Hoboken NJ to Rockland Lake NY
I intended yesterday to be the first "long ride" of 2008 but was only able to complete 62 miles. This was due to starting out late (around noon), farting around at the rest stop in Piermont and the approaching sunset.
Except for the climbs I kept my heart rate down for the whole ride; according to what I have read you need to Go Slower to Get Faster. So I put up with all the other cyclists on 9W flying by me like I was standing still, actually they would have flown by me anyway but now I have an excuse "I'm putting in base miles!" Hopefully they weren't also.
Last year's base training did not go so well. I had bought a trainer and started doing a lot of miles in my apartment. Unfortunately I became ill off and on all throughout January, February and March. Combined with frequent business travel this meant no consistency in my training. When the club rides started up at the end of March 07 I was much stronger than I was the previous year but far from where I wanted to be.
The 2007 season also had a number of big downs. A car right hooked me and a friend the first week of June causing me to lose 4 weeks of the summer with a broken hand and various injuries. Then the last week of August I was assaulted by the Jersey City Police Department leaving me out of commission for another 5 weeks with broken ribs and other injuries.
I'm going into 2008 with a different plan. Last week I purchased a Winter/Commuting bike.
The trainer will be reserved for days where it is absolutely impossible to ride outside. Having spent hours on the trainer I realized how important being outside is spiritually, mentally and physically.
One thing about Winter in the Northern NJ/NYC area is that the roads and bike paths are in horrible condition even on days when the weather is decent. Rock salt for de-icing after snow and sleet does a number to road asphalt leaving lots of potholes, there are still tons of leaves left over from the fall and the nighttime cold makes for a slick road surface as it begins to thaw in the morning.
Originally I considered purchasing a Mountain Bike for Winter duty but decided that would be overkill. I checked out some Hybrids and also a few Cross bikes. I settled for a Cross bike since the geometry is closer to a road bike and lighter than the hybrid and mtb options.
Couldn't be happier with the decision. I've put 162 miles on it since last Monday and can't get enough of it. Having commuted with my road bike quite a few times last year it's a relief to ride NYC streets with tires more up to the challenge.
My daily work commute is 21 miles each way giving me 42 miles a day. Last Summer with the expanded day light hours I was able to add on an extra 20 miles each way giving me 82 miles a day. I only managed to do that for a couple of weeks. For the winter I will stick to the 21 miles each way Mon-Thurs and reserve the weekend for longer rides.
Tomorrow there is a forecast of rain/snow...will I push it?
