70 Miles

Jonathan and I did the great Usery loop this morning. We left each from our respective homes and met up at Guadalupe and Ellsworth. From there we went up Ellsworth to Usery and looped around on Bush Highway. A cycling coach I recently met challenged me to ride up King Kong using my large chain ring, something I've never done and didn't think I could, but I surprised myself and did it. I'll be danged - it was even a little easier than I thought.

We rode back down the long hill on Ellsworth and I accompanied Jon back to his neighborhood. From there I continued out to Cooper then south to Pecos and back the familiar route. It turned out to be an even 70 miles by the time I got home. I think I was bumping in to my anaerobic threshold as I found I was running close to empty. I've never got that close to bonking in the past - interesting that the muscles just want to quit.

I consumed several Goos and Cliff Bars and drank four bottles of water. I'm going to stretch a bit and then cop some zzzzzzzzzzzzzz's. Gotta replenish - I'm not spring chicken you know.

Here's the ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2332029

60 Miles

Big ride today.  Jeff Benintendi invited me to ride with his people, which included Ed Redmond (his cycling coach) and his wife Marnie, along with Kevin and Marti Papke, a couple in my age group and their friend Andy who met us underway.

The plan was to ride from Val Vista and Guadelupe out to South Mountain and climb the peak up to the antenna farm there.  However, there was a breast cancer walk that day on the hill and we were unable to ride the hill, so we diverted over to Ahwahtukee and rode some familiar hills there.  It was a good challenging group and ride.  In the end we did 60 miles.  We finished up the ride at Einstein Brothers on Val Vista and Williamsfield for some chow and good conversation.

Jon and his dad heading out for a cold morning's ride

Here's Jon and me getting ready for a Father/Son ride one cool morning.  Note the arm and leg warmers.  Jon picked up these very fashionable and matching riding bibs and shirts from ebay.  Oh yeah, we're fast!