While not your typical Sunday ride, I did manage to squeeze in 8 miles and 40 minutes on the bike.  This makes for three rides in the past four days.  Happy Redneck, I am.

Today I took my son to the dentist. He’s four and it was his second trip to the dentist. As a reward for doing a good job, I took him on a ride on the bike path, just him and me. We rode to Eclipse from Peden, shared a Snickers and a bag of M&Ms, then rode back. He had a blast. On the way back, the wind hit us hard coming back into town. The last 1.5 mile was into a wicked headwind. My son said “Daddy, the wind isn’t letting my legs work”. My legs were barely working as well. After yesterday’s ride, my legs were feeling it.  It was a good feeling and it’s great to be back on the bike.

about 10 miles

about 45 minutes of ride time

Only makes you stronger. Unless that thing is named “North Blackburn” or “Stagecoach.”

This was my second road ride of the year. Yes, I’m getting started a bit later than I wanted, but weather, illness, and other commitments have kept me off the bike. Thursday was calling for some good weather, so I made a plan to get out on the bike. I didn’t plan to tackle any hills, as I have been sick for the past three weeks with the allergy/tuberculosis bug. But Thursday was a busy day, and I had to go let the dog out before picking up kids and returning to work on Thursday night. Because I had to let the dog out as some point during the day, I decided to ride home and back. I was afraid, but somehow I made it up both Blackburn and Stagecoach. I felt really good about that, considering I haven’t done much riding or exercise in the past 3-6 weeks. It hurt to do those climbs, but I also felt strong.

10.8 miles
about 1 hour of total ride time
took about a 30 minute break at the house before riding back

Mac and Chad on the way back to town

1.5 hours ride time
16 miles
2 dogs
good times

Mac said this is one of his favorite routes if he only has 60-90 minutes to ride, and I definitely agree. It’s got a good amount of hills, and on a cool morning it definitely pays to get the heart rate up quickly. I’ll be sure to ride this route again. We mixed it up a bit with the return on the bike path to give us a few more miles and minutes on the bike. A great ride this morning. Thanks, Mac, for the route and for the company.

Total miles to date in 2011: 24

I had the opportunity to go on my first ride of 2011 at lunch today.

Grover to East State Street Bike Path lot and back.
8 miles
30 minutes
About 50 degrees, killer headwind on the way back.  I was a bit overdressed, but didn’t get too stuffy.

2011 miles to date: 8