Monday, December 18, 2006

Finished!!!


Well, I finally finished! My weekend riding took me right up to my goal of 3500 miles. I now am free to sit back and enjoy the holiday season without worrying about when and how I will get my next ride in.

This experience has been a great one for me. I learned that I can actually make a New Year's resolution and follow it through to the end...over the course of a year no less. That is very satisfying.

I also learned that for me, sometimes it takes the weight of a personal commitment hanging over my head to actually be productive. I can't tell you how many days this year I would have much rather sat on my butt at home than go out on a cold lonely ride after work.

Not that every ride was cold and lonely. Much to the contrary. The majority of the time I spent on my bike this year (233 hours assuming a 15 mph pace -- that is almost 10 straight days of nonstop riding or 4.5 hours of riding every week of the year) was time well spent. I listened to many Alistair Beggs sermons on my iPod, a couple C.S. Lewis books, 1776 by David McCullough and some others.

I also shaired great conversations when I was lucky to be joined by friends and family including my buddies James, Jesse, MAC and of course Dad (who got me over the winter hump and in position to finish a little earlier than I had anticipated). And Liz should get some credit for loggin at least a couple hundred miles with me!

And, of course, the solitude on many a beautiful day was a refreshing time to think, clear my head and pray.

Time well spent.

So what now?

I will of course keep riding, and keep logging my rides here. I am considering shooting for a higher number next year but at present work looks to be taking up more of my time in the past so I may have to reconsider that. We will see. I guess it all depends on if I have that one-too-many glass of champagne this New Year's!

After all, that's how this whole thing got started!

Friday, December 15, 2006

Mileage update

I haven't posted my last couple rides. I got out for 20-something mile rides on Saturday and Sunday and then did not get back on the bike till Thursday when I rode 24 miles.

I went out early this morning and logged 16 miles.

The weather is ridiculously warm right now so I anticipate finishing my New Year's goal tomorrow or Sunday.

I only have 33 miles to go!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

A quick morning ride

I had very little time for riding today, but was able to get out early this morning. I only rode 13 miles.

My odometer now reads 3380.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

It's COLD out!

I forced myself to go out on a ride this morning at 7:30 (it was the only time I had today because of work). This was the first time I have ridden in sub-freezing temps since January and I forgot how much I hate being cold.

I managed to get in just over 16 miles before I was frozen to the bone.

My odometer now reads 3367.

I hope to get a similar ride in tomorrow morning and then ride both Saturday and Sunday. If I do that, I should be well under 100 miles to go heading into the early part of next week.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

50-mile weekend

I got out for just over 20 miles this morning. I now have 149 miles to go.

Stats:
21.78 miles
Avg 17.1 mph
1 hr 16 mins
Cad 81
Odometer 3351

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Saturday ride

The unusual stretch of warm winter weather ended today, as the temps plunged from the 70's down to the 40's. It gave me a chance to sport my new Descent winter gloves which kept my hands pretty toasty.

I rode alone today down to Old Town where they were having some sort of festival that required men to wear their scottish kilts and women the same. Pretty cool...

It was windy on the way home -- about 15-20 mph prevailing in the face. I rounded the ride out with some laps down around the tidal basin.

Stats:
30.32 miles
Avg. 14.9 mph
2 hrs 3 mins
Cad 65
Odometer: 3329