Welcome!

This website has been created to log my plans and challenges to train for the 2006 19th Annual Firefighters Trans-NH Bike Ride benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Hampshire in memory of my daughter, Noelle, who died from muscular dystrophy on May 19, 1996.  I wish to honor her memory on the tenth anniversary of her passing by joining "her firefighter boyfriends" on a 250-mile, three day journey from the Canadian border of NH to the southern border in Portsmouth, NH to raise money for the New Hampshire Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Eighteen months may seem like a awfully long time to plan a ride like this but let me explain my challenge.  I was 43 years-old (now 44), 6-foot 6-inches, and weighed 280 lbs. when I made the decision in January, 2005 that I was going to change the path of my fitness and future goals.  Several months prior to this decision I reached 296 lbs.  In order for me to complete this ride without making my wife a widow I will need to drop a lot of weight and significantly increase my overall fitness.  I've never exercised beyond trying to increase my walking distances in everyday life.  2006 will be my 25th wedding anniversary as well as Noelle's 10th year that she's left us.  I've made the decision that I'm going to turn my life around and stick around for our 50th anniversary too!

To add to my challenges I haven't ridden a bicycle since high-school and I don't currently own one either!  I did a ton of riding in my youth and hope the old adage of never forgetting how to ride a bike is true but after doing some research online about the current state of road bikes I'm confounded at the complexity they've attained!  (Just what are you supposed to do with 27 speeds after all!!!)  I just rode a 3-speed touring bike and never touched a ten speed.

4/4/05: I've been informed by Buchika's in Salem, NH that the lead time on my bike frame will be seven weeks!  No problem, I'll just continue training in the gym until by bike is fabricated.  I should be on the road by summer.

6/1/05: Still waiting for the frame to arrive!  I will continue my training at Salem Athletic Club until I have a bicycle to begin my road training.

6/19/2005: Bad news from my LBS (Local Bike Shop), the frame will be delayed for another four weeks!  Oh well, more gym training in my immediate future.

7/31/2005: I stopped by my LBS for an update on my bike's arrival.  It was confirmed that my bike is on a train in this country at least!  It made the journey from ship to shore from a distant land and was now on its way.  As soon as they receive it they'll be able to begin assembly.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can at least receive it in August to get some summer road training in.

8/4/2005:  Great news!  Buchika's called to say my bike was off the train and heading for the shop.  They'll begin assembling the rest of the Shimano 105 components and should have the bike ready in about ten days after they finally receive it.  I should have it in August!  Then the real training begins!

8/28/2005:  I FINALLY took ownership of the bike today after a five-month wait.  Thanks to Maurice at Buchika's for finally making this a reality for me and taking the time upon pick-up to teach me some very basic knowledge of the pedals and shifting and even getting on and off the bike.  I'm taking several vacation days this coming week to put in some saddle time on the new bike and get accustomed to it.  Now the road training begins.

11/6/2005: I officially registered for the 2006 Trans-NH Bike Ride last week.  Getting the bike so late in the season hasn't given me much time to road train but I've had a good start.  Last month I purchased a trainer for the bike so I can continue to train indoors over the winter and begin road training again in April.  Unfortunately that only leaves me with three months to train outdoors for the ride.  I've been told it takes about two years for a new bicyclist to become a proficient road cyclist.  I believe that now.  There are a lot of skill sets that I need to learn, I just hope I can get the basics down before the ride.

05/29/2006: It's hard to believe that the event is less than four weeks away!  Friends, family, and strangers have been tremendously supportive AND generous given the fact that our area has experienced so many tragedies that required their charitable support.  So far I've raised an amount that I would never have thought possible, I'm so grateful to the individuals and groups that have supported my effort, it's made all the work and training and time so worth it.

I trained on the road till about October last year then spent the winter on a bicycle "fluid" trainer in my garage spending 1-2 hours at a time averaging 15-18 mph on the trainer.  Since April I've been spending all my time actually training on the road.  I installed my computer on the bike sometime in September and kept logging my miles and stats through the winter and continue today.  So far I've logged over 1100 miles on my bike.  This number astounds me, it seems so unreachable on a bicycle yet I've done it.

06/04/2006: TRAINING RIDE with Trans-NH team (Lee - Barnstead Loop) about 68 miles.  Click here for the cue sheet and climbing profile.  Thanks to John Carlson (Ride Leader) for the cue sheet and Pam Wright for the climb profile.  I've been previously training around my community and I have to admit that I let the sight of these climbs get the best of me.  I was psyched out before I could reach the top of the first (and easiest climb).  By hook and by crook (and a little or more walking) I reached the summit of each climb and I was able to complete the entire ride albeit by myself after telling the others NOT to wait for me since I knew it was going to take a while.  I'm happy to say I completed the entire route and not let it defeat me.  I've since spoken to several people and learned some tips to try to make my Trans-NH ride experience a little better.  I'm jokingly nicknaming my Trans-NH ride the "Widow-Maker!"  Seriously, this training ride reminded me how green I am as a road rider, there's so much that needs to be learned through experience and only road riding since April is a definite disadvantage but I'm going to do this for Noelle!  If all of you send your prayers and positive energy my way during the event weekend I could sure use them!  I'll be posting a journal of my experience on this website and it should be available on the Trans-NH Bike Ride website also, stay posted!