Today is December 9th 2023...I chose this date as it is a bit of an anniversary for me...
I have been a cyclist since as far back as my teens...I didn't own a vehicle until 1975 when I bought a brand new Chevy step-side 3/4 ton pickup truck...running was also something that was part of a fitness routine that included road racing, duathlons and triathlons spanning over 40yrs...
During my 30yr career at 3M in Austin, I commuted over 150,000 miles to work...racing gave way to long distance cycling adventures which include riding the Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH) from San Francisco to San Diego (600 miles in 5 days) a half a dozen times, Austin, TX to Boulder, CO (1250 miles 12 days), Seattle to San Diego (1600 miles 14 days, San Francisco to Mesa AZ (1100 miles 10 days), Austin, TX to Washington, DC (1850 miles 15 days) and Spokane, WA to the Grand Tetons, WY (1100 miles 11 days)...I have blogs for most of those rides and if you have any interest let me know and I can forward you a link...
There but for the grace of God go I
Five years ago today (2-1/2yrs after retiring from 3M) I was out doing my usual morning bike ride when something went very very wrong...short version is I regained consciousness in an ambulance, realized I had a heart attack and was rushed into surgery...the type of heart attack was a STEMI...and I'm still here...
The last 5 yrs have truly been a gift...
Lastly I want to thank Jake Ruesink and his MarketHaus partner Derek for the interest and help in launching the Pugtown-ATX store...please browse around and I hope you find something you like...
best
Al and Sandy and the PUGS