Spring 2009!
Okay, it is time for the fair weather commuter to dust off the bike and start my weekly/bi-weekly bike commute to Tysons Corner. The good news is my company moved its office so I no longer have to gamble with my life trying to cross route 7. We also have a storage closet in the parking garage for easy parking. This year I'm not commuting on the Bike Friday- 10-miles is a bit far for this 20" wheeled platform when not on just pure road. I've built up a Karate Monkey commuting machine and will get done. I'll start the seasons with just Friday's. Tues/Thursday AM are going to be reserved for MTB and Road Rides in the urban cycling paradise around Ravensworth Farms. I'll likely wait another week so that my PROCEDURE can heal up proper.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
First day of commuting Action!
Platform: Bike Friday.
It was an interesting ride. I was very tired on the return trip... 11.24 miles in 70 mins in the morning and 12.01 miles in 64 minutes on the way back...goes to show roads w/ less traffic you can push the pace and ultimately it is faster...
I was appalled at the crap intersections w/ no safe ways to cross!
My route consisted of dumping down into the Fairfax Cross County Trail (CCT) and heading north through Wakefield Park, toiling along to get on the paved section of the CCT. I dumped out of CCT on King Arthur's Blvd toward INOVA Hosptital/Gallows...er, I didn't realize how hilly this road was. I went North On Gallows, which wasn't that bad at 0700. I stayed on the side walk, which SUCKED! So I was about risking life and limb and owned the road West on Old Courthouse Road, Gosnell and crossed route 7 at the only cross walk I could find or know.
The ride home was harder, but in a strange way more fun.
Platform: Bike Friday.
It was an interesting ride. I was very tired on the return trip... 11.24 miles in 70 mins in the morning and 12.01 miles in 64 minutes on the way back...goes to show roads w/ less traffic you can push the pace and ultimately it is faster...
I was appalled at the crap intersections w/ no safe ways to cross!
My route consisted of dumping down into the Fairfax Cross County Trail (CCT) and heading north through Wakefield Park, toiling along to get on the paved section of the CCT. I dumped out of CCT on King Arthur's Blvd toward INOVA Hosptital/Gallows...er, I didn't realize how hilly this road was. I went North On Gallows, which wasn't that bad at 0700. I stayed on the side walk, which SUCKED! So I was about risking life and limb and owned the road West on Old Courthouse Road, Gosnell and crossed route 7 at the only cross walk I could find or know.
The ride home was harder, but in a strange way more fun.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Prepping for my first Bike Commute to Tyson's Corner.
Today I had my second blood sample taken due to my bad Cholesterol and newly high blood pressure. I haven't gained weight but it seems my genealogy makes me biased for these conditions. I've really hammered down on the good eatings- pretty much have a 1/2 cup of oatmeal, w/ a tablespoon of flax seed, ounce of dried cranberries, ounce of almonds and a 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar every day for breakfast. I've cut out quite a bit of the bad stuff so hoping the results will come out better this round.
On the fitness side, I've committed to bike commuting as much as I can. Between Fatherhood, a full blown career the hours for personal fitness are few and far between. The best time is the early A.M. and I find just working out in the morning to have low functional utility...why not use that time to get me from point A to point B. Why not make every day a bit of an adventure before work and after. The route between Springfield and Tysons is not a fun or great one- but it is at least 12 miles one way and that is 24 miles a day of cycling and at least 2-hours of exercise...not to mention stress reducing, potential fun.
Anyway, I got everything I need and will try it out Tuesday morning. Monday's I teach a combative class in the evening so don't want to risk missing that. Plus, Plan on taking shoes/belt and hygiene kit into the office to minimize what I have to pack for the ride up.
Should be fun!
Today I had my second blood sample taken due to my bad Cholesterol and newly high blood pressure. I haven't gained weight but it seems my genealogy makes me biased for these conditions. I've really hammered down on the good eatings- pretty much have a 1/2 cup of oatmeal, w/ a tablespoon of flax seed, ounce of dried cranberries, ounce of almonds and a 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar every day for breakfast. I've cut out quite a bit of the bad stuff so hoping the results will come out better this round.
On the fitness side, I've committed to bike commuting as much as I can. Between Fatherhood, a full blown career the hours for personal fitness are few and far between. The best time is the early A.M. and I find just working out in the morning to have low functional utility...why not use that time to get me from point A to point B. Why not make every day a bit of an adventure before work and after. The route between Springfield and Tysons is not a fun or great one- but it is at least 12 miles one way and that is 24 miles a day of cycling and at least 2-hours of exercise...not to mention stress reducing, potential fun.
Anyway, I got everything I need and will try it out Tuesday morning. Monday's I teach a combative class in the evening so don't want to risk missing that. Plus, Plan on taking shoes/belt and hygiene kit into the office to minimize what I have to pack for the ride up.
Should be fun!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Is it Spring Yet?
Wow- 2 x weeks in a row out on the bike! It was a bit chilly at 1030 hrs when we got started, but well worth it. This is great weather to start getting in shape, granted a balmy 50-degrees would have been a bit nicer. I invited 2 x folks along, but one bailed due to lack of preparation. The other, Greg F., hasn't MTB'd in several year- granted his old ride- Specialized XC Dually w/ a nice kit/rim brakes was in great shape and needed some mileage put on it.
We ran into some folks from Md trying to find the race course at Wakefield and we ended up w/ a group ride w/ well over a 1/2 dozen folks. This week the ride was more enjoyable for me. Although the body is aching a bit and the lungs are lacking I totally missed the great vibe of pumping every bit of the trail, railing corners and the smooth serenity of flow. More importantly my body has been aching for some serious cardiovascular duress and MTB is the ticket. It is hell to do any cardiovascular indoors on any contraption for 20-mins, sucks purty bad and hurts to try and run, but get on a bike and an hour goes by really fast.
I also spent some time this weekend building up my newly acquired Karate Monkey. Likely my last bike/build for years upon years. It is amusing how much I know about wrenching- as I dug through about every tool you could need to work on a bike, lots of memories of lots of builds, repairs and what not came to me. Granted, these days my love is for simplicity- just non-suspended 29ers. I'll got to high technology when my body demands it, however, until then I'll toil w/ simplicity.
Wow- 2 x weeks in a row out on the bike! It was a bit chilly at 1030 hrs when we got started, but well worth it. This is great weather to start getting in shape, granted a balmy 50-degrees would have been a bit nicer. I invited 2 x folks along, but one bailed due to lack of preparation. The other, Greg F., hasn't MTB'd in several year- granted his old ride- Specialized XC Dually w/ a nice kit/rim brakes was in great shape and needed some mileage put on it.
We ran into some folks from Md trying to find the race course at Wakefield and we ended up w/ a group ride w/ well over a 1/2 dozen folks. This week the ride was more enjoyable for me. Although the body is aching a bit and the lungs are lacking I totally missed the great vibe of pumping every bit of the trail, railing corners and the smooth serenity of flow. More importantly my body has been aching for some serious cardiovascular duress and MTB is the ticket. It is hell to do any cardiovascular indoors on any contraption for 20-mins, sucks purty bad and hurts to try and run, but get on a bike and an hour goes by really fast.
I also spent some time this weekend building up my newly acquired Karate Monkey. Likely my last bike/build for years upon years. It is amusing how much I know about wrenching- as I dug through about every tool you could need to work on a bike, lots of memories of lots of builds, repairs and what not came to me. Granted, these days my love is for simplicity- just non-suspended 29ers. I'll got to high technology when my body demands it, however, until then I'll toil w/ simplicity.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Young Cyclist in the Making:
Jack eats it on this one, but he was fine.
Colin shredding it up- we ended up getting him a better ride- will post photos later.
OUT!
Jack eats it on this one, but he was fine.
Colin shredding it up- we ended up getting him a better ride- will post photos later.
OUT!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Outsourcing to max ride time!
This year, I'm doing some things different to literally buy back time for cycling. One, I'm outsourcing all major projects. I've cut spending, saving more and am getting my basement over-hauled professionally. MB-Construction is doing the work- details here.
The second major thing is figuring out a way to bike commute to Tysons at least 2 x week. I think I can wiggle up past route 50 via the CCT and then just ride the sidewalks up Gallows. I'm too scared to ride the road and won't. If I can find a back road wiggle, I'll do that, but plan on recon'ing where to lock my bike at work and then will bring it on.
I definitely want to race WAW and 1 or 2 CM if feasible.
This year, I'm doing some things different to literally buy back time for cycling. One, I'm outsourcing all major projects. I've cut spending, saving more and am getting my basement over-hauled professionally. MB-Construction is doing the work- details here.
The second major thing is figuring out a way to bike commute to Tysons at least 2 x week. I think I can wiggle up past route 50 via the CCT and then just ride the sidewalks up Gallows. I'm too scared to ride the road and won't. If I can find a back road wiggle, I'll do that, but plan on recon'ing where to lock my bike at work and then will bring it on.
I definitely want to race WAW and 1 or 2 CM if feasible.
First Ride of the Year!
8.54 miles, 1:11:49 w/ an average pace of 8.34 mph...geez, it is shocking to think it is my first ride of the year- crazy! I rode from my house to the CCT North towards Wakefield Park. I spent some time checking out Phase IV of the trail work - the only bit of trail I failed to help put in at Wakefield, times have changed.
The good news is that my lower back, triceps and quads didn't go acidic on me- the Martial Arts training has sustained me a bit. Seems the core issue is aerobic. Anyway a good season opener. I'm going to shoot for 500-miles at a minimum this year- if I can get 1000 that would be wicked, but that is a lot of riding.
6 hours after the ride and I'm still feeling high energy- have been able to dork around all day and maintain family opns, good sign.
8.54 miles, 1:11:49 w/ an average pace of 8.34 mph...geez, it is shocking to think it is my first ride of the year- crazy! I rode from my house to the CCT North towards Wakefield Park. I spent some time checking out Phase IV of the trail work - the only bit of trail I failed to help put in at Wakefield, times have changed.
The good news is that my lower back, triceps and quads didn't go acidic on me- the Martial Arts training has sustained me a bit. Seems the core issue is aerobic. Anyway a good season opener. I'm going to shoot for 500-miles at a minimum this year- if I can get 1000 that would be wicked, but that is a lot of riding.
6 hours after the ride and I'm still feeling high energy- have been able to dork around all day and maintain family opns, good sign.
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