We all made it back with only two incidents!!!
Thank you all for making the 2015 Tour de Cure Orlando great! You did an amazing job assisting me in raising nearly $2,267 for the American Diabetes Association.
You were part of Orlando’s TeamOne’s efforts which raised over $18,237. TeamOne 2015 consisted of 19 individual riders. Considering these economic times for some we are humbled and grateful for the donations we have received thus far because every penny counts. I have an ADA Tour de Cure shirt sticker for display on my cubicle in honor of every donor.
The image of yellow jerseys to the right displays the names of my friends who donated and assisted in my climb to being a Champion for Diabetes.
On Sunday, March 15th, I participated in the American Diabetes Association Lake Nona Tour de Cure 50 mile ride. The temperature started in the high 60’s. It was advertised like it was going to be a beautifully hot day without the expectation of the notorious Florida wind.
We finally, after 3 years of trying, managed to take a team picture and we took pictures throughout the entire day. The 50, 63, and 102-mile rides started first at 7:30 am. The 10 and 25-mile riders followed at 8:30 am.
The first ride started on time with TeamOne. Can you believe that? We started with everyone. Mother Nature was giving us a great warm morning with many body parts getting the heat they needed. The breeze and the sun provided much more warmth, which kept the temperature great for riding. The gust of wind on the final 8 miles of the course was less tasking than the normal afternoon Florida wind.
This ride was the best ride I have had in Florida. We rode as a team in line, and it looked great to see the “SAIC” jerseys in a line just moving past everyone, ten strong. A sight to see, we were moving so well I forgot to change the batteries in the video camera so I didn’t get to catch us crossing the finish line. A Homer Simpson moment “dope”. = )
Stats for the day
Before I get into the stats, I just want to talk about proper bicycle fitting and how important it is. When I shipped my bike from Cali to Florida the mover loosened and changed some aspects of my bike. I didn’t think it was major but three months ago I went and had my first professional fitting since I have been in Florida and it made a big difference in my riding, power output, cadence, muscle fatigue, and cramping. So if you have not ever had your bicycle professionally fitted, my personal suggestion is you should. You will see it makes a world of difference and will be worth the money.
Consumption (during the ride)
- Calories Burned: 1,993 approx (more than last year in a shorter time)
- Grape Jelly and Peanut Butter Sandwiches: 4
- Bananas Intake: 5 (All day)
- Smart Water Intake: 24 oz
- Gatorade: 16 oz
Cliff Shot bloks: 2 packs (1 pack every 20 miles)
*Cliff Shot Blocks are a flavored concentrated jelly cubes with carbohydrates and electrolytes, contains 95% organic ingredients, 33 calories per block – making it easy to customize and measure intake replacement of carbohydrates and sodium.
Mishaps x2
- Dawn – took a spill 9 miles from the finish line and muscled it past the finish line. She went to the hospital afterword’s to be diagnosed with a concussion. She is doing better as of that evening.
- Seresaa – had a serious accident where a car turned into her path as they met eye to eye. Can’t say anything more than she is safe with the exception of road rash and scrapes.
Other Statistics for this Past Year
Milestone of Losing Weight
Before | NowI decided I was carrying around too much weight at 227 lbs. In the beginning of Aug I decided to lose weight by October 1st I lost 50lbs. Since October my weight fluctuates between 174 – 180 lbs. I’m have been maintaining my goal of losing the weight for the last 10 months, so now it is officially over.
- Shoulders went from 50 in to 46.5
- Neck went from 17 in to 15.5 in
- Chest went from 44.75 in to 42 in
- Waist went from 38.5 in to 33 in
- Arms went from 17 in to 15.5 in
- Thighs went from 25 in to 22.5 in
- Physical strength is at 105% of what it was at 227lbs.
- Blood pressure went from slightly high to 120/80
- My cholesterol levels are 125 mg/dl, LDL is 60, HDL 73, Triglycerides 67
Who counting? 🙂
How Did I Lose the Weight
I just did it the old-fashioned way of changing my bad habits. No diet product or sugar substitutes what so ever. I just eat what I would normally eat but smaller portions and more often. The only new food was that I added greek yogurt to my routine.
- I changed from eating 2 big meals to 5 or 6 smaller meals.
- Eating Greek Yogurt in between meals.
- Drinking 64 oz of water daily.
- Riding my bicycle 3 times a week (10 – 20 miles), once or twice on the weekend (20 – 100 miles). See the HD 1080P video of morning ride.
- Last but not least working out 4x a week also.
Again thanks for your support. It has made the ride easier. In addition, you earned some brownie points with me!
