To the stats!

1. Miles: 10.48
2. Time: 0:42:43
3. Max Speed: 26.6 mph
4. Average Speed: 14.6 mph
5. iPod: The Beatles – The White Album
6. Temperature: 68°F
7. Wind: SE 7 mph
8. Humidity: 53%

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!

1. Miles: 10.99
2. Time: 0:45.21
3. Max Speed: 26.3 mph
4. Average Speed: 14.5 mph
5. iPod: The Beatles – 1967 to 1970
6. Temperature: 64°F
7. Wind: SE 13 mph G 20 mph
8. Humidity: 60%

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!

1. Miles: 11.30
2. Time: 0:45.04
3. Max Speed: 18.9 mph
4. Average Speed: 15.0 mph
5. iPod: None
6. Temperature: 59°F
7. Wind: NE 7 mph
8. Humidity: 63%

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!

1. Miles: 11.82
2. Time: 0:45.26
3. Max Speed: 18.8 mph
4. Average Speed: 15.5 mph
5. iPod: Collective Soul – 7even Year Itch
6. Temperature: 75°F
7. Wind: N 3 mph
8. Humidity: 89%

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.

Continue reading →

To the stats!

1. Miles: 23.15
2. Time: 1:46.50
3. Max Speed: 31.5 mph
4. Average Speed: 12.9 mph
5. iPod:
   1. Sheryl Crow – The Essential iTunes Mix
   2. Smashing Pumpkins – Gish
6. Temperature: 89°F
7. Wind: NE 4 mph
8. Humidity: 59%

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 →