Big Explore

I did an easy ride with Dale and Elaine on Sunday afternoon.  We met in Columbia, Illinois.  I had done several rides in the area starting both in Columbia and Millstadt; however, both involved climbing a significant hill.  So I got on Map My Ride and searched for a route suitable for Elaine.  We ended up leaving Columbia on Gall and rode to Waterloo west of Rt. 3.  When we got to Waterloo Dale suggested returning a different route that he thought he was familiar with.  We ended up on totally different roads as we wound through the countryside to the east of Rt. 3.  It was a great way to spend the last nice weekend before winter really sets in.  One of the many cool things about getting out on a bike is the ability to explore.

I am riding today, Monday, but did not get on the stick early enough yesterday to organize any company.  Probably a good thing because Saturday's ride and weight session really took it out on my legs.  I am going to lift after the ride today and then again on Wednesday so I can get two days of lifting in this week.  We are heading to Chicago on Wednesday afternoon and be there over the weekend for Ana's birthday and Christening.  I get to spend some quality time with my buddy Sashi Pants.......lots of fun.  Maybe a few trips to the park but no riding for four days.

I am very happy with my training so far this winter.  I feel like my emphasis on strength training will pay dividends next season.

Not in Kansas Anymore

It was warmer today than last Saturday for the Bob Ride but the wind was a bear.  Rather than do the bike path Bob had us head north towards Bethalto; however, he, Keith and Kujo turned around and headed back into town.  Mike and I were off the front a bit and didn't catch the turn around.  We continued to Bethalto then rode on to Holiday Shores and Worden and then finally back to Edwardsville.  It was tough heading into the wind but I was very happy with my effort at maintaining tempo.  It wasn't that long ago that a stiff breeze would just tear me up.

Mike and I ended up getting in 46 miles.  Bob and Kujo headed back into Wanda and ended up doing the Horseshoe Lake bike path loop for 58 miles.  Tomorrow I am meeting Dale Loomis in Columbia at the McDonald's and riding a loop to Waterloo.

I feel like the strength training that I have been doing for the last month has really helped me.  Next week I will have to alter my routine to lift on Monday and Wednesday as we are heading to Chicago on Wednesday evening and will be there for the weekend.  Looking forward to the visit and the break from training.  Need a little break.

Nothing but Hills

On Wednesday I rode as many hills as Keith could find in Glen Carbon.  These were not exactly mountains but you do enough 10% quarter mile rollers and the legs get a good workout.  Nice ride.  Afterwards I met Harold, Mark, Bob Hyten and Mike for pizza at Panteras.  Pizza was awful but cheap but the beer is cold and the conversation was great.  Harold looks awesome.  It did my heart good to see him looking so good.  I set this up for Robin but she got called out of town on business.  I would be preaching to the choir if I gave her the lecture about not letting your work interfere with your life.  But having committed that crime I should be the last one to give that lecture and with three kids in college I don't think either retirement or unemployment are suitable options for her right now.

A Little Bit of Pain

Another day in paradise......today I had my monthly massage session at 1:30 and then headed to the gym.  It was a rainy day so I did a spin workout instead of riding outside.....gym memberships make one soft and are counter to rule #5 and rule #9.  That being said I lifted following my spinning workout to make sure that I had the requisite amount of suffering today.  I am doing a minimum of 2 strength workouts each week but last week I got in 3 and I hope to do the same this week.  I have 9 exercises that I break down into groups of threes and I do three sets of each.  Almost all the exercises consist of 12 reps.  Six of the exercises are legs......pistol squat on a bench, bulgarian split squat, dead lift on a smith machine, single leg dead lift using a bench for the non supporting leg, single leg leg press, and single leg toe raises.  I also do three upper body exercises, push-ups with a side plank, bent pull overs and assisted pull ups.  I am now using 2-15# kettle bells for the split squat and dead lift and squatting 150#.  On the leg press machine I am using 110# and 35# of assist on the pull ups.

Tomorrow I am meeting Kujo and Keith for a ride at 2:30 and then meeting Harold, Mike and Bob for dinner.  Hope that Kujo and Keith do not put the hammer down on the ride.

We're not in Kansas anymore.

Tough ride with Kujo on Monday afternoon.  Pretty stiff wind out of the south.  Kujo hammered Sand Rd. pretty well when we got to Wanda I accelerated off the viaduct...Kujo went by me about half a mile in and I jumped on his wheel.  I stayed there until about 600 to go, sprinted and held on till the stop sign......good effort.  The long slog into Edwardsville was tough on Kujo but he really suffered when we turned into the wind.  The stretch parallel to Old Troy Rd. about did him in.  All in all a good ride.  I was able to maintain a pretty good cadence going into a still wind......a confidence booster.

Rides for the first week in November

Kujo and I are meeting at 2:30 at the bike path in Collinsville next to Culver's on Monday.  We are going to do the bike path loop.  Weather should be good with wind out of the south.  On Wednesday Bob and I are planning to ride at 3:00 from the water tower.  Hopefully Robin will be available for some post ride pizza with Harold and I.  Weather looks promising for Saturday but still too far out to make plans.