Secret Trail

Distance: 6.74
Start Time: 3:50ish pm
Average Speed: 9.1 mph
Fellow Riders: Mike & Spencer
Notes: BONUS RIDE. I got a road ride and a mountain ride in today. Once Mike & Spencer knew that I knew where Secret Trail was they were anxious to get out and ride it. I had just enough time when I got home from my road ride to change my shirt, drink some Energize and eat a little food before they showed up. We parked at Harvey's and hit the trail. Mike was riding his new single speed. The trail looked different in the daylight (obviously) and I was able to hit it a lot harder than Thursday night. Mike and Spencer were giddy with the long grind on Graskey and then the sweet, puckering downhill on Secret. At the bottom we all wanted to do another lap, but Mike had to get home to do more unpacking (he just moved) and I knew Bettijo didn't want me out too long. We're excited to have something new and different close to home. Now we have to find the new Trail 18 that Harvey's been talking about.

TOTAL MILEAGE THIS WEEK: 113

Boushley House to Our House

Distance: 23.75
Start Time: 1:45 pm
Ride Time: 1:20
Rate:17.8 mph
Notes: Today Bettijo wanted to go to "Confessions of a Shopaholic" with her mom and the twins, so I needed to watch our girls. But I had also planned an afternoon ride with Spencer and Mike and Bettijo didn't want to come home right after their movie. So I decided to take my road bike up to her parent's house, watch the girls there and then ride home. I had planned on exploring some of the bike trails that have been built up there, but when the girls didn't get home until 1:30, and our ride was at 3:00, I decided to just book it home on the roads. It's always a little scary out there with traffic. I did get buzzed a couple of times, but no one hit me and I'm alive. I had a headwind almost the entire time, which made for extra work. But it turned out to be my longest road ride yet. At only 23.75 miles I know that's not saying much, but I'm just getting into this aspect of cycling, so I'll give myself credit. Here's today's route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2616134.

Road Ride

Distance: 17.46
Start Time: 7:53 am
Ride Time: 1:00
Rate: 17.46 mph
Notes: I was a little cramped and tired at the beginning of the ride, probably because I just rode Secret Trail and FINS last night. But on the way back I loosened up and was feeling pretty good. Here's the route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2602273.

Secret Trail/FINS

Distance: Approx. 15
Start Time: 6:50 pm
Fellow Riders: Harvey, Tony, Julius, Ben, Mike, Patrick
Notes: Tonight was a night of firsts. I finally made it out on my first Thursday Night Ride hosted by Harvey. It was my first ride on Graskey & Secret Trail. It was my first ride on my new Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires. I had a great time. Graskey and Secret Trail are pretty awesome. I'm anxious to go back and ride them in the daylight. It's a little intimidating to ride a new trail for the first time in the dark, especially since my lights are not that powerful. I also had a good time riding with a new crew. I would like to get out and do some more ThNRs. Finally, the new Panaracers tore it up. I was amazed on several spots that I expected to spin out my tires just gripped the trail and kept going. I realize now how long overdue I was for some new tires.
After Secret Trail we headed over and did a short loop of FINS and then back to Harv's for pizza, drinks and socialization.

Road Ride

Distance: 19.86
Start Time: 7:51 am
Ride Time: 1:05
Rate: 18.33 mph
Notes: I decided to tack on a couple more miles this morning, so I rode clear to Bullard Ave. I was just short of 20 miles. I forced myself to push it harder going up the hills today, rather than just downshift. Here's the route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2605172.

Road Ride

Distance: 17.46
Start Time: 8:15 am
Ride Time: 1:00
Rate: 17.46 mph
Weather: 66 degrees
Notes: I'm feeling really good after today's ride. Nothing particular to report. Here's the route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2602273.

Road Ride

Distance: 12.5
Start Time: 7:05 am
Ride Time: 0:43
Rate: 17.4 mph
Weather: 64 degrees
Notes: I didn't ride for three days and was feeling a little slower today. My rate was about the same though. I tried out the new aerobars today. I'll have to adjust them a little since I felt weird on them. I'm sure there will also just be an adjustment learning to ride on them. Here's today's ride: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2600286.