No wild animal sightings today. Phew!

Took a road that runs parallel to the Santa Fe trail (Mark Dabling) so that I wouldn't have to go into the trail so early in the morning. I was riding pretty loaded (large Novara panniers and trunk; Mondays are my days to carry stuff for my locker at work) but still managed to ride 13.34 miles in 1:01 with 782 feet in elevation. This time was mostly due to my first attempt at climbing the Fillmore hill going up to King Soopers. I was successful, but I felt like my head wanted to explode... had to slow down after reaching the top to catch my breath.

All in all, I'm satisfied with my progress. It hasn't been a year when I started commmuting (will be one year by the end of the summer) and I've already put in close to 1300 miles and I'm consistently weighing in at 175 lbs (from 200lbs a year ago).

I'm using my daily commutes as training for touring (which is the next thing I want to get into). I want to be a better climber; I just "discovered" that if I lock my front suspension I don't bounce as much, then I select the largest chainring and the second or third largest cog and get off the saddle and I can climb better and faster (although I seem to use more energy). This must be (or close to it) how the roadies do it....

I would also like to lower my weight to 170lbs or 165 (I'm 5'9"). I consistently average about 16-17mph mostly on flat routes but the hills here in CS conspire to slow me down... Would love to get me a (light!!!) road bike for quick 20 milers before work and start doing centuries on the weekends.

GreenAnvil