2018 mileage - 244.8
It would be eminently fair to describe today's riding conditions as "raw." I pedaled throughout under an unbroken gloomy gray canopy of clouds, through air that was extremely damp (and over ground that was, as well, with many puddles), and in a cool temperature (46°) with a bit of a breeze (15 mph from the southwest, to bring the wind-chill down to 40°). However, I am not complaining, as it is a gift to be able to ride outside at all in Michigan in late January, and this now makes two days in a row.
However, though I had planned to ride two round trips to Marsh Park, I settled for one instead, given the conditions, and completed this 10.2 miles in 1:10, a few minutes faster than I rode it yesterday.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Friday, January 26, 2018
2nd ride of 2018 - Friday, 1/26/2018
2018 mileage - 234.6
I couldn't pass up the chance to ride outside today for only the second time this year. It was mostly sunny and 49°, and though I had to battle a bit of a breeze (15 mph from the SSW), it wasn't too terribly stiff.
I began my riding in May 2015, when I got my trike. I'm well ahead of my mileage at this time the past two years (nearly 200 miles better), because I'm now counting my indoor rides in my statistics as well.
I "enjoyed" a novel experience, as well. On my way to the park, as I was sitting at State Rd., waiting for the light to change so I could cross it, I heard a wet PLOP and felt something on my right thigh. Looking down, I quickly saw a brown pile marking the spot where a bird had used me for target practice. But at least, I told myself, this was winter so I was riding in long pants, rather than shorts in the summer.
I can sure tell how much conditioning I've lost, though! I had hoped, early on, to do two round trips to Marsh Park. Even though it was cool, I was not uncomfortable riding in a hoodie over a turtleneck. But my riding kept slowing down noticeably as I went along, and in the end I settled for a single round trip—10.2 miles in 1:15—while hoping to do better tomorrow. I need to begin rebuilding my stamina, and there's no time like the present! 😇
I couldn't pass up the chance to ride outside today for only the second time this year. It was mostly sunny and 49°, and though I had to battle a bit of a breeze (15 mph from the SSW), it wasn't too terribly stiff.
I began my riding in May 2015, when I got my trike. I'm well ahead of my mileage at this time the past two years (nearly 200 miles better), because I'm now counting my indoor rides in my statistics as well.
I "enjoyed" a novel experience, as well. On my way to the park, as I was sitting at State Rd., waiting for the light to change so I could cross it, I heard a wet PLOP and felt something on my right thigh. Looking down, I quickly saw a brown pile marking the spot where a bird had used me for target practice. But at least, I told myself, this was winter so I was riding in long pants, rather than shorts in the summer.
I can sure tell how much conditioning I've lost, though! I had hoped, early on, to do two round trips to Marsh Park. Even though it was cool, I was not uncomfortable riding in a hoodie over a turtleneck. But my riding kept slowing down noticeably as I went along, and in the end I settled for a single round trip—10.2 miles in 1:15—while hoping to do better tomorrow. I need to begin rebuilding my stamina, and there's no time like the present! 😇
Monday, January 15, 2018
Monday, January 15, 2018 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
2018 mileage: 141.3
This morning, I'm riding the stationary bike at LA Fitness, when this older man (75-ish) comes over to me, grins, and says, "Cold drove you inside, eh? My daughter and I see you all the time riding your recumbent on that trail alongside Lohr Rd." I told him, "Yeah, I rode outside one day last week, but not in this stuff." He laughs and tells me, "Well, boy, you're one tough son-of-a-gun!"
This morning, I'm riding the stationary bike at LA Fitness, when this older man (75-ish) comes over to me, grins, and says, "Cold drove you inside, eh? My daughter and I see you all the time riding your recumbent on that trail alongside Lohr Rd." I told him, "Yeah, I rode outside one day last week, but not in this stuff." He laughs and tells me, "Well, boy, you're one tough son-of-a-gun!"
Thursday, January 11, 2018
1st ride of 2018 - Thursday, 1/11/2018
2018 mileage: 108.6
Today's riding conditions were far from ideal—a bit of wind (15 mph from the south), uniformly gray, gloomy skies, a damp cool in the air, and a sloppy, wet surface to the paved trail that I ride. Still, though, I could not refrain from riding outside, given the unseasonably mild 55° temperature (and the additional cold and snow that are about to descend upon us), so I was able to squeeze in my first outdoor ride of the new year, turning in a round trip to Marsh Park, and completing the 10.2 miles in 1:15. This also, in combination with the miles I've ridden on the stationary bike, gave me my first mileage 'milestone' of the year.
Today's riding conditions were far from ideal—a bit of wind (15 mph from the south), uniformly gray, gloomy skies, a damp cool in the air, and a sloppy, wet surface to the paved trail that I ride. Still, though, I could not refrain from riding outside, given the unseasonably mild 55° temperature (and the additional cold and snow that are about to descend upon us), so I was able to squeeze in my first outdoor ride of the new year, turning in a round trip to Marsh Park, and completing the 10.2 miles in 1:15. This also, in combination with the miles I've ridden on the stationary bike, gave me my first mileage 'milestone' of the year.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
WINTER!! (as of Tuesday, January 9, 2018)
2018 mileage: 88.5
I am not, in general, dissuaded from riding by cold weather, figuring I can always pile on enough clothing. My coldest ride in the past has been 17°, and I had hoped to better that this year. I feel as if, having attained 60 years now, I should be getting tougher and building up my strength. However, this winter seems to be the harshest we have experienced in several years—whereas each of the last two years there have been numerous days each winter when I could ride outside, this year I have not ridden outside since December 9. We have gone through a particularly devilish stretch the last couple of weeks, with many nights plummeting to subzero temperatures.
Today, however, was different. It was milder (currently, at 12:30 p.m., 33°—a veritable heat wave!—and I strongly considered my first outside ride of the year. But, in the end, I held off ('wimped out'), as it remains quite raw—damp and gray—and was happy to go ride inside on the stationary cycle.
I am enough of a purist that I have only wanted in the past to count the miles I have actually ridden. But my friend Tom Brown strongly encouraged me to count the miles I ride on the stationary cycle at LA Fitness as well, and, accepting this advice, I have so far this year done 88.5 miles. So I am off to a start which I guess could be characterized as slow but steady, doing about 11 miles a day in the hour we are allowed on the machines.
The picture below, which my sweet Michelle took of me last August, shows me in decidedly different conditions. 😎
I am not, in general, dissuaded from riding by cold weather, figuring I can always pile on enough clothing. My coldest ride in the past has been 17°, and I had hoped to better that this year. I feel as if, having attained 60 years now, I should be getting tougher and building up my strength. However, this winter seems to be the harshest we have experienced in several years—whereas each of the last two years there have been numerous days each winter when I could ride outside, this year I have not ridden outside since December 9. We have gone through a particularly devilish stretch the last couple of weeks, with many nights plummeting to subzero temperatures.
Today, however, was different. It was milder (currently, at 12:30 p.m., 33°—a veritable heat wave!—and I strongly considered my first outside ride of the year. But, in the end, I held off ('wimped out'), as it remains quite raw—damp and gray—and was happy to go ride inside on the stationary cycle.
I am enough of a purist that I have only wanted in the past to count the miles I have actually ridden. But my friend Tom Brown strongly encouraged me to count the miles I ride on the stationary cycle at LA Fitness as well, and, accepting this advice, I have so far this year done 88.5 miles. So I am off to a start which I guess could be characterized as slow but steady, doing about 11 miles a day in the hour we are allowed on the machines.
The picture below, which my sweet Michelle took of me last August, shows me in decidedly different conditions. 😎
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