Archive for the ‘Cycling’ Category
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Ridiculously Beautiful Morning
Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
It is a ridiculously beautiful morning out there and I wish I could spend all of it on my bike. No time for photos … sorry! I logged just over 12 miles, but now I have to go to work. I’m hoping for a post-work ride later, too.
I’ve got a ways to go for both March Madness and my 2014 Napa Valley Tour de Cure.
Here’s hoping you get a chance to ride today!
The Luck Of The Irish
Monday, March 17th, 2014
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
We had a terrific weekend for cycling in Davis – loads of sunshine and warm temperatures, and just a bit o’breeze. The 2014 Napa Valley Tour de Cure is just 7 weeks away, so it’s time to start getting some longer rides in. March Madness is in full swing and I’m now about 2/3 of the way to my goal.
Saturday 80 miles, Davis, Winters, Vacaville, Winters, Davis. We rolled out to Winters on Road 29, out to Vacaville through English Hills and Gibson Canyon, then back to Winters via Pleasants Valley Road, and to Davis by way of Putah Creek Road and the Russell Bike Trail. That was about 68 miles, but I also did about a 12 mile warm up loop.
It was absolutely gorgeous out there, but I did not take a single picture. We got a little bit of a late start and I didn’t want to risk not getting back before dark.
We had a nice rest stop at Steady Eddy’s on our homestretch.
By the time we got home, we were pretty hungry. We had started talking dinner while we were still on the road. Salmon. Asparagus. Salad. That sounded like an awesome plan.
Wild King Salmon.
Roasted Asparagus.
Salad.
Never send me to the store to buy salmon when I am this hungry. I came back with enough salmon to feed an army. Though I bought only two filets, they were huge. As hungry as we were, we could eat only one! We nibbled on the leftovers throughout the day yesterday. For dinner last night, I simply crumbled the last bit on top of a light green salad. It was amazing.
Roasted Avocado
I was craving avocado, but none of my avocados were ripe. At $2.49 each at my local market, there was no way I was going to buy one. I have grilled avocados before, so I wondered about roasting one. It was interesting. Simply cut it in half, remove the pit, drizzle with a little avocado (or olive) oil, season with a little salt, and roast until softened.
This avocado was a little dark on the inside to begin with, so this is not the best photo, but it was very interesting and an idea I’ll try again.
Sunday 44.1 miles, Davis, Winters, Davis … easy spin, recovery ride. It’s a really good thing I didn’t venture further than that …
I stopped at Steady Eddy’s for water and a quick stretch and rest. As I was doing my usual Facebook check in there was a loud BANG! That all too familiar sound of a bike tire exploding just as a large group of cyclists was leaving. They checked their bikes, no flats. Then they started looking at everyone else’s bike to see who the lucky one was. They kept looking at my bike and futzing with it. I walked over to see what was going on and asked why they were looking at my bike, but then they found the exploded tire. Mystery solved. They left happy quite it wasn’t one of theirs.
Oh, dear ... not good.
I stayed a few more minutes, then saw the “lucky” cyclist. I was heading out, but wanted to let him know there’s a bike shop just down the block who could fix him up if he needed it. He wasn’t feeling so lucky.
Well, the luck of the Irish was with me because another cyclist happened to be there when all of the commotion happened and he stopped to tell me that on his way in he noticed this …
I am profoundly grateful that he pointed this out to me. I don’t think this tire would have made it home.
Funny. As I was leaving for my ride, I realized that I did not have my debit card with me, but I didn’t want to turn around and get it. “I’ll be fine! It’s just a quick ride.” I thought. So off I rode with just $39 in my pocket.
The Best Bike Shop in Winters!
So I walked my bike down to Mike’s Velo City Bike Shop in Winters. A while back I had to replace a tire mid-ride and it cost me more than $100. Now wishing I had turned around to get my debit card, I thought I might have to walk my bike home 20+ miles to Davis.
The luck of the Irish was with me. Mike’s Velo City Bike Shop fixed me up with a used tire and got me back on the road for $15.75. I was so, so thankful! I love this bike shop. They’ve helped me out before with minor mid-ride adjustments, flat tires, and other basics like this. I took my Trek in there for a full tune-up a while back and they did an awesome job.
So, a HUGE shout out to Mike’s Velo City Bike Shop in Winters!
Here’s wishing you and yours a very Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! May the luck of the Irish be with you!
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!
First Ride in the Dark!
Friday, March 14th, 2014This morning marks my ever first (intentional) ride in the dark. A little scary at first, but … wa-hooooo! That was fun!
I think I need a brighter front light. There may be some shopping in my future this weekend.
Now, must get ready for work.
Playing with Cereal
Thursday, March 13th, 2014
I’m bringing some treats to a team meeting at work tomorrow …
**NEW** Cycling Foodie Bars: Peanut Butter, Honey, & Oats
Whole Grain Apple Coffee Cake
That should help to fuel a productive meeting!
It’s been crazy windy in Davis the past few days. Here’s hoping the wind dies down a bit tomorrow so I can grab an after work ride. I might even try an early morning ride … we’ll see how brave I feel when it’s dark at 6:00 am.
Time Change, Schmime Change
Monday, March 10th, 20146:53 am and pitch black out. Oh, well. I guess it’s going to be cycling AFTER work rather than before for a few weeks. But probably not tonight due to rain.
Sigh …
March Madness, Days 8 & 9
Monday, March 10th, 2014
Day 8 … 81 miles – Davis, Winters, Vacaville, Winters, Davis.
Day 9 … 21.1 miles – an easy loop from Davis to Woodland and back.
Saturday, March 8th
I rode pretty hard, enjoying the rollers between Winters and Vacaville on Pleasants Valley Road. I really need to build up to hills again, so this is great practice. I love cycling Pleasants Valley Road – it’s beautiful, rolling hills, and usually it’s pretty well protected from wind when it gets very breezy. Yesterday the weather was perfect for cycling – not too cool, not too warm, not too breezy, not too sunny, not too cloudy. It was just about perfect.
I had a couple of quick rest stops at Steady Eddy’s in Winters. My first stop was just for water and a couple of Sports Beans, then I headed back out on Putah Creek Road with the intent of doing just my Lake Solano loop, but I was feeling so good when I got to turn, that I headed out Pleasants Valley towards Vacaville. Traffic was light (always nice when you’re cycling!) and there were quite a few other cyclists out (also very nice when you’re cycling) enjoying the day. I road out to Vaca Valley Road, then turned around to head back. I hadn’t really planned on this long of a ride and got kind of a late start in the morning, so I didn’t want to risk not getting back at a decent time. I was focused on cycling, so I didn’t stop to take any photos, but it was glorious out there!
Oat Cake - this will get you through a few miles
On my way back through Winters, I stopped again at Steady Eddy’s for a snack. I am quite happy to report that they do still have oat cakes. I filled up on water, half the oat cake, and headed back out. I chatted briefly with a group who was also headed back towards Davis. They were from Davis and Sacramento. I took off a few moments before they did, but they caught up quickly and then invited to to join them. They pulled me all the way down Putah Creek Road. It was nice! It was work to keep up, but it was worth it. I’m not sure what the correct cycling lingo is, but they were steady riders and rode in a straight line, not wambling all over the place, so I felt safe trying to draft off them.
By the time I got home, I had hit 75 miles. I needed some more water and was hungry again, so I filled up with water at home and snacked on the rest of my oat cake. I wanted to do a few more miles and my legs were feeling a bit tight, so I did a little loop just to spin and loosen up my legs. My total for the day was 81 miles. I made some good progress on my March Madness and training for my 2014 Napa Valley Tour de Cure. I felt good about that.
I was pretty hungry last night, and must confess to having a total “guy” dinner.
Steak and baked potato.
Steak
Potato
Of course, my steak was a lean cut and my potato had a little light Havarti cheese & fat free Greek yogurt, so it was really not too bad. Lots of protein and that’s what I needed. My eyes were bigger than my stomach, though. I had about half the potato and about 2/3 of the steak. I was going to have salad, but I was too full.
Sunday, March 9th
This morning a gentle recovery ride was in order. It was a beautiful morning for cycling – the air was deliciously clean and cool, very little breeze, with a nice cloud cover. I headed out towards Woodland, Road 102 to Road 25, then looped back Road 103, and back towards Davis.
Looking towards Sacramento
Looking towards Winters
I have spent the rest of the day …
Hanging with Tiger
Admiring my lavender.
Smelling the roses.
Checking other blooms
... and more blooms ...
Checking for a 4-leaf clover
Making a few new friends …
Luck be a lady tonight!
These ladies were very active ...
... exploring ...
... trying to hide ...
Camera shy?
Very happy for these visitors.
Oh, yeah, and a bunch of chores in there, too, not just play. I should probably get back to a few of those things that really need to get done today.
The rains are supposed to start again tomorrow, so I’ll pack up for the gym in the morning just in case. But if it’s nice … I’ll be … oh wait … time change … sunrise at 7:26 am? I’ll be at the gym in the morning, but maybe I’ll get to ride tomorrow after work!
March Madness, Day 7
Friday, March 7th, 2014
Sunshine abounds!
A lovely and breezy morning for a pre-work ride. 15.7 miles. I am chipping away at my meager March Madness goal of 500 miles in the month of March.
I’ve got a ways to go, but am making good progress toward my goal. March Madness is a GREAT training opportunity to get ready for a special ride like the 2014 Napa Valley Tour de Cure! Join me on May 4th – come ride the beautiful Napa Valley and help raise money for a great cause!
Click your heels together and join me in a little morning cycling meditation …
The wind is an excellent training tool.
The wind is an excellent training tool.
The wind is an excellent training tool.
March Madness, Day 5
Wednesday, March 5th, 2014
16.1 miles before work; no photos, just cycling.
It’s not too late to sign up for March Mardness!
March Madness is a GREAT training opportunity to get ready for a special ride like the 2014 Napa Valley Tour de Cure! Join me on May 4th – come ride the beautiful Napa Valley and help raise money for a great cause!
Share the promo code LUCKY (all caps) for a $17 registration rate! The code ends on March 17. Registration will not be this low again so take advantage of the code!