I finally put my girly portions away and got outside the past couple weeks. It has been refreshing and invigorating. Riding for so long on an indoor trainer can be negative, at least for me. I was starting to forget about racing, real efforts, and the feel of riding a bike.
My first ride back on the road a few weeks back was with my new team, a bunch of much faster, much more experienced riders, specifically a pile of CAT 1, 2's. On top of that, they were revving up for Tour of Bahamas (which starts tomorrow) and i'm revving up for say....april-may? Needless to say i got dropped a lot. After spending some time outdoors, increasing my intensity, and riding more consistently, i had a much different experience this past weekend, a much more positive one. It bodes well for me and my up coming sophomore season.
This being my 2nd year riding a bike and racing (and this is truly my 2nd year...not "oh i didnt race seriously as a CAT 5...blah blah blah"). I was an overweight, no exercise, beer drinking fool, that in the winter would go hiking. July of 08 i started to commute 7 miles to work, rode a fixed gear till the week of my first race which is when i got my road bike. I guess i've really been just riding for a year and a half. Anyway, my point is, i'm brand new at this. One thing i have no clue about is power specific training. My team mates have me doing 15minx2 interval sets right now. That's increased recently from 12mins and will increase again pretty soon. I was talking to Jared, who pretty much runs our team and he was discussing the TT in the Bahamas and not having put in the power training for the 3 mile merckx style TT. I didnt know what he meant. I know last season i did a lot of 1min and 30sec intervals, but i dont know exactly why. Just like if i did 5minx5 right now, i'd have no idea what the point was? I know a bit why my mates have me doing the long intervals (besides it being a very big weakness of mine), but developing different sets of power as the season nears closer is very foreign to me.
I already mentioned it but members of my elite team have left to go to warmer climates to race their bikes. Jared Neiters, Bryan Vaughn, and Steven Gordon are all down there. Bryan Vaughn has been training very hard and should see some great results. Also, they sent pictures of our new kits and i'm very pleased.
Showing posts with label winter weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter weather. Show all posts
Friday, January 22, 2010
Monday, November 16, 2009
Dishwashing Gloves...w/o finger brushes
Last winter season i learned a couple very important lessons.
1.Fenders rule (see image)
2.Riding in the rain longer than 45mins in temps below 50 is brutally painful, but fenders help.
I learned both of these from a friend's brother and telling him i know better despite his riding a bike as long i've probably been alive. or at least close to it.
I also told my wife last winter season, "remind me to ride outdoors even in the brutally cold rain, rather than on the rollers."
So last week, as you may know, was a very wet week. Beyond the stinging pain of very cold wetness on the body, i love the conditions...messy, wet, cold. Really, its just how cold my hands get when they are sopping wet and directly in the wind. I've seen the specialized Scuba gloves (not really scuba gloves, but its what they look like), but they are ridiculously expensive and i dont have an amazing discount anymore. So while shopping around the IKEA discount area for craft projects (yes crafts...or art if that sounds better), and i saw a basket full of black rubber dishwashing gloves for 79 cents a pair. They reminded me of the super expensive Specialized pair, but for a 150th of the price (or something like that). They are super thin but big enough to allow to fit a pair of winter gloves underneathe, keeping my hands both dry and warm. I got to try them out a few times last week, making the cold wet rides much more enjoyable, even at 6 or 7 am. light or dark.
79 cents. yes!
I ended up 4th in the MABRA BAR. I only had a small portion of my season as a CAT 4 so i think that's pretty good. I found out by email this morning that i missed out on a plaque. Bummer. A season of more near misses than Vee's, but i still (by my count) have 2 in the bank.
1.Fenders rule (see image)
2.Riding in the rain longer than 45mins in temps below 50 is brutally painful, but fenders help.I learned both of these from a friend's brother and telling him i know better despite his riding a bike as long i've probably been alive. or at least close to it.
I also told my wife last winter season, "remind me to ride outdoors even in the brutally cold rain, rather than on the rollers."
So last week, as you may know, was a very wet week. Beyond the stinging pain of very cold wetness on the body, i love the conditions...messy, wet, cold. Really, its just how cold my hands get when they are sopping wet and directly in the wind. I've seen the specialized Scuba gloves (not really scuba gloves, but its what they look like), but they are ridiculously expensive and i dont have an amazing discount anymore. So while shopping around the IKEA discount area for craft projects (yes crafts...or art if that sounds better), and i saw a basket full of black rubber dishwashing gloves for 79 cents a pair. They reminded me of the super expensive Specialized pair, but for a 150th of the price (or something like that). They are super thin but big enough to allow to fit a pair of winter gloves underneathe, keeping my hands both dry and warm. I got to try them out a few times last week, making the cold wet rides much more enjoyable, even at 6 or 7 am. light or dark.
79 cents. yes!
I ended up 4th in the MABRA BAR. I only had a small portion of my season as a CAT 4 so i think that's pretty good. I found out by email this morning that i missed out on a plaque. Bummer. A season of more near misses than Vee's, but i still (by my count) have 2 in the bank.
Friday, March 13, 2009
OD on Vitamin C
I went to the group ride last night. It was nice. We didn't set a hard pace. Mostly a get to know everyone/the route ride. It was only 25 miles. All in all i got in 50 yesterday.
I was planning on 40 this morning because my wife is picking me up from work to go meet Dan, but i was hacking up a lung this morning (still sick) and it was snowing out. So i settled for 25, which seemed to be about right. I thought it was going to be 30 but i miscalculated part of the route. It was a terribly miserable ride...wet, freezing, feeling like crap, pitch black darkness. ugh.
I'm going to try and get in 50 before work(bike shop) tomorrow. Shouldn't be a problem.
riding everyday with a backpack is a bummer.
Paris-Nice
I was planning on 40 this morning because my wife is picking me up from work to go meet Dan, but i was hacking up a lung this morning (still sick) and it was snowing out. So i settled for 25, which seemed to be about right. I thought it was going to be 30 but i miscalculated part of the route. It was a terribly miserable ride...wet, freezing, feeling like crap, pitch black darkness. ugh.
I'm going to try and get in 50 before work(bike shop) tomorrow. Shouldn't be a problem.
riding everyday with a backpack is a bummer.
Paris-Nice
Monday, March 2, 2009
training and racing = cluelessness
Another snow day to ruin cycling.
I took yesterday off to rest, and i tried real hard to stay away from my bike. Unfortunately if i had gone out like i'd wanted to then i could have taken a proper rest day today when cycling is near impossible (outdoors that is).
Also, another great disapointment is that the Jefferson Cup (CAT 5) filled up in "5 mins". Leaving me to do nothing that weekend except sulk or train. probably the latter or maybe both. Regardless i have to rethink what races i'm going to do.
Fawn Grove Roubaix?
Tysons Corner Crit?
Tour of Walkersville?
i dont know. Certainly not all 3. Fawn Grove sounds like a lot of fun, Tysons is a big event nearby, and i know nothing about Walkersville except its a Road Race that is 40 miles for my CAT.
Honestly, i feel clueless as to what i'm doing. My training is random at best, consistent but random as to the workouts. My plans for racing are also random. I have no idea what i'm good at. And while i feel like i'm training hard, i dont feel that strong. I'm really hoping that working with the guys from 540 Cycling will help immensely. We'll see.
Now i have to go an email to my Uncle, telling him to leave my political convictions alone. ugh.
intervals on the rollers tonight. best i can think of.
I took yesterday off to rest, and i tried real hard to stay away from my bike. Unfortunately if i had gone out like i'd wanted to then i could have taken a proper rest day today when cycling is near impossible (outdoors that is).
Also, another great disapointment is that the Jefferson Cup (CAT 5) filled up in "5 mins". Leaving me to do nothing that weekend except sulk or train. probably the latter or maybe both. Regardless i have to rethink what races i'm going to do.
Fawn Grove Roubaix?
Tysons Corner Crit?
Tour of Walkersville?
i dont know. Certainly not all 3. Fawn Grove sounds like a lot of fun, Tysons is a big event nearby, and i know nothing about Walkersville except its a Road Race that is 40 miles for my CAT.
Honestly, i feel clueless as to what i'm doing. My training is random at best, consistent but random as to the workouts. My plans for racing are also random. I have no idea what i'm good at. And while i feel like i'm training hard, i dont feel that strong. I'm really hoping that working with the guys from 540 Cycling will help immensely. We'll see.
Now i have to go an email to my Uncle, telling him to leave my political convictions alone. ugh.
intervals on the rollers tonight. best i can think of.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Ice Day
Didn't ride in this morning. I'm wishing i had, but hindsight is always 20/20. I knew i would regret it as soon as my boss and i left my house in his car, one because i had a feeling but mostly because i saw that the main roads were just fine.
Ben made it in just fine and as a matter of fact, turned over a decent time going in. He said it was a bit scary but no problems.
The farmers almanac looks something like:
So its been close to being correct. But i bet i could have been "close to being correct" too. I'm just hoping for no more big precipitation days anytime soon which according to Accuweather isn't too far off from "close to being correct":
With all that said about commuting and the weather, i have to think about training and what i should be doing. From reading everyone else's blogs, i gather that i should be logging miles and lots of them and thats about it.
There is an upcoming race i am planning on doing called the Snowball Crit #1. Its in VA Beach and its on Feb 22nd. Thats the goal for the start of my first real racing season.
Ben made it in just fine and as a matter of fact, turned over a decent time going in. He said it was a bit scary but no problems.
The farmers almanac looks something like:
So its been close to being correct. But i bet i could have been "close to being correct" too. I'm just hoping for no more big precipitation days anytime soon which according to Accuweather isn't too far off from "close to being correct":
With all that said about commuting and the weather, i have to think about training and what i should be doing. From reading everyone else's blogs, i gather that i should be logging miles and lots of them and thats about it.There is an upcoming race i am planning on doing called the Snowball Crit #1. Its in VA Beach and its on Feb 22nd. Thats the goal for the start of my first real racing season.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Snow Day
This morning it started to snow:
And i took off via bike despite that fact. i pulled up to the exit of my neighborhood and no sooner did i stop at the stop sign, that a car across the road wreck into the guard rail. *AWESOME*. i grabbed my manhood, said a quick prayer, clipped into my bike, and took a right turn to work.
After a short ride the only complaint was my eyes. My eyes took a beating from all the snow. Had i grabbed my ski goggles like i had thought about doing, then i wouldn't have had any real complaints.
If there is a question about wearing ski goggles why riding a bike, well:
Andy Hampsten did it while winning the 88 Giro...so that makes it ok. But, I'm by no means comparing my 6.5 mile journey in the snow from home to work to Andy's crazy break away during a freak snow storm.
I got to work relatively dry but my bike faired different:
With that said...it has started to snow again and i'm out of here.
And i took off via bike despite that fact. i pulled up to the exit of my neighborhood and no sooner did i stop at the stop sign, that a car across the road wreck into the guard rail. *AWESOME*. i grabbed my manhood, said a quick prayer, clipped into my bike, and took a right turn to work.After a short ride the only complaint was my eyes. My eyes took a beating from all the snow. Had i grabbed my ski goggles like i had thought about doing, then i wouldn't have had any real complaints.
If there is a question about wearing ski goggles why riding a bike, well:
Andy Hampsten did it while winning the 88 Giro...so that makes it ok. But, I'm by no means comparing my 6.5 mile journey in the snow from home to work to Andy's crazy break away during a freak snow storm.I got to work relatively dry but my bike faired different:
With that said...it has started to snow again and i'm out of here.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Of Whales and Woes
This morning i left the house late and took the short route and i had a ton of time to kill at work, so i did a few laps around the mile(.85) loop in our business park to make up some miles. By the time i had gotten a mile away from work it started snowing slightly and when i was doing laps it was all out snowing. But, it subsided shortly after.
So with this upcoming weather:
Which is obviously very ridable, nothing too terrible to complain about, but I'd rather be prepared with the proper gear. So with those 3 days being today, tomorrow, and Wednesday, on my lunch break i purchased the SKS Race Blade Fenders XL and Fox Fluid Rain Jacket. Both of which should assistant in keeping the exterior wetness on the exterior.
I do remember that day fairly well, even though i was all of 3 or 4 years old. It was my birthday and i got a bike (i think) and i was doing laps around the circle in front of our house. Sold at a young age...
So with this upcoming weather:
Which is obviously very ridable, nothing too terrible to complain about, but I'd rather be prepared with the proper gear. So with those 3 days being today, tomorrow, and Wednesday, on my lunch break i purchased the SKS Race Blade Fenders XL and Fox Fluid Rain Jacket. Both of which should assistant in keeping the exterior wetness on the exterior.
I do remember that day fairly well, even though i was all of 3 or 4 years old. It was my birthday and i got a bike (i think) and i was doing laps around the circle in front of our house. Sold at a young age...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Red Tacks
All signs pointed back towards bed this morning...or at the very least taking the short route to work. It was just one of those mornings. I was tired, my legs were sore, its was an enjoyable 13 degrees outside, i was dragging and procrastinating. But despite all that, in my quest to be a family of 1 motor vehicle, i hopped on my bike. Shortly there after i was cruising along just dandy or as dandy as you can be in 13 degree weather on a bike, and i hear *clunk* *clunk* *clunk*. So i decided to figure out what the hell is making that noise. I stop and spin my back wheel to discover a nice little red tack. a few thought went through my mind at that moment, "maybe i can still ride...no probably not", "maybe i can take it out and nothing will"...pppsssssss....yeah. that didn't work, nice thought though. This was my first test of changing a tube on the road....ever. Its my 3rd flat ever too. I think i have a bit of luck on my side. But, regardless of all that, i did it. I changed the flat and pressed on. I was proud of myself.More doping comes through the headlines...
I hope they make some progress with Operation Puerto.
The Oscar nods are posted. a few things that have to happen or i won't watch the Oscars again...
- Slumdog wins both best picture and director
- Rourke wins best actor
- Ledger wins support actor
- Wall-E animated feature
- Wall-E or Slumdog win original score
Go Cardinals!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday & Sunday and being 10
Today is Sunday. Its about 30 degrees outside, which considering the past couple of days is actually warm. I really find it difficult (and depressing) to try and ride outdoors on the weekends, the days i should be do my 50 mile rides (that's long for me and my fixie). For the past few months I've been slowly (very slowly) accumulating winter cycling gear, but i seem to always be just slightly behind the weather on timing. For instance, I've been waiting (for money) to purchase a certain sweet pair of tights and hardcore gloves, which i could go do today, but i really could have used them this past week. Specially since Friday night's ride home parts of my legs swoll up from the stinging cold. Most of the time i just suck it up once I'm out on the bike but to get out there, its super difficult.
I'm hoping to just hang out a month or two longer and maybe I'll be OK come racing time. I mean, I'm racing CAT 5 and honestly to be "OK" would consist of being able to stay in the pack and not die. I'm hoping to learn about pack racing this season, because up till now the only racing I've done is ITT's and making breaks on intense group rides (back about 7 years ago). Though from what I've read on seasoned racer's blogs, CAT 5 is like a bad group ride gone wrong.
Even farther back about 12 years was this...
I ran the 1 mile kids race in 7:14 at the age of 10. The guy that won the 5k ran barefoot...i think he ran it in 16 or 17 min...barefoot. I thought he was amazing. If you couldn't tell i beat all the other kids and got that cool trophy. I was pretty proud. My dad's pacing and coaching are what helped...
I'm hoping to just hang out a month or two longer and maybe I'll be OK come racing time. I mean, I'm racing CAT 5 and honestly to be "OK" would consist of being able to stay in the pack and not die. I'm hoping to learn about pack racing this season, because up till now the only racing I've done is ITT's and making breaks on intense group rides (back about 7 years ago). Though from what I've read on seasoned racer's blogs, CAT 5 is like a bad group ride gone wrong.
Even farther back about 12 years was this...
I ran the 1 mile kids race in 7:14 at the age of 10. The guy that won the 5k ran barefoot...i think he ran it in 16 or 17 min...barefoot. I thought he was amazing. If you couldn't tell i beat all the other kids and got that cool trophy. I was pretty proud. My dad's pacing and coaching are what helped...
Friday, January 16, 2009
Frozen Beards and Light Grenades
While this whole week I've been complaining about the wicked cold, this morning i experienced the worst of it. I checked online when i left to get a brief idea of just how cold it was outside, 10 F. I was later told my fellow commuter that there was a windchill of below 0...ouch. Luckily 90% of my hiking is done in the dead of winter so i have winter performance gear which i was able to layer up with this morning in combination with my cycling clothes. Despite the extra clothes my face remained bare (save a little beard) there for rendering my face defenseless against the cold...the result looked like this:
I did put Vaseline on my face before i left hence the nice glistening reflection my face has. But i honestly could feel much and every hair follicle was frozen to its surrounding neighbors. Also unfortunately any precipitation that left my mouth (or nose) became immediately frozen to my facial hair leaving me looking like i have rabies. The Vaseline also froze moments after i left my house, which was a weird feeling.
The ride itself was kind of difficult but nothing over bearing.
I visited the library for another round of free CDs and DVDs. I picked up Incubus's Light Grenades which is slightly disappointing. I'm happy i didn't go to purchase it. I grew up a huge incubus fan and from time to time i still enjoy some of their music, but Light Grenades seems to be the culmination of bad ideas and wasted talent, or it could be just poor song writing. Its not even enjoyable pop.
The movie selection wasn't that great either, but they did have classics such as Jurassic Park and Forest Gump. Jurassic Park is the first movie i ever remember watching in theaters and i saw it in an IMAX theater. I loved it so much that when it came to television a year or two later i recorded on a VHS and promptly watched it everyday for an extended period of my life (i was home schooled so i had tons of time for it). I also picked up Chicago and Miracle...and like Darryl said Chicago is a joke, i couldn't believe it won 6 Academy Awards...are people insane?
I did put Vaseline on my face before i left hence the nice glistening reflection my face has. But i honestly could feel much and every hair follicle was frozen to its surrounding neighbors. Also unfortunately any precipitation that left my mouth (or nose) became immediately frozen to my facial hair leaving me looking like i have rabies. The Vaseline also froze moments after i left my house, which was a weird feeling.The ride itself was kind of difficult but nothing over bearing.
I visited the library for another round of free CDs and DVDs. I picked up Incubus's Light Grenades which is slightly disappointing. I'm happy i didn't go to purchase it. I grew up a huge incubus fan and from time to time i still enjoy some of their music, but Light Grenades seems to be the culmination of bad ideas and wasted talent, or it could be just poor song writing. Its not even enjoyable pop.
The movie selection wasn't that great either, but they did have classics such as Jurassic Park and Forest Gump. Jurassic Park is the first movie i ever remember watching in theaters and i saw it in an IMAX theater. I loved it so much that when it came to television a year or two later i recorded on a VHS and promptly watched it everyday for an extended period of my life (i was home schooled so i had tons of time for it). I also picked up Chicago and Miracle...and like Darryl said Chicago is a joke, i couldn't believe it won 6 Academy Awards...are people insane?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Jerrys Subs and Pizza sucks.
Sometime after lunch i worked up a new logo for Jerry's Subs and Pizza. I went there because they had a 4 inch Philly Cheesesteak for $2.99 which over the radio before I've eaten breakfast sounds mighty good. So thinking I'm being economical, today a co-worker and i went over to Jerry's and took advantage of this "deal". I bought two because it was still slightly cheaper (about $.71) than buying the 8 inch. Thinking about this post-purchase i figured that not only could i have spent nearly the same amount of money for a sub 30% larger than my two combined, but i guarantee it would have been tastier. Upon this realization we (my co-worker and i)started to mentally compare prices of Jerry's (crap-decent food) to any ordinary mom & pop joint (like Mama Mia's or Big Joe's) and you can get more and better pizza from Big Joe's as two slices than you can from Jerry's as a medium pizza and Mama Mia's subs are far superior to Jerry's and 4 inches longer for around the same price....never again. Jerry's is a rip off and for some reason my idiocy makes me angry.
Last i checked (about an hour ago) it was 28 degrees outside, and now with the sun setting I'm preparing to face the cold again. My beard froze on the ride in, kind of weird considering there was no precipitation (you figure that out).
My last two posts had pictures i personally took. A nice change of pace. I'm going to attempt to keep that up.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Shop time
Finally worked at the shop yesterday evening. They cut hours for the part time guys, so i haven't been there much recently. The title picture is a view of our working area.
One thing i liked about the shop when i first started was the "shop bike". Its kind of like the "shop pet", but in bike form. Also, this bike is a conglomeration of warranty parts and pieces donated, there for making it the "shop mutt". From what I'm told the only part on the bike that has been on every previous "shop bike" is the rickety metal basket mounted on the front (for obvious food transportation from local spots like Mama Mia's or Big Joe's. Mama Mia's for subs, and Big Joe's for pizza).
Needless to say the parts wouldn't conventionally be apart of the same construction but...well there really isn't an excuse. If you happen to take a turn while pedaling, you'll soon find that the wheels and cranks don't belong to that frame, and if you're unlucky you might experience the pain that gravity can inflict.
(There is a better view of that basket.)
Friday's forecast is a high of 22 and a low of 8. oh yeah. I'm so looking forward to that.
One thing i liked about the shop when i first started was the "shop bike". Its kind of like the "shop pet", but in bike form. Also, this bike is a conglomeration of warranty parts and pieces donated, there for making it the "shop mutt". From what I'm told the only part on the bike that has been on every previous "shop bike" is the rickety metal basket mounted on the front (for obvious food transportation from local spots like Mama Mia's or Big Joe's. Mama Mia's for subs, and Big Joe's for pizza).
Needless to say the parts wouldn't conventionally be apart of the same construction but...well there really isn't an excuse. If you happen to take a turn while pedaling, you'll soon find that the wheels and cranks don't belong to that frame, and if you're unlucky you might experience the pain that gravity can inflict.
(There is a better view of that basket.)Friday's forecast is a high of 22 and a low of 8. oh yeah. I'm so looking forward to that.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Bike Project II
Last night i stopped by my parent's house just to visit. I needed to go by there regardless of being able to stay and visit or not because i had some stuff to pick up, but i had a bunch of time to kill so my wife and i stayed for a while.
The stuff i had to pick up were two bike frames and a stockpile of wheels and a few other parts like cranks and bottom brackets and such.
(That is my first road bike, which was too small for me and i still rode the crap out of it.)
(This is my dad's racing bike from his HS/College bike. He actually rode it up until about 10 years ago and he bought a new one.)
The first one will be for who ever. But my dad's old frame I'm making for him. It need a bunch of work but i think i can get it put together well and looking great.
With these projects hopefully i can get more people riding. I've also been working on encouraging my wife to start riding a bike to work. Its just barely over 5 miles for her. and it has almost all bike paths the whole way there. and the parts that it doesn't, its a giant *clean* shoulder. So I'll teach her to change a flat and get her hooked up. She probably won't start till there is more sunlight and a bit warmer, but regardless i think this will be great. She's got a little MTB that should work perfectly and if she keeps it up, we can get her something a bit more efficient.
(this is not me in the photo, nor anyone i know)
The weather the past two days has been very frigid. Yesterday i got to work and it was 21 degrees and today it was 29 degrees. When i leave the sun hasn't even risen yet so it definitely a bit warmer by the time i reach work. I've been wearing every article of clothing i could find to try and keep myself warm riding in. But despite the extreme cold, I've been performing at a much better level than the past few months.
The stuff i had to pick up were two bike frames and a stockpile of wheels and a few other parts like cranks and bottom brackets and such.
(That is my first road bike, which was too small for me and i still rode the crap out of it.)
(This is my dad's racing bike from his HS/College bike. He actually rode it up until about 10 years ago and he bought a new one.)The first one will be for who ever. But my dad's old frame I'm making for him. It need a bunch of work but i think i can get it put together well and looking great.
With these projects hopefully i can get more people riding. I've also been working on encouraging my wife to start riding a bike to work. Its just barely over 5 miles for her. and it has almost all bike paths the whole way there. and the parts that it doesn't, its a giant *clean* shoulder. So I'll teach her to change a flat and get her hooked up. She probably won't start till there is more sunlight and a bit warmer, but regardless i think this will be great. She's got a little MTB that should work perfectly and if she keeps it up, we can get her something a bit more efficient.
- Myself (check)
- Darryl (check)
- Wife (pending)
- Zach (pending)
- Sabrina (?)
- James (?) (do you own a vehicle? i know you got that VW bus...but a working vehicle?)
- Alan (do you ride your bike around, like to class?)
- Anyone else?
(this is not me in the photo, nor anyone i know)The weather the past two days has been very frigid. Yesterday i got to work and it was 21 degrees and today it was 29 degrees. When i leave the sun hasn't even risen yet so it definitely a bit warmer by the time i reach work. I've been wearing every article of clothing i could find to try and keep myself warm riding in. But despite the extreme cold, I've been performing at a much better level than the past few months.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Winter Weath III: Black Ice
I hit 40mph behind a bus going uphill. Up till that moment i had only gotten my track bike up to 35mph. It was pretty sick. All in all i had a decent ride today. I kind of fried myself about halfway through but luckily the rest of the way was fairly in my favor, save one short climb a little less than two miles from the end.
The only problem this morning was it was just below freezing and the past two days it has been raining non stop, so the roads were slick. I was pretty careful but i did slip around a couple of times. Lots of black ice everywhere.
My legs are working again, working very well in fact. So i think i'm just going to maintain everything I'm doing at this point. I have a feeling it was vitamins, though. I need to carefully read those ingredients.
There is a joke amongst some of my friends about Michael Bay films, which include:
And well the joke is, a Michael Bay movie goes like this:
Enough said.
Sabrina, you should definitely buy the new TV on the Radio album. Specially if you enjoy ANY of their other music at all.
The only problem this morning was it was just below freezing and the past two days it has been raining non stop, so the roads were slick. I was pretty careful but i did slip around a couple of times. Lots of black ice everywhere.
My legs are working again, working very well in fact. So i think i'm just going to maintain everything I'm doing at this point. I have a feeling it was vitamins, though. I need to carefully read those ingredients.
There is a joke amongst some of my friends about Michael Bay films, which include:
- Armageddon
- Transformers
- Bad Boys 1 and 2
- The Island
- The Rock
- Pearl Harbor
And well the joke is, a Michael Bay movie goes like this:
Enough said.Sabrina, you should definitely buy the new TV on the Radio album. Specially if you enjoy ANY of their other music at all.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Winter Weather ll
Equipment to obtain:
Last time i rode and i it that cold and raining at the same time, i got naked in my front hall of my house. The last time before that, that i was that wet and cold (not riding) was a miserable day in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Regardless, i'm put to shame by Ben who despite all weather conditions rides in, though in a moment here i'm picking him up from the shop to drive him home being that i'm heading his general direction.
I love TV on the Radio...
- Rain Jacket
- Fenders
- New Gloves (for colder temps)
- Tights
Last time i rode and i it that cold and raining at the same time, i got naked in my front hall of my house. The last time before that, that i was that wet and cold (not riding) was a miserable day in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Regardless, i'm put to shame by Ben who despite all weather conditions rides in, though in a moment here i'm picking him up from the shop to drive him home being that i'm heading his general direction.
I love TV on the Radio...
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