Wednesday, June 07, 2006

It's that time of the year again...

It's been a year since the last one and as you all know, the last one didn't go that well. But you all are even more aware that I'm a glutton for punishment. So today at noon, I'm beginning the 1800 km drive to Colorado for this year's experiment in self torture: Ride the Rockies 2006.

Last year, I trained poorly and yet completed all but 13 miles of the course. This year, I have trained even less and there are three stages of 80+ miles. I am going to die on the mountain. Please send flowers to my funeral. I prefer white lilies.

Unfortunately for my new bride, she didn't know what she was getting into when she said, "That sounds like fun! I'll do it this year with you." So we bought her a bike and she trained as little as I did. I guess the young only learn by experience.

This year's tour features Clueless Wife, The Old Man, Old Man Winter and yours truly. Clueless Wife is starting to feel jittery about the tour. The Old Man is scoffing at the route because he has trained twice as much as the training schedule calls for. Old Man Winter is grumpy about having to do the tour. I started having minor heart attacks after seeing the elevation profiles. We will be covering 419 miles in 6 days, most of which I intend to be on my back in an ambulance or on a stretcher. Check out the tour route and elevation profiles at

http://www.ridetherockies.com/default.asp?page=route

Wish me luck. I'm going to need a lot of it. This is going to be as hard as Self sticking to a new diet.

1 comment:

... said...

Is this finally the end?

Sadly, I doubt it. Im sure we will have to endure many more years of Shanky's vai even though the website warns unprepared bikers (those who have not been averaging 140 - 200 miles per week!!!) with a seemingly light hearted - "Please don't sue us if your heart explodes like a bratwurst in the microwave".

Kanchana... why ???