The Oracle of Apollo Snippets from the life of Apollo Lee

Week 24

Damn, I’m a weak bastard. A little rain couched me on Thursday, like half a man waiting to get permission from the stinking Weather Channel to grow a spine. Friday, I felt like my week was already basically blown and didn’t feel like getting on my bike. On Saturday, I went to a party in San José.

One thing I’ve noticed recently is that it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for me to beat my morning commute’s average speed on the way home. Of course, the headwinds have not subsided and I doubt they ever will. I believe that the winds will blow from the other direction about the day after I decide I’m tired of this whole bicycling thing and take up Kite Aerial Photography instead. But, I’m not gonna do that, so I better get stronger against the daily headwinds.

This week is 126 miles short of my goal. The goal, 34.51 mile weekdays with a 57.52 mile Saturday, was not that aggressive. It’s a pansy week for this time of year and the fact that I keep coming up short and bitching about the wind means that I’m still basically a wimp. Need to figure the stomp out again.

06 Jun:  34.65 mi;  1:50:32 (18.8 mph avg; 26.5 mph max)
07 Jun:  34.62 mi;  1:50:03 (18.9 mph avg; 26.5 mph max)
08 Jun:  34.62 mi;  1:49:39 (18.9 mph avg; 30.0 mph max)
Total : 103.89 mi;  5:30:14 (18.9 mph avg; 30.0 mph max)

Month so far:  456.17 mi. 2005 so far : 3484.95 mi (69.70% of goal).
2005 goal   : 5000.00 mi.
Remaining   : 1515.05 mi (54.11 mi / wk avg)

Maybe you need to do something, mix it up a little.

You said something earlier this year which has stuck with me. I don’t remember the exact phrasing, but essentially it was that nothing is worse for a rider than getting stuck in a rut or a routine.

Since you’re feeling a little down about your cycling right now, I don’t recommend that you read this. (Hmm. Don’t know if the A tag is allowed. Guess I’ll find out the hard way.)

Seth

Yeah, I decided to do the whole day after work today, just to use the first half as a tailwind and leave my usual backpack (to carry work clothes in) at home.

Yesterday: 34.71 mi in 1:52:36 (18.5 mph avg / 27.0 mph max)
Today: 34.76 mi in 1:48:01 (19.3 mph avg / 34.5 mph max)

That’s better!

Nice job on that stomp. I’ve never kicked 49 miles in that kind of time before. The closest I’ve come is 19.2 over about 52 miles (in February!). And you climbed hills? Damn. If we ever ride together, I think I’m going to need to eat three or four Clif Shots. Every ten miles. Just to keep you in eyeshot. Well done!

In order for us to ride together, I think you’ll need to get me a job at one of those companies you ride past, like Google or Apple. 😉

Let me know when I’m hired, ok? Until then, I can’t really afford the trip out there with a bike. (Unless I rode out! Hmm…)