This Ride: 30.5 miles
Month: 453.9 miles
2011: 914 miles
Total since 1/1/10: 7,033.7 miles
The weather forecast for Monday morning is wet. I was 26.5 miles short of my monthly goal of 450 miles. The weather was forecast to be gorgeous and I had a rare Sunday afternoon off. I put out the word that I would be riding at 2:15. Clint, Bob, Brian, & Fran all showed up for a ride to Sandy Point. It was great to be out. I’m sorry for those from the SPP who missed the ride. It was relatively quick and certainly enjoyable.
For me, I had not ridden this route for quite some time, and I was impressed at how the hills were not as tough as they were last fall. Now, I still got my heart rate up to maximum at one point, but it felt really good, and the hills were not as slow as I remember them. I had been wondering if I would see some strength from riding all winter. I think the answer is … definitely.
I probably pressed the pace a little fast. Clint is recovering from bronchitis & Fran was trying to recover from a hilly ride in Ellicott City, but this was fun … and temperatures were such that we had to ride fast to stay warm.
This put me over my monthly goal, and as of today I’m 130 miles over my pace for the 8,000 mile year. I’m gearing up for a 200 k ride with SPP people this Saturday. I hope the weather holds.
This Ride: 24.9 miles
Month: 423.5 miles
2011: 883.6 miles
Total since 1/1/10: 7,003.3 miles
The professional weather forecasters were calling for rain all night into this evening. It stopped raining at about 3:00 am and when I got up at 4:45 am, it still wasn’t raining. I checked the radar on my iPhone, and it indicated dry skies for a considerable distance around us, especially to the southwest, so I sent out an email blast that I was riding and I pulled together my clothing for 43°F and was out the door. There was a light mist that sometimes reflected in my headlight, and a little fog in spots, but I was feeling good about my decision to ride.
Dave arrived at the Rusty Bridge a minute or so late, and we pushed off, meeting Dan at White’s Road. The three of us continued on until Dave turned back at McKinsey, saying he had some kind of early meeting. Dan and I continued on at an easy pace with good conversation. On Old County Road we encountered some very light rain, that might have been coming off of the trees. At least that is what I convinced myself it was. Unfortunately, it was falling from the skies, and it continued to get heavier after one brief respite. Cruising into Annapolis, we were in the rain and starting to soak through a bit.
Mike passed us in his truck, so we knew he would be at Chick & Ruth’s for breakfast, and we resolved to meet him there. After a quick good breakfast, Dan & I decided to leave a little earlier than usual to beat the rain. Little did we know that it was now raining pretty steadily. It continued to rain all the way back home. Dan turned for home, and I had the last 6 miles on my own.
When I arrived home, I was starting to chill just a bit. Everything I wore was soaked. My legs were pink from the cold. I was never uncomfortable, but I wasn’t going to put in any extra miles either.
Another milestone has been passed. I’ve now ridden over 7,000 miles. I’m just 3 days from the end of the month and have 26.5 miles to go to meet my February mileage goal. I’m ahead of my goal pace for an 8,000 mile year.
This Ride: 21.1 miles
Month: 398.6 miles
2011: 858.7 miles
Total since 1/1/10: 6,978.4 miles
February isn’t over yet, but I can see the end of it from here. I’m a little behind my goals for the month, but there is still some time. I’ll get close.
I’m real ready for some consistent spring weather. Tuesday it snowed. Yesterday, 19°F kept me in (sad to say), and today’s 23° made me think twice. But I climbed on the bike this morning and joined Dan, Chip, & Bryan for a winter route ride. The roads are mostly clear, with just a few ice patches. The worst was in Round Bay where one turn was completely covered in ice. We talked about upcoming long rides (200 & 300 k). I need to decide about next weekend’s “Over to Dover” Permanent with some SPP people.
This Ride: 14.6 miles
Month: 377.5 miles
2011: 837.6 miles
Total since 1/1/10: 6,957.3 miles
The weather forecast for the next 24-36 hours is looking nasty, and with President’s Day off work, I decided to get out for a little recovery ride. That means slow and easy. I intended to send out a note informing people that I was riding at 10:30, but that was messed up somehow and no one got word. I rode alone, which was fine, because I could keep it slow.
I also installed my new Fi’zi:k Alliante Versus saddle this morning, so this was the first ride on it.
I rode the trail south from the Ranger Station, and just as I turned around, light rain showers started. It was 40 degrees and raining. That sapped a lot of motivation out of me for the planned 20-30 miles. I was cold and wet and alone and simply rode home. It was an ok ride for a recovery ride. I’m actually glad I went.
This Ride: 128.9 miles
Month: 362.9 miles
2011: 823 miles
Total since 1/1/10: 6,942.7 miles
I was looking forward to the Tappahonnock 200k all week, even as the weather forecast deteriorated. This was to be my first ACP Sanctioned Brevet and would be my third consecutive monthly 200k. That’s 1/4 of the way to an R-12! In order to save a few dollars, I chose to drive to Ashford, VA the morning of the ride rather than to find a motel. I don’t think that decision hurt me too bad.
The alarm rang at 3:00 am, and I was out the door by 3:30 for the 2 hour 20 minute drive. Along the way I “opened” a McDonald’s at 5 am, and stopped at a Hardee’s for a last minute bathroom break and some orange juice. I arrived at the Ashford Coffe & Tea Company precisely at 6:00 am, and started to get dressed, put the front tire on the bike, make some last minute clothing decisions, and meet some of the other now arriving riders. I signed in, and the wait for the 7:00 am start began. I was slightly chilled and full of excitement and anticipation … just as it should be. I imagine the same to be true for the 32 other riders.
(More after the jump)
This Ride: 28.7 miles
Month: 234 miles
2011: 694.1 miles
Total since 1/1/10: 6,813.8 miles
Last Friday’s Breakfast Ride was in 15°F temperatures. This morning, just one week later, it was 54°F. I much prefer the 54!
We had a good group out this morning, with 7-8, I think. Bill C planned a longer ride down to Sweet Sue’s following breakfast. Jerry came down from Catonsville and joined us. On the way down, Jerry flatted at the Naval Academy Bridge, so we were a little later getting to the Hard Bean for breakfast. We lingered longer than usual, and were late enough getting back that some pressed the pace just a bit.
These rides and these riders are fantastic. I can’t think of a better start to the day.
I’m now completely focused on tomorrow’s ride. I’ll do some packing and list making this morning. I’ll finish packing this afternoon. Lori and I will dine in Annapolis this evening, and then it will be early to bed for me. My alarm and the coffee pot are both set for 3:15 am. I am a little concerned about my legs right now. I’ve put in quite a few miles this week, with two hard and fast days included. I’m feeling some deep fatigue in my legs right now. Who knows how they will feel tomorrow evening.
This Ride: 21.8 miles
Month: 205.3 miles
2011: 665.4 miles
Total since 1/1/10: 6,785.1 miles
The morning temperatures signal that the groundhog was right this year. We are experiencing an early spring. It was 42°F when I rolled out of bed this morning. With the reduced layers we wear, the speed comes up, and that was certainly true this morning. Six of us met at the Rusty Bridge/Ranger Station and Dave set a pretty quick pace for the group. (I think he was trying to stay warm. He was wearing nickers). Ben Mc was out this morning and took a bit of fun razzing now that he has come out of hibernation.
I struggled to keep up. The hill in Round Bay slapped me down, and I played catch-up the rest of the way to the southern end of the trail. It was as I lagged that I realized that I was the oldest rider out this morning. That conclusion didn’t help me catch up. I don’t know why that should have bothered me. I’m sometimes the third oldest rider, and I’m still lagging because the older riders are very strong and fast, and they aren’t that much older than I am.
As we split at the end of the ride for our individual rides home, I noted that I had averaged 17 mph for the morning, so rather than backing off the pace, I kept it high the 2 miles home, ending up with a ride average of 17.1 mph. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see those speeds again. There was very little drafting on this ride … it was mostly trying to catch up to the other riders. My heart rate average was significantly lower than yesterday’s.
And, the Aliante didn’t move much, maybe 1/8 inch. I’ll still ride it tomorrow, after I once again move it forward some. I think I’m buying superglue later today to repair the old seat for the Brevet, but may order a new saddle tomorrow when I’m in the shop picking up last minute supplies.
This Ride: 20.5 miles
Month: 183.5 miles
2011: 643.6 miles
Total since 1/1/10: 6,763.3 miles
Yes, the title dates me … but the ride this afternoon was pretty good.
A very late night last night kept me in bed this morning for another hour, meaning I missed the 5:45 ride. The sleep was needed. The forecast and schedule for this afternoon made it possible for me to get out and do a quick ride, so in temperatures in the mid 50s to low 60s and a nice stiff breeze I set out for that quick ride. These are likely the conditions for the afternoon part of the upcoming Tappahannock 200K brevet on Saturday, so it also gave me a good clothing check. My chart isn’t as accurate for these temperatures as I would like.
The first thing I noticed was that my front derailleur was rubbing some, so after 3 miles I stopped and made a minor adjustment. Back on the bike, I seemed to be struggling for position on the seat. About 8 miles into the ride I climbed off again and moved the test Aliante up about half an inch. At the south end of the trail, I continued on until reaching Highway 2, then turned back for home.
I noticed that as I greeted people, I kept saying, “Good morning”. Old habits die hard.
A young woman I met on the trail asked if I had a tire pump. Her rear tire was going soft and she needed to cover another mile or two back to her car at the end of the trail. I obliged. It gave me a chance to remove my ear warmers and gloves since I was overheating anyway. The tire was re-inflated and once again I was back on my way.
I kept the heart rate and the speed up a little higher than usual for this ride, and it felt good. I finished with the same loop I started with, and since I seemed to be battling the seat again, looked to move it forward some more once I got home. When I checked, the seat had slid back to the stops. No wonder it kept feeling like it was too far back. It was as far back as it could go. Unless I have better luck with keeping the seat in place and it feels right the next two rides, I’ll have to use super glue to repair the old seat, and reinstall it for the brevet on Saturday. In fact, that’s probably the best choice anyway.
The numbers show the workout. My average rolling speed was 16.8 mph (not bad on the trail in the afternoon with construction equipment, runners, riders, and traffic). My average heart rate was 153 (Zone 4.9) or just below the calculated anaerobic level. Now to get that speed up and heart rate down.
This morning, the Severna Park Patch featured the article we were interviewed for last Friday morning. You can find the article here.
I’m starting to obsess about the Tappahannock 200K brevet. I’ve moved into planning mode. I’ll leave home no later than 3:45 am on Saturday. I’ve started my list of purchases to make on Friday. I’m planning my nutrition/hydration plan. Cue sheets have been posted. Here is a brief description of the ride:
This route is a favorite and is one of our flatter 200Ks and a great way to start our 2011 season. Paul’s description says:
Starting from the historic town of Ashland, VA, (The Center of the Universe) the ride heads east toward river country. Leaving Ashland, the first few miles pass through signs of modern times: gas stations, truck stops and fast food joints. When the route turns at the antique store Two Frogs on a Bike the surroundings seem to go back to the time of quiet roads and rural atmosphere. The rolling terrain levels out as the route approaches the Rappahannock River and the town of Tappahannock. After the control and lunch at Java Jack, the route leaves Tappahannock and the rolling hills continue with an occasional short, steep climb.
The ride finishes at the Ashland Coffee & Tea, which serves a very nice selection of food.
I’m looking forward to it.
This Ride: 19 miles
Month: 163 miles
2011: 623.1 miles
Cumulative Total: 6,742.8 miles
Yesterday afternoon was a pleasantly warm if windy day, with highs reaching 66° F. I cleaned and lubed my chain, dug crud out of my brake pads, cleaned the bike, and checked it all over for the Brevet on Saturday. I also installed my trunk rack. I just don’t know how much time I’ve got the rest of the week for these tasks. I also installed the Aliante saddle (tester). So I was ready to go when the alarm rang this morning.
Temperatures were in the low to mid 30’s with six of us ready to ride. Initially the saddle felt good, but this Aliante is quite short compared to the Arione. I figured out about 1/4 of the way into the ride that I need to slide the seat forward about a quarter of an inch. I’ll try that for tomorrow’s ride.
There was a lot of debris on the trail this morning, especially on the southern end of the trail. The wind brought down a lot of branches, and not all of them were small. On the way back north I noticed that either my seat was springy or I had a rear tire that was soft. It was the tire. The leak was slow enough that we just pumped it up and continued on. That got me as far as just past midpoint on B&A when another inflation was done, then again just after hitting the trail, and finally, near McBride Road I gave up and changed the tire. By that time, it was Clint, Dave C, and I, others having gone home to get ready for work. We discovered a thorn (or at least some woody sharp splinter … probably from the tree debris) had punctured the Gatorskin and had worked its way into the tube. It was a quick change and I cut the ride short to head home.
I’ll see if I can shake some time loose to adjust the saddle and re-check the tire today. It may be time to install a new tire.
Warning: Non cycling content follows.
As I sit here writing this I just observed a crow bring a piece of stale bread to our birdbath. The crow dropped the bread into the water, waited a moment, then broke off pieces to eat. After a few morsels, the crow picked up the now soggy bread and flew to the ground to finish breakfast. The bread slice remained intact as the crow took it to the ground. Well played crow!
This Ride: 20.7 miles
Month: 144 miles
2011: 604.1 miles
Cumulative Total: 6,723.8 miles
My saddle is falling apart. The Bike Doctor has a set of test saddles from F’izi:k that one can ride for a week at a time to test them out. I’ve got the Arione on the bike right now. It’s not bad, but I’m still going to exchange it today for a different one. It was a little too stiff for me and I think on a longer ride I’d go numb.
Five of us met at the Rusty Bridge this morning. The forecast was for 34°F, but it was 48! I had to break out the chart to see what I should wear, and I still wore too much. I think it took me longer to get dressed also this morning because I had to think about what to wear rather than just pulling on the usual for below freezing riding. We set a quicker pace than we’ve been riding, but still had some good conversation, mostly about the 200k Dan completed Saturday and the upcoming 200k that Dave, Chip, Clif, and I are riding this coming Saturday. We witnessed a spectacular sunrise.
Rev Rider 