Well at actually warmed up considerably today here. I think the high for the day was around 16.5 degrees C and it was a nice calm day when I brought Piper to school this morning. I was stoked, Piper off to school and 2 hours to get in a great ride (maybe a quick stop at Starbucks). The route I use for when Piper is at school keeps me withing 20 minutes walking distance of either home or the school pretty much at all times just in case something goes a little wonky.......good thing too, but I am getting a little ahead of myself.
After a pretty tame breakfast this morning I got the 2 amigos on their way to their respective buses and proceeded to get Piper in motion for the ride to school. I think she actually prefers going in the bike trailer vs the truck, at least that is what she said today.......works for me and hell saving a couple of bucks and being nicer to the environment. (ok so not a huge impact but hey every bit helps right?) Anyway, after a quick jaunt down the road (I altered the route slightly so we don't have to travel the sidewalk down a busy street seems there is a bike route running parallel to the main road...........who knew??) I had Piper in school and after disconnecting the Chariot I was on my way. Right off I knew I was in for a good ride, the Roady is sooo much nicer on the streets than the Hoss, speed is way quicker too, hills can be a little tougher but that will come as well.
The first 7 km were great, hell I even had to slow down in the School zone at Alex's School ( I go right by it on this circuit). I did slow down to 30km/h but only because there were lots of kids around and parents pulling in and out of parking spots, I wouldn't normally check my speed in situations like that. I up through the Crowfoot Crossing shopping area and start to work the first couple of uphills, then a down before making the final ascent. At the 11km mark my rear tire all of a sudden was going thump thump like there was a rock stuck in the treads (only problem is there are no real treads to speak of) I stopped right away and got off.........sure enough there it was.
All of a sudden..................ride over :(
I picked up the bike and power walked the 2k back to the house, took off the tire and threw it in the truck. Not overly disgusted but a bit annoyed. Funny I have been driving vehicles for 27 years and never had a flat on the road. Oh and to top it off that is a self tapping sheet metal screw so you just know what it did to the tire on the way in.........no salvaging that.
So in the end what was planned as 30+km turned into 12, not a total loss when I brought it down to Bow Cycle the good folks there gave me a smokin deal on a nice bike shirt, I have a long sleeve thermal but no short sleeve one. Now I am set. $40 got me a new tube and tire installed, plus a spare tube ( I figure I should for sure have one for the 200km ride plus I am going to do a couple of longer rides before that and rather than end my ride and call for rescue might as well learn to fix it roadside)
All was not lost however. Tammy has been working like crazy and she had an appointment at this end of the world late in the day so she was planning on working from home in the evening so I planned a nice ride. 16.5 degrees and sunny who wouldn't.
I came downstairs in my fancy new shirt and Tammy suggested I might be a little cold in it.......I said no I am all good. Wandered around a bit and thought, she is probably right it will be getting on close to sundown at the tail end no use getting a chill. On goes the thermal and off I go to do the 35km circuit through Bearspaw Country Club and the estate areas around there.
Well my good friend the wind decided to ramp up for the evening and the temperature was no 16 degrees, it was more like 4 and the wind had a bite to it. At the 22km point I decided to make a beeline for the house. By the time I got there I couldn't feel my fingers anymore.........in fact my hands were so cold they wouldn't operate the touchscreen on my Blackberry (seems it needs warmth to register). I know I am rushing spring after all it is only April 15th, but damn it seems like its taking forever this year. All in good time I suppose.
Some tidbits from todays rides
- Total Distance (including the little walk) 36.6km
- Average speed (not including the walk) 23.7km/h (based on that I would need 4.5 hrs to do the first day of the Cancer Ride - not bad)
- Top Speed 70.6km (yes it was downhill - and damn that is fast on a bike)
- Total Caloric burn (1,657 Kcal)
- Avg HR - 127bpm
- Max HR - 169bpm
Not much to report on the home front as I pretty much dashed out just as Tammy got in with Alex...........looking forward to the weekend it is supposed to be really warm and sunny going to get the kids out. If they want to go for a ride I am all for it, if not we will get the yard cleaned up a bit more. Hopefully things go well on Tammy's project tomorrow and Saturday and we can do something Sunday afternoon.
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