Training Log Archive: Nadim

From Northfield Rd. Old Georgetown Rd. to the Bethesda Trolley Trail, to Grosvenor Rd. to the Rock Creek Trail to Lake Needwood. Like last week, I toted orienteering controls but I also carried a jug of water. Pulling off on Southlawn Ln. I did a loop intending to set out 4 of the controls for the QOC Summer Short Series (SSS) that was to start at 4pm. I knew I was a bit behind so once my bike was locked and hid it behind an electrical transformer, I rushed to set out the water first, forgetting to remove my helmet and cycling gloves. I did a longer than planned loop, then rode my bike to another location off the Rock Creek Trail before finishing at Lake Needwood. Later, I rode back to Southlawn Ln. to pickup some controls and this entry includes the cummulative time.

From Southlawn Rd. at the electrical transformer, I started to put out a water control and 4 others but since I had a bag of small controls I kept recalculating that it would be faster to keep putting out controls rather than riding to another location to do so. Ultimately I put out 11 controls before returning to the bike. I felt a bit silly doing this with my helmet and cycling gloves on. At the first control of this loop where I dropped off water, I realized I'd left the cups behind but it was only after finishing the loop that I realized I'd left the cups completely behind at home. I had wanted to use my GPS on this loop but discoverd the charge was low--I didn't use it. It might have helped in 2 areas. I found a nice pit in an area that I hadn't finishe field checking, and I believe one other mapped root stock was mapped too high.

After returning to the bike, I grabbed and placed 3 more controls--I'd rediscovered a ride during this that I had come across when initially exploring the area. However, I missed it during field checking and didn't map it--it was intermittant but was on a nice flatish break in a hillside and led right to a control.

After riding to a location off the Rock Creek Trail, I put out 3 more controls. Though overall I didn't feel bad, my legs were feeling rather heavy after this. I met Peggy and all the orienteers who'd gathered to run, just after 4pm. I drank a bit, and told people they could start (John Pifer) had actually already started and I surprised that I hadn't bumped into him putting out #1).

Next I left to put out the last 3 controls. One of these was a root stock amidst a lot of others. Even though I'd mapped this area (using a 1:2,500 scale draft), using a 1:7,500 map, I had trouble matching them up. I finally hung it but was not certain of getting it right. I'll have to go back to this area and remove some of the smaller root stocks.

From Southlawn Rd. at the electrical transformer, I picked up 4 controls including the water control. I was glad to have help from Jon Torrance, Mark and Patti Mace, and Kathleen Lennon in picking up the rest.

I think people overall enjoyed the woods. It felt warmer than hoped for. I learned where the map needs for rework. I really hadn't had a chance to give much of these new areas a second go-over but they do need it.

From Northfield Rd. Bethesda, MD, to Montgomery Ave. via the Air Rights Building with Max in his trailer, then to C St. SE, Washington, D.C. It actually felt cool starting out this morning; courtesy of a tailwind out of the north. I steadily increased my efforts. A tailwind makes it easy and when it's not quite as prevalant, the tendency is for me to try to keep up the same faster speed. The police were monitoring the Falls Rd. Capital Crescent Trail intersection--as I went by one officer was telling the other about a rider he'd seen on a track bike. The first officer was obviously unaware of the style/status symbolism that track bike riders affix to their choice of steed--evidence of a skill possesed. The only wreck I saw today was a yellow jacket who somehow after slamming into my bicep, managed to stick and sting me in the half second it took me to realize what had happened, and brush him off.

From Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. to Montgomery Ave. where I picked-up Max's trailer, then to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. Leaving late, I rode through the building basement to exit Independence Ave. I was feeling sluggish and there was no tailwind today.

From Northfield Rd. Bethesda, MD, to Montgomery Ave. via the Air Rights Building with Max in his trailer, then to C St. SE, Washington, D.C. I moved slowly early on and had some headwinds. There was yet another person who had gotten raspberried. I saw him walking it off shortly before reaching Georgetown. The water sprinklers were on along Ohio Dr. again (like yesterday) but the timing was such that I kept mising the spray until the end. I felt a little pain again in my right leg near the knee, just like yesterday.

From C St . SW, Washington, D.C. to Montgomery Ave. where I picked-up Max's trailer, then to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. Slipping in-between two thunderstorms, I rode steadily but briskly homeward. It's possible I had a tailwind though that was not the prevailing direction of winds up high and I didn't feel much push. After the first storm, it had gotten even more steamy. After Georgetown, I passed some people and towed them in draft until dropping them just before Bethesda. One pulled ahead temporarily on the River Rd. bridge climb but I passed by again by Dorsett Rd. I was a bit surprised to feel this strong on this ride. At Montgomery Ave., I was 38:18 which is just 4 seconds faster than any similar ride this year. A drenching rain from the second storm started 5 minutes after getting home though I didn't expect it from the look of the sky.

From Northfield Rd. Bethesda, MD, to Montgomery Ave. via the Air Rights Building with Max in his trailer, then to C St. SE, Washington, D.C. It was slightly more humid today and I had mixed winds. I felt tired enough that I didn't muster up enough will to stay with one faster rider who went by. On the Capital Crescent Trail, two people were injured and were being hauled away by EMTs. There were emergency vehicles on the trail for this near Massachusetts Ave. I think a cyclist collided with a runner--ouch!

From Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. to Montgomery Ave. where I picked-up Max's trailer, then to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. This included a ride through the halls so that I could get out of the locked courtyard. I felt a bit weak but moved along pretty well once on the gradual climb. I slowed for the last bit into Bethesda. It was warm and humid and winds were mixed.

From Northfield Rd. Bethesda, MD, to Montgomery Ave. via the Air Rights Building with Max in his trailer, then to C St. SE, Washington, D.C. I was dogging it early-on. A swift rider passed eventually at a pace I thought I could handle so I drafted. I did a relatively short pull for him but he took over with vengence riding up to Georgetown. On Water St. we thanked each other riding side by side. With traffic ahead, I pulled in front. Not fully stopping, we were passing cars at stop signs as nearly all the cyclists there do. Coming up to almost the last stop sign, a car to my left suddenly signaled for a right turn and at the same time began moving over into the parking lane that I was riding in. There was already a car parked ahead but he kept coming over anyway and nearly wedged me. I was sandwiched just inches from the parked car on the right and the moving car on the left. I reacted well and was able to keep upright while slowing--its a good thing that my brakes have been making a lot of noise ever since changing out a flat on Saturday. Later as I approached the Roosevelt Bridge underpass, I went into the overpass which has a somewhat blind curve to it. Two runners going side by side were in my lane there. I again reacted well and missed them. It was all too exciting for a morning ride. When locking my bike I felt my tire rim and though it was a cooler morning, it felt warmer than it should have been.

From C St . SW, Washington, D.C. to the Capital Crescent Trail, to Norton Ave. To MacArthur Blvd. To Persimmon Tree Rd. To Persimmon Tree Ln., to Bradley Rd. to Huntington Pkwy. and mostly side streets to Montgomery Ave. where I picked-up Max's trailer, then to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. I decided early to try to add-on. I feel I need some longer workouts to get the desired benefits of all of this cycle commuting (though one workout a day would be enough). The winds were mixed. I enjoyed riding on Persimmon Tree as it was like being in the countryside.

From Northfield Rd. Bethesda, MD, to Montgomery Ave. via the Air Rights Building with Max in his trailer, then to C St. SE, Washington, D.C. It was a cooler and drier morning after the storms the previous evening. I enjoy moving along at a brisk speed. After River Rd. another faster cyclist merged. It took him a while to catch and pass me but he did so before the Canal Rd. trestle bridge. He was moving along at 23.5 to 24mph on the flats and I tucked-in for the ride. It was a bit dangerous to draft with debris from the storm yesterday all over the trail. We slowed in Georgetown and went separate ways. Winds from the NE were mostly neutral or slightly tailing. I had to estimate the time since I could see my cycle computer dropping out at times--it may be battery or sensor related. My front brakes have been really noisy since changing my flat tire on Saturday--not sure why.

From C St . SW, Washington, D.C. to Montgomery Ave. where I picked-up Max's trailer, then to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. The headwinds getting to Georgetown were dragging on me. I passed a couple of people in Georgetown but two of them caught me. I decided to draft since both were big people and moving close to my pace. I was going to add on but with such a nice draft and not feeling so energetic, I didn't. One of the two broke-off onto the C&O Towpath. I eventually lead the other up the hill at a good pace until just before Massachussetts Ave. After that, I slackened. The trail was cleared of much of the mess that was left over from the storm--I know some of it was picked-up but a lot of it was ground out by inummerable bicycle tires.

A planned ride to the pool didn't materialize. I did some work around the house before then. I was going to go swim with Max after preparing a gazpacho for dinner with friends but then a violent storm came-up. It blew down lots of tree branches in the neighborhood (and knocked out power in many places) so it was a good thing that we were not caught in it. A surprise guest came too--Graydon Royce, Peggy's brother-in-law.