I finally managed to complete the route that I tried way back on June 29th when I ran through a patch of glass and blew a tire. This time I avoided the glass and had a very satisfying ride—49 miles with an average speed of 17.2. That’s the longest ride I’ve accomplished in a long time, and for me a very good average speed.

I think this was good training for the upcoming MS: BB&T Tour to Tanglewood Ride 2008. Which, by the way, if you want to make a donation please click here. I would appreciate it very much. The cause is good. In an upcoming entry I’ll post some links that tell more about the ride and also some links to maps of the route.

I also think that just two weeks of three days each of commuting in to work on the single-speed bike have made a big difference already. I felt strong, stronger than usual, for the first 25 miles, and still good for much of the ride after that. I didn’t start to really feel the effects until the final 10 miles, and then the biggest problem I had was my lower back started to ache some. That will only be resolved by spending more time on the bike for longer distances.

All in all I’m very happy with today’s ride.

Technorati Tags: bicycle, bike, Cycling, route, training

In the shift to pedal power, bikers and drivers fight over their patch of asphalt.

Moving Targets - NYTimes.com

Technorati Tags: bicycle, bike, commute, commuting, Cycling, traffic

You may remember last week I was complaining about how one week I could feel good and strong while I was out on a bike ride, and then the next week was just a struggle. Well this week was a good week.

The route was the same as other recent weeks, but the overall pace was better. I did 35.22 miles with an average speed of 17 mph. That’s the best pace I’ve had over that distance in a long time.

I’m hoping that with the addition of daily commute rides that I’ll get a little stronger and will be able to do more rides of that pace and also rides of greater distance.

Technorati Tags: bike, Cycling, ride, route

This is my new single-speed bike…

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I got it to start commuting into work.

I made a test ride this morning and it will take around 20 minutes. 25 if I don’t push it much. I averaged around 15 mph. It’s only about 5 miles but it is kind of hilly. As I noted above this bike only has one gear, right now it is a freewheel cog which means I can coast. I’ve got a fixed gear cog on order which will allow me to flip the rear wheel around and make it a fixed gear bike; which means no coasting. I’m going to ride it for a few weeks using the freewheel gear to build up some new strength (with only a single speed you’ve got no choice but to climb whatever hill you hit with the gear you are in), and then to switch over to the fixed wheel and take my conditioning to a whole new level.

There are still a few things to sort out. I think I will have to carry a change of clothes and to keep a few toiletries at the office for using on the sweatier more humid mornings. I going to run around this weekend and gather up those things to get ready. My plan is to ride in on Monday morning.

Oh, and the bike is an SE - Lager. It’s a steel frame with a 46 tooth chainring and 16 tooth rear cog.

Marcella calls it my beer bike!

Technorati Tags: bike, commute, Cycling, office, ride, work

Marcella and I got out this morning for a Saturday morning bike ride. She’s been wanting to get back on the bike and we finally managed to get up and get it done.

We took Hilltop to Grandover to Guilford College and then Mackay back home. In total it was just over 13 miles. The pace wasn’t high, but it was a good start for getting her comfortable again in the saddle, and there are a couple of demanding hills that take coming to grips with, and she managed them with an easy steadiness.

The weather is nice. Warm, but not severely uncomfortable yet. All in all it was a real nice morning. Now we are drinking coffee and watching Stage 8 of the Tour de France.

Technorati Tags: bike, Cycling, ride, route