Small Gears are Spinning...

Today was a recovery day, so I just road to the shop and back using only small gear chain in the front. I also tried to keep the cadence up above 85 - 90 rpm's.  The ride was only 10 miles and my legs felt fresh, but it was hot and humid out there.  The ride provided me with a big sweat even though it was a short one.  At about 800 KCals it also provided me with enough of a calorie burn to eat my 3 bean chilli with rice this afternoon.  Yummy!
Tomorrow was going to be a big day, as I was suppose to get fitted to my bike again tomorrow, and go to ECSU to meet with my supervisor. However, CREC called and said I have Orientation tomorrow, so I had to reschedule my fitting appointment to Thursday, and my other to whenever.  Dave cheered when he thought I was going to cancel. 
The reason for the bike fit is that I bought a new seat post some time back, and the seat rails were not tightened down enough, and the seat slid back on the rails.  This caused a feeling of being almost recumbant on the back, and not over the peddles enough to get leverage on the hills.  I also feel that my fitness has improved and was to change my attach angle a bit.  This will allow me to spin longer on the hills without using my BIG ASS muscles, thus reducing fatigue, HOPEFULLY.  We shall see what the numbers say.
Also, tomorrow Nick wants to ride with CC out of RH, which is always such a joy for me...OUCH! Group rides are not my favorite thing to do anymore.  I like solitary rides at my own pace....a bit of a loner I think.  Mainly because I like a more relaxed pace, and longer rides.  They also HURT LESS.  Paul Budney, an HS and College Roomie is meeting us a Eli's in Middletown afterwards at about 8:30, so you are welcome to come join us for a beer or two.
After I shower, I am going to make chilli with rice (Turkey version). 

HOT RIDE, slow pace...

My ride today was mid day in the heat!  35 miles in an oven.  I could feel the road smoking under my tires.  Once at a stop light I thought I smelled rubber burning from my tires, but it was only the pavers down the road.  Stopped 3 times for water, and I carry two bottles, for those of us from Valley, that's 6 bottle of water in 35 miles, man. 
Came home a passed out, and then woke up with my legs swollen...A couple of Siera's fixed that though.
Well the buzzer on the stove is ringning telling me my pasta premavara is done!
Ciao.

Short slow recovery ride....

After my epic 75 mile ride to Essex yesterday, I road a slow recovery ride of 10 miles this morning to Cycling Concepts and back.  My legs feel loose but still a bit tired now though.  I kept looking at my HR and each time it was bellow 100 bt/min.  Just goes to show how ones body accommodates to exercise over time.
Full day off tomorrow, maybe, and then another long ride Monday.  My strategy of one hard/one recovery ride has worked so far this summer.  I feel fit and healthy.  Two more weeks of hard riding left before I go back to work, and I look forward to every moment.
When I stopped by Cycling Concepts in RH they were taking pictures for the "Ride for a Reason" wall.  I actually knew this before hand, and wore my CC Team Shirt.  Had my picture taken, and wrote a quick note: "To be Fit and Happy".  I really ride just to be on the Road.  I do not ride to be fast. I do not ride to climb hills.  I do not ride socially.  I ride because I love to ride.  I do not ride to get ready for an event or race, although I like to participate in them.  I ride to be fit, healthy and lean.  I really don't care if I am going 18 miles an hour or 12, I enjoy both types of riding.  Although I hate hills, I still enjoy the ride, just not the pain. 
Made a Tuna Sandwich for lunch, and will make 3 bean turkey chilli for dinner over pasta...Yum!

Recovery ride...

Today will be a SHORT recovery ride to loosen up the legs after a long 75 Miles yesterday.  Last night my legs were very sore, but not too bad today.  After burning over 7000 KCal, I was surprised that I was not more hungry all night.  Ate a 1/2 rot chicken and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I did hydrate and eat along the ride: GU, Trail Mix and Cliff Bars (2).  I also used recoverite after the ride, which I will continue to use after long rides of over 30 miles, as it seams to help.  Ride the flats today.
I am going to make my Three Bean and Turkey Chilli this afternoon to go with my Black Bean Burgers...NICE!

Essex and Back....75 miles in 5:45...OUCH!

75 miles to essex and back. Spent 5:45 in the saddle, and my ass hurts. Now I know why you need butt cream! My legs are like butter right now. Stopped at Clark Cycle in Essex, and then at a gas station in Middlefield and finally at CC to talk to Dave, that's it.  This is a new mile stone since re-emerging last summer as a cyclist. 


On the way down I went Old Route 9 or Saybrook Rd I think they call it. Wind behind me and it was fast, faster than I wanted to go, was trying conserve energy and keep the HR down, but too much fun. Came back through the hills of Chester to Higganum on the backroads. There were a few steep climbs on the way back with a head wind, it hurt, but was fun becauseI stayed within myself.

Going to eat a Whole Rot. Chicken with Potato tonight....I'm starving!

Recovery Ride in the books...

Today was a recovery day for me, after yesterday's Meriden Mountain ride I needed it.  Road 18 miles at 13 MPH, nice and easy with an AvgExHR of 105.  Road the flats of Cromwell just to stretch my muscles a bit, and rid them of any lactic acid build up, and OH YA to burn some fat and KCals, (About 1400 or so). 
Tomorrow I plan to ride to Essex and Back, at around 80 miles, just to say I did it. Of course this depends on my legs recovering properly.
I was doing some research on bike fitting, because I noticed I road more comfortably on the front of the saddle on hills, so I moved my seat 2mm forward and up, (up to compensate for the seat tube angle.).  I snapped the Thompson seat collar clamp, so I had to buy a new one, and was carefull to not exceed 9 nanometer of tension this time.  Not sure if that will be enough, but will move again at Clark Cycle if necessary.
I made some Black Bean Burgers for lunch today, and man were they good with a couple of slices of tomato and onion on top along with BQ sause and Tabasco, (well it was Pete's but ya know).  Have 4 more in the freezer for another day ready to go. 
Just keepin' those wheel turnin'

2010-08-04 MeridenMountain

Road to Meriden Mountain today, 44.53 miles, burning 3660 KCAL, man am I hungry. It was a slow ride, but very beautiful and well worth it. The ride was also enhanced by visiting Hubard Park in Meriden where I used to swim in the summer while visiting my Grammy. I was born in Meriden and lived there until I was 5, and then we moved to Old Saybrook, and eventually to Ivoryton where I spent my youth. My Parents both grew up in Meriden, my grandfather Patrucci used to own a TV/Appliance store in town, while my father's Dad worked at New Departure. I have found memories of times spent at Hubard Park and Craigs Castle with them both.
View the pictures of the scenic vistas from a top near Craig's Castle. The ride along the lake was also very beautiful.