Too Much Biking

3 workouts since last Friday:

On Friday, February 23, I biked 25.25 miles in one hour on the Lifecycle. I maintained > 105 cadence at “level 15″ for the duration. The bike claimed 1024 calories burned.

On Sunday, February 25, I biked up in Marin for 66 miles — here’s the route. There’s a lot to say about this ride. It started with a moment of great success. After watching my chain wheel wobble for 15 miles or so, followed by a “Fred’s” attempt to fix it myself, I happened upon Mike’s Bikes of Sausalito. It didn’t take long for them to find every single loose bolt and cable. After they were done with it, it rode as well or maybe even better than when I first rode it.

After 30 miles of fun, varying terrain and decent weather, things started to go down hill (or up hill, yuck yuck). Just past Stinson’s Beach going south, Highway 1 was closed for construction. The detour was a four mile, 8% grade up toward Mt. Tamalpais. At the time, I didn’t know exactly how far up it was going to go, which made for a brutal mental battle. I approached every hairpin turn with anticipation that perhaps around *this* bend I would see the light at the end of the tunnel. But time and time again I was met with disappointment as the road continued uphill. Before I got home and mapped it out, I would have sworn that this climb had to have been at least 10 miles long.

It is easily the biggest climb I’ve ever done. I’d like to say I enjoyed it, except that about halfway up, it started to rain — this is what ultimately killed the ride. By the time I made it to the top, it was nearly pouring. Water had completely soaked through my cotton long sleeve shirt (don’t comment, I know), and was flowing steadily into my shoes. All of this was just in time for the 10 miles of downhill where I wouldn’t have to pedal or otherwise exert any energy. Sure enough, it wasn’t five minutes over the top of the hill before I started shivering. Eventually I started breaking and pedaling at the same time, just to try and stay warm. Miserable.

Like the climb, the worst part was not having any idea how long I would have to endure. Fortunately, I made it to civilization before things actually got bad. But at the same time, there was definitely a point (probably around mile 62 or so) where I started to worry that I might actually have to start worrying. Ha. Anyway, I stopped at the first gas station I found, bought two Power Bars, a Sprite, and called my roommate. Done.

It was a good ride.

Tuesday, February 27, I biked 24.25 miles on the Lifecyle in one hour and ran three miles on the treadmill at an 8:30 pace.