Today Ralph, I and 2 other people marked the route for a local tour here. The tour is 25 or 50 miles long and set up for all levels of biker, we did the 50 miles route. It is a fund raiser for the Tourette Syndrome Association of Greater New York State, on September 23rd, 2012. Our ride today was fun for sure and a chance to get out. And I'm thrilled to say I beat my time speed record!!!!! 46.6 mph!!! NICE!!!! and it was fun!!!! Ralph talked me thru the start of the descent, strategizing where I would hit the turns, where I would push it... and what to watch for... etc. And it worked as he took off and I followed in pursuit!!! Yeash that one is going to be hard to beat :/. The ride took a bit longer as we alternated stopping along the way to re-mark the route at all the turns. Just about 4 hours 50miles with stops along the way. Last year Ralph added a few phrases along the way. Gotta love him!!!! A little inspiration along the way I call it;
Life is a journey
Enjoy the ride
I smile every time I ride by....
A cyclist interpretation of street graffiti.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Vacation and All
The temperatures here have been in the mid 90 with what seems like 90% humidity. No seriously though the humidity is lingering in and about 70% the last few weeks. The air so thick I could cut it with a knife ( I couldn't resist the cliche..hehehe) I've been running though through this trying to prepare for my duatholon in September again. Can't say that I'm getting any faster at all as the heat and humidity serves as a muscle relaxer and I find myself slowing at every half mile, as I try to wipe the "perspiration" off my forehead so my eyes will stop burning from the salt. Must have been the brie cheese I had last night.. hehe I finish the sad 3.5 miles and like a magnet I slow my run to a walk the direction of the pool. I've been dipping frequently after my runs as a way to lower my body temperature. I take my sneakers off and walk willingly into what I would call an ice cold bath.
In I go, not so bad. It take a few minute to get use to it and them continue on to swimming a few laps. Grabbed my new "nike" goggles ( hahaha) secured them tightly... and off I went... I like my new goggles of course I look dorky, next thing I'll be wearing one of those head caps... Gosh....don't worry, you'll never see me in one of those... Yes, the goggles are a new addition as I kind of got a bit of the Olymipic bug. Can't help but suggest that perhaps, when I put those goggles on, I feel official and perhaps "feel" a bit faster... hahaha.. Although as I stop to pant every 2 laps I get reminded I'm no Olympic athlete.. hahaha...
A side note, I'm hoping maybe the next sport I pick to participate in will have a cooler outfit and or accessories... :/ I'm thinking beach volleyball... haha.... bathingsuits Check cool, Glasses check cool, hat check cool. haha... Don't get me wrong my passion for cycling is untouched but I would love to wear an outfit with more "cool" fashion sense... Although most pieces of the "outfit" are necessary and needed. Even those bib shorts :/!!! Have you ever tried to ride with a pair of shorts that were just a tad bit short wasted. Well it is not a pleasant feeling as you've realized you picked the wrong shorts to wear on your 50 miles ride with the pack. Too late to turn around as they'll have way to far of a head start, and you'll never catch up. I'm sure it is much worse than I'm letting on but for anyone that has done that... It is a hard lesson to learn as for the next 3 hours your preoccupied with the thought that the cars passing by are getting a free show as you put your hand on your lower back to make sure your not exposed in anyway... HAHAH.... ahhhhhh Bib shorts... what a beautiful thing... and let's not even get into the pads... I did a long ride without them once.. hummm Well let me tell you there was not a reward for me at the end of that one...
How did I get off track here??... Anyway finished my laps, not really sure how many as I don't keep track. I enjoy the swimming as it helps me to work out my arms and back which are virtually ignored in my running and biking. I also find that it helps with my left shoulder pain that I've been dealing with the last 6 months or so.
I stop and roll to a float, arm over my head, with my hand grasping the opposite elbow. A very comfortable position as I wrap my legs and bend my knees. My head is submerged in the water except for my mouth, nose and eyes. I notice what an amazing feeling of quiet. Just the sound of the water filter pushing out water with an occasional bubble of air, and of course I can hear my breathing. I breathe in and them out as my body floats to the top and then lowers as I slowly let the air out until I'm just about to take in water I breathe again and up I go. I repeated this 2 dozen times until my body and mind have come to a final calm and cool place.
No stats for this training ( not sure if I could even call it training, let's call it maintenance.) What I learned and have been learning the last 4 weeks? That it's okay to not always have a goal in mind, a time to beat, a distance to reach... ALL of the time. Let's call this summer vacation for the mind and body....
Ralph and I are doing the August Century this Tuesday, will warm up with a ride on Monday and then off we go to Rhinebeck, NY.. Humm do you think Ralph's incorporated stops for the antique barns??? Not sure if I can pass those and not stop!!!! Ralph????
Ride is mapped below for anyone interested in the route. hummm.. I need to look this one over.. I asked for mercy on the climbs... I feel a bit out of practice... being on "vacation" and all.. heheheh
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1563455
In I go, not so bad. It take a few minute to get use to it and them continue on to swimming a few laps. Grabbed my new "nike" goggles ( hahaha) secured them tightly... and off I went... I like my new goggles of course I look dorky, next thing I'll be wearing one of those head caps... Gosh....don't worry, you'll never see me in one of those... Yes, the goggles are a new addition as I kind of got a bit of the Olymipic bug. Can't help but suggest that perhaps, when I put those goggles on, I feel official and perhaps "feel" a bit faster... hahaha.. Although as I stop to pant every 2 laps I get reminded I'm no Olympic athlete.. hahaha...
A side note, I'm hoping maybe the next sport I pick to participate in will have a cooler outfit and or accessories... :/ I'm thinking beach volleyball... haha.... bathingsuits Check cool, Glasses check cool, hat check cool. haha... Don't get me wrong my passion for cycling is untouched but I would love to wear an outfit with more "cool" fashion sense... Although most pieces of the "outfit" are necessary and needed. Even those bib shorts :/!!! Have you ever tried to ride with a pair of shorts that were just a tad bit short wasted. Well it is not a pleasant feeling as you've realized you picked the wrong shorts to wear on your 50 miles ride with the pack. Too late to turn around as they'll have way to far of a head start, and you'll never catch up. I'm sure it is much worse than I'm letting on but for anyone that has done that... It is a hard lesson to learn as for the next 3 hours your preoccupied with the thought that the cars passing by are getting a free show as you put your hand on your lower back to make sure your not exposed in anyway... HAHAH.... ahhhhhh Bib shorts... what a beautiful thing... and let's not even get into the pads... I did a long ride without them once.. hummm Well let me tell you there was not a reward for me at the end of that one...
How did I get off track here??... Anyway finished my laps, not really sure how many as I don't keep track. I enjoy the swimming as it helps me to work out my arms and back which are virtually ignored in my running and biking. I also find that it helps with my left shoulder pain that I've been dealing with the last 6 months or so.
I stop and roll to a float, arm over my head, with my hand grasping the opposite elbow. A very comfortable position as I wrap my legs and bend my knees. My head is submerged in the water except for my mouth, nose and eyes. I notice what an amazing feeling of quiet. Just the sound of the water filter pushing out water with an occasional bubble of air, and of course I can hear my breathing. I breathe in and them out as my body floats to the top and then lowers as I slowly let the air out until I'm just about to take in water I breathe again and up I go. I repeated this 2 dozen times until my body and mind have come to a final calm and cool place.
No stats for this training ( not sure if I could even call it training, let's call it maintenance.) What I learned and have been learning the last 4 weeks? That it's okay to not always have a goal in mind, a time to beat, a distance to reach... ALL of the time. Let's call this summer vacation for the mind and body....
Ralph and I are doing the August Century this Tuesday, will warm up with a ride on Monday and then off we go to Rhinebeck, NY.. Humm do you think Ralph's incorporated stops for the antique barns??? Not sure if I can pass those and not stop!!!! Ralph????
Ride is mapped below for anyone interested in the route. hummm.. I need to look this one over.. I asked for mercy on the climbs... I feel a bit out of practice... being on "vacation" and all.. heheheh
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1563455
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Packing malfunction
It's been almost 2 weeks since I've hit the road. A new record, perhaps not the best, but real none the less. Today spent most of my day carting the twins from one place to another. My ride this morning was cancelled with a new B- rider, female. I think this could be the start of something good, met 2 riders, who would have figured, on the check out line at our local grocery store. They're both riders and I joined in and happened to make 2 new friends. Anyway... We plan to start riding after she returns from vacation. So back to the packing malfunction. Got a call about 6:00 pm in a panic that apparently she forgot an extra set of under garments after a day at the pool. Mommy to the rescue... although not willing to turn the key and yet burn more gas... whats 12 miles... a trip to the end of the driveway. I gather the "goods", my geeky helmet and snap on... What I thought would be an easy way to get my ass back on the road with a leisurely ride, turned out to be a challenge of the wits and perhaps a meeting of he minds. I've had a lot on my mind lately... and it came out on my ride. Slow to start yet, as the passion run thru my veins, became a reawakening... I pushed hard, talked to myself... as I often do, no singing this time, no tears just challenges to be discussed. haha.... Weird I know, but it was so needed. Average of 16 mph... good by all counts... Ralph would be proud. Although don't tell him... heheh... not many climbs... shhhh....still good ???? Bottom line had a good talk with myself... this place of refuge never lets me down... perhaps the extra endorphins, who knows... but they feel good, The wind felt good, even the car passing by, the sun was starting to set, the shadows were good, the glaze of the sun, just perfect... My passion, my refuge..
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