High Expectations Ride

I had such high expectations for today's ride.  I'd start the day with a extra long, hour and a half long Zumba class, then ride into Boulder and enjoy the Boulder Creek Festival.  I would be entertained because not only would I be going on new roads and paths, I'd have a fun destination.  Plus, by leaving from my Zumba class, the ride would be pretty flat. I didn't get any flats, run into any hassles, or get overly lost.  But the ride was lackluster to what I'd hoped.  Apparently I'd been riding too many picture perfect rides, and now one little flaw ruins it for me.  The biggest distraction was some cramping and aching I haven't been able to knock.  It pretty much dominated my every thought the entire day.  My pace was slowed drastically by the path I picked being largely unpaved.  That and a sunburn.  Beautiful day though.  Definitely a day that demanded being outside.

• distance: 39.74 mi
• time: 3 hr. 49 min.
• av. speed: 10.4 mph
• max speed: 25.98 mph
• av. cadence: didn't record
• climb: 926 ft
• max altitude: 8243
• av pulse: 129
• max pulse: 159
• temp 70-80

Chanelling "America's Toughest Bike Race" and failing

I really wanted to get training going for the MS Ride.  But for this ride I was severely ill-prepared.  I had not fueled up enough, I was not fit enough, I was not dressed enough, nor did I have adequate bike lighting.  It was hard to pick clothing for this ride.  Just the other day it was snowing, but the online weather reports said 79, matching my thermometer.  At the same time I was riding into the evening where it would get colder, but I'd be pushing up hills which would make me hotter, but I'd be speeding downhills which would make me colder, but most riders out here are in just tee shirts.  Sadly, I developed full-body goosebumps on my first decent that remained the rest of the ride. I was numb and shivering when I had still an hour of riding to do. I cut my route short (full route on link at bottom of page) because I worried about getting too cold. I came home and gingerly lowered myself into the nicest bath ever, but by the time I got out I was so famished I felt faint and immobile.  It took 30-40 minutes to get food and another 30-40 to feel better.  Yesterday it seemed like the cold was my biggest problem.  But today, I think it was just too hard of a ride.  Mapmyride started using climb ratings modeled after climb ratings given by the UCI for races like the Tour de France and other professional cycling events. Category 5 is the lowest level, it must be at least 500 meters in length with an average grade of 3% or more.  As the numbers get smaller, the climb gets more intense.  This ride has stretches ranking in category 5, 4, 3 and 1.  With the hardest climb, category 1, spanning 10.8 miles.  I can't ignore the fact that I live right on the stage 6 route for America's Pro Cycling Challenge for this year, aptly titled "America's Toughest Bike Race."  I'm just a casual rider who hasn't exercised at all all winter and barely rode 1000 miles in the past 2 years.  This is not the route to "get me back into shape."  Oh well.

• distance: 26.76 mi
• time: 2 hr. 35 min.
• av. speed: 10.36 mph
• max speed: 37.35 mph
• av. cadence: 57
• climb: 2791 ft
• max altitude: 8879
• av pulse: 145
• max pulse: 163
• temp 50 (and I was in shorts and a short-sleeved jersey! What was I thinking?!)
• Ride map

I ride for stir fry and ice cream

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Before today's ride I fueled up at Tokyo Joe's. They serve the sort of food that is my "standby" when cooking for myself at home. But the fun and ease of fast food are too much to resist. And, they are damn good. I sat outside and read the paper. Then it was over to the Sunflower market to get some groceries so I can cook at home (what is it with, you Boulder, being so pretentious? The whole Foods is packed, but the Sunflower is empty. They stock the exact same stuff!) I got dressed in a luxious bathroom at a hotel, then I was ready to ride.

I did a route I did many times before in Boulder. While riding, I realized I had to get 2 birds with one stone for a ride to feel worthwhile. The potential "birds" are: healthy, see something new, chat with friends, get somewhere/have destination. On today's ride, I only had one thing; the health. But the scenery was amazing, as per usual. Left hand canyon and it's deep red rocks are gorgeous. Just after I crested my climb, I blasted past some amazing views of the valley below.

After the ride I decided to stop at the Ice Cream Shop in Lyons to get a cone, because, you know, I might get pekid if I don't eat. Apparently the shop was doing some "training" and the soft serve kept pouring freely, so they gave me a free cone. I never had soft serve taste so good. It wasn't you standard flare, it had something else to it. Can't complain about any of today.

Today I stole a route from a fellow map-my-rider. I am tempted to compare today's ride with past times I covered these same roads. I thought I was a mapmyride member back then, but my membership says I've only been active since 2009. I'll have to dig into the old blogs to find old logs. Sadly, they are not readily available. Guess I don't get to geek out on stats tonight.

• distance: 21.28
• time: 1 hr. 40 min.
• av. speed: 12.69 mph
• max speed: 42.14 mph
• av. cadence: 69
• climb: 1207 ft
• max altitude: 6400
• av pulse: 146
• max pulse: 168
• temp 80
• Ride map

Peaceful Valley to Katmandu

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Today I rode my bike out to Nederland to meet my father at our favorite lunch meetup spot, Katmandu, the Nepalese restaurant in town. They offer an affordable lunch buffet that my father loves. The food falls short of my expectations, but it is still tasty. It also has to be 10 times healthier than what I eat at work. It's also a place where I can feel totally comfortable sitting in a nice plushy booth wearing head-to-toe bike gear. But that may just have to do with the resuraunt being in Nederland. Nederland is cool that way.

It was a pleasantly uneventful ride. I worry on this ride because the combination of fast driving cars, small shoulder, and rampant gigantic potholes. Luckily, all was good. My dad was convinced in was going to rain, so I rode back with him rather than biking back. Upon returning home, I regretted the decision, as rain never came. I'm also not sure why rain would be so bad. The giant potholes and steep roads scare me. I did reach speeds over 40mph, and to hit one of the 2 or 3 foot potholes would have been disastrous. However, rain isn't really going increase the chances of that happening. To make up for it, I'm going to find a nice place to ride tomorrow.

• distance: 18.45
• time: 1 hr. 34 min.
• av. speed: 11.76 mph
• max speed: 41.19 mph
• av. cadence: didn't register
• climb: 1591 ft
• max altitude: 9272
• av pulse: forgot my strap!
• max pulse: forgot my strap!
• temp 65
• Ride map

Foco Loco! (a perfect-day bikeride in Fort Collins)

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bike with Bogart

Today I rode around Fort Collins with Heather.  Highlights included passing the drive-in movie theater (am so impressed that it's still open and thriving!).  After riding an hour, Heather took us up to this tall, windy road with a rock formation off to the side of the road, where she reminded me of the first time we climbed this rock.  Apparently, when we were scoping out Fort Collins as a place to live, she and I climbed to the top of this rock and looked over it into the town below.  And we said, "Yeah, this looks like a good place to live."  It's sort of hilarious to think about now, how would looking down on a town give any insight of how good of a town it would be to live in?  Oddly enough, it was a fine decision, as we are both better off now.

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We rode into Masonville and stopped at this eclectic corner store where the employees were even in costume.  It was there that I thought about the situation of any given country road in Colorado when the weather is good.  It is no place to anyone, unless you are a "biker" (some exceptions for F350s or SUV hauling motorboats).  There are 2 kinds of bikers, and they are closely represented in population.  There is the cyclist, like myself, riding on a narrow, colorful chuck of metal with skinny tires. The attire is colorful spandex, a mushroom-head helmet and sunglasses.  There is also the traditional biker, riding on a thick, black chunk of metal with fat tires.  The attire is black leather, a smooth helmet and sunglasses.  They both are out to enjoy the nice day, they both seem to be following this strict dress code.  Sort of cracked me up, it seems like we should not get along, but there's a sort of unsaid agreement between us and them.  We stop at the same corners of the road, with the same knowing glance at each other, and we get along quite well.

• distance: 42.3
• time: 5 hr. 34 min.
• av. speed: 12.88 mph
• max speed: 35.32 mph
• av. cadence: 70
• climb: 2649 ft
• max altitude: 8085
• av pulse: 146
• max pulse: 171
• temp 79-82

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Flatland Riding 101

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snake

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Today I left the cold and snow and mountains for a ride on the sunny front range.  I couldn't have picked a more perfect day.  These are the days to ride in Colorado, when you can find that nice mix between snow and sweltering.  I hadn't ridden in Longmont before, but I what I found was a pleasant similarity to many of the rides I've done in other parts of the front range; Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, etc.  It was at that point when I realized I that these trails were no worse than any of the trails we rode in Italy.  This trail particularly reminded me of Ravenna.  Since Ravenna is, besides being the mosaic capitol of the world, is also considered one of the world's most bike-friendly cities. It was at this moment that I decided to pretend I was a tourist. First, the wildlife. Early on my way I caught an epic snake sighting! This guy was just making his way across the bike path!  Only every once in a while do I get to see something other than a garden snake! So cool!  I hope he made it all the way across safely!

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Later on, as I entered into more marshlands, I saw some unique and colorful birds.  I wish I was able to photograph birds so I could later identify them, but sadly, birds just move too much.  I also came across some ducks, which was very Oregon-esque.  When I came into a park that was a sea of geese, I was floored.  Like always, it was then that I was reminded that we've taken away the homes of all these creatures that were here first so we can have our pavement.  But, before I got too sad, I had to appreciate the City of Longmont for recognizing and valuing what was originally here.  At least, as part of their city planning, they retained some places for these animals to go, albeit crowded places.  They keep the species alive and provide some education to the young and pleasure to people like me.

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I should interject here, that I really admire a town that builds such wide, wonderful bike paths.  The cool thing about these paths is, while they connected park and greenways and rivers, they also connected to strip malls and big box campuses.  I admire a town that thinks about alternative modes of transport.  I thought a minute about the people who work in these stores.  They are huge, they must employ hundreds of people all for a very low wage.  The expectation is to buy some $20K car and also pay $4 for every 20 miles they drive it.  On the flip side, some person can spend $300 on a decent bike and the only fuel they have to pay for is the Chipoltle they had for lunch.  Bike commuting is such an economic way to live, and yet, so many city designs prohibit it.  Las Vegas, for instance, makes it very difficult for one to ride around in town.  Now, the weekend warriors can escape town and have world-class riding nearby, but these sorts of pleasures and income-restrictive, and I admire any town that thinks of it's every person.  Even Denver has a huge and wonderful network of bike paths, but they are not entirely helpful for actually trying to get someplace, and going off the bike path is pretty unpleasant.  I did have to veer off the trail for a few miles on this ride, and for a short while was riding on one of the town main thoroughfares.  It had no bike lane and not much of a sidewalk, but that was only for a mile or so, and I'm sure only because there was a more appropriate road nearby.  For the most part, the entire town was littered with wide roads and bike paths.

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The last animal I want to mention on the tour of your typical flatlander's bike path is the prairie dog.  The prairie dogs run rampant in these parts, almost to an epidemic level in some places.  They are always poking in and our of their holes near roads and bike paths.  I guess they are the places they can get away with digging holes.  Like all rodents, I admire how prairie dogs wait until the last minute before they have to find safety.  They are always testing their limits.  Every prarie dog that got scared would run to its hole, but rather than instantly burrow to safety, they would hang out at that hole for a while, knowing that everything isn't a threat and they could find safety in a second.  They all took a similar stance, poised at the hole, tails thumping.  I know their epidemic populations are doing something bad to the Colorado ecosystem, but I still like watching them as I ride by.

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Another great thing about this ride was the random trinkets of art all around.  Every mile or so, I'd come across footprints in the walkway.  They were always something different.  That's a lot of footprints!  They were quite entertaining, and I was pressed to stop and photograph every single one, but, I didn't, for fear I'd never reach my destination!  There was stretch of footprints, though, man's shoes, that was imprinted a little too deeply.  It caused quite a jolt on the bike and I feared I'd pop a tire.  The footprints spanned the whole walkway, so there wasn't any avoiding them.  Other than that, though, the footprints were and absolute delight!

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There were so many other fun things to see as I passed by.  It made for a very casual, laid-back ride, as there was so much to see.  It made me miss my Steph, as this ride would have been perfectly paired with a latte.  Apparently, Longmont passed a public art bill which explains the bits of art all over.  None of it was that mindblowing, but it was these little details that entertain on what could be a boring ride.  Left hand canyon, for instance is signified on one of the bridges.  Although the hand is also the logo for Left Hand Brewing company, which also makes it's home in Longmont.  Perhaps the hands were made by them.

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There was one spot where I had to detour as the existing bike path was being dismantled.  That was loud.  Really, it was a very Front Ranch typical bike path.  If it weren't for the art, it could have been any other town.  The beauty of it is not unlike the beauty of Alaska.  Once glance you see a barren, brown, desolate dirt pile, but at another glance you wildlife and geology and land formations that you just don't see anywhere else.  What is this white striation in the rock, rock people?  Quartz? Limestone?

All in all, this was a great ride.  There was no point that I wasn't perfectly entertained.  With the exception of a few bodily complaints (sore back, not enough sunscreen) the ride was absolutely perfect!

• distance 29.53
• time: 2 hr. 14 mins.
• av. speed: 13.22 mph
• max speed: 29.7 mph
• av. cadence: 70
• climb: 673 ft
• max altitude: 8065
• av pulse: 145
• max pulse: 168
• temp 78-80

Ride to Laughter

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An unusually warm, and fabulous day, I took the opportunity of steal a quick bike ride.  This was the best ride yet with no face-pummeling wind, no flat tires, no slips on gravel melt, and nothing but big-sky views all around. I took a new road this time, and descended rapidly down into the town of Ward.  I stopped briefly to contemplate how much I wanted to go into the valley, knowing I'd have to climb back up again. What I saw was this hillbilly mashup of homes, a store, outhouses, cars, chairs, propane tanks.  Nothing was lined up at all like most properties are, and I had no way of telling where one property began and another one ended.  The whole area looked universally messy, and like it had no shortage of cars.  While my first glance tempted me to make some sort of judgement of the town, it only took a second to hear the laughter.  The whole town must have been out.  I had to look carefully, but people were everywhere.  Sitting in that bench over there, leaning on the propane tank there, standing in the ditch, partying on the hill.  No one was alone, and everyone was laughing.  I almost didn't recognize the sound, I hadn't heard so much laughter in so long.  I didn't find it annoying, like the sound of a playground at recess, instead, it was calming in it's intensity and how well the groups of people were hidden. The valley was so steep, these folks really were in the hills.  I had to figure a whole town of people having this much fun had to be pretty awesome.  When I finished listening to the laughter, I started climbing up the hill, and worried how long it would take me.  There were several switchbacks stacked up on each other, for several hundred feet.  I started to hear the raspy yell of what must have been a drunken angry person.  I worried the person was yelling at me, there wasn't anybody else on this hill.  I could see them a few switchbacks up, but couldn't tell where they were looking.  They yelled things like, "Get up here you f__king bi_ch!"  I wondered what I could do if this person was aggressive, I was climbing this hill at 4mph, and couldn't go any faster.  One drunken leg kick and I'd be all the way at the bottom.  As I approached the uneven saunter and the shadows lifted, I saw what I can only describe as a mix of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and Pocahontas.  A woman?!  I approached her and she smoothly murmured, "peace" and "happy trails to you."  I looked around. The yells had to be directed at this woman, not coming from her.  But there was no one else around.  Not a soul.  Needless to say, I got up the hill without even noticing it.  It's amazing what proper distraction can do.

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I am really starting to get the hang of my new bike computer.  It felt a little intimidated by it at first.  It has 4 buttons that all do several things, and I am used to only one button.  But, turns out it's pretty intuitive while you are pedaling.  It the first of all my bike computers that will display the time while wheels are turning.  I find the time and the temperature to be the least discouraging displays to be looking at while climbing massive hills, an option I've never had before.

• Distance: 15.52 mi
• time: 1 hr. 28 mins.
• av. speed: 10.52 mph
• max speed: 38 mph
• av. cadence: 55
• climb: 1592 ft
• max altitude: 9433
• av pulse: 149
• max pulse: 169
• temp 58-70

First Ride of 2012

Suddenly the snow melted, the sun came out and all was well in Peaceful Valley. A bike ride was in order. This was my first ride with my new computer, and therefore very exciting!  I was pretty nervous riding, simply because of the large amount of snow that was still around and the even larger amount of gravel on the road itself. I really didn't feel like skidding or falling.  The ride was beautiful, I saw clear skies, and endless mountains, and the slower pace of my bike allowed me to oogle at all the fine homes in Riverside. I bonked in 45 minutes. I didn't realize, but all I'd eaten today was oats, a latte, muffin, and 2 baby red potatoes. Luckily, I had a bar in my bag.

I made a goal of riding 20 miles a day, no matter how long it takes.  That didn't seem so ambitious. But it's been so long since I rode that my butt got sore. And it was hard.  The elevation, climbing, and instance winds take their tole. But, I will keep on. It's so worth it!

• Distance: 13.2 mi
• time: 1 hr. 14 mins.
• av. speed: 10.6mph
• max speed: 36.2mph
• av. cadence: 54
• climb: 1257 ft
• max altitude: 8767 ft.
• av pulse: 143bpm
• max pulse: 171bpm
• temp: 61

Bear Creek Trail!

Denver, a city full of cycling enthusiasts, and roads that don't accomidate cycles. At least the city installed biking trails, and the Bear Creek Trails is where they redeem themselves. I love this trail. The cement is well laid and in good condition. The bridges are from fairy tales. There is a nice mix of shady, forest-like groves, wide open fields, parks and golf courses. I saw many birds, a giant beetle, fields of prairie dogs and one rabbit. I noticed two distinct kinds of prairie dogs once I entered Lakewood. One kind had slick-back fur and a dark ring at the tip of its tail. The other had fluffier fur, like that of a squirrel and was a solid fawn color. I am sure they are varmits and the city hates them, but they sure are cute. The people on this trail are always very friendly and rule-abiding. It brightens my day to see them. Although today I did see few folks, head down, going at a pace that must have been less than .001 mph. It concerned me a little, as I did just watch "Shaun of the Dead."I went further today on the trail than I had before and regretted finding what lay ahead the last week I am in Denver! About 15 miles out the trail winds through a lovely golf course. The trail loops up a steep hill (at least 8-9% grade) for a bit over a mile. At the top I found a glorious 360 degree view of the area. I saw the mountains to the west in clear view. I saw the flat lands to the east, the neighborhoods, streets, and stores of wherever I was. Far ahead in the distance, squished together and behind smog, downtown Denver looked at me like it was the Emerald City of Oz. This had to be the one day I rode without my camera. I took in the scene and the air and it gave me energy to get home. Had a bit of shoulder pain again. I stopped at mile 22 to stretch and eat a Cliff Bar. That definitely helped. Encouraged by the heat, I diluted 2 scoops of powdered Gatorade to my 72 ounces of water. It tastes yummy, but since I spend most of my biking time in the "fat burning zone" and Gatorade replenishes my body with sugar, I wonder if I am better off not adding Gatorade unless it's really hot. 9:30 AM start, 2.16 elapsed time 31.14mi, av 14.6 mph av HR 149, max 168

Cherry Creek Trail!

Tuesday; my last day riding the cherry creek trail. Just a few tiny white clouds dappled the blue sky. It was one of those skys that make you wonder where all the pollution went. The air was perfect, temperature in the mid- 70s. I couldn't ask for better. I rode up St. Paul and then north on Cherry creek to the REI. The waters were so high, the creek leaked up to parts of the bike path.10:38 AM start, 1.05 elasped time 16.75 mi, av 15.4 mph av HR 147, max 168

Speed Ride!

Since I've been dragging the past week, I decided to make Monday's ride a short, fast one. I went as fast as I could go, considering there was a strong head wind, oodles of pedestrians on the wrong side of the street, and a billion stop lights. The exhaustion grueling work brings led me to fall off my bike after the ride was over. This made my third fall. I didn't get a scratch on my body, but my seat did get a scrape on it. Oh well. All that, and my average was less than my 60 mile ride. Disapointing! I am tempted to think that the stop lights ruined this ride. I spent a full 8.30 with my heart rate below 152. If I pushed the whole time, these lows must have come from waiting at lights, and 8 mins. is a long time for that!12:03 AM start, .38 elasped time 8.75 mi, av 16 mph av HR 159, max 182

Sunday Ride!

Sanderson Gulch in Laekwood should be renamed "Shopping Cart Gulch." The bottom on a ditch i a sad fate for a homeless man's most treasured tool. The sky threatened rain the entire time I rode this morning, but it never came through. I meandered around cute Denver brick neighborhoods and ultimately made it to the Sanderson Gulch trail. I dedided to make the condemed drug house my turn-around point and then head shouth on Cherry Creek to Dartmouth to make a loop. As I rode past the municipal golf course, I imagined what would happen if I got hit in the head by a head golf ball. As my mind lost concentration, I rode right over some large pieces of broken glass. I worried I would blow a tire, but got lucky. The same thing happened again as I reached the peak of a park trail in Lakewood. I saw a young man parked alone in a car looking like a rapist. I watched him and rode over broken glass again. Luckily I didn't get raped, hit by a golf ball, or get a flat tire.10:11 AM start, 1.53 elasped time 22.25 mi, av 13.5 mph av HR 140, max 170

Weekend Ride!

Lazy Saturdays are wonderful days for a ride! Today's breezy, overcast weather made it okay for me to leave a little later. I went east on Iliff and then north on St. Paul until I met up with the Cherry Creek Trail. I went away from town on the trail and then south on the Highline Canal Trail. I didn't like this leg of the trail any better, so I turned around at the meditation center, of all places. I rode around different forks of the Cherry Creek trail until I found a good turn around point. I climbed an 8% grade, which is probably the steepest climb I've done since I've been in Colorado. That's sad, considering the hill was less than a half mile. I had snack, turned around and rode just past the Cherry Creek Mall before I decided to go back home. I' m sure I set a record at a red light, almost 6 minutes before it turned!I dragged today. Maybe because I hadn't ridden in two days, or started later, or took a nap, or didn't have my CoQ10, or skipped lunch. Who knows. Since the media concurance now is that the average American is overweight, it was inspiring to see mostly fit people on these trails. I hope thier fitness will leak on to me if I hang out on the trails enough! I didn't quite make 100 miles this week, but it got close. With the exception of the pinched leg, the milage felt easy. I feel confident I can keep up this milage through July for the STP. 11:30 AM start, 2:00 elasped time 27.41 mi, av 15.0 mph av HR 152, max 178

Chilly Ride!

Today I repeated yesterday, except I went south on the Platte River Trail till I hit the Bear Creek Trail. It was so cold outside that I had to turn around and get more clothing to wear! I felt good, felt like I could go a lot faster in 60 degree weather. The only bad thing is my bike shorts have been pinching me for the second day in a row now. I don't know what that is all about.9:30 AM start, 1:29 elasped time 17.91 mi, av 15.3 mph av HR 138, max 160