Date: April 13 Sunat
Mileage: 18 (LHT)
April mileage: 18
Year to date: 460
Wow! A little shocking! I entered the mileage from today's ride into my Excel program and found that I had done 1 11-mile ride in March and this was the first in April. The March ride was an epic- albeit short- one in a near Blizzard. Thusly, today's ride was the first standard road ride or commute since February. In looking at some previous entries I found that the recurrence of the Afib happened in early March, so since then it's been various shades of disorder, doctors, and a fair amount of tennis responsibility. To honor today's Paris-Roubaix, I took on the elements here at home, 40F and raining, choosing the LHT for its fenders and existing dirt. Having not ridden in forever, I took things very slowly and casually. I even walked one time up a not-so-big hill; I just felt the need to. Really they were somewhat bizarre conditions to take a ride in after experiencing 60s and 70s in Hilton Head. Oh, I went there last week on a tennis trip. Why? Well, we have a good team and I'm trying to give it the ol' college effort. I can't help, though, wanting more free time for my own health and well-being.
Today's ride was nice, though. I took in St. Matthews and the parks. I almost ventured towards the river but found I lacked the energy. I'm experiencing a little dizziness, which is listed as a side-effect on my med. Is there a correlation? Don't know. I also have to have a follow-up for potential sleep apnea. The first consult is Wednesday. Apparently (I'm asleep, of course) I snore and with my "chunky" body type I'm a candidate. I just figured you slept less well with age. Now I'm off the wine and caffeine, so the sleep apnea and ensuing oxygen loss may be the next culprit for the Afib. Who knows, but life is going one. I ain't done yet.
Showing posts with label Weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weather. Show all posts
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Snow Event
Date: March 7 Sat
Mileage: 11 (Monocog)
March mileage: 11
Year to date: 442
Simply amazing. The "blizzard" did come in its own pleasant way. The official measurement in my yard is 10", which came in 2 batches, 1 yesterday and the most last night and this morning. It's 11.05 and it's been steadily snowing since I got up at 7.00, no, 6.00. I didn't want to up, but nature doth call.
After seemingly weeks of sloth, I knew I had to take advantage of such an event. This is our biggest snow in at least 5 years, and it's in March to boot. In this kinds of conditions I harken back to my most "extreme" snow adventure night these many years. In 1994 Louisville experienced a 2-day 20"+ snow with temps hovering around 0F for days. For this neck of the woods that was true blizzard. On that day, being stuck home from school for the first day of a 2-week snow-in, I ventured out on my old black and pink (yes, early-90s you know) Cannondale and headed towards my friend Chris' Old Louisville apartment. If he could make it to work he would receive triple pay. The good wife managed to take the bus to work to get double pay so I need my fair share of out-of-apartment time. It was 4F and I had lots and lots and lots of layers on. Now, after another 14 years experience I could do it in half the clothing, but I'm not even sure I had lycra tights at the time. I rode in the bus tracks and made the 4-mile ride without too many problems. Once I got to his 4th-floor apartment I almost went into cardiac arrest from his radiator heat. I helped push him out and he got to work. I think he might have taken me home in the car; I don't exactly remember.
Today didn't quite measure up to that scale. It was a brisk 20F with lots of sideways blowing snow. I choose the SS Monocog b/c the tires have so much more tread than those on the C'dale. I dressed picture perfect, using the lady boots to full effect and for the first time I used foot warmers. I guess they did the job b/c I didn't have one cold toe even after a fair amount of walking in snow that came above the boot top. In thinking both of the '94 ride and today's I have a new-found respect for Doug's and Jill's exploits in those frozen lands. To think that I managed to make it through today's exploit, but that I would have to multiply it by 10, 11, or 12 to equal the same feat, and that with colder temps. What struck me almost throughout today's ride was the ever-changing snow conditions. I was constantly finding lines that went from 10" pure snow drifts to slush to icy slush to compact snow. I would have blessed runs of a quarter mile with nary a traction problem with an immediate change to never-ending slip&slide washouts no matter how I tried to stay afloat. I did have to walk some, but not too much. I did a loop through Seneca- as the pics will show- before venturing towards Cherokee. I was quite pleased to make it up the 3 Cherokee hills, snow and all. Again, the primary goal was to keep the rear wheel pegged to the ground. Some of these pics will always remind me of what a beautiful and charmed hour or so it was. Just beautiful, inspiring and cleansing.
These pics are in reverse order, but I'm too lazy to fix them. And that's alright.
Compost Pile
Looks like a near-foot of snow on backyard table.
Near Beargrass Creek on Seneca golf course. It like the lay of the land better when it's covered.
Beargrass Creek
My own version of a track stand.
Old golf cart bridge across creek.
Blowing snow. I think this pic captures the morning best. Bonitisimo!
Looking down PeeWee Reese Rd. in Seneca Park. It's a rare sight to be that empty in daytime.
Flowerbed off Winston about a mile from the house. I like this pic.
Most!
More.
Some.
Mileage: 11 (Monocog)
March mileage: 11
Year to date: 442
Simply amazing. The "blizzard" did come in its own pleasant way. The official measurement in my yard is 10", which came in 2 batches, 1 yesterday and the most last night and this morning. It's 11.05 and it's been steadily snowing since I got up at 7.00, no, 6.00. I didn't want to up, but nature doth call.
After seemingly weeks of sloth, I knew I had to take advantage of such an event. This is our biggest snow in at least 5 years, and it's in March to boot. In this kinds of conditions I harken back to my most "extreme" snow adventure night these many years. In 1994 Louisville experienced a 2-day 20"+ snow with temps hovering around 0F for days. For this neck of the woods that was true blizzard. On that day, being stuck home from school for the first day of a 2-week snow-in, I ventured out on my old black and pink (yes, early-90s you know) Cannondale and headed towards my friend Chris' Old Louisville apartment. If he could make it to work he would receive triple pay. The good wife managed to take the bus to work to get double pay so I need my fair share of out-of-apartment time. It was 4F and I had lots and lots and lots of layers on. Now, after another 14 years experience I could do it in half the clothing, but I'm not even sure I had lycra tights at the time. I rode in the bus tracks and made the 4-mile ride without too many problems. Once I got to his 4th-floor apartment I almost went into cardiac arrest from his radiator heat. I helped push him out and he got to work. I think he might have taken me home in the car; I don't exactly remember.
Today didn't quite measure up to that scale. It was a brisk 20F with lots of sideways blowing snow. I choose the SS Monocog b/c the tires have so much more tread than those on the C'dale. I dressed picture perfect, using the lady boots to full effect and for the first time I used foot warmers. I guess they did the job b/c I didn't have one cold toe even after a fair amount of walking in snow that came above the boot top. In thinking both of the '94 ride and today's I have a new-found respect for Doug's and Jill's exploits in those frozen lands. To think that I managed to make it through today's exploit, but that I would have to multiply it by 10, 11, or 12 to equal the same feat, and that with colder temps. What struck me almost throughout today's ride was the ever-changing snow conditions. I was constantly finding lines that went from 10" pure snow drifts to slush to icy slush to compact snow. I would have blessed runs of a quarter mile with nary a traction problem with an immediate change to never-ending slip&slide washouts no matter how I tried to stay afloat. I did have to walk some, but not too much. I did a loop through Seneca- as the pics will show- before venturing towards Cherokee. I was quite pleased to make it up the 3 Cherokee hills, snow and all. Again, the primary goal was to keep the rear wheel pegged to the ground. Some of these pics will always remind me of what a beautiful and charmed hour or so it was. Just beautiful, inspiring and cleansing.
These pics are in reverse order, but I'm too lazy to fix them. And that's alright.
Compost Pile
Looks like a near-foot of snow on backyard table.
Near Beargrass Creek on Seneca golf course. It like the lay of the land better when it's covered.
Beargrass Creek
My own version of a track stand.
Old golf cart bridge across creek.
Blowing snow. I think this pic captures the morning best. Bonitisimo!
Looking down PeeWee Reese Rd. in Seneca Park. It's a rare sight to be that empty in daytime.
Flowerbed off Winston about a mile from the house. I like this pic.
Most!
More.
Some.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Snow Event
I haven't been on the bike in days and days. So much the worse, it seems that I've been spending it in the car. The boys have started their spring soccer practices, so we've become taxi-driving soccer parents. Yesterday, the good wife picked the boys up from school. I went to tennis practice- yes, we finally had 1 nice, dry day in the last 3 weeks. She took Z to school practice from 3.30-5.30. She had L in the car with her, but forgot his soccer stuff, so...she returned home to get his stuff. She dropped him off at the courts and then proceeded to pick Z up at 5. At roughly 5 I took L to his practice 5.45-7.00. The afternoon was warm and sunny, but by the time L's soccer was in full gear it had dropped to 40F or colder and windy. Frankly, I froze my big fat butt off out there at the fields. L was no better. His hands were cold and his feet too. Oh, and the good wife too Z from his 5.30 end time to his last indoor prac from 6.00-7.00. After these 7.00 practices we convened to spend a gift certificate at Outback. Either my tastes have changed or these fast-food/fine-dining restaurants like Outback and Applebees have really, really degraded in quality. None-the-less the meal cost us $17, and that included a generous tip. The only thing I really like was the Smithwick's, the rest was adequate for a long-ass day.Today we have a late-winter storm coming in, 2" today and another 4-6" tonight. It's no snow day, though. School is off for an inservice day, which is why I have time to post an inane entry that doesn't deal with bike riding b/c I haven't ridden my bike.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
More blahs
If you cursor down to "February 12", you'll find that we're mired in a big bunch of ick again. There's nothing like La Ninya to upset the applecart. The kiddies- actually kid b/c Z hurled a couple time last night- got out of school early, and therefore I as well. I had a very productive couple hours at work until they forced us out the building. As ever, the hype is misplaced. It's not that bad on the streets.
As for me and the bike, damn, we've parted ways. After a good January and start of February my riding has ground to a halt. As is ever this time of year, tennis starting, language festivals for which I seem to be doing more organizing than my colleagues, and a heavy classload have sucked the air out of my tires. It's mostly excuses, though. I could've ridden yesterday and really today but the 5.15a.m. mojo was not with me. The plan is to get up and ride even 30min-1hour before work, but that's hard to muster at 25F. I like the destination that is work, but need the rhythm. Bah Humbug!
The weather has given me a 2-day headache, but it's dissipating ever slightly. And I can see the sleet coming down from out the window. Attractive!
As for me and the bike, damn, we've parted ways. After a good January and start of February my riding has ground to a halt. As is ever this time of year, tennis starting, language festivals for which I seem to be doing more organizing than my colleagues, and a heavy classload have sucked the air out of my tires. It's mostly excuses, though. I could've ridden yesterday and really today but the 5.15a.m. mojo was not with me. The plan is to get up and ride even 30min-1hour before work, but that's hard to muster at 25F. I like the destination that is work, but need the rhythm. Bah Humbug!
The weather has given me a 2-day headache, but it's dissipating ever slightly. And I can see the sleet coming down from out the window. Attractive!
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