Bit Bucket

Awwww sheeeeit, another awesome Sunday ride. Got up thinking I might ride to the airport & back, ended up doing most of the Arlington loop as well. The wind was crappy at times, and the long climb up the W&OD coupled with that was bleh, but okay. The ride back, though? The ride down the Custis Trail? My God is that fun. There’s a couple short steep climbs, but the downhills from there, I’m pretty sure I achieved warp speed.

For a little bit, it felt like this:

Fly her apart then.

But, hey, that’s fun, too.

I got home, showered & changed, and then switched bikes and headed for Nationals Park. Because: Baseball.

not pictured: Wednesday’s 10.5mi ballpark roundtrip

Distance: 29.44mi
AHR: 143
MHR: 170
Cals: 1979

2013 Distance: 408.72mi
2013 Outside: 208.04mi
2013 Inside: 217.68mi
Average Distance Per Day in 2013: 3.86mi/day

There were parts of this ride that were absolutely perfect. My climb up Sligo Creek Parkway, for example. I was alone on the road, all I could hear was the moving of the chain across the gears. It was lovely

There were parts of this ride that were really tough. The climb up Independence to 2nd Street was brutal today. My legs are still hating me.

But I did it. And now: I can pretty much eat whatever today.

Distance: 42.72mi
AHR: N/A
MHR: N/A
Cals: 4373

2013 Distance: 374.78mi
2013 Outside: 168.1mi
2013 Inside: 217.68mi
Average Distance Per Day in 2013: 3.86mi/day

Today’s ride! I went south down to Nats Park with the intention to take the Riverwalk Trail around to the Anacostia Trail and up and around H Street and whatnot, but it sorta just…stops. It’s not like there’s a closed gate (at least, not today) but rather just a construction site. It’d be nice if there was early warning for that somewhere.

So instead I turned around and went back the other way. The Tourist Quarter of DC was overrun, but mostly with locals. You can tell the locals because they’ve seen people with bikes before. The tourists (may they empty their wallets into our coffers) just tend to stop and stare and then act surprised when you’d like to pass.

I came up the 15th Street Cycle Track, through the lower half of Columbia Heights, and then past the Hospital Center into Brookland. Not bad, but man, slow. Hard when you’re stopping all the time.

Distance: 15.89mi
AHR: 133
MHR: 163
Cals: 1193

2013 Distance: 321.66mi
2013 Outside: 114.98mi
2013 Inside: 217.68mi
Average Distance Per Day in 2013: 4.66mi/day

Holy crap this felt AMAZING.

The weather today was just about perfect (mid 50s, no headwinds, bright sunshine) that this was just about the most perfect way to spend a few hours.

I knew I missed riding outside, I didn’t think I knew how much until I was 10 miles in today. Color me all kinds of ready for 31 miles of VASA next weekend.

Distance: 20.80mi
AHR: 148
MHR: 177
Cals: 1516

2013 Distance: 305.77mi
2013 Outside: 99.09mi
2013 Inside: 217.68mi
Average Distance Per Day in 2013: 4.50mi/day

Three sprints full 60 second sprints, where you see the HR spike, and cadence spike. Felt good at times, but after the third all-out, I needed more rest than I’d care to admit.

I think I may also do the Big Stinky Hill Climb the same weekend as the VASA ride. That would make up for me not doing the full long ride, right?

Four rides this week already (Sat/Sun/Mon/Wed) and a good shot for one tomorrow AND Friday morning before Nashty.

Not bad, kids, not bad.

Today: Distance: 10.02mi
AHR: 145
MHR: 174
Cals: 565

2013 Distance: 284.97mi
2013 Outside: 78.29mi
2013 Inside: 217.68mi
Average Distance Per Day in 2013: 4.91

Not my finest hour: look at all those stops. But, I made it, and it got done.

200 miles on the trainer this year so far, I’m going to call that a good investment so far.

Today: Distance: 10.02mi
AHR: 139
MHR: 159
Cals: 550

2013 Distance: 274.95mi
2013 Outside: 78.29mi
2013 Inside: 207.66mi

This morning’s ride. One just like it yesterday on the second line.

Yesterday:
Distance: 10.01mi
AHR: 138
MHR: 162
Cals: 568

Today:
Distance: 10.02mi
AHR: 144
MHR: 164
Cals: 599

2013 Distance: 264.93mi
2013 Outside: 78.29mi
2013 Inside: 197.64mi

I liked how I felt yesterday after a morning ride, so I got up and did it again today. Today felt more like work, which was a bummer, but it still did very well. Early Alias is still a good riding buddy. Parenthood, more of a downer, really. Even though Sydney’s fiancé got murdered in the first episode, and her relationship with her Dad is strained at best, and her boss is a sociopath. But yeah, you get the idea.

Distance: 10.02mi
AHR: 138bpm
MHR: 160bpm
Cals: 577

2013 Distance: 244.90mi
2013 Outside: 78.29mi
2013 Inside: 177.61mi

This ride felt amazing.

This is my horse, my horse is amazing.

You’re welcome.

Tried some 45-60 second sprints in here just to get more of a boost, which is where the cadence goes up (and the speed, not pictured here) and then a rest of 2-3 minutes where I returned to 130-140 HR pacing at 80 cadence. Really dug it.

Maybe it’s a place where what I’m watching matters? I’ve switched to watching Alias from watching Parenthood. Maybe that helps.

Distance: 12.52mi
AHR: 140
MHR: 168
Cals: 724

2013 Distance: 234.88mi
2013 Outside: 78.29mi
2013 Inside: 167.59mi

This ride felt really good. There’s an interruption point toward the middle when there was a kerfuffle upstairs but I’ll let Tiff tell you about that.

A good solid hour on the trainer, and I didn’t want to die at any point, unlike so many rides last week. Good. Today, I really wanted to ride outside, I wanted to get up and go for a good long ride, but with temps in the low 30s and a wind chill that was in the teens: fuck that shit, yo.

I know some people ride in every condition, and my hat is off to those folks, but man, not me, not today, not ever if I can avoid it.

My bike was making some creaking noises that had me a little worried, but I think it’ll all shake out. I need to get back to the bike shop in early spring to make sure everything is the way it ought to be.

Distance: 16.88mi
AHR: 139
MHR: 159
Cals: 982

2013 Distance: 222.36mi
2013 Outside: 78.29mi
2013 Inside: 155.07mi

Today’s ride, cut short by a work phone call. Wasn’t feeling it, so I won’t miss those last 2 and a half miles.

Distance: 7.86mi
AHR: 137
MHR: 1656
Cals: 460

2013 Distance: 205.48mi
2013 Outside: 78.29mi
2013 Inside: 127.19mi

Somedays you ride because it’s required. Not because you like it. Not because it feels good. But because it’s February and it’s cold and dammit I’m fighting the hibernation feelings and weight gain. So I rode for 30 minutes. I didn’t like it particularly, I never found a groove (note the cadence problems) and it never felt right. I tinkered with different gears, but nothing ever broke through into that feel good point.

I miss the outside.

Not Pictured: Yesterday’s 20 minute, 5.79 ride. Bleh. Bleh. Bleh. Snow tomorrow, too. Bring me Spring, please.

Distance: 8.32mi
AHR: 129
MHR: 163
Cals: 446

2013 Distance: 197.62mi
2013 Outside: 78.29mi
2013 Inside: 119.33mi