What's Happening in 2011

So, I guess I have not really met that goal of using this space more often. Let's remedy that...

When I went to the doctor in January, every number I track was moving the wrong direction. Weight was up, A1c was up, cholesterol was up, triglycerides were up, bad cholesterol was up, good cholesterol was down. Clearly, this was unacceptable, so it has been 90 days of change. Went to the doctor yesterday: A1c back where I like it (under 6.0), down 9 pounds, triglycerides cut in half, good cholesterol up 30%, bad cholesterol the lowest I have ever had, total cholesterol the lowest I have ever had. Looks like all that time on the trainer has been worthwhile. I have been riding outside when I can, and am now hauling my bike to work so I can ride from the office at the end of the day, putting me behind the bad traffic. All in all, pretty good results in a pretty crappy spring here in New England.

My riding program for the year is pretty crazy, centering on 3 crazy weekends, and several other weekends doing Tour de Cure events for the American Diabetes Association. The schedule starts out the weekend of May 13-17, with three rides: The Brasstown Bald Buster Century on May 14 (100 miles with 14,000+ feet of climbing), the Atlanta Tour de Cure on May 15 (planning on doing the century route), and the Assault on Mt. Mitchell (103 miles with over 10,000 feet of climbing) on Monday, May 16. This weekend may also be the end of my year; we'll see how it goes. I may not be able to walk at the end of it.

Let's assume I can, and I can still pedal a bike...next stop is a weekend in mid-June that includes the Salt Lake City Tour de Cure on June 11 and the Palo Alto Tour de Cure on June 12. Planning centuries at both of these.

Final Big Weekend is the BearPa Challenge in Utah, August 19-20. This is a charity fundraising ride for the Think Outside Children's Charity. Feel free to come join the fun! 2 days, 200 miles!

Non air travel Tour de Cures include the Saratoga Springs Tour de Cure on June 5, and the North Shore Tour de Cure on May 22.

I will do a few other things, like the Maine Senior Games in September, and the Seacoast Century (also in September). All of the Tour de Cure events will include multiple members of Team Type 2 and some include members of Team Type 1 as well. I will be posting ride reports here, and they will be up on the Team website as well. Special thanks to all the Team Type 2 sponsors for making another epic year possible!