25 Miles and NO flats!

I was tempting the gods of flat tires today when I decided to ride east on the MoPac trail. The first 4 miles were paved, but the trail turns into a nice packed limestone (I think) after that. I figured that would be the best place to get a flat, but I can get a flat riding down the street, so what did I have to lose? I rode 16 miles on the dirt trail and did not have a single problem. I guess I was lucky, or I have already had my share of flats for the summer.

I planned to ride 12.5 miles out and then back to make a nice 25 mile ride, which I did. When I got home and looked at a map, I realized that I stopped and turned around a mile or two short of the town of Eagle. I wish I would have know where I was then I would have ridden on into town and said that I rode to Eagle... oh well, next time!

Here is a picture of me on the trail. This is where I turned around... just short of Eagle.

20 Miles, and NO Flat Tire!

Put in 20 miles today. Left work and went south on the Salt Creek Spillway trail to Van Dorn street. Then I went west to Pioneers Park. I rode around for a while, got a little lost, so I did one loop twice before I figured out where I was. The biking trail there is really bad, bumpy, poorly maintained, with a lot of turns.... it really beat me up. But I did ride on the road there and that was an awesome ride. A lot of hills, it was nice and smooth, and it was a great day!

Sorry, no pictures lately. I take my pics on my phone and the last couple of days the pictures on my phone have not been downloading. I need to trouble shoot that and get some pictures back up.

Keep in touch, I am planning another good ride on Saturday!

You guessed it

Had a good morning today. Michelle (Team in Training Mentor) and I left Lincoln at 6am to go to Omaha for a Nutrition clinic, and a bike ride. It was a great ride up and it was good to get to know Michelle. She has ridden in three Century races and has run two marathons for TNT, so she has a lot of good experience and pointers. I also met coaches Mike and Brent, as well as the cyclists from Omaha. I think it is going to be good.

The nutrition clinic was good and we sampled some Power Bar products, then it was time for a bike ride.... well you guessed it, about a mile into the ride I got another flat tire. I am thinking I am cursed. The team went on with their ride, and Michelle hung back with me while I fixed it. So I didn't get a ride in this morning, but I met everyone and it was a good experience.

This was a brand new tire and tube, so I will take it back to Monkey Wrench and see what they think, maybe there is something wrong with the rim itself.

A HUGE flaw in my plan

My plan was to get up early this morning and ride at least 15 miles. The huge flaw in that plan is the fact that I don't like to get up early... so I slept a little later than I should have and didn't have time to ride 15 miles. I did get 11 miles in, so I should get about 15-16 in for the day.

21 Mile Day

A total of 21 miles today. Rode to work this morning (2 miles), took the long way home from work (15 miles), and then Beckie and I rode down to Jazz in June to eat good food and listen to music (2 miles each way). If I am doing my math correctly, that is 21 miles today. Not bad.

It was a beautiful day and Jazz in June was great. A great night.

Finally!

A tube, a new tire, and $38 later (those Monkey Wrench guys do good work), I got back riding. I went east on the Dietrich bike trail and popped out on 84th street. I was North of Adams, up by the Lancaster Events Center. Then I went south on 84th to the Mopac trail, and then home. A total of 17 miles. It was a pretty good ride, but it was 90 degrees and very humid... it took a lot of out of me. Regardless, I am back on the road. No pictures for this post, I am too tired!

Flat Tire!

I was trying to ride the Dietrich bike trail on the way home last night and got a flat tire. I was about 7 miles into the ride (which I am guessing will be about 20 miles) when I got a flat, and of course the extra tube I had in my backpack was for my mountain bike. Beckie had to pick me up.

I fixed the tire and was ready to go today. About a block away from home, I got a second flat. I am taking my bike to Monkey Wrench today to see if there is something wrong with my tire, or the rim. I just hope they can fix it today so I can ride tonight.

Only 18 Miles this morning

I got up early to ride so I could beat the humidity... it was still pretty sticky out at 7:30 am. My goal was to keep my pace at 15 mph, that worked for the first 8 miles or so. Then I turned and headed east along Old Cheney Road... it is pretty much uphill from 14th to 70th street... so there I was content to keep a pace of about 10 mph.... at least I got 18 miles in.

Only 12 this time

Only 12 miles last night... but 6 of it was riding into a pretty serious headwind... so I don't feel too bad about it! Hopefully I can get out to ride around Branched Oak Lake this weekend. I will post more from that.

1st After Work Ride

So my plan is to take a long ride home from work 2-3 times a week. As some of you know, I already ride my bike to work almost every day (unless it rains, or snows, or is just too cold... then I take the bus), but I live only 2 miles from work. That doesn't make for a very good ride if I am trying to prepare for a century (100 mile) ride.

So I plan to take the long way home from work occasionally. I got on the Salt Creek trail just west of Haymarket Park and rode south to the Southwest High school area, and back home. The total was 20 miles. Here is the proof:

Here is a picture of me enjoying myself on the trail by Wilderness Park: