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28 November 2011

Gym commute day 01—there and back

Monday, 28 November 2011

Today was a trial run for getting to World Gym at Sunrise and Vista Chino. I thought my way could be pretty direct and without much traffic, and I found that to be true on my return home. Each direction took the same time, about 16 minutes

On my way to the gym, I first headed north on El Cielo, which is the usual direction by car. I turned west on Baristo and then took Cerritos and intervening curved streets always in a north-bound path. Finally at Tacheva I had no choice but to cut over to Sunrise, where I found a bikeway that runs parallel to the sidewalk—though it was a swerving expanse that goes all the way to Vista Chino.

The return trip was straightforward: Sunrise south to the Desert Chapel at Warm Sands, and then east along the golf courses to home.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 73°F at 08:45 and 10:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm 
Clothing: Skinsuit, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 3700 off-road bike
Time: 00:32:05 for 7.19 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 144 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride

27 November 2011

Bob Hope climb and tour of Araby Cove

Sunday, 27 November 2011

Man, am I out of shape! Before I left home, our discussion of when I should be back included my statement, "I'll probably make a few repeats of the climb" up the hill toward Bob Hope's mansion on Rimcrest. As it was, I made only two attempts, and both included a recuperation stop at some point below the top of the climb. So much for the long time of inactivity for the bike commute.

I'll give myself one or two days of rest and then make the attempt again.. Clearly I'm not fit enough for any successful outing on the Goat Trails, so a week of training on the Bob Hope ascent and a few commutes to the gym may help in regaining any lost ground.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 58 to 68°F at 08:45 and 10:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm 
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek off-road bike
Time: 01:00:50 for 10.13 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 156 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride

16 November 2011

Hanging it up for this year

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Today I faced up to the knowledge that I would not commute again by bike this year. I have only three more work days before my holiday and year-end vacation time starts, and each day is filled with responsible things to do that require a car.

With that realization came another little thing to do—cart away the toiletries that I've kept in a locker at work for the shower and shave after my commute in each morning. Pack up all the clothes that have awaited their turn for my work wardrobe. And carry all the washables home.

Now everything is in order, ready for the winter wait for good commuting weather. With a bit of luck, there may be some isolated days in February. But if 2012 is like most previous years, the first real days of commuting will come in March. And 2012 brings the challenge of biking to work something more than 100 days. That's my goal and my early New Year's resolution.

Ride conditions
No ride

09 November 2011

Been quiet on the cycling front

Wednesday, 11 November 2011

Just to keep you up with what's happening:
The daylight period is shorter.
I've been busy at home packing up boxes of books to give to Planned Parenthood, sell on Amazon.com, and throw away.
I've been busy at work finishing a book to be published before I leave for the holidays.
On weekends, I've been busy in the yard, closing up the garden for the winter.
I've been going to the gym for a quick workout, so I'm not a full-fledged slouch.
I'm experiencing what the road racers call the "veteran's restriction."

With a little luck, I may have fewer demands on my time for the next couple weeks. That might mean I can at least do a one-way bike commute each day, for which I leave the car at work overnight twice a week. Here's hoping that I'll really get to bike-commute 100 days this year!

Ride conditions
No ride.