The day began cool and overcast with the promise of 75 degrees and perhaps some sunshine. I took last week off from biking to work because of the rain (back to spin class) so I was looking forward to getting back outside. My morning began early and I felt groggy and tired–completely unmotivated to get out of bed. But I did. And I ate the last pancake from the weekend with one fried egg on top (super fast breakfast) and managed to get out the door on time.
Check out my bike makeover! Michael rewrapped my handlebars with new red tape that is very soft (and clean). I think it looks great.
My ride started slowly; my legs felt lethargic and tired. I was slow on the hills and felt fatigued but eventually it got better. I can’t say that my morning ride was fantastic. Several times a car just missed me. It was like I was wearing an invisible cape or something. I hate that!
I also got stuck at an intersection that I despise. It never senses bikes, so the light never changes. No cars were coming behind me to trigger the sensor and I just missed the light. I was really annoyed. I tried the crosswalk and the whole thing was a debacle. I should have just waited for a car to come and trigger it! I hate that intersection. It added at least 5 minutes to my commute. I need to find another route.
Another thing, my phone decided to restart on itself mid-ride so I don’t think the mileage is accurate. I think it’s really 11.47 miles.
I think that 34 mph was downhill. Hehehe I am definitely not that fast. Luckily, the wind was at my back on the Springwater Trail so I was able to make up some time. The one good thing about my ride was that I spotted a deer on the trail! He was beautiful, young and alert. I wish I’d gotten a better photo.
Morning Stats:
Time: 53:38
Calories Burned: 551
Mileage: 10.47?
My snacks for the day: apple in the morning, bagel thin sandwich with cream cheese and ham, crackers and cottage cheese for my afternoon snack.
Afternoon Commute
The day warmed up nicely and the sun came out. I don’t know what the temperature was but it was pleasant. Luckily I made it out of downtown quickly and crossed the Morrison Bridge in no time at all (I hate biking downtown, have I mentioned that?) and passed by the Rose Festival carnival that is in town. I felt okay other than my lower back being tight for the first few miles of my ride.
For the rest of the bike ride home, I played the game “Do I Have a Flat Tire Or Don’t I?”. I hate this game. My ride was bumpy, the tires felt like they weren’t quite right, but every time I stopped and checked, the tires were fine. Ride a few miles, “do I have a flat tire?”, check, nope it’s fine, ride a few miles, “it’s totally flat”, nope. I got through the annoying intersections that cause me anxiety without the same issues as I had that morning and made my way to the quiet road to my house.
Remember all that construction and detours on my new route? Well they are finally paving! The roads were shut down temporarily while they were laying the black top but the workers flagged me through as long as I stayed on the sidewalks. I thanked them and zipped on my way on the sidewalk. I am totally looking forward to biking on that nice, new road!
I wanted to get a picture of me in front of our beautiful blooming rose bush but my aim wasn’t that great. I had a good ride home and immediately had a small glass of chocolate milk when I got home.
Afternoon Stats:
Time: 52 minutes
Calories Burned: 473
Distance: 10.46 miles
Average Speed: 13.5 mph
Fastest Speed: 38 mph
Dinner was a boneless pork chop, sauteed kale from our garden with shallots and cottage cheese for me. (Currently going through a “eat cottage cheese at every meal” phase.) And I had 1 glass of white wine with dinner while Michael and I got caught up on AGT. 🙂 Oh and vanilla pudding for dessert. And I still have nearly 400 calories left for the day!
QUESTION: Have you ever seen wildlife out on a bike ride, run or hike?
Laura is Undeterrable
Last year during marathon training we ran on Springwater every week. We saw deer all the time. We were always on the look out for mountain lions. I haven’t been brave enough to bike commute to work yet. I work downtown but live on the west side. I’m mostly terrified of riding downtown. Too many cars!
Lisa Eirene
Mountain lions! Wow! I had no idea they were around Portland.
Yes, biking downtown is terrifying and I hate it with a passion! But I take the Springwater to the esplanade, over the Steel Bridge and then I only have about 5 blocks of downtown that I have to bike in.
Esther
I read above that you had a small glass of chocolate milk when you got home from your ride. My trainer told me to think about having a small glass of chocolate milk for recovery after returning home from the gym. I never thought about it because it sounds counter-productive. Thoughts?
Lisa Eirene
I’ve been drinking chocolate milk as a recovery drink for years now and I love it. A lot of the time I can’t eat something right after I work out, my stomach doesn’t want food but I know I should have something. I use a small glass (not a pint size) of 1% milk or nonfat with a little bit of chocolate sauce. It curbs hunger and gets me through to the next meal.
What I’ve read is that chocolate milk is good for muscles because it has a high content of glycogen, which rebuilds the muscle tissues. It also has protein, vitamin A and D which help bones and muscles.
Esther
Hmmm okay…would you recommend white milk with chocolate sauce or already mixed chocolate milk?
Lisa Eirene
I mix my own. Simply because it’s easier and cheaper. Buying premixed is expensive and it takes up a lot of space. And I don’t have a full serving of it.
Lisa
Your handlebars are so pretty! I’m impressed with the job Michael did! Many years ago, I bought an old bike and spent (really wasted) a bunch of money (more than the bike cost) on replacing the tires, getting the chain greased up, and getting the handlebars re-wrapped at a bike shop.
The obsession with cottage cheese must be contagious! All of your pictures of it have made me want it.
Lisa Eirene
Michael does a great job with our bike maintenance and stuff! It helps that it’s his hobby and he seems to enjoy it. I love my new handlebar colors.
That’s too bad that you had to spend so much on fixing up your bike. I bet it was really nice after that. Oh, and it’s time for me to buy new tires. I’m dragging my feet because it’s going to cost at least $100. 🙁
Cottage cheese is great! I’m having it for a snack this afternoon too. 🙂
Lori
Nice ride! We see lots of wildlife around here on the paths (and sometimes the roads). Deer, ducks, geese, foxes, porcupines, woodchucks and lots of birds. We saw a bald eagle one day.
I wish I burned that many calories riding. I burn about 35 calories per mile. Guess that’s what happens when you are approaching the mid 40s (eek!!)
Lisa Eirene
That’s cool! I forget that you are kind of rural, I bet you see lots of stuff.
How fast do you usually ride? And are there hills? My commute has some hills that aren’t HARD but they are steady and get my heart rate pretty high. Or you’re too efficient on the bike! That’s like me in the pool–it’s so easy now I just don’t burn the calories I used to.
Lori
I’m too efficient. We have *lots* of hills and I average 12.5 mph for most rides. It’s age, too, unfortunately 😀
Lisa Eirene
“Too efficient” sucks! That’s me in the pool. Sorry to hear that!
Diane Fit to the Finish
We just don’t have a great place to ride around here so I am limited to neighborhood roads. We do often see animals when we walk though – coyotes, foxes, and deer sometimes.
Lisa Eirene
I’ve never seen a coyote or a fox in real life.