Castle Shima

I like it rough. -- Gi talking about floor tile.

Tower View
150 Proof
After a few months of training, the MS150 finally came around.

For those that dont know, the Multiple Sclerosis society sponsors the MS 150 bike ride as one of their major fundraiser. Not only is it a worthy cause, but its one of the best sponsored and maintained charity events throughout the nation. For two days, cyclists ride an average of 75 to 85 miles for a total of 150 plus miles.

This was going to be the first time I had ever did this massive ride as well as the furthest I had ever ridden. If figured that at a leisurely pace of 15 mph it would take roughly 6 hours of ride time per day; 7 hours when including breaks and lunch.

And as usual, with any major cycling event, I lost something. This time it was my mind.

A Ride Like Any Other
On the first day, after going 12.5 or so miles, there was a major crash. Someone had cracked on the road and was awaiting an ambulance. Fortunately, it was for more precautionary measures, but it made me think "What the hell am I doing out here with these people?!"

By the 30th mile, the headwind had started gently pushing into the riders. For the road between the third and fourth rest stops, it was flattening them.

The distance between most rest stops averages between 11 and 15 miles. In this case, the it was 9 miles between stops #3 and #4. Why? Because with the trees and the direction, the road became a virtual wind tunnel. And of course, we were going against the wind.

My mind screamed out "What the hell was I thinking?!"

At around the 53 mile mark, I began feeling a slight sting along the back of my right ankle. I left it alone and tried to relax abit more since, according to the directions provided to the riders, the lunch stop was at the 55 mile mark; rest stop #5.

Lunch was a turkey wrap along with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. That was a good mix especially since I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast, had eaten a peanut butter Power Bar at stop #4, was carrying three more peanut butter Power Bars as well as a bag of peanut butter crisps.

My stomach screamed out "What the hell was I thinking?!"

After lunch, the directions noted that it was 10 miles to the final rest stop, and then finally, 15 miles to the end of the day. The total was supposed to have been 79 miles.

The bastards were lying to us.

The Long Way Home
By mile 63, my body is aching; legs begging to stop. I've been impolite by drafting behind a ten person team since leaving the lunch area. There I was, pedalling away, praying they wouldnt say something about how rude it is to draft behind people without asking. Well, that and the fact I kept staring at the arse of the cute Chinese lass who was in front of me.

As we would approach a stop sign, the team would call out the warnings "Stopping! Stopping!" I responded with the first thing that came to mind: "I'm dying! I'm dying!"

According to the directions, it was only two more miles to the final rest stop. When we reached the 65 mile mark, my ankle began screaming out "What the hell was I thinking?!"

The team kept going so I kept going... That is until we got to the bridge.

A small bridge, slight elevation. Rest stop on the other side. Salvation was there. And the team flew like the wind to get to it.

I, on the other hand, would do no flying now. The right ankle was screaming out "Hello!! We dont like this any more!"

My pace slowed, fighting to get the bridge.

A pair of triathletes pass me, smiling, flying. They encouraged me on as they speed by: "Come on! You can do it! The rest stop is on the other side!"

My mind screamed out "F*** YOU!"

After crossing the bridge and making the rest stop, I glanced down at my odometer. 68 miles. The bastards had lied about the mileage...

Into The Home Stretch
Snow Cones never tasted so good than the ones at the final stop. My body whispered a slight "Thank you" as it enjoyed the rest it needed ever so badly.

The team I had followed was leaving so I figured I would follow them again. After all, I got the rest I needed. I even stayed past the typical 10 minutes that I normally do.

I should have stayed longer.

The directions said the end was at 79 miles. At the 73 mile mark, it suddenly occurred to me that the directions could have lied about the ending as well. They wouldnt have done that, would they?

At the 75 mile mark, my ankle is screaming out "F*** YOU!"

At the 77 mile mark, an event volunteer cheers to the passing riders "Way to go! You're in the home stretch! You're almost there!"

My mind screamed out "F*** YOU!" My mouth only whispered it.

At the 79 mile mark, with no finish line in sight, my mouth said it about louder "F***! They lied to us again!"

Finally, after 81 miles, the goal has been reached for day one.



That isnt a smile on my face. It was just stuck in perpetual pain mode.

Phil Liggett, the John Madden of professional bicycling, once said "Cycling is about pain. Its about suffering." If I ever meet the man, someone please remind me to smack him.

And In End, It Doesnt Really Matter
Day one was complete. And so was my ride.

My shoulders ached. My back ached. My bottom ached. My legs ached. My right ankle ached. As it turned out, the ankle was the beginnings of an Achilles strain. No more riding for the rest of the weekend lest do more damage to it.

Reviewing my odometer, I saw the results. After just over a 7 hour day with 5.5 hours on the bicycle itself, the average speed was 18mph with the top speed of 22mph.

And after all, that I cant wait to do this again next year...! Maybe Phil Liggett is onto something after all...
***********

And Now For Something Completely Different
AmaDoofus, the local dj who plays a local film critic on television, said he absolutely hated Underworld.

I knew it was going to be good. Underworld is a great movie with enough action and science fiction to keep fans of both genres happy. Its a very British movie in its language and demeanor, but does alot to make it worth while for American audiences.

The handgun fan within me noticed that Selene, the main character, used sets of Walther P99s and H&K USP Compacts, both of which are personal favorites of mine.

Go see this movie. It will be worth it just to piss off AmaDoofus...
***********

Out in The Yard
The recall is back on track. Thankfully, the judges saw that there was no need to delay the election. I guess Gray couldnt pay off these eleven judges.
***********

Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett is sueing the NFL to let him in the draft. Finish college first, you wanker! Oh wait... You arent wanted at Ohio State any more. Nevermind.
***********

Profanity has increased on television. No sh*t? Are you fu*king sure?
***********

Speaking of television, the American version of Coupling starts Thursday. I may have problems liking Susan as a brunette and Sally as a blonde. On the British version, its visa versa.

The show is being taunted as the replacement for Friends. No sh*t? Are you fu*king sure?
***********

Background Noise
Gin and Juice by Snoop Dog

Rolling down the street
Smoking, smoking...
Sipping on gin and juice...
Laid back...
With my mind on my money
And my money on my mind

*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************