Thanksgiving weight loss challenge - 30 miles on T-Day. UPDATED 11/22/2012

[Denninmi]

Last edited Thu Nov 22, 2012, 06:02 PM - Edit history (1)

I joined a fitness center 1st of October and enrolled in their weight loss program. Plus been doing a lot of biking -- closing in on 1,000 miles since Labor Day.

Every Monday, the group meets with a dietician. Being T-day, she challenged each of us to do something with either diet or exercise to not gain weight over the holiday weekend.

Mine was easy, I told the group I would do a 30 mile ride T-Day morning.

No sweat, I did 20, 22, 16, and 19 in the past week, and only stop due to time constraints. 30 is eminently do-able here in a community with miles and miles of paved paths and trails.

Leave around 5 am, I should be back no later than 10, plenty of time to cook T-Day dinner for the family, since we are having an evening meal this year due to personal schedules.

Anybody else want to do a long ride over the holiday weekend?

[Gormy Cuss]

1. The forecast here is rain through the weekend, otherwise I'd be in the saddle every day.

If the rain is intermittent I'll go for a ride. I did that last week and needed to hose down myself, the bike, and all of my gear but it was worth it.

Have a great 30 mile ride.

[Denninmi]

2. Yup, I can relate.

I have very little dirt to ride on, but it doesn't take much.

Even on the paved paths, I've been getting spray up my back that stains -- the water looks like tea from the tannins in fallen leaves, and it stains the same way. Oak is the worst, and there is a reason they named it Oakland County -- oak trees everywhere.

[wtmusic]

3. You might enjoy joining a cycling club in your area

That really took my riding to the next level. If it's a bigger club, there will be plenty of people who you can ride with.

Have a great ride, and remember...if you do 35 you get an extra piece of pie.

[Denninmi]

4. Ah, no pie for me.

The only dessert I am making is sugar free jello with fruit in it.

I rode one time with the bike club from the gym. It was interesting to ride with serious amateurs, and I was proud of the fact I kept up with guys, and women, who compete in triathlons and other events... But. It was too organized for me, set route, timetable, led and chase riders to watch out for safety issues, timed breaks.

Not saying all groups would be like that. But it put constraints on the freedom I feel when I ride. I just prefer to do my own thing.

[wtmusic]

5. Groups definitely acquire a personality.

My club has 500 members so there are all types, but variations to the route/timetable are more the norm than the exception. It's spontaneous, in a collective way.

One of the biggest advantages of riding in a group is drafting. On a nice flat stretch, with 8-10 of your friends in a paceline, you can pedal comfortably at speeds far higher than you could manage yourself (in my group, up to 30mph). You get your exercise when it's your turn to "pull", but when you get tired you just drop to the back and let someone else take a turn.

[Denninmi]

6. I didn't have 30 miles in me today. And, a truly awesome wipeout!

Nope, didn't have 30. I had:

[IMG][/IMG]


Also, another wipeout, 2 in less than a week. This one WAS awesome, not because it happened, but how I reacted in a split second.

I was approaching a wooden bridge on the trail. This morning was mid-30s with some fog, and this was just at daybreak.

I couldn't see it was covered with black ice. None at all on the asphalt path.

Hit the bridge, and immediately spun out, the bike falling to the right. Somehow, I managed to basically jump off, as the bike spun out from under me off toward the left, and I ended up standing on the bridge, unhurt. And, the bike is fine, too.

I was impressed at my own athleticism. Who knew I had it in me at 47 and still about 20 lbs overweight?

[wtmusic]

7. Nice