First Century Ride of the Year

Fucking lost the post - will re-post. fuck me.

Update 07/01/08

Greeting Readers

Well, as you readers can see from that first sentence I lost substantial post writing. I was on a roll typing away and if you regular bloggers know that if you do not stop typing away blogger.com does not save. So, there I was typing away probably like a meth addict-smoking away with me continuously typing that Blogger.com could not auto save.

Long story short, I did a combo keyboard entry and then the whole post went blank. I quickly stopped typing and then tried clicking on the “dashboard” for returning to the dashboard. Just in case that the auto save was invoked while I was typing away. I guess I was a second too late and the next Fucking thing was I had a blank fucking post. I was and still am fucking pissed OFF!

Motherfucker! I was cussing left and right since I had some pretty good writing. Now, I am going to have to re-write this post from scratch, but not from memory.

Let me restart Readers.

My first century of the year. And not my first century. It is never will I be able to do a century ride. It is whether or not that I want to do a century ride. I have so many century rides under my belt that it is not that whether or not can I do a century ride.

So, this past Sunday I decided to do my first century of the year. Yes. I did check my mileage log on my dining room table and I double-checked and re-checked the mileage log and sure enough I have not a century ride this year – at all. Sort of amazing since I usually have two century rides under my belt by now.

Well, I got Andrea ready for the century ride that I decided to on my own. Sorry readers, most of the time I only do century rides when required – official bike events. Otherwise, I usually keep the mileage that I do un-officially to about 70 miles. I sprint and test myself to other riders on those days I am training.

Unfortunately, I did not remember until the day of the event that the Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series competition was being held at Cherry Creek Reservoir State Park on Sunday. When I remembered it was early Sunday morning approaching Cherry Creek Reservoir.

I am not saying that I hate nor detest that event, but with that event going on the route that I train myself on crosses the official route of the Danskin Event. Oh no, I have no right to complain nor would I. If I have to stop to give right of way, so be it. I have no authority to cross the route pass without checking with the Danskin officials.

This has happen to me in the past and I have made it a rule, my rule, to just avoid Cherry Creek State Reservoir when there is an official sanction event scheduled. If the roles were reversed I would not want a non-competitor crossing the route course.

As I crested the hill I saw the familiar closed sign of the Dam road and then I saw the familiar orange sign indicating that there is an event going on.

With that I decided to take the route outside the State Park and ride on the front face of Cherry Creek Dam.

Now, I was onto the Cherry Creek Trail heading to Downtown Denver. The ride was pretty uneventful for most of the trail. I was cruising and holding a steady pace of 20 mph plus. And yes readers – I was very, very mindful of the trail traffic. I respect all the other people on the trail since they have the same right to the trail that I do.

As I neared Speer and Broadway the Cherry Creek Trail got heavily populated with walkers, runners, bikers, homeless people, Rollerbladers, and kids. This was not unexpected. Since I have been biking for “x” amount of years I knew what to expect and knew what I was going to encounter this time of the year.

You have to be a fucking idiot to think that the Cherry Creek trail belongs to cyclists / bike riders exclusively. Yes, I keep a high mph, but within reason. I brake and watch out for all obstacles on the Cherry Creek Trail. I am required to yield to all foot traffic. Yet, I am one to admit that I keep a high 20 mph ride through and to Confluence Park. I do not cuss anyone should they “block” me from passing.

Now, after 15 miles I reached Confluence Park and I needed to take an alternate route to continue onto my destiny of 100 miles.

When I had to go onto another route I had to pass a couple of riders. The first rider signaled that he was going left…

To be continued...

Perfectly fine that he signaled. Matter of fact, I would not have signaled myself at that particular turnoff. Anyway, he had a riding partner, a woman, behind him. She did not signal to turn, but turned without looking behind her. And yours truly was right behind her about five feet or so. I turned left since I needed to. So, I passed and took the turn wide.

"You could have called out that you were passing. thank you"

What the fuck. I took less than a second to respond.

"You should of hand signaled that you were turning left - thank you very much."

I did not hear her response. Do not fucking give me lip if you are doing something "wrong," so to speak. That is the fucking Kettle calling the pot black. Oh no, I was not bother at all, since she was just as wrong as I was not following the bicycle rules.

I quickly put some distance between me and her ? guy? - sure enough he could probably beat me up ;-). I crossed over the South Platte and took a quick break. 20 miles completed - 80 to go.

With that I headed South along the South Platte River. This is part of the South Platte Trail that I do not care for. The trail is narrow in most places, bugs galore that hang around the river. Rollerbladers, wooden bridges that are very slippery when wet, some homeless people under and around the bridges, and more importantly - that little section of the South Platte Trail that is infamous for a radar trap of 15 mph. Nope, I have not gotten a ticket, but I have had friends get ticketed for exceeding the limit near the Aspen Grove area. And the tickets are usually handed out on a Saturday since that is when families and events are held near that area of the Trail.

I try to maintain a 15 mph speed limit, but I have been known to kick it up a notch to 18.9 mph - which is the fastest speed I dare to do.

Anyway, that whole length of the South Platte Trail is really just a hassle for me to deal with, in my opinion. And that is the reason why I avoid that part of Trail riding. I excised the right to ride another route since there is no reasonable excuse for me to give to you readers that does make me sound like an ignorant bicyclist. =).

Though if I was like one of the bicyclist's I read about then perhaps a reason I would give - is that is the only trail to ride on. Well, that is true, but there are streets a plenty and not to mention sidewalks. There is always an alternate route - it would be ignorant to think so one-sided that there is only the Trail to ride on to and from Denver to Chatfield Dam.

I reached the Chatfield Dam. Is it called Chatfield Dam or is Chatfield a State Park. I honestly do not know nor remember. No big deal at all. I only bring this up since me and the people I know always call Chatfield Reservoir as Chatfield Dam. Go figure.

I rode up the Dam's front face for the first time this year. Only two riders were in front of me that I could see. I did catch one as he neared the summit and the other ride was sort of in my reach, but not enough time to close the distance before reaching the top of the Dam.

I rested and took a couple of pictures at the Dam.

Now, it was onto the part of C-470 Trail that I do not like to ride on. Maintenance on this part of the bike trail on C-470 is awful. Most of the bike path from Chatfield Dam to Morrison has the concrete trail cracked. and not little cracks either. The crack runs for the most part down the middle of the bike path. The crack varies from a few centimeters to about two inches wide.

Since, I have not ridden this part of the Trail in two years or so I see that they did pour some black tar into the cracks. Some of the fix looks great, but other parts of the path look like the tar patching did not help at all.

Yet, the best part of this C-470 Trail is that this is the climb. My time to shine once more. Basically, I/we are at the base of the Rocky Mountains and starting the ride up the foothills. I love seeing a rider in the distance. It gives me an incentive to ride the rider(s) down. My forte.

I was all business until I was crossing over 285. I was at the south side of Bear Creek Lake Park. I took a couple more pictures and then got myself moving. This was also the first time that I saw a team, a cycling team, of about 9 riders biking/training together. They were riding in the opposite direction and thought nothing of them.

Well, it has been about three years since riding in the Bear Creek Lake Park and I thought I remembered the route to bike through the park. Nope. I did a mile circle and ended up where I did not want to be. So, I had to re-ride where I just rode five minutes ago. And just like Bugs Bunny would say "I knew I should have took that left turn at Albuquerque" since it was a left turn that I should have made instead of a right turn.

Bear Creek Lake was uneventful, besides the wrong turn. I climbed out of the park on the Eastern side of the park. Now, I have to remember all the turns through the BCT (Bear Creek Trail) system. I was confident, but also weary on making another wrong turn. I did make it out of the portion of the BCT that had many turns.

Soon, I was near Federal, but in reality I thought I had traveled to the mountainous slopes of Peru. Or some mountain slopes that contain goats. There were about 100 goats in a pen. I can not even remember even seeing that many goats in an area like that. I think, that the goats were eating all the weeds in an area that perhaps someone was being kind to the environment. Meaning, not using a mower, but using animals. Then again what do know about goats. Oh I know. Do not bend over in front of a goat by giving the goat a bull's eye target (your ass)to use their head for hitting. Oh yes, I have seen that happen. And many goats are tempted - perhaps a genetic trait. hah hah.

I soon reached the South Platte Trail and this time I was heading North back to Confluence Park. Again, the ride was uneventful. I was getting tired by this portion of my 100 mile route.

Once I got to Confluence Park I rested for about 30 minutes or so. Taking in some major Hotties that had some bikinis to make the male imagination go wild. I took a breather on the Northwestern side of the park.

I mounted the bike and proceeded to take the Cherry Creek Trail back to Cherry Creek State Park. As I neared Lincoln I decided I was going to stop by Turin Bicycles and see what they have on stock.

I saw nothing of interest, though a bike jersey did catch my eye to purchase in the future. I have to think about whether or not do I really need this bike jersey.

After about 10 minutes or so I was on the Cherry Creek Trail once more. I noticed that I was tired since there were more riders passing me by. As opposed to me passing them by.

As I got near Havana Road, I decided to make another rest stop for Powerade and a Coca-Coca. I think I mismanaged my electrolytes since the past 5 miles I felt I was starting to bonk. I rested for about 15 minutes outside the Gas station - enjoying my Gatorade and Coca-Cola - both of which were cold and refreshing. I could feel the cool liquid in my stomach.

I once more got onto the Cherry Creek Trail and knew there were two climbs that I was not looking forward to do at this portion of my bike ride. I was exhausted and knew the two hills I had to climb were going to be tough. The first one is short and a bit steep, but in the condition I was feeling at that time I knew that it was going to be chore. Well, the drinks and rest break I took helped me to climb that first hill.

Now, the second hill climb is right after going under 225. The Trail goes up steeply for about 30 yards then perhaps a 3/4 gradual climb to the Dam road. I did good, but I had to drop several gears into the easier gears before riding this hill.

The ride through Cherry Creek State Park was good. The Danksin was over. This was also the first comment I got all day on my Southpark bike jersey - "I like your jersey." as she passed me by.

That motivated me to ride like I just first started late this morning. Soon, I caught and passed her by. I reached the Southern entrance of Cherry Creek State Park and I was at 90.20 miles. I had to find 10 miles in order to reach 100 miles. And from the entrance of the Park to where I live is about 5 1/2 miles so technically I had to find 5 more miles. I did look at the odometer and I saw that it took me 6 hours and 4 minutes to ride 90.20 miles - average speed 14.9 mph.By the time I got home - 100.47 miles at the average speed of 14.7 mph. And that was that.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Wimbledon 2008 - Day 5

Greetings Readers

Oh my, there were more seeds falling from grace today. None no harder and faster than Ana Ivanovic that is her pictured on today's blog. How sad that she got beat by the Wildcard - Jie Zheng of China. Ana's tears did help water the grass tennis court of Wimbledon though. I am making joke of this, but Ana should not have lost this early at Wimbledon, especially to a Wildcard player. There were many, many pictures that I could have chosen, but it was hard to show you readers what I saw of the number one player in the world before Wimbledon started. Though, I think that Ana will lose that ranking after Wimbledon.

Besides that seeded player we saw/heard - the last two of the American men are out of Wimbledon, Bartoli, Ferrer, and Mauresmo.

Yet, I think that the only match that I was interested in was Safin vs. Seppi. This was a tight match overall and did go the distance to 4 sets. 7(7)-6(5), 3-6, 7(7)-6(3), 6-4. This was a later match and soon it was getting dark and that the game was going to be called/stopped for darkness. After a bit, Seppi agreed to keep playing and perhaps that was a mistake. We will never know. Safin was able to close out the set and eliminate Seppi's bid to continue to the next round of Wimbledon.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Wimbledon 2008 - Day 4

Greetings Readers

Oh my the seeds were falling from the sky today! Let see who got their walking papers - Roddick, Sharapova, Blake, Hanuchova, Zvonareva to name a few. Many, many, many seeded players were eliminated today. He gone! She gone! (yes readers said just like that "He gone" and not "He's gone") That was me saying those words throughout the day - he gone - she gone - he gone - she gone - Is it on? - It's on like Donkey Kong!

Yet, I think that the best news was the elimination of Sharapova. I guess "someone saved the Queen!" I think, I remember hearing eight double faults. Eight!? Wow. And then her attire - that is something in itself. Well, I am very happy that she is gone and I am so excited to see this match when I get home tonight. I want to see defeat. This defeat made the day so much sweeter. She gone! And the other player - I have no clue who she is but she will be remembered for bringing down Sharapova. Even more so - continuing reading readers.

Now, Roddick was eliminated by Tipsarevic. Remember readers - earlier this year in the dead winter of January - It was Friday night, Saturday Morning in Colorado when we saw this sort of look on Janko's face at the Australian Open. A look of fucking determination and a look of I am giving this my best tennis against another seeded player. That look Tipsarevic had when playing Federer at the Australian Open is displayed in this one picture from the match I have yet to see. Fucking determination. A true warrior looking for a battle upon the greens of the United Kingdom. I was on my lunch break listening and watching the live score tracker and I was cheering for Janko all the way. My co-workers knew that there was a smell of defeat and the cheerful side of Mr Charley was going to be appearing in a few. I am just so glad that the match was finished before darkness would have stop play.

I was able to listen to most of the events on Radio Wimbledon at work which is on the website www.wimbledon.org

I will give you a summary on the matches that I will watch later tonight that I did record.

By the way this made me laugh

After dumping former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova out of the tournament, Alla Kudryavtseva really twisted the knife by declaring she didn’t like her fellow Russian's famous on-court outfit.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Bike to Work Day 2008

Greetings Readers

Well, well, well another Bike-to-Work day goes down into the books.

This is another one of those days that I do not wear any earphones. Why? Well, I want to hear all comments made by the other bikers and the volunteers at the various bike stations around the DTC (Denver Tech Center) that are usually directed to yours truly.

Oh yes, the good and the bad comments So be it and I am not one to worry about if the comment is a bad comment. However, if the comment(s) is a great one, such as the one I heard yesterday and that would one of these...

"That is one fucking awesome bike jersey"
"That is a cool jersey"
"Quit your bitchin!"
"Cartman Rocks!"

"Sweet jersey"
"Nice jersey man."
"Love the jersey."
"Where did you get that awesome jersey."

Unfortunately, I can not remember all the good comments I heard nor can I re-collect how many riders laughed behind me when I passed them on Bike to Work Day.

Anyway, I knew that was going to be the case about the Southpark bike jersey and that is why that I took the extra long route into work. Number one was to show off the Southpark bike jersey and number two was to get as much free stuff that I could. You name it and I took all items, food and drink that was possible.

I got bagels. Matter of fact, since I had quite a few bagels I saw another bike to work commuter down in the shower area and we chatted for a bit. He said he started out early in order to get the south side of Denver in plenty of time for work. He left early and some bike stations were not open nor did he know that some places - i.e. Panera Bread - were giving away bagels and drinks. He did not know so I did a good deed and gave him a bagel - and not just a plain bagel, but a sesame bagel. Now, I now that makes up for something bad in my past.

Then, to my friend Bobbie Rae I gave her my Colorado Athletic Club VIP one day pass that I picked up at The Colorado Athletic Club" aka "the CAC". Well, I am a member so I really could not use that VIP membership pass anyway.

There were a lot of biker/cyclist on the road and the sidewalks on Bike to Work Morning. More so than I have seen in years.

People at work throughout the day kept asking me if I had a problem with all the riders out this morning.

I said "no", but I did have to adapt to the one day of the year bike rider that are a plenty going to work. I also had to watch out with the bike riders that could not ride 6 to 8 inches to the curb like myself. If that rider had to ride a foot to two foot from the curb in the street so be it. I just had to make sure that I made my passing move quick and use a bit more safety in passing since technically I was basically riding in the middle of the street. Nope, I have no right to call or even think something bad to that bike rider.

Other bike riders could not keep riding a straight line while riding in the street. Again, it did not matter to me nor did I say a word to those people. Again, I have no right to say to them "Say you might want to ride on the sidewalk as opposed to the street." Again, I approached them carefully and when the moment was right to pass them, I did with even more caution.

Yesterday was just another day for me, minus the T-shirt this year. I was hoping that I would have the rims that I ordered, but I have not gotten them yet. I am hoping this week though.

I would have loved to gone down to Downtown Denver, but with end of month close and deadlines that had to be done I could only stay in the DTC area and still make it to work before my regular starting time.

I guess if there was one thing I do hate about that one day of the year on Bike to Work day is the shower area. We only have one shower and more often than not there is a line to get in the shower. Also, there is little room in the shower area so there are quite of few us waiting outside the shower area that is located in the underground garage area. So, all in all that is the only thing I detest, but again nothing to get worked up about. Yes, I like a nice hot shower on the building's expense - you may know the phrase a free shower is better than shower that you have to pay for.

Oh, oh, oh - there is another item that I hate about bike to work day. The bike rack. I have "my own parking space" at the bike rack. It is sort of an unwritten rule - that is Mr. Charley's parking area on the bike rack. Even if you get in before me you just do not park your Road/Mountain bike in that part of the bike rack. Anyway, on Bike to Work day you get those one day a year bike riders that do not know where I park my bike on the bike rack as in the case of last year. However, this year I was the first in so I did not have the problem of having someone take "my parking space"on the bike rack. Sounds crazy, but I got to have something that I like to believe is my space.

And today's picture is the bike station outside my club, "The CAC" in Inverness.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Sex and the City

Greetings Readers

I guess I have to admit that I did enjoy the movie Sex and the City. I decided that I needed to see a movie on Sunday and this was also the movie that I was going to see when the movie first opened.

Why? Well, I have to admit that I became a fan when Sex and the City debut on WTBS years ago. At that time I had never, ever seen Sex and the City and I had no clue what the show was about.

Yet, when I saw the first episode on TBS I was impressed. Well, soon enough there was one day a week (Tuesday?)that was designated do not even think about calling, coming over or even bother Mr. Charley when Sex and the City was on. I would not pick up the phone, nor would I answer the door and nor would I cook anything for Jaci, at that time.

Funny thing is - I was watching the edited version of the show and I was enjoying what was being shown on cable. After a year had gone by I finally got the urge to go to the video store and rent a season that is unedited. Wow.

Well, I digress. The movie is a long movie - 2 hours and 20 minutes. Overall, I give the movie a high "B." The movie did start out feeling forced, so it took about 15 minutes or so for me to actually not think about it. Then, there was a scene that turned the trick and from that moment on I was drawn back into the Sex and the City world

I liked seeing Charlotte, Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, Harry, Steve and Magda. There are other characters in the series that made an appearance in the movie, but who I was hoping to see was Aidan. And there was a new character that I liked since see rented a certain something each week. There are many stories in the movie and more often than not I was behind one character's view while having thoughts on how can you say that to that person.

Sex and the City was definitely better than Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and The Happening. I did see the movie at the Landmark theatre located in the Denver Tech Center - all the free popcorn and drinks you can have.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Co-worker from my Past

Greetings Readers

13 years. That is how many years it has been since I last spoke to a former co-worker from my Tele-Communications Inc. days. Notice readers I wrote “co-worker” as opposed to a “friend.”

I am not going to specifically mention what race it was this year, but I saw a name, a woman’s name, that was pretty unique on the race results. I saw that name and I thought to myself could that be the same person from my beginnings in the professional work force of corporate America?

With the assistance of Google and a bit of investigating I was able to confirm that this was the very woman I knew back in the early nineties.

To preserve the woman's identity let me give her another name… hmmm Cruella? Nope. Carmella? Not that. How about “DJ”? When I able to unearth a picture of this DJ on the Internet I was able to authenticate that this was undoubtedly the exact person I worked with in the early nineties. Older, but I was still able to see that is was DJ from when I last saw her and now 13 years later the photograph would be what she would look like today.

With that it was evident that I had to send an email to her. I had thought about how to start off. How much should I say. In the end I sent an email pretty short and pretty vague in order to get DJ curious on the email I sent. Of course, there was a possibility that the email would be too vague and be deleted.

Did I care? Nope, but at least I took an opportunity presented to me. Anyway, my email was returned, but I was astonished by DJ’s email reply. I responded and then she answered back.

I had to shake my head in a no gesture fashion and murmured to myself “I fucking can not believe it.” Readers, I was not mad when I received DJ’s email and currently I am not mad, but I really could not accept that she could not remember me. At all. She then mentioned other names to me that perhaps I would remember. Remember? Remember I do. Especially the three years I worked in the same department as DJ – Risk Management.

For example readers, let me take and tell you readers about two specific memories that are the good and the bad of DJ I have of her. Are you ready readers?

The Bad.

When DJ was in her bitchy mode I avoided her entirely. What’s that phrase? Oh yeah. “Once bitten, Twice Shy,” except I was bitten twice. The first instance (memory) was when I was fairly new to the department. I was transferred to my new department, Risk Management, from the Payroll Department.

I had gotten a phone call that was meant for someone in DJ’s group and no one was available, except DJ. My caller had an emergency and the manager on the other end of the phone had to talk to a live person and now. I said hold on, which he immediately replied that I better not put him on hold. I replied OK and told him that I am going to lay the phone down on my desk while I go find someone he could talk to. So off I go and lo and behold DJ was the only person in her group that was present to take the urgent call I received.

DJ was sitting behind her desk with the Denver Skyline to the North outside the ninth floor. I am having a blank spot about what exactly DJ was doing, but I know it was either one of these scenarios. DJ was either fixing her make up or she was working on the computer. Either way who cares, but when I stood outside her office and told her the situation I presently had she threw me an attitude of “What the fuck are you bothering me for?” With that disposition she was displaying she also made it clear that she was talking down to me. Quickly, I told her she was the only one here in her group and the caller absolutely had to talk to a real person as opposed to leaving a voicemail. DJ shook her head, obviously with disgust and waved her hand indicating I could transfer the phone call to her to handle. I left DJ’s office doorway and went back to my cubicle. I told the manager who was still holding that I located someone for him that he could talk to and he thanked me. That was that.

Right after I transferred the phone call to DJ I really started to think of what just transpired between DJ and me. Granted, I was still new to the department and I could not act how I would of normally acted. If DJ had pulled that same scenario on me months later I would of said something back to her. Without hesitation I would of probably gave DJ my two cents worth. I personally do not like to be treated in this sort of matter I just wrote about. And it is not because she is a woman. We worked in the same department therefore I expect respect and not the “What the fuck are you bothering me for?” attitude.

And now the good.

The first time I remember was when Denver, Colorado got the Colorado Rockies – our first Major League Baseball (MLB) team. The Director of our department, let me call him “AK” for short, had told his department he had some season tickets to the Colorado Rockies and that four members of Risk Management would be able to go – via the lottery system.

All of us, I think, were ecstatic that we would be able to go to a baseball game during the workday to Mile High Stadium (by the way readers that was the only year I think that the Colorado Rockies played at Mile High Stadium [not Invesco Field] though I have not researched that particular history.) Someone wrote all of our names down on little pieces of paper and put them in a box to be drawn by AK. The first group drawn to go was me, TS (co-worker), ES (Co-worker) and DJ. Oh yes! You read that right readers. I told my former payroll co-worker, MB, the news and she called me a “little devil” then MB laughed. I was pretty happy after I knew that I was going to a Rockies baseball game with DJ. Oh yes, there was TS and ES, but I could care less.

So came the big day of the afternoon baseball game at Mile High Stadium. DJ and me had agreed to go together to the game. We agreed to meet at the RTD Park ‘n’ Ride off I-225 and Parker Road. From there we were going to take the special RTD Rockies bus to Mile High Stadium. DJ had some Ray Ban sunglasses, sleeveless shirt and shorts on. Oh, she looked good and she definitely had some nice legs, very nice legs.

There really is not much else to write in depth. We found our seats, right off first base. All four of us brought money with us and anything we bought… sorry I am smiling… well not exactly anything, but any food and drink would be reimbursed to us. That particular day was a picture perfect day or you might even say it was a “Kodak moment.”

Baseball on a sunny day, drinking beer, eating pizza, me sitting next to DJ and to top that off it was on a business day. What more could anyone want.

As we, DJ and me were leaving the game we stopped by a merchandise booth. We both bought a Colorado Rockies T-shirt. I think that DJ bought a T-shirt, because it was the Inaugural season of the Colorado Rockies. I bought my T-shirt because I wanted to remember the time I went to a baseball game with DJ.

There you have it readers, only a couple of memories from the early nineties at Tele-Communications, Inc. One good and one bad about this former co-worker I knew.

Why did I contact DJ? I wanted to see if she remembered me. DJ’s email did not break my heart since I have not thought of DJ for a very, very long time. I am not pissed off at DJ for not remembering me. Nor can I even think about calling her a “bad word.”

Anyway readers, I sent an email response to DJ and included my blog site address. DJ may read this or may not. Does not matter. Though I thought to share with you readers a part of my past life before becoming an Athlete. Whether or not DJ will email back is unknown. Though DJ did mention that she would be meeting our former Director - AK. I replied to DJ to say hi for me and tell AK “Thank you” for that one moment in his office in January. That one moment forever changed my life. And it was definitely for the better.

By the way – Posted is the T-shirt that I bought that day and wear every once in a great, great while and the other is a picture of the ticket itself. Nope, I kept the ticket to remember that this was the first ticket to my first MLB game – ever; and not because of DJ.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Flashback - Courage Classic 1998

Greetings Readers

Pictured is the first bike jersey that I bought at a bike tour event. The event was ten years ago. Wow. How times flies when you do not really pay attention. Ten years. The bike jersey is sort of cool these days, in my opinion - basically all white and a few logos and colors which makes the bike jersey alright. Though, at the time of purchase I thought that this was the most, as my ex-co-worker would say, "just so awesome" bike jersey.

I do not think that I have told you readers the story behind the purchase of this bike jersey. Or have I? This bike jersey was expensive, but at the time I wanted a bike jersey that looked like that. Also, at that particular time in history that was when I was rotating between the two solid yellow bike jerseys.

So this bike jersey is from the Courage Classic Bike Tour that is held in the Rocky Mountains over a three day period. The amount of mileage differs from year to year as well as location when I was an active rider in said tour.

Unfortunately, due to the Courage Classic Bike Tour upping their registration fee, applying a camping fee, a shower fee, and I think adding more meal plans the tour got too fucking expensive for me to really to participate and feel good about. Believe me I am all for helping out the Children's Hospital of Denver, but I need to make sure that I am not paying any more than I have to in order to enjoy the biking itself. Yet, when they started to add extra fees I got a chip on my shoulder and to this day that fucking chip is still there.

I forgot to mention that I pay for my own way into any bike event(s) I ride in. I do not believe in raising money for the event(s). I do not like the thought of going around and asking people to pledge money to help me. The way to look at it is basically you are asking money from people to help you to get to ride in the event. And me being me I hate asking for money. It hurts. Not only does it hurt I hate making people feel that they must give me money. Sorry readers when I type "give me" I really mean contribute/donate money to the charity itself. I do not want to make anyone feel that they must give me money or feel uncomfortable by saying no. If you say no then so be it, I am not going to hold that no to you nor will I remember and bring that up later in life and say "yeah that was the person who elected not to contribute to the Children's Hospital.

If I pay all the money myself then I am on top of the Earth. I know that by paying the entire amount myself I am content. I do not have to thank anyone for their contribution nor am I obligated to ride in said tour if someone contributed by assuming I was riding the tour for their contribution.

So, I think it was the second day of this bike tour when the route was staying around the Frisco, Breckenridge and Keystone area of the Rocky Mountains. Their was an option on the route and that was to go up Loveland pass. Loveland Pass. Wow, at that time the thought of climbing/riding up the Loveland Pass on a bike was something to brag about. Oh yes, readers I still brag about climbing Loveland Pass on a road bike anytime I get the opportunity to do so. I love showing my pictures that I have taken at the top of Loveland pass. I also like showing the picture of me standing next to the Loveland Pass sign that is the dividing line of the Continental Divide.

Pretty Cool.

So, when I approached the turn off section, option section, I thought right there that I was presented with a challenge. This is what separates the men from the boys and the girls from the women. To climb Loveland Pass would be something so fucking awesome to talk about after the bike event which was something that motivated me to take the option up Loveland Pass.

From my Spring training prior to the bike event I knew I trained, but the real question was did I train enough. Or more to the point - correctly. I self trained myself at that time and matter of fact I still self train myself.

I can not recollect the exact feeling or moments on that climb, but I remember the feeling of me actually riding up Loveland Pass. The Loveland Pass that is used when the Eisenhower Tunnel is closed and the only way to continue East or West is to take Loveland Pass.

I can not remember if the climb was truly hard or just something that was hard in general. I do remember that the number one goal was -NOT TO GET OFF THE BIKE AND WALK. That was the number one rule in my book and even today that is the cardinal rule not to break. Never, ever get off the bike and walk to the top of the mountain. Yet, I have walked my bike on some mountains so I have broken the rule a couple of times. I am human.

Present day - with my training I make sure that my hill climbing skills are superb. I never, ever want to walk my bike up a mountain. I want to ride smoothly and ride with style up a mountain. Again I think, I believe in my hill climbing skills. I often get cocky, I often joke and more importantly I make it a contest between me and other riders on a hill climb. I want to "shine." I get off being the guy who can take the mountain down and to leave riders in my wake.

Returning to the story, I made the bike ride to the top of Loveland Pass and the rest is history. From that moment on I knew my life was going to change - and change for the better.

The descent was fucking awesome. Who knew that I could get over 40/50 miles per hour on a bike. And at that time I had never crashed on a bike which meant I was fearless going down Loveland Pass on a bike. I was tucked in on my Motobecane and enjoying the descent into Keystone. I was holding onto dear life on the handlebars and I was enjoying the descent since I rode up Loveland Pass.

Fast forward - after the event I decided to go to the merchandise area and reward myself for climbing up Loveland Pass. I saw the bike jersey hanging on the tent wall and that my faithful readers is the story of the first official Bike Tour Jersey I bought for myself and how I think I got into buying the "cool" bike jerseys.

Presently, this particular bike jersey hardly ever gets worn anymore. It is dated and nowhere close to bike jersey designs these days. Yet, to me this bike jersey is "Old School". I decided to wear this bike jersey for old times sake and this was the first time in over a year that I have worn this bike jersey. I do have to admit that I wore my US Open White Bandanna with this bike jersey and changed the Oakleys lens to mirror black and I looked pretty decent. =).

I have fond memories of my first official bike event in my life and I remember reading the brochure that stated we riders have over 145 miles of biking in the Rocky Mountains. I remember thinking could I ride 145 miles in three days?

Now, I can do 150 miles in 10 hours on a bike event day. Now, that was something at the time I never thought of happening to me or even think of attempt to do. There was no try - either do or do not. And yes there is a bit of Yoda there.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

On the Eve of Summer

Greetings Readers

This week has been a bit unusual since we have had high humidity and a lot of ozone alerts in the Denver area. Both are pretty unusual events to be happening, that I am aware of.

Yet, when I got up this morning at 4:20 I was enjoying the one chirping bird that was whistling away in the distance. As if saying to the others - I am the first to chirp this morning. So, there I laid in bed listening to that one bird. The tune changed about three times. Soon others birds were joining the lone early morning chirper.

Then, at 5:30 the rain started to fall. Wow. I got two exciting sounds this morning. Birds chirping and then the sound of falling rain hitting the pavement. I was just enjoying the morning. Especially this morning. I was not expecting rain this morning, but then I was not even paying attention to the weather at all. Though my biggest concern was how long the rain was going to last and whether or not that meant that I had to fix the flat front tire on my winter / rain bike or is there a slim chance that I could a nice riding bike - Andrea.

And that was the morning. Pictured is the Colorado Lottery scratch ticket game that I have been playing for about three weeks. Well, not necessarily playing, but buying when I remember. I hate to say this, but I am buying the Colorado Lottery tickets since they have Indiana Jones on them. As of this week I have finally broke even on my spending on this scratch game. The Indiana Jones scratch tickets cost two bones to play as opposed to the one bone tickets I usually buy when I feel like spending/throwing money away.

Yet, these are Indiana Jones Lottery Tickets. Go figure. And yes, I am going to take my winnings and buy more Indiana Jones Colorado lottery tickets.

Here we are at - the last day of Spring and the First day of Summer is tomorrow. That also means that tomorrow is the longest day of the year and now we start losing daylight and the next thing you know it will be winter once more and Dec will bring the shortest day of the year.

This week also brings the start of the heat which does coincides with the first day of Summer. We, Denver, are expected to hit the 90's at the end of the week and the rain showers that do come at the end of the day are expected to hit the Eastern plains of Colorado. I guess I am all for that.

No bike rims, yet.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete.

The Scene of the Accident

Greetings Readers

... and then I sort of rode home pretty slowly since I fell into Mother Earth's arms and onto the ruts. Though I really felt the landing this time. When you fall / crash on a flat surface I usually think nothing of it, but Damn - this time I felt pain. Matter of fact, I can see bruises starting to form on my right outer leg and my left inner leg near the knee cap where I banged my left leg against the bike frame. Ouch.

I really never described my landing, but Damn I thumped the Earth. Since I could not clearly see the ground I had no clue whether or not there was a sharp rut or if there was going to be a rock or hard mud ball waiting for me on point of impact. I never was able to get my foot loose from the pedals. I saw my world go horizontal and I could feel that time went in slow motion on me. I was getting into a fetal position to protect me as much as possible and kept my hands on the handlebar.

The inexperience faller would try and brace for impact, which in could break one's hand, wrist or arm. Even more so a leg injury could be more serious trying to put a leg out for preventing a crash that was going to happen regardless.

I felt the rut clearly hit first and then I felt the side of my body hit the ground. I know that sounds impossible, but I felt that clearly in microsecond it happened. As I stated before I could not see so I could fucking care less about who saw me fall. Whereas if I could see I probably would have looked around and see if there were any witnesses to the crash then got up as quickly as possible.

And should I have seen someone and that person or people laugh at me, so be it. I have no right to call them a "bad word." Nor do I think bad thought about them. I know that there would have been a fifty fifty chance that I too would have laughed and or smiled at someone doing that.

I picked myself up and tried looking at myself with no contacts or glasses on and thought to myself that was a wasted effort. If I can not see how am I suppose to see any real damage to myself. I did feel the pain, but I did not see a red, meaning blood, so I knew that I was semi-okay.

And that my readers was the crash this past week. Pictured are the ruts in question. I think you can make out the size of the rut. This is the rut that cause the accident and the rut that is not pictured is just as the same rut as this one. And that was the rut that I fell on.

In closing, this bike accident could have been prevented if I had worn my contacts or glasses in the first place instead of not doing either. I have no one to blame, but myself. And I know not to assume, but I did and I paid for my assumption for this nasty fall on the dirt bike path.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Spaghetti Recipe

Greetings Readers

I guess this will be the first post to share a recipe. My original spaghetti recipe was altered and revised to accommodate a friend who has just found out that they have CHF. Little did I know what that was and how much of a life change needs to be done. Sodium is the number one thing that my friend needs to watch out for when they eat.

Bearing that in mind I decided to alter a spaghetti recipe that I have. Mind you I am not changing my original recipe and I will still continue to make my own recipe for my own consumption. However, should I need to make some for me and my friend then I need to make this recipe.

Let me start with the ingredients

Muir Glen - Organic - Tomato Puree (30 mg - single serving 1/4 cup)
Johnsonville - Italian Sausage - mild (710mg - single serving 1 link)
Hunts - Tomato Paste (263 mg single serving 2 tbsp) - THE WORST SODIUM CONTENT..
American Beauty - Vemicelli (0mg)
Suntastic - 6 Large Hydroponic Tomatoes on the Vine - Hothouse #1 (0mg)
Spice Islands - Pepper
Spice Islands - Thyme
Spice Islands - Basil
Spice Islands - Oregano
Spice Islands - Fennel Seed
Spice Islands - Bay Leaves
Yellow Onion - Diced 1/4 to 1/2 cup
Fresh Garlic - 5 cloves - Use Garlic press
Delallo Dipping Oil - Garlic Flavored - Any amount you wish
Fresh Mushrooms - Any amount you wish

I really came in low on the sodium on the recipe by paying attention; otherwise this recipe could have been easily 500 to 1500 mg plus. Sort of the recipe I use regularly, but catered towards to a CHF person, I hope. I am not expert, but I think I did a good job. Though I have not a clue.

Sorry, I can not give out my personal recipe =). Nor can I give out the exact measurements on the spices. That, in my opinion, is the key to a spaghetti sauce being excellent and a spaghetti sauce made by someone who does not have a clue. Anyway, finding that perfect taste is really to one's own preference.

Onto the directions...

Open the cans - empty contents into a crock pot. Get the crock pot going my friend! Meaning plug that bad boy into the electrical socket and I would keep at lowest setting for getting the sauce started.

Then, you start the Italian Sausage by cooking in an "Iron Chef" pan. Well, we all make exceptions so any frying pan will do. Though, the "Iron Chef" frying pan is all that and a bag of potato chips. Note: if you buy the links sausage please make sure that you take off the links wrapping before frying. If no wrapping then the Italian Sausage is ready for the frying pan. You can either open fry or cover the frying pan - either option is acceptable.

While you have the Italian Sausage frying away your probably need to start dicing the onion up. Cut to your desired eating size, or your family's size should you be "the servant" and must obey/oblige the King/Queen of the household's rules. Me - I dice pretty well and I am King of the castle. While you have the cutting board out you can slice the fresh mushrooms up. Put aside the mushrooms and onions. I would also keep the onions and mushrooms separate, but that is totally up to you.

Do not forget to stir the Italian sausage occasionally!

If the Italian Sausage is not done frying start the garlic. Once you get the wrapping off the cloves put into the garlic press and press away. I put the pressed garlic onto a plate. Now, I stated five cloves, but that depends on the size of the cloves. Please watch how much cloves you press. You can under garlic a recipe, but to go overboard with garlic can be something else. Woo whew! Oh yes, garlic smells nice, but tasting something over garlic is something that no one should experience.

Once the Italian Sausage is done frying please empty the juice that has probably accumulated in a pan into one of the empty cans you initially opened up. Do not dump the juice into the sauce! When I say juice it literally is fat.

Dump the Italian Sausage into the crock pot and mix up.

Clean the frying pan. I actually wash the frying pan as opposed to just rinsing. Once clean put on the stove and let the frying pan heat up.

After the frying pan has heated up please add oil. Coat the bottom of the frying pan with oil. Let heat up a bit. Now, I usually cook the onions first, then add the mushrooms and then garlic last. Remember readers - Garlic burns easily, but also you do not have to fry. You can just add the garlic to the sauce directly, if you want. I just love the way the garlic fries up and the aroma the garlic lets out while frying away on the stove top.

Cook the onions solo for a while, basically until you think that is the way that you want the onions to be. There is no wrong way. After you almost get the onions the way you want, please add the slice mushrooms. The mushrooms will soon shrink to a very small size. Again cook to your desired time. Once you have decided that the onions and mushrooms are almost done frying add the pressed garlic.

During the frying process you can either add spices to the frying pan or you can add to the crock pot directly. To me there is no right or wrong way.

Once the frying is done go ahead and add the fried onions, mushrooms and garlic to the crock pot.

If you have followed this process pretty closely the sauce and smell should be enticing.

Now, here is where I had made the mistake. As I listed the ingredients out you saw that I made a note on that can of Hunt's tomato paste. That little can is where the most sodium come from per serving. Matter of fact the sodium content is higher than the link of Italian Sausage and that was pretty amazing to me. I knew that the sodium content in the paste was going to be a lot since it is a paste. And that is why I bought 6 tomatoes. I should of not used the tomato paste at all and perhaps bought 9 large tomatoes. So, this next part I did do and could be used in case you want to forgo using a can of tomato paste and a can of tomato sauce.

Please wash all the tomatoes and remove all the little stickers on them before blending. I grabbed my big blender and decided to use that to blend my 6 tomatoes. I did not add the whole tomatoes directly to the blender. I cored the top of tomatoes and then I diced each tomato before adding to the blender. To me this was not foolish or extra work. It was just do. I also cut out the insides of the tomatoes and the seeds were discarded.

Once I got done dicing I adding the six diced tomatoes to the blender. I started the blender on the puree setting. Wow. The blender blended the tomatoes perfectly. I looked at the blended tomatoes and thought to myself that looks great. I poured the puree into the crock pot and mixed into the mixture already cooking away.

Now, with the fresh tomatoes I am betting that you could ignore adding the cans of tomato sauce and tomato paste in this recipe and just use fresh tomatoes all together. After all, the freshly blended tomatoes looked so pretty and fresh when I poured into the crock pot. So, should you want to try and use just fresh tomatoes please do. That in turn would lower the sodium content even more and basically leaving the Italian Sausage as the only sodium item.

I did not list water as an ingredient, but you can add water to the sauce in order to make the sauce less thick. Me - I like a thick sauce. Again, this is an option that you can consider. When I see watery spaghetti it reminds of restaurant spaghetti, which means it is bad in my humble opinion. Not bad tasting, but just bad presentation. And really does anyone want to see watery sauce?

And that is that. You can turn up the heat setting or not depending on when you want to eat. I usually let the sauce cook for a good six to nine hours. And my view on cooking Spaghetti sauce in less than an hour is just wrong. Wrong!

And the picture has nothing to do with spaghetti, but thought to share a picture of some of my bike helmets.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete.

The Happening

Greetings Readers

I guess I did not tell you readers, but I did see "the Happening" on Sunday. I had pretty much resigned to take Sunday off, though I did want to ride once more. Especially on how my showing at the Greenwood Goosechase went the previous day. What also kept me from riding the day away was the fact that I got that serious cramp during the race. It was and was not a cramp, but darn close enough to make the muscle sore after loosing up the cramp, should had it went that far. So to be safe I decided to make Sunday a rest day.

With that in mind it was decided that I was going to the movie theatre. And this time this movie had better be better than Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

I did go into the movie with an open mind and no bias nor expecting something. I just wanted to know what the movie was going to be about and hopefully this will make me not think that I spent twenty bones on another movie (movie ticket, popcorn and drinks). It is getting way too expensive to see a movie for just seeing a movie these days.

Matter of fact, I think I might have mentioned this, but I can not justify spending ten to twenty dollars at a movie theatre when I can go to, for example, Best Buy and buy one to four movies for the same amount and have the ability to own the movie and watch anytime and any amount for as long as I have the movie. That is really the only way that I look at a movie in the theatre. Unless, the movie being shown is "the movie" that you must see. Otherwise, I can wait til DVD.

Getting off track once more. No spoilers to mention on "the Happening" so readers you will be okay to read the post to the end.

I liked the way the movie started. It took us movie watchers not even five minutes to start to get into "the Happening." None of this pre-stuff that really is a waste. Character development came later and was not stressed in this movie as other movies when the director spends 15 minutes or so of the movie before even starting the movie. I know this particular paragraph sounds confusing, but I do not know how else to word it.

I was pretty well content throughout the movie. No real dull spots, movie moved along coherently, and more importantly the movie did not break "the laws of nature" or "laws of sense"

I.e. - Like the prairie dogs in Indiana Jones. If anyone knows Prairie Dogs - Prairie dogs are not "munching" away at a meal in the darkness at night or even after sundown. They are down in their burrows protecting themselves from predators of the dark / night or sleeping. So, when Indiana Jones and the bad guy are on the rocket rail car rocketing across the desert at night with the many, and I mean many, prairie dogs sitting near their burrows eating away and watching the rocket car rocket across in front of them, did not make sense. Yes, I know it is a movie and I know that this particular scene is suppose to be funny, but it is literally impossible for a prairie dog(s) to do that in real life. So, when I saw that scene I was not laughing since I know that it is highly impossible - it just can not happen. I just shook my head in disbelief and silently said "I can not believe this".

Getting back to "the Happening" - the ending was acceptable. I did like the movie, but I think I really liked the movie because it was so much better than Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. And no, I am not saying that "the Happening" was bad - as my friend asked me on Monday -"What grade would you give the movie?" Well, I said a B- or a B

And the picture posted is probably the scene that got me involved into the movie- touching.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete.

The Post Ride Wrap-up

Greetings Readers

So, there I was on the lawn outside the Greenwood Village Chamber of Commerce or is that the Town Hall? I am not sure. Perhaps Both. Mute point. I was there just enjoying my post meal on the lawn waiting for the raffle. The big raffle. This is also where I get to meet and see some of the people that I saw out on the course. Most that I passed on the bike, but a few that passed me on the 45 mile route.

I got a pretty big meal, but I think I was full from eating that frozen custard, two of them, and three cups of coke. When I got my Hamburger, Macaroni salad, some sort of cheese and rice mixture I was nibbing away, but wolfing down the meal. Everything was great even the hamburger was cooked perfect. I guess I was already full in a manner of speaking.

While I was enjoying the meal I could not help to notice how many children there were. And me with the words "Quit your Bitchin'" I was getting self conscious of that "bad word" on the back of my bike jersey. I decided to lean back so the bottom of the bike jersey could not be seen. Even then I decided it would be best if I just lay back and enjoy the lawn, the sun and the meal on my back. I would have to say it was nice.

You would not think I would care, but I did. I just did not want a child to say to his / her mom that guy has a bad word on the back of his bike jersey. Nor would I want a child to have them ask their parent what that word means.

Fast forward, most of the raffle was completed. They almost called my number out, but I was four short. I could have had a nice prize. Anyway, before the big two giveaways - two tickets to anyway in the US and a road bike we (bikers & runners) had to endure an auction.

I mean endure in the most polite way The auction is for charity. Yet, what I do not get is why put a high dollar charity auction at this event. Most people do not bring over $ 200.00 nor expect to spend $ 200.00 at a bike / run event. We realize that our registration fee hopefully goes to the charity that the event is helping. Anything extra is great, but in my mind we have done what we have.

There was some very nice items, but let me get to the meat of why I bring this up. So, there came this one item that was up for bidding and that was a picture of L.A. at one of the final stages (time trial) at the Tour de France. The pciture's owner had spoke about the picture and who took it and why it was something special. Hey, I know that phrase - Something special. Something special my ass. Do not get me wrong the framed photograph looked good, from my viewing point (40 yards away or so), but the bidding starting out $ 300.00 if I remember correctly.

I know the proceeds, if all of the proceeds, will help the charity, but $ 300.00 bones for a picture of L.A. that was on a stage at the last tour de France was worth the $ 300.00 bones. Well readers, no one took the opening bid. We all looked at each other and looked around to see who would take the opening bid. No one. Meanwhile, the announcer was still talking away, then finally lower the price 50.00 bones to 250.00. Still no one took the opening bid.

You know readers - this sort of restores my faith in that no one really cares about L.A. Wait! As I mentioned this is at bike / run event and again who brings or plans to spend that much money. So that might have been the reason why no one took a bid.

Well, the lower opening bid still had no takers after about 15 to 30 seconds. Then, someone did - the owner of JD Bait's Shop took the opening. And he did win the framed photograph of L.A. which he indicated that he will display in his store. Yet, thinking about this I think that was "I felt sorry for you bid" to me. The item was not getting any bids compared to all the other items that were auctioned off, so in order for the picture's owner to save face the owner of JD bait's shop open the bid.

By the way readers just to mention -

The Greenwood Goosechase did help

Sungate Kids - Sungate is a not-for-profit organization serving Arapahoe, Douglas, Lincoln and Elbert counties. Sungate provides child victims of abuse with critically needed services including forensic interviews by specially trained staff, medical evaluations and supervised visitations. With Sungate's help, child victims can begin to heal and recover.

Sidekicks for Sight - Sidekicks for Sight is a volunteer group that raises puppies to be future guide dogs for Guide dogs for the blind. It is their job to see that the pups are raised with good house manners and are socialized to all the environments that they may be exposed to as working guides

Arapahoe Rescue Patrol - Arapahoe Rescue Patrol is a unique organization made of high school students. The patrol aids in search and rescue missions for missing persons and mountain rescues. Members are also trained in emergency care, swift water rescue, avalanche rescue and recovery, evidence search and disaster rescue.

And that my readers is the post ride wrap up and another Greenwood Goosechase notch in my belt.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete.

2008 Greenwood Goosechase

Greetings Readers

"Woke up this morning..."

What another beautiful Saturday Morning. I woke up ready to bike and start the morning off with the Soprano's. Nothing gets me in the mood like some Soprano's.

I could hear the birds starting to chirp away this morning at 4:40. I got out of bed and wrapped myself in a blanket since I did not feel like showing off my almost naked body. Though this was an opportunity to show off my thighs. =). The morning was cool and I could hear some water sprinklers in the distance. I also could literally hear silence, birds and water sprinklers. I was not focusing on another noise and it was very, very, nice. I could feel the cool morning air seeping into my blanket and it felt nice against my body.

Anyway, that was the morning. After some time it was time to get Rebecca ready for her first official ride of the year - The Greenwood Goosechase. I also had to pick a helmet and I pick the yellow Giro helmet. Now, the bike jersey. I already knew what bike jersey I was going to don for the Greenwood Goosechase. "Quit your bitchin!" I know there was no other choice for what bike jersey I was going to wear. Yet, The Greenwood Goosechase is sort of family orientated and the thought of walking around the event with a "cuss" word on the back of my bike jersey was something that I really did not want to do. Never-the-Less - I was going to wear the bike jersey regardless.

I did not pre-register so I was going to pay extra the day of the event. No biggie. I was unsure how the weather was going to be this weekend so paying the extra five bones was not an issue.

Fast Forward - The event looked pretty packed to me and I did chose the 45 mile ride - there was no option to chose anything less than the maximum mileage of this event. I saw a lot of bike jerseys that were just plain and simple. I also saw the Elephant Rock bike jersey for this year, the event that sold out before the day of the event. I saw some nice bike. I also saw some nice thighs from several women. Oh la la.

Registration went well and it was off to the starting line. I saw a lot of riders, but not really packed, packed. I picked a spot to wait for the starting time. I took a good hard look around me. I saw a bike that looked just like Andrea, but no where near the excellent condition that I have taken care of Andrea. I saw no other Southpark bike jersey.

The gun went off and my destiny awaited. I waited at the starting line until almost all the riders cleared out of the starting area. It was about two minutes later that I finally got going. The stranglers, but keeping ourselves safe from the maniac riders that must begin racing once it is time to start. Not me - as I stated before my MO is usually to work from the back of the back to the start of the pack. I like being behind and working myself to the top during any biking event. Being in front means trying to stay in front while you have an elite group of cyclist chasing you down. And more often than not it is the solo bike rider that must overcome a few riders of a cycling club working together to chase up down. Two, three and more riders working together will overtake a solo rider any day of the week.

Yet, there is an exception to that rule. I can decimate about all cyclists on a climb. Period. Damn proud and very confident stating that for the record.

Anyway, I started out slow savoring the start of my first official bike event of 2008. I also was in the mode of showing off my bike jersey. Not even 50 feet out of the starting line "Quit your bitchin" is what I hear when I slowly passed a few riders. They laughed and I smiled in return, not that they could see that smile of mine. It was worth every 80.00 bones I paid for the bike jersey.

After about 1 mile I decided it was go time. I also decided to take the extra longer route through the Highland canal. This was decided since I wanted the extra mileage, but in addition the weather was sunny so that meant the dirt trail was dry.

In fact it was too dry. All of riders who chose the Highland canal trail were leaving dust trails in our wake. It was that dusty and not that windy so the dust was sort of hanging in the air. This was especially good news since that meant all I have to do is get a wet paper towel and just wipe Rebecca clean later on.

Finally, onto Belleview and that meant this where I lose any cyclist following me on the trail and more importantly to see how my training has been going for the year. Coming off the Highland canal and going East is a pure climb towards to I-25 and then a bit 1/2 mile reprieve and another climb to the Cherry Creek State Park Reservoir. All in all it is a good warm up for the legs. I would say it took me about 50 yards to get in the rhythm, after that it was all business. I did do pretty good.

I was decimating a cycling club with a light gray and orange highlights bike jersey. I think, I saw Denver Hyatt printed on the back of the bike jersey, but I am not sure. I passed a couple of them. I started passing a lot mountain bike riders. Spinning in a high cadence rhythm (is that right?) and going nowhere fast. Me - I was in the lowest gear slowly turning the crank with a nice fluid motion. I got up a few times out of my seat to exert my dominance on the climb when I thought there was going to be a wheel sucker on the back of me. Not going to happen.

Then, as I was getting near Quebec street I see some spectacular calves pedaling away on a mountain bike in front of me. I was about 40 to 60 yards away, but the definition of the silhouette of the calves was remarkable. Definitely what I liked! I put the pedal down and decided right then to see how old, how good looking this woman rider might be. I caught her pretty easily and I saw that she was a bit older than me, but nothing I can not handle. I was still in awe of her calves. Yes, as you can guess calves, well a nice pair of calves is a huge thing for me.

Then, as a few of us got near I-25 the policia were in force and it was a stop and go traffic to get to the other side of I-25. I took in some water since I had time and surveyed my company. Not too bad. Then that is when I saw two riders of another cycling club sprint by me on the short downhill from I-25. I got back into the grind and then we were off climbing up Belleview once more. I saw that the distance that had opened up was closing fast between me and those two riders. Hmmm. Perhaps those two are not that good of a hill climber? Or perhaps saving strength? But, saving strength on a 48 mile route. Highly unlikely.

Soon, it was the two in front of me and me closing the distance fast. Soon enough I was on the back tire of the two and was deciding whether or not I should pass or see what these two were up to. Then I noticed that there was a third team member on the back left of my wheel. They (he) had boxed me in so I could not pass his two team mates. Motherfucker. I looked back left, looked in front and then took in the distance and speed I would need to "escape" the boxing they did to me. I was going no matter what and should the back rider hit my back wheel he is going down - not I. I can control a back tire hit, but rarely a front tire hit. I saw the chance and took it pretty soon I dusted that three person team. I kicked up my pedaling another notch and soon enough I looked behind me and I could not even see them.

I put some distance in between me and I also got the policeman's go ahead to turn towards Cherry Creek Reservoir. Thank goodness. I soon arrived at the turn off and over shot the entrance over the Dam. Well, that was the opportunity to let that team that boxed me in go ahead of me. The three were cruising at a good rate and alternating the lead. Meanwhile, I had to go from an almost dead stop to back up to riding speed. The wind had picked up a bit, a few riders were on the Dam, but really scattered over the Dam so there was no one really out on the Dam road.

Since I was riding solo and this was a real test of my training since the beginning of the year I decided to make this ride all about me and not wheel suck anyone. I let other small groups of riders go past me, which I had every opportunity to slip in back of their slipstream, but decided against that. So, going solo was something I felt pretty good about. Well, only three small groups got ahead of me and some single riders were slowly being overtaken by me.

Then, I caught some rider off the back left and 4 feet away. Basic standard spacing for any triathlon event for not getting DQ for drafting. I also saw that one drafting group was slowing down or I was speeding up and soon enough I knew that I could bridge the gap and catch them. I decided to show off right there. I got out off my seat and got those thighs moving. I saw that I was closing the distance on the Dam road in front of me. I took a quick look behind me and I saw that I literally left that rider to the left of me behind. Well, needless to say I bridged the gap before we got off the Dam road and I was pretty happy for myself doing that. This also help me gain some distance between the three riders who boxed me in.

Yes, the getting out of the saddle and riding like the wind took a big effort, but after that moment I did not feel that I had wasted any strength nor did I feel winded after that little effort. A short descent into Cherry Creek State Park with weaving on a bike path from the Northern Entrance. Then, a short distance later it was onto the asphalt road of the park. I had made myself go in sync with the other riders around me and get some water into me. I knew that there was another hill climb in the park and this was where I was going to make up distance I lost on the flats to the three riders.

The hill approaches and I saw that most, if not all riders, had slowed and dropped into their easy gears. Meanwhile, this was another shot (spot) to shine and show off. I kept Rebecca in the deepest gear and soon enough we cleared the first small climb without incident. I did pass about 10 riders. Then, there was a short flat and then another climb and that was when I saw the three going up the second hill. Damn, I was back into contention. Hill climbers they are not.

Soon it was onto the exit road of Cherry Creek State Park that empties onto Parker Road. A flat part of the course and this was time to catch some of my breath and see how much more of an effort I can get out of me. Mind you readers, I do not think that I had even gone 10 miles and I was pushing myself to LT breakdown. Parker Road came and went and it was onto the bike path from Parker Road into the State Park. We had company from riders going the opposite way, walker, dog walkers, and other riders going slower than us to deal with.

I saw the three in front and it was at this point that I realize that these three are going to be an incentive to push me to my limits (within reason, of course).

Flashback - the mayor of Greenwood Village had said at the beginning of the bike event that there was a rough rough on the East side of the Park and we should watch out.

Well, I was looking and keeping an eye out, but I could not for the life figure out where she was talking about. I knew Cherry Creek State Park, but never remembered any real part of the course being rough. Well, I reached a point in the course where we had always turned right, well this year the sign indicated keep going straight. That was when I knew this had to be the part that is rough. I keep my fingers on both sets of brakes, the path got rough and rougher. The morning sun was also casting shadows from the trees onto the bike path. I rounded a sharp corner I took wide, thankfully, and saw that the path had literally a big hole in the middle of the path. No asphalt was to be seen except for a few inches on either side of the hole (from what I remember).

In the spilt second I saw the hole I chose a path that looked pretty good to ride through. I did good. Then, the bike path had literally disappeared and I had to ride through another damage area of the bike path. Out of the woods and I could see the Cherry Creek State Road inside the park. Yet, there was an S curve and at the beginning of the S curve was a nice (a sarcastic nice) patch of sand (fine grain sand from the look of it). Fuck. I knew I was fucked. I could not turn at the speed I was going at without losing control of my bike. And I was not going down. No fucking way. I kept a straight line and rode through the sand and rode out onto the side of a hill onto the road, which the volunteers had stopped traffic just in time. I was not going fast, but I was not going slow.

It was time to get onto the road I was familiar with last year and that was bump, bump, bump from all the tarring that the park has done to fill in the cracks of the Cherry Creek State Park road. I hate those bumps. Small bumps, but can be felt on the handlebars and with every lap in the park it is fucking annoying to feel.

I saw more riders which I was able to pass with ease. Then, from the left of me it was one of the three riders that boxed me in. He was apparently playing catch up from somewhere and was trying to get to his other two teammates. Soon enough he was gone from my sight, only due to me keeping the pace I was at and him going all out to catch up to his teammates. I also attracted a wheel sucker that I noticed. I decided to make him work for keeping on my back wheel. Once more kicked it up a notch and soon enough he and I were working who could out ride the other. No contest, but he did pretty well keeping pace for about a 1/2 mile.

Now, it was onto a part of the course that I despise. Blind corners, always crowded, and very hard to get any speed. Which in fact this year I was able to use to help me catch the three. It is a gradual hill climb to the turnaround point, so that helped me to catch them faster. And more importantly, when the third rider caught up he had to catch his breath before the three started riding like the wind..

Soon enough, we four hit the turnaround point and apparently the three ran into a "friend." They stopped, I did not. This was my time to put some distance between them and me on the downhill and flats of the course. I did put the hammer down once more and got myself going as fast and safely as possible. I wanted distance since I know that these three will soon overcome me. Me against the three.

I had a nice ride back on the path to the road inside the park. Soon enough I was on a part of the road that I do enjoy. No bump, bump, bump and this is also an area of Cherry Creek Reservoir that I work on my sprinting. You either go with the wind or you go into the wind. Not a bad place of asphalt and that is why that I enjoy this little stretch of road. I did take a look behind me and saw no other riders, specifically the three.

I never looked back until the hill climb to the south entrance of Cherry Creek State Park. I saw one of the three riders making the hill climb behind me about 40 yards to estimate. I did not see the other two, but I am sure that they were right around the blind corner / tree. I decided to put some extra effort into my climbing and this was the opportunity to put distance once more between me and the three.

At the top of the hill was the rest station. I had water and I still had some orange goo and I did not have to go to the restroom. With that, I passed the rest station and headed down the front of the Dam on the bike path. I rested and drank more water since I had the chance to recover. I did not know if the three were going to stop or if they were going to try and catch up to me. It was all downhill and I was sort of keeping back some strength since there is another hill climb on the front side of the Dam.

I saw one rider in a green bike jersey and I saw that this rider was all business, like me. That meant I had something to go for and also keep me pushing myself to catch up to the rider. At the distance I was at I could not determine if it was a he or a she. Regardless, this rider was riding pretty darn good. Matter of fact, I could not tell if I was closing the distance between me and that green bike jersey rider. I did pass the same riders that the green bike jersey rider past. Soon, I was in sight of Parker road and I saw the green bike jersey rider just making the corner. I was getting close.

I would say I was about twenty seconds behind from my counting in my head to the point I marked off in my head on where the green jersey bike rider had left. Well, as I crested the top of the hill the rider was a he and he was stopped doing something. So much for that little incentive.

I still had no clue of the three and where they might be at.

And it was once more through the park, the turnaround, the south entrance of the park and then it was onto Greenwood Village once more. I stopped for a breather at the rest stop that I past twice. I was unsure of taking a break or to get back going. Well, I wasted about one minute and then it time to go.

I made the ride from Cherry Creek State Park solo, but I saw in front of me many, many riders that were held up at a intersection (Belleview). Nice, but not nice. I soon cleared the mass group of riders and was on my own on a short hill climb. I reached the top and soon I was coasting down to Orchard road at the speed of 21 mph (courtesy of the radar speed sign.) I could of rode hard, but I needed to gather some energy back from that little hil climb and not to mention that extra effort I have been doing to keep the three at bay.

I had to stop, red stoplight, at Orchard and it was the three that showed up on my wheel. We four waited about a minute and then we took off. Well, in that minute my leg and calves got a cramp. I could not sit and pedal. nor could I stand in a pedal. I coasted on the down hill trying to stretch the muscles. It was a cramp ready to go critical. I was almost finished and I had to get this cramp loose. I think it was from the hard exertion, and the sudden long stop that got the cramp started. Damn, I did not want to lose the three, but I knew that I was going to.

I let them go. Or they dropped me. Depending on your point of view. I was finally able to sit and pedal, but I needed to get back into a rhythm and keep the cramp at bay. I was able to keep them in sight of me about 50 yards, but eventually lost sight of them due to all the corners on the last four miles of the bike course winding ourselves through the DTC (Denver Tech Center).

The cramp in my calf took its toll and I knew that there was going to no way to catch up to them now. Especially, at the pace that I have been doing for the past two hours. I was tired, but not tired - just spent at mile forty something. I did the turning through the DTC and then soon enough I had reached Orchard once more.

Lo and Behold - the three. They got caught at the intersection at the red light. As well as about 20 other riders. Wow. What luck. I gathered what strength and got ready for the green light.

The three took off, as well as another rider and then me a close forth. The three did not take off immediately, but still kept a nice pace. They were yelling, basically happy yelling for their confidence - perhaps? or the end? Who knows. I would say I kept them at a ten to twenty yard distance. Then, as we neared the Arapahoe Light Rail Station they got the green and I got the yellow and red light right after they cleared the intersection. Fuck. I had the three. And more so, I had the Yosemite Hill climb up and over I-25. I had them. A fucking red light at the right moment for them, a wrong moment for me.

I mentally cursed at no one except the stoplight and my timing. Finally, a green light and it was off once more. About a mile left and I was unhappy that I got the red light when I so had them on the last hill climb.

More turning through every corner in the Denver Tech Center, passing Fiddler's Green and then finally approaching Quebec street at mile 48 for the last time. I coasted into the finish line and that was that.

And my rider number was 1064..

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete