Talk about perfect riding conditions. Today was it!
Sunny
80 degrees
Light wind, 5-10
Wales, 41 miles
This was an historical and very specialized ride for me because I did something today that I have never done in my 10-year cycling career.
I rode out to Wales to have a sandwich and granola bar, then quickly got back on the bike and cranked it out coming home, when I ran into a chap and chatted for a bit as we headed to GF park on the NB trail.
But the thing that made this ride historical and special can not be revealed here just yet. I probably will not write about all the details until next week, when final decisions have been made.
Best rest-assured, when the time comes I'll have plenty to share with you here.
What great weather for riding. I only wish we had a day like this coming on Saturday for my Tour de PhilCast II ride out in the countryside. Rain seems likely, and if it's wet the ride will be postponed until a later date. An announcement will be posted Saturday morning by 9-ish on both Twitter and Facebook accounts.
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Season Miles: 1,571
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Corn thieves and a 'complex' question
The main feature of this ride was the return of wind...lots of it. I haven't felt gusts of wind like that in a long time.
Partly sunny
82 degrees
Wind 12-20+ gusts
Three Bridges, 36 miles
Lets see, lots to cover today including corn, water, snot and noises.
Taking it easy and enjoying a little sunshine, I noticed on the way south into Franklin that the wind was high and going to be a bitch coming back home. Trying to put that thought out of my head, I pushed onward at an easy pace without much of anything or anyone around me.
At the halfway point is when I made my first stop. This is where my 'complex' question comes in. Down at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex you would think there would be a source for water somewhere at that building. It IS after all a SPORTS complex that is located right next to a popular multi-use bike trail. Nothing at all available outside on the building or near it. Today I pulled up to the doors and tried them to see if they were open. Indeed, that set of doors was open, leading to a second set of doors also open. In I went with my bike to explore on foot.
I figured there would be a bubbler in what is a huge and empty hallway of sorts. Nothing. So lets review. No bubbler or water faucet of any kind outside on the building and no bubbler inside. I walk on and see a small game room, where I at least see a soda machine. Still, no place to get a cold drink of water.
Come on Milwaukee Co. Sports Complex...stick a damn bubbler up there!
Heading back into the wind now, there is a section of the Oak Leaf that runs alongside a corn field. I saw a couple walking together on the way down, but now the woman was standing with her back to me as the dude came walking out of the field juggling about a half-dozen ears of freshly picked corn! Really? Corn thieves caught in the act. Wow.
I was really irritated by a running right nostril for most of this ride. Snot city! I have NEVER had allergies throughout my entire life, but that has to be what this is, right? Those of you with them...was there something about today's weather? Is this a time of year when something is in the air? Help! I don't get it. But all I know is that it's my right side....eye waters a bit and I swear I could be doing the farmers blow out of the right side every five minutes. It's really very irritating on a ride.
Speaking of irritating...
My bike has started making noises again.
Do you know what a sandhill crane squawking sounds like? Well, my bottom bracket kinda sounds like that at times now. Then to keep up with the bird sound theme, adding to that noise I noticed that when freewheeling at times I would hear a high-pitched squeaking noise that sounded a little like baby birds in a nest. Now, I know there was no nest back there around the area of my rear hub where the sound was coming from, so I assume that once again my bike has developed some technical issues.
I'm a stickler for a quiet bike, and right now, I'm not riding one. Guess I'll head out to do a little lubricating and see if that helps on the next ride.
Season Miles: 1,530
Partly sunny
82 degrees
Wind 12-20+ gusts
Three Bridges, 36 miles
Lets see, lots to cover today including corn, water, snot and noises.
Taking it easy and enjoying a little sunshine, I noticed on the way south into Franklin that the wind was high and going to be a bitch coming back home. Trying to put that thought out of my head, I pushed onward at an easy pace without much of anything or anyone around me.
At the halfway point is when I made my first stop. This is where my 'complex' question comes in. Down at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex you would think there would be a source for water somewhere at that building. It IS after all a SPORTS complex that is located right next to a popular multi-use bike trail. Nothing at all available outside on the building or near it. Today I pulled up to the doors and tried them to see if they were open. Indeed, that set of doors was open, leading to a second set of doors also open. In I went with my bike to explore on foot.
I figured there would be a bubbler in what is a huge and empty hallway of sorts. Nothing. So lets review. No bubbler or water faucet of any kind outside on the building and no bubbler inside. I walk on and see a small game room, where I at least see a soda machine. Still, no place to get a cold drink of water.
Come on Milwaukee Co. Sports Complex...stick a damn bubbler up there!
Heading back into the wind now, there is a section of the Oak Leaf that runs alongside a corn field. I saw a couple walking together on the way down, but now the woman was standing with her back to me as the dude came walking out of the field juggling about a half-dozen ears of freshly picked corn! Really? Corn thieves caught in the act. Wow.
I was really irritated by a running right nostril for most of this ride. Snot city! I have NEVER had allergies throughout my entire life, but that has to be what this is, right? Those of you with them...was there something about today's weather? Is this a time of year when something is in the air? Help! I don't get it. But all I know is that it's my right side....eye waters a bit and I swear I could be doing the farmers blow out of the right side every five minutes. It's really very irritating on a ride.
Speaking of irritating...
My bike has started making noises again.
Do you know what a sandhill crane squawking sounds like? Well, my bottom bracket kinda sounds like that at times now. Then to keep up with the bird sound theme, adding to that noise I noticed that when freewheeling at times I would hear a high-pitched squeaking noise that sounded a little like baby birds in a nest. Now, I know there was no nest back there around the area of my rear hub where the sound was coming from, so I assume that once again my bike has developed some technical issues.
I'm a stickler for a quiet bike, and right now, I'm not riding one. Guess I'll head out to do a little lubricating and see if that helps on the next ride.
Season Miles: 1,530
Monday, August 8, 2011
Mission accomplished
It was supposed to be a nice sunny day today.
Nope.
The plan was to head out on a ride at about noon Monday, but as I looked out my windows all I could see was the occasional bit of hazy sun through some dark, stormy looking clouds.
Should I stay or should I go?
Well, since you are reading a post here I gather that you have figured out how I answered that question. I did the right thing. I rode, figuring what would be the worst thing that could happen...a downpour? Been there. Done that. Lets ride.
About a mile or so in the plan came together. I'd only go old school on a short 26-mile Loomis and back route, but I'd do it fast, pushing to see if I could come up with a little better average speed for a change. Plus, the faster I go on a short route the quicker I am finished and the less chance there would be for me to get stuck in the rain.
Big ring. Hard tempo at times, just like Saturday, only this time there were no carrots dangling in front of me to act as incentive. This one I did all by myself. By the second half when I started to tire I kept up the effort in Root River Parkway with the voice of Johan in my head. I could hear him telling me in my earpiece, "Come on Phil. You can do it. Keep up the pace. Allez, allez Phil. You can do it. Come on!"
I wonder if that's what he actually yells to his riders from the team car. I'll have to ask "Matty Hollywood" Busche about that.
Anyway, I made the effort like the old days. Rather than just ride, I rode today in the hopes of seeing a better average speed than normal. For the first time in a long time when I was finished and turning off my computer it was with great anticipation that I flicked through the options to get to the 'average speed' display.
It did it.
16.4
Mission accomplished.
Hazy sun, black clouds mix
84 degrees
Wind 5-10
Loomis, 26 miles (16.4 ave. speed)
To think, I was going to blow off the ride because of dark clouds too! I only felt a few drops six blocks from the end. That's it. Glad I made the right choice today.
Season Miles: 1,494
Nope.
The plan was to head out on a ride at about noon Monday, but as I looked out my windows all I could see was the occasional bit of hazy sun through some dark, stormy looking clouds.
Should I stay or should I go?
Well, since you are reading a post here I gather that you have figured out how I answered that question. I did the right thing. I rode, figuring what would be the worst thing that could happen...a downpour? Been there. Done that. Lets ride.
About a mile or so in the plan came together. I'd only go old school on a short 26-mile Loomis and back route, but I'd do it fast, pushing to see if I could come up with a little better average speed for a change. Plus, the faster I go on a short route the quicker I am finished and the less chance there would be for me to get stuck in the rain.
Big ring. Hard tempo at times, just like Saturday, only this time there were no carrots dangling in front of me to act as incentive. This one I did all by myself. By the second half when I started to tire I kept up the effort in Root River Parkway with the voice of Johan in my head. I could hear him telling me in my earpiece, "Come on Phil. You can do it. Keep up the pace. Allez, allez Phil. You can do it. Come on!"
I wonder if that's what he actually yells to his riders from the team car. I'll have to ask "Matty Hollywood" Busche about that.
Anyway, I made the effort like the old days. Rather than just ride, I rode today in the hopes of seeing a better average speed than normal. For the first time in a long time when I was finished and turning off my computer it was with great anticipation that I flicked through the options to get to the 'average speed' display.
It did it.
16.4
Mission accomplished.
Hazy sun, black clouds mix
84 degrees
Wind 5-10
Loomis, 26 miles (16.4 ave. speed)
To think, I was going to blow off the ride because of dark clouds too! I only felt a few drops six blocks from the end. That's it. Glad I made the right choice today.
Season Miles: 1,494
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Carrot legs & the family reunion
One of the most satisfying things about cycling to me is the fact that you never know what each ride will bring you. Today my ride brought me joy and plenty of stories to share with you. THIS is what summer is all about. A ride. A post-ride lunch of chicken salad, red grapes and watermelon chunks after a shower and then the ritual of writing up a ride post out on the screen porch with a large lemonade at my side.
Before I left today I told my wife about a running gag I have regarding Saturday rides in Whitnall Park. I decided that is where I would go today to check out all the people at picnics there. I explained to Sandy that there is a bubbler in a picnic area right in the middle of what is my crit course there.
Over the years while riding here on a Saturday I have stopped there for water as a large family gathering was enjoying a party in that same area. Not once has anyone offered me something cold to drink. Not once. Seems odd to me.
I told Sandy that maybe today would be the day that someone would actually offer a hot cyclist something to eat or drink from their party.
But before I get to what happened there, I must first share the first of the carrot stories with you.
Not far into the ride I picked up a couple of roadies wearing matching gold-ish in color jerseys that said 312 on them. After they passed me I decided to stay within shouting distance. This meant picking up the pace to about 19 mph to hang with them once I caught them. I like to take situations like this and use them to push myself to ride a harder tempo than normal.
I have found this summer that I am slower than ever, getting much too comfortable in the middle ring most of the time going 15's. Not today. Today it was like old times. Big ring. Hard tempo. The two riders stayed on the path while I went straight at one point on the Oak Leaf Trail.
While waiting at the light at Highway 100 I figured I would see them cross on the path a couple of blocks down. After a couple of minutes...boom...there they were. The chase was on again for me.
I kept repeating in my head to myself, "Bridge...bridge....breathe...bridge....bridge...close the gap nice and steady."
I was able to catch them a second time when they slowed at an intersection. Then this time for some reason I ended up taking the point. So there I was turning 19's in front working hard and they were having a nice little conversation back there. Then it went quiet. They must have turned off. I appreciated having them to use as my carrot to chase.
Into Whitnall Park I saw about a 10-point buck just meandering down the side of the road next to me. Then another few miles down the road I saw three more deer eating.
When I started doing laps there they were...a family gathering right where I had predicted there would be one today. I did two laps hard to make sure they saw me before I pulled off to get water.
There must have been 50 people there and it appeared as if they were all in the process of gathering for a large group photo. I got a few looks as I pulled out a Powerbar and stretched my legs at a nearby table.
A cute young girl in a sun dress gave me a shy glance a couple of times. I thought to myself, "This could be it. This could be the moment when someone, after all these years of doing this, was going to offer me a cold drink!"
"Would you mind taking a few pictures for us?"
Are you kidding me? That's why you were looking my way?
Sure. Who can say no to a cute girl in a sun dress on a summer afternoon? She piled two smart phones into my sweaty, gloved hands and showed me where to snap.
I proceeded to take numerous pictures for them with both phones. Then another lady from what I believe was the Hansen clan came out from her pose and asked me to take more pictures with HER camera.
I did.
Then I pointed the camera at myself and took a picture, giving them all a laugh. As I filled my water bottle a guy walked toward my bike and was looking at it. Maybe this would be the one to ask if I wanted a soda!
"Just checking out your wheels," he said. Then he proceeded to tell about his bikes. Then I filled my water bottle up and mounted up. Someone yelled out thanks. That was it. Not a single offer of food or drink. My streak stays in-tact. I don't get it. But that seems to be the norm.
Getting closer to exiting the park I saw a sign that said Landworks at what appeared to be a company party. I pulled in because my wife has an old friend of hers that owns that company and I wanted to see if indeed it was her company. As I pulled in I saw her at a table and we chatted, having not seen each other in years. It was a nice chat, but again, no offer of a cold drink. Good thing I wasn't thirsty or low on fluids on this ride.
Then the second carrot was dangled in front of me on the way back in Root River Parkway. Approaching Loomis I looked up only to see what appeared to be an amazing pair of legs riding at me in the opposite direction. (Not a guy's legs either!) I never in that glimpse even saw what those legs were connected to. All I remember is thinking to myself, "Why aren't legs like that ever ahead of me? Why are they always just passing me from the other direction?"
I rode on to Loomis and then decided that my body felt pretty good in the heat. It was time to push again. I would hit the hammer (as much a hammer as I have these days) and ride hard in an attempt to see if those legs were somewhere ahead yet. She had a big head start on me, so this seemed a little foolish. But what the heck? A carrot to chase is a carrot to chase, right?
For a long time I held a steady 20 mph as was working to do that. Nothing in sight up ahead. I forged on hoping it would pay off, making this a game of sorts now.
Then I saw someone...yes...a rider up ahead. Maybe it was legs.
I pushed on closing the gap rather quickly only to find it was a dude.
I passed him and pushed onward. After a couple of miles I saw something ahead again. Yes. Maybe this was legs. Keep pushing.
I caught her. It wasn't legs. It was an elderly lady.
I was pretty gassed and nearing Greenfield Park by this time so I gave up any chase, knowing that the carrot in the shape of nice legs served me well today. For the first time in a while I rode with purpose today. Rusty, but it felt good.
Partly sunny and warm
84
Wind 5-10
Whitnall Crit 2 laps + Loomis Loop, 31 miles (15.5 mph ave)
Two years ago seeing that average speed would have been a disaster. Now days, I'm quite pleased with my effort today.
So lets review shall we?
--No one at a family picnic has ever offered me a cold beverage yet
--Nice legs make a good training carrot to chase
--I'm slow
--I still love the simple joy the adventure of a ride can bring.
Season Miles: 1,468
Before I left today I told my wife about a running gag I have regarding Saturday rides in Whitnall Park. I decided that is where I would go today to check out all the people at picnics there. I explained to Sandy that there is a bubbler in a picnic area right in the middle of what is my crit course there.
Over the years while riding here on a Saturday I have stopped there for water as a large family gathering was enjoying a party in that same area. Not once has anyone offered me something cold to drink. Not once. Seems odd to me.
I told Sandy that maybe today would be the day that someone would actually offer a hot cyclist something to eat or drink from their party.
But before I get to what happened there, I must first share the first of the carrot stories with you.
Not far into the ride I picked up a couple of roadies wearing matching gold-ish in color jerseys that said 312 on them. After they passed me I decided to stay within shouting distance. This meant picking up the pace to about 19 mph to hang with them once I caught them. I like to take situations like this and use them to push myself to ride a harder tempo than normal.
I have found this summer that I am slower than ever, getting much too comfortable in the middle ring most of the time going 15's. Not today. Today it was like old times. Big ring. Hard tempo. The two riders stayed on the path while I went straight at one point on the Oak Leaf Trail.
While waiting at the light at Highway 100 I figured I would see them cross on the path a couple of blocks down. After a couple of minutes...boom...there they were. The chase was on again for me.
I kept repeating in my head to myself, "Bridge...bridge....breathe...bridge....bridge...close the gap nice and steady."
I was able to catch them a second time when they slowed at an intersection. Then this time for some reason I ended up taking the point. So there I was turning 19's in front working hard and they were having a nice little conversation back there. Then it went quiet. They must have turned off. I appreciated having them to use as my carrot to chase.
Into Whitnall Park I saw about a 10-point buck just meandering down the side of the road next to me. Then another few miles down the road I saw three more deer eating.
When I started doing laps there they were...a family gathering right where I had predicted there would be one today. I did two laps hard to make sure they saw me before I pulled off to get water.
There must have been 50 people there and it appeared as if they were all in the process of gathering for a large group photo. I got a few looks as I pulled out a Powerbar and stretched my legs at a nearby table.
A cute young girl in a sun dress gave me a shy glance a couple of times. I thought to myself, "This could be it. This could be the moment when someone, after all these years of doing this, was going to offer me a cold drink!"
"Would you mind taking a few pictures for us?"
Are you kidding me? That's why you were looking my way?
Sure. Who can say no to a cute girl in a sun dress on a summer afternoon? She piled two smart phones into my sweaty, gloved hands and showed me where to snap.
I proceeded to take numerous pictures for them with both phones. Then another lady from what I believe was the Hansen clan came out from her pose and asked me to take more pictures with HER camera.
I did.
Then I pointed the camera at myself and took a picture, giving them all a laugh. As I filled my water bottle a guy walked toward my bike and was looking at it. Maybe this would be the one to ask if I wanted a soda!
"Just checking out your wheels," he said. Then he proceeded to tell about his bikes. Then I filled my water bottle up and mounted up. Someone yelled out thanks. That was it. Not a single offer of food or drink. My streak stays in-tact. I don't get it. But that seems to be the norm.
Getting closer to exiting the park I saw a sign that said Landworks at what appeared to be a company party. I pulled in because my wife has an old friend of hers that owns that company and I wanted to see if indeed it was her company. As I pulled in I saw her at a table and we chatted, having not seen each other in years. It was a nice chat, but again, no offer of a cold drink. Good thing I wasn't thirsty or low on fluids on this ride.
Then the second carrot was dangled in front of me on the way back in Root River Parkway. Approaching Loomis I looked up only to see what appeared to be an amazing pair of legs riding at me in the opposite direction. (Not a guy's legs either!) I never in that glimpse even saw what those legs were connected to. All I remember is thinking to myself, "Why aren't legs like that ever ahead of me? Why are they always just passing me from the other direction?"
I rode on to Loomis and then decided that my body felt pretty good in the heat. It was time to push again. I would hit the hammer (as much a hammer as I have these days) and ride hard in an attempt to see if those legs were somewhere ahead yet. She had a big head start on me, so this seemed a little foolish. But what the heck? A carrot to chase is a carrot to chase, right?
For a long time I held a steady 20 mph as was working to do that. Nothing in sight up ahead. I forged on hoping it would pay off, making this a game of sorts now.
Then I saw someone...yes...a rider up ahead. Maybe it was legs.
I pushed on closing the gap rather quickly only to find it was a dude.
I passed him and pushed onward. After a couple of miles I saw something ahead again. Yes. Maybe this was legs. Keep pushing.
I caught her. It wasn't legs. It was an elderly lady.
I was pretty gassed and nearing Greenfield Park by this time so I gave up any chase, knowing that the carrot in the shape of nice legs served me well today. For the first time in a while I rode with purpose today. Rusty, but it felt good.
Partly sunny and warm
84
Wind 5-10
Whitnall Crit 2 laps + Loomis Loop, 31 miles (15.5 mph ave)
Two years ago seeing that average speed would have been a disaster. Now days, I'm quite pleased with my effort today.
So lets review shall we?
--No one at a family picnic has ever offered me a cold beverage yet
--Nice legs make a good training carrot to chase
--I'm slow
--I still love the simple joy the adventure of a ride can bring.
Season Miles: 1,468
Happens to the best of them
It's Saturday and the weather can not seem to make up its mind...clouds or sun? At least it's dry and I am thinking about taking a ride later in the day. Errands and yard work call for most of the day however.
Reading my friend Matthew Busche's blog I had to smile at his stories of bike woes while racing in Poland. Even the pros with the best of equipment can struggle at times. His was an odd chain issue out of nowhere.
He had a puncture too, something I have not had to deal with in a long time. But I guess I just jinxed it now.
A week from today it's the PhilCast show ride...Tour de PhilCast II, rolling out from Backyard Bikes in LaGrange at 11:00...as long as it's dry! Social ride...two groups...13 and 26 miles with lunch outside afterward.
phil@thephilcast.com if you are interested...let me know.
Reading my friend Matthew Busche's blog I had to smile at his stories of bike woes while racing in Poland. Even the pros with the best of equipment can struggle at times. His was an odd chain issue out of nowhere.
He had a puncture too, something I have not had to deal with in a long time. But I guess I just jinxed it now.
A week from today it's the PhilCast show ride...Tour de PhilCast II, rolling out from Backyard Bikes in LaGrange at 11:00...as long as it's dry! Social ride...two groups...13 and 26 miles with lunch outside afterward.
phil@thephilcast.com if you are interested...let me know.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Thank god for Andy and iced-cold Pepsi
Turns out I bit off more than I could chew today.
My schedule was open and the weather was great. I decided to put some miles in today....more than usual. I wasn't sure exactly where I would end up, but I headed west with my jersey pockets stuffed with lunch.
All along the plan was to take it easy, thinking maybe I'd even attempt a round-trip out to the lake house and back, which would be 80 miles. Could this have even been the day I attempt my one solo century of the year?
I rode out to Wales feeling fine. After a break to eat the PB&J and banana lunch I packed I hit the trail west again. I stopped to do a good deed, helping a rider I saw west of Wales who was walking with his flat front tire in hand. Turns out he changed his flat but the air cartridge he had didn't work for him....stranded....until I came along because I ride with a small hand pump on my back. I gave it to him and he pumped up the tire enough to be on his way. So was I then, feeling good about the fact that I could help out a fellow rider in need.
I took Waterville Road just east of Dousman and its rolling hills feeling the energy leaving my body. As I continued it became clear there was no way I was going to ride 80 miles today. I began to struggle.
I had the thought to turn around before making it out to the lake house to make the return trip a little shorter. But that would have left me without the chance to re-fuel on food and beverage at the lake house. I was stuck heading all the way out there.
I made it to the lake but was spent. The thought of riding 40 miles back seemed impossible.
I called my friend Andy on his day off and as luck would have it he was ready, willing and able to drive out and give me a lift home.
That's why I say thank goodness for Andy and ice-cold Pepsi, which sure hit the spot once I got to the house.
Sunny, 82
Wind 8-12
40 miles
What seemed like it was going to be a great long day in the saddle turned out to be an interesting 40 miles instead.
Who knows why? Some days you just don't bring it. But in my head I thought I was going to be able to.
Still, a 40-mile ride on a beautiful sunny afternoon ain't bad....as long as you've got a good friend on standby to come get you once you crap out!
Season Miles: 1,437
My schedule was open and the weather was great. I decided to put some miles in today....more than usual. I wasn't sure exactly where I would end up, but I headed west with my jersey pockets stuffed with lunch.
All along the plan was to take it easy, thinking maybe I'd even attempt a round-trip out to the lake house and back, which would be 80 miles. Could this have even been the day I attempt my one solo century of the year?
I rode out to Wales feeling fine. After a break to eat the PB&J and banana lunch I packed I hit the trail west again. I stopped to do a good deed, helping a rider I saw west of Wales who was walking with his flat front tire in hand. Turns out he changed his flat but the air cartridge he had didn't work for him....stranded....until I came along because I ride with a small hand pump on my back. I gave it to him and he pumped up the tire enough to be on his way. So was I then, feeling good about the fact that I could help out a fellow rider in need.
I took Waterville Road just east of Dousman and its rolling hills feeling the energy leaving my body. As I continued it became clear there was no way I was going to ride 80 miles today. I began to struggle.
I had the thought to turn around before making it out to the lake house to make the return trip a little shorter. But that would have left me without the chance to re-fuel on food and beverage at the lake house. I was stuck heading all the way out there.
I made it to the lake but was spent. The thought of riding 40 miles back seemed impossible.
I called my friend Andy on his day off and as luck would have it he was ready, willing and able to drive out and give me a lift home.
That's why I say thank goodness for Andy and ice-cold Pepsi, which sure hit the spot once I got to the house.
Sunny, 82
Wind 8-12
40 miles
What seemed like it was going to be a great long day in the saddle turned out to be an interesting 40 miles instead.
Who knows why? Some days you just don't bring it. But in my head I thought I was going to be able to.
Still, a 40-mile ride on a beautiful sunny afternoon ain't bad....as long as you've got a good friend on standby to come get you once you crap out!
Season Miles: 1,437
Monday, August 1, 2011
Old school
When I first started riding the main route I took was south to Loomis and back, a simple urban 26 miles.
I don't ride it that much these days because 26 miles seems short to me.
But today, with some dark clouds looming I wanted to keep it short...thus a return to the old route.
But about 1/4 of the way in I decided to try to ride it harder than usual, you know, treat it like a TT. This is the same distance as the TT that Cadel Evans used to win the Tour de France.
Problem is that if you want to ride this fast you need to do that from the start. Plus, it would help if I could get out of the saddle, which I still can not. My right foot is still hurting. In fact the front half of that foot was numb with pain for much of the ride.
This is a tough route to ride for average speed. There are a lot of intersections meaning a lot of stop lights and signs.
In the old days it went like this:
-Normal average speed on this route would be in the 16's.
-Average higher speed/bigger effort would be 17's.
-Fastest was an 18 ave. speed all out on this course.
Today my average speed was 15.3. Yikes. I was actually trying in the big ring for the first portion of the ride too!
Hot and muggy, 92 degrees, hazy sun/clouds mix
Wind 8-12 mph
Loomis, 26 miles
I hope this condition with my foot goes away before the snow hits! It's too bad because the rest of me feels pretty good these days out there.
Season Miles: 1,397
I don't ride it that much these days because 26 miles seems short to me.
But today, with some dark clouds looming I wanted to keep it short...thus a return to the old route.
But about 1/4 of the way in I decided to try to ride it harder than usual, you know, treat it like a TT. This is the same distance as the TT that Cadel Evans used to win the Tour de France.
Problem is that if you want to ride this fast you need to do that from the start. Plus, it would help if I could get out of the saddle, which I still can not. My right foot is still hurting. In fact the front half of that foot was numb with pain for much of the ride.
This is a tough route to ride for average speed. There are a lot of intersections meaning a lot of stop lights and signs.
In the old days it went like this:
-Normal average speed on this route would be in the 16's.
-Average higher speed/bigger effort would be 17's.
-Fastest was an 18 ave. speed all out on this course.
Today my average speed was 15.3. Yikes. I was actually trying in the big ring for the first portion of the ride too!
Hot and muggy, 92 degrees, hazy sun/clouds mix
Wind 8-12 mph
Loomis, 26 miles
I hope this condition with my foot goes away before the snow hits! It's too bad because the rest of me feels pretty good these days out there.
Season Miles: 1,397
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