Cramping My Style

With the help of a Clif Shot containing chocolate and caffeine, given to me by my coworker who wanted me to ride, I was able to muster up the energy to go out yesterday. Believing that I know my limitations I convinced him to give the ride we screwed up last week another shot instead of doing the other Wednesday night ride that goes out for a 29-mile loop.

The Free-Flite crowd was a little surprised to see us again, given that they blamed themselves for dropping us on a “no-drop” ride. I convinced them that I was in error and that it would take a lot more that this to drive me away.

The nine of us riding last night stayed together for the most part, completing the 19-mile loop at a slow pace. In total I rode twenty-four miles. I also rode with my Wahoo Fitness heart rate monitor. From the data it appears that I was struggling quite a bit during the ride.

The only negative of my night occurred in the last mile of the group portion of the ride (my coworker and I had ridden the few miles from work to the shop, so after departing the group we had these miles to ride in order to get back to the office) — I cramped, and hard. My right calf seized up like an engine with no oil, and it was painful. Fortunately I was able to ride through it in a few minutes, but I’m feeling the ramifications of it this morning.

No Trivia Tonight
As mentioned by ITP-Reader Stacy the “Marvelous 3” (name of an old Atlanta band that used to have Butch Walker as its guitar-playing singer) shan’t be meeting up for trivia due some unfortunate circumstances.

In place of trivia I will do something “different” tonight, like go to a bar or restaurant to which I have never before been.

German Word Of The Day
der Schlüssel – key (as in the key to your house or car)

Speaking of German, yesterday I ordered the text book for the next series of classes that I will take at Goethe Institut. Guess I’m hooked. Now I just need to find a way to make it back to Germany as soon as possible. It appears as if I am dramatically shortening my hash-related Portland trip, one day I’ll even buy plane tickets, so who knows…

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]

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13 Responses to Cramping My Style

  1. Barb says:

    We managed to do a little ride last night too, over to Kennesaw Mtn (but not up) and then back home. I got very annoyed with the people driving last night, there was more than 1 side mirror that almost hit me. I told Allan I was seriously thinking about taking the lane & just making all the f*ckers wait while I climbed up the hill. I know the word patience is gone from most people’s vocabulary, but just damn.

    We finally watched Amazing Race finale – I was happy with the winners.
    I didn’t get to watch Survivor finale last night as Allan has given up on that show. But, I really didn’t like most of the people this year, so I don’t really care who wins.

    Didn’t stay up for David Letterman, but DVR’d it, but then I heard it went 18 minutes long, so I guess I won’t be able to watch the entire show.

    I get to go back to the airport tonight to fetch Felicia, she isn’t sure what flight she is on, so it could be 6:30, it could be 9pm. The fun of flying non-revenue.

    BTW – we did get an exit row on the way to Cancun, but no such luck on the way home. I think we are going to splurge & pay for Economy Comfort for Portland – there is so little leg room anymore.

  2. Steve says:

    My plan was to run at lunch yesterday, but a work friend decided it was a walking day. She and her hubby have just moved into condos at 7th and Piedmont (new neighbors Stacy!) and except for a few bugs to work out in the property, thy love it. Running clothes are still here, so if the weather cooperates, a lunch run will happen.

    Last night I actually rode a horse!! It’s been several years since Mac last dumped me on my a$$, but Phinney was very forgiving of my inexperience- in fact, behaved very well all evening. I think we were out an hour or so, just walking. We even crossed a creek- twice! And didn’t get shot at even once!

    This evening, I have a couple of errands to run, then Debbie and I will enjoy a dinner of sushi before I head out to Chattanooga tomorrow.

    Oh, the GRTA bus folks are working on changing some routes and I’m interested, since their plan will inconvenience me further. In looking at some of their research and study information, their per rider costs are over $9 a trip! We generally pay $3.50 a trip. Wow.

    -FP

  3. I was such a fan of Letterman in the 80s and early 90s but I gave up watching at some point (see also: The Simpsons). I considered watching Letterman’s last show but then couldn’t be bothered.

    My “economy” flight is currently priced at $530. I’m still trying to figure out what I am going to do.

    That sucks Steve (the GRTA situation, not the horse riding)

  4. Steve says:

    The new GRTA plan will have me leaving earlier (0530) stopping and picking up in Union City, riding through downtown and then midtown and gettin in later! My suggestion was to have a couple of the runs start dropping off at 17th St. and head south. The midtown riders have been taking it UTA for many years- this will at least balance out the equation a bit. It’s that, or I’ll be driving to College Park every day. The new schedule is a year away…

  5. Barb says:

    We paid I think $560 or so for the Portland tickets – but I used a companion ticket, so on;y paying for 1 of the 2.

    That plan doesn’t sound very good Steve. Good luck.

  6. Steve says:

    Take a tricky decent, add a little water and there are riders falling down all over the mountain. The makings of a great blooper reel.

  7. Stacy says:

    Midtown folks taking it UTA. Yeah, for a second there I became a 12-year-old cackling boy, what with considering a lot of the folks who live in Midtown. 😉

  8. Steve says:

    I never thought of it quite that way (surprise!) but equally applicable.

  9. Barb says:

    just talked to TJ & Mary, they will be in Chatty all weekend as well.

    Trying to figure out some bike riding for the weekend – Allan & I need to get some miles in. Maybe head over to Arabia Mtn Path trail one day, maybe some Silk Sheets or Sosabee one of the days as well.

    and Paulie – next weekend Sarah, Sal & Mike Brogdon are doing a double century to Anniston. I might ride a little in the morning with them on Saturday & then come back to the car. Sunday we may drive out to Cedartown or Rockmart or something & ride towards AL & meet up with them.

  10. I’m riding Saturday and Monday, weather permitting, time and place undetermined. Since Memorial Day at Lake Lanier never materialized and I never heard if Neil and Sue are going to be at their cabin I’ve scrapped the idea of camping up there this weekend. Instead I’ve scheduled a haircut for Sunday afternoon and will probably remain around the house for the times that I am not on the road cycling.

  11. Barb says:

    if we ever come up with a plan, I’ll let you know. I wanted to go to Hartwell, but the 2 hour drive for a 8am start (or whatever time we get there) makes it tough.

  12. Paulie [eatl/ga] says:

    The 2 Hour drive is another reason why I decided to scrap that plan for this weekend.

  13. Steve says:

    I thought about taking my bike, but I’m taking my running shoes instead.

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