After 90 days of P90X it's time for me to add running to my routine, if I can. I have struggled with a lower back disk injury for 3 years. I am hoping the strengthening of my core via P90X will make a difference. Today I ran 2 miles at a 10 minute pace on the old central running track. Worked great! Had only planned to do 1 mile, but my hip and back felt good so I went for 2. I practiced winding my arm and hips, trying to use my bigger leg muscles, and leaning forward as recommended in the Chi of Running. No pain or numbness, yeah! One down.
So now I start P90X Doubles. Getting ready for the Grand Fondo and a possible triathlon or two.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Serenaded by western meadowlarks: Missouri River Bluff Bike Ride, Platte, South Dakota
Up early leaving Nebraska headed back to Minnesota via southern South Dakota. The Nebraska sandhills are beautiful, the South Dakota reservations stark, and then you come upon the relief created by the Missouri River. Wow! Get off of Interstate 90 and take a back road, it gets even better.
The sun was just rising, and the bluff hills of the Missouri looked so inviting and challenging that I could not resist stopping the truck and getting the bike out. So, once I crossed the Lake Francis Case, Missouri River bridge on Highway 44 I pulled over in a little South Dakota state recreation and camping area. Just west of the little town of Platte.
I don't travel across country with my bike clothes on, so a "California change" was necessary. The bike was ready, and the only thing I needed was some water for my bottles. It was early about 7AM and quite chilly, so not finding water for the 20 mile ride, was not a serious concern.
This Highway 44 between the towns of Winner and Platte has an excellent biking surface and nice wide paved shoulders. It was to early on Saturday to encounter many cars, so I had the road to myself. The silence was broken only by the serenade of the western meadowlark. I have never heard so many meadowlarks at one time. It was just gorgeous. I will try to load a Youtube so you can hear some of it.
My desire was just to ride about 20 miles of hills, to try to get my climbing legs. Turns out, that according the Stava.com, this little section of bluffs has a Cat 4 climb as well as a 3 and 2. I thoroughly enjoyed the hills and the melody of the birds. The few cars that met me, all waved the "farmer index finger wave" so I knew I was accepted on this stretch of road.
Checking my bike computer, I got in alittle over 20 miles with 1900 feet of climbing. California change back to driving clothes, and down to the pretty little town of Platte for 3 eggs, bacon and toast and coffee. Really good "mother-in-law" coffee. The cafe was full of local people laughing and talking. I appreciated the smiles and hello's. One man even stopped at my table and welcomed me to town, and indicated that he was a Gideon and they were having a Bible study. Most of all, I appreciated the way the local people shared Christ with their smiles and welcoming body language. Very refreshing ! after a good early morning ride on the beautiful Missouri River.
Live Life to the PLUS+
The sun was just rising, and the bluff hills of the Missouri looked so inviting and challenging that I could not resist stopping the truck and getting the bike out. So, once I crossed the Lake Francis Case, Missouri River bridge on Highway 44 I pulled over in a little South Dakota state recreation and camping area. Just west of the little town of Platte.
I don't travel across country with my bike clothes on, so a "California change" was necessary. The bike was ready, and the only thing I needed was some water for my bottles. It was early about 7AM and quite chilly, so not finding water for the 20 mile ride, was not a serious concern.
This Highway 44 between the towns of Winner and Platte has an excellent biking surface and nice wide paved shoulders. It was to early on Saturday to encounter many cars, so I had the road to myself. The silence was broken only by the serenade of the western meadowlark. I have never heard so many meadowlarks at one time. It was just gorgeous. I will try to load a Youtube so you can hear some of it.
My desire was just to ride about 20 miles of hills, to try to get my climbing legs. Turns out, that according the Stava.com, this little section of bluffs has a Cat 4 climb as well as a 3 and 2. I thoroughly enjoyed the hills and the melody of the birds. The few cars that met me, all waved the "farmer index finger wave" so I knew I was accepted on this stretch of road.
Checking my bike computer, I got in alittle over 20 miles with 1900 feet of climbing. California change back to driving clothes, and down to the pretty little town of Platte for 3 eggs, bacon and toast and coffee. Really good "mother-in-law" coffee. The cafe was full of local people laughing and talking. I appreciated the smiles and hello's. One man even stopped at my table and welcomed me to town, and indicated that he was a Gideon and they were having a Bible study. Most of all, I appreciated the way the local people shared Christ with their smiles and welcoming body language. Very refreshing ! after a good early morning ride on the beautiful Missouri River.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Riding up to the Snowy Range in Wyoming
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| Snuk away from work on Thursday, and drove west out of Laramie to Centenial, population 100. The starting point for my accent up the Snowy Range, starting at 8000ft. Part of the Dead Dog ride out of Laramie. |
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| The sign said, "wild horses". I rode slow, not being sure what I was going to encounter. I was curious to see how I would react to the elevation. |
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| One of the mountains I climbed past. I had the road to myself. You'll see why at the end (hint: it's white). |
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| This was not a small boulder in the road. Easy enough for a bike to go around, but I did look up a few times. |
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| I always get a kick out of this sign, "Open Range" watch for livestock. I seemed to breath hard, but I didn't bonk or anything. So, I could have ridden harder. |
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| Beautiful little trout stream. I ran into folks fishing for brook trout. I'll be back. |
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| Passed by this ski resort, and kept on climbing. The sun was shining, and then it started raining a bit. |
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| As I rode higher, I began to wonder if those road closed signs were really real, because the snow kept getting deeper. |
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| Sure enough, about a mile from the top, and at 10,000 feet, the road was closed because of 3 feet of snow covering the road. The S-Works hadn't ridden through snow before. It didn't this time either. |
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| Back down at the bottom, this little grocery store/bar was a great. I asked the bartender if he would let someone in wearing bike clothes, and he said, you bet, have a seat. So I joined a guy named Jerry and Ted, and pretty soon Maria showed up. We had a great time drinking beer, and talking about fishing and why I was riding up the mountain. I couldn't explain it, but they could see the big smile on my face! |
Live Life to the PLUS+
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Admiral Butterfly
Headed out of town from the east going south into a 20 mph wind gusting up to 30, ouch! I stopped and took some pictures of the old hill top mink farm before enjoying the wind at my back heading north through Meriden
Other than an occasional cabbage butterfly, the only butterfly I am seeing is the Admiral, and I am seeing lots of them. They are out in force. This one ended up tangling with a car, and it had the same fate most bikers have when they tangle with cars, severe injury. Be careful out there, everybody!
Live Life to the PLUS+
Other than an occasional cabbage butterfly, the only butterfly I am seeing is the Admiral, and I am seeing lots of them. They are out in force. This one ended up tangling with a car, and it had the same fate most bikers have when they tangle with cars, severe injury. Be careful out there, everybody!
Live Life to the PLUS+
Longest Ride so far
Well, I took a risk, and decided to ride to New Richland. Once you get out on these roads, you kinda lock yourself into more miles, but I wanted to ride awhile. So, with legs tired from P90X Legs and Back, the day before, I took it easy, and just enjoyed the ride. Ended up putting on 35 miles.
Got a shot of the Otisco Cemetery. (I know, why Cemetery shots, well to be honest, southern MN doesn't have alot of dramatic scenery in some stretches).
Gotta get up to the 40 mile rides consistently to get ready for leading my part of the Grand Fondo in the middle of June. Somehow I need to find some hills to climb, also.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Got a shot of the Otisco Cemetery. (I know, why Cemetery shots, well to be honest, southern MN doesn't have alot of dramatic scenery in some stretches).
Live Life to the PLUS+
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter Ride
Typical spring ride today, cool and windy, with gusts up to 25 mph out of the NW. So, I stayed close to Waseca , not wanting to challenge the wind to far out of town.
I was happy to see my favorite flower (don't hit me), the dandelion. On my organic farm, I routinely pick and eat dandelions raw, because I noticed it was the favorite food of my cattle (bar nun).
"Traditionally, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and upset stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion has been used to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. In Europe, it was used in remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea."
Speaking of dandelions springing to life, the only way to really live life to the Plus+ is to love Jesus. So this day, the celebration of His resurrection is special to me. I rejoiced as I rode through the wind admiring the yellow flowers along the sides of the road.
I'm not entirely sure if P90X is helping my bike riding, but it certainly is helping my body composition, and my upper body strength. I've done 66 straight days of workouts, with another 30 or so left. Time to start trying to work some jogging into the schedule. Guess I am going to have to get up earlier!
Live Life to the PLUS+
I was happy to see my favorite flower (don't hit me), the dandelion. On my organic farm, I routinely pick and eat dandelions raw, because I noticed it was the favorite food of my cattle (bar nun).
"Traditionally, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and upset stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion has been used to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. In Europe, it was used in remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea."
Speaking of dandelions springing to life, the only way to really live life to the Plus+ is to love Jesus. So this day, the celebration of His resurrection is special to me. I rejoiced as I rode through the wind admiring the yellow flowers along the sides of the road.
I'm not entirely sure if P90X is helping my bike riding, but it certainly is helping my body composition, and my upper body strength. I've done 66 straight days of workouts, with another 30 or so left. Time to start trying to work some jogging into the schedule. Guess I am going to have to get up earlier!
Live Life to the PLUS+
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Cemetery Loop to Meriden, MN
I decided to ride later on Saturday waiting for the sun to emerge and the temps to warm in to the low 60's around 5PM. A light, 7mph, north wind encouraged a route I had not taken before, riding north, northeast. Must be an area of the county that supported more dairy farms, because I rode by more dairy operations than any other direction I have traveled.
Out and around Clear Lake and onto the Snake Trail for about 8 miles while rounding Watkins Lake and Moonan Marsh Wildlife Area. Then getting off the Waseca 1/3 Ironman course, I went east and south to Meriden. So many cemeteries, I thought I would call it the Cemetery Loop. I added a shot of the smallest one so you can see the uniqueness of these little midwest cemeteries. It can't be more than 1 acre in size, and right at the corner of an intersection, no other buildings nearby.
Just outside side of Meriden, I encounter a farm with 2 big young (did I say dumb) St. Bernard dogs. They must have seen me coming, because they decided to stand in the middle of the road until I told them "NO". That didn't work, but they cleared to the side of the road, giving me enough room to bluff them and speed by. Then they gave chase. Normally, I wouldn't even slow down for a dog, but with 2 dogs, you can't keep track of both their movements. Got a bit scary. Gonna need to watch for these guys, next time.
So far, I have not seen any other bikers outside of the town of Waseca this Spring. So either I am riding in the wrong areas, or at the wrong time to encounter some riding buddies out on these country roads. That's ok, riding alone makes we challenge the winds and will give me early season strength.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Out and around Clear Lake and onto the Snake Trail for about 8 miles while rounding Watkins Lake and Moonan Marsh Wildlife Area. Then getting off the Waseca 1/3 Ironman course, I went east and south to Meriden. So many cemeteries, I thought I would call it the Cemetery Loop. I added a shot of the smallest one so you can see the uniqueness of these little midwest cemeteries. It can't be more than 1 acre in size, and right at the corner of an intersection, no other buildings nearby.
Just outside side of Meriden, I encounter a farm with 2 big young (did I say dumb) St. Bernard dogs. They must have seen me coming, because they decided to stand in the middle of the road until I told them "NO". That didn't work, but they cleared to the side of the road, giving me enough room to bluff them and speed by. Then they gave chase. Normally, I wouldn't even slow down for a dog, but with 2 dogs, you can't keep track of both their movements. Got a bit scary. Gonna need to watch for these guys, next time.
So far, I have not seen any other bikers outside of the town of Waseca this Spring. So either I am riding in the wrong areas, or at the wrong time to encounter some riding buddies out on these country roads. That's ok, riding alone makes we challenge the winds and will give me early season strength.
Live Life to the PLUS+
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