Bike Repairs for Dummies

Today, I had a 44 mile bike ride followed by an 8.1 mile run planned, but things are outside of your control sometimes.  I was 10 miles into the bike ride and getting into the thick of things.  I had just made the right onto Warrenville Road and starting hammering up the hill and just as I reached the precipice, something gives in the bike.  I first think it has something to do with the chain slipping off or derailleur issue, so I stop turn over my bike to see what is wrong.

Weird...nothing seems to be out of the ordinary.

I rotate the pedals a few times....everything runs smoothly.  Alright, maybe the chain slipped and caught itself again.

I get back onto the bike and start chugging away, thinking the "slippage" is anomaly.

I click my right leg and start pushing off.  After I build enough speed, I attempt to click my left leg into the pedal but there is a problem.  The pedal is not where it is supposed to be.  The pedal is almost scraping the asphalt.  Oh snap, we have a problem here.  The pedals are supposed to be at an 180 degree angle and linear.  They were about at 120 degrees.  Luckily, I am right across the street from a gas station because I do not have my tool bag with me but looking at the arm shaft and connection to the crank set, I wouldn't have the right tools anyway (1).

(1) Note: Always bring your tool bag on bike rides with the following contents:

• tire wedges
• spare tubes (at least one)
• Allen key set
• credit card
• ID or drivers license
• cell phone 

I find myself lucky again because Lindsay's business is only 5 minutes away.  I give her a call and she has to close a little early to help me out (She is the best). 

Lindsay picks me up and we go to High Gear Cyclery in Stirling, NJ (Great bike shop if you are in the area).  Now, in my mind, I think this is going to be a quick fix but may need some extra cash (Strike 2...I did not bring my credit card) so I ask Lindsay to hang out until everything is a go because I want to get back onto the road as soon as possible.  Plus, Lindsay has plans to meet with her family at Chili's, which for the record, you do not get between this woman and her Chicken Crispers (especially when her meal is paid for).  Shouldn't be a problem though because it looks like it is going to be an in and out process.

I walk my bike into the store and one of the clerks walks up to me and asks, "What can I help you with?"  I show the gentleman my pedal placement.  His response, "Oh, Shit."  Now mind you, most of the employees that work at High Gear are well into their 40s and have been riding all types of bikes for 20+ years so you think this problem would come up once in awhile.  Craig ( the clerk) states that he has never seen anything like it. 

Wonderful

I go tell Lindsay this going to take longer than anticipated.  She is cool with it. I try to apologize but she says don't worry about it (she really is the best).

I go back into the store and Craig gives me some good news.  He can fix it where I can rid but it is going to take some time.  By the time he finishes, it is past 6 and I still have at least 15 miles left in my ride and will be fighting darkness. 

So I decide to go to dinner with Lindsay....in my bike gear. 

We stopped at Barnes and Nobles so I can catch up on my reading before we went to dinner.

After going to dinner and perusing through B&N, I can honestly say I know what it feels like when people see you and think you are an immediate threat to their children. 

Not the best feeling I have experienced.

Needless to say, it has been interesting so far today and I still have to run in 30 minutes. 

The night is young...

Getting Back on Track

We all have schedules in our lives.  Items and things that are important and paramount to our daily regiments that mold us in who we are and represent us.  But sometimes, life gets in the way, things change and we have to do what we all do best...adapt.  Whether it is serious or the most minuscule detail, we all let things alter what we usually do in a good, bad, or indifferent way.  Sometimes we revert to an activity we enjoyed in our younger days, skip on a workout, binge out of a diet, or just become complacent, which is ironic.  We allow these distractions to avoid complacency because the last thing anyone ever wants to be is bored.

However, getting back into a regular routine promotes balance and controls chaos in our lives. 

For the previous few months I have been wroking out on a inconsitent basis even though it is just to keep a good base until my training starts.  There are plenty of reasons why I did this: avoid injury, stay in decent shape during the offseason, repel insanity, and humilty.  However, in this process, I have felt consistently inadequate.  Something was missing.  I knew exactly what it was but didn't want to make the committment due the reasons listed above (mainly to stay healthy while avoiding burnout).

However, now I am three weeks into my training program (1) and my body hasn't felt this good since Ironman Wales.  Putting my mind and body on a schedule to improve myself and try to obtain a goal that was not on the plan when I started training for triathlons is completely liberating. I have a good flow in things lately.  I understand what I need to do and execute it.  If not, I immediately get stressed and angsty, which leads me to go out and train anyway, just so I don't take my failures on anyone around me (specifically, my girlfriend).  I no longer feel inadequate and it helps me in all facets of my personal life: work, love life, family, training, and social interactions. 

(1) I have no specific training program.  I have been involved with cross country since I was 13 years old.  From that time, you learn how to take what you like and don't like from your coaches.  What works and what doesn't work.  I try and not to think too heavily on my workouts as they usually come from my head the day of.  Sometimes, I even change it up minutes prior if it sparks a new challenge or just my interest.  It's unorthodox and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but it works for me.  I tried to follow a workout plan in route to competing in my first half ironman but I felt an extreme unnecessary pressure to follow the law of the letter.  Once I stopped following it, I felt great and continued my training under my terms.  That was three years ago and I haven't looked back.  This is also why I am probably not a professional

The hypocritical ironic thing is I am person who enjoys chaos. The random things in life excite me.  Sometimes, I purposively put myself in positions to spark a different reaction in the situation to see how people act and how I respond to others' instinctual reaction.  We all put on upstanding fronts when things are normal and going well, but we are defined by how we adapt to things when they go wrong.  When the pressure is on and the chips are down, people show you who they really are.  I like to ignite that sometimes.  Of course, this can come from me at anytime. 

So to recap this post, I have just contradicted the importance of scheduling and controlling the chaos theory.  Or as I like to look at it, balance out the equation.  Look, it's our nature to be hypocritical.  We do it without even realizing most of the time.  So instead of fighting it, find balance in it.  There is good and bad in everything around you.  It depends on how you percieve and comprehend it. 

Maybe if I let someone much prettier than me explain it, it will resonate better:

Pardon Me

About a month ago, I summed up my opinion of Lance Armstrong including his career, lies, and the Oprah Interview.  I thought it was pretty well put together and to this day is my vost viewed article.  Then, I stumbled across this.

This rant by Comedian Bill Burr blissfully summarizes my entire two part entry of Lance Armstrong elegantly and hilariously.  Simultaneously, it helps us all realize how we overreact to everything and not add a sense of humor to hot button issues. 

Isn't that the epitome of America anymore? 

Let's overreact and take drastic measures without thinking things through.  People always complain how the government controls and monitors your every more, yet, the same people complain that the government doesn't control and monitor your every move. 

Prime example number 1: Gun Control.  This has gotten out of hand.  Last week, Presidnet Barack Obama disarmed the Marines at a demonstration.  A DEMONSTRATION!!! for the United States Marines!  These people were trained to protect us.  Now they can't use their firearms, which they have been properly trained to use and went through training most of us have only seen in movies. 

We do not have a gun problem in the US, we have a people problem.  That's not an opinion, that's a fact.

There is a reason why we lead the world of high-powered nations in gun related deaths, exponetially may I add. 

Check out this chart.  It represents the yearly death rate per country.  Pretty eye opening stuff when you compare our number to the likes of Germany and the UK.

It comes down to perception, accountability, and due process.  We need to think things through.  It is terrible what happened in New Town, Columbine, Virginia Tech, Colorado and many other places, but we can't overreact by having other forces at bay control us.  Only we can do that.  We have to take responsibility for ourselves and that will flow into the rest of society.  It really is that simple.

Pardon me, I didn't me to go on this tangent.  It just came out.  Hopefully for the better.

Till next time, check out http://www.triforlifefoundation.com

Power of the.....Heart (Part 2)

This is the second installment of the Power of the Heart portion of the Tri for Life Foundation blog.  If you would like to read the first post, click here.

The Power of the Heart title represents an event where I helped raise money (Thank you to all that have donated) to a cause, individual, or family to help support those less fortunate than myself and give the money in some type of forum. 

I hope this blog inspires to you help others, donate your time, or even start a charity organization yourself.  Anything is possible when you put your mind to it (I apologize, that was terribly cheesy).

Last week, I visited the Carteret Elks to meet the Lindh family.  During Hurricane Sandy, their house shifted, broke a gas line, and engulfed into flames.  Something this family has worked for, earned, and called their home was suddenly taken from them by an unstoppable force.  They didn't miss payments or put their mortgage on black to risk it all (something I would probably do), mother nature paid a visit and humbled something most of us take for granted.

Since the storm and to this day, the Lindh family, Dave, Sue, and their two sons, move from home to home, whether it is friends or family, staying and living in unrecognizable territory.  They fight each day to reclaim something that was once their own.  Dave continues to work while Sue takes on multiple jobs to purchase a home in Carteret to reboot their lives back to normalcy.

While raising money for a family that lost something important in Hurricane Sandy, their was no family more deserving than the Lindh family.  Two lovely individuals who devote their time to help others in Elkdom.  These fine folks understand the importance of giving their time to a greater cause.  They recognize and appreciate the sacrifice one goes through when one or a group put others in front of themselves. 

In the photo above, you can see the hell they have gone through but have not given up hope or made excuses for their ill-fortunes.  They have ever right to by the way.  No one would blame them after going through Hurricane Irene (where they almost lost their home) but then, a year after, Sandy storms through and alters their life again, most would give up.  The Lindh family refused.

One has to admire such strength and I am forever grateful for meeting them and doing this for them. 

I would do it again...in a heartbeat. 

I hope this story inspires you, because doing this, it breathes new life into the organization.  I will continue to strive to help others.  All I ask of you who read and support the foundation, please continue in your efforts, it is going to a great cause.

 

www.triforlifefoundation.com

@triforlife1

Facebook: The Tri For Life Foundation

Inspirational Center

Most people who workout, run, swim, bike, play basketball or doing anything that takes serious effort always runs into a wall.  A state of mind or place everyone knows and hates.  The moment where walking up stairs or making dinner becomes an arduous chore and feels like your running a marathon when you finally muster the energy.  At these times, we seek inspiration and motivation to do anything.  Most people listen to music, primarily when one goes to the gym, to jump start their adrenaline.  Others read books or watch movies. 

Me, I love watching commercials or promos. I know it sounds silly but they are quick, to the point, and impactful.  Some have even brought a tear or two to my eye.

Ironically, corporations like Nike, Red Bull, and Saucony produce advertisements to sell me their  products yet I am buying their inspiring messages. 

Here are a few of my favorites and there may be a Lance Armstrong commercial in here:

It's hard not to be motivated by this video.  Oscar Pistorius has been told he can't do certain things his entire life.  Thank Goodness he is a bad listener and gives us no excuses.

Speaking of no excuses...

I am suppose to run today but I think I have a case of the Wednesdays.  Sorry Matt.

I usually watch this video right before a race to gear me up against my future competition.  Has worked out thus far.  Hopefully, it can help you.

And in approximately 4 minutes, you are pumped and motivated to go do something.  It doesn't take much to get us going and once that occurs, anyone can become a juggernaut.  We all go through highs and lows, it's in our nature.  However, there are things out there to help us.  Use them to your advantage.  I skip on workouts, professionals skip out, everyone skips out on workouts, but it's the little things that push us to the next level. 

These are just a few things that motivate me.  Hopefully, this helps you

Check out the site www.triforlifefoundation.com

Manticat Te'ofish

After today's discovery that Manti Te'o's fake girlfriend was a dude played by Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, can we admit that we have severe societal problems in today's world?

From text messages, emails, facebook, myspace, tumbler, instagram, and many more technological social mediums, we are losing ourselves or failing to make true connections with others.  A friend once told me that the phone call is this generation's hand written letter.  That statement couldn't be more true.  We have all found ourselves in a box consumed in self promotion, popularity contests, and desperate attempts for attention.  You see it everyday.  At the doctor's office, everyone isn't talking to each other, they're just on their phones biding time and waiting for something to gather their interest.

Or a better example, when a large group of friends go out, they're always a few who aren't as outgoing as others and within 30  minutes of the nights festivities, they are on their phones chatting on facebook, twitter, checking emails, and checking out of the action that is occurring right in front of them.  People lose touch when they are hypnotize by their cell phones.  We lose reality of what's going on around us.  Our instincts become irrelevant or better stated, non-existent. 

When you are watching TV or on the Internet, you don't realize someone is calling you even if they are right next to you until they have to yell or say your name 15 times.  We disconnect from the real world.  Lost in the screen right in front of us while losing sight of events happening all around us.  Then, we complain about not living, having no real relationships, losing connections with close loved ones, and having the audacity to point out there isn't enough time in the day.

This brings me to the Manti Te'o Catfish story finally coming to fruition.  Now this has come full circle, don't we all realize there is a significant problem with how we communicate with each other and spend our time(1).

(1) As you are reading this on your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Te'o became a victim in a terrible hoax by a person who is so desperate for connection, they will lie, scheme, use their respective voice coached lessons to deceive someone and coerce affection from another.  And in the process compromise an individuals heart and soul.  Once that soul discovered the fallacy of the relationship, they were to ashamed to admit it.  They tried to cover it up which turned out to be the worse thing to do (2).

(2) I do not want to delve into the ridiculousness of this story one bit due to the criticism Te'o has wrongly received.  Not to mention how pathetic it is that this is a 8 day front page story in this country.  This is exactly why I am being vague.

The crazy thing about this whole story that this isn't the first time Ronaiah Tuiasosopo has done this, and now he gets a lawyer and seeing mental specialist. 

What the hell is a mental specialist anyway?

Isn't that what a psychiatrist does? 

My point---Don't trust lawyers!

This guy does not have mental problems.  He is suffering from the same problem most Americans have.  Trying to feel deep and strong connections with people but do not have the capacity to do so.  

Wait, slash that. 

All of us have the capacity to change, its just no one can do it for us.  We have to take that jump with two feet and never look back.  Everyone gets so complacent and it's so natural since it's apart of society that no one complains about it.  Well, until they hit middle-age and decide to purchase and do something stupid trying to recover what they lost years ago.  And only each individual knows what they lost until it's to late.  We fight to try and get our youth back.  Maybe that's what Tuiasosopo was doing.  He is young and in his mind, this was the last resort. 

I am not condoning his actions but I understand and have seen similar behavior multiple times before.  Hell, there is documentary and  a show off that documentary of people tricking others into deep relationships through social networking.  Pathetic is the only world I can use to describe this behavior but this is where we are heading (or arrived at) and we have to find a way to detach ourselves on a daily basis so we do not trap ourselves in a box.  There are millions of ways to free yourself....from yourself....sorry that was lame but I digress. 

So find something out there that makes you happy and do it.  Don't look back.  Well look back if it involves drugs, violence, sex for money, gambling (this one is not directed at me...not at all), and eating terribly.  Don't even bother looking back, just don't do it.  Trust me, I am an adult.

I am glad I am ending this post on such an intelligent note. 

Lance Armstrong Legacy's (Part 2)

This is the second installment of this post.  To read the first part click here

Lance Armstrong's biggest mistake and enemy is... Lance Armstrong.  He is arrogant, smug, a bully, manipulative, and a sociopath. He has always mistreated the media, doubters, and most of all, naysayers.  By now, most of you heard and/or read about several ex-girlfriends, (Sheryl Crow in particular) state Lance has admitted to taking steroids.  Crow stated "Lance is a bad person" after they broke up.  Armstrong responded by claiming his ex's are bitter, jealous, and wrathful.  He even left a voicemail stating he hopes one of them get beaten with a bat.  He has constantly gotten in his own way but has maintained his secret for over 15 years with power, intelligence and "mob-like" behavior. 

However, we have heard for years from Lance that he is innocent and why would he do this do his body after going through cancer, even though, it is recently discovered he was using before he was diagnosed?  Isn't that just the problem with compulsive liars?  Once one gets started, they can't stop compounding lie after lie and after awhile, they start believing in them.  The lies become such a prime part of one's being, it becomes the truth.  They don't know what to believe anymore leading to more lying.  One becomes engulfed.  It's all they know and they will fight for it.

Look, I am not excusing Armstrong's behavior, just stating an observation of patterns. For example, a serial killer murders innocent people because they were beaten and mistreated as a child.  We are not excusing the murders but we understand how one got to this point.

Lance worked so hard to get back from cancer and knew the only way to win was to cheat and be the best at it.  It was the only way to win.  In a sport were everyone cheats, no one does.  That's why the Union Cyclist Internationale can't give the seven Tour de France titles to anyone.  Everyone was compromised.

In 2005, they would have to go the 23rd finisher to give the title to.  23rd! 

Lance got tired of getting his ass-kicked and decided to join the ranks.  He just found a way to get away with it.  He never got caught.  Past every test and was supported by the UCI (the same institution that stripped him of the 7 Tour de France titles) due to all of the press he was receiving. 

That's the funny thing in all this.  The UCI was fine with him cheating (and they knew) when he was bringing in sponsors, popularity, interest, and money to the sport but once he left, it didn't take long til they were at his throat. 

Armstrong then used his popularity, money, and awareness to start Livestrong in 2003 and raised 470 million dollars.  It made 48 million dollars in 2012 alone... in a recession and after USADA started their investigation in July.

When Livestrong started, it became a movement.  In high school, it was a fashion crime if you didn't wear the Livestrong bracelets.  Now, every cancer has it's own bracelet, ribbon, and color.  It's all because of Lance Armstrong.

The cancer survivor visited thousands of hospitals to spend time with patients and creating very close relationships with some of the them. 

Now, we find out, he destroyed people's lives by trampling all over them with lies, false accusations, manipulation, and power.

And here lies the dilemma as a Lance Armstrong supporter. 

What is greater?... The sum or the difference? 

I am trying to find balance on an uneven scale.

Lance Armstrong found a way to beat his opponents the same way they were beating him (that's why you don't hear anything from his competitors), propel himself to worldwide fame, use the fame to create the most lucrative cancer charity on the planet, build a brand, and became a hero.  However, he did it by cheating, lying, eradicated anyone who got in his way, and fraud ed an entire nation who endured him.

I am going to still support him.  Lance Armstrong has done so much more good than bad, the result justifed the means.

Graphic novels V for Vendetta and Watchmen can support my point.  In both stories, the protagonist(s) uses evil means to get something good for the public.  Both use power, manipulation, lies, and deceit to get what they want.  Both are celebrated as heroes.

And I understand this is fiction, but we all use excuses and false truths to convince ourselves something is good.  What is so different from these stories to what Lance did?  He has literally changed thousands, maybe even millions of lives from his actions.  Can we really bury one of the most influential people in the past 20 years? 

The man separated himself from the foundation so it wouldn't lose anymore creditability and still made almost 50 million dollars in 2012.  The day USADA stripped him of his titles (which was illegal by the way), Livestrong received the most money in it's history over a 72 hour period.  His impact is that massive. 

I am just as eager to watch the Oprah Winfrey interviews, which is becoming this generations' Frost/Nixon and I can't wait.

Until then, keep training hard.

To be continued...