All of a Sudden I'm Unhuggable?

Note of Caution: I didn't write all of this blog entry. My daughters jumped in halfway through to add their four cents.

Today was kinda rainy so I decided to go to the gym instead of ride at home or in the rain. It was packed with people, as usual. I have been riding on the road and at home for awhile now so there hasn't been a chance to weigh myself. I was kinda scared to get onto the scale after what's been several weeks of beer drinking and eating way too much over the Easter Holiday. (Thanks Mom and Huey for the Great Food, and Tony for the Great Beer)

Anyway. I got on the scale and I'm 6 lbs. less than I was the last time I weighed myself. That was surprising. I'm inching ever closer to my ideal weight. But, there's a downside. My daughter Mari told me tonight that I'm not as huggable as I was when I was plump and made a better pillow before. This, from a girl who is as thin as a supermodel. Boney. Oh well. I'll still steal hugs when I can get them.

Oh Great! Mae, my other daughter, just said I'm not bouncy enough to my huggable question. They'll just have to get used to it. I'm not going back to the days of big pants.

Tonight's Workout: 15 minutes on the track warming up. 15 minutes rowing. 35 minutes of intervals on the bike. 1 minute fast, 4 minute rest, repeat. I felt a bit sluggish on the bike and had a hard time pushing 100rpm at really high tension for the one minute hard part. 5 minutes of rowing again. 30 minutes on the elliptical. 100 minutes total.

Adistar Formotion Clima365: Left Nut of the Week!

My Left Nut of the Week this week is something different. I actually liked this one so much I bought it. This particular Adidas Adistar Formotion Clima365 was made with the runner in mind, but it features Gore-Tex, longer than normal sleeves, a slightly longer back and a zippered pocket in the back to carry stuff with some reflective stuff here and there. In other words, it's perfect for riding. Adidas makes a cycling specific model of this same jacket, but I find the length in back is too long to be great for wearing other than when on the bike. I used it for the first time this morning for my commute to work and I find it amazing in three ways already. It's light, it stops the wind and the fit is very pro. If you can find one I highly recommend it.

P.S. I think it cuts my commute time by at least 3 minutes, easy. OK, maybe not.

Finding the Incentive to Ride.

Today I rode my bike to work in what had to be the nicest weather of the year so far. Early morning weather at least.  It was one of those days where I felt like blowing off work and just riding forever.  That hasn't been the case lately though, for some reason. I think breaking up the routine is a big no-no for me. I've gone through a few weeks where first I had some car trouble. Then, my wife started a new job, new hours, etc,... Then Easter came along and we headed home to my parents. I've been riding, but more just holding on than real progress. Blah blah blah, I know, MAN UP ALREADY!

The girls are staying at my parents this week and I miss them. Mari's bike riding skills are improving. I'm so happy she's learning on the same hill I learned as a kid. Kinda cool.

Anyway, today felt good as I think I did something like 45-50 miles total. That might be the most I've done during the work-week so far this year. That'll bring the mo-jo back I hope. On another note. I felt some cramping in the back of my leg tonight. That was new, at least I haven't felt that in a long time. hmmm.

Totals: 2.5 hours Riding. Tonight's ride was fast, even with a wicked headwind while heading west.

P.S. Famous Daves has Great Ribs. BTW, the brisket is the best I've tasted. Good Stuff.

Get Yours Yet? Left Nut of the Week!

Long awaited by every gadget guru, I mean cyclist is My Left Nut of the Week. Actually, no not that, the Garmin Edge 705 started shipping finally last week. I'm patiently waiting for the first reviews to come in from around the internet. I see this thing as being very useful in finding new roads, as well as being a really useful training tool, especially when the power meter companies start supporting it.

I F'n Amuse People!

I wear a creepy helmet and shoes that sound like stilettos as I walk down the hall (as quietly as possible) towards my office each morning. All along the way, people pass me in the hall and comment how cool it is that I ride my bike to work. I think it is kinda cool also, but enough already. Now if I rode my skateboard, or hitchhiked to work every day that would be something to talk about.

But I'm only a bicycle commuter damnit! No offense to anyone who might read this. I'm just thinking the novelty of it all should have worn off by now. It's been months.

Today's Training: 2 hours, One on the Road, and One on the Trainer. It's still not light late enough to get the time I need out on the road in the evening, especially when I have to work late.

P.S. The f'n amuse line was Pesci's from Goodfellas, a very good movie. I know, that pic is from a different movie, but he looks tough in this one.

Saturday Ride.

My wife had to work today so I was stuck home with the girls looking out at Bright Sunshine. So much for the weather forecast predicting rain. Anyway, I was able to get out for a couple hours when she got home and I felt really good out there. Here's to tonight's storm passing through quickly so I can ride longer tomorrow after we go see Horton Hear's a Who. I also trolled some of the local business parks for loops to ride at night if I get stuck working late. No luck there yet, but I'll keep looking. 14 hours of riding this week, not bad.

Today's Ride: 2 hours: 40 Miles.

Spring has Sprung!

You know spring is coming when suburbia gets invaded by aliens in F350's. Every strand of grass gets tended to and that brown mulch gets thrown around freely. Sometimes I wonder if all that mulch isn't just some way of spreading out toxic waste to get the parts per million down. Kidding, the stuff you think about when riding to work that's all.

Training: Got 2 hours of riding in today with a hill or two and some sprints thrown in. I'm still waiting for that feeling of having some power in my legs that level the hills like the old days. Haven't had a whiff of that feeling in years.

Longer Daylight Hours.

Some may say it's old fashioned and no longer needed, but for me, Daylight Savings Time is always something nice to look forward to each year. Leaving work while it's still very light out for that first time each year never fails to put a smile on my face. Not to mention, it means more time to ride after work.

Today's "training": I've been riding into work every day now for awhile and it's good for 15 miles each weekday. I'll take the extra 75 miles a week that gives me. 1 hour: 5 minutes on the trainer tonight while listening to the Tri-Talk podcast and the news from Lake Wobegon.

Totals: 2 hours Riding.

Sunday Ride.

I decided to head North today to find some new roads to ride. I have a feeling I'm going to be heading that way MUCH more often as the roads are fairly empty of cars, there are some short but really steep climbs that really push my heartrate up, and the scenery is beautiful. It's farm country and I find that there's always something cool to see.

Next time I head out that way I'm going to go a bit further north and east to push the mileage up and to find some more hills. My ultimate goal is to take this ride west all the way to Westminster, head south, through Liberty Road, and continue on to Demascus before circling back. I figure that's easily gotta be 85 miles.

It was nice climbing today though, warmed me up nicely with all this wind we are having. It was also nice having my Dad and Brother come to visit yesterday. First time they've been here. Both of them mentioned wanting me to move back to Pennsylvania so I could be closer to family.

Today's Ride Totals: 42 fairly fast, but hilly miles.

Cycling with Power! Left Nut of the Week.

If you aren't cycling with a power meter and heart rate monitor, you probably aren't riding to your potential. You'll be under trained or over trained. At least that's what they say. Me, I just want one. That's my Left Nut of the Week. The CycleOps PowerTap Pro. I'll take mine with a set of Zipps please.

Riding in the Rain.

Getting caught in the rain is an inevitable part of riding. Setting out with a clean bike in the pouring down rain is a whole other thing. But,... it's still better than being stuck at work or calling a cab.

March Madness!

Time to up the intensity of my riding as March is here. I wish I was out there today since it's 60+ degrees. I found some good hills close to home yesterday and love doing sustained climbing so that was fun. My knee felt great on the hills too.

In a few weeks hopefully I'll be suffering some major climbs up in Pennsylvania and loving every minute of it. Enough rambling for now, back to work.