Training continues for both my Father and me. Dad got in over 100 miles this past week and I managed to get out for a 40 mile ride plus some cross-training. Neither one of us feel ready for 100+ mile days but if we keep at it we should be ready by the time the trip starts.
Dad took another look at the route as he is starting to think about camp grounds. We are using Google Maps to send routes back and forth. While "Maps" is a great tool it isn't ideal for this type of planning. I've discovered it doesn't like to route over smaller roads and if you put in too many way points it won't provide directions at all.
It also doesn't seen to like the Blue Ridge Parkway. For those of you who haven't traveled up the eastern US the Blue Ridge Parkway was a depression era project that winds for 400+ miles. It has long since been replaced by faster roads but remains one of the most pleasant ways to travel if you have the time.
Right now it looks like we will need to plan the trip a day at a time to figure out stopping points and avoid some of the tool limitations. Look for more detailed plans, that will almost certainly change, in future postings.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
working out of town is bad for training;)
It was a good week for work, interesting opportunity in Chicago working with a great client and old friends.
Not such a good week for training as I didn't have either the time or my bike with me so I'm behind where I had hoped to be.
I did manage to use the hotel stairs to get a little training in but I think all that accomplished was to pull a muscle.
Back home today I got some time on the treadmill and a few laps in the pool so if I were training for a triathlon instead of a cross-country ride it would have been a good day.
Plan is to get out and do a different 40+ mile loop tomorrow..hope the last few days off the bike don't make that too painful!
Not such a good week for training as I didn't have either the time or my bike with me so I'm behind where I had hoped to be.
I did manage to use the hotel stairs to get a little training in but I think all that accomplished was to pull a muscle.
Back home today I got some time on the treadmill and a few laps in the pool so if I were training for a triathlon instead of a cross-country ride it would have been a good day.
Plan is to get out and do a different 40+ mile loop tomorrow..hope the last few days off the bike don't make that too painful!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
blog vs email? too much? topics OK?
Now that I've been updating this blog for a few weeks I'd appreciate a little feedback.
Is this format a good way to keep you current on progress?
Would you prefer to get emails rather than using this blog?
Too much or too little information?
Topics OK or is there something else you are looking for?
Your feedback - either via the blog or directly to me at kwalter30@tx.rr.com would be very much appreciated!
...Keith
Is this format a good way to keep you current on progress?
Would you prefer to get emails rather than using this blog?
Too much or too little information?
Topics OK or is there something else you are looking for?
Your feedback - either via the blog or directly to me at kwalter30@tx.rr.com would be very much appreciated!
...Keith
40 in spite of myself
Probably just old age but I don't remember training being so complicated. It used to be I'd get on my bike and ride. Now I probably need a checklist for all the gadgets.
I was disappointed when I didn't complete the 40 mile loop yesterday so today was going to be the day.
Of course there was the issue of my back tire. And the new "clipless" pedals and shoes. You see after my Dad talked about finally giving up my sneakers and toe clips I ordered a new set of pedals and shoes.
The new toys showed up while I was out riding yesterday so on a hunch I tried putting them on my 37 year old bike and was not surprised to learn the "standard" for pedals had changed.
Fortunately a few years ago we bought my son a new "hybrid" bike in the hopes it would get him outside and away from video games once in while. I think he used the bike once but I can't be sure;)
Needless to say I commandeered his bike and sure enough the new pedals fit. Of course things like my mirror and handlebar bag wouldn't fit on his bike but I was able to move the GPS successfully.
So it was that with a new bike, new shoes, new pedals, and an old water/backpack combo Vicki found in the back of a closet I was ready to try the 40 mile loop again.
The good news is I successfully rode at least 40 miles today and have lived to tell the tale. The bad news is I forget to push the start button after telling the Garman to run the route so I'll never now how far I really rode.
I'm reasonably sure it was well over 40 miles however as once again I managed to get lost, hit multiple detours, and discovered a couple of miles of dirt road.
All this "sweat equity" will no doubt help once the trip starts...right?
By the way Dad, assuming you are reading this, Jeff's bike is a 21 speed that is probably more similar to the Miyata you have waiting for me so not to worry about my ability to adjust...you will need to find another excuse to delay our start;)
I was disappointed when I didn't complete the 40 mile loop yesterday so today was going to be the day.
Of course there was the issue of my back tire. And the new "clipless" pedals and shoes. You see after my Dad talked about finally giving up my sneakers and toe clips I ordered a new set of pedals and shoes.
The new toys showed up while I was out riding yesterday so on a hunch I tried putting them on my 37 year old bike and was not surprised to learn the "standard" for pedals had changed.
Fortunately a few years ago we bought my son a new "hybrid" bike in the hopes it would get him outside and away from video games once in while. I think he used the bike once but I can't be sure;)
Needless to say I commandeered his bike and sure enough the new pedals fit. Of course things like my mirror and handlebar bag wouldn't fit on his bike but I was able to move the GPS successfully.
So it was that with a new bike, new shoes, new pedals, and an old water/backpack combo Vicki found in the back of a closet I was ready to try the 40 mile loop again.
The good news is I successfully rode at least 40 miles today and have lived to tell the tale. The bad news is I forget to push the start button after telling the Garman to run the route so I'll never now how far I really rode.
I'm reasonably sure it was well over 40 miles however as once again I managed to get lost, hit multiple detours, and discovered a couple of miles of dirt road.
All this "sweat equity" will no doubt help once the trip starts...right?
By the way Dad, assuming you are reading this, Jeff's bike is a 21 speed that is probably more similar to the Miyata you have waiting for me so not to worry about my ability to adjust...you will need to find another excuse to delay our start;)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
17 is the new 40
The weather is nice so I had planned to get in 40 miles this morning on a route around Grapevine lake.
Last night being poker night, I was a little slow getting out of bed and on the road this morning. I probably should have viewed it as a "sign" when it took me 3 tries to gather everything for the ride.
The first part of the route is one used by the local bike club. Another one of those "signs" was when one of the riders passed me for the third time and commented about it being like the "tortoise and the hare".
I can understand why the route is popular. It winds down the Eastern edge of the lake before crossing the damn and then meandering near the marina. Watching the sailboats as I was riding I couldn't help but wonder if I'd be preparing to sail around the world if Dad had decided to sail rather than bike.
Without knowing it I had selected a route that took me through the Vineyards Campground. This was really pleasant until I hit the tall fence at the other side of the campground 5 feet from the road I needed to get to.
Turns out the fence was well timed because as I started to ride out things got a little bumpy. Seems my back tire had decided enough was enough. Given the tires I've been riding on are probably 20 years old I've been really lucky to get this far.
While I had a spare tire with me the tools I was carrying were pretty limited so when my wife agreed to come rescue me the 17 miles I had already completed seemed like a good way to end the day.
Last night being poker night, I was a little slow getting out of bed and on the road this morning. I probably should have viewed it as a "sign" when it took me 3 tries to gather everything for the ride.
The first part of the route is one used by the local bike club. Another one of those "signs" was when one of the riders passed me for the third time and commented about it being like the "tortoise and the hare".
I can understand why the route is popular. It winds down the Eastern edge of the lake before crossing the damn and then meandering near the marina. Watching the sailboats as I was riding I couldn't help but wonder if I'd be preparing to sail around the world if Dad had decided to sail rather than bike.
Without knowing it I had selected a route that took me through the Vineyards Campground. This was really pleasant until I hit the tall fence at the other side of the campground 5 feet from the road I needed to get to.
Turns out the fence was well timed because as I started to ride out things got a little bumpy. Seems my back tire had decided enough was enough. Given the tires I've been riding on are probably 20 years old I've been really lucky to get this far.
While I had a spare tire with me the tools I was carrying were pretty limited so when my wife agreed to come rescue me the 17 miles I had already completed seemed like a good way to end the day.
another 26 miles
When I started training my hope was that all this riding would allow me to eat anything I wanted and lose weight. Unfortunately I have discovered that my ability to consume calories per unit of time far exceeds my ability to burn them;(
Friday was a better day with the Garmin. I downloaded a 26 mile loop that took a particularly winding set of tiny roads. What I'm learning is that no one view works for all situations and that I need to switch between compass and map views with different levels of detail to really understand some of the turns that come close together.
Friday was also the first day out with a new set of bike shorts. Slowly but surly I'm accumulating the clothing and gadgets that hopefully will make this trip not only possible but enjoyable.
By the end of 26 miles it was clear I'm getting stronger but not nearly as fast as I'd like to be. With cycling you are supposed to maintain a high cadence but I have some bad old habits of running in a higher gear that I'm finding hard to break.
Friday was a better day with the Garmin. I downloaded a 26 mile loop that took a particularly winding set of tiny roads. What I'm learning is that no one view works for all situations and that I need to switch between compass and map views with different levels of detail to really understand some of the turns that come close together.
Friday was also the first day out with a new set of bike shorts. Slowly but surly I'm accumulating the clothing and gadgets that hopefully will make this trip not only possible but enjoyable.
By the end of 26 miles it was clear I'm getting stronger but not nearly as fast as I'd like to be. With cycling you are supposed to maintain a high cadence but I have some bad old habits of running in a higher gear that I'm finding hard to break.
Cliburn - Good; P.F. Chang's - Bad
Vicki (my wife) has agreed to drive my parent's motor home as our "sag wagon/motel". Needless to say this has created a huge husband-point deficit for me. Therefore when she hinted that she really wanted to attend the Van Cliburn competition this year it was hard to say no.
Thursday evening we made our first trip to the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. The Bass is a beautiful building and sits in an entertainment district called Sundance Square. We decided to make it a date night and take advantage of a P.F. Chang's gift card we had received as a gift.
Probably should have brought the GPS with me as we circled Sundance Square a couple of times working up both an appetite and blisters before finding the restaurant.
While the meal and service were good I won't be heading back to any P.F. Chang's again. You see when it came time to pay they explained out gift card had "expired".
Am I the only one who finds it crazy that a compay will take your money and then tell you sorry - you didn't spend it with us fast enough?
OK the secret is out...I view gift cards as one of the greatest scams since AIG.
By the way, while our local newspaper critic didn't think much of the perfromances we say I was impressed. These kids (15-25 years old) play almost non-stop for an hour mostly from memory musical numbers that make my fingers hurt just watching them.
Thursday evening we made our first trip to the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. The Bass is a beautiful building and sits in an entertainment district called Sundance Square. We decided to make it a date night and take advantage of a P.F. Chang's gift card we had received as a gift.
Probably should have brought the GPS with me as we circled Sundance Square a couple of times working up both an appetite and blisters before finding the restaurant.
While the meal and service were good I won't be heading back to any P.F. Chang's again. You see when it came time to pay they explained out gift card had "expired".
Am I the only one who finds it crazy that a compay will take your money and then tell you sorry - you didn't spend it with us fast enough?
OK the secret is out...I view gift cards as one of the greatest scams since AIG.
By the way, while our local newspaper critic didn't think much of the perfromances we say I was impressed. These kids (15-25 years old) play almost non-stop for an hour mostly from memory musical numbers that make my fingers hurt just watching them.
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