first
The threatening summer weather makes me pause and check out the windows for ride-deterring, skyward signs. It was difficult to fit in seven days of riding this week; but each night, sure enough, a break in the showers would appear, some sun would dry most of the dampness from the roads, and I was able to press through the clearly tangible humidity for an evening of cycling.
Yesterday was spent doing household chores - vacuuming, some early attempts at bedroom ornamentation, bike going-overs - while my mood was unusually tranquil. Instead of hitting the road, I took the evening to ride the Huckleberry Trail and surrounding Blacksburg area. Even though I was minding the moments by keeping my heartrate down, something probed me enough to query, when was I truly going to push myself on the bike? As much as I was lost in the magical serenity of the evening compared to my typical grueling rides, an internal team manager wanted to know if I was ready for another step.
Today, I decided to take the 50-mile loop to scratch that off the weekly list. The map shows only 43.9 miles, but I cap it off by continuing down Luster’s Cove and then taking a steep incline up Ellett Road, far more painful than the existing Harding Road climb, eventually adding the 50th mile with a lap around the drillfield at speed.
For rides over 25 miles, I have always stopped at some point to refuel with an energy bar and some general rest. My mental coach chimed in as I was nearing the feedzone for my ride this afternoon, just go. And I did. At mile 30, I hit a second wind that has never appeared before with this ride. By mile 44, I was ready for the climb up Ellett. Though I skipped the capping drillfield lap, I finished the loop without once stopping, using the eat-on-the-go techniques Nik has mentioned to me.
Stats are as follows: trip distance: 48.6 miles; trip time: 2:32:02; average speed: 19.2 mph.
In addition to this first, the loop allowed me the cross the 2,000 mile mark. Eight weeks of after-work riding give me a hallmark to celebrate. I am too old to begin training for serious cycling events, but local or regional races are a possibility, and one that I certainly am looking into right now.
It took me two hours of rest to recover enough so that my thoughts could solidify in words. What a day.
July 30th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
That’s an awesome bike!
I had a low end Trek in college. Paid $400 for it, which to me seemed super expensive at the time.
Read the reviews on the Pilot 2.1. At $1300, it’s actually a bargain given its features. I better start saving!
July 30th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Is it possible that the bike seems refreshed after it is allowed to get off its fee…wheels for a while?
August 1st, 2007 at 4:07 pm
If anything, the bike gets bored just sitting around most of the day. It also has too much of a pleasant hum on the road to imagine its exhausted. It could stand to lose a few pounds.