Coach wanted me to ride three hours today, an easy ride without my bicycle computer. But when I woke up this morning, it was very cold – less than 30 degrees F. I did not want to ride in such cold. To be honest, I was afraid of ice. I have crashed on ice before, and I did not want to have the experience again.

But the sky was clear blue without a cloud to be seen. The sun was shining and melting the frost on the road way, so I put on my lycra and Joanne and I headed south toward the start of the Salem Bicycle Club’s Revolutions for Resolutions ride.

Being New Years Day, many folks were out including some I have not seen for quite some time. After some words of friendship we headed northward on the route. Once we obtained Windsor Inland Road, the pace picked up, but my stomach was not feeling the best, so I dropped backed. Perhaps this respite helped because soon I decided to catch Craig. I picked up the pace and was gaining when we came on the short rise where he attached to catch the rider in front of him. He did so and I was back about 50 feet. I stayed there for a short bit before I again picked up the pace and caught them. We rode together with me on Craig’s wheel. He was riding very well and I was happy to be in his draft (but I did take one pull).

We soon came upon the Ravena climb. I attacked as hard as I could even though I was riding my heavy bike. I had my fourth best time and was just 4 seconds off of my best time.

So much for not bringing along a bicycling computer.

I headed home after that. I was still feeling a bit queasy. Once home, I headed for the couch and took a three hour nap.

Today’s training plan called for a five hour ride. In addition, John “Geoduck” Pearch asked if we could do a 100k permanent. I picked out a ride that has one, large climb that starts about half way between us and suggested it to him. He liked it, so four of us braved a cold morning start in Hillsboro. Joining John and myself were Mark and Jim.

After ten miles of semi-urban riding, we found ourselves at the foot of a 1,400 foot climb in less than five miles. Fun! My training planed called for me to stay below a heart rate of 147 beats per minute so I soon shifted into granny and spun my way up the hill following my three companions by 100 feet or so.

The Bald Peak climb is worthy. Most of it is at a reasonable 6-7%, but there are some pitches at 10%! We spent some time at the top admiring the views, but soon we were descending in the very cold. But the time we reached Newberg, we were ready for a warm coffee shop and some treats. The Coffee Cottage was perfect!

But all too soon, we have to get back into the cold and head northward back to Hillsboro. We enjoyed the flats of Spring Valley Road but did test ourselves on the several rollers along the way. Soon, we were in Forest Grove and decided to visit Mike Olson at Olson’s Bicycles. Mike always has a smile on his face.

From Forest Grove, we were back into urban cycling with lot’s of traffic. However, as we neared our cars, we were on some quieter roads. We finished with over 65 miles and no rear rain!

Heart Rate Zones

Another night on the trainer. A long, steady state set that I did a bit too hard.

Christmas is a special day for Joanne and me. In addition to the usual activities, we like to get out for a bicycle ride sometime during the day. This year, as Joanne’s son was celebrating at his in-laws, we had the day to ourselves. We woke up to a steady, light rain and after opening our presents to each other, we dressed for the rain (Joanne in her new Shower Pass bicycle rain jacket) and climbed onto our rain bikes to enjoy our annual Christmas Day Bicycle Ride.

We headed north thinking we might reach the small town of St. Paul. As soon as we exited our neighborhood, we saw a runner who wished us a “Merry Christmas!”. The rain was falling, but it was light and our rain gear was doing a good job of keeping us dry and warm. We decided to ride down to the Wheatland Ferry which is closed just two days of the year – Christmas and Thanksgiving. We the found river very high, high enough to close the ferry even if it was not Christmas Day. The ferry was ‘parked’ against the far river bank. The river itself was nearly up the the gate where I leaned by bicycle.

Leaving the ferry behind, we continued north where we came upon a large Nutria. It was slowly crossing the road and was not afraid of us. We told it that it should get off of the road before we run over it but it continued it’s slow waddle.

The rain continued on and off for the entire day, never heavy, but never quite completely stopped. Once we reached Mahoney Rd, we decided that we have had enough and turned away from St. Paul and back toward home. My coach wanted me to do a three hour ride, so I look a long cut doing the Windsor Island Loop. On the look, I got to surprise a large white cat and a bright red chicken but not at the same time.

Two groups start their rides at the State of Oregon Red Parking Lot – The Salem Bicycle Club and Capital Velo, the local racing team. I ride with both, but not with Capital Velo for a while. Today however, was my chance.

When I rode into the lot, I saw Jen Akeroyd with the Capital Velo group. I have not seen her since she became pregnant. Today, she was riding for the first time since having a beautiful baby girl – Olivia. Thinking that the pace of their ride would be slow enough for me to hang on, I decided to ride with them today. They did ride slower than usual, but it was hand for me to hand on.

We headed out south to ride the OBRA Championship Course, the only road race I have ever entered. Riding into the wind was tough, but Kurt was up to pulling the rest of us. He is looking really good this off season! Jen rode with us a short while and then decided she had enough and turned back. Mark, TJ and I followed Kurt out to the first tough hill of the route – Wiltsey St SE. I have ridden this before and it is one steep hill. But I took it at my own pace and did not dig too deep. I was the third one over the top. The rest of the day was rollers. I tried to stay within my training goals, but I did let the heart rate climb up too high every now and then. The last big hill of the day was Oak/Liberty and I was the last one to the top. I kept my pace withing training goals, but pushed it for the last 100 feet to the summit receiving a “nicely done” from Kurt who came back to shepherd me to the top.

Just another day on the trainer!

Entire Session

Endurance Section

Another night on the trainer. My ride plan called for four twenty second all out sprints during a 25 minute warmup, then five seven minute long intervals with four minutes of easy recovery between. Finally a ten minute cool down.

I was looking forward to this workout. I was feeling good. My body was not feeling sore, not even my thighs.

I put on the final hour of the 2011 Paris-Roubaix one day classic and climbed on the trainer. After a few minutes, I realized I had forgotten my head sweat, but choose not to stop the workout and retrieve it. This decision meant that sweat would be running down into my eyes and onto the floor.

The four sprints when well. I spun the power cranks as hard as I could and my power was in the 500 watt range. The main set also went very well. I could see that my power was on the high side, but I felt fine. The purpose of this workout was to work hard and I felt I had more to give so I did not lessen my effort. In the end, my average power for the five intervals was just two points above my target range.

Tonight’s ride plan was for a thirty minute warm up, then five six minute intervals between 175 and 187 watts.

Interval Data

Entire Training Session Statistics

Entire Training Session Statistics

Warm up Intervals