I took advantage of the good weather to work on my Pull-Pedaling (what I’m calling pulling up on the straps while also pushing down on the pedals) because I’ve put it off for way too long. I used the old Sprinterval route at the airport & things went very well. Obviously it’s more fatiguing than my standard pedaling but over time I’ll grow into the new activity. I really ought to have begun this long ago.

I used the climbing gear but still managed over 18 mph with no excessive wheezing & no calls to paramedics. I’m looking forward to trying this with the sprinting gear but as Winter dawns that may be next year.

I thought I’d take advantage of 15 mph gusts & do some much-needed sprinting (not intervals yet; I’m in no shape for intervals) at our abandoned airport. I was by no means alone. The new collection of um less than attractive nor functional homes which borders on the airport & advertises itself as a Fitness Community regularly empties its denizens to run & bike & body-weight exercise at the airport. I’m always glad to see the place get some vigorous use.

Sprinting went well, but not as well as it used to go. I managed 19mph which is very fast for 16 teeth & held 18s & 17s without distress. I cut my laps tho down from 12 to 6; I’m just not in cycling shape. I was not passed save by a very strong cyclist I’ve never seen before riding a recumbent in the 20s. Such effortless grace – but it has gears so that’s a deal-breaker. 31 I passed tho & fought of some retributive overtaking.

As long as the weather holds (Sat & Sun will give us rain) I’d like to return to Wednesday & Sunday sprinting.

I’ll get the hang of it again.

‘Tis the season of new routes & ill keep this one as a standard recovery route. 5 blind corners I cd do without but the rest feels good. 4 trips up Frisbee Golf Hill & lesser hill sprints.

A less than ideal conversation with a tax attorney makes me take much heart in the things I can more control.

Eventually I’ll get the hang of uphill sprinting. Sigh

Despite an irritating front-wheel wobble on Amabo (the heavy bike) I decided to try again for 1000 feet of climbing over 25 miles by adding another hill to the loops. The plan worked well but the return to pond mileage threw off the count to 26 miles for 1000. So in a fit of pique I continued for 7 laps for 34 miles and 1554 feet of climbing. Cycling & doing math are just too annoying.

Tangling with Saturday car traffic was not in the plan; 2 close calls due to inattention – theirs and mine. The Giro this morning offered a perfect world without cars Sigh.

I without a doubt need to get better at & more aggressive about uphill pedaling.

I’ll need to figure out the algebraic equation matching the Feet Climbed meter on my watch to the Feet Climbed meter in MapMyRide. I came up 17 feet short of 1000 feet today over 26 miles according to the App & 113 feet short according to the Watch. Still it was a fine ride – five laps up Frisbee Golf Hill which set a personal best.

There’s almost no bike traffic heading uphill which can be a blessing.

For the standard Tuesday Thursday Saturday route I’ve picked Frisbee Golf Hill plus some simple paths. 4 laps turns out to be 100 feet shy of 1000 feet so I’ll have to monkey with the parameters a bit. The climbing as recovery never occurred to me as viable till Pogacar won the Tour uphill. It actually works very well.

I thought about finishing out 31 miles for 50 kilometers but stuck with the plan instead.

Took Mr Tib around Me Sad Field with the Titans up in Minnesota. The construction provides the only congestion plus not a little floating concrete dust. On the whole they are conscientious. The motorists tho who simply insist on veering to the absolute right of the lane while waiting to turn are terribly annoying; they even pass me to do it so they are aware of my spot in that lane.

The Bachelorette parties resume giving an inebriated & festive air to our Cumberland bank. Murder yes will out but so will exuberance.

I was not aiming at 1000 Feet but I’m glad it happened.

Even with a late start today’s ride was cool & mildly windy with very close to no traffic. I aimed at 2000 feet of climbing over 45 miles & for the first time on 48/16 took the old Friday route with 17th Street’s hills included. I’d like to say that they are easier since I’ve been on a tougher gear but they are equally difficult. Newhall is still tough & rewarding and I’m getting very comfortable up Shelby. In fact I left the park & took Shelby all the to 5th – the old time trial route, still laced with glass & nails.

Early in the ride I saw 2 guy riding full victim on big bikes with little apparent effort; we can all recognize E-Bikes these days from a distance. Granted, they weren’t putting in racing effort, but I’m glad I caught them & passed them (twice even, since I take a loop in that section of Shelby) just because of basic principles.

Even on 16 teeth I managed to sprint 18 mph at the airport & still have the legs for Newhall.

Eventually I’ll have to learn how uphill sprinting works, judging from my average heart-rate. My blood-oxygen level was 97% just after the rude & 94% about an hour after.

Let me note that I’m enjoying the new AppleWatch series 6 tremendously.

I came around a familiar blind corner to see a woman on my left & a man pushing a kid in a stroller on my right. I calmly told them I’d ride right between them but the man decided to push the stroller to his right directly into my chosen stated path. I managed to juke right (on the heavy bike with the short-bar) & avoid a pretty terrible crash guaranteed to hurt me & the kid in the stroller.

We had good weather & the later starts mean i get in a full basement workout in before riding. What I used to like most about Tuesday & Thursday rides were the slower pace & mostly gentle routes. This last quarter season I’ve switched to a tough hill-repeat buffered by mostly flat loops. I’m learning to like it just fine.

Hoping to develop a decent rhythm

Today was my first conscious try at 2000 Feet over 31 Miles and true to 2020 snafunery I both succeeded & failed. Either way my legs handled the stress & the route works very well – including the Onsighted [o sighting is actually a Rock Climbing term meaning Climbed Without Ever Having Seen It Before] Airpark Road (blissfully steep & relentless; I can’t believe I avoided it until today).

Note the fewer than 2000 feet

Note the more than 2000 feet. Since I can see the AppleWatch altimeter in real time that’s the gauge I use while riding. My disappointment came when MapMyRide denied me 250 feet

Good hard pulling. Short steep close to home – good Winter rides in my future