Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
Wine good, fall bad
Got a late start this morning.
Trader Joe’s opened this week in Charlotte and I picked up a case of assorted Charles Shaw wines. We polished off a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon last night, this morning I was slow to rise, thus a late start.
Oh, I tried a U-turn on a one of the narrower trails and fell over. It’s a good thing my body was loose from last night’s alcohol, I might of broken something :)
MTB: distance 17.29 miles, average speed 13.4 mph.
Weekend Warriors
The McAlpine was packed this morning.
Everybody was out today, the long train of walkers, runners and bikers was impressive. It’s a bit different riding on the weekend as opposed to the weekday, it’s actually a lot more entertaining.
The temperature was hot, but not bloody humid like yesterday. We could use some rain cause the trails are a bit dusty, I feel for those on foot having to breath in the dust from our bike tires.
MTB: distance 20.43 miles, average speed 13.4 mph.
Sweat
Primarily a means of thermoregulation.
On this morning’s ride, the dirt was being washed off the bike by the sweat dripping off my body.
Though it’s been very hot lately, it was the first time I felt humidity in the air. There was also no wind to speak of, nothing to cool off the trails, extreme heat even in the shade of the trees.
MTB: distance 20.21 miles, average speed 13.2 mph.
Bonk
Bonk has long been a colloquial term, slightly jocular in its connotation, meaning sexual intercourse, but has recently become more commonly used as a jargon term by endurance athletes, primarily cyclists and long-distance runners, to describe a condition when the athlete suddenly loses energy and fatigue sets in, usually caused when glycogen stores in the liver and muscles are depleted, resulting in a major performance drop.
MTB: distance 26.80 miles, average speed 12.7 mph.
KNCCHARL18
Located near the Sardis Road entrance to the McAlpine Greenway, KNCCHARL18 is my personal weather station.
Which way the wind is blowing, determines how I ride my laps. Before I head out, I check the weather station for temperature and the all important wind direction and speed.
MTB: distance 14.30 miles, average speed 14.0 mph.
Sun Shower
The devil is beating his wife.
It felt great to cool off mid ride with rain drops from above. With the 100+ temps behind us, we can go back to riding in the afternoon without worrying about heat stroke.
MTB: distance 14.53 miles, average speed 14.0 mph.
El Futbol
The soccer fields were packed this morning.
Took it slow and easy when riding by the soccer matches, didn’t want to hit a fan. I was hoping to hear Goal! coming from the packed bleachers, instead there were lots of whistles from the referees and shouting amongst the players. Very enthusiastic group of athletes, they sure take their sport serious.
MTB: distance 20.28 miles, average speed 13.2 mph.
The Bicycle Bell
Don’t leave your house without one.
As I get quicker on the bike, Saturdays are proving to be a test of wills on the trails. Most walkers, runners and bikers hear the bell ringing and allow me passage on their left. But some runners, the ones that are 4 or 5 wide and chatting away, may react too late and I’m on the grassy shoulder avoiding a collision.
MTB: distance 20.28 miles, average speed 13.4 mph.
Cold Shower
Oh, the cold spray on your face.
With triple digit readings coming from our thermometers, getting under the shower head after a long ride is priceless. I can actually see the steam rising off my body when the cold water hits it, I’m like a big sauna rock of sorts.
The weekend approaches, time to get more miles in, hopefully the temps will be lower, cause the heat can be draining.
MTB: distance 14.30 miles, average speed 13.5 mph.
McAlpine Lake
Steam was rising off the lake as I made my first lap.
The temperature was in the mid 70’s, the sun had risen a scant 30 minutes ago and was prepping for a 100+ day.
MTB: distance 14.37 miles, average speed 13.2 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
