I’m back from my Sunday morning bicycle ride. I did 24 miles this morning, with an average speed not worth mentioning. But that’s what happens, I guess, when you haven’t been on the bike for 3 weeks.

Also, it was really quite windy, and I find that usually, even though I have a tailwind for part of the ride, I can’t make up the speed during the tailwind portion that I lose during the headwind.

Still, it was a pretty morning; crisp and clear, chilly but not icy. There was no frost on the ground, but I was definitely glad for my gloves and jacket.

I can’t think of anything of particular note from this ride, other than the amusement I always feel when riding past a field of cows or horses and they stop eating and watch me ride past. Yes, that does happen. I usually try to to greet them when they do this, “Morning, Cow! Morning, Horse!” And then I just keep going.

Technorati Tags: bicycling, Cycling, ride, route

It has been about 20 days since I did any significant riding. I did commute to work one day on the bike, but other than that I could only look at my bike parked against the wall. Between having a continuous cold and large amounts of rain, riding just hasn’t been in the cards.

I finally got out this morning. It was a slightly cool and foggy morning. The roads were still wet in places from all the rain we’ve been having, but it was pleasant. I didn’t do too many miles and I didn’t push too hard to keep a high pace. But I rode 27 miles with a 16.3 mph average speed.

I stopped once or twice and took some pictures with my phone. I’ve uploaded those to flickr. They aren’t of anything in particular, just some fields and part of a lake with the fog settled across. If you are interested in seeing the pictures go to my flickr page.

Technorati Tags: bicycling, Cycling, ride, route

The two previous weeks I’ve had rides that went easier than expected, so I guess it was about time I had one that made me suffer a little. Basically I did the same route I did two weeks ago, but I did it in reverse. Turns out the ride is more demanding when ridden in that direction.

I rode 49.09 miles with an average speed of 16.9 mph and I ascended 1964 feet. It is the ascending/descending that I think makes riding in the direction I did this morning a little harder. It seems like there was more ascending overall and what descending there was didn’t always set me up with momentum for a subsequent climb. Instead there would be a low percentage upward grade, maybe one or two percent, that would sap my speed before finally hitting the real hill.

It was a good ride, don’t get me wrong, but I am tired now. I felt this one.

Technorati Tags: bicycling, Cycling, ride, route

This is a stunning bit of news from the rest day at the Tour de France.

The UCI’s ProTour series appears to be officially dead after all 17 teams
at the Tour de France decided to leave the series and not renew their
licences next season.

“It has been decided unanimously not to renew the ProTour licences
for the 2009 season,” read a joint statement from the teams.

full story at cyclingnews.

Technorati Tags: bicycling, Cycling, racing

The 2008 Tour de France is now underway. This is the 95th edition of the tour. I’ll likely be posting small updates and comments about the race over the next few weeks. Don’t look for extensive in depth analysis, but just quick thoughts, comments and some of the race results if I think there is something notable to point out.

Today’s stage runs from the town of Brest to Plumelec in western France. It is just under 200 Km of racing with an uphill kick right at the finish. It is a sprint type finish, but maybe not for the guys who specialize in a flat sprint finish. A very strong time-trialer or climber could make a solo break and win the stage. Somebody like a Hincapie or a Cancellara.

Of note here at the beginning of the race—there are two American teams in the race this year. Discovery Channel, the former lone American team no longer exists. But now Team Columbia and Team Garmin-Chipotle have stepped up and both have very interesting teams entered into the race.

Technorati Tags: bicycling, Cycling, racing, tourdefrance