I feel better now!

[rij73]

Well, after a very slothful winter, I was so worried that the bike would kick my *** in the spring. So, after a few rides, I am happy to report that I am managing the same speed now as I did by August last season. (Last season was my first time on a bike since childhood. I was on a flat-bar bike from April to mid-July, and my new road bike from mid-July through October.)

Anyway, I'm very happy that I didn't lose ALL my gains. That means that by the end of this full season on my road bike, I should be significantly better than I ever got last year. Maybe that will be enough incentive to keep me from sitting on my lazy butt all winter next time.

[Pax]

What a nice surprise!

BTW, I just have to ask...where do you ride in NYC that you can get up to speed and maintain it?? (asks Queen whose knowledge of NYC comes from "Sex and the City" episodes)

[rij73]

Thanks Queen! I am oh so fortunate enough to live 3 blocks from Prospect Park in Brooklyn. It's just like Central Park except 1/3 smaller. 600 acres of park land with a wide, well-paved road that makes a 3.5 mile loop. It is closed to cars at all times except for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening on weekdays (rush hour). I am so lucky to be near this park. If not, I probably wouldn't have even gotten into cycling. There is variety in the loop too with one decent hill. Weekday afternoons there are the absolute best since you don't have to dodge kids, and since I work from home I get to go almost every day. Today I did 3 laps. Saturday I did 4. The most I've done in the park is 7 (25 miles), but I've ridden as much as 50 miles in a day elsewhere.

Edit:
Here's my route shown with just one lap of the park:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=825264 (Hit the Satellite button!)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I was born in Brooklyn and lived until age 4 a couple blocks away from prospect Park, on Sterling Place. I have vague memories of my mother taking me to the park. Ride a lap around the park in the Spring sunshine for me!

[Pax]

...Edit:
Here's my route shown with just one lap of the park:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=825264 (Hit the Satellite button!)

Well, isn't that neat! I never imagined there's be that much green space in the city. Looks like a fantastic route to have so close to home!

[rij73]

I was born in Brooklyn and lived until age 4 a couple blocks away from prospect Park, on Sterling Place. I have vague memories of my mother taking me to the park. Ride a lap around the park in the Spring sunshine for me!

Sure! I know Sterling Place... This is an awesome neighborhood. If I have to be a renter the rest of my life I don't care. It's worth it to be here.

The other perk about Prospect Park is that all the open areas are designated off-leash for dogs from dawn until 9am. So, Hudson and I go up there every morning and he runs around like a lunatic playing with the other dogs. That way I don't even have to feel guilty about riding later and leaving him home.

[OakLeaf]

Ha, we were just visiting a friend in Brooklyn on Saturday night.