18 Miles per Hour Average

Day 42 – 4/19/09

18 MILES PER HOUR was my average speed for my ride today. I found a very cool new website called Bikley.com where your community of bikers posts routes that they have ridden and have rated. I decided to follow one of the routes that took me down Boylston st. and up into the hills. It was nice because it tested my climbing strength and my driving ability. I would zoom down narrow roads going at 30 miles an hour (I don’t have a speedometer yet) and feeling fine. It was exciting and there were no cars on my side of the road so I was able to ride on the smooth parts of the road. I felt very connected to the road, like I was still driving my Subaru RS (man I miss that car...if only it was electric). I am hoping I can maintain this incline of average speed because that would be grizzate for my trip. (Don’t look now but I have almost hit 500 miles of training.)

BIKE TRACK: Blink-182 (Enema of the State)

BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE:
$410.00 or $2750.00
DONATE HERE

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 9.2 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 35 min

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 67 hrs 5 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 499.34Miles

Racing the Cars

Day 41 - 4/16/09

Doing quick rides are nice, but I am starting to realize that in order to feel like I have done any major riding I need to be gone for at least 3 hours. But with my schedule I only can do so much at a time, so today I did a 50 min ride to the JP ponds focusing on speed. I actually got to race some cars along a stretch of the ride. The bike path heading south on the east side of the pond runs right along the road. I wanted to see what kind of speed I had so I started racing cars. Some would hit the gas and blow by me no problem but there were a couple of cars that I was able to keep up with. I bet I hit 25 miles per hour as some point. It was fantastic and exhilarating. I can’t wait to have a camera strapped to my bike so I can take you all along for the ride.

(Picture is of the rough draft for my trip)

BIKE TRACK: Chemical Brothers (Come With Us)

BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE:
$410.00 or $2750.00
DONATE HERE

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 7.57 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 50 min

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 66 hrs 30 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 490.14 Miles

Don't be Afraid to Wander

Day 40 – 4/14/09

Although I do like ot have a destination in mind when I am riding I am not opposed to wandering because not all who wander are lost. Today’s ride changed so much from what I was originally planning. I set out to go to the coast in Quincy (south of Boston) and found myself in a secluded beach in Dorchester. Now all of you who know the Boston area know that Dorchester has a reputation as being the dumps. However, I have to say even though the buildings were not taken care of and the streets were littered with trash, I have never felt as much cultural energy in any other town that I have ridden through in the last 4 months. I met people from all different backgrounds. The town of West Roxbury and Dorchester were all-abuzz with kids running around, cars rushing by, and people talking to one another. People would shout out to me while I was riding up a hill encouraging me to go faster and harder. It put a smile on my face; it made me feel like I was being noticed. I was a part of those towns because I was there at that moment, and not just a passerby. If I did not wander from my travels I would not have been able to experience what I did. So be open to experiencing new things and don’t be afraid to wonder a bit, because you will be able to experience things you never have before

BIKE TRACK : Greenday (Best Of)

NEW EQUIPMENT:
Bike Pants – From City Sports
Bike Gloves – From City Sports
Bike Pump – From City Sports

BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE:
$410.00 or $2750.00
DONATE HERE

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 18.26 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 3 hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 65 hrs 40 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 482.57Miles

Then and Now

Day 39 – 4/13/09

I rode up Beacon St through Newton and by PIE. I wanted to see how I would feel this time riding up that hill near Boston College compared to the first time, many moons ago. I was able to ride very easily over the hill. As I was going down the other side I thought about how I am now closer to one of those bikers that I originally tried to keep up with on my Day 6 ride. I was able to keep my energy going for quite some time. Over the hill past the pie shop around Newton center, into West Newton, and back to home sweet home. It was nice to see a difference between then and now.

BIKE TRACK: Barenaked Ladies (Maroon)

BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE:
$410.00 of $2750.00
DONATE HERE
Before May 30th, 2009

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 14.5 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 1 hr 30 min

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 62 hrs 40 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 464.31Miles

The Witching Town

Day 38 – 4/9/09

Having a destination in mind has helped motivate my rides. I love getting on the bike and just riding, but having a destination and knowing when I will get there just keeps me focused and on the bike for a longer time. Today that destination was Salem, MA. Jesse and I rode our bikes there for two reasons; 1 being to see the coast and 2 because Lara works there on Tuesdays and Thursdays (so exploring the Salem dungeon with her would be fun).

Doing our best to follow Google maps instructions we got most of the way there. It is almost a straight shot with a couple of tricky turns. One of the places we stopped to ask for directions was Rollin’s Barbershop (410 Lincoln Ave Saugus, MA 01906) in Saugus. I walked in to the front door and had found myself in the middle of a living room with a barber chair around the corner. There was a gentleman, Mr. Rollin I presumed, sitting on a couch watching the daily news. I asked him about where we were and he proceeded to tell me where we were and how we could get to Salem. I chatted with him about my bike trip and asked him if I could take a photo (the one displayed to your right). He was very kind and I could have talked with him for a while longer, but I realized that Jesse was outside probably questioning why I was gone for so long (I did need a hair cut). After saying goodbye we got on our bikes and road into the "witching town". I had been to Salem twice before but it was during Halloween so I really did not get to see Salem and experience the history of that town. It was classic, scary, and reminded me of a traditional coastal town that just happen to be one of the centers for witch mania. After seeing Lara in her play and tour, Jesse and I got some gelato (heterosexual life mates, I swear) and took our trip back to Boston.

Salem was great and it was Jesse’s longest ride so far with a total of 42.6 miles, so congrats to him. We will be going back because; what a destination to have!

BIKE TRACK: Maroon 5 (Maroon 5)

BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE:
$410.00 of $2750.00
DONATE HERE

Before May 30th, 2009

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 42.6 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 6 hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 61 hrs 10 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 449.81Miles

I am the Product

Day 37 – 4/8/09
Today I got on my bike and rode out to Cambridge. This is always an interesting ride because, there are so many cars to deal with that part of the fun is trying to find different routes so you won't be on main roads. I went across the BU Bridge and followed that to Central Square where I met my friend Melissa at her work (RE/MAX). She introduced me to her boss Paul. Talking to Paul was great because it was all about marketing and business proposals, of which he knew lots about because he was the owner of the place).He asked me why I wasn’t doing this trip for a cause other than my doc (good question). It made me really have to think about it. For some reason I just feel as though it would take away from my personal experience. But is that selfish? I’m still trying to figure it out. Paul helped me think of myself as a product that I am trying to sell (a useful, smart, caring, human product). And at the same time I need to keep the human relation in my sales pitch because not having that would destroy my whole mission, right!? After chatting I got back on my bike and rode out to Porter Square and went to Sugar and Spice,(1933 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140) which has great yellow curry tofu.

On a different note (because a couple of people have been asking), I am going to start incorporating music that I am currently listening to just to give you some insight into my music life . I am looking for recommendations on music also. So here is the first “bike track”:

BIKE TRACK: Little Feat
(recommended by a gentleman who came into EUREKA)

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 10.4 miles

TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 1 hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 56 hrs 10 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 407.21 Miles

A Great Birthday Present

Day 36 – 4/5/09

I don’t know if he meant it to be a birthday present but my friend Jesse Rizuko and myself went for a ride today…ALL DAY… and it was something that I wanted to do and love to do. So Jesse, Thank you very much. We biked starting at the science museum, which is near the start of the Charles River, and then we fallowed it to Weston, then ate some food in Waltham and road back to Boston. In total it was 36.5 miles and we started on our great adventure at 10:30am and was at the doorstep of Eureka Puzzles at 5pm.

The weather could not have been better. Jesse and myself were riding along and the clouds just disappeared and there was nothing between the open road and us. (unlike Monday, were I found the rain where ever I went.) We were able to stay on bike paths the entire time. These paths took us from one beautiful wetland to the next. Every once in awhile we would pop out and find ourselves in a small New England town. It was enjoyable and I think that almost every 10 minutes or so Jesse or I would say “god, Its so nice to be biking” or some variation on that.

I did run into some trouble on the last 3 miles of our trip. After launching myself off of a sidewalk my seat came loose and I had to ride standing up for the rest of the ride. I am about to get a multi tool so when things like that happen I can fix it right there but for me today I just had to work a different part of my legs.

I am still fundraising for the Best Buddies May 30th 100 mile ride. You don’t have to be in Boston to donate. I would appreciate anything you can give. So far we are $200 and counting out of $2750. We have been getting some good support from friends and family and I am about to go talk to some local companies to see if they want to get involved. So if you would like to donate please click on the link in the upper right of my blog or click HERE.

Thank you so very much.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 36.5 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 6 hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 55 hrs 10 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 396.81 Miles

My First Wall

Day 34 – 3/30/09

By the 40th mile marker I started to hallucinate. I had been on my bike for 4 hrs in the pouring rain and I for some reason kept going. Every hill I would hit seemed to get steeper and every car that would pass would get closer. I was on my way to Fitchburg, MA for my longest ride so far and didn’t know what I was getting myself into. The water would run down my glasses, I couldn’t feel the tips of my toes and my pants started warming themselves because they were so soaked through that my body energy would just heat the water trapped in the three layers I had on. By the time all the roads started to look the same I decided I would pull over to the side of the road. I stretched and took a deep breath. I had hit my first wall.

For 4 months now I have been quickly taking on challenges in biking, not feeling as though I needed to stop but wanted and could push further. I went from biking down beacon St to biking to Lowell (25 miles away) in a month. I have felt pretty invincible, until now. 40 miles is a fraction of the amount that I plan on doing in a day for my trip across the country but right now, 4 months into my training 40 miles combined with constant down pour, my mortality hits me right in the face. Now don’t get me wrong I am not giving up by any means, instead I am more motivated than ever to get my biking up to the speed that I want it to be. I like the challenge; it just so happened that I have learned more about my body’s capabilities. Right now 40 miles is my first wall. I have 5 months to get that wall to 100 miles, now that is a clear goal if I ever had any.

After taking in the fresh New England back country air I got back on my bike and pushed the final 3 miles. The last 500 meters were strait up a hill but I made it and was able to take a nice relaxing day with Lara and her mother.

At around 25 miles a small beacon of light shined on the side of route 117. It was Great Brook Farms Café (356 Main Street Bolton, MA 01740) that looked more like a winery café then some building out in the middle of MA. When I went in, it was beautiful. There was a group of older men chatting around a couple of tables as if they had been there their entire lives. There was a woman near the window being interviewed about being a female in a male dominated field (not sure what the field was but it was an interesting conversation to over hear) I walked up to the counter and a man was in the back preparing someone’s drink. He told me to grab a coffee if I wanted and he will be right with me. Bruce was his name and he was the owner. We ended up chatting about small business and how he wants to change this place into a destination to have your wedding at. I think he definitely can do it. He is also a motorcycle racer so we talked about that for a while. It is definitely a place that I will go back to, especially because they have BBQ sauce and boy am I a sucker for some good BBQ.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 43 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 4hr 45min

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 49 hrs 10 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 360.31 Miles

The Summit of Brookline and Beyond

Day 33 – 3/29/09

Thinking about my trip across country does sometimes take me away from the exploration of what is around me locally. Today I biked the steepest hill in Brookline. The road is Summit st. and there is a reason why it is called summit. I have attempted to run up the road before with no luck. It is too long and also to steep for normal people to run it. I was biking around in circles through the back roads of Brookline when I took a right onto summit. Looking straight up I switched into my lower gears. I was going to concur this hill. I kept pedaling and several minutes, and about a gallon of sweat later I was on the top of the hill looking on to the City of Boston from a view that I never had seen before. What a sight. I took pictures but it was to dark so nothing came out. I was just impressed that I have lived around the corner from this location for 2 years and never did I look upon Boston like this. It was as if all the stars fell out of the sky and laid out like a giant quilt in front of me. I hope that people go out and find the unique places that are in their backyards.

We are off to a good start on fundraising for the Best Buddies 100 mile Ride. We are up to $170. I really appreciate everybody’s help. We have a ways to go to get to $2750. If everybody could email the below letter to at least 5 people then I think that we could make that goal and get me on my bike to Cape Cod. You can donate over the Internet. Every bit is appreciated.
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On May 30, 2009, I, Mark Vashro, will ride my bike 100 miles in the Audi Best Buddies Hyannis Port Challenge in support of the 250 million people living with intellectual disabilities.

And here is why I need your help! In order to ride, I need to reach my fundraising goal of $2,750. Any amount you can give will ensure Best Buddies continues to provide critical services and job integration for people with intellectual disabilities. And, your donation is tax deductible!

I choose to ride for Best Buddies because 100% of the funds I raise will go directly to their programs. Which means any contribution you give for my challenge directly affects the lives of those living with intellectual disabilities. Best Buddies is a non-profit organization founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989, dedicated to helping people with intellectual disabilities form friendships and find jobs in their community. The Audi Best Buddies Challenge events are a strong symbol of the lasting friendships and open community that Best Buddies fosters throughout their programs.

Here is how you can donate: You can donate easily and securely by clicking on my personal fundraising webpage link located below. Here you can read more about the Audi Best Buddies Challenge, see my fundraising goals, and read why it is more important than ever to support Best Buddies Programs.

I am so excited to participate in this ride! With each day, I train harder and longer. With each dollar you donate, you bring me one more mile closer to my goal. Thank you in advance for your generous support!

This is also one step closer to my Cross Country Bike trip and Documentary. If you are interested in supporting me in that also please visit (Bike Against the Wind) and/or (www.markvashro.com) thank you for all your time.

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Best Buddies International

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Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://www.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=277768&u=277768-249715971
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Mark Vashro