Just like Lance Armstrong...

When he bonked on Stage 16 of the 2000 Tour de France (forget the Alamo: remember Col de Joux-Plane!)

[OK, maybe not: even when Lance has bonked, few could keep his wheel.]

I finally got myself back out on the road after a busy week of somewhat unusual events. If I am to be truthful with myself, however, I will admit there is no hope of getting fit when 5 or 6 or 7 days pass between workouts. Consistency, not sheer effort, has been my achilles heel over the last few years. "Everyday" needs to be my watch word.

Log: 18 miles rolling hills [the now named: Saratoga-Quito Center Loop], about 1:17. It was pretty warm, and my mouth was dry by the time I rolled out onto the road. Coming home over the last rises I was pretty weak.

The Tour de France starts in 6 days. I am routing for a great race, one that requires a true champion to rise to the ocassion [Go Lance!]

What do you want to do on Father's Day?

This question was asked of me, after I'd spent much of the day in forced lounging waiting for my Father's Day breakfast. I had been watching the TV, flipping back and forth between Robin Williams on In the Actors Studio, which had me ROTFL, and The Lance Chronicles, which is a serious cycling psych-up.

I really like spending time with my boys, and I've made it a priority. Lately we've played soccer (Dad as the AYSO coach), hiked, goofed around, and done lots of movies as the full family with Mom. There is plenty of more Father-Sons time in the plans for the Summer: working on our soccer skills, riding bicycles, learning computer skills and programming, and BS'ing.

So while some fathers may feel compelled to do something special with their sons and daughters on Father's Day, I've been so blessed with quality time with my boys that I went the opposite direction, and went for a bike ride.

Log: 1:43 over 25 miles of rolling roads. Stood up and worked some of the short hills. Passed like I was standing still up a long hill by one tired road rider. Thought about how much easier it would be if I was 30 lbs lighter. My rear wheel still wobbles, it may have become my mascot (on a temporary basis).

Oh, yes. I rec'd a digital camera for Father's Day, so pictures should be coming, down the line.

The wireless surfboard, what you've been wating for

Tech World reports on the wireless surfboard, finally an answer to the Internet toilet.

OK, for anyone curious, I'll let you in on a secret: there is no way you could keep a WiFi connection on a surfboard in the surf. Unlike the gidget movies, and the more familiar mall walkways, the ocean's surf zone is not nearly flat, except on those days when surfers would not bother. The signals could simply not penetrate walls of saltwater.

Unless of course, one hangs the WiFi antennas (access points) from a helicopter overhead.

It's OK: no one wants for not being able to do two kinds of surfing at one time. But all the folks headed to the kitchen table to brew WiFi Buoy start-ups might want to sleep on it.

The Two Sides of Truth

I took another bike ride this afternoon, that same ride as Thursday: about 13 miles in about 53 minutes. The effort level felt high which may have been the wind or not being morning fresh or anything else.

On paper it may look like I am making progress, but there is data unseen in this log, and I've decided that I need to post my sins as well to keep me honest. I've also decided on an incentive: I will post my weight and diet on any non-exercise day. That ought to motivate me to exercise.

Log: Cycled 53 minutes over about 13 miles on the local loop.

Sins: Cheetos, Ice Cream, and an In-and-Out burger last night. Ooh, that is embarassing to admit, how have I gotten to the point that such food seemed OK?

And on Saturday he did... well, something.

My sons were hopping around like Mexican Jumping Beans, and needed to get out. They actually asked me if I could take them for a hike, which happens only slightly more frequently than they ask if they can have vegetables for dessert. So goodbye bike ride and hello hike. We hiked, at their pace, for over two hours, on trail and sidewalk, and they learned they can walk to their school either by the city streets, or over hill and trail, a real town and country contrast.

Log: 2 hours easy hiking over and around blossom hill, maybe 4-5 miles.

Discovery of a Potato Chip at 6AM

I have not pedaled a bike down a road in some while, but this morning was to be the start of a brighter future. So I was up at 5:30 and outside rolling my bike toward the street at 6 AM. Except, my bike didn't roll.

A quick diagnosis revealed a back wheel that would not turn, brake pads that could not be separated wide enough for the rim to pass, a huge rear wheel wobble, or as unaffectionately known to some, a potato chip wheel.

Why oh why now when I finally am suited up early and have a head full of initiative? I released the back brake completely so that it was inoperable, and I was able to get the rear wheel spinning in a chaotic orbit. I thought: maybe. And gingerly took it out for a test.

Wow, my bike feels light, and what a nice sensation rolling down the road, even with the occasional rear wheel squireliness. But how could I have "potato chipped" or "taco'd" my rear wheel while it was sitting motionless on the bike trainer?

Well, yes, I'll admit it: a few days back I had managed to crash in place on the bike trainer. I discovered that only a small diamater screw bore the rider weight and pedaling forces, wore a puzzled panic on my face, and crashed sideways at 0 mph. They shouldn't let old men near bikes.

But today I got out on the road.

Log: 55 minutes. About 13 miles of rolling roads, empty except for the garbage trucks, at a pedestrian pace that fully reflects my fitless.

Is This the End or Just the Beginning?

Or more likely an ugly middle?

Where a triathlete stood, a 43 year old fat dad sits, hips, knees and back in pain. This then will be the log of my struggle to win back that feeling of vitality, vigor and invincibility.

When will I cycle, run, swim, lift weights, or do aerobics, and can I even manage these, again? Will I ever see the top of a mountain, again?

I will try to make this a daily posting ritual.

Readers comments are invited.