2018 mileage: 1442.0
Well, I got up this morning knowing that if I could ride to Baker Rd. and back today, tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday, that would give me 1500 miles for the year before we leave on vacation Monday. So, with that clear-cut goal in mind, I set off resolutely, and was able to enjoy near perfect temperature. I went to church first and practiced piano so I could get that done before the kids swarmed in for Vacation Bible School, and then began my ride at 8:30 in 63° sunshine. By the time I finished the 20.2 miles (in 2:45), it had risen to 74°—enjoyably warm, but with no trace of excessive heat.
2018 mileage: 1421.9
An unfavorable weather forecast kept me from riding this morning, so I decided to wait until after the Tigers' game this afternoon. Setting off about 4:00, I intended to ride at least two round trips to Marsh Park, and hopefully three. But two negative factors influenced my ride.
1) The MapMyRide app that I use on my phone tracks the ride as I go, and provides me with voice feedback of the total time of my ride, the distance, my overall speed, my current speed, my split speed (that is, the speed of my most recent mile), and the current time of day. It does this, of course, using GPS (Global Positioning System) data. It allows you to specify the interval of this feedback, and I have it set to every .1 mile, so it occurs roughly every 40 seconds or so. I have gotten to be highly dependent on this, and it serves as a strong motivational factor for me. But today, roughly 6 miles into my ride, the voice feedback stopped, and though I checked the app's settings, I could do nothing to restore it without having to restart the phone, which would have erased the data collected so far.
2) I have opened up a sore on my left thigh from where it strikes the inside end of the handlebar on the pedal upstroke. The pain was not extreme or unbearable, but when I saw blood, too, that convinced me.
So these two factors together led me to choose to hold it to a single round trip to Marsh Park, completing the 10.2 miles in 1:13. I hope tomorrow to get back to my longer (20-mile) ride to Baker Rd. (Dexter).
2018 mileage: 1411.7
Another mileage milestone today as I rode once more to Baker Rd. (Dexter), for the fifth time in the last seven days (and my fifth consecutive ride). This 20.4-mile ride took me 2:45, but it was a LOT more comfortable than yesterday's ride. Leaving at 6:00 a.m., I enjoyed a temperature that stayed at 67° throughout the ride. It spit a few bits of rain, but really there was hardly any ... mostly gray, overcast skies. And this ride kept me on track for my hope (or goal) of making 1500 miles for the year by Sunday.
2018 mileage: 1391.3
Well, Saturday I went to LA Fitness to work out, due to a threatening weather forecast (though it never actually rained here), and since yesterday with a full day, I took it as a rest day. Driving home late afternoon from a commitment near Lansing, I told Michelle, "I was considering riding this evening—but now I think I won't." She replied, "GOOD! It's too hot!"(it was then 93°.)
This morning wasn't a whole lot cooler, but it was tolerable as long as I didn't push myself overly much. Because of the men's fellowship and Bible Study group I go to on Monday mornings, I could not ride as early as I like, but when I finally did get started, at 8:00, it was 78°—so I didn't have to worry about frostbite. 😎 I rode a round trip to Baker Rd. again (Dexter), and after I finished the 20.9 miles in 2:45, the temperature had risen to 89*.
On the 25th (one week from today), Michelle and I are leaving on vacation for a week, so I'm thinking I'd like to see if I can't push myself to make 1500 miles for year by then.
2018 mileage: 1362.4
Went early today (6 a.m., 56°) on an absolutely glorious day and pushed myself to ride another round trip to Dexter (Baker Rd.) for the third straight day. (I seem to be on a roll.) This is the first time I have ever done it three straight days. The picture below shows the beautiful blue sky I enjoyed -- taken on Scio Church Rd., the bridge over I-94, on my way home. It was up to 69° when I finished.
I did this ride of 19.4 miles in 2:36.
Now, I have a TREMENDOUS joy to anticipate the rest of the day. My kids and grandkids are coming this evening to hold an early Father's Day celebration with some pool time together.
2018 mileage: 1343.0
Today, like yesterday, I rode a round trip to Dexter (Baker Rd.), though by a slightly longer route. This gave me 20.5 miles, in 2:51. The bright sunshine had it already at 65* when I began, shortly before 9:00 a.m., and when I finished it was 81°. I guess that, despite our extended winter this year, I can now quit looking over my shoulder for snow. 😎
2018 mileage: 1322.5
This morning I round a round trip to Dexter (Baker Rd.) for the first time since November 27. Getting a pot roast in the slow cooker first, I then began my ride just before 8:00, in very enjoyable 67 conditions, and when I finished the 18.7 miles in a ride of 2:26, it was 76°.
I have been worried about having a flat tire when I am miles from home, and while I still want to learn how to change a tube, I realized that with the Uber app on my phone, I should generally be able to get picked up by that route!
