Training Log Archive: PG

Tour de Heifer, a tour of the hills of southeast Vermont. Almost entirely on dirt roads. At most maybe 5 miles paved and about a mile of much worse than dirt, the latter to add a little spice. Minimal traffic, gorgeous scenery, lovely day.

I was clearly not prepared for this, having done not so much riding this year and certainly nothing of much duration. But I managed. I like to think I am pretty sensible in such matters, though that may be open for debate. Got an early start, about 7:20, when it was still chilly, low 50s, and downright cold the first couple of downhill miles, but the first uphill took care of that.

Then it was just a matter of pacing, which I think I did just right, and eating and drinking, which I also think I did about right. Never pushed too hard on the ups. Never got competitive. And the one time I suddenly felt really tired legs, at the start of a climb at just over 50 miles I quickly drank more and ate and the remaining hills were no worse than any others.

My Garmin, on the other hand, did not pace itself so well, dying at 57.5. Reasonably annoying, but easy after the fact to add the remaining time and distance, if not the track, pace, and heartrate.

By now, and particularly as I slow down more and more, I am used to getting passed by lots of folks, and only passing ones who are standing still (at aid stations, where many linger but I don't). Today I think I actually passed four people who were moving. An uncommon experience.

Finished, went to get some of the advertised lunch, and what was available was beer and salad. Neither appealed to me in the slightest. So I packed up and headed off, first stop in West Brattleboro at a pizza place, got a slice of pizza and a Coke. Not really very appealing, and I though I might manage just a bite or two, but 25 minutes later my plate was clean and the Coke mostly gone. And in the meantime a guy had come in to collect 4 pizzas, and then another guy had come in to collect 4 more pizzas. Turned out they were for the ride, food having run out. So they were making an effort. My timing just hadn't been good.

Overall, quite trashed, especially my quads. When I got back home, parked in the garage, collected my stuff and headed up the stairs, well, it was only on the third attempt that I made it more than one step, on the first two attempts having had not enough momentum to keep going. A precursor of the future perhaps. Who would have thought, having already climbed about 7,500' that day, that the last 10 would be the hardest? But I managed, and as was true all day, no falls. :-)

C • nice 2

And after a nap, and then a little more nap, it was time to head out for a nice dinner with Gail, because 46 years ago we got married.

C • Happy Anniversary! 3

Lake Wyola, Wendell, Millers Falls loop. Legs were tired until I reached (which happens to be the top of the long hill), so I didn't bury myself. Down to Millers Falls was just fine. And then back home from there, well, when I'd started out there was a very light breeze from the north, now it seemed a bit more of a breeze from the southwest, the direction I happened to be heading. So the last few miles were not as mellow as I had been expecting.

Low 80s, sunny, but not humid.

Pretty tired, so next was nap time....

Started out not so bad, but started feeling feeble after a few miles. Downed the CliffBar I had with me (might have helped to bring water too) and moseyed home.

Feeling tired, so an easy pace for the first few miles, but then seemed to work pretty hard the last few.

I've been having a good time ever since I saw this guy at the local airport yesterday morning --

C • this guy 7

Up to the Turners Falls airport, where I stopped for a snack, then spent a little while talking to the guy who runs the airport, then spent a while longer talking to a local pro. And then rode home. Just fine.

C • local pro 2