The Old Bike Comes in Handy...

With gas over $4/gallon, I'm going to start commuting to work by bike. Good thing I kept my old mountain bike. Starting this week, I plan on riding to work once or twice each week. The ride is just over 9 miles each way, so I should be able to save on gas, reduce my carbon production, and help get myself into better shape. I've been trail riding two to three times a week for the past month, so I'm not starting from zero, but the added 18 mile rides should be a big help to my cardio fitness.

I know that I started the post by referencing the price of gas, and therefore placing the emphasis of this post on saving money. However, I think the more pressing issue at hand is that we need better energy sources. There's a lot of research and development going on right now, but we still have a long way to go. I know I'm partial to Honda since I own a Civic, but their hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the FCX, looks very promising. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that all goes well and they'll be mass-market in the next few years. But, until then, I'll ride my bike as much as possible.

Bring on the heat!

The weather is getting warmer and my muscles are aching to feel the lactic burn from climbing hills again. And with all of the traveling I've been doing for work lately, my stress levels have been high and I need to vent my frustrations. So, here's hoping for warmer weather and dryer trails!



To remind us what Summer looks like, I'll leave you with a picture of Dennis and I from last years Canada trip! Too bad I won't get to go this year :(

Been a while...

... since I've been able to ride a trail. I've been down because of the crappy weather here in Michigan, but it's been even worse this year than it usually is because of my longing to be on the trail. Well, there's hope of getting back at it soon. The weather has taken a turn for the better and the snow is starting to melt off. My eagerness is welling up and I can barely contain it.

Plus, I'm getting my new bike today! Tammy has her new bike and now I'll have mine. As soon as the trails are open and relatively dry, We're there!

Oktoberfest 2007 Bike Race

Take a look at the Bike Race Pictures. The only thing you can't see in the pictures is how friggin' cold it was that day.

Hanging up the bike for the season...

So, it's been a while since my last post. I've been busy with work and I haven't been riding much. And now that it's getting cold, the rides will be fewer and farther in between. As a matter of fact, I may have ridden for the last time this past weekend. George hosted his annual Oktoberfest party and Bike Race and despite the cold and rainy conditions, it was a blast. I finished with a time of 10:15 for his mostly flat 1.75 mile loop. If the weather holds Saturday, I'm going to try and ride Cannonsburg and take a look at the new skills area.

In order to stay fit over the Winter, I'm planning on taking a Spinning class three days a week. I'm hoping to be in better shape at the beginning of this coming season than I was at the end of this past season. If that's the case, maybe I'll ride a race or two next season, just for fun.

But, for now I'll be depressed that I won't be able to get on a trail. Funny thing is, I've already started to plan the next trip to Crested Butte!

Recovery

So I've recovered from my drunken stupor that was the Canada Trip just to end up drinking more now that I can get Fat Tire and the other New Belgium brews here in St. Louis.

I've been here for a little more than a week now and I've been down pretty much the whole time. That is until I got news today that an acquaintance from on of the Mountain Biking boards I frequent has offered to let me ride his Niner Air9. This is what I love about mountain biking. Where else can you find people kind enough to lend their own bikes so that someone they've never met before has a chance to ride one of the local trails. Friendliness and generosity are what make this such a great sport. Thanks John, I really need to hit the trail!

Going to Canada

Tammy and I rode for the last time yesterday before I leave for Canada. It was a pretty uneventful ride. Tammy is learning how to ride with her new clipless pedals and I'm just trying to improve my time, which I did. My best time is now 39:40, a 15-second improvement over my previous best. I won't be able to ride again until next Friday when I get back from Canada and then on that Sunday I get to head to St. Louis. But, that's for another post.

Canada should be fun. I get to live off the grid for a week with no distractions other than the fish biting at my lures and Dennis acting a fool. I know that I won't be able to strictly follow my diet, but how often do you get a chance to sit in a boat, fish, and drink beer all day for a week straight? Once a year, so I might as well enjoy it.