One Year!

On 22 November 2010, I began working at the cannon. OF course I can't just be content with driving to work, so I began my usual form of commuting, on the bicycle. I estimate that I've ridden about 3500 miles in the area, over about 300 hours. (This is based on my garming connect account. allowing 1000 miles and 100 hours for rides in other locations, mainly the abq area).

It's been quite a year. When spring and longer days came, I began riding west and northwest, into the wind, when leaving the office. I saw many, many miles of farmland, cattle land, and flat to rolling terrain. I enjoyed going through the northern valleys, on dirt or pavement, and coming back on the highway from the north, through Ned Houck Park.

When the standard winds calmed a bit, I started riding south a little; one day to Oasis Park and back into town. Heading out the south gate gave me route possibilities that led to a loop ride, used on the weekly evening rides from the Quest building. I enjoyed the ride south, east, north, west, and south back into town. Made for a great evening activity. And this provided turns, and curves, to an otherwise straight road section of the state.

Even after a year, and that many miles, I still have unridden routes to do, destinations to reach, and friends to meet. I met a large group of folks, mostly non-cyclists, who come together to assist the Texas 4000 ride each year, with lodging, meals, and such. I've met a local who rides year round, and even crashes ocassionally, but gets back on the bike. I met a local mountain biker, who is getting into endurance series type races. I met a rider who wants to do every century in the state. I met some triathletes, who stay very busy with events in the east side of NM and west Texas. I met the Bicycle Guy, (local rqadio personality and bike shop owner). I met a kid whose bike was stolen.

I know there are many, many cyclists there that I haven't met. There are about 60 people on the CloviCycle email list. As the next year of my time in Clovis begins, I want to help more people ride bikes. I have set up a lunch ride schedule at the cannon, and I hope to formalize this with the base. (I actually saw a rider out at lunch two weeks ago, on the backside! I was driving.) How long will I be in Clovis? I don't know. It's danged tuff being away from family during the week, even though it's only 14 nights a month, max. Where will I be on 22 November 2012? Probably on a bicycle somewhere, riding to work, in the cold, thinking of Clovis, or Albuquerque, while I pedal, and smile!

Moo!     

Chilly Ride in Yesterday

I haven't yet discovered why I try to ride to work all winter. I've been doing some deep soul searching, looking for a speck of reason or sense, in this almost daily exposure to the early morning cold. Why? Yesterday, it was probably 23 degrees. I say probably because I don't have a temp system, I use internet sites, and I'm not always sure where the actual thermometer is located. I beleive it was cold though.

Clothing-
Helemet
full balaclava
helmet liner
100 weight fleet long sleeve
long sleeve team jersey
Sugoi winter jacket
tri shorts
Specialized winter bib pants
Specialized Primaloft "lobster claw" gloves with toasty liners
tall Smartwool sox
Specialized Defroster winter shoes (high top)

Did I get cold? The back of the pants breath, so I when I first got outside, the back of my legs were cold, but warmed quickly. Next my nose was getting cold (the only exposed skin was nose and mouth, eyes were covered with glasses). As body heat built, the nose stayed unfrozen. With the very warm gloves, I was still losing digits all the way in. A good arm swinging session helped ocaissionally. A few miles from the office, my toes starting going. Not a big deal since I was almost there, but that killer pain when when they come back was awful.

After all that, why do I insist on riding on the cold days of winter? Experiences like that make it even harder to decide why.

Moo

Wednesday Road Rides, Rain, Running ,...

...and other words that begin with R.

Wednesday road rides have been going. I was either alone, or with one other rider, but three different riders three different times. I'm not sure what cyclists do here on Wednesday evenings in the summer. I'll be changing this to Wednesday CX Rides soon. Yes, it's almost that time of year!

Today, I layed out a great little sprint course in the big city park. Stairs, dismounts for low walls, sand, pavement, and GRASS! All you can eat! I did 3 laps, rested, mafe it longer, did 3 more laps. Gonna be a long hard road to CX season.

Ran a little yesterday, legs a little sore today, as expected. I think that's why I wanted to do some CX dismount runs today.

 

Moo!

 

Three Week Blurr

First, a week off prepping for Cochiti 100. Got sick two days before the race, didn't have a good day, only Loop 1. Serioue sickness started next day, turned into upper respiratory roadblock. A week of Nyquil sleep, another week off the bike, and off to Kansas for the Dirty Kanza 200. Needless to say, it didn't work so good this year.

Barely made it to the first checkpoint, at 60 miles. Brandi kicked me out after a 30 minute break. Barely made it to the next checkpoint, the 100 mile point. Vianne kicked me out of that one. When the lightening hit at 131 miles, I knew I was done. I could not have finished the entire route that day. On the first leg, at about the 20 mile point, I knew it was over, for another year. Well, the other teammates are already making plans for next year, so I guess I'll have to go again. And maybe, the third times a charm!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Moo!

Go ride, quit reading senseless blogs!

Bike to Work Day

Had a great B2W Day coffee stop at the Bistro! Kirk, Carl, Mike, Joel, and Wayne, all rode over for a cup of Joe, on a beautiful B2W morning. Rode to rthe Cannon with Joel afterwards, he went too fast for me that morning.

Moo!
12 Days!

Scheduled Fun?

Completed week two, of my dedicated scheduled announced evening activities. I was alone again, for the Tuesday evening mtb training ride at NH. I actually had the mtb this week, geared a bit for the small amount of uphill, and had a blast! Since I started a few minutes earlier, I got in 5 laps of the 2.2 mile short track course. When I finished, I had a visitor. 
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/80488537

Kirk drove out, we finally met, and talked for a good hour about bikes, riding, and racing.

The Wednesday distraction was even better this, Carl came to run with me. It's been a long time since I was fit enough to run and talk at the same time, but he was ready to converse, and with long statements. I was good for a quick yes or no, or a quickly spat three word comment. It was another great evening out at NH. I wasn't near as sore the next day, as the Friday before. Definitely a good distraction.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/80488535

The Thursday Road/Dirt Road ride. I was almost late to the announced meeting intersection, didn't matter. I rode alone straight into the wind again. It was up around 25-35 again. I varied the route slightly, but didn't have to scribble notes on my arm with the Sharpee this time. The London rode just as good as the SX, and teh 42x16 actually was better also. In true SS fashion, I pedal the gear I have on the bike, and stand when necessary.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/80672546


Bike miles for the week was 56. Not many, but I think it's working. Only a 4 day Clovis week. Next week is a 5er, more miles, or something. One more week of the announced schedule, and then a week of sea level training (if I get time to do anything it will be running on those awesome swampy trails at ranger camp).

Moo

Plywood Wind

I guess I made up that description, or name. Yesterday was one of those days with DANGEROUS winds forecasted, and delivered. Dangerous is gusts to 60 mph, sustained of 35-50. So, what do you do on a day like that? You ride your bike!

I had announced to the Clovis bike list that I would be mtbing on Tuesdays at Ned Houk, trail running at NH on Wednesdays, and a 20-40 mile road or dirt road ride on Thursdays. Tuesday was great, one easy lap of a 2.2 mile course, then a fast four laps. Wednesday was a great day for a distraction from bikes, and the trail run was just what I needed. 5 miles, and I'm still sore. It's been a few months since I ran last. And next came the promised ride for Thursday.

The wind predictions started on base on Wednesday; this sounds serious. Having been here for a couple of months, I've noticed that the winds will usually subside a bit or completely, by 5 pm. Even the high predictions will settle a bit. So, with all the wind predicted to be from the west, I rode straight into the 15 mph wind on the way to work, and planned to follow my ride announcement after work.

YES! The plywood wind settled to 25-35 out of the west, by time I left the office at 530. I rode to the meeting intersection, and waited for anyone else, until the 6:00 pm departure time. I left at 6:02, and turned into the wind, for 8 miles. Nice, mostly hard packed dirt road, then turned right, left, then tail wind east for 8 miles!. It was a great ride, and I consider it an 8 mile climb (with my wind hill theory). A great 35 mile ride, and on the DANGEROUS WINDS day.

Plywood wind? Well, after watching all types of items flying around out here, I think plywood would launch around 50 mph. Maybe I'll test that someday, if I decide not to ride.

Now I'm thinking I should run a little today, to get rid of that soreness from my random running.

Moo!

Well, Not Too Many Miles This Week

I rode in Tuesday, and when I left the office, I got cold, and went to my cave. So, only around 28 miles for that day. Wednesday, I didn't feel too good when my alarm went off, so I lazied out and drove to the office. Thursday, rode in, and took a nice long route home, 41 miles, lots of dirt roads,and many road miles.

83 miles, a little over 5 hours. I guess it wasn't too bad for two days. But I feel like I'm running a little short on long rides (that could be funny). And I do try to abide "train smarter, not longer", but I like long rides!

My garmin file for the evening ride today-
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/76427037
Moo

My Fugitive Motel Room

How many miles can a Cow ride in three days,  and work? We'll see in a couple of days! Wind, temperatures, and I'm still tired from SYDC. Maybe a new picture or two...

Moo!

Longer Days, Longer Rides!

Had a nice long ride back to my fugitive motel today. Sun sets around 7:45, left the cannon at 5:30, headed north and east on the dirt roads. I rode many of the trails at Ned Houck park.

Details? Check it out at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/74764339

Moo!

On the ride home.

At the end of what turned into singletrack while exploring new dirtroads on the way back to my fugitive hotel room. Still had a few miles of dirtroad to go.

Chris

Ride home today.

Somewhere on many of the dirtroad miles after work.

Chris

Great Riding Weather This Week!

I think it hit 70 every day this week, and close to 80 today. I didn't get to ride much, work got in the way. But I did get in 95 miles this week, and most of that was on my "Roubaix Road" that I use for commuting. Roubaix Road is about 8 miles of farm dirt road, meaning not many normal vehicles use these roads. It's very rough for a dirt road, and the London vibrates constantly. I'm running my road tires (25c) at 80 psi, so the ride is rough, but the bike still cruises good. I would run lower pressure for more comfort, but I don't like the squishy feel.

I've mastered my dog races also. A "pre-fab" home in the middle of the ride has three dogs. Two are mostly curious, but one comes at me, making al the "I want to eat you" noises. He's fast! Cruises with me around 25 mph, for a short distance. I can stop pedaling and coast, with him right next to me, watching him drop off. In the morning, I normally have a descent headwind, trying to outrun the dogs, which takes a bit of effort. Evenings are the tailwind past the dogs, but I think they are affected by the wind too.

Moo

112.96

That number would have been higher, but work gets in the way. Three days- hills, intervals, dog races, and riding to and from the cannon, mostly fixed at 42x16. Had a great week out here in west texas (ha). Next ride will be in abq saturday morning. Yes, I'll put the 18 back on for that!

Moo!

"I only need one gear to go slow!"

78 Degrees Today!

Amazing, beautiful day. Rode in this morning, yelled at all my cows. I've got my dog sprint races down now. After stopping to make friends twice, they still aren't interested in anything but chasing.

Yesterday, I did the Bridges lunch ride. A complex system of a figure eight along the train system. Out the front gate, in the back gate, about 25 miles.  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/68512711

Jusst as with all the temperature fluctuations of late, I don't expect this summer weather to last. But, I'll be enjoying the reprieve while it exists.

Moo

Ahh! A 43 degree lunch ride, a 50 degree lunch ride, and on Friday it was around 63.

It's amazing how the weather has been flip flopping from cold to danged nice, and in a matter of a couple of days. Next week, I've heard of a prediction of a Tuesday high of 23. I guess I should take the rollers with me for the long five day week (my first one since before the holidays).

I had made a decision to ride to work all three of my "rideable" days next week. Well, we'll see what the weather brings.

Summer-Winter- What Next?

My three day week in Clovis has been interesting. Wednesday, at 68 degrees, I added to my savage tan that I started in El Paso on Sunday, at the Puzzler. Thursday, I had icicles on my bike, as it laid in the car all day. Today, what will the lunch ride time frame bring? 30 degrees? 70 degrees? Wind at 50?

I'm sure spring will be approacing, and if like ABQ, wind will be the norm. But I'll be ready for wind this year, after riding here for a few months.

Brrrrrr!!!!!!!

Glad I'm not in town this week! The lunch rides would be cold! High of 26 today?

Moo