Just got back

from a nice near two-hour ride with a neighbor. I think I've found a good riding partner. He makes me push up the hills but not to the point that I blow up to quickly. This is something I really need. My bro-in-law is still coming up to speed on the bike. Hopefully he'll be able to join us on some of these morning rides. He and I are slated to ride after work on Wednesdays. That will make a ride with Neighbor Mark on Saturday or Sunday, Beechwood on Tuesday and Chris on Wednesday. Throw in a solo or two and I should be able to make that jump up.

Today's ride was a bit tougher than I thought it was going to be, but most of that was due to the wind. They're blowing at 15-30mph and we had a 7-mile stretch that was open and right into the wind. Add a couple of hills during that and you have a clyde's least favorite combination: uphill into the wind. Had to get out of the saddle a few times, but I think that helped the legs. Plus knowing that we'd be making the turn soon to have help from the wind made the process more bearable. We had some nice rollers that the crosswind didn't seem to matter much. Then at about mile 18, we made a left and were treated to a couple of 40+ mph downhills. A few more turns and we were heading back into town. Held a nice pace with the wind at our backs and got ready for the little uphill sprint that ends behind our house. Felt stronger than I thought I would and got Mark to the stop sign. He told me he's not going to let that happen again.

Time to get ready for another ride. Family to the park and coffee shop after Sam's nap.

Sunny in the 70s, park, coffee shop, two rides and family time. Happy Sunday all y'all.

Why is it that the people who are complaining about the heat today are the same ones that were complaining about the cold a few months back and as little as a couple weeks ago couldn't wait until we finally got some summer weather?

Beech tonight. Still recovering from the virus and have some aches so I brought the gears. Wanted to have a bit of a softer ride.

Happy Tuesday all y'all.

Finally starting to feel better. It's been a long, long week. Should be able to ride the Beech tomorrow for some laps.

Happy Monday, all y'all.

Well...

I have some explanation about Tuesday night's poor showing and pain. Went to the clinic on Wednesday evening. Right now they're saying that it's a viral infection. But, because I am also showing symptoms of Lyme Disease, sans rash (less than 50% of patients exhibit the rash), they ordered a Lyme titer. No results of that yet. Maybe today.

Happy Friday.

Don't Know

Last night at the Beech I felt quite crappy. Only two laps crappy. I just hurt. My obliques, my shoulders, bi/triceps, neck. I tried to wash the feeling away with some good conversation and a Smithwick's and a Guiness, but it didn't work. Today my hams and quads hurt so much I can barely walk. I've been riding more, but nothing of a muscle teardown in over a week. I'm starting to feel like it may be a medical problem with the amount of pain I'm experiencing. If this keeps up, it will really complicate the decision I'm pondering.

I find it amazing how many wings fans are stuck on Crosby. Chump, Cindy, Cindyrella, crybaby, whiner, wuss, pussy, etc. How good can he really be, he only had one goal in the entire series?

wtfe!

Your team was so concentrated on him that you let the rest of the team beat you. And, if your measure of a good/great player is the number of goals they score in a series, then there are many players who will not even meet the criteria and should not even be playing.

I started my dislike for Michigan fans and their teams in the early nineties because they seemed like such fair weather fans. Not something I was accustomed to as I have always been with people that stuck with their teams no matter what was going on. You may have complained, but you always stuck with your team.

Happy Monday all y'all.

Legs felt tired but good yesterday. Feel great today. Family ride this afternoon. Happy Thursday all y'all.

Reached a New Stretch Goal

Beechwood last night -4 laps. Absolutely shredded my legs. They're toast. Was the fourth lap fun? Nope. Was it excruciatingly long and painful? Yup. Any problems? Yes. The biggest problem is that I want to do it again. I've noticed that I'm finally making little steps at getting stronger out there. The SS is killing me and helping me all at the same time. But, as I said, little steps are being made. Each week seems to bring a better feeling further into lap three. I'll take it. I have no idea how this will transfer to the speed and "endurance" that I'm going to need on Sunday. It is my hope that this will be of great help.

Woke up early this morning and easy-spun on the trainer for 20 minutes. Had trouble turning the cranks when I started. I could feel every area that was cramping last night. Julie was on the elliptical next to me and noticed, as well as commented on, how slowly I was pedalling. I mostly refrained from a smart-a$$ed, cynical comment... mostly. After about five minutes, I started to feel much better and could actually make circles. Sitting here and having to get up and down from my desk, I'm very glad I did what I did at 5:30am. Legs are tired - very tired, but, at the end of the day, when all is said and done, it will be a good thing.