Time is flying... the heat and humidity have arrived. I certainly didn't miss riding in these conditions last year, but I wouldn't want to break a hip again.
Let's see - June 23rd, I went for a ride from home and included Old Mountain Rd. It's a short, "shallow" climb in the direction I rode it this time. I enjoyed it, made it just fine, but was a bit alarmed at the condition of the road in the right hand sweeping turn at the bottom of the hill. Having had a good ride that day, two days later, on Tuesday evening, I decided a short ride going as hard as I could was in order. This was in retrospect a stupid thing to do. The road I chose, I've ridden dozens of times; but this time trying that hard on the steady climb of it caused me to have some bad hip pain. It was as if my leg did not want to hold me up when I got up to go to work Wednesday. A muscle relaxer and some Aleve plus 3 days off the bike helped resolve the issue. I forget that muscles are so jacked up and out of whack!
The weekend came and I got in a couple more shorter rides. Nothing really stands out to share with you. July 4th through the 7th we went to Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA for a long weekend away. I didn't take a bike, in retrospect, I wish I had. This would have been a good place to cruise along on my mountain bike or cross bike. It however was HOT! I did get out and enjoy two pretty nice, short hikes. Pictures will follow.
Last Wednesday I did something I haven't done in over a year, I packed up my bike and riding gear and hauled it to work with me so that I could go ride immediately after work. I chose to go to Carvins Cove because it's pretty much "on my way home" from work. I thoroughly enjoyed my slow paced meander. I wasn't trying to ride too hard because it was at least 85 and the humidity was awful. On this ride I took another of the lower trails and combined it with the fireroad to get to a new trail that is under construction. The new trail is AWESOME. It eventually will be 7 miles long, but that's going to take a long time as the trail crew is taking time to build a sustainable trail and have added some lovely features. Pictures will follow. I did pretty good on this trail, I had a walk a couple times over some of the trickier features.
On the way back towards the parking lot, I encountered a couple of guys who cautioned me about "the snake" ahead. I never saw and thank God I didn't. You may have seen the picture I shared on Facebook. It was quite a larger Timber Rattlesnake. I jokingly said, but really I think I would have just turned around and rode back to the boat dock and called for a ride. The boat dock is not near where I was parked, but closer to where "the angry stick" was; so I would have had to fetch my car eventually. HAHAHA
This weekend with the forecast to be in the 90s I sacrificed my sleep to get up and ride early. Yesterday I was on the at 5:55 and today 5:59. I rode basically the same roads both days just opposite directions. Sunday: https://www.strava.com/activities/2531104888 Saturday: https://www.strava.com/activities/2528181730 Again, I'm trying to stay off the mountains and big hills because they hurt. At this point, I think building a better cardio base and work on longer (time and distance) rides will be my priority. I plan to keep riding my mountainbike Wednesdays after work. There are enough options at the Cove where I can work on climbing slowly and carefully.
I have noticed that once I ride my road bike, I tend to be more sore in my hamstrings, lateral side of my leg and glutes; but on the mountain bike, I primarily have anterior quad pain - it is bizarre. I suppose it's all about positioning on the bike. Anyway - it's an adventure.
So for now, that's what I'm up to. I try to walk daily at work during my lunch and can get about 1.25miles per day. Our place is spread out, so back and forth to meetings etc adds miles to my feet and legs. Here are the pictures:
Let's see - June 23rd, I went for a ride from home and included Old Mountain Rd. It's a short, "shallow" climb in the direction I rode it this time. I enjoyed it, made it just fine, but was a bit alarmed at the condition of the road in the right hand sweeping turn at the bottom of the hill. Having had a good ride that day, two days later, on Tuesday evening, I decided a short ride going as hard as I could was in order. This was in retrospect a stupid thing to do. The road I chose, I've ridden dozens of times; but this time trying that hard on the steady climb of it caused me to have some bad hip pain. It was as if my leg did not want to hold me up when I got up to go to work Wednesday. A muscle relaxer and some Aleve plus 3 days off the bike helped resolve the issue. I forget that muscles are so jacked up and out of whack!
The weekend came and I got in a couple more shorter rides. Nothing really stands out to share with you. July 4th through the 7th we went to Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA for a long weekend away. I didn't take a bike, in retrospect, I wish I had. This would have been a good place to cruise along on my mountain bike or cross bike. It however was HOT! I did get out and enjoy two pretty nice, short hikes. Pictures will follow.
Last Wednesday I did something I haven't done in over a year, I packed up my bike and riding gear and hauled it to work with me so that I could go ride immediately after work. I chose to go to Carvins Cove because it's pretty much "on my way home" from work. I thoroughly enjoyed my slow paced meander. I wasn't trying to ride too hard because it was at least 85 and the humidity was awful. On this ride I took another of the lower trails and combined it with the fireroad to get to a new trail that is under construction. The new trail is AWESOME. It eventually will be 7 miles long, but that's going to take a long time as the trail crew is taking time to build a sustainable trail and have added some lovely features. Pictures will follow. I did pretty good on this trail, I had a walk a couple times over some of the trickier features.
On the way back towards the parking lot, I encountered a couple of guys who cautioned me about "the snake" ahead. I never saw and thank God I didn't. You may have seen the picture I shared on Facebook. It was quite a larger Timber Rattlesnake. I jokingly said, but really I think I would have just turned around and rode back to the boat dock and called for a ride. The boat dock is not near where I was parked, but closer to where "the angry stick" was; so I would have had to fetch my car eventually. HAHAHA
This weekend with the forecast to be in the 90s I sacrificed my sleep to get up and ride early. Yesterday I was on the at 5:55 and today 5:59. I rode basically the same roads both days just opposite directions. Sunday: https://www.strava.com/activities/2531104888 Saturday: https://www.strava.com/activities/2528181730 Again, I'm trying to stay off the mountains and big hills because they hurt. At this point, I think building a better cardio base and work on longer (time and distance) rides will be my priority. I plan to keep riding my mountainbike Wednesdays after work. There are enough options at the Cove where I can work on climbing slowly and carefully.
I have noticed that once I ride my road bike, I tend to be more sore in my hamstrings, lateral side of my leg and glutes; but on the mountain bike, I primarily have anterior quad pain - it is bizarre. I suppose it's all about positioning on the bike. Anyway - it's an adventure.
So for now, that's what I'm up to. I try to walk daily at work during my lunch and can get about 1.25miles per day. Our place is spread out, so back and forth to meetings etc adds miles to my feet and legs. Here are the pictures:
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| Pic of the dam at Hungry Mother State Park |
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| Pic from 2nd hike - was all up hill - overlooking the lake at HMSP |
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| Rock bridge on R & R Trail - love this section |
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| Rise and shine - Sunday morning near the airport. |
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