Today was the day Judy and I were going to try to do 50 miles for the first time this year at the Metro Grand. How did we do? Well, first of all, it ended up to be 47 miles for us since this year we didn't lose the car. By the time we started, the temperature was in the mid 50's and we had bright sun. For once I was humble enough to take what I thought would be too many clothes. I wore everything: tights, long sleeve shirt, jersey, and jacket. It's hard to believe that 60 degrees is so chilly so soon after winter.
The news of the day was the wind. SW Michigan is flat and it gets flatter the closer you get to Ohio. We biked within sight of the Fermi plant cooling towers, so we were pretty far south. When it's flat and you are in farm land, there is nothing to block the wind. The forecast called for 10 mph winds. It was 18-20 mph and from the east. This meant that the first 13 miles we rode against the wind. We were crawling: 10, 11 mph. We were praying for hills, anything to block the wind. We did have the wind at our backs later for 9 miles which was nice, but we were dog tired. We have a lot of work to do to be ready for the PALM.
One thing we were able to practice was crossing railroad tracks. We crossed about 10 sets: good, bad, and very bad. One set had bolts sticking over an inch above the tie. They looked like they could tear the tires off of trucks. You are supposed to cross railroad tracks at a 90 degree angle. That keeps your wheel from getting caught in the gap next to the rail. Frequently used rails are slippery especially if wet or greasy. You can easily fall. One of our good friends broke her hip carefully crossing railroad tracks. If that isn't enough there are the trains themselves. One innocent set of tracks in the middle of the park today had an oncoming train. We took no chances and walked a lot of the tracks.
3 comments:
Doug and I rode with AABTS on the Dexter Breakfast ride on Saturday and fought the same wind. We rode out around Cavanaugh Lake for the first time - about 50mi round-trip back to Ann Arbor. I was in my lowest gear a good part of the way back. Then we rode the border-to-border trail to Ypsi Depot town on Sunday - another very windy day. I feel more invincible the more adverse conditions I conquer, though! Rain, wind, hills - bring it on!
If you need to cancel from PALM and would like 100% of your money back right away, please send me an e-mail. I'd like to buy your spot(s) from you. Plus your meals and possibly your bus ride (to and from A2.)
Thank you, state_bird@hotmail.com
Today was also my first 50 mile ride of the 2007 season. I did the MSU Farm Daze Tour in Lansing. The day was dreary, and sprinkling alittle off and on during the ride. The route also had hills and of course some head winds. Overall the ride went well..I ended up averaging 14.5 mph not too bad for a early season ride. I still need to do more training to better ready for winds and hills. 3 weeks to the West Michigan MS 150 and 5 weeks til PALM!!!
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