Back in the Saddle Again

Not a terriby original post title, especially for a cycling blog, but an apt description of the last couple of weeks.  The past 6 weeks are my busiest time of year at work, so in the almost-two-weeks since my last post, I've only been able to get on the bike six times - and never for very long.

I was thinking about racing the Sturbridge Road Race for the first time on 4/26, but I was scheduled to work that day and didn't find out that we didn't have to come in until late the night before.  Figuring I'd only get a few hours sleep and hadn't even ridden 50 miles yet this year, much less raced it (ever), I decided the better part of valor was to skip Sturbridge.

So I went on a long bike ride instead.

Old Saybrook to Mystic and back.  Over 66 miles and 2 highway bridges.  Props to friend Patrick for the beautiful alternate route back along the Mystic River.  Added some distance, but MUCH better than going back via Route 1.

Here's a view from the middle of the Thames River Highway Bridge between New London and Groton.  It's amazing how much it bounces up and down as the traffic goes over it.  And I have vertigo.  Ugh.

At least I got some miles in on my longest ride of the year so far - by far.

That was my last big ride before the busiest-of-the-busy times hit at work.  Since then, I've been able to get in little rides here and there.  But my plans for getting out for good training rides in the morning before work were quickly put to rest (literally and figuratively) by the late nights at work.  Who wants to get up at 530a to ride when they didn't get home until 1 or 2a?

Ok, who - who's NOT wearing a "hugging jacket" would want to do that?

So not much training the last couple of weeks, riding just a little over 50 miles or so each week.  I discovered that I'm OCD enough to HAVE to have a training plan to stay on track and motivated.  And I don't have one right now.

I'm going to have to put one together.  My next race is a week from this Saturday.  Let me know if you wanna help . . .

In the meantime, I figured I wouldn't go wrong with base miles and exploring some new roads.  I found these scenic gems during my ride last Saturday evening:

I'll try to post the route at some point, but for those of you familiar with the area, these are scenes along Route 156 in CT.

I won't be able to ride at all this weekend and need to get some more miles in.  So what's a guy to do?  Enter Bike to Work Week.  Yes boys and girls, in case you haven't heard, May is  Bike Month  and this here particular week is the jewel in the crown of the month.

But I work over 40 miles from home.  No problem.  I've biked to work before.  Once.  Read about all about THAT experience here.

Since I'm not quite up to an 80 mile ride yet, I figured I'd take a different approach this time.  I'll drive in to work tomorrow with my bike and gear (and shower stuff and change of clothes), ride home and then ride in Wednesday morning (hence staging the shower stuff and change of clothes a day ahead).  That way I get two 40 mile rides in two days.

I'll miss the actual "Bike To Work Day" this Friday, but I'm going to see if I can ride to work and back at least one day per week during the summer.

Of course I'll post all the gory details - including tips/info on what I discover works for such a long bike commute, and what doesn't (like riding with an 11 pound backpack).

If you have any advice or experience doing this, be sure to post a comment.  I know *I* for one can use all the good tips I can get...

Comments

[Giles]

I've less than a mile to my work, so my commute choices are between walking and riding. However, if you don't want to add an additional 2-3 hours to your daily commute, A great option is to drive part of the way and then bike the rest of the way. Just do whatever distance you like, maybe ten or 15 miles.

[Adam St. Germain]

There are some great rear bags that available for commuting. A couple of guys at the shop have them. They're just big enough for a change of clothes, lunch, and some toiletries. Stash your towel and shoes at work.
It mounts to the seatpost and has a rigid metal frame that suspends it above the rear wheel. Perfect for road bikes.

Also, if you are interested in setting up a training plan, shoot me an e-mail. I coach a couple of other riders based out of Rhode Island.