2018 mileage - 566.4
HOW ASTONISHING! Who would have ever thought that I could ride outside in shorts on the last day of February in Michigan! But, even though falling temperatures throughout the day made me abandon the t-shirt I had envisioned wearing during the heady warmth of this morning (mid-sixties) in favor of a long-sleeve tee, the 60° temperature when I began at 2:30 (falling to 58° by the time I finished), even coupled with a mild wind (16 mph from the southwest) was quite agreeable.
I went a single round trip to Marsh Park, but augmented it slightly with a jaunt down Interfirst Drive (near the park), and then a loop in Stonebridge on the way home, giving me a ride of 14.4 miles in 1:45.
I am so glad, too, to be counting in my stats now all the miles I rode on the stationary bike at LA Fitness this winter!
2018 mileage - 552.0
Today I enjoyed glorious conditions—mostly sunny skies, only a light breeze, and an unseasonably warm 52° temperature when I began, up to 56° when I finished! But it only resulted in a puny little ride, a single round trip to Marsh Park without even tacking on a little extra as I did yesterday. And I was slower than molasses in February—10.2 miles in 1:19. Oh well ... I just need to keep plugging away at it, and eventually I know it'll pick up some.
2018 mileage - 541.8
Today I rode outside for only the 4th time this year, and the first time in February (along with January 11, 26, and 27). The temperature finally has reached a point where riding outside is not akin to self-flagellation—it was 48° when I began, at 12:30, and 49° when I finished. with beautiful bright sunshine throughout. I did have to deal with a condition which was blessedly absent for all of my inside rides this winter, that being wind. But, at 12 mph from the west-southwest, it was noticeable and a mild impediment, but nothing overly challenging.
With both time and my stamina somewhat short, I didn't push myself too far, just doing a single round trip to Marsh Park, and one loop of Stonebridge on the way back home. That subdivision is where I took the following picture.
At any rate, this 13-mile ride took me a lengthy 1:32.
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.
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! 😇
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!"
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.
