I was HIGH on my BDay

I had a fantastic day and I owe it all to my wife and kids..

I was told to be awake by 8AM so we could be out and somewhere by 9AM. Liz and I had been joking all week because she said she put something together that was appropriate for the adrenaline junkie that I am. Well, I know I would like to do a lot of things but never actually thought I'd get to do many of them. We joked about alligator wrestling, cave diving, spelunking and other goofy ideas. I really had lots of ideas but thought I'd end up paint balling or something more grounded.

We drove by and picked up Ximena and Matt (sis and hubby), and started driving towards the everglades on the Homestead side, by the time we reached the end of the road and the last farm we turned and were in front of Homestead Regional Airport . The first thing I noticed was that there was an Ultra Light club there and thought "wow that is cool, I hope this is what I will do...". Then as we turned into the airport we drove by one building as Liz looked for what she wanted to find when suddenly I see a sign that said Miami Skydiving. The only thing I could think to say was "hijos de puta", I won't translate this.

Yes I was going skydiving, which is such a thing I wanted to do but never thought I'd get to it. We got out and walked by a plane and proceeded to check in. There were options and I would tell you all of them but instead go check them out yourself at their website . I ended up with the longest Tandem free fall they offered of 1 minute and 2-3 of parachute fall and full DVD picture package.

So, my camera man, quite the joker was also called Sergio and we had a few laughs while I waited for the instructor/tandem jumper coming with me. As the plane was boarding out comes this big viking of a man, LOL, really nice guy though (in case you ever read this). Once on the plane we put our helmets on for takeoff and then he said I could remove it. As we flew Sergio asked me a few questions for the video, and there was a sense of anticipation but it was a fairly calm short flight. Then came the moment of truth.

The viking told me to kneel on the floor and arch my back as he clipped onto the back of my harness, we scooted up to the opening where he had explained I would duck my head out the door tilt it back and cross my arms. At this point I am at his mercy, my body is out the door no hands to hold me in and even my head can't lean on the door frame...then "GO!".

WHHHOOOOSSSSHHH, WHIIIRRRRRR,,,SSHHHHSHSHSHSHSHSHRRRRRGRGRGRGRGRG. These are the things you hear at terminal velocity of 120 mph. Then my lips were flapping, my eyes were tearing but I loved it.

Two taps and I can unfold my arms, then Sergio (Camera man in a Batman suit) is in front of my waving, prompting me to do things like Shaka sign, at this point I could not make my hands do what I was thinking, weird but obvious in pictures later, I was hooting hollering...WOW. Viking spins us around several times, pretty fast, I can see the clouds below, I want to feel and see as we go through them....oh shit, they've already passed look up there they go....The floor is coming super fast, like if you were in a falling glass elevator only louder. He grabs my left hand I see 6000...5500 ft, I know I have to pull the orange ball, he couldn't wait, he ejected the chute. Whip, flap and all goes silent, my legs swing out and back and then steady. I am now floating, it is an awesome view, the air is crisp, I look around and then he says, "look up, you see that...(tangled twisted right end of the chute) that is not good, I am going to release it and use the secondary chute." UHHHHH, OK?!?! We free fall again for a few seconds, then the chute comes out, it felt different, not as crisp an opening, but it looks normal. I never saw the falling chute but it created it's own havoc on the ground that Liz will have to explain on her own blog.

I have to say it left me in such a buzz the rest of the day, I could not figure out fast or slow driving, I could not answer many questions, I had had a double adrenaline rush that had depleted me more than Leadville. I was in a state of strange bliss for hours.

Liz that was a spectacular gift, it may even be considered a disease with no cure.

And here are the pictures...more about the BDay later.

Liz has a blog

Check it out and harrass HER plenty, but she has a sharp wit so be prepared.

It's a New Year

I guess, Happy New Years, Happy Holidays etc... to all that I have not yet spoken to. I hope everyone has a s good a year as mine is ambitious.

I have avoided the resolution scenario simply because I don't like the idea of it, I don't know why. However, I intend to start training again, maybe to do more than one race, maybe to try some tri-athlons, maybe some running this year. I have now even semi-confirmed my attendance in next years Polar Plunge in Lake Minnetonka, I need to run this by the wife because it is on New Years day.

I did make some early mistakes and ignored riding or training since Leadville until now and it has cost me a chance to do the local 12 hours of Oleta. Nonetheless there are 2 more FL races as well as the Trilogy of mini tri-athlons.

I want to do more outdoors this year, involve the kids more, support Lucas on BMX riding, get Noah riding off training wheels, get Andre more fit, less lazy and more focused. I hope Liz will participate in something physical, less couch surfing. But I am honest, the only ones that may do any of this is Noah and Lucas.

Work is in flux, this company can do better for it's customer and employess by far. Other compnaies continue to attempt to recruit me but some is silly for me, or not in my expertise, or simply doesn't pay well. I have had some interesting offers to relocate but none to date that are of any interest. That may change...Miami is getting lame for me and Liz.

Well, that is my New Year start, let's see what happens from here, I will try to keep this up to date.

Doesn't Elvis Costello look like Andre???

CYA

Leadville 2008

So it's a dilemma facing many people again, do the race or not this coming year?? Maybe I should leave it to see if there is room in my annual resolutions or maybe I should go for it already. I don't know, but it appears Mike won't be coming he's expecting a baby around the same time and Steve is talking about the Cream Puff instead. I wish Andre would train with me or even my sister but they'd be starting from scratch like I did last year. Nonetheless the experience is worth the effort in the end.

Well I guess I have til end of January to decide.

SH Happy New Year.

work life

I now work for yet another defense contractor. Only this one is smaller than the past 2. I always said I'd never do this once I got out of the CG but now I did in '04 and it has been an interesting experience. The volatility of your job is so high and the changeover of hands from contract to contract and business to business is constant. Company one bought by company 2 so we all stayed and kept our jobs and the contract went untouched. Then company 2 which was confident that they were positioned very well to maintain this contract for an extended period seemed to have missed some details and lost the contract at renewal time. Funny thing is winning a contract does not make you the adequate company for the job. Company 3 so far seems to have bit off more than it can chew, only time will tell but so far it's an administrative mess. Loads of confusion, no communication and our faith as employees is dwindling. There have been a few to walk away from this and we are only 2 months in... This is all transparent to the customer however, because we all make it so, so as to not show the unprofessionalism of the company we all now work for.

Well, we'll see where it takes us...over 100million$ and this is what we get as taxpayers...

LOL so you wanna use a taser

So I have been steaming about this taser thing.

I have spoken to people "in the know" and one of my consultants and I have figured out that the only way to keep these tasers and overzealous Police Officers at bay would be if the same novel idea of tasering were used in other situations.

For example:

I recommend we use tasers very similarly in the Democratic and Republican debates and conventions. Whenever a candidate exceeds their alloted time or gets a little "feisty", they get tasered, on national television, and since they are upstanding citizens, they get one freeby. Yes one free tasering, after the first one they simply go straight to jail and convicted of a felony.

In fact maybe we give Wolf Blitzer a remote taser control to each of their podiums...

Here ya go Wolf have fun:

Mr. Kerry please help a student!!!

I just saw the video of the student in Gainesville that got a little carried away with his questions at a John Kerry conference. I don't blame John Kerry for what happened but below is a letter I posted on his blog asking him to stand up for this student.

If you haven't seen the video or story here it is:
http://www.local10.com/news/14138122/detail.html?rss=mia&psp=news

Here is a link to John Kerry's Blog as well if you want to send him a note, again John Kerry is not at fault but let's make these guys stand up for what is right:
http://www.johnkerry.com/blog

Here is my post, crossposted to John Kerry's September 17th posting titled: Nation must provide better care for rural veterans by John Kerry on September 17th, 2007

My Post

Mr. Kerry,

I will not get into some long rant but I saw something on the news today that was very disturbing. This young man Andrew Meyer, at the young age of 21, was quite overzealous in his questions at your recent conference. However, what occurred afterwards was absolutely disturbing and should not be what our young minds have to endure for their passionate stance on issues. I am well aware that you were part of a generation that protested and held rallies about things you opposed and supported. Had you been faced with the possibility of a taser for speaking out, maybe many of you would have never stood up to speak out.

I said I would not rant so I won't, I would like to ask you for a favor as a Statesman instead. Please, stand up for what is right, don't let this young mans' life be ruined for speaking out. Apparently he faces felony charges which will make him ineligible to vote as well as ineligible to serve in the military. A felony is a tough thing to overcome and I think he should not be facing such serious charges.

Please speak out on his behalf and stop the steamroller that will ruin his life. After all, it seems that he was in favor of Democratic ideals, he was just overzealous in his approach.

Thank you for your kind attention, I will repost this on my own blog.

Sergio Herrera

Some nice pictures I found and scanned

I really miss North Carolina...I know Liz does as well.

In order left to right top to bottom, Lucas about 3 to 4 years old in NC, Dre in InLaws house drinking from a Catalan Porron, me and Liz side by side behind the NC house, Liz and Dre on old couch at InLaws house about 94-95, Lucas and Liz in hammock behind NC house.

Lots of these were taken by JK on a visit to NC...Thanks JK.

F150 Truck for sale

Guys I hate to do a sales pitch but here goes:

I have a 2004 Ford F150 with super low miles, 10500 more or less
.
It has an ARE Topper for hobbyist or work truck, like new
.
I bought it with a warranty that covers the PowerTrain until 2010.

No problems and the body is almost perfect, that's the low miles effect...

It is a 4.6L V8 engine, it is quite economical for a big truck, about 380 miles to a tank.

AM/FM cassette radio and AC

This is a Steal, I am only asking $15,500 or make me an offer...but it is already an awesome deal.

Thanks and sorry for the sales pitch...ciao

Serge

Here is the truck:

Great article on the race

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20070811/SPORTS/70811018

Enjoy

John Storb Pictures...Thanks John

These are some good picture John gave us on a CD...Thanks John.

Race day update

I did not post what actually happened race day and afterwards.

We got up at about 4AM to get the last few things done but we were all prepared the night before with bikes tagged and bags ready, with nutrition etc. We had already handed off some drop bags for John Odle and Michelle Ortiz to crew for us at Twin Lakes. We ate a quick little breakfast and drove down to main Street. After parking, we rolled the bikes over to the strart and found a good spot at the 11-12 hour mark. We did not want to get run over but also thought we should at least arrive within that time.

Hangin around we met Floyd as he rolled his bike to the start at the front with Dave and other invited Pros. He signed Mikes and my shirt so we rode with signed shirts, kinda cool.

The race started at 6:30 and we rolled downhill with the pack, it was a fast roll but quite crowded. We made the turn towards the Junction at the entrance to Turqoise lake and then hit grid lock, everyone bottlenecked getting on the dirtroad to St. Kevins.. Once things opened up we started towards St. Kevins (first climb). All three of us were pretty close together until about the mid point of the climb, Mike pulled ahead a bit and Steve and I rolled back and forth for a bit. It is truly a tough initial climb that separates the pack (acclimating is key before this point or it will break you). After this we passed carter Summit and I think none of us stopped and we continued down Hagerman Pass with a fast 40 mph paved downhill leading to a rougher dirt road leading to Powerline.

Once we got to Powerline we were a bit more separated, Mike and Steve ahead of me. I started up and down the upper sections of Powerline (a big rougher downhill section on top of Sugarloaf). I got past all the upper sections but on the lowest section where the ruts are pretty big and the granite dust is loose, I took a good spill. It took some time to uunclip, inspect myself, wash the dirt off the cuts and hobble back on the bike. I imagine I lost about an extra 10-15 minutes there. I started downhil and finished Powerline.

John Storb was at the end of it on the paved road where he got pics of Mike and I coming out. I started down flatter sections of the ride towards Pipeline Station. John passed me in his car to check on me since he saw me bleeding. Thanks John!!! I got to Pipeline, washed my wound, avoided the medical guys, I did not want to get pulled, and rode towards Twin Lakes. I thought I would make it but later found out I had lost too much time. On the way to TL, its a series of dirt roads, some rougher some smoother, some steep some flat but nothing too hard except the "Cobra" or "North Face". This is where the leaders zipped past me with Dave in the lead. I got to the "Cobra" when a helicopter was overhead, but my understanding is a rider broke his femur there and was medevaced!! I am glad I did not see this it would have been a bit more nerve racking.

Once I got on the pavement to TL, I could see the aid station and dam, I rolled onto the Dam where Mike mentioned..."Se Acabo" or it's over. I knew it was when he was off his bike, but I said some foul words about my leg and siad I was going to at least check in. I rolled over the dam and never found the checkpoint table, so I rolled to our Crew where John Odle, greeted me and took my bike. Bill one of the race coordinators came running and asked if I had just passed the dam, when I agreed he asked to cut off my wrist band. It was over.

In this craziness, Nancy came back down from the Columbine climb. She was pissed, understandably, she flatted on the way up, but in the swap of her bags at the aid station the air pump did not make it into her new bag. After some fast work by John repairing the tire and some encouragement she took off back up the mountain. Now it was a waiting game. We waited there for Janice, Jill and Nancy to come back. We saw, "Doc", Mick, Bob (Minnesota) and several others come back. Jan came back first of the ladies, fresh as day and hungry, she replenished and flew out. The Jill, just as fresh and she was gone. We were biting our nails hoping Nancy would make the cutoff but it was too much time to go up that Mountain 2 times, she came back and hopped in the van with the rest of us...congrats Nancy you rock.

We checked to see that they all made it past Pipeline on the way back and apparently they had. We went to the finish line where Mike and John had watched the leaders finish. There we watched all our new friends arrive. Jan got the buckle and Jill finished over 12 but she finished which is a HUGE accomplishment! Congrats everyone.

I had such a great time I hope everyone else did also. See you all next year at the finish line...

During the race photos...2 slide shows

Leadville Race Start photos

Run your mouse over the photo...

Bill/Docs Pre Race House Party

Thanks a million Bill!!!
From Left:
Jan (Cali), Jill (Boise and proudly Unattached), Mike (Guapo), Steve (Cartel), Sergio (Me), Nancy (she has an operated knee..tough lady), Michelle (Steves wife), John (Nancy's Husband climbed a 14er and sat down to read a book while he was picked up by the road) and Bill a 12 time LT100 finisher (see the buckles in my other post below), 60 years old this year, the host (Doc)...

Leadville Thursday

Below is a slideshow of a very mellow Thursday in Leadville for us. We started slow and went down to the coffeehouse (Proving Ground) for some good coffee. Afterwards we met up with some of the other riders and went to do some gift shopping, at the LT100 store as well as to the Bike Shop (Cycle for Life). Afterwards we had already agreed to volunteer at 4:30 to help set up the gymnasium for the Friday and Saturday events but as it turns out they also needed us at 11 so we helped both at 11 and 4:30 stuffing bags of goodies, rolling posters, setting up chairs and sponsor banners.

Between the volunteering Jan, a California cycling veteran accompanied us out to the course where she showed us how it runs through the flat lands and through some forest up to an aid station, about 20 miles into the course (Pipeline). We also paid a visit to the monster they call Powerline, it's about a 3 -4 mile climb/descent, we do it in both directions and it is steep, mean, rough and dirty. I hiked with her and Steve part way, Mike chose to leave it as a surprise. The pictures you'll see below are of a stream we pass after the Powerline and of the lower section of Powerline, there are 3 sections like it.

After all of that we changed into our Got Mountain/Got Cruiser t-shirts and headed over to Bill (Doc)'s house, where he put on a nice spread of salad, snacks, beer and wine etc. and we brought our own meat or whatever to cook on his grill. Mike and I had Churrasco, Steve and Michelle had more steak. This was a very pleasant gathering of mostly Minnesotans all part of Bill's INDY riding group, (I'm Not Dead Yet) and a few more riders he invited. It was such a pleasant experience with such nice people. Doc if you ever read this THANKS A MILLION!!! We goofed off using his Pulse Oximeter to measure how well we all mainatain heart rate and oxygen levels in our bodies. It's amazing how well more athletic people can adapt to the altitude.

Well now we plan our bags bikes and go to a medical check in tomorrow, so it's right around the corner. Wish we had a large group of loud Miamians here, UNA GRITERIA, but we will represent you all well, I am sure.

More tomorrow I hope.

Serge

More from Pb Ville (Pb = Lead)

You can see below that we've finally arrived in Leadville. The first day here we visited the Offices and store of the Race Officials. We bought a few things and asked a lot of questions.

When we checked in to the hotel, we found it to be very nice new and clean, so that was a plus. We added a roll away bed until Steve gets a room of his own on Thursday, his wife arrives then. We decided to take the first day and night easy while we got acclimated to the altitude a bit.

The next morning we got up at about 8:30 and by 9:30 we were riding the road from the race starting point down to the first trails and started up the first mountain. We got up part way and decided we shouldn't over exert ourselves and we headed back. It was lots of fun because we did not know what to expect and we were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the dirt roads, they were not as bad as I expected. The ride back was all climb for about 5-6 miles, it was not a brutal climb but long and since we were not quite acclimated it felt tremendous. But we took it easy and had fun doing it.

We cleaned up and decided to drive out to view other parts of the course. We saw some of the worst of it and the large mountain in the middle of the course...whoa! The roughest is called Powerline and it is exactly that a dirt road under powerlines climbing up a steep messed up part of a mountain. Te large climb is called Columbine and that is not viewable from the road, but the top of the mountain is...did I say WHOA YET!!!!

We finished that and decided to do some sightseeing, and we went down to Buena Vista, where, if you look at an older posting you will find a link to South Main. That was a spectacular place in a low valley surrounded by 14k foot mountains, with a whitewater park built next to a Urban Development where houses and businesses are being built. I LOVE THIS IDEA! I wanted to buy something here but missed the opportunity.

Today we rode a 15 mile loop around Leadville, the climb was slow and long again ut it was a great view of the town and we rode it with a bunch of nice people. If you see the ride video below it is recorded from my bike with a new camera that is mounted on my bar. That was on the loop around Leadville. We ended the day by visiting Breckenridge and eating a great Italian meal. Once we got back we visited more of the course before dark. It will be lots of fun to do this race Saturday.

More as soon as I can. Sorry about the phone not working in the room, they are supposed to have fixed it already.

Visiting around Leadville

This is Visiting Buena Vista, Breckenridge and surrounding areas.

Enjoy the music too..

Leadville bike loop video

Filmed in low quality sorry...

Leadville bike loop pictures, best viewed with sound