To the stats!
I pushed myself hard. As a result I ended up with a side ache the last couple of miles. I will tell you, though, that it was a beautiful day for a bike ride. Cool, brightly colored, and dry. I have to admit it is my second favorite condition for riding.
To the stats!
Why two sets of weather stats? Because I went riding just before sunset. By the time I returned to home the sun had hit the horizon and the wind, temperature, and humidity had changed enough for me to feel warranted in posting the difference. I have no doubt the change in wind had a big difference in my overall performance.
And yes, I am aware that I took over a week off from the Tour. I have not been feeling the best. My stomach has been bothering me. Also, I have been busy with other things. But there was nothing holding me back tonight from riding. But now it is time for me to make something to eat and to change the sheets on my bed. I want clean sheets after taking a shower.
To the stats!
I contemplated a longer ride, but I still have shopping to do, as well as the bathroom sink and counter to clean yet. So, just a run to Finlayson and back. The one problem was a side ache. I have not had one yet this year. Oh, a couple of times there was the threat of a side ache, but I managed to avoid it by cutting back a bit on my effort and taking a little extra time to stretch. However, today the side ache came on suddenly, catching me by surprise. I attempted to breath past it, but no luck. I finally stopped somewhere between the Pine River and an intersection the bike path crosses to walk off the side ache. I can still feel its echo in my side as I type. I am not sure what causes side aches, but it feels like there is something rubbing up against my diaphragm, like a rib or something. Anyway, I still managed to do pretty damn good despite the side ache.
To the stats!
Got home from work and hit the road as soon as possible. When I walked into the house it was still a nice, bright, blue sky. When I stepped back out with the bike, the clouds had rolled in. When I finally pulled back into the yard, the little bit of blue sky that had been hanging on in the east was finally overtaken by the clouds. All in all though, a nice ride.
This time I not only pushed myself, I managed to stretch out a bit more than usual. I have never been loose. I could never keep my legs straight and touch my toes or put my forehead to my knee. So I bend my legs a bit, grab my toes, and slowly push my knee down until I can not tolerate the pain in my hamstring. I am making progress, but I will never be able to stretch out like most people.
To the stats!
Okay, I had to replace another tire. This time a bubble started to develop on the front wheel. So, $66.00 later I have a different model of tire. I was getting tired of the Nimbus tire always going bad. That was the third tire. So, this time I bought the Infinity model. It is still a Specialized brand, with a bit more tread. Hopefully a tougher tire.
To the stats!
Wow, talk about a tough ride. The air was thick with moisture. And with the dew point 3 degrees shy of the temperature, it made for some hard peddling. I do not know if the Barometric pressure of 29.68 inches had anything to do with it as well, but I swear it felt like I was almost swimming.
To the stats!
Since it was my Mom’s family reunion down by New Trier, MN. I thought I’d take my bike with, head down early, and hit the bike trails in Hastings. First of all, I figured I would only ride about 15 or 16 miles. I certainly did not expect to be able to do 23 miles. Turns out in the 3 or 4 years since I last rode the Hastings Trails, they have added several new legs. Almost all of my biking happened without having to cover a trail a second time except for a 2 mile stretch of new trail along the Vermillion River. Continue reading
To the stats!
Just a short run to Willow River and back. Also, I had to run up to Dave’s Cafe in Willow. On Monday when I stopped there to eat after returning from Carlton I left my riding gloves. But the cool thing was the dog that paced me for two or more miles halfway between Rutledge and Willow River. I was going 17 miles an hour and that dog was jogging! Damn thing put me to shame. He stayed with me all the way into the heart of Rutledge before he finally stopped running with me. And lets get this straight: he did not follow me, he paced right in front of me. I think he could have maintained a 20 mph pace.
To be honest, I think he was toying with me.
To the stats!
I have to say that the wind is more than likely not accurate. I rode from Carlton, MN to the west end of Duluth. Riding the Munger Trail swings you east around the hills at the west end of Duluth and results in shifts of wind conditions. Plus, when I started at 2:15 PM it was mostly cloudy with small breaks of sky showing through. However, as I progressed along, the clouds dissipated and when I was done there was not a cloud in the sky. It was, all and all, a beautiful ride on a stretch of bike path I’ve not been on since the early 90s, and than only part of what I covered today.
I have pictures, which I will include as soon as I find the cable to connect my phone to the computer.
Update: Okay, here are the pictures.
To the stats!
Nothing to add.