Estrella Race Loops/PIR

Distance: 10.6
Time: 1:02
Average Speed: 10.3
Maximum Speed: 23
Notes: After a six month hiatus I got back to the Estrella Race Loops, or what we simply call PIR. I forgot what a rough, crappy trail that is. I mean, I don't mind some technical rocks and such to go over. But there is a lot of loose stuff scattered all of the trail that I think is just unnecessary. Anyway, it's not a favorite by any means, but it is the closest and I wanted to stay close this morning.
I got up at 5:30 and on the trail by 6:00. The main reason I wanted to go for a mountain ride today as opposed to a road ride, was to test out my new body armor that I just ordered from PricePoint.com. I'm sick of getting banged up on the trail, so I invested the $75 to get some knee/shin pads and elbow pads. What is funny is that I questioned whether I would like/need the elbow pads. But today it was the knee/shin pads that were bugging me. First off, they are huge, going from the top of my knee to the top of my ankle. And they wrap clear around my leg, so they get a little hot. But the worst part is, due to the weight of the pads, they tend to slid down and I wore blisters on both knee caps. I'm thinking I should have just went with knee pads. I'm sure the shin pads will come in handy on trails like National and Geronimo, but for stuff like FINS and Hawes, I think they may be too much. I'll have to see if I can find a way to keep them from sliding. Or perhaps I need to wrap my knee with something to protect against the rubbing. But, of course, that would only make the pads hotter.

Secret Trail

Distance: 8.9
Average Speed: 9.1 mph
Fellow Riders: Mike & Todd
Notes: Mike's brother-in-law is in town this week for work and, as usual, brought his bike. This was the first time I actually met Todd and was able to ride with him. We went up to EMR and took up on Secret. We rode the trail the same way we did last time - up Secret, down Graskey then up Graskey and down Secret. All went well except Mike blew a tire on the way up, which delayed us a good 30 minutes. I made it all the way up Secret without stopping or spinning out, which is better than last time.

FINS

Distance: 13 miles
Start Time: 7:55 am
Ride Time: 1:24
Average Speed: 9.4 mph
Top Speed: 25.1
Notes: Back to FINS for the first time in a long time. I rode almost every trail in the system. It felt good and I was really in tune with the trail. Unfortunately I washed out on a corner on my way out the exit trail and managed to get some road rash (or trail rash rather) on my left arm. It's funny because just a couple of days ago I finally order Knee/Shin and Elbow guards. I was debating whether I really needed elbow guards or if I would just look like a dufuss on the trail. I sure could have used them today.

TOTAL MILEAGE THIS WEEK: 112.5

Longest Road Ride Yet

Distance: 38 miles
Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2759456
Notes: Today I cranked out my longest ride yet. I rode as far South as I could on Estrella Mountain Parkway until it dead ended into the desert. I felt pretty good, though I am still getting some numbness. I need to find a cure for that before the century in 2 weeks. I did have an embarrassing spill at the intersection EMP and Westar. I stopped at the red light and was going to put my right foot on the curb so I could dig a power bar out of my pocket, but I could not get my foot unclipped. By the time I decided to unclip my left foot it was too late and I tipped over in the middle of the street in front of about 10 cars. It was nice and embarrassing.
On another note, you'll notice the map does not follow the street, that's because that is not how the street goes. If you select the satellite view you'll see where the road was actually cut. You'll also notice it's dirt, but it has since been paved.

Road Ride

Distance: 28.2
Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2754974
Notes: Felt pretty good today.

Road Ride

Distance: 14.94
Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2751469
Notes: Shorter ride this morning because I was short on time. The century is getting closer so I need to do some longer rides in prep. I think tomorrow I'll do a 35. I did do a little sprinting today.

Road Ride

Distance: 17.46
Start Time: 6:55 am
Notes: Nothing significant to report today. Just that my bike really needs a tune-up.