I've started posting entries from my honeymoon journal, with links to photos. Check it out.
September 7, 2005
Wipeout!
I had my worst bike accident to date last night. I was almost home from work and it was getting dark. I tried to pass some joggers and my tire caught the edge of the bike path. I flipped over the handlebars and landed on my chin. I'm ok, but my chin and left hand took the brunt. Lots of scrapes, a jammed finger, scratched-up watch, and a hole in my new PMC rider jersey. :( My front rim is a little out of wack too. Oh, well. It could have been worse.
Nneka, understandably worried, came over to help tend my wounds. Thanks, love. :)
Posted by Geoff at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
July 7, 2005
Eat dirt (and stones and brush)
After a great week in Minneapolis visiting family and friends, I arrived in San Francisco Tuesday at 11:45pm to begin the second leg of my vacation. My friends, Grant and Mel, graciously offered a place to stay in their apartment in Belmont, CA, about 20 min from the airport. I started my first morning here by sleeping late, then practiced a little yoga. Grant showed one of his latest toys, the Line-6 Guitar Port, a cool guitar amp modeler with an Internet interface.
This afternoon, after a false start (he needed a new tire tube), Grant showed me one of the cooler things about his neighborhood -- the great mountain biking trails practically in his backyard. For the first time, I tried real off-road riding on a rented bike, and I had a blast! A few falls, skids and many minor scratches later, we finished my first 6 mile loop in about an hour and a half. I think we'll do it again tomorrow. Perhaps with a camera this time -- the views are breath-taking.
More later. It's getting pretty late tonight.
Posted by Geoff at 12:52 AM | Comments (1)
June 4, 2005
June sun
The weather seems finally to have broken (crossing my fingers!). We got some great weather this week and it looks to be the best weekend in over a month. I've finally gotten back in the swing with 73 miles of riding this week. I had only ridden one day of the past eight -- eek! I need to build up my long rides quickly before the PMC in August.
Bright and early this morning (Saturday) at 8 AM, I went for clinic on paceline riding (through Wellness Works, Inc.). I learned that you can ride as much as 30% faster in paceline, which is a line of cyclists riding very close together to benefit from technique called drafting (read more about drafting here). It's a little dangerous so you have to be wary, but it's a lot of fun. I also learned an important tip to make better use of my strongest muscles on upstrokes, gluteus maximus and hamstrings.
I met some other PMC riders and the ride route took us through very beatiful (and historic) parts of Lexington, Concord, and, when my group got a little lost (
), Billerica. I had a blast, and I think I'm going to try some more group rides with a group called the Charles River Wheelmen.
Posted by Geoff at 5:21 PM | Comments (0)
April 17, 2005
56-mile ride -- and what a day for it!
It was such a beautiful day today -- it got close to 70F and sunny all day. I hadn't intended to ride so long, but I felt good so I just kept going and going (yes, like the bunny 
). Before I knew it, I had hit 40 miles and was still 16 miles from home! 56 miles is my longest ride to date.
What a ride, though. I stopped to rest a few times, and ate my lunch in the sun. I'm tired and a little sore, but I don't think I over-did it too much, although I fell and skinned my left knee. AGAIN. I was getting close to home. I think I was just getting too tired to think, and the motion to get unclipped isn't quite second nature yet.
Oh, well. I never get very hurt when I fall, because it's always when I've come to a complete stop. But it's annoying and embarrassing. I'll learn. Eventually.
Posted by Geoff at 6:34 PM | Comments (1)
April 15, 2005
In good shape for the PMC -- 521 miles in 2005
With all the good weather the last month, I've gotten in a lot of riding. Last week, Mon-Sun, was my best week, with 87 miles, plus an hour of spinning. In the four weeks from March 20 through today, I've ridden 284 miles, and 521 miles since I started keeping track in January 2005!
I'm feeling very healthy and have even lost a little weight. (Last weekend I had to buy some new jeans because mine were too big!) My longest ride was 42 miles last Sunday. I plan to ride even longer this weekend. It's forcast to be 72 on Sunday. Yay! I'm feeling very comfortable with my ability to ride the 151 miles on PMC weekend.
Posted by Geoff at 5:17 PM | Comments (1)
April 8, 2005
Spinning is fun, but very different from bicycling
I tried spinning for the first time this morning (at 6am!). For those who don't know what spinning is -- it's a workout involving stationary cycles, an instructor, and often accompanied by music. I tried Spynergy in Wellesley, MA, on a recommendation of someone at my Pilates class.
I discovered how different is from cycling. Most obviously, you don't move anywhere. And, man, did I sweat a lot more than I do when I'm riding my bike (granted, it's still cool outside, but perhaps I need to find some more difficult rides ). The instructor is constantly having you adjust hand and seat position and resistance to change the pace of the workout -- slow down, speed-up, stand up, sit down -- simulating everything from coasting to hill-climbing. Because you have control of the resistance, you can tailor your workout to your current ability.
The music was fun, and it seems pretty important to have the right kind of rhythm for the particular speed and resistance. This particular instructor seemed to love the Grateful Dead, but mixed it up with a variety: Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, Van Morrison, and even Blue Man Group. It's not music I often listen to, but I enjoyed it.
I'll definitely do it again, but probably less in the summer while the weather's good for riding outside. (Sorry Spynergy.)
Posted by Geoff at 9:47 PM | Comments (0)
April 6, 2005
First spills on my bike -- clipless pedals can be tricky
I got my bike back from the shop yesterday -- YIPPEE!. I got in a great ride last night before dark.
I also was excited to install a new bike component: clipless pedals, which allow you to secure your shoes to the pedals for improved pedaling efficiency and less slipping off the pedals. I tried to install them last night so I could use them today, but due to a tight right pedal bolt and my cough*crap*cough wrench which bent on me, I had to wait until today.
I rode my bike 15 miles to work this morning. Then my co-worker, Alex, and I took a lunchtime trip to Ace Hardware and Sears, where I bought Liquid Wrench and a new 15mm wrench (actually a whole set of Craftsman wrenches -- I couldn't resist the price on the 12-piece set and the lifetime warranty). I installed the pedals without incident this time, and when it was time to ride home, I practiced disengaging the pedals for a few minutes, and thought I was ready to ride for real. At the first intersection I had to stop, I failed to disengage and took my first spill on a bike in probably at least 15 years - ugh.
Then about 5 miles from home, at another intersection, I disengaged my left pedal successfully and stopped, but then proceeded to lean too far to the right to press the walk signal button with my right foot was still secured -- oops! -- and took my second fall of the day.
Oh, well. I'll get the hang of this eventually. I've learned two important "don'ts" today. And I only suffered minor scratches on my legs and minor bruises of my ego. (And got 32 miles of riding in today.)
Posted by Geoff at 10:25 PM | Comments (0)
April 2, 2005
Spring tune-up -- I'll be without my bike for three days
I've been riding quite a lot and have noticed that the drive train is running noisier than it used. After last weekend's fiasco with the derailleur, I figured it was time for a tune-up.
So, I took it to the local bike shop, Back Bay Bicycles, thinking it would be a quick cleaning and adjustments, but alas I was mistaken. Apparently, the reason for the drive train noise was that the chain had stretched and needed replacement. I've heard of it, but didn't think it would be so soon. He showed me his measuring device and sure enough the links were too long. I also needed new rear brake pads (which I knew already).
So he filled out the work order and asked if Tuesday was okay. Fine, I said. I needed to get it done, but I was disappointed to be without my bike for three days. 
Oh, well. The weather's not so great until Tuesday anyway. In the mean time, I'm trying to get into a spinning class, but no luck so far...
Posted by Geoff at 7:50 PM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2005
Great riding weather - sunny and 50F
I rode about 11 miles today at lunch. It was gorgeous -- riding weather is finally here!
Posted by Geoff at 4:56 PM | Comments (1)
February 16, 2005
Great weather, lots of riding this week
It was in the 50's the last couple days so I took full advantage. Riding without a jacket for the first time in months was wonderful! This makes five days straight for a total of 58 miles! I also beat my best speed today for my regular 8-mile course (involving two fairly steep hills) near my office -- averaging 15.5 mph. Woo-hoo! (Yes, I do realize that the PMC is not a race, but I like riding fast .)
Posted by Geoff at 10:42 PM | Comments (3)
February 13, 2005
Sunny day for a ride...
Got in another ride this weekend. 23 miles this time. It was sunny and cold -- right around freezing. That makes 42 miles this week -- my best week of riding since the cold weather set in. And looks like I might get in a couple of days this week. Gotta take 'em when I can get 'em!
Posted by Geoff at 11:43 PM | Comments (0)
February 12, 2005
Got in a short ride before dark
I rode 11 miles today. It was mostly sunny late this afternoon, but still pretty chilly -- 37 F. The best news, though: the bike path along the Charles River was clear! 
(Well, except for a small section where the plowed the grass instead of the pavement. It was easier to ride on the packed ice and snow than in the mud there.) For the most part, it was smooth riding the whole time.
I'm going to try for a longer ride tomorrow...
Posted by Geoff at 6:19 PM | Comments (0)
February 10, 2005
Hopeful for weekend riding weather
It's looking better and better for a weekend ride. The forecast "winter storm" we're supposed to get tomorrow has turned into "1 to 3 inches" predicted in Boston. Saturday and Sunday are supposed to be 35 degrees, and Sunny on Sunday. Excellent!
Posted by Geoff at 10:52 PM | Comments (0)