Sunday Stonehouse Ride

Good turnout today for a Sunday ride out of Stonehouse Country Club parking lot. Today's ride was a bit on the shorter side at just over 2 hours. Intensity wasn't too bad but the last hill always is considered as the sprint zone.

About an hour or so after returning home my wife talked me into an hour spin class at Ironbound gym. The spin class was quite a bit harder than I expected as I already had tired muscles from today's and yesterday's rides. I've never been to a spin class before and it is almost totally different than riding on the road. On the road, especially this time of year, you're doing certainly extended efforts at a given power whereas in the spon class we were essentially doing very short intervals, and it was generally uncomfortable. I do see a benefit, though, as it requires nearly instant recovery as you must react to drastic changes in what you're doing.

Here are a few pics from today's ride:

Saturday Bike Beat Shop Ride

Some of the local riders join a ride out of Bike Beat in Williamsburg, VA. Ride is normally just under a couple hours or so. Sometimes that pace is pretty solid. A good example is yesterday.We had one of the stronger riders in the area, Justin Raynes, with us. He's prepping for a near-term race so was pushing some high-intensity stuff. That actually felt good right up to the point when it didn't. I've been concentrating or really nothing but Zone 2 base since mid December with no interval work at all. That should start very soon in March (to some extent). Anyway, my fitness is returning although I have a long way to go. Prior to August 2009 I was off the bike for over 10 years - I say 10 years as it really is longer that than but if I actually say how long that is, I'll feel older than I already do. Here's a pic on the way to the ride:


Here are some pics of the old LeMond Zurich I've been riding along with one of the new frame, a Garneau Sonix 6.4. I plan to get that built up today and get on it tomorrow for the first time.