Hope To Ride More Than A John Deere

It's only been two days since I haven't ridden and really only one day of training that I missed with scheduled rest days, but I feel like a blob! I crave movement, sweat and the feeling of focus that only biking provides me.

What makes it more frustrating is I picked up the Steed last night. Wow! Really pro-looking shifters, light carbon cranks and nickle coated cassette and chain...schweeeet. I hope to swap out the saddle tonight and get in a few miles, then more over the weekend. What is the rest of Team R2Rs ride schedule look like?

BTW, I'm a large on the jersey scale. Nice fit, tight waist-band.

Ride On

Bursitass

Okay, I know I was complaining on Monday, guess I still am. I felt fairly uncomfortable on the trainer Tuesday even after a rest day. I did a little research on "Saddle Sores" and found an in-depth article from a doctor at The Mayo Clinic who detailed four varieties of saddle sores, then confirmed it with the good Docotor T. My discomfort seems to be bursitis of the ischial tuberosities. Treatment: Naproxin plus a regiment of hot, stretching followed by cold. Sit as little as possible and when I do, make sure it is on extra soft chairs.

So, I followed that up with a little yard work, got bitten by fire ants on my hand and between my toes (Ouch!). Yes, still complaining, but I will end that here. I am looking forward to collecting my rebuilt steed tonight and some gingerly rides this weekend to stay ready for Seagull.

Spin On

Pain In The A**

I fear it is time to retire the new saddle. My icials(sp?) are killing me after this weekends rides. Played hookie on Friday afternoon and after picking up a Chimay on the way home I fit in 24 miles. Saturday morning I go a late start but got in another 24. I was feeling okay about the new Bontrager XXLite Carbon saddle after those rides and had hopefully not wasted my money. Sunday I put on my fluffiest chamois and headed out for a 65. After about 27 miles my butt bones were miserable. I was having to stand and coast every .25 miles. Headwinds or harder effort made it worse. I finished 65 in 4:12 about 15.4 average, but I know I could have done better. Plus high humidity and then heat killed my core. I'm pretty sure I ended up with some heat exhaustion based on the rest of my day. Don't want to be lame, but for the good of all of us and our health/training issues we might want to look at the Metric Century at Seagull as an option. But I might feel a lot better about things after I get my original saddle back on.

On the topic of gear and bike porn, my last component came in and I dropped the bike off for the Ultegra upgrade conversion. My favorite mechanic is doing it at his house and should have it done Monday, plenty of time to put it through it's paces before Seagull.

Ride On

Management Skills (Not)

In this downward real estate sprial, we -- along with everyone else -- have been scrambling to maintain and retain business. Fortunately we have been given some good opportunities. The trade off is stress, long days and little training. I managed Thursday, Friday, Sunday sessions this past weekend, but the distances are falling far short for training for a century like the Seagull. I'm banking on two things: First my Mountain Mama experience and training will still have some effectiveness by October. Secondly, I know the rest of the team is probably in the same boat. While we think it is all flat to rolling hills, I anticipate the distance being a bigger challenge then we thought.

Just a couple more weeks to plan and spin... let's make the most of it -- or settle for the crab and ice-cream ride!

Pedal & Paddle

Age Aches

My body is not feelin' the love this morning. 18 mile spin last night and my knees and wrists ache. My a** is still sore, feeling irritation at two pressure points from the saddle Sunday. The "labiator" on the trainer is usually the most comfortable seat I've ridden, not last night. I'll give the new carbon base saddle one more go, but then I think it has to go back. 100 miles on that brick would be too much if I can't work it out.

No other big shakes on my end (other then my end:)

Spin on

Cycling Shorts

Lots of topics today, but lets start with the Decente Team Shorts. Unfortunately they just aren't working for me.Maybe it is the size L instead of a MED but all my other shorts are L. They chaff and irritate even after washing. Sorry boys (you and mine:) but they are going on sale for a good price -- guaranteed no smudgies.

Went out to the Causeway to watch a client run his first 5K. I passed a woman in a wheel chair as she managed to get to the top of the high-span. I was challenged again by the Hill Gods when my back water bottles popped out just before the summit -- almost hitting the wheel chair lady -- and I had to get off collect them. The God's were f*cking with my head not allowing me to make a complete ascent. Anyway, it was fine, not as bad as most MM climbs but a climb none the less.

I parked and watched the 1000+ runners. It was strangely emotional. Maybe it was the kinship of competition, the desire of these moms, jewelers, lawyers and plain folk to challenge themselves. Watching their faces, seeing the mix of pain and glory in their eyes as they neared the finish. Listening to their labored breaths. It was memorable. Congrats to Dan on a good, strong finish. Also to the young lady who must have had MS but ran. And the older lady who was stumbling to the end but made it across the line. File under "Can Do"

Rode 18, 22, and 55 this weekend. Did the 55 in 3:29 at an average of 15.7 mph. I think that ride was a lot like what Seagull will be like. Windy (20+ gusts), rolling with some climbs. Not sure about the new saddle. My ass felt like a virgin prisoner's after 30 or so. I'm going to try one more time with different shorts. Felt like a good ride but I was hard pressed to imagine doubling that right now. Must -- train -- more...

AC crapped out so I spent the afternoon inside, shaded and watched various sporting events until they got it fixed.

Hope all is well for the rest of my Team R2R comrades.

Back to work!

Another Tooth In The Cog

Happy Birthday to our BiS Bob who adds another tooth to the chain-ring tomorrow! I hope your year is full of hope, promise and rides.

At the risk of sounding maudlin, here are some perspectives from a Sage a few years older. I'm sure you can count a blessing for every tooth on that gear each day you wake up. First -- you woke up!!, second is family, then friends, then a job and so on and so on. You get the point. I have a tendency of not realizing that I have achieved my goals. I have to stop, look back to see that I have, just not exactly as I had expected. 40 is a good time to do that. You are at a "looking forward" point, a place to set new goals and relish in your past achievements. Old enough to know better, but not everything.

Spin-on and I'll see you at the finish, my friend.