Tuesday, May 31, 2016

400km with Dave and Calvin

At 400km with Dave & Calvin

Was behind on my KM, so rode the river pathway from downtown, to Canyon Meadows and back north to Joey's Only on Macleod Trail.  33km in total; my longest ride this year.  Highwood pass was 36km, but I had over an hour rest at the summit, it really was two 18km rides.

Dave & Calvin came along, they had a much longer ride as they had at least 10km to get back home.

So I made the 400km goal by the end of May, not with much time or km to spare, but made it.  Next is to hit the 500km mark on the Goat Creek ride this Sat.

Should be good to hit 800km by end of June.

- Peace






Sunday, May 29, 2016

Highwood Pass May 2016

Kananaskis Valley

Feeling amazing about this years Highwood Pass run.  Last year it killed me.  Just over 3 hours to climb the ~700m/17.5 km to the summit.  This year: 2:20 from King Creek (just outside the gate) to the picnic table at the summit.

Last year It took me 45 minutes to go from the summit back to the gate.  This year 33.5 minutes, and that's back to the car at King's creek.  (OK it's not far from the gate but stopping and getting through the gate adds time.

Doing the climb and the descent in 75% of time compared to last year feels amazing.  Did I mention how amazing it feels?  OK I know that 2:20 isn't a record for people doing the highwood pass, but then most people aren't my size so a direct comparison doesn't really apply.  

Random side story:
The first year I did over 3k in a year a guy at the bike shop said "I don't want to steal your thunder but I'm at 3200 for the year" 
Me: "Dude I'm three times your size (zero exaggeration), talk to me when you've done 9k" 
So why the big jump.  Whish I knew for sure.  I don't see why I'd be in better shape than last year.  Last year I hit 300km near the top.  This year I was at ~330km at the top.  Last year I used the winter tires and the foot straps, this year I had the summer slicks and the bike shoes - that would be part of it.  Helped that there was a tailwind on the steepest part of the climb - though that made the descent slower.  I also rode alone this year. I was expecting the rest of the group to catch up with me, so I started out early. That meant I just went at my own pace.  I didn't stop.  I got off and walked for bits (100-200m) and rode again, but I didn't stop.  Last year people took a couple of breaks, and then continued on faster than I could go.  I think not stopping and keeping warmed up worked much better for me.  Also the camera battery died after the above shot, so maybe not taking pictures helped my time.

Whatever the reason,  I was glad to be the one waiting at the summit for the rest of the group instead of being the one everyone was waiting for.

Other Random Notes
  • Saw a grizzly on the side of the road driving up highway 40.  People were getting out of their cars to take pictures with their iphones and tablets.  Stupid people.
  • There were snow flakes in the air at the summit.  Not a good year to have left my sweater at home.
  • Someone wore  pants on their head.  We called this a pantouque. Non Canadians please see the Alberta Parks Touque.

- Peace



Wednesday, May 25, 2016

300km with Clement

At 300km with Clement

Went to Vancouver to visit Sarah, but also got in a bike n brunch in with Clement.  Hit the 300km mark Sunday morning while riding Pacific Spirit Regional Park.  One of my favorite places.  Went to Jethro's on Dunbar afterwards.  They make huge pancakes, I wasn't able to finish one of the two that came with my order.


Saturday, May 14, 2016

200km On Target

200km in Sunalta
Hit the 200km mark on the way for coffee on 17th Ave.  That took me through Sunalta, one of the few communities in Calgary with tree covered streets.

I'm on target for 400km by the end of May.  So far so good.

Looking forward to riding in Vancouver on the long weekend.  Not sure if I can manage to hit a 100km mark while there.

- Peace

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

2016 First 100km, Goal and a Plan

Bike Sign at 100km
Hit 100km for 2016 on the way to work this morning.  Only made it to 850km last year, and 250 of that was on vacation.  Never found my commuting grove last year.  So I'm feeling good that I've biked to work every day in May.  All three work days :)

Goal for 2016 is 1300km, 500 more than the last 100km mark from 2015.

The plan is:
  • 400km by the end of May
  • 800km by the end of June
  • 1000km by the end of July
  • 1400km by the end of Aug.
I really should be able to blow through the 1300km mark with ease.  I'll wait till I've done that before setting a new 2016 Goal for the fall.

- Peace