SBW SUNDAY EXPERIENCED GROUP BIKE RIDE

I almost made an about-face when I learned that Sunday’s “Wheeler’s” ride would not include an “experienced group” ride, only an “advanced group” ride. You see, the advanced cyclists pedal a tad bit faster than this old codger is accustomed to. The experienced pace of 16 to 18 mph is an acceptable pace for my skill level, but an average mph pace of 18 to 20 would have been pushing the envelope.

When I mention pace, I’m talking about an average mph pace for 35 to 40 miles. Average pace takes into account the ruthless head wind, annoying traffic signals, occasional inclines, vehicular traffic in general, as well as slowing to fill the gaps generated by those who may be struggling to maintain that pace. Had I blindly leaped into the advanced group, I more than likely would have been one of those back-of-the-pack stragglers.

But as good luck would have it, despite the advertised group leader not being able to attend, eight of us formed an experienced group and then headed east and then immediately north on Hiatus Road from our starting point at Hiatus Road and State Road 84. Our interim group leader had in mind a perfect course for our esteemed group to tackle.

Our group included five men and three ladies of all different sizes and shapes. Not one bike was alike, nor were any of us wearing similar jerseys. We were a multi-shaped, multi-colored peloton taking up the entire right lane whenever and wherever the volume of motor vehicle traffic allowed. Whenever traffic was dense, we would form a single-file peloton while hugging the right shoulder. Safety was our primary concern throughout the ride.

Finishing up our ride heading southbound on Hiatus from Sunrise Blvd. at 20+ mph was quite a push for this weary cyclist, who had ridden the previous three days and was somewhat drained at the onset. Pride and determination, along with a bit of stupidity, kept me in the lead group coming into the finish of yet another satisfying ride with the South Broward Wheelers.

Sunday was my second Sunday ride with the Wheelers and I’m already looking forward to next Sunday's ride.

[Click on "View Full" and then click on "3D Flyover Video" to get an areal view as if you were following us in a helicopter.]

TEAM MEMORIAL 2.0 SATURDAY RIDE

This morning's bike ride was a typical Saturday morning ride with Team Memorial 2.0 and 101.  Best guess, we had something like 10 to 12 bikers this morning split into two single-file pelotons.

What made this ride somewhat different from most Saturday morning rides was the amount of alligators spotted in the canal that runs alongside Interstate 595/State Road 84.  In all, I counted 11 gators swimming on the surface of the murky water.  

This morning was a perfect day for biking, but not a good day for swimming.

[Click on "View Full" and then click on "3D Flyover Video" to get an areal view as if you were following us in a helicopter.]    

2011 COUNTRY MUSIC HALF MARATHON

Driving from South Florida to Tennessee using I-95 and I-26 can be a huge bore. That is up until you switch from I-26 to I-40 in the Asheville, North Carolina area. Only then does the boring, sleepy drive improve to AH’s, OH’s and an occasional “Isn’t that awesome?”

But the long, tiring drive was every bit worth the fifteen hours sitting behind the wheel of a new 2011 rental car. Double and triple those miles would have been worth seeing and visiting my youngest daughter and granddaughter who live in Sevierville, Tennessee, the western gateway to the Smoky Mountains.

Additionally, I would have traveled twice that distance to temporarily leave the land of Bongos and Castanets for the land of Fiddles, Banjoes and Guitars. Or is that pronounced “Gee Tars?” Listen, I’ve nothing against the bongo and castanet sound or its culture, it’s just that I prefer mountain music over Latino musica.

Anyway, a one day and two night stopover in Sevierville, which included a tour through the Smoky Mountain Glades shopping area and a tour of Sevierville’s main library, preceded our five hour drive to the host city of the Country Music Marathon, beautiful Nashville, TN.

The “music city” is where we ran and walked the Country Music Half Marathon on a gorgeous spring Saturday morning. It was there that my oldest daughter, Lynda, was sold on running events in general. She had a blast, and so did my wife and I.

From the hollows of downtown Nashville to the outlying rolling hills in the residential areas, the entire 13.1 mile course had it all. The crowd support was superb and the bands and cheerleaders at every mile were entertaining. Never did we feel detached from the vibrant city that welcomes each and every runner and their families with open arms every April.

And what can we say about a post-marathon concert headlining Montgomery Gentry? Sensational, that’s what! “Her and King’s County” opened the festivities and “Montgomery Gentry” closed it out, with the marathon awards ceremony taking place in between both phenomenal acts.

Sunday morning found us driving back to Sevierville for another short overnight stay with Diane and Cyndie. Time constraints and Disney World reservations prevented us from staying longer. Besides, it was back to work Monday morning for my youngest and granddaughter.

If you’ve never visited Walt Disney World’s Epcot during the spring International Flower and Garden Festival, you simply must make plans to do so in the future. If there is a heaven on earth, Epcot is it during the festival. Our visit to Epcot on the 3rd day of May was our third visit this year.

They say that all good things eventually come to an end and that memories are forever. Isn’t that the truth! One day after we returned to South Florida, Lynda had to leave for home.

But first, driving through Florida would not be complete without stopping at Tina's home in South Central Florida.  Thank you, Tina, for hosting we three and laying out a delicious spread of food.  You are the best!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3UBtSBFnOw