The should have rode Northshore, ride

You know it is going to be a rough ride when you get up and start to get ready and you can't find your ID card. That is the way today started for me. After looking for a while are realizing it was futile, I gave up and headed to pick up Steve L. I had planned on stopping at the shoppette for coffee and Gatorade on the way but without an Id card I ended up filling my water bottles at the outdoor fountain by the baseball field behind the gym. It was not the most pleasant of waters.

Five of us headed to the Punchbowl cemetery to ride 2 to 3 loops up mt tantalus. My left knee was very stiff from yesterday's pt test so I took it very easy on the way up averaging 8.5 mph. We started to head down Round top into a pretty chilly wind. After about a 1/4 the way down the sky cut loose drenching us the rest of the way down. I haven't been that cold on a bike since Germany. I found a banyan tree for some protection until the rain let up. We coasted the rest of the way down, luckily there was some sun to provide a slight bit of warmth.

I decided to push it on the way up the second time. I managed to average 10 mph which was .5 mph higher than last time. I think that was the one bright spot of the ride. We headed back down tantalus hitting all the pot holes and tight switchbacks my triceps could handle. It was unanimous that 2 loops was all that we were going to do so we headed to starbucks.

I am still looking for my Id. That will really suck if i can't find it before the end of the weekend. Not sure what the plans are for the rest of the weekend. Hopefully catch up on my sleep and rest some. This was a very light cycling week with only 75 miles ridden. I head to Japan next Friday for 10 days which is going to keep me off the bike. I may have to settle for a spin class. :(

The 1st two Saturday rides of the New Year and the Flying Bentani!

My wife actually scolded me for not updating my blog. I guess I had it coming since I have been known to complain to my other blogger Friends when they have gone a few days between entries. Heather had to take her GRE the 1st Saturday of the New Year. I was supposed to have Class but I didn't end of having to go so I volunteered to take her. I emailed Ben to see if He was interested in riding Tantalus. He said he was up to it so we dropped Heather off, hit Starbucks then headed for the hill. We did two loops. Ben said the winners from last years time trial averaged 12 mph. The second loop I decided I would see what I could do. I pushed it but only averaged 9.5mph. I guess I need some work. I think I will try to do it a couple of times a month to see if I can get it a little faster.

Heather headed back to the mainland on Tuesday. I am really going to miss her enthusiasm for Hawaii. She seems to be the only one who enjoys it here as much as I do.

Friday night, Chris and I tried a Italian restaurant called Auntie Pasta's. It took us 1.5 hrs to get there due to traffic and not knowing exactly where it was. However once we got there, it was great.

This Saturday, I finally made it up to the North shore for a ride. I forgot how much I enjoy that ride. The weather was beautiful, although a little chilly at first. I warmed up as I climbed Kolekole although it got a bit nipply on the way down. I brought my new tripod that wraps around the handlebars. I was able to snap a few nice shots of the clear sky and the pack. I even was able to catch the flying Bentani in action.

I felt very strong the entire ride until I attempted a second climb up pineapple hill. I new I was going to have problems when I felt my hamstrings start to tighten while flying down Snake hill. I stayed with Steve L and John up the first steep section then I started to fall back. It didn't take me long to figure that the oatmeal and granola bar was totally gone from my system. I bonked hard. All I could think about was food as I slowly climbed the hill. I finally made it back to the parking area. Ben and Casey had already changed and made a Jamba Juice run. Luckily they picked one up for me. I think I appreciated it as much as Casey did the Jersey Ben gave him for Christmas. I would have given them my bike and first born if they would have offered me it on the way up Pineapple hill.

After riding and having lunch, the entire family went to the gym. I decided to do lunge walking around 3 laps of the aerobic room. My legs may never be the same. We also went to the gym on Sunday but I took it easy and did some yoga and stretching.

Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scout Cookies are the perfect energy food for cycling. See review of Girlscout Cookie Ice Cream on http://bensambrano.blogspot.com/ If anyone is interested in purchasing the real thing, my daughter Courtney is selling them. Just email Steelesc@gimail.af.mil if you would like to order any.

Ringing in the New Year

We got up early New Years Eve and headed to the beach for some 6 person canoe paddling. Steph and Courtney chose to sleep in, Surprise Surprise. Chris when along to be the photographer and Heather, Gina and I paddled. There was a pretty good turnout so we took out both boats. Coach Howard began with a on beach lesson for the new bees. Then we headed out to the water for a pretty tough workout. We paddled for almost 90 minutes. The competitive nature of the two groups was evident as we

After paddling, Gina took us out for some great hamburgers at a cool restaurant called Islanders in the Mall. The girls shopped while I walked around the mall and people watched. They were finally done shopping around 430 so we headed home and lounged. We were finally getting hungry around 9pm so I cooked some brats on the grill. Gina and the girls went and picked up some stuff from the shoppette to make frozen drinks. We went out on the lanai and played games and rung in the New Year. The neighbor's were having a party so I wondered over there a few times. We hit the bed around 230 in the morning and I got up at 6 am for a bike ride with Ben. After I got home we went to Church. When we got home, Ben had left a message inviting us to come over to watch the Sugar Bowl. Hawaii got beat pretty handily. I tried doing the really hat but it didn't seem to have any affect. Ben tried it too but as soon as he did, Hawaii threw an interception so he quickly switched it back.

Today, I took Gina to the Airport at 6 am then went back to work. It was kind of hard after so long off. I was able to get in a ride tonight which about killed me. It is tough trying to keep up with the young ens.

Operation Fatten the Competion Backfires

Thursday night we were in the Navy Commissary and they had a special on some nice thick steaks so I grabbed several packages. On the way home I thought of a plan to ensure I would continue hold my own against the former Coast Guard Athlete of the Year, so I invited him over for dinner Friday night. He graciously accepted but he offered to pickup some desert. I figured I was safe thinking he would bring some Healthy Low Cal, Low carb desert he concocted in his blender. Something like pureed peach and pea custard or something to that effect. Unfortunately, he picked my weakness, pecan pie. That delicious mixture of butter, syrup, sugar, nuts, shortening, flour, and more sugar. I don't think there is a higher calorie per bite food on the planet. Damn it was good. We had a nice dinner and great conversation. I offered to let him take the remaining pie home but he told me to keep it so I had a piece for breakfast and another for lunch.

My sister Gina enjoyed herself so much at thanksgiving that she decided to come back. She even bought me a new pair of Oakleys for Christmas to replace the pair that I lost at the beach when she was her last time. I wonder if I lose my Jeep while she is her, if she will get me a new Wrangler next year for Christmas. Saturday we went hiking near Dillingham Air Station on the northwestern most section of the Island. The weather was perfect. We had great views of the ocean and gliders flying over the Wiainea range.

After we got done hiking, we went downtown and met one of Gina's co-workers who was also in town visiting her parents. She gave us a great tour of the major historic and government buildings and provided some of the History behind the different places.

Christmas Hawaiian Style

This was our 1st Hawaiian Christmas. We broke a few holiday traditions and started a new one. Normally we go to Midnight Mass but this year Courtney was scheduled to serve so we went on Christmas Morning. There was hardly anyone in the Church. Heather commented that it was like going to Grandma and Grandpa's Church. Father had a very funny homily. He had all the little kids come up to the alter and quizzed them on what was the perfect gift for the baby Jesus. He produced some example gifts to include one he referred as Holy Water: A bottle of Crown Royal. After Mass we went home and opened the rest of our presents. We all loved our gifts. Chris gave me the perfect Blogger's gift; a mount anywhere tripod for my camera. It will work perfectly on my handle bars so I can start producing exciting action shot and video's of my biking.



After unwrapping presents we changed and headed to the beach. Someone had put a tree up on the beach so we had to pose for a picture on it. Ginger enjoyed boogie boarding again.

We got home from the beach around 4 pm and all worked together to turn out a great meal.


Heather and I went hiking on the day after Christmas at Aiea Heights. This is normally a very easy 4.5 mile hike but that day the trail was covered with mud. Heather wore her brand new sandals she got for Christmas. The mud was so thick that sucked them off her feet a couple places. Luckily the mud rinsed off pretty easily.

I finally finished the Jake. Jim Phillips let me borrow his derailleur hanger alignment tool. It worked great. I was surprised how far off both the Jake and the Cube's hangers were off. I think I will finally have smooth shifts on the Cube which hasn't shifted very well since I arrived on the island.

Hawaii Bowl 2007, Worth the Price of Admission

Being in the military as given me the opportunity to attend many sporting and entertainment events due to the geographic locations I have been stationed. While I was stationed in Europe, I watched several stages of the Tour de France. One stage I was even able to ride my bike too. In Omaha, I went to the College World Series. I have also seen many free concerts such as Montgomery Gentry, Clint Black, and Toby Keith. Today I attended my first bowl game, the Hawaii Bowl. I received 4 free tickets on the 5 yard line that were donated to the Military. Courtney wasn't interested in going so Chris, Steph, Heather and I went. The game was between Eastern Carolina and Boise State. I didn't have a real favorite although I liked Boise State because they are in the WAC but as a Notre Dame Fan, I couldn't help but be in favor of Lou Holtz's son's team ECU. We were on the ECU side of the field which was nice because the ECU cheerleaders:

were much better looking

than the BS cheerleaders

The game kicked off with a pretty cool Chinook Helicopter fly over right before the coin toss.

ECU drew first blood with a field goal on their first drive. BSU jumped right back when they ran the kick off back for a TD. However ECU dominated the first half and scored several more times. BCU almost completed a Hail Mary pass right as the 1st half drew to a close. It looked like ECU was going to run away with the game. During Halftime, we were treated to a Hawaiian dance review. We had perfect seats for watching a beautiful sunset during the 3rd quarter.

ECU scored pretty quickly in the 3rd quarter and appeared to have the game locked up. BSU came alive in the 4th and brought it to with in a td. They looked like they were going to tie the game up when they turned it over with a little over 1 min left in the game. ECU chose to run the ball hoping to burn up the clock. On their third down they were running a sweep when their back coughed up the ball. BSU scooped it up and ran it back 50 yrds tying the game. All BCU had to do was hold ECU and the game would go to OT. ECU had been stopped every time they got the ball in the 4th quarter. Until this time. They took the kick off up the field to the their 40 yard line. BSU held them for the first couple of downs then a 3rd down pass was completed and the back ran the ball to the BSU 25 yrd line. ECU ran the ball to the 15 yrd line and got it placed in the middle of the field. They kicked the game winning field goal as time ran out. It was a very good spectator's game with almost 80 points. ECU 41, BSU 38.

Christmas Spirit in Hawaii

I have lived over 30 of my 40 years in the Midwest. Midwestern Christmases mean cold weather, early darkness and occasionally snow. This year is our 1st Christmas in Hawaii which means temps in the low 80's and an occasional rain shower. Initially I found it kind of difficult to get into the Christmas spirit. I don't think it was the lack of snow, we had several years without white Christmases. I think it was the lack of change. Normally I am used to 4 distinct seasons. With Fall marking the football season and preparing us for Christmas. This year with out a calender, I couldn't tell it was almost that time of year.

One thing that does bring home the fact that it is almost Christmas is the light displays. I remember climbing up a latter on the days following Thanksgiving and trying to string lights in 20 degree weather. Not a lot of fun. Here that isn't an issue and people take full advantage of the fact. The light displays around base housing are quite interesting.

Even the bases get in the swing of it. Trippler lights up the hospital.

Hickam Lights up the Water Tower so that it looks like a giant Christmas Tree.

The tower has an interesting history. It stored the water for the base before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Luckily the Japanese thought it was a church and didn't attack it saving over 55,000 gallons of fresh water for the base.

The granddaddy of light displays is the Honolulu City lights: http://www.honolulu.gov/csd/citylights/ Tonight the HACC Daddy set up a ride with several other clubs to ride past the city lights. We met at the Bike Shop and rode along the city streets taking in the lights at the water works as well as the city hall. Afterwards we stopped for coffee at Starbucks. Heather and I did the ride then Chris, Steph and Heather met us for coffee. Some of the riders went way out with decorating themselves and bikes. HACC daddy dressed as Santa.

We had Rudolph as well as several other reindeers.

It was a great time. I even won a prize by decorating my bike with the centerpiece I won at our Christmas Party last night

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