It's Amazing

It's amazing. I just couldn't seem to get motivated yesterday. By the time I got going and made several trips back into the house for forgotten items I had to settle for a short ride -- the 10 mile Hooker Farm loop. I pedaled off with the enthusiasm of someone following doctor's orders. They say that aerobic exercise is not only good for your physical health, but also can improve your mood. The headwind on North Broadway laughed and scoffed. I surprised myself and rose to the challenge. I pedaled on, ENJOYING the wind. THIS is what it's all about - not just the exercise, but being out in the open air, enjoying this picturesque ride, enjoying the undulating terrain, up as well as down, and, yes, enjoying the wind. By the time I pressed over the last hill and enjoyed the final descent, I felt like a new man. "It's amazing," I thought to myself, "What a blessing that I can even do this!"

Weather: 72°F, partly cloudy, moderate humidity, Wind SW 7-15mph
Terrain: rolling
Distance: 10mi
Speed: (avg) 12.2mph; (max) 34.4mph;
Avg Cadence: 74rpm

Harbinger of Autumn - Arlington Pond with Judy

What a beautiful crisp day -- harbinger of autumn -- actually had to wear our windbreakers to ride the 18mi Arlington Pond Loop today. Headwinds were strong at times, but was still able to maintain a reasonable pace, using the heart monitor. 
 
Weather: 56°F, sunny and crisp. wind NW 8-20mph
Terrain: rolling
Distance: 18mi
Speed: (avg) 11.9mph; (max) 40.2mph;
Avg Cadence: 75rpm

Another Delightful Ride - Arlington Pond-Shadow Lake-Zion Hill

Another delightful ride with Debbie today, 23.8 miles over the picturesque Arlington Pond Loop with an extra loop past Shadow Lake and up bucolic Zion Hill. Continued using the heart rate monitor to pace myself, and felt strong at the end.

on the Arlington Pond loop

  
Weather: 76°F, sunny
Terrain: rolling
Distance: 23.8mi
Speed: (avg) 11.4mph; (max) 44.6mph;
Avg Cadence: 71rpm

Took us 2 hrs and 5 min

Hooker Farm Loop Solo

 by Tony - Our Hooker Farm Loop is a pleasant and picturesque short ride, and, today, I further enjoyed being entertained, on separate occasions, by not one, but two drivers eager to display their ignorance to me and to the world. Now, I am a courteous cyclist. I observe traffic laws. I travel with the traffic, and I stay to the side if it's safe. I strive not to make unexpected moves, and I observe common safety rules, but some drivers in this country, ignorant of traffic laws and bicycle rights, are just infuriated by the mere presence of a bicyclist on THEIR roads. Oh, well, not my circus, not my monkeys...

 On another note, I had a little more trouble keeping my heart rate down in the target zone today, but still had some stuff for the last hill.

Weather: 80°F, mostly sunny, moderate humidity
Terrain: rolling
Distance: 10mi Speed: (avg) 11.6mph; (max) 33mph;
Avg Cadence: 72rpm

Great Ride with Debbie - Arlington Pond Loop

 Had a wonderful ride over the picturesque18mi Arlington Pond Loop with Debbie today. Paced myself using the heart monitor, and was able to go strong on the last hill, and finish feeling refreshed and exhilarated.

Weather: 73°F, mostly cloudy, moderate humidity
Terrain: rolling
Distance: 18.1mi
Speed: (avg) 11.6mph; (max) 44.6mph;
Avg Cadence: 74rpm

(We did it in just under 1 h 34 min)

Nice Ride on Hooker Farm Loop with Judy

 I've been struggling with a lack of endurance, even on the short 6mi rides I've been doing. Wondered if my heart rate wasn't increasing with the demand, so I got the heart rate monitor out of mothballs, and started riding with it. Discovered that my heart is responding appropriately, but that I'm just very slow to recover from any anaerobic bursts. Decided I would try to ride exclusively in the aerobic zone and avoid  any anaerobic efforts until I get fitter. Finding the target zone can be a challenge. There are many formulae for finding it, and they sometimes yield alarmingly different results. In the end, I resorted to trial and error, and arrived at a target zone that I knew would make me work, but not blow me out. My anaerobic threshold seems to be just under 140bpm, while anywhere below 112bpm I feel like I'm loafing, so I set my target zone for 117-134bpm. Today, Judy and I set off on the picturesque 10.1mi Hooker farm loop. The zone alarm on my heart rate monitor reminded me if I was pressing too hard, and I backed off, even on the shorter hills to stay in the zone.  On the last hill of the ride I still felt fresh with plenty of leg left, so I went ahead and let myself go over a little. The last mile is a refreshing downhill, and I pulled in to our driveway feeling refreshed and exhilarated. Best bike ride so far this year!
  
Weather: 80°F, sunny, moderate humidity
Terrain: rolling, some shade
Distance: 10.1mi
Speed: (avg) 11.5mph; (max) 32mph;
Avg Cadence: 72rpm

Short Ride with Debbie

Hip and knee pain kept me off the bike for a couple weeks, but yesterday I felt good enough to try the short ride via Crystal and Broadway with our friend, Debbie. Felt much better this time. Looking forward to more.

Weather: 80°F, sunny, light breeze, moderate humidity
Terrain: rolling, some shade
Distance: 6.3mi
Speed: (avg) 12.1mph; (max) 36mph;
Avg Cadence: 73rpm