1000 Days

When you record stats like I do, little milestones periodically show up in the tables and charts. Today, I noticed one I quite like: I have been recording my bike rides for the past 1000 days.

I have been on the bike 54.6% of the days I've tracked, averaged 24.22 miles for ride length and that is like riding 13.23 miles every day!

Out of curiosity, I've figured my cycling expenses during this time frame are approximately .68 cents per mile which is about $9 every day. But wouldn't you know it, there is more gear I'd like! Guess I just have to ride more =)

Btw, I'm not complaining about expenses, I just find it interesting. I geared up from scratch starting in July/'06 having never had a 'bike shop' bike before or a helmet! The fun factor and health benefits are priceless, don't you think?

New Reading

I had a rest today and spent my 'bike time' at the bookstore to treat myself to a couple of books I've been wanting. I have fun generating and looking at all the data from my rides: the Garmin with HR outside and the computrainer with power, etc. inside. I'd like to understand it more and learn how to use it effectively. I think developing a bit of a plan will be motivating and probably good for my health as well.

If you have any advice or can refer me to other good books or online sources, please let me know.

It's something I'll ease into. I know I'm not going to make sense of it all overnight! And I'm prepared, if it gets too complicated, I can take breaks and stare at fashion pics or food for awhile since I got a couple of 'fluff' items too ;) I've been in the mood to cook lately and try some new things. Anyone else crave dark leafy greens and other vitamin rich foods this time of year more than ever? I can't get enough baby spinach lately!

I keep thinking I'm at the end of the cold, but it just lingers on. Everyone who has had it says the same thing. It's more annoying than painful at this point, just pressure in my head. Guess I'll just take it easy a bit longer.

Goodies

I've been trying not to have a pity party during my cold, but it does get tiresome to be sick and who doesn't like presents to help feel better? Therefore, it was extra fun to get my new shorts and jersey in the mail from Team Estrogen today. The free post it notes will be useful too. Both items are good, so I might order a couple more sets in a week or so. (Definitely want to relegate my older shorts to trainer time only, just in case they are getting thin!)

Jeff brought this chocolate bonbon home for me at lunchtime. Under the crunchy chocolate coating was a very chocolaty brownie-like cake. Yummm!

After lunch, we ran out to the bookstore to pick up a brand new book by my favorite author out this week. I have to try to take more than 1 day to read it and be sure to savor it. I love a good police procedural mystery!

Otherwise, I have been glued to AToC TT on cycling.tv today!

Computrainer

After waiting much of the day for UPS, jumping up whenever I heard a truck and glumly watching a UPS man deliver to the neighbor and then drive away without stopping here, I checked the tracking status and saw 'delivered'...What?!...I checked the back step and there it was, apparently delivered by the world's most stealthy UPS man. The dogs didn't even know about it!

Once I wrestled the box inside, it had to be checked out.

It was deemed intolerably dull, by dog standards, judging by the yawn attack that ensued.

In case you are wondering what you get in the box, here's the first look inside with the 'free' Ironman DVD that was included as part of the winter sale. We picked the UK one.

Once you haul out the box in the middle and the packing on each side, you see the support for the front wheel, the stand part of the trainer and the software/reading materials.

The box in the middle contains the resistance unit and computer.

I'll wait for Jeff to be home to take part in the assembly and set up and probably have a post for you soon on how that works out!

It's Ordered!

Since having the opportunity to try out a computrainer, it wasn't a question of whether we would get one, but when. Waiting did not seem at all appealing considering we still have a lot of winter to get through (more snow tonight!). I'm not sure who is more excited about the computrainer, Jeff or myself! I suppose it's pretty sadistic to be so pleased about a trainer that's going to make us work harder than the one we have, but I think anyone who reads my blog understands.

The company that makes them is Racer Mate and we picked the lab version.

We showed a small amount of restraint by not expediting the shipping, so it may be a week or so until we have it. You can be certain you'll see pics (*not* taken from the angle shown in the ads!) and hear all about it when it comes!

Early Christmas Presents!

When the weather isn't so great, I need to focus on some cleaning, maintenance and making sure I have gear I need. Yesterday afternoon I stopped by two bike shops!

I've mentioned my tires a few times lately...can you tell how worn they are in the pic? You may need to see them in person for the full effect. Take my word for it, they have squared off edges!

Visiting Bikeworks Sunday, I was able to get replacement Bontrager Race X-Lites. The water bottles I've used for over a year just went completely plasticky almost overnight, so I got a stash to replace those and was pleased to find Cannondale ones to match my bikes! I am going to try the Tri Berry Nuun. Do you have a favorite Nuun flavor? Also in the picture are some new cleats. I've been a little afraid of pulling out of the pedal with my old worn ones lately. I ordered some replacement handlebar tape which should be available soon. (They didn't have any Cannondale kinds in stock.)

We also went to Providence Bicycle to pick up the PI AmFib tights that were on hold for Jeff. He's going to love those! Of course, I started looking around and noticed this top. I don't normally wear such bright colors, but do on the bike for visibility. It's the PI Symphony Reversible Jersey.

Doesn't everyone love a reflective 'tramp stamp'? =)

This is one of my favorite items now, the shaping is great and it's so comfy! I'll be tempted to wear this one off the bike too.

I made do with a bare minimum of bike clothing for a couple of years and only the tights for winter cycling specific gear, so now that I've stuck with the biking for awhile it's fun to treat myself to some clothes. I do find it helps. I don't have to think about what to wear or worry about whether it will work. It is comfortable while riding and I can just get on with the pedaling, the way it should be.

Sleet/Freezing Rain/Cold Rain

The weather threw a whole lot of yuckiness at me today, but I did my hour and rode every day in November. Now, there are only 4 more days to hit 60/60 and I can go back to being a normal person and hide under the duvet on days like this! Well, I'll probably ride some days like this because I'm a little crazy that way, but I won't feel quite so driven until the next challenge.

Jeff opted not to ride today, but ran out into the sleet to add a little Pro Link to my poor chain and then remained ready to rescue me with the truck if needed.

Here are the stats!

After my ride today, Jeff and I went to an open farm day at an alpaca farm owned by a couple of cyclists and met up with my riding friend Lynn there as well. It was raining buckets, but we had fun seeing the alpacas and doing a little shopping for warm, soft alpaca gloves.

From there we went to Providence Bicycle where we got Shine booties and lobster gloves for each of us! We asked the shop to hold some AmFib tights for Jeff when they come in the next shipment. When we get those, he can be dressed as warmly as me on our rides. I still need some new tires, but will have to go to another shop to find the ones I want. I'm going to get the same ones I've been using, Bontrager Race X-Lite. I've had no flats and I've been riding this set since August, 2007.

We celebrated my month of rides with dinner out at Carrabba's with no consideration given to calories! I didn't have a cupcake, but we shared a huge dessert that I would describe as something like tiramisu made with brownies. That should give me energy for the next 4 days of riding, at least!

New Bike Clothes!

Well, black spandex items don't make an exciting photo, but here are some of the new bike things I bought on Saturday. What I have been using is looking a little threadbare, so it was time for some fresh gear!

I got new gloves to replace my ones with the holes in the shifter fingers. The balaclava is mainly to keep my neck warm when it gets really cold out since I really can't bear a draft down my collar! It's always good to have another pair of wool socks. I also got a new pair of shorts and a pair of fleece tights. I know the shorts seem kind of strange this time of year, but I have been wearing them under the tights when it's cold.

Jeff found a nice shell jacket to block the wind chill. It's a fall orange color, so probably not too visible this time of year, but it will be good for the rest of the year. I picked out some bike wash and a chain brush since it seems like it will be a little more effective than an old toothbrush considering all the rainy rides I'm doing lately.

I tried on a couple of other items that I think I'll have to add to my holiday wish list. I liked the Pearl Izumi Insula Tour Jacket in limestone and white. It was so cozy and comfortable that I think I'd end up wearing it all the time, not just on the bike!

And I will have to get the women's version of Jeff's yellow jacket that I've been wearing. It's called the Vagabond 2. For now, the big one isn't so bad because I can fit as many layers as needed under it for dealing with the cold.

I'm not committed to wearing only Pearl Izumi, it just seems to be what's readily available at the local shops. PI is working out very well for me, though I wouldn't mind finding some different brands too. I took a mail order gamble on the De Marchi jersey and it turned out to be my favorite!

Also on my wish list are booties and maybe the lobster gloves. It wouldn't hurt to have a couple more jerseys to reduce the constant need to do laundry and the Gavia Pro Jacket seems nice at least in the pictures.

Do you have any bike clothing that you 'can't live without'? Let me know if you think of something I should consider getting!

New Saddle

I've debated for some time about whether to try a different saddle on my X6 or not. Well, more frequent, longer rides on the stock saddle in cold weather became pretty uncomfortable as I had to keep shifting from one sit bone to the other during the ride rather than just being able to perch evenly. As the saddle didn't seem bad other than not being wide enough, I decided to look for one from the same line. The stock saddle is a Selle San Marco Ponza. Unfortunately, they don't seem to make a Ponza for women, so I ordered a saddle from the same 'Island' series, the women's Ischia. It is an appropriate width which is good, but also a bit heavier and thicker in profile. Luckily it's not at all expensive, so I don't feel badly about experimenting a bit. I ordered it from amazon since it's not something the local shop usually carries.

This is the saddle as pictured on amazon.

Jeff and I mounted it on the bike Sunday and I think we did a pretty good job positioning it, but I'll probably stop by the shop at some point as the owner said he'd help with adjusting it. It certainly won't hurt to have an expert look at the angle of my knees, etc.

This is a picture that I took of the saddles together for comparison. My new saddle is in the foreground and the stock saddle is shown behind, on Jeff's bike.

If you happen to know about saddles for cx and have any thoughts on this one, pros or cons, please leave a comment for me. Or if there is one that tends to be favored by women, let me know the name. I'm just getting started with cx, so I appreciate *all* advice!

Also, Jeff has decided he isn't very comfortable on his saddle, so we'll be looking into an alternative for him as well.