HHH

So I did it. I finished the Hotter than Hell Hundred. First, some stats. Total bike time: 7 hours and 42 minutes. Total time (including rest stops and misc.): 10 hours and 15 minutes. Total number of calories burned based on my weight and activity: ~5,000. Total number of people who finished after me: about 60 (not including all the wussies who dropped out).

You see the picture of the official ride jersey for 2009. I told my dad and wife that if I finished the whole thing I was gonna spring for the jersey (they’re usually really expensive). My dad said “If you finish, I’ll buy you the jersey.” That was all the incentive I needed, and it is now my most prized piece of clothing (my Ph.D. regalia doesn’t count as clothing). But really, the thing that kept me going was the thought that I did not, under any circumstances, want to have to come back out here again next year. I’m glad I did it. I’m very proud of myself, and it was certainly an experience, but I NEVER want to do that again. That was the true motivation. When I wanted to quit at mile 60 (and 61 and 62 and 63…) I just kept thinking to myself “If I stop now, I’m still gonna hurt a lot tonight and tomorrow and the next day, but I’ll also have to hurt again a year from now and the day after that and the day after that.”  That was enough to spur me forward for another mile.

I’ll have more to share in the coming days.  You can guess some of the drama from the Tweets on the right, but I’ll be telling stories about missed connections, fat people and cookies, Hell’s Gate, my hatred for blacktop, flat tires, really, really nice riders and others who helped, flat tires (no, I’m not being redundant), broken pumps, how far away 70 is from 100 (it’s more than 30, trust me) and bringing up the rear.  For now, though, I’m just really, really glad it’s over.

Dispatches from London X-Home Edition

So as you can imagine, Texans have a somewhat, uh, unique relationship with London.  For a while we had our own embassy there when we were our own country.  (Ya’ll do know that we were once our own country, right?).  Since then, Texans have loved and hated this place.  (Unlike NYC which we pretty much just hate).  Anyway, in honor of my return, I offer the following song and lyrics.  You can see the video here and the lyrics are below (and they’ll explain the picture).

LONDON HOMESICK BLUES by Gary P. Nunn
Well, when you’re down on your luck,
And you ain’t got a buck,
In London you’re a goner.
Even London Bridge has fallen down,
And moved to Arizona,
Now I know why.
And I’ll substantiate the rumor that the English sense of humor
Is drier than than the Texas sand.
You can put up your dukes, and you can bet your boots
But I’m leavin’ just as fast as I can.

Chorus
I wanna go home with the armadillo
Good country music from Amarillo and Abilene
The friendliest people and the prettiest women you’ve ever seen.

Well, it’s cold over here, and I swear
I wish they’d turn the heat on.
And where in the world is that English girl
I promised I would meet on the third floor.
And of the whole damn lot, the only friend I’ve got
Is a smoke and a cheap guitar.
My mind keeps roamin’, my heart keeps longin’
To be home in a Texas bar.

Chorus

Well, I decided that I’d get my cowboy hat
And go down to Marble Arch Station.
‘Cause when a Texan fancies, he’ll take his chances.
Chances will be taken, that’s for sure.
And them Limey eyes, they were eyein’ the prize
That some people call manly footwear.
And they said you’re from down South,
And when you open your mouth,
You always seem to put your foot there.

Repeat chorus ’til the cows come home.

Dispatches from London IX-WTTW Edition

One of the things I’ve been doing with my free time here is running as a way to prepare for the 100 mile bike ride I’m doing at the end of August.  Since I don’t have a bike here, I’ve just been trying to run for as long as I can at one time without stopping, not really caring how fast I run or how far I get.  Yesterday, I decided to really push myself as sort of a test since it was my last running day here.  I ran for 2 hours straight and covered something like 12-13 miles.  That’s amazing to me.  If a year ago you would have suggested to me that I would have run a half-marathon, I wouldn’t have believed you.  Needless to say, I’m paying the price for it today (I’m very sore), but that’s okay.  Big props to Tony and Mike for getting me through this as PTI podcasts from the previous week are the only thing that kept me chugging (like a train, get it?) through the boredom and monotony.

On a possibly related note, my general crotchetal area is very sore. So Word to the Wise, if you plan on running for that long, I would highly suggest that you have the right equipment.  I don’t know exactly what that is, but I know that it is something other than cycling pants and loose shorts.  I know that much.

Dispatches from London VIII

This is just for my mom.  How on earth could anybody actually buy anything here?

Dispatches from London VII

Back in Texas in one week.  Salsa here I come.  There’s one decent Mexican food restaurant here.  It’s called the Texas Embassy which stands near the site where the Republic of Texas had it’s embassy in London during it’s brief period of statehood (I’m not making this up).  And get this, the first basket of chips and salsa is on the house (after that, it’s about $4.00!).

Regardless, I’m ready to come home.  It’s been great, but I’ll be happy to be home.

Dispatches from London VI

It’s unclear if the guy proselytizing and trying to spread the good word of “Jesus as the salvator” (direct quote) is aware of the sign leaning on the fence behind him which reads “Beware.  Thieves Operate In This Area,” but I find it hilarious.