Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
Snakes on a trail advice
When approaching a snake, you should:
- Make sure it’s a snake, it could be a branch.
- Determine which is the head of the snake.
- Ride around the tail of the snake, not the head.
Snakes a plenty today, every branch, every crack in the surface appeared like a reptile to me.
Started out way too fast on today’s ride, paid for it at the end. My legs just couldn’t spin anymore after the 10 mile mark, couple that with the extreme heat, and I was lucky to have done the miles I did.
MTB: distance 19.31 miles, average speed 13.2 mph.
Tour de McAlpine
Le Tour de France starts today. So I’m going to try and ride every day of the tour in my local greenway, le McAlpine.
Caught the start of today’s stage before I headed out. I’m watching the noon rebroadcast now, just need to surf the web carefully or else I’ll learn today’s stage winner. Finding out who had won the day’s stage was a bit of a chore in the past, but now with the social web, it’s impossible not to.
Saw the same deer today, at almost the same spot I had seen her yesterday. This time she just looked at me and kept eating grass, rather than bolting for the brush. I’m starting to see more snakes crossing the trails, as the brush along the sides gain height, hiding them from predators.
MTB: distance 19.0 miles, average speed 13.7 mph.
Back to the beach
In May, we had such a good time at the beach, that we decided to head back to it in June. I think that takes care of our desire to walk barefoot in the sand for this year.
So July is open to just riding, especially that the Tour de France starts tomorrow, which always has given me impetus to saddle up.
Today’s ride was a get the legs going again day, so it was shorter than normal. Animals spotted today were a young deer on the main trail and a rather large turtle trying to get to one of the streams.
MTB: distance 13.68 miles, average speed 13.5 mph.
Get rid of toxins via sweat
By the time I finished up today’s ride, I was covered head to toe in dripping sweat, and it felt great. Mind you, I don’t care to sweat when I’m just hanging out in the backyard, but on a nice long ride, it’s the amount of sweat on my body that indicates to me that I’ve had a good ride.
The toxins that are flushed out from my system on a bike ride must be numerous. You try to lead a healthy lifestyle, but unless you live in Fiji and eat the fish you catch and munch on the fruit you pick, our environment does us in.
MTB: distance 22.90 miles, average speed 13.8 mph.
Early to bed
Early to rise, or else I’m not riding much this summer.
I’m a night owl by nature, my mom would kick it into another gear after midnight, and I’ve followed in her footsteps. I get the bulk of my work done late at night, when everyone is asleep and there are no interruptions.
This week, I’m getting up early to ride, when the temps are low enough not to cause a heat stroke. When I rode out this morning, it was in the low 70’s and it was approaching 80 on the way back.
By this weekend, we’ll be back to 95+ days. I’ll be inside typing away on my keyboard looking out the window and recovering from my morning ride.
MTB: distance 18.98 miles, average speed 14.0 mph.
It's too freaking hot
June started where May left off, with unusual weather.
90+ Fahrenheit every day, heck it’s in the 80’s by the time you wake up. With weather like this, I decided to stay off the bike until it normalized.
Today, it was in the 70’s in the morning, so I hopped on the bike for a ride. Boy I sure did miss riding, would of kept on going but I’ll leave some in reserve for tomorrow morning.
Here’s to hoping that the weather normalizes.
MTB: distance 14.95 miles, average speed 13.2 mph.
May is a washout
Spent the first part of May at the beach, came back all sunburned so I decided to stay indoors until my skin recovered. When I was ready to start riding again, the weather freaked out, tornadoes, heavy rains and 90+ degree weather dominated the second half of May.
On today’s ride, I saw many trees that came down because of the winds. The trails were clear of debris though, thanks to the parks and rec employees. Here’s to hoping that June has better weather, as in normal for this area.
MTB: distance 19.20 miles, average speed 12.8 mph.
Cinco de Mayo Fanta Festival
Today the McAlpine filled up with people celebrating Cinco de Mayo. There was food, plenty of exhibits, play areas for the kids, live music and dancing.
So it was slow going as I approached the lake, dodging people and gazing at the fun everyone was having. When I got home, I showered, changed and walked over there to enjoy it myself.
Feeling better, sleeping well, easy does it.
MTB: distance 20.08 miles, average speed 12.8 mph.
Overexertion is a pain
Since I got back to riding this month, after so much time off, I was so eager that I forgot that it takes time to get back in shape, especially at my age.
The symptoms I’ve been experiencing of late can all be linked back to overexertion, headaches, sluggishness and having a hard time falling asleep.
On today’s ride, I took it easy, just steady pedaling, no hammering at all. If I felt like I was struggling to keep a certain pace, I geared down, on inclines I took my time and got out of my seat. At no time did I feel that my heart rate was racing, or that I was straining my leg muscles.
MTB: distance 20.06 miles, average speed 13.5 mph.
Pace yourself
Those are the words I keep telling myself. I want to go faster, but I know I’m too early in this year’s training.
I’ll test my legs here and there, push it up an incline or go to a higher gear on a straightaway, but I know it’s not time yet to test myself. I only started to ride in earnest this month, after taking 5 months off the bike.
And I know myself, I’ll post a really good average speed, and from then on I’ll want to match it every time I go out, which will take the fun out of riding. So I’ll gradually go faster, hoping that when June comes around, I’ll leave a trail of dust in my path, without a leg cramp in sight.
MTB: distance 19.88 miles, average speed 13.7 mph.
Charlotte, NC
Spent 10 years in Charlotte, a block away from an entrance to the McAlpine Creek Greenway.
Switched to a mountain bike from the road bikes I was accustomed to riding for 15 years.
The time spent on these trails was most appreciated.
Trek Fuel 70
