This has been a busy and crazy “week”

I’m using this post to catch up and to lay out what is ahead.

When we last visited (other than the update for the Malaria Campaign) I was finalizing steps for a 327k (200 mile) ride on September 27th.  I’m pleased to say that ride went very well.  Mike and I finished in 15.5 hours, including a lunch stop for an hour in Salisbury and the repair of a rear flat on Mike’s bike.  This was a good confidence builder for the upcoming 600k (378 mile ride) about a week from now.

Recovery from that 300k took me two days plus.  I slept for 10 hours Friday night.  I wasn’t very much on form on Saturday and Sunday.  Monday I started feeling more like myself again.

I rode the regular route Monday and Tuesday, and both were an effort.  Wednesday I sat on the edge of the bed for a couple of minutes and decided to lay down and go back to sleep for a couple of hours.  That was the best decision I made all week.  On Thursday when I rode again with the 5:45 group, I had an easy ride at a much faster pace.  Fatigue counts!  This morning was a good breakfast ride.

This has been a busy week of preparation.  I purchased a front bag for the bike, which necessitated a couple of “cockpit” changes that are still in the works.  I had to buy a new “light bar” and I’ve ordered new shifters so that routing the cables will not be an issue.  After tomorrow’s ride, the bike will get cleaned and lubed and probably new tires … at least on the rear.  I’ll be without the Kona at least one morning ride as she is fitted with the new shifters.  The light bar and bag mount has already been added.  Watch for reviews of those components after the 600k.

Tomorrow is the Seagull Century (100 miles).  It was my first “organized” century ride in 2010 and contributed to my entry into Randonneuring.  This year it is a simple warm-up ride for the 600k a week later.  It is close to 1/4 the distance I plan to ride a week later.  Mike and I will ride together to further “practice” our teamwork.

Next week, the plan is to ride daily (Monday-Sunday).  I’d like to make up the missed ride from this week somehow.  In any event, by the end of next week, I will have logged the miles equivalent to circling the globe (at the equator)!  That’s a great milestone to have.

9/27-10/4: 290.1 miles
Malaria Campaign: 2,381.5 miles
Funds Pledged: $1,276.26
Contributed in support: $2,453.60

Total = $3,729.86