So, I have been challenged to update this blog and make it inspirational. I realize that my last post, especially, came across as very jaded, which is certainly not how I've been feeling lately.
Training has really been rocking lately! I'm up to doing 30 miles comfortably. I am doing long rides mainly on the weekends, but now that daylight savings time has changed, I can ride after work as well. I'm not fast, but I'm not racing, so it doesn't matter. I do other cardio cross-training pretty frequently, too, so I'm really working that. I really feel like I'll be completely ready by the time the trip comes around. I had friend send a link to routes that the Gainesville Cycling Club recommends, so in addition to the Hawthorne Trail, I've been trying a couple of those and really enjoying them! So, I'm working out at least 4 days a week, and trying to make 3 of those on my bike. Sometimes, the weather isn't good or it gets dark and I'm working late, so I end up on a training bike or just on a treadmill, but at least I'm getting training in.
I've also been learning a lot about bike maintenance and repair. My bike is old (from the 80's) and hasn't been ridden or maintenanced in about 10 years (I think). There's a steep learning curve when your bike is in the condition mine is. :) So, I learned how to change a tube for the first time (I got a flat a quarter mile into a ride one day), degreased and lubed the chain when it got loud and felt weird, and my dad and I changed the cable connected to my gears. Mine completely frayed and my gears stopped changing completely before a ride last weekend. I'm amazed at how well I'm already getting to know my bike. I can tell when something is even slightly off, tell exactly where it is coming from, and adjust things as needed.
My bike is becoming one of the new loves of my life (other loves being my 1964 1/2 Mustang and my cat, Apache). I've finally figured out why people love biking. I think biking is something that's going to stick with for awhile, although I've heard that Lubbock is not incredibly bike friendly.
Another post soon on fundraising! Lots of news! Hooray for biking!
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1 comment:
Dani, I am so excited that the training's going so well for you! I just finally got on my bike for a long ride yesterday and it felt really good. This week I am so bogged down in tests and work again I don't know if I'll get much riding in. What times have you been riding?
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