Sunday Ride

It's been 2 days since the "Snow" ride. Every other day is the training for now. This is the other day. I had a difficult ride in the cold and snow. I did not realize just how much that "Snow" ride took out of me. No matter, today is a ride day. Today was cold again. 35 degrees and off and on wet. I looked out the windows over Useless Bay, it started to snow. The snow stopped in a few mins. It was hard to look at that wet snow. The "Snow" ride was still in me and I did not want that again. Never mind all that, lay out the riding gear. All the same stuff as last time only a riding jacket instead of a heavy rain jacket. Also took some neoprene gloves as a back up. The bike was clean and ready to go again. I was going to do the same course as last time. Do the 65% to 70% effort ride again to. Hoped for a dryer ride with little or no snow.
I took off from the house. It was not raining or snowing. The roads were still wet. Me and the bike were going to get dirty from all the road dirt and sand. Real dirty! I just rolled into this ride easy. Just like the last ride. No rabbit this time. What fool would be out today. Just me. Not that many cars and trucks on the road to. The price of fuel is having an effect. Even if only on Sunday. So the ride was going to be easy in that way. On up Lone Lake Road and in and out of Langley. Moving to the higher areas of the Island. The weather was much better. It has only snowed for a few mins here and there. Where I was in slush on Friday, it was just wet now. Much easier moving and the gears were happy. I moved to Heggenes Hill. Up this nice climb. Say hello to the field horses. They all looked today. For the first time the black horse on the bottom at the start of the climb looked at me. I have been talking to that horse for 6 months. It was nice to get noticed by him. On up the hill and back in the direction of Langley. It was still miles to go, the snow was gone and a little sun came out. I was starting to bonk a little. I drank the rest of my go juice. Made me feel better. Through Langley and up Bayview Hill and the last 5 miles to home. Today I could go full speed down this hill. Soon I would be 2 miles from home. I looked down at my legs. the legs was covered in dirt and sand. I would have to strip in the garage. Well most of the outer layers. First though the last mile. The sun was full on now. The last mile was glorious. I was tired and cool when I got home. My brain was running a bit slow. Once I cleaned the bike. I stripped myself and found some hot chicken soup. It was still a tough ride. Nothing like Friday's ride thouth. That was epic. Today was just hard.

Spring Ride

It's the end of March. I have had the most wonderful first year of marrage to Mary Anne. We spent 2 nights in downtown Seattle. Right next to "Pike's Market". I pray for many more. More than I can count.
Now this is a training log. One that has been poorly used for the last few days. Rides have gone by. The rides seem to be normal. Every day rides on the same roads I use all the time. 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 miles. All planned out. I know every corner. Every hill and all the spots to keep an extra close eye on. It's not that the rides are boring, there not. Just I want more to write about these last few weeks. More than I did this good or need to improve here or there. More than I ran down this guy on a hill and passed him by. Or hung out with him or her for awhile. More than, this hill was so hard that people stopped there cars and looked as I went up hill there cars could barly go up. I have not stopped training. Only if Mary Anne and I travel, and then I often take the bike and ride then to. I ride when I'm not feeling good. I ride when I'm feeling great and all feelings in between. I keep to the training. I stay with the program. My program to live a stronger life. A healther life. I ride!
The post today is an epic ride. Epic can be many definitions. Today post is about weather.
I started out by finding all the right gear for the ride. Warm gear! It was 36 degrees and the weather report was saying SNOW. it's the end of March, spring is here. Bad weather comes in spring, but, rarely snow. Once again I was the Stay Puff Marshmallow rider. Heavy long sleave base jersy. Heavy thermal tights. Very heavy wool vest, custom made. Arm warmers, with a long sleave jersy over all that. Then a heavy rain jackey over all that. I had to finish dressing in the garage so I would not break out in a sweat. Regular riding gloves with extra heavy long finger gloves over that. Full baclava over my head ears and neck, with a exrta regular head cover over all that. It was a wonder I could get on the bike. I was ready to go. It was raining and 36 degrees. It felt colder. I started on the ride. I was going to do 40+ miles as this was my second ride in a week. My last ride was good till later that night. A fever of 100. The bathroom was my best friend that night. I guess I could eat again in 10 hours or so. I wanted to just have an easy ride. Roll back into the gears. Not pust to hard. Do the right thing. Have a nice 65% to 70% effort ride. Work the program and get stronger little bits at a time. It was wet and cold. As I moved down the road past the first traffic lights I saw the rabbit. A rabbit is a rider out front. Someone to chase down, to "beat", go faster than. Play the game of king of the mountian. Who's faster, you or me with. The rabbit looked back and it was on. I still was un-willing to use my big gears. I could see I would catch the rabbit, but it was going to take sometime. As the road began it's normal up hill section to Lone Lake I had halfed the distance to the rider in front. He was looking back all the time. He was riding like a good rider. Someone that trained and was fit. I just kept rolling at my pace. Picking up one foot at a time. By the top of the first climb at Lone Lake I could see his face. I knew if I wanted on the decent I would catch him. I stayed in the small gears so it would take a little longer. At the bottom if this hill there was a stop and right hand turn. My brakes were wet and had a little fresh oil on them. I got the bike to stop before going into the cross road. The distance was so close if I stood up and put a little effort in I would be by this guy. On this part of the road you have to take care of you effort as there was a monster hill coming at you. Push to hard early and you die on the steep hill coming up. I was going to catch up at the bottom of this very hard hill and I was fresh to climb hard. I made the gap and we rode the hill together. Nick was his name. He is a nice guy. I was close to 30 years older than Nick. I no longer was running him down and we talked for a bit till I had to go out front becouse of traffic. It was all Nick could do to hold on. He had told me he had seen me alot on the roads from his car. That made me feel good. He asked how many miles I do. I said 3000+- to that time this year. He went silent. Nick just looked at me when we were side by side. The town sign for Langley was coming soon and it would be a down hill run to the town. The only time of the ride I used the big gears. No way Nick was getting the town sign from me, NO WAY. I rolled into Langley doing 30 something MPH. Not even working so hard. Nick got by my side well past the sign at the first stop sign. His eye brows went up. We both smiled and went on. Nick lives in Langley and was following and that was the last I saw of him. It started to snow. It was all wet every where so the snow never had a chance once it hit the ground. As I left Langley, a small town right on the water, I moved past the County Fair Grounds. There small to. Then it was a right turn to up hill to the High School. Every foot up hill the snow got heaver. At the top of this little climb it was really feeling and looking like a snow storm. Roads were still clear. Every mile now was snow. My glasses had to be cleared often to see. Just use my fingers like a wiper. The bigger of the climbs would be coming soon. The ones that go to the highest part of the South Island. I knew the snow would get heavy. The road sides would start building up snow. Left turn to the start of miles of climbing. Maybe in total 5 mile of some easy, some very hard hill climbing. The snow was starting to collect on the road as slush. I just kept it at a little easier pace than normal. I didn't want to sweat to much. There was enough water outside. It was 33 degrees and snowing. I had to watch were the tires went at this point. My front tire was getting bigger as the slush built up on it. I went to change gears at the top of one climb before another climb. My faster gears were frozen solid. All the chain did was skip over the top. So I just shifted till I found a gear that worked and stayed there. There was still climbing to do. All the way up Heggenes Hill. One of my favorites. It's just a senic climb with switch backs. To the top is about a mile+-. It was snowing and sticking everywhere. The horses and pastures were just wonderful to look at. I was really going easy. It was 17 miles to home. My hands were wet. Snow and ice were all over my bike and jacket. My neoprene booties had 1 inch of snow and ice. My feet were warm. My face was warm. I'm sure my helmet had a lot of snow on it. My hands were wet and cold and not working so well. I was on Langley Road my gears were froze. I had 2 gears that worked. I was riding through slush and snow all the time. It was a shallow down hill to Langley and the snow was easing off and the slush was starting to go away. I got to Langley, I still only had 2 gears, but, there was hope for more. I had another steepish climb on the last road to home. By the top all my gears worked and it was 36 degrees again. The steep desent was slow. My hands had lost all feeling miles ago. Home was 2 miles at the bottom. It was much warmer but my hands wanted to be home. Finally one turn and there I was. Still covered with wet snow and some ice. I just parked the hammered bike in the garage to clean later. Took off all the outer layers, everything needed to be washed. Got my hands warm. It stopped raining. It stopped snowing. 43 miles, 3 hours, it was an epic ride. One for the books.

40/40

Both days 40/40. Not so many miles. Colds and wet. The body was hammered on Saturdays 40. It was so hard. The temperature never got over 48 degrees. 90% humidity with a bit of wind. Just 20 MPH on the face. On the everything else to. The body had a real hard time warming up. The first hour just getting warm. The last 2 staying warm. I have done these 40s faster. Never much harder. It was a dirty mess on Saturday after the ride. The Fender went on for the Sunday ride. That helped, a lot. Both days the same set of roads. Sunday was dryer and went better than Saturday. Also the fender did it's job and the bike and I were a lot cleaner. Still worm parts and parts of slugs to clean off the bike. A lot less on Sunday. Both days had fast moments and slow in the wind pain. Hard to make the bike go in 20 to 35 MPH in your face on the last 10 miles. Just go the best you can. Few others out. No worry about getting passed these days. The climbs were hard though fun. Just get in the gear you want to work and put your head down. Look up once and a while to see the road a head. The horses of one climb did not even look my way. Just eating to stay warm. That's what my ride and gear does for me. Movement and never stop. Well a stop once and a while but rarely. Keep moving. Today is a recover day. It's blowing in the 40s. The water out the window is boiling on the bay and sound. Just steady all night as it is this AM. Glad to be doing some cleaning today. Got a nice St. Patrick's day dinner to make. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Saturday Morning

It's another few rides ago again. Seems to be a habit. So it must be a good habit.
One that I am going to feel good about and not beat myself up about.
The Spring that showed itself for a few days is gone and the cold wet has come home again. 90% humidity, 42 degrees, raining. A difficult day to train in. A hard day to go out in. A day that I will look at my winter riding gear and find the best answer for the day. I have not missed any days. The training goes on. The hills with there help. Although the roads going up are a bit slippery. My rear wheel spins under my power stroke on Look peddles. Just go up in the tire tracks of the few cars and trucks. The big banana slugs are starting to come out again and join the worms. Cleaning the bike at the end of the ride is a must.
60,50,45 and 40 miles, these are the distances that work this old body. Some days it's easy. Some days not. 60 miles 2 years ago was dream. Today just another ride. I'm sure happy about that. It's Saturday and it's a ride day. Looked on the local ride board (online) no orginized rides. Just one rider looking for a partner to do the miles with. Maybe to late at 8:13 AM. I know this rider is an early rider. Not me. I am 11 AM to 12 pm start. Spend the rest of the afternoon doing the training. On these wet days I come back dirt up the back as the fender has gone into hiding. Maybe I should find it. The last ride was so dirty. It is not so hard to put the fender on. Really keeps everything cleaner. I have the time this morning. It's really wet and sandy out there. Better get to it.
So it's all good. Lots of miles going on the new bike computer. Bought some new gear for the bikes as good weather is coming and worn out gear needs to be replaced. Sand has done it's job. Better get to it. It will be Noon in no time at all.

Another void in the stream

The writing. It needs to be written to mean anything.
I have had several riding adventures. More hills, good and bad weather. Work on the bike to keep it going during the end of the winter season. The winter has done a job on the rims, gear shifters (derailers), tires, chains. Oh my the chains. I was out to clean the chain again yesterday. All the normal stuff, remove it and soak it clean. Put it back on and it should be good to go. Not this time. Links were sticky and the whole chain seemed sloppy. New chain, thanks Connie. My normal deal is to compair new to old on the floor. See how much the old chain has grown. A full 1/2 inch!!! That's just crazy. Every bushing (bearing) must have been gone. Steel to steel on the old chain. Strait to the recycle for the old chain. A new chain went on. All the lubeing that needs to be done on a new chain and out I went. Out on the road I remembered I had not shortened the new chain by 3 links. I was not going to be able to use a few gears. No problem, just get it done when I get back. The sand on this Island just kills parts on the bike. Oh I had to change out derailer transfer wheels to. Took off the ones on the #1 bike that now looks like a car at "You Pick it Auto Parts". The old transfer wheels were past worn out. I got to get some new parts to replace the worn out stuff. Also I need a Campy chain for summer. So the winter is showing the damage it does. Also my left "Look peddle" is worn to the point of squeeking. I have a extra pair to replace the worn pair. I think I can repair the peddles. New bearings and "Phill's" water proof grease. That will do the trick.
So the rides have been good. Each and every one has been good. Hard cold days and a few nicer days to. I have been able to move to some arm and leg warmers and regular bib shorts. A few extras under the short sleeve jersy. So the heavy winter stuff is not getting the use it was. Even the full head cover (baclava) is starting to dust up a bit. I keep the riding jacket close by though. Easy way to warm up the outfit fast. I still have full neoprene booties over the shoes. I can not ride with cold feet. The booties will be the last of winter to go. The true start of warm riding is no booties.
The problem with not posting after every ride is the post of several rides tells less of a story. The details are few. So I will just start. It's been more rides than I can remember to write down much. The last 2, yesterday and the day before are about it. Just to keep this fair, I have put on about 2000 miles since January 1 2008it's now March 6th and I will put on 45 miles today to. The miles are the measure of the story to. Hard winter miles. Now looking forward to the easy spring weather and summer to come faster than I think. Feeling the power the hills have put in my legs. Power I have never had. The last ride in Salem Oregon still is with me. The speed and new big gears on roads I know well. Power that was such a suprise on the flat roads in Salem. It's the hills of this fine Island that have offered their gift to me. Ride the hills if you want to grow strong. On this Island it's all hills all the time. Gravity works at you with no relief. It's the force of going up that has given me the presents. The work of the climb. The push to bigger gears from the gears once used. Always looking to improve from what the last ride was. Keeping an eye over my shoulder for the rider coming my way. Push a little harder. Know when to rest. Keep pushing all the time. It's a post like this that you begin to see the reward. What you were is no longer who you are. The body has changed. Keep an eye over my shoulder for the rider coming my way. Push a little harder. Ride a little longer. Do the hills you have not done. Do them over and over again. Do them twice on the same ride. Do them again. Do them over and over again. Hills have become friends. Every bump. Every turn and turn to a steeper grade. All hard work is a gift to my rides. The hills have so many gifts.
On my ride before last. A 55 miler with a couple of really hard hills. Avoided during the mid winter season. At the start of the hardest of the climbs there is a sharp right hand turn. The turn to hide how steep this present is. A brute of a climb. Max heart rate at 3 different point of the climb. A long climb for a hill. I took the turn expecting the quiet hill to myself. Wrong! There was a large road crew trimming trees. 5 trucks with a 2 person stop and slow sign going on. I was praying I would not have to stop on this very steep hill. Both traffic controllers saw me coming. They waved me on and through this long line of trucks. Expecting some greif from this crew I went on. Then the "you can do it's", "all the way to the top". Everyone stopped working to look at this crazy biker going up this steep hill. Everyone put a good word out for my effort. This all came at the hardest point of the hill. These folks had to walk on this hill enough to know how hard the hill was. All the crew cheered me on. This had never happened to me before in 20 years of hard riding from a road crew. Thanks to everyone of them for the positive thoughts.
So the rides are a present. Every time, the rides are a present. I am so lucky to have so many presents.