Saturday the weather wasn't supposed to be that great, but I wanted to get out on my bike any way. Thankfully the weather cooperated and I didn't get rained on.

My plan was to get out for 2 hours, and I had hoped to get to Cadboro Bay Village. I hit the time mark, but ended up going past where I thought I was going to get to. Bonus!

My kneed felt pretty good for most of the ride, though for a small section on the return trip I started to feel something that had me worried. I stretched a bit, and it seemed to go away.

It is lovely to be out on my bike these days, and I hope that I can keep it up. I am looking forward to getting on the the hills and doing some hard workouts!

The only downside was that I saw a car turn in front of a cyclist, and the cyclist struck the passenger side of the car. Down the rider went. Yikes. Thankfully she was ok.

View TDV 2013 Training May 11, 2013 in a larger map
Total distance: 52.22 km (32.4 mi)
Total time: 2:04:59
Moving time: 2:03:11
Average speed: 25.07 km/h (15.6 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 25.44 km/h (15.8 mi/h)
Max speed: 61.70 km/h (38.3 mi/h)
Average pace: 2.39 min/km (3.9 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 2.36 min/km (3.8 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 0.97 min/km (1.6 min/mile)
Max elevation: 328 m (1075 ft)
Min elevation: -46 m (-150 ft)
Elevation gain: 1745 m (5727 ft)
Max grade: 102 %
Min grade: -31 %

What a weekend. Dinner out on Friday, Saturday yard work, then a Tour de Victoria training ride, then a BBQ at the neighbours. Today some more yard work, then some time at the beach. All this in the warmest, sunniest weather so far this year. It actually hit 30 today.

My ride was pretty good too. I dropped my saddle a millimetre, and that made a huge difference in my comfort. My knee didn't bother me at all and I felt pretty good. I went from my place downtown along the water to Cattle Point, then back again. Not a huge ride, but it was wonderful to be out on the bike, and not all bundled up in cold weather gear.

View TDV 2013 Training in a larger map
Total distance: 38.00 km (23.6 mi)
Total time: 1:36:33
Moving time: 1:34:01
Average speed: 23.62 km/h (14.7 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 24.25 km/h (15.1 mi/h)
Max speed: 49.99 km/h (31.1 mi/h)
Average pace: 2.54 min/km (4.1 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 2.47 min/km (4.0 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 1.20 min/km (1.9 min/mile)
Max elevation: 82 m (270 ft)
Min elevation: -49 m (-162 ft)
Elevation gain: 839 m (2753 ft)
Max grade: 42 %
Min grade: -42 %

Today I went around the yard a took a few pictures of the garden.

The apple tree looks amazing this year.

More apple blossoms.

Lilacs

Mock orange

More Mock Orange

Peony about to burst

More peony

Sheba is visiting, and her and Heart had a great time at the beach. The kids did too, and Sue and I got to sit and enjoy the sun.

Dogs galore

Heart and Sheba

Heart cannot swim. Here she is flailing wildly.

Mt Baker was very clear today.

Well, my knee has kept me sidelined from riding while i got it checked out. The physio guy thought I should go for a ride on it, but to avoid a highly repetitive motion. He didn't want me to stress my knee at all, but felt that getting out and moving it would be good.

Today seemed like a good day to get out, and I was pretty stoked to get a ride in. I knew my fitness would be pretty minimal so I made sure to not track my stats too closely and ot just get out an enjoy riding.

Mission accomplished. I headed out on the goose towards Colwood, and turned around at the 1/2 hour mark.

My knee isn't 100%, but it is better. I didn't feel any pain, but I certainly felt an uncomfortable pressure. I stood for any hills, and rested my knee when I could. It was fun to get out there though.

I'm hopeful that I can get the training in for the Tour de Victoria this year. I feel like I am starting late, even though the date got moved to Sept 22. Fingers crossed I can get my fitness back.

View 28/04/2013 2:16PM in a larger map

Total distance: 24.71 km (15.4 mi)
Total time: 1:09:30
Moving time: 1:07:07
Average speed: 21.32 km/h (13.3 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 22.09 km/h (13.7 mi/h)
Max speed: 46.61 km/h (29.0 mi/h)
Average pace: 2.81 min/km (4.5 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 2.72 min/km (4.4 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 1.29 min/km (2.1 min/mile)
Max elevation: 46 m (151 ft)
Min elevation: -20 m (-67 ft)
Elevation gain: 489 m (1605 ft)
Max grade: 24 %
Min grade: -23 %

Yesterday I took the kids to Highrock Park to go "rock climbing". This just means letting them scramble over any rocks they want to, but it really is an easy way to convince them to go up to the park. The goal was to get Heart out for some exercise.

We had a good time up there, and I think I got some nice pictures. Of course while I was taking pictures and watching the kids, Heart disappeared on me. I soon learned she had made her way down to the field where other dog owners congregate and retrieve.

After collecting Heart we started making our way back home. Once we got out of the park, the rain started and poured for a few minutes. Good timing!

Last weekend we took Heart for a walk at Island View beach. It was a nice day, and the kids and the dog had a great time. Sue and I even got to sit and relax a bit while the kids played.