SparkPoints: (65,250)
Fitness Minutes: (439)
Posts: 3,641
9/1/09 11:33 A

I don't feel safe listening to music while riding. I'll admit that when I was younger sometimes I used to listen to my walkman while riding lightly traveled country roads but now I wouldn't even do that.

While riding your ability to hear often allows you to avoid dangerous situations.

Save your iPod for the gym where it makes the boring time on cardio machines go by faster; when you are riding live in the moment and use all your senses.

Posts: 2
9/1/09 10:22 A

Thank you for the warm welcome. I completely understand the mountain single, and the traffic view. I live in a rural area and sometimes it can be challenging during the harvest with heavy machinery, so it's definitely a compromise at times. I miss the mtb, yet the roads ridden in TX aren't compatible with it.

That is so awesome to ride every morning outside. I'm not inclined to mornings except for weekends, and I attribute that only due to my professional schedule. If I could, I would sleep in and wake up to watch the Justice League of America for Sat a.m. cartoons and cold bowl of Count Chocula ;) Yet, living life rather than life lived should be explored.

82...WOW! That's a hop! A nice bowl of pasta after a ride like that sure would hit the spot. Are you going to be doing a century anytime soon?

What keeps you motivated to continue riding? Do you listen to any music when riding?

Well, I'm off now...

Allez, Allez!!!

SparkPoints: (111,042)
Fitness Minutes: (60,890)
Posts: 9,056
8/31/09 10:22 P

Welcome to the team, sounds like you have a really good time when you ride. DH got me started 3 years ago and we usually ride a tandem (road and mountain). I now have a single road and mountain bike and must admit I prefer the mountain single. I get nervous on the road, especially in traffic. The critters in the woods don't try to run me off the trail.

We have a short route (27 miles, 2 good hills) we ride just about every morning. On DH's week off we try to get 40 miles in on several days. While I do love to ride, after about 60 miles it stops being much fun for me. My longest ride so far is 82, and I was exhausted when it was over.

I look forward to hearing about some of your rides.

Pounds lost: 8.0

0 5.75 11.5 17.25

23

Posts: 2
8/31/09 9:55 P

Hello everyone! Okay, I'm a bit hesitant about this as this is my first time joining a group or publicly posting. I honestly don't have any expectations except to say that I do hope everyone meets their goals and exceeds them.

I've been cycling now for roughly 15 years crossing over from mtb to rd. Though I must admit, I love and miss the power of a forest descent! Yet, there's something majestic regarding the sprint and sheer burst of self-propelled enthusiasm meeting pavement. I became interested in mtb while living in germany and then mentally crossed about three years ago, with its actualization about three months ago.

So, I ride and get my miles in during the weekend. Since riding, I've been able to log about 50-60 miles a weekend. This past wknd (29/30 Aug), I was internally excited about getting past my 70-mile plateau. With work and life, it's such a challenge (but awesome) to ride after work. Though, with a trainer, my lot has improved, so I'm hopeful to increase my mileage. I have my computer set up in front of me and I'm able to pop in a cycling dvd and just go. I'm going to be setting up the trainer on the back porch soon due to time, and look out over roofs into the horizon, so again, I'm optimistic of inc mileage.

I've been riding alone for some time and though I enjoy the solitude, sometimes I think it would be nice to draft. Spd ranges from 17-18 casually, and this past wknd, I sustained 22mph for roughly half hour. Small steps, or rather, small strokes. ;-) I do intervals while riding to keep my mind active. I usually pick spots or other riders in the far distance as my targets of opportunity and beeline for them. I feel it the next morning, but honestly, the soreness is well worth it, especially when having another go.

Thanks for reading and from Hill Street Blues, "Let's be careful out there!" See you around the bend.

Ciao!

Vichente