As I begin to really prepare myself for the Tour de Pink in October, I noticed I was slacking in my blog posts. I have been tracking all of my rides and turns out my odometer thingy was off due to the settings it was on. Today I will begin fresh!
So I am super excited for I got a new toy for my road bike. A trainer! I am excited because now I have no excuse not to ride, not rain, not heat, not daylight, not time constraints. I was a little disappointed though, it took me 1 hr. 30 minutes to put it together last night. By the time I was finished running my errands, walking the dogs and putting the trainer together it was already bedtime. Tonight is the night! I am thinking about riding to my softball game tonight......
I would like to take some time to vent a little frustration I have had the last few group rides. It seems there are some riders who are not riding with their correct class (A-Super fast, B+- fast, B-nice reasonable, C- Comfortable). I had a situation the other day where I was told the ride was a C to B-nice level (about 16-18 mph) and as I started riding I found myself in the very back trailing behind as some riders picked up speeds from 18-23. Am I missing something? I have found that a lot of riders are competitive, which isn't a bad thing, but some are not going as fast as they would like they rudely pass the group and start a chain reaction of people passing. Whatever happened to the 16-18 mph the ride was set for? Oh well. I hope to be more on their level soon. This is my 2nd full week back to riding and with the goal of riding everyday I should be able to outrun those show offs soon. LOL.
Okay. I am done venting for the time being.
Besides kicking my riding into another gear, I have a lot of fund-raising to do. I think I am going to try and get some cool t-shirts made up to raise money for the Tour de Pink. I am always open to fund-raising suggestions/sponsors so please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Time to start the day! Wish me luck!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Am I in Florida?
I ventured out to ride both yesterday and today and had to double check and make sure I wasn't going crazy! It was 42 DEGREES (about 37 with wind chill) both days! Where is all the warm weather Florida is supposed to have? Luckily, I was somewhat prepared. I bought leg warmers last week for the Tour De Cure ride and a very nice under armour cold wear long sleeve shirt. The one thing I wish I would had bought was toe warmers....I will place that on my cycling wish list along with a bicycle trainer and more cycling clothing. Well hopefully warmer weather will come soon.
I love riding with the Saturday and Sunday groups!!! Everyone is so nice and supportive. Each rider pushes me to be the best rider I can be and more! Thanks a bunch fellow riders!
Here are the stats:
Saturday:
Time: 1:57:18
Distance (Miles): 30.86
Average Speed: 15.7
Maximum Speed: 21.9
Sunday (estimates because my odometer wasn't working correctly):
Time: 1:06:00
Distance (Miles): 19.93
Average Speed:
Maximum Speed:
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving."
-Albert Einstein
I love riding with the Saturday and Sunday groups!!! Everyone is so nice and supportive. Each rider pushes me to be the best rider I can be and more! Thanks a bunch fellow riders!
Here are the stats:
Saturday:
Time: 1:57:18
Distance (Miles): 30.86
Average Speed: 15.7
Maximum Speed: 21.9
Sunday (estimates because my odometer wasn't working correctly):
Time: 1:06:00
Distance (Miles): 19.93
Average Speed:
Maximum Speed:
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving."
-Albert Einstein
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tour De Cure 2010
This past Sunday I accomplished one my biggest cycling challenges yet. I signed up two weeks prior to the event and had enlisted in the 30-mile ride. I figured, hey, I do 30 or so miles easy on a Saturday ride with the Seminole Cyclists so what's the big deal. I felt comfortable with myself completing 30 miles. And then it hit me one Saturday morning ride..... aw man the peer pressure came on and there was no stopping it. Some fellow riders insisted I do the 60-mile ride and I kept telling them no. At some point, not sure when, the pressure got to me. I made a promise to the riders that if I raised $500, enough to get me my very first thank-you cycling jersey from the American Diabetes Association, only then would I tackle the monster of 60 miles. So I did it! I raised $555 dollars!
I woke up Sunday morning in disbelief that I was getting ready to ride 60 miles. Just a side note, the longest I had ridden before then was 32 miles, once. I think realty hit me once I actually checked in at the site and had told the woman behind the table that I was going to ride 60 miles. There was no turning back then. That morning was really really cold and I was thankful Cory took me shopping the day before for some cool new, warm, cycling gear. Thanks hunny!!!! The first and last part of the entire ride was very challenging. The group was riding against the wind, which sometimes gusted up to 20 MPH. Since this was my first official ride, I didn't really know anyone or where to go. Thankfully, cyclists are some of the friendliest and most kind individuals I have ever met. Overall, it was a great ride and I am really glad I was talked into riding what turned out to be 61.44 miles. Yay me!
Here are the stats for my big ride:
Time: 4:09:37
Distance (Miles): 61.44
Average Speed: 14.7
Maximum Speed: 23.3
Thank you to all who supported me! I am very grateful to have such wonderful friends, family and the bestest husband in the world!!!!
I woke up Sunday morning in disbelief that I was getting ready to ride 60 miles. Just a side note, the longest I had ridden before then was 32 miles, once. I think realty hit me once I actually checked in at the site and had told the woman behind the table that I was going to ride 60 miles. There was no turning back then. That morning was really really cold and I was thankful Cory took me shopping the day before for some cool new, warm, cycling gear. Thanks hunny!!!! The first and last part of the entire ride was very challenging. The group was riding against the wind, which sometimes gusted up to 20 MPH. Since this was my first official ride, I didn't really know anyone or where to go. Thankfully, cyclists are some of the friendliest and most kind individuals I have ever met. Overall, it was a great ride and I am really glad I was talked into riding what turned out to be 61.44 miles. Yay me!
Here are the stats for my big ride:
Time: 4:09:37
Distance (Miles): 61.44
Average Speed: 14.7
Maximum Speed: 23.3
Thank you to all who supported me! I am very grateful to have such wonderful friends, family and the bestest husband in the world!!!!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Riding the weekend away....
I had a wonderful weekend. I set a new record for myself.....I actually rode both Saturday and Sunday in the group rides! Yay! I find that riding with others pushes me to go a little faster and really encourages me to be a better rider. I have found that a majority of cyclists are so nice and welcoming and it makes me feel like a part of the group. Since I rode both days, let me give a little recap.
Saturday:
Saturday was perfect! The weather was great and we had a good group to ride with.Everyone is preparing for the Tour De Cure coming up this next Sunday. I am so excited for this will be my first official ride and since my mom has Type II diabetes I thought what better cause to support and raise money to benefit. BTW, all proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. That being said, after having a long conversation with the riders on Saturday I have made a promise to them that if I raise $500 by Saturday, I will ride the 60 mile ride instead of the 30!!! Right now I have raised $410. I have never ridden more that 32 miles, but the riders have ENSURED me that I ride well and that there are stops every 10 miles! If you want to see me ride the 60 miles, you can make a donation at the link below.
http://main.diabetes.org/goto/toshamarie
Here are the stats for Saturday!
Time: 1:51:40
Distance (Miles): 29.22
Average Speed: 15.6
Maximum Speed: 20.6
Sunday:
Sunday was even more beautiful that Saturday! Part of it was the fact I got to sleep in an extra 30 minutes since the riders meet at 8 AM rather than 7:30 like they do on Saturday rides. The other part was that the temperature and weather was just right! Sunday's ride was a bit more challenging for me. The ride isn't exactly on flat land, quite a few small hills (Yes, even though it is Florida there are still hills). I found I could keep up with the group (18-20 MPH) on straightaways, but as soon as I started up a hill...........forget it. Luckily, some of the other riders were really supportive and told me stories about when they first started, they were barely able to make it up the smallest hill. Either way, with struggles and all I made it to through the ride. I felt really great afterwards.
Here are Sunday's stats!
Time: 1:05:34
Distance (Miles): 17.77
Average Speed: 16.2
Maximum Speed: 22.6
Thanks to all of my new cycling friends, mentors and motivators!!!
Saturday:
Saturday was perfect! The weather was great and we had a good group to ride with.Everyone is preparing for the Tour De Cure coming up this next Sunday. I am so excited for this will be my first official ride and since my mom has Type II diabetes I thought what better cause to support and raise money to benefit. BTW, all proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. That being said, after having a long conversation with the riders on Saturday I have made a promise to them that if I raise $500 by Saturday, I will ride the 60 mile ride instead of the 30!!! Right now I have raised $410. I have never ridden more that 32 miles, but the riders have ENSURED me that I ride well and that there are stops every 10 miles! If you want to see me ride the 60 miles, you can make a donation at the link below.
http://main.diabetes.org/goto/toshamarieogrady
Here are the stats for Saturday!Time: 1:51:40
Distance (Miles): 29.22
Average Speed: 15.6
Maximum Speed: 20.6
Sunday:
Sunday was even more beautiful that Saturday! Part of it was the fact I got to sleep in an extra 30 minutes since the riders meet at 8 AM rather than 7:30 like they do on Saturday rides. The other part was that the temperature and weather was just right! Sunday's ride was a bit more challenging for me. The ride isn't exactly on flat land, quite a few small hills (Yes, even though it is Florida there are still hills). I found I could keep up with the group (18-20 MPH) on straightaways, but as soon as I started up a hill...........forget it. Luckily, some of the other riders were really supportive and told me stories about when they first started, they were barely able to make it up the smallest hill. Either way, with struggles and all I made it to through the ride. I felt really great afterwards.
Here are Sunday's stats!
Time: 1:05:34
Distance (Miles): 17.77
Average Speed: 16.2
Maximum Speed: 22.6
Thanks to all of my new cycling friends, mentors and motivators!!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Last Saturday's Numbers
Yes, I am a slacker, both on writing in my blog and also in training. I am very disappointed in myself. Well here are the numbers from last Saturday:
Time: 1:32:51
Distance (Miles): 23.24
Average Speed: 14.9
Maximum Speed: 22.5
Time: 1:32:51
Distance (Miles): 23.24
Average Speed: 14.9
Maximum Speed: 22.5
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Ending on a good note....
Since the last few days have been consumed by schoolwork and lack of sunlight (due to hours at work and school), I was determined to get up bright and early and end my first week of training on a good note. I met up with the "C" level Group of the Seminole Cyclists (they ride every Saturday morning at 7:30 A.M.) in attempts to make up for Days 4-6. Today was perfect for riding. It was so beautiful! There was no fog, the sun was shining and it was in the 60's.
The one thing I really enjoy about riding with a group of people is that I find I push myself even more to be a better, faster rider. I am able to work through the long distance because of the support system the other riders provide. I look forward to riding with the Seminole Cyclists, as well as other groups, in the future.
After my ride, I attended an information meeting for Team In Training and the100-mile riding event that will take place in Asheville, North Carolina in June. The organization raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and helps train and support individuals for the events. For those who know me, I thoroughly enjoy community service and any event that raises money for good causes. I wish I had a lot more time and money to enter every fund-raising and/or riding event, but I am limited on both. As much as I would love to participate in this wonderful opportunity, I have decided that it is best to keep my focus on one big event, Hershey's Tour De Pink.
So to continue on the days events, I ended up at Panera Bread next to the Seminole Bike Trail off of Lake Mary BLVD. where some wonderful people had set up a tent and bicycle trainers in efforts to support the Tour De Cure (Donations to go towards the American Diabetes Association). I had recognized the woman collecting donations and selling raffle tickets and turns out she helped teach me about riding on my very first Saturday ride with the Seminole Cyclists. Her name is Judi and she has participated in the Hershey's Tour De Pink before so I am very ecstatic to have someone to go to with questions! After speaking with Judi, I am even thinking about participating in the Tour De Cure ride in February. Diabetes is the one thing that hits close to home and to support my mom I think this would be a wonderful thing to partake in. I will let everyone know.
Well that about covers the biking adventures for the day....more to come tomorrow. Here are today's stats:
Time: 1:54:00
Distance (Miles): 29.14
Average Speed: 15.2
Maximum Speed: 20.1
The one thing I really enjoy about riding with a group of people is that I find I push myself even more to be a better, faster rider. I am able to work through the long distance because of the support system the other riders provide. I look forward to riding with the Seminole Cyclists, as well as other groups, in the future.
After my ride, I attended an information meeting for Team In Training and the100-mile riding event that will take place in Asheville, North Carolina in June. The organization raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and helps train and support individuals for the events. For those who know me, I thoroughly enjoy community service and any event that raises money for good causes. I wish I had a lot more time and money to enter every fund-raising and/or riding event, but I am limited on both. As much as I would love to participate in this wonderful opportunity, I have decided that it is best to keep my focus on one big event, Hershey's Tour De Pink.
So to continue on the days events, I ended up at Panera Bread next to the Seminole Bike Trail off of Lake Mary BLVD. where some wonderful people had set up a tent and bicycle trainers in efforts to support the Tour De Cure (Donations to go towards the American Diabetes Association). I had recognized the woman collecting donations and selling raffle tickets and turns out she helped teach me about riding on my very first Saturday ride with the Seminole Cyclists. Her name is Judi and she has participated in the Hershey's Tour De Pink before so I am very ecstatic to have someone to go to with questions! After speaking with Judi, I am even thinking about participating in the Tour De Cure ride in February. Diabetes is the one thing that hits close to home and to support my mom I think this would be a wonderful thing to partake in. I will let everyone know.
Well that about covers the biking adventures for the day....more to come tomorrow. Here are today's stats:
Time: 1:54:00
Distance (Miles): 29.14
Average Speed: 15.2
Maximum Speed: 20.1
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Ahhhhhhhhh....Day 3....
I got up this morning at 5 A.M. to get all of my stuff ready and when I went to put my cycle gear on it wasn't in the dryer as my wonderful hubby said it would be. Turns out all of the cycle gear I had put in the wash last night never got put in the dryer. Just so we are all very clear....Cory so kindly offered to put my clothes in dryer so I could get my beauty rest before my early morning ride. Can't be too mad at him, it was a really nice gesture. Needless to say I had to rewash everything. By the time the clothes were re-washed and dried....I had to go to work. So much for the early morning ride.
I hurried home from work and was able to get 30 minutes in before it got too dark. I am a little disappointed that I wasn't able to at least reach the 10-mile mark, but at least I went. The before-cycle-training me would have said "Oh I can make up for it tomorrow". And then of course I would make up another excuse the following day. My lesson for the day is that it would be a good idea to get some more night riding accessories......it is a jungle out there on the Florida roadways. I was a little nervous that cars couldn't see me even with the bright red light blinking on the back of my back. Just more fun stuff to add to my "wish" list.
Well here are the stats:
Time: 30:59
Distance (Miles): 7.38
Average Speed: 14.2
Maximum Speed: 21.4
I hurried home from work and was able to get 30 minutes in before it got too dark. I am a little disappointed that I wasn't able to at least reach the 10-mile mark, but at least I went. The before-cycle-training me would have said "Oh I can make up for it tomorrow". And then of course I would make up another excuse the following day. My lesson for the day is that it would be a good idea to get some more night riding accessories......it is a jungle out there on the Florida roadways. I was a little nervous that cars couldn't see me even with the bright red light blinking on the back of my back. Just more fun stuff to add to my "wish" list.
Well here are the stats:
Time: 30:59
Distance (Miles): 7.38
Average Speed: 14.2
Maximum Speed: 21.4
Monday, January 18, 2010
Day 2 Training Adventures
I woke up this morning to really chilly temperatures and decided to wait until mid-afternoon when the temperature peaked to 67 degrees. It was a very beautiful day, well that is, of course, except for that darn wind. The wind was gusting, but not nearly as bad as yesterday. Overall, the day was pretty good for riding.
Regarding the ride itself, well that is another story. Let me start by stating that today was only my second day with using my new clip pedals. For those who have them, or at least ridden with them, know that sometimes it is difficult to get out of them in a split second. That being said, I was riding along the same trail as yesterday and as I was approaching the trail directly behind Panera Bread and Peach Valley Cafe there were people just standing across the entire path. As I got closer I thought this little girl was going to wait for me to pass and then she darted right in front of me. I slammed on my brakes and since my feet were locked in the pedals I didn't have time to take them out and together the bike and I fell. The little girl's mother said nothing and just walked across. She didn't even bother to apologize or help. Luckily, there was a really nice woman by the name of Jacqueline who was there to help me. No scrapes, but my chain had come off and Jacqueline was nice enough to help me put it back on. To make a bad situation better, I met Jacqueline who also rides and now I might have another woman to ride with.Yay! Well that about does it for today's events, here are the stats:
Time: 1:07:19
Distance (Miles): 15.19
Average Speed: 13.5
Maximum Speed: 18.9
Tomorrow will be the real challenge.....6 A.M. ride!
Regarding the ride itself, well that is another story. Let me start by stating that today was only my second day with using my new clip pedals. For those who have them, or at least ridden with them, know that sometimes it is difficult to get out of them in a split second. That being said, I was riding along the same trail as yesterday and as I was approaching the trail directly behind Panera Bread and Peach Valley Cafe there were people just standing across the entire path. As I got closer I thought this little girl was going to wait for me to pass and then she darted right in front of me. I slammed on my brakes and since my feet were locked in the pedals I didn't have time to take them out and together the bike and I fell. The little girl's mother said nothing and just walked across. She didn't even bother to apologize or help. Luckily, there was a really nice woman by the name of Jacqueline who was there to help me. No scrapes, but my chain had come off and Jacqueline was nice enough to help me put it back on. To make a bad situation better, I met Jacqueline who also rides and now I might have another woman to ride with.Yay! Well that about does it for today's events, here are the stats:
Time: 1:07:19
Distance (Miles): 15.19
Average Speed: 13.5
Maximum Speed: 18.9
Tomorrow will be the real challenge.....6 A.M. ride!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
And so the training begins.......
...and so does the countdown to the 2010 Hershey's Tour De Pink. Today I got to try out my new Clips and they were great! I am still a beginner and learning about my bike and cycling. I am so looking forward to this ride in October. What a great way to motivate myself to get back in shape!
Overall, today's ride was great! It was very sunny out and the temperature was perfect! The only issue was the wind. There were more than a few gusts that I thought was going to blow me over. Even so, I completed Day 1 of training! Yay! Here are the stats:
Time: 1:37:10
Distance (Miles): 20.52
Average Speed: 12.6
Maximum Speed: 20.5
Tomorrow is another day!
Overall, today's ride was great! It was very sunny out and the temperature was perfect! The only issue was the wind. There were more than a few gusts that I thought was going to blow me over. Even so, I completed Day 1 of training! Yay! Here are the stats:
Time: 1:37:10
Distance (Miles): 20.52
Average Speed: 12.6
Maximum Speed: 20.5
Tomorrow is another day!
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