RI, the boat,and a nice ride...

First, I just want to shout out to all those vets who put their life on the line for us here at home!

I can remember my days in the memorial day parade riding my bike all decked out with USA ribbons and flags, and playing cards on the wheels to make sound. Then playing bass drum in the Essex Elementary School band, walking those miles with that thing, being so proud.

Memorial Day to me now means that we open the summer place in RI, put the boats in the water, and ride on non-hilly routes...NICE! The family has 3 boats, but only Nick's whaler got in the H20 this weekend. The Century fishing boat is still at the marina awaiting it's delivery to us, while the Egg's Bridge is getting redone completely and should be ready in two weeks for a trek to the Block. We got to be on the boat to go over the Matunick beach for a great meal. Black bean veggie burger for me. My dad is now a true Vegan, so no meat is allowed while in RI, which is fine with me as long as there is Pasta!
Nick and I road a quick 14 miles today, as they had to get back to a parade in Marlborough. It was a route with a few rolling hills, but nothing lengthy. I really enjoyed the spin for a change, and love my new cog set as it feels like they match my riding ability a bit more than the other set. I swithced from a 12-27 SRAM Rival to an 11-28 Ultegra. Not sure if the brand makes that much difference, but it shifts much more smoothly, and seems to have better ratios. I did not use 1st or 20th, as this ride was mainly a spin in moderate gears, so a true test is yet to come, but I have hope. The rest of my drive train is Ultegra, so maybe the matching of parts make a difference in mechanics. Whatever, I am glad it is working out so far.
Going to go out and do the lawn, and make a nice pasta dinner with diablo chicken sausage and peppers. Looking forward to that!

New Cog Set works like a charm:)

Had Newington Bike put a new Ultegra 11-28 cog set on my bike tonight. My worry was that it would effect the shifting, and I would have to change the rear D. However, no such thing is required. Shifting was smooth and clean. Just a bit of a grind in 1st, but tolerable for now. Might just buy the DA 7900 anyway, just because...I want to. Only time will tell.
The performance of my Tommaso has never been so good. It is riding quick and fast, corners like a dream, and I pass everyone going downhill (my weight helps there.)
Just keepin on!

To change or not to change, that is the question?

Well yesterday at Newington bike I decided to change my rear cog set out to 11-28 ultegra, but I have an old Ultegra SL 6600 unit that has a max of 12-27. Performance bike has a dura-ace 9700 on sale for 161 and change that would work, but do I want to spend the benjamins, yes, but I do not have the $ yet. Hmmm...what to do, what to do?

Newington Cycle, "Slow and Easy" Ride...

Road to work on a 1/2 day of school due to Parent-Teacher Conferences on a nice cool day. Then went to Newington Cycle for a great slow and easy ride around town. No HILLS!!! Loved it!
I also talked to the Mechanics about a new cog set for my bike that has 11-28 rear spread. I currently have 12-27 which was the largest range I could get at the time, but shimano just released this new set last month. The 28 will give me more range for the Hills of Glastonbury rides with my Bro. HOPE IT HELPS! Cannot hurt. They argreed to try it and if doesn't work with my current setup they will not charge me. NICE!
The ride was about 12 miles at about 12 mph with no hills...which was a welcomed change for me. My avgExHR was around 114 with a max on the sprint in at 141. On a nice cool evening, it was a perfect recovery ride.
Bought a Rot Chicken and anti-past at S&S for dinner. Didn't feel like cooking.

HOT ride home...

Well after the hills last night my body is sore, and tired. A good feeling I suppose after years of just pain. I road to work today, somewhat slowly. The day was long and hot, and the kids were good in school. The gym got to be stiffling over the course of the day, and I was ready to go home at 2:30.
I road to Hartford Hospital to visit my old professor who is recoving from bipass surgery, but could not get in because he is still in ICU. I will visit when he gets out. So I left there and went by Trinity college on my way home, a somewhat longer ride. It was hot, so I road slowly. I stopped at the First and Last bakery to get bread for tonights dinner...NICE. I bought a multigran and a baggett. I made a ham and cheese with the multigran upon arrival home.
Then off to the gym for a COLD shower to cool the body temp down before tonights C's game. GO C's

Glastonbury HIlls ... AGAIN...Ugg!

Went out to Glastonbury tonight to ride the hills with Cycle Concepts. Road with C group tonight as my legs were feeling the pain of yesterday's ride in Chester. Everyone still had to wait for me on the hills, but I end up waiting everywhere else. I need to loose another 20 - 30 lbs to get to the point where climbing is not suck a brutal experience. Diet is key here. I need to maintain a relatively consistant diet over the summer, an easier task then during the school year, as I eat much less, and can be way more active. I have to set up both my summer training regime and my summer diet plan next week. Have to make sure I get in Cynergy Class a couple of times a week. They have it on Monday Mornings now, so that will make it easier once school is out June 10.
We managed to get in 18 miles at 12.3 MPH. I had to wait alot on any flat or downgrade. Don't like that too too much. Not going to do the Glastonbury rides any more I don't think. Just not my thing.
Had a great dinner at giovanni's, wheat pasta with chicken and hot peppers. NICE! Still like my pasta better than any restaurant, but hey, I did not have to cook or clean up.
Tomorrow ride to work slowly I think.

Off to Chester to Ride...

I am off to Chester to ride down to Westbrook to Saybrook via Ivoryton and Bokum Road, then back to Essex for River Road and back to Chester....Wish me luck.

Working on the Boats, and a hilly ride in Marlborough

Spent a great weekend at my brother Nick's.  Went over Saturday afternoon to help paint the bottom of the whaler he bought last summer for us to use in the pond for skiing.  I made my 3 bean chilli with 3 different types of Hot Peppers and ground turkey breast...Yummy.  While we ate we watched the C's dismantle to Magic...NICE! Bring out the broom baby!  Smoked a Rocky Patel Edge that was simply awesome accompanied by Kelt Cognac...FINE indeed. 
Sunday we went to RI to work on the Bella "The Egg", but the bridge is being rebuilt and they dismantled the upstair controls leaving us unable to start the engines.  The bridge was suppose to have been done by now, but it looks like there is about 3 weeks more work to be done...WTF!  The Century, our fishing boat is in the shop, but ready to come home this upcoming weekend.  At least I will be able to get my fishing gear in order. 
We came back to Marlborough and road the hills south of town for a 19 mile crank fest.  Felt stronger than I have in a while, as I have had a Virus or something.  Need to get my summer training regime together with a meal plan in place by vacations end.  Bike is in the back of the car ready to roll, as I have taken today off to ride.  Am going to go back to Chester and ride the ride. 
After our ride we had Tuna steaks that were awesome!  Now we just have to catch some this summer and have a feast for the ages.
Time to get it.

Chester to Essex...NICE!

Today I road from Chester through Wintrop, down to Ivoryton down river road back to chester, 19 miles at avg. 15 mph.  The weather was perfect even though there was a bit of wind.  There were many riders on the roads.  For so many cyclists to have only one bike shop in the area, hmmm maybe there needs to be a bike shop in Deep River...:)
Yesterday I road out in Marlborough, and had a tough go.  Today's ride was much easier, and I enjoyed the ride, and my body felt good.  I haven't had a cigar in about 2 weeks and today felt the increase in respiration.  I am hoping once this virus is completely gone, I will be able to feel even better.  It usually takes two weeks after the last day of school for my body to completely recover, I don't think it will be that long this year.
Am hungry for some pasta today...yummy.

Short Marlborough ride...but still sick.

Went to my brother Nick's house bright and early for a ride in the hills of Marlborough.  After a 5 day lay off I was expecting to be OK.  I didn't have too much fatigue, but my wind was lacking.  I am also still sick with a virus of some kind in my back, of all places.  After the ride I went to the Dr. to see what's up, and she said it was a virus that went into my muscles, and it is common with this strain.  That it is a 4 week haul so I have two more weeks with this thing.  Came home a took a 3 hour nap.  Going out to mow the lawn, maybe. I guess I am going to have to just keep on somehow til it passes.

Essex Loop along River Rd to Cedar Lake -19 miles

Headed to Essex to ride River Rd to Cedar lake and back... Fun is!

Tired Thursday...

Feeling the effects of the group ride last night in my legs.  I feel more fatigue today than after the 100K ride Sunday...Must be cumulative effects.  I went to Healthtrax to get a hot tub stretch in, and I could feel the tightness in my legs.  It helped somewhat, but am exhausted.
I also went to an AA meeting tonight as an assignment for my Class: Biology of Addiction.  We have to go to two such meetings and reflect on how we felt.  Well the meeting was canceled at Corpus Christi Church in Wethersfield.  I felt a bit uneasy going to a meeting in the first place, but walking in and asking about AA, and the lady saying it was canceled made me more uneasy.  I felt like an intruder, and wonder how others there might feel about having me in the meeting.  I will try again tomorrow night, before I go out drinking...:)

Tru to life...at least for my rear wheel

Well this morning I had to tru my rear wheel.  It was pretty far out.  This is only the second time it needed to be done.  The Open Pro rims with 36 spoke config is pretty sturdy to say the least.  It has to be to hold my  mass...:)

Group Ride from RH to the Reservoir ..:(

Bonk...Bonk...Bonk...goes the T...Man I hit the wall early and often tonight.  I guess I needed a longer recovery period between Sundays 100K and tonights 26 Miler.  Although the hill were moderate, the wind was harsh going out.  I rode so slow that I made my brother and Barry wait for me over and over again.  I should have road with C tonight, but I felt good before the ride and had no foreshadowing of the dread to come.  I manage to finish, but I bet our ride was sub 12mph, although I have not looked yet.
In the beginning my heart rate got up to 150+ and would not come down.  I got to the Berlin Turnpike from RH and should have turned around, but I ferried on.  We got lost twice, which also slowed us down a bit, but it was mostly just plain old fatigue.  Don't know if I need to just take a week off and rest, or ride shorter rides for a while slowly. I think group rides are out for a week anyway.  Maybe I'll just ride C group next week.

100K DONE!

Today my brother and I road in the Cycle Concepts May Day 100K Century in Glastonbury...60Miles of Hills...Man I hurt everywhere, but especially my Butt!  My first Metric Century since re-emerging, and it was challenging, but I made it.  60 miles at 12.3 MPH, avgExHR was 131, MaxExHR was 158.  I burnt nearly 5000KCals.  Had a Veggie Burger upon return, then Nick and I went for a quick beer at Giovanni's Pizza.  Came home and callapsed in my chair after a shower.  Turned the Air Conditioning on and waiting for the house  to cool off for my Nap! 
Ordered Chinese, chicken and chinese veggies in a garlic sause.  I deserve it! 
Wonder what I will feel like tomorrow!

Ready to ride...100K Century

OK, up early to get ready for my first Metric Century Ride with Cycle Concepts in Glastonbury today.  I am both excited and scared.  Not sure I can do 60 miles, but will give it my best shot.  I have been training just enough to complete the ride, but not too much to be fatigued.  My bike is overhauled and ready, have my gew and drink ready, and now I am going to shower and put on my bike gear and eat something.  Really want pancakes for the carbs, but am goging to have eggs to keep it light.
Ready to roll.