Week Ending 02/03/08

The weather was a severe rollercoaster here in Michigan this week. On Monday (30), I went for a road ride on my Scalpel in 40 degree temperatures. By Tuesday, the rain had turned to snow and the roads were a sheet of ice. While I was at work on Tuesday, the city plowed our street and left a frozen brick about 4 feet wide by 2 feet high for me to clear. On Wednesday (20), I went for a ride on the Kal Haven Trail. The trail was covered with 6-8 inches of fresh snow and the Pug was in its element. Friday (20), I was back on the Pug on the Kal Haven Trail. This time, the trail had been groomed and was much easier to ride. On Saturday (50), Mike and I went to the gym for 3 ½ hours of spinning. For Sunday (75), we planned a 5 ½ hour road ride on our Scalpels. We left the home at 8:00 and headed south. Our original plan was to ride some snow covered gravel roads, but soon realized the roads were in good shape and had a safe shoulder. We decided to ride Red Arrow until 10:30, and then retrace our route home. We made it to Watervliet without any problems, had a snack and headed home. On the way back, Mike hit a pot hole just before some railroad tracks and down he went. He went left while his bike went right. I went for the space between Mike and his bike, expecting to have to hop something or crashing myself. To my surprise, I was able to safely navigate through the wreck and tracks. After Mike cleaned up, he decided to keep riding. I think he had a serious rush of adrenaline, as I was having a hard time keeping his wheel after the crash. I can’t wait for some warmer weather. … Weekly Mileage: 195. Yearly Mileage: 728. Bike Mileage: Pug (245), Cross (75), Scalpel (250), F1000 (10), Treadmill (8), and Trainer (140)

Week Ending 01/27/08

This week was supposed to be a big mileage week and the weather was not too friendly for my long rides. I rode the Pug on the Kal Haven trail on Tuesday (40) by myself. On Wednesday I joined Mike and Taylor at the gym for a couple hours (30). On Friday I took both the Pug and Scalpel to the Kal Haven trail. My plan was to ride the Scalpel for a couple hours to see if Mike could ride with me tomorrow on skinny tires. I rode for 2 hours (20) without any real problems, so I talked Mike into riding with me for the 5 hour ride. Saturday morning Mike and I went to the Kal Haven trail at 2nd Street with our Scalpels. Our plan was to stay within an hour of the van, that way if we had a mechanical problem we would be somewhat close to the van. When we arrived at 2nd Street, we could not locate a place to park where we wouldn't get stuck. We decided to go to 6th Street and park at the restaurant. Riding the trail on the Scalpel was much more difficult than it would have been on the Pug. As a result, we elected to ride the last 2 hours on the roads. We rode a loop out by Timber Ridge to get our time in (50). On Sunday, Mike and I planned to ride 4 hours on the roads. Our plan was to head south towards Flowerfield, leaving at 8:00 in the morning. As we were leaving, Mike said his left knee was really bothering him after the ride yesterday and he was hopeful it would loosen up. About 10 minutes into the ride, Mike decided to head home and treat his knee. Obviously, there is no need to start a knee problem in January. I decided to do the planned route, but would ride any gravel road I could find. I rode for a little over 3 hours (40) and it felt a little like Iowa, including being chased by a few dogs! The rest of the day was spent doing things around the house and trying to get Avery out of his brother's old jersey. All we hear is "Go Pack Go"!

"Drivetrain after Sunday's ride" "Avery doesn't know the Packer's lost last week!"

...

Weekly Mileage: 180.

Yearly Mileage: 533

Bike Mileage: Pug (205), Cross (75), Scalpel (145), F1000 (10), Treadmill (8), and Trainer (90).

01/13/08

Monday (40 Miles). We set a record high, 62 degrees today. I had to get out and ride. I rode 40 miles on the cross bike. Felt great to be on the roads and have the wind in my face. Avery and Cheryl went to get Avery a new haircut. "Avery showing off his new haircut" ... Tuesday (35 Miles). Another warm day, so I went for another ride on the cross bike. I decided to do my set work today, as the weather is supposed to colder tomorrow. ... Wednesday (15 Miles). I went to Al Sabo for a 15 mile ride on the Pug. Trail was in excellent shape with all the snow gone and only a couple feet of mud on the whole loop. ... Thursday (0 Miles). Day off. ... Friday (25 Miles). I did a 2 hour ride on the Kal Haven trail by myself on the Pug. I felt good and enjoyed the ride to Gobles and back. ... Saturday (15 Miles). I went back to Al Sabo for two laps after taking Austin to karate. Even though we picked up some rain since Wednesday, the trail remained perfect. Austin and I watched his Packers beat Seattle. Since the Steelers are out, I have thrown my support into the Packers corner. Must be the yellow. ... Sunday (35 Miles). I rode the scalpel for 35 miles on the Kal Haven trail with Mike. We decided to start a 2nd Street for some new scenery and to get West of the snow line. Portage had about 2 inches of slush, while Williams (old brick town at the intersection of 2nd Street and the railroad) was dry. When we turned around in Grand Junction, we had to face a headwind for 10 miles and then 7 miles with heavy snow. ... Weekly Mileage: 165. Yearly Mileage: 225. Bike Mileage: Pug (105), Cross (75), Scalpel (35), F1000 (10).

01/06/08

Wednesday (25 Miles). I went for a 2 hour ride on the Kal Haven trail on the Pug. The trail had just been groomed and was a little soft in some places. It was a nice and steady ride, just what I needed. ... Thursday (0 Miles). I stopped by to watch Austin bowl with Grandpa and Grandma Masters at Airway Lanes. While I was there, he managed to pick up a split and bowl a 134. ... Friday (10 Miles). I went for a lap at Al Sabo on the Pug. The temperature was just above freezing and the trail was in great shape. ... Saturday (10 Miles). I went back to Al Sabo for another ride. Trail remained in pretty good shape, but was getting a little soft as the temperatures rose to the upper 30's. ... Sunday (10 Miles). I rode to Best Buy to pick up some new DVDs. The fog was terrible, but with temperatures in the upper 40's, I had to get out and ride. This week was a easy week and the real training hours start next week. ... Yearly Mileage: 60 Miles.

Happy New Year

Tuesday (5 Miles). Mike, Taylor, and I went for our annual Holiday ride this morning. We had picked up about 6 inches of new snow, so the ride was challenging. Taylor broke his chain and our ride was done a little early. Tried to keep the driveways cleared throughout the day and had some fun sledding with Austin in the back yard.

"Holiday Ride"