Still riding that train

For being a so called mountain biker, I sure don't ride in the woods much. I have done almost nothing but road riding this year. Oh well, it has been fun and I have sure put in more miles that I would have waiting on the dirt to dry.

This weekend I thought we were going for a 70 miler, but when I got there the route that was picked didn't sound like it would be that long. The good thing is, it would have a few more hills to make up for the distance. It was a great day, but the wind could have been a little nicer to us. The hills sure added up by the end of the ride, but my legs were needing that to keep on the improving path. I am not sure what the group ended up with in miles, but ended up with a metric century and over 2200 ft of elevation gain. Not too bad.

This weekend we are supposed to go out for a 100 miler, but we will see about that. I hear talk about a 90 from some of the group. What does 10 miles really do to help? I figure if we are going 90, I am going the extra 10 with or with out the group. I have never done a full century. I have been close, but not complete. It sounds like I will not have a problem with that this year. The group has a 120 mile route that take when it gets closer to the Rain ride. Then again that it self is 160 miles. Sounds like a good year for miles!

The plan is to follow that ride up with a off road hundie. I have been wanting to do the BCBD since it started and this year I will be in my best shape so far. I will have to see what the schedule has on it as we get closer to the date.

Just another day

Well, I guess it has been a little while since I put something on here. I have been very busy and the days seem to run together. I have had a few good rides since the last post. Tuesday I put in a hard 45 mile ride after work. I felt very good about how I rode. I have been wondering how well I would ride in the woods. I can't believe how little I have been off road this year. When I really was thinking about it, the weather was not cooperating. Now that there were some days that I could have rode, I didn't even think about it. Oh well, I really need some road time since I plan on doing the Rain Ride this year. 162 miles is a long time in the seat. That should get me ready for anything that I can make it to this year.

Well, I had big plans about some races early this year. As the time rolls on it seems that time and money keep talking me out of doing it. I am sure if I would just do a few races I would be hooked. I know I was looking forward to the next race after the Tour de London last year and I don't think I could have road any worse with out wrecking or something like that. I guess we will see if I can actually make it to a race this year.

Big ride planned for Sunday. I think they are looking at 70 miles or so. I sure hope the weather is good.

More time on the road

I managed to get out on the road this weekend. I joined a group that was planning on a 60 mile ride. I was a little hesitant as I know these guys usually ride a fairly fast pace and the route they had in mind I have never done. Knowing I really need to ride, I decided to join them anyway and just deal with the side effects.

I showed up by 9:30 for the start time. After everyone was there the discussion started about the options. Being an outsider to the typical guys, I let them make the decisions. Well it ended up that the route was changed and I felt a little better knowing that I have rode that route before, but it was still not an easy road to ride, but they said it was easier then the other route.

It was fairly cold when we started. There were 6 of us that headed out. The pace was fairly fast, but nothing crazy as we started, 18-22 mph. I could handle that in a group. 10 miles or so in, I decided it was my turn up front. I think I held my own, but there sure was more wind up there. Toward the end of the road heading north there was one guy that was starting to fall back some. One rider fell back and road with them. The pack slowed up so everyone could catch up, but the gap was created more often as we went. Turns out he was having trouble with his hamstring. When we finally made it to the rest stop, he decided to not continue with us and head back on his own and call for a ride home.

After the rest stop the pace was picked up a little and we were cruising down the road. I was still not feeling too bad and took my turn up front. I was running 20-23 mph for a good little stretch and was starting to feel it. I should have pealed off sooner, but I saw a hill coming and thought if I peal off I will not be able to recover and get dropped. Well, I should have tried it, because I was getting dropped anyway and I already dug too far in to my reserve. It took a while, but I finally started to feel better and caught back up to the front group. At this time there was another rider that was starting to hurt and two of them fell back a bit. The pace was never really slowed up enough to let them catch up, so down the road we took another stop for everyone to regroup.

After everyone was there and ready, we took off toward home. Some how I ended up in front, but I was not feeling too bad so I stayed there. I was told to keep it 15-17 and see if everyone stayed on. That seemed like a good speed and everyone followed me home. It ended up just over 57 miles, but it was enough for me. I hope to join them next week too. I get in much better shape when I ride with them. I am even thinking about signing up for the Rain ride. I guess we will see.

TIme sure fun when your having flies.....

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted something. Not sure anyone actually noticed anyway. I have been pulled way to tight the last few weeks. Baseball practice as started, spring soccer and then work has gotten crazy, and bowling was not finished for the season yet. The times that I could actually ride usually were the days that it rained.

I did get out last Wed. night for a night road ride with a group of 8. It was a blast, so much fun that I decided to go back out last night. The normal pace for the night ride is a conversation pace that tends to move good at times. Well, last night there were only 4 that showed up and the pace increased a lot over last week. Some of that was my fault. The bugs were bad and I think I was the only one wearing glasses, so I had the lead for the first section of the ride. I tried to keep a decent pace, but it was a little faster then last weeks. Oh well, I needed a good work out.

I am jumping in to the fire this weekend and heading out with an old group that I used to ride with. The plan is 60-70 miles. The longest ride I have in this year is a 35 mile ride or so. Needless to say it should be so called "fun".

Working on the chain gang

I spend a few hours in the woods this weekend clearing trails. Everything was too wet to ride off road and I just felt the need to do some trail work. There are a few different re-routes that have been worked on all winter and with the crazy weather we have had there were several trees down.

So, Sunday morning I headed out with my chain saw to do my part. Almost 2 tanks of gas and 3 hours later, most of the trees were cleared off of two sections. I am sure there are more treed down on other sections, but they will have to wait another day. My chain was dull and I was wore out.

I can't wait for it to dry out so I can try the two new sections. They look like so much fun!!

Back in the saddle again!

After looking out the window all day, I could not take it anymore. With the new time change I was rewarded with an extra hour to be out. So, I baited my hook and casted it out to see if I had any takers that would nibble. Sure enough, one little fishy took a nibble and he was hooked, no backing out now.

So, with some what of a plan figured out, I headed home and started throwing all my stuff in a pile to throw on and head out the door. I was not sure what to wear. I was very hot at work and the temp in the car said 66 degrees. I was thinking about shorts and a long sleeve shirt, but the fish was very cold and talking about a lot more clothes then that. So he talked me in to putting a little more on my rear, but I didn't get carried away.

Long tights and a long sleeve jersey and down the road I went. Forrest was headed toward my house, so as soon as I got ready I took off to meet him half way. What a great ride it was. I was plenty warm at the start of the ride and had some second thoughts about those shorts I wanted to put on, but it was too late. We took off thinking it would be a nice and slow ride since we have not been on the road much. I guess someone forgot to tell my legs, because a little way down the road I looked down and saw I was pulling at 23 mph. It sure did not feel like it to me, so I kept pedaling. There was some good head wind here and there, but overall it was not too bad.

Toward the end of our journey, we hit a few hills that were bigger then the previous road sections. Add that to the increased head wind for that direction and we were really starting to hurt. The temps were dropping as the sun lowered and I was thankful I did not have those shorts on. We kept on the gas as much as we could, but it was more of a struggle.

We ended up with 32.5 miles and averaged 17.5 mph. Not too bad for my second road ride of the year. I sure am ready for spring to show up so I can get out a few more times.

slacker

I sure have become one heck of a slacker lately. I last rode on March 2nd. It was actually my first road ride of the year. It was nice to get out of the basement and ride the bike. I didn't go crazy but still had some fun. I ended up with around 30 miles with plenty of head wind to keep me company.

I am looking forward to the next time I can get out side to ride. The weather has been crap. Pouring rain, tons of snow and then more rain. The best chance I have at riding again will be on the road. All the trails are beyond muddy.

I did take in some sights last week. I have do fly out to Philly on Wed for work. We got our stuff done earlier on Thursday then we thought we would so we walked around down town for a little while. It was neat to see a lot of history things that I normally would not have seen. I checked out the liberty bell and Independence Hall. If I had some more time I would have made sure to check out some of that war and fort sights. Tons of cool little buildings to see all over town.