I have to dry our shoes so I am doing a load of laundry so I can throw our shoes in the dryer. I tried this last night at 12:30 a.m. but the noise of the shoes bouncing around the drier was way too loud.

Ok, we didn’t get there by 10 a.m., how about 11 a.m.? We started slow and enjoyed the ride. On the second lap, we picked up the pace and by the third, we were doing well.

We stopped after the fourth lap and had lunch. It was great! The folks who set up the food and drinks for the Booty Ride did a first rate job. The food was good and there was plenty of it. No lines (when I went there) and there were all kinds of drinks.

Back on the bikes we met up with some team WCNC members. Tom McKinnon was riding his first Booty and was having the time of his life. He picked a gear on his bike and off he went. He looked like he was sightseeing as he rode, taking in the sites all around him. It was a gas to watch him.

Terri Bennett was riding with her daughter and they having a good time. It was her daughter Sarah’s first ride also.
John Rice, who is our creative services director, was out there turning some fast laps.

One hundred miles. One hundred miles. It has a nice sound to it. It is a good goal. It doesn’t seem so far. If I take my time, and pace myself, I will be able to do it.
Man! One hundred miles is far!!!! I did the best I could but it just wasn’t enough. I did find out that when I start to feel low on energy, one Red Bull will get me going for a few laps.

Michelle’s ride was awesome. As I stated in my earlier blog, she gets stronger as the event goes on. True to her style, she had a good ride and inspired all who talked to her about being a survivor.

I will check on the mileages that each rider rode and report it later. I do know that Mi-chelle went farther than I did. Michelle rode 51 miles. Not quite the 100 miles we set as a goal but still pretty good considering our training. I rode 42 miles. I just didn’t have it on the hills. I was disappointed but as the saying goes, “there’s always next year.”

Thanks for reading my Booty blog.

As always the 24 hours of Booty is a blast to ride. I think team WCNC will grow for next year. I had several people wanting to know how to get involved so it looks like we will have more first time riders next year.

In all, we raised over $600,000.00 for the charities and all the riders should be proud.

July 27, 2007

"B”day has arrived! All the hours of training are going to be put to the test. After a good breakfast, Michelle and I went out to do the final prep to the bikes. We washed the bike frames and cleaned and oiled the chains.

Well, we didn’t oil the chains. This being 2007, we applied synthetic lubricant to the chains. Huh. I wonder how much difference this wonder product will make. Anyway, back to the bikes. We installed the front and rear lights, checked the brakes and made sure all the nuts and bolts were tight. We then put the bike carrier on Michelle’s Sport Trac and loaded the bikes.

Michelle is on vacation this week and is off today. I, on the other hand, will work and then after the 6 p.m. show, will head over to put in an hour of riding.

Well, things started out just fine. We did three laps and decided to break to get some food in Bootyville. The setup was great. We stopped at the WCNC tent to get connected and picked up several glow sticks. We then went to the food line, which was excellent. I had a wonderful hamburger and Michelle had a delicious veggie burger. We sat under the big tent and ate with some wonderful folks.

Michelle was ready to go while I was trying to get as much rest time as I could. On the bikes we went and off on another lap.

As we started our fifth lap, the heavens let go. The lightning was all around us and the wind picked up. On one stretch of road, the wind was blowing the rain sideways and some small branches were all over the road. We continued for half a lap and decided it was time to park it for a while. The roads started to flood as the water ran down the side roads on to Queens Road West.

Since I had to go back to work, we decided to head back to the station and try and dry my clothes for later. I didn’t get a chance to videotape the ride but I will try later.

I will keep you posted on the ride tomorrow.

100 mile goal

One day to go! I went for a short ride today to keep my legs loose. I practiced my pacing so I don’t burn out too soon.

Michelle and I are hoping to ride 100 miles. It will be tough but it’s amazing how the crowds that line the route shouting encouragement really help you.

Speaking of added encouragement, WCNC has a team again this year. The team is made up of a group of people who work at the station, all with different abilities and goals. It is fun checking the progress that each person is making in their training program. Some ride year round, others just for this event. Riding and talking with some of the team members makes it seem like the laps go by faster.

My favorite time during the Booty is riding at night. It is surreal to be riding at 2 a.m. and all you can see is a long line of bicycle tail lights. The only sound you hear is the sound of the tires on the pavement and the chain making its soft clicking sound as it propels the bike along.

Then you arrive at the start-finish line with its bright lights and loud music playing. This is where the largest group of spectators hang out. It is also a good place to wait for someone who is behind you. Then it’s back into the darkness and another lap begins.

Food is always on my mind. I am watching what I eat, trying to eat the right foods so I provide the muscles with all the nutrients they need. Pasta is high on my list along with fresh fruits and vegetables.

If I wanted to help my chances of making it to the 100 mile mark, I would change the bike I am riding. I am riding a mountain bike that has road tires on it. These tires will help lower the rolling resistance and eliminate the vibration that you get with the big knobby dirt tires. The bike still weighs a lot but I like the way the bike fits me and the extra low gears will help on the hills.

I feel the hills are where my heart condition really shows up. Starting the climb is good. It’s about half way up where I start breathing very heavy and my legs turn to Jell-O. When I get to the top of the hill, my heart catches up with my legs needs and all is fine. With all the riders on the course, there is always someone to ride with and you’re never out there alone unless you want to be. Being part of a team makes it easy to find someone to ride with.

Tomorrow is the day! I will write the blog during the ride and will try to add small video clips.

It's Booty time

I can’t believe it’s that time of year again. Booty time. The 24 Hours of Booty. Never heard of it? Well, let me fill you in on the details.

Take a three mile loop in one of Charlotte’s most beautiful neighborhoods, close off one lane of traffic, get several thousand riders to start at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 27 and finish twenty four hours later at 7 p.m. Saturday and you have only a partial idea of what the 24 Hours of Booty bicycle ride is all about.

The 24 Hours of Booty is a fund raiser for The Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas and The Lance Armstrong foundation. This is my third time participating and I ride because I have a very good reason. My best friend and co-worker Michelle Marshall is a seven year survivor of a brain tumor. Michelle is also riding her third Booty and is an inspiration to everyone who meets her.

Last November, I was diagnosed with heart failure. That means, in my case, my heart pumps only 20 percent of what a healthy heart pumps. This should make the ride all the more interesting. Hills are the problem, so we’ll see what happens on the course.
Michelle and I have been training for two months and I hope it will be enough to get us through the ride and still have smiles on our faces.

Today’s ride was tough! I just didn’t have it in me. This is after a fantastic two hours. Oh well, I have one more day before the ride to get some miles in, eat a lot of pasta and learn to pace myself. I think that is going to be the key for me. Take it easy and pace.

Michelle, on the other hand, gets stronger as the event goes on. She has a built-in ability to pace herself, which is why I will follow her. This way, she can pace me and I can draft her and save energy. Pretty cool, huh?

I will write an entry in the blog right up to the ride, during the ride and after the ride. See you tomorrow.

To find out more about 24 Hours of Booty, or to make a donation, click here.