This Ride: 19.1 miles
Kona Distance: 4,658.1 miles
Month to date: 19.1 miles
2010 Total: 5,144.6 miles
5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (109.7 miles to go)
The motivation to get back on the bike has been lacking because:
- My head cold is still pretty bad.
- It is cold.
- I’m tired.
- I want to sleep.
- I don’t want to ride.
But, with a pretty afternoon and a long day deserving a break, I pulled on too many clothes (I didn’t want to be cold today) climbed on the bike, and set out for a leisurely pace. Hah! Leisurely is relative I suppose.
It was good to get back out. Part of the trail is closed for repair, so I needed to take a detour and tried to get close to 20 miles in. It didn’t completely cure the attitude, but it helped some. Tomorrow’s forecast is for rain and cool. I may take the time to get some more cold weather gear rather than ride. Odds are pretty good that my next ride will be Friday.
This post is about Day 2 of the OC11 weekend. Day 1 can be found here.
Sunday morning we awoke to another pretty fall day, this time just a block from the Atlantic Ocean. It was 58 degrees at 5:30 when I checked, and I couldn’t believe our luck. This is as warm as the high for the previous day! I remembered to check the wind. It was currently 13 mph from the west, and forecast to be 20 mph from the west to northwest. That was our direction for the return. We would be bucking a headwind the whole ride back.
This Ride: 231.3 miles
Kona Distance: 4,639 miles
Month to date: 829 miles
2010 Total: 5,125.5 miles <–(Now over 5,000 miles on the year)
5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (128.9 miles to go)
What a weekend! 117 miles on Saturday & 114 miles on Sunday. Saturday was my longest one day ride, just a few miles short of 200k. It was a great accomplishment! Read on if you are interested in the ride report. (Warning: it is long and detailed.)
This Ride: 25.3 miles
Kona Distance: 4,407.8 miles
Month to date: 597.8 miles
2010 Total: 4,894.2 miles
5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (360.1 miles to go)
What a difference a day makes. 50 degrees at the start with a brisk breeze. Six met at the Rusty Bridge and a leisurely ride to Annapolis for breakfast. We discussed tomorrow’s OC11 ride nearly nonstop, from the predicted weather to the route to the planned stops (including Dogfish Head Brewing Company) to previous OC rides. This is one of the highlights of the SPP rides, and although the numbers keep changing, we think we have about a dozen or so riders.
Dan met us at the Hard Bean. We ate, told stories, and otherwise had a great start to the day. On the way back, we rode the length of Ritchie Highway (at least to my house), deciding not to cross traffic and regain the trail.
I’m battling a head cold, but it has not moved to my lungs so a little decongestant and I’m fine. I really don’t think it will impact the ride significantly. In fact, I feel better after this morning’s ride than I did before I climbed on the bike. I’m off later this morning to get just a little more cool weather gear. The highs this weekend don’t look to move above 60, and after this morning’s ride, I know I could use ear warmers & maybe a cap. Forecast temps at start time is anywhere between 37 and 45.
This Ride: 22.3 miles
Kona Distance: 4,382.5 miles
Month to date: 572.5 miles
2010 Total: 4,869 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (304.6 miles ahead of goal pace)
I didn’t ride yesterday. It was raining. The bed felt good. Dave & Dan rode and had a good ride. Good for them.
This morning was a surprising 66 degrees with a little light fog. That meant a wicking base layer and a jersey. No wind vest & no full-fingered gloves. That is just a treat this time of year.
Dave sent out an email last evening indicating this would be the last “Torture Thursday” ride of the year. I emailed back that anyone ethically opposed to torture could ride with me at 5:46. The trail was wet, littered with leaves, and most took me up on the ride. Only Dave and Bryan took off at a quick pace. Soon we had about 6 riders on a comfortable pace … which they let me set as the rest settled in and talked. It wasn’t fast, we did the hill in Round Bay, and we turned around where the trail was closed due to repairs being made.
I rode this morning with a new helmet mounted light. That little bit of extra light was very welcome this morning. I’m intrigued that wet roads don’t reflect light as well as dry ones, and so newly paved roads (like Old County Road) can absorb the light like a black hole. The 50-70 lumens really added a lot, and wherever I turned my head, there was light. I made sure I shined it at the cars approaching from the side as an added “let’s make sure they see me” insurance.
Dan discovered yesterday that his schedule will allow him to ride OC11. That’s really good news. We should have a good group riding. Have I said yet that I’m really looking forward to it?
This Ride: 24.6 miles
Kona Distance: 4,360.2 miles
Month to date: 550.2 miles
2010 Total: 4,846.7 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (322.4 miles ahead of goal pace)
Weather was a treat this morning. Dry and 64 degrees at 5:30! That meant exposed arms, short gloves, and a half zipped wind vest. The promised pace was fast. As it turns out, I wasn’t as fast as the others.
I think there were five of us at the RB to start, at least six rode most of the route semi-together and Chip was riding well off the back today. Dan told us that the trail was closed once again south of Severn Way, so without any real vocal objection it was decided to ride (dramatic pause with foreboding music in the back ground) THE WALL as our turn around point. Knowing that we would have a fast pace and THE WALL, I elected to go solo on Old County Road instead of joining the group up the hill in Round Bay. I couldn’t see spiking my heart rate to maximum twice in one ride.
The trip down THE WALL was a bit dicey. A car came up fast on our tails, there was some sand in the road on a curve, and I was braking all the way down. This bit of road is not very smooth, it is unfamiliar, and remember, it was dark. I kept following and waiting for uphill section. Soon, I realized about half way through, this was it.
THE WALL has a moderately steep short climb, a relatively flat sharp right hand turn, and then the steep section straight up. I know that there are longer and steeper hills, I’ve ridden some, but this one is pretty intimidating for those of us accustomed to a few little rollers.
Halfway up the steep climb, I’m panting like a steam engine and I see later my heart rate reached 173. I’d say that is my maximum. I’ve not been higher this year. With nothing left in my legs and trying to remember how to breathe again, I was not able to keep up with the group for the next several miles. Near Severna Park, three of the riders were waiting for me and we had a pleasant enough finish to the ride.
I tacked on the loop near home just for good measure.
This Ride: 22.3 miles
Kona Distance: 4,335.7 miles
Month to date: 525.7 miles
2010 Total: 4,822.1 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (317.8 miles ahead of goal pace)
A whole weekend off the bike doesn’t mean a whole weekend away from cycling. OC11 is Saturday & Sunday and I’m thinking about it, dreaming about it, and planning for it. OC11 is the 11th in a series of Severna Park Peloton Rides from Stevensville, MD to Ocean City, MD. That’s Saturday. Sunday has a return ride, essentially the reverse ride. It is well over 200 miles for the weekend. Needless to say, that will be my biggest 2 day distance. But that’s five days away.
This morning was confusing. I couldn’t find my heart rate monitor. My home thermometer said 59, but weatherunderground.com said 52. Those 7 degrees are vastly different when riding. I dressed for somewhere in between. It was 59, so I was a little warm.
Seven started at the Rusty Bridge and three quickly joined us. It was pleasant. It was routine. It was a pretty morning. Dave dropped a chain on the hill in Round Bay, which happened when the group was split and those who were in front circled around to wait. Once we got to B&A Blvd, the pace continually climbed. It is a long very gradual downhill with a few rollers and it is easy to hit speeds over 30 mph. About the time someone slows, another “attacks” so our speed is generally pretty quick over this section. That’s especially true on the Monday’s I’ve ridden with the group since we’ve been holding back until that part of the ride.
It felt good. I would have liked to ride more, but that will have to wait.
This Ride: 30.9 miles
Kona Distance: 4,313.4 miles
Month to date: 503.4 miles
2010 Total: 4,799.8 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (355.5 miles ahead of goal pace)
Now that was more like it.
This morning the clock went off at 4:50, and I got up without any real effort. I took the time to pull on all the cool weather riding gear I could, and was out the door by 5:30. It was chilly. Those first few miles have me thinking about a winter parka and mittens, but with a little riding, I warmed right up.
Six of us pushed off from the Rusty Bridge, and we picked up Clif at the Ranger Station. We were missing some regulars like Dave P, Mike B, and Jeff S. The biggest news was Bryan on his new to him fixie, a pink (although he had a different name for the pink) frame with green tires. This was Bryan’s first fixie so we took it easy on him, both with the “pixie” (pink fixie) and with the learning curve for riding a bike with no gears and no ability to coast.
We had to negotiate the closed portion of the trail, and there was discussion about whether or not to do “THE WALL” or to risk all the traffic on Highway 2. We chose Highway 2, and were able to get back onto our regular route before reaching Highway 50.
Chris flatted on Old County Road, but the tube change went quickly.
Four had breakfast at the Hard Bean in Annapolis, and then it was back into Severna Park, once again modifying our route to avoid the closed section of the trail. We did stop on the Naval Academy Bridge for photos of the gorgeous sunrise.
We had one of the slowest paces I’ve ridden in a long time, but it was probably exactly what I needed. When we all split up and headed home, I continued on for another 5 miles to grab Lori’s car at her work and get some work done on it today.
That was the indication that my attitude had been adjusted. I enjoyed the group ride, took it easy, and was quite content to ride further. I even considered whether or not I would add the airport loop this morning before picking up the car, but decided that I didn’t want to do anything to change the positive feeling of the morning.
This Ride: 19.3 miles
Kona Distance: 4,282.5 miles
Month to date: 472.5 miles
2010 Total: 4,768.9 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (344.6 miles ahead of goal pace)
After Monday’s ride, I have an attitude problem. Tuesday afternoon when I got home, I “forgot” to ride. Wednesday I slept in and my day did not permit an afternoon ride. This morning I slept in again, and it was windy enough that I debated whether or not I should ride. I knew I needed an attitude adjustment, so I pulled on the kit and headed out.
It was windy. The wind was from the northwest at about 14-25 mph. I encountered a few sprinkles of rain. But I put my head down and pedaled. When I got close to the south end of the trail, it was closed. I found out later it will be closed for a few days (except for Saturday and Sunday) as some erosion problems are fixed. This means that our breakfast route will either have to ride “THE WALL” or take a longer route into Annapolis. Either way, it is a more demanding ride.
I don’t have much else to say about the ride. My attitude still isn’t adjusted. Sometimes you just ride because that’s what cyclists do.
For some reason my graphics editing program isn’t launching, so I’ll just provide the link for the Garmin info.
This Ride: 59.3 miles
Kona Distance: 4,263.2 miles
Month to date: 453.2 miles
2010 Total: 4,749.7 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (385.3 miles ahead of goal pace)
I’m attending a retreat for “rostered leaders” (pastors and other professional church leaders) of the Delaware Maryland Synod of the ELCA Sunday evening through Tuesday afternoon. Part of the schedule is “open time” Monday afternoon. What better way to spend “open time” than riding bike? So I took off around 1:00 pm today and rode a planned 60 mile (roughly) route.
The Eastern Shore of Maryland is flat, flat, flat, which accounts for fast, fast, fast except for headwind, headwind, headwind. Luckily today, the winds were relatively light. I rode the planned route, and it will make sense as I describe it.
The one variable I didn’t plan very well for was nutrition. I wanted to get on the road, so I didn’t eat lunch (not wanting to have all that sitting in my belly digesting as I started). That probably impacted the last part of the ride.
So I headed north from the hotel along Coastal Highway toward Rehoboth Beach. Since I was in the northern part of Ocean City, I had very few traffic lights and was able to cruise at a pretty good clip, with occasional ocean views to the east. While riding the in Delaware Seashore State Park, I started noticing many dead and “resting” monarch butterflies, and several dead small songbirds. I suppose the dead ones are casualties of the annual migration. I’ve heard about the butterfly migration crossing from Cape May to Lewes, Delaware and would like to witness it sometime. Unfortunately, this is not the trip. The one major hill you see on the elevation graph is a bridge.
Highway 1 through Rehoboth Beach and past the outlet malls was very congested and there was some road work being done also, so I had to gingerly negotiate all that. On the bike, I passed a lot of people who had to merge into one lane, and had courteous drivers who gave me plenty of room. There was always a bike lane while I was in Delaware, which I really appreciated.
I turned off Highway 1 at Highway 24 to make my way south. Once I turned south, it seemed like I had the wind to my back, and the pace quickened considerably. I wanted to go by Baywood Greens, the golf course where my youngest daughter will be married June 5. I reached it near mile 31, and stopped to take a photo. I texted her the photo and asked if she knew where I was with the bike. It didn’t take her long to respond, and she recognized the entrance. While taking the photo, I consumed a Hammer Gel pack, the first food I had eaten since the fig newtons I had at the start of the ride (which made up my lunch), and within 2 miles, stopped in a Royal Farms and bought a banana and a Snickers bar. These would be the only food items consumed during the ride.
After the stop at Baywoods, I frequently stopped to check the map on my iPhone to make sure I was progressing with the planned route. I did not print a cue sheet, and only had a rough idea about where I was going without referencing the map. I find I’m not quite as fast when I don’t know exactly where I am going. While on the county roads, I had to put up with about a dozen chicken farms. The awful odor was rivaled only by the 3 road kill skunks, the one road kill fox, and one road kill deer I passed along the same county roads. I also passed the Mountain Farms Chicken processing plant near Millsboro. That was the longest stretch of unbreathable air on the whole ride. It was when I turned southeast just after Millsboro when I hit the headwinds, which took a bit off my speed (in addition to fatigue and limited nutritional stores). If you look at my speed graphs, you can see the change quite clearly. I got a little chilly as the headwinds picked up and the temperature dropped. I was glad I had carried my wind vest with me, and put it on against the chill. I wish now that I had packed my shoe covers. My feet got a bit cold as the sun dropped lower in the sky.
I was ready to be done somewhere around mile 45-50, but had committed to a longer ride. I stopped just a couple miles from the hotel, once I hit the Maryland state line again, just to rest my legs for a few minutes, then pressed on back to the hotel. That shower felt pretty good, and helped to warm me up.
I was glad I didn’t plan a longer ride. This was enough. I missed having people around. This was a nice fast solo pace. In fact, I’ve only had one solo ride faster, and that was a 22 mile ride. Flat can make for a fast ride.
Rev Rider 