Today was the 'I'm-not-sure-how-many-times-this-has-happened' annual bike ride that my teammate Johannes (van Overbeek) puts together. It's a fun, friendly, private bike ride from San Jose to Monterey, CA. When completed, it's about 90 miles long, and includes 3500 feet of climbing! I live in Florida. It's FLAT in Florida! Climbing on a bicycle is NOT my deal, but I tried my best. And unlike last year, this year I had my bike equipped with the proper gears for climbing which certainly helped. Many thanks to On Your Mark Performance Center for the last-minute changes & tune-up to my bike. And my bike? A Ridley Damocles RS that I picked up about two years ago thanks to the cycling guru's at The Racer's Edge.

The ride? GRUELING, but had absolutely beautiful scenery, great weather and lots of laughs. I had a blast and got the leg workout of a lifetime, but I absolutely do not ride often enough to be able to keep up with these guys! I definitely need to build up my leg strength and simply log more miles on the bike, but I hung tough, made it through the climbs (except for the MEGA, super-steep mountain climb) and logged about 65 miles before I decided to call it quits and hopped in the 'chase van' and let the rest of the boys finish it out. I have no shame in saying I bailed. I was in PAIN!! :)

Here's some data from STRAVA - a great cycling app for your smartphone. If you're on STRAVA, give me a follow! If not (and you ride) get on it!

Here are some great photos from the ride, courtesy of my beautiful, sweet & amazing wife, Louisa. :)