Has it Been Two Weeks?

Yesterday was the first day that I have ridden in about two weeks. The weather was fair but I decided to play it safe and ride in the basement. I had forgotten how hard the Mountain Bike Work Out was! Since I hadn’t ridden in awhile I decided to a little extra warm up prior to getting into the work out. At first I wasn’t sure was going to be able to finish it, but after the first two sets of 30 seconds on 30 seconds off IVS had kicked in. By the time I got to the last set of 2 minutes max effort 2 minutes recovery for 20 minutes I was feeling very good. I don’t know what my mileage was nor do I know average speed…I was just riding. With the extended warm up I was in the saddle for an hour and 15 minutes.

Monday was a sleeting cold and rainy day, so we of course went for a hike. We tried a county forest preserve that we had never walked in before. The preserve was divided in two sections one on the SW side of the road and one on the NE side of the road. We found the short .4 mile trail first and thought that this was the whole trail. It was short but beautiful so we walked it twice. It meandered down to the St. Joe River and then back to the parking lot. As we drove further North we noticed another entrance so we decided to check this one out as well. It was equally as beautiful and quite rugged. It was set in a Sugar Maple forest, which was in full color… breathtaking! At the back end of the trail was an old sugar shack made from rough-hewn logs and rustic charm. Unfortunately a large tree had recently fallen on it and it was no longer safe to explore. From the outside we could see the old sled that was used to pull the buckets full of maple sap to the boiler and there were old metal buckets strewn about the floor of the shack. The old fire pit was still intact and the remnants of the boiler cold be seen. It kind of took me back to a time of simpler pleasures and harder work.

CK we almost had to use the Halt last week on a particularly nasty dog. We went out for a family walk and came across a dog that decided he owned the road. It looked like a Saint Bernard mix and all I could think of was “Cujo.” FGB guarded the baby from one side while I guarded her from the other (it’s good to have two cans). Mom handled our 8-pound Rat Terrier who was sure he could handle the beast in the road. We made a casual retreat and thankfully he decided that he'd just continue to protect “his” patch of road. Darth how’s the elbow? Yaqataq no water sports lately?

suspenders?

One of my Waukegan students said his friend sees me riding in the morning, "Crazy guy in yellow coat and suspenders" I can only guess that to him my camelback straps look like suspenders

I didn't ride last week and had crankiness to show for it. Well today I was back at it and I want to move to WI so I can have a tailwind. Still it felt good to get out there. It is lonely in a buble of light in the morning and it takes me 2 hours to get home with the 15 mph headwind but I am less cranky! Wednesday I have a meeting at 4pm and so would be needing ligts both ways and that's not going to work so I may have to drive. We will see about tomorrow.

blow blow snow and go

This week I had Monday off and drove Wednesday. Tuesday went ok. Today was super cold. I brought a fresh polypro layer to work for the ride home (layer closest to the skin, also used base layer and jersey and rain jacket on top. Shorts, baselayer, rain gear on bottom and the winter boots, 1 layer whool socks. Socks have hole in them and I still got cold but not numb. Jersey stayed wet all day as it was closest to rain coat layer.

While at work there was a snow squal. I mean over an inch slammed down but mostly melted except for on the grass and on the the briges in Roundout. Everything rattles more harshly at that temo and I had a pannier pop off on the way in and a light go with it (battary) but all was recovered. I hadn't taken the rain cover off the brain bucket and used the insert and ear flaps. Some help there but still cold. Still I like it, especially since it was $60 for all kits and light and helmet from wife's helmet. I like the Mars 3.0 that goes right to the back of the helmet.

I prefer the illumination of having one light helmet mounted but the cord is a little short so I keep them both on the bars. This blocks part of the computer and makes it hard to read, but I'm not sure how a helmet light would mount with the raincover on. As I said the warmth kit is still cold but helps as I find the 'clava almost always too warm.

The main negetive is after a good morning ride I am at work and I'd rather keep riding or have a hot shower, some recovery food like turkey sausage and brown rice chassed with some chocolate soy milk, and a NAP!!! $ AM comes way too early. but NO! I have to work.

Wife called during snowstorm to offer an airstrike as she had the day off but I begged off several times as I wanted to ride. It was AWSOME of her to offer to come pick me up.

The ride home was pure joy if you like resistance training. Think pushing big gears in a NASA training pool. I mean the wind was gusting over 40 and not going lower than 20. On my Southbound leg it was slight headwind but almost toppled me with crosswind. After the Lake bluff turn West it was pure headwind. I was sometimes grinding to get to 8 mph! It was brutal. Sometimes fun because it was silly and sometimes just a grind but I liked it. Well no I didn't like going 6 mph but I liked having done it. On Hawley just before 176 I saw the wife pulled over. I was less than 3 miles from home but accepted the ride in the intersest of domestic tranquility. Of couse the car got scratched as my stead is not meant for trunks. This is a minor thing and I know my wife cares for me greatly. I am greatful to her. I stated speaking of tomorrows ride and she got unhappy look #4 on her face. She asks why would I do that to my self.

Loose weight, exercise, stress relief, endorphins, preserve image as crazy bike guy at work, save money, use less gas and car wear and tear. But I said sorry you are married to an addict. It is not booze, or drugs or other women, it's my bike and it could be a lot worse.

That being said my legs are very sore and my hips are letting me know I over did it so we will see. Maybe the seat is too high and the hips are rocking. I know for a fact that I have a leg length discrepency that could be doing it and the seat nose is tilted wrong but I need a better wrench than me to take a look.

I didn't look at the totals for the week yet but I know I am slow but over 4 hours just for today, but speed is not everything. To face nature and survive and be outside and enjoy the bounty of being alive, that was my pay off for today. You can bet that wind will die down for the ride in and reinforce for the way home. Another suspect of seat height is ancle pain from time to time.

What kind of bars does the cyclocross have ?

My back and rear have been fine. I spend some times tucked down close to the bars using my bar ends to be more areo, it was too cold on my hands to do this on the way in but I might want to try some drop bars on a fairly upright stem. i.e. not hardcore roadbike but drops would be nice from time to time. At least I'd like to try them. I feel it uses muscles differently when I am tucked down like that. I can't ride miles and miles like that but it feels more efficent than out of the saddle does and I do that a lot (and I shouldn't). I need to be seated more and maybe I would be if the seat was happier.


Some windproof tights and top for cold but not wet would be nice. Shifting needs adjusting and/or lube. It might be that it is time for a new chain. I have put the miles on and that trail stuff is the worst as far as grit etc. Maybe for Christmas I will get some maintaince. We will see.

I hope you can all get out there and do something. It is crazy but fun. I will include weather report if I can find it for today the 12th.



Looks like specialized is geared for the commuter in 2007 http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=07Globe&bikeTab=features


_________________
Well had megameetings friday so I drove, maybe next week.

Up for riding sat or sunday short if Darth or Handy want to give a call.

Buggin' Out

I was finally out for a ride. I’ve done several extended hikes and calisthenics with FGB but I just haven’t felt that they were worthy of a post and I‘ve been crunched for time. The ride was a typical twenty-mile Indiana country ride. The fall scenery was right out of a Norman Rockwell coffee table book, a real slice of Americana. Rather then bore you with the descriptions of farms, fields, and small-town America I thought I’d include a few pictures. Since FGB was with me I took the Stumpjumper. It’s also a more comfortable ride and since I am still letting the kidneys recover I thought it best to feel less of the bumps. Also until the Blood Pressure stabilizes we’ve decided that the Dirt Magnet shouldn’t ride alone.
We were attacked by several creatures along the way none of which would have been affected by the can of Halt I had clipped to my Camel Back. What kind of animal can stand up to pepper spray? You ask. Spiders and Grasshoppers! It’s not that they could resist the spray but rather that they are impossible to hit unless it’s with some part of your body. The spiders must have recently hatched and were being carried by the winds held aloft by tiny threads protruding from their abdomens. We didn’t really see the spiders but you could see the webs glistening in the sunlight. At one point FGB was trailing behind me commenting on the numerous webs I had hanging from my helmet and handle bars. When we stopped to turn around at a Railroad Crossing there was a little crab spider, in a defensive posture, in one of the folds of my shorts. The grasshoppers were committing suicide in the spokes of our tires or smacking against our legs as they took to flight just as our bikes passed. The caterpillars were still on the march, which made me ask myself “Why does the Wooley Bear cross the road?”

A perfect fall day and a wonderful ride! All I need now is to get FGB some Winter riding clothes and we will be all set! Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile I’ve no excuses just being lazy! After all I’m a Hoosier now and as my wife says a Northern hick!

Cool Breeze, Crowds and the RED TRAIL

Well late this morning I went for another ride on the RED TRAIL. It is really nice to be out and riding. Today has been extra rough for me with all that has happened and I needed at least a little time to clear my head. I headed out around 9:45 am in a suprisingly strong breeze. I ran my normal route and made the flats were really easy. The hills on the other hand will take some more time to get back into, unfortunatly it will be getting too cold for ME and the hills will have to wait for the spring. I fear that those hills will be a killer even after riding a bunch inside this winter. While I was on the trail on the CLEAR and BRIGHT day there were more people out then I think I have ever seen on the trail. It made it a bit interesting for the pace, but was nice to actually see others use the beautiful trails.

A few notes about the trail. I noticed the last time out that they had been working on the entrance to the trail from Lilly Lake Road. It used to be about 25 feet from Barabra Dr. Now they have a brand new WIDE opening at the end of WEGNER... There is a brand new development going in on Wegner and I think that has something to do with the new entrance. Plus putting it across from the only road that goes through straight to Darrell is a big deal.

My ride today was just about 9 miles in 50 minutes. A far cry from my 39 minutes, but still pretty good since I was not pushing it. Per Mrs Darths request I take it EASY when I ride as well as not us my riding shoes with the cleets...

Another Day... another trip to the park.

Tomorrow if I have time and the weather holds Darth I and I will ride while I pull Darth II on the trailer... Darth I is off...

Ride On...

Back on the RED trail after 2 months

Well today since Mrs. Darth was home I decided to take the bike for a spin at the park. I really needed some time to be alone and maybe get some clarity. The past 2 months have been extremely difficult and a nice ride was in order. It was in the lower 50's when I went out, but I was dressed just right. There were a few sections that were a bit chilly when the wind picked up, but not too bad for 9:30 in the morning.

The first thing I needed to do was put all my gear back on the bike. Since I had just been using it in the basement and local streets I had taken my tool kit and pump off the bike. After getting all geared up I headed out. On the streets I was cruising with little issue and made it to the park in my normal time of about 10 minutes. I rode up the first hill with little problem, but figured I would have more troubles as I took more hills. It has been nearly 2 months since I rode a hill. I decided not to push it and just went at a pleasant pace. I did not wear my biking shoes so I stayed clipped out. Going around the lake it was pieceful and the cool crisp fall air was pleasant. I think I prefer the HOT summer air when I ride vs the cool fall air. As I made my way to the trail split for the yellow trail I decided to just do the red trail and not push my luck. Up in the distance I can see the turn where I fell off my bike. It was a little bit freaky at first, but I pushed through the turn and made it in one piece. By the time I made it to the Hill of Doom I was a bit tired, but was able to cruise up the hill with just a little strain.

Overall the ride was nice and a little clairity was needed.

I was gone for just over 50 minutes and averaged 10.5 MPH...

Ride On...

too long not to post

Last week I only commuted Monday. So far this week I only missed wednesday. I am frustrated that I am not faster and fear now that I may never get faster. A 9.5 hour + off the bike time century is silly. I need to be 15 mph ave which means I need to be spending chunks of time at 22 mph. In any case I will post my cummulative time for the week after Friday's ride. I fear I will have to spend money on clothes as it is to be in the 30-40's in the morning. Layers work fine but I have limited time to change upon getting to work and the clothes don't dry before I have to put them on again. Tuesday with all the wet I wore the rain gear but was soaked in my own seat upon arriving at work. That's ok but putting that jersey on for the trio home would be a lot worse when it stops being 25 degrees warmer in the afternoon. Wednesday I decided not to ride as I thought ths would make the wife happier as it was a lightning fest. Tuesday and today I saw three awsome and huge cranes as I was almost home on the preserve trail.

Some day (not soon) I would love to have a HID light. It is very very dark at 5AM. Tuesday in libertyville I almost took out a walker who had three large dogs spread accross the trail. 30 seconds later a freight train of MTBikers in full gear with very bright headlights and tail lights on helmets trucked past me and turned left into Middle fork Savana Forest Preserve. I was hoping for a perfect month. 3/4 so far. I need a group ride with m friends. Here's hoping better days to all of you.

This will always include walking down stairs etc so I think I'm a little faster than what shows
Data for the week (MTRF) avg 11.6 14:43:42 171.4 miles