OASIS AMOUNG THE THRONGS OF HUMANS

Often hidden among our rapidly growing human population, which is currently at 5.8 million and growing, South Florida has a smattering of scenic oases filled with sub-tropical fauna that can be seen only by slowly riding a bicycle or by taking a stroll on our myriad of concrete sidewalks.

I’m seen standing at one of my favorite locations in Broward County, a county that has the deplorable reputation of being non-bike and non-pedestrian friendly. Ours is an air-polluting car culture! On average in our county, there is one bicyclist and two pedestrians struck by automobiles every day.

LACK OF POSTS

Absent from our fitness blog are the last three months of routine exercise posts. I guess you can say that I became overwhelmed posting all that we do in regards to exercising, running and cycling. So often, time is at a premium.

No promises, but I'll do my best to continue posting our daily workouts.

Solo Plus Group MTB Ride

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.

 

 

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2253003

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

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.

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2244449

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.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/445398528

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.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/445415716

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.    

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2236565