Target date

Made a decision last week that I am very excited about. I'm going to do the SF-LA AIDS ride. Decided last year I wanted to give it a shot. I'm doing it. And I just might get myself a snappy little shirt as well.

It's a huge challenge. 585 miles, seven days, $2,500 in fundraising. Like anything, I can always deselect. But if I center my mind on the goal, and move forward like it's a foregone conclusion, it will happen.

Something to look forward to.

Something to plan for.

Something to train for.

AIDS ride. Done deal.

Slap my ass and color me embarrassed

I'm wrong.

That's all I have to say, I'm wrong, so get over it.

Apparently, eating a meal before bedtime does not predispose one to weight gain. WHAAA??

'Tis true. According to Outside Magazine's Fitness Q&A,

"Scientific research shows that it isn't when you take your calories in but rather how many you take in, that affects weight. So, while many people think that calories eaten before bedtime are somehow more damaging to weight management than calories eaten at other times of the day, that really isn't true. What is true is that people often overeat in the evening (i.e. mindlessly munching while watching television) or choose unhealthy snacks at night (a lot of people find it easier to binge on potato chips at night rather than for breakfast), both of which can lead to weight gain."

Go kick your own arse

So you've been working out, and maybe you're feeling ready to take on an Ironman. Or, like me, maybe a 5K is more your style. Whatever size your goal, one of my favorite sites, active.com, has a listing of just about every event there is out there.

Want to ride a century in Colorado? You'll find it there.

Live in California but dying to run a 5K while visiting a friend in Florida? active.com can help you out.

Maybe you just want to find out about little league sign ups for your junior monkey.
Check active.com.

As partners with ESPN, this site lists just about every sport in your area, and every other sport in any other area, and then some. I sat down last week and planned out my year. That's right-- YEAR. I found listings as far out as next September, so no more excuses about not knowing of an event in time.

Get detailed events listings including maps, directions, Web site links and-- best of all-- register right online for your events.

The active.com site kicks arse, so you can go and kick a few others.

Millerton Loop

The Millerton Loop is a nice, intermediate ride out Friant Rd., past the dam, over to Auberry, and back on down to Copper. There are a couple hard climbs, but not show-stoppers. However, were on a heavier bike, they most certainly would have been. And that is the thing that amazed me: I loved the ride. It was beautiful and a blast, but I couldn't imagine being out there on a heavier bike. And yet, there they were-- the die-hards pounding their way through on mountain bikes.

It was my first big ride on Blue; she's been a commuter bike until now, and made one appearance in a tri last weekend. I was excited to get her out there. I didn't quite realize how much practice I needed at shifting.

The trick, as I was told yet subsequently didn't pay enough attention to, is not to shift to the lowest gear on the front and the highest gear on the back; the chain is pulled in a diagonal and it makes no logical sense to do it. Plus, it'll de-chain you.

Yeah, that happened. It was plain ignorance on my part. I couldn't remember how many clicks moved what where, and the next thing I knew, I was spinning a whole lotta nothin'. It wasn't a big deal getting the chain back in place-- really simple, actually-- but not a fun diversion when you're kicking arse in the Tour de France in your mind.

Advice: Go early; it seems the traffic picks up right around 10, and those roads are famous for ridiculous drivers. Also, bring along plenty of fluid (I had two bottles with me)-- you'll go through them. And I snorked down a gel pack about half-way through. Great boost.