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Watercooled

Got stuck at work last night and couldn’t the Wednesday night burrito ride but I made up for it by going out today.

It was a short ride but full of adventure! It was sunset,  my light had low battery and it was thundering when I left.  It started lightening about halfway through and the downpour started right as I looped around.

It was a warm(er) night so I rode through the rain.  A bit sketchy for a bit but lots of fun.  I passed a few other brave riders and we cheered each other on.  By the time I made it home the rain had mostly stopped. My bike was muddy, I was soaked but smiling!

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I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 6.65mi
time: 33:13
pace: 5:00min/mi
speed: 12.00mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1203424699

Burrito Bikes!

Another wonderful Wednesday night bike ride with the crew from George Garner Cyclery.  A little cooler than in the past but great once you got going.  Rode north on the DPR Trail for a change and stopped at Momcorn halfway for some delicious eats.

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I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 16.57mi
time: 01:25:19
pace: 5:09min/mi
speed: 11.65mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1192714753

Apple Cider Century – OMG 50 miles!!!

We did it! Brent and I rode in the Apple Cider Century ride and did 50 miles in a little over 4 hours. That’s an average speed of 12.5 miles and hour.  It was a great ride – good pace, not too exhausting and only a little soreness in my neck and shoulders the next day.  Whether was a bit cool and overcast but perfect for a ride.

My top speed was 29.2 MPH! I am not sure how that compares to normal but it sounds impressive!  I had a lot of fun and am definitely looking forward to next time!

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Before the race – nervous and excited…

 


During the ride, a bit of the nice scenery and my riding buddy

 

Some chickens I noticed while riding. Excuse my silliness, I think the exhaustion was taking over 🙂

 

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Crossing the finish line!!!!!!

 

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After the race – tired and sweaty but pretty proud of myself!

 

I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 51.04mi
time: 04:04:42
pace: 4:48min/mi
speed: 12.51mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1192538781

Best gift exchange ever

I participate in the RedditGifts Gift Exchange periodically.  This time around I got matched with the most amazing “secret santa” who not only scoured this very blog for inspiration but then hand drew me a wonderful picture of all 5 of my cats!!

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I think she did a great job of capturing their personalities, even including Brutus’ blep!  They are surrounded by a purple blanket which happens to be my favorite color.  It came all framed and matted so I could hang it right away!

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She really went above and beyond to make this a great exchange and I am proud to display this work of art in my family room.  If you want to check out more of her stuff, please check out her website!!

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Pork Ramen

Just meh. The pork was pretty fatty so I had to trim a lot. It was also super messy to make but maybe that’s me.  I also didn’t think the eggplant was as good as earlier dishes in the season so maybe its almost done.  The rest was just ramen and broth and what could go wrong with that?  I do like corn in everything though – that has been very pleasant lately.

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Last ride before ACC

Forgot my helmet tonight so had to get a loaner – don’t worry I still looked fabulous!  Little cooler so got to try out my long sleeve jersey which worked great!!!  Stoped again halfway for some delicious tacos at The Other Door.

This weekend is my Apple Cider Century ride – I’m hoping to do 50 miles.  Wish me luck!!

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I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 13.81mi
time: 01:18:03
pace: 5:39min/mi
speed: 10.61mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1182690143

Easy (healthier) chocolate

Got this recipe from a YouTube channel we watch and The Other and I decided to try it.  Our first attempt turned out really great (although you definitely need silicone molds).  For the next batch we mixed in some addins – peanuts, marshmallows, cranberries, rice krispies, all in different combination and amounts.

The Other like the Marshmallow ones the best while I like the rice krispie ones.  Next time I would like to try some peppermint extract added.   You should definitely try this recipe!

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Get the original recipe here or scroll down!

Healthy Coconut Oil Chocolate

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil (cold press and virgin is healthiest)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup honey or agave or maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

OPTIONAL:

  • 1 cup or less of additional add ins
  • sea salt for sprinkling on top

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Dump the coconut oil, cocoa powder, salt, and sweetener of choice into a non-stick pot.
    2. Mix together on low-medium heat until the sweetener is blended in thoroughly. You don’t need to cook anything, you’re just trying to melt it all together. Turn off the heat.
    3. If you are using a mould with details (like my Hello Kitty mould) chop the add-ins to make them finer so they don’t ruin the details of your mould. If you are using a generic shape mould, you can sprinkle in the add-ins without chopping them.
    4. Pour the chocolate into the moulds and place in the freezer for 15-30 minutes. The deeper the mould the longer it will take to cool off.
    5. Pop them out and enjoy! Keep all the chocolate in the fridge or else it will melt down. 😀

 

 

The Other Door

Wednesday night twilight ride is quickly turning into nighttime ride.  Still lots of fun though and great exercise.  Also, no threat of being caught by the zombies alone so there is that…

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For the halfway mark on our ride tonight we stopped at a small restuarant in Lake Bluff called “The Other Door”  You could start by saying its like Chipotle but its so much more.  (and I love Chipotle)  The atmostphere is great, the food is amazing, and the drinks are on point.  I totally recommend this spot if you are looking for some great eats.

 

I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 14.26mi
time: 01:18:22
pace: 5:30min/mi
speed: 10.92mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1172071811

Making it last!

While everyone else is out looking for Pumpkin Spice Lattes, I am trying to find Starbucks that still have the peach syrup from summer so I can get Peach Green Tea Lemonades.  Starbucks is discontinueing the flavor for the season so not only does this signal the end of PGTL but also summer! Noooo!

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Also took a bike ride tonight but again the end of summer got me. Wanted to do 20 miles and left at about 6:15 pm.  Thought I would have plenty of time but nope. Even though a few days ago the sun sets around 8pm now its down around 7pm.  So I had probably my faster ride ever as I raced home in the dark trying not to assign evil monsters to every sound I heard in the forest.

There was one point where I was coming up to a bridge and thought to stop a rest a bit. When I reached the bridge though I saw a lone figure learning against the railing in the dark.  They did not make any movement when I entered the bridge.  I’ve seen enough movies to know not to stop and that was my fastest mile all night and I tried to ride away while keeping an eye behind me so I didn’t become a zombie.

I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 20.04mi
time: 01:41:06
pace: 5:03min/mi
speed: 11.90mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1170318137