putting in the klicks...

Well, I've still got 15 weeks to go, but I still need to work on my fitness and distance. I'm trying to make sure I put in at least two long (ish) rides a week, and one of them in a group.

Monday I took a long ride with fellow riders Ralph and Pieter. We were going to head North, but the wind was from the Southwest, so we changed to a southwest route. We headed about 40 klicks SW towards Glencoe (got about halfway there) and then came back pretty much the same way.

Well, I've gotten so that a 35km ride is no big deal, but an 80km ride still is some effort! I find that my upper front thighs are where I ache the most afterwards.

Wednesday I did one of those "short" 35km rides solo, and Saturday morning I managed the time for another group ride. Again, just Pieter and Ralph this time. This time we elected to head East and then North. The wind was supposed to be from the North, but at first it was East-ish, so this was a good choice. We headed from church south first, and took the river trail system, which neatly avoids all the downtown issues. The trail pavement is a bit rough in spots, but it beats dealing with stoplights and traffic. East of the city we took Gore rd, which is moderately quiet, and then looped north in Thamesford where Ralph told us all about the history of the Cold Springs farm (he worked there 40 years) and we had a nice break at the Tim Hortons.

Then it was north and into the wind, a hard slog for about 9km directly north to Kintore. Very scenic area along the river just north of Thamesford, I must say. From Kintore it was west, with relief from that headwind, towards Thorndale. Another short break at a micro-park in Thorndale where a confused young squirrel tried to get into my Pannier, and then climbed both my leg and Pieter's leg - more than once! I suspect it lost it's mom and didn't know what to do. Still, it's non-fear of humans was surprising.

The last 20 klicks is always hard. Ralph left us at Clarke Rd to head home, while Pieter and I jumped one block north to 8 mile road to get away from the traffic.

All in all, another 80km under my belt, though Pieter probably made it closer to 100km, with his further ride in and out from his place in the country.

Oh yeah, and I started playing around with mapmyride.com and so I drew in a few routes. Here is this one, sort of: (I didn't follow it all the way back to the church, none of us did, but I drew the route that way to make it a full loop.)


Ouch, my thighs. Took an Epsom salt bath, but they're still sore. Bless my wife who made us bacon and eggs for lunch right after I got home!

ttfn,