Not cycling...Running!

Since the daylight is beginning to wain in the early afternoon I started back to jogging at least once a week. Hopefully the jogging and then some weekend riding will help me maintain my endurance levels and maybe keep my weight from climbing anymore than it already has.

Today a coworker and I decided to run the 3 mile loop in Homewood. Part of the Wednesday's Trak Shak runs. We ran a total of 2.74 miles at a 10:58 pace. Overall, not a bad time considering both of us hadn't really done any running in months. Cycling has definitely helped keep my endurance up as I was feeling really good at the 2 mile mark but hit a wall at about 2.25, never the less I was able to push through without letting up.

Winter Cycling

This will be my first winter to ever trying riding significantly so I'm hunting down whatever helpful information I can find on how to prepare and dress for cold weather riding. The video below is by a few guys in Tasmania and the tips on the clothing are good to know.

What a ride!

So yesterday was my 42 mile ride at the BBC Century in Springville and it was just Jim and myself riding. We got started around 9:20 and set out for a smooth steady ride so as not to wear ourselves out. We took turns pulling each other which probably was one of the best things we could have done. It allowed each of us to rest while maintaining a good steady pace.

The scenery on this ride was awesome once you got off Hwy 11. The back roads we were on were pretty good pavement wise, and the terrain was demanding. On the way out it was pretty much a steady climb with small drops scattered through out. So needless to say we were looking forward to the return ride. In fact, we trimmed about 20 minutes off our time on the return trip.

The most difficult aspect of this ride was not the distance or hills, it was the head winds. They were brutal, it seemed like every time we got to a level section or even a downhill we were hit with pretty strong headwinds. Other than the wind the weather was perfect, it was overcast and cool.

During the ride I felt pretty good the whole way. It wasn't until the last 10 or so miles that I was really ready to get off the bike. I could feel I was running low and my butt was starting to hurt. So when we reached Homestead Hollow I can say I was never so happy to get off a bike as I was then.

I'm really proud of the fact that for the longest ride I have ever ridden I probably had my best average speed and one of my best paces!

Maybe next year I'll be up for the 68 mile ride!!

Ride Time: 2:28:39
Total Time: 2:38:11
Total Distance: 42.11 miles
Average Speed: 17 mph
Max Speed: 35.3 mph
Ride pace: 3:31
Max Grade: 11.4%

Here is the elevation profile.


Here is the map player at Motionbased.com
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/player/6951220

Tomorrow is my longest ride ever!

Yep, Saturday morning will bring the BBC (Birmingham Bicycle Club) Century at Homestead Hollow in Springville. The 42 mile loop will be the longest ride I have ever attempted and I must admit to a bit of nervousness and excitement. I don't know what to expect and that I plan to go out and finish!

With that being said I've read a little bit about how to prepare for long rides and little tips that can help you along.

Since I've slacked off on the bike maintenance tips recently, I figured I would post this article regarding long rides and preparation!

Article here.

A weekend of riding!

Saturday and Sunday both yielded rides that varied greatly. Saturday I only had about 20 minutes to squeeze a ride in before heading off to watch Bama barely beat the UK Wildcats. What I got was a 4.73 miles with a down hill that was the roughest pavement I have ever ridden on. Last time I road it was on a mountain bike and so I had no idea it was that bad. Needless to say my down hill section was terribly slow.
Quick facts on that ride:
Pace: 4:34
Time: 21:40
Max Grade: 15.9%


Sunday Jim and I decided to head out to Oak Mountain to get in 30 miles before the 40 miler next weekend at the BBC Century. This was my first trip out to Oak Mountain, so I had no idea what to expect really. I have to say, it was a brutal ride for me. I sprinted up one hill and that took just about everything out of me until I got back into a grove on our return. Then we decide to take a small water break at the club house and that little stop damn near ruined us. Our legs were dragging and I couldn't get back into a good pace for several miles. And I swear those hills just kept getting longer and longer on our final return trip. Plus I think I started to get a bit a heat exhaustion out there. I kept getting a random chill that I couldn't determine if was caused by the shade or not because it would occur at different times. Plus my arms where completely dry, only a little bit of sweat on my chest. Never-the-less I finished.

My stats were:
Pace: 3:50
Total Time: 2:05:37
Moving Time: 2:00:03
Total Distance: 31.20 miles
Average Speed: 15.6 mph
Max Speed: 38.5 mph
Max Grade: 13.9%