at last we meet...

It's above 90 degrees and sunny and I was on my way down from D.C. after spending memorial day with my father. I'm looking at the beautiful scenery of Yorktown as we drive into this historically victorious location hoping that one day I can look back on the next 2 months through the same victorious eyes.

We sat down in a group to meet, most of us, as strangers. The plan was to learn a few things about each other and also learn stuff like how to replace a tire (for those riders who may not already be accustomed with the process). Meanwhile I fumbled with my tire like a nervous wreck when, truth be told, it was the first time I have had to remove a tire since buying the bike months ago and it was still quite firm. I hoped to myself that this was a sign of the beginning of a flatleas trend for my tires... fingers crossed. Also we were given a walk around of the trailer which would house our belongings for the next couple of months. We learned the general safety rules and techniques. Hell, I even re-learned the age old lesson to WEAR SUNSCREEN as we spent most of the day in the blazing sun. The down side is I get to rock a rather embarrassing farmers tan going into the ride that will, most likely, be turned into the equally recognizable cyclists tan. The day was picturesque as the bridge swung open to allow large boats to pass through. The anticipation was so strong you could taste it in the air and finally, just now as I prepare to walk down to eat with the team and some of their family and friends, the butterflies start to run amuck in my gut. And you know what... I like it.

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My first attempt at time lapse bike riding with the Go Pro HD Hero helmet cam!

This is a time laps of a joyride I did this beatific Memorial Day in (where else but) Washington D.C.
I absolutely love this camera. This will help me get some great video footage for the tour. Be sure to go to the Youtube page by clicking on the video and watch this in full 1080p HD!

A fantastic write up for the Birmingham News!

Many thanks to Katy Olsen and Michael Huebner for helping make this great article happen! I'm very thankful of all the help! Remeber you can donate to the cause all the way untill Aug 1st! Let's show MS!

Pedaling for MS: Alabama Ballet's David Bauser biking cross-country to raise research funds

An urban excursion.

     Just like how a cyclist must occasionally ride a bicycle a dancer must indeed dance. I woke up and hopped on my increasingly attractive bicycle, slipped on my cycling gloves, checked air with my new pump, filled my Hydrapack Soquel hydration pack, donned my breathy and comfortable jersey and bib shorts, and slipped on my new cycling hat. Every day I wake up and want to ride... immediately. Unfortunately for me my commute is a modest 3 miles (one way) and leaves me wanting more.
     Ballet class was nice. Only four of us company dancers meeting for the sake of staying in shape. Class was taught by a friend and someone who I used to work with at the Alabama Ballet (now dancing with Louisville Ballet) Brandon. A nice calm summer class. It was exactly what I was wanting... but I was craving more than 3 miles on the saddle afterwards. So I called my friend Lydia, met her in 5 Points, had a nice cerveza and set out on an "urban expedition" through Birmingham.

     In Birmingham there are some really beautiful places if you know where to go. One of my favorites is also one of the newest... Railroad Park. It's a nice meeting place for those who live in the Birmingham metro or surrounding areas. From drum circles to yoga, even the occasional movie, it's one of the hottest new spots in my mind. There is a skate park across the street, a view of the main railroad stretch through the heart of Birmingham (all the way to my work at the ballet), and even a nice little restaurant and covered seating.
     Given my strong love for all things pedaled, my eye was drawn directly to this fella. My dad rode a recumbent bicycle for a time and I think they can be pretty swell... but he never had anything quite like this. Electric assisted, windshield sturdy tank of a recumbent trike. Even his young passenger was able to go to the park with him from Vestavia Hills (which for those not from here is a healthy ride.)
     I had to talk to him.

     His name... Si. First and foremost I expressed my admiration of his unique trike (which I believe was Lightfoot Bikes and Trikes from Montana). We talked about the state of bikes in Birmingham, my bike tour, and living car lite or, as it is for Si, car free.
     Si started the car free life while living in Hawaii for three years. After looking over my bike he noticed the Birmingham Bicycle Company sticker on my bike and coincidentally enough he told me he was the brother of one of the incredibly kind people over at my local bike shop, Mike Fisher. The day was full of wonderful and mostly bike related fun, and in Alabama! Lydia and I then enjoyed a glass of wine (and an incredibly refreshing cup of gazpacho) in the shade before ending our jaunt around town.

     But this encounter with Si leads me to the most important part of this article.
                                         
                                       TheBirmingham Bicycle Company.

     This bike shop has been so helpful and supportive to me, even as an greenhorn cyclist (or Fred as roadies call us), ever since I ordered my bike through them months ago. I'm not really changing the world or making them famous (and I'm certainly no racer)... I'm just a 25 year old boy with MS who wants to go an a big bike ride and they have shown such honest support and great service for my cause. I'm very excited for the gear I have coming in too! Along with more bib shorts I am also getting a Louis Garneau handlebar bag which comes with a case for the all important map. I will be almost entirely ready for the tour!

     Today also, like after most other things I got at Birmingham Bicycle Company, I learned what I did not realize I've been missing all along. This time: A better helmet. A Bell Sweep ended up being the winner. Light and airy. My already obsessive mind was given a burst of power with all this incredible gear and now I cant stop dreaming of the saddle and this is all easier to do because of the Birmingham Bicycle Company's incredible support.
   
     One thing is for sure, I will gladly wear my BBC jersey on this tour!

Also, any thanks to both Mike Fisher and Tim Heard for all the help!

Remembering Weylandt...

     Finally, it is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather is warmer, people nicer, and the grand tours are beginning with the Giro D'Italia. I absolutely love watching the skill and incredible speeds of professional cycling... but my excitement this morning to watch the Giro  was instantly turned to stomach turning anxiety for a fellow cyclist.
     As I turned on the television I noticed an almost shattering silence in the voices of the announcers. The excitement and passion usually found in such amazing races was dwarfed by something I had missed. Only seconds later I heard them speak of a terrible crash. My heart sank when I learned that the crash was on one of the curvy descents of the Giro as I am well aware of the speeds that can be reached. I heard talk of frantic attempts to revive the cyclist involved... but the voices held abeyance to the weight of what was happening.
     At first they could not even say for sure who was involved in the crash, but they (correctly) thought that it was cyclist for the newly formed Leopard-Trek team (founded by two of my favorite riders the Schleck brothers) Wouter Waylandt. He was hurling down a mountain descent at speeds that normally only motor vehicles reach when it was reported he looked back to check his place. At this crucial second either his petals or handlebars on the left side clipped a small wall at incredible speed which hurled him to the other side of the road where he sustained terrible and ultimately fatal head and face trauma. Wouter Waylandt was only one year older than myself at only 26 years old, and has tragically left his girlfriend with their unborn child far too soon.
     Waylandt is the first rider to pass in a crash in one of cycling's three main tours since Italian rider Fabio Casartelli died on a descent in the 1995 Tour de France. Waylandt is the fourth cyclist to die in the Giro D'Italia's history and the first in 25 years to die while participating in the race. Last year, in the 2010 Giro D'Italia, Waylandt arrived for a stage 3 win, the same stage that they were riding on this dark day... this time a much more tragic end to an enigmatic career. One thing should be certain, in the cycling world, Waylandt will never be forgotten.


RIP Wouter Waylandt... you will be missed.