Rev Rider

This Ride: 24.7 miles
Kona Distance: 3,628.4 miles
Month to date: 451.7 miles
2010 Total: 4094.9 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (270.5 miles ahead of goal pace)

A group of about 9 riders met at the Rusty Bridge this morning and we couldn’t quite shake out at first who was going to ride “Terrible Tuesday” and who would ride “Timid Tuesday”. There just wasn’t much enthusiasm, even though it was a great morning. The split happened on the hill in Round Bay. I’m still not climbing well, and the hill divided us into at least 3 or 4 groups. Five went off the front and started to spin pretty fast. The rest of us worked at regrouping, but even that took some time. One rider was really struggling with problems related to a tooth extraction and eventually there were three of us who rode with him to the end of the trail. That’s the thing I appreciate most about the SPP. Someone will drop back and ride with you on those times when it is helpful.  I was glad to help.

This was a very cool morning.  Individual riders had temperatures at home everywhere from 50 – 55.  My order of a few items of cool weather gear came yesterday, so I tried the new wool socks (very comfy), shoe covers, & full fingered gloves.  I also wore my cold gear underarmor long sleeve under a large biking jersey.  I think much colder and I’ll pull the leg warmers out, and maybe another layer on the core.  By the end of the ride my toes were a bit cold, but they were not numb.  The wool socks are thin enough I could probably wear them doubled and that might help.  I was glad for every bit that I had on, and it really wasn’t too much.

This Ride: 23.5 miles
Kona Distance: 3,603.7 miles
Month to date: 427 miles
2010 Total: 4070.2 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (265.9 miles ahead of goal pace)

What an absolutely beautiful morning for a ride!  Temp was about 66 with low humidity.  There was a breeze from the north.  About 10 riders meet at the Rusty Bridge and held a relatively easy pace.  Stories were flying about the weekend rides, including the Civil War Brevet, The Bike Doctor St. Michael’s Century with Bob Roll, and others.  There was even nostalgic conversation about riding in the winter, as we start to accumulate cold weather gear and have to look closely at morning temperatures to know what to wear while riding.  Bryan was riding again on his borrowed bike.  Mike B and Chris L made a surprise appearance.  We experienced a couple of minor mechanical issues that had us stopped twice for less than a minute, and all was good.

This ride made it impossible to grumble about the start of the week … except that there isn’t time to ride even more this morning.

This will be a busy week and it will be both important and challenging to squeeze rides in.

This Ride: 62.3 miles
Kona Distance: 3,580.3 miles
Month to date: 403.6 miles
2010 Total: 4046.7 miles <– (Now over 4000 miles for the year!)
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (302.4 miles ahead of goal pace)

It was one of those mornings where the mind would just not engage properly. It is a good thing we can pretty much operate on autopilot for these kinds of days.

Streets were wet this morning … but I didn’t even think to put on the fenders until I got spray in my face.  It was too late to turn back and get them on, so I ran most of the first half of the day with damp to wet tires.  Now, I’ve got enough crud on the front of my legs that I’ll need a broom before my shower.

There were seven this morning for the regular breakfast ride, with 4 of us eating breakfast (not counting Jeff who showed up by car).  We welcomed J.S. for his first 5:45 ride, although he didn’t stay for breakfast.  Bryan was back on a borrowed bike after a little over a week since his crash.  Many of the regulars are riding big rides tomorrow and used today as a rest day.  We were a little late getting into Annapolis, having to address a flat on Bryan’s bike.  Nice morning for the breakfast ride, and nice ride back.

After completing the Breakfast Ride, I continued on to do the Airport Loop clockwise, then turned around and did it counterclockwise.  It was a relatively uneventful ride.  I did decide on the ride that I needed to start to do intervals again, probably on the trainer, so I’ll get that set up, the chain lubed, and establish my interval training schedule.  I’ll also throw on an old wired bike computer so I can log those distances more accurately.  (I made that decision somewhere near 12 miles remaining to home, and picked up the pace for those 12 miles.)

Today I passed the 4000 mile mark for this year’s rides!

1000 miles – April 23
2000 miles – June 18
3000 miles – August 6
4000 miles – September 17

This Ride: 22.2 miles
Kona Distance: 3,518 miles
Month to date: 341.3 miles
2010 Total: 3,984.4 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (280 miles ahead of goal pace)

I’m not really “whiney”, but I am tired.  For some reason, I just didn’t have much this morning.

It was cool, about 58 degrees when I went out.  I was out in my new arm warmers and leg warmers purchased yesterday at the Performance Bike shop in Columbia, MD.  I’m not sure I needed the leg warmers, but the arm warmers helped.  Nothing else in my kit was different.  I could have used a little more for my core.  My new socks, shoe covers, and gloves are due Monday.

I started out with the group at the Rusty Bridge, but quickly discovered that I had “no legs” or energy and the pace of the group was much higher than I wanted to ride.  I dropped them (notice my use of an active verb here) at Old County Road and stayed on the trail, added the ride to the NA Bridge, and then returned.  There were quite a few folks out this morning on the trail, and I even saw Mike B on his commute to work … at least I saw Mike’s lights and reflective gear.  I didn’t see Mike himself.  The view from the bridge was spectacular.  Mornings are a very pretty time.

Once I got home, I was ready for a nap, but alas … work was calling.

My pace?  Actually pretty good (except the last 2 miles) considering how I felt.

I did watch a flock of geese come in low and land in a field.  Nice.

This Ride: 18.8 miles
Kona Distance: 3,495.9 miles
Month to date: 319.1 miles
2010 Total: 3,962.3 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (278 miles ahead of goal pace)

With limited time this morning (meeting just south of Frederick, MD) and with only 4 of us at the Rusty Bridge at 5:45, we all took off together and rode both Terrible Tuesday and Timid Tuesday.  The only problem was that we got a bit mixed up.  I had planned Timid Tuesday and got Terrible Tuesday.  The faster, stronger riders anticipated Terrible Tuesday and got Timid Tuesday.  We all adjusted.

It was our regular route (I cut my part short due to the meeting).  I didn’t handle Round Bay Hill very well, and had a very tough time after the hill too.  On the way back, Dave stayed in “junior gear” with a cadence of 120 or so, while I hung on his wheel like glue.  It turned out to be a good workout for both of us, because of the adjustments.

I noticed again that I’m just not as fast in the morning as I can be in the afternoon.  It probably has something to do with nutrition and hydration.  This morning’s ride was a real workout, but I was much faster yesterday afternoon with more traffic on the trail (but no hill to manage).

It was a little cool this morning.  Temps were about 60 degrees, and I’m ready for some different layers.  Local and online shops I had looked at didn’t have my size in arm and leg warmers, so on my way home from Frederick, I stopped at the new Performance Bike shop in Columbia and picked up some gear.  Bib shorts I ordered online are expected to be delivered Thursday.  Some other cool weather gear ordered online will probably get here next week, but I can manage with what I have until then.

This Ride: 19.4 miles
Kona Distance: 3,477.1 miles
Month to date: 300.4 miles
2010 Total: 3,943.5 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (279.2 miles ahead of goal pace)

After a little mental attitude adjustment (I grumbled with myself about going out again this afternoon) I jumped on the bike just as Lori was coming home early from work.  I shortened the ride and sped it up so I was home before 5.  We have quite a bit to do together this evening.  I had a 5 mile stretch at 18.8 mph and overall had a respectable 17.8 mph average for nearly 20 miles.  The trail was not unreasonably busy.

It turns out I will be able to join the SPP for the Terrible/Tepid Tuesday Ride.

This Ride: 22 miles
Kona Distance: 3,457.7 miles
Month to date: 281.0 miles
2010 Total: 3,924.2 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (260 miles ahead of goal pace)

Simply put, this morning I was ready to ride.

I had the fenders on, and was out the door early enough that I put in a few extra miles before meeting up at the Rusty Bridge.  By the time we picked up all the riders, we had 10 this morning.  I was on the front for the first half, setting a pace that wasn’t really Mosey Monday … sorry guys (but you wouldn’t know it by the average speed, only 15.6).  We took the route into Round Bay for the hill and rode the milled part of Old County Road.  It is a lot easier riding up on the milled part than riding down it!  At the turn around, I dropped back into the group and rode easy with the rest.  I do like how the miles just pass by when in a group and headed down B&A Blvd.

I’d like to get out again this afternoon to get another ride in, especially since I may not be able to ride tomorrow morning due to an out of town commitment.  We’ll see how it goes.

Discussion this morning was about the rides accomplished over the weekend, and the upcoming rides.  Clint did a fast solo 200k in preparation for the race this weekend.  Jeff and Ben rode the Civil War Century.  Plenty of stories were passed around.

Nice morning!

This Ride: 20.1 miles
Kona Distance: 3,435.7 miles
Month to date: 259.0 miles
2010 Total: 3,902.2 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (277.8 miles ahead of goal pace)

Lori had plans with some friends this morning, breakfast and a bead show, so I decided to get out on the bike to make up for a lost ride this week. My goals for the ride were constantly changing. At first, I decided on a light and easy ride, anticipating that the B&A trail would be full of people (it was).  Then, as I noted that I had a pretty good speed going, I simply decided to ride within my normal range.  I contemplated several routes to avoid the congestion of the trail, but really didn’t want to hit Saturday morning traffic either.  This is why so many go out very early on Saturday!

In the end, I did my normal 20 mile route and had a fair speed for the distance.  I called out “On your left … good morning!” more times than I can count.  Only one idiot was spotted, and three of us yelled at him.  He squeezed (at about 25 mph) between runners moving south and a cyclist (me) moving north with little room between us all.  Three abreast is possible under the right conditions.  These weren’t the right conditions.

Cold toes once again.  With temps in the mid 60s, its time to start collecting cool/cold weather gear.

This Ride: 51.6 miles
Kona Distance: 3,415.6 miles
Month to date: 238.9 miles
2010 Total: 3,882.1 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (277.3 miles ahead of goal pace)

I rested yesterday, and it was noticeable this morning.  Much less lung congestion.  More strength.  I think I’ll live.

This was really a “Friendly Friday” this morning to Annapolis for breakfast.  Dan, one of the riders who crashed on Tuesday was back on the bike and joined us.  He is still very sore, with road rash on his face, hands, arms and legs, and so Clint kept us to the trail at a very leisurely pace.  Bryan drove down for breakfast, and although his clothing covers most of his road rash, he is missing some very large patches of skin and you can see the pain in his face.  The stories were told, there was some good-natured ribbing, and all-told a nice way to start the day.  These guys will be ok.  It is amazing that no bones were broken, although Brian’s bike was totaled.

After breakfast, I hooked up with Mike B and rode with him on his commute to work.  There was a strong northerly breeze and it reminded me that it is time to start pulling together the cool-cold weather kit in order to keep riding as the weather changes.  My toes were cold by mile 30 this morning.  After Mike pulled away for the last stretch to work, I settled down for the final part of the 50 mile ride solo.  I tried to keep a nice pace going, and feel pretty good about the 10 miles with an average of 17.9 mph.  I was focused on the Seagull Century and keeping the speed up on the flats, focused on what I might be able to do on that ride.

Now for some work around the house the rest of the day and I’ll be going sailing this evening for the Magothy River Friday night races.  A nice day all round.

This Ride: 20.7 miles
Kona Distance: 3,364.0 miles
Month to date: 187.3 miles
2010 Total: 3,830.5 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (266.1 miles ahead of goal pace)

Yes, “wimpy” describes my morning ride.  I don’t know if I’ve got bronchitis, allergy reactions, or what, but I’m back to “coughing up a lung” with strenuous effort.  Oxygen exchange doesn’t happen well at heart rates above 150, and I get there pretty easily.  I just may have to ease up some.

The Severna Park Peloton has changed up the weekly morning rides a bit.  A fast group goes off at 5:45 and a slower group now goes from the same place at 5:46.  Yesterday there was an epic crash in the fast group that has people shaken.  Bryan hit an unleashed dog causing him to crash and Dan crashed into Bryan.  Both went down.  Both were pretty significantly injured.  Bryan’s bike is totaled.  These are two experienced and regular riders, and at the time of the crash they were moving very fast.  Only Dave went out fast this morning, the other 5 of us simply rode a reasonable pace … reasonable for them … too fast for me going south on B&A Blvd where there is a pretty steady climb.

We are anxious for the paving project on Old County Road to be completed.  It is milled right now, and pretty uncomfortable, especially above 15 mph.  The group is still trying to figure out a reasonable route for a speedy, safe ride.  I don’t think we’ve found it yet.

Mike C was excited today.  This morning’s ride put him at over 200 miles in one week for the first time.  Nice milestone!

I’m not certain I’m riding tomorrow, even though the forecast is for comfortably cool weather.  I’ll definitely be out for Friday’s Breakfast Ride.  A man has to eat.

Here is the link to photos from the Sweet Sue’s Ride.