This morning’s shorter-than-normal MTB bike ride was a combination of solo riding and group riding. It was a solo ride to the coffee shop and a group ride from the coffee shop back to my vehicle.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
TRAINING RUN AND ESCORT CYCLING
My choices this morning was a group ride or ride alongside my wife while she did a training run. Those were my two cycling options this morning. Guess which one I chose! No contest, I might add!
Leaving our home right as the sun began to rise, we did a routine 4 ½ miler east to west and then back east through the shopping mall’s one-mile long parking lot.
Because today is President’s Day, hardly a car was in sight, only one county bus picking up a handful of patrons from Sears & Roebuck’s bus depot. We essentially had the mall’s parking lot to ourselves. That’s a good thing!
The beginning temperature was a comfortable 57F. One hour later, it had skyrocketed to 62F. Oh how we love our sub-tropics during the winter months.
Jan’s Stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/446729064
Bob’s Stats: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2247180
Sunday, February 16, 2014
US ROAD CYCLING 50-MILE MTB RIDE
“Don’t be afraid to love” That’s what was spray painted on the concrete surface of the New River Greenway where I stopped to take a photo. And I was totally unaware of the script until I uploaded the photos from my camera onto my computer’s hard drive. What are the chances of that happening?
Anyway, I left our home this morning around 6:30 a.m. with a particular goal in mind. That goal was to ride my mountain bike on trails and sidewalks for 50+ miles.
The specific route that I chose was generated by me using the web site, RidewithGPS.com. Satisfied with the route, I uploaded the course into my Garmin Edge 500, attached the small GPS unit to my mountain bike, and then away I went into the dark of morning when the temperature was reasonably comfortable at 46F. During the 50 miles of cycling, I don’t believe the temperature rose too much above 70F. It was a beautiful Sub-Tropical day in South Florida.
This 50-mile bike ride was relatively easy because of the cool temperature and because I stopped every 15 miles of so to reload my drink bottle. I also enjoyed a small snack every time I refilled the 20oz bottle. A well fed cyclist is a happy cyclist.
Bottom line is that my mission was accomplished. I’ll now post my ride and results online and then wait for US Road Cycling to mail me my February 50-Mile finisher’s medal.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
TRAINING RUN AND ESCORT RIDE
Janet
It is seven days until Disney's Glass Slipper Challenge, so I thought a seven miler was suitable for my next to
last training run.
Robert
While my wife did a Glass Slipper training run, I rode alongside her on my mountain bike handing her the water bottle upon request.
While out and about running and riding, we tested our new Nikon L28 digital camera. We tested both the still shots and video. We will give the small camera a grade of five stars out of five. I especially like the smaller size (than the Nikon L22) plus the instant video button on the upper right.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
WINDY MOUNTAIN-BIKE RIDE
Today was weight lifting day. It was also a rainy day. But once the pesky rain subsided shortly before noon, I wanted to get in some miles on my mountain bike for no other reason than to test the bike’s new tires.
Just yesterday, I installed new Continental Town & Country 26X1.95’s. These tires are not knobby tires as the originals, so I was anxious to feel the difference between the two.
There most definitely is a difference, a big difference. The Town & Country tires are much quieter than the Kenda Kwick tires. They also make for easier pedaling. The T&C’s are more of a city tire, whereas the Kenda’s were basically made for off-road cycling.
Now that I have new tires on the mountain bike, I’m looking forward to many miles of trail and sidewalk cycling.
Regarding my 2011 road bike, it’s time to put the Felt Z6 in the LBS for a complete overhaul. I just noticed that the bike's total mileage is 12,212. That's nearly half way around the world.
WALK AND WEIGHT MACHINES
We loved the 68F temperature and light sprinkle, not to mention the cool breeze coming from the west.
Because of the incoming rain clouds, we had to cut short our weight machine workout.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/444633773
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
MALL MTB ESCORT RIDE
While my awesome wife did a training run/walk around the block and in the mall's parking lot, I rode alongside her on my mountain bike.
We were a little late getting out the door this morning, so the mall's traffic was heavier than usual. No problem, we just zigzagged around all the early shoppers.
Monday, February 10, 2014
FIVE PARK MOUNTAIN-BIKE RIDE
To be honest, I wasn't planning on biking this morning. But then I remembered that Monday’s are for zapping zeroes, not Tuesday or any other day of the week.
So off I went into the wild blue yonder of South Florida, making up my route as I went on. I wanted a meditation type ride at an easy pace, so I aimed for nearly every noteworthy park in the Southwest Broward area. I think I got them all.
Monday being a work day, each park was nearly empty of people. Nice! There were only a smattering of bikers, joggers and walkers meandering on the trails, as well as an occasional mom pushing a baby stroller.
At one point, to get my bike and myself inside a particular park, I had to do some dirt and grass cycling. This happens when you get lost! I didn't think I’d ever get out of that quagmire of muck and grass. And then when I was riding out of another park, I almost lost it when the tires hit an unseen pocket of deep, loose sand. I was pleased with my quick recovery and unrivaled balance, though.
This was a fun ride in near perfect conditions. The temperature was between 71 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
I sure do love winter in South Florida!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
ESCORT RIDE–TRAINING RUN/WALK
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| Overlooking the Pembroke Lakes Golf Course |
After riding alongside my wife for five miles while she ran, I veered off on my own just to get in 100 miles for
the week. Near the end of the ride, I rode past Flanagan High School Falcons where my oldest granddaughter graduated.
This was an all parking lot and sidewalk ride. Perfect weather – 70F and foggy!
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| Posing next to the foggy lake |
Janet:
This was my first run after last weekend's Miami Half Marathon.
I'll also list this run as a training run/walk for Disney World’s Glass Slipper 10K/Half Marathon Challenge.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
WALKING AND WEIGHTS
I walked to and from the fitness center all by myself this morning. Not even the stray cats or the neighborhood ducks accompanied me. Solo was good, but I would've rather had my wife accompany me.
Once inside the gym, I did two sets on most of the upper and lower-body resistance machines. It ended up being a super workout.
The gym was nearly devoid of humanoids, so my weight routine flowed smoothly mainly because I wasn't interrupted and annoyed by people camping out and texting while on the machines. We've all seen those types in the gyms. I have always surmised that those kind of people more than likely texts during times of intimacy – if you can imagine that.
Enough said on that topic! Have a wonderful weekend!!
Friday, February 7, 2014
GROUP ROAD-BIKE RIDE
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| Robbins Park |
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| Greg, Ron, Rey, Stephen and Bernie. Not pictured is Sandy in the latrine. |
This morning’s road-bike ride involved riding with Sandy, Greg, Ron, Rey, Stephen and Bernie to the bagel shoppe and back, taking an entirely different route back to where my truck was parked.
It was good having Bernie back from Cape Cod, MA.
The early morning fog and cloud coverage made for a cool, relaxed ride. The average temperature was a comfortable 73F.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Group and Solo Bike Ride
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| Standing From L to R: Bob, Sandy, Ed, Greg, Christina, Stephen Sitting From L to R: Wally, Tom, Ron, Gary, Rey |
This morning’s ride was another ride that had a good mixture of road biking and trail/sidewalk riding. This morning’s bike of choice was my road bike.
I started out riding with Ed, Rey, Gary and Wally. Forget riding with the advanced group, their main focus is speed and nothing else. I’m into this biking thing for the fun of it, not to test my speed and endurance every time I saddle up.
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| Taking a break in Vista View Park |
After coffee and snacks, I rode with the same group as far as Boy Scout Road in Davie. It was there that I veered off towards the south and towards Vista View Park.
Not in the mood to climb Mt. Trashmore, I simply road through the park, crossed the canal, and then turned south on 148th Street – east on Sheridan – and then into the housing area that features an electric waterfall at
its attractive entrance.
After riding around the perimeter road in CB Smith Park, I then rode directly home. It was especially hot today, so the post ride shower felt exceptionally good.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Mustang Trail, Cedarwoods and More
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| Pembroke Lakes Golf Course in Background |
Group road-bike ride with both the slow and fast group!
Thank you Rey, Ed and Wally for allowing me to ride with you guys to the coffee shoppe. And thank you Sandy, Tom, Greg and Stephen for showing me the way home. Well, nearly to my home. We parted ways at Flamingo Road and Franklin Academy, at which time I added miles to my morning ride by cycling through Cedarwoods.
This morning’s ride was a nice mixture of road cycling and trail riding.
The average temperature was a comfortable 78.8 degrees F.
http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2211919#
http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2211919#
Sunday, February 2, 2014
LIFETIME MIAMI HALF MARATHON
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| On the steps of the American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL |
The ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon event is now called the Lifetime Miami Marathon and Half Marathon.
I no longer participate in this or any other running event, but Janet does. And I’m glad she does, because this event gave me an opportunity to ride my bicycle along the course while she and the other marathoners did their running and walking thing.
Even though I was not an official escort cyclist, I still managed to ride the entire half marathon course with the exception of the last mile or so. And I managed to ride alongside my wife from mile marker six to mile marker 10, being very careful not to get in the way of the other runners.
It was only when we spotted threatening weather did I make the decision to head towards the AAA Arena where our truck was parked. Riding a bicycle in the rain simply isn't my thing.
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| Somewhere between mile 7 and 8 |
I was proud of her 3:20 finishing time. The only blemish during the entire day was when the marathon folks ran out of half marathon medals at the finish line. How discouraging that must have been to the late finishers!
The marathon people promise to mail Janet and the other 1,500 back-of-the-pack finishers their medals in 10 to 12 weeks.
http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2210113
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/439695972
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