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 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 32

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Hurricane Debby came through on Sunday and Monday. I had to delay my Monday ride until after work and it was so windy that I only did 7 miles.

The rest of the weekdays were fine but very muggy.

I am not sure I could have been any wetter if I had ridden in the rain.

I did errands on the weekend. Twice to Publix because Juicy Juice was on sale.

My weekly mileage was a little low but since I have this surplus, I didn’t sweat it (too much.)

This week 88 miles

This year 3,560 miles (+360 miles)

Streak 1,625 days

2024 cycling week 31

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It was a good week of riding though very muggy.

I did some errands on Saturday. I am trying to ride slower when I am doing errands. I need to learn to enjoy the ride and save the smaller gears. It would be nice to not get so sweaty but this is Florida, in the summer.

I planned on more errands on Sunday but Tropical Storm Debby came in. Rain was forecasted beginning about 9am.

I rode at 5:30 and did a single big loop.

This week 105 miles

This year 3,472 miles (370 miles ahead)

Streak 1,618 days

2024 cycling week 30

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Some days seem easier than others.

I get up every morning and do my two loops in the dark.

I only did one loop on Thursday because I rode to the doctor after work. My chain started to slip.

Friday was a slower ride because my top two gears are worn out.

I rode to Target on Saturday. I filled up the panniers. I still had a box of TP to carry. The bungee cord I have is too short. Then I remembered the cargo net I always carry. It gets tangled so I tend not to use it much. But it worked.

I also rode down to Oliver’s for new chain and gears.

After they did the maintenance I left to go to Home Depot. I discovered that they didn’t change the cassette. I went back and got that taken care of. I am not happy that the gears only last 2500 miles before they wear out. Perhaps this bike is not meant to be ridden everyday.

Or maybe I need to learn how to do the maintenance myself. Then again, they only charged $15 for labor and can do it so much quicker than me.

On Sunday, I just a slower ride around MP.

This week 114 miles

This year 3,367 miles (300 miles ahead of goal)

Streak 1,611 days

2024 cycling week 28

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Back to our regular schedule morning rides before work.

On Saturday, I went out for a second ride for groceries and got my first real flat on my bike.

I was at the school and was going to walk home. A nice man drove me home.

I tried to take the tire off but I couldn’t figure it out. I called AAA for a tow. Yes, they tow bikes. I got to Oliver’s and they fixed it quick enough. But they charge $40 for labor so I need to get some spares for the next time.

This week 103 miles

This year 3,153 miles

Streak 1,597 days