"You had me at 39!"

So what does a borrowed line from Jerry Maguire, in reference to a speeding ticket have to do with cycling?

Bear with me, I’ll get to the point eventually, and remember it is not the destination but the journey that is interesting.

A few months ago, I was pulled over in my driveway by a local policeman who had clocked me doing 39 mph in a 25 mph zone.  He asked me if I had any excuses, and my response was “Well, I have plenty, but they are just that,  excuses - the simple fact was that I was doing 39 and was inattentive to the speed at which I was traveling - and if you have in you any leeway, I’d appreciate any lenience you could steer my way.” After a return to his car, and a check for my non-existent rap sheet, he returned with a warning and no ticket.

At the end of March, I was reflecting on an abysmal past 6 months of cycling, more accurately "lack of cycling". I came to the conclusion that my biggest enemy was creating and accepting as valid excuses for not riding (It is cold – or only mildly warm as was the case this winter/I am tired/I just don’t feel like riding/I rode yesterday/etc. etc.) Wah! Wah! Wah!

I decided to shake up the game and try and ride practically every day (or at least 90% of the days) for 10 weeks straight.  After all I did that in the summer of 2010, when “excuses were not permitted” – whether you rode or not that day, the truck carrying your gear, and to some extent your dreams, was heading 70 – 100 miles east.

So how am I doing so far?   I am 10 for 11, with two rides planned today – my attempt to ride the Wednesday evening shop ride last night was thwarted by a business call that went into double overtime, and a wicked chest and throat cold that I managed to get once this pathetic excuse for winter (I am an avid skier) was over.  

 I have also learned from "my summer behind bars" that your Power to Weight Ratio is key to climbing – I knew that before, but never really experienced it – drop 20 lbs (or 80 sticks of butter as I like to think of it)  and even the slightest increase in power will flatten out all but the toughest hills.  I started my “training diet” 5 weeks ago and have dropped 12 lbs of the “winter 10” that I thought I could avoid in December.

Now get out there and ride. If there is an excuse interfering with your decision ask yourself this question; "When was the last time I finished a ride and did not feel better about myself at the end  than at the beginning?"
Cheers,
Bill

Bad Breath is better than No breath at all!

OK So I bet that title got your attention - What on earth could Bill be writing about this time. 

Well, today's topic is addressing what anyone who calls themselves a "Cyclist" knows as "the Winter ten", or is that "the Summer ten" for those cyclists in the southern hemisphere. 

As  the days get shorter, and the cycling weather gets less attractive (cold, snow, wet and or icy road conditions) the tendency is to ride less, as there are more excuses not to go out.  Spinning classes and cross-training provide an alternative, but a lot of folks go out on their first ride of the next cycling season "a little shorter for their weight" - or put otherwise, ten pounds heavier.  Some of the more entrepreneurial among us have built businesses around the phenomenon of putting on weight in the winter season  - there used to be a custom bike jersey "Old guys who drink beer and get fat in the winter.

This winter I am trying something new - whenever the roads are dry, and there is enough sunlight - I will go out and get at least 10 miles of riding in.  On days I would normally ride, I will try and toughen up the ride (read more hill work).  The important thing is to have a goal, and try and stick to achieving it.  

To this end, this morning I took a different route than my usual Saturday AM "Shop ride" and added in some hill work - loads of fun, and it kept me warm despite the chilly temperatures.

We'll see how things evolve over the winter.

Happy Holidays!

Another fun day of cycling in NYC

One of the really great benefits of living in Northern New Jersey is the easy access that we have to cycling in one of the great cities of the world.  A 30 minute drive to free parking on the western side of the George Washington Bridge. and then off on the bikes to explore. 

Getting ready for the day ahead.

No matter how many times I have done it, the ride across the bridge is always exciting - if it isn't the hustle and bustle of the cars streaming across the span just feet away on your left, it is the amazing view of the city and the Hudson river sprawling out to the south.  The loop to get off the bridge on the Manhattan side is always exciting - narrow for one bike, but when you get an oncoming cyclist leaving the city, you really have to focus on keeping right so your handlebars don't lock up.

The "Little Red Lighthouse" from the GWB

Once in the city, it is a quick descent down to the Hudson River Greenway, which you can ride all the way downtown.  It is remarkable how calm it is on the bike path, but how stressful it is on the parkway when traveling by car.

Tranquility on wheels

Over the past several years, thanks to the cycling advocacy of groups like Transportation Alternatives, and a very progressive Janette Sadik-Khan, the Commissioner for the Department of Transportation for the past 4 years, NYC has undergone an amazing transformation - it seems that everywhere you look there are new dedicated bike paths and/or lanes.  You can get a feel for their popularity any weekend.  

One really neat aspect of cycling in the city is the continuity you get in going from site to site - no getting in and out of cars or taxis, finding parking spots, or pulling out your wallet to pay for the ride - you just hop on your bike, and go!

'Tis the season (better at night)

This time we managed to do the customary loop around Central Park, check out the tree at the Rockefeller Center, check out the High Line, cross through the Village and over the Williamsburg bridge, before descending into Dumbo for the great croissants, and views of downtown framed by the Brooklyn Bridge.  

Manhattan in the background - another great cycling day!

I continue to be amazed at how a bridge, built before the automobile (1883) has kept up with the times - multiple lanes of traffic, and a great pedestrian/cyclist boardwalk in the middle. I do wonder if the cables holding the decks up have ever been replaced (apparently not!).

Fritz Koenig's "The Sphere". salvaged from Ground Zero

Rebuilding - A new addition to the Manhattan skyline.

Returning to Manhattan we toured the World Trade Center site, Zucotti Park (now empty), and points south before heading back up the west side for pizza and a beer at Machiavelli's on the Upper West Side.   

"Bike Parking" on the upper West Side.

Pizzas & Beer!!!

The day ended as it usually does with the ride back up and over the GWB to get home before 3PM.

One last view of the bridge before the climb ahead.

All in all just shy of 50 miles on the bike and a great day in Manhattan.  Thanks to Ed for coordinating a great day of riding, and being our guide.