Thursday, September 29, 2011
Mission: Greensboro
Took a trip to Greensboro today for a ride. Spent about an hour riding along the Greenway leading from Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, then looped back into the GCNMP and rode 8 laps around the visitors center side of the loop, and 1 lap around the main park road. I felt like I made good time and my pace seemed faster than normal for most of it, but there were several BIG hills which reduced my overall pace and average speed. Totalled out at 14.12 miles, which was a little shorter than I'd hoped for...but now I know the terrain and what to expect, I can head back out there next week for a longer ride.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Another day, another ride...now with media coverage!
Took a nice afternoon ride today around Whitsett. Logged 14+ miles in 1 hour and 10 minutes. My pace is picking up a bit and I'm feeling a lot better about the upcoming event. Got home and found out that article I was interviewed for the other day had showed up on the newspaper's website. If you want to read it, it can be found at http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/burlington-48165-takes-officers.html
I plan on making a ride through Greensboro tomorrow before heading to school...hoping I can push 20 miles out at least...
I plan on making a ride through Greensboro tomorrow before heading to school...hoping I can push 20 miles out at least...
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Trial Run Completed!
Well, due to yesterday's horribly rainy weather I had to postpone my planned 'trial run' at New River State Park. I got up early this morning and headed out for Virginia. Got on the trail about 7:30am and logged a 31.89 mile ride. It was muddy and rainy, and very slow going at times. I only averaged about 10 mph and my total ride time was a little under 3 hours...took a short break at the halfway mark so I could eat a snack, which put the total trip time at 3:16 minutes.
All in all it wasn't too bad, the mud and uneven terrain caused by the rain storms really made it frustrating at times, and my back and legs are killing me as a result, but at least I can say I did a full metric half-century ride today. Actually, a little more...0.89 miles to be exact.
Still having problems with my GPS logger, it didn't track the first part of the ride and then the iPhone battery died about 1 mile from the finish. I had to go in and use the mapping feature on the iMapMyRide website to re-draw my route. Fortunately it was fairly easy to do, since the trail is nice visible on the overhead, as were my starting location and my turn-around point. Glad I used landmarks for those, otherwise my distance would have been way off. As it stands, my logged distance isn't off by more than .1 mile, and I think I logged it on the short side at that.
Looking forward to the next week, going to try and do some 15-20 mile rides around the area to keep up my momentum. And I'm planning on heading out Wednesday to a bunch of local businesses to ask them for donations to help my fundraising efforts.
All in all it wasn't too bad, the mud and uneven terrain caused by the rain storms really made it frustrating at times, and my back and legs are killing me as a result, but at least I can say I did a full metric half-century ride today. Actually, a little more...0.89 miles to be exact.
Still having problems with my GPS logger, it didn't track the first part of the ride and then the iPhone battery died about 1 mile from the finish. I had to go in and use the mapping feature on the iMapMyRide website to re-draw my route. Fortunately it was fairly easy to do, since the trail is nice visible on the overhead, as were my starting location and my turn-around point. Glad I used landmarks for those, otherwise my distance would have been way off. As it stands, my logged distance isn't off by more than .1 mile, and I think I logged it on the short side at that.
Looking forward to the next week, going to try and do some 15-20 mile rides around the area to keep up my momentum. And I'm planning on heading out Wednesday to a bunch of local businesses to ask them for donations to help my fundraising efforts.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Rain, Rain...
Well...the rain apparently is here to stay, so biking outside will be off the list tonight. Fortunately, our A/C was fixed yesterday so it is much more comfortable to work out on the CycleOps trainer here at the house. Did a little yesterday before heading out to school, planning on an hour or so later this evening as well. Hopefully the rain will move out of the area by Friday so I can still make my full-length ride as scheduled.
On the Fundraising front, I've hit 33% of my goal...everyone get out there and help me break through this barrier and get to 100%! Please!
On the Fundraising front, I've hit 33% of my goal...everyone get out there and help me break through this barrier and get to 100%! Please!
Monday, September 19, 2011
2 Posts in 1 Day...Wow!
Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the internet, a second blog post arrives! Ha!
Got out on the road this evening and logged a nice long ride. My GPS tracking program got all fubar on me so I had to manually go in and re-drawn my route on the map. I erred on the side of caution, or rather underestimated my distance, as I couldn't quite remember the serpentine route I took through one of the neighborhoods...I think I left off about a 1/2 mile in there somewhere. But regardless, I rode at least 14.19 miles in 1 hour and 10 minutes. This included some hellacious hills on the backroads of Whitsett.
I learned a valuable lesson though, always drive your route before you go off and ride it on a bike...had I know those monster hills were there I would have gone a different route. I think I made good time considering the extremely slow pace I had on those hills, (I probably could have walked them faster but I stuck it out and stayed on the seat peddling my arse off!) and it still put me in line to do the 31 miler in around 2 to 2.5 hours.
Got out on the road this evening and logged a nice long ride. My GPS tracking program got all fubar on me so I had to manually go in and re-drawn my route on the map. I erred on the side of caution, or rather underestimated my distance, as I couldn't quite remember the serpentine route I took through one of the neighborhoods...I think I left off about a 1/2 mile in there somewhere. But regardless, I rode at least 14.19 miles in 1 hour and 10 minutes. This included some hellacious hills on the backroads of Whitsett.
I learned a valuable lesson though, always drive your route before you go off and ride it on a bike...had I know those monster hills were there I would have gone a different route. I think I made good time considering the extremely slow pace I had on those hills, (I probably could have walked them faster but I stuck it out and stayed on the seat peddling my arse off!) and it still put me in line to do the 31 miler in around 2 to 2.5 hours.
1/3 of the Way and 27 Days to go...
I've now reached 33% of my fundraising goal for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and there are 27 Days left before I head to Washington DC for the Ride & Run to Remember.
I've been working some non-bike activities into my busy schedule this week to help diversify my training. I'm still trying to get some cycle time in each day, whether it be in the house on the CycleOps trainer or out on the roadway. Friday I'm planning another trip up to Virginia to ride along the New River...hoping to do at least 31 miles that day to see what type of time I can turn in advance of the big day on October 16th. Also planning a couple's ride for next Sunday in Greensboro along the greenway there.
If anyone wants to help with my fundraising, you can head over to http://support.nleomf.org/goto/rahenderson
I've been working some non-bike activities into my busy schedule this week to help diversify my training. I'm still trying to get some cycle time in each day, whether it be in the house on the CycleOps trainer or out on the roadway. Friday I'm planning another trip up to Virginia to ride along the New River...hoping to do at least 31 miles that day to see what type of time I can turn in advance of the big day on October 16th. Also planning a couple's ride for next Sunday in Greensboro along the greenway there.
If anyone wants to help with my fundraising, you can head over to http://support.nleomf.org/goto/rahenderson
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Hump Day!
It's been a long week...I've been in Field Training Officer School all week at work. Added on top of all my regular school work for Guilford College, I'm feeling a little slammed. So I did what any logical person would do when faced with a ton of paperwork...I procrastinated and took a bike ride!
Got out and did a 8.8 mile ride around the Rock Creek area in Whitsett. It was pretty nice, although the weather today was a little warmer than it has been. Kept up a good pace, continuing at my average of around 12mph...I'm hoping the terrain around DC will be a little more even so I can boost that speed a little to complete the ride in a little less than 2 hours. The ups and downs of the severe hills around here are starting to wear me down a bit. I'm hoping I'll get to do some riding this weekend somewhere a little flatter if all goes well.
Got out and did a 8.8 mile ride around the Rock Creek area in Whitsett. It was pretty nice, although the weather today was a little warmer than it has been. Kept up a good pace, continuing at my average of around 12mph...I'm hoping the terrain around DC will be a little more even so I can boost that speed a little to complete the ride in a little less than 2 hours. The ups and downs of the severe hills around here are starting to wear me down a bit. I'm hoping I'll get to do some riding this weekend somewhere a little flatter if all goes well.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
New River Trail
Got up bright and early yesterday and headed out to the area near Galax, Virgina for a ride along the New River Trail with Cami. We got in a nice 12.65 mile ride along the reclaimed railroad line that weaves along the side of the New River. The weather was perfect and the ride was very pleasant. Cami is new to biking so our pace was a little easier, but we averaged an 8 minute mile which isn't too shabby for her first major outing at high altitude.
I plan on heading back there in the next few weeks for a solo ride...I'd like to do a 31 mile trek before the big event just to see how it goes time-wise on a trail like this.
On the fundraising front, I've broken the $100 mark and I'm now a little over 1/5th of the way to my goal! Please continue to support my efforts and the NLEOMF.
I plan on heading back there in the next few weeks for a solo ride...I'd like to do a 31 mile trek before the big event just to see how it goes time-wise on a trail like this.
On the fundraising front, I've broken the $100 mark and I'm now a little over 1/5th of the way to my goal! Please continue to support my efforts and the NLEOMF.
Friday, September 09, 2011
On the Road Again.
Got back on the road today. Having been confined to indoor training on the Cycle Ops Trainer the last few days, I made the push to get back out on the road today and logged a pretty nice ride here in Whitsett.
Started out strong with some nice big hills and then worked my way across US 70 into the back side of Brightwood Farms. Road some of the new areas under construction and was enjoying myself thoroughly...right up until I reached for my water bottle and realized it was still sitting on the counter at the house. Yikes! So I slowed my pace a little and took a short detour by my friend Alex's front porch to take a swig out of his outside faucet (hope you don't mind buddy, no one was home and the hose was all hooked up and calling out to me!). Finished out with a nice hard ride down a 3/4 mile stretch of graded gravel and back into my neighborhood for a few final hills.
You can check out the ride by heading over to my facebook page or heading over to my profile on mapmyride.com
On a somewhat more serious note, fundraising has stalled out at a measly 18% of my overall goal. I know that there are people out there that want to help out this worthy cause, so spread the word and help me meet my goal! If everyone I ask were to give only $1 it would far exceed my overall goal and help out the NLEOM a whole lot.
Tomorrow I'm planning a leisure ride with Cami up in Galax at the Shot Tower park...should be real nice with the forecast calling for low 70's and clear skies.
Day: 10
Distance: 7.9 miles
Pace: 12.2mi/h
Started out strong with some nice big hills and then worked my way across US 70 into the back side of Brightwood Farms. Road some of the new areas under construction and was enjoying myself thoroughly...right up until I reached for my water bottle and realized it was still sitting on the counter at the house. Yikes! So I slowed my pace a little and took a short detour by my friend Alex's front porch to take a swig out of his outside faucet (hope you don't mind buddy, no one was home and the hose was all hooked up and calling out to me!). Finished out with a nice hard ride down a 3/4 mile stretch of graded gravel and back into my neighborhood for a few final hills.
You can check out the ride by heading over to my facebook page or heading over to my profile on mapmyride.com
On a somewhat more serious note, fundraising has stalled out at a measly 18% of my overall goal. I know that there are people out there that want to help out this worthy cause, so spread the word and help me meet my goal! If everyone I ask were to give only $1 it would far exceed my overall goal and help out the NLEOM a whole lot.
Tomorrow I'm planning a leisure ride with Cami up in Galax at the Shot Tower park...should be real nice with the forecast calling for low 70's and clear skies.
Day: 10
Distance: 7.9 miles
Pace: 12.2mi/h
Monday, September 05, 2011
The First Bump in the Road...
Like every great quest, there always seems to be a bump or two in the road. Hopefully I've just had mine and can begin moving past it in the morning.
On Thursday afternoon I lost my Maw Maw, Myrtle Fowler. She was my last remaining grandparent and I've spent the last few days dealing with the funeral and trying to find a way to deal with my grief. She was a big part of why I went into law enforcement, all those westerns and Andy Griffith always on the tv at her house, and she had a profound effect on my work ethic and sense of responsibility to those around me. I miss her very much, and while the Ride & Run to Remember is dedicated to those who serve and have given their lives behind the badge, I know I will also be riding in her memory...she was and always will serve as an inspiration to me in dark times and her memory will be the fuel which powers my progress.
Tomorrow I begin again, on so many levels, and my pre-ride preparations will continue. If the weather holds out I'll log a 10-15 mile ride somewhere during the day...if it doesn't I'll log an hour on the cycle ops trainer in the living room.
Thanks to everyone who has shown their support so far!
On Thursday afternoon I lost my Maw Maw, Myrtle Fowler. She was my last remaining grandparent and I've spent the last few days dealing with the funeral and trying to find a way to deal with my grief. She was a big part of why I went into law enforcement, all those westerns and Andy Griffith always on the tv at her house, and she had a profound effect on my work ethic and sense of responsibility to those around me. I miss her very much, and while the Ride & Run to Remember is dedicated to those who serve and have given their lives behind the badge, I know I will also be riding in her memory...she was and always will serve as an inspiration to me in dark times and her memory will be the fuel which powers my progress.
Tomorrow I begin again, on so many levels, and my pre-ride preparations will continue. If the weather holds out I'll log a 10-15 mile ride somewhere during the day...if it doesn't I'll log an hour on the cycle ops trainer in the living room.
Thanks to everyone who has shown their support so far!
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Day 2
Logged my first Official Workout today. I'm going to be using the iMapMyRide app on my iPhone to track my rides. It's quite nice, because it uses the GPS on my phone to track my location and creates a map which shows my elevation and average pace, along with calories burned and some other useful things. I'll be posting my rides as I complete them on Facebook and giving a brief overview of them here.
I started out slow and went out into my neighborhood. Working my way towards the back along the rather large uphill climb, I decided to try altering my terrain a little and took the long gravel road which leads out of the back of my neighborhood back to the highway. I'd forgotten how hard riding on gravel can be, especially going uphill. But I think it was good for me, since I don't know what sort of terrain I'll be covering during the actual event in October.
I then moved up the highway and across into a large neighborhood across the way. Lots of switchbacks and extended grades, both up and down. I tried not to push myself on speed and spent 99% of the ride sitting on the seat letting the gears do most of the work. I then worked my way back out to the highway and rode the last stretch back into my neighborhod, where I did one last uphill push and then looped back around towards the house.
I consumed a 20 oz bottle of water on the ride, then had another bottle when I got inside. While the temperature was only 79 degrees outside during the ride, it felt a lot hotter. Hydration is the key.
On a lighter note, I have determined that I need to wear my padded bike shorts even for these shorter rides. I will need to buy another pair before the big event for sure, along with some new padded gloves.
I logged 5.96 miles, which is just shy of 1/5th of the total distance for the event. Not too bad for the first week, if I ride at this pace I will complete the event in about 2.5 hours. Here's hoping I can build up not only my endurance over the next month, but also my pace...it'd be nice to finish in under 2 hours.
Day: 2
Distance: 5.96 miles
Pace: 12.4mi/h 4:50min/mi
I started out slow and went out into my neighborhood. Working my way towards the back along the rather large uphill climb, I decided to try altering my terrain a little and took the long gravel road which leads out of the back of my neighborhood back to the highway. I'd forgotten how hard riding on gravel can be, especially going uphill. But I think it was good for me, since I don't know what sort of terrain I'll be covering during the actual event in October.
I then moved up the highway and across into a large neighborhood across the way. Lots of switchbacks and extended grades, both up and down. I tried not to push myself on speed and spent 99% of the ride sitting on the seat letting the gears do most of the work. I then worked my way back out to the highway and rode the last stretch back into my neighborhod, where I did one last uphill push and then looped back around towards the house.
I consumed a 20 oz bottle of water on the ride, then had another bottle when I got inside. While the temperature was only 79 degrees outside during the ride, it felt a lot hotter. Hydration is the key.
On a lighter note, I have determined that I need to wear my padded bike shorts even for these shorter rides. I will need to buy another pair before the big event for sure, along with some new padded gloves.
I logged 5.96 miles, which is just shy of 1/5th of the total distance for the event. Not too bad for the first week, if I ride at this pace I will complete the event in about 2.5 hours. Here's hoping I can build up not only my endurance over the next month, but also my pace...it'd be nice to finish in under 2 hours.
Day: 2
Distance: 5.96 miles
Pace: 12.4mi/h 4:50min/mi
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