I'd never experienced the "bike ninja" scare before this morning. As I was groggily riding in the dark near the old Chili Greens golf course (simmer down, Fred), I could barely focus on what my light was illuminating 10 feet in front of me.
I looked to my left at the first signs of the sun undarkening the horizon and WHOOSH, some person on a bike with no lights flies right by me in the opposite direction. That woke me up better than most cups of coffee.
After I shook off the fear that the bike ninja was coming around for another buzz, I decided to put in some effort - ie do what they call an "interval." I picked up the pace till I was breathing faster than normal and held that effort till I hit an area that had many stops/starts. I pedaled lightly for a while, then on the next notable climb, I raised my effort again and continued after the climb for a while.
After the easy spin into the part time job and the subsequent bike builds, I had a formidable headwind to deal with on my way toward my full time job. The wind had a pretty chilly bite to it, so I used the direct headwind sections as recovery and went fast on the crosswind lengths. Nothing feels worse than going all out at 15mph into a headwind. It seriously messes with your mind.
I am happy to report after the longer ride this weekend and the harder efforts in commuting I've lost 5 lbs in a mere week. I imagine some of that is probably water weight, but at least I know now that if I put in the work, I can turn things around.
This weekend is looking iffy-ish. At least Saturday is not ride-worthy, in my opinion. Sunday will be cool with a Northish wind, so back up to Blair/Arlington/Canada we go. Of course I'll always agree to starting out at Wohlners at 10am, but if we want to meet somewhere else, I'm cool with that too.
15 comments:
Sorry about that Mike. I found out I can golf for free at Chili greens since it's closed. However I have to do it before dawn or UNO security runs me off. So I was in a hurry.
Well played sir.
How about Mexico? then somebody can just pick us all up.
I've done something like that before. On a 25mph steady South wind day, Randell and I drove down to Auburn, NE and rode the tail wind wave back to Bellevue. Average speed was a little over 20mph for the whole 60 miles. It was quite fun.
So are we done? Mexico it is?
Ahh man, I gotta work Monday... Mexico's out.
I'd be cool with driving up to Arizona, NE on Sunday and doing a tailwind/motopace ride again.
It'd be even cooler if you got somebody to follow you PRO style.
10am Wohlners????
Same as last week????
Good it's settled then.
Which way are you heading out of town? I'll probably hook up along the way.
Bryan, since it's going to be a crazy strong Northish wind, I'd think we'll head North first. But maybe I'm crazy? At 10am it'll be 45 degrees with a 20 mph North wind making it feel like 30 degrees. So bring lots of layers at the beginning to peel off as we go along.
just tell me which way you're going -- Keystone or Midtown -- so I can intercept.
I will be attending.
Bryan, it'll be NNW wind which would generally mean head the same direction as last week. If someone has a different idea, please post it, otherwise we'll stick with starting out on the Keystone again.
OK - I'll aim for interception on the Keystone like last week.
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