Years ago, after my divorce, I decided that I wanted to get into cycling. My brothers had done a lot of mountain biking and I had enjoyed a few rides with them so I assumed this was a natural starting point.

After the purchase of a Specialized Rockhopper pro, I hit the trails. Outskirts of Boise, ID was my stomping grounds and I quickly realized, after coming down a hill a little too fast, that while the adrenaline was fascinating, maybe I should keep to the road.

The thought of dropping more cash on a new bike just didn’t make any sense, so I resorted to riding my mountain bike on many of the paved bike paths through town. Enjoying hitting speeds of 20+MPH as I flew across bridge after bridge over the Boise River.

When I moved to Charlotte I was really bummed to learn that the ~21 miles of “Bike paths” were actually just dirt trails that together totaled over 21 miles. Nothing quite like getting on your bike, driving 10-20 min to the park, only to find out that you can only ride for about 5min before you reach the end of the trail and have to turn around. What I really wanted was a tour.

To be able to get on my bike, hit the trail/road and go as long as I wanted, in any direction was what I really wanted. Long story longer, when I met Shawn and he and I started riding together, him on his “classic” Peugeot, me on my bulky mountain bike, I started to realize the road was where I needed to be.

24HOB

When Kelly and I moved to Charlotte we lived in the area around Queens University. I remember the first time I started seeing signs for 24 Hours of Booty and I thought “Wow, that is an interesting name. Wonder what it is about.” After looking into it a little I thought that it was a race, I have never really been into racing, mainly because I don’t want the stress of competition.

When Shawn and I went and watched the ride in 2009 it was then that I realized what it really was. There is no race component, it is as casual ride to help support cancer research, survivor assistance, community groups, etc. And I was amazed at the energy on the course. How cool it was to see that many people, supported by the city, and the residents all riding for the same cause. I was little kids riding with training wheels, dads pulling kiddie trailers, even a dude on a unicycle!

I believe that it was then that I told Shawn that we should ride in 2010. Shortly after watching the ride, I decided it was time to get serious. After dropping cash down for a Cannondale Caad 9, getting some new shoes, it was time to get serious. Well not too serious!

24HOB has given me motivation, starting out the new year by completing our registration for team in 24HOB Charlotte. I have started what I will call “pre-training” this is the step where you determine how badly of a rider you really are, and set your goals for where you want to be. Between tracking eating habits, and exercise time, it will be a long road to July. But I am here and dedicated to the ride!