2024 cycling week 43

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My chain started slipping over the weekend. It seemed like I just got it replaced so I checked my mileage. It was about 1,500 miles ago. This is frustrating. The first chain that came with the bike lasted 3,500 miles. The second one lasted 2,500 miles. I seeing a pattern and I don’t like it.

Since I didn’t want to ride to Oliver’s after work, I rode slower in the mornings. Anytime I pushed, the chain would slip. It didn’t add much time to my ride, about 5 minutes, but it felt so slow! And my heart rate was down as well. I even tried a larger ring that I do not use and the chain slipped. I am wondering if this was the first time Danny installed the chain and didn’t get it tight enough?

On Friday, I shifted work earlier and rode my bike to Oliver’s in the afternoon. Randy tried an adjustment but it didn’t help much. James then took the Fetch out for spin and the chain broke. He said that it might have been that faulty link. And he also said I need to lubricate it more often. (I have been very neglectful this summer) It felt so good on the way to Target then home.

I only did a ride to Publix on Saturday morning.

On Sunday, I did my fourth Coffeeneuring ride in the afternoon. I rode up Starbucks on Curley. It was 24 miles of beautiful sky.

This week 113 miles

This year 4,749 miles

Streak 1,702 days

2024 cycling week 42

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The weather calmed down this week except for a couple of very cold mornings. Wednesday was below 50°

And Thursday was just about 50°. But I managed to ride both days in the morning. I dressed warm enough with my bike tights and a pair of leggings over them.

It got windy again on Friday and Saturday.

I did my Coffeeneuring ride on Saturday because my sister was visiting on Sunday.

This week 104 miles

This year 4,636 miles

Streak 1,695 days

2024 cycling week 41

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Hurricane Milton came through on Wednesday and Thursday. It rained all day on Wednesday, we got almost 11 inches! My ride was short and wet even with my Cleverhood. Thursday was drier but windier. I rode in the afternoon before I started cleaning up all the debris in my yard.

Cooler weather came on Friday morning. I was glad that I got one of my new long sleeve merino wool shirts from REI.

I did errands on Saturday. I went to 3 stores looking for chocolate milk.

On Sunday, I went to Sprouts and Starbucks for Coffeeneuring 2.

This week 89 miles

This year 4,533 miles

Streak 1,688 days

2024 cycling week 40

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The wind was back this week. I end up riding faster when it is windy. It sounds counterintuitive but I push harder so my heart rate goes up so I click up to Cargo mode and then go faster and my heart rate goes back down. Rinse and repeat.

Publix and Target on Saturday morning.

The older couple who walked along Beardsley told me that my rear light was out. I saw that one of the wires had come out. I tried to fix it but made it worse. I rode to Oliver’s after lunch on Saturday. They fixed it for $20.

Coffeeneuring began this week. I rode by 3 Starbucks on Saturday but didn’t stop. I usually get a Steamer and it was too hot. I went Sunday morning. It was overcast and raining on and off. The steamer was good for that weather.

This week 121 miles

This year 4,443 miles

Streak 1,681 days

2024 cycling week 39

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It was windy this week. Hurricane Helene rolled in on Thursday. I skipped the morning ride and rode before lunch. It was still windy but the rain had stopped. I love my e-Bike for riding against the wind.

full load from publix

full load from target

I did errands on the weekend.

This week 101 miles

This year 4,322 miles (400 miles ahead of goal)

Streak 1,674 days

2024 cycling week 37

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I started thinking about heart rate zones. I wondered if I was really doing too hard or not hard enough.

I was riding and trying to keep my heart rate below 150. However, according to my age, that is zone 4 and probably too hard for everyday. While I am cycling, I don’t feel like I am working hard. But when I am done, I feel it.

So, I am trying to exercise according to the heart rate zone appropriate to my age.that means riding slower. I had started riding slower on the weekends when I am doing errands. But it seems strange to not ride hard for exercise. Especially when it doesn’t feel hard while I am on the bike.

This week 98 miles

This year 4,109 miles

Streak 1,660 days

2024 cycling week 36

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vinca at home depot

Monday was Labor Day. I rode up to Home Depot and came back with some plants and a broom.

not a good angle but i had plants and a broom other items carried on my bike

On Thursday, I rode to the salon and got a haircut. I also stopped at Home Depot for a couple of items I ordered ahead of time.

Friday afternoon, I rode to Walgreens for my Covid and Flu vaccines.

I did grocery trips to Publix and Target on Saturday.

i have to balance the milk to make the bike as even as possible

About an hour after I was home, I felt like I rode a hard 40 miles instead of the easy 13 miles. I thought it might be from me riding too hard during the week. But then I realized it was a reaction to the vaccines.

I felt a lot better on Sunday. I had no errands to run so I just did the large loop. It was odd trying to stay under 135bpm.

This week 116 miles

This year 4,012 miles (400 miles ahead of goal)

Streak 1,653 days

2024 cycling week 35

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mums on sale at publix

The weekday mornings were typical, dark and muggy.

On Friday after work, I rode to PNC to pick up my debit card I accidentally left in the ATM. (I use the ATM rarely and forgot that they hold the card even though it looks like you are done.) Since I was out, I did grocery shopping at Target and got dinner from WingStop.

On Saturday, I did more errands; Publix and Michael’s.

This week 124 miles

This year 3,896 miles (396 miles ahead)

Streak 1,646 days