Although I will never consider myself a serious rider who is poised for any heart-pounding obstacle thrown at me – I like to be in shape for a ride. Nothing is more frustrating than when I get on the bike and realize that I won’t be able to go very fast for very long due to limitations of my body. Either my legs have too little strength or my heart can’t deliver the oxygen/fuel to keep me moving at the speed I feel comfortable riding. I need to ride at 20mph on the flats – that is what is programmed into my head. My body needs to be ready to support this rate and do it for one to two hours at a time. Anything short of that leaves me frustrated and grumpy.
In order to hit those marks, it means I need to keep a fairly steady rate of riding throughout each week. Part of my motivation for the ride comes from this blog. Since you are reading this – I feel some additional pressure to demonstrate that I can ride consistently and perform decently.
Thus came two rides this week that were all about the miles needed to maintain my base fitness. Neither ride was very eventful, so I will simply stick to the stats and offer limited commentary.
Here is Monday’s weather details:
- Date: Monday, July 6th 2009
- Temp: 82F
- nice mix of clouds and sun
- 10-15mph wind from the NW
Here is Wednesday’s weather details:
- Date: Wednesday, July 8th 2009
- Temp: 72F
- early evening sunshine
- at least 10mph wind from the south
My daughter is with Candace on Monday’s, so it gives me the option to stretch out the distance/time longer without the parental pressure of leaving your kid at home to enjoy a self-gratifying activity. Thus, the ride distance approached 30 miles and meandered through the rolling hills of Medina, Maple Plain, and Wayzata. It was a decent ride with little to report.
- Start time: 3:00pm
- distance: 28.4 miles
- avg speed: 18.3 mph
- duration: 1:33
- bike odometer: 786
Wednesday’s ride was a little more unique. My daughter is with me this evening, but has to attend a two-hour art class at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. During the past few sessions, I have simply brought my computer or a book and hung out at the art center from 7pm to 9pm. But, I noticed a large number of riders in the area and saw there was a dedicated bike path that runs right next to the center. Instead of hanging out doing little, I chose to bring my Old Steed and give it a spin on this trail – just to see where it would go and pass the time with a little effort put into the legs.
What I found is something called the Dakota Rail Regional Trail (say that three times fast!) and spent nearly 1.5 hours enjoying the ride. I had not known this trail was around and so nicely isolated that it became an easy ride.
Just like the Midtown Greenway ride – I was dressed pretty low-key in cut-offs and simple t-shirt. I only planned for a <15mph leisure ride, but quickly picked up the pace and turned it into a real workout.
- Start time: 7:10pm
- distance: 23.7 miles
- avg speed: 17.5 mph
- duration: 1:21
This trail is heavily used (especially on a nice evening), so there were plenty of obstacles. Plus, these types of trails really aren’t meant for 20mph riding. I bet I stated “on your right” nearly 200 times, as I worked my way from one end to the other.
I first took the trail back toward downtown Wayzata, just to see where it actually originates in the town. No surprise that it runs right into the main thoroughfare of Lake Street. Heading back in the direction leading along Lake Minnetonka, the trail hugs the lake for a long way. I covered at about 12 miles of the whole path and would have likely hit more, if I didn’t acknowledge the need to head back to the art center and pick up my daughter. I don’t think I would win “Dad of the Year” awards for leaving my daughter stranded at the art center while I am seeking new adventures on the bike.
The downside – old railroad trails are really boring rides (flat and straight with non-changing scenery). The upside is that this trail is easy access and provides something to pass the two hours I need to wait for my daughter’s class to finish. Two birds – one stone. It will likely become a regular ride each week.
A simple side note about riding the Old Steed. It is now getting increasingly difficult to get back on that old bike – as most of my rides are now taken on the Specialized Tarmac. The ride is still wonderfully smooth on the old Trek, but there is something incredibly comfortable with the Tarmac. For a bike that is designed to go as fast as possible, including uphill, the Tarmac is amazingly comfortable for longer distances. I think I found the perfect bike for my style of riding and I consider it one of the best purchases I have made in my life. I hope it lasts me the same 23 years that I’ve had with the old Trek 560.
