Training

I have started to develop a training plan for my mountain bike excursions this summer. The plan seems relatively simple and not overly time consuming. I believe most of my training can be done before work.

It consists of:

2 interval/hill repeat days
1 or 2 long days
rest day of 30-60 minute easy recovery ride between hard days

Sounds pretty easy. It will be done in 4 week stages where weeks 1-3 will be gradually increasing in length and intensity, then week 4 will be a recovery week with easy spinning or cross training. Then I will start the process all over again. I'd like to work up to about 100 miles for the long ride preferably on or consisting of mountain bike trails.

The problem I am facing right now is how to start. What should I start with? I think I want my long days to be no longer than 20 miles for now. I would actually rather do a few slow long rides but not measured in miles but hours to start. Try to keep my butt in the saddle for 2 hours, then work up from there.

What should I do about the interval and hill repeats? I figure 30 minutes to an hour will probably be more than enough to start. I could do something like 1m30sec off then 30sec hard... I really need to figure that out. Get some sort of plan together.

I suppose I have the basics down, the rest will follow once I figure out where my current fitness is.

If all else fails, I'll just ride lots! Add in some speed work and climb many hills. Then take a week off. Rinse and repeat.

Oh, my other goal is to be at 170 by June 1. That's 20 pounds in 6 months. I think it's a reasonable goal for sure.

I need a scale battery for home and then I can track my progress here.

Thanks

Thanks for the congrats to those of you who read this. It is going to be a short commute. I told my wife that I would be coming home late most of the time as I will have to ride out of my way to get any sort of ride in. One thing I will have to figure out is where I will be parking my bike once I arrive at work. I used to be able to put it in my office. My new job has a big open space where my coworkers all sit. I'm not sure what the rule is there on bringing bicycles into the office. They don't have bike parking out front either. I might have to work on the corporation to get parking installed.

Fenders are another thing I will need. Not that it's very far, but in the slop and rain, I really don't want to show up with a nice rooster tail on my back. That might not go over very well in a professional work environment.

Oli got me a great gift for Christmas. I actually picked it out and paid for it, Oli's only 1 and he doesn't have much money. There are multiple places I can use it. The most common use will be on the bike. It could and probably will be worn on my helmet whilst I am on my bike. Can any of you guess what that gift might be? If a company would donate one to this blog, I could give it away to the right guesser, however, I highly doubt that will happen. But if it does, I'll notify the winner and send it. Don't expect one though.

I'm really excited for spring riding to come around. Angie got me a great bicycle jersey for my birthday a month ago and it's been far too cold to wear it. I can't remember if I posted it, but I got a fat cyclist jersey. She ordered it when Twin Six was donating half of the jersey cost to the fat cyclist for his wife who is battling cancer. I think it was one of the greatest gifts ever because it affected more than just my happiness, but it helped a family in need.

I'm out for today and probably until Monday. It looks as if I will be taking Friday off work so I can spend time with my family.

On a different note, I doubt that I got that light weight fancy Kona frame I've been dreaming about for Christmas. It might have to be a spring gift to me.

News

I was offered a new job yesterday. I accepted. My position is going to be creative services specialist and I'll be working at Black Hills Corporation. It's an energy company. I'm really excited because it's about 6 blocks from my house, the benefits are extremely good and I'll be working someplace different. My position here at NAU has lasted for almost 6 years and although it is fun at times, I feel like a change.

I think I will start there on the 12th of January, maybe the 5th but probably the 12th. There is much to finish up here.

Merry Christmas to you all.

I can and will ride my bike to work every day. Wednesdays are going to be the only day that I will have to drive and that's so I can pick Oli up from daycare. I'd do it on my bike, but it's like 10 miles from town and there is no way I'd get there by 5:30. So, I can bike 4 days a week.

And a Happy New Year!

2 Days

We went for 2 days without having much for a furnace. 62 degrees was about as warm as it ever got. Called a repair man, he came, cleaned the flame sensor and works fine. Why I didn't do it two days ago? I have no idea.

Much better now.

Winter Rides

Well, I made the ride on Friday night. A perfect group of 12 showed at Dunn Bros to brave the full moon and darkness up M-Hill. We left right at 6pm and cruised up the East side of the hill (Sun Climb). It was a challenging climb since I really haven't done much riding. I was able to ride roughly 80% of it though. I stopped to shine a light on a fellow rider who had broken their chain.

Upon reaching the top of M-Hill, we rode some extremely fun new single track at the top. It circles most of the hill on the West, South and Eastern sides. After the new single track, we cruised down through dark forest and ended the ride. I tried out a new light from Acme Bicycles (Thanks Tim) and enjoyed it alot. Night riding is much more fun when you have the right gear.

It sounds like there will be a night ride every month on the full moon. So, if you happen to be in Rapid during that time of month, check out the forums on www.bhmba.org and see when and were the ride is taking place. I hope we continue it during the entire year.

I might have found my bike to try and ride Leadville and the Laramie Enduro. Acme has a Kona Kula Supreme race frame that I have my eye on. If I can get my Dawg (20" 2006 with Vanilla R rear shock) sold, I will be purchasing the new frame. It's super light and will be perfect for my goals for 2009. I'll have to buy some additional parts, but should be able to build it relatively reasonable.

Training will begin.

Oh, I also rode on Saturday afternoon before it got really crappy. I rode from our house, up and over Skyline to Acme bicycles to return the light. Then rode back. It was cold on the trip back. I didn't ride a lot this weekend, but I would say I put in roughly 10 miles or so, maybe a little more.

I need to start taking pictures and post on this blog. It's awfully text heavy. Icky

Snow

It snowed last night and today. That means a snowy and/or a muddy ride tomorrow, in the dark. A group of people are meeting at Dunn Bros on Omaha and riding up the East side of M-hill at 6pm. There are some new paths being constructed that we will check out then descend one of two ways. We will either cruise leisurely through the dark forest or we will come down the rock garden. Since I either won't have lights, or will have a very dimly lit light, I'm sure I will choose the dark forest route, which I will say... is going to be dark (read, dark forest).

It's a really fun section in the daylight, no idea what it will entail at night. It could be super dangerous and i will surely die. Or, everything will be just fine. There have been talks of different routes going up as well. A hard route and a simpler one. Neither is very easy as M-hill is quite steep no matter which way you go up. I'm sure it will be a fun ride with either route.

I have 2 lights that I plan on using. 1 is a very cheap cat eye brand, maybe, LED light that goes on my handlebars. It is really not so much for seeing, but to be seen. I am also going to duct tape a flash light on my helmet. The flashlight is a relatively small, very brightly lit flashlight that should work pretty well if and only if I am able to strategically place the flashlight in the correct spot and I am not lighting the sky...

I'll post a full report on either Saturday or Monday. I'm looking forward to the ride.

Lights

I'm still waiting on those lights. I have a night ride scheduled for Friday and I still don't have any. Looks as if I am going to have to duct tape a flashlight to my helmet. eh, it'll be interesting.

I'm going to make jerky (antelope) either tonight or tomorrow... maybe Thursday. I picked up some seasoning and I will cut up a few pounds over lunch today. I hope it's good.

I was going to ride a duathlon on Sunday but insulated our attic instead. We used blow-in cellulose. Recycled paper and not itchy... and good for the environment.

I need to ride my bike. It's not that it's too cold, too wet, too whatever, it's that I'm freaking busy.

Does anyone want to buy some rollers? Seriously! The exact ones are located... here

They really haven't been ridden that much. There is no wear. I bet I put a total of 200 miles on them. Since my road bike left, I have no bike that works well on these. Make me an offer. I really don't care, I just want them out of my house. They're in my way.

Published

I'm pretty excited today. I'm published for the first time ever! It's nothing big or real special... wait, it is big and it is special.

read http://www.sddot.com/srts/news.aspx

Dec/Jan edition, page 3.

Then go ride your bike!!! It's not that cold out.

Strange

Has anyone noticed all the items on the right sidebar are gone? When I check out my settings, they're all there, however when I view it... gone.

Oh well.

So far I rode my bike Monday and Wednesday (today) morning. Both days were quite cold at 5am. Today was really cold though. I bundled up perfectly though. UnderArmor base with jeans and a fleese, then I had on my Columbia coat with a stocking hat and some good gloves. I also threw on this thing that covers your face... I used it snowmobiling when I was younger. I was perfect. My fingers did get slightly chilly. On the way back home, the road turns to a slight uphill. I just started to sweat when I got home. I thought about walking some so I wouldn't sweat, but knew I was close. The snow and the ice on the roads made it very interesting.

I'm still waiting on some vendors to hook me up with some lights to review. I haven't had any offers.

The race this weekend is still on as far as I know. I offered to help out either before or after the race. I probably won't run as my knee hurts pretty bad. I really screwed it up on the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. At least I can bike.

Giving Thanks

I ate way too much for turkey day. It's a bad habit that can't be broken, and why should it?

I also ran my first Turkey Trot 5K and rode my bike this morning before work and to work. It was pretty cold 16F this morning at 5am and it warmed up quick on my way to work. I overdressed bad. My feet were froze but the rest of me was sweating. I'll need to figure it out. I used to have it down.

There is a dirt duathlon this Sunday at Buzzard's Roost. I'm going to try it. Money goes to BHMBA for trails, etc.