Tour of Tucker County Road Race

June 6, 2009 

Thomas, WV  (Tucker County)

I found myself driving up to Tucker County for the annual Tour of Tucker County Road Race.  This race is rated in the top ten in America in difficulty.  I rode the course last week and walked up a portion of the 20% grade.  Today I was here for support of 

Four Western Maryland Wheelmen.

That is the local bike club that I'm a member of.  After getting there and watching the first few attempt and succeed at climbing the hill I realized that I was there for support of all the riders coming up and over the beast.  It was actually fitting that at the top of the hardest portion of the climb was an old church and cemetery.  As many riders came up the hill they asked "how much farther?"  I was reluctant to tell them that this was indeed the hardest part and that they had conquered the hill, but they still had 2-3 more miles to climb.  I was impressed at the riders determination to get up the hill and the look of agony on their faces as they climbed.  Fortunately I was able to capture the agony but not the defeat as they rode by.  

I have uploaded most of the pictures that I took today to Flickr.  You can get to the page by clicking the title "Tour of Tucker County Road Race."

Thank You!

Photoshop CS4 Extended Version... Just a peek...

A morning snow edited by Photoshop with Topaz Lab Plug-in.

My first HDR image using Photomatrix.

20th Annual Seagull Century

Salisbury, MD

October 4, 2008

This was the starting line for the ride.  There were an estimated 6,400 riders for this years ride.  The weather started out a brisk 45 degrees but later warmed up to the 70's.

This was the 2nd rest stop at 42 miles.

This is the lunch stop at Assateague Island (mile 62).

This was the final rest stop at mile 82.

Another pic of the rest stop at mile 82.

Dad and I at the finish line.  Total time was 5 hours and 35 minutes with an average speed of 18 miles per hour for the entire ride.

Seagull Century

Seagull Century Salisbury, MD
October 4th, 2008

On October 4th, my father and I will be riding in our 3rd annual Seagull Century. The previous years haven't been too hard on us. The first year the temperatures were in the 40's and the wind and rain was terrible. We made it through the 100 miles in 7 hours and 24 minutes. Last years ride was beautiful with temperatures in the upper 70's and sunshine. We improved more than I could ever imagine and broke the six hour mark with a time of 5 hours and 21 minutes. We averaged 18+ mph for the ride. This year I want to try to get as close to the 5 hour mark as we can and possibly break it. The ride is calling for approximately 6,000 riders again for this year. I will take as many pictures as possible and we will do our best.

2007 Seagull Century

" Even in the midst of a hard day on a bike, beneath every pain and stress is the sense of relief and pleasure that I'm able to ride again. I ride to prove that in a scientific and highly mechanized era, the human body is still a marvel. In cycling there is no outer skin of metal to protect you from the elements. You have only your flimsy clothing, and this makes it a sport that is as sensuous as it is severe. The cyclist experiences great beauty, sublime views, and the swooping exhilaration of a mountain descent, but there's a penalty on the body for cycling, too, a physical toll in exchange for the beauty of the trip that reminds riders they're human.

A bicycle, no matter how elaborate the technology or how advanced the composite that it's made of, remains driven by the body. There is something fundamental about a bike: a frame with a crank, a chain and two wheels, powered by nothing more than my own legs. On a bike, you are under you own power, directed by your own hand. Your motor is yourself."

Lance Armstrong

Savageman 9/21/2008

This years Savageman was held on September 21, 2008. Ironically on my 26th birthday. The whole family helped out with the volunteering portion of the race. We provided the SAG support for everyone.  I headed out in the jeep and Mom and Dad drove around in the mini-van. Unfortunately I had to work both the night before and the day of the race. But it was a memoriable birthday and spent with loved ones.

Some riders climing up the Westernport Wall. I didn't get that many pictures of riders on the wall due to the fact that we were driving around the course. It was a great sight to see all of Westernport gathered along the side of this broken road to cheer bike riders up.

This is Zach Bittinger coming up over the wall for the second year in a row. Zach is a local and attended Westmar High School with me.

Welcome

I wanted to start a webpage with all the events and updates that follow me through life. I'm not sure if I will keep the page up to date but I will surely try. A lot of the content will be pictures and thoughts. So check back regularly and follow along if you would like. Thanks!

Carpe Diem

JWC

Good old days...

Oh how the days have changed...