Month: September 2024

A cool, foggy early morning for a ride. I have a neon green jacket and reflectors on the bike, including added reflective tape, so that’s not a worry. It’s still somewhat nerve-racking when traffic goes by. One advantage of being out when it’s dark is that the cars have their lights on. Let’s them see all the reflective stuff and also lets me know they’re back there.

At about mile 4 I was riding along a flat stretch, and I heard a clattering to my left. A deer had run out on the road just ahead of me. He couldn’t find a way off the road and into the dense woods, so we both flew down the road for about 10 seconds. He probably thought I was chasing him. Glad he didn’t try to cut across the road to get off the the right.

Today’s ride was a 5.26 mile hills route, including a short 10+% hill at the end. Rode up it one gear up from the “granny” gear. Pace was 4:40. Total climb was around 325 feet.

Nice mild morning for a longer ride. Temperature around 59 degrees, no wind, and a little Sun at times. Getting out after it’s light is also nice — easier to spot all the potholes, sewer covers, etc. I hit a pothole once a while back in the dark and blew a tire.

Today’s ride was a 17.44 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 4:50. Total climb was about 930 feet.

Nice late morning for a ride. Temperature around 65 and mostly sunny. A bit of a stiff breeze in places.

Today’s ride was a 5.26 mile hills route, including a short 10+% grade hill at the end. Pace was 4:36. Total climb was around 325 feet.

Today’s ride was a 5.24 mile rather flat route to pick up my car at the shop. Crazy traffic at 3:30. Passed two schools just letting out for the week. There really wasn’t a measurable “pace.” I measured success by not getting run over. Total climb on the route was about 135 feet.

A cool, clear early morning for a ride. Temperature around 49 or so. Roads were a bit wet but not too bad.

The hives and hamstring are both getting better. Thank goodness. I’m already planning for races in 2025.

Today’s ride was a shortened 6.52 mile rolling hills route. Ran into a road closure and had to improvise. Pace was somewhere around 5:09. Total climb was only about 100 feet since I couldn’t get to the rolling part of my route.

At last some relief from these hives. The world looks so much better with a little sleep. Hopefully things can start to get back to normal.

Today’s ride was a 10.77 mile hills and flat stretches route. Pace was 4:58. Total climb was about 470 feet.

Saw a doctor about these hives yesterday. Hopefully the steroids and antihistamine they prescribed will knock it out. This sleeping in short stretches nonsense is unacceptable. Rest is a key component when you’re training.

I suspect the cause of the hives to be something in the water after we got back from Wyoming. It did look a bit rusty. We probably washed everything and all those clothes, towels, etc., picked up whatever. Hopefully everything going through another wash cycle will get ride of whatever.

Today’s ride was a 5.12 hills route. Pace was 5:28. Total climb was around 275 feet.

Nice, mild morning for a ride. Temperature around 52 degrees. Got some sleep last night finally. Can’t get up at 4AM if you can’t get to sleep until after midnight!

The hamstring is still injured but it’s getting better. I figure that I won’t get back to running until next month.

Today’s ride was a 13.84 mile rolling hills route. Pace was around 5:08. Total climb was about 665 feet.

This allergic reaction to something is hanging around, and actually getting a bit worse. Time to give in and try antihistamines. That stuff turns me into a zombie.

Today’s ride was a 5.27 mile hills route. Pace was 5:01. Total climb was about 325 feet.

One more mild morning for a ride. I’ll take it. Riding in the rain isn’t so bad, but wet roads are more slick.

Today’s ride was a 13.84 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 5:12. Total climb was around 665 feet.