My Most Recent Ride 2014 (Part VII in a series)

Riding in the wind in the winter and spring makes you strong in the summer!

 

After a morning of chores on my Friday off I managed to get in a 34.43 mile ride.

 

Well, the dentist said I could ride by Saturday and wouldn't you know, that's just what I did!

Loke and I went to the American food store again. If I start the ride like an absolute basic River Loop, but go toward downtown where I'd usually turn for home, the total distance comes to 4.2 miles. So, next time I may add one of the extensions for a little extra distance, particularly since Loke went so strong and smoothly. Not a hint of his arthritis.

Started out under mostly sunny skies, but that changed to leaden gray by the time we got back home. 38 F and not too much wind which is always nice. Still had a lot of slush on the paths in some places as we had 2 days of snow on Thursday and Friday, but it's melting fast. It was far enough along to being just water that my slick summer tire had no real problems getting through it. Just a couple of slips. I'm sure Loke pulling helped some.

Charles (store owner) also came out to take a look at the trike. He was quite interested in it and asked a lot of questions. Loke jumped around and covered him in wet and shed fur. Guess Charles was just lucky he was wearing all black to make all that white hair stand out.

Not a bad ride even if short. Felt good to get out. I really should go for a longer solo ride at some point.

Terii

 

Ward,
The wind was mild yesterday, suppose to be windy today but really warm. Then the next 7-10 days back to winter, so I have to get in a good ride in today. Maybe a fifty miler, not sure if I am ready for that yet.
Britt How is the weather down y'alls way?

 

Managed a long ride out today with a group of London based recumbent riders. 60 miles in total including a ferry crossing of the Thames. We even had a lovely Velomobile tag along. First long ride of the year - really pleased to get out after so many weeks of storms.

 

Had a day rest then decided to do my one hour speed test.
Managed 27.67 km [ 17.19 miles ] so I deduct that I am still improving my fitness.
Cheers , Glenn

 

Nice velomobile. I don't surpose you know what it is by any chance?

Andrew

 

Don't worry ... found it. It is a WAW.

Andrew

 

That is moving on a trike. Nice job!

 

Another ride today. Jens asked if I was taking Loke as I got dressed. I firmly said no. I fully intended to do a longer loop than the measly river loop I've been doing for months and months.

It didn't quite happen that way though I did add a few extensions for a total of 6.15 miles. My knee's been bugging me and it was just way too windy to push along for 6 miles into the teeth of of it with said painful knee. So, even if only half of what I intended it's still 2 miles more than I've been doing per ride!

Saw ***** willows budding. Crazy to be happening in February.

Terii

 

Good bit of detective work ! It's a lovely looking velo' but not sure I could ride one, certainly on the roads we have here it was incredibly noisy, I think sitting inside must drive you mad after a while. Can't imagine how hot it must get as well, not normally a problem here most of the time but imagine in Aus you'd boil in the bag !

 

Here in Perth we have one or two velomobiles including a Sinner Mango. Bartek hasn't mentioned any heat issues but in summer he rides without a hood and maybe not on the really hot days. We tend to get hot days but being on the coast (both myself and Bartek live near the coast so we tend to ride where the sea breeze (gale force winds ) is stronger which brings the temperatures down to under 40 C . There are also a few in Brisbane which is very humid. I suspect that noise/heat levels vary between the designs.

John also has one but he is further south in Albany and it is quite a bit cooler down there. I have ridden John's ... sold me on getting one, well a velomobile anyway if I can keep hiding my savings



Andrew

 

Thanks Ward - am making big effort. I set goal to do 1000 km this month - its a short month
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Terii , I applaud any effort made to get out * especially since your weather has been so inhospitable and especially if you improve over previous ride.
So well done.
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I try not to dwell on Velomobiles ... its a bit like drooling over Ferraris / Lamborghini s , really want to drive one but probably never will.

 

Made my SECOND ride of the year boosting my mileage up to the stratosphere at 28 miles for the year.

I'm sitting in 10th place on RRI Club Bike Journal. I can tell already AD is going to leave me WAAAAY behind this year. Go AD!!![AD is the other founder of RRI and the behind the web scenes guy.]

We have a lot more members here. Why don't you join us on Bike Journal. Sign up for a free account and make Recumbent Riders International your club. Then you too can beat me in mileage this year!

 

with the weather coming over all stormy, put in the extra time to finish my Goal of 1000 km [ 621 miles ] for the short month and picked up 18 km more [ 11 miles ] which brought my total for this Trike in 5 months to 4.5 k km [ 2796 miles ] , so feeling rather chuffed , and a bit weary as well - might have rest day tomorrow.
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Oh if you are wondering why I am so gung ho to do huge distances, I should mention that after struggling to loose any weight for previous year - I have in 5 months lost 9 kg [ 19.8 LBS ] whilst putting on huge amount of muscle, I look thinner in the face which makes me look younger, my skin is better , I snore less according to the wife, more energy , have nice healthy tan [ I use SUN screen every ride ] , Feel I am not dependant on cars [ but they are good for rest days ] , I feel better , I love my body now and I really enjoy riding this Trike.
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Just to mention a few points.