Haag

This was a good week on the bike and more fun at work. We all spent Monday at OB12OLD's place, eating and riding. Craigus took another ride with us as part of his cycling merit badge requirements. We hit 15 miles and I asked him if he wanted to take on the 25 mile piece. He kindly declined the offer, stating the terrain was much too hilly. He'd complete the 25 miler back in Newberg and through the flat Willamette River valley. Touche! At least he is riding.

We also spent time watching the Giro. What a race this year! Incredible speeds, awesome climbs, awefully competitive, and scenic views of the country. The race was all that and a bag of chips. By watching the Giro, talking about it with Craig, and his little bit of riding, we might have given birth to another cycling fanatic in the family. Time will tell if we have been successful. He has since been on several more 15 mile rides and has a few more planned this week. Time...

As for me, four rides this week with mileage over 170. It was a good week on the bike. Monday was riding in Washington with Craigus and OB12OLD. Tuesday and Wednesday, due to me working in Tacoma, I did not ride. This made Thursday a ride after some rest. I felt great on Thursday. Haugen road was less challenging than usual and the ride home was a new route up to the green house and over Gibb cementary. The legs were in great form. Maybe it was all the protein from the food at the my parents home or maybe it was just the rest. All in all, Thursday and Friday I pushed hard up and over various climbs. By Saturday, I was feeling it but had a great tempo ride on Saturday, hitting my STP speed target over the four hours of riding. The ride was out to Cornelius, around Haag Lake, out to Yamhill, and back through the valley. I felt all the work today as I sat through church. It was a good feeling. This next week will be challenging to get it all in as I will be traveling again.

As I have increased my crank arm length, changed from a compact to normal crank, and ride with an 11-23 cassette, on climbs I have changed to a high cadence climbing style. It really keeps my legs fresher in the long run. Saturday's ride confirmed this as there was plenty of rollers and a few climbs to get up and over. By spinning at the higher cadence, at the 60 and 70 mile marks, I felt good. As a point of reference, at last week's century, we averaged 16.78 MPH. This week, I hit 18.2 MPH average. The combination of the century work last week and the hills this week, I am starting to "sharpen" the fitness. I can feel it getting better. STP is only a few weeks away.

Finally, I just wanted to send a shout out to JD who is heading towards Deutschland this week. May the road rise up to meet you and safe travels.