Baby steps

Today I joined a group of friends who rode in support of a cyclist who lost her husband to a sudden heart attack.  The Two Bridge Loop was his favorite ride, today we rode it for him, and for her.

We started out from Ft Vancouver. Our ride leader offered a few words of wisdom before the group pedaled off, joined by the widow, who thanked us for being there.

We pedaled eastbound, into a slight wind.  We crossed the Columbia River into Oregon on the Glenn Jackson Bridge. What wind there was, now became a tailwind.  We cruised along quickly.  I maxed out at 22mph, on my fixed gear bike, as I was catching back up to the group after taking this photo.

Mt Hood was doing its best to be "out".

I did eventually reel them back in.

We rode back west until we reached the Interstate Bridge and crossed back into Washington on the narrow bike lane provided there.

We finished up back where we started.  A nice spread of cookies, yogurt, bagels, and PBJ sandwiches was provided.  I believe there was coffee too, but I don't drink the stuff, so I didn't actually check what was in the pump containers.

It was a nice day, the highs were in the mid 60's F.  No rain was the bonus for a day in January. 19 miles on my second ride since mid November was good, but about my limit.  I had some pain in my elbow that was fractured just over 2 months ago.  My legs were tiring. my saddle interface area was getting sore, and I was ready for the ride to end. This is going to take some time.


........Road Bike........Rollers.......MTB..........Lifecycle......Total
Today ....19.................0.................0....................0..............19
Jan.........26................ 0................0.....................0..............26

A new year

I rode today, barely.  It was my first ride since being hit by a driver on November 15th. I only biked 1145 miles in the last 13 months, and 0 in the last 60 days, and it showed.  I first inspected the bike I had been riding when I was hit.  the fender braces were bent, and the rear rack was pretty scratched up, but other than that it seemed mechanically sound.  I put the bike back up on the hook and took down the fixie.  The fixie has flat pedals with clips and straps. It just wasn't going to be worth having to put on bike shoes and kit for a short ride. It was nearly 60 degrees F as I pedaled to the auto parts store to pick up a new fuel cap for my pickup.  I rode a few more miles around town just because the sun was shining.

My extreme lack of training showed.   My legs had no power, and my lungs couldn't keep up with even my low output.  But it was a start.

My plans to compete in Race Across Oregon this year are obviously scuttled.  There is no way I could be in shape to race 600 miles by July at this point.  I'll hopefully be able to try again next year.

........Road Bike........Rollers.......MTB..........Lifecycle......Total
Today ....7.................0.................0....................0...............7
Jan..........7................ 0................0.....................0...............7