Recently in Bicycling Category

You know what I would like? Of course, I understand you couldn't know, because those few readers of mine are anything but clairvoyant. Besides, I am about to tell you, so you don't need to attempt an answer.

Anyway, I would like this pain in my gut to go away. About two weeks ago, I started having a sharp, though not extremely, pain in the right side of my gut, just below the stomach. It was only acting up occasionally. But of late, it has become a constant nuisance, waking me up in the night, now on several occasions during the night. Even now, I can feel it, still sharp, yet constant.

On top of that, my stomach has been acting up. It has been producing even more gas then it use to, resulting in an inordinate amount of embarrassing flatulence and burping. But the most disconcerting is the radiating pain that travels up into the right side of my rib cage, back to my kidney, and down into my right hip and buttock.

I've been to the doctor, and I have had a CT scan completed. This ruled out a appendicitis, which I am grateful to have learned. So, that is all good and fine. However, I am still experiencing discomfort, and it is not showing any signs of dissipating. Indeed, it appears to be getting worse.

Of course, all this is to explain the lack of posts about the Tour De Rook. With this pain, and not knowing its cause, I have decided to take a short hiatus from bicycling. I don't want to aggravate an already uncomfortable condition. At the moment I am waiting for a call back from the doctor.

Leg 15: This morning, before the rain hit, I managed 9.58 miles in 42 minutes and 44 seconds of riding time, with a ten minute stretch out in there somewhere. I achieved an average of 13.3 mph and topped off a max speed of 29 mph.

Leg 14: I biked 18.25 miles in 1 hour, 24 minutes and 46 seconds at an average speed of 12.8 mph. I achieved a maximum speed of 29 mph.

The the gap between leg 13 and 14 is due to my having been sick. I was achy all over, and had absolutely no energy or motivation. Today was the first day where I felt 100%. I actually stayed home from work for 2 days, lounging about in my pajamas and robe, reading The Lord of the Rings. I actually managed to finish "The Fellowship of the Ring" and am now working on "The Two Towers."

Okay, so I got the bike back, and I did Leg 13: I rode a total distance of 14.81 miles in 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 3 seconds. I maintained an average speed of 12.8 mph and achieved a maximum speed of 30.5 mph.

Okay, I went for a bike ride with The Fuskers™. So, here are the stats: 5.86 miles in 44 minutes and 5 seconds. We maintained a 7.9 mph average with a maximum speed achieved of 24 mph. It was to be a preliminary run for me, with an expected hard workout to follow. Unfortunately, I discovered a busted spoke in my back wheel. So, instead of a leg of the Tour De Rook, I made a pit stop at Erik The Bike Man. 24 hours and $38.40 later I was back up and running with 8 new spokes and an adjusted derailleur.

Okay, this is a two-for.

First, on Friday I did leg 12 of the Tour De Rook. So without further to do here are the stats: a distance of 13.90 miles at an average speed of 13.2 mph. I achieved a top speed of 27.5 mph with an actual riding time of 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 49 seconds.

There was a nasty wind blowing, which really hurt me on Highway 46/47; a slight incline for about a mile when heading east. Thanks to the various clumps of wooded acres I was hit with alternating cross winds as well as head winds. Yet, in the end, I still managed an increased average. So, I was happy.

Oh, and I stopped twice for stretching.

Second, my 6th move in the Blogger's Chess match against Jim Yeager, formally Mimus Pauly, formally of Mockingbird's Medley: Pawn to e5. I am going to force a capture as if my life depended on it. It doesn't, but I'll pretend.

Leg 11: 14.78 miles at an average speed of 13.0. mph. Actual riding time was 1 hour, 7 minutes, 27 seconds with a max speed of 30.5 mph. I stopped twice during the leg to stretch and again once I got home.

I am starting to feel physically better. My outlook on life has been more positive of late with the daily routine of life being joyful. I am not getting hung up on the future and its possible pit falls.

Leg 10: 11.21 miles at an average speed of 13.0 mph. My total riding time was 51 minutes and 9 seconds. I achieved a maximum speed of 29.5 mph. I pushed a bit hard today and as a result ended up with a mild side ache. It usually goes away if I do some extra deep breathing, but not today. Thankfully, it never became so severe that I had to quit pushing myself.

Leg 9: 9 miles at an average speed of 11.6 mph. Actual riding time was 45 minutes and 46 seconds, with a 5 minute stretching period. I achieved a top speed of 29 mph.

I would have managed a faster top speed, but some idiot decided he needn't worry about me when turning into his driveway which is located just about at the bottom of the 2nd Street hill. He also almost side swiped me as he passed me going down the hill, so it's not like he didn't know I was there.

Leg 8: 11.16 miles at an average speed of 13.00 mph. I achieve a max speed of 34 mph and garnered 51 minutes and 13 seconds of actual riding time. I stopped to stretch once.

It was pretty windy today, especially down in the Mississippi river valley. According to Weather.com there was an 18 mph wind with gusts up to 26. With the exception of the brief two or three mile stretch of General Sieben Dr. from the high school to County 57, I had either cross winds or they were in my face. All that considered, I did very well today.

Leg 7: 9.6 miles with an average speed of 12.8 mph. I maxed out at 29 mph and achieved a total riding time of 44 minutes and 39 seconds. I stopped to stretch once. Oh, and I took Featherstone Hill.

On a related note, yesterday was the first time that I can remember having french fries since I started biking. I could feel it at the beginning. It took a lot of effort to keep going the first 20 minutes. I would have posted better numbers otherwise. Not that what I did achieve was bad. It was just I could feel the fat in my blood keeping me sluggish for a bit.

Update: Allow me to elaborate; I went up Featherstone Hill.

Leg 6: 7.67 miles at a leisurely 11.5 mph average speed. I hit a max speed of 21 mph and garnered 39 minutes and 39 seconds of actual riding time. I stopped twice for stretching.

It was cold and overcast, with a brisk breeze that perpetually seemed to blow into my face, regardless of which direction I was riding. I skipped Featherstone Hill, it was just to daunting. I also stayed away from the Mississippi River trails. The wind is always stronger there.

I wasn't looking for any hard workout today. I just wanted to develop a bit of a sweat and keep my metabolism up. Mission accomplished.

Before I go up and make myself some breakfast, here are today's numbers for leg 5: 9.61 miles at an average speed of 13.2 mph. I hit a max speed of 27.5 mph and took a total of 43 minutes and 19 seconds of actual riding time. I took one stop for stretching. This is pretty good. I improved on yesterday's average speed, and today I went up Featherstone Hill. In fact, yesterday I skipped Featherstone Hill completely. So yeah, I kicked butt.

Okay, I believe these numbers are for leg 3 and leg 4:

Yesterday's leg was 14.29 miles at an average speed of 12.1 mph. I hit a top speed of 33.5 mph (Featherstone Hill) at took a total of 1 hour, 10 minutes and 23 seconds of actually biking. I stopped twice to stretch.

This morning's leg was 5.52 miles at an average speed of 12.9 mph. I hit a top speed of 28.5 (not Featherstone Hill) and took a total of 25 minutes and 35 seconds of actual biking. I stopped once to stretch.

I didn't bother to record the 2nd leg of my 2008 tour because, well because I forgot. It was in the morning sometime last week. It was raining and 58 or 59 degrees Fahrenheit. To be honest, it was one of the most enjoyable bike rides I have ever had. I am regretting my failure to record the numbers. However, I am pretty sure they were in line with the above numbers.

I retrieved my bike from the garage and hit the paths here in Hastings. It is my first bike ride of 2008. I actually surprised myself with some good numbers. Well, good numbers for me. I managed to ride 9.45 mile at an average speed of 11 mph with a total riding time of 50 minutes and 56 seconds.

As usual, early in the season, my muscles are what limit my performance. Out of shape, and having to deal with the usual extra 20 to 30 pounds I put on over the winter, I rarely achieve a lung burning workout. Instead, my leg muscles wimp out on me. And that is what happened today. Still, those are good personal numbers for my first leg of the year.

So, I am at the motel, looking through my emails, all that stuff. I see a long-time Republican congressman has called it quits. Too be honest, I would rather see him stay on a few more terms. He's helped my field more than most liberal Democrats. I also see Bush had a love-in at the White House with some "cough" war bloggers "cough.'"

I'd really like to say more about that last sentence, but Froomkin did such a good job, why make the effort at duplication.

Now, I am going to go for a bike ride. You all try not to wreck the place while I am out. You know, do the opposite of Bush.

startribune.com

What's believed to be the oldest ice cream parlor in Minnesota will be sold in the aftermath of a public dispute over its renovation and the subsequent death of owner Joe Farrington.

Selma's Ice Cream Parlour in the southern Washington County city of Afton closed abruptly in early August when Farrington committed suicide after protracted negotiations with the City Council and the state Department of Natural Resources over his development plans for the building, which dates to the Civil War.

"I'm looking for a buyer or buyers with the same love for this wonderful community and passion for this business that Joe embraced," his widow, Dawn Farrington, said today.

I have fond memories of Selma's Ice Cream Parlour. As a kid growing up in Southern Washington County, my 4-H Club often played softball in the park across from Selma's. At least twice a year, when going to my God Parent's Island cabin on Balsam Lake, our family stopped for ice cream. As recently as this summer, while biking, I stopped for a scoop of Raspberry ice cream in a waffle cone.

To me, Selma's is a Minnesota Institution.

Selma's is right on the St. Croix river, and has survived many floods, and other natural disasters. It would be a shame to have it shut down because of government bureaucracy.

Damn. I am not sitting well. Since the 55 mile bike ride on Saturday, I've been taking it easy, resting. But today I'd planned on getting out on the bike. Unfortunately, it was 90 degrees with high winds and humidity, so I didn't want to push myself. Now, though, my body is screaming for me to get my heart pumping and my skin sweating. Hopefully, I'll get to sleep easily tonight. Maybe, in the morning, I can get out on the road before getting ready for work.

I've been meaning to all summer. It hasn't happened yet. But there's a first time for everything. Right?

Ya, what ever. I'm going back to Battlestar Galactica.

Okay, I pulled into the homestead at 7:30 PM. Every muscle in my legs were threatening to cramp. Hell, even now, they still threaten to cramp. But, finally, on the third try, I was able to make the Hastings, Hudson, River Falls, Prescott, and back to Hastings loop.

Yes, I am bragging.

I am 45 years old, shortly to be 46. I am still 20 pounds overweight. I have not been able to work out as consistantly as I would have liked. So, to go 54.90 miles, at an average speed of 11.4 mph (I was thinking I'd be lucky to maintain over 10), in 4 hours, 48 minutes, and 1 second is damn well something worthy of pride.

Now, if you all don't mind, I am going to go die.

I am currently sitting in a Dunn Bros. Coffee Shop in Hudson, WI. I didn't bother to check my odometer on the bike, but I figure I've gone over 30 miles. I am going to head to River Falls from here. From there, I then make my way to Prescott, WI, were the St. Croix River and the Mississippi River merge. Finally, I make my way back to Hastings. Round trip is probably about 55 or 60 miles.

Several months ago, I tried this trip. I ended up so exhausted I had to call for a pick up. I just didn't have the conditioning. So far, today, I feel good. I took it easy on the hills.

And there are quite a bit of hills. The river road on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix is quite hilly and curvy. To top it off, much of the road has no shoulder, so I am constantly feeling the wind of the cars as they pass.

Now, I am going to be heading down river, but into the wind. Again, I plan on taking it very easy. No trying to maintain a high average mile per hour speed. I am just going to listen to my body. In fact, I've no idea what my average is at the moment. Like with the distance, I didn't bother to check.

Anyway, I'll let you know how I fare later on today, when I get back home.

Hope the best for me, please.