It's amazing to look back on the year. On July 9, it was officially 365 days since my very first ride on the bike. So, on the ninth this year, I decided--after 25 miles--to recreate my first ride, so from in front of the house, I headed out onto the greenway in the neighborhood and looped back. I remember how last year, it left me sweaty, hot, and tired. It was triumph, but I didn't have a bike computer at that point to know how far I went. So this year, as I returned home, I don't know how surprised I was to discover that it was only 1.2 miles!
To follow up, last week, I went 100 miles over the course of the week for the first time ever. My bike computer decided to reset when I dropped it, so I know it was around 32.5 miles, but I wasn't 100%, so I decided that on Sunday to go several miles beyond what I needed to make sure there was no doubt that I'd done it. But that accumulation left my legs tired and sore, so I didn't make it out on Monday or Tuesday, but those two days left me refreshed and ready to start again! Of course, life wasn't cooperating as much.
Until today, the longest ride I'd gotten in was about 25 miles, and that was only once. But today, for another new personal record, I made it to 37 miles! I was more hot than anything else as I reached the end of the greenway, but I decided to take my 28 miles and double back until I reached at least 30 before heading home.
My highlights for this last week are seeing a turtle sitting on a log, a doe run across the path, many garter snakes slithering on the path, and a scary dude in kilt that looked like he was right out of Brave Heart. I also had a flat back tire while out on the path and instead of getting all greasy just had my dad (who was watching the kids) come and get me.
I can't believe my biking season is coming to another close with the return to school. I've got to make sure to get out as often as is reasonable....
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
July 8, 2012...the close of my first year
It's hard to believe that it's now been a full year since I first got back on the bike. I guess I'm no longer 36 and just getting back onto it! Looking back at my first few posts, it's like another person with many trials and tribulations of bicycling now behind me, from falling off the bike and getting hurt (twice) to weather that just won't cooperate to the point of extreme frustration, it's been really a great year, and I feel a lot better for it (okay, not so much for the road rash, but even those are battle scars). So I may be 37 now, I really do feel much better now than I did at even 30. Last year, I got the bike (which was replaced), so this year, I got a fun new jersey for my birthday that reflects me Star Wars fandom...
Through the course of this year, I've gotten supplies and gear for various types of weather, some still barely used since the weather that prompted the purchase sometimes past by the time I found the items at a price I was okay with (like a balaclava). But it'll be nice to already have it all ready to go with the shifting seasons and will be able to continue without delays.
I've also learned to do some things on my own with the bike, like cleaning and greasing the chain, but there are still some things I can't...maybe a class somewhere? I can change a flat in less than 20 minutes now, to the hour and half it took me the first time.
So, today we set out to do a family ride, but my wife's bike didn't want to cooperate...apparently, when she got that flat a couple weeks ago, the wheel must've taken a bit of a hit, so the brake was hitting it and stopping it. We ended up having to leave it at Dick's over night so one of the bike guys could fix it. I have to say, I know that there's a lot that says that the local bike shops are best, but I we've been pleased at the service we've gotten there. I do admit, too, that in looking at the road bikes, there's something stirring in the back of my mind. Not to replace my hybrid but maybe something in addition to. I don't know. Something to think about, I suppose.
Tomorrow might find me more reflective, but in the meantime, here's me from about a year ago to now (notice even the change in tennis shoes and platform pedals to my bike shoes and clipless pedals):
September 24, 2011 (leaving from the house for a nice 30-mile bike ride):
July 8, 2012 (heading out onto the greenway for about a 26-mile bike ride):
Through the course of this year, I've gotten supplies and gear for various types of weather, some still barely used since the weather that prompted the purchase sometimes past by the time I found the items at a price I was okay with (like a balaclava). But it'll be nice to already have it all ready to go with the shifting seasons and will be able to continue without delays.
I've also learned to do some things on my own with the bike, like cleaning and greasing the chain, but there are still some things I can't...maybe a class somewhere? I can change a flat in less than 20 minutes now, to the hour and half it took me the first time.
So, today we set out to do a family ride, but my wife's bike didn't want to cooperate...apparently, when she got that flat a couple weeks ago, the wheel must've taken a bit of a hit, so the brake was hitting it and stopping it. We ended up having to leave it at Dick's over night so one of the bike guys could fix it. I have to say, I know that there's a lot that says that the local bike shops are best, but I we've been pleased at the service we've gotten there. I do admit, too, that in looking at the road bikes, there's something stirring in the back of my mind. Not to replace my hybrid but maybe something in addition to. I don't know. Something to think about, I suppose.
Tomorrow might find me more reflective, but in the meantime, here's me from about a year ago to now (notice even the change in tennis shoes and platform pedals to my bike shoes and clipless pedals):
September 24, 2011 (leaving from the house for a nice 30-mile bike ride):
July 8, 2012 (heading out onto the greenway for about a 26-mile bike ride):
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