2011 Race To Sunset

Entered the 2011 Race To Sunset this year with a three person team, and as a team we managed to complete 25 laps in 10 hours. I felt good on the bike for most of the day, but this course has a way of making me feel slow. I can't quite figure out why this is.

The local news was at the race as well, and they did a nice story on the event, and highlighted professional racer Kelly Magelky. I have a hard time wrapping my head around what this guy can do on a bike! The news story can be seen here.

Me at the start of a long and satisfying day on the bike.

What my heart did during the 10 hours.

Punta Lobos!

I'm having a real hard time getting through this mid-life crisis. However,  I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing. Therefor, this is why you see the below photo of a longboard that I recently purchased.

As a kid, skateboarding was a big part of how I spent my summers, and I'm attempting to recapture the feeling that skateboarding gave me 30+ years ago. I no longer have my G&S Fibreflex board, but the Punta Lobos will help fill that void!

Heart Rate - 238. This Can't Be Good.

Finished a long day at the office and decided to go for an easy 20 mile ride on this breezy afternoon. Little did I know that the breeze I felt during the day turned into a 30 mph headwind for the first 10 miles! No worries - the second 10 miles it was a tailwind! Weeeeeee!!!!!!!!

Legs, lungs, etc. felt great. However, if you look at my heart rate (below) during the first part of my ride, you will see that I was apparently having some sort of 'event.'  I can assure you that my actual heart rate did not max out at 238. If it had, I'd be dead. I'll chalk this up to my Garmin needing a firmware update, or some shit.

Road ID - Don't Leave Home Without It!

Went on my first long ride today in cool temps. Legs felt great. Lungs felt great. Fingers and toes froze. Oh, and I managed to forget my heart rate monitor and my Road ID. 

Forgetting the HRM was not such a big deal, although I did feel a little lost not being able to check whether or not I was in or out of my target zone.  The Road ID, however, is an item I will never forget again. I never expect an accident to happen, but if it does, I want some ID around my wrist. Forgetting this was a BONEHEAD move on my part.

'You mean we're smokin' dog shit, man?'

I may or may not start experimenting with psychedelic drugs. Stay tuned.

The Arrival

Levitation. Just one of the iPhone 4 features.

Indoor Trainer = The Devil!

For anyone who likes to get out on their bike, the snows of North Dakota can throw a big-ass monkey wrench into one's plans. Thankfully, to get my miles in, I have the option of hopping on the trainer during the snowy season. Yay. Interval session below:

1,2,3,4s followed by 20 x .5s

To me, an hour on the trainer is like 3 on the road. My iPod helps bunches during these sessions. I will be doing a 3+ hour workout tomorrow. This makes me sad. Oh well, it won't be long before I can stop with the trainer nonsense and jump on my newest purchase...

Very much looking forward to hitting the trails on this!