It is just a bugger of a hill

I went out the same direction this morning in order to take another whack at my hill friend. I got over it a bit quicker, but I'm guessing any onlooker would still have scored the round in the hill's favor. I don't mind though, it give me something to think about.

I left at 8:00am this morning which was just perfect. I think most of the cars were already at work, but the sun still hadn't come out yet. I might have to still bump up the start time if it is going to be super hot or if I'm going to ride longer distances.

I remembered to actually take my water bottle for the first time. Up till now I have been very good at filling it with ice and water and then leaving without it. However, I forgot to drink out of it during the ride. I'm all about baby steps now days anyways.

Here is my post ride snack. No ride no snack. They are exceptionally good, but a bit pricey. I think that there are times when I go for my ride just to get my treat at the end. I drink coffee too, but I usually wait till I stop sweating (so the granola bar is long gone). I don't ration coffee like the granola bars. That just wouldn't work well at all.

I'm at 125 miles for the month so I'm right on track to get to my 300.

Bonked (almost)

I went for a ride this morning (I didn't get up real early like the machine of my wife know as Liz ((4:15 is crazy! I don't care who your are or how much you like to run)), but I did get up) and took a new route. It was around 14 miles, but I missed a turn that I was planning on taking so I'm not entirely sure how far I went.

Mostly the roads were really nice, for awhile I was even on a road that they had just repaved (the machines were still there), and instead of having to ride over the train tracks I rode under them thanks to a fun bridge. There were a few steep hills but they were short. On one of the hills in the middle I found myself only halfway up it and pretty much at a dead stop. I couldn't seem to get the feet turning. I'll go back another day to show it who is the real boss (just not today). Lastly, I saw a bunny and it was cute.

For those of you unfamiliar with bunnies, it looked a lot like this



Yesterday was a traumatic bike day, which ended with me having to change my tire for the 1st time ever and not getting to actually bike. I have to thank the countless you tube clips that probably demonstrated the "simple" technique of changing a tire for me over 20 times on my computer.

I broke the valve on the first one because I slipped and twisted the fragile part of the stem, thus it would no longer hold in the air. I all ended with me and Liz going to the bike shop for a humbling lesson on how to use bike pump (don't laugh until you have tried one of those demonic presta valve mechanisms).

But now, all is right again in the world. My padded bibs came in the mail so my booty doesn't hurt so much while riding. It will take a little time to get used to the spandex part though, but at least I'm not flashing all the oncoming traffic, and I bought biking gloves at the LBS so now my arms don't go numb (an odd sensation, but not an appropriate one while steering a bike).


That hill described from earlier felt biking up this....




but probably was more like this

Summer routine

I think that i've finally found a routine that I'm happy with for the summer. It only took me two months to nail it. Basically it revolves around getting my work done in the mornings and late at night. The afternoon day is for napping, playing tennis with liz, and getting in a bike ride. Dinner. Work. Sleep. Repeat.

On a biking note, I'm really really hope that my bibs come tomorrow. My arse is getting sore not having any padding. I think that I'll soon have to get gloves and a water bottle soon too. I got out for another 16 miles today.By the end, my hands were sweaty and losing grip and I was thristy. We shall see what happens.

You would think that bike pumps would be easy to use, but that is just not the case. That bugger is hard to get onto the valve just right. I almost spend more time getting the thing on than I do having to actually pump air.

I'm at 84 miles of 300 for the month

I beat the rain

So I probably won't post pictures. Maybe I'm just to lazy. When I woke up this morning for my ride it was storming pretty bad, and Liz forbid me from going out and riding. She didn't have to work very hard since the bed was down right comfortable, and I don't like the idea of being struck by lighting. Anyway, by 9:00am (when I was supposed to be at work) it was still storming and I decided to call in and tell them that I wouldn't be coming in on account of the weather. I got enough work doen from home that it wasn't a big deal.

Around noon, I looked out the window and saw that the rain had stopped and the pavement was slowly drying. I looked on the radar and it said that there would be more rain coming (it never did though) in about 2 hours, so I hoped on my bike and set off for some miles.

It turned into a great ride. I went 16 miles (a personal best for me), but had to take a small break halfway through to turn around, let a semi-truck pass, and wipe my glasses clean. I'm going to need a water bottle on the bike soon. I don't think I'd want to go much farther without one. The little hills on the way back were a little more painful, but I got over them slowly.

I'm at 43 miles for the month with a goal of doing 300 miles.

Never trust the phones

Liz and I happened to be near the bike shop so I wanted to stop in and ask when exactly my bike would be ready. To my great surprise they say that the bike has been ready for awhile now, and I probably just missed their call. I can say with great certainty that they didn't ever call me, but it's all a moot point now because I have my bike. I'll post pictures later. I took it on a 5 mile ride it it was glorious (and really really hot out) I also got a helmet to go with the bike. Now all I have to do is get in shape and use the thing as often as possible.

The Apex of Hope for Tomorrow

Whatever, I think we all know the story by now.

A pox damn you, you muddy rascal, is that all the comfort you bring me?

The quote from is from Henry IV Part 2. I had to read it for Professor Cox while at Hope. Anyway, I don't think they are going to call me today either.

A plauge upon their store!!!!!!!

If they aren't careful I'll go animal on them.