Recent Biking Adventures

Been on the bikes a pretty good amount lately. Trying to keep in shape for ski season. Did the Drops to Hops road bike race a couple of weekends ago. Here's some pics of that . . .

Getting ready before the start:

And just before the race:

Rode behind Ace at the beginning (until she pulled away):

I was riding pretty hard, but not hard enough so I couldn't take pictures:

Eventually, I caught back up to Ace, and we crossed the finish line at the same time. Pics here.

Then, I tried to make a run at Skiing on Columbus Day. It didn't work out so well, so it turned into a mountain bike adventure. Going into Vermont:

Brought Skis and Bikes, just in case:

Stopped for beer. Mmmm . . . Alchemist . . .

Enough Snow?

We decided no, and just did some Mountain Biking:

We got to do the sweet Kimmer's downhill, which was awesome. And here's a pic on the way home:

Tour de Cure - First Century Ride

After an unsuccessful try at 100 miles in the Tour de Cure last year (tire blowout + 5 tubes = only 63 miles), I had a score to settle with the course. The weather was much better than last year, and we started with smiles:

The first 25 miles went by super easy.  Sunny skies, in and out of different groups, and cruising at around 18 mph.

After the first rest station, where I pounded 3 cupcakes and an orange, we got a little lost.  The groups had split up, there was nobody in front of us, and we must have missed a turn.  Ace and I (plus another poor guy who followed us) started down some roads that didn't look too familiar (we had both ridden this section last year). I was able to guide us back on course using some side roads around Galway, and it turned out that we actually cut off a little of the course (about a mile and a half).

The middle 50 miles didn't feel so bad.  There were a couple of big hills, but they weren't so tough.  We stopped at another rest area for water.  I ate an energy muffin and a half PB&J Sandwich, plus I stuffed some cliff bars in my back pocket.  After around 70 miles we made the climb up to the Conklingville Dam.  This was probably the hardest climb of the day.  Here's Ace at the top:

It clouded up a little as we coasted down towards the Hadley Bow Bridge, but we were still feeling pretty good physically and mentally.

I started really feeling it in my legs around 80 miles in, right about the time I took this picture of Ace:

The last section would have been pretty easy riding on a normal day, but because I knew I was in the homestretch, every little roller of a hill felt like a beast of a mountain.  I kept looking as the odometer, and expecting it to say a higher number (preferably, a number really close to 100).  Eventually, I pounded the two cliff bars in my pocket, drank some water, and felt better about turning the cranks.  I crossed the finish line, rode around a little bit to make up for the section that we cut off when we got lost, and there it was:

Here's the complete route, including the slight detour when we got lost and additional riding at the end to make it an even 100:

I felt pretty good when I finished, and I feel pretty good today.  I think that, with proper fuel, water and energy, I could go even longer.  Not saying I want to do a RAAM or an Ironman anytime soon (I don't think I could possibly comprehend the idea of running a marathon right after I finished), but I think I could be persuaded to do another century in the fall . . . An off-road century, something like the White Rim in a day seems like it'd be fun.  For now, though, I'm going to have some leftover pizza and beer from last night's post ride celebration.  I bet it won't taste as good as it did yesterday.

Bike Commuting

Well, I took part in National Bike Commuting day today. It was . . . interesting. The ride in was kind of rough. Really threatening weather to start out:

And it soon went from bad to worse.  I ended up riding a major route with a lot of traffic, combined with a drenching rain . . .

Eventually, it let up a little (and I was able to get off the main roads), and I was finally feeling good about the road in.

I finally got into work (a little late), and I found that 2 other people participated in Bike to Work Day.  Actually, these guys always ride their bikes in (I see them every day) so really, I was the only person who partook.

I gotta say, I wasn't too too excited about biking in.  It's kind of stressful (possibly more stressful than driving in).  Plus I have to get up earlier - something I hate to do.  And all I got out of it was about $2.00 - the equivalent of the half gallon of gas it usually takes me to drive the 12.8 miles to the office.

On the way home, I waited for a break in the weather (so I wouldn't be riding through rain again), and got out on the roads.

Needless to say, it was a lot better than the morning ride.  I was able to take off my raincoat, ride in short sleeves and enjoy the biking.  I even saw a deer bounding through the forest next to me.  I was feeling so good, I chose a different route, one that included less main thoroughfares and more secluded bike paths.  It got really, really nice.

I'm never going to be like this guy.  But I can see myself doing this a little more throughout the summer.  I felt really good after the ride today.  Besides the woman who honked at me, and the weird dude who let out a guttural scream in my direction, there were no problems at all.  Traffic seemed a little heavier today (heavier than the time I commuted earlier in the year), but drivers were mostly courteous.  I still saw a couple of dirt paths that I wanted to explore:

And my bottom bracket developed a bit of a clicking sound.  I'm hoping that will go away when my bike dries out a little (I realize that's not likely).  All in all, though, I had a pretty good time bike commuting today.  I felt fitter, happier, and more prepared for the 100 mile Tour de Cure that I'm riding on June 5th.  I'm looking forward to a few more bike commutes before then.

What you missed (In Pictures) . . .

Sorry I haven't been keeping up on the blog (I've kind of toned down my internet presence a lot), but here are some shots from March 1st (wow, it has been a long time) through now.

Trip to Whiteface in Late March (first time on the Slides):

Early April Road Bike Ride:

Gore Mountain Adirondack Adventure Festival (or something):

Tulip Festival in Albany:

Late Spring Lake Trip:

World Cup Party at Wolff's Biergarten in Albany:

Mountain Biking at the Skidmore Stables:

Saratoga Beer Festival:

July 4th in Buffalo: