Riding in Fog : 14 October, 2008

This morning was one of my normal reverse loops (New Galena to Sellersville Road to Township Line Road to Hilltown Pike) and the weather was pretty close to as perfect as one could expect for this time of the year, sans the fog. It was about 11°C so I knew that while I'd sweat, the temperature was cool enough that I wouldn't be drenched. Again, this was sans the obnoxious fog with which I had to contend. Which brings me to the point of this brief post.

Riding in fog, whilst very beautiful and quite cooling/soothing upon ones exposed extremities, does indeed pose a safety risk. I happen to be fortunate that those in my area are seemingly cautious, as I myself also espouse to be. The most peculiar thing about today's fog was that it was so thick in the valleys/dips in the road, of which there are many, particularly where New Galena approaches Barry Road heading towards Sellersville Rd. Sellersville Road dips down low, and most of all Township Line Road which seems to have several pockets that just attract a considerable amount of the low-laying vapours.

I didn't realise though, through how much fog I actually rode until I finally completed my morning running. I first noticed on my ipod shuffle, which appeared to be sweating (which obviously wasn't the case). I then realised that my bucksbicycling.com royal blue hooded pullover was harbouring what seemed like a million beads of water, much akin to an intricate spider web after a spring shower. I think I need a rain pullover for days like this, but one that is breathable nonetheless.

I do wish to also mention that for the first time (while riding), I ran across another cyclist as she was riding what I believe to be a shorter loop which hits both New Galena and Township Line Road. She was helmeted, but thankfully I don't believe she was wearing any bicycling specific attire, the way it used to be, and the way it is in so many modern nations. If you're riding over 50 km, or in a race, I can understand special attire but as someone who travels 32 km in jeans and a variety of shirts (sweatshirt, golf shirt, t-shirt), I can attest that normal clothing works fine for both my Hybrid and my Road bike with drops.

Either way, if you are the woman who was riding that route in Central Bucks on both New Galena Road and Township Line Road this morning and saw another cyclist on an older road bicycle with drops wearing a blue sweatshirt (in the fog) who nodded back to you both times, please respond here as it'd be nice to chat with other local solo riders in our rural area.

140 Revolutions Per Minute

Today was a new personal best top speed. I rode the full Hilltown Pike to Route 152 to New Galena to Hilltown Pike route (H152NGH). The climb is getting far easier as I found myself not shifting into easier gears as early as before (if at all). I'm also starting to really feel it in my calf muscles. Back to top speed. Of course this is talking a downhill speed, one during which I've assumed the position on the bottom of the drops and pedal furiously while still remaining seated (as it has been suggested for better development of overall strength.

I hit 68.2 km/h .. That's a little over 42 mph for those of you still using outdated imperial units of measure only utilised by America and two other third world nations. My Previous best was a whole 10+ km/h less. The really scary part about this was the RPM at which I was cranking. 140 RPMS as I've figured out from doing the math based on my crank arm length, front gearing (52 big), and rear gearing (14 smallest) for this particular bicycle. Even more so insane is that it translates to 2.86 gear metres (112.6 gear inches). Obviously not optimal for actual shape and training, but still an interesting personal statistic.

I do believe that I've developed a slight wobble in the rear wheel and will have to break out the spoke wrench as well as check tyre pressures and upon doing so may be able to achieve even better results.

Daily Ride Update

This morning I went out for my daily exercise ride and quite frankly, I feel great. I started these daily rides on my road bicycle since I rebuilt it. Today was no different with the exception that I had to tighten the nut (not quick release) on the dérailleur side because the wheel was cocked up toward the frame. A simple flick of a ratchet and all was true.

My exercise schedule has been as such:

Monday: Ride 8.1 km up Hilltown Pike to Township Line Road to Sellersville Road to New Galena and back to Hilltown Pike. During lunch time work with free weights (2.25 kg dumbbells).
- 3 sets of 10 Forward Arm Raises
- 3 sets of 10 Triceps Curls
- 3 sets of 10 Dumbbell Squats
- 3 sets of 10 Lateral Raises
- 2 sets of 20 Full Stomach Crunches

Tuesday: Ride 8.1 km up Hilltown Pike to New Galena Road, to Sellerville Road to Township Line Road to Hilltown Pike.

Wednesday: Ride 12.3 km up Hilltown Pike (big 77 m altitude change over the first 2.83 km) to Limekiln Pike (Route 152) to New Galena to Hilltown Pike. During lunch time work with free weights (2.25 kg dumbbells).
- 3 sets of 10 Forward Arm Raises
- 3 sets of 10 Triceps Curls
- 3 sets of 10 Dumbbell Squats
- 3 sets of 10 Lateral Raises
- 2 sets of 20 Full Stomach Crunches

Thursday: Ride 8.1 km up Hilltown Pike to Township Line Road to Sellersville Road to New Galena and back to Hilltown Pike.

Friday: Ride 8.1 km up Hilltown Pike to New Galena Road, to Sellerville Road to Township Line Road to Hilltown Pike. During lunch time work with free weights (2.25 kg dumbbells).
- 3 sets of 10 Forward Arm Raises
- 3 sets of 10 Triceps Curls
- 3 sets of 10 Dumbbell Squats
- 3 sets of 10 Lateral Raises
- 2 sets of 20 Full Stomach Crunches

After each ride, I weigh myself via my Wii Fit (nice digital scale with record keeping). I also track in a spreadsheet the distance, time, average speed and maximum speed along with any weight changes.

Saturday: Time permitting, I ride 32 km on my 2007 Schwinn Voyageur GS hybrid to my in-laws for our weekly get together.

Next week, I will be starting (also on Monday, Wednesday & Friday) the 100 pushup program.

So far with the above training regimen, I have lost 3.5 kg in a couple of weeks. I've made some slight dietary changes to go along with my exercise as suggested by Eric Harr in his book "Ride Fast". I stopped drinking sodas except infrequently. I limited food intake after 21:00, I cut back my portions and ultimately started drinking water with 3 slices of fresh lemon in lieu of other beverages containing more sugars. My food otherwise has been healthy as I generally cook fresh meals for myself and my family every night. Last night was a bad night because it was breaded chicken strips, but prior to that it was 200 g portions of filet mignon. We eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits (which I might add I usually pickup at the grocers on my hybrid rather than my auto).