Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
Bronzed rider
Spending time outdoors walking, riding, doing yard work and taking dips in the pool has made me a darker person.
Rather warm today, my chest felt it, the vapor rising from the ground. The trails are dry now, faster pedaling for sure. There wasn’t that many people out, maybe they’re scared of the warmth or are waiting for cooler late afternoon temps. I know that I’m going to have to ride earlier, gotta get out before 10:00 am or else it’s crispy rider.
MTB: distance 13.72 miles, average speed 13.4 mph.
Forte Dartmoor MTB Tire
The original Bontragers on the Trek Fuel 70 had given me 3 years of service, it was time to retire them.
Performance Bike was running a sale, so I headed over to the store to see what was in stock. Kate, the resident mechanic, suggested the Forte Dartmoor, a foldable Kevlar beaded MTB tire with a fast rolling tread pattern.
This afternoon, the rains stayed away allowing me to go for a spin. Did a warm up lap around the neighborhood, the tread design felt great on pavement, very little resistance. Then it was time see how it would do on the soggy trails, so I descended into the McAlpine at a good clip. It felt equally at home on the trail, I lost no corning ability, I didn’t need the knobby tires to keep me from sliding. When I got on the hardpack, I couldn’t believe the speeds I was sustaining with little effort, oh why did I wait this long, I thought.
MTB: distance 12.31 miles, average speed 12.9 mph.
Warm and breezy
Couldn’t get the mower going, so I went for a ride.
The warmth has returned to the south again, after what seemed like weeks of steady rain. The grass loved the rain as did the trees, you can’t see out of the forest, the foliage is that heavy. It’s now time to either mow or ride, whichever takes precedence.
MTB: distance 11.69 miles, average speed 12.8 mph.
Rain, mud and fallen trees
It was an adventure going out this morning.
With all the rain we’ve had the last few days, there was mud everywhere. Especially dangerous was crossing over the cement bridges that span the creek. When we get a lot of rain, these bridges get full of mud and debris.
On my first lap, I came upon a fallen tree on one of the inner trails. I had to shoulder my bike and climb over it’s large limbs. The tree made me change my usual route, I ended up staying on the main trail for the remainder of the ride.
MTB: distance 13.60 miles, average speed 12.0 mph.
Walking in ASICS
Been walking the last few weeks.
Picked up a pair of ASICS Gel shoes and we’re off and walking every morning. Our neighborhood has plenty of hills, so I can get my heart rate up there. My legs are feeling great, as evidenced by how I felt on today’s ride.
MTB: distance 13.64 miles, average speed 12.4 mph.
Drizzle and plenty of wind
All afternoon there was a light drizzle and it was very windy. I kept an eye on the radar and went out on the paths trying to keep the wind at my back.
My legs feel tight, especially when I shift into a high gear. It’s like my legs are telling me to take it easy or they’re going to cramp up on me. I listen to them and slow it up a bit, hopefully a couple of more weeks and I can feel good about going fast.
MTB: distance 13.52 miles, average speed 13.3 mph.
Going farther
With cooler weather comes longer rides.
It was outright scorching last week, but it’s going back to normal spring weather this week. Mid 70’s is better to ride in than high 80’s, at least that’s what my body says.
Now it’s about getting the body used to pedaling for more than an hour, cramping up is not fun, it actually hurts.
MTB: distance 16.95 miles, average speed 13.3 mph.
Getting there
Feeling a bit better spinning the cranks.
What’s helping me get back into bike shape is that I’m also walking a few miles with my daughter before I go for my ride. I find that I’m not hurting as much because my muscles have already warmed up and I can push a bigger gear from the start.
MTB: distance 13.05 miles, average speed 13.0 mph.
Warm but breezy
The afternoon breeze made riding pleasant.
Caught up with another rider and drafted him for a couple of miles but the dust being kicked up into my face wasn’t worth the extra burst of speed.
It’s been a while since I was on my road bike, so I guess I felt nostalgic for the big pack rides where you just sit and spin all ride long, unless you’re a young gun hammering off the front.
MTB: distance 12.05 miles, average speed 13.2 mph.
Warming up a bit
When I got home, I immediately ran into a cold shower.
The warm weather this afternoon kicked my butt, I guess my body had forgotten what it’s like to sweat. Most of the water in my second bottle went on me, while I tried to keep my body temperature in check.
MTB: distance 10.43 miles, average speed 12.1 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
