I think this is the first time this year I have ridden my single speed bike...?! It's been too long in other words.
Today was glorious. The sun was shining, it was dry, not too hot (but I rolled up my shorts and sleeves anyway - as is my nature) and I felt fine. I also had some great music along for the ride.
Unlike some single speed rides this bike is not light by any means but it is a freaking blast to cruise around on. Since I was taking the same route I do when I commute I casually glanced at my cyclometer when I hit the UW to see if I was going any faster than when I ride my town bike and I wasn't. Interesting.
I felt a bit flat heading north but at the tip of the Burke-Gilman Trail, just before I turn to head up Juanita, I caught up with this guy on a geared bike. It was one of those situations where he 'felt' me coming and accelerated to avoid being passed. I totally recognized this behavior and smiled, for the moment I did not care how fast I was going.
After turning right to head up and over Juanita I saw that Mr. Competitive had been stopped by a traffic light at the base of the hill and before it turned green I pulled up along side him.
- The light turns green.
- Mr. Competitive takes of like a shot in the big ring.
- Martin "I guess I'm also fairly competitive" thinks, I wonder if I can take him on this hill...?
It was on.
I dialed in a rhythm that I hoped I could maintain all the way to the top and waited. Soon Mr. C had to shift down. Then he shifted again. And then I started to catch him.
When I caught him I went straight past but because of my loud music I couldn't hear so well. I had to stop at the traffic light near the entrance to Saint Edward State Park and guess who was right on my wheel, none other than Mr. C.
I actually beat Mr. C down the back side of Juanita but then climbing up toward Kirkland he put in another surge and gapped me big time. Once again I dialed in a pace I hoped I could maintain and ended up passing him half way up the hill.
I have to admit, I was pretty out of breath. But this was also kind of fun. :)
Riding along the waterfront in Kirkland I put my head down and found a good groove and never saw him again. Yes! Martin wins. The race that only he knows about. I am nothing if not shallow like that.
A bonus of this little dual was that it warmed my legs up good and proper and the rest of the ride was great!
The wind was coming out of the north so I had a tailwind riding south on the east side of the lake. As I rounded the bend and got onto Rainier Ave I could feel the resistance but for some reason I found it was not so bad. I got down in the drops and still managed to keep my speed up relatively well. Even more so on Lake WA Blvd north of Seward Park.
Nice.
Which pretty mush sums up this day on the bike.
| Sleep | 7 |
| Waking HR | |
| Body Weight | |
| Body Fat | |
| Breakfast | 6:00 AM - apple sauce, 2 scoops Perpetuem, walnuts, tea |
| Lunch | |
| Dinner | |
| Workout Food | 1.5 large bottles each w/2.5 scoops HEED |
| Injuries | |
| Therapy | |
| Time of Day | 9:30 AM |
| Workout Type | endurance |
| Weather | mid 60s, sunny, dry, light wind |
| Course | |
| Results | |
| Time | 2:48 |
| Distance | 49 miles |
| Pace | 18 mph |
| Equipment | Kona Paddy Wagon, Garmin Edge 500 |
| Clothing | bib shorts, sleeveless undershirt, short sleeve jersey, cap |
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