My Most Recent Ride 2015 (Part VIII in a series)

A dreary miserable day.​

Been getting out for rides. I needed about 34 miles for the last 6 weeks of the year, but last week, I added an extra 17 miles or so, which knocked down the necessary total for the last 5 weeks (from Friday to Thursday) to 29.5 miles.

Thursday was 19.8 miles, chunky studded tires on the front, trailer and, for the last 9 miles, 17 LBS of dog food. That combination left me noodle-legged and my knee was uncomfortable.

So, yesterday was a rest day. 3 hours sitting at a vet hospital too, waiting for them to get around to seeing Loke. Finally had to give-up because the benches were just killing me. My hip hurt the worst, back and neck right along with it.

The reason for the vet was Loke started randomly yelping in the morning. Something painful in his hind quarters. Finally narrowed it down to his right hip.

So, no miles yesterday between the need to rest and sitting with Loke. Really need to get out and start on this week's 29.5 miles. It's about 40 F, drizzling and all around miserable today, and Loke can't run of course. No motivation even with 'best ever year' carrot dangling in front of my nose.

Terii

 

All it is doing is raining in Knoxville so no riding. And I NEED to ride after all that delicious Thanksgiving food... especially the chocolate pecan pie. Ymmm.

 

Calories Burned

Lots of rain!
The trainer gets used a lot in the cooler seasons, so the rain really doesn't matter... just means my technique and strength gets honed for the warmer months.

Happy Holidays/eatathon!

 

Got out today!!! Only 15 miles away from 1,500 miles this year. That will be my goal!!!

42 degrees but sunny. Only rode 13.4 miles because my fingers went numb. But loved being out on my bent.

(Terii, this would probably feel like SUMMER to you in Sweden!!!)

 

Forget summer. It's colder there than it is here right now. 52 F.

Terii

 

Might be my coldest ride ever.​

I surrendered. The rides were utter hell and I was creeping along. The only thing I was getting from the rides, other than slow, agonising miles was learning to hate my trike.

It was like a weight off my chest. It gave me space enough for a two day rest and my last ride was a good one even with 3 studded tires, high winds and gravel choked paths. Yep. Giving up the 1225 miles for the year goal was the best thing I could have done.

Terii

 

No worries. You still beat a substantial goal. Well done!!!!

 

A December daddy long-legs​

Merry Christmas all! Hope it's a day full of family and fun for each of you!

Got out for a ride today. Crazy winds and insanely warm. A daddy long-legs spider was crawling around on the outside of the garage door.

Loke and I did 11 something miles, his longest run since he was put on two weeks of strict rest for a mystery injury last month. An exciting moment was a near miss when temporary fencing around a construction site was blown down just seconds after we'd passed. Also had an especially hard gust fling a bunch of debris at us. Pebbles, twigs, dead leaves. The pencil sized stick jabbing me end first in the cheek was especially unpleasant.

Still felt good to get out. Maybe a better ride coming in the next few days. Somewhere AWAY from the local loops. Loke and I both are going stir-crazy.

Terii

 

Went out yesterday afternoon Christmas Eve. Short sleeves and shorts in partly cloudy 72 degrees F. in East Tennessee!!! Never in my entire life have I heard Christmas Frogs, but several ponds along the route were croaking like crazy. Expect +70 deg.F for next couple of days. Rainy today Christmas, but at least it's not frozen or even cold. Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays if you prefer, but without Christmas there wouldn't be a holiday).

 

Yesterday was a warm, sunny day which we spent with the HVAC repairman.
The record warm spell ought to have been handled by the central air, but it wasn't.
The repairman found holes in the CU. refrigerant lines, where two tubes had been rubbing...
and the repair was covered under warranty.

Meanwhile, a line of bicyclists passed our cabin... a very unique and memorable group of bikes:
First to pass were a couple of familiar vocal locals on their UCI uprights.
Next to pass were three Bacchettas, ridden by unfamiliar talkers: our dogs barked. THREE Bacchettas! That never happens. The middle recumbent had a very low seat angle.
Finally, bringing up the rear, was a local couple out on their tandem.
(Thanks to me, the road by our place is pretty gravel-free: you're welcome, whoever you are.)

Wow.

So, it's raining again and we're cool for Summer... but I missed an epic moment, a local bicycling event.
Oh well.

Happy almost New Year.

 

I did get out yesterday. It was sunny and 63 degrees. (Last warm day as the temperature is due to plummet in East Tennessee.) Got 20 miles in and I was smiling all the way.

I am using my new 1 up bicycle rack. LOVE IT!!! I can leave it on my Honda Pilot and even in the up position, I can open my tailgate. Which I had bought this one years before.

Here is a video of one.

 

Wow, for a minute there I thought the photo/video was a bike you owned...and thought when did Jon return to DF bikes???? I was getting scared there for a moment, our club founder leaving the group... what have ever caused that!? I read the post again and now know it is not yours...whew!

 

Windmill in Bromma​

I rode through Stockholm today! It was leg 4 of the Mälar Valley's Route as I decided to see the year out with a 'bang'. Wound up in the most dense part of the city, cycling on lanes barely wide enough for the trike, some of them flanked on both sides by car lanes. Fortunately traffic was light so I never had a car pass on Loke's side. Was a bit of an adventure.

Loke was a furry freight engine the entire way. Even when the road salt aggravated the skin where he had the infection enough that he started limping, he didn't want to stop. For the first 10 miles, the ride was great. No aches or pains and I felt strong. Then my right ankle decided to seize up. Took another 3 miles before I could find somewhere to stop where Jens could reach us which was a Challenge with a joint that didn't want to flex.

Still a nice ride. About 34 F, mostly sunny. Runestones, manor houses and lovely views along the Baltic. Not a bad way to see out 2015!

Terii

 

Sounds like you ended the year off perfect! Congratulations.