32 miles in 2:20 on the Bianchi
I am starting to have a mental block about biking the American River trail. When I lived in Rancho Cordova, I couldn't get enough of the trail, but now I have to talk myself into it. Something about just going miles in the same direction, then turning around and backtracking does not appeal lately. I have a couple of alternate routes I wouldn't mind trying out, but I don't know how the water situation is and don't want to get stranded with empty water bottles miles from home.
So, to CSUS, east on the bike trail for 10+ miles, then turn around. Today's experimental energy bar is a Protein Plus(?) peanut butter chocolate bar. A tad heavy, but otherwise pretty good.
I'm wearing my Long's special over the frame sunglasses until I can afford to get prescription biking sunglasses. Unfortunately, they are a bit small to fit over my current glasses, so I'm wearing them over an old pair. The combination of an old prescription and the pinching on my temples is giving me a headache and making me a little nauseated and I decide I will go back to my little clip on shades for now.
I'm starting to recognize some of the other cyclists on the trail and gave/got a few friendly nods as we passed each other going the other way. I feel so special!
July 28, 2009
July 27, 2009
Ride Report 7/26
Partnered ride, 50 miles in 4:45 (including all breaks) on the Bianchi
When last we left off, today's ride was to be about the same length as last week's partnered ride (41 miles) but with some hills. We join the American River bike trail at the usual spot (the Guy West bridge at CSUS) and head east. My form is not bad today and apparently the few minutes I was able to stay upright on the rollers may have helped straighten me out. Unfortunately, for most of the ride I forget to watch the trail up ahead rather than the patch of road directly ahead of me. When I remember to look ahead, steering/handling comes much more naturally. The raised seat on the Bianchi has been causing grumblings from my lower back, so it has been moved forward on the rails to shorten my reach.
Around 17 miles into the ride, the idea of at least wading in the water starts becomes irresistible, and T heads toward a good stopping point at Lake Natoma that unfortunately involves going up the "suicide hill" (because I want to kill myself at the thought of tackling it) on Hazel Ave. I arrive at the top wheezing and feeling like I'm about to throw up. I actually make it down the other side without injuring myself (or anyone else), but I discover riding almost completely horizontally with my hands on the drops (lower handles) puts a bit of a strain on my neck.
At the midpoint, I waste no time getting into the water. After being reassured that riding back in wet clothes may be uncomfortable but won't actually damage anything, I swim for a couple of minutes in very cold water. One of the geese becomes very interested in my Odwalla banana nut bar, and when I try to stand up for my rights, she hisses at me, so I beat a hasty retreat.
On the way back, I curse every hill we ride, and I have to dismount to walk up the hill to Hazel Ave. My dip in the lake helped me a bit, but by the time we are around Hagan Park, I am flagging. My feet hurt, my toes are numb, my elbows ache, and the webs of my hands have not-quite blisters developing. I realize I will need to get biking gloves, preferably gel padded. T quizzes me about where my feet hurt (on the outside)and tells me I also need to get wedges for my shoes that will correct my tendency to put weight on the outside of my foot.
For a short while, I attempt drafting behind T. This is one rider benefits from riding in the slipstream of the front rider. To do this, however, you have to be right behind the cyclist in front of you. Like one foot or less behind him/her. When I finally get close enough, I find it hard to watch the road and the bike in front of me. I'm too tired to concentrate, so I drop back.
On the top of the hill at mile marker 22 on the trail, we pass a barking coyote, which leads to speculation on why it was out in daylight and why it was barking. Added to a suicidal ground squirrel, a homicidal goose, cartoonish quail, and mourning doves too lazy to fly in the afternoon heat, it's been a wildlife-filled day.
I manage to muddle my way home without falling over and get patted on the back for accomplishing something few people can (or really would want to) do: biking 50 miles and still able to stand at the end of the ride. It would be a greater victory if T's mileage total for the day wasn't 80.
When last we left off, today's ride was to be about the same length as last week's partnered ride (41 miles) but with some hills. We join the American River bike trail at the usual spot (the Guy West bridge at CSUS) and head east. My form is not bad today and apparently the few minutes I was able to stay upright on the rollers may have helped straighten me out. Unfortunately, for most of the ride I forget to watch the trail up ahead rather than the patch of road directly ahead of me. When I remember to look ahead, steering/handling comes much more naturally. The raised seat on the Bianchi has been causing grumblings from my lower back, so it has been moved forward on the rails to shorten my reach.
Around 17 miles into the ride, the idea of at least wading in the water starts becomes irresistible, and T heads toward a good stopping point at Lake Natoma that unfortunately involves going up the "suicide hill" (because I want to kill myself at the thought of tackling it) on Hazel Ave. I arrive at the top wheezing and feeling like I'm about to throw up. I actually make it down the other side without injuring myself (or anyone else), but I discover riding almost completely horizontally with my hands on the drops (lower handles) puts a bit of a strain on my neck.
At the midpoint, I waste no time getting into the water. After being reassured that riding back in wet clothes may be uncomfortable but won't actually damage anything, I swim for a couple of minutes in very cold water. One of the geese becomes very interested in my Odwalla banana nut bar, and when I try to stand up for my rights, she hisses at me, so I beat a hasty retreat.
On the way back, I curse every hill we ride, and I have to dismount to walk up the hill to Hazel Ave. My dip in the lake helped me a bit, but by the time we are around Hagan Park, I am flagging. My feet hurt, my toes are numb, my elbows ache, and the webs of my hands have not-quite blisters developing. I realize I will need to get biking gloves, preferably gel padded. T quizzes me about where my feet hurt (on the outside)and tells me I also need to get wedges for my shoes that will correct my tendency to put weight on the outside of my foot.
For a short while, I attempt drafting behind T. This is one rider benefits from riding in the slipstream of the front rider. To do this, however, you have to be right behind the cyclist in front of you. Like one foot or less behind him/her. When I finally get close enough, I find it hard to watch the road and the bike in front of me. I'm too tired to concentrate, so I drop back.
On the top of the hill at mile marker 22 on the trail, we pass a barking coyote, which leads to speculation on why it was out in daylight and why it was barking. Added to a suicidal ground squirrel, a homicidal goose, cartoonish quail, and mourning doves too lazy to fly in the afternoon heat, it's been a wildlife-filled day.
I manage to muddle my way home without falling over and get patted on the back for accomplishing something few people can (or really would want to) do: biking 50 miles and still able to stand at the end of the ride. It would be a greater victory if T's mileage total for the day wasn't 80.
July 25, 2009
Roller Ride 7/24
After fasting overnight and then getting poked and prodded at the lab, I don't have much time in the afternoon for a ride, so I decide to try out the rollers T dropped off for me to work on my balance. I set it up in a doorway, as instructed, so that I could catch myself with my shoulders if I tipped over too far. When I first got on the bike on the rollers, I couldn't let go of the door frame without losing my balance. Then, something clicked and for a few short minutes, I caught the trick of looking ahead of me instead of down at the front tire. Then, I overbalanced and the front tire went off the roller. I was intending on doing at least 30 minutes on the rollers, so I got back on the bike, which promptly went sideways underneath me and I came down on the roller frame just below my right hip. That pretty much finished my first ride on the rollers.
July 23, 2009
Blood Donation Day
6 miles roundtrip on the hybrid to/from my blood donation appointment. That is all the riding I intend to do today. I notice on the way to BloodSource that I have developed the habit of narrating my rides as if I were a character on Scrubs.
July 22, 2009
Ride Report 7/22
Timed interval ride of 14.97 miles in 1:11 on the Bianchi, 3 sprints of 2.5 min each
The first sprint is pathetic and I barely go over 18mph. The second, I manage 21mph for a brief period. The third I keep steady at about 19mph.
On the way back while coming to a stop at a light, either my foot or the bike slips in a puddle and the poor Bianchi falls over on its side. No flats today, though.
The first sprint is pathetic and I barely go over 18mph. The second, I manage 21mph for a brief period. The third I keep steady at about 19mph.
On the way back while coming to a stop at a light, either my foot or the bike slips in a puddle and the poor Bianchi falls over on its side. No flats today, though.
July 21, 2009
Ride Report 7/21
30.5 miles in 2:45 (including changing flat #5 this week [this has to be some kind of record. I await your call, Guinness Book of Records] and collapsing for a break at mile 28) on the Bianchi
My feet and hands ache. My elbows and shoulders are stiff. My calves feel like rubber bands when I walk. Why am I doing this again?
I replace the spare tube and CO2 cartridge in the seat wedge in case my flat tire jinx continues. Today, I am staying on established bike paths and city streets. Around mile 5, I see something stuck to the front tire. When I stop to check it out, I discover it is a thorn. The front tire still has almost full pressure, so I decide to ride it out for an optimal tire-changing location. The tire still has probably 3/4 pressure when I find a nice shady spot in Old Sacramento to make repairs. I replace the tube in about 10 minutes and I'm on my way again.
On the surface streets, I average 15-16 mph. On the bike paths, I average 17-18 mph. At the turnaround point at Watt Ave, I have to get off the bike to soothe my whining feet. Today has been such a struggle at some points that I finish the ride by looping through Sac State and home. I have to get home to meet a prospective adopter for my foster kitten.
My feet and hands ache. My elbows and shoulders are stiff. My calves feel like rubber bands when I walk. Why am I doing this again?
I replace the spare tube and CO2 cartridge in the seat wedge in case my flat tire jinx continues. Today, I am staying on established bike paths and city streets. Around mile 5, I see something stuck to the front tire. When I stop to check it out, I discover it is a thorn. The front tire still has almost full pressure, so I decide to ride it out for an optimal tire-changing location. The tire still has probably 3/4 pressure when I find a nice shady spot in Old Sacramento to make repairs. I replace the tube in about 10 minutes and I'm on my way again.
On the surface streets, I average 15-16 mph. On the bike paths, I average 17-18 mph. At the turnaround point at Watt Ave, I have to get off the bike to soothe my whining feet. Today has been such a struggle at some points that I finish the ride by looping through Sac State and home. I have to get home to meet a prospective adopter for my foster kitten.
July 20, 2009
Ride Report 7/20
32.5 miles in ?:?? on the Bianchi
Luckily, I remembered to check the tires before I left the house, because the rear tire on the Bianchi is flat. I get it changed in only 20 minutes, but I am down to one spare tube now.
I head south on Land Park to add some miles to my Freeport to Freeport Bridge to levy road and West Sacramento route. After meandering my way on Windridge to Pocket Road, I finally catch Freeport Blvd south to the bridge across the Sacramento River. My pace on the city streets is 16 mph. As always, I cross the bridge by holding my breath, not looking down and holding onto the bike for dear life. The Freeport Bridge is open mesh grate that provides a spectacular view of the river twenty feet below you.
The pavement on the levy road is rougher than I'd remembered, but I last rode it on the hybrid, which is quite cushy compared to the Bianchi (front shocks, seat shock, lower psi tires). The ride is skull rattling at times, so I ride far from the shoulder where the roughest spots are. Due to the cross/headwind, my speed is only about 14-15 mph on most of the levy road. For one glorious mile or more on River Road, I maintain a pace of 19 mph.
When I get back on the levy road, I see something stuck on the front tire, but I know if it's a thorn I don't want to pull it out. Around mile 24, my feet can't take anymore and I have to stop to dismount for a short break. I check the pressure on the front tire and my heart falls when the tire is squishy. T put a liner in the front tire, and I don't want to try to wrestle it all back together on the road. I call a friend for a ride, but her truck is out of commission and T doesn't have a vehicle today that can fit the Bianchi, so I fix the flat on the side of the road. I take out the liner and replace the tube. The one good thing about the whole experience is that my first time using a CO2 pump works like a charm. It inflates the tube in seconds! Unfortunately, the cartridges are one-time use only. After I gather together my tools and repack the seat wedge, I notice a truck pulled over on the side of the road about ten yards ahead of me. The driver is sitting in the truck, watching me in his side mirror. I have no idea if he was just making sure I got finished safely or if he had ulterior motives, but as I pass his truck, I really wish I had my pepper spray on me.
I continue my ride with no further excitement, although I compulsively check both tires every time I have to stop at a light. My clipping in/out has been less than impressive today and I had to look down about half the time to find out why my cleat wouldn't click into the pedal. About a mile from home, I see an old animal rescue friend of mine on the sidewalk and I stop to catch up with her for about 20 minutes.
I stagger home hours late and with just enough time to potty the dogs, eat lunch and get ready for work. I need to leave early to pick up more spare tubes and a CO2 cartridge at the bike store...
Luckily, I remembered to check the tires before I left the house, because the rear tire on the Bianchi is flat. I get it changed in only 20 minutes, but I am down to one spare tube now.
I head south on Land Park to add some miles to my Freeport to Freeport Bridge to levy road and West Sacramento route. After meandering my way on Windridge to Pocket Road, I finally catch Freeport Blvd south to the bridge across the Sacramento River. My pace on the city streets is 16 mph. As always, I cross the bridge by holding my breath, not looking down and holding onto the bike for dear life. The Freeport Bridge is open mesh grate that provides a spectacular view of the river twenty feet below you.
The pavement on the levy road is rougher than I'd remembered, but I last rode it on the hybrid, which is quite cushy compared to the Bianchi (front shocks, seat shock, lower psi tires). The ride is skull rattling at times, so I ride far from the shoulder where the roughest spots are. Due to the cross/headwind, my speed is only about 14-15 mph on most of the levy road. For one glorious mile or more on River Road, I maintain a pace of 19 mph.
When I get back on the levy road, I see something stuck on the front tire, but I know if it's a thorn I don't want to pull it out. Around mile 24, my feet can't take anymore and I have to stop to dismount for a short break. I check the pressure on the front tire and my heart falls when the tire is squishy. T put a liner in the front tire, and I don't want to try to wrestle it all back together on the road. I call a friend for a ride, but her truck is out of commission and T doesn't have a vehicle today that can fit the Bianchi, so I fix the flat on the side of the road. I take out the liner and replace the tube. The one good thing about the whole experience is that my first time using a CO2 pump works like a charm. It inflates the tube in seconds! Unfortunately, the cartridges are one-time use only. After I gather together my tools and repack the seat wedge, I notice a truck pulled over on the side of the road about ten yards ahead of me. The driver is sitting in the truck, watching me in his side mirror. I have no idea if he was just making sure I got finished safely or if he had ulterior motives, but as I pass his truck, I really wish I had my pepper spray on me.
I continue my ride with no further excitement, although I compulsively check both tires every time I have to stop at a light. My clipping in/out has been less than impressive today and I had to look down about half the time to find out why my cleat wouldn't click into the pedal. About a mile from home, I see an old animal rescue friend of mine on the sidewalk and I stop to catch up with her for about 20 minutes.
I stagger home hours late and with just enough time to potty the dogs, eat lunch and get ready for work. I need to leave early to pick up more spare tubes and a CO2 cartridge at the bike store...
July 19, 2009
Helmet or No Helmet?
No ride today. I wake up feeling every inch of yesterday's 41 miles taken out on my body, plus I managed to pull the left side of my neck.
When I first started riding my Townie in March 2008, I did not wear my helmet, even though I owned one. I reasoned that I wasn't going that fast on the Townie, so why bother? After one of my co-workers was horrified to hear that I rode helmetless, I started to rethink matters. Her concern made me wonder why I didn't wear a helmet. I always wear a seatbelt, I only cross at the light; what part of my ego thought I was above a bike helmet?
After reading up online on bicycle accidents (T also has a great story about another cyclist's chain breaking, flying off and embedding itself in his helmet), I promised my co-worker I would wear a helmet from then on. Why I was willing to promise that to someone else but not to myself may make an interesting question for a psychologist. Really, what it comes down to is that I have become very fond of my brain. It has served me for many years, and I would like it to continue to do so. And now that I live in Oak Park, I have to ride through four or more miles of city before I can reach any of the bike paths. That, combined with my propensity to fall down, is added reason to wear protective gear. (It has already been suggested that I might consider adding elbow & knee pads to my outfit.)
In return for protecting it from the very small chance of a head injury, I am willing to look silly and put up with helmet hair.
When I first started riding my Townie in March 2008, I did not wear my helmet, even though I owned one. I reasoned that I wasn't going that fast on the Townie, so why bother? After one of my co-workers was horrified to hear that I rode helmetless, I started to rethink matters. Her concern made me wonder why I didn't wear a helmet. I always wear a seatbelt, I only cross at the light; what part of my ego thought I was above a bike helmet?
After reading up online on bicycle accidents (T also has a great story about another cyclist's chain breaking, flying off and embedding itself in his helmet), I promised my co-worker I would wear a helmet from then on. Why I was willing to promise that to someone else but not to myself may make an interesting question for a psychologist. Really, what it comes down to is that I have become very fond of my brain. It has served me for many years, and I would like it to continue to do so. And now that I live in Oak Park, I have to ride through four or more miles of city before I can reach any of the bike paths. That, combined with my propensity to fall down, is added reason to wear protective gear. (It has already been suggested that I might consider adding elbow & knee pads to my outfit.)
In return for protecting it from the very small chance of a head injury, I am willing to look silly and put up with helmet hair.
July 18, 2009
Ride Report 7/18
41.61 miles in 3:50 (including all breaks, mishaps, refilling water bottles, etc) on the Bianchi
I am outfitted today in genuine biking clothing: jersey, shorts, socks (yes, they make biking socks), shoes (I'm told I'm starting to look like a real cyclist!). I practice clipping in/out of the pedals on my way to Sac State and am pleased to find they really do make a difference in pedaling. The new cleats are hard to stand on, so I pray for a curb at any red lights I have to go through. I meet T at the Guy West Bridge, and we have both forgotten that it is the day of the Eppie's Great Race, so the American River bike path is off limits. Instead, we bike to Davis and back (this is actually an easier ride than the planned one due to its complete lack of any hills). On our way out of Sac State, we have to stop to wait for cars to go through an intersection. I try to balance the bike, but come to a stop without unclipping and fall onto my right side. Yet another skinned knee and very minor road rash to my right elbow, and we're on our way. I reassure T that I haven't broken a bone yet, so it's not likely to happen on his watch.
Once we get past the stop and go of downtown Sacramento, we maintain a steady speed of not-quite 17mph to Davis. My heart rate stays lower than typical in the mid 140s. A pit stop at Peet's Coffee in Davis, window shopping at Davis Wheelworks (I like the classic style road bikes, T leans toward a Cervelo road bike, but it's a moot point because everything we are looking at costs a few thousand dollars) which is not quite open yet. We both stare in horror at what we can only hope is a bike that was put together because they could. It is a time trial bike with a camo frame, some sort of animal fur swatches under the seat and the handlebars, and antlers mounted on the handlebars.
The seat on the Bianchi is adjusted upward a small distance because the new cleats make me taller. My back is a little grumbly and I have to unclip my feet every few miles to get circulation back in my toes. T and I agree that my handling has improved a lot since last week and I now handle the Bianchi like a hungover monkey rather than like a drunken monkey. Thanks to a tip from T (watch the road far ahead of you), I am actually riding in a mostly straight line today. It is difficult not to just stare at my front wheel and zone out.
At about mile 28 I can feel myself flagging. I concentrate on the causeway, on my form, and maintaining a steady pedal speed. I get a second wind when we reach West Sacramento and manage to finish the ride with a little bit of energy left! T and I work out the next week's rides for me and I actually earn some praise tempered with the amount of improvement I still have to make.
I am outfitted today in genuine biking clothing: jersey, shorts, socks (yes, they make biking socks), shoes (I'm told I'm starting to look like a real cyclist!). I practice clipping in/out of the pedals on my way to Sac State and am pleased to find they really do make a difference in pedaling. The new cleats are hard to stand on, so I pray for a curb at any red lights I have to go through. I meet T at the Guy West Bridge, and we have both forgotten that it is the day of the Eppie's Great Race, so the American River bike path is off limits. Instead, we bike to Davis and back (this is actually an easier ride than the planned one due to its complete lack of any hills). On our way out of Sac State, we have to stop to wait for cars to go through an intersection. I try to balance the bike, but come to a stop without unclipping and fall onto my right side. Yet another skinned knee and very minor road rash to my right elbow, and we're on our way. I reassure T that I haven't broken a bone yet, so it's not likely to happen on his watch.
Once we get past the stop and go of downtown Sacramento, we maintain a steady speed of not-quite 17mph to Davis. My heart rate stays lower than typical in the mid 140s. A pit stop at Peet's Coffee in Davis, window shopping at Davis Wheelworks (I like the classic style road bikes, T leans toward a Cervelo road bike, but it's a moot point because everything we are looking at costs a few thousand dollars) which is not quite open yet. We both stare in horror at what we can only hope is a bike that was put together because they could. It is a time trial bike with a camo frame, some sort of animal fur swatches under the seat and the handlebars, and antlers mounted on the handlebars.
The seat on the Bianchi is adjusted upward a small distance because the new cleats make me taller. My back is a little grumbly and I have to unclip my feet every few miles to get circulation back in my toes. T and I agree that my handling has improved a lot since last week and I now handle the Bianchi like a hungover monkey rather than like a drunken monkey. Thanks to a tip from T (watch the road far ahead of you), I am actually riding in a mostly straight line today. It is difficult not to just stare at my front wheel and zone out.
At about mile 28 I can feel myself flagging. I concentrate on the causeway, on my form, and maintaining a steady pedal speed. I get a second wind when we reach West Sacramento and manage to finish the ride with a little bit of energy left! T and I work out the next week's rides for me and I actually earn some praise tempered with the amount of improvement I still have to make.
July 17, 2009
Ride Report 7/17
14.81 miles in 1:14 on the hybrid
Last night, the Bianchi got a small workover in preparation for Saturday's ride. The front tire now has a liner to prevent any more flats (caused by a thorn in the tire that has now killed 2 tubes in as many days). The rear wheel is trued (straightened) and new clip pedals installed (not the exact ones, but close). I have also been given a "real" bike helmet to replace my "cheap-looking" Bell Adrenaline (I'm alarmed to discover that the color of my helmet is "cyanotic"). The replacement helmet is red and looks like an alien skull. At least it matches the bike.
Trying not to begrudge wasted time this morning. I got in to the lab to do my glucose tolerance test, but they only do those between 8-8:30 am (it was 10am). The x-ray lab does not open until 11am, so I run an errand to the vet clinic (turning down their generous offer to take the three kittens some asshat left outside their front door in a box) and go back to the lab to be told the "x-ray guy" isn't in today. So, we'll try again next Friday when I have my rescheduled GTT.
In preparation for tomorrow's partnered distance (aka ass-kicking) ride, an easy spin ride today. It's nice to be able to throw on plain bike shorts, t-shirt and sneakers for once, along with my maligned helmet. A case of mistaken identity has be chasing a random cyclist for a short period on the bike trail and I get to mosey my way back to the levy via Expo and Commerce Blvds. Luckily, the hybrid handles packed dirt and gravel better than I do. It's HOT outside, and when I get home, I vow not to go outside until it's a civilized temperature.
Last night, the Bianchi got a small workover in preparation for Saturday's ride. The front tire now has a liner to prevent any more flats (caused by a thorn in the tire that has now killed 2 tubes in as many days). The rear wheel is trued (straightened) and new clip pedals installed (not the exact ones, but close). I have also been given a "real" bike helmet to replace my "cheap-looking" Bell Adrenaline (I'm alarmed to discover that the color of my helmet is "cyanotic"). The replacement helmet is red and looks like an alien skull. At least it matches the bike.
Trying not to begrudge wasted time this morning. I got in to the lab to do my glucose tolerance test, but they only do those between 8-8:30 am (it was 10am). The x-ray lab does not open until 11am, so I run an errand to the vet clinic (turning down their generous offer to take the three kittens some asshat left outside their front door in a box) and go back to the lab to be told the "x-ray guy" isn't in today. So, we'll try again next Friday when I have my rescheduled GTT.
In preparation for tomorrow's partnered distance (aka ass-kicking) ride, an easy spin ride today. It's nice to be able to throw on plain bike shorts, t-shirt and sneakers for once, along with my maligned helmet. A case of mistaken identity has be chasing a random cyclist for a short period on the bike trail and I get to mosey my way back to the levy via Expo and Commerce Blvds. Luckily, the hybrid handles packed dirt and gravel better than I do. It's HOT outside, and when I get home, I vow not to go outside until it's a civilized temperature.
July 16, 2009
Ride Report 7/16
26.28 miles in 2:05 (including a break to massage my screaming feet) on the Bianchi
The Canari biking shorts are too loose and the waistband is useless for clipping on the Rio Karma. Not trusting that any of my clean tank tops are long enough, I decide to be merciful on the general public and wear a long t-shirt. (On the plus side, the gel liner will prove to be the most comfortable one so far.) This is my first ride wearing the Forte shoes, and I immediately discover the huge disadvantage to road biking shoes: not only are they almost impossible to walk in, they are almost impossible to pedal with unless I am clipped in. The shoes are so slick that when I try to ride on the flat (non-clip) side of the pedal, they slide off. I have no choice but to clip in for the 4-mile stop light/sign-laden trip through downtown. Between fighting with the clips and worrying about the low rider shorts, I don't get to pay attention to my form until I hit the bike path off the Sacramento Marina.
I'm still skittish about taking turns/corners on the Bianchi, even though I replaced the tube and the tire is rock hard. T has threatened to put me on a bike roller to work on my balance, because I handle the Bianchi like a drunken monkey (my words, not his). So I practice making a U-turn without unclipping (successfully!). Something is rattling on the bike, but both bottle cages are tight. Turns out to be the mini pump loose in one of the zip ties.
My feet start to scream on the way north toward Old Sac & Discovery Park. A brief stop for foot relief, then the shoes go back on, but looser this time. I'm on the American River bike path now, so time for some good work. Third Eye Blind and then Billy Joel's "While the Night is Still Young" provide perfect pace music and I maintain an average of 16+mph for 8 miles. Heart rate is consistently 160bpm when I'm "in the zone" and pedal RPM is optimal.
On the Guy West bridge, I unclip to restore circulation to my toes, but my right foot will not unclip. At Discovery Park, I found that the right clip had lost a bolt, but had locked into a groove on the shoe and was still usable. Now I was stuck with my right foot on the pedal until I got home. Only a minor inconvenience to have to balance on my left side, but I start to wonder how I'm going to get off the Bianchi when I get home. Dismounting proves to be as awkward as I feared. I lean against the fence so I can unbuckle my shoe, but I still can't get it off the pedal. The Bianchi is still holding my right shoe hostage.
The Canari biking shorts are too loose and the waistband is useless for clipping on the Rio Karma. Not trusting that any of my clean tank tops are long enough, I decide to be merciful on the general public and wear a long t-shirt. (On the plus side, the gel liner will prove to be the most comfortable one so far.) This is my first ride wearing the Forte shoes, and I immediately discover the huge disadvantage to road biking shoes: not only are they almost impossible to walk in, they are almost impossible to pedal with unless I am clipped in. The shoes are so slick that when I try to ride on the flat (non-clip) side of the pedal, they slide off. I have no choice but to clip in for the 4-mile stop light/sign-laden trip through downtown. Between fighting with the clips and worrying about the low rider shorts, I don't get to pay attention to my form until I hit the bike path off the Sacramento Marina.
I'm still skittish about taking turns/corners on the Bianchi, even though I replaced the tube and the tire is rock hard. T has threatened to put me on a bike roller to work on my balance, because I handle the Bianchi like a drunken monkey (my words, not his). So I practice making a U-turn without unclipping (successfully!). Something is rattling on the bike, but both bottle cages are tight. Turns out to be the mini pump loose in one of the zip ties.
My feet start to scream on the way north toward Old Sac & Discovery Park. A brief stop for foot relief, then the shoes go back on, but looser this time. I'm on the American River bike path now, so time for some good work. Third Eye Blind and then Billy Joel's "While the Night is Still Young" provide perfect pace music and I maintain an average of 16+mph for 8 miles. Heart rate is consistently 160bpm when I'm "in the zone" and pedal RPM is optimal.
On the Guy West bridge, I unclip to restore circulation to my toes, but my right foot will not unclip. At Discovery Park, I found that the right clip had lost a bolt, but had locked into a groove on the shoe and was still usable. Now I was stuck with my right foot on the pedal until I got home. Only a minor inconvenience to have to balance on my left side, but I start to wonder how I'm going to get off the Bianchi when I get home. Dismounting proves to be as awkward as I feared. I lean against the fence so I can unbuckle my shoe, but I still can't get it off the pedal. The Bianchi is still holding my right shoe hostage.
July 15, 2009
A Visit to the Doctor
No ride today. Too many things to do in the afternoon, and I woke up feeling like someone had mugged my brain overnight.
I hurt my lower back in September 2006 when I tried to move a couch by myself. This involved an 8-hour emergency room visit, some pain meds and whopping doses of ibuprofen. I was told to watch out for numbness in either leg and to go to the doctor if it occurred. When I was able to stand again, my left leg was numb from the knee down. I went to an Urgent Care facility, but I don't recall much other than we were satisfied it was a nerve deficit rather than a circulation deficit. I hadn't established a primary care physician yet, so I was probably told to follow up on the whole situation with my new doctor. Then followed weeks of learning to walk with a leg with little to no nerve feedback. I had to watch where my foot was placed to confirm that I was standing on it and that it would hold my weight. Sensation gradually returned to my lower left leg, but I continued to have nerve deficit from the knee to mid-shin.
For no good reason, I failed to follow up on x-rays and an orthopedic consult in late 2007, so when I called my doctor's office to see if I could still get that done, I was told I needed to come in for a recheck. So, it was good news when they called yesterday and said they could fit me in this afternoon.
The upshot of today's visit is that I need to have lower back/knee x-rays done as well as a nerve conduction test at sports medicine to help rule out the cause of the neuropathy in my left leg. The unpleasant surprise was that my blood sugar had been well above normal when I had lab work done back in February. Either I did not get the letter about the results, or I got it and did not follow up. No matter, now I get to do a glucose fast in addition to the x-rays.
Oh, yes. Happy birthday, mom!
I hurt my lower back in September 2006 when I tried to move a couch by myself. This involved an 8-hour emergency room visit, some pain meds and whopping doses of ibuprofen. I was told to watch out for numbness in either leg and to go to the doctor if it occurred. When I was able to stand again, my left leg was numb from the knee down. I went to an Urgent Care facility, but I don't recall much other than we were satisfied it was a nerve deficit rather than a circulation deficit. I hadn't established a primary care physician yet, so I was probably told to follow up on the whole situation with my new doctor. Then followed weeks of learning to walk with a leg with little to no nerve feedback. I had to watch where my foot was placed to confirm that I was standing on it and that it would hold my weight. Sensation gradually returned to my lower left leg, but I continued to have nerve deficit from the knee to mid-shin.
For no good reason, I failed to follow up on x-rays and an orthopedic consult in late 2007, so when I called my doctor's office to see if I could still get that done, I was told I needed to come in for a recheck. So, it was good news when they called yesterday and said they could fit me in this afternoon.
The upshot of today's visit is that I need to have lower back/knee x-rays done as well as a nerve conduction test at sports medicine to help rule out the cause of the neuropathy in my left leg. The unpleasant surprise was that my blood sugar had been well above normal when I had lab work done back in February. Either I did not get the letter about the results, or I got it and did not follow up. No matter, now I get to do a glucose fast in addition to the x-rays.
Oh, yes. Happy birthday, mom!
Recap, Week One
I was informed on 7/9/09 that I would be training for an actual 100K race in October (the Condor Classic in San Juan Bautista). I've been biking off and on for exercise for the last seven years, with a year and a half off due to a back injury. I started back bicycling in 3/08 on an Electra Townie, and eventually I wanted to get a more aggressive bike. My back seemed happy with a hybrid bicycle, so a co-worker (hereafter known as T) who races bikes loaned me a road bike for some serious riding.
7/11 -- 26.28 miles on the Bianchi in 2:06, including breaks. Apparently, the Cateye Mity 3 computer doesn't stop timing when you pause to munch a granola bar & desperately suck down water at every drinking fountain on the path (at this time, I still had no bottle cages on the Bianchi). I amaze myself by doing the first 14.1 miles in 49 minutes. Then my form/speed go to hell and I stagger home.
7/12 -- 14.05 miles with two 2.5 minute "sprint" intervals on the hybrid (yes, it's the heavier bike by far, but my seat is so raw from riding the Bianchi...). Try not to die. Go to bike store & hardware store for supplies to install bottle cages on the Bianchi. Also pick up Louis Garneau multi cycle shoes.
7/13 -- 26.28 miles on the Bianchi in 2:??. Front tire pressure starts going low with 10 miles to go and cornering becomes a religious experience, and not in a good way ("Oh God, oh God, don't let me crash!"). I get panicky when I have to take any kind of turns and have to stop every 2-3 miles to pump up the front tire. Get home in one piece after short panicked call to T. Check the tire when I get home from work: flat as a pancake. On the upside, the new bike shoes make a huge difference when riding with clips. Much easier to clip in/out than with my clunky Cannondale MTB shoes.
7/14 -- 28 miles (Really? It's the same route I took on the Bianchi. Stupid cheap bike computer...) on the hybrid in 2:20? This ride was interrupted to stop to call the police to come help a transient passed out under his bike near the I St bridge and again to answer a call from my doctor's office. I'm still paranoid about steering around corners after my experience yesterday. Go back to bike store for new tube, threaded CO2 cartridges, presta floor pump and to exchange the LG shoes for T-approved road bike shoes (Forte).
7/11 -- 26.28 miles on the Bianchi in 2:06, including breaks. Apparently, the Cateye Mity 3 computer doesn't stop timing when you pause to munch a granola bar & desperately suck down water at every drinking fountain on the path (at this time, I still had no bottle cages on the Bianchi). I amaze myself by doing the first 14.1 miles in 49 minutes. Then my form/speed go to hell and I stagger home.
7/12 -- 14.05 miles with two 2.5 minute "sprint" intervals on the hybrid (yes, it's the heavier bike by far, but my seat is so raw from riding the Bianchi...). Try not to die. Go to bike store & hardware store for supplies to install bottle cages on the Bianchi. Also pick up Louis Garneau multi cycle shoes.
7/13 -- 26.28 miles on the Bianchi in 2:??. Front tire pressure starts going low with 10 miles to go and cornering becomes a religious experience, and not in a good way ("Oh God, oh God, don't let me crash!"). I get panicky when I have to take any kind of turns and have to stop every 2-3 miles to pump up the front tire. Get home in one piece after short panicked call to T. Check the tire when I get home from work: flat as a pancake. On the upside, the new bike shoes make a huge difference when riding with clips. Much easier to clip in/out than with my clunky Cannondale MTB shoes.
7/14 -- 28 miles (Really? It's the same route I took on the Bianchi. Stupid cheap bike computer...) on the hybrid in 2:20? This ride was interrupted to stop to call the police to come help a transient passed out under his bike near the I St bridge and again to answer a call from my doctor's office. I'm still paranoid about steering around corners after my experience yesterday. Go back to bike store for new tube, threaded CO2 cartridges, presta floor pump and to exchange the LG shoes for T-approved road bike shoes (Forte).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
