The North Georgia Mtns!

What an incredible place to ride bikes...follow the route of the Tour des Georgia, climb some of the most scenic and challenging roads in america, wonderful inn's and great cuisine!

This week we a have small but strong group of cyclists joining us on our inaugural North GA Mtns Tour as we work to refine what is going to be a fabulous tour!

The only hitch this week is very unstable weather...so far we have been lucky but things seem to be deteriorating.

The Conclusion of the Natchez Trace

Sorry for the delay in postings...this tour owner, charity ride coordinator, all things in one doesn't afford a whole lot of down time.

The Natchez Trace tour was a wonderful success, although the team was a little rusty (1st time together this year) everyone had a good time and most importantly we got in some great riding and enjoyed great weather!

Now we are off to the Beautiful Mountains of North Georgia...Tour des Georgia route here we come!

The Nacthez Trace Tour Begins!

We have just completed day 2 of a full traverse of the Natchez Trace. I have only had the pleasure of doing a handfull of these full traverses and I always forget just how wonderful this road really is. We have a private group of 14 this year and they are all great folks and very strong cyclists!

We luckily dodged some suspect weather over the last couple of days but the forecast is for clear cycling from here in...sunny skies and 70 degree temperatures!

Well were off to French Camp this morning almost hate to leave our plush rooms at the Hyatt in Ridgeland.

Thanks for reading!

After the Bridge Run Ride

I rode my second century of the season yesterday after of finishing a solid 3 week training block. The annual After the Bridge Run Ride draws 500+ participants and is flat and fast. I haven't been able to participate in the home town ride hosted by our team and Charleston Bicycle Company owners John and Jana Glover in several years becuase of my touring schedule.

Although I have been considerably more focused this year I was still unsure how my body would respond to such an effort. I knew that my teammates were ready and all accustomed to doing fast non-stop centuries but I must admit I have grown soft leading bicycle tours over the past five years. So as I rolled up to the line with my jersey pockets full of bottles and gel I was nervous and unsure of what lied ahead.

Because of the unknown I made sure to stay up front to reduce the number of gaps I would have to bridge and did may best to stay out of the wind as best I could. And although I didn't exactly impose my will on the ride I did ride hard and smart and in the end as the last of the breaks were swallowed up I was able to make my way to the front of the ride (although both hamstrings were cramping) and finish in the top 5.

At the end of the ride the numbers were quite impressive we did this year's ATBRR at a blistering pace of 25.6 mph avg and a time of 3 hr and 54 min!

Today I rode my first century of the year...I suffered as to be expected considering my less that disciplined approach to off season training again this year. But anyway with all the typical cycling excuses aside, the team rode together well today and in the end we finished in 4 hrs 30 mins., burned 3200 calories, Avg HR 141, Avg Power 185, Avg Speed 22 mph.

Actually this week signaled not only the ushering in of spring but also the renewed commitment towards regaining a level of fitness that will allow me to hang with those who still ride competitively. Not only did I do the century today but I also did the Tuesday & Thursday night group rides this week. Not a bad week if I must say so myself, of course I didn't exactly adhere to the prescribed moderate (10%) increase in weekly training...I have been averaging around 100 miles a week through the winter but this week I rode 250+ miles and 12 1/2 hrs!

Ride on!

I am back from leading a tour along the the coast of GA and what a wonderful experince it was...17 fun-loving guests, 80+ degree weather every day with clear blue skies, and very nice inn's & food all along the way (pictured is the Jekyll Island Club).

Now it is time to shift the focus to the upcoming full traverse of the Natchez Trace and of course continue to refine/define the 2009 Tour des Trees!

Peace Out!

Can't say I am exactly keeping current on this whole social networking thing...Blogger, Facebook, Tweeter...so much to do but most of the good stuff happens outside people!

Anyway I have a few hours to catch up on the busyness of the business. I am currently leading a tour along the SC & GA coasts and what a wonderful experience. Great venues; Beaufort, Savannah, Sapelo Island, Jekyll Island. The weather is crazy good...80's and sunny.

Most of the tour has been spent in the van supporting the guests but today I ride! Kayak in the wonderful estuaries around Darien tomorrow and then off to what used to be the playground of the Baron's of a forgotten era on Jekyll Island tomorrow!

Peace Out

It has been a busy 10 days since returning from NYC...things are really taking shape for this years Tour Des Trees.
I am getting really excited about the 2009 Black Bear Adventures tour season...with all the economic distress going on our season is shaping up quite well. A blessed man indeed!
Thanks to all that make it happen!

Leaving the Big City today...great couple of days in NY & CT. I feel confident that the 2009 Tour des Trees will be a big success! All chapters and local arborculture associations are fully behind the event. Can't wait to come back in the Spring!

Long day...but a good day. Left Charleston at 6:00 am and got to my hotel in NY (very cool digs by the way - 6 Columbus Hotel) at 1:30 pm. Took a long walk (6 miles) around Central Park to orient myself for tomorrows meeting and 2009 TDT Grand Kick-Off! Very cool...but afterwards showed that I am better suited to open spaces that I am to a typical urban environment...got lost on the subway and spent the next hour plus trying figure out where I was. Oh well, big meeting tomorrow with Park officials and Central Park Conservancy.

1st Post...Black Bear Adventures has entered the blogispher!

Looking forward to a great season!