First ride of 2012 and new wheels

Finally! My first ride of 2012 and what a nice day for it. It was a bit windy (18-20 mph S, SE winds) but it was sunny and if you had on some layers, like I did, it felt great! Traffic was pretty light since it was a Sunday afternoon which made it even nicer. I managed to get in 21 miles - a short ride, but the longer rides will come later.

I recently changed out my wheels so this was the first time to try those out. I had wore out my back wheel on the trainer so I decided to get a training tire. Problem with that: I was going to have to have a wheel so I wouldn't have to change the tires out all the time. So I decided to upgrade to a set of Mavic Aksium race wheels/tires. I must say they felt pretty good! I think they make a bit more noise than my old set, but felt really smoothe...even on some of the rougher surfaced roads I was riding.

It's really nice to have some warmer temps in January! I think they are even calling for about a 10 day period of warmer than normal temps. I'm really hoping to make it to the River Trail soon. I miss riding there and I miss eating at the Argenta Market.  I've already been checking the calendar for bike events...I'm sooooo ready for longer days and more riding!!!

The Bike Trainer

This is how I'll be doing my cold, off season riding. On the bike trainer! Most people don't enjoy being on this thing, but me....I'll take it! I'd much rather be on this than be outside trying to ride when it's cold and windy!

I can't wait to see the difference when I start riding again in the spring. Will this really keep me in shape and keep me from feeling like I'm "starting all over"? I really hope so! Only time will tell.

Spa Ride

November 18, 2011 was the date, Hot Springs was the goal! It was a cool, windy but sunny day when we left Ferndale for a 50 mile ride to Hot Springs. There were several ABC members riding and we made a stop along the way for lunch (can't remember the name of the place).

The ride into Hot Springs was nice, it felt really great to be outside instead of working.  When we arrived, we checked into our rooms at the Park Hotel. We all met up for popcorn and drinks at the Arlington where some of us picked up our race packets for the Spa Run the following morning.

My hotel room was COLD and I had to ask for extra blankets and a space heater. I was glad I had brought warm PJ's and thick, fuzzy socks to sleep in! The group met downstairs for dinner that night at Angel's in the Park. Great Italian food! I can't wait to eat there again!

The next morning, some of us got together for breakfast at the Pancake Shop. It's a tradition for me to eat there any time I'm in town. It's a jewel! After breakfast it was time to head to the convention center for the run. Jim and Coreen did the 10K. Kenny, Melissa and I did the 5K. What a way to start the morning! After the run, we made our way back to our rooms to shower and pack up so we could head back to Ferndale on our bikes.

The ride back was cloudy and cool and ended up being about 47 miles. We stopped for breakfast/lunch at a little shop where I had a nice bowl of chili! This was a great weekend, and was my last ride of 2011.

With colder weather coming, it's time to do some resting, set new goals for 2012 and look back on how far I come this season :)