Today's ride: Longest ride to date
 

I rode 45 miles this morning, which is the longest ride I have been on since I started tracking my distance at the end of September.

It all pushed me over the 700 mile mark since the end of Sept.

You can check out the route here I don't like the way it calculates the time and pace. According to my Garmin I averaged 14.4 mph. I have seen consistent improvement with my averages as I lose weight and get stronger. So far I have dropped 42 pounds.

I am pretty happy with that as this route had the most climbing I have ever taken on.

We rode out to Saguaro National Park East and rode the loop out their. Read about the ride here There is a mile long hill that really wore me out.

I wanted to take photos but my wife's camera wasn't charged so I couldn't take it with me.

The weather was really nice today. It started out a little chilly for us AZ natives (48F), but it warmed up to about 60F.

I am trying to add 10 miles every month in preparation for a 70 mile ride in April.

Congrats man... my goal for the end of next year is a ride from Buffalo, NY to Rochester, NY a 73 mile trip one way.
I don't know if it's going to be possible but I'm gonna try.

That sounds awesome. You can do it!

congratulations, that is awesome! Adding 10 miles per month shouldn't be a problem. What type of bike are you riding? Road bike/Hybrid?

I upgraded a month or two ago to a Jamis Satellite which is a road bike.

Oh yes that sweet silver and black Jamis right? I really like the Jamis line.

It's going to be probable if you make it happen.
*Insert here story about 41 year old guy learning to ride a bike and ten months later riding a century.*

That's the one. I really like it too. I am excited because my local shop is going to start carrying Jamis. They were only available in Phoenix.

Great Job. Posts like this keep me motivated.

Hey man, this is my first post, but congrats.

I did a gates pass out and back today with my brother and father in law, stopping at Taqueria Juanito and Fairwheel Bikes to get some gatorskins. Vacations in AZ are fun. Keep on riding.

How was the Gates Pass ride? I am intimidated by that road. The Saguaro Park West area, which is where Gates Pass is, has a lot more traffic on it and drivers seem to be going a lot faster. The East side loop seems to be a lot less traveled. I actually live very close to the Saguaro Park West and Gates Pass area, so it would be a good ride if I could get the courage to do it.

How was Taqueria Juanito? I haven't been there, but I know I have seen it somewhere.

Ride was great, drivers were very bike aware. Last .5 mile is a pretty good grade. The rest is a slight 4% or so. Nice views at the top, its a pretty consistent climb, so make sure that you get into a climbing mindset. Don't let it intimidate you though, it isn't that bad. I live in Missouri right now and ride on exercise bikes because I don't have a trainer and I made it easy.

My family here lives on campbell across from U of A. So we took speedway straight out and then Camino oeste to Ironwood then to TJ. 23/24 miles or so. Coming down is fun, I didn't pedal too much and used my 205 lbs to get 37 mph out of my Masi.

Forty two pounds!!! Right on!!!