Hunt Rd.

Temp: low 60's
Time:
Distance: 3 or 4 miles


My Husband is defiantly some combination of Superman and The Incredible Hulk! We decided to go for a little ride today with the kids. He even pulled the kids. I can't say he exactly volunteered but he didn't complain when I put the trailer by his bike. We took Hunt Road a low-traffic road near our house that eventually turns to dirt. The early signs of spring were beautiful. This road had the same unfortunate drawback as the last road I rode solo on. It goes away from the river and therefore goes UPHILL! My husband is a champ! He lugged those kids up one hill, around a corner and up another hill. At each crest i'd cry,
"Honey, this has gotta be the last one!" only to find that after a few yards of level ground was another hill! He powered through only stopping to rest twice in about a mile and a half!! This was a serious grade, not just a gentle slope. I was in my lowest gear and I wasn't pulling anything! Finally we crested another hill only to discover the steepest quarter of a mile right in front of us. I suggested getting the boys out so they could walk. Our four year old was gung-ho about walking. The two year old wanted to stay inside. He could hardly keep his eyes open. I pulled him out anyways and had him walk beside me. He insisted that he wasn't tired....
We continued up the hill. It was a wonderful walk. The rural homes were very cool, the view was great and the breeze scuttled little white clouds across the sky. We saw some cows and a dog. Waved to several passing cars.

The best part of course was going home. My hubby was worn out and so coasting the whole way down was tons of fun. The boys squealed and laughed and giggled especially when the Burley hit a pothole. We flew down and when he hit the paved section he hunkered low over the handlebars and zipped way ahead of me. I'm a bit of a wimp, even by myself I tend to hit the brakes and slow down a bit on hills. The reward for all this work was a break at the top of the last hill before home.

We ate some snacks, discussed what to do if a moose should come out of the woods wanting to share our snack. The oldest suggested we run away really fast. I agreed. It was a ton of fun! What a wonderful little adventure. Sorry I didn't take more pictures of the scenery but early spring is a very subtle time, hard to catch on film.

A Little Farther

Temp: 50 degrees and breezy
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 40 minuets

Today we took a family trip down to a playground hoping the boys could get out and climb around. I pulled them there and it was mostly downhill. Unfortunately after the two mile trip we discovered the playground still covered in snow. I traded with my husband and he pulled the kids home. Wow! Without the weight I was able to easily spin up all the hills to my house without hardly raising my heart rate! I could hardly believe how easy it was without the trailer. The boys sang the "Cars" theme song for my hubby while he toiled up the hills and I simply enjoyed the simplicity of riding unencumbered. Spring is defiantly on it's way. The snow is melting, the sun has been shining and buds are forming on the tree branches!

Going Green... Ouch

Temp: 35
Time: 1 1/2 hours total
Distance: ?

With a packed schedule lined up for today and my DH with our only car I suddenly realized that we NEEDED to go grocery shopping. Not just "lets pick up a few things" but like "we won't have ANYTHING to eat but diced tomatoes if we don't go shopping." I tried to figure out a way to work it in this evening but that wasn't working. I'd have to do it during the day with no car. With my bike in the shop I was momentarily at a loss. Then I realized I could take my DH's bike! I lowered the seat as far as it could go and thankfully it was just right. I got everything hooked up, the kids loaded in and set out. It was still in the 30's so this time I wore my bike shorts under my jeans with a long sleeve shirt and a fleece jacket. This combo worked great. Going to the store was of course all down hill! Yay! The boys squealed and laughed as we zipped around the potholes on the dirt road. It was quiet and we were the only traffic on the whole length of the road. Where this road meets the main road is only a few hundred yards from the grocery store. I pulled in and locked the bike and trailer up to one of the posts supporting the awning. We trooped inside and had a remarkably calm trip through the store. I decided to not get the ice cream for tomorrow's party, or the milk since it comes in a glass jar but I did risk a carton of eggs. Everything fit in two large cloth bags and one plastic sack. I was pretty impressed with myself. I managed to get the two large bags in the "trunk" of the burley and put the plastic sack of canned goods on the floor by the kids feet. It was a little cramped and I probably added at least 20 more pounds to my load. I headed out knowing that going home was ALL uphill. Yuck! There were really only 4 short uphills that were killer. I practiced my standing pedaling on the first and almost made it to the top. The second two I had the kids get out and walk since there was sidewalk and these hills were quite a bit longer. Things seemed to be going fine. I was plenty warm so I removed my fleece jacket and continued with just a light long sleeved shirt. It's funny how It didn't occur to me that I was really cooking and sweating because it was so cool out. I felt really comfortable. I was about a quarter of a mile from home starting up the last steep hill (which ends at my driveway) when I began to think about getting off and letting the boys walk. Suddenly I got "the call" you know, "the call" from nature. The sudden, "Whoa! I gotta go, NOW!" kinda call. I looked around desperately, and though "oh crap!"there was nothing for it, I would have to pedal my heart out and hope I could make it into the house. I really cranked it that last little bit, and was attacked by several painful abdominal cramps for my effort. I pulled the bike into the garage, locked the outside door so the kids couldn't run off, unbuckled them and sprinted into the house.
I forgot something very important, when one goes from a pounding. gasping exercise in a cold climate to a stationary position in a MUCH warmer environment with no cool-down in between bad things can happen. I was suddenly very hot, light headed and couldn't catch my breath. I nearly passed out before I managed to strip off my sweaty shoes, socks and jeans. After.. you know, taking care of things I simply laid down on the cool bathroom floor for a few minuets while the world spun and my heart rate finally settled into a normal rhythm. I drank a lot of water, ate some easter candy and soon felt much better.

In the Shop

That's right, my bike is FINALLY in the shop. I took it in today for a full tune up. I don't think I've had it tuned up in at least two years so it really needed it. I also asked them to let me know what it would cost to put a disk brake on it. And I asked which wheel I should put the brake on since I'll only be getting one disk brake. Hopefully I'll get a call tomorrow and get the scoop. I'm so excited to have the derailers tuned up. I was always slipping in and out of gears. It was especially bad on uphills. I'd suddenly slip into a higher gear and nearly fall off the bike because I couldn't turn the pedals. They are supposed to clean it too which I'm excited about, the poor thing hasn't had a proper bath in years! While I was getting ready to go something funny happened. The rear fender which takes me a half hour to put on (it requires precision and strength..) would not come off! Usually it pops right off but it wouldn't budge. I was getting so mad at it I finally shook it like crazy and it came off.
Hopefully when I go to pick it up they can fit it to me and mark the seat post. It was pretty comfy the last time I rode but sometimes a centimeter or two is the difference between comfort and pain on rides longer than seven miles.
To my delight I heard some really great things about a rail trail that is about 20 min from my house. I guess it goes all the way out of town, down and around a lake. I think the boys and I will really enjoy that trail. Now if the last foot of snow would melt we could get started!
I know this post is a little disjointed but i'm just scribbling down my thoughts before my boys get tired of doing their puzzles. I'm also looking into some basic clothing for riding. I think a long sleeved silk underwear top and a jersey or lightweight running top and a compressible rain jacket will pretty much see me through the summer. There are some REALLY cute biking socks I want to get but I've been thrown into a quandary as to which shoes would go with them the best. The biggest question now is do I get the functional, sturdy Keen sandals for riding or the less expensive, cute, mary jane breathable shoes from LL. Bean?

Just Couldn't Wait Anymore

Temp: 32 but warming rapidly
Time: 45 minuets
Distance: 3 miles


The sun was shining so brightly today that I just couldn't wait anymore. So what if it was only 32 degrees out and breezy. I just had to get out and see what it felt like again. My winter inactivity was driving me nuts! I'm relegated to only wearing a contact in my left eye. So I had 20/20 vision in my left eye and -550 in the right. It was a combination that nearly made me throw up inside but wasn't to bad outside. My eye adjusted enough that I could ride. The only bike appropriate clothing I own is a pair of shorts. I put on the shorts, then a pair of tights (the same ones I wore to church yesterday as a matter of fact) and some lightweight capris. All black thankfully so I didn't totally look like a clown. I added gray wool socks and tennis shoes. On top I opted for a long sleeve thermal and a short sleeve t shirt under a gray sweatshirt. I found a pair of red knit gloves and an ear warming headband.
Getting all the gear out of the basement worked up a good sweat. My bike hasn't been tuned up yet so I put some oil on the chain and a rear fender on just in case. All the tires were pumped up and I packed my makeshift handle-bar bag with snicker doodles. I loaded up three bottles of water though I knew we wouldn't be out long.
I bundled up the boys but with the plastic rain shield down they wouldn't get any breeze and with just their winter coats were quite comfortable.I made it safely through the slush on the driveway and opted to begin the ride going up. Where I live you are either going up or down. "Flat" only lasts 100 yards or so. Anyways, I started going up and it didn't take long to work up a good sweat. I took it easy, paused frequently to drink and only pushed the bike twice. It took me most of time to do the mile and a half. All uphill!! The drivers were curtious and surprisingly so were my passengers! The road followed a stream which gurgled and bubbled alongside me. Occasionally I could hear it merrily running along underneath the snowbanks. They are still 3 to 4 feet tall but mostly hollow. I came around a bend and saw that the road was still climbing! My lungs were burning and I could feel my legs really begin to tire. I decided to turn it around. The way home would have been bliss since it was all downhill but the icy wind nearly froze my sweaty shirts solid!
I had a good time and came to several conclusions
1. I have gained weight
2. My kids have gained weight!
3. I think my bike even gained weight
4. I need to work out more.
5. These Snicker doodles are really good. I'm going to have another one.

Wake up Call

I woke up this morning and said, "Holy Clam Chowder! I'll be able to ride in a few weeks. I need to get in shape!"
Thankfully this doesn't involve rigorous exercise and a diet plan. Really, I've just been lazy these last few snowy months. I need to stretch more, do Pilate's to work on core and back strength, do squats/lunges to prep my legs and maybe lift some light arm weights.
The stretching is pretty obvious, one of the best ways to avoid an injury is to have loose, stretched legs before jumping on a bike and pedaling 130+ pounds up a hill. I've discovered over the last few years that doing some basic Pilate's on a regular basis allows me to avoid back pain and back strain. I also feel stronger even though I don't look any different and that is important from a psychological point of view when I get back out on the road. Doing squats helps build a little bit of quad strength and seems to be a key factor in avoiding cramping on a hill or when I get home. It also helps me focus on the different leg muscles so that when I get back on the bike I can try to focus on using all my muscles. The arm weights are more for aesthetic reasons. I don't have any serious weights or a membership to a gym but using my little weights regularly helps me feel like my underarm fat won't be flapping in the wind on the downhills.
My goal then is to do two of the above exercises each day. With two to three weeks left before the roads are manageable that should give me a chance to get into the swing of things. I think it is a little strange that when I'm not riding, any form of exercise is time consuming, frustrating and nearly abhorrent. But once i'm back in the saddle doing these other little things in my downtime will be exciting, energizing and delightful.
Must be one of those "rainbow connection" things... someday I'll figure out why.

Good News: It's not Pink Eye!

The Bad news: it's a corneal ulcer. Yuck! Needless to say i'll be off my bike for at least a week maybe longer... I'm very sad. Yesterday I went to three different eye Dr.'s the first one hardly even glanced at my eye and said,
"That's NOT pink eye. Who's your Dr.?" Thankfully we caught the thing early. My optometrist said if I'd waited a few more days before coming to her I probably would have had a full blown ulcer with scaring and possibly loss of vision! What a blessing I went in when I did. So just a note, when it comes to your eyes, get them checked RIGHT AWAY if they hurt! Yesterday afternoon they put me on a strong antibiotic drop which quickly made the feeling of something being stuck in there go away. So, I'm on the mend but like I said it will be a while before I'm on the road. It will give me more time to plan my first ride and get my bike tuned up. I'm still anxiously checking the mail every day for my book "Adventures in Paradise" which lists a bunch of local rides with road conditions and difficulty levels.
I've been thinking about prescription sunglasses, can you get biking sunglasses in prescription?