missing the water

I haven't been swimming since this time last year. It's taken me a while, but I miss it. I have a bunch of traveling to do in August, but I think I'll join the pool in September and maybe start taking classes all winter. There are four things I want to work on right off the bat... kicking, a faster stroke, a stronger pull, and keeping my head straight. Once I feel like I have those things down, I'll probably start classes up again. Maybe ; )

another 'too' fast ride

I've been biking over 200 miles a week for a while now. I think that's a lot of miles, but the pros do 500 miles a week - unbelievable!

I did a 65 mile ride with the club. It was listed as a full on 'A' ride. I was pretty excited, thinking there wouldn't be much holding back.

On the first big hill (Skelp Level), I decide to try out some new climbing tactics I've been using during my bike commute - maybe too fast too early.

Then we hit the relatively flat section of 282. The group was holding back for some reason, but I decided to be patient and fall back into the peleton and not jump to the front right away.

Then the A-minus group catches up with us at about mile 11. Now we have over 30 people in the peleton - waaay too many on these roads.

After a mile or two on this flat stretch, I find myself at the front of the peleton and decide to kick it up a few notches. Apparently I was pulling at over 30mph and the paceline got disconnected - I didn't realize it until I ended my turn up front - it was me and two others. Ian was a beast and hung on my wheel the whole pull. I'm glad I wasn't alone!

We split from the A-minus group and start another minor climb and people are joking about how fast I was going. I took a little heat for going 'too fast', but I think if we hadn't mixed in with the slower group, the group I was riding with would have stuck together.

It was a good ride - we just need to work on a consistent, steady pace.

At the end, my legs were toast. I loved every minute of it (except the whining).

Day off tomorrow I think.

Independence day

Had a great Independence day - nice hard 60 mile ride - two crashes and a blowout. Started with 25 riders, finished with 1. The last one standing is one tough dude - he just wanted to crush the last 8 miles, so I pulled most of the way, but I was really surprised he was able to keep up. He had done 100 miles the day before. He died on the last hill and his legs were literally shaking a the end, but it was way fun to go fast and long and have someone that can actually hang in there. Maybe I should jump into a bike race soon.

Anyway, had a fun lunch with the family when I got back. We had gone to the beer store and picked out a huge variety of beer, roasted little neck clams on the grill, potato salad, corn on the cob - yum.

Later, one of my neighbors put on a very professional fireworks display and I was glad we didn't try to fight the crowds to see another one.

Father's day

ok - I'm cheating - posting this a couple of WEEKS late - what can I say, I'm a busy boy. Anyway, had a good day on Father's day - bought my wife a bike, did a nice bike loop in Philly with the ladies. Toured the Philly Art Museum part way through the bike ride. Nice... here are some pics...