Monthly Archive for July, 2007

E-mail and blogs are an interesting phenomena. Reading other’s thoughts and insights gives me another perspective besides my own. I have to remember not to read too fast or read using my internal “filter”. Doing so can lead to misunderstandings and “crossed wires”.

In a recent blog entry, I read that someone was losing a special person - in my world view (filter, personal experience), that usually means divorce, and I replied accordingly…

After reading further, the loss was from the devistation caused by diease… the long slow progression of cancer and loosing a loved one with this condition.

Open mouth, insert foot - I’m known to do this often.

I was diagnosed with melanoma in 2005 and after surgery remain clear of any more lesions (will have another check up in September). Having additional cancer in my life has a high probability of being reality… will this mean my life is “over” if more cancer is found - not by a long shot! As long as there remains in me the desire to fight, I will!

Being a religous person, I know that there is more to this than just my mortal body.

After my diagnosis of melanoma and surgery to remove it, I have continued on with my normal routine, completed my 6th Seattle to Portland (2nd STP after the surgery), have lost 30 pounds since November 2006 and plan on many more happy, productive years with my family.

Going over my stats from last year, I am way ahead in miles ridden! Total miles ridden for 2006 was 3892, so far this year my miles are 3808.8!

I have at least 1 more cycling event left for the year - Coeur d’Alene Trails in Idaho. 3 days of fun with my wife and friends in August. This will be about 150 total miles for us, will be a great time.

MarathonFoto.com - the group that takes photos on the Seattle to Portland route has some photos up already! Here is a link to my shots: http://www.marathonfoto.com/order_assigned_photos.cfm?BFI=7f3yi8fpkr&OID=28052007S2&BibNumber=640&CustomerNumber=B77689&Currency=USD&Language=en

As an aside, this coming September will mark 2 years after having a melanoma removed from my neck. So far remaining cancer free… I do have issues with psoriasis (about 8% coverage) and is under control during the summer months. Although I have patches of psoriasis on my hands, scalp, arms, elbows, knees, and back, It doesn’t prevent me from doing the things that I enjoy doing. I live with it. I’ve used creams with little results. The next course of “treatment” will be the use of biologics - they affect the immune system - I’m not likely to go that route since my psoriasis isn’t that severe.

This year’s STP was great! I started at 4:45, finished at 6:20! 13 hours, 25 minutes total time, 12 hours 30 minutes ride time!

It was fun especially flying passed folks who has passed me climbing some of the hills! The comments were all in in good jest…

My average for the ride was 17.6 mph. In Napavine I missed a turn and ended up taking a 13 mile “detour”, adding this, my ride was 219 miles! and I still finished faster than last year.

On the flats I was able to maintain 24-25 mph, spending a lot of time on the left of the pack…

I kept my rest stops to a minimum, stopping no longer than 15 minutes (this was in Centrailia at 10:10 when I arrived).

Off to Seattle for the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic!

WIll be with good friends and great company for the next two days - the trip up to Seattle, and the bicycle ride back to Portland!

Yesterday and today are days to get rested, go over the trike and find those last minute things that usually pop-up unexpectedly.

We beging our trip this morning arounf 9:30 (after my hair cut - one of those “last minute” things).

I’m down to 186 - one pound shy of my 185 goal for this years STP! Not bad considering I was 215 last November, and last July I was 205 when I rode last year’s STP!

A change from last year’s ride - I’m riding with extra tubes and items needed to fix a flat - I don’t want to wait around while my support vehicle comes to my rescue because I didn’t plan well enough (like last year!)