Shorter Days

Friday, October 19, 2012

Well, the days are getting shorter. I knew this was coming. Sunrise gets later each day by about a minute and the reverse is true in the evenings. I have been using the lights each morning during the commute. (head light, two taillights, and wheel lights for the front wheel) The afternoon commute has been light free until yesterday. Yesterday I had to work late. By the time I left, it was 6PM and rain clouds were rolling in. I kicked the lights on, except for the wheel lights, and rode home knowing the Autumn is really here. I'm not complaining about it, just noting it.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BILL60 10/20/2012 8:05AM

For us retired Dudes, it means sleeping in a bit later. No complaints here. Report Inappropriate Comment

GREENGENES 10/19/2012 9:04PM

Yep. Today was the first time this year that I rode home at dusk. I've got lights on my bike and the route is pretty safe with little or no traffic but DW still doesn't like me riding when it gets dark. I'll have to make sure I start home earlier next week or I'll lose my riding priveledges :-). Report Inappropriate Comment

PARKERB2 10/19/2012 2:54PM

I've noticed too and I'm a Summer, Spring person but I won't complain either. Report Inappropriate Comment

Goals met and passed, and not

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Today I passed my total bike mileage from last year. Last year I finished with 4802 and I hit 4823 for the year. 6000 is the total goal for this year and it's looking good to hit that mark.

My Spark America Fitness minutes yearly goal was 22,258. Today I hit 22,315 for the year.

I set two other riding goals for this year. I wanted three centuries and 12 half centuries on the bike. I have 14 half centuries, but only one century so far. I think I need to roll out on one these Saturday mornings and not return until I have 100 miles.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MMILLS89 10/19/2012 8:22PM

Wow! That is a lot of miles on your bike. We did the GAP and hooked up with the C&O two years ago. The trip was one of our best ever, so relaxing, it was a little scary turning in the rental truck in PA and knowing we only had our bikes to get us back to DC. I like riding but I am also swimming and walking now as well, lots of days I do all three. I was even riding my bike this summer in a boot, I twisted my ankle and messed up ligamets in my foot this past summer hiking. It turned out to be a good thing though because I was working out but not really paying any attention to my caloric intake. Good Luck with your weight loss. I am over 50 now and it seems so hard to lose. I am feeling lots better than I was before I started working out as much as I am now. My love was running but I can't do that anymore because of my knee. Report Inappropriate Comment

KAYZAKCX 10/14/2012 1:08AM

You've got me jealous. I've not had that kind of mileage for a long time. 2013 will be different. Thanks for the inspiration. Report Inappropriate Comment

DDOORN 10/14/2012 12:09AM

Whew! Such an awesome year you've built for yourself! Way to SPARK! :-) Don Report Inappropriate Comment

Summer goal

Thursday, August 02, 2012

Well, I fell short on mileage for the month of July. The goal was 660 and ended up with 610. August is another month and another chance to make the goal.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TOOTHFUL99 8/3/2012 7:49AM

Oh, so close! You were one good ride away from your goal! You can do it in August!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NYKIMMIE 8/3/2012 7:05AM

awesome goals,awesome results! Have a geat August! Report Inappropriate Comment

Racing the storm

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Raced another storm home today. It was pretty much a tie. Temp of 91 and a heat index of 100 and then the wind temp drops to about 65. The best part about the approaching storm was the crazy tail wind as I got closer to home. What a rush.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LUVS2BIKE101 7/24/2012 8:10PM

You are so brave...and fast! Report Inappropriate Comment

New personal best

Sunday, July 22, 2012

I got to ride with my team today(Saturday). A couple of them have trying to get me to ride on the Dismal Swamp Trail for some time, and I finally made it down there. The Dismal Swamp Trail is a section of the old US highway 17 that connects Southeast Virginia with North Carolina. It is a two lane highway that is 8.5 miles long with a turn around at the end. All that room to ride with no cars to deal with! Woot Woot!! Four of us took off at about 8 AM. We kept a 18 mph pace for the entire loop! Well, the other three riders had other things to do and left after the first lap, so I decided to take another lap solo. I thought that my pace would drop without riding in the group, but it didn't. I was passing everything in sight. I even had the pleasure of passing two carbon fiber riders, one of which was locked into his aero bars. Rolled past them at about 21 mph. That's always fun to do as a 270 pound rider on a 35 pound touring bike.

I finished with 33.92 miles at 17.84 mph. The fast paced intervals are paying off, I am actually getting faster. I still can't get over how much fun the trail is. A 17 mile loop with no cars. I thought I was in heaven.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

WOLF-SPIRIT 7/22/2012 12:21PM

It 'sounds' like heaven: no cars! WOW!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JAZZIE28 7/22/2012 1:17AM

Congrats on finishing and really feeling good about it! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHARPISTOL 7/22/2012 12:30AM

Wow! That sounds as if it was a lot of fun! Now, I know that you wish that you had gone there, a lot sooner; when your friends were trying to talk you into going. And, now, you will, most likely, practically, live there! lol And, your friends will never be able to pull you away from there, to go elsewhere! lol You did have a great workout, too! I wish something like that was around here, where I live! Report Inappropriate Comment

SMOKYBLUE1 7/22/2012 12:27AM

. YOU GO GIRL!!! Report Inappropriate Comment