Weekend Rides: Sept 7

[Catrin]

I got in a beautiful, if quite windy, 3 hour mixed urban/rural ride this morning. The actual riding time was closer to 2.5 hours as I took a break in the middle and visited with some friends, but did manage to get in close to 33 miles. Also did some hill climbing which was fun! It was a bit cool so I dressed in layers, though as soon as I climbed the hill on Noel the windbreaker went into my trunk bag. The wind was so strong at some points of the ride that I was crawling at 8mph on the flat! Most of the time it wasn't that bad though.

The weather was beautiful, if chilly and was thankful to have brought out my wool for the first time since spring. I also experimented with my nutrition since I've been in the process of going Paleo and this was the first time I've had a 3 hour ride without extra carbs - whether in the form or Heed or shot blocks. I did have those things with me just in case, but my body was happy with a banana at the turn around point and a bit of organic jerky (no nitrates). Indeed at the end of my somewhat windy 33 miles I felt like I could have gone out again. Very pleased with my energy levels on the ride, and I just had my normal breakfast - it may have only been 33 miles but with that wind I expended quite a lot of energy.

I've been shy of hill climbing this summer and finally figured out why today. After the whiplash injury hill climbing HURT my neck and connected bits, so I had to start avoiding hills. It took all of winter and a good part of spring to get over that injury - and even now if I've been doing too much my neck will flare. No wonder I've been less bold in the hills than I once was! Obviously I need to listen to my body, but there is only one way to get back to my old boldness in climbing - and that is to do it.