Friday, June 25, 2010

600 Miles!!

Success!! Day 61

Weather: 71 deg F. sunny and mild
Time I left my house: 8:15 am
Time I arrived at work: 8.50 am
Distance: 8.07 miles
Avg. Speed: 15.4
Max Speed: 24.4
Time: 31.20 min.

Pre-game: Friday- sort of bittersweet as this was the last Friday my parents are watching the little guy until after the summer. Still, I wish I had this kind of time to setup all the time.

I felt it today, but at least it wasn’t oven-like heat like the other day. Man that was nuts. It usually takes me 10 minutes to cool down to normal, but the other day it was so hot.

I found that my Planet Bike fender lost some hardware, had to jerry-rig the screw and bolt I found from leftover hardware in my tool box so it would at last stay on--- although after a while it was rattling from coming loose.




UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 81 deg. F hot and not too humid
Distance: 8.45 miles
Avg. Speed: 14.4
Max Speed: 22.7
Time: 34.27

It's So Dang Hot Out Herrr!!

Success!! Day 60

Weather: 78 deg F. warm and windy
Time I left my house: LATE! 8:23 am
Time I arrived at work: 8.56 am
Distance: 8.08 miles
Avg. Speed: 15.4
Max Speed: 22.2
Time: 31.37 min.

Pre-game: Damn it to hell I got out late again and on one of the hottest days of the year.

Did I mention it’s going to be hot today? What was good is that there was a nice steady wind going on. What’s bad is that I had to try to TT it in this heat and wind. And let me tell you I was drenched when I got to work. No showers, I used so many wipes and I didn’t get to cool off. I really should’ve taken the car today. It’s going to be 90 deg. F and it’s going to be deadly. I joked that those guys do it in this type of heat in the TDF but then again, I’m no pro and those riders do that for three weeks at almost 6 hours a day (for 120 plus miles).

Note to self on re-evaluating equipment, namely my shoes. My right shoelace kept getting undone by the crank, so I’m thinking of getting some nice MTB shoes with the Velcro. I can’t keep stopping for these laces.



UPDATE:
The ride home.

Weather: 88 deg. F HOT with a little tailwind
Distance: 8.45 miles
Avg. Speed: 14.4
Max Speed: 22.7
Time: 34.27

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Do You Catch Yourself Looking at the Scenery as Well?

Success!! Day 59

Weather: 60 deg F. sunny and mild
Time I left my house: 8:10 am
Time I arrived at work: 8.50 am
Distance: 8.07 miles
Avg. Speed: 16.2
Max Speed: 25.1
Time: 29.57 min.

Pre-game: It’s Friday! No issues other than my mom oversleeping and me trying to change the little guy before I left (my parents sleep his room).

Excellent day. Was scouting out shots for the possible vid I keep saying I’m going to do. It’s funny that every day I commute is different, just like they say how every time you surf is never the same as the last, which is why this is pretty addicting (read:cool). I think if I were to make an exciting video that can compete with the talents on Vimeo, then I’d have to take a few angles, different shots, and probably have to storyboard it out. Dang these hobbies!! It’s what keeps me sane I guess and from going postal at work.

BTW for those following behind your screens (yeah right) if anyone cares, I’ll save you from comments on the ride home. Unless it’s something notable, I’ll leave the stats and maybe even edit that down to just the time as I’m not in a rush to get home, unless the Mrs tells me to of course…



UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 69 deg. F with a little headwind
Distance: 8.45 miles
Avg. Speed: 14.4
Max Speed: 22.7
Time: 34.03

Too Nice a Day Not to Ride

Success!! Day 58

Weather: 61 deg F. sunny and mild
Time I left my house: 8:19 am
Time I arrived at work: 8.53 am
Distance: 8.07 miles
Avg. Speed: 15.8
Max Speed: 24.3
Time: 30.45 min.

Pre-game: Almost late.. but had gone anyway.

Finally a Spring-like day and of course, I had to TT it. My legs are a hurtin’. I got to remember to stretch when I get to work, but how many co-workers have you seen in a corporate atmosphere doing a downward dog? It is kind of weird but then so is commuting by bike. For now, of course.


UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 71 deg. F with a little tailwind
Distance: 8.45 miles
Avg. Speed: 14.4
Max Speed: 22.7
Time: 34.27

Friday, June 4, 2010

Why All Offices Need Showers

Success!! Day 57

Weather: 73 deg F. sunny and warm
Time I left my house: 8:15 am
Time I arrived at work: 8.48 am
Distance: 8.07 miles
Avg. Speed: 15.6
Max Speed: 22.7
Time: 31.04 min.

Pre-game: Friday!!! I would’ve gotten out earlier but my parents needed some help in feeding the little guy.

Pretty warm out but enough breeze to cool me off. Of course, once off the bike, it’s like springtime in Bangkok, but whatev, that’s what we bike commuters have to face, the sweet stickiness of summer. Since we don’t have showers at work, I have to do the ‘ol outdoors way- wipes. Bear Grylls wouldn’t mind and heck if I care if my coworkers mind (OK, maybe I mind just a little). It’s been a year so they shouldn’t have a problem by now… or do they?

Anyway, been off for a couple of weeks due to a number of things, but it was a nice return. Hopefully I can get a vid up soon of my ride. More to come.


UPDATE: The ride home.


Weather: 84 deg. F HOT HOT HOT and a little headwind
Distance: 8.45 miles
Avg. Speed: 15.8
Max Speed: 25.2
Time: 32.04

My wife commented or rather, made a face akin to someone who smelled a hobo coming out of a subway, high noon in August. Thank God for running water in my house.

On another note- my little guy celebrated his 5th birthday last month and I made a video of his first five years. All you parents out there can understand- after you go through 5 years of photos and videos and you sit there through all the camera shake and lowlight shots, you're just amazed how much they grow. Anyway, enjoy:





Holden's Five Years from Dell on Vimeo.

It's Gettin' It's Gettin' It's Gettin' Kinda Warmer

Success!! Day 56

Weather: 68 deg F. sunny
Time I left my house: 8:15 am
Time I arrived at work: 8.48 am
Distance: 8.07 miles
Avg. Speed: 15.4
Max Speed: 22.9
Time: 31.28 min.

Pre-game: Friday!!!


Nice out- a little warm, but not headwind or such. I had some easy spinning to do as I my legs needed some healing. I was a little more cautious today, which explains the slower times. It was beautiful outside, I will one day tape my ride on my camcorder.

UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 75 deg. F with a little tailwind
Distance: 8.45 miles
Avg. Speed: 14.4
Max Speed: 22.7
Time: 32.27

500 Miles on the Schwinn!

Success!! Day 55

Weather: 58 deg F. sunny
Time I left my house: 8:22 am
Time I arrived at work: 8.53 am
Distance: 8.07 miles
Avg. Speed: 16.7
Max Speed: 24.8
Time: 29.01 min.


Pre-game: Barely made it out on a non-Friday ride- I wonder when I’ll ever be on time with a non-Friday ride.

Nice day today- warmer than usual. It’s funny that I thought I was going so slow I actually made some good time. There was a point where there was a green light at an intersection (for those in LI, it’s North Service road of the LIE going West, past 106/107) and I usually slow down and wait for the cars to make the turn as I’m in the turning lane, but something made me gun it, and I had a close call with a car (not signaling) making a right and I was going straight.

UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 73 deg. F with a little tailwind
Distance: 8.45 miles
Avg. Speed: 14.4
Max Speed: 22.7
Time: 32.27