According to the W&OD map, the ride from where I get on the trail to where I know it is near my workplace is 13 miles. That doesn’t include the two miles it takes me to get to the trail in the first place nor the couple miles (I think) it should take me to get to the actual office. I’m only going to do it one way since I haven’t worked my endurance up quite that distance to do it forth and back. Lucky for me, my husband works at the same company as me in the same office building so he can have all my stuff waiting at the office for me as well as take me home in the evening. Who knows, maybe I’ll even ride it back. I think I’m going to try to see how far I can go tomorrow on that trail while also keeping in mind that I have to come back. We’ll see how far I get!
Holy Allergies, Batman! April 28, 2007
This past Wednesday I was side-swiped by a really bad case of seasonal allergies. I take Allegra 180 to keep my eczema at bay but it doesn’t seem to prevent me from getting really bad rhinitis. Wednesday it started off as slight throat irritation and slowly progressed into sneezing, congestion, a constant runny nose, and finally yesterday into coughing fits. We went out to eat last night and I could barely taste anything. It sucked!
Today I went to a Confident City Cycling class which is free from WABA and the Virginia Bicycling Federation. It was 3 hours and I thought it was too short! It flew by! There’s just so much to learn about cycling in general. I’ve been doing a ton of reading, mostly books from the local library and I still feel there’s so much more to know. I really liked it though and learned a lot especially about laws pertaining to cyclists, etc.
I did a 30-minute indoor ride on the neighborhood recumbent, stationery bike. Still getting a feel with the ‘new’ cycling shoes. I’m working on a steady cadence of around 90 RPM and working up quite a sweat. Tomorrow is suppose to be beautiful and I am going to ride!
April 28, 2007 – Confident City Cycling Class April 28, 2007
Washington Area Bicyclist Association, with the support of the DC Departments of Transportation and Recreation, and Arlington County in Virginia, presents a choice of six free classes in 2007 for cyclists 16 and over. Each class will be held for three hours on a Saturdays. Topics include:
- Rules of the Road: Knowing is half the battle! Did you know that you have to adhere to the same rules of the road as a car or truck does? Did you know that you have the same rights that the operator of a car or truck does? Well its true- you do! Our course offers some great tips and tricks for safely and legally using our roadways.
- Avoiding the Common Causes of Crashes: Believe it or not, most crashes are avoidable. Learn what to do if a car turns suddenly in front of you, if you have to stop suddenly, what to do to avoid the dreaded car door and much more!
- Lane Positioning: Do you ever feel like cars are passing you too closely or running you into the gutter? Learn proper lane positioning to encourage drivers to pass you at a safe distance. Also learn how to safely cross lanes of traffic in order to made turns or avoid obstacles in the road.
- Improving Pedaling Efficiency: Bicycling shouldn’t be backbreaking work! The bicycle is one of the most efficient inventions of all time- make the most of it! Learn how to shift gears in anticipation of a hill, achieve a good cadence, and minimize the wear and tear on your knees.
- Useful Accessory Equipment: We all know you need a helmet, but learn some other helpful and handy equipment to make your ride more enjoyable.
- Basic Bike Maintenance and Repair: Everyone who rides a bike should know some basic repair and maintenance skills. Learn how to change a flat tire and other emergency repair tips.
Acquired Some MTB Cycling Shoes & Road ID April 24, 2007
I found some women’s MTB cycling shoes on my local Craigslist in my size. She was selling the gently used shoes for $15. They are the Nike ACGs in dark green. I brought them home and tried them on the recumbent bike machine that my complex has. I have wide feet and they are a little snug in that regard but otherwise fit just fine. I figure for $15 I can use them for a while before needing to buy new ones. Maybe by then I’ll feel I deserve shoes that are nicer and a bit pricier.
I also put in an order for my own Ankle ID from Road ID. I hope I never have to use it but I figure for $20 it can’t hurt to have it.
Arlington & Alexandria Community Ride April 24, 2007
I just signed up!
GET READY TO RIDE!
Grab your family and friends and bring ‘em all out to Arlington & Alexandria Community Bike Ride on Sunday, June 3, 2007. This non-competitive riding event will give you a fun, first-hand view of some of the best trails, bike routes and facilities Arlington & Alexandria have to offer!
With two routes to choose from, a bike safety rodeo for kids, full service rest stops, valet bike parking, prizes and music at the finish line, it’s sure to be a fun-filled day!
When: Sunday, June 3 (rain or shine)
Starting Location: South 28th Street in Shirlington map>>
Start Time:
- Registration/Check-in – 7:00 am
- Community Ride (23 miles) – 8:00 am
- Family Ride (7 miles) – 8:30 am
Register:
Early Registration (ends 5/31) register now!>>
- $15 per adult
- $30 per family
Day of Registration
- $20 per adult (cash only)
- $40 per family (cash only)
Children 13 and under are free!
Join the Washington Area Bicyclist Association by 5/31 and get your ride registration for free! (In person the day of the Ride $20, cash only)
All participants will receive a commemorative bike bell!
Don’t have a bike? No problem! Just reserve a bike rental from Bike the Sites at 202-842-BIKE. They’ll bring your bicycle and helmet rental to the ride start area! Mention this ride for a discount. Learn more>>
Get Ready for the Ride with a CONFIDENT CITY CYCLING CLASS!
Take a free class to learn how to ride safely when you’re cycling in an urban environment. Learn more>>
CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE:
FAMILY RIDE: (7-mile loop)
Less experienced riders and families will enjoy this ride along popular Community trails like the W&OD, Mt. Vernon and Four Mile Run. Don’t worry, these trails are flat!
COMMUNITY RIDE: (23-mile loop)
More experienced riders will love this route, with on-street bike lanes in several neighborhoods as well as scenic trails like the W&OD, Custis, Four Mile Run and Mount Vernon- into historic Old Town Alexandria.
Rest stops at Bluemont Park, Rosslyn, Crystal City and Alexandria will be stocked with water, refreshments and restrooms and will provide basic mechanical assistance.
MORE FUN AT THE FINISH
FREE BIKE VALET
After the Ride check your bike safely with us as you enjoy Shirlington’s wonderful variety of restaurants and specialty shops!
KIDS’ BICYCLE SAFETY RODEO
Children will love this fun set of courses designed to improve their bike-handling skills. The Rodeo will take place from 10 am to noon at the starting area. It’s free and open to all kids up to 12.
PRIZES
Lucky winners will be chosen at random after the Ride for additional bike and gear prizes to show our appreciation for your participation in the Community Bike Ride.
MUSIC
After you roll across the finish line, get ready to jam to live music!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
To help make this event a success, please contact Henry Mesias at Henry@waba.org or by calling the WABA office at 202.518.0524.
Broke in the New Bike April 23, 2007
14 miles on the trail today on the new bike!! It was wonderful but I’m going to be sore the next few days. I’ve also discovered a new aspect of cycling outside . . . bugs in your mouth.
Oh and I didn’t lose my heart rate monitor. The people at the gym didn’t even notice it. The RPM class I attended was dark and the case for the monitor is black. If I didn’t know where it should have been I would never have been able to find it. Now to upgrade?
I’m a Hokie April 19, 2007
I’m a Hokie (I graduated in 2004, my brother in 2003, and my husband in 2000) and as for all the other Hokies around the world and everyone else with half a heart it has been a very trying week. I brought my gym clothes to work on Monday but didn’t make it to the gym until today. It has been really tough. I picked up my new bike on Tuesday in hopes that I would feel better. It’s been a good distraction but I still haven’t ridden it yet. Tomorrow should be nice out so I hope to get some riding in before going to Boston this weekend. I really wish we weren’t going out of town this weekend. Emotionally, I’m not sure that I’m ready. I’ve worked the past two days from home. I really needed yesterday but today I decided to stay home since most of my coworkers were elsewhere today anyway. I’ve stayed away from the coverage the past few days which really helps. I have a lot of unshed tears behind my eyes that threaten to come out while reading about the victims. Here they come again . . . I’ve never been so proud to be a Hokie. I’ve been wearing my Tech gear all week and can’t wait to proudly wear it to work tomorrow. God Bless the Hokies and all the Hokies at heart!
Lost My Heart Rate Monitor?! April 12, 2007
Being an engineer, I’m kinda into numbers. I bought my heart rate monitor cheaply from a local Circuit City about a year ago and that thing has served me well. I really started getting annoyed with keeping my hands on those little metal sensors on the machines. I have been going to the gym on my train ride commute so I have to make sure that I have everything with me that I’ll need at the gym.
I realized yesterday while already dressed to work out and raring to go that I was without my heart monitor. I figured it was in one of my other bags in the car. Disappointed, I got my workout in anyway. It didn’t occur to me till last night that I left my heart rate monitor at another local gym that I visit on Monday evening. I had taken their RPM class that evening in which they turn out all the lights in the studio but blacklights. In the darkness, I forgot to pick my heart rate monitor off the floor along with my bag. I called them this morning and no one had turned it in yet. Someone at the gym was suppose to look in the studio for me and call me back if she found it. Thus far, no call. I doubt she’s even still working today. My only hope is to go there today and see for myself whether or not it’s there. Sighh, I hope I’ll find it forlornly on the floor next to the bike I rode that night. Maybe someone will turn it in for me. I have faith in my fellow man, right?
How it All Began . . . April 11, 2007
. . . a trip to my local REI did me in. I paid a visit for something fairly inconsequential and left with a sudden need to retrieve my bike from storage at the last place I lived almost a year ago. I remembered, “Wait, I DO have a bike!” Never mind that I had almost let the complex have my bike . The last time I rode was a short and painful experience in which I tried unsuccessfully to make it up a hill only to have to come back down and make the trip home where I barely locked my bike up before almost being overcome by nausea. It was a good attempt but now I know I was not really prepared for such a hill. Growing up in a fairly flat area it was very difficult having to adjust to hilly areas when it came to outdoor things like rollerblading and cycling; things that I use to enjoy when I was younger.
A visit to my orthopedic doctor, Dr. Branche, earlier in the year confirmed what I had suspected: that I do indeed have arthritis in my knees even though I’m only in my late twenties. Even the doctor said: “I hate seeing patients as young as you with arthritis. At least if you are in your 50s with arthritis you’ve earned it.” I was a victim of genetics. I’ve always had knee/leg problems growing up, mostly they just hurt and I guess that it eventually caught up with me.
I underwent physical therapy with the lovely people of INOVA Physical Therapy where I learned that running and other high-impact activities were out of the question for me. How was I then to lose the 10 lbs I regained after the wedding and the holidays if I couldn’t run or do the elliptical? Frustration and rebellion kicked in. Water exercises are always mentioned for arthritis sufferers but it was the dead of winter. The neighborhood pool doesn’t open until May.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of cycling sooner. I’d pretty much been doing that at the gym since being diagnosed, along with weight training. The weather was beautiful the day I went to the REI. That’s when I became obsessed with learning more about cycling. I rescued my bike from its dusty depths and let it see sunshine again. I haven’t yet rode on it because of the winter-like temperatures and have mostly been logging my miles at spinning classes or on stationery bikes. I’m pining for warmer/sunnier days like everyone else. I bought a helmet yesterday. I’m ready to go . . . well, I do need to change my rear brake pads first. The first beautiful day and I am on the road!
I’m really motivated and I love how exhausted yet empowered I feel after a class or a good half-hour ride. I’m going to try for 45 minutes today . . . indoors for now. Sigh.
