cycling

What a spectacular ride today. No wind, sunshine, excellent temperature. Couldn't have imagined better conditions.

The original plan was to head up the Malahat until we ran out of time, then turn back and head home. Instead we headed out to Millstream Rd and took that to the end. This was a long gradual climb. At the end we turned around, made our way over to Ross Durance Lake road for some more climbing. Then, to add some more climbing we took Prospect Lake Rd back. My legs were pretty fried after all that. An easy spin home after that.

View Millstream Road Hill Workout in a larger map

Total Distance: 65.46 km (40.7 mi)
Total Time: 2:51:47
Moving Time: 2:41:59
Average Speed: 22.86 km/h (14.2 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 24.25 km/h (15.1 mi/h)
Max Speed: 63.00 km/h (39.1 mi/h)
Min Elevation: -11 m (-36 ft)
Max Elevation: 235 m (771 ft)
Elevation Gain: 671 m (2203 ft)
Max Grade: 9 %
Min Grade: -13 %

I gave blood on Thursday (donation number 51), and although it went fine, I had a ride planned and I was a little curious how my body would react. I didn't get enough sleep last night, so that compounded a feeling of dread for the ride.

Turned out that I was worried needlessly. My earlier training has left me much stronger and more fit than I expected. Even with the loss of blood, my legs felt strong. The only indication I had of something being up, was any time we hit a steep-ish hill, my heart rate skyrocketed.

My plan was to head out for 1.5 hours, which is what I pretty much hit. I was tired when I got home, but I know I could have gone longer. I didn't eat anything on the ride, so if I had, I could have easily done another hour.

View June 25 in a larger map

Total Distance: 39.45 km (24.5 mi)
Total Time: 1:52:51
Moving Time: 1:37:03
Average Speed: 20.97 km/h (13.0 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 24.39 km/h (15.2 mi/h)
Max Speed: 52.48 km/h (32.6 mi/h)
Min Elevation: -11 m (-35 ft)
Max Elevation: 74 m (242 ft)
Elevation Gain: 348 m (1140 ft)
Max Grade: 9 %
Min Grade: -10 %

Last week I had my road bike in the shop to get cleaned up. It hadn't seen any love in a while, and after the abuse I put it through for the Tour de Victoria, I knew it was time.

A major overhaul was ordered, and some new brake pads requested. 

I got on the machine for the first time today, and wow, it felt brand new again. A new shifter cable was installed, making shifting crisp and quick. The brakes were dialed in, and the whole bike was clean, clean clean.

I should have done that a long time ago.

The day after the Tour de Victoria was the Bastion Square Grand Prix. Since the kids were still up in Nanaimo, Sue and I headed downtown to watch some of the action before we headed up to retrieve our kids.

When we arrived we caught the end of the pro women's race. Amazing how fast they can go. When the roads are dry that is. On crash corner (Yates and Wharf) they lean their bikes over so much. After riding a road bike for a while now, I know that being able to lean a bike that much is a rush.

An interview with the womens winner.

The champagne toast!

Then the cat 1 men were up. Wow, I though the women were fast. The men were just that much faster. Right from the start they were amazing to watch. So tightly packed, yet no accidents.

This show could have been so amazing if there were a few more cyclists in the shot. The airplane, the harbour ferry, the water, the crowd. All that is missing is some riders.

Today's ride was killer. Great route, and despite the fact that my legs didn't feel very strong, I think I did pretty well. I made the time I wanted, which was at least 3.5 hours, and my total distance was 90.6 kms too! Woohoo.

The weather was supposed to be rainy, but instead it was cloudy with sunny periods. I was on the verge of being over dressed, which is way better than being cold. I spent a fair amount of time at the front and tried setting a good pace up some of the hills on Kangaroo Rd. We hit some great downhill sections too.

D and T wanted to head off an do Munn's Rd, but I chose Prospect Lake Rd instead. I had never ridden it, and it is part of my course. Nice road. Rolling hills, pretty scenery, but the road is in pretty rough shape. Now on my own, when I got to the end of Prospect Lake Rd, I had some decisions to make. I was at around 2.75 hours, and if I headed straight home I would be done too early.

I thought I would head over to the Lochside Trail and take that home. As I got close to that, I again realized that would cut my ride too short. I opted to head along the Mr Doug Parkway, then meandered over to UVic, down Foul Bay Rd to Oak Bay Ave, then took that to Yates St.

From Yates it was straight across the bridge and straight home from there. Great ride, but now I am poooooooped and my legs are pretty fried.

View Tour de Victoria, May 6, 2011 in a larger map

View Tour de Victoria, May 6, 2011 in a larger map

Total Distance: 90.62 km (56.3 mi)
Total Time: 4:05:55
Moving Time: 3:50:09
Average Speed: 22.11 km/h (13.7 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 23.62 km/h (14.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 59.40 km/h (36.9 mi/h)
Min Elevation: -14 m (-47 ft)
Max Elevation: 142 m (465 ft)
Elevation Gain: 1307 m (4288 ft)
Max Grade: 26 %
Min Grade: -19 %
Recorded: Sat May 07 08:34:32 PDT 2011

I love how good my riding is feeling though. Since I started training, I have certainly noticed how much I have improved my leg strength, and my endurance. This training has got me jonesing to get out on the trails too. Once the Tour de Victoria is over, I think I will switch over to my mountain bikes again.