So far in 2009

It has been a long while since making a post, but the big news is that on July 18, 2009, I successfully completed the Ride Across INdiana (RAIN). With the support of my wife and several friends I made the 160 mile trek across Indiana in 11:57. Barb was waiting at the finish line for me with an official RAIN jersey -- my reward to completing the ride.

As of August 1, 2009 my yearly to date mileage total stands at 1991. My goal is to exceed 3000 for this year. I have several century rides planned for this month and into the fall. Special thanks to my riding buddies, Chris & Eric Bucher, Jim Lewis, Jason Crago, Greg Hauswald, Brian Neel, Sandy Scher, Blair Dowden, Greg Smitley, Joe Zahm, Mark Featherston and Colin Davis for their support and encouragement this season.

2,000 Miles Accomplished

On Sunday, September 21, 2008 at approximately 12:35 PM near the intersection of CR 200 W and CR 1100 N, the Cannondale rolled my 2000th mile for the Ride, Brooks, Ride. What a great experience it was this summer to ride all across Huntington County and the surrounding area in support of Huntington County United Way. Per mile pledges came in at $6.16/mile and are being matched dollar for dollar by the Lilly Endowment for a total of $12.32/mile. That translates into $12,320 in new money for the United Way Campaign and an additional $12,320 in matching money that will fund some exciting new community education initiatives that will be rolled out in 2009.

Thanks for your generous support and encouragement along the way. So many people will benefit from your giving and our community will be a better place because of you. I have included some photos for you to enjoy from the 2000th mile.

Last evening -- Tuesday night, September 23 -- a group of about 15 United Way Riders traveled from the University to the B & K Rootbeer stand for rootbeer and Coney dogs. What a great way to celebrate a big ride.

On a personal note -- I plan to continue riding. I really enjoy the hobby, activity, sport, excercise; whatever you want to call it. I enjoy the chance to be outdoors and the repetitive motion of cycling is a nice change of pace and an opportunity to put my mind in neutral. It has been fun, fulfilling and personally rewarding to take on a challenge and meet it. In fact, I am all set for a road trip to western Pennsylvania in October where a group of four of us will ride some wonderful Rails to Trails along the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers for two days.

I have enjoyed hearing from a number of you about your own decisions to get into motion on your own bikes. That is great and I encourage you to keep it up. I started riding last Labor Day (2007) and remember completing my first 10 mile ride and then my first 20 mile ride -- and now this year completing my first 100 mile ride (unimaginable last year) and on pace to ride 2800 - 3000 miles for the season.

All the best to you,

Brooks

Ride On

Hey gang -- as of September 11 -- ride total stands at 1837. I anticipate rolling over the 2000 mile mark on the evening of September 23. In fact you are invited to join me and a group of us on a 5 - 7 miles slow, easy ride that night -- just meet at the Huntington University Field House parking lot at 6:00 PM and we will ride the last leg of the journey and finish it off with coney dogs and rootbeer at the B&K rootbeer stand.

The United Way Campaign Kick-off happened yesterday and we are off to a great start. The Pacesetter companies did a great job leading the way and as a group are well above 2007 giving levels. That is great news and simply proves that even in the difficult economic times we face -- the caring, generous people of Huntington County open their hearts to neighbors in need.

Hope to see you on the 23rd for the Roll 2000 Ride -- Brooks

What a Great Weekend for Riding a Bike

Good Monday Morning to you all!

The riding over the weekend was minimal, but the weather was fabulous. My schedule did not allow me to ride in the Cornfest ride, but what a great weekend for this neat event. I do look forward to riding in it next year.

Ride totals are at 1598 toward the 2000 miles by October 31. Pledges are in at $6.008/mile. That totals up to about a $24K push for the United Way campaign, with the Lilly Endowment match.

This past Thursday there was a group ride with Jim Lewis, Chris Bucher, Blair Dowden, Dave Marty, Luke Fetters and myself. We went out and back to Mahon -- 22.5 miles and had a blast.

If you are looking for some fun rides -- don't forget the upcoming Huntington Bicycle Challenge on September 20 - 21. As well the LIVE UNITED Team Mini-Triathlon is set for October 5. Give me an email or a call at 260.224.0811 if you need additional information on either of these two events.

Have a great week of riding -- it looks to be another great week of weather.

Brooks

Ride Update

Good afternoon -- the past week or two have been fabulous from a weather perspective for riding a bike. As of last evening, the Ride, Brooks, Ride total miles stands at 1533 toward a goal of 2000 miles by October 31st. Barring accident or injury, I should have the goal met by the end of September.

Over the past few weeks, I have enjoyed some beautiful rides around Huntington county. Let me put a plug out for the for upcoming Huntington Bicycle Challenge on September 22 & 23. It is a two day event with two days of riding. I am registering for the Scenic Tour, which is about 60+/- miles each day around the county -- cost is only $30.00. If you need any information about this great event -- give me a call at 260.356.2400 and I will set you up with the registration forms.

Also, on October 5th is the LIVE UNITED Team Mini-Triathlon, sponsored by Parkview Huntington Hospital. Registration begins at 12:00 Noon and the ride, run, & swim events begin at 1:00 PM. This is a three person team event, with each person doing one of the events. All events are abbreviated distances -- 19 miles for the ride; 3.1 miles for the run and 500 yards for the swim. This event will be lots of fun and a great fund-raiser for the United Way Campaign. Registration fees are only $25.00/person and include a t-shirt. Give me a call if you need help getting a team registered.

This week I plan to ride on Tuesday and Thursday evening -- if you want to join in, meet me at 6:00 PM at the Huntington University Merillat Physical Center Parking Lot. I plan to ride between 15 - 25 miles each evening.

Brooks

Brooks the Biker

At long last, final photos of a large man in Spandex -- Enjoy, but don't burnout your eyes!

Brooks

Lots of Riding -- Still having fun

I am embarrassed by my delay in posting to the blog. The ride is going great -- lots of miles and fantastic weather. This past weekend, my friend Jim Lewis and I did my longest ride since RAIN -- riding to Bluffton and back on Saturday, August 2 -- 59.8 miles at an average speed of 15.3 mph. Ride totals are now at 1329 toward the goal of 2000 miles by October 31, 2008. I am averaging just over 100 miles/week, with 13 weeks to go.

I have had lots of fun with many of you on the Thursday night group rides -- Mark Featherston, Mark Shultz, Stan Bippus, Jeremy Winkleman, Cindy Gamrat, Blair Dowden, Jim Lewis, Brian Neel, Luke Fetters and Sandra Scheer, just to name a few.

In September I will be riding in the Huntington Bicycle Challenge and in October, I am organizing a cycling trip out in the hills of western Pennsylvania.

Last night, my brother Luke (just returned from 3 weeks in China) went out on a short ride -- 10.6 miles. Perhaps my worst ride of the year -- lots of humidity, low blood sugar, inadequate hydration, recovery from riding to Bluffton on Saturday -- resulted in a very slow average mph. Luke, a marathon runner was encouraging -- he tells me that there are bad days now and then.

Looking forward to more miles in the days and weeks to come.