Camp and Wisdom Teeth

It was a long drive to camp but totally worth it! We got settled in the cabin and got dressed for a short day on the bike. We went for about 30 miles just to spin our legs out. When we got back we had to get dinner prepared. I worked with Josh Brazeal grilling the chicken. Dinner that night were these amazing chicken sandwiches. Then, I turned in early to be ready for Saturday's long ride.

Last year, I was totally dropped on Spavinaw Hill and was super embarrassed. This year my coach, Mark Teruki, had me ready! This year, I felt strong! I was not dropped and stayed with the group all day! We rode 107 miles of paved roads, gravel roads, and over 5,100 feet of climbing. I had an marvelous day on the bike! We had beautiful weather and it was awesome having so many teammates tell me they could really see improvement. YES! Hardwork does pay off! I really feel this is going to be a break through year!

Photo Credit: Kristen Ryan

Austin thinks he can get me to cut my hair but it's not happening anytime soon! Check out my cool Handlebar Mustache @hbstache socks! #sockdoping #sockgameisstrong

Day 3 of camp I woke up with a migraine headache so I helped in the SAG wagon. The guys had to cut the ride really short anyway due to the strong winds. They even had a tree blow down right in front of them on the way back to the cabin. Sorry I didn't get a picture of that for my blog! Overall, it was a really fun weekend of riding with some great guys. Thank you TLC and Josh Brazeal for such a fantastic weekend.

I wasn't too excited to come home because I knew the coming weekend wasn't going to be much fun! The Friday, after camp, I got my wisdom teeth removed! I was pretty miserable for about 5 days and VERY swollen. I tried to ride a couple of times but it didn't go well. I'm glad that's behind me and I can start training again. My next road race will be in a couple of weeks! So, stay tuned for more from the road!

2016 Racing Has Begun

This past weekend was the start of my second season with Transitions LifeCare Cycling Team and my 2016 racing season. I went to Austin to race Bat City Apache Pass and Pace Bend. These are both road races. I went down early to ride the course so I was prepared for the "Texas Cobbles".

I was excited when race day was finally here! On the first lap, I was sitting in a great position when I hit a bump and my water bottle popped out of my cage and got stuck in my wheel, chain and chain ring (see picture below). I have never seen anything like it. Good news: I didn't go down and didn't cause anyone to go down. Bad news: it took me plus the two guys in the SAG truck to remove the bottle, was down to one water bottle with Skratch, jacked up my front derailleur, was more than 2 minutes behind the field and it was windy. The SAG guys asked if I just wanted to call it a day get into the truck. I said, "no thank you...I want to finish the race." I knew my placement would be bad but I didn't care, I just wanted to finish. I was dead last coming through the feed zone but I didn't quit. I rode hard, caught some people and ended up 44th out of 53 starters but I finished. The good part was my coach, Mark TeRuki with TeRuki Training, was pleased that I set new peak power numbers for 10, 12, 20, 60 and 90 minutes during the race. Progress!

Sunday was the Pace Bend Road Race. I felt like today was my day! Legs felt good and I was confident. I really like this course! I was on the first lap and climbing a hill. There was a gap and I was trying to make my move up through the pack when a guy changed his line, hit my wheel and took me out. My bike wasn't rideable and so my day was over before it hardly started. Super bummed!

The weekend didn't go the way I wanted it to but that's racing! I will keep training and getting faster!  Next stop...TEAM CAMP! Oh, by the way, I got new cages and a helmet from Celestial Cycles when I got home! Thanks Sheridan the Arundel's ROCK!!

First OK Race 2013

Salty/Tall is the start of the Oklahoma racing season near Tulsa, OK.  Salt Creek is a criterium, it is a hilly course. It was really windy and hard. I was disappointed with my results in the criterium. I will contiue working to get more comfortable with this type of racing.

Salt Creek Criterium

 
The good news is it didn't rain on Sunday at the road race this year but it was really cold. I beat the finish time Coach Teruki had set for me to finish the road race. I took over 12 minutes off last year's time and even had a crash! I was standing, climbing a hill, when I shifted and my chain dropped. I fell over! My time could have been even better had I not had this mishap! I am really happy that my coach was proud of my race. I was happy with my race, too, but will continue to work at getting even faster!

Coming into the Tall Chief Cove RR finish

Next race, next weekend! I'll keep you posted!

DNA Racing Team 2013

Changes for 2013...my mom has been helping me with my blog in the past. But, this year...it's all me! Well, she'll probably help with typing she's faster than me! Thanks for everything mom!

I'm on a new cycling team. It's called DNA Racing. Their website will be updated soon. I think they will really help me get stronger and be a better racer. There are great guys on this team. They work really hard. I'm really honored to be a part of their Jr. Development Team!

Time Trial

I was invited to the team camp. We stayed at a ranch house. Thank you Mr. Little! Thanks to Chad, Andy, Andrew, Steven, Aaron, Beau, Evan, Tony, Erin, Rob, Biff, Mark, Ryan, and many others including sponsors for making camp possible and super awesome! We had so much fun! We introduced ourselves to our new team members, Chad and Mark talked about what we needed to work on this year and we put in a lot of miles on our bikes. One night Mark brought a movie for us to watch about Team HTC Columbia, Chasing a Legend. It was amazing! I felt like a star with so many photographers...it was like we were getting a lot of press!



Crit

Getting ready to start road race

This past weekend I went to Mineral Wells and they had a big stage race--a crit, time trial and a road race. I have been getting up so early to go train with my team on Saturdays. We start at Elemental Coffee, ride out and around Lake Hefner and then back to Elemental Coffee to pick up some additional riders and then put in more miles. I think this is really improving my speed and confidence. I think getting up early is paying off. I was happy with my results from the race in Mineral Wells. My road race I placed 6th, crit I was 9th and my time trial I came in 5th. I ended up 6th in the GC and 4th in the Team GC! Lee McDaniel took this awesome picture of me at the top of the BIG climb! Thank you Mr. McDaniel!

 

August UPDATE

I am excited to tell you all the things that have been going on! First, let’s talk about Lance Armstrong and my stand!

 

YES...I SUPPORT LIVESTRONG! YES...I SUPPORT LANCE ARMSTRONG! YES...LANCE WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO FOR MORE THAN HIS ACHIEVEMENTS ON A BIKE. HE'S HELPED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE FACING CANCER. DON'T BE A HATER UNTIL YOU'VE WALKED IN HIS SHOES AND DONE WHAT HE'S DONE FOR MILLIONS WHO NEED HOPE!! OK, now let's move on! 

FACTS:

My fundraising goal is $20,000

I have raised $5,477
5 weeks until I will turn in all my fundraising money
6 weeks until the Luke’s 5-Line Ride
8 weeks until I‘ll be in Austin at the LIVESTRONG Challenge

CYCLING:

I raced in the 2012 Oklahoma State Criterium Championship last weekend. I didn’t win the State title but felt like I was really racing better. I raced at Hotter'N Hell 100 this weekend in Wichita Falls, TX! This is a huge race and my first year to race in it! I was super excited. I felt ready since I’ve been training for the 5-Line and LIVESTRONG rides. I have to tell you we all faced BRUTAL WINDS ALL DAY!! I set a new PB in a road race and I was happy with how I did. I placed 8th but had my fastest mph so I can't complain!

 FUNDRAISING NEWS:

Well, the big news is we have a website for the 5-Line ride!! Please go check it out http://lukes5line.com! We are also pretty psyched because we have a new friend, Jim Beach, who has joined us to help make this ride something super special. He’s been putting on amazing rides like DAM J.A.M. and Tulsa Tough’s Gran Fondos for many years. We feel really lucky to have him helping us! Thank you Jim! We think you will train us to be worthy ride Jedi's!!

We still have 5-Line shirts and decals for sale at Dwelling Spaces in Tulsa. There is going to be a super cool art show at Dwelling Spaces on September 22 with the focus on the beauty of Black Mesa (where our ride is being held)! You should really plan to attend!
 
You can see how cool our t-shirts are on our website! Go check out Doug Ulman, CEO of LIVESTRONG, wearing his 5-Line shirt! 100% of the proceeds will benefit my LIVESTRONG fundraising goal.
 

There are raffle tickets still available for the 2012 Trek LIVESTRONG FX bike. 100% of these ticket sales will go towards my LIVESTRONG fundraising goal. The tickets are only $5 each and the bike is worth $600!! Heck of a deal!

 

The Luke’s 5-Line is coming together! We made the front page of the Boise City News! We have secured complimentary food/lodging for all our riders. We have hired a caterer to prepare and serve all 3 meals on Saturday, October 6! The routes and feed zone are set! We’re getting more sponsors! In fact, we even have a beer sponsor, Black Mesa Brewing Co. How perfect is that?? It is really getting exciting!

Have you ever wondered why we call it the 5-Line ride? Well, the riders will chose how many state lines they want to cross in a single day! How cool is that?? They can chose between a 20 mile family fun ride, a 3-Line ride (40 mi), 4-Line (95 mi) or the 5-Line (120 mi). They will travel through one of the most beautiful parts of Oklahoma! You gotta come see it! We are planning to make this an annual event but if you don’t come this year you can never say I was there at the first one!! People can find the link to register for the ride on our website under Details/Registration! There’s a limited number of spots and registration closes on September 21, 2012. So what are you waiting for???

This year LIVESTRONG will celebrate 15 years of work to inspire and empower people affected by cancer! They started the same year I was born and I’m stoked to be able to celebrate this in Austin! I’m so excited with the amount of donations I have already received but the fight is still on to defeat cancer. I still have long way to go to reach my goal. If you are still trying to decide if you want to donate please think about this, 81% of every dollar goes right back to support the programs and services for survivors. This year alone they have saved clients $3.1 million in services and been able to launch 87 new programs throughout the country!! You are helping make a difference!

Please consider making a donation. Your tax deductible contribution would be one more weapon in this fight and would go a long way to help meet the needs of the millions living with cancer.

Thank you to those who have already donated!!! I truly appreciate all your support! Please check out my TRIBUTE WALL (below) to see the names of people I will be riding for this year. I will happily carry your loved one’s name with me and post it on the Wall of Honor in Austin with a donation, no matter the amount. As always, I have dedicated my mission to my grandfather (Poppy)!

Don’t forget you can follow me and the ride on Twitter (@lukethebikeman or @lukes5line) or Facebook (Luke’s 5-Line Ride)!

Thank you in advance for your time and generosity! I look forward to hearing from you and will be sure to keep you posted on my fundraising/training progress.

TRIBUTE WALL

Jim Pemberton (my Poppy)-Angel

Scott Raffe-Angel
Theresa Hild-Angel
Mrs. Myers-Rose (survivor)
Aunt Norma Jo-Angel
Alex TeRuki (coach’s dad)-Angel
Christopher Parks-Fighter
Makenzee Highfill-Fighter
Austin Dej-Rose (survivor)
Loralei Decker-Fighter
Ronnie Slawson-Angel
Lance Armstrong-Rose
Doug Ulman-Rose
Chris Brewer-Rose

 

DRAMA

Last week was the best and worst week in a long time! I was preparing for my first Race of Truth and two days before the race my bike was stolen!!!!! I'm not ashamed to say, I cried like a baby for my baby...MY BIKE!!! This felt like the worst thing since losing my Poppy! I had nightmares that night...a pit in my stomach for days! But...race day was still coming and I needed to be focused! 


So, I had a teammate go off just one minute in front of me. He's my friend but I kept thinking he stole my bike. Oh, this kept me focused! I am pleased to say I set a new PR. I took 4 minutes off my best time on this same course!! I was happy to get some good news when I had been feeling so sad! 


There has been some good out of all of this! I have been overwhelmed at how many offers from other cyclists to help me find a bike to ride, build up a bike, give me a frame or parts to help me rebuild a bike. This is so cool that so many would reach out to help! THANK YOU to EVERYONE who has offered help or came to my rescue! I feel honored!


OK...onto a new subject...I am so excited as I am getting ready to make a BIG announcement! There are still a few details to be worked out before I can tell. This is all I can say right now...100...100...5...more to come! 

STAY TUNED

2012 Racing Season Debut

Well, the 2012 racing season is underway in Oklahoma. It always starts with the Salty Creek Criterium/Tall Chief Cove Road Race. I had signed up to race in the Jr. category for both days but when I got there, on Saturday, they informed me that the Jr. road race had been cancelled for Sunday due to bad weather being forcast. I was really disappointed. So, my coach Mark Teruki suggested I race in the Men's 4/5. I was excited to be able to race, since I wanted to see if I had improved since last year, but I was a little nervous to be in my first men's race.

Saturday's criterium went OK. I made a major mistake at the beginning and although I finished closing the gap and feeling really strong at the end it was too late to make up the time I needed. I took third and learned something for future races. One thing about racing is you are always learning and getting more chances to do better!

Sunday I woke up feeling ready for the road race! I ate my new race breakfast, courtesy of Biju Thomas, and knew I was feeling better today. It was cold and wet and started pouring just before our race began. I felt really good and when the day was done I had taken 29 minutes off my time from last year and placed 11th. It was a long way from a win but it felt like a victory in a small way to me. I overcame my nerves, raced with men and showed a significant improvement over last year. I know I haven't come even close to my full potential and I will continue training hard but I will take small victories and build off them!

Next race...TIME TRIAL...this weekend!

LIVESTRONG

Races-End of the Year

I finished out my racing season with some good results.

My next to last race was the Team Exfuse 9-11 Circuit Race. The Jr's distance was 28 miles (2 laps) and was out at Lake Stanley Draper. The back part of this course is hilly and the roads are a bit rough but after the last climb is was fast and smooth. I climbed really strong but I still need work on my downhilling skills. I will work on this in the off season, for sure! I had a 2nd place finish. I made some mistakes but I will use these to help me become a better racer.

The last race of the season was the Bison Bicycle Classic Oklahoma State Road Race Championships. There was a larger field in this race and I was feeling really good. I was aiming for my teammate and I to both end up with podium finishes. We had about a 2 mile neutral zone and then the race took off. I stayed with my teammate, Dallas, for a few miles but then began to fade a bit. I had another kid trying to draft off me and I wasn't going to drag him to the finish line. So, I picked up my speed and dropped him. I loved this course and really rode my race. I had max speed of over 34 mph but set an average over 18! My coach and I were pleased with my numbers for this race! The best part is my teammate and I both took podium spots! Dallas took 1st and I took 3rd! I was really proud of my effort!

Luke 3rd, Dallas 1st, Austin 2nd

Teammates/buds wearing some hardware!

Overall, I've had a good year of racing. My results for 2011 are as follows: 16 races, 3-1st place, 3-2nd place, 2-3rd place, 3-4th place, 1-5th place, 1-9th place, 1-11th place, 1-15th place, 1-DNF (crash)

After the crash (didn't take pictures of the worst parts)
 but I did race the next day!

I'm already training for next year! I can't wait!

HAPPY RIDING!

USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE

THE BIRTHDAY TRIP

Artwork at Denver International

A couple of posts ago I told how my parents gave me a trip to Colorado to go see the USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE! I couldn't believe it! I was going to Colorado to go watch some of the stars of my sport do their thing!

Artwork at Denver International

The morning of our trip started early. Our flight left at 6:00am and we landed in Denver at 6:30. Mom and Dad had asked what I wanted to do on Friday since we were in Denver so early. They gave me many choices but I told them "I thought we were here to watch racing and I want to watch them climb. I want to see their form when they are climbing!" So, we got our rental car and headed to the mountains!

Look closely...SNOW on the Mountains!

I picked our spot on the mountain between Wolcott and Steamboat Springs. It was a great place because we could watch them come around two curves on the climb before they would pass us. I loved all the amateur cyclists, the caravan of team buses, team cars and swag mobiles that came passed us before the pro racers made their way. We met the nicest couple, Joe and Susan and their chocolate lab Cassie.

Here they come and see the BREAK!

When the racers made the first curve a breakaway started to form. It was so awesome! My dad was on one side of the road taking pictures and my mom on the other! They got some great shots of this stage of the race! It was great seeing them riding up that mountain and I had time to study their body position as they were climbing! After they passed us our new friends, Joe and Susan, invited us to come to their house so we could watch the race on Versus! It was great making some new friends and share our love of cycling. Stage winner: Elia Viviani Yellow Jersey winner: Levi Leipheimer

Sergio Henao, Tom Danielson & Tejay Van Gardener in the break

Gesnik, A. Schleck & Leipheimer

Day 2 found us getting up early and heading to Breckenridge. Today we were going to see a finish. So, we had lots of time to spend taking in all the sponsor's booths and checking out the swag! I even got my picture taken with Buzz the Honey Stinger bee! I love their organic chews, waffles and gels...yum! I also met some very interesting spectators! We even ran into some of our riding friends from Oklahoma! It was a great day of racing with a break that had formed with Ivan Basso, Andy Schleck, Laurens Ten Dam and Thomas Peterson. We kept up-to-date on the race with all the mega screens and mom's USA Pro Cycling app.

It looked like Andy Schleck would win this stage and I was so excited but they started playing games and slowed way down. They ended up getting caught with only about 700 meters to go and none of them even placed. The Breckenridge stage was won by Elia Viviani! Andy Schleck was not a happy camper but he was awarded the Most Aggressive rider's jersey! Yellow Jersey: Levi Leipheimer

Here's your winner: ELIA VIVIANI

This should have been the winner: ANDY SCHLECK

Post race interview with Laurens Ten Dam

Well, after this stage we went back to the team buses to see the bikes, riders, etc. This was pretty cool! We saw Cadel Evans, Jens Voigt, Christian Vande Velde all being interviewed. I got to see Andy and Frank's bikes on top of the team car. My mom met a man who was working security for the race. They visited and he told her for us to find him at the start of the final stage and he would get us positioned so I could get lots of autographs from the riders!!! I couldn't believe it! Go Mom!

Cadel Evans--AWESOME!

Day 3: The final stage started in Golden and would end in Denver. We had already decided to take in a start on this day but now we had even more of a reason to be here...AUTOGRAPHS and photos of the riders. We got to the start line super early and got in the best spot! When the riders came to sign in prior to the race they had to walk right past us! I got over 50 autographs on the back of my LIVESTRONG jersey. I was right there with some of my favorite cyclists--Andy Schleck, Frank Schleck, George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer (still in yellow), Ivan Basso, Jens Voigt, etc. I even got BOB ROLL aka Bobke's autograph! It was a total party atmosphere!

Big GEORGE HINCAPIE signing my jersey!

LEVI LEIPHEIMER overall WINNER

ANDY SCHLECK

After the race started we walked down a couple of blocks and could watch them climb Lookout Mountain and then they were going to come back through Golden before they headed into Denver. It was so much fun! When they had all come through Golden we ate lunch and then took a drive up Lookout Mountain so I could see this climb! I sure wished I had a bike and could have tried riding up that mountain. There were lots of amateur cyclists doing just that and it was a great view when we got to the top!

Looking down from Lookout Mountain

On top of Lookout Mt with my family & jersey!

Garmin-Cervelo won the Team Competition and Americans took the top 5 places overall! The crowds at every stage were massive and the riders all talked about how much the crowds rivaled those at the the Tour de France! Stage winner: Daniel Oss (he'd placed 2nd or 3rd in the two previous stages and was a teammate of Elia Viviani)!

Just a taste of the crowds!

Before we left Denver to head back home we drove out to Red Rocks Park and saw some amazing sites! They also have an amphitheatre there...would be a great place to see a concert!

Well, I think this was a pretty amazing way to celebrate my birthday! BIG THANK YOU to my mom and dad for giving me these memories that will last a lifetime! GREAT TRIP!!! I sure hope this race continues every year!



SO MANY RACES!! Part I

OK, I have been racing so much I haven't had enough time to catch on my blog! So, I don't wear you out and I'll split these up into at least two posts! Sorry but this is going to cover many races. I will try to not write too much! BUT...No Promises!

  

OKC Velo TT March 19, 2011



It was a chilly day!

So, after the Salt Creek and Talk Chief races I was preparing for my first TT of the season. I love participating in the OKC Velo TT Series. Although, I didn't post the fastest time that day I still set a personal best. Last year was this was my first TT of the season too and from that TT to this one I have taken a total of 4 minutes and 26 seconds off my time. Although I am not as fast as I want to be yet I am pleased with my progress.

  

I love my Honey Stingers!

 


Bringing it Home!

NW Arkansas Spring Classic March 27, 2011

Can you say COLD?  This was a crazy race for many reasons but I will only talk about some of it! First, a cold front came through Arkansas this weekend and temperatures dropped into the 30's and it was sleeting on us during the race. This was a 24 mile road race and it was part of the Lance Armstrong Junior Race Series. Well, it all started pretty good but I learned a valuable lesson on this day. And, that is no matter who they are or what their intentions I will NEVER let anyone work on my bike during a race again. Anyway, after this happened I was never able to get my bike to shift properly again. This was not the course to be stuck in a bad gear...Weaver Hill was looming. OK, it is a 1/2 mile climb and it's not pretty but I didn't quit! I climbed that hill...ugly...but I climbed it! I really can't remember ever being unhappy on a bike but I have to say this was my worst day ever. I just kept thinking "Lance Armstrong Never Quit" and neither would I. I got a medal but wished I'd had a better day on the bike. 

I just have to tell you it was so cold my buddy Ryan, a Cat 2 racer, lost complete feeling in his left arm. They, obviously, went longer than the Jr.s but he had to reach over his body to shift his front derailleur and he still had a great placing! Great job buddy! 

Trying to bring it

 

LAJRS Medal



Lincoln Road Race April 10, 2011

1st Place

I have one word for this race...WIND!! Wind gusts close to 50 mph is what I heard people saying! I just know it was WINDY! I left the race with a 1st place trophy and I felt strong. I was still having some gear problems but I just trying to work through them! Good day overall!

OK, I will not post anymore tonight! Stay tuned Part II will be along shortly! And, remember always LIVESTRONG.