How was your August?

[sundial]

This year I am just not as interested in long cycling on the weekend this year and that is okay. The longest ride I have done this month was right at 50 miles.

Perhaps you are bitten by the mtb bug?

[OakLeaf]

Yes, I've dragged you all through my August with me, so you know how it's been. Running has suffered more than cycling and intensity has suffered more than quantity, but still only 265 miles for the month, and I'm not getting out today, either.

[sundial]

Me neither. I think you need a hug.

[Grog]

In August I have found myself putting most of my mileage in commuting. I ride my road bike only once a week now, very seldom twice. That's a bit sad and I miss it.

We had a great mini-tour, which I'm quite proud of.

The good news is that my commute is more than 25 km a day, so it does add up, and it's quite hilly so I am not losing fitness, really. I might make more efforts in the next few weeks to add a few kilometers on the way out in the morning or on the way back.

But right now the priority is my writing and my PhD. Such is life.

[Skierchickie]

Gee, Sundial - I'm sorry to hear it hasn't been going well. Hopefully things will start lookin' up soon.

My August has been great. I bought my new road bike July 31st, and have put 657 miles on it. Okay 611 in August. Plus another 46 on other bikes. Probably an all-time high for one month for me. I have a little over 1500 in for the season, and recently upped my goal for the season (which will end in a month or so) to 2000. Which would definitely be an all-time high for me. I hope to do 100 (solo) next Saturday, and then, if the weather cooperates, a double metric on September 20th. We'll see. I rarely do that tour, as the weather is often rotten, and it is run by a bunch of college kids (so not exactly what you would call well-run ). Anyway, if both these rides pan out, I should be able to get that 480-something more miles in. The weather is going to start changing here soon, though. It gets wet & windy here in the fall.

Oh - and I just got a promotion at work with a nice raise!

[OakLeaf]

Me neither. I think you need a hug.

Aw, thanks. Right back to ya girl, you need a bunch too.

[bmccasland]

Between tons of meetings out of town (long day trips), thunderstorms, and random feeling crappy days, I rode zero miles in August. Just when things were lightening up at work, this storm blows in off the Gulf, so my sunday ride was cancelled. But I wouldn't have made it since I had a bug.

Here's hoping September is better, and the next three tropical storms that are lined up about a week apart will LEAVE LOUISIANA ALONE. Not that I'm fussy or anything.

[Susan126]

Put me in the same boat! June and July were fantastic but August was a total wash out for my mountain and road biking!

August 1st hubby and I went to Montana for his mom's 90th birthday and big family reunion. Even though we took along our bikes we did not ride. When I got back home from Montana a week later I then flew to Pittsburgh for 2 weeks to see my parents in Pittsburgh. No cycling at all in Pittsburgh. When I arrived back home on August 22nd the weather that greeted me was cold and wet. On Monday August 25th I then went back to work. My summer break was officially over. School is now back in session and I am back at work in the middle school where I work. I'm already looking forward to Christmas Break! LOL

So August was a total bummer as far as my cycling went. I am trying to get rides in again. Hubby and I went out on Friday and Saturday. Should have gone out today too but we instead went for a ride with our kids and did some hiking. This coming weekend is supposed to be nice and in fact Joe and I will be riding in the annual Headwater Century. Either the 45 or 65 mile course. We'll see how our legs feel on Sunday.

I guess August this year was just one of those "months" . . . hopefully the ones ahead will be better.

Sue

[bikerchic]

My August was very busy with out of state company and a hurt back. I managed to get rest while company was here and my back is much better.

I had planned since June to do the Bridge Pedal ride here in Portland, OR and was getting in some riding to be ready for it. Since it's a pretty short ride I wasn't pushing the pedals much but by August company came unexpected and blew my training, the ride was the weekend before they got here and I had hurt my back getting things ready for them, ugg.

Oh well, Sept I do the Komen Walk for a Cure and have already gotten in a couple of bike rides. I'm just concentrating on fun rides and cranking those pedals before the rain sets in. By winter I hope to do some indoor spinning to keep going and get out when the weather permits.

I'm on a roll and I am committed to wear out some rubber, yay me!

I hope your September is better for you Sundial, it's always a pretty month at least here in the Northwest.

[Aggie_Ama]

Perhaps you are bitten by the mtb bug?

I think it is that this summer we have had well over 50 days where the temperature is over 100 (norm is 15 in a summer). If we aren't on the bikes by 7:00 we better just make it short.

[Crankin]

I think I see a pattern here... WE ALL HAVE LIVES.
I don't want to get burned out on cycling, the way I did with aerobics. I got so burned out, I stopped exercising, or did it half heartedly and gained weight and felt miserable about myself. Not to sound flip, but if you are riding centuries every weekend and training for them, what else can you do? Cycling and other out door activities are the main part of my social life, but I also like to sit and do nothing, read, go out to eat, theatre, spend time with the few non cycling friends I have. As time goes on, I am doing less long rides. One metric this year and maybe 4 50 milers. My mileage is still the same, though, because I am doing more errands and other utilitarian riding on my Jamis. I also am finding my body needs to do other things besides cycling, or I can't maintain my weight. So hiking, walking, and yoga have taken up some of my time.
September is a wonderful month to ride.

[sundial]

Well, I figured it was time for a change so I joined the local gym. I have wanted to work on my core strength and upper body anway. And there's an eliptical trainer there too. Maybe I just need a change of pace.