Headwinds OMG Headwinds!

Linda and I met in Green Mountain for our regular Friday ride. The difference from the last few rides was ... it was cooooooold, and the wind was blowing. It wasn't too terrible. We put on an additional layer of clothing and put on gloves. And off we went, as we approached Relief the wind started blowing harder and it begin to spit a little rain at us. We decided to keep going and that we would trust the weather report that said the rain wasn't coming until the evening. The wind kept increasing, but the rain did go away.

As we approached Huntdale the wind almost blew me off the road, but we kept going. We kept saying that the ride back would be easier, because we would have a tailwind. We got a little relief from the wind as we were about a mile from the end of Huntdale Road and I actually warmed up. Then we turned on Hwy 19-W we felt like we hit a wall, the headwind was so strong, we could hardly pedal against it.

We took a break at the Egypt/Ramseytown Fire Station and stretched out a little. The wind did settle down a little bit. We decided that we should head back and wait till a day that was warmer to do a longer ride. So we began the ride back. The tailwind we were expecting didn't really materialize. At least it wasn't a headwind. We turned onto Huntdale Road and it was nice to be out of the wind again.

As we approached Huntdale the wind started back up again ... one problem ... it wasn't a tailwind. The wind had shifted and we were pedaling into a strong headwind, even more than when we had come from the other direction. It seemed that each turn of the pedals brought us more headwind.

We stopped to take a break and stretch a little when we got to Relief. Then started pedaling again, we only had four miles left to get back to our cars, and the climb was over. There was one minor hill and a couple short little rises left. We were beginning to feel fatigued it was getting harder and harder to pedal against the headwind. As we were coming up the last little rise I had to drop down into my granny gear, and I shouted "This isn't a hill!" Linda shouted back "It feels like one!"

We rode up to our cars and decided that we needed to go get a cup of coffee. We did 24 miles, which is a good afternoon ride, but today it felt like we had done about 40.

Another nice day of hiking!

The River Loop Trail and Set Rock Creek Falls ... Awesome!

My friend Calla and I went out hiking today. We did the River Loop Trail again. I will never get tired of this hike and it really is my favorite hike. She had taken her husband there yesterday and had lost the trail. So we went again today and had her lead, so she could figure out where she had gone wrong yesterday.

Calla

Me

It was a beautiful day, a wonderful hike, good company, and even looked at new things. I'm tired, so I'm not going to say a lot. But I will upload photos. I took Gary's camera with me and played with the panoramic shots.

Deer feeding area.

Panoramic shot

Rapid at the headwaters of the South Toe

South Toe

South Toe

Panoramic shot of the South Toe

Old Stump

Panoramic shot of Set Rock Creek Falls

Set Rock Creek Falls

15 went to 20 went to 24 went to 30 went to 28

Well as I started out for my ride I decided to go for 15 miles. That means from Green Mountain I would turn around at Huntdale. So I headed out, I had on my under armor shirt, jersey over, arm warmers, and tights. I thought that was going to be enough, but I did put a wind shirt and some full gloves in my camelbak. I got about a half mile down the road and I was freezing. I stopped and put on the wind shirt an the gloves and that fixed it.

When I arrived in Huntdale, I was comfortable and feeling good. I decided to keep going and do 20 miles. That means I would turn around just beyond Imagene's house. When I got there, I was comfortable and feeling good. I decided to keep going and do 24 miles. When I got to the Egypt/Ramseytown Fire Station, I was comfortable and feeling good. I decided to keep going and do 30 miles. When I got to the turn around point for 28 miles the wind was blowing really hard, and I decided 28 was going to be the right number of miles for today.

It was beautiful out there, and today wildlife began showing up. Almost immediately there were three Ospreys circling around. I saw Canada geese in several locations. There was one Red-tailed hawk flying overhead. A groundhog ran down a hill and then stopped in its tracks when it saw me. And as I came around a bend in the river, there was the most amazing Great Blue Heron in the middle of the river. Wow what a day not to bring my camera.

As always ... I want to ride my bicycle ... and I did!

Waiting for warmth!

Well yesterday I took the day off. The tiredness had continued. I feel better today, but it is cold this morning. Although I am enjoying my time in the sun, I do find the job search a little ... well a lot actually ... discouraging. I have had several interviews. One I went for four interviews. I was told that after the budget meeting, I would start. Then after the budget meeting, they were told they couldn't hire anyone new. So I continue my schedule of riding and working out. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying this time of riding and working out. However, I have worked since I was 17 with only a couple of short periods of not working to go to school, or take care of an illness.

I interviewed last week, however, they don't have the funds to hire, they are writing a grant to be able to fund the position. I guess they have to show that they have someone who can do the job. Well it is a director's position, if the grant comes through I'll take it. Most places you don't even get to finish asking the question before they say they are not hiring. Then you interview (and some places multiple times) then they say they are not hiring right now.

I really am enjoying my time in the sun. Trying to let go of feeling down about work. Some days I'm great with it and enjoy the hell out of just going with the flow. Then late at night when I can't sleep I feel guilty about not working. Someone the other day asked me if I was Catholic or Jewish. I told them no, but my Southern Baptist upbringing played the guilt card a lot too. You know anything fun was a sin.

Okay enough of the down and dreary, going to ride when it warms up. Lunch time interview on Friday and will ride afterwards. I'll see you later with a ride update.

As always ... I want to ride my bicycle.

Tired!

Great week ... great weekend ... great bike rides ... great hikes ... great workouts ... I'm beat.

I need to rest I believe. My workout today was difficult at best. While spinning I shoot for a heart rate between 140 - 150 on cardio days and 150 - 165 on interval days. Today was supposed to be a cardio day and I was having difficulty getting my heart rate up to 140. I had to change to my interval workout just to make it to 146 ... man! Today was a leg and ab weight workout. Usually I rest between exercises, but not between sets. Today I had to rest between each set. I accomplished my work out and did the weight intensity that was in the schedule. Just had to rest a lot.

Usually this level of tiredness follows a night of insomnia, but I slept like a log last night. I'll see how I am tomorrow. If I'm still this tired I'll take the day off, if not I'll ride.

On a good note, I lost one and a quarter pounds this week. So in three weeks that brings me to four and a half pounds. So far so good with the group meetings. I'm beginning to feel good about this part of my journey.

As always ... I want to ride my bicycle ... but today I'm too tired.

Can You Say Cross Training?

Went on my favorite hike today with Calla. We decided to start a little earlier than last time. Not much, just 30 minutes earlier. We hiked the River Loop Trail at Black Mountain Campground, and had lunch at Set Rock Creek Falls. No ice or snow this time, it has all melted off. We hiked and talked and it was really nice, not too cool, not too warm. As we forded the creek I just felt like it was beautiful and I asked Calla to take a picture of it.

Creek Crossing River Loop Trail

The clouds came in and started to sprinkle a little, then it got beautiful again. As we hiked up to Set Rock Creek Falls it was really nice, we had our lunch and the clouds came rolling back in. We decided we better get on back to the car. As we approached the car a little sprinkle started up.

As we were driving out we stopped and Calla took photos of a quilt block, the sun came back out and we decided we would hike up to Roaring Fork Falls. Calla had never been there. She was very much impressed by it.

Roaring Fork Falls

As we were hiking back to the car it began to rain. It wasn't a down pour, so we just continued to hike on out. We were pretty wet when we got back to the car, but not absolutely drenched. So we hiked about five miles today, beautiful day.

As always ... I want to ride my bicycle ... but taking a break and hiking is nice too.

30 Miles WooHoo!

Well it was an absolutely gorgeous day today. I met Colleen in Green Mountain for my favorite ride. It was a little brisk when we started out and all though we warmed up neither of us ever took off any of our extra layers.

It was great! We stopped in Relief and I took photos of some of the quilt squares that were out there.

Railroad Quilt

Scrapaholics Delight

Bradford Nine

Then we stopped in Pigeon Roost and I took a picture of a quilt square there.

Carolina Flower Garden

We stopped after Pigeon Roost so that Colleen could get rid of a little coffee ... haha ... then on through Huntdale and stopped at the Egypt/Ramseytown Fire Station so that I could get rid of a little coffee. At that point we had gone almost 12 miles. We decided we could go a little further. So we went on. We turned around when we arrived at the 15 mile mark. Pretty cool. I decided to film on the way back. I haven't finished editing it yet, but when I do I'll add a little clip into this post.

Tomorrow should be another fun day. I will be hiking the River Loop Trail with Calla again.

Rest Day For More Reasons Than One

Well, I guess I've been having just too much fun. Last night was not good. About three in the morning my husband woke up with Vertigo. He said he felt something pop in his neck and then the room started to spin. He didn't want to go to the emergency room, but he laid in bed and moaned. Neither of us got any sleep at all. I took him to the doctor this morning and you probably can guess, they don't know what is causing it. He has some congestion ... but no infection ... his neck is tight ... but nothing out of place.  Doctor said it is probably a combination of the two things. So a shot for the nausea and some medication for the dizziness. He's slept most of the day and I have just hung out here at the house keeping and eye on him. He seems to have improved and he ate some soup for dinner and kept it down. Well I was supposed to take the day off anyway. Oh well.

As always ... I want to ride my bicycle!

Busy Week! Lot's of activity!

Tuesday I took the day off, since I hadn't taken Sunday off. I had a great time with my honey. We went into Asheville and just had a blast.

Wednesday I went bike riding in Green Mountain. It was absolutely gorgeous. I also tried out my new camcorder to film my ride. The handlebar mount I ordered did not fit my handlebars, so I put the camera on my Camelbak. It was good experiment, did not work. There was too much motion especially when I pedaled. I rode out just beyond the Egypt/Ramseytown Fire Department and then came back. On the way back I took photos. A really wonderful ride, a beautiful day, and a good experiment with the camera.

Afterwards I went to the gym and lifted weights, almost too tired to do that, but had a good successful weight workout.

Thursday I hiked all day. Man, that was absolutely wonderful too. I hiked the River Loop Trail with a new friend. It is about a four mile hike, with a lot of variety. It starts off in a conifer forest and you hike up to a ridge line. Then you follow the ridge line for about a mile and a half traveling in and out of conifer and deciduous forests. The ridge then leads you back down to the river which you cross. Then you climb back up to another ridge line and ford two creeks. The trail then comes down off the ridge back to the river which you follow until you branch off to the waterfall trail. We had lunch at Set Rock Creek Falls, and then hiked out to where the car was parked. I have to say it was another absolutely beautiful day. We started on the trail about 10:30 a.m. and finished about 3:30 p.m. I have to say it was a great way to spend the day.

Friday I went bike riding again. Same place out at Green Mountain. This time two friends joined me. I placed my camera on my handlebar bag, and it worked really well. Not perfect, but I feel like I'm on my way to a good filming experience. The battery gave a red reading on the power level at little over an hour into the ride. So I think I will have to buy some extra batteries as well as additional chips to actually make this a viable recording item. But I'm excited about my success so far.

Friday night I didn't sleep well, and of course was exhausted on Saturday. I was more exhausted than I should have been for one restless night. So, I considered that I had over did it this week and should take the day off. Sunday I was thinking about riding, but it began raining and it is too early in the season to ride in the rain, too cold. So I played in Asheville all day with a friend.

As always ... I want to ride my bicycle ... and I did.

Beautiful, but Windy

Happy Valentines Day. Woke up this morning and my honey gave me a card and a gift certificate for my Valentines present. I gave him a stuffed puppy dog that look's like our dog P.D., he liked it. A nice start to a beautiful day.

The wind is blowing really hard, so I decided gym workout rather than an outside ride. Besides, Monday is the support group meeting, don't want to miss that. After breakfast, I packed up and went to the gym. I did my "Hell of the West" workout. You see I have the Kevin Costner movie "American Flyers" on my IPOD, it is an hour and 45 minute movie, with a little over 35 minutes of racing. So I have set an interval workout to those 35 minutes, I do about a five minute warm up and about a five minute cool down and it is a great workout. I love it and the time just speeds by, I keep my heart rate up in my 75-80% range with leaps up to the 90-95% range in 9 different spots. Excellent workout.

I did my leg workout with the weights and my ab workout. Then went to my support group meeting. I did okay on the weight. Lost 2 pounds this week ... WooHoo! Well I guess that is about it for today. As always ... I want to ride my bicycle.

First Bike Ride of the Year!!!!!!

So the weather finally warmed a little, and I just had to get out there. Even though today was supposed to be a rest day, I couldn't not ride ... to beautiful. We had planned on meeting at noon, but it was coooooold still. So we decided to wait just a little longer. The temperature wasn't really getting any better, so we met at 1:15 p.m.

Me and Mary

Green Mountain is my favorite starting place, and everyone was willing to do that. It is a pretty easy ride, mostly flat with a couple, three easy climbs ... traffic is generally minimal out there and today was no exception. My god was it beautiful! I didn't see any birds or animals to speak of, but the river was gorgeous and clear. I forgot to take my camera. I was going to try and document the first ride of the season. Colleen took some photos with her cell phone. If they turned out I'll add them to this post later on.

Well I'm tired and I'm hungry, need to fix something to eat before I fall asleep. Oh I forgot 24 miles. WooHoo! Yea ... I rode my bike!

Harbinger of Spring?

What a gorgeous day it is! I'm still feeling a little tired, so taking it easy this morning. I will get a work out in this afternoon. Meeting a good friend for a spin workout at 1 p.m. Hope the groggies go away by then.

The Rhododendron leaves have unfurled letting me know that the temperature is getting better out there. The snow that fell yesterday is gone (still have the large piles out back, but they are getting smaller). The skies are a beautiful blue! The weather man is predicting 55-60 degree weather here this weekend, and this warm trend should last into the middle of next week. My fingers are crossed and I hope to get in a few rides this week.

Planning to ride on Sunday! Oh please Oh please Oh please!

As always ... I want to ride my bicycle.

Introducing Others To Cycling

Today was a day of rest from training. Amazing how I almost have to make myself take a day off. It is almost like I've become addicted to working out. I love it.

So today I took the day off and went to Asheville. My friend Calla joined me and we spent a great day looking at bikes and visiting. She examined the Lexa S at Liberty and Vicky was great with her. I think she is going to get it, and I truly hope so. I can't wait for us to go riding together.

Lunch at Tupelo Honey's, which was awesome as always, then a little grocery shopping at Earth Fare. All in all a very nice day. I hope it was enough of a rest, because I'm already thinking about tomorrow's workout.

Hope the weather prediction for the weekend is true, because ... as always ... I want to ride my bicycle.

Getting Ready!

Worked out this morning, and it was a really good workout. Did an interval spin workout and then upper body with the weights. All in all a very productive couple of hours. I'm so glad that my workouts have been enjoyable at this rate, I'm really going to be ready for cycling this summer.

Speaking of which, I'm hoping to get a ride in this weekend. The weather report is snow tonight, sunshine Friday, Saturday and Sunday with temperatures reaching the upper 50's. Oh please, oh please oh please!

John is doing a cycling jersey representing Solstice Bikes, so I ordered one. Hopefully more will order and we can all get out in the same jersey for the Burnsville Metric.

As always ... I want to ride my bicycle.

Trying Something New

My journey to get ready for riding this season isn't all workouts. Yes, the workouts will be the most time consuming. The other thing, which by the way is the hardest for me, is my weight, or better stated my weight loss. As I said in my profile ... I am weight challenged, and have been for most of my life. In fact there have only been a couple of times in my life when weight was not a major issue.

So, I'm going to try something new. I have tried doing it on my own. I have tried low fat, high carb diet. I have tried low carb, high protein diet. I have tried Weight Watchers. Everything works ... for a while. So today I joined a support group. I will see how this works for me.

I had a pretty amazing workout today. I didn't really feel much like working out, but when I got started my spirits seemed to soar. I got in two hours of a pretty intense workout and came away feeling really wonderful.

As always ... I want to ride my bicycle.

Rest Is Important

After two nights in a row of not sleeping well, and feeling tired all the time, I felt it meant I was over training. So ... REST DAY ... I decided to reward myself with a trip to Asheville, and it was great. I went to several bike shops, to include my favorite one ... Liberty Bikes, I went to Best Buy (my husband calls it Buy More), I went out to lunch, and then went grocery shopping at Earth Fare.

I'm still tired, but I had a good time. So, I guess I needed it, just to change things up a little. Bad weather is predicted for tomorrow. I hope it isn't too bad, job interview in the middle of the day. Hopefully the ice will be over by then and it is just rain. Workout date with a buddy afterwards. Today's day off should be enough rest for now, hopefully ... as always ... I want to ride my bicycle.

Company Makes a Difference

The weather was well ... a bit ... yucky today. Overcast and drizzly, the kind of day that you just call gray. Not inviting and takes a little motivation just to get moving. I used to call this a cuddle up on the sofa with a cup of coffee and a good book day. These days I say gym day!

Last week, I met a young woman at the gym and could see that she was struggling. Not so much about working out, because she was throwing herself into it enthusiastically. She seemed to be struggling with what to do and how to do it. So I showed her a few things. She seemed appreciative. She called me and asked me if I would help her again. So we met today and we worked out together. Very strong young woman, just needs a little direction and instruction on how to do certain exercises. It was great having someone to workout with. We will be meeting tomorrow to workout again.

Lost a little weight not much, but some .2 pounds.

Well I guess that's it for now ... as always ... I want to ride my bicycle.

A New Year of Riding

It is time to start keeping track once again of my preparations to ride and my rides.

January in the mountains is not exactly conducive to outdoor riding. This year has not been an exception to that observation. That is until this weekend. Unfortunately I didn't get out there. Yesterday was still cooler than I would have liked, and I decided I needed to hold to my rest day today. I've worked out hard this week, six days in a row. It is important to allow the body to recover.

My days have been very full - training and looking for work. Yes I am one of the many, many unemployed people. In all my years of working this is the first time I've been laid off. It was very upsetting when it happened, but I have come to grips with it. So I train, and I search. It has actually been a little cathartic, after a very, very tough year.

I will be experimenting with this blog, hopefully it won't turn out to be simply a report of my activities. Hopefully I will be able to relate good ideas, interesting observations, and amusing experiences. We'll see ... as always ... I want to ride my bicycle.