An early start for me on Saturday. I was up, had breakfast and was on the bike by 6:15am to meet David in front of my house. He and I were going to ride to the 7:00am group ride. It is amazing the difference in the amount (lack) of daylight at 6:15 in the morning this time of year. I am glad David showed up because when I was getting my bike ready, I noticed my taillight was not working. I put new batteries in and it still did not work. Since he showed up, he could ride behind me with his taillight flashing.
It was a great turn-out for the ride at All About Bicycles. The group was 15 strong, despite the forecast bad weather. The cloud cover helped keep the RealFeel temperature down and the humidity didn't seem too bad either.
At the end of the ride, the store provided fresh muffins and drinks. David and I headed back to my house. There was light rain now. As we neared Knollwood on Grelot, the bottom dropped out of the sky. I don't think I have ever ridden in rain that was this bad. That didn't bother me too much so we kept on riding. I began to worry though when severe lightning started popping from the sky. We decided to take shelter at Bicycles of Mobile on Cottage Hill Road until the storm passed.
I learned later while watching the news, that a house off of Knollwood was struck by lightning and received severe fire damage.
40.5 miles - 13.6 avg speed - avg hr 139 bpm - max hr 175 bpm - 3,040 calories burned
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
Last Sunday's Beginners Road Ride
We had to cut the ride short because of approaching rain. Julie and I got soaked on our ride home from the ride.
13.02 miles - 11.6 avg speed - avg hr 105 bpm - max hr 138 bpm - 914 calories burned
13.02 miles - 11.6 avg speed - avg hr 105 bpm - max hr 138 bpm - 914 calories burned
Saturday, September 16, 2006
RSA Tower Gets Spire Installed Today
We had plans of riding the NSGA 40 k RR route today which takes you from USS Alabama Battleship Park east to Spanish Fort, west back across the causeway, over the Cochran Bridge, through the train yards next to the Alabama State docks, through the Bankhead Tunnel and back to the battleship.
Our plans were changed when the city closed downtown Mobile this morning. That's right...downtown Mobile was closed. Why would they do such a thing you ask? Today was the day to install the spire on top of the new RSA tower. Not only is this now the tallest building in Alabama...it is also the tallest building on the Gulf Coast from Naples, FL to South Padre Beach, TX.
We had a great ride anyway. Felicia Beth and I left my house at 6:15 to meet up with the Amsouth group on Cottage Hill Road. They were headed to the battleship for the 8:00 ride. When we arrived at the battleship at 7:55 I was amazed to see nearly 40 people that had come out for the ride. Shortly after we arrived, another group that had started at Carpe Diem arrived. In all, we had 45 riders.
It felt great cruising down the causeway at 25+ mph. I hung in there until about 2/3rds up Spanish Fort Hill and I just could no longer keep the pace. That was ok though, as the group had splintered off into several groups. When we arrived at the top of the Cochran bridge, the helicopter lift of the spire base began. Several of us stopped to watch. Hundreds of people had gathered at the battleship and around the perimeter of downtown to watch. Afterwards, Felicia Beth and I rode back to my house.
56.6 miles - 15.5 avg speed - avg hr 139 bpm - max hr 184 bpm - 4,354 calories burned
Our plans were changed when the city closed downtown Mobile this morning. That's right...downtown Mobile was closed. Why would they do such a thing you ask? Today was the day to install the spire on top of the new RSA tower. Not only is this now the tallest building in Alabama...it is also the tallest building on the Gulf Coast from Naples, FL to South Padre Beach, TX.
We had a great ride anyway. Felicia Beth and I left my house at 6:15 to meet up with the Amsouth group on Cottage Hill Road. They were headed to the battleship for the 8:00 ride. When we arrived at the battleship at 7:55 I was amazed to see nearly 40 people that had come out for the ride. Shortly after we arrived, another group that had started at Carpe Diem arrived. In all, we had 45 riders.
It felt great cruising down the causeway at 25+ mph. I hung in there until about 2/3rds up Spanish Fort Hill and I just could no longer keep the pace. That was ok though, as the group had splintered off into several groups. When we arrived at the top of the Cochran bridge, the helicopter lift of the spire base began. Several of us stopped to watch. Hundreds of people had gathered at the battleship and around the perimeter of downtown to watch. Afterwards, Felicia Beth and I rode back to my house.
56.6 miles - 15.5 avg speed - avg hr 139 bpm - max hr 184 bpm - 4,354 calories burned
Friday, September 15, 2006
Sunday 09/10/06 Ride
Beautiful weather was enjoyed by all that rode my beginners ride last Sunday.
16.55 miles - 12.2 avg speed - avg hr n/a - max hr n/a - calories burned n/a
16.55 miles - 12.2 avg speed - avg hr n/a - max hr n/a - calories burned n/a
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Great Ride Today
I had a most enjoyable ride today. It was a "no-drop" ride that started at All About Bicycles on Schillenger Road. The ride was not as long as I would like to do on a Saturday so I rode to the ride. There were 13 people in attendance. We all had a great time. I planned on riding the ride again next week, but I just realized the ride on the National Senior Games Association 40k course is next Saturday. The City is even closing down the tunnel for us from 8am-Noon. Even though I enjoyed myself today, I will likely do the 40k ride. There are not many times you get the opportunity to ride in the Bankhead Tunnel.
40.48 miles - 16.1 avg speed - avg hr 141 bpm - max hr 192 bpm (Note Below) - 2,659 calories burned
Max HR note: This occurred at the end of the ride. AJ Beach and myself were side by side at the front of the group. He stood up and said let's go...He got the jump on me as I was in the small ring just spinning. I shifted and picked up momentum. AJ had the lead on me and I was sure he would get to the store first, but I kept digging in. The grade was slightly uphill and I kept gaining on him little by little. I finally edged by him near the end at a HR of 192 and max speed of 32.0 mph. It felt great to do that...thanks AJ!
40.48 miles - 16.1 avg speed - avg hr 141 bpm - max hr 192 bpm (Note Below) - 2,659 calories burned
Max HR note: This occurred at the end of the ride. AJ Beach and myself were side by side at the front of the group. He stood up and said let's go...He got the jump on me as I was in the small ring just spinning. I shifted and picked up momentum. AJ had the lead on me and I was sure he would get to the store first, but I kept digging in. The grade was slightly uphill and I kept gaining on him little by little. I finally edged by him near the end at a HR of 192 and max speed of 32.0 mph. It felt great to do that...thanks AJ!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Labor Day Ride
We had a group of four for our Labor Day ride. We started a few hundred yards from Mississippi and rode across the state line. There are some back roads there that are fantastic...fresh new blacktop, nicely shaded and very little traffic. Julie is enjoying her OCR.
30.46 miles - 12.9 avg speed - avg hr 107 bpm - max hr 238 bpm (not sure about the accuracy on that one) - 1,935 calories burned
30.46 miles - 12.9 avg speed - avg hr 107 bpm - max hr 238 bpm (not sure about the accuracy on that one) - 1,935 calories burned
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Today's Ride
Another fine beginners ride today. Julie and I were there and the group totaled nine.
15.28 miles - 12.3 avg speed - avg hr 111 bpm - max hr 195 bpm (not sure about the accuracy on that one) - 1,241 calories burned
After the ride, several of us met at Callaghan's for brunch. It didn't seem to be as good as I had recalled it being from last year. Dick Russell's is definitely a better value!
This afternoon, Julie wanted some ice cream, so we decided to head down to Old Dutch. Our back-fence neighbor, Norm, was home alone, so we invited him to join us. On the way home, we decided to get some dinner (sometimes it is best to have desert before your main dish) so we went to Lenny's Sub Shop.
Tomorrow, Julie and I plan on doing about 30 miles on the road bikes. Our intentions are to ride into Mississippi and enjoy some scenic back-roads.
15.28 miles - 12.3 avg speed - avg hr 111 bpm - max hr 195 bpm (not sure about the accuracy on that one) - 1,241 calories burned
After the ride, several of us met at Callaghan's for brunch. It didn't seem to be as good as I had recalled it being from last year. Dick Russell's is definitely a better value!
This afternoon, Julie wanted some ice cream, so we decided to head down to Old Dutch. Our back-fence neighbor, Norm, was home alone, so we invited him to join us. On the way home, we decided to get some dinner (sometimes it is best to have desert before your main dish) so we went to Lenny's Sub Shop.
Tomorrow, Julie and I plan on doing about 30 miles on the road bikes. Our intentions are to ride into Mississippi and enjoy some scenic back-roads.
September is here...where has the year gone?
Sorry for the delay in posts...it has been a pretty hectic time lately. Alex and Gracie have has domination troubles lately. They have fought over treats several times and on Friday morning, August 25th, they got into it pretty bad. Julie and I had to rush Gracie to the vet. We had to leave her so they could take care of her wounds.
Four stitches in her left front leg and over $300, we picked her up and took her home. Over the following weekend one of her stitches broke and the gash on her leg opened back up a little.
That Sunday, Julie and I attended our beginners road ride. Our friends Brian and Jeri came out as well. The night before i helped Brian install "slick" tires on their mountain bikes to make the bikes more efficient for road riding.
I have had a busy time at work for the past couple of weeks as well. We have had a lot of new clients sign up for our services. The days have seemed to fly by!
Thursday, Julie's company was displaying at a local trade show so she had taken the car downtown. After I was finished with work for the day, I went out into the back yard with the girls. It was a beautiful evening. Gracie was feeling better and more playful after her incident from the week before and she and Daisy were rough-housing a little.
A problem arose when Daisy's growls and barks sounded like she was in distress, even though she was not, and Alex decided she needed to protect her litter-mate. Alex charged into Gracie and they got tangled up in the biggest fight yet. I tried to get them apart by soaking them with water from the hose, but that didn't even slow them down. After what seemed an eternity of wrestling with them, I got them apart.
Gracie was hurt pretty bad, and being without a car, I called my friend Brian to come and take us to the vet. While waiting for him to get here, I changed into dry clothes and then took Gracie out front to wait for him.
We arrived at the vet just after 7:00 pm, so of course it is billed as an after hours emergency visit. Julie and I picked her up Friday afternoon. She now has one of those cone head collars to wear so she won't lick her wounds.
I have called a dog trainer that was recommended to me so we can try and resolve these issues. We love all three of our dogs, and they seem to love each other as well, but this occasional fighting must stop...for the dogs health and the health of our checking account. We spent over $1,000 on vet bills in eight days.
Four stitches in her left front leg and over $300, we picked her up and took her home. Over the following weekend one of her stitches broke and the gash on her leg opened back up a little.
That Sunday, Julie and I attended our beginners road ride. Our friends Brian and Jeri came out as well. The night before i helped Brian install "slick" tires on their mountain bikes to make the bikes more efficient for road riding.
I have had a busy time at work for the past couple of weeks as well. We have had a lot of new clients sign up for our services. The days have seemed to fly by!
Thursday, Julie's company was displaying at a local trade show so she had taken the car downtown. After I was finished with work for the day, I went out into the back yard with the girls. It was a beautiful evening. Gracie was feeling better and more playful after her incident from the week before and she and Daisy were rough-housing a little.
A problem arose when Daisy's growls and barks sounded like she was in distress, even though she was not, and Alex decided she needed to protect her litter-mate. Alex charged into Gracie and they got tangled up in the biggest fight yet. I tried to get them apart by soaking them with water from the hose, but that didn't even slow them down. After what seemed an eternity of wrestling with them, I got them apart.
Gracie was hurt pretty bad, and being without a car, I called my friend Brian to come and take us to the vet. While waiting for him to get here, I changed into dry clothes and then took Gracie out front to wait for him.
We arrived at the vet just after 7:00 pm, so of course it is billed as an after hours emergency visit. Julie and I picked her up Friday afternoon. She now has one of those cone head collars to wear so she won't lick her wounds.
I have called a dog trainer that was recommended to me so we can try and resolve these issues. We love all three of our dogs, and they seem to love each other as well, but this occasional fighting must stop...for the dogs health and the health of our checking account. We spent over $1,000 on vet bills in eight days.
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