Strong Finish to the Weekend
Today my schedule called for my longest ride in at least a few months – 2 1/2 hours – and I was committed to get at least most of it in. The weather forecast called for high 50’s or even low 60’s. Pretty amazing conditions for New York in mid-December; I had no excuse not to get out there and make the most of it.
After a chill morning with Elizabeth and Charlie, I went out for the ride at about 1:30. In years past, that was prime football-watching time. Especially at this point in the season, with both real- and fantasy- football playoffs on the line. This year, though, I’m finding that I just don’t care as much. I’m still into it, especially since the Chargers are looking really good this season, but I’m not so interested in watching football just for the sake of watching it. I imagine the training has something to do with that, as there are just so many hours in a Sunday, and something has to go. Also, both of my fantasy teams are absolutely horrible this year, so that’s not helping either. Anyway, I left for my ride around 1:30. It was sunny and relatively warm, though certainly not anywhere near the high 50’s, let alone low 60’s. I didn’t know what to wear. I did know that I didn’t need my new jacket and didn’t need the balaclava, my heavy gloves or shoes covers. I dressed somewhere in between, erring on the side of under-dressing. In the end, my toes were a little cold as were my ears and fingers, but in general, I nailed the clothing question.
I rode up to the Park and starting going. On the first lap, I passed this guy on a pretty nice Trek tri-bike. After a bit I turned around and was right there with me. We spent the next lap and a half or so trading off cutting the wind. I definitely spent more time up front, but mostly by my choice – I’m not super comfortable drafting off someone yet, especially in the crowded Park, with all the tourists, pedicabs, rollerbladers, horses, etc. During our ride, two other guys joined. It was really fun riding with something of a group – it definitely made me ride harder than I had planned on (or, according to my schedule, I should have). I spent a fair bit of time in zones 3 and 4, and was riding in the low-20’smph. After the first guy peeled off, I rode with the other two for about another lap, but at this point, we slowed to a more leisurely pace (though still around 18-19mph). I ended up doing two more laps, for a total of five, or about 30 miles. I kept the fourth and fifth laps at closer to the 18-19mph range. It felt great – I could have kept going, if not for the boredom and the fact that that it was starting to get dark (damn winter!). There is no question that the training has already paid off. That was a better ride than just about any I did in the Park this summer. Unfortunately, that’s probably my last outdoor ride of the year – I doubt I’ll do any this week, and then we’re in California the next two weekends. I’m sure that the weather won’t be so nice next time I’m out there!
Bike – December 17
Time: 2:23
Distance: 40 miles
Average heart rate: 124
Course: West Side to Central Park – 5 loops
Conditions: Clear, some sun, some wind low 50’s