Sunday, August 10, 2014

Three (mostly) successful rides

partly cloudy skies!
Thursday - Solo ride of a local 16.5 mile route with some hills.  The weather was quite nice, partly cloudy which is a treat for us in central New Mexico. I was feeling good and had four tubes, a bike pump, and two C02 cartridges just in case I had flat tire issues so that I wouldn't have to call for a ride home.  Ride started out well, but noticed front tire getting soft on the back part of the ride.

Rather than deal with it on the road, I rode on it carefully.  Tire pressure was down to 60psi at home; it was a slow leak not an all out flat. I put in a new tube *and* a new tire on the front. My bike is now sporting a matched set of Vredstein Fortezza tricomp tires. Was another frustrating ride experience, but it is what it is.

new front tire
Saturday - The plan was to complete a ~44 mile route with husband that includes much of the upcoming bike tour route.  I checked to see how my new front tire/tube was holding up before we left the house and it was in good shape.

I'm happy to say that we completed the full route as planned this time. Hit some debris under a bridge at ~mile 32 and had to change the front tube, otherwise an uneventful ride. I felt pretty good when we got home and was encouraged about our planned day 2 ride.  We really need that second day of training since the MS ride is two hilly days in a row, but we don't usually ride consecutive days in training.

ready for day 2
Sunday - Chose a local 18.5 mile route with hills to ride with husband with hills. Neither one of us was all that happy about being on our bikes for a second day in a row (saddle soreness), but once we got going it wasn't too bad. However, it quickly became clear that hills are going to be a challenge for me. Was struggling on the hills and was exhausted afterwards when we got home.

I'll admit, the struggle I had with the second day of riding was discouraging. However, I'm not ready to give up.  I'm just really glad that we're doing the back-to-back riding in training so that I'm in better shape the day of the event.  Besides, "Life's not about limiting your challenges, but challenging your limits."  Right? RIGHT?!?

So here's the plan for the upcoming week:

  • Thursday - Solo ~16-20 miles with hills
  • Saturday - Ride the 15 mile live.love.tri course (aquabike is the following week) with husband - possibly starting from home to add some distance?
  • Sunday - RailRunner 40mile bike tour with husband
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15 comments:

  1. CharSun Aug 10, 03:46:00 PM PDT

    Great to hear that the riding's going so well. And it's really not surprising that day two was a little tough after such a big ride the day before. I think I would have had issues just sitting on the bike from saddle soreness.

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    1. UnknownSun Aug 10, 04:00:00 PM PDT

      I have a new saddle on my bike this year, I got it second hand from my sister in law last fall. It's much better for me two days in a row. I could not have done it on my old saddle

      Delete
  2. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeMon Aug 11, 03:29:00 AM PDT

    Lisa! I'm so glad you're enjoying the bike! When I couldn't run, my bike was my savior.

    How's the foot?

    ~Wendy at Taking the Long Way Home

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    1. UnknownMon Aug 11, 06:28:00 PM PDT

      Well, the foot is not doing as well as I would like

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  3. Al's CL ReviewsMon Aug 11, 08:19:00 AM PDT

    "Life's not about limiting your challenges, but challenging your limits."

    I love that!

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    1. UnknownMon Aug 11, 06:29:00 PM PDT

      Yeah, me too. That's a nice thought to remember :-)

      Delete
  4. One Crazy PenguinMon Aug 11, 09:09:00 AM PDT

    Sounds like you are rocking the rides and getting good practice on changing tubes and flats! How did you learn to change one? Youtube?

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    1. UnknownMon Aug 11, 06:30:00 PM PDT

      Had someone show me. And lately I've had lots of practice. I'm getting pretty good at it :-)

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  5. TeamarciaMon Aug 11, 11:44:00 AM PDT

    Great rides for sure! You're becoming quite the pro. I'd be so done if I got a flat.

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    1. UnknownMon Aug 11, 06:30:00 PM PDT

      I used to feel that way, but I'm getting pretty good at feeling with flats now.practice makes perfect!

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  6. AnonymousMon Aug 11, 12:05:00 PM PDT

    Good job on riding so many miles. Is it normal to change tubes/tires that often I had no idea!

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    1. UnknownMon Aug 11, 06:32:00 PM PDT

      No, it's not normal. Something was wrong with my rear tire(sidewall puncture) and I'm not sure what the problem was with the front, but I think I should be okay for awhile now

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  7. ajhMon Aug 11, 02:17:00 PM PDT

    Great job! I still don't know how to change a flat.

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    1. UnknownMon Aug 11, 06:33:00 PM PDT

      Then I guess it's good that you haven't had to deal with it out on a ride!

      Delete
  8. Black KnightWed Aug 13, 11:15:00 PM PDT

    Glad you enjoy your ride. I miss my rides but the bike is forbidden here, after all my injures my wife is too scared.

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