today for a sighting of the Devil

On a cold and very windy day, we drove through Reading out to Oley and found the intersection of Hoch and Bertolet Mill Roads. The temperature was just 40 degrees and the winds were howling. I misread the map and pushed off in the opposite direction. Oh well, bonus miles in the valley before beginning the climb. Once righted, I found Oysterburg Road and began reflecting on every mile that I rode this year. That's 5,000 reflections.

Two years straight I rode this route and flew by the prettiest stone and wood barn, always going by too fast to stop and take pictures. Today I could.

Not far beyond the barn is another barn near the base of the two-mile climb. Although not a rest break in the LIVESTRONG Challenge, there is always bottled water there for the riders to refill before the climb. It is also where riders are taunted with signs that the hill is steep. And the hill is long.
 

Photo in summer (Aug. '09) stating the obvious

I hit the climb and was all smiles. Although I had to work, there was an 18-19% wall, but it was all good. I reached the summit in two miles and came to the Landis Store Hotel at the Village of Landis Store, Pa.

During the Challenge this is a major rest stop. It is beaming with riders glad to have made it 57 miles. Live music, hot food, plus water and Gatorade are a feature at this stop. Today, nothing. But that's OK. I came back to the place where I twice came to fight the global fight on cancer. 

Once I arrived at Landis Store, which is now a restaurant but has been a store and hotel over the years, I was ready to pack up and leave and get back to Reading to see Emily. But so many times I enjoy or suffer the climbs and don't reap the reward on the other side -- the "wee" factor that comes with the descent. So I turned around and flew down the mountain I had just climbed.

I came back to tell cancer you have picked on the wrong person.

5,000 miles indeed!

---

EPILOGUE: My niece, Emily Cramer, was named the 1st runner-up in the statewide competition as Outstanding Young Woman. Congratulations Emily!


Map and Stats at Ride with GPS.com