Thursday, March 23, 2006

Rode 5 miles today, even though I was feeling tired, and like I might be getting sick. Funny, I feel better now.

Also, I found an add on my union website from someone selling an old Schwinn continental 10 speed. 27" fram, which is identical to the one I had, and regret getting rid of. They want $50. I figure it's worth that for something to run to the store and back on.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Super Neglect Man!!!!

OK, I'm back. I went on my first "Real" ride in months. I rode Bean Creek Rd. in the "Easy" direction. It's about 8 miles. Not real bad. Last year I used it as a "recovery" ride a few times. Today it was easier than I thought it would be. I've not done any decent riding in a while, but I have been doing a lot of hiking, so I had not lost as much as I thought I would. The first, short, hill a few blocks from my house had me wheezing. I was thinking, "Do I really want to do this?" but I decided to abuse myself today as a start. After 2 miles the first "real" hill started and I had to down shift, but I managed to motor all the way to the top. A range rover passed me. I fell in behind it on the down hill, up shifting into my highest gears. Suddenly I felt a change in the air flow. I was drafting off of him. It was much easier to keep up the pace. The driver turned off of Glen Wood on to Bean Creek and I was right on him. I followed him down quite a ways until her turned off into a drive way. I kept seeing him make glances at the mirror at the grinning lunatic behind him on a bicycle. The ride out of Bean Creek was a grind, but far easier than I had thought it might be. I was warmed up by then and ready to roll. If the weather holds perhaps I'll ride into work this week.

I intend to start a somewhat rigorous (for me) training regime this week. Healthy food and lots of riding. I want to get in shape to do some epic 40-50 mile dirt rides out at Henry Coe by the end of summer.