2025 cycling week 26

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June 23-29

The mornings were good, though warm. I rode in Zone 2 except for Tuesday & Thursday which was Zone 3.

I have not been sleeping well so my heart rate tended to run a little high which meant I had to ride slower to keep in the zone.

I had several errands to run on Saturday and hoped to get in over 20 miles. I rode to Sprouts early then to Target. I got done with Target and loaded up my bike and found that the back tire was flat. What! It was just changed 10 days ago!

I called a friend who picked me up and the bike. After lunch, I tackled the flat tire. I took out the tube but couldn’t find the flat. I put in a new tube and then couldn’t get the tire back on the rim. I tried until my hands were too sore and drove to Oliver’s. It was a different mechanic and he also had trouble.

I had an appointment to pick up my eye glasses at 2. The skies were getting darker and I decided to just drive there after Oliver’s. Once I got home, I mounted the wheel back on the bike. At least I am getting a bit faster at this though I still need to lay down the bike. I rode around the block to match sure everything felt OK and remembered to put the brakes once to replace the pressure.

I thought about riding 20 miles on Sunday to make up for the lost miles. But knew that would threw off the rest of my morning. I did 16 miles instead. There were too many clouds for a colorful sunrise.

This week 105 miles Strava (110 Flow App)

This year 2,724 miles Strava

Streak 1,947 days

2025 cycling week 25

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June 16-22

Monday & Tuesday were fine. I did Zone 3 on Tuesday.

I went out on Wednesday and found a flat tire. Damn.

I stood there for a moment, weighing my options. I could try to change the flat but past experience says it will take up my whole entire if I can even get it done. I could ride Ryan’s bike. I could walk now and ride later. I could ride one of my other bikes.

Walking now didn’t really work since then I would have to walk at 9 with my neighbor and at 2 with Andy. Ryan’s bike was not a good option because it is not comfortable and why does he like his seat tilted up in the front so much? OK, I will ride one of my analog* bikes. My preference would be for the 1220 because it is lighter and faster. But it is behind the 820. I thought the 820 would work. I pumped up the tires and then realized I needed a water bottle holder since the bottles I use don’t fit in the metal cages I have. I get the extra handlebar mount and strap it on. It is easy enough because it is velcro. Ready to go? I haven’t ridden this bike since I got my e-Bike but it should be fine. Right?

Oh no, it is not fine. When did it get so small? It is about half the weight but seems tiny. I was so wobbly like I hadn’t been riding EVERY DAY since March 1, 2020. I am feeling better but notice my heart rate is still in Zone 3 though this is supposed to be a Zone 2 ride. I get about a mile from home and realize I have no lights! The e-Bike comes with lights so I haven’t thought about the ones for my others bike in almost two years. I don’t want to go back because I am not sure where the lights are and if they are even charged up. I move over the sidewalk since I cannot legally ride in the road without lights. I don’t need them to see and there are enough streetlights. (Then why do cars insist on using their high beams?) I decide to make a short, 6 mile ride. It takes me 35 minutes and even though my heart is elevated, I average only 10 mph. Ugh, what a horrible ride and my hands and lady bits were NOT happy.

After work, I try to change the tire. I am looking for what caused the flat but don’t find anything. I give up since I am putting on a new tire. Getting the old tire off wasn’t too bad and it was the first time I actually accomplished it without help. But getting a new tire back on... I needed more hands or strength or both. I went to Oliver’s. Duncan got the tire on easily enough but then checked to see if it was seated correctly. That took some time. I realized that I would have been so happy to get the tire on that I would not have checked the seating. It was a good thing I lack the strength?

I stopped at Chick-Fil-A and picked up dinner. I got home and ate before I attempted putting the wheel back on. I didn’t even try to mount it while the bike was upright. Gravity works against me that way. I got out the moving blanket and laid the bike down on its side. It only took about 10 minutes. I rode around the block to make sure it worked. I always forget to test the brakes while riding because the first squeeze is just air until the pressure builds up again.

On Thursday, I rode in Zone 3. I was a bit faster and was curious if it was the new tire? Looking at the tires, they seemed OK for tread. Until I got a new one next to the old one. Oh, it was worn down. I still have my front tire to change.

Because my panniers were off, I cleaned and lubed my bike on Thursday after work. I skipped last month and it was more than due.

I was hoping to get in a second ride on Friday because I had to go to the eye doctor (may new glasses broke!). But the summer thunderstorms were in full force. I had to drive my car. Sigh.

I did errands on Saturday and an easy Zone 2 on Sunday. The sunrise was very faded. I didn’t stop to take photos. The Trek Ride Club app quit after 3 miles so my Strava mileage is lower than what I actually rode.

This week 84 miles (Strava) 100 miles (Flow)

This year 2618 miles

Streak 1,940 days

*I hate this term for non-electric bikes.

2025 cycling week 24

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June 9-15

I did Zone 2 rides on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

And Zone 3 rides on Tuesday and Thursday.

I did errands on Saturday. I rode to Publix and Target in the morning. I rode to the eye doctor and Nutrition Smart in the afternoon.

Sunday’s ride included a sunrise.

This week 114 (Strava) 122 miles (Flow App)

This year 2,534 miles

Streak 1,933 days

2025 cycling week 23

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June 2-8

Morning are warm and sweaty. I am still trying to figure out Zones. I thought I should be riding in Zone 3 but from what I have read, I should do most of my rides in Zones 1 and 2. Zone 4 is for training and should include intervals. I did Zone 3 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I went back to Zone 2 on Friday.

I did two rides of errands on Saturday.

I did a slow, Zone 2 on Sunday. It feels good to get this done before breakfast, before it gets too hot.

This week 112 miles (118 miles Flow)

This year 2,420 miles

Streak 1,926 days

2025 cycling week 22

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May 26 - June 1

The mornings were good. I am riding more in Zone 3 which is more intense workout than I am used but that is good for me. I find myself being too slow rather than too fast. I understand that intervals are good training but I never liked doing them. I am not trying to get stronger or faster to race. I am exercising to stay healthy.

On Saturday, it rained most of the morning. We got almost an inch of rain. I managed to ride to Target when it was only drizzling. Later, I rode to the eye doctor for exam and new glasses.

I had 503 miles for May.

On Sunday, I rode my usual morning route before breakfast. I wanted a slow, fat burning ride. I changed my Apple Watch for Zone 2. About 1/3 of the ride was Zone 2 and the other 2/3 was Zone 1.

This week 112 miles (Strava) 114 miles (Flow)

This year 2,307 miles

Streak 1,919 days

2022 cycling week 21

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May 19-25

The week didn’t start out too well. I noticed my rear tire felt soft when I turned from MLB to SR56 during my second loop. I stopped to add some air. It was very dark and I could not get my iPhone to shine its flashlight on the right spot. I got it pumped up and rode home. I passed 10,000 miles on the bike and these tires.

The tire was completely flat on Tuesday morning. I was hoping it was just a pinch flat and I could ride today and then to get new tires at the LBS. The tire felt soft about 6 miles in to my first loop. At about 8 miles, it was very soft so I stopped and walked home.

I called the LBS but they don’t stock the tire I need. They would have to order them and it might be 7-10 days. Plan B, I will change the tire myself and order some tires from Amazon.

i took a photo of the bike before i removed the tire. it didn’t really help.

I was never good at changing flats on my regular bike but I feel like an idiot with this bike. I finally got the wheel off and then tried to remove the tire to change the tube. I just couldn’t get it to budge. I went to LBS. Randy said that there was still a bit of air in the tube. He got the tire changed and I was on my way. Getting the tire back on was even worse. A neighbor came by and helped. I needed 4 hands. 2 to hold the derailleur out of the way and two more to seat the tire. Sigh.

i ended up removing both buckets. i left them off until i needed them on saturday.

The rest of the week was better. I now have my heart rate zone 3 on my Apple Watch to alert me when I go over and under. The Apple Watch has calculated my zones slightly higher than the old formula I used. I have to ride harder to keep my heart rate up.

Summer is almost here and it is hot. I am trying to avoid rides in the afternoons.

I went to Target & Publix in the morning. After lunch, I went to Sprouts. Next week, I might start earlier and go to Sprouts first.

On Sunday, I rode before breakfast. I got to see the sunrise. I wanted to ride in Zone 2 but the alerts were still for Zone 3 so I never heard anything after the first one saying I was below my range. I just looked and most of the ride was in Zone 1 which means even more fat burning.

This week 107 miles (Strava) 110 miles (Flow)

This year 2,195 miles

Streak 1,912 days

2025 cycling week 19

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May 5-11

The morning rides were good though I bit warm. I am not looking forward to summer mornings and sweating like a pig.

I did errands on Saturday to Publix & Sprouts.

Mother’s Day was Sunday but it rained on and off. I went when it looked like it might be light. It was light rain but I got soaked and only did 11 miles.

This week 107 miles (Strava) 112 miles (Flow)

This year 1,986 miles

Streak 1,898 days

2025 cycling week 18

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April 28-May 4

The mornings were a little cooler but I only needed an extra shirt. I located the technical tees I got from Machines for Freedom. I could never wear them alone as the front is more of a crop.

The Flow app was having more trouble connecting to my Apple Watch. I finally disconnected it from health. Now I am using the THREE APPS! I use Flow so I can see my battery and time and because it works in landscape. (I can’t change the orientation of the phone mount.) I used Trek Ride Club because of the challenges. I wish I could get the file upload to work but it errors out. And I am back to the Apple Watch Activity app. It now has a companion app on the iPhone but only works in portrait.

I am trying to gauge how I feel and check my Apple Watch for my heart rate. It is a pain since I have to take my hand off the handlebars and lift my wrist. There is a lot of info on that screen but I set it up so the heart rate is on the bottom so I usually just look at that. I do like that it tells me when my exercise ring and move rings close and chirps every 5 miles. I used to use that chirp to tell me to drink. Without it, I switched to every five minutes of riding. That is more frequent so I drink smaller sips.

On Saturday, I went to Target for groceries. I was planning on going to Publix with Andy on Sunday so didn’t need to go on Saturday. But the trip to Target is too short. So I rode to Wiregrass for Fresh Market and got some honey.

On Sunday, I didn’t need to go to Sprouts and could have had a shorter ride. But, ice cream!

I rode two big loops then to Cold Stone Creamery for a cup. It was a very windy ride and ate up most of my battery.

This week 115 miles (Strava) 123.23 (Fetch)

This year 1,878 miles

Streak 1,891 days

2025 cycling week 17

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April 21-27

The mornings were nice, not too cold nor too warm.

I had an eye doctor appointment on Friday but had forgotten as I started to ride before work. Oh well, extra exercise is always good.

burger monger cheeseburger was ok but a little too well done. the fries were awesome.

I rode to the eye doctor as well and did some grocery shopping afterwards.

I did more grocery shopping on Saturday before lunch. The weather is getting warmer and I need to get my rides done earlier if possible.

i stopped to get more water. i was glad it was cold because i ran out of ice in my water bottle.

On Sunday, I went for a long ride through Flatwoods before stopping at Sprouts. Since this ride was over 20 miles, I treated myself to a small ice cream at Bruster’s.

i asked for a small but i think i got a kiddie cup. it was still more than i needed.

This week 133 miles (127 Strava)

This year 1,763 miles

Streak 1,884 days