Mission Accomplished!

It's official, the Ride & Run to Remember was a huge success.

I arose early this morning, got a good healthy breakfast and then headed down to the waterfront at the National Harbor in Maryland. The folks with the NLEOMF had everything set up and ready to go, including plenty of water and healthy snacks. I enjoyed getting to mingle and meet all the folks who were volunteering, organizing and especially those riding in the event.

I took off just after 9am along the very nicely plotted route for the Half-Century ride. It started with a really long, steady climb up and out of the National Harbor area and into the backroads of Maryland. A couple of monster hills awaited, but all in all the first leg of the ride wasn't too bad. At around mile 12 there was a pit stop and the folks there took really good care of us riders...snacks, gatorade and restrooms...what more could a cyclist ask for?

The second leg took us back along pretty much the same route as we re-traced our path back towards the National Harbor, then up and across a major bridge and into the suburbs of DC. A nice ride through Georgetown (I think that's where we were...) and then along the Mt Vernon trail which skirts the river and led us finally into DC proper.

The traffic in downtown DC was killer, with a couple of close calls with tour buses nearly ending my ride, but it was still enjoyable. I finished out the ride pretty much in the middle of the 31 milers...not the first, but certainly not the last either. My loving wife was waiting for me at the finish line to take some pictures, which was really nice. The staff at from the Memorial got us hooked up with our finishing medals, some goodies and clothes, and then made sure we got to eat before the event wound down.

All in all it was a fantastic experience and one that I look forward to repeating next year. I raised $500 for the NLEOMF and I'm pretty proud of that. Next year I hope to double that amount. Cami has already told me she wants to ride next year, so that's something to look forward to as well.

My sincerest thanks to everyone who helped organize and make this event happen...your commitment to honoring the men and women of law enforcement overwhelms me.

Now, for some photos...

Mission: DC

I arrived safely in the DC metro area last night and took some time to relax after the long drive. Had a nice sushi dinner in National Harbor where my wife and I got our hotel. Spent today playing "tourist" in the city, checking out the NLEOM, a few of the Smithsonian museums, the WWII Memorial, and even made a stop by Ford's Theatre. Not only that, I got within 100 feet of Al Sharpton...apparently they're having some sort of festivities around the MLK memorial today and tomorrow.

Also got a chance to stop in the DC FOP lodge and pick up my ride packet, rider number and some nice apparel for the ride. The ladies working the packet distribution were super nice and got me hooked up with all my swag for the ride. I'll be sporting number 699 tomorrow if anyone gets any photos of me on the route, or if we make the news.

Wish me luck...

Danger, Danger, Danger!!!!

Well, today was exciting. Woke up at around 10am after working overnight until 6am...it was pouring rain outside, but I said to myself..."what the hey, I need to ride and if I don't do it today, it won't get done." So, out the door I went. Packed up the newly fine-tuned bike and headed out for Greensboro. Decided to pack my old helmet rather than my new color-matched blue helmet for some odd reason...now I'm really glad I did.

Started off down the railway greenway along the main route of Guilford Courthouse NMP, about 1 mile in I came to a sign saying the greenway was closed for re-paving. So, I turned around and went the other way. Headed down old battleground ave along the greenway and saw a sign I'd never noticed before which pointed the way to something called the Bicentenniel Greenway. I thought, hey why not? Change of scenery. Fortunately the rain had died down to a minor mist so I wasn't too worried about venturing into new territory. So off I went, 2 miles then 3...then, suddenly...the greenway disappeared beneath me. No signs. No pavement. No nothing. Just gravel headed off into the woods. So, being the adventurous sort, I took off down the gravel path. Not a great ride, I must say...gravel sucks real bad when you happen to have just rotated your bike tires out for new hybrid road tires. But, I made do and putted along at a nice slow 5 mph through the woods. Across wooden bridges, through tree lined alleys with vibrantly colorful leaves...then, suddenly...pavement again. And a sign indicating I was still on the greenway. Relieved, I continued on as I passed the 10 mile mark. Then, just as quick as it came...the greenway stopped again. No signs, no pavement...and this time, no gravel either. Just grass. Lots of grass. So I turned around and headed back the way I came. Having just rode through the same area, I got a little bolder and turned it up a notch to about 10 mph through the woods. I came to the long wooden bridge and just as I started across a tree limb fell about halfway across the bridge ahead of me. I made a minor course correction, or so I thought, and ended up with my bike coming out from under me. Sideways I flew, bike traveling about 30 feet ahead of me, hit the ground with my butt, then my head bounced off the wooden bridge. I traveled about 60 feet on my rear, while my bike went about 200 feet.

Stunned, I laid there a few moments then stood up and dusted myself off. All limbs and major parts accounted for, no apparent broken bones. And the bike looked to be intact. No bent rims, broken spokes or anything else plainly visible. So I mounted back up and headed back off. Miserable to say the least, I continued my ride and forced myself to finish out a full 25 miles as I retraced my steps, then rode the rest of the railroad greenway.

My arm is a little sore, and I need to take some time to go back over the bike with a fine tooth comb, but I suppose everything will be alright. Got back to the folks house for a quick shower and checked in on my fundraising...I'm at 85% of my goal, I need $55 to succeed. Hopefully it will come in before Sunday.

I'll be taking the next few days off from riding as I carb up for the big event in DC. My next post will probably be after the event, hopefully with lots of photos.

Over Half Way There and Only 10 Days Left!

Fundraising Update: I've made 55% of my fundraising goal as of this morning! I still need to raise $225 to accomplish my goal, and there are only 10 days until the ride. Please help me if you can and support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. If just 25 will donate $10, I'll surpass my goal! http://support.nleomf.org/goto/rahenderson

On the riding front, my bike is off at the shop for some much needed repairs prior to the big event. I hope to get her back tomorrow if all goes well...with all new cogs, chain, cables, housings, brakes, and some new sleek hybrid road/trail tires!

Looks like we'll be staying in Maryland near the National Harbor for our trip to make it convenient for the start of the ride...hotel looks nice, can't wait. Weather outlook on the extended forecast is high near 67, low near 52 with a 0% chance of percipitation. Better pack my long riding pants!

42 Miles for my 42%

I've done 42 miles on the bike in the past 48 hours...kind of fitting since I am currently sitting at 42% of my fundraising goal.

Rode 20.05 miles on Monday around Whitsett, it was nice but particularly windy which slowed my pace somewhat.

Got to ride Greensboro today, around the Battleground Avenue area and the Railroad greenway...did 22+ miles at around 12.5 mph average speed. It was very pleasant outside and the ride was nice, but my knee started bothering me a bit around mile 17 and never let up. Going to have to start wearing a brace when I ride these longer distances apparently.

I'll be taking the next 5 days off from riding, got to get the bike in for a service before the big event and since I'm working nights the next two days followed by a living history event over the weekend, it's the perfect opportunity to get it done. Not to mention the needed rest for my knees.

The plan is to pick back up for a final training push next week with a couple of short rides on Monday and Tuesday before work, then a good long ride on Wednesday and Thursday, then take a final stab at the 31 miler on Friday morning. I'll be packing up and heading out by late afternoon on Friday, resting as I play tourist in DC on Saturday, then doing the Ride & Run to Remember on Sunday, October 16th. It's so nice to have a plan laid out...let's just hope it all comes together.

42% and Climbing!

I hit 42% of my fundraising goal today thanks to some much appreciated donations from my co-workers. Just 58% of my goal to go...or $290.00 in monetary terms. Hope I make it...only 13 days to go.

Planned on doing an extended ride starting around 10am today, but found myself subpoenaed to Civil Court to testify against a person I had previously arrested for DWI instead. Don't mind going to court, but I wish I'd had more notice...the weather outside is awesome and I hate to miss out on the chance to ride in it. Today is almost exactly the same as the extended forecast projects for DC on the day of the event.

Hopefully I'll make it home in time to get some miles in before dark...

Mission: Greensboro

Took a trip to Greensboro today for a ride. Spent about an hour riding along the Greenway leading from Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, then looped back into the GCNMP and rode 8 laps around the visitors center side of the loop, and 1 lap around the main park road. I felt like I made good time and my pace seemed faster than normal for most of it, but there were several BIG hills which reduced my overall pace and average speed. Totalled out at 14.12 miles, which was a little shorter than I'd hoped for...but now I know the terrain and what to expect, I can head back out there next week for a longer ride. 

Another day, another ride...now with media coverage!

Took a nice afternoon ride today around Whitsett. Logged 14+ miles in 1 hour and 10 minutes. My pace is picking up a bit and I'm feeling a lot better about the upcoming event. Got home and found out that article I was interviewed for the other day had showed up on the newspaper's website. If you want to read it, it can be found at http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/burlington-48165-takes-officers.html

I plan on making a ride through Greensboro tomorrow before heading to school...hoping I can push 20 miles out at least...

Trial Run Completed!

Well, due to yesterday's horribly rainy weather I had to postpone my planned 'trial run' at New River State Park. I got up early this morning and headed out for Virginia. Got on the trail about 7:30am and logged a 31.89 mile ride. It was muddy and rainy, and very slow going at times. I only averaged about 10 mph and my total ride time was a little under 3 hours...took a short break at the halfway mark so I could eat a snack, which put the total trip time at 3:16 minutes.

All in all it wasn't too bad, the mud and uneven terrain caused by the rain storms really made it frustrating at times, and my back and legs are killing me as a result, but at least I can say I did a full metric half-century ride today. Actually, a little more...0.89 miles to be exact.

Still having problems with my GPS logger, it didn't track the first part of the ride and then the iPhone battery died about 1 mile from the finish. I had to go in and use the mapping feature on the iMapMyRide website to re-draw my route. Fortunately it was fairly easy to do, since the trail is nice visible on the overhead, as were my starting location and my turn-around point. Glad I used landmarks for those, otherwise my distance would have been way off. As it stands, my logged distance isn't off by more than .1 mile, and I think I logged it on the short side at that.

Looking forward to the next week, going to try and do some 15-20 mile rides around the area to keep up my momentum. And I'm planning on heading out Wednesday to a bunch of local businesses to ask them for donations to help my fundraising efforts.

Rain, Rain...

Well...the rain apparently is here to stay, so biking outside will be off the list tonight. Fortunately, our A/C was fixed yesterday so it is much more comfortable to work out on the CycleOps trainer here at the house. Did a little yesterday before heading out to school, planning on an hour or so later this evening as well. Hopefully the rain will move out of the area by Friday so I can still make my full-length ride as scheduled.

On the Fundraising front, I've hit 33% of my goal...everyone get out there and help me break through this barrier and get to 100%! Please!

2 Posts in 1 Day...Wow!

Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the internet, a second blog post arrives! Ha!

Got out on the road this evening and logged a nice long ride. My GPS tracking program got all fubar on me so I had to manually go in and re-drawn my route on the map. I erred on the side of caution, or rather underestimated my distance, as I couldn't quite remember the serpentine route I took through one of the neighborhoods...I think I left off about a 1/2 mile in there somewhere. But regardless, I rode at least 14.19 miles in 1 hour and 10 minutes. This included some hellacious hills on the backroads of Whitsett.

I learned a valuable lesson though, always drive your route before you go off and ride it on a bike...had I know those monster hills were there I would have gone a different route. I think I made good time considering the extremely slow pace I had on those hills, (I probably could have walked them faster but I stuck it out and stayed on the seat peddling my arse off!) and it still put me in line to do the 31 miler in around 2 to 2.5 hours.

1/3 of the Way and 27 Days to go...

I've now reached 33% of my fundraising goal for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and there are 27 Days left before I head to Washington DC for the Ride & Run to Remember.

I've been working some non-bike activities into my busy schedule this week to help diversify my training. I'm still trying to get some cycle time in each day, whether it be in the house on the CycleOps trainer or out on the roadway. Friday I'm planning another trip up to Virginia to ride along the New River...hoping to do at least 31 miles that day to see what type of time I can turn in advance of the big day on October 16th. Also planning a couple's ride for next Sunday in Greensboro along the greenway there.

If anyone wants to help with my fundraising, you can head over to http://support.nleomf.org/goto/rahenderson

Hump Day!

It's been a long week...I've been in Field Training Officer School all week at work. Added on top of all my regular school work for Guilford College, I'm feeling a little slammed. So I did what any logical person would do when faced with a ton of paperwork...I procrastinated and took a bike ride!

Got out and did a 8.8 mile ride around the Rock Creek area in Whitsett. It was pretty nice, although the weather today was a little warmer than it has been. Kept up a good pace, continuing at my average of around 12mph...I'm hoping the terrain around DC will be a little more even so I can boost that speed a little to complete the ride in a little less than 2 hours. The ups and downs of the severe hills around here are starting to wear me down a bit. I'm hoping I'll get to do some riding this weekend somewhere a little flatter if all goes well.

New River Trail

Got up bright and early yesterday and headed out to the area near Galax, Virgina for a ride along the New River Trail with Cami. We got in a nice 12.65 mile ride along the reclaimed railroad line that weaves along the side of the New River. The weather was perfect and the ride was very pleasant. Cami is new to biking so our pace was a little easier, but we averaged an 8 minute mile which isn't too shabby for her first major outing at high altitude.

I plan on heading back there in the next few weeks for a solo ride...I'd like to do a 31 mile trek before the big event just to see how it goes time-wise on a trail like this.

On the fundraising front, I've broken the $100 mark and I'm now a little over 1/5th of the way to my goal! Please continue to support my efforts and the NLEOMF.

On the Road Again.

Got back on the road today. Having been confined to indoor training on the Cycle Ops Trainer the last few days, I made the push to get back out on the road today and logged a pretty nice ride here in Whitsett.

Started out strong with some nice big hills and then worked my way across US 70 into the back side of Brightwood Farms. Road some of the new areas under construction and was enjoying myself thoroughly...right up until I reached for my water bottle and realized it was still sitting on the counter at the house. Yikes! So I slowed my pace a little and took a short detour by my friend Alex's front porch to take a swig out of his outside faucet (hope you don't mind buddy, no one was home and the hose was all hooked up and calling out to me!). Finished out with a nice hard ride down a 3/4 mile stretch of graded gravel and back into my neighborhood for a few final hills.

You can check out the ride by heading over to my facebook page or heading over to my profile on mapmyride.com

On a somewhat more serious note, fundraising has stalled out at a measly 18% of my overall goal. I know that there are people out there that want to help out this worthy cause, so spread the word and help me meet my goal! If everyone I ask were to give only $1 it would far exceed my overall goal and help out the NLEOM a whole lot.

Tomorrow I'm planning a leisure ride with Cami up in Galax at the Shot Tower park...should be real nice with the forecast calling for low 70's and clear skies.

Day: 10
Distance: 7.9 miles
Pace: 12.2mi/h 

The First Bump in the Road...

Like every great quest, there always seems to be a bump or two in the road. Hopefully I've just had mine and can begin moving past it in the morning.

On Thursday afternoon I lost my Maw Maw, Myrtle Fowler. She was my last remaining grandparent and I've spent the last few days dealing with the funeral and trying to find a way to deal with my grief. She was a big part of why I went into law enforcement, all those westerns and Andy Griffith always on the tv at her house, and she had a profound effect on my work ethic and sense of responsibility to those around me. I miss her very much, and while the Ride & Run to Remember is dedicated to those who serve and have given their lives behind the badge, I know I will also be riding in her memory...she was and always will serve as an inspiration to me in dark times and her memory will be the fuel which powers my progress.

Tomorrow I begin again, on so many levels, and my pre-ride preparations will continue. If the weather holds out I'll log a 10-15 mile ride somewhere during the day...if it doesn't I'll log an hour on the cycle ops trainer in the living room.

Thanks to everyone who has shown their support so far!

Day 2

Logged my first Official Workout today. I'm going to be using the iMapMyRide app on my iPhone to track my rides. It's quite nice, because it uses the GPS on my phone to track my location and creates a map which shows my elevation and average pace, along with calories burned and some other useful things. I'll be posting my rides as I complete them on Facebook and giving a brief overview of them here.

I started out slow and went out into my neighborhood. Working my way towards the back along the rather large uphill climb, I decided to try altering my terrain a little and took the long gravel road which leads out of the back of my neighborhood back to the highway. I'd forgotten how hard riding on gravel can be, especially going uphill. But I think it was good for me, since I don't know what sort of terrain I'll be covering during the actual event in October.

I then moved up the highway and across into a large neighborhood across the way. Lots of switchbacks and extended grades, both up and down. I tried not to push myself on speed and spent 99% of the ride sitting on the seat letting the gears do most of the work. I then worked my way back out to the highway and rode the last stretch back into my neighborhod, where I did one last uphill push and then looped back around towards the house.

I consumed a 20 oz bottle of water on the ride, then had another bottle when I got inside. While the temperature was only 79 degrees outside during the ride, it felt a lot hotter. Hydration is the key.

On a lighter note, I have determined that I need to wear my padded bike shorts even for these shorter rides. I will need to buy another pair before the big event for sure, along with some new padded gloves.

I logged 5.96 miles, which is just shy of 1/5th of the total distance for the event. Not too bad for the first week, if I ride at this pace I will complete the event in about 2.5 hours. Here's hoping I can build up not only my endurance over the next month, but also my pace...it'd be nice to finish in under 2 hours. 

Day: 2
Distance: 5.96 miles
Pace: 12.4mi/h 4:50min/mi

A Word of Thanks!

Just wanted to thank my friend J. Niemoller for starting of my fundraising drive with a bang! You're awesome, thanks!

Day 1

Started off tonight with some basic housekeeping...got my Blog setup, my Fundraising Page setup, did some upkeep and maintenence on my bike, and then took a leisurely ride around the neighborhood to loosen up the muscles. Logged 2.1 miles, along a course of mixed hills and inclines. Didn't set a pace or log my average speed tonight, just trying to get back in the swing of things. Bike performed well, although I believe she needs a minor tune-up and perhaps a few minor parts replaced. We'll see how she handles over the next week and then determine if a trip to the cycle shop is warranted.


My goal will be to gradually increase my distance and pace as I go along.

Stay tuned...

Day: 1
Distance: 2.1 miles
Pace: N/A

46 Days and Counting...

This year I'm participating in the Ride to Remember in Washington, D.C.

On October 16th, I'll be riding my bike 31 miles in the Metric Half-Century Ride to help raise money for the National Law Enforcement Memorial.
 
I began my Law Enforcement career in 2003 and I decided it was high time I did something to help raise public awareness of the sacrifices that so many of my extended family members make on a daily basis. Since I love cycling, both on the job and off, I decided this was a great opportunity to get the word out and help support a great project, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

I'll be tracking my training progress over the next 46 days leading up to the Ride to Remember on October 16th, 2011.  I hope to acknowledge and thank those that support this project here as well...I know we all love to see our names on the internet!


Please support me as I take a stand behind the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect the public. Law enforcement officers support us every day – and every 53 hours an officer makes the ultimate sacrifice for public safety. I am participating in the Law Enforcement Ride & Run to Remember to say thank you to my brothers and sisters in Blue.

Please support my fundraising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will help the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund with their mission to increase public support for the law enforcement profession by permanently recording and appropriately commemorating the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers; and to provide information that will help promote law enforcement safety.

It’s easy to make a difference - just click the link below to make a donation.

http://support.nleomf.org/goto/rahenderson

I greatly appreciate your support of my participation and of law enforcement officers everywhere.