Today is relaunch day. I took advantage of the time change to get my butt out of bed and on the bike this morning. After the ride I realized that I hadn't ridden in 33 days. 33 days. How quickly we can fall out of the habit and let our old, bad habits take over.
My best guess is that in those 33 days, with the complete lack of exercise and the total poor eating, that I gained about 10 lbs. Not a good thing at all. Definitely moving in the wrong direction and its time to get my life back on course to a fitter, healthier me.
Towards that end I purchased a FitBit Ultra tracker to monitor just how active I really m on a daily basis. I've actually had the tracker for 2 weeks now and have worn it every Day just to get a baseline reading of how inactive I truly am. let's just say there isn't much place to go, other than up in the activity department.
My goal is to go back to weekly updates with my weight and activities for the week starting this coming Friday. I'll be pulling numbers from my fitbit as well as listing how many miles I've traveled and how far to get to my revised goal of 1000 miles in 2012.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Viva Bike Vegas 2012
Saturday was the 2012 version of Viva Bike Vegas and it was a blast. There were 4 distances riders could choose from, 122 miles, 105 miles, 75 miles or 17 miles. Since I haven't been riding as much as I would have liked/needed to for the longer distances, I opted for the 17 mile route. This route started at Town Square at the south end of the strip and headed north on Las Vegas Boulevard to downtown Las Vegas and then made its way back south to the starting point.
I woke up early on the day of the event and got ready to head out. I visited the restroom twice before leaving home as my stomach prepared for the day. On the way to the event, I stopped and picked up a couple of Powerades in case I was thirsty. I had opted to not bring my camelback as it was only a 17 mile ride and I figured at most it should take 2 hours. I've ridden almost as far without hydration so I figured it was no big deal especially since we were starting in the absolute cool of the day.
On Friday night as I was reviewing my packet I found out that the 17 mile ride was going to be a mass start at 6:00 am. This was different from what they said online which was that the event started at 5:00 am. The longer distances started at 5:00 with waves leaving every 7 minutes or so. Part of the reason for this was to control traffic on the strip for the event.
I arrived at Town Square at 4:40 and started going about preparing my bike for the ride. I inflated the tires, checked my lights and made sure everything looked good. I hadn't ridden the bike since i had gotten the rear wheel back from being trued on Tuesday. I figured that if the spokes were going to loosen again, I wanted to make it through the ride so I didn't want to take any chances. While I was preparing I heard the first wave leave the start with much fanfare and even some fireworks. I then decided to go and investigate where I would line up for my wave.
As I rode around to locate the rear of the staging area it struck me just how many people were actually there for the ride. They were lined up all the way to the center square of Town Square with many more milling about. One look told me that I need not get lined up yet as there was plenty of time before I would leave. So I did what many others were doing, I located the restroom for one more PRP. As I walked into the restroom, it struck me that as a group we cyclists were a pretty trusting lot. Everyone was leaving their bikes unattended while attending to their bodily needs. Anyone could have walked up and ridden away with multi-thousands of dollars worth of bikes. Happily that didn't happen!
After attending to my business, I headed back towards the start corrals and decided to grab a picture of the sea of cyclists. It came out a bit dark, due to the lack of light since it was pre-dawn, but it does show how many people were there:
Instead of standing in line for 35 minutes waiting for the start, I decided to go and find a bench to relax. While I was watching the mass of people heading back and forth towards the restrooms, Mary Jo from work stopped by to say 'Hi'. Her and I had ridden in the Corporate Challenge and were close to the same pace. We decided to do most of the ride together. Her husband had already left with one of the earlier waves as he was doing one of the longer distances. She went to find our corral and I said I would look for her in a few minutes as the start got closer.
At 5:45 I decided ti was time to get ready and find the group for the start. I had been thinking that the larger number of riders would be doing the shorter distance, but that wasn't the case. There were maybe 200 riders doing the 17 mile course and some of those had signed up for a longer distance but decided to do the shorter distance that morning. I moved through the corral and found Mar Jo towards the front of the group. As we were waiting I decided one more trip to the restroom was in order so I hurried back and took care of business. I wasn't gone more than 5 minutes, but when I came back they had moved the group up to the starting line.
As we waited for the time to count down the announcer went through the crowd asking where people were from and if it was their first time doing the event. There were several people from California, someone from Portland, someone from Seattle, someone from Arkansas and several from Las Vegas. Finally it was time to go and we headed out onto Las Vegas Boulevard and headed north. I was glad to be riding as the anticipation was getting too much.
We set out at a fairly good pace. Not having done many group rides, especially with so many people in such a tight group, I was a bit tentative at first not wanting to get too close to anyone else. Within a half mile or so the group seemed to stretch out a bit and there was a bit more room to maneuver. Since I had made the last minute restroom stop, Mary Jo had ended up towards the front of the group and I was at the back. I started working my way slowly through the pack and caught up to her just past Tropicana.
I loved riding up the length of the strip in the pre-dawn light. Most of the hotels were still brightly lit and there were even a number of tourists walking along watching the 2000 or so crazy cyclists riding along. The temperature was around 70 with a light breeze so it was a very enjoyable ride. I especially liked having the police escort with the intersections blocked so we didn't have to stop all the way up the strip until we hit Charleston.
Thee was a bit of confusion as our route directions had us bearing left onto 4th street just past the Stratosphere, but there was an officer there with the turn blocked off with cones and he was forcing several riders who had ridden through the cones to turn around and continue down Las Vegas Boulevard. We then decided that since we would have had to make a left from 4th Street onto Wyoming, when we got to Wyoming and Las Vegas Boulevard we made a left. There were no signs or route markers at this turn. As we got to Main Street, though, there was a route marker so we knew that had been the right move.
Once we left the strip, we left the part of the ride. As we continued on we went through some commercial and industrial areas of the city. We also lost the police escort and blocked intersections. This meant stopping for lights many time over the last half of the ride. It also meant that our essentially flat ride also had some hills as we went under the I-15 freeway and up along Dean Martin and Industrial Dr. In fact it was on the uphill just past the I-15 that I dropped my chain.I hadn't really gotten the shifting of the front derailleur dialed in since I had the cranks replaced and I was trying to downshift to my middle ring heading up the hill. I clicked the shifter but it didn't shift so I hit it a second time hoping it would go to the small ring.
It didn't. It went past the small ring and right off into space. Leaving me with a dropped chain. No big deal except there went any momentum I had and now I had to get greasy putting the chain back on. Of course I shifted back to the big ring, but that didn't help so I got off and place the chain back on the big ring, but then it was off on the rear. SO after moving it around and telling the 15 people who asked that I was OK, I was back in business, except I walked up the hill because I wasn't going anywhere in the gear I was in.
That was my one and only issue for the day. A little grease on my hands was the only casualty.
As we worked our way along Valley View I realized that there was a bit of elevation difference between where we were and the starting line, especially when we turned onto Sunset and I realized this was where we were crossing back over the freeway. The overpass was high, but there was a slight downhill leading up to it. I got up a good head of steam and used my momentum and 4 gears to get to the top. Unfortunately there was a light at the bottom of the other side of the overpass where we had to make a left and no police to stop traffic for us so we couldn't take advantage of any gravity assist. We of course hit the red light and as we waited we weren't enough to trigger the sensor in the left turn lane so when we got the chance we had to ride through the red turn arrow.
We then made out way around, under the overpass we had just crossed and into the rear of Town Square and into the finish chute. I received the finisher medal and was very happy to have ridden the 17 miles in just over 1:30. There was a lot of tents set up in the finish area, but most of them weren't really ready for finishers yet. Outback Steakhouse was there to provide lunch for all of the riders, but they hadn't started cooking yet. So after a brief look at the tents I decided it was time to head home. I was home before 8:00.
All in all it was a great event and it pushed me over the 500 mile mark for miles ridden this year.
I woke up early on the day of the event and got ready to head out. I visited the restroom twice before leaving home as my stomach prepared for the day. On the way to the event, I stopped and picked up a couple of Powerades in case I was thirsty. I had opted to not bring my camelback as it was only a 17 mile ride and I figured at most it should take 2 hours. I've ridden almost as far without hydration so I figured it was no big deal especially since we were starting in the absolute cool of the day.
On Friday night as I was reviewing my packet I found out that the 17 mile ride was going to be a mass start at 6:00 am. This was different from what they said online which was that the event started at 5:00 am. The longer distances started at 5:00 with waves leaving every 7 minutes or so. Part of the reason for this was to control traffic on the strip for the event.
I arrived at Town Square at 4:40 and started going about preparing my bike for the ride. I inflated the tires, checked my lights and made sure everything looked good. I hadn't ridden the bike since i had gotten the rear wheel back from being trued on Tuesday. I figured that if the spokes were going to loosen again, I wanted to make it through the ride so I didn't want to take any chances. While I was preparing I heard the first wave leave the start with much fanfare and even some fireworks. I then decided to go and investigate where I would line up for my wave.
As I rode around to locate the rear of the staging area it struck me just how many people were actually there for the ride. They were lined up all the way to the center square of Town Square with many more milling about. One look told me that I need not get lined up yet as there was plenty of time before I would leave. So I did what many others were doing, I located the restroom for one more PRP. As I walked into the restroom, it struck me that as a group we cyclists were a pretty trusting lot. Everyone was leaving their bikes unattended while attending to their bodily needs. Anyone could have walked up and ridden away with multi-thousands of dollars worth of bikes. Happily that didn't happen!
After attending to my business, I headed back towards the start corrals and decided to grab a picture of the sea of cyclists. It came out a bit dark, due to the lack of light since it was pre-dawn, but it does show how many people were there:
Instead of standing in line for 35 minutes waiting for the start, I decided to go and find a bench to relax. While I was watching the mass of people heading back and forth towards the restrooms, Mary Jo from work stopped by to say 'Hi'. Her and I had ridden in the Corporate Challenge and were close to the same pace. We decided to do most of the ride together. Her husband had already left with one of the earlier waves as he was doing one of the longer distances. She went to find our corral and I said I would look for her in a few minutes as the start got closer.
At 5:45 I decided ti was time to get ready and find the group for the start. I had been thinking that the larger number of riders would be doing the shorter distance, but that wasn't the case. There were maybe 200 riders doing the 17 mile course and some of those had signed up for a longer distance but decided to do the shorter distance that morning. I moved through the corral and found Mar Jo towards the front of the group. As we were waiting I decided one more trip to the restroom was in order so I hurried back and took care of business. I wasn't gone more than 5 minutes, but when I came back they had moved the group up to the starting line.
As we waited for the time to count down the announcer went through the crowd asking where people were from and if it was their first time doing the event. There were several people from California, someone from Portland, someone from Seattle, someone from Arkansas and several from Las Vegas. Finally it was time to go and we headed out onto Las Vegas Boulevard and headed north. I was glad to be riding as the anticipation was getting too much.
We set out at a fairly good pace. Not having done many group rides, especially with so many people in such a tight group, I was a bit tentative at first not wanting to get too close to anyone else. Within a half mile or so the group seemed to stretch out a bit and there was a bit more room to maneuver. Since I had made the last minute restroom stop, Mary Jo had ended up towards the front of the group and I was at the back. I started working my way slowly through the pack and caught up to her just past Tropicana.
I loved riding up the length of the strip in the pre-dawn light. Most of the hotels were still brightly lit and there were even a number of tourists walking along watching the 2000 or so crazy cyclists riding along. The temperature was around 70 with a light breeze so it was a very enjoyable ride. I especially liked having the police escort with the intersections blocked so we didn't have to stop all the way up the strip until we hit Charleston.
Thee was a bit of confusion as our route directions had us bearing left onto 4th street just past the Stratosphere, but there was an officer there with the turn blocked off with cones and he was forcing several riders who had ridden through the cones to turn around and continue down Las Vegas Boulevard. We then decided that since we would have had to make a left from 4th Street onto Wyoming, when we got to Wyoming and Las Vegas Boulevard we made a left. There were no signs or route markers at this turn. As we got to Main Street, though, there was a route marker so we knew that had been the right move.
Once we left the strip, we left the part of the ride. As we continued on we went through some commercial and industrial areas of the city. We also lost the police escort and blocked intersections. This meant stopping for lights many time over the last half of the ride. It also meant that our essentially flat ride also had some hills as we went under the I-15 freeway and up along Dean Martin and Industrial Dr. In fact it was on the uphill just past the I-15 that I dropped my chain.I hadn't really gotten the shifting of the front derailleur dialed in since I had the cranks replaced and I was trying to downshift to my middle ring heading up the hill. I clicked the shifter but it didn't shift so I hit it a second time hoping it would go to the small ring.
It didn't. It went past the small ring and right off into space. Leaving me with a dropped chain. No big deal except there went any momentum I had and now I had to get greasy putting the chain back on. Of course I shifted back to the big ring, but that didn't help so I got off and place the chain back on the big ring, but then it was off on the rear. SO after moving it around and telling the 15 people who asked that I was OK, I was back in business, except I walked up the hill because I wasn't going anywhere in the gear I was in.
That was my one and only issue for the day. A little grease on my hands was the only casualty.
As we worked our way along Valley View I realized that there was a bit of elevation difference between where we were and the starting line, especially when we turned onto Sunset and I realized this was where we were crossing back over the freeway. The overpass was high, but there was a slight downhill leading up to it. I got up a good head of steam and used my momentum and 4 gears to get to the top. Unfortunately there was a light at the bottom of the other side of the overpass where we had to make a left and no police to stop traffic for us so we couldn't take advantage of any gravity assist. We of course hit the red light and as we waited we weren't enough to trigger the sensor in the left turn lane so when we got the chance we had to ride through the red turn arrow.
We then made out way around, under the overpass we had just crossed and into the rear of Town Square and into the finish chute. I received the finisher medal and was very happy to have ridden the 17 miles in just over 1:30. There was a lot of tents set up in the finish area, but most of them weren't really ready for finishers yet. Outback Steakhouse was there to provide lunch for all of the riders, but they hadn't started cooking yet. So after a brief look at the tents I decided it was time to head home. I was home before 8:00.
All in all it was a great event and it pushed me over the 500 mile mark for miles ridden this year.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Numbers
I am obsessed with numbers today. 6.46 - that's how many miles I rode this morning. 478 - that's how many miles I've ridden so far this year. 2012, 1534, 105, 14.6 These are the total miles I hope to ride this year, how many I have left, how many days are left and how many miles I have to average per day in order to meet that goal. Looks like I really need to get riding!
You might wonder why the obsession with numbers today. 18,262 is why. That's how many days I've been alive, or to put it in a more recognizable format 600 months, or 50 years. Yes, today is my 50th birthday and I find it a day for reflection and a slight obsession with numbers.
Some other numbers I'm obsessed with today: 2500, 385, 20, 446.5. 2500 is my approximate base calorie burn per day. 385 is approximately how many more calories per day on average i must have consumed over the last 6 months. 20 is the number of pounds I've gained in the last 6 months and 446.5 is my current weight.
I have been avoiding the scale for the last 6 months. I had hoped to get back into a rhythm of riding and eating better and shed some weight before getting on the scale, but realized this morning that obviously hasn't been the case.
2200, 850, 45, 15, 416.5 are my new numbers. 2200 will be my new target net calories per day. 850 will be my average calorie burn per day. 45 minutes per day is my new exercise target. 15 weeks until January 1st. 416.5 is my goal weight by 1/1/2013 losing a safe and sane 2 lbs. per week between now and then.
To that end we've found a new source for fruits and vegetables. Its called Bountiful Baskets. Its a food co-op. We picked up our first basket last week and couldn't have been more pleased. I'll got into more detail on them in a future post.
76, 12. 76 is the number of posts, including this one, I've published on this blog. 12 is the number of followers who are listed. I think all of you for your support.
I started this blog 2 and a half years ago with the idea that it would be my chronicle of losing weight and getting healthy (hence the title) and I have had some great success, but I've also let that success slip away. I am 26.5 lbs. heavier now than I was when I started this blog and I need to change that. Please stick with me and join me on this journey. I will not quit. I will get healthy.
You might wonder why the obsession with numbers today. 18,262 is why. That's how many days I've been alive, or to put it in a more recognizable format 600 months, or 50 years. Yes, today is my 50th birthday and I find it a day for reflection and a slight obsession with numbers.
Some other numbers I'm obsessed with today: 2500, 385, 20, 446.5. 2500 is my approximate base calorie burn per day. 385 is approximately how many more calories per day on average i must have consumed over the last 6 months. 20 is the number of pounds I've gained in the last 6 months and 446.5 is my current weight.
I have been avoiding the scale for the last 6 months. I had hoped to get back into a rhythm of riding and eating better and shed some weight before getting on the scale, but realized this morning that obviously hasn't been the case.
2200, 850, 45, 15, 416.5 are my new numbers. 2200 will be my new target net calories per day. 850 will be my average calorie burn per day. 45 minutes per day is my new exercise target. 15 weeks until January 1st. 416.5 is my goal weight by 1/1/2013 losing a safe and sane 2 lbs. per week between now and then.
To that end we've found a new source for fruits and vegetables. Its called Bountiful Baskets. Its a food co-op. We picked up our first basket last week and couldn't have been more pleased. I'll got into more detail on them in a future post.
76, 12. 76 is the number of posts, including this one, I've published on this blog. 12 is the number of followers who are listed. I think all of you for your support.
I started this blog 2 and a half years ago with the idea that it would be my chronicle of losing weight and getting healthy (hence the title) and I have had some great success, but I've also let that success slip away. I am 26.5 lbs. heavier now than I was when I started this blog and I need to change that. Please stick with me and join me on this journey. I will not quit. I will get healthy.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Beautiful morning for a ride, sort of...
I got up this morning determined to ride. The weather is a bit cooler since we had some thunderstorms yesterday, so that shouldn't be an issue. I got the bike out, noticed the tire were soft, so I spent the next 10 minutes putting air in the tires. Its amazing to me how quickly they loose air here. In less than 2 weeks, they went for 75 lbs. of air down to 45. That's just crazy to me. I guess its the combination of heat and the low humidity which leave the rubber more porous or something.
Anyway, once it was all aired up, I head out on my usual morning route - West on my street to Quarterhorse, north on Quaterhorse to Pebble, East on Pebble to El Capitan and South on El Capitan to Mackanos. The my street was fine, but as I made the turn onto Quaterhorse I found 3 to 4 inches of gravel, dirt and other larger stones on the road. This lasted a good 75 feet up Quarterhorse. I successfully navigated the obstacle, but decided I really didn't want to push my luck riding through the debris multiple times.
I continued on around the circuit, but when I got to Mackanos, I detoured to the street south of mine and commenced to riding around the block. The streets were fairly clean and I was making pretty decent time. The drawback to riding this shorter course is that it becomes boring going around and around the same block. I continued on making 9 circuits with little issue but as I was going around the 10th time I noticed that my back wheel had developed a significant wobble. Again. The last time I rode I ended up cutting it short due to a wobble, which I had thought I had corrected, but alas, it seems the fix was but a temporary one.
I carefully completed the 10th lap and brought the bike into the garage and turned off its lights. I wasn't ready to stop yet, so I grabbed my old bike and proceeded to ride another 2 laps around the block. I only completed 2 laps for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that I had yet to mount the new lights on the Univega and it is still very dark at 5:00 in the morning. The second reason was that I was running out of my allotted 1 hour exercise time. I must say I enjoyed riding the Univega once again, but the riding position is so very different from the Diamondback.
So, I have decided that I need to have a professional look at the spoke situation on the rear wheel of the Diamondback, and that I need to get the lights mounted on the Univega so I can ride - NO EXCUSES. I really do have to thank Fizzhog for his most recent post as that is what was the last bit of motivation I needed to get my butt out there and riding this morning. His line "Ride your bike. Never put off any length of ride for any reason ever." is what did it.
Get out there and ride!
Anyway, once it was all aired up, I head out on my usual morning route - West on my street to Quarterhorse, north on Quaterhorse to Pebble, East on Pebble to El Capitan and South on El Capitan to Mackanos. The my street was fine, but as I made the turn onto Quaterhorse I found 3 to 4 inches of gravel, dirt and other larger stones on the road. This lasted a good 75 feet up Quarterhorse. I successfully navigated the obstacle, but decided I really didn't want to push my luck riding through the debris multiple times.
I continued on around the circuit, but when I got to Mackanos, I detoured to the street south of mine and commenced to riding around the block. The streets were fairly clean and I was making pretty decent time. The drawback to riding this shorter course is that it becomes boring going around and around the same block. I continued on making 9 circuits with little issue but as I was going around the 10th time I noticed that my back wheel had developed a significant wobble. Again. The last time I rode I ended up cutting it short due to a wobble, which I had thought I had corrected, but alas, it seems the fix was but a temporary one.
I carefully completed the 10th lap and brought the bike into the garage and turned off its lights. I wasn't ready to stop yet, so I grabbed my old bike and proceeded to ride another 2 laps around the block. I only completed 2 laps for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that I had yet to mount the new lights on the Univega and it is still very dark at 5:00 in the morning. The second reason was that I was running out of my allotted 1 hour exercise time. I must say I enjoyed riding the Univega once again, but the riding position is so very different from the Diamondback.
So, I have decided that I need to have a professional look at the spoke situation on the rear wheel of the Diamondback, and that I need to get the lights mounted on the Univega so I can ride - NO EXCUSES. I really do have to thank Fizzhog for his most recent post as that is what was the last bit of motivation I needed to get my butt out there and riding this morning. His line "Ride your bike. Never put off any length of ride for any reason ever." is what did it.
Get out there and ride!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Now I've done it
I am now officially registered for the VIVA Bike VEGAS event on September 22. I choose the 17 mile option that focuses on a trip up the Strip.
Of course after I paid my money I read the details including the 5:00 AM start time. I had been wondering how we would "see the lights on the world famous Las Vegas Strip" and now I know since sunrise isn't until 6:30 or so.
So who is going to support some great causes and join me on this ride?
BTW Thank you to Lisa at BikingLasVegas.com for the promo code bikininglv12 which saved me $21 off the $105 registration fee.
Of course after I paid my money I read the details including the 5:00 AM start time. I had been wondering how we would "see the lights on the world famous Las Vegas Strip" and now I know since sunrise isn't until 6:30 or so.
So who is going to support some great causes and join me on this ride?
BTW Thank you to Lisa at BikingLasVegas.com for the promo code bikininglv12 which saved me $21 off the $105 registration fee.
Monday, August 27, 2012
So Much Technology
It hit me this morning, after my ride, that I'm using way to much technology to tell me I'm slow. I know I'm slow, but I still feel this need to measure and quantify that slowness. Here's why I decided I'm way too "connected."
I got up this morning and put on my cycling clothes, went downstairs and grabbed my Garmin Forerunner 305. I then proceeded out to the garage and got ready to ride. I turned my Garmin on and had to wait about 60 seconds while it acquired the satellites so it knew where I was and could track my movements.
I then rode my bike (only 6.22 miles but that's another (short)story).
When I got home, I pulled out the laptop and my Garmin connector and commenced to uploading my ride to various sites.
When I first connected the Garmin, Training Center opened and automatically imported my ride data. It has a map of the ride as well as my speed and timing and elevation profile.
Next I opened my internet browser, went to my favorites and opened My Daily Mile. This was one of the first sites I found when I started training 2 1/2 years ago and I have been uploading everything there since. This site definitely has my most complete workout history.
Next I went back to my favorites and opened My Fitness Pal. This site is great for counting calories consumed as well as calories burned. I selected my activity (bike riding 12-14 mph) and entered my time of 29 minutes and its magic calculator said I had burned 740 calories. Not bad for a quick, early morning work out.
After that I fired up and logged into the Plus 3 Network site, This was a site that Fatty turned me on to last year while we were raising funds for World Bicycle Relief. I love the site because through its sponsors I can help others by doing nothing more than logging my activities. So far I've earned them $15.75. Sure its not much in and of itself, but it was donated for my doing nothing more than uploading my workouts. Everyone really should be doing this!
The next site I went to to log in what I had done was Map My Ride. I had been using this off and on to track my rides, but that was more so before I got the Garmin. I did find out a couple of people I follow on the web use this site, so I have been uploading my activities here as well.
Lastly I log into Garmin Connect and upload my activity there. I'm not really sharing the data here with anyone, it serves more as a back up.
I have also gotten a new phone and downloaded the Map My Ride and Strava apps to it to use in case I happen to ride without my Garmin.
That makes 6 different places that the details of my slow rides are preserved. Each one has its one or two unique features or reasons I use it, but what it really boils down to for me is a bit of accountability. By putting my rides out there, I am showing the world how often, long and hard I am riding. It gives me just a little more motivation to actually get out there and ride somewhere that day and that helps.
I got up this morning and put on my cycling clothes, went downstairs and grabbed my Garmin Forerunner 305. I then proceeded out to the garage and got ready to ride. I turned my Garmin on and had to wait about 60 seconds while it acquired the satellites so it knew where I was and could track my movements.
I then rode my bike (only 6.22 miles but that's another (short)story).
When I got home, I pulled out the laptop and my Garmin connector and commenced to uploading my ride to various sites.
When I first connected the Garmin, Training Center opened and automatically imported my ride data. It has a map of the ride as well as my speed and timing and elevation profile.
Next I opened my internet browser, went to my favorites and opened My Daily Mile. This was one of the first sites I found when I started training 2 1/2 years ago and I have been uploading everything there since. This site definitely has my most complete workout history.
Next I went back to my favorites and opened My Fitness Pal. This site is great for counting calories consumed as well as calories burned. I selected my activity (bike riding 12-14 mph) and entered my time of 29 minutes and its magic calculator said I had burned 740 calories. Not bad for a quick, early morning work out.
After that I fired up and logged into the Plus 3 Network site, This was a site that Fatty turned me on to last year while we were raising funds for World Bicycle Relief. I love the site because through its sponsors I can help others by doing nothing more than logging my activities. So far I've earned them $15.75. Sure its not much in and of itself, but it was donated for my doing nothing more than uploading my workouts. Everyone really should be doing this!
The next site I went to to log in what I had done was Map My Ride. I had been using this off and on to track my rides, but that was more so before I got the Garmin. I did find out a couple of people I follow on the web use this site, so I have been uploading my activities here as well.
Lastly I log into Garmin Connect and upload my activity there. I'm not really sharing the data here with anyone, it serves more as a back up.
I have also gotten a new phone and downloaded the Map My Ride and Strava apps to it to use in case I happen to ride without my Garmin.
That makes 6 different places that the details of my slow rides are preserved. Each one has its one or two unique features or reasons I use it, but what it really boils down to for me is a bit of accountability. By putting my rides out there, I am showing the world how often, long and hard I am riding. It gives me just a little more motivation to actually get out there and ride somewhere that day and that helps.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Easy or Hard????
How should I push myself - Easy or Hard?
I am looking ahead to a couple of organized rides this
fall. The first is put together by our
Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) and is called Viva Bike Vegas. In the past it has been held in October, but
this year they moved it up to the Middle of September to coincide with the Gran
Fondo Pinarello and Interbike, and it is being held on September 22. What attracts me to this ride is the
opportunity to actually ride the Las Vegas Strip.
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The second organized ride is BIKE:MS
Vegas Challenge which will be held
November 10 & 11. Thee are ride
options on both Saturday and Sunday and the proceeds of the fundraising go to
the National MS society.
Both rides look to be well organized and well run. They both offer options as to length of ride
as well. Viva Bike Vegas has 4 options 17,
75, 102and 122 miles. BIKE:MS has 3
options on day 1: Century, Metric Century or 30 miler, and 2 options on day 2:
50 and 30 miles.
This is where the question comes in: Do I go the easy route and look at the
shorter options, or do I really push myself and try for a longer option? My first instinct has been to ride the 17 mile
route for Viva Bike Vegas and the 30 mile on Day 2 of the BIKE:MS. Of course
that was before I read some of the recent blog posts by Fatty, Sarah, Fizzhog and Steve. Now I am starting to question if I should
push myself harder.
One huge consideration is my current fitness level, likely
quantity of riding to prepare for the events.
Another is whether or not anyone is going to be accompanying me on the
ride(s). I would love to have some
company!
OK, I’ve made up my mind and will shortly be putting my
money where my mouth is as I actually register for these 2 events. I am going to do the 17 mile route for Viva
Bike Vegas. If they had a 50 mile route,
I would be tempted to do it as it is just after my 50th birthday,
but I think the 17 miler will do nicely.
I’ve also decided to do the 30 mile ride on both days of the BIKE:MS
event. (watch for more information so you can donate to help support this great
cause)
So, I now have a plan and will ride fairly easy, but tending
towards hard as I get more miles under my belt.
Anyone want to join me at either event????
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Are you a solo or a group rider?
Watching the Men's and Women's Road Race in this year's Olympics got me to thinking about how hard it has to be to ride in the middle of a peloton. I watched as the main peloton in both races lost to a small breakaway group. It became very apparent that the larger group had issues with organization and working together, where the small group(s) at the front did not and that helped them to win the race.
I am not a gorup rider. I have been on a grand total of 4 rides which have involved other people and I realize, now, that I was not a good member of the group on most of those occasions. The reason for this, I believe is my lack of experience in riding with others.
Now that I think about it, when I rode with Robin and Cyn 2 years ago, I chose to follow Robin's lead, letting her "pull" me along. I really wasn't being selfish about it, I just didn't want to go too fast and drop her, so I let her set the pace. Since we really weren't riding that close together nor at any appreciable speed, there really was no benefit for me in the trailing position.
I did the same thing a couple of months later when I rode with Mary but for the opposite reason. I was as slow as a slug and didn't want to hold her up as much as I was, so I told her to go on ahead. She did, but without getting too far ahead and maintaining contact with me.
I've never really beenon a ride where we were going a significant distance, nor at a fast enough speed where it would benefit us working together, taking turns pulling each other along. I've ridden over 1300 miles in the last 2 years and all but 25 or so of those miles have been as a solo rider. I think I need to find otherriders of a comparable skill level and speed to work on my group riding skills.
So, are you a group or solo rider? Which do you prefer and why?
Monday, July 30, 2012
Short Term Goals
I'm looking back at my almost non-existent riding history for the month of July and I'm realizing that goals are important. Not just the big goals like riding 2012 in 2012, but smaller, short-term goals like riding so many days in a week, or month.
I knew when I had bike problems at the beginning of the month that my total for the month was going to be low, but not quite as low as it is. Between mechanical issues, the heat and humidity, a minor injury and various late nights, the mileage has not been there this month. In fact, as of today, my mileage for the month of July is only 17.6 miles in 2 rides!
I could make excuses and dwell on the fact that I'm falling further and further behind my initial pace to reach my goal, but I know that is unproductive. Instead I am looking ahead. Since it is still very warm, I don't want to overstate my goal or over commit myself for the month of August, but I do want to make sure that I am making progress towards my big goal for the year.
With that in mind, I have come up with some mini goals for the month:
First I am planning on riding at least 17 of the 31 days in August. That averages out to 4 per week for the next 4 weeks plus an extra day for the extra half week of the month.
Secondly, I am planning on riding at least one 20 mile ride and one 25 mile ride during the month.
Third, My total miles for the month should be at least 200.
I think these are very doable goals for the next month and will help to propel me towards the 2012 in 2012 larger goal.
Looking ahead to September, there is a ride up the Las Vegas Strip on September 22 as part of Viva Bike Vegas which I am hoping to do. The short ride option is only 17 miles, which I know I can do, but there are some longer options which I might attempt. I'll wait until the beginning of September to see how well I'm doing, before I make that decision.
Anyone want to join me?
What are your goals for August?
Dan
Monday, July 16, 2012
I'm rolling again
I'm finally back on my bike and rolling along. I realized this morning that its been 4 weeks since I last rode and that is just too long of a break. Not only did I lose some fitness, but it certainly dug a hole in terms of meeting my 2012 in 2012 goal for this year.
I actually have both of my bikes back up and rolling along. Some bearings and a good tightening of the bottom bracket on the Univega and a new Shimano crankset on the Diamondback were just what the bike doctor ordered. :) I was figuring a cost between $125 and $150 for the repairs and was quite pleased with a bill for $62.
I rode 8 miles this morning and felt the 4 week layoff. I did lose some fitness as my legs were gone at 5 miles, but I know I can quickly gain it back. I don't think I'll make 5 days riding this week, but I should make 4.
Keep rolling along!
I actually have both of my bikes back up and rolling along. Some bearings and a good tightening of the bottom bracket on the Univega and a new Shimano crankset on the Diamondback were just what the bike doctor ordered. :) I was figuring a cost between $125 and $150 for the repairs and was quite pleased with a bill for $62.
I rode 8 miles this morning and felt the 4 week layoff. I did lose some fitness as my legs were gone at 5 miles, but I know I can quickly gain it back. I don't think I'll make 5 days riding this week, but I should make 4.
Keep rolling along!
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