My Route

So with the countdown at 14 weeks, I'm looking at a lot of snow outside. This means that training happens inside since I am not going to ride my bike in the snow. Running in snow is one thing. I did that last year while training for the Phoenix marathon.

17 mile run in this

But riding in snow with possible ice just doesn't seem that smart. I can hear the arguments now - riding your bike across the country isn't exactly smart either! But I'll pretend I don't know what you're thinking.

My basic view for about six hours this weekend

So since the riding wasn't all that exciting, I thought I'd share my basic route with you which I do find exciting! I'm riding with America by Bicycle and here's the route they have planned.

If you see anywhere along there that you want to ride along, just let me know! I'm also accepting offers of free food and/or ice cream if I happen to pass through your town. Book your appointment early as I am expecting those spaces to fill quickly. 

What Happens on Saturday

So I went for a bike ride on Saturday. That's actually pretty much every single Saturday but I'm pretending like it was a choice just for fun instead of something I do because I'm terrified I won't be ready to ride my bike for 52 days in less than 16 weeks. You might think going for a bike ride is a pretty easy deal. Just get on your bike and go, right? Not when you think as much as I do. Let me give you a peek at my psychotic bike ride preparation.

What do I need to wear? Shorts? Tights? Long sleeves? Jacket? It's sunny, forecast says high will be close to 70°. Probably means I'm safe with shorts. But it's February. Really? Yeah, I think shorts. Jacket on top? No. But probably not short sleeves. Long sleeves with a wind vest? Ummm, ok.

The ponds are frozen but I'm riding in shorts!

Ok, food. How long am I going to be out? 5 hours? So I need one, two, three, four, five, sixish snacks. What am I going to want? Should I take a sandwich? Mmm, no. Ooh, but those peanut butter pretzels, those can come along. A chocolate CLIF shot, Jelly Belly sports beans, blueberry newtons, and a Bonk Bar cut into pieces for easy eating complete the menu.

One bottle with water, one bottle with lemon-lime Powerade.

South of Castlewood Canyon State Park on dirt roads, Pikes Peak is the blip on the horizon.

Oh yeah, sunscreen. Face, neck, ears, arms just in case I get warm and push my sleeves up.

$10 just because you never know.

Inflate the tires to 105 psi.

Helmet, gloves, sunglasses, shoes, phone, Garmin, keys.

You know what sounds really great? A nap. A nap would be the best thing ever. No napping. Gotta ride.

I'm digging the dirt today!

Where should I ride? No big loop, boring and too many people. Forecast says wind from the SW so if I head south first I should have a tailwind coming home. I could ride down to Castlewood Canyon - take the Cherry Creek trail south, hop out onto Parker Road whenever I run out of trail. Sure, sounds good.

Wind vest or no wind vest? I'll take it. No. Maybe not. But - it's February! But it's supposed to be 70°. I'll be fine. Ok, leave it here. 

A beautiful winter(?) day!

It was a gorgeous day. Once I stopped fantasizing about napping, I decided it would be a perfect day to spend the whole day on my bike! 

I rode through suburban areas, parks, pastures, open prairie, sagebrush, pines; on concrete, asphalt, and dirt. I just took anything that was thrown at me as a challenge and rode on! Mud builds character, especially on a road bike.

So does wind! And I built a lot of character in the last hour as the wind blasted from the north and I rode right into it. So much for a tailwind on the way home. I decided the rest of the ride was enough fun that it balanced out pretty well. 

So there you go. My Saturday ride. Only 15 more Saturday rides before the real deal! Wow. Excuse me, I need to go get on my bike!

Guess what? Should have sunscreened my legs!