BBQ and the 4th

First....Happy 4th of July!

Since we did not go back to NC for the 4th we decided to bring a little NC here. Since I can not get either of my favorite NC beers (Duck Rabbit or Highland) we decided to try and make some pulled pork. Anyone who knows my BBQ preferences is probably shocked right now but yes we did a pulled pork today. All I can say is WOW!

The first attempt at brisket did not go so well but my first attempt at pulled pork was a huge success. I smoked a 5 lbs pork shoulder for 6 hours and it stayed moist and was falling off the bone.

Here it is before I shredded it:

Here it is after...read to eat:

My pictures do not do it justice. It was amazing. Since it is just my wife and I here tonight we have enough left for sandwiches in a day or two and some to share with folks on campus.
While it is not up to Wilbers status (http://www.wilbersbarbecue.com/) it was amazing and just what I needed after a 67 mile day on the bike.


To top it all off my wife made some amazing hush puppies and home made peach ice cream. I am letting dinner settle and getting ready for a big bowl of ice cream!


Now back to watching the Star Wars Marathon on TV and waiting to try and see some fireworks from our house while Connor is asleep.

July 4th (When I became a cyclist)

Happy 4th of July (a day early) to everyone out there.

This 4th of July is a little different for my wife and I (and Connor) because it is the 1st one that we have not spent with our family in North Carolina. Since Connor arrived in May we realized that our typical drive from TX to NC was going to be too much for us this year. So we are going to try and make the best of it and make some NC BBQ tomorrow and try and find some fireworks. But today I wanted to take a minute and write about our 4th of July traditions.

The 4th of July for us always has two important parts. 1. Spin Cycle -CCC- 4th of July ride in Cary NC. 2. Spending time with family grilling, hanging out, and watching fireworks from either Regency Park in Cary or more recently Shallotte NC.

The Spin Cycle 4th of July ride was my first group road ride and when I became a true cyclist. I rode this for the 1st time on 7/4/2003. I had been mountain biking for a year and a half and had some hard rides but nothing that compared to my first experience on this ride. I had ridden a total distance of 25 miles at one time and then decide that I could jump into a 100K ride and do well. Big mistake. Not only did I not use any sunscreen (DUMB), but I did not drink enough water at the start, rode too hard starting out, and basically made every mistake possible. I had to get  off my bike and sit down on the side of the road following up the "climb" up High House road a mere 3 miles from the finish. Following several minutes of recovering a friend came back for me and we limped in (including a stop a gas station 2 miles from the finish for more water).

I finished the ride, drove home, and collapsed at the foot of the stairs for 45 minutes in my riding cloths. I bonked and it hurt! Many folks may experience this and never go back for more or at least never that much but I knew I wanted more. Yes it hurt and yes I was off the bike for a few days but I realized that  I loved it! I became a CYCLIST!

I have not missed that ride since then. Even moving to TX did not keep me from making it to that  ride. Well this year will be my first time to not do that since that crazy first year. So if you are in NC and looking for something to do go out and ride the Capital Cycling Club (Spin Cycle) 4th of July Ride and pedal a mile for me. http://www.capcycling.org/events-fireCracker.php

I will be out on the road tomorrow morning thinking about all of my NC friends riding those beautiful roads.

Just as important as the 4th of July ride is the time with my family is even more important. I have been very lucky that they have been able to come out and visit us here in TX this summer. I will be thinking about them tomorrow and would love to be sitting back in Shallotte tomorrow relaxing after the ride, grilling, playing corn hole, drinking a Duck Rabbit or Highland Brewing beer, and heading to the beach to watch fire works.

Well until later, enjoy the tour and have a happy (and safe) 4th of July