I started doing this for all of us beginning bicyclists out there that needed a realistic point to start and in some ways I have varied from that. Today I hope to strike a cord with everyone.
As I observe other bicyclist while I’m on a ride or in my car, I have noticed a generation difference. Not only have I seen these activities, I have previously talked about them and have recently had a different hue of light placed on them.
Earphones, the dreaded safety violation or common sense. Yes, I know common sense has gone the way of shivery, it’s just not there any more. I wear earphones and they produce sound from either my own play list or my favorite FM country station, so I get music, news and weather. Being of the younger side of elderly I know a very unique way to do this. Turn the damn thing down! I can ride, listen to whatever in my earphones and still have a conversation with my son and riding buddy who is not in sight at my rear wheel. The wisdom from my youthful son, is that, people don’t let me know they are there because they see the wires going to the head phones. I really think he is on to something with that. I started paying a little more attention to the very few that I pass who are wearing head phones. Is it a problem when I hear their music over mine?
I have noticed an extreme rise in notification of an upcoming pass by riders this past month, I would like to say it is from my ranting about the super stars but there are not enough of you that read this to make that kind of difference. Oh did I mention these riders giving a warning are of a more mature nature. Could this be a pattern of courtesy?
Courtesy, another virtue going with that society is loosing? This past week and a half there have been newspaper articles on bicyclists and auto drivers not abiding by the most simple of rules. The article (6-21-09 Denver Post) reference a race at stake due to the tension between the residents, of which some are elite bicyclists, and bicyclists in Deer Creek Canyon. This is totally due to a major lack of consideration by a very small percentage of riders that don’t have an ounce of respect for anyone else. They are in that self centered mode that says I’m on the road and it is only mine, I’ll do what I want. Then they want something done about the motorized vehicles attempting to get around them. Then there is the country of Boulder. There are people that are attempting to get a grass roots wave of auto drivers to pull over to the side of the road with “mechanical problems” during a 100 mile race next month. Bottom line, drivers are fed up with that small percentage of arrogant, self-centered, bicyclists that feel that they own the road and the rules do not pertain to them. The Denver Police Department and a consortium of bike advocates passed out 200,000 Ride Safe Spoke Cards during the 18th annual bike to work day. What is more ridiculous, handing out spoke cards with traffic rules on them or the need to remind bicyclists they also need to play by the same rules?
I guess the way society is going that can go either way. We are becoming a society that believes that rules are only for our neighbors and not us. You can see that in local government, from your local HOA, all the way up to the federal government and our elected officials “watching out for the people”.
Newbie’s, when you are on a ride, whether on a bike path or the road, use your manners, you are in public.
For those from a younger generation, spoke cards are playing cards hooked to your front fork with a clothes pin in a manner to make noise as the wheel turns and the spokes hit the card.
Next Post; Your Body is Your Barometer
Ride Safe Out There, and Don’t Run Me Over (please)
“G”
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Greenwood Village Goose Chase By a First Timer
Well we completed our first organized ride, WOW! Now ‘first’ was the key word here so I don’t have a base to compare the quality of the ride to. I do have my opinions which I will share with you, no big surprise there, right?
Not being sure of what to expect we arrived about 45 minutes before our advertised 8:15 am start time. This allowed us to wander about aimlessly and found that since we were pre-registered we were totally set. We wandered up and watched the 45 mile course guys and gals leave then went up and took our place at the start line. We watched the carnival type atmosphere in the center of the Landmark and were pretty much in awe. This is cool.
Looking around, what took me by surprise the most, the diversity of the participants and volunteers were nothing but amazing. There were 5 – 6 year olds on tagalongs and little 12 inch Spiderman bikes. There were the elderly (older than me) on bikes that haven’t been built in a decade standing next to some of the coolest carbon fiber stuff you just don’t see every day. This was a bike show that was being ridden. Not knowing what to expect I was very intrigued by the amount of female riders that were participating. Observing photos of rides, wether on line or in publications you see a male dominated sport, what an injustice the female population has been receiving.
Like any thing in the realm of reality there were down sides. I’m sure these may be typical of most rides but you cannot attempt anything of this magnitude and honestly believe it will be flawless. Our advertised 8:15 start time – left promptly at 8:00. This made much more sens’e than, the 30 minutes after the 45 mile course left. But that was not the advertized time and I am sure there were riders getting there at 8:10. An uncontrollable aspect is the riders that decided to go off on their own before the start time. We overheard a couple of females behind us say “I’m tired of waiting lets go” and off they went, oh well. The scary part of this is the people with families that decided to go very early instead of last so they could have more time with the little bitty guys. This makes sense but it puts them and the little guys in harms way of much higher caliber riders.
The course was laid out in a very user friendly way. It was interesting and challenging enough for the recreation to intermediate rider but also a very good, local ride for the more elite types. The signage was very visible and well laid out. The intersections were manned by 1 of the 2 charity recipients, The Arapahoe Rescue Patrol as well as the Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills, and the Denver Police departments as well as the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Department. Mistakes on the course I can not really speak to but there did seem to be some frustrations. While going east bound on 6 lane divided roadway the blocked lanes quit and the course needed to turn north at the upcoming intersection. Riders were on their own to cross the 3 lanes of traffic to get into the left turn lane. To me that was very uncomfortable and I thought of the little guys that forced me into traffic earlier on those little 12 inch wheeled bikes. I only had 2 other complaints about the course. There were 3 spots that the course did not follow the published route and I know that did mess up a couple of the more advanced riders going against their clock. The last spot was an opportunity to ride over the top of the Cherry Creek Reservoir dam. A beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains and panoramic view of the Denver and Greenwood Village sky lines. This road has been closed to bicycle traffic, I believe, for 14 years. The signage made riders believe that the only bikes that could go over the top was the 45 milers on their first lap, everyone else had to go around the outside and bottom of the dam. Over the top should have been the only choice.
On the plus side the rest stops were very efficient with the other beneficiary of the ride, Have Paws Will Travel, a group that raises puppies to become guide dogs for the blind. The stops were stocked with bananas, oranges, what appeared to be turkey roll ups and water. With plenty of volunteers through out the course to help direct and cheer you on it was easy to stay on course even with the changes from the available maps. The weather was outstanding, the earlier forecast of clear skies with plenty of sun and in the high 80’s. You can’t forecast the weather in Colorado and those that try do a remarkable job. We had mid 60’s with a constant, very low overcast. It was beautiful. As the last few riders were coming in, the wind picked up to the point that the many vendors that had set up had to scramble to get their items secured.
Over all, Mr. Mark Crowley and the Greenwood Village Chamber of Commerce with the cooperation of Greenwood Village Mayor Nancy Sharpe and her resources put on a truly South East event that should soon be the premier early summer place to be. This was really a fantastic, relaxing, low keyed walk, run, bike event for the people. The Landmark location was ideal, it is a city within a city with all the amenities and looks darn nice besides. The amount of restaurants that participated were outstanding and I personally know the crew at Ted’s busted their behinds to deliver the amount of sliders they did.
As for me and my son? He had taken off about half way through, made a wrong turn and ended up doing the 45 mile course in 2 hrs, 48 minutes and 37 seconds. Not bad for getting lost and the longest ride he had taken in 5 years. Myself, I did the 30 miles averaging 13.7 mph without my butt hurting. To top it off, when we arrived home my wife informed me that I did my first organized ride on the 8th anniversary of my 1 and only heart attack. Cool.
Next Post; Odds and Ends I’m Learning
Ride Safe Out There, and Don’t Run Me Over (please)
“G”
Not being sure of what to expect we arrived about 45 minutes before our advertised 8:15 am start time. This allowed us to wander about aimlessly and found that since we were pre-registered we were totally set. We wandered up and watched the 45 mile course guys and gals leave then went up and took our place at the start line. We watched the carnival type atmosphere in the center of the Landmark and were pretty much in awe. This is cool.
Looking around, what took me by surprise the most, the diversity of the participants and volunteers were nothing but amazing. There were 5 – 6 year olds on tagalongs and little 12 inch Spiderman bikes. There were the elderly (older than me) on bikes that haven’t been built in a decade standing next to some of the coolest carbon fiber stuff you just don’t see every day. This was a bike show that was being ridden. Not knowing what to expect I was very intrigued by the amount of female riders that were participating. Observing photos of rides, wether on line or in publications you see a male dominated sport, what an injustice the female population has been receiving.
Like any thing in the realm of reality there were down sides. I’m sure these may be typical of most rides but you cannot attempt anything of this magnitude and honestly believe it will be flawless. Our advertised 8:15 start time – left promptly at 8:00. This made much more sens’e than, the 30 minutes after the 45 mile course left. But that was not the advertized time and I am sure there were riders getting there at 8:10. An uncontrollable aspect is the riders that decided to go off on their own before the start time. We overheard a couple of females behind us say “I’m tired of waiting lets go” and off they went, oh well. The scary part of this is the people with families that decided to go very early instead of last so they could have more time with the little bitty guys. This makes sense but it puts them and the little guys in harms way of much higher caliber riders.
The course was laid out in a very user friendly way. It was interesting and challenging enough for the recreation to intermediate rider but also a very good, local ride for the more elite types. The signage was very visible and well laid out. The intersections were manned by 1 of the 2 charity recipients, The Arapahoe Rescue Patrol as well as the Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills, and the Denver Police departments as well as the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Department. Mistakes on the course I can not really speak to but there did seem to be some frustrations. While going east bound on 6 lane divided roadway the blocked lanes quit and the course needed to turn north at the upcoming intersection. Riders were on their own to cross the 3 lanes of traffic to get into the left turn lane. To me that was very uncomfortable and I thought of the little guys that forced me into traffic earlier on those little 12 inch wheeled bikes. I only had 2 other complaints about the course. There were 3 spots that the course did not follow the published route and I know that did mess up a couple of the more advanced riders going against their clock. The last spot was an opportunity to ride over the top of the Cherry Creek Reservoir dam. A beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains and panoramic view of the Denver and Greenwood Village sky lines. This road has been closed to bicycle traffic, I believe, for 14 years. The signage made riders believe that the only bikes that could go over the top was the 45 milers on their first lap, everyone else had to go around the outside and bottom of the dam. Over the top should have been the only choice.
On the plus side the rest stops were very efficient with the other beneficiary of the ride, Have Paws Will Travel, a group that raises puppies to become guide dogs for the blind. The stops were stocked with bananas, oranges, what appeared to be turkey roll ups and water. With plenty of volunteers through out the course to help direct and cheer you on it was easy to stay on course even with the changes from the available maps. The weather was outstanding, the earlier forecast of clear skies with plenty of sun and in the high 80’s. You can’t forecast the weather in Colorado and those that try do a remarkable job. We had mid 60’s with a constant, very low overcast. It was beautiful. As the last few riders were coming in, the wind picked up to the point that the many vendors that had set up had to scramble to get their items secured.
Over all, Mr. Mark Crowley and the Greenwood Village Chamber of Commerce with the cooperation of Greenwood Village Mayor Nancy Sharpe and her resources put on a truly South East event that should soon be the premier early summer place to be. This was really a fantastic, relaxing, low keyed walk, run, bike event for the people. The Landmark location was ideal, it is a city within a city with all the amenities and looks darn nice besides. The amount of restaurants that participated were outstanding and I personally know the crew at Ted’s busted their behinds to deliver the amount of sliders they did.
As for me and my son? He had taken off about half way through, made a wrong turn and ended up doing the 45 mile course in 2 hrs, 48 minutes and 37 seconds. Not bad for getting lost and the longest ride he had taken in 5 years. Myself, I did the 30 miles averaging 13.7 mph without my butt hurting. To top it off, when we arrived home my wife informed me that I did my first organized ride on the 8th anniversary of my 1 and only heart attack. Cool.
Next Post; Odds and Ends I’m Learning
Ride Safe Out There, and Don’t Run Me Over (please)
“G”
Friday, June 19, 2009
Night Before First Ride Jitters
Ok this will be short and sweet,
No Jitters.
Next Post; Our First Organized ride.
All kidding aside, we really have no jitters. We took a short ride, 15 miles yesterday and we are very confident.
Jeeze it’s only 30 miles.
I put both bikes on a tune-up stand today and cleaned them up adjusted my rear derailleur and front brake as well as making sure there were no visible thorns in the tires. They are pretty, all the essentials are tight, they are lubed and in the van.
Tonight we are meeting my Dad for a Fathers Day dinner and will stock up on some carbs. Sounds a little overboard but the elite riders do it to help with the lactate levels for their long rides. They work up to that and we have done the same thing on a smaller scale. Much smaller.
Drinks, set up a breakfast, get coffee ready and we are done. I know something is always forgotten but why sweat the small stuff. I get to do an organized ride with my son and that is all that counts.
Next Post; The Goose Chase By a First Timer
Ride Safe Out There, and Don’t Run Me Over (please)
“G”
No Jitters.
Next Post; Our First Organized ride.
All kidding aside, we really have no jitters. We took a short ride, 15 miles yesterday and we are very confident.
Jeeze it’s only 30 miles.
I put both bikes on a tune-up stand today and cleaned them up adjusted my rear derailleur and front brake as well as making sure there were no visible thorns in the tires. They are pretty, all the essentials are tight, they are lubed and in the van.
Tonight we are meeting my Dad for a Fathers Day dinner and will stock up on some carbs. Sounds a little overboard but the elite riders do it to help with the lactate levels for their long rides. They work up to that and we have done the same thing on a smaller scale. Much smaller.
Drinks, set up a breakfast, get coffee ready and we are done. I know something is always forgotten but why sweat the small stuff. I get to do an organized ride with my son and that is all that counts.
Next Post; The Goose Chase By a First Timer
Ride Safe Out There, and Don’t Run Me Over (please)
“G”
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thoughts on My First Organized Ride
Well it is Tuesday and we took our last long, long for me and my son, ride today. No, not forever just till the next step in this adventure, an organized ride. On Saturday morning we will be riding the 14th annual Greenwood Village Goose Chase. This is a very user friendly event for families, recreational riders and us nubies. A run, walk and ride event with a 15, 30 and a 45 mile bike course. At least that is what people keep telling me.
Enough of the advertisement stuff. We did a flat 22 mile loop on the Platte River, great weather, scenery and company. I have read that when you are going to do an organized ride you need to cut down the training the last few days before that ride for muscles recovery. Now everything being relevant, not being in super great shape calls for the same muscles recovery even if the muscles are not of god like proportion. I have found through my “training period” that my muscles function very well with every other day rides throwing in back to back days every 4 – 5 days just to keep the muscles confused. So we are looking at the 30 mile loop for the Goose Chase and I have been mixing up my ride distances with my fat badonkadonk interval system. This, for me, seems to have worked well since even though I haven’t ridden over 35 miles for any given ride in the last year I am not worried about the mileage at all. I think my son may have more of a problem and anyone who has had a teenager knows where I am coming from when I say, he does not think he needs a mileage base, 30 miles isn’t that far. But he’s a good kid and will tough it out for the last 8 miles.
My biggest fear is, of course, the unknown from Psych 101a, but mainly the hoards of riders I am totally unfamiliar with. With luck or a vision, no, I really just hope that after the first 2 miles people will be settled in and spread out so we are not running over each other. I have never ridden in a group, which is a scary step to take, just with my son through occasional groups. We normally are in the way and end up being passed and I have no problem with that, we like our pace. With a large ride I know there will be people that we, or should I say, I will be able to pass and riders that probably should not be on this ride but are. Those are the few that worry me.
After our ride today, we stopped by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and picked up our bike jerseys. This is also fitting since this is our first organized ride and the Goose Chase’s first year to have a jersey. A plus is they really look good. Another coincidence is that the number my son was assigned is his birthday, yes this will be a great ride. One more very short ride on Thursday and we have taken another step in this really cool adventure.
Next Post; The night before jitters
Ride Safe Out There, and Don’t Run Me Over (please)
“G”
Enough of the advertisement stuff. We did a flat 22 mile loop on the Platte River, great weather, scenery and company. I have read that when you are going to do an organized ride you need to cut down the training the last few days before that ride for muscles recovery. Now everything being relevant, not being in super great shape calls for the same muscles recovery even if the muscles are not of god like proportion. I have found through my “training period” that my muscles function very well with every other day rides throwing in back to back days every 4 – 5 days just to keep the muscles confused. So we are looking at the 30 mile loop for the Goose Chase and I have been mixing up my ride distances with my fat badonkadonk interval system. This, for me, seems to have worked well since even though I haven’t ridden over 35 miles for any given ride in the last year I am not worried about the mileage at all. I think my son may have more of a problem and anyone who has had a teenager knows where I am coming from when I say, he does not think he needs a mileage base, 30 miles isn’t that far. But he’s a good kid and will tough it out for the last 8 miles.
My biggest fear is, of course, the unknown from Psych 101a, but mainly the hoards of riders I am totally unfamiliar with. With luck or a vision, no, I really just hope that after the first 2 miles people will be settled in and spread out so we are not running over each other. I have never ridden in a group, which is a scary step to take, just with my son through occasional groups. We normally are in the way and end up being passed and I have no problem with that, we like our pace. With a large ride I know there will be people that we, or should I say, I will be able to pass and riders that probably should not be on this ride but are. Those are the few that worry me.
After our ride today, we stopped by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and picked up our bike jerseys. This is also fitting since this is our first organized ride and the Goose Chase’s first year to have a jersey. A plus is they really look good. Another coincidence is that the number my son was assigned is his birthday, yes this will be a great ride. One more very short ride on Thursday and we have taken another step in this really cool adventure.
Next Post; The night before jitters
Ride Safe Out There, and Don’t Run Me Over (please)
“G”
Monday, June 8, 2009
Scribblings of the Legitimate Kind
This post was to be “More Maniac scribblings” but then again I said I would write a couple of times a week and we see how that worked out. So this writing will, to some, still be “maniac scribblings” but others will have some useful information.
My youngest man cub did his Gatorade/Water stand again this weekend. He did not profit so well due to a major ride, the Elephant Rock, and the weather. We did get to sit on the front porch and watch a tornado though.
I noticed on my four rides so far this month that I am physically improving and I can see and feel that improvement without reading my training log. Then it dawned on me that I have been doing my style of intervals. Intervals are considered, by the pros and writers of great training regiments as the following. Roughly speaking, really rough, you want to build strength and endurance to ride longer and faster. In order to do that you must cause your muscles to reach their Lactate Threshold. Before the male pig in you male readers comes out, this has absolutely nothing to do with breasts or nursing. Lactate Threshold is the point when a metabolic waste product known as lactic acid starts making your muscles cramp. The ideal thing is to bring your body to just below that point, repetitively for longer and longer periods. The best way to know you are almost there is that you will be breathing heavily and your muscles, in this case your legs, start to burn. Bottom line, you need to raise your heart rate for extended periods of time with a recovery period in between. You will want to do this a few times on each ride and gradually extend the amount of times you bring your heart rate up.
OK, sounds good but complicated, lot of work, excuses, excuses. Now for my, version of the large badonkadonk, overweight, and out of shape interval. You have been riding for awhile, hopefully a month, and you have at least a hundred miles down for a base. You have also had time to play with the gears and found a gear that you are comfortable pedaling. A very simple interval is to just pick up the cadence 3 – 4 rpm’s even if it means dropping to an easier gear. I have found that a single gear will change your cadence by close to 10 rpm’s. Keep that higher rpm for as long as you can, slow it down for awhile then bring it back up again. While doing this, keep that steady pressure on the pedals and don’t let your posterior start to rock side to side or get that feeling your foot just drops. Now think about your ride route(s). Having more than one does keep things more interesting. Some where on everyone’s route there are stretches that are highly disliked. Look forward to those spots and when you get there give it your all and another 10%. By doing all of this you will be improving your endurance and strength.
This new found exercise program is more than exercise, it is a life change. Eating is a big part of this and you can make it work without a diet. I eat what I want but watch the quantities. I’ll talk more about pigging out on my next post. Keep in mind the way your clothes fit will be a much better measurement of your changing fitness than that stupid scale you have either been living by or avoiding.
Next post; More Potpourri.
Ride, Ride , Ride but Ride Safe
“G”
My youngest man cub did his Gatorade/Water stand again this weekend. He did not profit so well due to a major ride, the Elephant Rock, and the weather. We did get to sit on the front porch and watch a tornado though.
I noticed on my four rides so far this month that I am physically improving and I can see and feel that improvement without reading my training log. Then it dawned on me that I have been doing my style of intervals. Intervals are considered, by the pros and writers of great training regiments as the following. Roughly speaking, really rough, you want to build strength and endurance to ride longer and faster. In order to do that you must cause your muscles to reach their Lactate Threshold. Before the male pig in you male readers comes out, this has absolutely nothing to do with breasts or nursing. Lactate Threshold is the point when a metabolic waste product known as lactic acid starts making your muscles cramp. The ideal thing is to bring your body to just below that point, repetitively for longer and longer periods. The best way to know you are almost there is that you will be breathing heavily and your muscles, in this case your legs, start to burn. Bottom line, you need to raise your heart rate for extended periods of time with a recovery period in between. You will want to do this a few times on each ride and gradually extend the amount of times you bring your heart rate up.
OK, sounds good but complicated, lot of work, excuses, excuses. Now for my, version of the large badonkadonk, overweight, and out of shape interval. You have been riding for awhile, hopefully a month, and you have at least a hundred miles down for a base. You have also had time to play with the gears and found a gear that you are comfortable pedaling. A very simple interval is to just pick up the cadence 3 – 4 rpm’s even if it means dropping to an easier gear. I have found that a single gear will change your cadence by close to 10 rpm’s. Keep that higher rpm for as long as you can, slow it down for awhile then bring it back up again. While doing this, keep that steady pressure on the pedals and don’t let your posterior start to rock side to side or get that feeling your foot just drops. Now think about your ride route(s). Having more than one does keep things more interesting. Some where on everyone’s route there are stretches that are highly disliked. Look forward to those spots and when you get there give it your all and another 10%. By doing all of this you will be improving your endurance and strength.
This new found exercise program is more than exercise, it is a life change. Eating is a big part of this and you can make it work without a diet. I eat what I want but watch the quantities. I’ll talk more about pigging out on my next post. Keep in mind the way your clothes fit will be a much better measurement of your changing fitness than that stupid scale you have either been living by or avoiding.
Next post; More Potpourri.
Ride, Ride , Ride but Ride Safe
“G”
Monday, June 1, 2009
Potpourri
OK, I may have been a little harsh on the elite riders and the elite wannabes’s. It has recently been mentioned to me that maybe they are going too fast to say anything and at that speed they could scare someone with fewer bicycling skills, I’ll buy that. Then, and I have experienced this, you say ‘on your left to a walker’, and the person panics and turns around to the left to see who said that and why. I have curbed that by ringing my, thought to be, stupid Specialized factory bell then saying’ on your left.’ I have found that I do get more thank you remarks than jumpers. And what is nice is to hear, “I wish all Bicyclists were that nice”. Of course, the a fore mentioned speedy guys go by way too fast to hear the “ass hole” remark.
I have noticed, especially the last couple of weeks, that I am getting more greetings, head nods, or waves than I ever have before. Yes, the amount of “on your left” have risen greatly also. It would be interesting to know just how many people read these maniac scribblings. I know there was at least two.
Well May is over and the organized rides are getting into full swing. My larger man cub and myself are doing our first organized ride this month. It is pretty much for recreational riders which fits us well. We will be doing a 30 mile loop of what is known as the Goose Chase. I understand that the expectation of entrants in the Run, Walk, and Bike event is about 1,000. So, yes, Toto there are a lot of Recreational riders. My little man cub set up a water/Gatorade stand at the bottom of our driveway over the weekend. We are on a major bike route, and the riders that stopped were getting ready for a number of rides. Next weekend there is the annual Elephant Rock ride in Castle Rock, Colorado. This, over the years, has turned into one of the premier bike rides in Colorado. Others were getting ready for the MS 150, the Triple by Pass and even a ride up in Wyoming. Little man cub made $72.00 in the two days. Talking to the riders was almost disheartening. They talked of their day’s ride and would finish up with 45, 55, 60 and one with 75 miles. It made my 22 miles earlier in the day seem like a warm up ride. But don’t let things like that get you down.
May was my best month since I started last year. I rode 17 days for a total of 302.9 miles. That is over a hundred miles more than I have done in the past year. For the 302 miles I averaged 12.8 mph and a cadence of 69.5. Just since January I improved 1.3 mph and my cadence improved by 6 rpm’s. See, that training log really comes in handy. By the way, the 302 miles has resulted in a loss of 5 more pounds and my new bib shorts are a large with out X’s in front of large.
So how are you doing? Add a comment and let me know if riding is working for you.
Next Post, More Maniac scribblings
Keep Riding
“G”
I have noticed, especially the last couple of weeks, that I am getting more greetings, head nods, or waves than I ever have before. Yes, the amount of “on your left” have risen greatly also. It would be interesting to know just how many people read these maniac scribblings. I know there was at least two.
Well May is over and the organized rides are getting into full swing. My larger man cub and myself are doing our first organized ride this month. It is pretty much for recreational riders which fits us well. We will be doing a 30 mile loop of what is known as the Goose Chase. I understand that the expectation of entrants in the Run, Walk, and Bike event is about 1,000. So, yes, Toto there are a lot of Recreational riders. My little man cub set up a water/Gatorade stand at the bottom of our driveway over the weekend. We are on a major bike route, and the riders that stopped were getting ready for a number of rides. Next weekend there is the annual Elephant Rock ride in Castle Rock, Colorado. This, over the years, has turned into one of the premier bike rides in Colorado. Others were getting ready for the MS 150, the Triple by Pass and even a ride up in Wyoming. Little man cub made $72.00 in the two days. Talking to the riders was almost disheartening. They talked of their day’s ride and would finish up with 45, 55, 60 and one with 75 miles. It made my 22 miles earlier in the day seem like a warm up ride. But don’t let things like that get you down.
May was my best month since I started last year. I rode 17 days for a total of 302.9 miles. That is over a hundred miles more than I have done in the past year. For the 302 miles I averaged 12.8 mph and a cadence of 69.5. Just since January I improved 1.3 mph and my cadence improved by 6 rpm’s. See, that training log really comes in handy. By the way, the 302 miles has resulted in a loss of 5 more pounds and my new bib shorts are a large with out X’s in front of large.
So how are you doing? Add a comment and let me know if riding is working for you.
Next Post, More Maniac scribblings
Keep Riding
“G”
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