JeffBedel.com

2010 Scenic Shore 150

jeffbedel — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:46:30 +0000

Last year the prospect of doing 75 miles in back to back days seemed quite daunting. A month before the MS 150 last year while doing a ride up in the Michigan U.P. I crashed with 5 miles to go; I finished, but with bruised/cracked ribs for the first time I was mentally and physically wounded. No 150 mile attempt last year.

Back in April, with the help of several supporters, I did my first organized century for the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Never before had I had the motivation of others and a cause to drive me to the end. It was amazing, so amazing in fact I decided to make another attempt at the 150 miles again this time for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Scenic Shore 150.

Again I had a multitude of supporters all through Twitter and Facebook that helped me fundraise for my Mom and my friend Kristin. This time I actually had my parents come up with me to support me as well. It was time to ride.

Saturday had a forecast of storms and started off with rain. I had just made it back in Milwaukee the night after the big flood with the infamous Escalade swallowing sinkhole less than three blocks from my apartment. The morning of the ride I was out of synch, short on rest, and quite unprepared not to mention it was raining.

I do not like riding in the rain, but it finally stopped on the way to Mequon. I got there, scarfed down a muffin and some milk, checked in, and waved goodbye to my parents. Ready or not I had to go. It got pretty hot and sticky halfway through the ride and my other poor decision was to drink mostly water instead of gatorade. I had done 75+ miles rides several times and by time I got to the last 25 miles I was concerned if I was going to make it. This had never happened to me before. My kidneys were hurting, I couldn’t breathe, I was just short of vomiting. My biggest concern was just making it while at the same time my mind was saying “it’s only DAY 1! How was I going to make DAY 2?” I had never biked to Manitowoc before and hadn’t studied the map/route so I didn’t really know how much further I had to go and didn’t want to know. I was just so relieved to see the finish line and my parents when I arrived. I was barely functioning.

My parents got me back to the hotel and showered where I felt faint again. Still I got back on the shuttle for some dinner, had a couple of beers, met up with my team for a bit, but then scurried back to the hotel. I had figured my body was needing salt more than anything. I finally settled back in at the hotel with some nutritious Oskar Blues Pale Ale and lots of salty peanuts while watching the Brewers win on TV. I went slowly to sleep wondering how I could wake up tomorrow and face another 75 miles. My parents were more concerned than I.

Day 2 I woke up extra early, and was more prepared and focused. Even after running after and missing the first shuttle back to the campus I made it to there early for a great hot breakfast and a visit to Dan of Wheel & Sprocket to get my bike checked thoroughly. A couple of my teammates, Jan & Julie, left about 30 minutes before the start, and I slowly dragged behind them in a draft for the first 25 miles.

I always say that cycling is more of a mental game than physical and part of that held true at the 25 mile rest stop. “Only 50 miles to go”, someone mentioned. At that moment it didn’t seem at all difficult anymore. Drinking 100% gatorade and a much cooler day than before, I got my second wind and found the strength and determination I didn’t seem to have the previous day. From there, I just took off. The second day still took me about as long as the first day, but mostly because of more conservative rest stops. I averaged 15 mph for the entire 150 miles. Most importantly my Mom & Dad were there at Potawatomi State Park at the end among other applauding onlookers. IT WAS SWEET!

This is the most miles I had ever achieved in 2 consecutive days, and I really think there are many other challenges ahead. But for now, I’ll continue in the back of my mind to do more, and keep chugging while my Mom, and other continue their fights against Cancers and other horrible diseases.

Thanks again for trying to keep me cool, determined, and moving in the right direction. You guys are the only tailwind I need.

Counties by state I’ve biked in:

INDIANA
Franklin
Decatur
Marion
Hamilton
Boone
Shelby
Johnson
Hancock
Brown
Madison
Delaware
Rush
Ripley
Dearborn*

WISCONSIN
Milwaukee
Ozaukee
Waukesha
Racine
Kenosha
Washington
Sheboygan
Marinette
Dodge
Walworth
La Crosse
Crawford
Vernon
Jefferson
Manitowoc*
Kewaunee*
Door*

ILLINOIS
Lake

MICHIGAN
Menominee

MINNESOTA
Houston
Winona
Rice*
Goodhue*
Dakota*
Scott*
La Sueur*
Sibley*

IOWA
Allamakee

OHIO
Hamilton*

KENTUCKY
Boone*
Kenton*
Campbell*

*2010

Proposed counties in 2010:
(WI) Monroe, Juneau, Sauk, Dane, Green, Fon du Lac

2010 Goal – 5,000 miles
2010 running total – 3,762 (as of 9/8)
Best one day total – 104.6 (6/20/09)

Past annual totals
2009 – 4,022
2008 – 1,080
2007 – 1,418
2006 – 2,520
2005 – 1,876
2004 – ~1,000

Minnesota Ironman Ride for Team LRF

jeffbedel — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:00:07 +0000

(April 26, 2010) Wow, what a ride! I did it. Though I did my first 100 mile day last year I never did a organized century till yesterday, and despite the rainy, cold, and windy weather it was still gorgeous in Southern Minnesota. My morning was kind of a frantic start and it was hard getting motivated after sight seeing in the Twin Cities for a couple of days and enjoying some classic bar cuisine, the Jucy Lucy. One at the Matt’s Bar and the other at The Nook which was my favorite (more cheese is always better). After watching the weather report all week Sunday unfortunately ended up being the rainy day. It was dry though and 50 at the start and I was the only person in short sleeves. With overheating in training I figured it was the safest decision and I didn’t want to carry a backpack to place my shedded layers in. One other note is I didn’t want to cover up my Team LRF (Lymphoma Research Foundation) jersey. It was road and greased stained by the end, but it was for the best cause, my Mom.

The first half of the ride had a big tailwind or crosswind that allowed everyone to speed to the halfway point. For me, the rain started at mile 25 and didn’t end for the most part till about mile 70. It wasn’t heavy, but with the combination of wind and 50 degree weather it made it more annoying than difficult. By mile 70 I was shivering and actually caused alarm with some of the volunteers. It was looking grim, but the temperature rose 7 degrees after that stop, and topped out at 63 for the last 20 miles. By the end, I was looking like the smart one chugging against a headwind and hills with the short visit from the sun.

I didn’t watch my odometer those last 20 miles. It would have made it that much longer. All I knew from the map is that I wasn’t far once we went over I-35. Once we did, my legs found that last ounce of boost and passed bikes for the last few miles like I had fresh legs.

This was also the first ride I ever collected donations for. When it comes down to it, that is why I finished. When other people give their hard earned money towards a cause I felt I had to keep my end of the bargain. I seen several riders take the SAG wagon home to avoid those last brutal 20 miles. Your dollars and the fight I know my Mom is going through made pushing pedals an afterthought.

Thank you!

Busy, busy, busy

jeffbedel — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:28:40 +0000

So the picture blog for December got lost with various amounts of insane activity and is currently tabled indefinitely. I haven’t had to to reflect, reset, or resume to normalcy anytime soon. But damn I’m happy. That’s what matters, right?

Meet the Parents (17)

jeffbedel — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:17:06 +0000

My parents and sisters came to Milwaukee to visit.

Reds (16)

jeffbedel — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:11:59 +0000

Baseball with the family, Cincinnati style.

Brewers (15)

jeffbedel — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:56:47 +0000

Baseball in Brewtowm

Bonfire on the Lakeshore (14)

jeffbedel — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:47:31 +0000

Biking to a bonfire on Lake Michigan.

Menominee River Bike Ride (13)

jeffbedel — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:34:16 +0000

Also known as “the crash”.

Major Taylor Cycling Club (12)

jeffbedel — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:59:12 +0000

A diverse group with one purpose.

104.6 (11)

jeffbedel — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:16:35 +0000

After a season and a half riding on a cheap mountain bike then several seasons doing thousands of miles on a hybrid; it was time to reward myself with a new faster bike. Of course I looked no further than Cory the Bike Fixer where I chose a Kona Dew Drop to do the long distance duties I was about to embark on this past summer.

The ride I wanted to prepare for one June Saturday (6/20/09) was for a ride up in the Michigan UP a week later which was 75 miles. But that day I rode almost to Sheboygan (52 miles way) for a cookout and after some debate I decided I had enough gas and daylight (didn’t have lights on the bike yet) to go back yet that day and force me into a century. I did it.

This was the Kona’s inaugural trip too. What a way to break in a bike.