Some good rides

I got on the rollers for the first time this fall on Sunday evening.  I am always amazed at how fast an hour goes by on those things.  I had the "Killer Headwind" going, which made the first part of the ride very, very cold since I was down in our basement and the "headwind" is directed right at the front of me.  Anyway, after about 10 minutes, I was warmed up enough to turn on the extra fan I have set up in front of the rollers.  I didn't do any specific workout, just tried to spin and enjoy the moment.

On Monday Claire, Mathilda, and I went out and did our favorite 20 mile loop.  Mathilda had been itching to get some miles in.  It was a beautiful day out there, and I got a chance to wear one of my long sleeve wool jerseys that sits in the closet most of the year.

Yesterday I was joined by Eric the Fireman for my Willow Creek/Joy Road ride.  We left at a little after nine in the morning.  Eric was on his beautiful green Surly cross bike with his yellow wheels.  He was very color coordinated as Claire pointed out before we left.  About a month ago I decided to add Joy Road into my favorite loop, and it really changed the whole ride.  For those of you who haven't been up Joy Road from the Bodega side, DON'T DO IT!  Just kidding... It is a steep uphill.  It ends up being around a 1000 foot climb by the time you get to the top.  The ride was uneventful otherwise except for getting to watch Eric the Fireman careen out of control on Duncan Road right before the washed out part of the road.  He stayed upright, but you could tell it had gotten his heart pumping a little.  He blamed his sunglasses.  A couple of years ago I came upon a guy lying in the dirt right at that point during the Grasshopper race.  He had had the wind knocked out of him after losing control there.  It worked out good for me, since I was able to use his body as a step in order to climb up the other side of the washed out road.  

Making Bread

Made bread on Tuesday.  Three loaves of whole wheat sourdough, and two loaves of toasted walnut sourdough, which Claire had requested.  Also made two pizzas.  Plenty of carbs in the house.

A couple of days off

Well, it is Tuesday morning, and it looks like some rain is moving in.  I have just broken my KitchenAid mixer trying to double up a recipe of sourdough bread.  I actually don't think it was totally my fault, since the piece was plastic.  I have located the piece I need to replace, but the trouble will be finding a place to buy the piece.  I feel like one of those bicycle customers who just need a small part for their shifter or brake lever, and we have to tell them that that piece doesn't exist as an aftermarket purchase.  I had planned on kneading the dough by hand anyway after mixing it just a bit with the KitchenAid.  It is rising right now next to the wood burning stove.

Claire, Mathilda, and I took advantage of the incredible weather yesterday by getting out on a 32 mile loop which included a stop at Andy's Produce for some fresh veggies.  We also sat out in the sun and had a cup of coffee from My Friend Joe's coffee shop.  Here is a link to the loop.  I would highly recommend this loop since it is relatively flat and stays off busy roads for the most part.  The loop also takes advantage of the West County Bike Path, which everybody should explore.

Sunday I rode my bike into the shop.  It was a little chilly at the beginning of the ride, and my chin got a little cold, but otherwise I was quite comfortable.  I think a skull cap is one of the best winter items for bike riding.  I could make up some statistic here about how much heat we lose through our head, but somebody might check up on it and prove me wrong.

A week back at the shop

Well, we have been back at work for a week after our time off.  The shop has been busier than I would expect at this time of the year, but who am I to complain.  Well, I guess I can only complain because we haven't had as much time to ride as we would like to have.  I did get out for a great run Wednesday morning.  It was just an out and back route on Martinelli Road, but with the coming of fall and the changing colors of the vineyards, it was gorgeous.  I also felt great for the entire run.

On Saturday morning I rode into Monte Rio and met up with Eric the Fireman and a bunch of folks from Charles Schwab.  I was lucky enough to have been invited by another Eric who works there.  I guess this is sort of an annual event for them.  I haven't been out on Kings Ridge in ages, so I jumped at the chance to get out there.  It also helped that Claire offered to take care of things at the bike shop so I could have the day off.  Anyway, when Eric T.F. and I got to Monte Rio we were greeted by a bunch of very friendly people on fast looking bikes.  I haven't been riding much, so I had psyched myself up on just being able to make it out to Stewarts Point where I figured I could almost coast back down Hwy. 1 and back to Monte Rio.  I hadn't heard that the route took us up Fort Ross Road before dropping back down to Hwy. 1.  Boy, that almost did me in.  I think Fort Ross has been less difficult at the end of the Terrible Two than it was this time.  Here is a link to my ride.

 I do have to say that the bag of Fritos from the Stewarts Point Store might have been the magic potion that helped me survive Fort Ross Road.

Stick a fork in me, I'm done

Well, I had to go out this morning and do my Willow Creek Loop, but this time I needed to drop down through Freestone and head back over Joy Road.  Ouch, my legs were really feeling it.  By the time I was heading home on River Road, I knew that I had had enough.  After yesterdays 13 mile hike, and the day before's 58 mile bike ride, I was feeling pretty knackered by the end of the ride.  I was trying to take it pretty easy, if that is possible on this loop, but I got a little carried away on the stretch from Freestone out to Joy Road.  At one point I looked down and my heart rate was running at 182, which shouldn't be happening on a flat section of road like that.  I paid for it when I hit the bottom of Joy Road.  Whose idea was it anyway to name that road?  Here is a link to my loop.

We did make some awesome burgers for dinner as well as drinking some great beer.  I even made homemade hamburger buns for the first time.  Sorry, no pictures, they all got eaten.