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01-29-08, 11:22 AM
Well yesterday was my B-day and with it I had planned on a 36 mile ride to match my years on the earth. But, due to some obligations at the office, I was only able to ride 24 miles before light became an issue. That said, it was 24 wonderful miles of riding.
It was a balmy 42 degrees at 3:50 when I headed out from my car. As it was my birthday, and I was feeling a little (too) macho, I road with just shorts and toe covers on my legs and 2 layers plus a vest on my upper body - no helmet liner whoops! Needles to say, when I got back to my car a little over an hour and a half later I was pretty cool. the temp had dropped to 36 while I road. It took until dinner, 2 hours later, to shake the chill. Next ride I'll use leggings and a helmet liner.
Anyway, I road out and around the two reservoirs that serve Cumberland. There was a good bit of gravel in the corners and at the bottom of hills from the recent icey snow storm, and there was snow along the road but not on the road. I road part of this ride 9 days ago and the lakes were still open. Now they are frozen over.
Riding through the rural contry side with farms and woods all around is relaxing, and then throw in the snow and ice on the lakes and it was exactly the type of ride for starting a new year of life and letting go of the last one.
I was riding pretty easy for the ride not wanting to go hard, and was suprised to discover I averaged 14.8 mph. I found I could power over hills that caused me to get out of the saddle and the steep climb up the first dam was a seated spin without too much discomfort until I hit the last 10-20 yards.
Coming back there were bunch of false flats that would have been a struggle a couple weeks ago. I pushed through them without getting winded. An easy ride and it was faster than all but 1 short version. That one didn't include the climb up the dam and was only 15.2 mph and hard as heck.
So if I can find a way to pick up 17 more miles over the next 2-3 day I'll have 150 for the month.
It was a balmy 42 degrees at 3:50 when I headed out from my car. As it was my birthday, and I was feeling a little (too) macho, I road with just shorts and toe covers on my legs and 2 layers plus a vest on my upper body - no helmet liner whoops! Needles to say, when I got back to my car a little over an hour and a half later I was pretty cool. the temp had dropped to 36 while I road. It took until dinner, 2 hours later, to shake the chill. Next ride I'll use leggings and a helmet liner.
Anyway, I road out and around the two reservoirs that serve Cumberland. There was a good bit of gravel in the corners and at the bottom of hills from the recent icey snow storm, and there was snow along the road but not on the road. I road part of this ride 9 days ago and the lakes were still open. Now they are frozen over.
Riding through the rural contry side with farms and woods all around is relaxing, and then throw in the snow and ice on the lakes and it was exactly the type of ride for starting a new year of life and letting go of the last one.
I was riding pretty easy for the ride not wanting to go hard, and was suprised to discover I averaged 14.8 mph. I found I could power over hills that caused me to get out of the saddle and the steep climb up the first dam was a seated spin without too much discomfort until I hit the last 10-20 yards.
Coming back there were bunch of false flats that would have been a struggle a couple weeks ago. I pushed through them without getting winded. An easy ride and it was faster than all but 1 short version. That one didn't include the climb up the dam and was only 15.2 mph and hard as heck.
So if I can find a way to pick up 17 more miles over the next 2-3 day I'll have 150 for the month.