Hurting

Mixing up my route has kept things interesting on rides now that the weather is warming, the days are longer and I am able to be on my bike more.  I found a nice paved trail that I can take for some recovery during rides.  I was speeding down this trail the other day and stopped where it crossed a busy street to wait for traffic to clear.  When I had my chance to cross I gave one pedal stroke, stepped into my right pedal, thought I clipped in, fumbled, leaned left, panicked and dropped to the asphalt in the middle of the road.  Both lanes of traffic stopped.  I looked down, saw blood and hobbled across the street as quickly as possible. I really hope no one caught that with a smart phone.  I'll have to keep checking YouTube to make sure I don't suddenly appear. 

 Once I cleared the curb I assessed the damage and was happy to find that the worse thing injured was my ego.  Second was my body - scrapes on the left calf, abrasion down the right shin with a nice welt, sore hip and nothing more.  Third was my bike - scraped left pedal and minor damage to the left side of my saddle.  My seat post had turned slightly.  Overall, I just felt stupid more than anything.

I had been feeling great up until this point on my ride, but this incident really took all of the wind out of my sails.  I took the most direct route home and cut my losses, grateful that things had not been worse.  I had just enough time on the way back to figure out how I would reassure my wife that I was okay and that there was no need to worry about things when I ride.  Luckily, she was very understanding.  I realized later that I should have taken some pictures to document the event.  I am just about healed now and hopefully, there will not be another incident to report.

Seize the Day

Over the past few weeks, my wife has had a busy weekend schedule which has meant that the responsibility for watching our three children has fallen to me.  I am certainly not complaining.  I love spending time with my kids and my wife definitely needs some significant blocks of time to herself without the constant calls of "Mommy!" bouncing around.  However, watching three kids all weekend is exhausting and does not afford time for riding.  Being February, the weather is still an issue as well. 

This past Saturday, the stars seemed to align for me.  My wife returned from her day out around three in the afternoon and announced that she was done with her errands for the day.  The older kids were happy and occupied and the youngest was down for a nap.  The weather was even cooperating with about 37 degrees and sunshine.  Now was my opportunity to get back on the road!

I had mapped out a route in my head, keeping in mind that it has been a little over a week since my last ride.  I didn't want to push myself too hard, but still wanted to hit double digit mileage.  It turned out to be a great day for a ride.  The first half had a few short hills which pushed me.  I came up to a light crossing a highway and for some reason, did not get a green through one cycle despite there being several cars also waiting to cross.  The wait for the green light took much longer than I had expected and I had started to tighten up a bit which made the second half of the ride a little more challenging.  Overall I put in 10.5 miles in 45 minutes.  Not stellar, but not terrible considering how long I sat at that light. 

Wind and Heat

Cold temperatures and long work days ensured that a full week went by without a ride.  Saturday came along with temps in the 40's.  I waited the cold out in the morning and was rewarded with 47 degrees after lunch.  I pulled on my fleece tights, a long-sleeved base layer, jersey, cycling cap and gloves.  My son wanted to ride a little with me so we did a lap around the neighborhood before I headed out on the roads.  We pedaled down our street and turned south on a drive that loops around the boarder of our community.  BAM!  We both were smacked in the face with a wall of wind.  My son nearly came to a complete stop.  I had to wait and wait and wait as he struggled to pedal through the force of the air.  The wind also sent a chill through me.  We slowly made it home and I pulled on a fleece jacket and set off.  I felt good and warm. 

Pulling out on to the street was exhilarating.  After a full week I was back in business.  I turned south and BAM - another wall of wind.  For most of the ride I battled with a hard head/cross wind that felt like someone was grabbing my saddle and pulling me backwards while knocking me from side to side.  I had decided to push it a little further this ride, but second guessed myself with all the wind.  I finally gritted my teeth and decided to keep pushing the extra few miles.  It was painful, but well worth it.

A few miles into the ride, with all the effort I was expending against the wind I began to get hot.  Very hot.  I realized what all the advice givers meant when they said they want to be a little chilly when they start a ride and that they quickly heat up.  Yeah - heat up is right.  I unzipped my jacket and at a red light, pulled off my cycling cap and shoved it into a pocket.  The breeze through the vents in my helmet felt great from then on.  However my arms were still smoking.  I now see the utility in a good pair of arm warmers that are quick off and easily stored in a jersey pocket if things start to warm up.  Lesson learned.  I ended at 12.2 miles - most of them very hard fought - in just under an hour. 

Friday

I learned my lesson and decided that if I wanted to make it home in time for an after work ride, I would need to leave a little early.  Friday provided the perfect opportunity.  Both the sky and my schedule were clear in the afternoon so I left an hour early and made it home by about 4:20. I had been seeing cyclist through my window all day and so I was excited to fit in a ride.  I pulled on my tights and jersey, which was all I needed for a ride in 58 degrees, and took off down the road. 

I had selected a longer route took me south a bit and let me take on some rolling hills early in the ride.  The rest of the way was pretty flat.  I rode harder than I would have liked the first mile due to traffic.  My thighs ached, but soon settled down after a hundred yards of recovery.  I found a great pace from then on and felt like I could go all day.  This route took me by fields of cut corn stalks that were flooded from recent snow melt.  The light was gorgeous coming down on the water casting orange and pink hues everywhere.  This is just as I imagined cycling to be!

Sadly, although I felt I could keep going, the sun began to set and I had to pedal home.  I am very pleased with my bike.  It has been everything I have wanted.  It is lightweight, stiff and goes wherever I point it. 

Disappointed

I had a very trying day at work yesterday.   As the end of the ordeal neared, I glanced outside and noticed the sun was out and radiating light onto everything.  I grabbed my iPhone and checked the weather - 48 degrees.  Downright tropical. My heart began to lighten.  I quickly wrapped up for the day, threw my coat over my shoulder, hustled down the stairs and blew out of the building into a new, bright and warmer world.  I just needed to make it home in time to hop on my bike and get a quick ride in before the sun got too low.  I could almost hear the click as my shoes engaged my pedals.  The drive home was quick, yet cautious.  I pulled into the drive, slammed the car into park, jumped out and let out a huge sigh of frustration.  The sun was nearing the horizon and the light beginning to dim.  No time to pull on some clothes, pull the bike off the wall and make even a 20 minute ride safely.  I opted for a shower to help cool the sting of disappointment. 

Gear

It is currently 18 degrees outside.  I've decided that 25 degrees is my low limit for temperature based on the gear I have currently.  Since I won't be logging any miles today, I've decided to review some of the gear I have for cold weather riding. 

Shoes: Shimano RO77
I love these shoes!  They are lightweight, stiff and comfortable.  I like the three easily adjustable straps for managing foot comfort before or during a ride.  They will be great in the summer with the air vent in the front, but right now they are a little chilly.  I definitely needs some toe or shoe covers.  Right now I am just layering socks which is a temporary and low cost solution. 

These shoes are deemed "entry level" and that is okay with me.  I am just getting into this sport and don't need super high end gear while I get going.  Being a family man with a one person income, I'm also on a tight budget.  I found these for about half off online.  Can't beat that!

Socks: Sugoi Liquigas Cannondale
Feel great and look great.  What more can I say.

Tights:  Pearl Izumi Elite Thermal Tights
I got these tights on sale at my LBS and I've been very satisfied.  They fit well and keep my legs nice and warm after I get up to speed.  I wear a pair of biking shorts with a chamois underneath for added comfort on the saddle.  I anticipate that these tights will take me through the spring and I can shed them in the summer.



Jersey: Liquigas-Cannondale Short Sleeve
I got this jersey in anticipation of spring/summer rides.  I layer a long sleeve base laryer under it for colder rides.  It is black with with and green accents so I look good and it matches my bike well.  I made sure there was room for a base layer underneath but still and nice fit.  I feel like a million bucks in this thing!  Let's be honest, feeling good about how you look is also part of what keeps you going.

I'm also looking forward to having it be more visible in warm weather rides.  My goal is to dazzle others with my sleek look to draw attention away from my poor riding skills.


Jacket:  Green fleece something
I have borrowed a green fleece from my wife. It is a tad too small, but I make it work.  It adds an extra insulating layer and seems to keep the wind out.  I will need something a bit bigger and a touch brighter for safety.  I'm think in of the Pearl Izumi Elite Softshell Jacket. 

Riding cap: Cannondale Winter Cycle Cap
My first test ride left my ears frozen and throbbing.  I bought this cap and have not had any difficulty with coldness or wind and my ears.  The salesman at my LBS suggested wool.  However, I could not find a wool cap with a brim like I wanted.  This one is polyester.  I chose it out of my love of Cannondale and some of its other features.  I have not been disappointed. I also like the matching green Cannondale logo embroidered in the back.  Nice touch!

Helmet: 2006 Trek MTB Helmet
An oldie, but a goodie.  I took the visor off and it works well.  It probably should be replaced soon given it is going on 7 years old.  It fits over my cycling cap well and does the protective job needed.  It is white and matches my bike well.

Glasses:  Cheap GAP sunglasses
I can't believe I just admitted that, but it is the truth and all I have right now. I got them for something like $10 over a year ago and they do the job of keeping the sun out of my eyes when I drive.  I need something designed specifically for cycling though.   My hopes are to get a pair of Uvex Blaze Multi-Lens sunglasses.  White of course.

Gloves:  Whatever I can find 
Just another thing I've temporarily "borrowed" from my wife.  I found her winter gloves and they have been keeping my hands from freezing on very short rides.  I need something more insulating for longer outings.

Most of this gear comes by way of my LBS.  I took my oldest son with me and he had fun for the first five minutes until we ducked into the changing room to try things on.  He seemed a little sheepish about being with his dad who was taking clothes off.  I was perplexed because this is the boy that will run in on you while you are in the shower or changing clothes without a second thought.  He did do a great job fetching me different sizes and I let him pick out some things to look at once were done.  He was interested in the kid's bikes and wanted to know which one would be best for riding in the snow.  I told him that his current bike was perfectly adequate and that he should try it out when we got home. 

My son took my up on my suggestion and took his bike for a spin in the snow.  He ran back inside and exclaimed, "Dad, my bike is a snow bike!"  Who knew?  He was thrilled.  I decided that I needed my wife to buy into the clothes that I had just bought and pulled them on for her.  I saw a look in her eyes that I have not seen in a long time.  It sort of made me blush.  She approved. 

I think I have the right gear for me: function with fashion with a dash of sex appeal. Next time I will take my wife with me instead of my son to try on new cycling duds.  Who knows what might happen!

Day 1

It was the first day of the new year and today was as good a day as any to begin my cycling lifestyle transformation.  Never mind that it was 25 degrees outside.  The roads were relatively clear.  I had the day off from work and I needed a break from the unending questions from my kids.  I geared up (more to come on that), pulled my bike off the garage wall, clipped in and set of on my first ride.

I noticed a couple things immediately:
1.  I was cold!  Even with insulated tights, several layers, a riding cap etc, I was chilly.  My gloves were sub par and I couldn't find my glasses.  My eyes began to water as soon as I got up to speed. 

2.  I am more out of shape than I thought.  I barely got out of the neighborhood when my thighs began to burn.  

I did a short 3 mile circuit and pulled back into my driveway still able to feel 3/5 five fingers on each hand.  My tears were not frozen but they were sluggish in their decent down my cheeks.  Average speed: 12.3 mph. 

Later on in the day, I really needed a break from the kids after my wife spent a few hours out shopping.  I suited up again and rode the same loop.  Still 25 degrees.  I did find my glasses so that helped keep my eyes from burning and watering the whole time.  My thighs felt the same.  Overall though, not a bad day one.  A little under 6 miles at an average of about 13 mph in 25 degree weather.  It is only supposed to get colder and seeing that it is already getting dark by the time I get home from work, this might be the only ride before the weekend. 

Based on these two rides today I have decided I need the following:
Better gloves
Better glasses
Cycling Jacket
Toe warmers