TOUR de WESTON/BONAVENTURE WITH WIFE

Tour de Weston/Bonaventure with my wife!

Instead of riding with our cycling team, Team Memorial, my wife and I chose to head out in advance of the peloton. Not wanting to stress out my wife by asking her to jump into a speeding pace-line at this phrase of her bike training, we both thought it best to do a twosome ride on a course that I prearranged by using RidewithGPS.

Well, for some unknown reason, the not-so-great Indian guide, me, steered us off the preplanned track. The end result was that we rode eight miles farther than we had planned. Or should I say, “As I planned?”

Anyway, we took a nice tour of both Weston and Bonaventure, two cities that lie just east of the Florida Everglades.

When the bike lanes ended, we knew we were in the City of Bonaventure. Back on the bike lanes, welcome to Weston. It was that simple to differentiate the two squeaky clean, manicured cities.

Even though we rode farther than what we had planned, neither of us was tired. For once, we didn’t have to make multiple stops and starts, which made for less effort while in the saddle. My average heart rate was only 100 at an overall pace of 13.26 mph. My wife’s average HR was 111. Healthy hearts beat longer – we hope!!

Nice easy ride this morning in beautiful surroundings.

Oh, my wife set a distance PR this morning when we finished our ride at 30.32 miles.

And please allow me to mention that today was my 21^st day in a row in the bike saddle, with plans on going out tomorrow morning for a ride along the Atlantic Ocean.

Until then, Adios mi amigos, have a great day!

Ride Stats
Distance:  30.37 miles
Time:  2:17:11
Average Pace:  13.4 mph
Average Heart Rae:  100
Elevation Gain:  78 feet
Calories Burned:  479

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/194219526

FRIDAY COFFEE SHOP RIDE

This morning’s bike ride, which was my 20^th day in a row in the saddle, began with me riding alongside my amazing wife while she did a short training run. She wanted to run a longer distance but couldn’t because of her work schedule.

I then met up with the cycling gang at our usual meet-up spot. There were six of us today! After chatting for a time, all six of us headed northward on Hiatus Road in beautiful downtown Pembroke Pines, Florida – the tree capital of the southern hemisphere.

Instead of crossing busy Flamingo road at Orange Drive like we usually do, we turned north towards Interstate I-595. While riding on the service road that parallels Flamingo Road, I took note of several monstrous bulls walking around behind the wooden fence that borders the narrow road, obviously looking for the perfect sprig of grass to eat. Wearing a bright red biking kit with a red bike helmet, I couldn’t help but be somewhat jittery while passing by.

Just short of I-595, we turned west and rode through a mobile home park. We then made our way across I-75 (a brutal 3% incline), stopping at our usual halfway break, the infamous coffee/bagel shop.

Some of the guys had coffee and bagels, I ate a package of cheese crackers and a small pack of almonds - washed down by watered-down Gatorade.

We took a different route on the way back to the barn, which allowed us to pass several young ladies riding horses in a fenced off area to our left. They appeared to be training the horses to slowly gallop while dodging various obstacles.

We then rode our bikes on an asphalt horse trail that runs along a narrow canal, rode though our usual residential neighborhoods, and then back onto busy Hiatus Road all the way back to the shopping mall.

Actually, I turned onto my street just prior to the shopping mall – calling out to Sandy S to have a safe return back to the barn and a pleasant weekend. The others in our original group of six were probably a mile or so behind us.

Ride Stats:
Miles: 32.54
Time: 2:23:33.
Average Pace: 13.6 mph.
Average heart-rate: 111.
Elevation Gain: 115 feet.
Calories burned: 726  

To quote Porky Pig’s favorite phrase, “That’s all folks!”

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/743667

6TH COUNTY PARK TRAINING RIDE

This morning’s bike ride was our 6^th county park training ride, and I have to say that it went much better than the first five mostly due to the lack of wind and the fact that my wife is getting in bike shape. We have tropical storm Debby to thank for the past few days of strong winds.

Discounting the ride to and from the park, which accounts for two-miles at a sidewalk pace of 8 mph, our overall park-riding pace was 13 mph. Even at that, much of the park ride is at a slow pace because of the curves, crossroads, etc.

I have nothing but praise for my wife who is making huge strides towards being a good cyclist. Still a marathoner, and still training for those long, grueling events, she continues to endure my bike training. Before long she will be kicking my butt – and bragging about it.

Weather this morning: 80 degrees, wind calm, sky clear. I love, love, love these beautiful sub-tropical days.

(This morning's ride was my 19th day in a row in the bike saddle)

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/193618475
http://app.strava.com/activities/11946812

SBW WEDNESDAY RIDE TO THE COFFEE SHOP

It’s frustrating to learn that after riding your road bike at a constant 15 to 20 mph, you find out that your overall pace was only 13.7 mph. I suppose when you figure in all the times that we have to slow down or stop because of the countless stop-signs, traffic-signals and vehicular traffic in general, one should not expect to achieve a respectable overall pace. It’s still frustrating, though!

Anyway, this morning was my sixteenth day in a row in the saddle. No biggie ‘cause a handful of those rides were nothing to write home about. However, a ride is a ride, so they all count.

This morning’s weather looked a mite ominous prior to our cycling group hitting the lanes, but we rode on anyway believing that any rain shower would be short lived – at least according to the weather radar. Three cheers for today’s radar, it was right on the mark.

The ride to the coffee shop was much slower than the ride back to the barn, even though we had the wind to our back when pedaling towards the multi-shop emporium. The reason for the difference lies in the fact that I rode back with faster riders, praying that they would spare my old worn-out butt by going slow. 

That didn’t happen, although our overall pace on the way back does not indicate a fast ride. The numerous traffic stops can take the blame for that. My average HR on the second half of the ride most definitely indicates a more intense effort, though – and my heart never lies.

http://app.strava.com/activities/11871324

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/193345513

COUNTY PARK TRAINING BIKE RIDE NO. 5

My wife and I may not be fast bikers, but we're good looking cyclists. Oh alright, so my wife is good looking and I look like an old mud hen on a sleek looking road bike. Hey, one out of two isn’t too bad.

The wind was brutal this morning. Blowing in from the SSW, Mother Nature’s breath was blowing at us at a steady 24 mph with gusts to 30 mph. I suggested that one way to beat the wind is to put the bikes in reverse whenever heading into it.

This morning was my 17^th day in a row in the bike saddle and my wife’s 5^th county park training ride. She achieved a personal best (distance) this morning when our Garmin’s indicated total miles of 27.58. I am elated with her progress. She’s pooped out!

Speaking of bike saddles, I give two thumbs up on my new Selle SMP/TRK bike saddle. My man parts, sit bones and prostate are still thanking me for the wise purchase.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention our total elevation gain. The county park has three bridges, all at an incline of 2%. (I know, 2% is wimpy) Anyway, after so many times over those bridges, our total ascent was 463 feet. 

Whoopee…

Ride via Strava and Garmin Connect:

http://app.strava.com/activities/11781713

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/193000899

WINDY BUT FUN RIDE TO COFFEE SHOPPE

This morning’s ride began as an escort ride, but when I was ready to give my wife some Gatorade, I noticed that I had forgotten to put the bottles on the bike prior to leaving home. My bad, so I quickly rode the one-mile back home, ran upstairs and retrieved the bottles, and then made a mad dash back to where my wife was – with plenty of fluid.

With my wife’s run over with, I then met up with my riding partners on the east side of the large shopping mall. We chatted for a few minutes and then the five of us headed northbound on Hiatus road in the general direction of the north pole. We never did make it that far, but we did manage to ride to the coffee and bagel shoppe in Weston, Florida, a manicured town just north of Davie and Southwest Ranches.

The wind coming back was noticeably horrible, 17 mph with gusts to 25 mph, but I told Sandy S that the wind can only make us stronger bikers. And who doesn’t want to be stronger, right?

http://app.strava.com/activities/11703877

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/192675585

WET, SHORTENED ESCORT BIKE RIDE

You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men! They often don’t materialize.

My wife and I had planned on at least a four mile run/ride, but the strong wind and rain sort of deterred our plan.

So after becoming soaking wet after five minutes into the ride/run, with me riding and my wife running, we continued on towards the nearby shopping mall and ducked underneath a doctor’s office overhang until the worst of the wet onslaught was over with. We then made a quick U-turn and continued on with our run/ride, but in the opposite direction towards home.

Honestly, we would have remained in the wind and rain had it not been for my smart phone that I unwisely placed in the back pocket of my Race Ready running shorts. The phone may be smart, but its owner certainly wasn't.

Now home and showered, we are going to juice some veggies and then delight in eating a wholesome breakfast together.

Couples that ride and run together in the rain and wind, juice together, eat meals together, usually stay together. I just made that up, but it’s close to the truth.

Have a Happy Sunday!

http://app.strava.com/activities/11607322

NEIGHBORHOOD SIDEWALK BIKE RIDE

This was strictly a neighborhood city sidewalk ride that had me occasionally leaving the sidewalks because a significant number of inconsiderate city-dwellers had their motor vehicles parked on the sidewalks, which goes against our city’s ordinance. But who follows ordinances anymore, right? I believe this is one of those regulations that is seldom addressed by law enforcement unless someone complains to the police department or the city’s code enforcement office.

Anyhow, vehicles that are parked on the sidewalks block small children from riding their trikes or small bikes on the sidewalks, forcing them to go around the parked vehicle onto the roadway. Our elderly must also swerve out onto the busy roads, chancing being struck by an unsuspecting, passing motorist.

Continuing on with my off-topic cycling post, if you wish to assess your neighborhood, or a neighborhood that you wish to move to, Saturday’s or Sunday’s are the best days. During the week, when most home-occupiers are at work, is not a good time to critique the area where you live. The reasons are obvious!

And why do I occasionally do sidewalk rides that are slower than molasses rolling uphill during winter months? I like to make sure that my area is maintaining its value. Should I spot multiple homes in disrepair during my rides, more than my last ride or rides, then perhaps it is time to hire a realtor.

Did I mention that I have ridden one of my bikes (or stationary bike) 15 days in a row? No? Well, I’m mentioning it now. But my short rides pale in comparison to Chris Greig who is cycling all the way from Fairbanks, Alaska to Miami, Florida all by himself, averaging 155 miles per day. No SAG support or buddy system, just all by his lonesome. 

I’ve nothing but praise for anyone that can accomplish such a feat.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/191981132

http://app.strava.com/activities/11555097

PARK TRAINING RIDE NO. 4

Around and around and around we go, where we planned on stopping, we didn’t even know.

Our last park training ride was listed as a 23-mile ride. So as soon as we got up to twenty-miles this morning, we figured that we may as well break the old mark and go for 25 miles. Mission accomplished!

Our training route, as documented by the below link, is nothing more than a circular road inside the 345 acre county park. Other than soccer moms and dads taking their children to summer camps inside the park, vehicular traffic is nil. That’s why we bike inside the park versus on our crowded roadways.

Have a happy day!

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/728368

MILES AND SMILES AND RAIN

After sitting underneath a park pavilion for nearly a half an hour attempting to stay dry during a sudden downpour, I finally reached my riding goal of fifteen miles.

Once I noticed light raindrops on the surface of the canal that runs alongside the park’s circular road, I knew that I best make a mad dash for cover. And the nearest cover was an unoccupied pavilion that still smelled of charcoal from this past weekend.

Within seconds, a monsoon of sorts hit the 345 acre county park and surrounding area. I could hardly see across the way where I heard children laughing in a nearby pavilion. Their summer camp activities had briefly been interrupted by the heavy rain.

No need for speed on this ride, just miles and smiles. And that’s exactly what this solo ride was, a few miles with many smiles as I realized just how fortunate I am to be able to ride a road bike at my age.

I’m continuously grateful for everything that I’ve been blessed with, perhaps more so today while sitting beneath that small pavilion listening to the rain drops strike the metal roof. Freedom, good health, amazing wife, incredible daughters, awesome friends, abundant food, and a beautiful home to live in are but a few of the things that came to mind.

Oh, and let me not forget about my two precious, rollicking kitty cats that add even more smiles to this old man’s face.

What are you thankful for on this magnificent day?

Total miles today:  20.4!  Total smiles during ride:  Countless!

http://app.strava.com/activities/11382425

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY

Today was my eleventh day in a row in the saddle - sort of.

From NOAA (National Weather Service): Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 82! Southeast wind around 14 mph with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

It has been raining since 7:45 this morning with no letup in sight. I think Kevin M. from the UK sent his Lancashire WAZ across the pond. Please, Kevin, take it back! LOL

Anyway, I did a round of weight machines in the gym and then jumped on one of the recumbent stationary bikes for 20 minutes. Boredom drove me off the motionless beast.

The weather people claim that this mess coming up from the Caribbean will be with us for the next couple of days. This is good news for our local ducks and gators, but bad news for us cyclists.

I want DRY!

http://app.strava.com/activities/11292574

DAY THREE OF BIKE TRAINING

Today is my tenth day in a row cycling! I’m on a roll – no pun intended.

This morning’s ride was another county park ride with my lovely wife. Despite the brutal wind that was coming from the northeast at 17 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph, we easily cruised around the park for 23+ miles. Most of those miles were done by riding around the main circular road inside the park. We measured the circular course and, thanks to our Garmin’s, we came up with 2.33 miles. That’s a lot of circling inside the park looking at the same scenery each time around.

Three of the 23 miles was accomplished by riding on sidewalks and inside our gated community – at very slow speeds not exceeding 9 or 10 mph.

This was day three of my wife’s bike training. My marathon wife is doing awesome on the bike!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/190632701

http://app.strava.com/activities/11195251

ESCORT BIKE RIDE USING WIFE’S BIKE

This morning’s diminutive escort bike ride was my ninth day in a row on a bicycle. No, I’m not shooting for any days-in-a-row record, it just so happen that I’ve had the opportunity this past week or so to saddle up every morning. It’s a wonderful way to begin your day.

With my Felt road bike lined up to take to the shop this morning for general maintenance, I rode my wife’s 1997 Bianchi Trofeo road bike this morning. Nice bike, but the seat was definitely too low for me. Knowing that I would be riding alongside her while she ran just for this one day, I didn’t want to mess with the seat’s height.

It’s now time for a hardy breakfast with my awesome wife and two kitty cats. Wait, the cats have already eaten, twice. First time was 4:30 this morning. How could I not feed two purring kitties, even at 4:30 in the AM?

http://app.strava.com/activities/11109091

SUNDAY INTERMEDIATE RIDE AT EXPERIENCED PACE

I wasn’t even sure if I was going to go outside and play on my bike this morning, but how could I not when the weather was so perfect, notwithstanding a stiff wind from the northeast at 14 to 17 mph? And of all the times for the wind to shift directly into our face, it was the last seven to eight miles of our 31-mile ride.

We had around twelve road cyclists in our semi-disciplined pace line this morning, mostly riders that are capable of faster rides but simply wanted to cool it for the day. Also, the ages of our group was quite diverse, from age 12 to age 89. Hooray and Halleluiah, someone rode in my group that was older than me!

This was another enjoyable ride with the South Broward Wheeler’s, a group of cyclists where even if one person gets stuck at a traffic signal, or caught up in traffic, the entire peloton stops and waits. Stopping and waiting is the only RIGHT thing to do!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/189922492

http://app.strava.com/activities/11034550

INTERMEDIATE PACED BIKE RIDE

This morning’s club bike ride, the South Broward Wheeler’s Intermediate Ride, was the type of ride that seemingly had zillions of turns, slow-downs and stops, resulting in an overall pace of only 13.4 mph.

But it was a fun ride, starting out with six riders and then lessening to three riders at the halfway point. The three that left the group had ridden their bikes to the Meetup place, so they finished their day’s ride by heading home on their individual bikes. The three that remained was me on my road bike and two ladies on their recumbent bikes.

We rode through manicured residential areas, business districts and golf course pathways. All were nearly void of vehicular or golf-cart traffic. We did occasionally have to cross a busy street or intersection, but even that wasn’t bad. It seemed as though everyone was biker friendly today.

With an average HR of only 109, obviously this was not the type of ride where aerobics was a priority. It was what it was, an enjoyable neighborhood ride where we could actually look at something other than the buttocks of the lead riders.

Then again, riding with two young ladies on recumbent bikes? Hum, maybe fast pace-line riding isn’t that bad after all. LOL

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/189481021

FRAGMENTED GROUP BIKE RIDE

I became somewhat disgusted with our group's leader after being left behind when I had to exercise caution in traffic - and when I caught a red traffic signal and he didn't.

I am through killing myself just to catch up with the group's leader and the group in general whenever I must use caution. And in the big city, that is often.

At one intersection, he actually yelled "CLEAR" while several motor vehicles were passing through. Had I taken his word for it, I would not be here posting this abbreviated ride.

Completely disgruntled at the entire situation, I turned around and headed home, which took several miles off my planned ride.

It is what it is and I have to do what I have to do – for my personal wellbeing.

http://app.strava.com/activities/10872621

DAY TWO OF COUNTY PARK BIKE TRAINING

This morning was the second day of our cycling training in CB Smith County Park. Day two was easier than day one for my wife.

On a comical note, if there’s anything humorous about a park ranger asking us to alter our cycling route, the route/course that we’ve been using for years, we were asked not to go inside the travel trailer section of the park. Evidently, only registered campers are allowed in that area.

We were cool with that, but we should have asked the Ranger when they plan on enforcing the 15 mph speed limit on all park roads. In reality, most, if not all, motorcars travel inside the park’s boundaries at speeds in excess of 30 mph – texting or talking on their cell phones. Remember the SUV moms that I mentioned in a previous post?

Anyway, I digress. Why befuddle park rangers that sit most of the day on golf carts with questions they won’t be able to answer.

http://app.strava.com/activities/10798935

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/188876368

WEDNESDAY ADVANCED RIDE

This morning’s bike ride was two rides in one.

The first and slower ride, best categorized as a warm-up ride, was 8.5 miles (shopping mall parking area), average pace 8.8 mph, average cadence 42, and average HR 92.

The second and faster ride, a group ride, was 30.0 miles (on roads with traffic), average pace 15.3 mph, average cadence 72, and average HR 132.

The only issue I had with this ride was with the bike’s original saddle, which has no cut-out in the middle. Needless to say, I did a bit of squirming around on that male-hating saddle! A new Selle saddle will soon come to the rescue.

Other than the saddle problem, this ride went better than expected. After all, I’ve just begun riding with the faster group during the weekday rides.

I’m taking note of my heart rate at specific speeds, noticing that as I train harder, my HR is decreasing when in particular speed zones. All of this hard work must be paying off!

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/711191

COUNTY PARK BIKE RIDE WITH WIFE

Summer is upon us and numerous SUV moms are bringing their kids to summer camps inside our county park. This means that a certain degree of danger now lurks on the roadways inside the park.

Oblivious to anything and everything other than their brats in the back seat and their cell phones in their hands, these monsters-of-the-parks have the potential of running down bikers and pedestrians. – and they probably wouldn’t even know they hit someone.

Anyway, Janet J (My wife) and I did a sweet twenty-miler at a leisurely pace, stopping every so often to take in water spiked with electrolyte powder. We entered the park early enough in the morning so that we would miss the suffocating heat and humidity of latter morning.

Nice ride with my best friend! We plan on doing more of these rides during the summer and early fall months in preparation for a north/central Florida biking weekend.

http://app.strava.com/activities/10644673

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/188267060

SBW MONDAY COFFEE SHOPPE RIDE

28 miles/11.7 mph average pace and the ride took more effort than yesterday’s 33 miles/15.1 mph average pace. And why is that?

The first four miles of today’s ride was done at an average pace of 6 mph riding alongside my wife while she ran and walked. The last mile of today’s ride was on sidewalks at a slow speed to enable me to get back home safely while riding solo. I seldom ride on South Florida roads unless I’m with a group, or at least one other biker.

In between the first four miles and the last mile was a lot of stop and go cycling – and a lot of catching up to the others because whenever I (WE) use caution at intersections, etc., which is always, we (Sandy S and I) had to play the game of catch-up.

And play the game we did. With around six miles to go when heading back to the barn, Sandy S and I took a different route, booked it for about five miles, beating the group back to the mall by a good ten minutes or so.

Bottom line; don’t mess with the dynamic duo! LOL

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/187994784

http://app.strava.com/activities/10583054

SUNDAY GROUP BIKE RIDE

I thoroughly enjoyed this morning’s ride.

I enjoyed today’s bike ride because no one was trying to race, no challenges, everyone remained in the pace line, and everyone practiced safe biking - not to mention that everyone was sociable - while biking and during our short break.

Biking with three other gentlemen and three ladies, we rode at a constant pace with one short break at mile seventeen. The temperature was tolerable and the wind blowing in from the east didn’t alter our pace that much.

Enjoyable ride, nice people, and everyone got home safely. I call that a good morning.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/187544004

http://app.strava.com/activities/10494710

CASUAL WALK & GYM WORKOUT

In the middle of causally walking just over two miles on this hot and humid morning, my wife and I ducked into the air-conditioned gym and did some weight machines, stair stepper and elliptical. Correction, I did the weight machines and she did the latter two.

Nice leisure walk along the lake, along Flamingo Road and through the hospital’s winding roadways and parking facilities.

It was a tad bit warm for my liking, but hey – this is South Florida. Most of us have the option of loving it or leaving it. We choose to stay!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/187103678

SBW Friday Coffee Shoppe Bike Ride

I started out this morning riding at a 10 mph pace around the mall parking area.  While on the west side of the mall, I couldn’t help but notice the long line of cars at our new Chick-fil-a’s drive-in window.  It was a surprise to me that a chicken fast-food joint serves breakfast.  Live and learn!

I then met up with Tom, Sandy S, Rey, Ed and Gary at our usual meet-up place, gabbed a bit and then headed towards the coffee shoppe in Weston. Sandy’s Garmin Edge began misbehaving, so I dropped back and basically rode with him most of the way to the feeding trough (coffee and bagel shoppe).

After re-grouping at the coffee shoppe and then replenishing what we burned the first twelve miles, Tom, Sandy S and I vectored off in a westerly direction heading for Weston’s notorious bike lanes. The other three rode directly back to the barn at a much slower pace.

From the coffee shoppe back to the starting point of this morning’s ride, the three of us maintained a pace between 16-22 mph. Had it not been for a blasted traffic signal that turned RED, we would have PR’d this one particular segment. We will keep trying, and one of these days we’re going to rule the roost on that specific road.

All in all, a nice 36 miler with super nice mates.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186825456

http://app.strava.com/activities/10354622

GYM WORKOUT

No big deal, just a typical gym workout on resistance machines.

Lovely walk to and from the gym today along the lake, a large body of water that acts as a tropical buffer between our housing area and the area’s shopping mall, medical facilities and hospital!

For whatever reason, or reasons, there seemed to be an unusual amount of butterflies flitting about along the bank. Or was it my imagination – after watching the movie last night “Blue Butterfly?”