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Last night the remnant of Hurricane Katrina passed through. I went to bed early but was awakened about 12:30 and didn't get back to sleep till 4:00. I am really tired today. It sounded like lots of stuff was blowing around. I heard loud thumping on the roof several times. Who knows what I'll have to clean up today. The good news is, that we will be able to bike ride Wednesday. Maybe I can get some folks to do another ride on Friday or Thursday evening. At that time I didn't realize the magnitude of the destruction in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. This has been the most destructive storm in our history. Thousands of people have had to relocate to shelters thoroughout the South. It will be years before all the damage is repaired, especially in New Orleans.

That stuffy ear has decongested somewhat. Thank goodness! Having that loud ringing and muffling was annoying. Mother enjoyed her Birthday cake. It was a good cake. Today we are watching the progress of Hurricane Katrina. It will bring lots of rain and tornadoes to our area. No bike riding today unfortunately. Darn.

I got up this morning with a stuffy ear. I suppose that water in Mexico may be trying to give me an ear infection. I am starting some antibiotic to combat it. When I arose this morning, I was not aware of any PVC's for the first time in a while. I may have turned the corner. It took longer to get over it this time. I am so very tired today. I guess all that food and inactivity has taken a toll on me.

My first day back at Coosa. It was hard to get up this morning. All those mornings of sleeping in took a toll. I came home to disappointment. It seems someone just can't do right. Not having a chance to go on the BRAT is another. Mother will get her operation. Perhaps it will permit her to resume her travel and driving. I hope she can really benefit.

Well, Mother heard from her surgeon. The operation falls right on top of the BRAT. I can continue to train but I won't be making that ride this fall.

Today is Nikki's 22nd birthday. We will all meet at Shogun for a meal. Both grandmothers, grandad, dad, mom, sister, friend, son.

Yesterday I made the Bull Gap ride but did not ride hard or stress myself too greatly. I haven't felt like I should really go hard since the PVC's have begun. I am waiting till I get back from the cruise to look into them. I took some Mag Ox yesterday in hopes of improving them and I believe they are a bit better. I'll suppliment for a few more days. It is under a month now till the BRAT. I am not going to be able to do that kamakazi run up like I had planned. I won't get any riding for a week or so due to the cruise. Maybe they will have spin bikes on board. There will be 3 weeks left when I get back to finish the training.

The sign outside of Captain D's offered a "fish meal" The sound of it reminded me of the opening line of that classic story of Moby Dick. Call me Ishmael. I am more sensitive to plays on words like mighty (s)thor(e). I am really getting ready for the Vacation Cruise. I need to get some trinkets to give Bev while we are cruising. Some small gifts for each day. I need to visit Wal-Mart tonight. Maybe some sleep wear, a candle, flower, card, or a food.

Just 4 days and 3 hours till we leave for Mobile. Summer has flown by. I am very tired and look forward to some rest and relaxation for a few days. I will miss little D. We haven't been away from him this long before. I made the Monday evening ride last night. Instead of running hard at the trip like everyone else did, I just took my time. I felt much better for doing it that way.

Saturday morning I met with several others to go on a 62 mile ride. The route took us out by Sycamore and across and up Riser's Chapel road. Then we crossed Alpine by the post office and up to Plant road. Then we went up to Fincher's Restaurant. We circle back and wound up at the Grist Mill. There, I went on to home with Perry. I was really getting tired trying to maintain pace with folks going much faster than I like to tour. I managed 60 miles on that ride.

Today was my 49th birthday. I got calls from my cousins Randy and Joe. My family did a little cookie cake for me. Tomorrow I get up early and ride a Metric Century.

I started my day with a ride to Fayetteville. When I got to Russell Chapel, I discovered the road crew was repaving the Cedar Creek road. I had to return over the hill back to the Fayetteville-Cburg highway and back through Fayetteville to home. I took the left turn that takes you back by Odena Baptist. I had planned to come back through Sylacauga and on to Sycamore but the heat was oppressive. Later, storms came through and ended plans to ride Bull Gap.

My ride out to Sycamore on Monday was much better than any ride to there I've done. The research I've done that suggests the best way to ride is a cadence of 80 to 90 is right. When we spin slower, we engage the fast twitch muscle fiber that burns glycogen and we build up lactic acid and run out of gas quickly. When we spin rapidly, we elicit slow twitch fibers and burn fat as fuel. That way we can run on our fuel all day.

Today is the final day of this 7 day work cycle. I am wishing for a little rest. It isn't the job that is tiring, it is the short nights of rest. Time is drawning close for our anniversary cruise. 25 years. It doesn't seem like such a long time, but it is longer than many folks stay married. The weather has taken a turn toward rain. The next few days will be rainy and that may cut down my ride opportunities. Maybe I can get Bev out on her bike.

This picture is near the center of the blast of the first atomic bomb detonated on earth as a weapon of war. The destruction of Hiroshima then Nagasaki lead to a swift surrender of Japan and is believed to have saved ten's of thousands of soldier's lives.

Just a little play on words. I am "mighty sore". I rode to the Bull Gap top yesterday. My climb on Monday left my left knee a little sore and that made each pedal stroke a little difficult. Both legs were stiff and it made for slow speeds out to the mountain. I did better on the way back once I got loosened up a little.

Yesterday I didn't go to the Sycamore ride. I went over to Paul's and climbed that mountain of his. Some cross training. I am still trying to see how to include those Hindu Squats in my daily routine. I overslept this morning. Too tired I guess.