Tommy Tompson part deux (36km)

I know an old biker who swallowed a fly, she swallowed a fly, oh I don't know why.

This week was lazy because of the crap weather and just having a lot to do. Tonight I was convinced to head out for a leisurely ride through Taylor Massey Creek (north Don Valley, which if you've never been, you really should). Saw some kids on a rope swing under the bridge. I'll have to go back and try it out.

We meandered through east end streets and eventually ended up at Tommy Thompson. It was a gorgeous sunset tonight and great to enjoy a cool evening by the lake before the masses descend with the onset of summer.

Distance: 36km

Time: 1hr45mins

Avg speed: 20km/hr

Bonus: heaps of rabbits on the spit

5th Training Ride: Rouge Valley (49km + 11km)

Today's ride was scenic and beautiful once you get out of Scarborough suburbia.

There's this beautiful spot along Port Union Rd where you're biking alongside Lake Ontario. Then there's this spectacular spot near the end of it where the Lake looks really beautiful. I'd love to go back when I have time and check that spot out some more.

I had pretty good cadence throughout the ride today and I've really improved since the first training ride (in 5 weeks I've gone up 4.7kms faster on average!) The hills only slowed me down ever so slightly. It was a bit chilly today but all in all enjoyable. Had a great lunch at my favourite cafe and had a bit of a nap. Probably go out for another ride again tomorrow. I need to find a happy medium with the sun so it doesn't wear me out.

PS Going down the hill on Military Trail where it turns off was the highlight of the ride (besides the aforementioned Port Union spot)

Rouge Valley Ride = 49km @ 2h30mins
Avg Speed= 21.7km/hr
Getting to Lunch = 11km
TOTAL RIDE = 60km
MAP:

To Oakville and Beyond (96km)

Because I'm crazy, I decided to bike out to Oakville yesterday to visit a friend. It's about a 46km ride. A pretty easy ride with mostly flat streets, some hills. Nice lakeshore views along the way. You get to see some cute little towns: Mimico and Port Credit. I felt great when I arrived in Oakville, although a little chilly. It seems the pollution warms downtown up a lot more than it does in the outlying areas. A skirt, probably not the best choice.

And then because I wanted to really push myself (and I'm really crazy), I decided to bike home after that long day for fun. Another 50kms. I took my time about it, chilled out in Port Credit and Humber Bay Park. I realized something about biking yesterday, I'm addicted to it, like some people are addicted to crack! It's just an incredible freeing experience being able to go wherever you want, getting lost in a Mississauga marsh, whatever. It's the way I used to feel about road trips when I was younger. But this is so much better!

I think I'm ready for Montreal.

An Ode to Spinning

Just finished a wicked spinning session emulating wind resistance (I could have used that on Saturday!) I feel very happily buzzed. Also had a decent weight session. Feels good to be able to increase weights and push myself a bit harder. I've been targetting my upper back and shoulders the last couple of days to build a stronger frame for those long rides. I hope it's working. It will tested in class tomorrow night when we have to do those shoulder shimmies (eek!)

4th Training Ride: Meadowvale Village (46km + 34km)

80km yesterday! Oy my hips, my neck.... I'm not sure if I'm sore this morning from sleeping so long (bedtime = 4pm, wake-up = 6:30am - no that was not a typo). You know that laying in bed too long ache you get sometimes, especially for women and their hips. Well whatever it is, I'm off for a long yoga session after I post this.

About the ride. A friend of mine came along which always makes it more fun. Plus I probably wouldn't have pushed myself to bike home after. The ride itself was relatively flat and easy except for that big hill towards the end when you get to suburbia. Most of the time delay stemmed from hitting traffic lights that took forever to change.

We took a short break at this beautiful creek called Etobicoke Creek I believe. I took some photos which I intend to post (I swear they are not phantom photos or figments of my imagination). It was mostly a very uninspired suburban route, the main intent of which was just to get some distance in this week.

During the return ride back to the station, the wind was not in our favour which also slowed us down. I should have conserved some of my quad power somewhat more. I definitely know that one of my problems is pacing myself. I have this habit of wanting to boost all the time. There are 12 more weeks for me to learn these things :-)

The ride along the lakeshore after was quite slow but I always enjoy the scenary down there and cruising suits me just fine. It was good for just spinning my legs out after the Meadowvale ride as well. A beautiful day, very windy though and slightly chilly by the water.

I have discovered a great breakfast that burns off nice and slow over the ride: peanut butter (natural stuff of course) and bagels. Beautiful combo! Oh and green grapes dipped in peanut butter make a nice post-ride snack too!

Meadowvale Ride = 46km @ 2h10mins

Avg Speed= 21.3km/hr

Lakeshore Ride = 34km

TOTAL RIDE = 80km

MAP: http://www.bikerally.org/trainingmaps2007/46k_KiplingMeadowvale.pdf

Tommy Thompson + Early May Freeze

Wow yesterday was really chilly here in Toronto. Or maybe it's just that I'm not dressing for the weather. I refuse to don my winter coat again and officially put the winter gear away, danmit! As a result, that led to my own freezingness (yes it's now a word).

Zipping around the city yesterday added 15km to my odometre. I'm getting better at negotiating city traffic and beating the traffic light stall.

I also did a very short 20km training ride with a fellow Bike Rally rider yesterday. From downtown along the lakshore we looped a good chunk of Tommy Thompson Park. For those of you who aren't aware of this treasure, it's situated at the very south end of Leslie Street. It juts out into the water and sticks out very close to Ward's Island at one point. It's awesome because there are hardly ever cars there and you can bike for many kilometres undisturbed. There's also lots of great wildlife viewing: rabbits, grounhogs, racoons, beavers and any kind of bird you can imagine. It has one of the most spectacular views of the Toronto skyline, highly recommended at sunset.

While I biked all through winter this year, the chill coming off Lake Ontario, my thin gloves and spring shoes, we were back indoors before long enjoying hot chocolate. I figure that I've been very good about pushing myself and bike everyday for many kms. I'll be at this Saturday's training ride, so I'm entitled to have one lazy training ride (yes I feel guilty... but it was great hot chocolate!)

Cycle Therapy are Rock Stars

I'm in a rush but I just wanted to rave and gush about the guys at Cycle Therapy: they are total stars!

Today I went in for a full hour's free bike fit (because I'm doing the Bike Rally) during which Mike (part owner) gave me some very practical advice, including many things I had never thought of as an inexperienced rider. As a result of him giving me a shorter stem, adjusting the height of my bike and suggesting shorter handlebars for my smaller shoulder frame, not only has my cadence improved but my wrists are not really sore anymore.

Not only are they offering all of us newbie biker's free bike fits, but apparently for the past 3 years, they've shut down their entire shop during the week of the Bike Rally to come on the ride and lend a hand with mechanical stuff. How awesome is that?!

I just wanted to take some time out to hype up their shop which is very funky. They have a great attitude about biking, very chilled and no pressure. You can find them at 1114 Queen Street East (2 blocks East of Pape, North Side) http://www.cycletherapy.ca/

Now, back on Betty for some more urban adventures this afternoon.