CYCLING IMPROVEMENTS

The bike rides seem to get longer and longer and the average pace faster and faster.  Does this indicate that there has been some improvement in my bicycling?  I think so!  

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my awesome wife who seems to have a knack for keeping up with moderate-speed pelotons despite her lack of bike training. 

Case in point was Saturday’s Team Memorial 101’s 30-mile tour through much of Weston, FL.  With an average pace of 14.9, my wife had no difficulties whatsoever keeping up with me or the group, even after we left the peloton eight miles shy of the ride’s end.

With a tad bit more training, I'm confident that she would be riding with the experienced 16 to 18 mph group in no time.   

While pedaling my Felt Road Bike yesterday for nearly 41 miles with one short break, maintaining an overall pace of 15.9 was no problem.  Overall pace takes into consideration stop signs, traffic signals, sharp turns or whatever else may slow the pace line.   

To be fair, though, let’s contribute some of that to overcast skies and proper hydration.  It’s a world of difference cycling in bright sunshine versus cycling under protective cloud coverage.  The direct sun seems to sap much of my energy, whereas cloud coverage offers some relief from South Florida’s intense heat and humidity.

Today is Monday, a needed rest day from cycling.  After biking for five days in a row, a total of 142 miles, today we will concentrate on strength training and maybe some walking and running.

Cycling shall continue Wednesday!

Yesterday’s South Broward Wheelers Experienced Ride:

CYCLING ON THE BOARDWALK

What a wonderful way to witness the rebirth of our sun, biking along the Atlantic Ocean on Hollywood Beach's beautiful boardwalk. 

This particular photo was taken shortly after the sun had risen, giving us daylight to continue our fourteen miles of smiles and good conversation.

 

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SBW SUNDAY EXPERIENCED GROUP BIKE RIDE

I almost made an about-face when I learned that Sunday’s “Wheeler’s” ride would not include an “experienced group” ride, only an “advanced group” ride. You see, the advanced cyclists pedal a tad bit faster than this old codger is accustomed to. The experienced pace of 16 to 18 mph is an acceptable pace for my skill level, but an average mph pace of 18 to 20 would have been pushing the envelope.

When I mention pace, I’m talking about an average mph pace for 35 to 40 miles. Average pace takes into account the ruthless head wind, annoying traffic signals, occasional inclines, vehicular traffic in general, as well as slowing to fill the gaps generated by those who may be struggling to maintain that pace. Had I blindly leaped into the advanced group, I more than likely would have been one of those back-of-the-pack stragglers.

But as good luck would have it, despite the advertised group leader not being able to attend, eight of us formed an experienced group and then headed east and then immediately north on Hiatus Road from our starting point at Hiatus Road and State Road 84. Our interim group leader had in mind a perfect course for our esteemed group to tackle.

Our group included five men and three ladies of all different sizes and shapes. Not one bike was alike, nor were any of us wearing similar jerseys. We were a multi-shaped, multi-colored peloton taking up the entire right lane whenever and wherever the volume of motor vehicle traffic allowed. Whenever traffic was dense, we would form a single-file peloton while hugging the right shoulder. Safety was our primary concern throughout the ride.

Finishing up our ride heading southbound on Hiatus from Sunrise Blvd. at 20+ mph was quite a push for this weary cyclist, who had ridden the previous three days and was somewhat drained at the onset. Pride and determination, along with a bit of stupidity, kept me in the lead group coming into the finish of yet another satisfying ride with the South Broward Wheelers.

Sunday was my second Sunday ride with the Wheelers and I’m already looking forward to next Sunday's ride.

[Click on "View Full" and then click on "3D Flyover Video" to get an areal view as if you were following us in a helicopter.]

TEAM MEMORIAL 2.0 SATURDAY RIDE

This morning's bike ride was a typical Saturday morning ride with Team Memorial 2.0 and 101.  Best guess, we had something like 10 to 12 bikers this morning split into two single-file pelotons.

What made this ride somewhat different from most Saturday morning rides was the amount of alligators spotted in the canal that runs alongside Interstate 595/State Road 84.  In all, I counted 11 gators swimming on the surface of the murky water.  

This morning was a perfect day for biking, but not a good day for swimming.

[Click on "View Full" and then click on "3D Flyover Video" to get an areal view as if you were following us in a helicopter.]    

2011 COUNTRY MUSIC HALF MARATHON

Driving from South Florida to Tennessee using I-95 and I-26 can be a huge bore. That is up until you switch from I-26 to I-40 in the Asheville, North Carolina area. Only then does the boring, sleepy drive improve to AH’s, OH’s and an occasional “Isn’t that awesome?”

But the long, tiring drive was every bit worth the fifteen hours sitting behind the wheel of a new 2011 rental car. Double and triple those miles would have been worth seeing and visiting my youngest daughter and granddaughter who live in Sevierville, Tennessee, the western gateway to the Smoky Mountains.

Additionally, I would have traveled twice that distance to temporarily leave the land of Bongos and Castanets for the land of Fiddles, Banjoes and Guitars. Or is that pronounced “Gee Tars?” Listen, I’ve nothing against the bongo and castanet sound or its culture, it’s just that I prefer mountain music over Latino musica.

Anyway, a one day and two night stopover in Sevierville, which included a tour through the Smoky Mountain Glades shopping area and a tour of Sevierville’s main library, preceded our five hour drive to the host city of the Country Music Marathon, beautiful Nashville, TN.

The “music city” is where we ran and walked the Country Music Half Marathon on a gorgeous spring Saturday morning. It was there that my oldest daughter, Lynda, was sold on running events in general. She had a blast, and so did my wife and I.

From the hollows of downtown Nashville to the outlying rolling hills in the residential areas, the entire 13.1 mile course had it all. The crowd support was superb and the bands and cheerleaders at every mile were entertaining. Never did we feel detached from the vibrant city that welcomes each and every runner and their families with open arms every April.

And what can we say about a post-marathon concert headlining Montgomery Gentry? Sensational, that’s what! “Her and King’s County” opened the festivities and “Montgomery Gentry” closed it out, with the marathon awards ceremony taking place in between both phenomenal acts.

Sunday morning found us driving back to Sevierville for another short overnight stay with Diane and Cyndie. Time constraints and Disney World reservations prevented us from staying longer. Besides, it was back to work Monday morning for my youngest and granddaughter.

If you’ve never visited Walt Disney World’s Epcot during the spring International Flower and Garden Festival, you simply must make plans to do so in the future. If there is a heaven on earth, Epcot is it during the festival. Our visit to Epcot on the 3rd day of May was our third visit this year.

They say that all good things eventually come to an end and that memories are forever. Isn’t that the truth! One day after we returned to South Florida, Lynda had to leave for home.

But first, driving through Florida would not be complete without stopping at Tina's home in South Central Florida.  Thank you, Tina, for hosting we three and laying out a delicious spread of food.  You are the best!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3UBtSBFnOw

EGG HUNT DUATHLON

Despite not finding any eggs during the day-before-Easter Egg Hunt Duathlon in CB Smith Park, I thoroughly enjoyed the hunt for a personal best for the distance.  Of course, having one of my daughter’s present, as well as my wife, motivated me to travel the distance faster than I should have. 

Knowing better not to run the entire distance because of knee issues, I set aside my common sense and replaced it with false pride.  And my un-cool choice to run instead of speed-walk did take its toll in the way of both knees and my lower back.  With a half marathon on the horizon in one short week, in Nashville, TN of all places, I should have known better.  We live and learn, do we not?  Or do we? 

Again, there were only two of us in my 70 to 74 age group.  And again, just like this season’s first duathlon in Tradewinds Park, I took second behind fast Frank N.  Even if I went back to my prime years, I would have never been able to beat Mr. Frank.  Knowing this, why, then, do I run instead of walk the running portion?

It is very difficult to give up what you were once very good at.  The transition from fast to slow is agonizing.  

Anyway, the bottom line is that my Lynda enjoyed witnessing her first ever participation event.  Along with watching her father run and bike, she couldn’t help but notice all the ultra-fit gentlemen swimming, biking and running – and afterwards when they were receiving their free massages and food.

Lynda had fun, my wife enjoyed watching the entire multi-sport scene, and I came home with another medal to place on our crowded medal rack.  I call that a good day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbgNg2l8NRo