Back to Bicycling in Bloomington 2009
January 2, 2009 at 6:21 pm | In Commuting, Indoor Riding, Long Rides, OWLS, Weekend Rides | Leave a CommentThe start of a new year and a short summary of the past couple months.
Right after the Hilly Hundred in October, I started to train for a 10K race in Niles Michigan on Thanksgiving Day. This is the fourth year that I, my wife, my daughter, and one or two grandchildren have run the race (some do the 5K). My wife has consistently placed in the top three in her age group and this is the first year that I made the podium (sorta). I was third in the 60-64 age group.
My recreational bicycling during this period was limited to one trip to Wapehani. However, during December, I was able to ride indoors about 8-10 times. It’s not the same as outdoor riding but it’s probably more time-efficient.
I was able to commute consistently from September through December 22. There were few days that I did not commute during that time and mostly because of travel or the need to transport heavy materials between home and work.
In 2008, I had roughly the same mileage on my road bike and my commuting bike – about 1100 miles. My commuting miles were a little higher than previous years because I had many trips across campus for meetings. My road miles were fewer and I had fewer mountain bike rides. In 2009, I hope to do more road and mountain bike riding. I doubt that I would increase my commuting miles very much.
Despite the lower road bike mileage, I think that I was more comfortable doing the Hilly, including the Mt. Tabor climb, this year than any previous years. I am attributing it (without good evidence) to the OWLS rides. Having two good rides a week for part of the year probably helped. This year, I expect to participate in more OWLS rides. I missed yesterday’s ride because of another commitment. Fortunately, there are so many opportunities for biking in Bloomington that I should be able get in more rides.
As many do in the beginning of the year, I am setting some goals for the year – more riding, more running, more yoga, more strength training, and more tai chi; along with more reading, more gardening and more household maintenance. I also am planning to try to work fewer hours. It’s unlikely all or even any will happen.
Happy New Year.
End of Biking Season Summary
November 3, 2008 at 2:54 am | In Long Rides, OWLS, Off-road, Weekend Rides | Leave a CommentIt’s been six weeks since I posted. Too many distractions, a heavy work load, and not enough time. Let me briefly summarize the rides.
Sunday, September 14
Ike was coming through Indiana that day. It was predicted to arrive late morning with heavy winds and possibly very heavy rain. I generally don’t mind getting wet while riding but heavy rains means that drivers can’t see as well, so I am cautious.
When I left home at about 8, it was so sunny that I put on sunscreen. I chose a route that would allow me to head home if bad weather happened but stay out as long as possible. The route was a variation of my airport ride.
A new part for me was staying on Vernal Pike instead of going up Oard Rd to 48. Vernal Pike went through some nice farm country. When I got to 48, I turned east and then turned on Garrison Chapel Rd. New hills; challenging hills. At this point, the sun was gone and the air was getting chillier. At Airport Rd, I decided to head towards home. I got home too early. I could have stayed out for a longer ride but the gray skies and wind made choose a shorter route.
The traffic was light; hardly a car on the entire route. Bloomington experiences the tail end of hurricanes about once every 3-4 years. I can’t remember any previous ride that was affected by a hurricane, so I guess this was a unique day.
Tuesday, September 16
The OWLS did a ride that was very similar to a standard ride for me – Smithville. However, when we got to Old 37, the group decided to head south for a few miles on Old 37. It was a beautiful late summer evening and we just wanted to be out a little longer. We got back with enough time for all to get home before dark.
As we started after the stop to discuss the change, I missed my first push on my open pedal and went down. I’d guess that I fall about once a year. This was an easy fall. Embarrassing but it didn’t hurt physically.
Sunday, September 21
The day before, I ran about 7-8 miles. I haven’t run that far this year, so it was a little challenging. Then, late afternoon, my anterior tibulus spasmed for the first time in awhile. So I decided that I needed an easy ride on Sunday.
I rode around Lake Monroe – about 35 miles. It’s interesting that I think the ride around the Lake is easy. It has only 2 big hills – up from the Lake’s causeway and “the alps.” I came back on Fairfax instead of Ramp Creek to avoid another big hill. Because I was concerned about my leg, I rode easy but I guess I usually do ride easy, because my average speed was only a little slower than my typical pace (13.9 mph vs 14 mph or so). I kept my HR below 145 except for the first hill on the alps. As I get closer to Hilly, I focus on riding hills comfortably.
The ride was fun. Traffic didn’t exist and the weather was great. (NOTE: my anterior tibulus has not hurt since September 20.)
Tuesday, September 24
The OWLS ride really didn’t happen for me. We went out towards the Water Works and then down Ramp Creek. I flatted at the bottom. I told the group to go on without me. I fixed the flat and turned around and went home. I’d guess it was about 12 miles.
I don’t think any bike ride is really disappointing but I was disappointed that the ride didn’t work out as planned.
Sunday September 28
My challenges to ride on the gravel roads east of Bloomington continue. I planned to ride this route (roughly):
I actually rode this route:
I missed the turn for McGowan Rd. I totally missed it. I didn’t even look at a road to the right and wonder if it was the correct road. On Friendship Rd, I met a colleague who was birding at the Lake. She and her husband described how to find McGowan. I’ll try again during the winter.
The ride really was fairly nice. I enjoyed the new roads. I came back on Lampkins Ridge which is a long uphill but not too steep. I then went down to the Lake on Shields Ridge and up Stipp.
I finished the ride on the Bloomington Rail Trail and the new B-Line (also known as the Boondoggle Line). The current mayor says the Line is for economic development. Sure. The previous mayor’s flagship public works project was a wet toxic dump at the north entrance to Bloomington. (The website doesn’t mention that the detention ponds store toxic materials from the street run-off; a byproduct of Bloomington city governments Filthy Streets policy.) The current mayor is creating a path to nowhere with no function except to make city officials look better to themselves.
Overall, about 42 miles on a mountain bike riding mostly on the roads isn’t ideal but it was a fine day to do what I did. Diversity in riding is fun; the weather was great; light traffic; and I enjoyed myself, despite not doing the ride I planned.
Sunday, October 5
I didn’t have a chance to ride for a week. I hoped to get out some weekday mornings but I’ve had little time because of work commitments. I missed the Tuesday OWLS ride because I had to work late.
This ride was my Hilly Hundred training ride. I planned to do 50 miles and ride some hills. I went out 45 to Boltinghouse, up Lentz (a tough hill), over to the Forest (a long hill), two hills on Old 37 (relatively easy), down to Lake Griffey and up the other side (steep in parts), through town to the Clear Creek, Schacht, down Stipp and up Moore’s Creek (a long hill with a steep part at the bottom). The ride was about 52.5 miles. I rode at 14 mph and finished in about 3.75 hours.
I focused on keeping my heart rate low on the hills. On Lentz, I rang my bell (HR=158 which is my technical max for my age), and reached 148 on the bottom part of the Forest climb but 130 at the top. On the other climbs, I kept my HR generally below 135 (my assumed zone 2 limit). If I want to ride the Hilly successfully, I have to do the hills at a comfortable pace. Generally, I don’t shift much on my rides but I practiced shifting, too.
It was a sunny day. It started cold (about 46c and was about 66 c when I got home. I’d guess that fewer than 10 cars passed me from the start of the ride until I reached Bloomington. Riding in Bloomington offers some nice challenges (hills) but also some great conditions for just enjoying the ride.
Sunday, October 12
The last Sunday road ride for the year. Next weekend is the Hilly and after that I train for Thanksgiving Day 10K. If I ride in the next six months, it’s likely to be either mountain biking or shorter rides on my commuting bike.
I enjoyed the ride tremendously. I went around Lake Monroe and then west to Harrodsburg, up Rockport Rd to Kirksville, and then took Victor Pike most of the way back to town. 49 miles, 14.2 mph, about 3.5 hours.
The weather was just right for me. I started a little cold but climbing out from the causeway got me warm and I stayed just a little bit chilled for most of the ride. I don’t mind being hot when I’m riding but a little chill is pleasant. I kept my HR low climbing most hills. It was below 130 most of the time and only a short part of “the alps” and a hill on Victor Pike got it into the low 140s. I think I am ready for the Hilly hills.
As usual, light traffic, and perhaps fewer cars than ever on the ride. There were many times when the only sounds were some birds and the wind blowing past my ears and through the helmet. I especially enjoyed the climb from Harrodsburg to Kirksville (it seems like 10 miles) because I was going slower, so less wind noise and there was no traffic. The quiet was wonderful.
I need to ride from Kirksville to Harrodsburg sometime this winter. The ride has some of the best vistas in southern Indiana and they are especially impressive when the leaves are off the trees. It’s possible to see 40 miles of hills to the south.
While I might grouse a bit about traffic management and street conditions in Bloomington, the rural parts of Monroe County are wonderful for bike riding.
Hilly Hundred (Oct 18, 19)
The Hilly was fun as usual. The two fifty-mile rides are challenging but not terrible. The most fun is riding with a large group of people who enjoy bicycling. I rode with my daughter, her husband, and another couple from South Bend. The weather was great despite being a little cold to start. The ice cream at the lunch stops and after the ride make it even more fun.
Sunday October 25
The day prior (Saturday October 24), I ran a 10K in the Morgan Monroe forest. On my drive home, I went up Shiloh Rd. It’s about 4 miles mostly uphill. I decided to ride it the next day.
I rode on my commuting bike so that I wouldn’t be tempted to ride fast. The ride was about 33 miles and it took about 2.33 hours. Overall, a very pleasant ride despite being chased by a dog on Shilo. It may be the first dog that chased me this year. Traffic was very light but the roads I chose would normally have little traffic.
Sunday, November 2
Unlike the previous three years, this year I’m not training as hard for the 10K In Niles Michigan. I’m doing enough running to be certain I can finish fine but I don’t seem to have the desire to improve my time this year. Today, I decided to go mountain bike riding in Wapehani. I rode for about 1.5 hours. Great day for a ride; relatively cool and very sunny. As the leaves fall, the sun comes through more than in the summer.
I did reasonably well. No falls, always an accomplshment. I made it up one hill I usually struggle with. I didn’t make it up a second hill because I chose the wrong line for my skills. The trails were covered with leaves, so braking was a challenge. And, some obstacles weren’t apparent until I hit them. I guess it increases the challenge and thereby increases the fun.
A few trails are starting to disappear as the road development increases. I couldn’t find some that I normally ride. I rode a new trail that I struggled with the last time at Wapehani and did much better but I haven’t yet figured it out.
It won’t be so long until I post again unless I don’t get on the bike for awhile. But, the way I’m feeling now, I think I will be on again soon.
Hitting the Hills
September 12, 2008 at 2:59 am | In Long Rides, OWLS, Weekend Rides | 3 CommentsThursday, September 11
Five rides in 8 days from August 31 – September 7. That’s somewhat unusual for me but Labor Day allowed me an extra day to ride. In total, 6 rides in 10 days with the OWLS ride on Tuesday September 10. My most consistent riding all year.
Sunday August 30, I did a relatively hilly ride (6 hills). I went out to Mt. Gilead (1), over to Shuffle Creek, South Shore Dr, North Shore Dr. North Shore has one steep hill that always challenges me (2). I needed to switchback to get over it. Then to Anderson and into the Morgan Monroe forest (3). The forest hill is long but not nearly as steep as North Shore. Down Old 37 and up to Hindustan (4). From there I went down Old 37, up Firehouse (5), Bethel, down to Lake Griffey and up to Dunn (6). I rode a convoluted route home to get 50 miles. It took almost 3.5 hours and I averaged 14.3 which is my typical pace for hilly rides. Light traffic and nice weather. (I stopped mapping at the point I reached town.)
Monday September 1, Labor Day. I went to Wapehani for some mountain bike riding. Overall, I didn’t do well. My handling skills seemed rusty and I was less willing to take chances. I found a new path that’s fairly challenging for me now but I could probably ride better if I did more mountain biking. On the plus side, I rode up two hills that usually give me problems. On one hill, a log pile has been replaced by big stones and I could manage the stones. I never was able to climb the log pile. I often make it up the second hill, but usually after a couple rides in Wap when I learn the best route for me to ride the hill. It’s rare that I successfully climb both hills in one ride unless I’ve been to Wap regularly.
Wapehani has lost some trails. There’s a gravel road from Tapp Rd that leads to a cell tower. The paths cross it a couple times and it’s a little bit challenging to follow them. I ended the ride doing some single track trails that are the most fun in the park. Overall, it wasn’t a bad day but I know I need to mountain bike more often. Riding in Wapehani is much different than the Brown County State Park trails that I ride. Wapehani is more technical and there are no long gaps between challenges.
Tuesday September 2, OWLS ride. This ride was supposed to be similar to a ride we did earlier this year – Leonard Springs. However, at the end of Leonard Springs Rd, the lead group turned right instead of left onto May Rd. We rode a series of steep short hills and then reached a monster hill. At the bottom, I was certain that I would have to walk. I was tired from the short hills and the hill scared me. I managed to climb it mostly because I was too afraid to try to click out of the pedals. I was certain that I would fall over if I missed the click out because I was going so slow. When I reached the top, my HR was 172, way into the red zone.
No one in the group had ever ridden the hill before and one rider who knows the county said it’s harder than Miller Rd which is considered the most difficult in the county. We decided there to turn around and get back on the route. However, we didn’t finish the ride we planned but took a little shorter way home without a long hill that we originally planned to ride.
Thursday September 4, I planned to ride Old 446 in the morning before work but I got caught up in some work at home and used up most of my riding time. I rode about 30 minutes on local streets.
Sunday, September 7. I rode a variation of a ride that I did last summer. Around the Lake, through Harrodsburg, up Rockport to Kirksville. This time, I turned on to Harmony Rd in Kirksville. I took Harmony to Ison to Leonard Springs, and then home on the airport ride route. The ride started in light rain and the rain was off and on until I reached Ison. The ride was about 52 miles. Average speed was 14.0. It’s a little slower than last week but I’m a wimp when it’s wet, so I go slower around turns, etc. Total time was about 3.67 hours.
The traffic was even lighter than usual. I would guess that no more than 10 cars passed me until I crossed 37 on That Rd.
Tuesday September 9, OWLS ride – the OWLS ride was a ride I do regularly, often in the winter or spring when I don’t have much time or it’s too cold to ride far. Water Works, Stipp, Swartz Ridge, Old 446. About 22 miles at a mixed pace. Sometimes we rode hard, sometimes easy. Any ride with 2 long hills is a good ride. I think I enjoyed this OWLS ride more than others. The first cool evening. We think that we have about 3-4 weeks before we won’t have enough daylight to ride.
Riding in Bloomington brings hills both on- and off-road. Most are fun, some are challenging. They make me think that a triple will be on my next bike.
Ridings and Ramblings
August 29, 2008 at 2:35 am | In Commuting, Morning Rides, OWLS, Weekend Rides, weather conditions | 2 CommentsIt’s been more than two weeks since my last post. Work and travel have taken a lot of time.
I rode with the OWLS on Tuesday August 12. It was a good hilly ride on a lot of roads that I hadn’t done previously. (If I did, I don’t remember them.) The group was a little more aggressive than the typical OWSL ride. I was happy to find new, relatively smooth roads with little traffic. I mapped the ride so I wouldn’t forget it.
The weather in Bloomington has been great for riding for the past few weeks. For about 10 days, it was cool in the mornings and pleasant in the afternoons. Then, it got hazy, hot, and humid for the first time this summer. Both are fine for riding. Hot and humid rides have their place, too.
The weekend before last, I was in South Bend. I took my commuting bike for my son-in-law to fix a few problems. I rode about 13 miles on Sunday morning. It wasn’t bad but the roads aren’t nearly as pleasant as Bloomington. Riding other places puts Bloomington into perspective.
He did some maintenance/repair on two bikes and he cleaned the drive trains. He does an amazing job cleaning them. The chains and cogs shine. I don’t know how he does it but I really appreciate it.
Tuesday August 19, I did an OWLS ride that was similar to the first ride I did with them. It was a slower, more compatible group than the previous Tuesday. All riders were fairly close. I enjoyed the ride. I felt especially quick and found I could accelerate up hills. A clean drive train really improves riding.
The following Thursday morning, I rode Old 446 and did some sprints for most of it. Sprints are fun but they show riding weaknesses very quickly. Since I’ll never be a good rider, I sorta care but not enough to train seriously.
I’ve noticed more people riding bikes this summer than previously. I guess it’s partly because of the price of gas but maybe others recognize that biking is both a good method to travel and fun. However, commuting in Bloomington can be challenging because of the poor condition of the streets and the bizarre traffic patterns. I hope those new to biking persevere until they learn to manage both.
Sunday morning, I planned a ride on gravel roads east of Bloomington. The planned route was about 30 miles. However, I changed my mind when I got to Friendship Rd, because I wanted to see something I promised myself that I would do earlier this year. And, I wanted to see how fast I rode on gravel roads (About 10-12 mph). I went to the end of Friendship Rd to the bird resting place. I saw many large birds, so it was a treat. (Ear to the Breeze describes the route but I did it the opposite direction. )
On the way out on Friendship Rd, I noticed my front wheel wobbling. I attributed it to the gravel but it continued when I was riding on 46. I stopped and found that the front tire was shredding. Hooray for cell phones. My wife picked me up in the truck. I was fortunate that I changed my mind because I could have been far into the gravel roads if I had gone on the route I originally planned.
On Tuesday August 26, I did another Owls Ride. We did Mt. Gilead twice, Shuffle Creek, and South Shore. It was a challenging but fun ride.
The students have returned to Bloomington. Traffic is heavier although it affects me minimally on the bike. A bigger impact is the loss of parking places for my bike on the bike rack. The bike rack outside my office is shared with students who live in the building. Many bring bikes to school. Over the year, they will disappear. Many that don’t disappear will have rusty drive trains. Next summer, Parking Operations will remove the remaining abandoned bikes and auction them.
Maybe this year, more students will use their bikes. It’s certainly the most efficient method to get around campus and town.
This morning, I planned to do a short ride. About 7:30, I thought that a fog might roll in. By 8, I was fairly certain that it would so I ran instead. By 8:45, I couldn’t see across the street. By 10, it was bright and sunny. This happens about 10 times a year in Bloomington. It’s caught me on the bike a couple times and it’s scary to be out in thick fog on rural roads on a bike.
Ridings and ramblings – there are quite a few things that can be done on a bicycle in Bloomington.
Fun Week and Riding Was a Big Part of It
July 31, 2008 at 2:28 am | In Commuting, OWLS, Off-road, Other Actrivities | 2 CommentsWednesday July 30, 2008
I put my bike on the garage wall last Tuesday after the OWLS ride. I took it down the following Tuesday for the OWLS ride. But, it wasn’t a bad week, even though I wasn’t on the road bike. The weather is now generally good, it’s possible to ride every day. But, sometimes other things get in the way.
Tuesday night’s OWLS ride was a backwards version of my airport ride. The route was a little different but not enough to call it another ride. A new record number of OWLS – 21. I would guess that I have done the airport ride 100 times (5 times a year for 20 years). Some years, I’d guess that one-half of my rides were the airport ride, perhaps with some extra parts. It’s a relatively low traffic ride and I can always accurately judge the time required.
Backwards, I saw things I haven’t seen before, such as the size of the Rogers plant on Oard Rd. The ride seemed a little easier but I suspect it’s because riding with others makes some parts feel easier. As usual, the OWLS were a mixed group but we stopped regularly to regroup. The traffic was light and much lighter than the previous OWLS airport ride. While it was hot, it wasn’t oppressive. Overall, it was a fun ride.
Brown County Mountain Bike Trails
But the highlight of the past week was a mountain bike ride in Brown County State Park on Sunday morning. Sometimes, when I look forward to something for a long time and then it happens, it doesn’t seem as good as I expected. Sunday’s ride was better than I expected.
I rode the North Gate, counterclockwise around the North Tower Loop to the Aynes Loop. Clockwise around the Aynes Loop, then continued counterclockwise around North Tower. At one point (just above the “P” in “LOOP”) the trail splits with no markings. I took the trail to the right and found myself on a paved road. I rode it for a bit looking for another way to get on the trail, and then turned around. When I got back on the trail, I went clockwise around North Tower to North Gate and back to the truck. I estimate it was about 12 miles.
I rode much better than expected. I rode a little slower than usual when I was near obstacles so that I could choose a route through the obstacle that matched my skills. Most times it worked. For some obstacles, I decided that I didn’t know how to do them, so I stepped down. However, I think I stepped down fewer times than I did on previous rides. At the end, I felt very good about the ride and I’m looking forward to going out to Brown County again soon.
Other Activities
Despite not riding, I was fairly active for the week. I managed two strendurance sessions. I ran 8 miles on Saturday. And, I’ve commuted every day except one where I had to drive to Indianapolis. I kept up fairly well with tai ji and yoga.
This is a Biking in Bloomington blog and maybe Brown County isn’t Bloomington and running, tai ji, yoga, and strendurance certainly aren’t biking. But, those help to make biking in Bloomington more enjoyable for me.
Multiple Rides But Not Enough
July 24, 2008 at 1:52 am | In Long Rides, OWLS, Weekend Rides | Leave a CommentWednesday, July 23, 2008
It’s been more than a week since I last posted. During the time, the weather has been very good in Bloomington for riding. Unfortunately, I have not been able to ride much.
Last Tuesday, I had to miss the OWLS ride because of work commitments. Wednesday morning, I treated myself to a little longer ride – about 1.25 hours. I rode the Water Works ride. At the Water Works, I turn almost always around. On a few rides, I’ve gone to the right along a road that has some very nice houses that overlook Lake Monroe. It’s about a mile and dead ends. Last Wednesday, I decided to explore the road that goes straight.
Over the years, I’ve wondered about it but always thought it was perhaps a driveway or that it might turn into a gravel road. The road goes down to the Lake. I was very surprised to find a State recreation area at the bottom. There are no signs anywhere that point to it. Very strange. It was a fun ride down and a fun ride (for different reasons) coming back up. Overall, a nice morning ride.
I have gone to the Water Works at least 100 times (at least 5 times each year for 20 years) and never went down the hill. It surprises even me.
Last Sunday, I rode about 36 miles with my daughter. We rode a version of the OWLS ABC ride – out 45, down and up Mt. Gilead, back on 45 to Shuffle Creek, Tunnel, Robinson, Old 37 to the Firehouse, down to Cascades, through Bloomington on Rogers to the south end, back on Gordon and Rhorer to Sare and home. Traffic was very light, the weather was relatively cool but I finished two big water bottles.
As usual, I rode harder than I liked but still struggled to keep up with her. After the ride, we ran 1.5 miles. I don’t run well after riding. It was a challenge, as it usually is.
Last night, I rode with the OWLS. A very pleasant ride and a little shorter than the other OWLS rides. It was just the right amount for me and I got home at a more reasonable time. The ride had enough challenges, both pace and hills, to consider it a training ride. At the same time, enough good will and cooperation to make it an enjoyable ride.
If the weather holds (we’ve had relatively less rain in the past week), I will be in Brown County State Park on Sunday morning for my first local mountain bike ride this year.
Out with the OWLS Again
July 12, 2008 at 1:12 am | In Commuting, Morning Rides, OWLS, Weekend Rides, weather conditions | 1 CommentJuly 11, 2008
The OWLS ride earlier this week was mostly on roads that I ride regularly except for the Leonard Springs. The ride was pleasant and challenging. Rockport Rd is always a challenge with its rolling hills. (I reported on ride last year on Rockport Rd.) The hills are just as steep this year.
The group is always pleasant. Light banter. Pace varies but is never too hard or too easy. Tonight’s ride was mostly on low traffic roads so side by side riding was possible. The pace was a little slower but Rockport seems to slow the pace substantially.
I’m starting to learn more about how to ride in groups. I haven’t yet figured out how to maintain a pace that is equal to others. I seem to brake more than others. I also don’t yet know the norms about stopping at stop signs. Sometimes we seem to stop and gather, sometimes part of the group goes through without much of a stop. It will come to me after a few more rides.
Weekly Riding
I seem to be developing a pattern – longer ride on Sunday morning, OWLS on Tuesday evening, and easy ride Thursday morning. Along with runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, it’s a good exercise pattern.
I have not commuted this week – rain, tight schedule, errands, and a trip have prevented it. I hope to start again next week.
Mountain Biking
It’s been dry for a couple days so this evening (Friday), I started to plan for a trip to Brown County for mountain biking on Sunday. Then, I looked at the forecast. It looks unlikely again because rain is predicted for tomorrow. It seems like I won’t get out this summer.
The weather in Bloomington this year has been exceptionally wet. It’s often annoying to miss a ride or commute because of the weather. It is even more annoying to not be able to mountain bike.
Second OWLS Ride
July 3, 2008 at 3:14 am | In Injuries, OWLS | Leave a CommentTuesday night, I led the OWLS on a version of my “airport” ride. The OWLS ride organizer was not able to post the report, so I can provide the map only. I guess it was about 28 miles but I don’t know the time or average speed. It was slow going through town, fairly fast at spots after we crossed 37, and a nice pace on the last part after we crossed 37 again.
The ride was not as comfortable as it is on a quiet Sunday morning. Vernal Pike between 37 and Smith Rd had a lot of traffic. At some points, a dozen riders probably caused some problems for drivers. It was interesting to see how much different a ride is when done solo or with one or two others and with a larger group.
Overall, the ride was pleasant. The group split at points based on how fast each rider wanted to go and gathered together to make sure all were doing okay. It’s a very pleasant group and I enjoy riding with them.
Riding and Rehab
Sunday, I did a short ride because of a couple physical problems. In the past few months, I’ve experienced sudden sharp but short pains in the tibialis anterior muscle on my left leg. Last week, a massage therapist worked it and I was still feeling the results on Sunday. It’s possible to ride without using the muscle but it tends to be involved in heavy riding. Also, I did something stupid and caused some back spasms on Saturday.
So, I rode a ride very similar to last Sunday’s ride (See the post below). But, I rode it slowly. By the end, both problems felt better. Maybe biking is good rehab for these problems.
Commuting is now regular again. The weather has been reasonable. Biking is fun.
First OWLS Ride
June 25, 2008 at 9:46 pm | In Long Rides, OWLS | 2 CommentsJune 25, 2008
Last night, I rode with the Bloomington Bicycle Club OWLS (Older, Wiser, Little (bit) Slower. We did the ABC ride.
The ride was well-organized. That is, it was organized well for safety and fun and at the same time, it allowed for both personal and group achievements. Some chat but not continuous; riding with different people was fun; all riders seemed roughly the same level of fitness; and they have a strong appreciation of what bike riding should be. Also, I observed some things that others did that I thought were my personal quirks. They might be generational things.
The route was reasonably challenging with three hills. Much more traffic than I experience on my typical rides but it wasn’t really a bother. I was a little concerned that we could cause some problems for drivers when we were climbing Old 37 (Firehouse) because it has many curves and it can be a challenge to get around 13 riders. But, the cars seemed to manage.
It was a night of firsts for me:
- 1. First group ride (more than 4 riders), except Hilly Hundred and Hoosier Hills, in about 30 years
- 2. First long evening ride
- 3. First time I rode a bike for more than 1.25 hours on a work day.
I hope to make the Tuesday OWLS ride a regular part of my riding.
Other Rides
Actually not much to report about other rides. Last week, I commuted only one day because of travel and other commitments. Last Sunday, I rode 26 miles at 16 mph. I pushed a little on a series of 3 local loops – Old 446, Water Works, Clear Creek. I tried to stay within 130 – 145 bpm on my HRM. It was a nice morning and I think I will call it my June Day.
This week, I’m doing fine with commuting. I took my commuting bike to the Bike Garage for a much needed tune-up, so I’m using my mountain bike to commute. It always feels a little uncomfortable to ride the bike on the roads but not so uncomfortable off-road. Maybe because I’m concentrating so hard when off-road riding that I don’t notice the positioning.
Overall, the weather has been great and especially this evening. It was a little surprising for the ride to finish cooler than it started. Since all my other rides start in the morning, they usually end warmer.
I now feel the summer riding season has begun.
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