It’s funny because a bike seat is also called a saddle 🙂
I have biked 3 times in the last 3 weeks but today I made a commitment to get back on my regular schedule. Mostly because I realized how out of shape I felt riding today but also because I remember how much I like it.
I have lots of excuses on why I haven’t been out and some of them may even be valid. But I have signed up for my Apple Cider Century ride at the end of September and am planning to do 50 miles so no more excuses. I want that ride to be fun and enjoyable, not a death march.
Went farther south then I have been before and discovered the rt 137 underpass. It was deliciously close to a Starbucks so I am excited for my next longer ride to take a break in the middle!!
On the way back I spotted this log with 3 little flowers growing out of it. It almost looks man made but it was definitely of the path so I think it’s natural. Either way it made me smile.
Today I wanted to do a 6 mile loop but was getting bored of my north route so decided to go south. Â There isn’t a good turn around south though so I thought I would just go for a bit then double back.
At about the turn around point I saw a well worn trail heading off into the woods. Â I had been down there once before with Brent and thought it lead to a park.
Well it kinda does but its a deserted park and part of a Serbian church in the area (I found this out later by using google maps). Everything is a run down and my active imagination was making it a bit more spooky then it probably was.
Received a moving soliloquy from Brent today that motivated me to ride even though my legs were jelly from yesterday. It was worth it, good riding weather, a dash of wildlife, and a race with a train.
Brent racing a train
Here is a tiny toad. After snapping his image for my pokedex, I shooed him off into the grass.
These are mushrooms that when I first ride by I thought might be morels. On the way back I stopped to inspect closer and could clearly see they were not. Ahh dissapointment.
South is still flooded but the north is open although the wildlife doesn’t seem to know yet. I saw a deer happily munching on leaves and when she didn’t run as I drove by I stopped to take a picture.
I also saw this feisty little crawdad crossing the path. After taking some pictures of his attack pose I found a dead branch with some leaves that he eagerly grabbed on to and then I moved him to the side of the path.
So it appears the rain on Saturday has once again flooded the trail. I rode my inner loop (flood to flood) then decided to cross the street and explore a bit.
I found a nice park with some paved walking trails before heading home. Best part was that doing it this way I missed all the hills in the neighborhood back to my house!
Also check out my awesome new accessory! Now I can bring juice with me on short rides when I can’t be bothered to fill my camelbak.
Honestly wasn’t planning on riding today but it was such a beautiful day I decided to go out. The Other cane with and we went to Independence Grove. We even rode around the park a little bit and rested for a while in the shade by the lake. A great ride!
There has been a lot of rain here for the last couple weeks and in addition it has been cold (dropped down to 30* some days!) so haven’t gotten a chance to ride since my last post on the subject. Today was different – 75*, sunny, nice breeze – just an overall great day!
The Other and I decided to go for a ride with Brent. After the last long ride I was sore but in weird ways. My muscles weren’t bad but my hips hurt and my achilles’ tendon was sore. This isn’t unexpected (I suspect I have overly-flexible joints) but it did catch me a bit off-guard. Regardless, the only way to get in shape is to keep doing it so off I went on our ride!
Ride was great although by the end I was tuckered out! On the way home though I had to swerve suddenly to avoid a baby turtle! Luckily I missed it but I stopped and move it off the path and down closer to the water. It was so cute!
I also started using a new program “Map My Ride” instead of S-Health. I think S-Health is very good, and for an app included with your phone its pretty full featured but there wasn’t an easy way to get the data off your phone. Map My Ride syncs with your online account so you can review your progress and track goals. The Other and I have set a goal to do a 100 mile bike ride this year so its very important to make sure we keep improving 🙂
If we do complete our 100 mile ride, I think I will get myself this helmet as a reward:
Today we took our first long right on our bikes. By this time I have invested in awesome padded bicycle shorts but The Other has not. His ride was not as fun but I am sure his butt will toughen up soon.
I think the most fun was on the way home we decided to take the Washington Road underpass instead of riding on the road. It was still flooded although the water has receded a bit. Every down stroke your foot would go completely underwater up to the bottom of your calf! I was giggling the whole time. Sorry I don’t have a picture but once your feet and lower legs are soaking wet you kinda just want to get home.
To make up for it, here is Luna illustrating how I felt after my first long ride:
Recent Comments