Tuesday, October 19, 2010

It's been a while....

... since my last post.


A lot has been accomplished in the last two months.


1. Vacation in Colorado, Denver/Boulder area


2. Quarter-century birthday


3. First century.
http://www.bikenewyork.org/rides/tlr/index.html/ .  A very flat ride with beautiful views of central Jersey.
My data. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50670286


4. Second century.
http://www.scampnrascal.com/BlackBear.html. This was a very murderous century for me.  The climbing was intimidating but the cold 22-24mph headwind during the climbs and descents really affected the numbers.
My less impressive numbers, but very happy I completed it. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/53235024


I know I should have posted entries right after each but a mix between laziness, training, and increased workload hindered my attempts to be creative.


I live in a tough climate.  We get all four seasons in the extremes and dressing for the rides can become a science.  As a first timer in the cold weather I was told trial and error are basically what correctly informs you what to wear during a ride.


In the summer it was simple; moisture wicking jersey, sunglasses, shorts, road shoes, and some sunblock.  Done. Go out and ride, have fun, keep hydrated because you have all day.  It slowly turned into; get home early, the sun is my warmth, deal with the wind chill.  Now this last week it's been even too cold for that after work because the sun is down when I'm at the quarter point in my training ride, time for a gear change.


I will state right now that I do not regret any of my purchases because I used every single one of them on my most recent century.  It was forty-degrees with a twenty-two to twenty-four mile per hour headwind with a wind-chill in the thirties.  All my purchases were on in the morning and stayed on throughout the whole ride.


Some pictures I took throughout the ride.
The group I rode with to the top of High Point State Park

Amazing view from the top of High Point State Park



My bike resting