Father's Day Weekend

Got out last weekend for a couple of really nice ride totaling about 50 miles. The first was with Chea on our old friend the Musketawa trail. Went out past Ravenna making for an even 30 miles. Nice pace of about 17.5mph with all of the road crossings. It was the first time either of us had ridden the trail this year and on the new Allez's. Second ride happened on Father's day in frankfort. Woke up early sunday morning and drove up to Frankfort to get in a morning ride with Dad and Jim. Tried to get Joel to ride with us but he was feeling tired and lazy and opted out. Being that it was father's day we didn't give him too much grief. The ride we did took us out M-22 to Grace road and down around Upper Herring lake. We decided to take the south side of Straton hill back into town and wow is that a big hill. Kept a slow up steady pace up the mile long climb and suffered for it. That constant pain in my legs let me know that I was keeping a good pace but it didn't stop hurting until I was on the decent cruising at a wicked 45mph. It was a great ride and it sure was nice to get out on those frankfort roads. Numbers for the ride were 16.6mph average over 22miles. !623 miles to the top of the hill.

Sunday ride

Dad came up yesterday to ride some Grand Rapids roads. Took him out on a great new loop that follows the grand around parts of kent and ottawa counties. We hit the road at about 1:30 - the hottest part of the day. Not much wind but there was a nice cool breeze that kept things from overheating. Got out to a fast start as the first leg of the loop is a very slow downslope to the Grand River. After crossing Lake Michigan Dr. the route is quite the opposite. Almost entirely uphill but at a very minor grade. The first time I rode this loop I must have been going much slower because I didn't remember it hurting so much. Kept pushing in spite of the numbness in my feet and butt and entered into an awesome burn in my quads and hams. After while the pain went away and all I felt was numb. We finished out the ride with one final climb up Maynard st. We both struggled up that hill and took it easy the remainder of the ride. By the numbers we had 27 miles in 1hour 40 minutes. Average speed was a lousy 16.7 but those considering the workout I got from the ride I am reasonably happy with my performance. Still...I'm only going to the top of the hill. (1673)

Bad legs

Jim came up earlier this week to hang out in G.R. and do a little bit of riding on tuesday. I had hoped to get out and do a big ride and really put down some miles but I was in terrible form and I am really disappointed in my performance. Only managed 18 miles and did it at a worthless pace. I've been afraid to get back on the saddle because that ride just hurt so badly. So instead I've been running which has gotten easier and easier. Still just doing a mile and a half at a time but my speed and endurance are improving. Tomorrow I'm going to get back on the bike so hopefully my legs are ready for it even though I'm only going to the top of the hill. (1700)