Solo 26. Just a smooth ride for exercise. Felt a little headwind up the dam but thought I'd go for it anyway. Felt good considering a couple days ago all I did was sit on my butt watching movies ending with stiff calves burning like a mothuh. But, one of the movies was Samson. Maybe it gave me strength. 😄 But just goes to show us old people got to keep on moving. Good ride testing out the new tires and clean spokes glistening in the sun. 👌
Happy about the PRs seeing its the Damn Dam Clims. Short 1/3 mile but tops out at 9% on the first section and 11% on the upper section. I topped my PR about 6 months ago and then today but before that, it had been about 15 years at least.
The second half of the Damn Dam Climb.
Kind of cool. My weight class, I'm number 1 this year. Only 23 riders but hey. 😄
In my age group, not bad for an old fat guy. 😄
5 in total, 4 mentioned on front page of ride. I'll take it. 😁
Much better HR chart. Just hate when website update etc and screw up settings. Finally figured it out so looking normal again.
Look at these idiots. Riding wheelies in an indoor mall. E bike and scooters doing high speeds. And their idiot parents probably saying, not my kid, he doesn't do things like that.
Had a chance to install a couple new tires today. Have had them for 6 months now, maybe? But you know me, I'm the type that will wear or use stuff to the last thread. Good thing, roads, trails, not one flat on this worn set of tires. I do wipe my tires and though some know it all on a cycling forum said it doesn't work, it does for me and really, I think he's an idiot ha ha ha!
Looking back, last flat was May of 2024 on my Madone. It works!
So having the joint to myself today, I took advantage of it. Cut my hair, made some potatoes with chorizo and eggs, then replaced both tires on my bike. The back was wearing down to the threads but like I said, no flats. Continental 5000s. Are they making these things tighter? I used to be able to replace them easily with my fingers, no levers. Remove and replace was no problem. Last couple of times that I have replaced the tires, it has been a beotch and I have had to use the levers with plenty of effort.
But anyway, damn I'm a good cook ha ha ha!
Also did a little adjusting to the mounts on my bike. Cut some tape, made room and relocated the light bracket away from the cables making it easier to mount and no touching of the cables on a ride. Hasn't been a problem but I do worry about a cable touching a light risking a burn. Hasn't been a problem but you never know.
Cannondale bike is at 9,917.4 miles for the record and tracking.
Of course after Gina got home from her engagement (funeral), went to dinner with her younger brother, Sam. Wouldn't be normal if he didn't order something 10 to 15 dollars more than what we pay for our meals. I guess it's ok, he's always been cool with me. Though tonight at the mall over coffee, he told me that he was always a little bothered when they were younger when guys would look at his sisters.
So walking through the mall, I felt kind of funny walking through Macy's while holding Gina's hand. I started thinking about what he said and wondered if he might be thinking something about me ha ha ha! I guess I don't really have anything to worry about, he couldn't take me if I tied both hands behind my back ha ha ha!
Sam and his meal
OF course my usual petite steak with rice. Gina had the same dish today but with a trip to the salad bar. I always get soup, the salad bar is a little too much for me but never really noticing it till after I'm done eating so I just avoid it. Other than the little bowl the servers give me for a little side salad. Used to be dessert but I gave it up for my New Year's resolution and doing well by it.
Just Another smooth ride for exercise. Ran into Terence at the start of the ride. Knew him from the forums and been about 20 years. 🤣 I saw a blouse last night at Macy's. On sale so we bought it. Hard work shopping but I will say I do have good taste. 😜
So it was cool running into Terence. I hadn't seen him in like almost 20 years? I was doing my pre ride speech when he saw me then shouted out. I was a little puzzled at first not ever expecting to see him here in Pico or even on the bike since it's been years. So it took a few seconds and coming from out of the shadows of the tree before I recognized him. But who can forget his great laugh. Good guy and knows the way the forums used to be back in the day when they were cool, and heavily trafficked unlike today, lucky to get one or two comments a week in the SoCal forum. Ha ha ha they still suck!
But we chatted for a bit. I remember his kids being pulled in buggies but now in college, wow! Also I had suggested he use Deep rims back then after rim issues. He still remembers that I was the one who brought them up and in fact, the rear rim on the Cannondale I'm riding right now, I built that back in 2005 and still going strong.
Of course we talked about life issues as well, getting old, getting fat, then trying to get healthy again. The cycle of life! Good for him. The good thing about cycling, all ages and at any time one can return to the activity. I guess I'm pretty much riding now for that reason, staying healthy. OF course fun as well but keeping healthy is the big plus.
I must mention, more testing of my diabetes and all is very well. The foot exam and all is good. Of course I take really good care of my feet. I remember being a kid playing outdoors all day and night without shoes. Ever once in a while, I would get a split between my toes from being a dirthy little bastard ha ha ha. Too bad I don't have that jersey ha ha ha!
So growing up, I learned to keep my feet very clean. Then working at a steel company for a few years, steel toe boots on my feet all day in 100 degree temps, keeping the feet clean is key. So my FEETS are good ha ha ha! Also the main visit, the diabetic retinal scan is all good as well. I do worry about that. Not for any other reason than just that, being diabetic. Can't say I have any problems or hints that something may be wrong but you never know. And Kaiser is always on my back about testing and of course, knowing is key in that field. Can't fix what you don't know it wrong. SO yeah, all good now and keeping it that way. Can't see myself being the fool who ignores the sheot that is actually going to make your life miserable if it is avoidable. I'd be a fool to let this stuff happen. It's as easy as eating right and exercise, screw the meds!
But, today, Sunday I took my recorder after getting very little on Saturday. Few riders passing here and there. Figured I would mix it with some Sunday footage. I really didn't feel like riding Saturday but did as I had a spaghetti dinner on Friday night. Not wanting to waste my carbs ha ha ha! Plus figuring out what supplements would work for me on the bike seeing I don't load myself with carbs all day long like I did before. I have actually felt a couple days that I was lacking so I want to correct that. Nothing noticeable on short 25 milers but more the 45's with some effort thrown in that I feel it.
Actually ate some carbs the night before, some Nature's Bakery fig bars (good reviews across the net) and a Honey Stinger along the way. felt good on Saturday. Of course as usual, the wind was freaking blowing again so the speeds don't look like much but when you see others out there struggling, it actually makes me feel better ha ha ha!
So I'll just keep riding my bike for fun and exercise hoping to stay healthy.
The YT video
I'm one who doesn't care about the superbowl, have no idea and doesn't care who bad bunny is but a trip to Casa Jiminez in Baldwin Park, I got a glimpse of the halftime show. And I must say, I still don't care about bad bunny. 😄 More entertaining is the purty colors on the blouse I found for my Honey. Now just give me a coffee ☕️ and don't worry about telling me who won because it really doesn't matter. Not like it's riding a bike. 😁
I did find out why my zones have been so high like constant red lining. My Garmin connect account locked up a few weeks ago so upon repairing the account, Garmin somehow altered my limits. Finally figured it out so today's ride looks more like a relaxed ride versus being on the edge of a heart attack. 😄
Solo Pico to Seal Beach. Felt good but those freaking headwinds follow me. 🤣 I might have to get out of bed at 5 am to beat the wind,.....NAH!!!😄 But did feel good at the end eating Nature's Bakery fig bars and a Honey stinger, not to mention a spaghetti dinner last night . I sure didn't feel like riding this morning but I didn't want to waste my spaghetti dinner carbs. 😁
My Honey is so sweet! Arriving home from my bike ride, she went to Costco and while there, picked up another bag of electrolytes for my bike rides. And some Vita B. Of course, Sizzler then the mall where she found a really pretty blouse on sale. Couldn't refuse the price and I picked it out having caught my eye. She liked it so there it is! 😁 I really enjoy the gals at Sizzler. One gal Elena, though not our server saw that our server was busy at the moment so she saw our food was ready so she brought it out to us. Then brought out refills as well without being our server. Now that is cool! Just about all of them are good but gotta love it when they take things upon themselves to make us happy. 🤩
Well, met some dude and he was cool, and I'm cool 😎....so, the cool dudes ride 😁 Chatted for a bit while after I finished posing on the dam. He was rolling up on one of my repeats so I caught him in the pic too. 😃 Other than that, just testing affordable nutritional on the bike products. Eating much less than before, I think I require more on the bike as far as carbs.
Been using these, 2 packs so I take in one about every ten miles. Then a Honey stinger at about half way or 2/3 of a 35 mile ride. Felt great on a ride last week.
But on my Saturday 46 mile ride, I worked hard and missed my Honey stinger so that could have had something to do with burning out. I've always had a big before rides but I cut back a lot to control my diabetes without meds. So I guess I'd rather sacrifice a little on the bike rather than have my kidneys fail, priorities! 😉
So today was a short ride but I wanted to try the fig thing with a Gu to see my reaction. Felt good but the longer rides are the real test.
The Honey Stingers worked well for me. Easy to eat and felt strong at the end of my ride, the last 10 mile segment, actually feeling stronger at the end. Hope it was the HS or maybe just feeling good or placebo effect. I'll find out later ha ha ha!
Then a romantic candlelit dinner with Gina at Sizzler. 😁
Each booth had a little plastic candle light. Valentine's Day decoration set out on Feb 4th. We'll see how long these things last. Kind of sad that the Sizzler people will find out who their thief customers are ha ha ha!
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