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~ Diabetes, Cancer Fighter, Father of Twins, Kayak Fishing, Woodcrafter, Lover of Life

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Tag Archives: Cheaha Challenge

Thunderstorms, Traffic Jams, and Heating Pads

18 Monday May 2026

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Amateur Radio, Cancer, Cycling, Life, Uncategorized, Weather

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Tags

Bicycle, Cheaha Challenge, Dermatologist, Doctor Appointment, Early Bird, Family, health, Life, Race, Skin Cancer, Sleep, Thunder, Thunderstorms, Travel, Weather, writing

Yesterday started way earlier than any sane person should be awake. My alarm went off at 4 am, so I could head out and set up my communications station before the Cheaha Challenge bicycle ride began. I left with plenty of time to spare and figured I’d be sitting there relaxed and ready by 7 am.

Well… that didn’t exactly happen.

About halfway there, traffic on the interstate came to a complete stop. Not just eastbound traffic either — westbound traffic was stopped too. Since there were no warning signs or construction notices heading east, I naturally assumed there had been a major accident somewhere ahead.

After sitting there long enough to question every life decision that led me to that interstate at 5-something in the morning, traffic finally started moving. A mile or so ahead, I spotted three state troopers slowly leading traffic and preventing anyone from passing them. Later, I found out the state had scheduled paving work between 6 am and 8 am.

Because apparently that sounded like a wonderful idea.

By the time I finally arrived, I was an hour and a half late. Thankfully, the folks working with me had already set everything up and had the station ready to go before the race started. That was a huge relief.

The ride itself actually went very smoothly. Considering the number of riders spread out across those routes, that’s always good news. We had only a couple of reports of cramps and dehydration. Usually, there are at least a few wrecks or injuries somewhere along the route, so we were fortunate not to have any serious incidents this year.

Today was a completely different kind of long day.

I had another doctor’s appointment to have more cancer removed from the side of my back. The doctor gave me strict instructions to take it easy for the rest of the day. After several mornings of getting up before daylight, I wasn’t exactly heartbroken to hear those words.

So I obeyed the doctor’s orders perfectly.

I came home, got settled into my recliner, turned the heating pad on high, and took a long nap. Right now, I’m starting to feel a little more pain creeping in, so I’ll probably take some pain medication before heading to bed tonight.

At the moment, I’m also keeping an eye on the weather radar. We’ve got several thunderstorms moving through the area. Nothing severe, but some of them are putting on a pretty decent lightning show.

Oddly enough, I’ve always loved listening to distant thunderstorms. It reminds me of being a kid when summertime storms were just… storms. Back then, nobody seemed to classify them in three different ways or warn us about them two weeks in advance. They would roll in during the afternoon, cool things off for a while, and move on.

Tomorrow will be another early morning with yet another doctor’s appointment around 11:30. Then, Thursday brings another pain block procedure. I’m really hoping this one works better than the last one did.

Until then, I’ll probably remain parked right here in my recliner with the heating pad doing most of the heavy lifting.

Screwed up Appointments, Making Sawdust, The Fish are Waiting, Meeting Boyfriends, 100 Miles of 1000 Bicycle Riders

12 Tuesday May 2026

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Amateur Radio, Arts and Crafts, Cancer, Family, Fishing, Kayaking, Life, Nature, Retirement, Uncategorized, Woodworking

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Tags

adventure, Amateur Radio, Appointment, Bicycle, BoyFriend, Cancer, Cheaha Challenge, Dad, Daughter, 🚴 Doctor Appointment, Engagement, Family, Fishing, health, kayak, Life, River Life, Skin Cancer, Surgery, writing

The title should say it all. It’s already been a busy week, and it’s just getting started. Read on if you want to know more.

My appointment with the dermatologist didn’t exactly go as planned.

Late Friday night, I received the automated reminder call about my surgery appointment at a completely different location. Naturally, that raised a few questions. So first thing Monday morning, I called the office to confirm everything.

The receptionist confidently informed me that my appointment was for a skin check and not surgery.

I questioned her ability to read the schedule correctly, only for her to double down and assure me that she was absolutely correct.

At that point, I had a feeling this was going to become one of those “well, this ought to be interesting” kind of days.

So, despite my suspicions, I drove the thirty minutes to the appointment. Once I got called back, I explained to the nurse that I thought there had been some kind of mistake. I told her I had previously rescheduled my surgery, and somehow the purpose of the visit had gotten mixed up.

She looked at my chart for about ten seconds before agreeing with me.

That was both satisfying and aggravating.

I told her that I had tried explaining that to the receptionist earlier, but apparently my medical degree from the University of Common Sense wasn’t enough to override the computer screen.

The nurse then informed me that if I wanted to reschedule surgery, I would have to speak with the surgery team.

That was the moment I realized surgery was definitely not happening that day.

Nothing brightens your morning quite like driving thirty minutes, burning expensive gas, and finding out you basically took a scenic tour of Alabama for no reason.

After I got home and cooled down a bit, I decided to spend some time in the workshop. I built another planter similar to the one I made for my mother. This one still needs a finish, but I’m thinking about just using shellac and letting the wood speak for itself.

Of course, now I’m already thinking about building a few more. Maybe some of the same size and a couple of larger ones, so I’ll have a little variety. I’ve also got plans for a few different planter designs I want to try.

That’s the problem with woodworking. One project turns into six more before the sawdust settles.

Tomorrow, however, is fishing day. 🐠 🎣

The kayak is loaded up and ready to go. I even modified my new measuring board by adding foam underneath it so it’ll float.

At least that’s the theory.

I also attached a cord to it because experience has taught me that “floating” and “recoverable” are two completely different things when something goes overboard in twelve feet of water.

The replacement part for my reel finally came in, so it’s fixed and ready to go, too. I’m looking forward to getting back on the water.

The rest of the week should be fairly uneventful… or at least I thought so until one of my daughters informed my wife and me that she wants us to meet her boyfriend.

That usually means things are getting serious.

For years, she was the daughter who always had a boyfriend, while my other daughter played the role of the “third wheel.” Now the tables have turned a bit since my other daughter seems to be heading toward engagement territory herself.

As a dad, it’s strange watching all this happen. One minute they’re asking for Happy Meals, and the next minute you’re evaluating boyfriends like you’re conducting job interviews.

And finally, Sunday is the annual Cheaha Challenge bicycle ride. Riders will be taking on routes exceeding 100 miles. I’ll be stationed at Rest Stop #2, handling communications via ham radio, coordinating assistance with bike repairs, and helping ensure riders can get back to the start line if necessary

There are already over 1,000 riders registered, so it’s going to be a long day. We’ll start around 7 a.m. and hopefully wrap up around 4 p.m.

Most years it’s fairly uneventful… but every now and then things can get exciting.

Let’s pray everyone stays safe and upright.

365 Day Photo Challenge 135/365 “Cheaha Challenge”

17 Sunday May 2015

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

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Tags

365 Day Photo Challenge, Alabama, Cheaha Challenge, Cycling, Cyclist, Intern, Photography, The Anniston Star

_1TH4567

I had the opportunity to work the Cheaha Challenge today.  It started off wet but as the afternoon approached the rain soon went away.  But with the roads being wet and a new layer of asphalt it made for a very dangerous morning.  1000 bikes were anticipated but only about 700 showed up due to the rain.  Only one accident was reported and they young lady took a spill and dislocated her shoulder and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital.  No word on her condition.

We were fortunate to have with us at our rest stop a young journalist from The Anniston Star, a small but widely known newspaper/newsite. Five interns tweeted their coverage for most of the day.  My partner and I were interviewed about our part of the ride and had our picture taken for the article that is to be written for later on this week.

It was a long day being that I had to get up at 4am this morning to be at my station by 7am.  I have one more week to work then I have a three day weekend coming up.  I’m so ready for an extra day off from work.

BTW, the Cheaha Challenge was broken down into several rides including a 24, 44. 64, 103 and a 129 mile ride and is thought to be the toughest organized ride in the state of Alabama.  For all you cyclist that follow me, you should seriously consider coming down here and riding it.  We has someone come as far away as Miami Florida to ride this ride today.  Are you up for the challenge.  I’m not.

365 Day Photo Challenge 132/365 “Continuation”

14 Thursday May 2015

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

365 Day Photo Challenge, Alabama, Cheaha Challenge, Chief LaDiga, Cycling Awareness, Cyclist, Photography

http://www.wired.com/2015/05/ranked-bike-friendly-states-us/2015_BFS_Overall

Another story about just how the states ranked in bike friendliness.  Again saying that Alabama is dead last while Washington is ranked number one.  In my community it isn’t that bad I guess.  It’s true that I have to deal with a few nuts on the road but overall it’s not as bad as I’ve heard other people.

If you have a minute read the article.  It’s got some useful information as to how they determined the rankings.  I just wished my state would do some of the things that other states are doing to promote cycling.

This coming Sunday, there will be a cycling event at Mt. Cheaha called the Cheaha Challenge.  It’s several bike rides rolled into one with the longest about 150 miles.  I think the shortest is about 25 miles on the Chief LaDiga bike trail.  The last I heard there’s going to be over 1000 cyclists on the road.  You know there’s going to be some pissed off people trying to get through on their Sunday drives.

“Life Goes On!”

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