Unfortunately I had a rough sleeping night last night, and my resulting lack of enthusiasm meant I didn't get out of the house until almost 10 o'clock. Unfortunate because the temperature was already climbing quickly by then, and I knew I was in for a hot, mother freakin, day! Regardless, or perhaps because of the bad night and the late start, I was determined to keep my speed in check for the entire ride. I really wanted to feel good on the day, and hopefully have a good transition run.
About 12 kms into the ride I was heading into the village of Port Stanley which is at the bottom of a nice little kilometre long hill. Because of the slope most cars are still flying along pretty good when they hit the 50km/hr zone. Today, just as you entered the town they had one of those automated radar machines set up that report your speed on a big electronic sign. If appropriate your speed would also be accompanied by a warning to slow down!! I seen the thing well in advance, and so I decided I was gonna see if it would get a reading on me. Sure enough I got radared! But instead of a speed reading all I got was, "thank you for not speeding"! Damn!
Oh well. It was good motivation for me to stay focused on my commitment to keep things in check. Regardless, the next time I came to the same spot I decided I was gonna show that sign who was boss. I tucked low into the aero position and gave it all I had, only to get absolutely nothing! Damn again. I think I was too close to the car in front of me for the thing to have a chance to reset.
Anyway, on I went, and the heat continued to build. I had water stashed by the mailbox, but even that ran out and I had to head home a bit early. Not to end my ride early mind you, but only to get some more hydration. The resulting route change however meant that I was gonna see the radar machine one more time, and despite being pretty tired by them (170 kms), I tried once more to get the 'slow down' warning. To no avail! I actually managed to trigger a reading this time (57 kms/hr), but that was it. Apparently that's not fast enough to get into trouble. Damn again!
Anyway, I finished my 180 kms uneventfully, except for the first flat of the year. That was good anyway because I needed the practice. I think it took me close to 10 minutes, which tells me I still need more practice.
The data says that I rode at an average speed of 28.8 kms/hr, an average power output of 138 watts, and that the average air temperature was 31.5 degrees! I can also tell you that I hydrated fairly well because I only lost about 4 pounds.....after ingesting almost 20 in fluids!!
Of course I still had my transition run to do, and while it was not perfect it was damn good considering the weather. The plan called for 8 kms of which I ran the first 6, and then walked/jogged the final two. I'm pretty happy with that. And now I'm tired, but not exhausted. That's a damn good sign! Game on!
Oh, by the way. My withdrawal symptoms are all gone. :)
ride 180 kms, run 8 kms
"Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use."---Charles M Schulz
"Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed."---Arthur Schopenhauer
"I have one speed, I have one gear: go!---Charlie Sheen
About 12 kms into the ride I was heading into the village of Port Stanley which is at the bottom of a nice little kilometre long hill. Because of the slope most cars are still flying along pretty good when they hit the 50km/hr zone. Today, just as you entered the town they had one of those automated radar machines set up that report your speed on a big electronic sign. If appropriate your speed would also be accompanied by a warning to slow down!! I seen the thing well in advance, and so I decided I was gonna see if it would get a reading on me. Sure enough I got radared! But instead of a speed reading all I got was, "thank you for not speeding"! Damn!
Oh well. It was good motivation for me to stay focused on my commitment to keep things in check. Regardless, the next time I came to the same spot I decided I was gonna show that sign who was boss. I tucked low into the aero position and gave it all I had, only to get absolutely nothing! Damn again. I think I was too close to the car in front of me for the thing to have a chance to reset.
Anyway, on I went, and the heat continued to build. I had water stashed by the mailbox, but even that ran out and I had to head home a bit early. Not to end my ride early mind you, but only to get some more hydration. The resulting route change however meant that I was gonna see the radar machine one more time, and despite being pretty tired by them (170 kms), I tried once more to get the 'slow down' warning. To no avail! I actually managed to trigger a reading this time (57 kms/hr), but that was it. Apparently that's not fast enough to get into trouble. Damn again!
Anyway, I finished my 180 kms uneventfully, except for the first flat of the year. That was good anyway because I needed the practice. I think it took me close to 10 minutes, which tells me I still need more practice.
The data says that I rode at an average speed of 28.8 kms/hr, an average power output of 138 watts, and that the average air temperature was 31.5 degrees! I can also tell you that I hydrated fairly well because I only lost about 4 pounds.....after ingesting almost 20 in fluids!!
Of course I still had my transition run to do, and while it was not perfect it was damn good considering the weather. The plan called for 8 kms of which I ran the first 6, and then walked/jogged the final two. I'm pretty happy with that. And now I'm tired, but not exhausted. That's a damn good sign! Game on!
Oh, by the way. My withdrawal symptoms are all gone. :)
ride 180 kms, run 8 kms
"Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use."---Charles M Schulz
"Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed."---Arthur Schopenhauer
"I have one speed, I have one gear: go!---Charlie Sheen
Love
Peter
Well done, my friend.
ReplyDeleteLove, gail