Ten great perks of an inside ride

Riding a bike is just the perfect way to experience the great outdoors. But there are those days when the great outdoors is not that hospitable and maybe you need to log some training hours despite the weather conditions. Such has been the case for me the last couple of weekends. So I have a cycling trainer that lets me use my bike inside making it feel like I've biked miles and miles while never moving an inch. It is not as nice as a ride outside on a perfect day but it does have it's good side. Let me share some of those with you.

1 - You can start your ride  when it's still really dark outside.

 2 - When it gets light, you can admire the icicles without turning into one.

3 - Snacks are always handy! (Maybe too handy.)

4 - Cold drinks are available - no more lukewarm electrolytes!

 5 - You can work on your laundry during breaks from the bike.

6 - There always seems to be a restroom nearby when you need one. I didn't take a photo of this one. Use your imagination.

7 - You can text while riding and not worry about wrecking.

8 - Dry shirt and shorts and a fresh towel halfway through the ride!

9 - In-ride entertainment

10 - No pedestrians, dogs, or small children to avoid. You are virtually guaranteed a wreck free ride!

Bonus photo - you might be a cyclist if...

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. 

How Many Hills to Hillsboro?

About 46 years ago, a man named Fred Bauer read an account of Sir Francis Chichester circumnavigating the globe solo in his ship, the Gypsy Moth. Fred seems to have been a pretty average guy. He was married with three children and was pursuing a career as a writer with good success. Reading about the adventures of Sir Francis however, he started casting about for an adventure of his own. Maybe hiking from the East to West coast? Or if not hiking, maybe on bike?

About 40 years ago, the book he wrote about his family’s adventures cycling across the United States found its way into my home. “How Many Hills to Hillsboro?” left me with a desire to do the same thing – ride my bicycle across the United States.

This is the year that happens. I start cycling on May 31, leaving San Francisco and the Pacific coast. I will arrive at the Atlantic coast at Portsmouth, NH on July 21, 3,851 miles later. I welcome your company in whatever form that takes!