Sun 28 Jun 2009
The Ken Stanek Anti-Atrophy Plan (also, our 101st post!)
Posted by Ken under Awesome People, Crazy People, Dayton
[17] Comments
In our idle hours over these past eleven days, I vowed not to let all of my 3,500+ miles of hard work come to naught as my body withered and weakened from disuse. An accumulated half-day’s worth of time at Dayton’s Pacchia cafe, shocking my muscles into jittery flexion from overdoses of caffiene was the first step. Thanks again to all the baristas and pastry chefs there who facilitated my fixation.
A second step was a return trip to the refreshingly bike-savvy town of Richmond, Indiana, our last stop before Dayton. My rainjacket had been misplaced at Chris Hardie’s place and seeing as there were six days to kill in the city where flight was born (the Wright Brothers began their aviation-destined entrepeneurial ventures with a bike shop in Dayton), I took off one morning on a 90-mile round trip to collect my coat. By 8:30 in the morning, I was on the road already once traveled, averaging a solid 22 miles per hour with a disparaging tailwind. Disparaging only because tailwinds work just one way. By 10:30 I had made it to Richmond in time to witness the celebratory parade in honor of their selection as an all-American city. Congratulations, Richmond! By 1:30, I was back in Dayton, 90 miles more not-atrophied, relishing in the celebratory accolades of the baristas & pastry chefs at Pacchia who thought I was nuts for riding so far by so early in the afternoon.
Later, Andy and Emily picked me up and we went hiking deep into the excruciating woods of Ohio to jump off waterfalls in Yellowsprings, kicking ferociously against the deadly undercurrent to reach salvation at the surface of the frigid waters below. Then we checked out a Birds of Prey sanctuary, where all these badass birds who’ve lost wings, legs or eyes are cared for. It was adorable and sad.
All of these activities were meticulously planned so that I could ride to Columbus in an indirect fashion along old railroad trails on a hot, humid day with headwinds. Furthermore, I logically started at noon so as to ensure I rode during the most oppressive parts of the day.
Twoarmparty was now officially split up. Quinn was in Syracuse, Andy was still in Dayton, and I was on my way to help one of my best friends get married in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It wouldn’t be until Sunday (as I write this) that we’d be back together again.
During my flight to Philadelphia, I kicked the seat in front of me constantly for the entire duration of our 90-minute trip. It was ok because it wasn’t a very crowded flight. The people on the flight back to Columbus weren’t so lucky. Sorry about that, lady. Had to keep the legs in shape.
Once in the ill-nicknamed City of Brotherly Love (have you ever met many Philadelphians? They hate eachother. And everything) I demanded that Jon, my friend of 27 years, ferry me by motorcycle so that in my high-speed, two wheeled terror, I would try to crush his pelvis as I held on for deal life with my phenomenal thighs. Route 611 from his home in Furlong to the wedding in Stroudsburg was hilly, massively scenic, and full of blind curves Jon took at breakneck speed with me behind him. My legs were sore and his hips were so collapsed, he could barely dance. But not before we took our blushing groom-to-be out for a night on the town. Rampant chicanery ensued, I promise you that. Details will not be explained here. Let it be known that some members of the bridal party are not allowed in certain bars and may owe the city of Stroudsburg some money after the tickets are processed.
Getting back to dancing, it is now a well known fact that all Staneks love to dance and are great at it. Michelle (the little sister) has been a better dancer than you since she started studying at Miss Pat’s on Greenwood Avenue 20-mrrmmmphhh years ago. Patti (the mom) couldn’t be torn off the dance floor. Don (the dad) had hip replacements a few years ago which were apparently bionic. And I, of course, pledged to not stop shakin it all day and night long, singing “She’s a maniac” and running in place even when Scott (the groom) and I went hiking in Jacobsburg park three hours before his wedding. All of the following photos from the wedding are from my sister. Thanks, Michelle.
The groomsmen. From left: “Hutch”, Jon, “Silent” Ken (the best man), Scott (the groom), Joe, myself
OMG, I look good in a tux!
Me & Mom
The whole fam.
From left, Me, Jon, Scott, his bride Liz.
Through this intense, well planned training regimen, I feel quite ready (not to mention seriously anxious) to re-begin our trek tomorrow morning. It’ll be two long days to Pittsburgh, then some grueling days through Pennsylvania. Having flown over the state in less than a freakin’ hour, I’m psyched to do it the hard way, over the better part of a week. Easton, I’ll see you again just after the fourth of July!
pics up on fb! fun times!
-the little sister
i loved those birds! i wanted to bring them all home with me…oh ken you missed the day when andy, myself maggie and ep went bridge jumping! Waterfall and everything! DO WORK & see you in NY!
I love the way I still find out (after the fact) the things that you and Jon have done. Lord, you did have on helmets going up 611 at full speed. . . didn’t you? For the uninformed, 611 is not exactly a straight away – it’s scary even in a car.
Thanks, Ken. You are awesome. Have fun in PA.
O.K. I start from Charleston, SC Thursday and drive to Lake Gaston, Va. with friends for July 4th weekend. Then, I travel to somewhere in Pennsylvania to meet Team QAK July 6, 7, or 8??
I think I have a plan?
I’m in the blue GMC truck with the cap. Ken, I’ll buy.
well, it looks like that’s when we’ll be in Easton, PA…my hometown. so if you want to hang out with QAK + ma & pa K, I’m sure Ma K would be delighted.
We got a post card from Quinn today. What a nice surprise! We leave on our Red Wood trip (we are calling it the “Sometimes A Great Notion Tour”)in 10 days. You will soon be at the end of yours and you will experience a phenomenon that tourists share. I don’t know if it has a name, but you will know what I’m talking about when it happens! You may already have experienced it on your several days off. Maybe it is post-tour syndrome. It sets in when you leave the real world and re-enter the altered reality that is work, etc. and you long for you know…
It’s the parallel universes of work and travel each with their own reality…The trick is to remain a “traveler”, to see things as a traveler does, even when at home.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Lao Tzu
Just for fun. You guys have polo, Portland has jousting.
http://bikeportland.org/photos/album/72157619959599929/stumptown-joustdown-2009.html
They’re in Pittsburgh now that has the Super Bowl Trophy & the Stanley Cup! Team QAK will have seen it all this trip!!! Safe travels BikingVikings on your ride. Will you be doing a blog? Send info.
P.S. Typical Team QAK style, it’s a beautiful day in Pittsburgh
P.S. And the world will be here for G20 Summit in Sept.
P.S. One does not have to travel to be a tourist.
Lee withaK
To Staten Island from Newark-
Rt#1 East to South#501
Left on Richmond Terrace after Kill Van Kull Park on left & bridge
To Lee withaK,
We will be doing a blog after the tour, probably on crazyguyonabike. We try to escape the electronic world when we tour. As soon as it is complete we will post a link here. Neither of us are as talented as Ken who can put together these great websites.
“People travel to faraway places to watch in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home” Dagobert Runes
Thanks crazyguy! So, you don’t haul a laptop with battery and charger to stay in touch? I bet you even use a map rather than GPS. And should I even mention a twit (or is tweet)? These young people. I bet you have to ride uphill both ways and always into a headwind. But seriously, I just spent an evening with Team QAK as they reminisced. You were mentioned and it was all good. It’s fun to hear the adventures. You have safe travels.
It was great meeting and seeing you guys tonight! I love being able to bust out my Pgh travel guide hat. I hope we gave you guys a good tour! Safe travels to NYC!
No matter if some one searches for his vital thing, so
he/she wants to be available that in detail, so that thing is maintained over here.