39 in a 35
Yes, that’s 39 miles per hour. That was my maximum speed attained on this past Thursday’s ride. I’ve gone faster. I’ve actually hit 55 mph (that’s a story for another day.) And yes, I know it’s dangerous to go that fast on a bike with only a thin layer of lycra as protection. I also […]
Going Up?
I got out of the house early today because I knew the afternoon temps would be unbearable. And by 9:00 am I was in Traveler’s Rest and headed for Paris Mountain. The #SCRTR will be a contest in endurance, man and woman against machine, with the machine being the bike. You’ve got to be able […]
See Food
The old joke of a cyclist during racing season was the “I’m on that See Food diet. When I see food, I eat it.” And that’s how I feel right now. Last week I put in almost 250 miles and this week I hope to match that. And of course my metabolism is through the […]
Ain’t That Tough Enough?
The best way to approach a long distance event such as the #SCRTR is through a six month, properly planned, concerted effort. Well if you’ve been following along, you know that I don’t have that luxury. Most of the riders would likely start their training efforts in January or February and gradually up their mileage […]
The Recovery Ride
The 20 mph Vista
It’s the vista. When one climbs onto a road bike and heads out for a ride, the beauty of God’s creation is at your beck and call. Whether you ride at a 15 mph average or 20 mph average, the opportunity to get out and experience the glory of this earth is well within your […]
The Cheers of Buntings
During the summer time, the Upstate is visited by thousands of Indigo Buntings. These gorgeous little birds are commuters. They come here during the spring and summer to enjoy the scenery, the great food, the beautiful countryside, and to raise their families in peace. In the fall they’ll head home. To South America. Buntings have […]
Remember This Rider
That’s my grand parents, Thomas and Blanche Baylor. They were cattle ranchers and they were legendary amongst other cattlemen. Tom called my mother Zinzy and at the age of five she participated in her first rodeo. Tom P. Baylor was something else and I loved being in his company. When he passed away, our entire […]
Good Humor is the Clear Blue Sky of the Soul
Not that long ago, just off the coast of south Florida, our country stood at the brink of an all out nuclear exchange. Russian and American submarines, surface ships, aircraft carriers, fighters, soldiers, and strategic bombers gathered in and around the island of Cuba and stared each other down. The US Army had almost a […]
I’m Not Ready
“You’ve got a perfectly good room upstairs so why the hell are you looking for an apartment?” Dad’s words thundered through our small kitchen and Mom was visibly embarrassed. I didn’t know how to respond. I was 21, a college graduate, and at the end of the summer I would embark on three years of […]