Cold and Rainy

It was cold and rainy this morning.  There were only a few other dedicated riders out.

It's Getting Cold Outside

It's getting cold outside.  39 degrees this afternoon.  I do have to say that I think I like riding in the cold more than I like riding in the summer heat though.

Another 20 Miles

I got another 20 miles in this afternoon.  It was a beautiful November afternoon.  About 63 degrees.  Still able to wear shorts when cycling.

It was a really nice fall afternoon for a 20 mile ride.  The wind was a little brisk but is sure felt good.

19 more miles

Beautiful Fall Day

It was a beautiful fall day for a ride to Middleton.  But I can tell that I haven't been riding as much.

It's Been a Little While

It's been a little while since I've riden.  I've been doing jiu jitsui lately.  I got in 21 miles today.  I forgot what it feels like to ride in the wind though.

Another great day trail riding in Seely Lake Montana.  The weather is great and there is deer everywhere you ride.

Seely Lake Montana

Shaking it up a little with some mountain bike riding.  It's beautiful here.  There's some nice single track and Forest Service roads near our cabin.

I got a short 16 mile, but fast paced ride in this afternoon.  I have some heavy breathing goin on.

I got in a nice 26 mile ride through Eagle this morning.  The weather is nice and there are lots of bikes on the road.

I did the same 22 mile ride as yesterday and took 1 minute off my time.  It would have been a quicker time but I had to stop for a bug in my helmet.

Birthday Ride

I got in a nice birthday ride this morning.  22 miles and some nice hills.

Kind of in a Riding Rut

I'm kind of in a riding rut.  I just keep riding the same routes and not very long routes, but it's better than nothing.

Windy, windy 19 mile ride through Eagle.

Strong head winds.  19 miles.  But the wind feels good in the heat.

Last Year's Mileage Total Passed

My 27 mile ride through Caldwell and Middleton this morning surpased my total mileage from last year (1,540).  Foothill Rd is such a beautiful and fun road to ride.  I've always thought that would be a nice place to own a home.

It's been a few days since I've been able to ride.  Stephanie has been out of town at a conference and the kids have been home with me.  I was able to get in a 25 mile ride this morning.  I'm almos at as many miles as I had all of last year.

Nice Morning

It was just a nice day for a ride.

Another Toasty Ride

It was another toasty afternoon ride with temperatures in the high 90's.  18 mile loop through Middleton.

100 Degrees Out

It was 100 degrees for my short 20 mile ride, and I was happy that it was a short ride.

Timing

I got in a 33 mile ride this morning before Ben and his family came over for the Star parade.  I pulled into my driveway just as the first clap of thunder hit for the thunder storm that immediately followed.

Feeling Strong

I got a good fast paced 22 mile ride in this afternoon.  I kept up a fast pace and came up out of the saddle often.  I was accelerating around corners and up hills.  I haven't felt this good on the bike for a while. 

The overnight low was 74 degrees.  This kind of weather makes for nice morning riding.  I had a strong Easterly headwind blowing in my face, but the return trip made for a face paced ride.

A Problem Free Ride

I got in 33 miles this morning on my road bike.  After my last 2 outings on it I was a little nervous about more tire problems.  But the ride went smooth.

Trail Ride

I got in a fun trail ride this afternoon up by the Eagle Skate Park.  I even tried out the BMX track.  It was super fun.

Riding the Greenbelt

I did something today that I haven't done in a long time.  I rode the Boise Greenbelt.  I parked my car at the Glennwood Bridge and rode up to Lucky Peak and back.  33 miles round trip.  It brought back a lot of old memories.  The last time I did any riding on the greenbelt, I had Blake with me when he was a baby and pulled him in a bike trailer. 

I used to work for the parks department when I was in college.  My main job was taking care of the greenbelt.  Today brought back a lot of college memories.

I also saw something that I will never do.  I will never dress up on my riding jersey and shorts and attach a bike trailer to a thousand dollar bike.

Today also reminded me how much I enjoy my Schwinn Tourist hybrid bike.  It is one of the best bikes I've ever owned.

2 Days in a Row?

You know you have to be doing something wrong to get a flat tire two days in a row.  But that is exactly what happened to me.  I guess this means a trip to Bob's tomorrow.

It Shouldn't Be This Hard

I decided to go for a training ride this morning.  I found a training routine for centuries and I thought that if I did this training routine that I might be able to get a century in this August.  I got a great 30 miles in and got a flat tire.

Flat tire?  No problem.  I've been to a class, I've read books, I've got the right tools with me.  I attempted to fix it on the side of the road.  It didn't work.  I fixed it at home after lots of frustration.  The book said it should have only taken me 5 minutes at the most on the side of the road to fix it.

Frustrating end to a good ride.

Hot Ride Through Eagle

Got a nice hot (91 degree) 19 mile ride in through Eagle today after work.

It's Windy

The after church ride today was windy, but nice.

I skipped the Blue Cruise today so I could attend a funeral, but before the funeral I got in a nice early morning 25 mile ride.  The weather was nice and cool with the sun shining.

I Made It To the Top

I made it to the top of Robie Creek.  15 miles round trip.  The ground was either washboarded or super sandy.  Not easy riding.

But it feels good when you make it all the way up.

How Often Am I Grateful for Wind?

It was 95 degrees this evening for my 19 mile ride.  It was one of the few times that I was grateful to be riding in wind.

Feeling Good Again

I got in a nice ride after work tonight.  I even broke out the sleeveless jersey for the first time this season.  This is the first time in a few weeks that riding has felt good when I was done.

Where'd that Wind Come From?

I did the Hidden Springs Loop.  32 miles.  When I left, no wind.  As I came to Hidden Springs, I had a strong head wind up the canyon and all the way home.  I don't feel like someone who should be riding 52 miles 6 days from now.

I got a 19 mile ride in today.  I just having been having the energy to ride lately.

Another 18 miles under my belt.

Hidden Springs

The weather was pretty nasty yesterday, so I didn't do the Bob LeBow Ride.  I did get in a 32 mile ride to Hidden Springs today.  There are some nice climbs on that route.  Bring your lungs.

6 Miles of Heavy Breathing

I broke out the mountain bike today for a change of pace.  I rode Red Tail Trail.  It's some nice single track.  67 minutes to ride 6 miles.  Mountain biking is a lot different than road biking.

Beautiful Day

I'm painting Blake's room today.  I snuck out for a beautiful 25 mile ride between coats of paint.

1,000 miles

I hit the 1,000 mile mark today (5/31/12).  I didn't hit a 1,000 last year until August.  I'm feeling pretty good.

I got in a good 22 mile windy ride after work.  It's nice to hit the open road after a day of fielding complaints.

Memorial Day Ride

It was a beautiful Memorial Day.  28 miles.  Strong head wind.  Now I'm off to take the kids for a ride.

Definitely starting to see more power in my riding.

A windy 19 mile ride.  Did it in 62 minutes.  It's amazing how much stronger I feel than last year.  The wind doesn't have nearly the impact on me that it did last year.

Exergy Tour

Tonight I took Mylie to the 2012 Exergy Women's Professional Cycling Tour.  We watched the prologue in Boise.  It was a great time.  We had lots of fun with just the two of us.

Cycle for Independance

Today was the Cycle for Independance.  I did the Metric Century.  I shaved 6 minutes off my prior metric century and finished at 3hrs 42 minutes.  It was a great route and fun ride.  It was amazing what a fast pace this ride had.

Too Nice Not to Ride

I know I was going to take a few days off from riding, but it was too nice out to resist.  21 miles.

A Little Tired

Today was my last training ride before the Cycle for Independance Metric Century Saturday.  I did 19 miles in 64 minutes.  My legs are feeling a bit tired.  It will be good to take a few days off from riding before Saturday.  Last year I didn't hit 1,000 until August.  Today I'm sitting at 828 miles, so I think the added miles early in the season are starting to be felt.

Beautiful Day

What a beautiful day.  It was in the 70's, just a slight breeze, and sunny.  18 miles in 60 minutes.  The quest to increase power continues.

05/12/2012

I haven't been able to get much riding in this week.  Today I was able to get in a windy 42 mile ride.  I kept my pace up really well despite the wind, but I'm tired and next weeks metric century seems like a long way to ride.

19 Windy Miles

19 miles through Eagle tonight.  It was windy, but I was able to keep up a good pace.  The wind isn't as much of a deterant to riding as it has been in past years.

05/05/12

I got in a cold and windy 29 mile this morning.  I rode into a steady headwind, with the mindset of trying to increase power. 

It's a little chilly for May.

Power Training

After my ride on Saturday I came to the realization that I needed to increase my power output to become a better rider.  So, today I took to Deep Canyon for some hill training.  They are long climbs, but they are very steep.  Not only do your legs burn, but so do your lungs and throat.  I remember tackling the first climb in Deep Canyon a couple of years ago.  It kicked my butt so bad that I never tried it again, until today.  This is now going to be a more regular part of my training.

Front Runner Metric Century

The day finally arrived for the SLC Front Runner Metric Century.  It was 35 degrees at the start of the ride and their was a strong breeze the entire ride, but the ride was so well put together.  It started off following a greenbelt and then eventually we headed into country roads.  We rode to the entrance of Antelope Island and then to Far West before heading back in to Ogden to catch the train back to SLC.  For the first 40 miles I averaged almost 20 mph.  I can see where I've become a stronger rider, but riding with a group, I can see just how strong some of the other riders are, because I can't even come close to hanging with them.  My total time for this 62 mile adventure was 3 hours and 48 minutes, which is a personal best.  When I gave the my estimate to the ride organizers of how long I thought it would take me I was thinking 4 1/2 hrs, so this was great.

The ride back on the Front Runner was fun.  Overall it was a great ride.  I was really fortunate that Stephanie was able to come down to SLC for the weekend with me and Kristine gave us a great surprise by keeping the kids for the weekend.  What a great vacation!!!!!

Got in a nice, but windy 19 mile ride after work.  It was nice to get out and burn some penned up work engery and frustration

Shaw Mountain Road

I thought I would tackle the Robie Creek Route today.  I made it 7 miles up the mountain before I gave in to heat and just the fact that it was all up hill.  I think it was in the mid 80's inside the canyon.  It was fun and it was my first mountain bike ride of the year, but I'm going to have to keep building my legs as well as leave a little earlier in the day if I want to make it to Robie Creek.

There isn't much shade in the canyon and this was one of the few shady spots.

It's too bad I don't have a better zoom on my cell phone camera.  The side of the mountain is covered in sheep.  There are probably a couple hundred on this hillside.

Test Ride for SLC

I got in a great 58 mile ride today.  Took 3 hrs 48 minutes.  It was  breezy out, but I feel great.

April Showers

I got caught in an April shower today on  a 21 mile bike ride.  The good news about an April shower is that it is a bit chilly, so it motivates you to keep your pace up. On my way back home I was maintaining a 21 mph average.  The wet and cold distracts you from the burning sensation in your legs.

04/15/2012

The sunshine was decieving.  It was a little chilly even though it was in the 50's.  I started off with the intention of going on a long ride but called it good with an 18 mile ride to Middleton and back.

Early Saturday Morning Ride

I had to get up and get at it so I could get a ride in before Stephanie goes scrapbooking.  Got in 26 miles.  It was a bit chilly but not too bad.

Almost 80 Degrees

Great 22 mile ride after work.  Almost 80 degrees, but very windy.

70 Degrees and Beautiful

It was a true Spring day.  70 degrees.  47 miles.  Nice breeze.  What more can you ask for?

Today was a Humbling Day

Last Saturday made me feel like a million dollars and this Saturday the cold and the wind humbled me.  It was in the mid 30's and there was just enough of a wind to chill me and slow me down.  My intention was to go to Kuna, but I changed my mind in Meridian and my morning of a long ride turned into a 20 mile ride.

Cool Evening Ride

Nice 21 mile ride on Friday night after work.

Who Says Color Coordination Doesn't Matter?

I had to take my bike to Bob's for a tune up and new tires.  They said I simply wore them out by all the riding I've been doing.

I Need New Tires

I started out for a ride this morning, but only made it 9 miles before I got a flat tire.  I was going to try my new knowledge out from my roadside repair clinic when I saw that it was the tire itself that was torn.  I have over a thousand miles on the tires, so I guess I was due anyways to have to buy new tires.

Thankfully Stephanie and the kids came to my rescue with a ride home.

What a Difference a Year Makes

I had a great 41 mile ride today.  I've learned in cycling that this sport will both build you up and humble you.  I've had rides where I bonked.  Where other rides have passed me like I was standing still and they make it look like they're not even trying.

Today was a day that build me up.  I'd been riding for just over 2 hours and I saw a pack of riders ahead of me.  They were working hard and we were all riding into a strong headwind.  I had a strong cadence and I could tell that I was going to catch up to them.  Today was the day that I was able to pass the other riders and make it look easy.  In tradition of passing you always say good morning and those being passed try to say good morning back through their labored breathing.  I've had plenting of practice trying to say good morning back through my heavy breathing.  Today I was the one who made it look easy.  What a difference a year and some extra pounds less make.

Nice Spring Day

I got in a nice 19 mile ride in 63 degree weather.  It was windy but warm.

Le Tour de Kuna

I took a vacation day so I could go riding and the day started off with a big rain storm.  Fortunately the afternoon cleared up and I got in a 45 mile ride to Kuna and back.  I really feel pretty good after the ride.  It was the longest one of the season so far.

A couple weeks back I attended a road/trail side bike maintenance class.  I learned a lot, but they also sold me some of their products.  The spin doctor bike repair stand is one of the products they sold me.  I do have to say I really like it and wish I would have gotten one sooner.

Snuck Out Early for a Ride

The bad weather has kept me from riding lately, but today a snuck out for a cold 24 mile ride.

Windy, Windy, Windy

I rode 18 miles today in high winds.  The crosswinds for most of the ride were almost blowing me off my bike.  And the headwinds were super strong.  The positive is that last year I would have avoided riding in such windy conditions.  This year I'm embracing them.  I definitely feel like a much stronger rider this year.

First Ride in Shorts

66 degrees. 21 miles.  Shorts.  Need I say more.  First ride in shorts of the season.

Day 3 of a 3 Day Training Set

Day 3's ride was beautiful.  58 degrees, 31 miles.  According to Strava I had an average speed of 18 mph.

Day 2 of a 3 Day Training Set

Day 2 was great.  28 miles.  Average speed was over 16 mph.  I was was surprised at how good my legs felt after yesterday's 32 mile ride.

Day 1 of a 3 day training set

It was a cold (37 degrees) and windy 32 mile ride.  I'm hoping to do 3 straight days of ride to build up to SLC.  Day 1 down.  Keep building the legs.

02/26/12

37 degrees and windy.  But I got in 19 miles and managed to stay warm.  I've got to keep building my legs for SLC.

02/17/12

I took a longer training ride this afternoon.  Put in 31.04 miles on a loop through Middleton and Caldwell.  I find some nice climbs to work on.  I've notice that my ability to come up out of the saddle on climbs is better since I've been working on the spinning bike.

Today was nice.  The weather was in the high 40's.  I was able to try out my new socks, pants, and thermal jersey.  All of which worked great.  I had the perfect body temperature during the ride.  Not too hot and not too cold.

SLC here I come.

02/12/12 2nd ride of the season

Today was my send ride of the season.  I got in 18.63 miles.  It was windy and cold out, but I've got to start building my base for the Front Runner Metric Century in April.

01/31/12

I got to dust of my riding gear today and go for a ride.  It was sunny and 45 degrees out.  The cool wind didn't even bother me.  The sunshine felt good and it was great to be back on my bike.  My toes did get a little cold though.  But I got 20 miles under my belt to start off the riding year and it was absolutely wonderful.

01/29/12 - First Goal of the New Year

I'm really excited.  I just registered for a metric century in Salt Lake on April 28th.  I really need a goal and this 62 mile ride is going to be a great way to kick off the riding season.