TRIATHLON OF SORTS: Weights, Cycling and Walking

In between light rain showers, I headed out towards Cedar Woods for a ride along the lake. Biking along the 1.3 mile long bike/running path was a delight. I spotted lots and lots of ducks doing their duck thing.

Had it not been for the rain showers, and the fact that I forgot to bring along a waterproof bag (sandwich baggie) for my cell phone, I would have stayed outdoors for more mile and smiles.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/294692897

Usual casual walk to and from the gym with my wife.

75 degrees Fahrenheit, mostly cloudy with a comforting breeze coming off the ocean.

http://www.mapmywalk.com/workout/255149804

SANIBEL ISLAND BIKE RIDE

We did something different today, my wife and I.

Early this morning, shortly after six o’clock, we hopped in our truck loaded with our road bikes and then drove across state to Sanibel Island, Florida. It was a good 2 ½ hour drive, give or take a minute or two.

After stopping for a quick breakfast at a McDonald’s off of I-75, and after applying sunscreen in the parking lot of the same McDonald’s, we then drove across the bridges from the mainland to Sanibel. It was a gorgeous drive across the waterway.

We both were in awe at the height and gradient of the first bridge. I can’t imagine cycling across a bridge as tall and steep as that one, but one day I’m going to do just that. My wife said that she’d pass on that ride.

After parking our truck in the visitor center’s parking lot, we crossed the busy street to begin our 26 mile journey on nothing but tropical-adorned bike paths. Except for the very north end where bike paths or lanes are absent, we traversed the island from one end to the other, stopping along the way to take pictures of the Gulf of Mexico and the people that were enjoying the beautiful day as we were. A nice young lady cyclist volunteered to take our picture while we stood next to the Gulf of Mexico. I love how bikers stick together.

On our return trip home, we stopped at a Denny’s Restaurant for lunch and desert - large salad for my wife and turkey sandwich for me! Regarding the ice-cream/strawberry/hush puppies/whip cream desert, I ordered it, yet we both dug into that scrumptious jewel like there was no tomorrow. We called it “Replenishing spent calories.”

It’s been a wonderful day in paradise.

Map of Ride

RAINY DAY BIKE RIDE

It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring! And while it was raining and the old goat was snoring, I was outside riding my comfort bike – with a different saddle installed on the seat post, I might add. I had a Serfas H.S.S. saddle that wasn't being used, so the first thing this morning I enthusiastically installed the cushiony beauty.

This was another one of those 95% sidewalk rides, where the only time I actually ventured out on the roads was when I had to cross from one sidewalk to the other. That and when I crossed over Interstate 75 on Sheridan Road and Stirling Road!

Our usual Friday group road-bike ride was cancelled due to the rain, so when my wife left for grocery shopping, I hopped on the old bike thinking that I’d just go around the block a time or two.

Well, needless to say, I got carried away. One or two blocks turned into a ride of nearly 21 miles.

At first it wasn't raining. But as soon as I crossed the interstate, the sky opened up with a vengeance. And we all know how that goes – once you’re wet you may as well keep on pedaling. I’m glad I did!

http://app.strava.com/activities/47357131

FAT TIRE BIKE RIDE ON SIDEWALKS

Not wanting to ride my road bike in traffic all by myself, and not wanting to ride my road bike on sidewalks, some of which are broken, uneven and missing concrete squares, I decided to break out my ’95 Sears Comfort bike. My plan today was to ride at least ten miles on nothing but sidewalks and bike paths.

First off, my alleged comfort bike is more of a discomfort bike compared to my Felt road bike. For starters, I can’t stand riding a bike with platform pedals. I cannot tell you how many times my feet slipped off the platforms.

Next is the saddle, or why don’t we rightfully call it the concrete block. If the world’s leaders would ever get serious about controlling the world’s run-a-way population growth, all they would have to do is insist that all the males sit on that damn thing for an hour or two a day. I’ll guarantee you, folks, we would finally witness zero population growth.

Anyhow, I ended up riding on nothing but sidewalks for a tad bit over fifteen miles. Notwithstanding the discomfort in my lower region, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. During the nearly two hours of riding, I did not come across one wanker behind a wheel. Everyone was courteous at the intersections and cross walks, a rarity in this region of the world.

Seriously, I am now in the market to purchase a decent hybrid bicycle for touring, something with 700 X 32’s tires or similar! During the days that I don’t road bike with my cycling mates, I would love to explore this county and the counties north and south of me. But the exploring would have to be on sidewalks and what few bike paths we have available. I don’t mind sidewalk riding at all, nor do I mind the slower speeds. I envision packing some foodstuff and rain gear on the pannier and then doing some 100+ milers.

One thing, though. The new hybrid would have to have a soft, cushiony saddle. That, my friends, would be my number one priority.

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1218885

SLOW/FAST BIKE RIDE

What do you have when you combine a slow bike ride with a fast bike ride? Answer: A moderately paced bike ride!

During the first 15 miles of today’s bike ride, I was either by myself or with Ed, my 81 year old cycling friend. Even though the wind was at our backs 100% of the time, we rode slowly, so slow that I believe I could have sniffed the rose petals while pedaling.

On the way back to the meet-up spot, I rode with Tom, Sandy, Greg and Stephen. Even though 100% of the return segment was against South Florida’s relentless southeast wind, we rode moderately fast.

So there you have it, I did some slow riding and some fast riding. All in all, it was a fun day in the saddle at any speed.

My snack of choice at the half way point was a power bagel. Did I have a premonition!?

Average Temp: 80.6F

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1216331

PLEASANT WALK + WEIGHT WORKOUT

With gym towel in hand and my favorite sleeveless shirt on, which happens to be an old 5K running event shirt from the late 1990’s, I began the short walk from our home to the fitness center for a routine weight-machine workout. As soon as I reached the lake area across from our gated community, I knew right then that I wasn’t about to walk directly to the gym.

I instead walked approximately three miles in and around our hospital and shopping mall’s parking areas, taking in the beauty and the relative quietness of the early morning. The temperature was a pleasant 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The 3-4 mph westerly breeze blew the cool misty air over my half-naked body, making the morning stroll even more pleasant. It was a perfect morning for a casual walk.

When passing by a county bus depot that’s located in front of Sears & Roebucks, I nodded, smiled and wished everyone sitting on the bus benches a good morning. Half of them held fast to their blank stares while the other half outwardly struggled to return my pleasing acknowledgment. I believe I’ll rename the bus benches the “gloom and doom benches.” Some of those people don’t know what they’re missing out on.

When passing by Petco, I was reminded that I need to purchase some small fish for our bedroom’s tropical fish tank. After recently merging all tropical fish into the living room’s 30 gallon tank, the smaller ten gallon tank sits empty of life. How sad!

Arriving at the gym one hour after leaving our happy abode, I ambled inside and immediately began pulling and pushing on every one of the upper and lower body resistance machines. One machine at a time, of course! Only one set per machine, but I do the reps until I cannot move the levers another inch. I feel that once the muscles are totally maxed, there is no need in doing another set. A number of people have different opinions on that issue.

Leaving the gym all pumped up and feeling great, I slowly walked another mile or so towards home. By then, the rising sun had burned off most of the morning mist, promising us that another blissful day in the sub-tropics was in the making.

Now if only I could get those bus-bench pessimists to see life as I see it. On the other hand, I have no idea what their life’s situations are.

Everyone have a blessed day!

http://www.mapmywalk.com/workout/252412506

DIVERSE BIKE RIDE

This morning’s bike ride included just about every kind of riding imaginable, some of it slow and some of it fast. Between the horse trails, walking paths, grassy knolls, broken sidewalks, residential streets, busy intersections, parking lots and the massive construction project along Interstate 595, finishing up with a good overall pace is next to impossible.

To begin with, I must ride on sidewalks for over two miles at an average pace of 8 mph just to get to the meet up spot. At one point, a school crossing guard safely gets me across the bumper-to-bumper traffic. 

And then there’s the solo ride from the car park back to home, which is another two miles at an incredibly slow pace. Counting those four miles, it’s just about impossible to (truthfully) log a ride with a decent pace. And I do include those four miles on all my rides.

Anyhow, I just wanted to hit upon the pace thing so my DM friends don’t think that I’m ET returning home on his antiquated bicycle. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (often referred to simply as E.T.) is a 1982 American science fiction film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg,

The average temperature during this morning’s urban ride was a comfortable 81F. The wind, which seemingly was always in our faces, was around 14 mph. A pesky wind velocity is fairly common in South Florida. Take away our wind, however, and this place would be one miserable place to live because of the heat and humidity.

This was a fun ride with Sandy, Tom, Ed, Scott, Greg, Doug and Stephen.

http://app.strava.com/activities/46808309

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/291846576