WonderMonkey

2015, hello!

I have more huge thread that isn't year specific but it's getting too long. I'll post here. Below I'll chat about where I am at, what I want to accomplish, failures, successes.... etc.

Here is the thread that I used to have going: https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdale...ut-thread.html

Welcome!

WonderMonkey

First outdoor ride of 2015 - https://www.strava.com/activities/268143084

3/14 - 9.6 miles
Yearly - 9.6 miles

I'm thinking about what my goals should be and will capture them later for examination.

WonderMonkey

First a look back at last year, just to give myself something to go against.

2014
Miles: 1,004.9
Hours: 80

My total miles are really just an indication of consistency. I did one metric century but most rides were below that.

MikeRides

Hello...or should I say: Welcome Back Wondermonkey!

So what goals are you going to try to accomplish this year?

WonderMonkey

One reason I didn't get as many miles as I wanted last year was because I diversified my outdoor exercise. I did more hiking, etc. I'll keep that up. My goals are for physical and mental health. I say "mental" because when I exercise I'm just less stress. I personally deal with stress very well but exercise is always a helper. For physical I want to keep moving on my health goals, which involves losing weight. I plan to hit that magical 100 lbs lost this year as well. I'm a habitual over-eater but over the last two years I've been trending down even with that. I'm happy with my methods but would like to slow or eliminate the self-derailing.

Generically I would say "Get healthier" but that's weak. I could get just a tad healthier and that would meet that goal. I don't want this to turn into a checkbox thing that says "Well I am 1oz lighter so hey, goal met! Order a pizza!"

If I eat right I can connect my weight to my progress. Eating right means recovery, enough of the right nutrients to keep or build lean muscle, getting stronger, etc. I can connect my progress for a while longer. When I get to a certain point that won't make sense anymore and I'll have to modify that. I'll be happy to do so.

So.... I want to be at my healthiest bf% by the end of 2015. That's my goal. If I am able to get there everything else like miles, time in the saddle, etc. will have had to have happened. Getting there by the end of 2015 is a stretch but it can be done. Coming close and failing is still a win.

WonderMonkey

As a motivation tool I set in motion a 100 miler for this fall. I know how much my 100 miler in 2013 hurt when I wasn't prepared for it so this will get me moving. The first time I just put in more and more miles. Last year I trained. Didn't do a 100 miler but I can see that what I did could have been ramped up to get there easily.

MikeRides

Sounds like a good plan! I have a 100 miler planned for July, as well as two metric centuries and many 50 milers this year. Like you, I spent my first season (2013) gathering base miles, last year I was more focused on time and didn't really ride any further than I did the previous year.

Just waiting for winter to be officially be over here in the northeast..

WonderMonkey

I probably won't be ready by July but I'm going to get ready as early as avoiding injury will allow. Two years ago I rode at night quite a bit due to time constraints and I'm going to have to get back to that. As soon as I can I'll make 20 miles my normal ride and then start training within that. I'm not hurting at all but I'm feeling the 10 (9.6 actually) I did today. Going hiking tomorrow morning then if I can I'll get in enough to make it 20 for the weekend.

Once 20 becomes doable with no trouble I'll do longer on weekends and keep to 10 or 20 during the weekdays.

WonderMonkey

3/16 - 12.1 miles, didn't push it much. Set a goal of 20 miles this week and I should get to that easily, 30 if I ride this weekend. Felt some lower back tightness so I need to get back to my routine of stretching my lower back and especially my hamstrings. That combined with easing into the miles to do me right.

I also have to get used to being on the bike mentally. My mind wanders and I keep wanting to stop and answer an email or do something "productive". It will take me a bit to get into the groove and I think my approach of also hiking and such will keep the rides fresh.

dagray

Good on you for riding Monkey I have gone off my cholesterol meds and seen improvement, my glucose is improving and I have cut my insulin in 1/2 since I started this journey. Finally my blood pressure is getting better with medication and exercise (heavy on the exercise).

I look forward to hearing your successes.

WonderMonkey

Thanks! Go to the below link to read my entire journey. I was over 300 and on meds, etc. and now I'm off everything. Exercising caused me to gain some weight until I learned to control my appetite. I suppose exercise didn't cause me to gain weight but rather *I* allowed me to gain weight. Once I figured my post-ride recovery out I was good from there.

https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdale...thread-15.html

WonderMonkey

My first-world problem is that I have to bike across town to get to the bike path. Starts, stops, etc. I used to have a borrowed bike rack for my truck but I returned it to the people because I felt I had it too long. Since then I've purchased a Jeep. I just settled on a Thule bike rack that hooks to my spare tire. It is now easier to get across town and get some steady work in.

Right across the street is a rec center with a 1.3 mile loop and a large plat hooked to it. I can ride on those when it isn't light out and feel safe but that gets old quick. Having the bike rack always on my Jeep will remove one more excuse.

MikeRides

Your next excuse will be... "Did I remember to get gas for the Jeep?" Sorry, I had to. How's the local roads near you for riding? I'm afraid I would never get any riding in if I had to rely on driving somewhere to ride. Every single one of my rides starts and ends at my front door, the nearest trail head for the bike path is 18 miles away. A nice warm up if I'm feeling adventurous that day.

Null66

injury avoidance is critical!

3 injuries set met back... all told lost almost a year out of the 4.
so you're quite wise to back off when that's what's best for progress!

WonderMonkey

If I had to ride on the roads they would be ok. The largest problem that we have is because there are bigger stretches of farm area no too far out of this small town is that people don't see bikes very often so they are zooming along and not thinking about it. A bike with open or growing fields as a background just doesn't stand out so I avoid all that, and have the luxury to do so.

For an example of our trails hit this page and scroll up and down a bit. I live just above the highway I-70 and when I hop on the paved bike path I can go many miles.

The Nation's Largest Network of Paved, Off-Street Trails | Miami Valley Bike Trails

WonderMonkey

My legs and lungs are ready but I want to make sure my knees are! Only going the shorter distances also allows me to focus on my technique and try to undo any bad habits I may have picked up. I did work on those on the trainer but I didn't really get on that pesky trainer a huge amount in the Winter.

Null66

BRIGHT LIGHTS!
I get more passing distance when I run my blinkies...


Well, you know what to check. Seat height, cleats, spin (not mash).. Form.
Or could just be re-acclimation...

I find my bike is really comfortable on the road. Trainer not so much. I think the difference is not position, but the way I ride on roads vs. trainer.

WonderMonkey

I do run my red rear blinkie and dual headlights, which can flash, etc. I also pack a headlamp and break it out if I feel the need.

Re-acclimation is the biggest component though I am going to get a professional fitting. I feel I'm close but I want it done right.

WonderMonkey

Oh the obstacles we encounter! This morning I get up and get ready to ride. Only the third time out this year so I really don't have things "in a flow". Last ride I couldn't find my bike pump but felt I still had good air so I went out. This time I still couldn't find my pump and I looked all over the place and it's gone. Just gone.

With the time it took to look for and not find my pump, throw a tantrum, pout and then go to the bike store to get a new pump it was too late to ride. I'm waiting my turn for the shower so we can leave the house. I'm hoping when we get back I can get out and get at least 10 miles in.

The good news? I bought some new bike gloves while I was at the store. Win!

WonderMonkey

Today's ride was just a bit over 11 miles. Easy pace around the extended neighborhood with some very small inclines. Felt very good. Could have went much further but I'm resisting the urge to bust out and do 30 miles.

I've got this week with three after work HS games (daughter plays, I coach) and then a week in Florida for Spring Break scrimmages. I am going to see if I can leave our condo and do a bit of riding. If I have to drive the bike too far I won't be able to pull it off.

jjjjjjay

Crossed my mind to mention it seems like a smart plan to start out with mileage that leaves something in the tank. Way better than overdoing it and then crashing, which is usually my approach!

I was out there today too, that's the good news. Riding kind of changed my entire outlook today... at least for a while, and I'll take it.

dagray

Monkey you just keep them pedals turning brother, even if it is on a trainer.We have been hit with child care issues during the week again, and so I have lost ride time due to taking my oldest to Karate (something his grandma usually does), but I don't regret the time spent with my Son.Yesterday I did 15.2 miles on the trainer (a flat course), and then later in the day I had my oldest son do 5.8 miles on the trainer (a route I created from riding outside) so that I could walk him through some learning curves on shifting.Blessings on you and yours Monkey.You can do it!!.Dave

MikeRides

Just keep with it Mike, even if it means an hour on the trainer after midnight. I'm sure it'd be nice riding around in Florida if you can find the time between scrimmages, I'd take the bike just in case, you never really know...

Would it be feasible for you to ride from work to the field? Maybe find a place half way between the field and home to park, and ride your bike the rest of the way? Away games would obviously be problematic but I'm confident you'll figure it out

WonderMonkey

Everybody is a bit different of course but I like to leave something in the tank mentally but I like to be at "Near Death" physically. My best rides are when I can time it up just right to where I roll into my driveway and I have to lay in the front lawn for a few minutes before I can function. That's on a "training day" when I don't have a longer ride the next day, etc. but for just a normal weekday ride I like to destroy myself.

btcowboy

Hi WM I am liking your thread. You are right very similar paths