Last night we discussed an 8 mile ride, since it was 96 - with a severe heat advisory (do they have those in places where it's hot all the time??) but after talking to the band treasurer, and deciding on a plan to trade off money (band deposits from me to her, and money for a scout sash from her to me) we decided to meet at Lincoln High.
The first mile was astoundingly hot, then we got to the spot on the trail where there seems to be cool air almost all the time. I'm sure that this has been studied by someone, I would love to know what causes those pockets of coolness. After that I was warm for the rest of the ride. The rest of the evening was spent on homework and Brian took the dogs out for a VERY hot walk where they were both frightened by fireworks.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Preparing for the Highway
Last night we rode 10 miles with only a few stops. If I were thinner I would have lobbied to increase it a mile and grab a cold beer at the Press Box, but I'm still fighting to get my thyroid pounds off - so no extras during the week!
This weekend we are planning to ride from our house to Cortland and back. That's about 42 miles. There are a few gas stations along the way to keep us hydrated and I'm trying to find out if there is somewhere there to eat to make it a destination ride. I haven't ridden on the highway since the summer before our wedding, it seems like a long time ago, even though it really hasn't been. I'm sure we'll do fine. We'll definitely be safer from fireworks there than we will be on the trails.
This weekend we are planning to ride from our house to Cortland and back. That's about 42 miles. There are a few gas stations along the way to keep us hydrated and I'm trying to find out if there is somewhere there to eat to make it a destination ride. I haven't ridden on the highway since the summer before our wedding, it seems like a long time ago, even though it really hasn't been. I'm sure we'll do fine. We'll definitely be safer from fireworks there than we will be on the trails.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Trekking the Trail
My bike was ready for pick-up on Friday and Brian and I rode 10 miles to make sure I wouldn't need any adjustments. Saturday morning it was POURING rain so we spent part of the day running errands, getting groceries and I worked on my homework.
Sunday morning was the 9th annual Trail Trek ride in Lincoln - routes range from 10 miles to 36 miles and at the end of the event there is lunch and sometimes live music. Erik voted for the 25 mile ride this year, and since Brian would have to pick his parents up at the Omaha airport in the afternoon we decided to ride the basic 25 mile route with a few modifications. We rode from our house, down to A Street and out to Holmes Lake dog park - from there we climbed the hill up to 84th Street and stopped for a sponsored break at the Mopac trail head. We all added some extra fluids and had a snack before heading downtown. Erik hadn't been on the Antelope Valley Trail yet and he enjoyed it on the way back home. After 26.2 miles, we showered quickly and then headed down to the "race start" for lunch and the chance to win a bike. There were legion playoff games going on at Haymarket Park and unfortunately it was nearly impossible to hear the PA system over the music being played for the game. Sadly we didn't win anything but we still had a nice time. The rest of the day was dedicated to homework and rest. Last night there were terrific storms in the area and we got three inches of rain - so there will be no mowing tonight, and I'm not sure which route we'll take for our evening ride!
Sunday morning was the 9th annual Trail Trek ride in Lincoln - routes range from 10 miles to 36 miles and at the end of the event there is lunch and sometimes live music. Erik voted for the 25 mile ride this year, and since Brian would have to pick his parents up at the Omaha airport in the afternoon we decided to ride the basic 25 mile route with a few modifications. We rode from our house, down to A Street and out to Holmes Lake dog park - from there we climbed the hill up to 84th Street and stopped for a sponsored break at the Mopac trail head. We all added some extra fluids and had a snack before heading downtown. Erik hadn't been on the Antelope Valley Trail yet and he enjoyed it on the way back home. After 26.2 miles, we showered quickly and then headed down to the "race start" for lunch and the chance to win a bike. There were legion playoff games going on at Haymarket Park and unfortunately it was nearly impossible to hear the PA system over the music being played for the game. Sadly we didn't win anything but we still had a nice time. The rest of the day was dedicated to homework and rest. Last night there were terrific storms in the area and we got three inches of rain - so there will be no mowing tonight, and I'm not sure which route we'll take for our evening ride!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Get a Grip
For the last few years I have been whining about the rear derailer on the Giant (the bike I ride more for training). Last weekend when I blew my rear tire Brian had to put the chain back on afterwards and ever since the derailer has been better. I complimented him on the fix and we moved on.
Yesterday we planned a ride to Devaney and back - with trail construction its about 17 miles round trip, regularly it's closer to 18. All was well on the way out and things seemed ok on the ride back until we crossed the bridge over 27th and Hwy 2. Brian was behind me and my shift seemed to lock up. I couldn't get into 5th gear or 7th gear and it seemed like I was sticking between gears. We pulled off the trail at Essex and Brian checked out my bike while I checked out a garage sale. We couldn't see any real problems with the chain and Brian was able to shift the bike with a little extra pressure (read in that my hands were tired and I had worked all day, so maybe I was just being a weiner). We got back on the bikes and within a block the problems were back so we decided that I would ride to Joy Ride and let the mechanic check it out while Brian rode home to get the car. The first guy at Joy Ride took the same path I had and looked over the chain but when Dave (the best bike guy EVER) took a look at it he realized I had a broken grip shift. My bike got to spend the night and I'll get it picked up this afternoon. Poor baby, this year its gotten a new chain, two new "tires", one new tube, something else in the "cog" and now a new shift. I hope it feels better =)
Yesterday we planned a ride to Devaney and back - with trail construction its about 17 miles round trip, regularly it's closer to 18. All was well on the way out and things seemed ok on the ride back until we crossed the bridge over 27th and Hwy 2. Brian was behind me and my shift seemed to lock up. I couldn't get into 5th gear or 7th gear and it seemed like I was sticking between gears. We pulled off the trail at Essex and Brian checked out my bike while I checked out a garage sale. We couldn't see any real problems with the chain and Brian was able to shift the bike with a little extra pressure (read in that my hands were tired and I had worked all day, so maybe I was just being a weiner). We got back on the bikes and within a block the problems were back so we decided that I would ride to Joy Ride and let the mechanic check it out while Brian rode home to get the car. The first guy at Joy Ride took the same path I had and looked over the chain but when Dave (the best bike guy EVER) took a look at it he realized I had a broken grip shift. My bike got to spend the night and I'll get it picked up this afternoon. Poor baby, this year its gotten a new chain, two new "tires", one new tube, something else in the "cog" and now a new shift. I hope it feels better =)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Forgetful Jones
For Monday's ride I left home without my sunglasses - with the rain it was for the best. Yesterday afternoon I left home without my water bottle. Thankfully at all the "anticipated" stops there wasn't any traffic so cruised through and didn't reach down for a drink until I was home. Don't worry, I re-hydrated after the ride!
Yesterday offered 30 mph southwest winds, today will offer 30 mph northwest winds. Even though I know it's good for me, I still don't like wind training. I guess it's kind of the Brussels Sprouts of bike riding!
Yesterday offered 30 mph southwest winds, today will offer 30 mph northwest winds. Even though I know it's good for me, I still don't like wind training. I guess it's kind of the Brussels Sprouts of bike riding!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Before the Storm
Yesterday when I got off work it was sticky and cloudy, perfect conditions for storms in the Midwest. I raced home, changed clothes, let the dogs out and jumped on my bike. Every mile or so it would rain for 2 minutes or less. I detoured around lots of road construction and made it to church in about 45 minutes to get Erik's car home. Today or tomorrow we'll take it over to TO Haas for new tires.
The rest of the evening was spent trying to get my homework submitted before the storms became too intense since I was concerned about losing power. Cache was convinced that barking at the thunder would scare it into being quiet so we all went to bed early and this morning both dogs were happy to go out in light rain. Hopefully I'll be off a little early again today and get a quick ride in. The weatherman is predicting 15-30 mph wind so I'll have to pick my route carefully.
The rest of the evening was spent trying to get my homework submitted before the storms became too intense since I was concerned about losing power. Cache was convinced that barking at the thunder would scare it into being quiet so we all went to bed early and this morning both dogs were happy to go out in light rain. Hopefully I'll be off a little early again today and get a quick ride in. The weatherman is predicting 15-30 mph wind so I'll have to pick my route carefully.
Monday, June 20, 2011
It was a Real Blowout
Friday I spent the afternoon engaged in my textbook and got Erik and his friend Nick ready to go to the Saltdog's game. I took in lots of fluids, rested, took the dogs for a walk and contemplated my paper. My plan was to get up at 4:30 Saturday morning and be on the bike by 6, that would give me time to eat, grease my chain and get centered to ride 40 miles. When I got up at 4:30 it was pouring down rain. I decided I would sleep another hour and get on the bike at 6:30. At 5:30 it was raining even harder and the lighting looked really close. I decided to sleep another half hour and get on the bike at 7. At 6 it had transitioned to a light rain, the air was very thick and we had just over and an inch and a half in the rain gage. I decided to eat breakfast and re-consider my routes - since my initial plan had me traveling under a few bridges. At 7 Brian decided we should probably ride Sunday instead so we went and got groceries.
Saturday I worked on homework, finished getting ready for Father's Day and got the laundry back under control, not a day wasted but not 40 miles either. Sunday morning I got up at 4:30 with a plan to be on the bike at 6. We had a little last minute drama with Father's Day lunch preparations but by 6:20 I was on the bike planning to cruise the first 20 miles myself with a round trip to Devaney. At the five mile mark I was checking out my Cat Eye (bike computer) and thinking how cool it was that the little bench we usually take a break at on the way home is exactly 5 miles from our house. Seconds later there was an incredible hissing sound followed immediately by thump-thump, thump-thump. I jumped off the bike and sure enough my back tire was completely flat.
I called for a rescue and Brian took me home to get my tire changed. After that I decided that Sunday would be best spent writing my paper - so my total mileage for the week was 49 - 26 miles short of the 75 mile per week goal. This week Erik is in Schuyler but with any luck Brian will be home, and Sunday we're all riding Trail Trek. The metric is getting closer all the time. At least I'm getting miles in during the week. Maybe this weekend I can ride 40 Saturday and 30 Sunday to get a better feel for what the metric will be like!
Saturday I worked on homework, finished getting ready for Father's Day and got the laundry back under control, not a day wasted but not 40 miles either. Sunday morning I got up at 4:30 with a plan to be on the bike at 6. We had a little last minute drama with Father's Day lunch preparations but by 6:20 I was on the bike planning to cruise the first 20 miles myself with a round trip to Devaney. At the five mile mark I was checking out my Cat Eye (bike computer) and thinking how cool it was that the little bench we usually take a break at on the way home is exactly 5 miles from our house. Seconds later there was an incredible hissing sound followed immediately by thump-thump, thump-thump. I jumped off the bike and sure enough my back tire was completely flat.
I called for a rescue and Brian took me home to get my tire changed. After that I decided that Sunday would be best spent writing my paper - so my total mileage for the week was 49 - 26 miles short of the 75 mile per week goal. This week Erik is in Schuyler but with any luck Brian will be home, and Sunday we're all riding Trail Trek. The metric is getting closer all the time. At least I'm getting miles in during the week. Maybe this weekend I can ride 40 Saturday and 30 Sunday to get a better feel for what the metric will be like!
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