tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67195197547032816432024-02-19T08:51:12.980-08:00BigMelonCycling.comHome of the Original Chamois Monkey!!Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-25699601966648482712010-08-07T14:42:00.000-07:002010-08-08T22:02:43.525-07:00Big Mel Rides a Bike<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqQhaXVdm_BDrIyYbV9ndwSKDauoXdOIWNa5wokjJuekJtRYPkT-86Dilfvd2FB_W_msasWqZacOqmIffsnaB9xNvXMUmISsXMEJgi0wKupXMk0JsncNX4UGXSQC7crAtIIYgZZqDrPc/s1600/IMG_0953c.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqQhaXVdm_BDrIyYbV9ndwSKDauoXdOIWNa5wokjJuekJtRYPkT-86Dilfvd2FB_W_msasWqZacOqmIffsnaB9xNvXMUmISsXMEJgi0wKupXMk0JsncNX4UGXSQC7crAtIIYgZZqDrPc/s320/IMG_0953c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503270178756015874" /></a><br />Okay, so it's true that I spend most of my time goofing off, drawing pictures of the Original Chamois Monkey, and fantasizing about people actually reading my blog. But occasionally I do like to get my Fuji Team Pro racing bike out and go for a ride.<br /><br />My latest adventure took me, Dr. T., and the Godfather from Edwardsville, IL to Staunton, IL along the <a href="http://www.mv24.org/quercus.html">Quercus Grove Trail</a>.<br /><br />The Quercus Grove Trail starts in Edwardsville at E Vandalia St just East of N Brown Ave. This trail changes from blacktop, to crushed rock back, to blacktop a few times with a small length of country road thrown in just for kicks. However, the trail was easily handled by my 23cm tires with just a few loose gravel spots that made me pay additional attention for a brief time. The ride out to Staunton is approx. 20 miles and extremely flat. Nice weather and easy riding allowed up to get into Staunton quite quickly.<br /><br />While in Staunton, there is one place you have to visit ... <a href="http://www.henrysroute66.com/">Henry's Rabbit Ranch</a>. Rich Henry, the proprietor, is one of the friendliest people you'll meet along historic Route 66. He has created what can only be described as a 'wonder emporium' of all things Route 66 ... oh yeah, and he has rabbits also. Stop in for a visit next time you find yourself in Staunton, IL, I'm sure he'll tell you a story and let you pet a rabbit!<br /><br />Dark clouds forced us to cut our site-seeing in Staunton a bit short and we found ourselves riding back in a steady downpour all the way back to Edwardsville. My feet felt like they were pedaling in two goldfish bowls by the time we reached our car. The trail holds up fairly well in the rain, although it is allot like riding on the beach at low tide on the crushed stone sections.<br /><br />Only major letdown was not getting over to <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/9949">Pink Elephant Antique Mall</a> to see the newly painted pink elephant, their new flying saucer, an oversized tricycle, or sample a frozen treat from their new ice cream stand. Oh well, just another reason to ride again next time.<br /><br />Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-83033555821012692612010-07-26T08:49:00.000-07:002010-07-26T09:02:57.810-07:00Big Mel's Top 10 Biking Pick-up LinesOkay, so I'm happily married and not looking to meet members of the opposite sex when biking, BUT many of you are out there looking for the right person to ride into the sunset with. With that in mind, I am happy to share my Top 10 Biking Pick-up Lines:<br /><br />#10 ... "You have a rockin' saddle bag!"<br />#9 ... "Can I ride in your draft slip?"<br />#8 ... "My bike only has one seat, but I'll make room for you!"<br />#7 ... "Do you prefer power bar or jell-shot?"<br />#6 ... "You send my heart rate monitor into the red!"<br />#5 ... "That's not a spoke wrench in my shorts!"<br />#4 ... "Do you want me to help determine your VO2max?"<br />#3 ... "Who applies your chamois butter?"<br />#2 ... "Do you want to see my Chamois Monkey?"<br /><br />And Big Mel's #1 Biking Pick-up Line ...<br /><br />#1 ... "Nice Knobbies!"<br /><br />Results may vary ... use at your own risk!Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-72689263779526563552010-07-22T16:00:00.000-07:002010-07-22T16:36:10.723-07:00Introducing The Original Chamois Monkey!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9V0GxJ4tgZOkt8yUQZd_CkkQmaykcMFo6B4fyVR1r4OLwIT50lM7BdZ_plk9rPuDV38uUDoAsgJw5gJn_kFiRXKPa8msdbd3vndLF9FracbHlL6Zq6SfvHGth9N6JrAwv28fq9RMTU4/s1600/chamoismonkey001a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 171px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9V0GxJ4tgZOkt8yUQZd_CkkQmaykcMFo6B4fyVR1r4OLwIT50lM7BdZ_plk9rPuDV38uUDoAsgJw5gJn_kFiRXKPa8msdbd3vndLF9FracbHlL6Zq6SfvHGth9N6JrAwv28fq9RMTU4/s200/chamoismonkey001a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496870299534267922" /></a><br />After minutes of preparation, hours of discussion, months of procrastination, and years of hoping, BigMelonCycling.com is proud to present The Chamois Monkey!<br /><br />The Chamois Monkey is revolutionizing biking as we know it and he has just been introduced! One of the original creators of the Chamois Monkey explains it this way:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><blockquote>"The Chamois Monkey is an icon ... a beacon of light ... an inspiration that says, 'Biking doesn't have to be like it use to be!' It use to be that applying your chamois butter, or having your wife do it, or your mother, was a routine almost mundane task that needed to be done before biking. BUT NOW the Chamois Monkey is here! And although the Chamois Monkey is not an actual live monkey, just thinking about him will make the task of applying chamois butter more enjoyable."</blockquote></span> <br />But besides the buttering side, the Chamois Monkey will also inspire riders to ride faster and farther than ever before! Someone that has heard of a panel of experts said: <span style="font-weight:bold;"><blockquote>"While riding a bike it is important to maintain a positive attitude to achieve maximum results. One way to do this is to think of something like a skillfully trained wild monkey applying chamois butter to your 'sitting' area before you ride. The joy that comes from such thoughts, along with hours of training, will definitely help you be a better rider."</blockquote></span>Of course image is important too. You cannot be inspired by something if you don't see it or know what it is. That is why BigMelonCycling.com is developing a whole series of merchandising products for you and your friends to wear and share while you bike, walk, eat, sleep, sit, stand, or whatever other activities you enjoy. Big Mel himself said, <span style="font-weight:bold;"><blockquote>"It's hard to make someone happy by just saying hello or good morning, but say it with The Original Chamois Monkey on your shirt, hat, mug, bumper sticker, or other things to come, and you are sure to not only strike up a conversation, but also make a friend."</blockquote></span>Most people like monkeys. Some people know what chamois butter is. We at BigMelonCycling.com have brought these two things together for the betterment of your life and those around you. Never again will you go to the zoo and think, <span style="font-weight:bold;"><blockquote>"Oh, that's just a monkey."</blockquote></span> Now you will think, <span style="font-weight:bold;"><blockquote>"I wonder if that monkey is the actual Chamois Monkey!"</blockquote></span>Get out there and ride ... tell your friends ... it's a new day in biking! Shout it out: <span style="font-weight:bold;"><blockquote>"The Chamois Monkey is here! The Chamois Monkey is here! The Chamois Monkey is here!"</blockquote></span>Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-29730835607847910462010-07-15T19:11:00.000-07:002010-07-15T19:13:29.292-07:00Be Prepared!Prepare ye the way ... the Chamois Monkey cometh soon!!Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-62520225007919280992010-07-14T23:55:00.000-07:002010-07-14T23:59:09.149-07:00Philosophical Question.If you come to a spoon in the road when riding ... What are you suppose to do?Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-9055531164626480232010-07-12T11:34:00.000-07:002010-07-12T11:35:27.475-07:00BIG ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!Biking, as you know it, is about to change!! ... tell your friends.Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-23050844501114610442009-09-10T12:05:00.001-07:002009-09-10T12:42:57.134-07:00Big Mel is Back Baby!Since I only really have one occasional reader to this site, I'm sure the correct response to the title would be, "Oh, I didn't know you were gone!"<div><br /></div><div>Yes, I haven't been blogging this summer mostly because I haven't been riding this summer! I know it's hard to believe that Big Mel of BigMelonCycling.com wouldn't be riding his bike, but it's true. The week before my favorite ride ... <a href="http://www.bebikeclub.com/tourdedonut/">The Tour de Donut</a> in Staunton, IL ... I was diagnosed with a inguinal hernia. When I asked the doctor if I could still race the donut, he laughed and said that I was shut down for the season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Truth be told, I hadn't been riding that much this past spring anyway. But when you are told you CAN'T ride, it really makes you want to ride even more. To top it off, the weather this summer in Chicago has been perfect riding weather almost every week!</div><div><br /></div><div>The good news is now I have been cleared to ride!!</div><div><br /></div><div>This past Tuesday, I went out and put in a short 7 miles and then this morning I put in a 20 mile ride! Anyone that knows me understands that I am not going to be putting hundreds of miles on my bike every week; with three kids and a wife to talk to, I just won't commit that time. But I'M BACK now and it's time to start riding and blogging again!</div><div><br /></div><div>Big Mel</div>Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-90071873329521296722009-03-09T11:12:00.000-07:002009-03-11T07:24:33.199-07:00Time to Register for Big Mel's Favorite Ride ... The Tour de Donut.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDnHyxLu2kjAdylTzl5ZORx1BVWVGeFNKefGm2rPM5OpTgl2N1SYbB9qWD6MEQ1Bl2n5ZiHv9WYAkmNiR3VATE4GfhrcaELkQOGVQ9hE44QJAyuzPGmwYisMcKBVkzd5aH4K7lz3wYBI/s1600-h/donutwinner001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDnHyxLu2kjAdylTzl5ZORx1BVWVGeFNKefGm2rPM5OpTgl2N1SYbB9qWD6MEQ1Bl2n5ZiHv9WYAkmNiR3VATE4GfhrcaELkQOGVQ9hE44QJAyuzPGmwYisMcKBVkzd5aH4K7lz3wYBI/s320/donutwinner001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311731038380482866" /></a>Registration is now open for a ride that combines to of my favorite things to do ... (1)ride my bike and (2) eat donuts! I'm talking, of course, about the <a href="http://www.bebikeclub.com/tourdedonut/">2009 Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">de</span> Donut</a> in historic <a href="http://www.stauntonil.com/Home.aspx"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Staunton</span>, Illinois</a> along Old Route 66. This ride is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sponsored</span> by the <a href="http://www.bebikeclub.com/">Boeing Bicycle Club in St, Louis</a>.<div><br /></div><div>The premise of this ride is simple. After a shotgun start; race 10 miles; stop, and eat as many donuts as you can; race 10 more miles; stop, and eat as many donuts as you can; race 10 more miles to the finish line! What could be better than that! The riders are timed, and for each donut you eat, you get five(5) minutes off your time. There are prizes for the fastest time, no donuts; the fastest 'donut adjusted time'; and the most donuts consumed. There are also various raffles. The fastest times are usually around 1hr 20 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">mins</span>.; the fastest adjusted times are always negative time; and the most donuts consumed has varied from 24 to 34!!</div><div><br /></div><div>The Godfather and I have been riding this ride since 2002. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Okay, so I missed one year because I had a runny nose</span>, but other than that I have completed this ride each year since 2002! In 2007, the Godfather and I rode a tandem and did quite well ... at getting out picture in the Springfield, Illinois newspaper (see above picture).</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">If you just look at the headline and read the caption under the picture, you would think I won the Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">de</span> Donut that year. If you actually read the article, however, you would learn that another man from Chicago actually won the race (although there were pictures of him having a reversal which should be a disqualification). I received many calls from relatives in the area though congratulating me on my victory.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, last year there were over 700 riders in the Tour and this year they are shooting for over 1,000! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">BigMelonCycling</span>.com wants as many riders as possible to ride this year, so hopefully I can finish in the top half of participating riders! </div><div><br /></div><div>This years ride is Saturday, 11 July 2009 in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Staunton</span>, Illinois. To register click on the following link. Register today ... a smaller number on your jersey looks cooler!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=8040">Register for the Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">de</span> Donut</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Come on and register, you know you want to! At least you can say you rode with Big Mel! As we get closer to the event, I will share some of my Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">de</span> Donut secrets with you like how to smash and dunk. Check back ... you won't want to miss it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Big Mel</div>Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-32300370331273942722009-02-26T11:21:00.000-08:002009-02-26T11:56:13.925-08:00The Secret Is Out!I have tried to keep this secret as long as I could, but yesterday a friend of BigMelonCycling.com called and revealed that she had figured out the secret. The funny thing was ... she didn't even know it was a secret. She didn't realize that she had stumbled across one of my closest kept secrets and so casually exposed it!<div><br /></div><div>She had just been to BigMelonCycling.com for the first time (hard to believe I know) and said that although the content was trite, silly, and a waste of time (my words, not hers), she saw a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">REAL </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">INTELLIGENCE</span></span> in my writing.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can't put that back in the bottle once it has been released! The secret is out there now ...</div><div><br /></div><div>I have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">REAL INTELLIGENCE!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Now that the secret is out there, I want to assure my loyal readers that I will continue to be the same person I have always appeared to be in my writings. I promise to continue to write the same incoherent dribble about biking that I have always written. In fact, I pledge to work harder to inspire people less with my inept ramblings so that no one else need worry about stumbling on the secret of my intelligence again.</div><div><br /></div><div>My only hope is that the revelation of my intelligence will not make you think less of me, or that my website is only for the biking intelligentsia. All are welcome at BigMelonCycling.com ... intelligent people or complete morons!</div><div><br /></div><div>Big Mel</div><div>PS: Why can't my wife, Mrs. Big Mel, stop laughing? She must be intimidated by my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">REAL INTELLIGENCE!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-71023586924937977332009-02-24T12:28:00.001-08:002009-02-24T12:42:25.368-08:00BigMelonCycling.com is Now On Facebook.Yes, it's true. BigMelonCycling.com has ventured over to the 'dark side' and is now on Facebook!<div><br /></div><div>So in between telling your friends what you're making for dinner and thinking of 25 random things about yourself, please visit BigMelonCycling.com and become a fan! Who knows, maybe you'll even find out 25 random things about Big Mel!</div><div><br /></div><div>Big Mel</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-54520261821250983082009-02-21T19:15:00.000-08:002009-02-21T19:18:48.183-08:00'Name the Ride' Off to a Fast Start!The first annual 2009 'Name the Ride' contest is off to a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">smokin</span>' start! Entries are coming in faster than ever before and the number of really good entries ... will continue to improve over time.<div><br /></div><div>Keep those ideas coming! Tell your friends, tell your kids, tell your friends kids! The excitement is building each day!</div><div><br /></div><div>Big Mel</div>Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-32607291813779295252009-02-19T06:17:00.000-08:002009-02-19T08:30:20.353-08:00Announcing the First Annual 'Name the Ride' Contest!<div>Announcing the 1st Annual 'Name the Ride' Contest!</div><div><br /></div><div>As many of you know, last years Route 66: 2008 Race to the Prison Gate was such a HUGE success that The Godfather and I are planning to go on another Big Ride in 2009. Planning for this years Big Ride is well underway! I have already spent hours sitting and thinking about this ride. I have been looking at potential ride routes on-line and talking to The Godfather mulling over our various goals. We have looked at group rides and considered many different states and interesting sites we want to see.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only thing we don't have at this point is a name for the ride. We need your help, so we are launching this contest with a fabulous grand prize! We are looking for the best name for this year's ride. We are talking about riding up the West Coast of Michigan this year, but that's not set in stone. If there is another place we could ride that lends itself to a great ride name, we would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">definitely</span> consider changing the destination! After all, the name is really more important than the ride itself!</div><div><br /></div><div>Any and all names will be considered, HOWEVER, I will share some guidelines with you that might help you attain a glorious victory and a fantastic grand prize!</div><div><br /></div><div>Contest Guidelines:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Last years ride name, The Route 66: 2008 Race to the Prison Gate, was awesome and will be hard to top. This year it is 2009 though, so you might not want to rhyme something with 2008.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Names that include 2009 AND rhyme 2009 with something else will be given extra consideration over names that don't rhyme or have 2009 in them. Think to yourself, "What rhymes with 9?"</div><div><br /></div><div>3. While last years Big Ride and this years Big Ride are not officially races (sorry, no TV coverage), using words such as 'race' in the name gives the extra energy required to win this contest. Consider if last years ride would have been called '... Ride to the Prison Gate' (no <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">excitement</span>), but '... Race to the Prison Gate' (EXCITEMENT)!</div><div><br /></div><div>4. The Godfather and I have considered and heard all of the crazy ways that our rides and/or our relationship could be categorized. Names such as 'Two Old Farts Racing', or 'The 2009 Clint Eastwood and a Bald Guy Ride' will be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">laughed</span> at and considered, but in the end, won't win the grand prize.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Long names such as, 'The 2009 Race of Big Mel and The Godfather up the Western Lakefront of Michigan to Mackinac Island just Because They are Getting Old and Trying to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Compensate</span>' will not be considered seriously, but we might consider an honorable mention award for the the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">longest</span> name that most accurately describes our ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Acronyms</span> such as 'The 2009, R.O.B.M.A.T.G.U.T.W.L.O.M.T.M.I.J.B.T.A.G.O.A.T.T.C.' (see #5 above) will only be considered if they actually spell a word or words that make sense and describe the ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Bonus points will be given to anyone that ties in some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">historical</span> significance to the ride. Like last year was the 'Route 66: ...' By putting Route 66 in the title of the ride it was more likely that overseas tourists planning to tour Old Route 66 would stumble into my website and maybe click on a link and buy some biking stuff from one of my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sponsors</span> so I could make some money. Run on sentence or not, see where I'm going with this. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Search ability</span> = big bonus points!</div><div><br /></div><div>Alright, I think I have given you enough guidelines. I might add more over the next few weeks, so check back often!</div><div><br /></div><div>But lets get to the important part you have all been waiting for ... The Prizes!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>If one of the names submitted is chosen a<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">s</span> the official name of our 2009 Big Ride (as determined by Big Mel with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">input</span> from The Godfather and the SAG team), the person who submitted that entry will win a Grand Prize from one of the following options*:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. A brand new 2009 Subaru Outback, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">BigMelonCycling</span>.com edition. Fully loaded with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">BigMelonCycling</span> stickers, a bike rack, and some power buttons and stuff like that.**</div><div><br /></div><div>2. A trip to France to watch Big Mel ride the same mountains as the best professional bike riders in the world ride in the Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">de</span> France.***</div><div><br /></div><div>3. A chance to go on a group ride with Big Mel on the Fox River Trail, a big hug from Big Mel, AND ICE CREAM!****</div><div><br /></div><div>* The Grand Prize will be chosen by Big Mel from the above listed options.</div><div>** Does Subaru still make the Outback?</div><div>*** Airfare, lodging, food, spending money, bike rental, etc. are NOT included. Big Mel's rides on the same roads would be considerably shorter than the professional riders and NOT at the same time. Also, Big Mel is not sure when he will actually go to France, so this prize is kind of 'open ended'.</div><div>**** Hug optional. No hug from Big Mel is required if that feels more like a prize.</div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously, with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">these</span> great prizes the entries are going to pour in! DON'T WAIT! GET THOSE ENTRIES IN! Enter as many times as you want ... NO LIMIT! Entries will be accepted until Big Mel receives one he really likes and awards the prize, or until Big Mel's birthday spectacular in July (details on the spectacular to follow).</div><div><br /></div><div>Family, friends, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">acquaintances</span> ARE eligible for this contest (otherwise nobody would enter). Enter early and often!</div><div><br /></div><div>Tell your friends! Pass this along! The whole world is invited to submit entries!</div><div><br /></div><div>Big Mel</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-42856815549458550772009-02-12T18:22:00.000-08:002009-02-16T07:41:28.478-08:00Confessions of an Unmotivated Cyclist.What is it about winter that make cycling such a drag? I mean, I know it's the cold, and the snow, and the wind, and the short days, and the salt, and the constant sinus infections, and ... and ... and, but really what makes me so unmotivated in the winter?<div><br /></div><div>Confession #1: I haven't ridden a bike in 2009.</div><div>There, I said it, it's out there. Not 1 mile. Not 1 lap around the culdesac. Zip. Zero. Nada.</div><div><br /></div><div>I took <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24281751@N04/3285054232/">my road bike</a> in the basement back in early November to get ready to ride the rollers. We had an early winter, but I thought I was ahead of the game. Since then <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24281751@N04/3285054232/">my bike</a> has collected more dust than it did when The Godfather and I had to go 'off-road' on our trip across Illinois. I really wanted to get the year off to a good start, put some miles in, and 'find my groove' before group rides went into high gear. Nope, didn't happen. I even had plans to ride a New Years Day group ride. It was a reasonably nice day to ride. Nope, didn't happen.</div><div><br /></div><div>Confession #2: I haven't put an entry on this page in 2009.</div><div>If your reading this (you're probably the only one) you might have already realized this.</div><div><br /></div><div>I took my time last fall and redesigned this site to its current state of 'glory' only to turn my back on it and on my faithful reader(s?). When I don't bike, it's hard to blog about biking. I read my cycling magazines and health magazines and kayaking magazines and XC skiing magazines, but it's not the same as getting out there. Man, if you could really get in shape from reading magazines, I'd be buff (more buff).</div><div><br /></div><div>Confession #3: I don't know how to get motivated again.</div><div>I need professional help. Not my usual kind of professional help, but the kind that can motivate my booty to get in gear. I'm looking for ideas! Got any?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a big year. The Godfather and I are in the early stages of planning our 2009 ride. Heck, I've been thinking about a name for it for a few weeks now at least! All of this thinking is making me tired! I need somewhere we can ride that rhymes with 9; mine ... stein ... pine ... sign.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I don't get help soon, I might not train before this years 300 mile ride either. One of these years I'm going to be too old to make it without training. If I actually finish and post this entry, I guess I'm on my way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Big Mel</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-43848652116994153492008-09-17T06:30:00.000-07:002008-09-17T07:18:12.692-07:00Socialist State of Illinois to Close 90 Mile Bike Trail<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I hate it when politics and biking collide with each other. It seems so hard to get anything accomplished in state and local government to promote biking. Every time I see a new road being built I look for the bike lane that never appears and many times the trails are a jumble of short routes that never connect to each other.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now in the state of Illinois it would seem that we are going backwards with the announcement that the state will be closing </span><a href="http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r1/HENNPIN.HTM#Biking"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. This will result in the closure of a 90 mile bike trail, 30 miles of it paved. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Hennepin Canal Trail passes through 6 counties and is a great recreational trail. It is flat so it lends itself to all age groups and it is very scenic along the canal.</span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.bikingbis.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">biikingbis.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> blog entry </span><a href="http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_archives/2008/9/5/3869469.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_archives/2008/9/5/3869469.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">No trespassing" signs going up on 90-mile bike trail in Illinois</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">outlines plans by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to close the park as of November 01, 2008.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Because of state government mismanagement, the State of Illinois is closing 11 state parks in order to save an estimated $14 million dollars a year.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As a citizen of the State of Illinois, I am offended that my government would choose to close a perfectly good state park with a great bike trail when we all know that $14 million dollars in waste could be found by anyone of us in about 5 minutes!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">While I'm sure each interest group could argue that their share of the budget pie is important, I would just like to point out that the political party that is telling me to check how much air I have in my tires, and how to take faster showers, and not to flush every time, is closing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">90 MILES</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of bike trail. How is this helpful for the environment?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Next time the citizens of Illinois hear about another wasteful spending plan they should consider that many of the outdoor spaces they use to enjoy will soon be gone if they are not already. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Please contact the governor and your state legislators and tell them to quit using our outside spaces to fund their wasteful spending.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">To contact <a href="http://www.illinois.gov/helpdesk/contact.cfm">Governer Blagojevich</a>:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Office of the Governor</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">207 State House</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Springfield, Illinois 62706</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Phone: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 18px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">217-782-0244 or 312-814</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-2121</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You can find Illinois State <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/senate/default.asp">Senators</a> or <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/house/">Representatives</a> here.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;font-family:verdana;font-size:13px;">It's hard enough to get new biking trails open. Let's not close 90 miles of GREAT existing trail.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;font-family:verdana;font-size:13px;">Big Mel</span></div>Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-82552640837168296562008-09-16T11:18:00.000-07:002008-09-16T12:12:51.894-07:00Silent Sports Magazine Editor Out of TouchAnyone who enjoys biking in the Midwest has done themselves a disservice if they haven't checked out Silent Sports magazine. Silent Sports covers biking, paddlesports, and cross country skiing, etc. throughout the Northern Midwest.<br /><br />Besides listing the many events that occur each month by state and featuring tips and places to participate in the sports listed above, the magazine and website promote these silent sports. Many times this includes railing against ATVs, Snow Mobiles, and Motor Cross; and criticizing downhill skiing.<br /><br />Recently, however, the editor of Silent Sports magazine, Joel Patenaude, took it upon himself to inject the presidential race into this topic on his Blog. In his post <a href="http://blog.silentsportsonline.com/2008/09/02/vp-candidates-family-profited-by-and-illegally-rode-off-road-motor-vehicles/">"VP Candidate's Family Profited By and Illegally Rode Off-Road Motor Vehicles,"</a> Mr. Patenaude tries to indicate that Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin might not be a friend to the environment; especially the silent sports environment.<div><br /><a href="http://blog.silentsportsonline.com/2008/09/02/vp-candidates-family-profited-by-and-illegally-rode-off-road-motor-vehicles/"></a>Mr. Patenuade uses the idea that Sarah's husband Todd had a DWI in 1986 and operated a off-road vehicle illegally in a game refuge in 2002 to try and indicate that, in his words, "the Palin family harbored a love of motor sports for fun as well as profit – public land be damned, apparently – that would tell us more than enough about her values."<br /><br />Mr. Petenuade, when you use stretch arguments and Liberal Democratic talking points veiled in the defense of silent sports, it comes across as idiotic. Not only is it obvious that you were simply trying to make a political point that you think we should all vote Democratic, it is hard to take you seriously when you sound like even participating in something 'with an engine' makes a person evil; at least not eligible to be vice president.<br /><br />I believe all sports motorized and not motorized deserve their place and if people want to ride a motorcycle instead of a bike that is their choice. I believe there should be rules that control when and where you can ride an ATV, but I also believe people should be able to ride them and/or buy and sell them.<br /><br />Your brand of extreme liberal nonsense does nothing to promote silent sports in a worthwhile way and actually gives those of us that support silent sports less credibility in the arena of public opinion. We cannot gain support for our 'agenda' by taking away the rights of others; that is just more liberal nonsense.<br /><br />I am disappointed in you, but I am more disappointed that a great magazine has to be associated and edited with such an extreme viewpoint.<br /><br />My rights are important, but not more so than the rights of others.<br /><br />Big Mel</div>Big Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-42387488304385978942008-09-15T11:52:00.000-07:002008-09-15T20:50:37.372-07:00Greg Got a New Bike!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-R39SxYfyEUYeBIvkHjrfweWZZQ13eLK-7rdvnjdxScHVLWc7ZcHU6yNfa_FMpsNl-0WPdNt4-XqmfT38EiNX1qb6GC2YdN24Tt70kThirUkOfCHVlF42o8IOtQaKaDmj_UFf_csINI/s1600-h/gregsbike.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-R39SxYfyEUYeBIvkHjrfweWZZQ13eLK-7rdvnjdxScHVLWc7ZcHU6yNfa_FMpsNl-0WPdNt4-XqmfT38EiNX1qb6GC2YdN24Tt70kThirUkOfCHVlF42o8IOtQaKaDmj_UFf_csINI/s320/gregsbike.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246323316919430930" /></a><br /><br />Congratulations to my daughters Godfather Greg on his new Trek 1500 Road Bike! I knew we made a good choice! The picture shows Greg's new bike with his kids, Kayla, and Garrett.<br /><br />Greg recently completed his first mini-triathlon in under an hour and will be competing in the Fingerlakes Triathlon this weekend to raise money for the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center.<br /><br />To read more about this event and to contribute, please click on the following link:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.active.com/donate/mmg2008/fltGRobins">http://www.active.com/donate/mmg2008/fltGRobins</a><br /><br />Good luck Greg! We expect record times now that you actually have a decent bike to ride!!<br /><br />For more information on the Trek 1500 road bike go to <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2007/archive/1500">http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2007/archive/1500</a> and check it out!<br /><br />Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-90209296593709034162008-09-10T12:25:00.000-07:002008-09-10T12:29:38.823-07:00Check Out the New Look!After weeks of preparation, the new look is here!!<br /><br />I hope you enjoy the brighter layout. Look for additional content to be added in the upcoming weeks! We are thrilled at BigMelonCycling.com to have many wonderful sponsors, so please check them out when you are not out riding!<br /><br />Go out and ride today!<br /><br />Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-50443623274099519982008-09-01T20:04:00.000-07:002008-09-11T14:36:26.597-07:00A Shout Out to My Sister and Family!Today I was lucky enough to have breakfast with my sister, her family, and my parents to celebrate my sisters birthday!! Happy Birthday Holly.<br /><br />Whenever I start to feel old, I remember that my sister will always be older than me!!<br /><br />A big shout out to my wonderful godchildren Blake and Emma. Emma is awesome! Brains and beauty, what more could you want. Blake is a sports stud and is smart enough to know that Albert Pujols is the greatest baseball player to play the game!! Send me the picture of you holding Pujols' ESPY and I'll put it on the website.<br /><br />What does this have to do with biking?? NOTHING, GET OVER IT!! Big Mel just wants to brag on his godchildren and wish his sister a happy birthday.<br /><br />Blake and Emma, it's time to start biking!! You can join me for the 2009 Big Ride, where ever that will be (grandma suggested Maryland)!!<br /><br />Uncle Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-17047611058367722512008-08-20T13:54:00.000-07:002008-08-20T18:07:39.516-07:00Crossing The Chain of Rocks BridgeThe Route 66: 2008 Race to the Prison Gate kicked off on Saturday, August 9th 2008. Our plan was to start on the Missouri side of the Chain of Rocks Bridge and ride up to Carlinville, Illinois to stay the first night. The Godfather and I mounted our Oregan Scientific ATC2K helmet cams on our handle bars to document the start.<br /><br />Although he has maintained that we were crazy to attempt this ride and claimed that his body didn't work two days in a row, Dr. T (there is already a Mr. T) decided to ride with us the first day. After hugging our wives good-by and saying good-by to the kids, we headed off accross the bridge. My two year old daughter chased after us.<br /><br />After about 100 yards, I realized that I forgot my digital camera and turned around to get it. Only after arriving back at the family, did I realize I had left without my gloves and helmet on! I had left it in the van in all of the kick-off hoopla.<br /><br />I quickly came back to my senses (although not enough to call off the ride) and left accross the bridge. Sunny and cool, it was a beautiful way to start The Big Ride 2008.<br /><br />"Biking The Chain of Rocks Bridge" is a short video I put together to show how nice it was. Enjoy the video.<br /><br />Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-12989159350309577062008-08-19T13:49:00.000-07:002008-08-20T18:03:57.675-07:00We Did It!We did it! The Route 66: 2008 Race to the Prison Gate has been completed! The Godfather and I finished 284 miles in 6 days as we rode from the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Missouri to the Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois.<br /><br />This might not seem like a big accomplishment to many experienced bikers that tour often, but for two aging men that barely trained this was quite an accomplishment!<br /><br />Over the next few weeks, I will be adding posts about each day. We took over 300 pictures along old Route 66 and about four hours of video, all which will be available for your viewing pleasure soon!!<br /><br />A special thanks to all of those who made this happen:<br /><br />My wife and kids, who helped sag and used a week of their summer touring Illinois while we rode! I love you and couldn't have done it without you!!<br /><br />To my mother-in-law, who couldn't bring herself to believe this was ever going to really happen, thanks for hanging in there while we were gone and never telling The Godfather he couldn't go. You can join us next year!! Also, thanks for the trophies!!<br /><br />And finally to The Godfather, who everytime I thought about not going, provided some reason for me not to back out. From buying books on touring, to talking about new tires, and many other little things along the way. You were the originator of the idea, you were the motivation for me to keep thinking we should do it, and you are the reason we did it! Thanks for not quitting and thanks for being a great friend!<br /><br />WE DID IT!!<br /><br />Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-30906916859720470042008-07-15T13:51:00.000-07:002008-07-16T19:12:02.207-07:00An Open Letter to the Godfather.Dear Godfather,<br /><br />So here we are only 24 days until the start of the Route 66: 2008 Race to the Prison Gate.<br /><br />Over the past few weeks, I have had to consider whether this ride was such a good idea. I have questioned my own thought process in thinking of doing such a ride and have even considered calling the whole thing off.<br /><br />However, each time I have been close to questioning my own sanity in thinking we could do this, there you were planning a little more about the trip. Maybe it was thinking of purchasing new tires, or questioning what bike would be best to ride, or just sending me links to the 'exciting' features of Old Route 66. Maybe it was the Route 66 jersey you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">painstakingly</span> got me for Christmas, or maybe it was the way you missed my blog postings when they all but disappeared. Whatever it was, when I was about to get out, you kept pulling me back in.<br /><br />Now I know you 'shy away' from taking credit for things and you probably are embarrassed with the thought that you could actually be responsible for this ride happening, but I like to give credit where credit is due.<br /><br />So this letter is to let you know that, thanks to you, the Route 66: 2008 Race to the Prison Gate <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">IS ON</span></strong> for August 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>.<br /><br />Sure there are many reasons not to do it (age, weight, saddle sores), but there are also many reasons (too numerous to mention here) TO do it. It will only be four(4) hours in the saddle each day and we will have ALL day to do that. <br /><br />I know you might wonder if you can actually do it. Me too. But I think we should try. My SAG partner will be there to take us on various site seeing adventures and if we need a ride to the next point on the journey, we can get that too. <br /><br />When I started this thing, I was doing it because I wanted to accomplish something in a life that I don't always feel like I am accomplishing anything. Then it became, I don't care if I finish as long as I start because I rarely do things that I want to do. But now it is simply about riding with you and seeing how we do. If we don't make it, that's okay, but what if we do make it?? It seems impossible, but it would give you something to talk about at work and it would give me something to think about on those days that I just need something else to think about!!<br /><br />A year ago, we weren't sure if you would ride again by yourself for a long time. Now you are riding and doing much better; let's ride in celebration of your 'recovery'.<br /><br />All I ask is this:<br /><br />When you don't think you can ride another day, TRY and ride another day.<br />When you don't think you can make it to the next town, TRY and make it to the next town.<br />When you don't think you can ride another mile, TRY and ride another mile.<br /><br />Let's just TRY this thing.<br /><br />You daughter has been very supportive and is willing to SAG. She is willing to do what it takes to help us out, so I think it will be okay. I know that you aren't sure if you can do it ... I'm not sure I can do it either, but I am going to try and I hope you will come with me. Lets do this and then I can think of the next thing to bug you about!<br /><br />Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-29886311232418627892008-01-18T18:05:00.000-08:002008-01-18T18:30:17.357-08:00Roller DerbySo I rode the rollers again last night; third time this week (third time in last 12 months).<br /><br />Now you have to understand ... before this layoff from riding the rollers, I pretty much only rode them until I was able to actually ride on the rollers without holding on to anything but the handle bars. Then the rollers became eye-candy in my garage so all my neighbors would think I was a serious cyclist.<br /><br />If you have never ridden on rollers, you are really missing out. It is one of the most out of control feelings you can have on a bike the first couple of times. Imagine riding across a frozen lake going at least 15 mph; that is what riding on rollers feels like.<br /><br />It is, however, very cool the first time you actually get going, not holding on the anything, and don't fall off. When I was considering buying the rollers, it was described to me as a good biking party trick that none of your friends will be able to do. As a guy, that pretty much sold me. Riding the rollers makes you concentrate as if you are riding along a busy street during rush hour, but they do make me feel as if I am getting a better workout while indoors and that I am becoming a better rider.<br /><br />Just to ride on the rollers, you really have to work on your balance and cadence. You have to be very even while you ride. If you have ever tried to stay on the white line while riding the street, rollers will help you learn to do that; you have to be in complete control the entire time.<br /><br />This brings me to last nights ride. Big Mel is still learning the rollers. I do not have a fancy $500 set of rollers; I have a $100 set of rollers and a $30 ladder to help stabilize myself while I get going. My front roller is slightly tapered on each side to help keep me from riding off the side, but there are no wheels or bumpers to actually keep me from riding off. I also don't have anything behind the back rollers to keep my bike from hopping off the back. What you might not realize is if you accelerate too fast, or try and stand up, you can hop your back wheel right off the back of the rollers!! Fun Times!<br /><br />Now my <strong>FIRST</strong> crash last night was nothing, just rode off the rollers to the right, landed on my feet and dropped my bike to save my balance (no way am I clipping in yet).<br /><br />However, my <strong>SECOND</strong> crash involved falling to the left, INTO my cheap ladder, which wasn't anchored to anything, so the ladder fell over, my bike fell over, and I fell into a couple of saw horses that just happened to be stacked about 5 feet away!<br /><br />Fortunately, I walked away from the accident with all of my members intact. Just a scratch on my arm and a small hole in my ankle (I have been looking around for my pride though and haven't come up with it yet). The most dramatic part of the whole episode was waking my 17 month old daughter up and my wife rushing to see if I was okay (or at least to see if the basement was okay).<br /><br />In the end I am happy to report that I got back up on the rollers and finished my ride without incident.<br /><br />Really looking forward to my ride tonight!<br /><br />Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-14684388277916819142008-01-14T12:37:00.000-08:002008-01-14T12:52:44.939-08:00Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'Finally: the rollers, my road bike, and my bike pump are all in the basement at the same time!!<br /><br />To celebrate this unusual <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">accomplishment</span>, I pumped up the tires and jumped on for a roll. It has been about ... forever ... since I last was on the rollers, so I wasn't sure how it would go.<br /><br />The roller instructions say to learn how to use rollers in a hallway, so that when you fall (and you will fall) you can just fall against the wall. I got tired, however, of being crumpled up against the wall pinned by my bike, so I just use a 8' step ladder in case I need to reach out and rescue myself.<br /><br />After getting on for the first time this afternoon, I realized I was in a higher gear than I had hoped for. Many experienced roller riders can easily shift up and down while on the rollers, but for me, trying to get the feeling of the rollers again, this was not a good idea. I tried to down shift and slipped towards the ladder which started to knock the ladder over to the left while my bike was falling to the right.<br /><br />I caught the ladder with my left hand and the bike with my right hand, closed my eyes landed on my feet and didn't hurt anything!! ANOTHER BIKING MIRACLE!!<br /><br />You know what they say: Once you fall off the rollers while shifting, shift the bike before getting right back on the rollers!<br /><br />I proceeded to then ride for 10 minutes straight at a roaring pace of 12 mph, so I already have 2 miles in this year!! That is 2 more miles than I had until May of last year, so I'm on a roll (ha, roll, get it!). I had to stop then though. I was in jeans and a sweatshirt and I didn't have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mucho</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Grande</span> on (see story above about biking miracle), besides I had to pick up my son from school.<br /><br />I came up stairs to cool off and clean up. When I took my sweatshirt off there was a smiley face on my t-shirt (okay, it was just sweat on my breasts and my stomach, but it looked like a smiley face). This was an obvious sign that I had done good!!<br /><br />This is the year. Big Mel is off to a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">rollin</span>' start.<br /><br />Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-33809011974331038932008-01-09T07:21:00.000-08:002008-12-09T22:49:57.405-08:00This is the Year.This is the Year.<br /><br />This is the Year that I finally get my melon in gear and do something on a bike besides ride down some middle class neighborhood street hoping someones Yorkie doesn't run out in front of me (I think you could run over a Yorkie and not even realize it ... on a road bike ... that's sad to think about).<br /><br />This is the Year that I start a web sight, get a helmet cam, and create other such things that keep me from riding.<br /><br />This is the Year that I take my bike down off of the garage wall (and into the basement where it can be warmer until spring).<br /><br />This is the year I start riding on my rollers instead of using them as a stop for the BigMelonCycling.com van in my garage (Everyone should have rollers by the way! They take awhile to get the hang of, but then they are awesome!).<br /><br />This is the year I re-subscribe to Mens Health Magazine and read it twice each month while eating my Chipotle Burritos. (Hey, if Chipotle sponsors a cycling team, how bad can it really be for you??).<br /><br />This is the Year that I take my first Epic Ride (to rip off a Fatty phrase).<br /><br />This is the Year that I ride the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Route 66, 2008 Race to the Prison Gate!</span></strong> (I came up with the title again with inspiration from The Godfather).<br /><br />In August of 2008 The Godfather and I will leave from the Chain of Rocks Bridge and Ride to the Joliet Prison. We will be riding The Beast (we have to ride the tandem because The Godfather keeps threatening to bail, so I am going to drag his ass up to Joliet. PLUS, somebody has to take the pictures!) and retracing the old Route 66 through the historic towns of Illinois. The pictures alone make it seem worth the trip. I hope the prison band will still be at the front gate just as they were so many years ago!!<br /><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LN6K0nrT_aZIrLn8KaiCcgDx_2UekUIsvwuC_duq3l9W-4y3S2ICpwmMqJrxPiKtCK-Og0fV8B-E1yhdRaLZ3zj8ra-Ewq4hnA5k2H84-A4OiDVb5WZrorefBd_eH60l0GGgNZ5Wr3w/s1600-h/Chainofrocksbridge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153510803614676466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" height="142" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LN6K0nrT_aZIrLn8KaiCcgDx_2UekUIsvwuC_duq3l9W-4y3S2ICpwmMqJrxPiKtCK-Og0fV8B-E1yhdRaLZ3zj8ra-Ewq4hnA5k2H84-A4OiDVb5WZrorefBd_eH60l0GGgNZ5Wr3w/s200/Chainofrocksbridge.jpg" width="191" border="0" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4ln9f1zBZRq3-dqVPhsjg84zniY_kmbB6xvqmHtHbsnDVNwHH3Ogn0L7FdhyphenhyphenlPg9L5yxi76FawiYf0vv5pepfrTjLUhIqHgFNVCD9Ul1YRFiJmdVSMkYOVUNfdrSTsRkBXsxLLUllHU/s1600-h/jolietprison.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153509863016838626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 176px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px" height="171" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4ln9f1zBZRq3-dqVPhsjg84zniY_kmbB6xvqmHtHbsnDVNwHH3Ogn0L7FdhyphenhyphenlPg9L5yxi76FawiYf0vv5pepfrTjLUhIqHgFNVCD9Ul1YRFiJmdVSMkYOVUNfdrSTsRkBXsxLLUllHU/s200/jolietprison.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a><br />Although he denies it, this was originally The Godfathers idea. He found the Route 66 bike routes online and printed them out and showed them to me. Now he claims that he was just showing them to me and that maybe we could ride to Staunton sometime or something (if the weather was just right and someone would come pick us up when we got there). BUT obviously, at least in his subconscious, he had to know that I would jump at the idea of riding from his house to my house along Route 66, so in his passive aggressive way he was really asking me ... almost begging me ... to run with this idea. I cannot fail him! I will not fail him! DON'T MESS WITH THE GODFATHER!<br /><br />Anyway, the original idea was to ride from The Godfather's house to Chicago, but it's a hassle to ride from The Godfather's house into Illinois and you would pass my house if you rode all the way to Chicago, so then you would have to ride back to my house and that would just add to the ride, but not to the excitement, so to make a long story short ... we're riding from the Historic Chain of Rocks Bridge to the Historic Joliet Prison.<br /><br />It makes sense if you think about it. The Chain of Rocks, The Godfather, The Godfather and I 'chained together' on a tandem (almost like a chain gang), and finishing at a prison. <strong>It is like it was meant to be.</strong> Now all we need are prison stripe jerseys and Blues Brothers jerseys.<br /><br />This may not be an Epic ride for many cyclists, but anyone who knows me, or especially knows The Godfather, this could even be called a miracle ride!<br /><br />Dr. T you better get on board!<br /><br />This is happening!<br /><br />This is the Year.<br /><br />Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719519754703281643.post-22323117855660111252008-01-07T18:22:00.000-08:002008-01-08T18:49:42.148-08:00"Broken"I just finished reading Bicycle Magazines article "Broken" (Jan/Feb 2008, by David Darlington).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-3-12-16637-1,00.html">http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-3-12-16637-1,00.html</a><br /><br />This article freaked me out a bit. It is the detailed story of a handful of crashes between cars and bikes in Northern California; most resulting in death, or severe disability. 7,000 riders die each year in car/bike crashes. Damn.<br /><br />Two things are amazing to me when considering this.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">First:</span></strong><br />With all the talk and politics of Global Warming, Conservation, Dependence on Oil, there is still very little political importance given to bicycling. I am very sceptical when it comes to global warming and man's affect on the global temperature, but good grief, just about everyone has a bike in their garage. Most people hardly ride and it's not because they wouldn't like to or don't have time to it's because they are not foolish enough, like the rest of us regular riders, to ride in traffic!<br /><br />I have just about every store, restaurant, or activity within 3 miles of my house. I could easily bike to most of my errands and even have bike transportation for my whole family if we all needed to go, but I rarely go anywhere with my kids around our house. There are few bike lanes on the roads, the sidewalks are hit and miss, and I do not live in a high biking area so drivers are not use to seeing bikes on the road.<br /><br />Where there are bike lanes on a road they don't start or lead anywhere. The closest road to my house with a bike lane recently removed a portion of the bike lane when a new Walgreens was built. This section of the bike lane was removed because they couldn't have people turning into a Walgreens across a bike lane. Think about this ... you're riding up this road in a bike lane and the lane just stops: what then?? Do you just stop riding and turn around?? It's almost like they are saying, "Well at least if you get hit by someone turning into Walgreens, you weren't in a bike lane!" If anyone asks why I believe in small government, all I have to do is use this story as an example of why 'government think' doesn't work.<br /><br />My community, like many others, is spending money on more and more bike paths that also lead to nowhere. Personally, I love riding on bike paths. I usually don't even mind the joggers, or walkers, that also use many of these community paths. But these paths have the same problem. You either have to ride through traffic to get to one, or you have to load your bike, drive to the trail head, and unload your bike just to ride. They also usually don't connect the housing community to the business community.<br /><br />The only option for many bikers is to ride on high traffic roads. This is perfectly legal in almost every community in the country and the bike has as much right as the car to be there. However, many drivers don't want to share the road. Even on my local rides when riding on the right side of 2 lanes running in the same direction, cars will not move to the other lane. In busy traffic times this is somewhat understandable (although still doable), but even on a Sunday morning with no other cars in sight, cars have buzzed right past me.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!</span></strong> When new roads are going in, put a bike lane in. When new business developments are going in, require the developer to connect to local paths, or at least create a path to the closest neighborhood. Encourage people to use their bikes in the community and provide bike racks everywhere. There is so much money being spent and made on all of these highway and roadwork spending bills, you can't tell me there is not enough to make the roads safer for bikes.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Second:</span> </span></strong><br />Get a freakin' helmet on yourself and your kids! A helmet is the number one way to save your life in a bike accident.<br /><br />I don't know how many people I talk to say, "Oh, I just ride around in my neighborhood. I never go on the busy streets. I don't need a helmet." That's bull. A few months ago the house of a friend of mine got run into by a car. They live in a subdivision with 25 mph speed limits and a car smashed right into their family room. Guess how fast it was going?? 90 MPH! I know many of you would say, "If a car hit me going 90 mph, I'd be dead anyway," but with a helmet on your chances of survival are still many times greater.<br /><br />Just this past fall a saw two examples of reckless biking involving kids. The first example was three kids riding against traffic on a 45 mph, 4 lane road; soft shoulder NO HELMETS. The second example was three kids probably about 12-13 again riding against traffic on a 50 mph road, NO shoulder and NO HELMETS.<br /><br /><em>-- riding with traffic or riding against traffic is a debate I get into allot with people. When I was younger I always thought it made sense to ride against traffic so I could see what was coming. After taking various engineering classes dealing with Force and Potential Energy, etc., I realized that if I hit that car head on, my head was probably going right through the windshield. If the car hits me from behind, it still would be bad, but there is also a chance I could get thrown off to the side, a much better option. ALWAYS ride with the traffic. --</em><br /><br />How does a group of kids end up riding straight at me on a 50 mph road with no shoulder without helmets. I wish I could say they get yelled at all the time to wear their helmets, but in that situation it's probably the parents. It's time to teach or kids how to ride safely. It's time to set a good example when we ride as parents by wearing a helmet, following the rules, and not taking extreme chances when riding our bikes.<br /><br />7000 dead each year. That's nuts. The Ride of Silence is a worldwide event each year organized to honor those cyclists killed or injured while riding. You can check it out at <a href="http://rideofsilence.org/main.php">http://rideofsilence.org/main.php</a><br /><br />With a melon the size of mine, I cannot afford to ride without a helmet. Mucho Grande (my helmet) has been with me since I started riding (or at least some version of him). I will pray for your riding safety this year and always. Please wear your helmet!<br /><br />Big MelBig Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218406889254904485noreply@blogger.com0