First of all know two things about this day:
1. I was playing hurt
2. Freakish wind
Memorial Day saw me twist and turn and bend with ax, saw, pole saw and various cutting tools in hand as I cleared brush from our lake place for a couple of hours longer than I should have.
I awoke today sore in places I didn't know I had. But the worst was a barking left hammy. Looking outside the wind was gusting and the forecast was for storms by afternoon.
But I had coordinated a small group to ride today, as 'der Jan' and 'Pack Yak' Rich were to meet me at eleven. Hammy be damned. Forecast be damned. We met. We rode.
Clouds, some hazy sun at times
Windy, warm and humid
80-ish with winds 15-20 mph
Wales and back/40 miles
Rich had never taken the route to Wales with me, so despite dark clouds freaking me out as usual and der Jan calling me a baby as usual, we headed west to show Rich that wonderful route.
On the way out we saw the most awesome turtle ever. The thing was huge, with a tail that looked like it should be on a small dinosaur. I've never seen a turtle that big. But there it was just sitting on the side of the path.
Only a few raindrops at the turn around in Wales and we quickly headed back. Then on the way back we saw another turtle, this one much smaller than the first but still a pretty good sized one.
The third turtle was of course me, although I will say I played through some pain and did 40 miles with a trick hammy and a sore body. Those two started picking up the pace on the way back and I knew that would happen. 18..19...20....21....22.....I'm out, dropped off the back with no spunk in the legs to chase.
Later we did a nice pace line section on the NB trail. I always like doing a pace line and in this case was even able to take a few turns on the front. But for much of this ride I was firmly planted on the wheel of Rich. I also can really appreciate riding with a couple of veteran cyclists whom you can trust to ride inches from on the road.
No Wed. ride because I will be at a media day event at the Milwaukee Mile to interview some of the drivers from the Indy 500 who will be in town on Father's Day weekend for a race here.
You can hear whatever interviews I do on the Thursday PhilCast show.
Season Miles: 818
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Guess what crossed the road?
So any guesses?
After a week off the bike due to some hellish spring weather I finally got a ride in today.
Sun
61 degrees
Wind NE 10-15
Three Bridges route, 35 miles
On the way out I happened to just in time catch something out of the corner of my eye. Some sort of animal was crossing the road. Before I knew it I had to hit my brakes pretty hard to avoid smacking the stupid thing. It was an opossum. Those things have to be the dumbest animal out there. It never looked at me and never hurried...just kept going in his own little world. And man...that bare rat-like tail is gross. I'm glad I didn't take the thing out, not because there would be one less opossum in the world but because it would have messed up my bike!
On the path out there was also a funny moment when this little girl, no more than 5-6 years old, who was riding a little tiny bike out there with her mom said to me, "Nice bike." The little kid said that! Kinda cool.
I decided that despite the fact that I would be going into the NE wind on the way back that I would make the loop rather than take the same path home. This means some climbing into the wind, including the hill at the Franklin Correctional Center, where, as usual, I hummed "I'm Free" by the Who as I rode past the barbed-wire fences.
No issues on this ride, but it is clear that I am way out of shape for this time of year and far behind where I was last season at this time. Baby steps.
Happy Memorial Day weekend and thanks to all who have served our great country. No riding planned for me until Tuesday of next week.
Season Miles: 778
After a week off the bike due to some hellish spring weather I finally got a ride in today.
Sun
61 degrees
Wind NE 10-15
Three Bridges route, 35 miles
On the way out I happened to just in time catch something out of the corner of my eye. Some sort of animal was crossing the road. Before I knew it I had to hit my brakes pretty hard to avoid smacking the stupid thing. It was an opossum. Those things have to be the dumbest animal out there. It never looked at me and never hurried...just kept going in his own little world. And man...that bare rat-like tail is gross. I'm glad I didn't take the thing out, not because there would be one less opossum in the world but because it would have messed up my bike!
On the path out there was also a funny moment when this little girl, no more than 5-6 years old, who was riding a little tiny bike out there with her mom said to me, "Nice bike." The little kid said that! Kinda cool.
I decided that despite the fact that I would be going into the NE wind on the way back that I would make the loop rather than take the same path home. This means some climbing into the wind, including the hill at the Franklin Correctional Center, where, as usual, I hummed "I'm Free" by the Who as I rode past the barbed-wire fences.
No issues on this ride, but it is clear that I am way out of shape for this time of year and far behind where I was last season at this time. Baby steps.
Happy Memorial Day weekend and thanks to all who have served our great country. No riding planned for me until Tuesday of next week.
Season Miles: 778
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Lunch of champions
The plan today was to get two things out of a ride on a nice-weather Friday:
1. Let my lily-white winter skin soak up some sun for three hours.
2. Just spin out my sore, tired legs from yesterday's hard climbing workout.
So with the Madone in the shop I pulled out the backup Klein and headed out for the lunch of champions. Ride to Wales where I would pull out my PB&J, banana and granola bar and sit on a bench in the sun for lunch.
Heading out I had thoughts of cutting it short. It was clear that the wind was once again at my back, blowing 10-12 off the lake from the east. This means tailwind out and headwind back. Not ideal, but at least the ride heading west to Wales is a slight false-flat uphill, meaning although I would be coming home into the wind at least it would be slightly downhill for a time.
The Glacial-Drumlin trail has now filled in creating a beautiful canopy of trees. Combine that with the bushes on the sides that are now in bloom and you get a sense of riding in a lush green tunnel. If you have not been out there do yourself a favor on a sunny day and enjoy the view.
I enjoyed my lunch in the sunshine and headed back.
The first part was fine. But the stretch from Waukesha to Greenfield Park on the New Berlin trail can be brutal when the wind is in your face and your legs feel like jello. That stretch was a challenge to just keep going. My legs were really shot.
In fact last night when I got up out of my chair to go to bed my left thigh just locked up in an insane cramp. There was no way that I could twist or turn to alleviate the terrible pain and spasms. I guess I over did it on the climbing yesterday!
So keeping that in mind I figure I did pretty good to put in 41 miles less than 24 hours later.
Sunshine
71 degrees
Wind 6-12, east off lake
Wales, 41 miles
No riding planned for this weekend, with rain in the forecast and other things to accomplish. That's fine. My legs need a rest anyway now.
Madone is ready. The noise was just the need for the crank to be tightened to spec. Nothing serious and we'll be good to go with her next week.
Season Miles: 743
1. Let my lily-white winter skin soak up some sun for three hours.
2. Just spin out my sore, tired legs from yesterday's hard climbing workout.
So with the Madone in the shop I pulled out the backup Klein and headed out for the lunch of champions. Ride to Wales where I would pull out my PB&J, banana and granola bar and sit on a bench in the sun for lunch.
Heading out I had thoughts of cutting it short. It was clear that the wind was once again at my back, blowing 10-12 off the lake from the east. This means tailwind out and headwind back. Not ideal, but at least the ride heading west to Wales is a slight false-flat uphill, meaning although I would be coming home into the wind at least it would be slightly downhill for a time.
The Glacial-Drumlin trail has now filled in creating a beautiful canopy of trees. Combine that with the bushes on the sides that are now in bloom and you get a sense of riding in a lush green tunnel. If you have not been out there do yourself a favor on a sunny day and enjoy the view.
I enjoyed my lunch in the sunshine and headed back.
The first part was fine. But the stretch from Waukesha to Greenfield Park on the New Berlin trail can be brutal when the wind is in your face and your legs feel like jello. That stretch was a challenge to just keep going. My legs were really shot.
In fact last night when I got up out of my chair to go to bed my left thigh just locked up in an insane cramp. There was no way that I could twist or turn to alleviate the terrible pain and spasms. I guess I over did it on the climbing yesterday!
So keeping that in mind I figure I did pretty good to put in 41 miles less than 24 hours later.
Sunshine
71 degrees
Wind 6-12, east off lake
Wales, 41 miles
No riding planned for this weekend, with rain in the forecast and other things to accomplish. That's fine. My legs need a rest anyway now.
Madone is ready. The noise was just the need for the crank to be tightened to spec. Nothing serious and we'll be good to go with her next week.
Season Miles: 743
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Inspired by Chris Horner and Matthew Busche
As I type this ride report I am watching Stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California. And it was Stage 4 on Wednesday that really inspired me to go out in a hard effort today and here is the story.
Seeing one of my favorite pro riders Chris Horner just hammer it up the final climb of Sierra Rd. leaving everyone, even his teammate Levi behind was such a treat to watch.
And even better was the fact that my friend and neighbor Matthew was looking awesome in the limelight. No shortage of face time on Versus TV for Matty Hollywood as I call him now, as he pulled the team up a climb. After the victory Chris even mentioned all the hard work Matt put in on the stage.
It inspired me to do some climbing today in Whitnall Park, where I turned 10 laps. And for the occasion I even wore the Amgen ToC socks and jersey that I bought while at the TT in L.A. last year.
Partly Sunny
68 degrees
Wind 6-12
36 miles, 10 laps Whitnall Crit
But before I started the laps I put in a hard turn on the way to the park. Some guy with two bags draped over his back wheel, a hi-viz vest and no helmet passed me. The thought occurred to me, why would someone be concerned enough about safety to wear a vest like that but NOT be wearing a helmet?
Well, for whatever reason he rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like how he kind of fast-rolled through a stop sign to go around me on the left. Usually that's no biggie with me. But he hit a nerve today and I figured no guy with a bagged bike and no helmet was going to pass me right now.
I got busy.
I felt strong.
I passed him, then picked up my tempo even more.
As I cranked it out at one point I closed my eyes for a flash and saw myself pulling Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer. I can only imagine doing it. Matty Hollywood from down the street IS doing it! Wow. So cool.
At Whitnall Park, where the last of the flowering crab trees are looking beautiful (as are the tulips) each lap features three hills. The first is sharp, steep and it hurts. After that there is no downhill reward either. After a short flat comes hill #2, a longer, more drawn out climb that comes when you are still tired from the first pop.
Then, after a bit of a break, the final climb on the second half comes. It's not as bad as the 1-2 punch on the front half of the lap.
After 10 laps I stopped at Botanical Gardens HQ to fill my water bottle, eat a banana and a granola bar, then head back.
On the way back my bottom bracket started making a loud creaking noise, almost like microwave popcorn popping. Something wasn't right. So as soon as I got home I showered and then took the machine down to Rainbow Jersey where they will take it apart and give me a report.
At least they heard the noise too when the mechanic tested the bike in their parking lot. We'll see what's up and I'll have an update here.
So it looks like the backup Klein will get called into action for a Friday ride.
Season Miles: 702
Seeing one of my favorite pro riders Chris Horner just hammer it up the final climb of Sierra Rd. leaving everyone, even his teammate Levi behind was such a treat to watch.
And even better was the fact that my friend and neighbor Matthew was looking awesome in the limelight. No shortage of face time on Versus TV for Matty Hollywood as I call him now, as he pulled the team up a climb. After the victory Chris even mentioned all the hard work Matt put in on the stage.
It inspired me to do some climbing today in Whitnall Park, where I turned 10 laps. And for the occasion I even wore the Amgen ToC socks and jersey that I bought while at the TT in L.A. last year.
Partly Sunny
68 degrees
Wind 6-12
36 miles, 10 laps Whitnall Crit
But before I started the laps I put in a hard turn on the way to the park. Some guy with two bags draped over his back wheel, a hi-viz vest and no helmet passed me. The thought occurred to me, why would someone be concerned enough about safety to wear a vest like that but NOT be wearing a helmet?
Well, for whatever reason he rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like how he kind of fast-rolled through a stop sign to go around me on the left. Usually that's no biggie with me. But he hit a nerve today and I figured no guy with a bagged bike and no helmet was going to pass me right now.
I got busy.
I felt strong.
I passed him, then picked up my tempo even more.
As I cranked it out at one point I closed my eyes for a flash and saw myself pulling Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer. I can only imagine doing it. Matty Hollywood from down the street IS doing it! Wow. So cool.
At Whitnall Park, where the last of the flowering crab trees are looking beautiful (as are the tulips) each lap features three hills. The first is sharp, steep and it hurts. After that there is no downhill reward either. After a short flat comes hill #2, a longer, more drawn out climb that comes when you are still tired from the first pop.
Then, after a bit of a break, the final climb on the second half comes. It's not as bad as the 1-2 punch on the front half of the lap.
After 10 laps I stopped at Botanical Gardens HQ to fill my water bottle, eat a banana and a granola bar, then head back.
On the way back my bottom bracket started making a loud creaking noise, almost like microwave popcorn popping. Something wasn't right. So as soon as I got home I showered and then took the machine down to Rainbow Jersey where they will take it apart and give me a report.
At least they heard the noise too when the mechanic tested the bike in their parking lot. We'll see what's up and I'll have an update here.
So it looks like the backup Klein will get called into action for a Friday ride.
Season Miles: 702
Monday, May 16, 2011
Tire testing
There is at least one thing you need to know about me as you read these posts; Me and changes to my bike get along like gas and fire. It's volatile and should be avoided.
Trouble is when I took my Madone in for a spring cleaning and checkup I had Rainbow Jersey slap a fresh set of rubber on for the season. The tires I have come to like so much are no longer made by Schwalbe. Instead I was told about the new model that is most like the ones I had grown so used to.
Today when I got my bike back I simply had to go out, even if it was brief, to test these new tires.
To my surprise they felt great.
Sunny
Windy, 15-20 mph
Cool, 52 degrees
Elm Grove Crit, 5 laps, 17 miles
The change of rubber on the road passed the test with flying colors. The only issue I had was with my Flighdeck computer, which at first failed to show on the digital display which ring and which gear I was in. This seemed to lock up the entire computer, which, needless to say had me frustrated.
But about a mile into the ride it started flashing and showing gear changes that I wasn't making. It was as if a ghost had taken over. Every button I pushed while riding couldn't stop the madness. But then it happened.
The computer seemed to re-set itself and suddenly all the displays were proper and in working order.
Ahhhh, now life is back to normal.
All I need now would be a little warm air to filter in this week to make it seem more like spring riding season.
Season Miles: 663
Trouble is when I took my Madone in for a spring cleaning and checkup I had Rainbow Jersey slap a fresh set of rubber on for the season. The tires I have come to like so much are no longer made by Schwalbe. Instead I was told about the new model that is most like the ones I had grown so used to.
Today when I got my bike back I simply had to go out, even if it was brief, to test these new tires.
To my surprise they felt great.
Sunny
Windy, 15-20 mph
Cool, 52 degrees
Elm Grove Crit, 5 laps, 17 miles
The change of rubber on the road passed the test with flying colors. The only issue I had was with my Flighdeck computer, which at first failed to show on the digital display which ring and which gear I was in. This seemed to lock up the entire computer, which, needless to say had me frustrated.
But about a mile into the ride it started flashing and showing gear changes that I wasn't making. It was as if a ghost had taken over. Every button I pushed while riding couldn't stop the madness. But then it happened.
The computer seemed to re-set itself and suddenly all the displays were proper and in working order.
Ahhhh, now life is back to normal.
All I need now would be a little warm air to filter in this week to make it seem more like spring riding season.
Season Miles: 663
646
Correction--Thanks to someone who left a comment earlier for me to check my math. I hit a '7' instead of a '6' a couple of posts back making my season miles total off by a hundred.
All is well with the world now that we know I have only ridden 646 miles so far this lousy-weather spring.
All is well with the world now that we know I have only ridden 646 miles so far this lousy-weather spring.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Dedication ride
I really had no business being out there at all in these weather conditions:
Wind advisory, to 40-45 mph out of NE
48 degrees, wind chill in the 30's
Clouds
20 miles NB Trail
And I had no plans to ride today until I received a Sunday-morning email from some friends telling me about a ceremony they had Saturday night for a mutual friend lost to cancer too soon.
And something I had written, along with my Livestrong yellow bracelet was involved in the ceremony as it turns out. Part of the ceremony was to mark what would have been her birthday today. There's more to it than that, and I was ready to write up an emotional post about an emotional ride today. But I think I will just leave it at that...with a dedication ride on a day with such horrible weather conditions that I would have never even attempted it without the dedication.
Season Miles: 646
Wind advisory, to 40-45 mph out of NE
48 degrees, wind chill in the 30's
Clouds
20 miles NB Trail
And I had no plans to ride today until I received a Sunday-morning email from some friends telling me about a ceremony they had Saturday night for a mutual friend lost to cancer too soon.
And something I had written, along with my Livestrong yellow bracelet was involved in the ceremony as it turns out. Part of the ceremony was to mark what would have been her birthday today. There's more to it than that, and I was ready to write up an emotional post about an emotional ride today. But I think I will just leave it at that...with a dedication ride on a day with such horrible weather conditions that I would have never even attempted it without the dedication.
Season Miles: 646
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Good intentions
As the Associated Press used to write on its wire machines (back in the day of printed news wire machines) when they killed a story, "Bust It".
That's what I did today. I had intentions of an easy neighborhood ride just to take the edge off my legs after yesterday's big effort ride.
But as I left, right before my very eyes the weather was changing in a flash. It went from a mild day with hazy sunshine to a rather bizarre condition that reminded me of what is called marine layer on the west coast. Suddenly there was this odd foggy condition and the temps dipped within blocks.
I rode out to the course and into a cold wind. It was horrible. My legs were dead. The sun was gone. The cold fog had rolled in and no good was going to come of this ride attempt today.
Bust it.
I headed for home as soon as I could. I'll live to ride another day.
Add four miles to the season total and make lunch.
Season Miles: 626
That's what I did today. I had intentions of an easy neighborhood ride just to take the edge off my legs after yesterday's big effort ride.
But as I left, right before my very eyes the weather was changing in a flash. It went from a mild day with hazy sunshine to a rather bizarre condition that reminded me of what is called marine layer on the west coast. Suddenly there was this odd foggy condition and the temps dipped within blocks.
I rode out to the course and into a cold wind. It was horrible. My legs were dead. The sun was gone. The cold fog had rolled in and no good was going to come of this ride attempt today.
Bust it.
I headed for home as soon as I could. I'll live to ride another day.
Add four miles to the season total and make lunch.
Season Miles: 626
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
7-Mile Rd. solution
I finally figured out the proper turnaround for my 7-Mile Rd. route today. This was my intent as I set out today under hazy skies and mild temps in the 60's. There was a slight chance of rain but I took that chance today in search of figuring this route out once and for all.
Hazy sunshine
65-72 degrees
Wind 6-12
7-Mile Rd., 45 miles
After riding the "Three Bridges" path in Franklin and going through the Franklin industrial park I turn right on Oakwood, taking me past the remote control airplane park. Take that all the way to 92nd and turn left. The issue I had on Sunday was that I turned left onto County Line Road, which is a big mistake because it dead-ends on 76th, thus dumping you onto an unsafe hell hole of a mile or so on 76th.
No, rather than a left at County Line you make a right and a quick left to continue out on 92nd all the way to 7-Mile Road, where you take another left down to 60th, which dumps you back crossing Oakwood and into Franklin's industrial park again. Then you have the option of taking the same path back or take the street route past the correctional facility which provides some hills.
I took the path back today.
Things went well for me today in terms of training as well. No rain and I rode this at tempo for periods of time. 2:57 of saddle time for 45 miles comes to about 15.2 mph average, which for me at this time of year puts a smile on my face.
I really feel I earned the dinner my wife and I will be going out for this evening to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. Now, while I am looking forward to pigging out on some great food, I can tell you this much: Nothing tasted much better than the PB&J I just downed with an iced-cold glass of milk out here on the porch after the ride. That should hold me over until dinner.
Looks like Friday will be the next chance at a ride perhaps.
Season Miles: 622
Hazy sunshine
65-72 degrees
Wind 6-12
7-Mile Rd., 45 miles
After riding the "Three Bridges" path in Franklin and going through the Franklin industrial park I turn right on Oakwood, taking me past the remote control airplane park. Take that all the way to 92nd and turn left. The issue I had on Sunday was that I turned left onto County Line Road, which is a big mistake because it dead-ends on 76th, thus dumping you onto an unsafe hell hole of a mile or so on 76th.
No, rather than a left at County Line you make a right and a quick left to continue out on 92nd all the way to 7-Mile Road, where you take another left down to 60th, which dumps you back crossing Oakwood and into Franklin's industrial park again. Then you have the option of taking the same path back or take the street route past the correctional facility which provides some hills.
I took the path back today.
Things went well for me today in terms of training as well. No rain and I rode this at tempo for periods of time. 2:57 of saddle time for 45 miles comes to about 15.2 mph average, which for me at this time of year puts a smile on my face.
I really feel I earned the dinner my wife and I will be going out for this evening to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. Now, while I am looking forward to pigging out on some great food, I can tell you this much: Nothing tasted much better than the PB&J I just downed with an iced-cold glass of milk out here on the porch after the ride. That should hold me over until dinner.
Looks like Friday will be the next chance at a ride perhaps.
Season Miles: 622
Monday, May 9, 2011
Can't trust those weathermen
Nope, you just can't trust those darned weathermen on TV. Last words I heard about Monday--dry most of the day with the rain holding off until Monday night.
Great. That means perhaps a shot at a small recovery ride today.
Although the clouds had come by noon-ish I was inspired to ride after the horrible news about the death of a pro rider who crashed in today's Stage 3 of the Giro in Italy. Click here for more info on that.
I had the brains to stay close to home because it was looking dark to the west. So I decided to do some laps in Elm Grove. Good thing too.
Cloudy, then rain
61 degrees
East wind off lake at 12-15
7 miles, Elm Grove Crit, 2 laps
I was on the road at 12:35 and by 12:55 it started to rain. So much for most of Monday being dry!
Now in the summer, a light rain while caught out on a ride isn't enough to make me turn around. But with what feels like a wind chill while you are being pelted in the face by cold rain...well, I threw in the towel in a hurry, got home, wiped the bike off and hit the shower.
Oh well. It's seven more miles this season at the very least.
Season Miles: 577
Great. That means perhaps a shot at a small recovery ride today.
Although the clouds had come by noon-ish I was inspired to ride after the horrible news about the death of a pro rider who crashed in today's Stage 3 of the Giro in Italy. Click here for more info on that.
I had the brains to stay close to home because it was looking dark to the west. So I decided to do some laps in Elm Grove. Good thing too.
Cloudy, then rain
61 degrees
East wind off lake at 12-15
7 miles, Elm Grove Crit, 2 laps
I was on the road at 12:35 and by 12:55 it started to rain. So much for most of Monday being dry!
Now in the summer, a light rain while caught out on a ride isn't enough to make me turn around. But with what feels like a wind chill while you are being pelted in the face by cold rain...well, I threw in the towel in a hurry, got home, wiped the bike off and hit the shower.
Oh well. It's seven more miles this season at the very least.
Season Miles: 577
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Amsterdam?
There were so many bikes out there on this Sunday afternoon that at times it looked like Amsterdam.
And while the sun was out at the start of this 47-mile effort it had long disappeared by the halfway point. The east wind off Lake Michigan hung around. Lets just say that my little yellow wind jacket has become my best friend as of late.
Sun to clouds
60-63 degrees
Wind 5-10 off lake
47 miles, 7-Mile Rd. w/Botanical lap on way back
I felt real good about this ride. I was nice and steady and smooth the entire time. I took it easy on the "Three Bridges" portion of the ride on the paths in Franklin, just sight-seeing and people watching.
On the way back I decided to climb Barn Hill and check out Botanical Gardens. Wow! That place was jumpin'! I guess the Mothers Day brunch at the restaurant there is a hit!
I walked into the jammed building to fill my water bottle and I could feel all the eyes on me from people dressed in their Sunday best looking at a guy clicking along on the floor in some spandex-like superhero outfit. Pretty funny. Talk about being out of place somewhere!
I'm dedicating the ride today to Dominic Gill, whom I learned about over the weekend. I watched his Take a Seat video Saturday and it was very inspirational for me. Click here to watch it. It's an hour long, and better than any waste-of-time TV show you'll spend an hour on.
I had some very solid miles in this past week and for the first time am starting to feel like I'm getting into riding shape this season.
Season Miles: 570
And while the sun was out at the start of this 47-mile effort it had long disappeared by the halfway point. The east wind off Lake Michigan hung around. Lets just say that my little yellow wind jacket has become my best friend as of late.
Sun to clouds
60-63 degrees
Wind 5-10 off lake
47 miles, 7-Mile Rd. w/Botanical lap on way back
I felt real good about this ride. I was nice and steady and smooth the entire time. I took it easy on the "Three Bridges" portion of the ride on the paths in Franklin, just sight-seeing and people watching.
On the way back I decided to climb Barn Hill and check out Botanical Gardens. Wow! That place was jumpin'! I guess the Mothers Day brunch at the restaurant there is a hit!
I walked into the jammed building to fill my water bottle and I could feel all the eyes on me from people dressed in their Sunday best looking at a guy clicking along on the floor in some spandex-like superhero outfit. Pretty funny. Talk about being out of place somewhere!
I'm dedicating the ride today to Dominic Gill, whom I learned about over the weekend. I watched his Take a Seat video Saturday and it was very inspirational for me. Click here to watch it. It's an hour long, and better than any waste-of-time TV show you'll spend an hour on.
I had some very solid miles in this past week and for the first time am starting to feel like I'm getting into riding shape this season.
Season Miles: 570
Friday, May 6, 2011
Special Delivery
As it turns out, this little ride a little bit of everything in store for me.
Indeed, I set out to make a special delivery of sorts. Here is the back story on that. I wanted to get my pass application for riding on the Glacial-Drumlin trail in. After making out a check with the application paperwork I had picked up along the trail on Wednesday during my 54-mile ride I could not for the life of me figure out how to turn the thing into an envelope. Apparently my brain cells are now limited.
My plan was to put the ap and the check into a regular envelope and ride back out toward Wales to deposit the entire thing in the drop box.
Now heading west into a stiff west wind was a chore. I knew it would be. But the thing to do here is put your head down and just take your time. When I finally got to the box I dropped the envelope in and decided to continue west into the wind for one more segment of path. Thank GOD I made the decision to wear my wind jacket today...I almost didn't. The sun was now dancing behind clouds and it was chilly.
Mostly cloudy
63
Windy, 12-15
Toward Wales and back, 35 miles
I turned around at DT, loaded up my second bottle and looked forward to an easier time of it heading home. Or so I thought.
Oh at first it was fine, until I saw a guy coming from the other way toward me, then turn around as I crossed the street on the New Berlin trail. It was as if he was baiting me. Bold. I bit. I decided to grab his wheel. And now there was some cross-wind too. Well this skinny dude was haulin' ass. But I felt I had the legs so I tried to stay on. It was work. Major work. This guy was dancing with 25 mph steady all the way from Springdale to Calhoun, the longest stretch of that path.
I huffed. I puffed. I sprinted out of the saddle at times just to keep pace. There was no way I could overtake to even attempt to take a pull for him.
After crossing Calhoun he took off again. I was gassed. Done. Fork-sticking time. It was then I just said, "See ya bumblebee (he was in yellow and black) I'm cooked."
He was gone for a short bit and when I came up on Sunny Slope there he was loading his bike onto the back of his parked car. I slowed and yelled out to him, "Thanks for the pull. I would have taken a turn at the front but you were too fast." He said thanks and that was that.
From there to Greenfield Park it was like a race horse taking a cool-down lap. Time to back off the accelerator. Coming into the park I heard a guy behind me say "On your left." I pulled over and as he passed he said, "Now that's more like it."
I have no idea what he was talking about. My best guess was that perhaps he too was behind me trying to keep up and could only catch and pass after I was off the gas. Who knows. I don't think he was mad about anything. Just odd.
One final surprise too...what started as a sunny and mild day was now cloudy with a light blowing rain!
Like I said, this special delivery ride had a little bit of everything.
Season Miles: 523
Indeed, I set out to make a special delivery of sorts. Here is the back story on that. I wanted to get my pass application for riding on the Glacial-Drumlin trail in. After making out a check with the application paperwork I had picked up along the trail on Wednesday during my 54-mile ride I could not for the life of me figure out how to turn the thing into an envelope. Apparently my brain cells are now limited.
My plan was to put the ap and the check into a regular envelope and ride back out toward Wales to deposit the entire thing in the drop box.
Now heading west into a stiff west wind was a chore. I knew it would be. But the thing to do here is put your head down and just take your time. When I finally got to the box I dropped the envelope in and decided to continue west into the wind for one more segment of path. Thank GOD I made the decision to wear my wind jacket today...I almost didn't. The sun was now dancing behind clouds and it was chilly.
Mostly cloudy
63
Windy, 12-15
Toward Wales and back, 35 miles
I turned around at DT, loaded up my second bottle and looked forward to an easier time of it heading home. Or so I thought.
Oh at first it was fine, until I saw a guy coming from the other way toward me, then turn around as I crossed the street on the New Berlin trail. It was as if he was baiting me. Bold. I bit. I decided to grab his wheel. And now there was some cross-wind too. Well this skinny dude was haulin' ass. But I felt I had the legs so I tried to stay on. It was work. Major work. This guy was dancing with 25 mph steady all the way from Springdale to Calhoun, the longest stretch of that path.
I huffed. I puffed. I sprinted out of the saddle at times just to keep pace. There was no way I could overtake to even attempt to take a pull for him.
After crossing Calhoun he took off again. I was gassed. Done. Fork-sticking time. It was then I just said, "See ya bumblebee (he was in yellow and black) I'm cooked."
He was gone for a short bit and when I came up on Sunny Slope there he was loading his bike onto the back of his parked car. I slowed and yelled out to him, "Thanks for the pull. I would have taken a turn at the front but you were too fast." He said thanks and that was that.
From there to Greenfield Park it was like a race horse taking a cool-down lap. Time to back off the accelerator. Coming into the park I heard a guy behind me say "On your left." I pulled over and as he passed he said, "Now that's more like it."
I have no idea what he was talking about. My best guess was that perhaps he too was behind me trying to keep up and could only catch and pass after I was off the gas. Who knows. I don't think he was mad about anything. Just odd.
One final surprise too...what started as a sunny and mild day was now cloudy with a light blowing rain!
Like I said, this special delivery ride had a little bit of everything.
Season Miles: 523
Thursday, May 5, 2011
It's all about performance
Yup, it's all about performance in this video piece that's too funny...funny because I bet so many of us roadies can relate!
Click here...sound up...enjoy.
Click here...sound up...enjoy.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Longest of the new season
Nice hard effort today getting some serious time in the saddle on a long adventure thanks to the return of the sun.
Sunny
55-63 degrees
Lt. wind
54 miles to Dousman and back
As I headed out early in the ride I had no handle on which way the wind was blowing as I tried to determine if I would head west or south. As it turned out I made the wrong decision, at least if I would have wanted a tailwind rather than a headwind all the way in from Dousman. Oh well.
This turned out to be my longest ride of the season at 54 miles. I wanted to pick up an application for a trail pass, needed on the Glacial-Drumlin Trail. (heads up-you can no longer get one on-line either)
The first box on the trail that I passed was empty, but the second one had the envelopes you can send in with a check. So I stuffed a couple into my jersey pocket and continued west to Wales.
Interesting thing happened on the way. East of the Wales rest stop a woman walking flagged me down. She asked if I had seen a guy walking his bike. I had not. She explained that she was riding with a friend when he crashed, so she rode ahead to get the car, then walked from the nearest road to find him.
Now I was worried. I told her I would ride ahead and check and if I saw him would tell him that she would wait for him at the rest stop.
Sure enough I saw the guy ahead. He was OK but looked a little dazed. I chatted him up while we walked toward the rest stop where the woman saw us and all was well.
I stopped there to open the turkey sandwich I had packed for lunch, but ate only half before getting back on the bike. It was just cool enough to not want to cool down sitting there so I finished the sandwich while on the bike.
The green buds are popping along the path now which is nice to see. Soon the canopy of trees and leaves will be formed overhead. It is quite beautiful in there.
I decided to just keep going west. What the heck! Yup, went all the way to Dousman where I stopped in at Bicycle Doctor. The dude behind the counter gladly filled my empty water bottle with a smile and I was on my way back.
At times the slight wind was sucking the life out of my legs at this distance and I had to take it real easy up the Carroll University hill because my quads were ready to cramp.
From there is was just a matter of keeping up an easy spin heading east into that darned wind off the lake keeping it cooler than it should be.
I did regret not having a wind breaker on. But I always have to laugh when I see others on the path with much less on than my two long-sleeved layers. Like the young, tan girl rollerblading with tiny shorts and a tube top on. Really? Brrrrr. Nice to look at though I'll admit.
Back to rain on Thursday. I'll need a recovery day anyway. Maybe a ride to the south on Friday when the sun returns....
Season Miles: 488
Sunny
55-63 degrees
Lt. wind
54 miles to Dousman and back
As I headed out early in the ride I had no handle on which way the wind was blowing as I tried to determine if I would head west or south. As it turned out I made the wrong decision, at least if I would have wanted a tailwind rather than a headwind all the way in from Dousman. Oh well.
This turned out to be my longest ride of the season at 54 miles. I wanted to pick up an application for a trail pass, needed on the Glacial-Drumlin Trail. (heads up-you can no longer get one on-line either)
The first box on the trail that I passed was empty, but the second one had the envelopes you can send in with a check. So I stuffed a couple into my jersey pocket and continued west to Wales.
Interesting thing happened on the way. East of the Wales rest stop a woman walking flagged me down. She asked if I had seen a guy walking his bike. I had not. She explained that she was riding with a friend when he crashed, so she rode ahead to get the car, then walked from the nearest road to find him.
Now I was worried. I told her I would ride ahead and check and if I saw him would tell him that she would wait for him at the rest stop.
Sure enough I saw the guy ahead. He was OK but looked a little dazed. I chatted him up while we walked toward the rest stop where the woman saw us and all was well.
I stopped there to open the turkey sandwich I had packed for lunch, but ate only half before getting back on the bike. It was just cool enough to not want to cool down sitting there so I finished the sandwich while on the bike.
The green buds are popping along the path now which is nice to see. Soon the canopy of trees and leaves will be formed overhead. It is quite beautiful in there.
I decided to just keep going west. What the heck! Yup, went all the way to Dousman where I stopped in at Bicycle Doctor. The dude behind the counter gladly filled my empty water bottle with a smile and I was on my way back.
At times the slight wind was sucking the life out of my legs at this distance and I had to take it real easy up the Carroll University hill because my quads were ready to cramp.
From there is was just a matter of keeping up an easy spin heading east into that darned wind off the lake keeping it cooler than it should be.
I did regret not having a wind breaker on. But I always have to laugh when I see others on the path with much less on than my two long-sleeved layers. Like the young, tan girl rollerblading with tiny shorts and a tube top on. Really? Brrrrr. Nice to look at though I'll admit.
Back to rain on Thursday. I'll need a recovery day anyway. Maybe a ride to the south on Friday when the sun returns....
Season Miles: 488
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