I Heart Friday Rides

Success!! Day 50

Weather: 49 deg F. sunny with a some headwind

Time I left my house: early 8:09 am

Time I arrived at work: 8.45 am

Distance: 8.06 miles

Avg. Speed: 16.2

Max Speed: 23.2

Time: 29.53 min.

Pre-game: It’s Friday and my parents are home to take care of the little guy, so it was nice.

Nice ride today, a little chilly, but after some pedaling, it wasn’t an issue. I found a way not to get apprehensive on the shady area- go Cyclo-cross on the side of the underpass, which means I have a little dirt path to follow alongside the road and not the actual road itself. My only concern is the crap that resides on the side of the road will all collect there, so I have to be cautious. I don’t have to worry about cars however, which is a plus and they don’t have to worry about me. Safe is always good.

UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 66 deg. F cool, a damn strong headwind

Distance: 8.45 miles

Avg. Speed: 14.9

Max Speed: 23.5

Time: 34.08

The same kind of wind that can kill a man's spirit, like looking at your cycle computer and only going 13 mph when you think you're doing so well... man that was some wind. Me legs hurt!

400 Miles on the Schwinn!

Success!! Day 49

Weather: 52 deg F. sunny with a breeze

Time I left my house: LATE! 8:22 am

Time I arrived at work: 8.53 am

Distance: 8.06 miles

Avg. Speed: 16.5

Max Speed: 22.5

Time: 29.24 min.

Pre-game: Rushing again to get out the door, same old same old- and I thought I was being early.

Had to TT again today, tried to do the new efficient pedaling I found on YouTube the other day. Can’t say that it made it much faster and my legs feel the same, but I guess we’ll see. I don’t know if I’m doing it right. I’m going to see if I could do a proper fitting on both my commuting and weekend rigs—looking to get aero bars for my Schwinn so we’ll see if that proves beneficial. Yes, more toys!!

On another note, finished my son’s 5-year video I was looking to do before his 5th birthday. I will post when the time comes, hopefully people will like it and not think I’m another one of those doting proud parents. (Then again, who isn’t??)

UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 66 deg. F cool,

Distance: 8.45 miles

Avg. Speed: n/a

Max Speed: n/a

Time: 32 min.

Not really recorded this one, but the usual ride with some hill climbing.

I Can Never Get a Break

Success!! Day 48

Weather: 59 deg F. sunny with a breeze
Time I left my house: LATE! 8:23 am
Time I arrived at work: 8.58 am
Distance: 8.11 miles
Avg. Speed: 16.6
Max Speed: 23.7
Time: 29.24 min.

Pre-game: Rushing again to get out the door, same old same old- this time little guy was ready, but had poured milk all over himself right before we were leaving… Dang it!!

Had to TT again today, even though I did a weekend ride and three days last week, I felt me legs hurting. Don’t know if that’s because I was TT’ing or I was just plain tuckered. Regardless, it was nice to get out again and this time on a clean bike (washed the Schwinn with my 5-year old on the weekend as sort of a bonding experience.) so I felt good. But I need to plan better to get out earlier. Not sure what to do. Looks like rain Friday, so this could be it for the week.



UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 63 deg. F cool,
Distance: 8.45 miles
Avg. Speed: 15.6
Max Speed: 25.5
Time:32.43

Got out of work late, so I tried TT'ing it home. Of course, my legs thought otherwise. Ouch.

Maybe The Dog Ate The Keys

Success!! Day 47

Weather: 56 deg F. sunny with a breeze

Time I left my house: early (for once) 8:16 am

Time I arrived at work: 8.51 am

Distance: 8.09 miles

Avg. Speed: 16.3

Max Speed: 23.9

Time: 29.53 min.

Pre-game: Still no sign of the keys, so I had the kid in a stroller and came back and biked. My legs are totally cooked but it’s so nice out I can’t complain.

Was a great ride- I couldn’t believe I’m putting out more power I guess my legs are adapting. Third day in a row I commuted, so let’s see how tomorrow goes. I’ll be coming in the rain. Old geiser gave me a honk today, I was all the way right and had no room, I didn't want to take the lane because I saw this guy coming, and I erred on the side of caution, Mr. Coke Bottle Burgess Meredith-type with no depth perception, some other time my friend!!

UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 69 deg. F cool, a lot of headwind

Distance: 8.45 miles

Avg. Speed: 14.9

Max Speed: 23.3

Time: 34.00

Legs are cooked and in this wind, man... this was hard. Still no sign of the keys. Might have to ride in the rain tomorrow. Bring it!!

Why Volkswagen Sucks and Why You Should Always Have a Spare Key for Your 2002 Volkswagen Passat

Success!! Day 46

Weather: 65 deg F. sunny with a breeze

Time I left my house: early (for once) 8:16 am

Time I arrived at work: 8.51 am

Distance: 8.09 miles

Avg. Speed: 15.4

Max Speed: 23.3

Time: 31.37 min.

Pre-game: Holy moly. My wife misplaced her Passat keys and since we don’t have a spare, had to use my car to get to work. So I had to get my little guy ready, shower, get my clothes and bike ready, JOG over to the sitter’s with the stroller and diaper bag, come back and bike to work. It felt like a brick.

Was a great ride however, I felt a bit slow. Note to self, put the child seat back on…and get a f__ing spare for that dang VW!!!

UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 85 deg. F summerish with gusts

Distance: 8.45 miles

Avg. Speed: 14.4

Max Speed: 22.7

Time: 35.27

The Return!

Success!! Day 45

Weather: 60 deg F. sunny with a breeze

Time I left my house: early (for once) 8:15 am

Time I arrived at work: 8.46 am

Distance: 8.09 miles

Avg. Speed: 16.0

Max Speed: 22.7

Time: 30.22 min.

Pre-game: Wife is off for Easter break so it’s all good. Unfortunately, it’s her last day, so we’ll see how late I get out when it’s back to work for her. Today, my son was at the door when I was setting up my bike. He was saying how he wanted to ride with me. He’s four and I told him when he’s a little older. He said he can’t wait. I told him I’d miss him and I love him, that just makes it all worth while, all of it.

Was a great ride- until it started raining about two miles before my destination. It wasn’t pouring, but I wasn’t prepared to get any rain (thank you again, Channel 61 traffic and weather). It should be a nice, dry, ride home. I was extremely inspired by this weekend’s ride…watched the Tour of Flanders and saw Cancellara kick Boonen’s ass on a climb, holy moly, once he broke away, there was no way Boonen would catch up. And…Sunday is Paris-Roubaix- get the DVR ready!!

UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 66 deg. F cool,

Distance: 8.45 miles

Avg. Speed: 14.4

Max Speed: 22.7

Time: 35.27

Nice ride home, felt it in my legs, but it was just nice feeling to know I’m having a three-day weekend as well. I had to sort of rush as my wife was going out tonight, but got home in time.