Biking to work 2 weeks in a row! Go me! I was happy when the rainy weather changed last Wednesday to NO rain. It wasn’t quite as hot as it was the day of my first bike commute, in fact the morning commute was quite chilly, but it wasn’t wet and that means I ride.
The morning was cool and quiet. I drove part way and parked and then rode in on the Springwater Trail. There weren’t a lot of bikers or runners on the trail this time. My fingers were very cold–even wearing my thicker colder weather gloves. I had to constantly wiggle my fingers and make a fist to keep the blood flowing.
The trail has had a lot of repairs since I rode last summer. There was a giant sinkhole on part of the trail near Ross Island. I feel like it was that way for two years. You can see pictures of it here. I don’t know why it took them so long to fix it. It wasn’t a huge issue but when the trail was crowded, especially in the afternoon or on weekends, having to go down to one narrow lane for both ways of traffic was difficult. It’s finally fixed!
It’s so nice! They did a good job and I’m glad it’s finished and wide enough for lots of people.
I mentioned last week that my heart rate monitor stopped working. I’ve had Polar Heart Rate Monitors for years and LOVED them. They were so great and I loved seeing the calories I burn as well as training SMARTER by paying attention to my heart rate. The last two I’ve owned have been total duds. The most recent one I bought in January. It barely lasted 3 months before it started quitting on me on a regular basis. I bought it on Amazon and of course the window to return it passed. I talked to their customer service and they were very nice to allow me to return in. So now I’m in the market for a new heart rate monitor that is NOT a Polar. In the meantime, Michael gave me his old one and it’s working pretty well.
I’m thinking about biting the bullet and getting a Garmin. Any tips? Recommendations? Suggestions?
Afternoon Ride
It didn’t get super warm in the afternoon but the sun was out and it was warm enough I could leave my jacket and compression tights at work. I biked 10.73 miles that day.
I pushed it a little harder on the way home than in the morning and about the last mile or so my right knee started to bug me. Thankfully it didn’t last very long and the next day I felt okay.
I met Michael at home, we cleaned up and then went out to dinner. Bella came with us. We went to this really good hot dog stand on E Burnside Street called Franks-A-Lot. It used to be called The Dog House.
They have a patio area where you can sit in the sun and enjoy your hot dog. It’s been ages since we’ve been–probably at least a year. It’s a good pit-stop after a hike on a Saturday afternoon. 🙂
Michael got tons of jalapenos on his dog and a bag of chips. I got a regular beef hot dog with some coleslaw on the side. The owner came out and sat with us and played with Bella and gave her dog biscuits. It was cute. The sun was out and it was nice to just sit outside.
Abbe@This is How I Cook
I think I’d love to go to work, if I could ride on a trail like that!
Lisa Eirene
We are definitely lucky in Portland that the trail is so great and we have tons of bike lanes.
Cheryl
Wow, I admire your determination to bike to work. Good for you. Had to smile about the restaurant you mentioned that was formerly The Dog House. When I was growing up in Detroit there was a hot dog place also called The Dog House that had the best burgers in town. My father knew the owner and we went there constantly. Unfortunately it is long gone as are many of the memories of my growing up years in Detroit. But your post brought back a little part of that!
Lisa Eirene
It’s a shame when the places we loved as kids close. There are a few like that for me in Seattle.
Kelly @ Finding a Skinnier Me
Looks like your commute to work on a bike is better than mine and very pretty. I am always envious to find that other cities have actual nice bike paths to ride instead of having to brave the city streets like we do here. Yuck!
It has been super warm here in the mornings and now it is threatening to be 100 degrees this week. I prefer riding in the cold but I do understand how that cold wind can really make a ride harder.
Those hot dogs look AMAZING! I have a weakness for fancy hot dogs.
Lisa Eirene
Wow 100 degrees! Nice! It’s in the high 80’s here today and possibly in the 90’s tomorrow!
Coco
That path looks lovely! Gosh I always thought Polar was the brand for HRMs. I don’t use an HRM but Garmin does have models that work for running and cycling.
Lisa Eirene
I’ve been looking at a Garmin that isn’t several hundred dollars and might give it a try!
Kitty
I have a Blue Wahoo HR heart rate monitor which I love. It is bluetooth so it will display on my phone. I use an App called Digifit to monitor workouts. What I like is that I can keep my phone in my pocket and Digifit will talk to me periodically and tell me what my heart rate is (as it moves into zones) and will tell me calories burned and distance. (If you don’t like the voice feedback you can turn it off). The Blue Wahoo is just great particularly if you have a phone that will work with it.
Lisa Eirene
I haven’t heard of that model but I’ll look into it. I really want to try something else.