Adventures with Chip, MTB

I had to buy him a burrito at Qdoba today, as incentive to drive to Bradley Palmer State Park for some mountain biking with me, but it was worth it. Chip and I had a great afternoon riding trails, getting a little lost, trying to avoid the areas where hunting is allowed... because being mistaken for a deer would be a bad. About halfway through our ride, Chip asked, "How many miles have we gone?" Ha. I was afraid to tell him I forgot to press the start button on the Garmin. "Ummmm... two?"

"That's not right", he replied. Funny how he instinctually knows how far we've gone, and yet still asks me how far we've ridden. Every time. On every ride.

"You didn't start the Garmin, did you." (More of a statement than a question.)

"Ummmm... no?" (He rolls his eyes, shakes his head, and rides off. I then start the Garmin.)

He was in a crabby mood for a short while after that, and later tried to convince me that he was just in a bad mood because he was thinking about school and his annoying math teacher... but really, he was mad at me because I didn't start the Garmin. I didn't have the numbers right. Sigh.

No Garmin, No Rules!

It was a great day for a great ride, though, and always fun to adventure with Chippy, my partner-in-crime. I'm crossing my fingers the new Kona 29er arrives this week. This amazing weather isn't going to last forever!

No Garmin, No Rules

I've had a few of these rides lately -- where I leave the Garmin at home.

It's not helpful for our Vanderkitten team National Bike Challenge, because I can't log in my miles through Strava, but that's ok with me. I haven't been training for anything... and it's nice to just ride and not care about speed or mileage. It's been a nice break.

Marblehead Harbor

A quick 8 miles

Riding before the sunset

Ran out of daylight.

Missing the VKCX Fam

We had such a low key weekend after saying goodbye to Caro, Rebecca and Zane mid week. No bike races to get ready for... no lazy mornings and laughs over coffee... no long conversations over all-things cycling. I learned so much while they were here and had a blast -- and missed the three of them the minute they left for Rochester. I know we will keep in touch as they continue chasing UCI points this season, and sent them a text on Friday to wish them luck at Ellison Park. Rebecca texted back, "So when is your first race?"

Hahaha... OK... so, I'm working on that. I loved learning about cyclocross and taking my bike on some off-road adventures. I've had a few "No Garmin No Rules" days lately, just exploring and riding and checking out trails. My bike isn't really made for that sort of thing, so I've had to be smart about it. Rebecca invited me out to Boulder for a mountain biking camp in June that sounded cool, (hmmm... maybe...).

Mountain biking... cyclocross... so much to think about!

Gloucester Rides

Really, it's been a perfect summer. I didn't get a chance to post to the blog last week, but had some great rides along the coast last Wednesday, Friday and again yesterday, (Monday.) The roads are a little rough out through Magnolia, but heading up the coast to Gloucester is still my favorite ride. I stopped at Rocky Neck for a while last Wednesday to refill my waterbottle and chat with some folks on the fishing pier as we watched a Coast Guard boat in the harbor. Kinda cool. I love those kind of rides where you can just stop and chill out and enjoy the moment.

Summer is returning this week with some hot weather, just as the boys head back to school. I keep asking myself, "Where did the summer go??"

Perfect Summer Week

Hard to believe July is over... and the boys have yet to start their summer reading. Tsk tsk. We had a busy week but I managed to get my training rides in -- (SpiderOne on Monday, a tempo ride to Gloucester on Wednesday, an adventure ride on Thursday, (No Garmin, No Rules), and intervals today.) So far, so good. My energy is down and my weight is up, which isn't so great, but I'm working on that, too.

The Harpoon Point to Point is next weekend (!), and I'm looking forward to it. I received an email this week that road construction has forced several changes to the 100 mile route, and one climb, at mile 53, "will have support to drive you up it if you need it!" (Seriously?)

Hahahaha... I hope that's a joke.

Hot Hot Hot!

Summer is definitely here... 85 degrees... 75% humidity... Hello, New England summer! Lately my rides have been a mish-mash of Shayne's training rides, shorter 12 mile loops with Will, (who's still getting used to clipless pedals), and some trail riding. I haven't been able to string together a consistent block of riding, but at least I'm getting out there. It feels forced lately -- but I'm doing it.

I've been boycotting my Garmin since it failed to record my hill ride last Thursday. (Yes. I'm stubborn that way.) I tackled the hill on Burpee Road, twice, and then hit the hills of Swampscott's "county streets" (Plymouth, Suffolk, Barnstable), before shooting over to Greenwood Ave. As I hit Greenwood, I took a look at the Garmin to check my mileage, and saw it had stopped for the second time that day. I hate that thing!

I shouted, "SHIT!", and looked up and saw a woman walking her dog not more than 10 yards away. I apologized profusely, explaining that my workout didn't get recorded on my Garmin, (even though I'm sure she had no clue what I was talking about), and she smiled and said, "That's o.k. honey. It's the workout that matters, honey." (She kept calling me "honey", even though we were probably the same age.)

She really didn't understand. I'd just spent 45 minutes climbing hills, and if it's not on Strava...

Arrrghhhhh!!!! I was so annoyed.

I realized over the weekend that I need a break. I've decided to give the Garmin and Strava a rest this week. It puts me in a grumpy mood when my gadgets quit on me, or the files are corrupted, or I can't find one of (now) five heart rate monitors. Or, if I don't like what I see, my mileage is down, my speed is down, and everyone else is out there having a great ride... and I'm just in a funk.

So this week is a No Garmin-No Rules-No Strava-Just Get Out And Ride week. I don't care where my training is at, if my speed is down, or if Joe did 75 miles on Sunday... (o.k., well, yes, that stings a little)... none of it. I'm just going to ride. Just ride wherever. And hopefully I'll find some of the fun that's been missing.

Getting Back

It's been two weeks since returning from Annapolis, and I've only been on the bike a few times. Various commitments have kept me from jumping back into my training plan as I originally intended. I had a decent ride on Sunday, and my legs felt strong, but my cardio wasn't so great. I've been discouraged by the backwards motion I seem to be moving in.

Will has been watching the Tour de France... and that has added an interesting element to our summer. Tonight as I was heading out for my ride, he stopped me and asked, "Can I come with you?"

Uhhhhhhhh....

I said, "Sure", and then waited for him to hunt down his cycling gear and get his bike ready. It was another 15 minutes before we got out the door. (Sigh.)

We headed over to Marblehead to loop the neck, and I thought it was funny when he decided to beat me up the first little hill we hit after the causeway. "Hey, I beat you on that hill.", he said.

"Yup." I answered, and then laughed when I saw his plaid boxers peeking out from the waistband of his cycling shorts. I don't think he believes me when I tell him there should be nothing between him and his chamois.

We did one loop of the Neck, and I suggested we do another, when he confessed his quads were burning and he couldn't go much further. Hahaha. He hasn't changed. He can beat me up a few early hills, but then he's toast after that.  I know he's working hard at football conditioning camp in the mornings, so I had no doubt he was in pain, so I slowed it down for the ride home. (I'll try and get a longer workout done in the morning.)

5K Recovery and Trail Rides

The last week has been a busy one, with pre-RAAM preparation and getting the house and boy's schedules worked out. I'll be away for 3 weeks, which is probably the longest I've been away since Will was born. I asked Chip if he was o.k. with me being gone for such a long time, and he said, "I just have one question. What are we going to eat?" Hahahaha... typical Chip.

I haven't been riding much since my 5K run on Monday, (which left me really sore for a few days), but I did do some trail riding last week and this week that I've enjoyed a little bit more than the road lately. (No Garmin, No Rules.) If the weather holds out, I'll try to get a few good rides in before heading out to California next Friday, but time is running out and my head is in another place. And I still need to stock up on Mac and Cheese for Chip.

Tour de Cure 2014 and a Week of Rides

My busy week ended Sunday with the Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association. It was a hectic week after shaking off the RAAM Oregon (Crew) Challenge, and the weather was iffy, but I did manage to get a few rides in, including Friday's ride around Marblehead Neck in a light rain. I fell out of my routine of recording and uploading my rides to Strava -- My Garmin was totally dead since the week before, and I just kept forgetting to recharge it. Of course Ethan joked about it this morning and said, "You know that means your rides didn't happen, right?" (Haha.)

Without the Garmin, I couldn't upload to Training Peaks either, so it looks like I didn't do anything for two weeks. Curiously, though, I didn't hear a peep from my coach. I guess out of sight, out of mind? (Tsk, tsk, Coach. Too busy with your new team?)

Today's Tour de Cure was a great ride along mostly back roads through Topsfield and Georgetown, up to Newburyport. The route takes a few of my favorite roads, and it's been a while since I popped through Newburyport. I rode with a group from SpiderOne Racing the entire morning and it was terrific fun. (We also made a new friend, Keith!) Since I was away for RAAM the weekend before, and Mike was running Trav's Trail Run (also in Newburyport), I cut my ride early to scoot back to Swampscott in time for Chip's lacrosse game. I made it just in time. By the time 8 pm rolled around, I was glad the week was done. It's been crazy.

Getting Ready for the Weekend

Just a few quick rides this week: Monday's workout around Marblehead Neck was unremarkable except for the fact that I got my second flat since Saturday. Fortune was on my side, however, as I parked at the lighthouse, near where the flat occurred. Just as I was coming up to the lighthouse, considering whether to take a third loop of the neck or end my workout, a piece of glass grabbed my tire and made the decision for me. Today's ride was without my Garmin, as there's just too much on my mind today and I took off without it. (I have laundry to do, a house to get in order, and pre-trip tasks to complete.) That's ok. -- No Garmin, No Rules. I'm guessing I got in about 35 miles on my ride to Magnolia. It was a gorgeous day for a ride along the coast -- and worth skipping the household chores for.

I'm getting ready to head out to Portland, Oregon early Friday for RAAM Oregon Challenge. The 400 mile bike race will give me the opportunity to meet two other RAAM crew members, Ingrid H. and crew chief Mike D, and learn many of the tasks I'll be covering during June's Race Across America -- including driving the follow vehicle, navigating the route, tracking nutrition, prepping food and hydration, and working with the radio communication system, etc.. Exciting stuff -- I'm looking forward to the weekend!

Day 25: 30 days of Biking, No Garmin No Rules (Sorta)

My ride with friend Carolyn had a twist today when she handed me a "No Garmin No Rules" sticker before our ride. "What does that mean?", I asked... getting a little nervous. 

"You hate your Garmin.", she replied. "It shouldn't be a problem." (True.)

We headed up to Manchester and Singing Beach, which at this point I know the route and mileage pretty well, so I didn't think much of it. We rode at a casual pace, chatting along the way, but not much slower than usual.

We got home in under two hours, but after the ride I felt like something was missing! I couldn't post it on Strava! I started thinking of the credo, "If it's not on Strava, it didn't happen." Oh wow. It nagged at me for two hours.

At 4:30, I needed coffee, so I grabbed the Garmin, rode down to Ocean House Surf and stopped by the beach. 5 miles of poking through town.

Yes. I think I'm a Stravaholic.

#30daysofbiking