Wilson Bike Ride

Today I had the fun time of going for a long bike ride with my friends Tami and Michele. Tami's uncle Lee came along as well. We missed the honor of having Tami's father ride with us as he was incapicitated for this ride. Next time Bruce! Michele and I rode down from Cary to Wilson to share Tami's love of the local roads and her homestead. The house was a nicely cared for farmhouse with plenty of neat outbuildings and antiques. After getting out bikes ready we headed out onto the quiet country roads at a little past 8am. We rolled along past tobacco farms, soybean fields and plenty of older farmhouses. Very scenic. We were amazed at Michele's biking prowess, as she was on a mountain bike. We rolled along for the first 14 or so miles encountering some hills( which Tami handled with ease) and nice flat stretches of open road. We went through downtown Nashville to our halfway point of the local Hardee's for some refreshment. Why this is a tradition I soon found out as the locals were friendly and quite enamored with Lee, who is a fit 67 year old! We set out for Tami's home and over the next 16 miles, we enjoyed more beautiful scenery. This was a great ride ending at the house, where Tami's Mom Tricia was preparing lunch :) We enjoyed cold beer, hot dogs and hamburgers in the cool breezy comfort of their out door gazebo. Thanks Tricia! What a great time. I look forward to the next visit.

The cleanest line

Today was another cool day on the bike. The temps were hot but, the ride was cool. I started the ride on the 29er and was having a really good ride. I then realized I had my prescription shades on and could see clearly in the dappled light. It has taken awhile but, am able to ride trails without putting a foot down(clean). I anticipate corners better and set up for turns, up and downs. I still have a long way to go to be a good rider. Part of my difficulty is having a center of gravity somewhere around mid-chest. It never bothered me skiing all those years ago. Hmmmm? I am scared to ride mountain bike trails for the relay race with my friend Michele. She is a good natural athlete and a snowboarder. I am just a poser trying to get better. Hopefully she can teach me a few things about balance and such. Have fun out there and hammer those workouts!

Great equipment or great drive?

Since starting mountain biking, I am more aware of the differences in gear. I have typically been a minimalist when it comes to running gear. Whatever shoes you put on your feet or whatever clothes on your back, you still have to do the running. Biking mags, REI and bike stores are all very seductive. Carbon fiber frames, carbon fiber soles on bike shoes, lightweight pedals. This is all to make the bike lighter and you faster. It also helps you spend money on a never ending set of new gear. I will admit it all looks cool but, would it not be easier and cheaper for me to lose 5 pounds by pedaling the bike I have more? I will stick to the same old ethos. You still have to pedal the damn thing. Get out there and pedal.

Constantly Motivated

Staying motivated is 80 percent of the battle with exercise. Finding your own path is the only way, depending on others is limiting. Other people can help but, they cannot do the work for you. I read training books, various magazines and view sporting events to get motivation. I do this on a daily basis. It helps get me out the door and push. Get out and push, it goes by quick. Find your own way to motivate. It will stay with you a lifetime. Enjoy the vid.

Kudzu Christ

This is an image I captured today while walking a dog. It is located near Boylan Bridge Brewpub in downtown Raleigh. It looks to me like the statue of Christ that overlooks Rio de Janeiro. What do you think?

Dirt Surfing

The term Dirt Surfing has been used many times to refer to mountain biking and the like. Today was the first time I felt like I was surfing on my bike. I typically go with the motto the more aggression, brute force and guts the better. Today I was finally rewarded by smoothness. I have snow skied, water skied and snowboarded over the years and biking seems to have something in common with these. The way you set up for a turn, the way you carve the water or snow makes for a more graceful effort. Less energy is used too. The feel of different kinds of dirt under the tires reminds me of different snow surfaces. Each has its challenges. Maybe as I get older I see the beauty in the smooth effort, not just the max effort. Enjoy the video.

Eliminate the variables

It seems I am most successful with my diet and exercise when I eliminate variables. If I run the same route, have the same strength program and eat similar meals, I run faster, get stronger and lose weight. A lot of people tend to get bored with things that are the same, week after week. If you want some changes, run another mile, lift another set or add some spice to your food. One of the reasons these types of behavior are successful, is that they can be repeated. You know what to expect. Instead of trying to dredge up some motivation for a new exercise routine at the end of a busy day, you already know what to expect. You just have to start, the rest flows. I know these ideas sound like work. They ARE. Exercise is work, it is a means to a healthier you. It may not sell any magazines or new books but, these ideas can be replicated over and over. You just have to take the first step, the next one will follow.

24 hour Montain Bike Relay

Burn 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race from Robert Crews on Vimeo.

This is the next adventure on the way. A 24 hr team Mountain Bike Relay. The team will be composed of 3-5 riders. The more the better. It should be as my friend Michele stated: "a 24 hour tailgate party". Enjoy the video.

Goals: Don't limit yourself

Goals. We spend our life crafting and achieving goals. We set the goal to make a school sports team or be in the school band. We challenge ourselves with that first term paper or essay. We create a spiritual life and community. We set a goal of education. We meet someone, get married, buy a house, maybe have a family. We start over when our goal does not work out. Setting goals and challenging ourselves is part of being fully human. This goes for athletic or physical goals too. Anything worth doing pushes us, awakens us and leads us to be the best version of our self that we can be. Personal physical goals can be as simple as losing 5 pounds, walking to the end of the street or as difficult as running a marathon. The hard is what makes it worth doing. If it was easy, the challenge would not be worth our best effort.

Get out there and enjoy the challenge, it is a road worth taking.

Watch for fun!

One of the top regional ultrarunners named Bradley Mongold is being interviewed by another good runner named Eric Grossman. Watch the parts where they are outside!