2024 cycling week 7

Monday and Tuesday were warmer but I have gotten used to being lazy before work. I should be sleeping in but spend the extra time playing puzzles and games.

I rode to the dentist on Monday. The appointment was in the afternoon so I had to rush to get there. I went the long way home.

I found myself not having the motivation to ride hard. I try to listen to my body and I guess it just wants me to take it easier despite the longer rides.

It rained most of the weekend. On Saturday, I went out to run some errands in the drizzle and managed to get very wet. I prepared better for Sunday, I wore my poncho but my legs and feet got wet.

This week 94 miles

This year 756 miles

Streak 1,450 days

2024 cycling week 6

The mornings were cold but the afternoons were nice.

I rode after work. Because of the Apple Watch challenge, I rode longer in the afternoons. I tried to ride slower but kept finding myself pushing harder.

On Thursday, I rode 3 shorts loops. It is 18 miles and I did it in just over an hour.

I didn’t need to do any big rides for my mileage goal on the weekend. But I still rode longer because of the Apple Watch Challenge.

On Sunday, I rode up to Amber’s and Robert’s house to give them some valentine’s treats. I rode home the long way to get to 103 minutes.

This week 127 miles

This year 662 miles

Streak 1,443 days

2024 cycling week 5

The weather got cold again and I rode in the afternoon after work.

January ended on Wednesday and I had ridden 455 miles.

Saturday’s ride was longer than I usually like. I rode to BurgerFi for one last #BirthdayMonth treat. The closest one is in Odesssa which is 16 miles west of here.

suncoast bike trail

The ride there was OK despite being on a busy and fast road. The ride back was very windy and I got caught at many traffic lights. But the fries were worth it.

By Sunday, I had 98 miles so I didn’t need a big ride. But I ended up doing 17 miles. I was riding more for the minutes than the miles.

This week 116 miles

This year 534 miles

Streak 1,436 days

2024 cycling week 4

Gloomy skies riding home from the dentist

I rode to the dentist on Tuesday. My mouth was numb on the way back but I chewed some gum anyway. It really helps with the dry mouth.

The temperatures got warmer and I was able to ride in the morning, Wednesday through Friday. I like getting in longer rides but I miss the extra free time in the morning.

water station at flatwoods

I had a good ride on Saturday. I rode down Morris Bridge and through Flatwoods. I wanted to redeem my #BirthdayMonth shake from Burger21 and wanted to get in some miles before I got there. I didn’t plan well and wasn’t hungry when I got there. But I ordered some sweet potato fries. The shake was worth the effort.

heath bar shake and sweet potato fries from burger 21

The temperatures are dropping again.

chocolate candy from world market. malteser biscuits are excellent.

On Sunday, I rode to the Grove. I wanted to check out the decor at World Market. I ended up with just chocolate but I got to talk to a guy about my bike.

This week 112 miles

This year 418 miles

Streak 1,429 days

2024 cycling week 3

i received the coffeeneuring patches and stickers in the mail

Another week of up and down temperatures.

I planned to ride 25 miles on both Saturday and Sunday. But I got an invite to drink with friends at Ford’s Garage. I went the long way to get in the miles.

I did get a good ride on Sunday despite the chilly weather.

This week 99 miles

This year 305 miles

Streak 1,422 days

2024 cycling week 2

“are you my momma?”

It was another cold week. Actually it wasn’t too bad but I prefer riding in the daylight.

I did ride in the morning on Tuesday because I had to take Ryan to the dentist. But then they moved his appointment up because the weather was getting windy and they wanted to close the office early.

I had my own dental appointment on Wednesday and rode my bike there. I didn’t factor me not being able to chew gum with a numb mouth so my mouth got dry on the way home.

I also rode to my hair appointment on Saturday. I could have combined that with my groceries to justify my car, but it was nice having the ride done by lunchtime.

This week 98 miles

This year 206 miles

Streak 1,415 days

2024 cycling week 1

I am trying something different this year. Instead of documenting each day here, I am just going to do a little post about my week.

My cycling goal this year is to ride 5,000 miles. That is just under 100 miles per week. So I will aim for 100 miles per week and it gives me some leeway in case I need to ride a little less some weeks.

An ideal week would be to ride 15 miles Monday through Friday and 20 miles on Saturday & Sunday which would be 115 miles. Rarely does an ideal week happen so I will do what I can.

The weather was cold this week. I do not like to ride when the temps dip below 50º. I can ride but the ride ends up much shorter.

Monday was New Year’s Day and I got a longer ride in. Tuesday through Friday were chilly and I rode after work. I like that I can start work a bit earlier and quit earlier so I can ride for about an hour before I need to worry about dinner. It was also nice that school was out so I didn’t have to worry about that traffic.

All the rides were around Meadow Pointe. I would stop and take photos of the cows if they happened to be near the fence.

This week 109 miles

This year 109 miles

Streak 1,408 days

2023 cycling week 52

Monday
Christmas Day
Start: Cloudy, 69°F, Feels like 68°F, Humidity 92%, Wind 17 (24) mph from SE
End: Cloudy, 69°F, Feels like 68°F, Humidity 92%, Wind 17 (26) mph from SE
I expected rain so I went out without water.
It was windy (very windy at times) but no rain. I didn't want to ride too far without water.
I rode through Meadow Pointe to SR56. I rode through some new townhomes and then back the way I came.
I rode through Warren Acres Blvd through to Oldswoods. I went back up to SR56 then home. There wasn’t much to stop and photograph. Everything was grey. Even the cows were lying down in the tall grass and I could barely see them from my bike.
18.05 miles
15.5 mph

Tuesday
Start: Cloudy, 71°F, Feels like 72°F, Humidity 83%, Wind 6 (11) mph from NW
End: Mostly cloudy, 72°F, Feels like 70°F, Humidity 78%, Wind 9 (12) mph from NW
Warmer and less windy.
I took a circuitous route through Wiregrass and Seven Oaks to SR54.
I found the Buddhist center and took a few photos. There were workers there painting so I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked. I was invited to look around inside but I felt dirty and sweaty from my ride.
I went around the longer way and found that the pavement ended and the road was not in good shape.
Once I was back on paved roads, I rode to Meadow Pointe and home.
21.44 miles
15.5 mph

Wednesday
Start: Partly sunny, 70°F, Feels like 70°F, Humidity 45%, Wind 9 (13) mph from NNW
End: Cloudy, 69°F, Feels like 70°F, Humidity 47%, Wind 6 (13) mph from NNW
With the wind coming from the NW, I wasn't quite sure where to go. Riding west means crossing I75 and there are not many roads with bike lanes once I get there.
I went north to SR54 then west to Old Pasco Road. There is no bike lane but the should is OK for most of the route to Overpass Rd.
I crossed back over I75 and then south on Boyette. I detoured through the Wesley Chapel Rec Center. I haven't been in years and there is an actual building there now instead of just restrooms.
I was on Boyette near SR54 and a truck with trailer passed me. He had to stop and blocked my path so I had to wait for his to move so I could continue. Jerk.
There wasn't much to see so I only stopped when I had to go lights.
22.54 miles
15.5 mph

Thursday
Start: Cloudy, 59°F, Feels like 58°F, Humidity 94%, Wind 7 (10) mph from N
End: Cloudy, 60°F, Feels like 60°F, Humidity 93%, Wind 8 (10) mph from NNW
I was still cold from my wet walking this morning. It wasn't that cold but I dressed warm. I put on dry socks and my hiking boots. I wore my thin gloves.
I told Ryan I wasn't planning on a long ride. I for one large loop then started feeling warm so I did another. I even did a little extra to make sure I got to 112 exercise minutes for the day (even though I made that Apple Watch goal and no longer need to try.)
21.91 miles
15.6 mph

Friday
Start: Mostly cloudy, 59°F, Feels like 53°F, Humidity 55%, Wind 13 (17) mph from W
End: Mostly sunny, 59°F, Feels like 57°F, Humidity 55%, Wind 13 (17) mph from W
Very windy and chilly.
Placed a bagel order at Panera to pick up on my way home.
I rode up WRB to SR54. I didn't want to cross twice so found a way through several parking lots to cross BBD.

I rode through Seven Oaks then across to the hospital to the mall.
I took my new Abus folding lock but could get it to work with what I was trying to lock my bike to. I still had my u-lock and used that.
The ride home was fine. I was getting too cold to keep riding to get to my 112 exercise minutes. I am at 102.
17.34 miles
14.2 mph

Saturday
Start: Mostly sunny, 56°F, Feels like 60°F, Humidity 69%, Wind 7 (14) mph from NW
End: Partly sunny, 59°F, Feels like 61°F, Humidity 63%, Wind 8 (15) mph from W
Cold and I wanted to stay inside. But I don't want to ruin my streak. I am at 1399 days.
It didn't seem too windy until I was riding into the wind. My Florida blood is just too thin for anything under 60°
I had planned on one loop so brought no water. Of course, I decided to do two laps.
There wasn't too much traffic.
Riding in the sun felt good.
I was trying to get to 84 minutes and I was almost home. So I went to the next street and rode slower. Without the wind, I could hear my chain. It needs some love and lube.
22.10 miles
15.5 mph
1400 days

Sunday
Partly sunny, 67°F, Feels like 68°F, Humidity 52%, Wind 6 (10) mph from W
One loop. No stops.
Chain was noisy so I stopped and gave it some lube. Also added more stickers.
11.28 miles
15.4 mph

This week

This month 531 miles

This year 3,870 miles

Streak 1,401 days

winter market stall

land rover defender