We had a great turnout for the beginners road ride today. Julie took her Giant OCR Composite 3 out for the first time this morning. Nancy rode today, also on her new road bike. She bought a Giant OCR 3 yesterday from Cadence 120. She even went with a pedal upgrade. She got Speedplay X series pedals with a sweet pair of Shimano shoes. We had a new guy show up on his new Felt F90, also from Cadence 120.
Ben and Felicia Beth also rode today. After the ride, Julie and I joined them for breakfast at Dick Russell's BBQ in Tillman's Corner. They have got the best bacon and fresh made biscuits!
16.36 miles - 11.3 avg speed - avg hr 105 bpm - max hr 131 bpm - 1,520 calories burned
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Me and My Harem...
...that's the name they gave themselves. Today's ride, I was the only male. Along for the ride were Debbie, Felicia Beth, Marian and Terri. Not a bad deal being able to ride with four women for several hours. It was hot today, even though we started out before 6:30am, we couldn't beat the heat. By 9:00am the RealFeel forecast was supposed to be 100 degrees...and it sure felt like it was when we were in the direct sunlight. Luckily today's ride to Presley's Landing in Mississippi had plenty of shade to ride in. All-in-all a darn good ride!
54.83 miles - 15.5 avg speed - avg hr 135 bpm - max hr 166 bpm - 4,540 calories burned
This afternoon, we picked up Julie's new road bike, a 2006 Giant OCR Composite 3. This bike is a beauty and I really hope she enjoys the ride. It is exciting to get her out on the road with me.
54.83 miles - 15.5 avg speed - avg hr 135 bpm - max hr 166 bpm - 4,540 calories burned
This afternoon, we picked up Julie's new road bike, a 2006 Giant OCR Composite 3. This bike is a beauty and I really hope she enjoys the ride. It is exciting to get her out on the road with me.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Hot One Today!
I was sweating like a pig before I hit Cottage Hill Road. You would think with the days getting shorter that it would be getting cooler as well. I did my typical Thursday USA loop. Eric and Christophe were on hand, and after a lap and a half, I saw that David and Terri were just finishing up. Hopefully Saturday's ride will be a little cooler.
20.92 miles - 14.8 avg speed - avg hr 136 bpm - max hr 170 bpm - 1,722 calories burned
20.92 miles - 14.8 avg speed - avg hr 136 bpm - max hr 170 bpm - 1,722 calories burned
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Flat Tire King!
Flats...they come in groups...last September I had several flats on several rides, but then it stopped...no flats from October until this past Saturday. As you can see in my post about last Saturday's ride, I had three flats that day.
Today, I went out for my typical Tuesday USA loop ride. Christophe had a flat at the start of the second lap. As he and I were headed back home we were sitting at a very long red light trying to cross University Blvd. at the Mitchell Center. When the light finally changed and we started rolling, I heard a strange sound coming from my rear wheel. It was my rear tire going flat.
We were near Christophe's house, so I opted add some air and try to make it to his place so he could drive me home. Why waste a CO2 cartridge if you don't have to, right?
17.33miles - 14.4 avg speed - avg hr 138 bpm - max hr 233 bpm(I think this is an error, David, Eric and I had one hell of a sprint up Stadium Drive, but I doubt my HR got this high) - 1,357 calories burned
Today, I went out for my typical Tuesday USA loop ride. Christophe had a flat at the start of the second lap. As he and I were headed back home we were sitting at a very long red light trying to cross University Blvd. at the Mitchell Center. When the light finally changed and we started rolling, I heard a strange sound coming from my rear wheel. It was my rear tire going flat.
We were near Christophe's house, so I opted add some air and try to make it to his place so he could drive me home. Why waste a CO2 cartridge if you don't have to, right?
17.33miles - 14.4 avg speed - avg hr 138 bpm - max hr 233 bpm(I think this is an error, David, Eric and I had one hell of a sprint up Stadium Drive, but I doubt my HR got this high) - 1,357 calories burned
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Nice...Easy Ride Today
Today we had a total of six people on the ride. Ben and I are starting to feel a little outnumbered, as he and I were the only men. Marian, Nancy, Felicia Beth and Nikki from Colorado rounded it out.
Nancy was on her comfort bike, while the rest of us were on road bikes. Even though this ride is for all riders of any ability, she is outclassed due to her machine. She has been enjoying the ride though and says she is going to look into getting a road bike.
17.05 miles - 11.2 avg speed - avg hr 107 bpm - max hr 142 bpm - 1,718 calories burned
Nancy was on her comfort bike, while the rest of us were on road bikes. Even though this ride is for all riders of any ability, she is outclassed due to her machine. She has been enjoying the ride though and says she is going to look into getting a road bike.
17.05 miles - 11.2 avg speed - avg hr 107 bpm - max hr 142 bpm - 1,718 calories burned
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Mississippi Bound
Today I decided the ride should take us west, towards Mississippi. Marian was at the start when I arrived and just as we were about to depart, a nice woman named Nikki, from Golden, CO, arrived for the ride as well.
The ride was not uneventful. About 3 - 4 miles into it, my rear tire blew out. After replacing my tube and shooting it full of CO2, we were back on our way. Around mile 15, my bike felt a little squirrelly going up a small ride. I looked down to see my front tire was nearly flat. No more CO2, so I patched this one and pumped it up the old fashioned way.
Either my patch didn't hold or I didn't find all of the holes, because a few miles further and the front tire was going down again. I sprinted ahead at around 20mph to try and make Dee's corner off of Dawe's Road before it was completely flat. At the convenience store, Marian loaned me a spare tube and I fixed it right up.
We continued on out Fort Lakes Road. It was fresh new blacktop and road great. We passed a group of four riders that were headed back toward Mobile. A few minutes later, we came upon 30 or so riders that were also headed back toward town. After they passed, we decided to turn around and try to join up with the group for the ride back.
I was doing at least 25mph and sometimes up to 30mph trying to catch up with them. My heart rate eventually hit 179 and I couldn't sustain it for too long. I closed to within 100 yards of the back of the group when they passed the store at which I told Marian and Nikki I would wait for them.
The heat (and humidity) was taking its toll on Nikki, so we eased back into town.
42.44 miles - 15.1 avg speed - avg hr 132 bpm - max hr 179 bpm - 3,742 calories burned
The ride was not uneventful. About 3 - 4 miles into it, my rear tire blew out. After replacing my tube and shooting it full of CO2, we were back on our way. Around mile 15, my bike felt a little squirrelly going up a small ride. I looked down to see my front tire was nearly flat. No more CO2, so I patched this one and pumped it up the old fashioned way.
Either my patch didn't hold or I didn't find all of the holes, because a few miles further and the front tire was going down again. I sprinted ahead at around 20mph to try and make Dee's corner off of Dawe's Road before it was completely flat. At the convenience store, Marian loaned me a spare tube and I fixed it right up.
We continued on out Fort Lakes Road. It was fresh new blacktop and road great. We passed a group of four riders that were headed back toward Mobile. A few minutes later, we came upon 30 or so riders that were also headed back toward town. After they passed, we decided to turn around and try to join up with the group for the ride back.
I was doing at least 25mph and sometimes up to 30mph trying to catch up with them. My heart rate eventually hit 179 and I couldn't sustain it for too long. I closed to within 100 yards of the back of the group when they passed the store at which I told Marian and Nikki I would wait for them.
The heat (and humidity) was taking its toll on Nikki, so we eased back into town.
42.44 miles - 15.1 avg speed - avg hr 132 bpm - max hr 179 bpm - 3,742 calories burned
Not Comcastic...Continued
Friday 08/11/06 - I awoke early for the arrival of Comcast...and wouldn't you know it, my connection was just fine. I showered and when I returned to my office, I was off-line again. They finally arrived a little before 9:00am and thankfully I was still off-line. This tech decided to re-wire from the house to the poll. Since I had no idea how long I would be off-line, I decided to go on and take a day off of work.
I got on my bike and went on some much needed errands. I felt good on the bike, but it was really hot out. I stopped at a traffic signal at one intersection and when the light finally turned green my Speedplay cleat had sunk into and left an impression in the asphalt.
I met my friend Fiz for lunch at Lenny's Sub Shop, which has the best sub sandwiches on the planet. Afterwards, I road on home and relaxed the rest of the day.
13.88 miles - 13.6 avg speed - avg hr 139 bpm - max hr 168 bpm - 1,325 calories burned - Not bad for a day of commuting!
I got on my bike and went on some much needed errands. I felt good on the bike, but it was really hot out. I stopped at a traffic signal at one intersection and when the light finally turned green my Speedplay cleat had sunk into and left an impression in the asphalt.
I met my friend Fiz for lunch at Lenny's Sub Shop, which has the best sub sandwiches on the planet. Afterwards, I road on home and relaxed the rest of the day.
13.88 miles - 13.6 avg speed - avg hr 139 bpm - max hr 168 bpm - 1,325 calories burned - Not bad for a day of commuting!
Not Feeling Very Comcastic
Thursday 08/10/06...not a good day.
It all began around 11:20am when my internet connection went down. It was back on around 11:40am and Shortly there-after, I took a lunch break. When I returned from lunch, my connection was down again. I called Comcast immediately, as I had been having trouble for several weeks. Everytime a tech was dispatched to my house, when he arrives my connection is as strong as ever, so they haven't been able to find the issue. By 5:30pm, I had not seen or heard from a Comcast tech, so I decided to head out for my Thursday ride.
USA loop ride - I had no energy at all today and I felt like a slug.
17.26 miles - 14.3 avg speed - avg hr 133 bpm - max hr 162 bpm - 1,305 calories burned
When I returned home, my connection was back, so I assummed a line tech must have addressed the issue while I was gone. A sales rep I dealt with when I was at Cadence 120 came to town and he and I were about to head out to dinner when the phone rang. It was Comcast saying they were running a little behind today and they wanted to know if I was still at home so they could come by. Considering my connection was on (I did't tell them that though), I didn't think it would be beneficial for them to come by tonight, let alone the fact that I was hungry. I told them that I was leaving for dinner but I expected them at my house first thing in the morning. They promised to be there between 7:00am and 9:00am.
It all began around 11:20am when my internet connection went down. It was back on around 11:40am and Shortly there-after, I took a lunch break. When I returned from lunch, my connection was down again. I called Comcast immediately, as I had been having trouble for several weeks. Everytime a tech was dispatched to my house, when he arrives my connection is as strong as ever, so they haven't been able to find the issue. By 5:30pm, I had not seen or heard from a Comcast tech, so I decided to head out for my Thursday ride.
USA loop ride - I had no energy at all today and I felt like a slug.
17.26 miles - 14.3 avg speed - avg hr 133 bpm - max hr 162 bpm - 1,305 calories burned
When I returned home, my connection was back, so I assummed a line tech must have addressed the issue while I was gone. A sales rep I dealt with when I was at Cadence 120 came to town and he and I were about to head out to dinner when the phone rang. It was Comcast saying they were running a little behind today and they wanted to know if I was still at home so they could come by. Considering my connection was on (I did't tell them that though), I didn't think it would be beneficial for them to come by tonight, let alone the fact that I was hungry. I told them that I was leaving for dinner but I expected them at my house first thing in the morning. They promised to be there between 7:00am and 9:00am.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Recovery Ride
08/06/06 - Sunday morning...my beginners ride day. What a relief after the effort I put in on the bike Saturday.
16.94 miles - 12.6 avg speed - avg hr 111 bpm - max hr 140 bpm - 1,446 calories burned
16.94 miles - 12.6 avg speed - avg hr 111 bpm - max hr 140 bpm - 1,446 calories burned
Steelwood Country Club
Saturday night, Julie's boss, Jennie, was in town staying at the lodge. Jennie invited Julie and me to dinner at Steelwood Country Club. I have to say that the dinner ranked among the best I have ever had. Julie shared her filet with me and it was definitely the best filet I have ever eaten. I had pan seared grouper over crayfish rissoto.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Dauphin Island Ride
08/05/06 - What a great ride! I woke yesterday morning and read the AccuWeather forecast of the day. It was not too encouraging. The RealFeel temperature was supposed to reach 112 degrees. There was a lot of severe thunderstorm activity at the mouth of Mobile Bay, moving in a southwesterly direction, so the storm wouldn't be an issue.
We had seven people total for the ride, Terri, Marian, Ray, David, myself, and a really nice Coast Guard couple from St. Petersburg, FL. As we got closer to the island, the headwind got more severe and the cloud cover was getting heavier. Kind of odd, considering the storm was supposed to me moving away from us.
We stopped at a store at Alabama Port and learned from the cashier that her marine radio had warnings of the storm moving from the south. We decided to turn around and head back to Mobile. On the way back, the weather kept deteriorating and when we crossed Fowl River, a large piece of sheet metal was blown off of the marina sign to the ground. We decided to take shelter until the storm passed.
The storm did not last long, so we were soon on our way. We had a stiff tail wind. Coming up Rangeline Road, I decided to go all out. I was moving at a steady 28-29 mph all the way up Rangeline. It felt great!
Back near our starting point, we thanked the Coast Guard couple for joining us and the rest of us decided to head downtown to the waterfront to try and reach our original target mileage.
65.60 miles - 16.3 avg speed - avg hr 146 bpm - max hr 173 bpm - 3,322 calories burned
We had seven people total for the ride, Terri, Marian, Ray, David, myself, and a really nice Coast Guard couple from St. Petersburg, FL. As we got closer to the island, the headwind got more severe and the cloud cover was getting heavier. Kind of odd, considering the storm was supposed to me moving away from us.
We stopped at a store at Alabama Port and learned from the cashier that her marine radio had warnings of the storm moving from the south. We decided to turn around and head back to Mobile. On the way back, the weather kept deteriorating and when we crossed Fowl River, a large piece of sheet metal was blown off of the marina sign to the ground. We decided to take shelter until the storm passed.
The storm did not last long, so we were soon on our way. We had a stiff tail wind. Coming up Rangeline Road, I decided to go all out. I was moving at a steady 28-29 mph all the way up Rangeline. It felt great!
Back near our starting point, we thanked the Coast Guard couple for joining us and the rest of us decided to head downtown to the waterfront to try and reach our original target mileage.
65.60 miles - 16.3 avg speed - avg hr 146 bpm - max hr 173 bpm - 3,322 calories burned
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Thursday Ride USA Loop
Today we had a total of six riders. I had a great ride over to the campus. I feel a lot better on the climbs, though I still need to work on technique and form. During the ride we discussed this Saturday's ride destination. We are planning on riding to Dauphin Island and back. Should be around 60 miles or so.
23.55 miles - 14.7 avg speed - avg hr 140 bpm - max hr 170 bpm - 1,838 calories burned
23.55 miles - 14.7 avg speed - avg hr 140 bpm - max hr 170 bpm - 1,838 calories burned
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Today's Ride - USA Loop
Today we had a total of four riders. I was a little late arriving, as I got a late start from the house so my milage left a little to be desired. On the way to USA, the University Blvd hill between Grelot and Airport seemed harder than usual today for some reason.
18.00 miles - 14.6 avg speed - avg hr 133 bpm - max hr 172 bpm - 1,497 calories burned
18.00 miles - 14.6 avg speed - avg hr 133 bpm - max hr 172 bpm - 1,497 calories burned
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