20190106 cycling

This was a good week for riding. The wind was annoying but I pushed through. I ended the year above my goal of 3000 miles even with missing most of August. I increased my weekly minimum mileage to 60 miles.

Monday
75° humidity 72% wind 11-16 SE
The damn wind was back. I pushed through some of it. I wanted a decent ride for the last one of the year. I heard and saw more martins along Oldwoods but didn't stop.
15.36 miles
12.1 mph

This month 410 miles
This year 3706 miles

Tuesday
2019
80° humidity 63% wind 7-8 SW
Too warm, too breezy. I rode to BBD then to New Tampa Blvd and over I75. Coming back was nice. Not too much traffic and ai made most of the lights.
15.85 miles
12.5 mph

Wednesday
81° humidity 50% wind 3-5 S
Late start. I forgot my water and wore my sunglasses which were only needed for the first 5 miles. I had to take them off for the last five miles as it was too dark with them on. And the gnats!
15.59 miles
12.3 mph

Thursday
75° humidity 82% wind 6-7 S
I went out to BBD and across the overpass. I found the way to Lizards Tail.
The way back was easy and I made the lights. My legs were ready to quit after 15 miles.
16.72 miles
12.4 mph

Friday
71° humidity 94% wind 10-14 S
Already too windy and only going to worse as the day goes on. I am glad I didn't wait any longer.
Saw a Maserati parked at the dead end on MPB. Stolen?
15.20 miles
12.0 mph

Saturday
64° humidity 67% wind 12-18 NW
Too damn windy and cloudy. I pushed my way up through Seven Oaks and back down through Wiregrass. I only stopped a few seconds at the lights and once to rest.
It was not a fun ride.
15.13 miles
11.9 mph

Sunday
71° humidity 37% wind 5 N/NE
Beautiful day and I wanted to stay in bed. My body was tired from drinking last night so I did a slow, recovery ride.
15.63 miles
11.4 mph

This week 109.5
This year 78

20181230 cycling

A good week for riding despite the wind. I rode about 15 miles each day.

Monday
78° humidity 58% wind 5-6 NE
Warmer and windier.
I tried to take some photos of cypress that were rusty but the sun was in front and low.
15.10 miles
12.2 mph

Tuesday
74° humidity 56% wind 3-4NE
Warmer and breezy. I rode to Union Park.
15.11 miles
12.3 mph

Wednesday
76° humidity 50% wind 12-20 E
Warm and to windy. I rode east to Union Park and it took everything just to push through. The tailwind was nice but I still had to push to get my average just up to 12.0.
15.09 miles
12.0 mph

Thursday
72° humidity 74% wind 12-19 SE
It was already too windy and predicted to get worse. My legs didn't have the strength to push.
I saw a migration of purple martins and stopped to watch.
14.98 miles
11.7 mph

Friday
75° humidity 83% wind 10-12 S/SE
The wind seemed stronger or maybe I am just weaker. The wind blew all the construction sand over the road.
15.14 miles
12.1 mph

Saturday
73° humidity 91% wind 6-7 S
Thank goodness the wind was almost back to normal. Overcast and grey.
15.75 miles
12.5 mph

Sunday
82° humidity 63% wind 2-3 S
Warm and breezy.
15.20 miles
12.6 mph

This week 106.4
This year 3676

20181223 cycling

Another cold and lazy week. It was cold in the mornings so I waited to ride. But the longer I waited, the less I wanted to ride and the more the wind picked up. I was happy to see the wind go away by the end of the week.

Monday
64° humidity 66% wind 2-3 NE
Except when I started riding, I realized the wind was coming for the west so I changed direction. Our weather station wind is not very accurate. When I stopped on Chancey, the wind was 6 NW my hands were cold and I just didn't feel like fighting the wind so I did a shorter ride. =
10.24 miles
12.7 mph

Tuesday
72° humidity 37% wind 1-2 E 1-3 N 1-3 W
Wind kept changing direction so it was always a headwind. But it wasn't strong so it wasn't a problem.
14.02 miles
12.6 mph

Wednesday
73° humidity 51% wind 8-11 SE
It started raining and I began. It drizzled and sprinkled the entire ride. After a few miles, the roads were wet enough and sprayed up my back. I cut my ride short.
12.68 miles
12.8 mph

Thursday
63° humidity 100% wind 3-8 S
I saw that the rain had stopped so I quickly changed my clothes and got on the bike. The rain started a block away from home and never stopped. But it was light so I kept going. The wind got stronger as I turned to go home.
8.63 miles
11.5 mph

Friday
57° humidity 80% wind 18-28 SW
Rained stopped for a bit but the wind started. I even saw some blue sky but not in the direction I was heading.
Riding back along BBD at Oak Preserve, the light was red for me so I slowed down. The cars turning left had gone and their light turned red. I started to pedal again and a car came flying out and I couldn't stop. I braked but bumped into the side of his car and went down. I bumped my head and twisted my handlebars. Apple Watch knew I fell down and asked if I needed help. I apologized to the driver forgetting that the light was red for him. I fixed my handlebars and rode home. I have a bump on the back of my head. That's a good sign right?
10.14 miles
11.6 mph

Saturday
60° humidity 62% wind 9-10 NW
Sunny but still chilly especially with the wind. I rode through Seven Oaks to SR54. =
Not much tailwind.
14.43 miles
12.1 mph

Sunday
66° humidity 41% wind 2-4 N
Beautiful day but I still didn't feel like riding. But that always changes once I have been pedaling for 5-10 minutes. I should have gone out earlier because the sun was in my eyes a lot.
15.16 miles
12.2 mph

This week 84.3 miles
This year 3569 miles

20181216 cycling

This week started out pretty good. Then we got rain on Friday and Saturday and my motivation was gone. I still rode every day but not much on the weekend.

Monday
59° humidity 64% wind 11-16 NW
I went out Mansfield to WRB to Chancey then up to Village Market and back down through Seven Oaks.
The lights were long and I got stuck at BBD because someone tampered with the crosswalk signs and I hit the wrong one.
Stopped at the bank to deposit a check. Stopped at Starbucks for some pumpkin loaf. Disappointed because the loaf is not quite as moist and was packaged. And the date on the package was October!
16.27 miles
11.4 mph

Tuesday
58° humidity 54% wind 8-13 N
I wore my tights and the wind was a little weaker. I rode the same path as yesterday but reversed. It went better. Some stomach pains.
14.57 miles
12.4 mph

Wednesday
65° humidity 52% wind 2-6 SE
Happy to see the wind back to normal strength and direction. I did my usual route to Union Park and back. The sky was beautiful.
15.85 miles
12.2 mph

Thursday
74° humidity 61% wind 8-13 SE
Late ride. Emotional day.
Wind wasn't as strong as reported.
I rode out to Union Park. Dark on my way home.
15.31 miles
12.1 mph

Friday
69° humidity 100% wind 9-16 W
Short ride in between showers.
I went west based on the reported wind. It didn't feel strong. I could feel it more when riding home and my legs wanted to quit.
9.16 miles
12.7 mph

Saturday
66° humidity 88% wind 2SE
It was late and I didn't even change my clothes. I ended up at Starbucks and had a sandwich for dinner. Then I rode back in the dark. I hate the gnats.
7.61 miles
11.7 mph

Sunday
62° humidity 73% wind 1-3 W
Another late ride. This is what happens if I get dressed and go out. I put off my exercise. I changed because I though it was still warm. It wasn't and the cool breeze was chilly on my bare arms. I never got warm.
7.87 miles
12.3 mph

This week 86.6 miles
This year 3492 miles

20181209 cycling

It was a windy week and I rode different routes to best take advantage of the tailwinds on my return. My rides keep getting postponed because I just do t have the drive nor motivation to do much but read. I didn’t want to ride at all on Sunday but saw I needed just 11 miles to make 100 miles for the week and did it. Even when I don’t want to ride, it only takes me getting on my bike before I feel better.

Monday
79° humidity 81% wind 12-16 SW
Rode down Kinnan over too much broken glass. I went to Cross Creek then over BBD to West Meadows. I tried to ride on the path but it is so bad. Climbing up the overpass was slow but I downshifted quite a bit. Though I never had to resort to my granny gear. I turned onto Lizards Tail. There is a small park. There is no way to get over to LT east of the overpass.
Stopped at Starbucks.
Rode back BBD to CLR. Some rain drops. Tailwinds most of the way.
16.64 miles
12 mph
Tuesday

67° humidity 97% wind 7 N
Mostly cloudy when I started but sun started peeking as I rode.
Diane saw me on MPB and stopped to talk.
Rode to Starbucks at SR54.
Iced soy chai.
Rode to BBD then east on Chancey to WRB to Mansfield. My stomach started growling.
18.86 miles
11.9 mph

Wednesday
61° humidity 31% wind 12-17 N
Oh the wind! And then my stomach started to hurt. I kept pedaling. I rode up BBD barely keeping the bike upright. I thought the tailwind would be better. Or maybe it was the stomach pains.
15.23 miles
11.8 mph

Thursday
69° humidity 43% wind 3E
A little cool but the wind was so much weaker, it felt good. I rode through Union Park and stopped at a few Christmas displays. I was surprised when I got back that Ryan was waiting for me in the garage.
13.68 miles
12.3 mph

Friday
75° humidity 46% wind 6 SE
Quick ride so I can meet some friends for happy hour.
Beautiful day. Wind wasn't too bad. Legs felt shaky at half way point. Kept pushing.
9.07 miles
12.6 mph

Saturday
71° humidity 66% wind 7-9 SE
Stronger winds today.
I stopped extra to answer texts. (Stupid people who don't know their own jobs.)
The sky was beautiful.
Headwind along Mansfield nearly stopped me.
15.8 miles
12 mph

Sunday
69° humidity 88% wind 7-14 SW
I went out CLR to BBD then rode through Colonial Grand. Back on BBD to Flatwoods. I turned back and turned on my lights.
Carrot Weather said the wind had shift to 4-17 NW but I didn't notice it. It was dark when I got home.
11.57 miles
12.2 mph

This week 100.8
This year 3402

20181202 cycling

This week wasn’t very good for cycling. It was very cold in the mornings. Being unemployed has its benefits in that I could wait until it got warmer to ride. But as the day progresses, the less I feel like riding. Also, I was cleaning the house to get ready for the family to visit. At least I rode everyday.

Monday
77° humidity 86% wind 10-11 SW
Very windy. I felt great along SR56 but it was headwind everywhere else.
11.62 miles
12.0 mph

Tuesday
56° humidity 60% wind 9-14 NW
Cold and windy. Another shorter ride because of the wind.
11.57 miles
12 mph

Wednesday
56° humidity 34% wind 10-12 NW
Sunny and windy and cold.
11.48 miles
12.2 mph

Thursday
57° humidity 34% wind 5-7 NE
Still cold and windy. Wind now coming from NE so I rode up to Union Park.
Had to change battery in heart rate monitor before I could start.
15.45 miles
12.1 mph

Friday
68° humidity 62% wind 7-9 SE
Sunny, warmer but still windy.
I goofed and missed some exercise on my Apple Watch. Oh well. Got it all with Strava.
Came back shorter way because Ashlee and Megs are coming.
13.69 miles
11.8 mph

Saturday
72° humidity 73% wind 11-21 SE
The wind! And a few raindrops. I made it short once I got a text that family was coming.
10.40 miles
12.1 mph

Sunday
80° humidity 75% wind 11-17 S
Not in the mood but I couldn't let my streak end. I went out for a casual ride through Meadow Pointe.
The wind was strong but I let it push me home.
5.84 miles
11.1 mph

This week 80.1 miles
This year 3307 miles

20181125 cycling

I feel like I should have had more miles this week. But the depression made me put off riding until the afternoon. At least I rode everyday. Well, that was easy knowing it helps with my moods.

Monday
68° humidity 85% wind 4 NE
Cloudy and windy. My legs didn't feel like pushing. I rode around some new roads but they were dead ends. I rode through Union Park. I hit a roofing nail along MPB and Sherringham. I didn't have my kit and had to call dad.
11.59 miles
11.9 mph

Tuesday
72° humidity 88% wind 3-6 NW
There was a little bit of sun but it disappeared before I got to BBD. The tailwind was great and I was up to 12.9 mph before I turned around.
A few sprinkles when I was almost home.
17.63 miles
12.4 mph

Wednesday
73° humidity 55% wind 8-9 NW
Too windy to be really enjoyable.
The gates were open at Gwynhurst so I rode through. It has been years since I went in. All the homes are complete. The path to SR56 stops short and there is a ditch. Will it be an open path? There is no fence now.
I changed to my regular glasses when I got back to MPB. It took a while to adjust.
17.15 miles
12.5 mph

Thursday
72° humidity 46% wind 7 NE
Cloudy.
Just a casual ride.
15.04 miles
11.6 mph

Friday
67° humidity 82% wind 8 E
Happy to see the sun out. Not happy for the wind. No energy to fight it.
14.92 miles
11.6 mph

Saturday
69° humidity 83% wind 5S 14SW
Reported wind guided me to my usual route. Then it picked up and shifted.
15.18 miles
12.0 mph

Sunday
66° humidity 88% wind 4 SW
Shorter ride out to BBD, SR56 to Hueland Pond. No pushing myself.
8.59 miles
12.2 mph
This week 100.1 miles
This year 3224 miles

20181118 cycling

I had a better schedule for work which means less time for biking. But that all changed on Thursday when I was let go from my job. Now I have all day to ride but can’t seem to care.

Monday
77° humidity 76% wind 7-10 SE
Not feeling it today and the wind didn't help. I decided for a fat burn ride today and just rode a relaxed pace. I rode through K-Bar ranch to the end. Then I rode through Live Oak to BBD. They demolished the rotting and scary boardwalk since it is no longer needed.
11.6 miles
10.7 mph

Tuesday
72° humidity 93% wind 4-5 SE 7-11 S
Sunny and windy. Rode to Union Park.
15.15 miles
12.4 mph

Wednesday
73° humidity 88% wind 8 NE
Grey and windy.
Short ride. I had to push it just to get up to speed. Headwind along Mansfield
9.07 miles
12.1 mph

Thursday
62° humidity 94% wind 7-11 NW
Chilly and windy and cloudy.
I rode out to BBD to SR56.
8.6 miles
12.1 mph

Friday
63° humidity 47% wind 7 NW
I waited until it got warmer to ride. Still chilly but the sun felt good. I could have done without the wind.
17.39 miles
11.9 mph

Saturday
73° humidity 46% wind 5 E
Late ride. I wasted my morning going to a group job information session that went nowhere. It is hard to believe that such a large company has no idea what is going on. The ride started to relieve my anxiety about mile 10.
15 miles
12.2 mph

Sunday
76° humidity 57% wind 4N
Late ride. Sun was setting. The biggest problem is keeping my mouth closed so I don't swallow any gnats.
Strava kept auto-pausing so I stopped and rebooted my iPhone. It was fine after that.
I rode through Union Park and it got dark no rode back through Meadow Pointe because there are no lights along SR56.
14.18 miles
12.3 mph

This week 90.7 miles
This year 3122 miles

20181111 cycling

Another pretty good week of riding. I finished Coffeeneuring 2018 and got to 91 miles. I feel like my average speed has increased.

Monday
Coffeeneuring #7
74° humidity 92% wind 5-6 SE
Beautiful day though breezy.
Coming down fast from The Ridge. Driver on crosswalk. I thought she turned and saw me so I began to ride in front of her. Then she started to move too! I had to swerve and brake not to hit her. I was pissed. She stopped and yelled through her window that she didn't see me and asked if I was alright. I was angry but OK. Sigh
I rode to Panera and got a bagel and a smoothie. I wanted a scone but the bagel was about half the calories.
Headwind all the way home.
18.77 miles
12.4 mph

Tuesday
71° humidity 93% wind 2-3 SE
Beautiful day.
Was riding hard and fast. Felt the glitch and then tachycardia started at mile 10 and didn't quit. Odd but bright HRM picked it up for 5-10 minutes. I might have averaged over 13 mph but I backed off a bit when my heart started racing.
15.0 miles
12.8 mph

Wednesday
70° humidity 93% wind 1-2 E
Beautiful day.
14.89 miles
12.7 mph

Thursday
71° humidity 95% wind 2E
Sunny and humid. Only time for a short ride so I tried to push it but didn't have a lot of energy. Saw two calves feeding by the fence. I went to stop but the white calf turned away and ran and the block calf followed.
9.04 miles
12.7 mph

Friday
72° humidity 94% wind 3-5 SE
Felt windier today. I didn't feel like going into a headwind along Mansfield but wanted to get in 15 miles. I did a couple extra miles along Oldwoods then road back Beardsley. I played leapfrog with a school bus and won.
15.17 miles
12.8 mph

Saturday
72° humidity 97% wind 2-3 N
Foggy. Tired.
Short ride because I work early today.
9.07 miles
12.6 mph

Sunday
68° humidity 79% wind 6-7 NE
Cooler but windy. My mind was thinking of other things and I was getting excited to be creative and rode hard.
9.07 miles
12.8 mph

This week 91 miles
This year 3041 miles

20181104 cycling

A pretty good week for cycling. I got my 820 back and it runs smoother and quieter. I need to remember to take care of my chain better. I did two coffeeneuring rides on my days off. Now I only have one more to do and still have weeks left.

Monday
Coffeeneuring #5
71° humidity 67% wind 6-7 W 5-8 NW
Beautiful day. It was chilly this morning so I waited until it got a little warmer and decided to make it a luncheoneuring.
I rode out to BBD then up to Seven Oaks. It was windy and I had a bit of the caffeine shakes but it didn't last long. I rode back down BBD to Chancey then rode east to Mansfield. I saw a man letting his dogs run free in the field. The hound kept barking at me so I stopped and let her get used to me. I rode to SR56 and found the sidewalk blocked due to construction.
I went to Wiregrass Mall to Fresh Healthy Cafe. Spicy chicken wrap and açaí berry smoothie. $14. So good.
I rode back home SR56 to Hueland Pond. The wind helped me some.
18.73 miles
12.3 mph

Tuesday
65° humidity 93% wind 4-5
Sunny, cool and windy.
13.42 miles
12.8 mph

Wednesday
Coffeeneuring #6
75° humidity 69% wind 5-8 E
Lunch ride!
Windy and heavy traffic. I rode up to SR54. Construction along SR54.
Stopped at Starbucks. Maple Pecan Crème Frappuccino and Chicken Caprese Sandwich.
Rode west to BBD and south to Meadow Pointe. I made most of the lights! Headwind all the way back.
17.58 miles
12.3 mph

Thursday
62° humidity 94% wind 5-7 SE
Chilly with the sun coming up. Beautiful sunrise.
Slowed down by school traffic at JLMS.
9.07 miles
12.5 mph

Friday
72° humidity 95% wind 9-16 S
Gloomy and windy. I rode up to Union Park and was chased by a dachshund.
Headwind along Mansfield was brutal.
14.91 miles
12.2 mph

Saturday
55° humidity 87% wind 8-10 N
Cold and windy! I put on my tights and a hat. The hat didn't cover my ears so they were cold for the first 5-10 minutes.
Headwind along Mansfield and SR56.
It took a while to get up to 12 mph.
Something broke as I was coming home and I can no longer downshift. Bad luck with bikes lately.
9.02 miles
12.0 mph

Sunday
70° humidity 85% wind 8-10
Cloudy, windy and sprinkles.
I did manage to get my bike to downshift which I needed with the wind. I pushed myself and didn't stop.
9.06 miles
12.5 mph

This week 91.8 miles
This year 2941 miles