P90X - 2014 - Day 2

Greetings Readers

It is Day Two and boy my chest, biceps and back are sore.   It seems like I got really sore in the past couple of hours. 

I did the Chest and Back routine for Day 1 last night.  I forgot some of the routines that I did a couple years ago, but there are other routines that I did remember, but forgotten that I hated those routines.  The Dive bomber.  Fuck me.  I forgot how much I hated.  The other was the pull up bar.  Since it was Day 1 let me just say that the pull up bar reps were not very high.  Embarrassing.  The second time around I used my exercise machine that has cables and which is included in the P90X program as a substitute for the pull up bar.  

Then, finally the Ab Ripper X.  I remember this one, but I did not remember all the routines on there and I knew there a few and I also remember the time was about 16 to 18 minutes long.  So, I had another additional time frame on top of the Chest and Back routine.

Needless to say I sweated hard and my T-shirt was soaked in sweat and did what I could last night.  There was only a couple of times that I kind of gave up.  A couple. Then, those words which any P90X knows - You have to bring it.  You have to give everything you got in order to see the results.  If you don't then you are not going to get results.

I did mess up last night when I started when I was doing the routines that needed the bar bells.  One a couple of routines I was using and 25 and 20 weight at the same time.  I actually did not notice until I started doing the Back fly.

Dumb. Dumb.  My worksheets that I printed off worked awesome.  Better than the spiral notebook I used the past two times I did the P90X.

And guess what - it has been two and a half days without a Coca-Cola, or and sugary drink for that matter.  3 days without any alcohol.  I was feeling funny yesterday.  And that was probably the withdrawal of some sort.  Now, I think that this will happen again in a few days or perhaps a week.  I do not know, but I know going cold Turkey is tough.

Yesterday, I had my first Whey Drink.  Yuck.  Then, after the workout I had the recovery drink with creatine added as well and I have to say that was alright.  Better than alright.  Better than I expected.  So, I think I will up the creatine just a tad.  I think that helped to the recovery drink.

I finished late last night - so I had to shorten dinner basically.  Asparagus and the remaining Wild rice.  I did buy more Salmon last night, time got late though since I had to get to bed to get the necessary seven hours of sleep.

Right now, I had the chef salad for lunch and then tonight I think I am going to make the shrimp stir fry. 

When I got ready to go to work I was tired, just a bit sore, but the tiredness was what I knew before.  I could bike ride to work, but will take some time or I catch RTD.  So, I biked up to the Light Rail Station and then caught Light Rail in.  I had to.  Not Lethargic.

I guess that is about that.  Again, I feel better today than I did yesterday.  Though this water thing sucks.  I am not craving a coke, but I did take a look at the Lay's Potato Chips in Safeway last night when I was buying the Salmon.

Readers, I have been talking about the ex to you.  Since the ex- wrote and text that she wanted to talk the ex always found a reason and/or excuse to not to talk.  Or say the ex was planning to talk when I said something in one of the last emails to me.

I did make full closure about two weeks ago, but the real closure was about two months ago.  The things I wrote just this past week brought up memories that I was re-collecting so the anger you read it was true and what set me off to type those blog posts.  I am not angry anymore, but I hope you understand remembering and telling you Readers, brought up some past feelings.  Though I do consider this positive therapy since I am telling you Readers and knowing that I am done with the ex for good, and the ex's children, and the ex's family, and the ex's cats.

I am typing this at lunch so if I have the strength later tonight I will try to add some photos of the past two days.  The blog is the journal for the P90X program so I am going to once more use for that since it does help me and may help or encourage you to start an exercise program. 

I even tired to play Minecraft last night, but I was whipped and wanted to lay down and crash out.

Oh a note - I am not sleeping through the night the past couple of days and I think that is due to going cold turkey.  Again, just what I think.

And I actually had cottage cheese for the first time by itself in a long, long time.  And you know what Readers it was not as bad as I thought that first bite was going to be.  I have to admit it was kind of good. 

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The P90X Athlete on Day Two

What I do to save RTD/Lightrail fare

Greetings Readers

The things that I sometimes do to save a penny. So, the snow storm came in and this time there was a lot off snow and I could tell right from the front windows that riding any type of road bike was going to be almost impossible. That being said I had to get Lily for another ride.

I left Lily out on the deck since the weather has been nice for a bit.

I got outside and found out that the snow was was heavy and wet. As opposed to soft and fluffy. Meaning that made my ride just extra harder.

Even that said the RTD stop is right there. However, this morning I did not want to give up $ 2.25 for public transportation. Also, how long was the wait going to be for the next bus to come by – which comes every 30 minutes or so. Would I be catching right away or will I have to be waiting for bit for RTD to arrive. And with the weather I did not want to be just standing around in the cold and slightly windy morning. I would rather work up a sweat and get my blood flowing.

Getting out on the main thoroughfare in my residential area was tough. Even more so what that the street was not plowed. That meant I had to bike in the vehicle’s tire tracks that have been so far this morning.

With the fresh snowfall the sidewalks were not going to be plowed. So, basically I was fucked. And the morning commute was not going to make this ride any easier. And I was not going to cave in and pay for public transportation this morning. No way. No how. Pretty soon I came to a part of my bike route to work where I am able to follow a bike trail in most of the way to work. That was my biggest concern since I know that was not going to be easy. And going through the residential areas are even tougher since technically these residential area are sort of isolated area with only a few ins and outs of them.

The biggest thing for me was once I got onto the bike path I better not stop. Once I stopped riding I was not going to be able to start riding due to the snowfall. Needless to say I was forced to a stop twice and managed to get on my bike and pedal after a few tries. Just the type of snow as well as the depth of the snow that made the riding difficult.

Soon, I was off the bike path and once more back to residential riding. Whew. There was this lady shoveling her driveway and said something like “You’re brave.” To me. I smiled.

The last part of my journey to work was going to be another challenging issue. There are sidewalks, but this morning none of the sidewalks were plowed. So, that meant I will be riding in the streets. And where I work there is really only two ways (streets) to work so I can not use back streets or cut across fields/parking lots, etc. With that said traffic was going to be a problem. Luckily I know the stop light timing at the intersection where cars are going the same direction I was. That way I can sort assume when traffic will be coming from behind. Mind you, I trust myself riding in the street. However, it is snow and perhaps ice; therefore either I or the vehicles could slip and slide. What if I slip and fall when a vehicle is right behind me? What if a car brakes and starts to slide?

Finally, 1 hour and 10 minutes later I was at work. A tough and long commute, but the bottom line is that I saved 2 dollars and 25 cents. Er. Actually, I saved 4.50 since I rode home that evening.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

P90X - Day Off - Letharic State!

Greetings Readers

This began yesterday afternoon and continued into today when I woke up. I could not move hardly. I slept hardly. The most I slept was in two hours intervals. I slept on my bed, the floor, the couch, I sat up, and I just felt horrible. The headache was bad yesterday. I felt spikes of pain in my joints - something like I would imagine arthritis would feel like.

This state of Lethargy happened to me last year while I was on the P90X and it was very bad. I, of course, really knew nothing of this in the state I was in last year. But was worse was that I got very sick and that took me off the P90X plan for about 2 weeks.

This time around I recognized the signs (though not right away) and immediately started to dump sugar, some carbs and some saturated fats into my system. I did not run, I did not exercise and I am not going to do the diet at all today.

It kind of sucked that of all days this had to happen - last day of the accounting month as well as "my duty" has to be done - paying the rent for our company I work for. And there is alot of rent that I have to as well as the recon before leaving for the day. Yes, the person above me could do it, but what takes me four hours to complete would take him/her eight hours to complete. So, I really had to be in. Anyway, I left work right after we shut down since nothing can be done when the system shuts down at that time. I took Light Rail home due to my state. Even though it is about 6 six miles and 1/2 down hill I could not risk really losing energy and not being able to pedal. Which is what happened last year. I coasted basically downhill to Qdoba's from Lightrail on my bike - I ordered a chicken burrito (with tomatoes, guacamole, hit sauce, Black beans) and a side order of Chips/Salsa. Then, basically rode downhill all the way home. guacamole!?!? The first time EVER that I ordered guacamole in any food! I hate the way guacamole looks like, but a friend who is also an athlete recommend having an avocado (since is has fat). The first bite was tough, but I have to admit it was not bad. Not good, but it was okay. What I mean is I actually ate it and did not make a face or spit it out. Thank goodness - I was able to eat half the burrito and some chips. I fell asleep right away after eating and then I woke up about 9PM. Took, a Nyquil then slept until 5 the next morning. Note: I did buy a bottle of Coca-Cola this morning, but I did not drink. Day 21 of No Coca-Cola today. I bought it specifically for the sugar (well technically the High Fructose Syrup), but I am happy to say that I did not drink. Until the next time Daryl Charley The Fallen Athlete

P90X - Day 5

Greetings Readers

When I woke up the day immediately hit me like a freight train - I am sore and hurting in a manner of speaking. My mood is that I am beat fucking tired.

My body may have hit the too much "healthy" food and no sugar, carbs or anything that I am not allowed to have - as well as working out almost every body part.

I did not wake up shaking or anything like that, but when I woke up I was tired and everything was sore. I mean everything.

I had planned to make my lunch before leaving for work this morning, but that was not going to fucking happen. I know, I know Readers, I should have made the salad the evening before. But elected not to since I did plan to make my lunch salad in the morning.

What I did not count on what how I woke up and felt.

I dragged myself out of bed and basically dragged myself around my humble abode trying to move quickly and forget the rest that I wanted to do. I focused on trying to get ready and out the door. I woke up late and I was going to have to take the RTD bus and Light Rail to work due to how I felt. And if I was going to do that I had to get a move on before I miss the bus and have to wait about 30 minutes for the next bus to come.

I hate buying the salad lunch at work - basically about 6.00 bones. Yet, we do have a health conscious food place so I am sure that I could get a semi-healthy meal to buy, if I am allowed to buy one.

The other thing I was hungry. Real hungry. No egg whites hard boiled this morning. I guess I am going to be making one more stop this morning. McDonald's. That was the only place open at 5:30 in the morning on the route I was going to work on.

I know, I know, but I really was hungry for a Brekfast potato wedge and Egg McMuffin, and I had to satisfy that small craving, but more importantly that hunger. And I needed some fast energy, I think.

I got off the bus stop near McDonald's and went in. I also had a drink and I did get some sweet tea. Yes, Sweet tea and it did have sugar. I did not have a lot, but I did have some. The real first sugary drink in about 9 days. It was good. I felt guilty, but also knew that I was not going to go on a bender of Sweet Tea and Breakfast Potato Wedges. I did my best not to eat the yellow yoke in the McMuffin, but alas that said I was also eating the muffin - which is a no-no also.

As I was waiting for the Light Rail train to come I quickly ate the rest of McMuffin and saved the Sweet Tea for later. Why? That was going to be a drink to be savored and also it was going to be all I was going to have.

Soon, lunch came and I was still hungry. I decided to head to the place that serves meals. And that was where I saw Jerky Chicken with a rice mixture (sign indicated 323 calories). That did not sound too bad. Though there were two things that were "bad" about the meal and that was the chicken skin (fat) and the white rice (I should not be eating at all). I did not eat the chicken skin, but I did eat the white rice. That was something that I did not want to do, but I did since that was the only side dish to the meal. I know the chicken was healthy since that is on the meal plan and is lean, I think.

And that was the day. I did know this type of day was coming, but I did not think it was going to happen today. Oh, as you can see from the picture I took of myself does reflects on how I felt. Sore, tired and too exhausted to even get a smile.

Also, this time I am very aware of what I ate all day and what the consequences were. I am not ashamed, but that should be the last time that will happen.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

It's gonna get colder baby!

Greetings Readers

Fuck me. You know Readers? From time to time I have shown (written) that I am a "penny pincher" from time to time.

Anyway, it got colder today.

So, there I was getting off work later than I should of and knew that I was going to take Light Rail and then try to time the RTD bus on the bus route that I need to catch on the way home.

I got changed, bundled up pretty good and my fare ($2.25) ready before heading out in the sub-zero temperature outside. I was riding on the streets due to the sidewalks not being shovel out from the snow. Anyway, it was about 6:00 P.M. so traffic was light.

I came to the street that I was to turn on when I thought to myself... what if I have to wait for the next Light Train to come? I ain't going to wait in this mother fucking cold. No way. And then have to pay 2.25 just for a short Light Rail ride and then perhaps another wait until a RTD bus shows up for my bus route? No way. I am keeping my money. I would rather suffer now and keep the money than have to wait for the Light Rail, get warm, get cold waiting for the bus, and then finally get warm on a short bus ride home.

Six miles. Yet, miles in this fucking cold. Well, I kept on riding and was doing good. Though until about mile three, I estimate when I started to feel the cold in my fingers, feet, and the outside of my thighs.

And that is where this is the picture was taken about. About three miles from work and about three miles from home. I thought what the fuck. I stopped riding and decided to take a picture. Might as well mark the moment on this frigid evening. Also, it would stop the frigid wind I was feeling on my body and face from bike riding with Lily.

In the end I was very cold, but ok in a manner of speaking - as long I was not misery cold. I thought about taking a hot shower to warm up, but then thought otherwise. I turn on the t.v. switched to W.W.E. Raw, then turned on the stereo and turned off the t.v. I was going to crawl into bed and just listen to the t.v., W.W.E. Raw, in the dark.

Man oh man, certain parts of my body were very cold. It was cold in the sheets, but I could actually feel the frigid cold that my body experienced. Wow. I would say all in all it took about 30 minutes for me to actually feel warm and okay. The outside of my thighs got real cold. That is the part that usually does not get cold due to the pedaling and the blood flow being circulated in the thighs. Yet, tonight the skin on my thigh was icy cold to the touch.

Crazy.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Has the End of this Blog arrived?

Greetings Readers

I am not sure if I read the news on this blog site (blogger.com), but from the way that I have interpreted the news was that I will now have to buy a domain (since I have no domain - .com) in order to continue to blogging on blogger due to changes being made.

I am kinda of sad to hear this since I use the relatively easy publishing process. Sure, I had a website 8 years ago and thought that was the bomb. Since I discontinued my Internet service a long time ago I now have to pay for everything that usually comes with packages when you have Internet service.

I have Internet at work as well as the library and over at my friend's humbles abodes.

Why pay when I really do not need service? I made that decision a long time ago and I have to admit that after terminating service I was "lost" and kind of like "Oh my gosh how in the world am I going to live my life without the Internet?", but then I learned to live without. The expense I was giving up (back in the day I was paying either $ 20.00 or 24.99 a month) became my money again. Matter of fact, if I was to base my savings on $ 20.00 - times that by 12 and it comes to $ 240.00 a year. Taking in inflation, broadband (back in the day I was on dial-up) now the thing and much more expensive than dial up I think, Internet over a certain amount bytes which they may either had more money or cut you off I think an average cost these days would probably be $ 500.00, I think?

Sorry Readers, I got off track of the real topic.

This blog site. Again from what I just found out I think that in March my blogging days will be over. Unless I get a domain. I did check a few other blog services and I do see one possibility.

Then, I thought, my blogging for the past year has gone down. I have reasons, but do I really need to give you one? or ten? No. You Readers probably could care less. I know if the roles were reversed I would care less. Kind of like my ignorant bikers I follow... followed. Their blogging I think is over, but that does not stop me from stopping in from time to time to see if there is a new post. Ignorant was used and I did use as a label, but they did learn from their blogging when they did blog. Whether on there own or perhaps by my blogging and/or comments. I do not think of them as Ignorant anymore - they learn a lot as well blogged about biking. More so than myself about biking and I consider myself a hard-core biker.

I have a lot of unposted blog posts, but either they are no good to post, not finished, or I just have not gotten to post. I started blogging and blogged rarely in the beginning. Then, soon I blogged like a mad man thinking that I had to blog to get my blog post numbers high. Now, I am blogging rarely once more.

Is the circle complete? For me? I have not run out of blog topics. I have stuff on sport events. a topic about "Mr. Bent". Serena Williams threatening harm of a line judge at the US Open in New York. My views on Tiger Woods. A graffiti artist gets electrocuted while tagging a Transformer station in New Mexico and how this was sad and you need to feel sad for the guy (but he was tagging therefore it was illegal! A fucking tagging a transformer station - a dumb fuck). The White House Party Crashers. On on a former radio DJ that was on Alice - Jamie White. A "Mr. Dick". a few don't fucking bother me at a bus stop stories (my favorite topic to share with you Readers) and so goes the stories I have yet to share.

I have things to say - often blunt, sometimes rude, yet there are the nice, the generous and the few I got thrown under a bus (metaphorically speaking) stories.

I am in the dark and let me see if I can step up my blogging for this month and entertain you Readers for what could be my final days on blogger.com.

P.S. The picture is of the DTC area this morning looking Northeast from the Greenwood Village Movie Theatre. I am currently riding Tracey since Lily had something go wrong with her about two weeks ago. A nice morning ride to the Light Rail Station. Sorry the picture is not clear - I took of the flash and I can see that I was not holding the camera steady.

"The Beginnig of the End"

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Busted on the LIght Rail Train

Greetings Readers

The Sun has made an appearance in all her glory - finally. Anyway, let me tell you Readers about this incident in my past....

Some of you faithful Readers know I have my moods. Most times it does not take much to piss me off. Yes, I admit and confess to that; after all I would be liar to say that I did not.

This incident happened the day I was leaving for our Ranch in New Mexico. I did all the work at work that I needed to do before leaving for my short vacation. I went home and got my bags then left for the bus station that is located downtown.

I went to the bus stop that is located near me since I would need to take the bus to the Arapahoe Light Rail Station.

Eventually, I got to the Light Rail Station, but I missed the Light Rail Train going North since the ticket machine was fucking with my money. I hate these fucking machines – you cannot plug the money right after another. You have to actually let the coin go in and wait about 2 seconds before depositing the next coin. Otherwise, if the coin follows the first coin to closely the second coin will be returned to you. Your fucked when the Light Rail Train is there and you have coins galore to feed into the machine. Needless to say I was fucked.

Bye bye Light Trail Train.

Damn.

So, I got my upgrade ticket and had to wait for the next Light Rail Train going to 18th and California. I was the only one waiting there since I just missed the Light Rail Train. As I waited a Light Rail Train going South arrived. Soon all the Light Rail Train Riders that needed to get off got off. All, but one with a child headed to wherever they were going.

I waiting at one of the entrances I normally board at. While I noticed the person with the child in tow was standing near me about three feet. I did not acknowledge this person, because I could care less. Although, I did wonder why this person was not going wherever they needed to go. Nor did this person go to the ticket machine located at the other side of the Light Rail Station.

About 10 minutes later the Train that I needed to get on was coming into the Arapahoe Light Rail Station. Since I was there first I was first in line to board. Yet, this person walked without so much a look at me to indicate that she was going to cut in front of me with their child. Readers, I have no problem with letting a person get ahead with me with a child in tow, but not to so much even acknowledge me as “please may I cut in” look or something to that effect.

Nope. Nada. Nothing.

Not that you have to guess; I got a bit pissed off. Then to top this off when the Light Rail Train was about to stop there was two bike riders; a man and a woman (probably in their early 20’s) who were getting ready to get off with their bikes.

The person who cut in front of me without so much as glance at me started to go into the Light Rail Train without letting the bike riders get out first. The guy immediately made this person trying to board the Train stop them in their track and made no effort to move. That person with child in tow immediately moved out of the way just enough to let him out with his bike.

Now, here is the fucked up thing. Readers, while the wait was about 10 minutes not many riders showed up, which meant that there was about 5 other entrances to the three other Light Rail Trains that were connected together going to 18th and California. Of all places to board this person chose the entrance I was waiting at and to cut in front of me. That is messed up Readers.

As soon as the guy was off the Train that person with child in tow immediately boarded the train. The look on the woman biker’s face was the pure “What the fuck” look. I could not believe what I just witnessed either. As soon as the person with child in tow was clear the woman with her bike was able to disembark. Yes, I waited until the woman and her bike was off the Train before I got on.

That person with the child in tow took the middle seats between the doors of the Light Rail Train meanwhile I took one of the small seats near the end of the Light Rail Train cars.

Soon the Light Rail Train was off and running. A thought occurred to me this person did not buy a ticket while I was listening to my Ipod.

Then, it was not even 15 seconds later that person with the child in tow pulls out a cell phone and then starts speaking in a language I did not know. This person was not talking normally, but at a loud enough volume to bother me and one more rider on the Light Rail Train.

I was already pissed at this person for cutting in front of me and now to be talking too loudly I was getting more pissed off. To get me going I started talking out loud about how I could not hear my music for someone talking too loudly on a cell phone.

That person with child in tow and cell phone firmly against their ear ignored me or did not even know that I was talking out loud about them. I probably looked ridiculous myself. Oakley’s on when there was no sunlight, my earphones in and me just looking like “do not even think about fucking with me” look on my face.

Two Light Rail stops later “the man” boarded. I was getting more pissed off as the seconds rolled by and I still could hear that person talking loudly on the cell phone in a language I could not identify. “The man” then asks me for my fare. I pulled out my ticket upgrade and my bus transfer and held it out in my palm to “the man”. I did not look at “the man”, but just continued to look at the person with the child in tow with the cell phone firmly placed against their ear.

Out of the corner of my eye I could actually see “the man” really checking out my tickets. I could care less at the moment, but would have if I were not focused on the person with the child in tow. I would say about 20 seconds later I hear “thank you” from “the man” and at that moment I looked at “the man” and pointed at that person with the child in tow “they do not have a ticket.”

“The man” nods his head at me and then walks to the person with child in tow.

“Ticket please” I hear the “the man” say to the person with the child in tow.

At this point I push stop on my ipod, because I wanted to see what was going to happen.

“Excuse me, ticket please,” I hear “the man” repeat himself.

The person with child in tow did not even look at “the man.” The person with child in tow just kept talking loudly in whatever language they were talking in to the person on the other end of the cell phone call.

“Ma’am.”

She looks at with him while talking on the cell phone.

“I need to see your ticket.”

“Ma’am. Your ticket please.”

Eventually, she hangs up the cell phone and then starts to look in her purse. Two stops later, she pulls out a bus transfer ticket.

“Ma’am this is from this morning. I need to see a current ticket please.”

“Do you understand me? What is your name?”

She looks at “the man” without saying a word.”

“Your name please”

Readers I am going to sum up the next part. “The man” asked her for her Date of birth. Where is she going. To no avail. Soon, “the man” got her to call whoever she was talking to get some answers. “The Man” was not going to walk away and give up.

“The man” has a conversation with the other person on the other end of the call and soon it was worked out that she was getting off at Broadway – he also got her name.

When the Light Rail Train eventually arrived at the Broadway Station I saw “the man” get off and then the woman with child in tow got up to get off also. As the woman got up she looked directly at me – “the death to you” look and it was at that moment I smiled my pearly whites directly at her. She eventually turned away, but when she got off the train she stared me down from the Broadway platform. She knew she was in trouble with “the man.”

This was due justice in the world – the ying and the yang.

For her incredible behavior for cutting in front of me, for not letting one of the bike riders to disembark from the Light Rail train first and for talking so loudly on the Light Rail Train and being rude to other passengers this was her punishment for being insolent to others on that faithful evening.

Now, you Readers may think this was my fault, but it was not. If I had not said anything to “the man” he would have asked for her ticket anyway. The woman with child in tow may have been doing this type of thing for a while. Perhaps the woman with child in tow may have been getting warnings up to this point. Perhaps. You can not claim I did not know you had to buy a ticket when there are usually more than two ticket machines located at most of the Light Rail Stations.

Yes, I got a certain satisfaction when “the man” walked her away from the Light Rail Train at the Broadway Station. Call it fate. Call it what comes around goes around. Call it karma. Call it you just “f’d in the A.”

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Coming of the Storm

Greetings Readers

Bad Ass

Or so I do from time to time think of myself upon Mother Earth.

Yet, I know from a different point of view I was stupid. Your view depending on how you see the world from your eyes, as well as read.

As living as a true American I have that freedom to view myself how I want to others as well as have a voice (an opinion).

Yet, let me be truthful to myself I seriously fucked myself on my ride home.

I did not leave to go home until about 8:15 last night. As I waited for the parking garage door to open fully I saw the gleaming wet pavement from the sodium arc streetlights and knew that either rain or snow awaited me.

Neither really. It was that pellet like sized hail that was falling in the late evening night. I soon quickly found out that the wind was blowing from the West and North and steadily.

When I did turn to bike North I immediately felt the pellet like snow hit my face and it hurt. Also, on my exposed legs I felt the stinging of the pellet like snow hit my thighs. It did not hurt, but I would soon feel the pain of the pellet like snow hitting my thighs.

I rode about 100 yards when the intensity of the falling snow picked up dramatically. I knew at that moment I had to alter my course and head for the Light Rail Station.

From earlier this morning when listening to Fox News 31 I heard that the storm that was forecasted to come to Denver was going to start in the evening. No, definite time was given, but I thought that that storm would be well after 8 PM. Alas, I was wrong.

I made it to the Light Rail Station and waited in areas that were dry (in a manner of speaking) from the current snow falling. I was not cold, but I could feel the cold. Meaning, I was not miserable – yet.

Matter of fact, I was in good spirits. I was taking Light Rail and I was relatively dry, for the moment. I was so feeling the moment I decided to take a picture at the Light Rail Station and was hoping to use the light sources at the Light Rail station to show how heavy the pellet like snow was falling. I think I was able to capture that moment.

Soon, the Light Rail Train came and I boarded and warmed up a bit. Again, I was not cold, but knew that I needed to get warmed up from being outside for about 15 minutes.

While sitting I decided that I needed another picture of me out in this weather. Although where was I going to take that picture at. Then, it occurred to me – that new water Fountain that is located right off the Arapahoe Light Rail Station. I knew that the fountain would be on as well as the lights that are located in the fountain.

I reached the fountain around 8:30, I estimate, and the place was empty. Good. I tried to find a nice picture-taking place and soon located a spot where I could place the camera on auto timer and then pose.

I took several pictures; most without the flash since I knew from previous experiences that the flash at the distance I was going to pose at was not going to help. I was worried about blur, which I did have on more than half of the pictures I took, but I was able to actually get a few pictures I liked. They probably could have been better, but I am more than okay with the results I got. All in all, at least all the pictures did not come out blurry.

I really liked when I was able to get the orange and red lights captured in the picture. The purple, green and blue did not have the “effect” that caught my eye. By the way Readers, the falling pellet like snow was falling harder, but also changing over to snowflakes, which meant that the air was getting colder. Good, but not good.

So, I spent several minutes at the fountain taking timer pictures and soon the time came to ride home. There was no thought of heading to the nearest enclosed RTD bus stop. Actually, I was not sure that the bus on that route was even running anymore. So, instead of taking the chance with the thumb up my ass I knew I had to suck it up and ride home (all downhill.) Well, the snow and pellet like snow was falling in a mix. I was wet from all the picture posing and my exposed legs were wet and cold.

So, me riding west into the night was tough. I had to hold up my right had to block the snow from hitting my eyeballs. I had my Red Iridium lens on my Oakley’s, which meant I could not wear them at night since that lens blocks out light. I had not gone about 50 yards when I felt each of those pellet like snow hit every part of my expose thigh. It really hurt, but I think that was to the cold actually making my expose part of the thigh cold. Reflecting on the moment, I think my thighs were actually tingling from being so cold.

Here is where I had a choice. Ride fast and feel the stinging of the pellet like snow hit my thighs. As well as feel the wind cooling my body down. What did (or did not) help was that my ride was basically all downhill. I could get home without really pedaling, but that is not what I wanted. As long as I felt that I was moving my legs I felt I was able to keep a bit warmer longer while pedaling.

The other choice was to ride slowly. The softer the pellet like snow would hit my exposed thighs and the less I would feel the cold air when riding. The negative part about this choice is that I would be longer out in the night as well getting colder and wetter.

What did not help Readers – as I was riding through Greenwood Village I stuck to the streets, as opposed to the sidewalk. Hardly any traffic and I did not know the lay of the sidewalks in the dark. I would rather ride in the streets and street gutters where I know the terrain as opposed to the sidewalk since I hardly ever ride on sidewalks.

Well, Readers that was a mistake. Big fucking mistake. Apparently, it was a bit warmer in the DTC area, which meant that there was snowflakes, pellet like snow and rain falling all at the same time. Needless to say when I rode into the street gutter I rode into a gutter full of water – cold water. That cold water soaked my shoes instantly as well as get splashed on my legs and the back of my back from the rear tire. Not to mention the front tire that splashed up water into my face and chest. In a manner of feet I was soaking wet. Fuck me. I knew better, but I just did not think of expecting that until it was too late.

The last mile was tough Readers. The closer you know that you are home the further it seems away when you are miserable or in my case, cold, soaking wet, thighs tingling and wondering if I am going to damage some skin from the cold weather and cold elements.

And that Readers, was my ride home from a picture perfect Dawn morning. I have also included a few pictures from this morning, which I took the time to snap a few shots of me in all my glory.

On a serious note, I have decided to take off my Pink Bracelet (supporting the Komen Foundation.) Wearing that Pink Rubber bracelet was to support the Komen foundation, but more importantly to show the world the few women in my life who were diagnosed with breast cancer and survived affected me indirectly. As well as the ones that did not and for that reason also is why I especially wore that pink rubber bracelet.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

First Mountain Bike Ride of Fall 2009

Greetings Readers

Yours truly knew that the snow was coming, but what I did not know was how cold the evening was going to be. If the temperatures were going to drop below freezing then I seriously did not want to ride any road bike. I was in no fucking mood to go horizontal and embrace Mother Earth. Most of the time I have no problem riding my road bikes in snow - after all I thrive and boast and get a certain "smugness" when I am that hard core / Crazy bike rider going down the road on a sheet of ice or 12 inches of snow with my biking shorts (as opposed to my long bike pants.)

I was not cranky, I just did not want to slide on ice and go down. Readers, I am not saying that I would not go down on Mountain bike. All I am hinting to is that my road bike tires are about 1 inch wide. (I think, if not less - I really do not know off the top of my head. Even though I should know) Anyway, I do refer to them as my skinny road bike tires. This skinny road tires have less surface area and less contact than a mountain bike tire to the road. I think my Mountain bike tire has to be at 3 inches (or more) wide.

Ever since getting that Mountain Bike... I know Readers her name is Lily, but for the new Readers in between last winter and this fall I better refer to the Mountain bike as a Mountain bike as opposed to Lily on this post only. Otherwise, I might confuse the new Readers I may have picked up since the beginning of the year.

The tires held up pretty good since winter / Spring, but the tires had basically about 20 psi after the long storage (no riding Lily)

Boy, I was out of breath pumping both tires up to about 65 psi, according to the writing on the side of the mountain bike tire.

The morning before heading out to work - it was snowing and the wind was slightly blowing, and I decided to catch the RTD bus stop near my humble abode to get to the Light Rail station.

I forgot Readers how much of a bitch it is to put in and take out a Mountain bike tire on the RTD bus bike rack. The Mountain bike tires, well mine, had to be actually forced into the rack and with some extra muscle pulled out from the rack when you are taking your bike off the RTD bus bike rack. I also forgot how heavy a Mountain bike is to all my road bikes. Urgh! Thank goodness for Jenny, now not my so new neighbor, otherwise I would not have been working out since June of this year. Oh, that is another story for another time Readers. I may have written about Jenny, but I can not remember how many posts I have posted about her. And no Sam - there is no stalking (or any derivative of) going on by me.

Let me get back to blog post at hand...

I was actually cold yesterday. And fucking wet when I got to work. Soaking wet to the thong I was wearing. Kidding Readers no thong, but I was soaked down to the underwear. My long biking pants, my thick white tube socks, my bike shorts I also had on, my gloves, and my three bandannas I had on were just wet. The Natalie Merchant stocking cap was alright. The Oakleys were okay, but were sort of useless since the water beading and running on the lens was making my vision not so clear. Yet Readers, as much as I wanted not to wear the Oakleys on my face I kept them right there. Why? Well, I paid xxxx amount of dollars and by gosh I am going to get my money's work when I can. Oh, I was wearing the clear orange lens since it was dark when I left the house and knew the day was going to be overcast so I changed out the lens that morning. I know stubborn, but I want to sort of keep that image of "yeah I am all that and a bag of chips," hah hah.

Fast forward.

Time to go home and the only two things I had dry were my white tube socks and my long biking pants. Everything else was damp. Damn. With a struggle I put on my Nautica long sleeve running jersey and then over that I put on my biking jersey. I lost my breath when that dampness touched my skin - but only for a few minutes.

Soon, I was dressed to the 7's and was leaving the parking garage. I immediately felt energized. I decided to take the scenic way home (via bike trail) as opposed to riding streets and sidewalks, or the Light Rail.

It was almost dark, but there I was still wearing those Oakleys for the sakes of wearing them. However, it was snowing a bit more than a bit and the wind was blowing from the North. Which in effect, blew the falling snow into my eyes when I tried not wearing the Oakleys for a bit. This time I really had to wear the Oakley lens and of course they helped more than expected.

By the time I got to my humble abode I was more wet from the snow, water puddles throughout the landscape and side streets. Yet, I was smiling and really did not care since I was just happy to be riding (and perhaps saving $ 2.00 for RTD bus fare.)

I stripped down to my birthday suit and had everything hanging from where I could to dry out my attire and backpack I was wearing that evening. Of course, I have some beach towels I specifically bought for this scenario years ago and laid the beach towels down near the front entrance of my humble abode to protect my tiles entrance from water dripping, mud, snow or autumn leaves; as well as the carpet near the entrance of my humble abode.

I thought about a hot shower, but instead I turned on the TV, grabbed my comforter and wrapped myself up and sat down on the couch. Just sitting there wrapped in my comforter was a very nice feeling. I could literally feel how cold my skin was when I moved positions and felt the outside of my thigh against the other leg - I was cold.

And that Readers was the account of the first true snow fall (for me) this Fall. I was out of town, vacation, during the first snowfall this Fall. We have had some light, light snow fall a couple of days this fall, but nothing I would not call that "first snow" of Fall for me.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Laughing at the Bus Stop (and elsewhere)

Greetings Readers

Alright Readers, the weather sure changed from the early morning of the day to when I got off work close to 6:00 PM last night.

There was a heavy mist and visibility was down to a mile, I estimate.

I only had my biking shorts, light windbreaker, fingerless gloves and 2 bandannas.

In so many words I fucked myself for my bike ride home from work.

I was cold, shivering and there was a light rain mist falling.

I will admit Readers; I was cold.

I got off the Arapahoe Light Rail Station and headed (rode) to a bus stop I know of that is an enclosed bus stop; as opposed to just a bench. This bus stop has that plastic breakaway clear wall that almost encases the bus stop to protect us riders from the elements.

I was there waiting for about ten minutes when I saw a bus coming around the corner. I immediately left the enclosure and got my bike ready to load onto the bike rack on from of the RTD bus.

The bus stopped and I loaded my bike onto the bike rack. I walk in and then I hear the bus driver talking, but muffled since I had my earphones on and the music was a bit louder than usual.

I take out my earphones.

“You want the 105?” he said once more.

“Uh. No” I replied.

I apologized for making him stop and for me not looking at the LED display on the front of the bus. I took my bike off the RTD Bus bike rack and once more apologized and thanked him for telling me.

I know the 105 bus runs out here, but apparently they must have adjusted the bus route when the 465 (or was that the 405) was discontinued a few months.

I went back into enclosure and stood moving to the music to keep myself warm and the blood circulating throughout my body. I had my arms crossed to keep myself warm as much as I thought I could.

There I was – freezing and shivering like a hard-core bike rider, but a fucking dumb hard-core rider who didn’t dress accordingly. I cannot argue that, though I am not dumb, I just did not count on the cold front to get into Denver in the afternoon as opposed to 8 PM when the weatherperson said this morning. Yeah, yeah, yeah I knew fucking better, but I did not listen so now I am paying for not listening to the weatherperson.

I had the Scorpions currently singing “The Zoo” and I was moving to the music and silently singing to myself watching the intersection traffic as well as the photo cameras taking pictures of vehicles running the red turn light arrow. Readers, the two flashes from the stoplight camera are pretty bright in the dark.

Soon, I saw a person, a man, walking down the sidewalk towards the bus stop enclosure.

As usual I had my earphones in, music playing and basically was okay with freezing my ass off, but sort of in a foul mood since I really put myself in this situation. I knew better than to leave my humble abode without bringing my Natalie Merchant stocking cap, long biking pants, and full-fingered gloves. But no… I had to be the “cool” guy who rides like it is not cold.

With that being said I was no mood to be talked to by any stranger; although the bus driver was an exception since the weather was cold and misty, raining and basically I did not want to ride home. I wanted a warm bus.

The stranger slows down as he approaches the RTD bus stop enclosure and then dumps something into the trashcan outside and then steps insides the enclosure with me. I never made eye contact with this person. I was busy observing everything else, besides him. He was not important and I did not want to be asked any questions. I know I was destine to hear the question “Hey, have you been waiting long?” or the infamous “Do you got the time?”

Yep – My fucking luck, but not really. As I have blogged in the past I have no fucking clue why people ask me questions that have no bearing on their life at that moment waiting at the bus stop. How is my answer going to affect their life at the bus stop?

I was still moving my hips, swaying with my legs and had my arms still wrapped across by body while listening to the end of Scorpions singing “the Zoo.”

Then, I hear the all too familiar formation of a question.

“What bus are you waiting for?”

I pretended not to hear him. Yet, as I was not looking at him directly I can see that he is looking at me to obviously get my attention that he is talking to me.

Readers, after three obvious direct looks at me I pretend to notice him for the first time and I hear him ask the same question once more, but I was looking at his mouth.

“I can’t hear you, I’m sorry.” I politely and softly say without missing a beat of the music while looking at him and his mouth.

He looks at me, but his look was utter amazement as if he has never heard anyone say that to him before.

After I said that, which I said without smiling or sarcasm, I went back to observing the intersection traffic. Then, the next song to come on my ipod was a nice song from the 10,000 Maniacs – “Don’t Talk.”

“I can’t fucking believe it.” the guy says out loud to himself. I heard him, but pretended not to hear. He was not mad, but it was like he really could not fucking believe that someone / I actually said that – to him especially.

Then, there is a quick laugh from him. He then walks out of the enclosure and then back into the enclosure. Meanwhile, I am doing everything possible not to let him know that I heard him and not to look at him.

He laughs again and says out loud to no one, or me “That’s a fucking good one.”

Now, I am trying to keep from smiling from his laugh. His laugh was classic Readers. Short, but his laughing was about to make me laugh.

Even though this stranger was probably pissed off or was pissed off he was laughing at what I said to him. He did not cuss me out or give me the “death to you look.” His look right after I said “I can’t hear, I’m sorry” is classic. It made the situation funny for him, which in turn made it hysterical to me. Even more so after I caught my bus and left him at the bus stop.

“Fucking good one,” he laughs again. He sits down on one of the benches in the enclosure and then opens his bag and starts looking for something.

About 15 seconds later he locates whatever and then shakes his head in disbelief and laughs without saying a word.

Readers, at this point it is so fucking funny to me that I am literally dying to keep a straight face. One might say my Poker face.

Readers… oh Readers… I am laughing as I am writing this post right now.

He was looking for his phone and apparently when whoever answered the phone on the other end this stranger says

“Hi, I am at the corner of XXX and XXX can you tell me when the 105 comes to this bus stop?”

He utters another short laugh at himself while I imagine that RTD person on the other line is looking up that information for him.

Readers, I had to bite my tongue and the inside of my mouth so I would not smile or worse yet laugh, because he was laughing.

After a couple of minutes he is done with his phone call to RTD and then hangs up. He laughs at himself once more which is further making the encounter much more funnier than it should be.

Finally, bus 66 turns the corner and I leave the enclosure and he laughs while I am walking out. I put my bike on the bus bike rack and then board the bus. As the bus doors were closing I heard him laugh for the last time.

As soon as the bus goes about 30 feet or so I started laughing out loud like it was the funniest thing I heard. What made me laugh even harder was the hearing the guy laughing at himself or the situation. Once I thought I got myself in control on the laughing I would start laughing out loud once more uncontrollably.

I even thought about the situation. This guy did not miss a beat. After I told him I could not hear him – he did not cuss me out, he did not give me the fuck you or he never got really mad, he just laughed at himself and then resolved the situation by calling up RTD himself.

Readers – this is just too fucking funny to write (recount) this up for you. I am seriously laughing out loud at this incident and blog.

This is so not like the guy who asked me which way the elevator was going. This guy is not “whipped.” He did not get the answer to his question, but at least he looked for the next option available to him.

Now, with all that being said “My answer to his question is not going whatsoever help him. Here is the answer I would have given to him, if I chose to answer his question.

“66.”

How is that information going to help him? I am not saying if he did ask me “Did the bus 105 come by?” I would have answered him, but I only react by the moment that whatever the situation is going on at that moment. I could have said to this stranger.

“The 105 came by about 10 minutes earlier.” Again, I could have, but then again maybe not.

I do not know Readers, but I know that my answer to his question was not going to benefit him. Matter of fact, what if this guy was a RTD bus stop serial killer who’s MO is to ask people what bus they are catching and if a certain digit is said well that was the trigger to harm someone just for saying a certain digit. Yeah Readers, that may be far fetched, but logically how does what bus I am waiting for affect him?

Yet, another stranger in my travels upon Mother Earth seemed to ask another seemingly simple question, but a question they had no business asking in the first place.

I got off the bus at my stop and soon I was laughing my ass off on Arapahoe Road. It was just so funny to me. I was even thinking about that guy probably had unlimited minutes, which means that phone call did not cost him and he actually used his phone to his benefit.

I dropped my gear off, changed my bike to another bike and then headed to the store for my dinner to cook last night.

The laughter got worse Readers. While I was shopping in King Soopers people looked / glanced at me and I would let loose with another round of uncontrollable out loud laughter which was the laugh of someone laughing at the funniest thing in the world. I never looked back at those people, but I can imagine them looking at me with that “what is so fucking funny,” look or “are you laughing at me,” look, which made the moment even funnier. I laughed all over the store – the meats area, the Coca-Cola aisle, the refrigerator area and then the check out lane. I looked at the people who looked at me first then I would burst into another of round of out loud laughter. A young couple, a black guy, a woman in her sweat pants and slipper, A mom and her teenage daughter, a King Soopers employee – I did not care, but anyone who made eye contact with me - I laughed out loud since it was so funny thinking about my RTD bus stop incident and me just laughing when people looked at me. I made sure that I did not look at anyone directly in the eyes in the store like I normally do, since I know I am going to see that same exact blank look that stranger had at the bus stop.

In closing, that laughter yesterday was the best thing to happen to me in a long while, probably since the last time I had sex. Hah hah. And that’s not the same laughter I was doing yesterday.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Thrifty or Cheap - that is the subject

Greetings Readers

Frugal or C.B. (a.k.a. Cheap Bastard)?

I have blogged about this a few times in the past. Some things I own I want the most for my money. However, in other people’s view I may seem like a cheap bastard.

For example, I was on the Light Rail the other day. I saw a sight that I found sort of humorous at first, but then quickly my humor changed to sadness.

She was eating one of those “lunch size” Lays Potato Chips bags when I saw her tip the bag to her mouth and tap the end of the bag, as such as I do myself to get all the little crumbs in the bottom of the bag. After all who does not like Potato Chips.

Then, I saw her turn the chip’s bag inside out so that the inside silver lining was on the outside and she proceeded to lick the inside of the bag. It was not sloppy lick or a loving lick on a body, but just a lick to get every taste from the residue of chip’s and salt.

I smiled at first since I think I remember seeing that in a movie once, or a TV show. However, to see that in real life was wow. Yet, those few seconds of smiling turned to concerned.

Why did she do that? Was that her only meal that she could afford? Was she trying to get her money’s worth? Did she have a problem with Lay’s Potato Chips? I know from my own personal life that I have been know to eat almost an entire bag of Lay’s Potato Chips in one sitting. However, I have never, ever licked the inside of any Potato Chip Bag.

To me that would seem gross. However Readers, I will admit that we all have had our mouths somewhere that would be gross to some, but to others not gross. What may be gross to others is not gross at all to others. I know that sounds redundant, but there are differences, however minute, between those two statements I just made.

Anyway, the reason for bringing up this story was not to ask you Readers whether that was gross or not gross. The question I want to ask you Readers was she being frugal or a Cheap Bastard?

Frugal for getting her money’s worth? Or was she a cheap Bastard for not having a second bag of chips or having a bigger bag of chips to satisfy her hunger?

Questions for which I do not know the answer(s) Readers.

With that being said let me explain why I started out with that story.

I have currently switched over to my winter bike, Tracey, since the rain and one snowfall have now started in Colorado. My brakes on Tracey were shot at the end of Spring this year. Matter of fact, I was stopping with my foot since the brakes were useless. However, since Spring was over I was going to be riding three other bikes as opposed to Tracey since Spring and Summer was here.

I go into the local bike shop up/down the road – depending on your point of view and look for a replacement brakes pads on my bike. Lo’ and behold the store does not carry my type of brake pads I need. However, they can find a suitable replacement braking system for me. Of course, at a price. You guess it Readers; I thought to myself “Fuck that”

That evening I went home and took off both pads and then flipped and switched the pads so that they were on opposite sides of the brake system. After all, road brake pads erode at an angle due to the angle of the rims. With that being said the worn out part of the brake pads was at the bottom of the brake system and the non-worn out brake pads were at the top of the brake system.

I have done this in the past and this was nothing new to me. After all Readers, when one has over 10 bikes in his collection replacing every item on a bike becomes pricey. To me this sort of short-term brake resolution is acceptable – and it works for me. Readers, I do not take any responsibility nor endorse this type of short-term fix. It is dangerous and should you do this on your own you do so at your own risk. I do not assume responsibility for this type of action.

Depending on how hard I brake this short-term fix can last for a few month, or could only last a month, depending on how hard I squeeze the brakes to stop.

Now the question, or perhaps a comment – Am I cheap bastard for not buying a replacement braking system? Or am I being frugal for getting the most out of my money for a $ 10.00 dollar brake pads.

I mentioned a couple of reasons why I think I was being frugal – owning many bikes, getting my money’s worth. To me this is justifiable for reversing and flipping my brake pads for getting my money’s worth. Yet Readers, let me refresh your memory Readers, I did go into the bike store to buy replacement pads. Yet, when that was not possible I had to come to a resolution immediately.

I could have gone to another store, but the evening was late. I know Readers, I could list excuse and reason after reason, but in this particular scenario I knew of the immediate fix and I took upon myself to fix the issue of no brakes. Of course, I could go the store the next day, the next week, but since I “fixed” the problem there was no reason to go the store.

Perhaps the answer depends on your point of view.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Walking Your Bike at Light Rail

Greetings Readers

I was at the Light Rail station about a month ago and I was running late for work, hence why I was at the Light Rail Station. Anyway, at the Arapahoe Light Rail Station the platform was literally empty of riders, except for the lone person at the far end of the Light Rail Station.

I did my usual thing. Meaning, I rode my bike to the far side of the platform. Slowly of course, even though the platform was empty. I had my headphones listening to my music.

That lone person was an RTD ticket checker. Well, he waved and walked toward me. I of course came to a stop a few feet from him.

I see his mouth moving, but could not hear a word he was saying.

By the way, nothing new to my constant Readers, but I was wearing my Bandanna around my head, Oakley’s on my face and probably looked like your typical bad ass rider. Hah hah.

Anyway, I internally heard myself say “Hold up, I can’t hear what you are saying” with my hand and finger held up in that all too familiar “hold on” signal.

Oh I knew this gesture was going to piss him off, but given my mood I could care less; though I probably knew how far I could push myself without actually getting in real trouble.

Yes Readers, I know the reason why he wanted my attention.

“You can’t ride your bike here”

Readers, as I have posted in the past I know that since I have seen the posted signs around the platform.

However, “There are no riders,” I respond.

“You can’t ride you bike here” he responds once more.

I respond and turn around to the empty platform “There is no one here” for which I indicate with my arm and hand waving in that direction.

I wish I could remember what was said but the adrenaline got a flowin’ in me. I was tensed and ready, but I was also playing chess on how to change from being on the defensive mode to the offensive mode.

He talked and threatened to write me a ticket, but all in all he was waiting for me to mouth off and perhaps say “do it then.”

In the end I said “ok” and then I walked my bike to where I was going to wait for the Light rain. When I say walked my bike, I was still straddling the bike, but had both feet on the ground. After walking my bike over I looked around to the lone RTD “ticker checker” and gave him the stare. In the end he broke the stare and then I looked away.

Minutes later the RTD Light Rail arrived and I got onto the Light Rail I needed to. You guessed it Readers; he got onto the same Light Rail Train. After the train took off the RTD ticket checker started checking tickets.

I was at the far end of the car so I was going to be the last one he checks. During this hour of the morning the riders were sparse and far in between.

He finally reached me and at this point I had my earphones in my ears once more. I saw his mouth move and knew he wanted to see my ticket. I pulled my ticket from my biking shorts and proceeded to give it to him.

However, right before I presented the ticket in the palm of my hand I closed my hand into a fist and crumpled that ticket into a small ball as hard as I could and then opened my hand for him to check.

Readers, I see his mouth move and I hear myself say, “Here’s my ticket” not knowing what the fuck he said to me. A slight pause between us and I continue “there is nothing posted indicating that I have to hand that ticket to you” stressing the word “posted” to him.

It was a high noon on the Light Rail, except it was early morning. He takes my crumpled ticket, which he does un-crumple to look at very closely. All this time I was looking at him in the face. Once satisfied, he hands the ticket to me for which I take back from him as if I was handling a “contaminated” ticket. I use my forefinger and thumb and hold this ticket like it was covered in shit. I made no effort to pocket or straighten the ticket in order to put into my bike shorts again.

Ho looks at me probably waiting for me to say something, but I know that from experience some times saying nothing has the needed the effect I wanted. I was like a statue with that one hand in the air with my Light Rail ticket and me staring him down.

Soon, the next Light Rail Stop was here and he was exiting the Light Rail car onto the his path in the world.

Now Readers, when I see any of you bike riders walking your bike on the Light Rail platform I now know the reason why you do so. You may have been given the warning I was given that morning. Or perhaps you were already given a ticket for riding a bike where you should not have been riding a bike. Again, I know now is why you do walk your bike on the platform.

Oh I know, some may say they are being courteous, which is true. However, being on a bike going less than 5 mph without pedaling and one foot on the ground pushing me along is also being courteous. I do not have both feet on the pedal nor am I pedaling and I am not riding and weaving among the platform riders.

A bike rider does not buy a bike to walk his/her bike anywhere. If given the opportunity we will do everything to ride our bike unless there is no other option to ride our bike.

To this date – I have made sure to take note of a certain RTD ticket checker. Also, I am still riding my bike on all RTD Light rail platform in Denver regardless of my previous encounter I have just blogged to you.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Ride the Rockies 2009 - Check In Day

Greetings Readers

Registration Day - No riding, just check in at the Ride the Rockies. I will be busy all day and on the road so I doubt I will be able to post something at all. I did a scheduled posting just in case

Update 6/22/09 @ 12.20 P.M. Here is the full re-cap (below) of the first day of the Ride the Rockies Event (Registration Day - No ride day) -

Greetings Readers

Dream crusher

I am a Dream crusher. I crushed a lot of Ride the Rockies lottery applications that perhaps wanted to ride the 24th Ride the Rockies this year since the route was going over Independence Pass. Selfish of me. I never made it a secret to you Readers why I put in my application to Ride the Rockies.

What was that reason? Really Readers? You cannot remember what that reason was?

To show off my HED. rims. That’s all. I got my rims late last year; well late last biking season so I had no events to enter to show off my rims. Then it was either my friend or myself brought up the Ride the Rockies earlier this year and the rest is history.

How many riders’ dreams did I crush by getting picked for the sakes of showing off my rims? It only happens every once in a great while that the Ride the Rockies will take the route over Independence Pass. Now, I am not saying that is every biker’s dream to bike up and over Independence Pass, but riding over Independence Pass on a bike was one yearning of mine. Yet, that was secondary to just showing off my rims.

Flashback 6 hours or so – This was Andrea at the RTD bus stops on my way to the Light rail Station and then meet up with Nick, the person who was giving me a ride up to Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Present - I was sitting on the luscious green grass of Sayre Park in Glenwood Springs having a Sunshine bee from Fat Tire, listening the to the live music of a band on the park’s only stage and coping with the wind that was blowing pretty hard in the evening when it hit me I probably crushed someone’s dream to bike over Independence Pass. What if that dream was a dream that one rider was waiting for the opportunity to present itself. Now, that rider will have to wait years before another time the Ride the Rockies route will cross over Independence Pass.

I got a bit sad thinking about that. I know I am selfish, but not all the time. Unfortunately, this time I really was. It is not a reason to list, but to me showing off those HED. rims was something I desired to do since obtaining the HED. rims last year.

I glanced at my left wrist / arm and within three hours of arriving in Glenwood Springs I had three different wrist bands – The Ride the Rockies band, The Sherpa Packer Band and the Beer drinking band.

Up until this week I had not done any research on the route of the Ride the Rockies. I did not know the towns that the route was standing on. I did not know the mileage of each day or the total mileage of the Ride the Rockies. I did not train for Ride the Rockies. I did not make travel arrangements. I did not make lodging arrangements. I had not even downloaded the Ride the Rockies Bike Tour manual. Hell, up until this week I was not even excited to go.

Only until this past Tuesday was when I had to get my ass in gear and start to make travel arrangements. I called a vendor, Sherpa Packer, mentioned in the Ride the Rockies to see if they had tents available to rent. I also posted on the Ride the Rockies website that I needed to catch a ride to Glenwood Springs and then back to Denver after the Ride the Rockies was over. I did not pack nor even think about what to bring to the Ride the Rockies until this past week.

Does that sound like someone looking forward to the Ride the Rockies? Does it sound like I was even excited for the Ride the Rockies? I did not even train for the Ride the Rockies – not that I needed to.

By the time Friday came around I was able to secure a ride to and back from Glenwood Springs. I was also able to talk to the Sherpa packer about securing a tent for the ride. And then I was able to pack my biking / camping gear on Thursday night. Everything I needed to do was done within days before the Ride the Rockies 2009.

Talking to my friends they seemed more excited for me about to ride in the Ride the Rockies than I was. Hell, I know they were, but just more excited than I thought they should be. I was not excited – meaning bragging, cheering, joking, talking smack, etc. as if I was I was going to better than my friends after this event. I just was not feeling that sort of emotion.

I was not having the same attitude I have had for the Ride the Rockies for the past 23 years or so. I was actually being non-bias and was going to give the Ride the Rockies event a chance. It is a week of being on the bike and I know from personal experience if I go into the event with a bad attitude I was going to have that bad attitude throughout the event and I also knew that I was going to affect other riders about how I feel – whether directly or indirectly.

After having my Sunshine I then headed back to the High School where the Sherpa packer tent site was located. Before that I made a slight detour. I saw and headed towards a strip mall Italian shop – Spagrolo’s. I could smell pizza and at that moment that is what I wanted to eat. I wanted a piece of pizza regardless of eating something more that would benefit me – meaning carbo-loading.

50 minutes later after ordering my two slices of pizza I was stilling waiting. I was inpatient, but I knew that I was not the only person in the store that was eating. The store was packed and I knew that accounted for my order probably being delayed.

I then saw the lady that took my order and asked where my piece of pizza was. She asked me – “You still have not gotten yet? I will be right back.”

About five minutes later she came back with my meal and then cookies and a piece of pie for my inconvenience. Sort of a sorry we forgot you gift. I was not mad, but I did keep any emotion(s) in check. I woofed down my pizza and cookie and then left.

By that time it was getting dark and I needed to get ready for sleeping out under the stars in the Rocky Mountains and try to get some sleep before the first day of riding. And you know what Readers I still did not know what the name of the town where our stopping point was for tomorrow.

I knew that there was going to be our first Mountain Pass and that there was going to be an 80-mile day, but other than that I did not know what to expect.

Inside my tent that I was going to call home for next seven days I started to lie out my biking gear for tomorrow’s ride. I was going to wear the first South park bike jersey and I was also going to where my Nautica pull over underneath my bike jersey. I knew that the morning was going to be cold in the shade, until the sun made an appearance. I did take my purple windbreaker and got that out to put in my bike bag I was going to attach to my handlebars.

After I arranged my gear I pulled out the PSP since I was not tired and needed to something for a bit to ease my uneasiness I was feeling. On Friday evening I bought a used PSP game Lemmings since it is strategic thinking game. These types of games put me at ease and relaxes me. As oppose to other people who get frustrated or worked up with these types of games. Granted, I too get fed up, but it takes a much high threshold for a game to start making me say cuss words and getting pissed off.

The Sherpa Packer – Theo was the person I called up from the Ride the Rockies Tour manual that I downloaded and actually read for the first time on Tuesday. The Sherpa Packer is a tent service run by him and I think is daughter or sister in law – I cannot recall. Here is Theo's website - http://www.sherpapacker.com/

Theo provides full tent service –meaning a 7x7 or 9x9 tent with an air mattress, sleeping bag, a fleece liner and a chair to relax in after a day of riding. He also provides early morning coffee, hot water, oatmeal, breakfast burritos and towels.

Ashley provides a bare minimum service – basically the tent. I do not know if the air mattress and sleeping bag are provided.

I chose the full service tent and Theo did give the full tent service at a price that was a bit lower than advertised.

What I wanted to avoid by choosing this tent service was being inside a gymnasium were there would be other people in the same place. Not to mention that the gym could echo with sound. There could be a light or two on even when the lights are turned off for the night. What if I was sleeping under that one light that was one? What if there is more than one person who snores – will that snore echo loudly? What if other riders are taking a short cut through the gymnasium and not being quiet? How much soundless sleep will I actually get?

With all those questions that formulated in my head, I decided to go with the Sherpa Packer.

P.S. I saw Susie Wargin (Channel 9) at the same place Italian place I dined at and I have to say what a "bitchy attitude" I witnessed while she was on the cell phone outside the establishment while the guy she was with was in line waiting their turn to order. She is no fucking Ed Sardella (retired from Channel 9) I can tell you Readers that.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete