My intention was to ride with the 6:00 a.m. group which meets up with the 7:30 group to ride into Annapolis. The 6:00 a.m. ride did not work out for me. I woke up early enough, and I even got out of bed and made my way downstairs. However, when I was checking email I heard the pounding rain on the sky lights and decided that I did not want to start the day of riding soaking wet. I went back upstairs and got an extra hour of sleep. I managed to make it to the Rusty Bridge for the 7:30 ride. There were 19 of us I think. We headed into Annapolis to enjoy breakfast and some camaraderie. After breakfast the group split. One headed out to Bay Ridge for extra miles and beautiful views of the bay. and the other group (which is the one I was in) headed back up the trail to our respective destinations. I met Bev at the Farmer's Market for an Iced coffee from the Cosmic Bean tent and a scone from Vera's tent. We flagged Mike down as he rode by on his way home and the three of us enjoyed refreshments and good conversation. After the coffee and scones were gone, Mike headed home... I headed home on the bike and Bev headed out to do some shopping. It was a great morning on the bike and with good friends.
Stats below...
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Half and Half... - PM Ride added
So this morning I rode to work alone. Mike does sailing races on Wednesday and riding the bike does not get him from work to Annapolis soon enough to make the races. It is always better to ride with someone else, there are very few who people that I know that will dispute that. But, there are also some days that riding alone is okay too. When I ride alone, I can stop and call Bev to wake her up so she can go to work early to avoid all the Blue Angels and USNA graduation hub-bub at the Academy. I can also ride a little slower because the legs are just not feeling like turning this morning. I can also take a different route if I want to, and that is what I did this morning. It was half trail half road. I took the road route from Jumper's Hole Rd. It was a beautiful morning, and there was very little traffic. I am not saying that I couldn't do ALL of these things if I was riding with Mike, I am just saying that I didn't have to consider anybody else when making these choices. Finally, I also enjoy my Wednesday solo rides because it gives me a chance to gain a few miles on Mike for the month. I need to get a good lead because I will not be able to ride to Sweet Sue's on Memorial Day, which will be about 100 miles of riding for Mike. I an confident that we will both have over 700 miles for the month of May. Looking at my training log, and how many days I didn't ride, I should have had 800 or more miles. Oh well, there is always June.
Stats for this morning:
Uneventful ride home. Very hot and humid.
Stats for this morning:
Uneventful ride home. Very hot and humid.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
It is feeling good again -PM Ride added
I have heard it over and over again, "... if you exercise you'll have more energy!" Well, one would think that the exercise would wear you out and make you more tired, but I can attest to the fact that that is not the case. These past few weeks off the bike because of rain (and other excuses) I have gotten lethargic. No energy to do much of anything, and struggled to get out of bed. After 43 miles of riding yesterday, I got all my bike clothes washed dried and folded, got the dishes done after dinner and I was not ready to drop at 9:00 pm. This morning, I was awake at 4:13, laying in bed waiting for the alarm go off at 4:15. I got out of bed, excited to jump on the bike again for the commute to work. To make a long story (blog entry) short, I am glad to be back in the routine again. And for those of you who are wondering (you know who you are).... i have NOT gained all my weight back again.
Here are the stats from this mornings ride.
This afternoon I rode home alone. I set a leisurely pace and enjoyed the scenery that I miss in the morning while it is dark. I was delayed a little bit while riding through Severna Park by a woman looking for her two boys and little girl. 2 other bikers were riding up and down the trail, the County police helicopter was circling and the park ranger was driving up the trail. BY the time I got to Jones Station Rd, I no longer heard the helicopter, so I am hopeful that the children were found unharmed.
Here are the stats for this afternoons ride
Here are the stats from this mornings ride.
This afternoon I rode home alone. I set a leisurely pace and enjoyed the scenery that I miss in the morning while it is dark. I was delayed a little bit while riding through Severna Park by a woman looking for her two boys and little girl. 2 other bikers were riding up and down the trail, the County police helicopter was circling and the park ranger was driving up the trail. BY the time I got to Jones Station Rd, I no longer heard the helicopter, so I am hopeful that the children were found unharmed.
Here are the stats for this afternoons ride
Monday, May 24, 2010
Back in the saddle again....(Evening commute appended)
As much as my body told me NOT to get out of bed, my mind took over and I was able to muster the energy to get up at 4:15 to ride my bike to the train station for work.
Mike met me at the Park and Ride in Severna Park and we headed up the trail towards BWI. We encountered a little bit of mist along the way, but no rain to speak of.
I deviated from my route just a little this morning. I followed Stewart Ave out to the light at Dorsey Rd and took a right there. Dorsey Road has a fairly large shoulder and traffic was not that bad. I may do this every now and again, just to remain a little unpredictable.
Here are the stats -
The scheduling worked out for Mike and I to ride home together this afternoon. After a phone call here and there, we set a good pace and made good time getting home to our loved ones.
Mike met me at the Park and Ride in Severna Park and we headed up the trail towards BWI. We encountered a little bit of mist along the way, but no rain to speak of.
I deviated from my route just a little this morning. I followed Stewart Ave out to the light at Dorsey Rd and took a right there. Dorsey Road has a fairly large shoulder and traffic was not that bad. I may do this every now and again, just to remain a little unpredictable.
Here are the stats -
The scheduling worked out for Mike and I to ride home together this afternoon. After a phone call here and there, we set a good pace and made good time getting home to our loved ones.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Off the bike...(Ammended)
It has been a pretty dismal week for riding. I did the 200k on Sunday, and if you read the ride reports you know that Mike and I attained our personal best for a 200k. This week has been a personal worst for me in regards to riding. Monday, the thighs were telling me that I needed a day off the bike. Even Dave allows for missing one day for each 200k ridden. Tuesday, I should have ridden. It was misty in the morning and drizzly in the evening. I have ridden in worse, but the thighs talked me out of riding again. Wednesday, there were grey skies, and weather.com called for showers between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. which is right while I would be riding. So, not only did I not get up early and ride, I slept in and went to work late. How's that for motivated? This morning, I got up, went downstairs made preparations to ride. I had to backup a database that I was working on last night, and that did not go smoothly. I could not remember if I had shorts in the box at BWI to change into to ride the train, I think I took the sweatshirt out of there too. I knew I didn't have any shorts or under garments to change into at work, sorry, too much info... I know. I was not prepared so I did not ride this morning. HOWEVER, hope is not lost. There is a Severna Park Peloton ride that starts at 5:00 pm and I am planning to do that ride tonight. It will be with different people and I am hoping that the pace will be manageable.
I'll keep you posted.
OK, so I am keeping you posted now.
Have you ever had an uneasy feeling about what you were doing, or about to do? As I was riding to meet the group this afternoon, I just had a feeling that something bad was going to happen. The traffic was very heavy and I there were 2 accidents on Benfield Blvd. The drivers were just not paying attention today. I made it to the intersection of W. Benfield and Veteren's Highway. I was early, so I waited by the side of the road, well out of the flow of traffic. I still almost got hit. This ride was suppose to go onto Route 3, which is typically busier than Veterans Highway. I decided to NOT ride with the afternoon group. I headed up Veterans Highway to East West Blvd and rode around there for little while. Only 20 miles, but it felt good to get my legs turning again.
Bike to work day tomorrow. I am taking the day off, go figure. We will be riding into Annapolis for a get together at City Dock. Stay tuned.
I'll keep you posted.
OK, so I am keeping you posted now.
Have you ever had an uneasy feeling about what you were doing, or about to do? As I was riding to meet the group this afternoon, I just had a feeling that something bad was going to happen. The traffic was very heavy and I there were 2 accidents on Benfield Blvd. The drivers were just not paying attention today. I made it to the intersection of W. Benfield and Veteren's Highway. I was early, so I waited by the side of the road, well out of the flow of traffic. I still almost got hit. This ride was suppose to go onto Route 3, which is typically busier than Veterans Highway. I decided to NOT ride with the afternoon group. I headed up Veterans Highway to East West Blvd and rode around there for little while. Only 20 miles, but it felt good to get my legs turning again.
Bike to work day tomorrow. I am taking the day off, go figure. We will be riding into Annapolis for a get together at City Dock. Stay tuned.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sailing Down to Solomon
For a much better ride report than I am able to write, please visit Chesapeake Sailor Blog (link to the right). His description is very accurate and my report will mirror much of what his contains... just not as articulately.
Mike and I teamed up again to ride our May 200k. Schedules being what they are, with nicer weather upon us, the number of "commitments" that we have on the weekends increases it makes it more and more difficult to get our schedules to mesh. My March and April 200k's were done solo, and although that does have some benefits (not many, believe me) I was looking forward to riding with someone this month. Mike solicited participation from other members of the Severna Park Peloton and we were joined by Shane.
At 6:00 a.m. we departed the 7-11 in Crofton. Everyone was upbeat and optimistic about the day. This is the same ride that Mike and I did together in February. For that ride we had a 4:30 a.m. start, in the dark, with temperatures below freezing. I have to say, I enjoyed the later, and warmer start this time around.
The early part of the ride was overcast and a little cool. The sun was suppose to make an appearance and warm things up a bit, but I had my doubts as I was looking at the sky. I felt a rain drop and then another and then I saw oncoming traffic with their wipers on. Given that there was only a 10% chance of rain, I did not bring any "rain" gear with me. I was not prepared for rain and because we were so early in the ride, I was very nervous that any serious rainfall would make this a long and miserable ride. That could have resulted in a phone call to Bev to come get me. Fortunately, that is not how the day turned out.
The pace down to Solomon's was very quick. There were points that I was riding and chatting with Shane and we were doing 18 - 20 mph and I look up and Mike is pulling away from us. On Several occasions I asked Mike if he had his Wheaties for Breakfast or what? From the outside looking in, I could tell that Mike was having a good ride.
We made it to Solomon's and decided that we were all feeling well hydrated, well fed and our legs did not need too much of a break so we opted for a quick stop at the 7-11. I got a water refill and pringles while the other guys got there nutritional replenishment and we were on our way headed north.
As we headed north, we encountered a fairly stiff breeze. It was not the gusty winds that others have had to deal with over the past couple weeks, but it was formidable enough to make a difference. Mike recommended that we each take a 5 minute shift at the front of the line to battle the wind while the other two enjoyed the reprieve from the wind. That worked out SO well. I don't feel like we lost much time heading north, and no one had to shoulder the entire burden of riding into the wind. This is one of many reasons why riding with someone is better than riding alone.
Riding into the wind did take it's toll. Shane developed a cramp, but was able to ride on to a country store at about mile 80. We stayed there for an extended break for him to stretch and rest his leg. I enjoyed some peanut butter crackers and topped off the water bottles. From there we headed to Sweet Sue's in North Beach.
Sweet Sue's is right on the water in North Beach. Riding in to North Beach with the views of the bay, and along the Boardwalk is very pretty. Sweet Sue's did not disappoint. I got a Cranberry Muffin, Mike got a scone of some variety and Shane got an eclair that was as big as his leg. (Mike's blog has a picture) Maybe that was to help the cramp in his leg, I don't know, but it was the biggest eclair I had ever seen. We all enjoyed our sweets, filled up on water and we were on our way again.
As we neared the end of the ride, we crossed Davidsonville Rd. with about 6 miles to go. If we took a left it would have been a straight shot back to the 7-11. The cue sheet however, calls for us to cross Davidsonville Rd and it brings us through some pretty enough neighborhoods and then back out onto Davidsonville Rd. I wish there was an option on the route to do those extra couple of miles down in Solomon's. I don't know the area down there, but after 122 miles of a 126 mile ride, when you are so close to home, you just want to "get there".
During the ride, I used the same nutrition/hydration plan as I did in April. Drink constantly, 2 -3 e-caps per hour, cheese bagels, fig newtons, sports beans and food at the controls. This worked well for me again. On rides were water is not readily available, I will have to come up with a strategy for that, but so far... so good.
The last 2 long rides that I have done, I have felt really good during and after the rides. I hope that this trend continues. Mike and I are conspiring to do a 300k in September. As I continue to feel better after these 200k's, my level of confidence for longer rides increases ever so slightly.
Mike and I teamed up again to ride our May 200k. Schedules being what they are, with nicer weather upon us, the number of "commitments" that we have on the weekends increases it makes it more and more difficult to get our schedules to mesh. My March and April 200k's were done solo, and although that does have some benefits (not many, believe me) I was looking forward to riding with someone this month. Mike solicited participation from other members of the Severna Park Peloton and we were joined by Shane.
At 6:00 a.m. we departed the 7-11 in Crofton. Everyone was upbeat and optimistic about the day. This is the same ride that Mike and I did together in February. For that ride we had a 4:30 a.m. start, in the dark, with temperatures below freezing. I have to say, I enjoyed the later, and warmer start this time around.
The early part of the ride was overcast and a little cool. The sun was suppose to make an appearance and warm things up a bit, but I had my doubts as I was looking at the sky. I felt a rain drop and then another and then I saw oncoming traffic with their wipers on. Given that there was only a 10% chance of rain, I did not bring any "rain" gear with me. I was not prepared for rain and because we were so early in the ride, I was very nervous that any serious rainfall would make this a long and miserable ride. That could have resulted in a phone call to Bev to come get me. Fortunately, that is not how the day turned out.
The pace down to Solomon's was very quick. There were points that I was riding and chatting with Shane and we were doing 18 - 20 mph and I look up and Mike is pulling away from us. On Several occasions I asked Mike if he had his Wheaties for Breakfast or what? From the outside looking in, I could tell that Mike was having a good ride.
We made it to Solomon's and decided that we were all feeling well hydrated, well fed and our legs did not need too much of a break so we opted for a quick stop at the 7-11. I got a water refill and pringles while the other guys got there nutritional replenishment and we were on our way headed north.
As we headed north, we encountered a fairly stiff breeze. It was not the gusty winds that others have had to deal with over the past couple weeks, but it was formidable enough to make a difference. Mike recommended that we each take a 5 minute shift at the front of the line to battle the wind while the other two enjoyed the reprieve from the wind. That worked out SO well. I don't feel like we lost much time heading north, and no one had to shoulder the entire burden of riding into the wind. This is one of many reasons why riding with someone is better than riding alone.
Riding into the wind did take it's toll. Shane developed a cramp, but was able to ride on to a country store at about mile 80. We stayed there for an extended break for him to stretch and rest his leg. I enjoyed some peanut butter crackers and topped off the water bottles. From there we headed to Sweet Sue's in North Beach.
Sweet Sue's is right on the water in North Beach. Riding in to North Beach with the views of the bay, and along the Boardwalk is very pretty. Sweet Sue's did not disappoint. I got a Cranberry Muffin, Mike got a scone of some variety and Shane got an eclair that was as big as his leg. (Mike's blog has a picture) Maybe that was to help the cramp in his leg, I don't know, but it was the biggest eclair I had ever seen. We all enjoyed our sweets, filled up on water and we were on our way again.
As we neared the end of the ride, we crossed Davidsonville Rd. with about 6 miles to go. If we took a left it would have been a straight shot back to the 7-11. The cue sheet however, calls for us to cross Davidsonville Rd and it brings us through some pretty enough neighborhoods and then back out onto Davidsonville Rd. I wish there was an option on the route to do those extra couple of miles down in Solomon's. I don't know the area down there, but after 122 miles of a 126 mile ride, when you are so close to home, you just want to "get there".
During the ride, I used the same nutrition/hydration plan as I did in April. Drink constantly, 2 -3 e-caps per hour, cheese bagels, fig newtons, sports beans and food at the controls. This worked well for me again. On rides were water is not readily available, I will have to come up with a strategy for that, but so far... so good.
The last 2 long rides that I have done, I have felt really good during and after the rides. I hope that this trend continues. Mike and I are conspiring to do a 300k in September. As I continue to feel better after these 200k's, my level of confidence for longer rides increases ever so slightly.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Saturday Bagel Ride
Headed to Annapolis with Severna Park Peloton. Left early to get a coffee at Java Diva's... not Diva there to serve me coffee. Bummer.
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