I am back from my ride.  It was so good.  One of the best of the shorter rides I have had.  I was just in the zone.  It is funny to me to recall how shaky and nervous I used to be when I started about 2 years ago.  I was timid, if not fearful and then just as I got a little confident was when I got hit by the car.  That could have screwed it all up for me.  By making the choice though to get back out there, I got better and faster.  It seems so cliche about the falling off the horse deal, but it is true corny or not.



I made my way around Tanglewood and that area around the Houston Country Club where I used to work.  I went by and said hello to the guard there that used to always see me coming and lift the barrier for me as I headed in to work.  He looks about the same after a year.



I rode the grid of just about that whole neighborhood and then made my way to Memorial Park via Woodway and then did a few miles on the Picnic Loop.  I have been trying to put the course in my memory so I am better at the curves during the criterium races there next season.  If I keep building the base as I have I should be up to speed by the time the season starts next year.  I averaged about 18 - 21 there and that includes the first couple of laps that I hardly broke 15 on as I checked the course for changes.



I left there and went across Memorial Drive and to the area around Blossom between Washington and Memorial riding the grid of the neighborhoods there.  I love to ride through there and see the changes.  Every time I go there is a finished house or building of lofts that was not there (or finished) before.  I stopped by West End Bike Shop, but did not go inside, I just rinsed the road junk off my legs and arms and got back to it.



I headed back toward home from there basically just back tracking my ride (sort of) to home.  It was nice.  I did a few half-assed sprints, but nothing too outrageous. Never got much above 30 mph today.



Computer Stuff:  Total time riding was 02:08:33.  Average speed was 15.46 mph.  Max speed was 30.6 mph.  New odometer total is 1,665.2 miles.



Get out there and ride your f***ing bike. It is awesome and your body will be hot like mine.

Today was the anniversary of that morning. I woke up that day to the radio alarm. They were saying between stories "aparently someone has just flown a plane into the top of the world trade center". I remember thinking they must mean the top top like someone had clipped one of the aerials and crashed on accident. I was also thinking...Cessna, etc. Of course I went to the TV to see the story there and saw the burning buildings and then the second impact. It was (still is) surreal.



I just wanted to say to the spirits of those that perished and were hurt, even if no one even reads this:



I remember. I have not forgotten. I am sorry the city of New York still has a big hole there like an open grave. It is sad they aren't more vigilant about closing the hole and making a new start. I truly find that despicable. You are missed and loved.



FDNY/ EMT, and NYPD heroes who perished, you earned your bagpipe-marches with honor, thanks for truly 'serving' your city and your human race.

So, Monday is the recommitment for the Leukemia & Lymphoma ride I am scheduled for with Team In Training.  Since all my posts, and letters and emails and bulletins and blogs and phone calls have produced just $260 in donations, $80 of which I donated myself, I will be asked to commit to pay the remainder of the $4,400 that is not paid yet.   What that means is that since I don't have the money to do that, I have to drop off the team and be happy that enough of you cared to at least help me raise that much.  I appreciate all the nice notes saying how much you wished me luck, but without a donation of even $10.  I think there were about 50 of those, which would translate to $500 or so.  That would have been nice.  To everyone who did donate, THANK YOU!!!  We are able to provide enough for about 3 trips to chemotherapy treatment for a kid who would otherwise not be able to make it here to Houston without it.  I still have until Monday officially, but it looks pretty grim.  If I still used credit cards, I would use one for this.  If I raise the funds by December then I get a reimbursement, but my debit card just can't support such an overdraft.



So, if any of you have a bright idea then please let me know.  I have posted and called and campaigned only to get more empty promises than I thought existed on the planet, and working full time and going to school full time doesn't afford much opportunity to campaign with weekend car washes and the other things people with real jobs get to do.  I could do it, but at the cost of my grades.  So this is a final plea at least for now to see if anyone has any ideas or generosity they wish to share.  If not, then thanks for reading and go on and move to the next bulletin just like you have all the times before, or go to http://www.active.com/donate/tnttxgc/DarbyRides and help us.



-Darby