Hundred-mile week

I just added up the numbers, after tonight's 18.7-mile ride, and realized that in the last 7 days, I've put on 115 miles. And that pleases me somehow. It's only April, and I'm already getting out regularly despite work (actually, partially because of it and commuting) and getting stronger. That's all. It's going to be a good summer.

Another commute

Today promised to be more comfortable, with seasonable temperatures and winds diminishing by afternoon. The tailwind was nice in the morning, as I cut 5 minutes off yesterday's time. Unfortunately, that wind never diminished as advertised. Going home, I was headed WNW into a WNW wind that was consistently 15-20 mph, and the temp was about 60ish. Kinda cool with that wind for a t-shirt and shorts, and it was good to get home and into a warm house. I was on the small front ring most of the way home, averaging only about 13mph for the return trip. Tomorrow is supposed to be only in the mid-30s in the morning, and not getting much above 60, but with lighter winds. I think I'm going to skip it. I've got the routine down pat now, and as better opportunities arise in the weeks to come, it will be easy enough to get going again. Time for a rest day.

Ride, ride, ride!

Finished up some yard work on Sunday, then got out for a ride. Wanted to climb Grant Hill Road in Guilderland, not a big climb, but a good test of early season fitness. It was about in the middle of a 20-mile ride, with some other hills thrown in, a real change from a lot of riverside riding like I did last year. The gears seem good, and shift smoothly between front chainrings, despite the mix-and-match approach. A good day, leaving me ready for more.

Biked to work today, for the first time this season. Early morning temps around low 50s, and traffic seemed light. I still seem to have a front shifting issue on the Gitane, where the chain winds up between rings on a downshift. One time I had to stop and disengage things, and another time, I was able to detour down a side street, and shift up/down again without getting greasy. Need to check the inward travel on that front derailleur, and remember to shift with *zero* force on the chain - that seems to make a difference. The ride home was hot, dry, and windy, but not as bad as I had anticipated. Tomorrow is expected to be in the mid-60s for highs, and no rain, so I'm planning to do it again, about 32 miles R/T.

Finally, Spring!!

After a really miserable late March and early April, with late-season snowfall, torrential rains, flooding, and temps not getting out of the 40s, spring has finally arrived. Over 70 degrees today and brilliant sunshine, and I was stuck in the (home) office. At 4:00, I got out of here and took the overhauled Trek out for a test drive, the first since I got it all back together. Everything seems pretty good, aside from slightly soft front brakes and a faint tick-tick-tick from the front end that I can't seem to hear unless I'm actually riding somewhere very quiet. No idea. The gearing seems like it will work out better than the larger rings I had on before. 14.5 miles at a 15.2 pace, with some winds both ways (?), so not a bad start. Hopefully, I can get some more miles in this weekend, and maybe even ride to work on Monday. Tues/Wed look a little sketchy right now, but it's definitely time to get started!