Training Week 2 - Ben

My Route (click to enlarge)

Since it rained all week, I knew that I was going to have to make up for not riding by really pushing it today. I ended up going about 25 miles I say "about" because I was riding Sarah's new bike and it doesn't have a computer on it. When I was finished, I measured the route I took by using photoshop's measurement tool on a map.

This was my first time riding a road bike. It took some getting used to. It definitely felt faster..but it was much harder on my wrists and neck. Overall, I think the discomfort is worth the light load and aerodynamics.

The first 10 miles were pretty tough because there was a significant headwind. Though, headwinds on the road bike seemed a little easier to manage because I was in a tucked position. The wind was coming out of the southwest, so once i reached umstead and started heading in a north-east direction, the ride became much easier. A special note to anyone who drives often on Edwards Mill road... LEAVE ROOM FOR THE BIKERS! I felt pretty unsafe riding on Edwards Mill road. The combination of a steep downhill, an unpredictable tail wind and heavy traffic was intense.

One I reached Crabtree Valley mall, I was feeling really good about how much strength I had left. I decided that instead of my usual route where I ride to Kiwanis park near five poitns and head home, I was going to go past it and try to make it out to Wake Med in east raleigh... somewhere during this time, I forgot about that vicious wind that was now behind me, but would be in my face for the entire (south-western) route home...

The bike path from Kiwanis park to east Raleigh is pretty cool. I had never been on it before. 50% of it is on boardwalks that overlook wetlands. I saw at least 10 turtles sunbathing in the water there... this is in the heart of the city, so I was not expecting that.

Finally, I reached Raleigh Blvd and decided to find my way home.. this is where I hit the wall of wind that had been at my back this whole time. I swear.. it took me as long to get from there to home as the rest of my ride did. It was a nightmare. But it's done and I feel good about it now.

Till next week.
Harris Out.