Training history and stats

Here's my training history and stats


To get trained for the event, I am following closely the chart in the Climate ride website: http://www.climateride.org/getting-ready/training-basics.
*Training summary:*
Week--------Total miles-------2-day Long rides(miles)
1-05/06---------19.14-------------13.75, 5.39
2-05/13 -------- 61.06------------22, 30
3-05/20---------54.84-----------22 (2Hrs 56mins), 19.37+hill (2Hrs 3 mins)
4-05/27---------89.08-----------20.78+hill (2Hrs 7 mins), 19.22 (2Hrs 5 mins)
5-06/02---------60.02-----------14.59 (1Hr 34 mins), 14.63 (1Hr 46 mins)
6-06/10----------106--------------30 (3Hr 33 mins), 24.86 (2Hr 40mins)
7-06/17----------108--------------30 (4Hr 16 mins), 19.85 (2Hr 13 mins)
8-06/24--------95.23------------22.83(3 Hr), 27.75 (2Hr 56mins)
9-07/01---------74.37-------------29.74 (3Hr 1min), 20 (1hr 59mins)
10-07/08-------95.86----------------------60.5 (7Hr 15mins)
11-07/15---------82.58------------40 (4Hr 42 mins), 28.34 (3Hr 39mins)
12-07/22-------121------29(2Hr 53mins), 50 (5Hr 40mins), 14.81 (1Hr 38mins)
13-07/29---------114--------------37.88 (3Hr), 60 (6Hr 5mins)
14-08/05--------96.65---------34.75, 60.9 (6Hr 8mins)
15-08/12---------134-------------60.5, 48.68
16-08/19---------77.46------------32,45.45
17-08/26--------40----------------14.6, 30.03
18-09/02--------131---------------60,41

Training stats: http://www.endomondo.com/stats/5006297

Win-Win

Sorry for the long silence. I get all these ideas to write big long blogs as I am riding but I don't find the time. I am writing this blog so that I can stop you from wondering how my training is coming. I am doing very well. Truly enjoying the training. For the first time in my life, I let myself spend entire days outside in the summer heat. I have learnt to endure the heat and touch wood its going well.

Five years back when I trained for the marathon, I had a support group to train with. This time, I am doing it by myself with only the online training guidance. My sister shudders at this thought. I am not alone though and its not boring. I get support from local businesses around the trail. I take a break every 10 miles or so to cool of. Its a win-win for us. I get the support I need and they get my business. Wanted to write this blog to share my pleasant experience with these businesses.

Cafe Silva - Coffee shop by the trail. Love this place. I make it a point to stop there whenever I do long rides. The owner generously fills up my waterbottle with refreshing green iced tea. It makes the next 10miles feel like a breeze. I wrote a separate blog about them.

Dallas Bikeworks - My favorite bike shop in town. Its conveniently located by the trail and the train station. I have gone there several times. Their staff are always attentive, knowledgeable and courteous. Most of the time, I break something and wait for them to open. Today morning, in my half woken up state, I somehow broke the tube valve and let out all the air. Thankfully, I was able to take the bike by train to their shop. The fun thing is, I take it in for one thing and they will look at all other things that need fixing like tightening a cable or taping up my handlebar. Thanks Bikeworks for looking out for me! They recycled my old helmet responsibly! I will love it if they recycled all their tires and other bakeshop waste. Recycle Revolution should be able to help them.

Green Spot - I have started going there since I started doing 60miles. They are my kind of business. Love their shop. They have a small taco stand which closes at 3pm. Their tacos are yummy but make sure to specify that you don't want it in foil. They will serve you in paper plate if you ask. Their Kombuchas are awesome and are made with organic ingredients. Their staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Their cups and cutleries are compostable. They have separate compost and recycle bin. They also sell bio-diesel! They are one of few close to zero-waste facilities in Dallas. Check it out.

Unrefined Bakery - I discovered them today! Had my lunch there after I missed the tacos at Green spot. Oh, its a great find. They only use organic produce at this eatery. Their foods are completely gluten-free. All their breads are freshly made there. Their staff are very knowledgeable and cheerful. They have organic, gluten-free, vegan pastries. I had a sandwich there which was made with gluten-free bread. I only wish they will start recycling. It will only complete their concept. As I always say, "We get our nutrients from EARTH. If we are not kind to EARTH, even if we use the best ingredients, the foods will not nourish us". I hope to find out what kind of logistic problem they have in implementing recycling and work with them to get that squared away.

Thanks guys. With you buy by side, I can endure Texas heat to get ready for my Ride. 

Bike out!

I biked 50 miles on Sunday. It was beautiful. I know that I keep saying this on most days but this day is the best by far. At one time, I was on top of a small hill coming down and I saw the lake glittering in the sun. I just paused for a second at the top without getting of the saddle. The few seconds was enough to register this beauty. I kept my glaze fixated on the glitters as I came down the hill. It was double happiness. Happiness of beautiful sight with happiness of coming down the hill :-)

Thats not the only highlight of the ride. There is more. The weather was awesome. More awesome than spring. It was cool, with clouds covering up the sun for the most part.

Coming to the highlight. As I came around a turn, I saw a flock of geese running to the road from the lake. I have never seen this up close. It was awesome.

This brown one led the charge

I was 1 feet away from it!

Then a swan cam

So, get biking out to experience something equally spectacular. See you on the trail.

Rockland Rocks!

I got to train in NY last weekend! I had gone there for three days to visit family. I was supposed to do 30 miles on consecutive days that weekend. Since its impractical to go out biking on two days, I set my mind on completing at least 30 miles. Looked into renting a bike but a fellow climate rider generously offered his bike (bought just a week ago). He also setup a get together with NY riders. It was great to great fellow participants. I also met a climate rider from last year. He took down my name and contributed to my fundraiser the next day. I am moved by his gesture since he is a student.

It was a 23mile ride from eastside Manhattan to Nyack. We biked north on Riverside blvd until we hit 178street and crossed the Hudson river by riding on George Washington bridge. The view from the bridge was breathtaking!

Getting off the bridge, we just have to go north on 9N. This route is so popular among cyclists. After about 17 miles, my friend had to return back but she encouraged me to continue. I thought, I can always take public transport back if I need to but I need to finish this ride. So, I continued.

I entered Rockland county and biked through residential neighborhood. The houses were modest but they have a system that I haven't seen anywhere else. They keep yard ward outside in paper (recycled) bags! I was so happy to see this. Why can't this become the norm everywhere?
I don't know if the county imposts this as a law or the residents are taking the initiative to do this. I didn't see a single house with those black plastic bags.
   I passed this information to city of Dallas. They told me that in Texas state law prohibits the specification of containers for handling waste. I feel the problem is in our mindset to term it as "waste". It is not. It can be easily composted in the backyard. The dried leaves can be used as mulch in the gardens and it can help preserve water to meet the demand. With so many benefits, why are we eager to send them away? Where is that away?
Any ideas to make people switch to these recyclable/compostable bags or stop yard waste?
   I found Nyack and a nice bike friendly cafe called Runcible Spoon. Had lunch there and relaxed. Coincidently Nyack had a huge art festival that day. So, I went around and shopped for sometime. It became hot very fast. I was sweating uncontrollably, tried to find public transport or taxi which will take me back to NY. After 2 hours of effort, I gave up and started back on the ride to NY. I have much to blame Iphone for spent energy. There is no Bicycle direction in Google maps on Iphone. Buses in NY don't have bike stand.
   I was nervous about starting the ride back since I had never attempted this much mileage in one day and I was alone. I reassured myself and attempted the ride one mile at a time. The ride back home had multiple big hills. At one point I remembered that I got a energy vial from BEEALIVE. It is an all natural energy drink made of honey and other herbs. I drank that up and got Popeye legs to attack the big hills.
   I  managed to reach NY city at around 8pm. Even the buses in NY city don't have bike stand. So, I had to ride another 7-8 miles to reach my friend's place. When I reached his place, the bike computer read this.
  I felt so accomplished. I am following the climate ride guidelines closely. I should have done 30miles, 30miles on consecutive days but I did it in one day. It took me two days to recover. Iced my legs through the night. I was able to do another 15 miles yesterday.
 This weekend I will be doing 40miles and 30 miles. Keep reading and writing comments to show your support.

Discovered Cafe Silva

Today morning, I got up early and was in a zombie state for a while. I don't take caffeine drinks in the morning until I get to work, so I was lazing around. I was wondering whether I should bike or just take the train in to work. Somehow, I fought the urge to go back to bed and got ready. I was still thinking whether I should take the train from the half way point or bike the whole 14 miles.

I suddenly remembered the coffee shop sign (Cafe D'Silva) that I usually see on the ride into work (about 1 mile away). I used to be an avid coffee drinker. But the way the coffee shops (local or starbucks) operate these days causes me much aversion that I have killed my cravings. My agony is towards those disposable cups. Coffee shops are places where people go to relax and take time sipping coffee. Such places should really serve in china. They charge an arm and leg for it but give us sub-stand service.

I hate it for several reasons. Firstly, environment. These coffee cups are lined with plastic on the inside. A person I know, fed them to his worms, the worms eat all of the paper and left the liner behind. It cannot decompose. Second, the plastic liner is making contact with hot liquid, imagine what kind of toxins get released into the liquid. Besides that the lid is plastic and we sip through it. The worst add-on is the sleeve which is a perfectly reusable/recyclable material which gets discarded as trash.

All cravings a not worth it, we usually realize it after eating the food we crave for. I feel particularly stupid when I drink out of a disposable cup. Today morning I had the craving for strong coffee that someone makes for me. So, I thought I will checkout this coffee shop. As I was riding, I was trying to decide which kind to choose. Cold coffee might be nice for today but it usually comes in plastic container.

So, I was making a list of questions to ask. This was my thought process. If they have ceramic cups, I will have hot coffee, else I will get cold coffee. I walked in from the muggy outside to the coolness of the shop. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a stack of glass tumblers for cold coffee. Ordered my drink and thanked the barista for doing it. The shop is not overly fancy, just a regular coffee shop with tables and a view of the park outside.

My coffee was ready. I went up to the condiments stand and was happy to find organic agave nectar. I relaxed on a chair and drank up my drink. Left the coffee shop feeling refreshed and contented. Now, thats how coffee shops should be run. Cafe Silva, you will be seeing me a lot!

All set for long rides

Bought my a road bike today! Didn't plan on it. Thought this search is going to be long. I had set my mind on buying an used bike. This is because I have decided to buy most things used. Recently, I was tempted to buy a handbag I have been long dreaming of owning. I stepped into the store and had second thoughts. Won't I find this bag in a thrift store? Can't I wait till then? So, I decided to wait.

But road bike is a necessity now! I started feeling the drag riding on my hybrid. Visited few shops but its a hit or miss with used bikes. Contacted a few people on craigslist. Most bikes on sale there were too big for me. I heard Richardson bikemart has a bigger used bike inventory. So, I went there to test drive.

I was shown two cycles of my size. One is older bike with Italian parts and the other one is my bike. People were telling me, just go ride a bike and you will feel it. I felt it! When I rode it, I knew! It felt right, very comfortable. Didn't want to get swept by it but everything was convincing. All the specs matched what my friend, Krunal told me to look for. So, I went ahead and bought it!

Thought I will have a steep learning curve getting used to riding a road bike but the transition to this bike has been amazingly smooth. I went for a 10 mile ride today. I feel more comfortable in the new bike than my hybrid. Loving it!

Bee pollen

I suffered from bad eye allergies this spring. That's when I came across Bee pollen at Earth day. I bought them from local honey makers, they even sell honey according to zip code. I have been having them regularly for the last one month. Apart from helping with allergies, bee pollens are loaded with protein, vitamins and minerals. I am sure they will make me strong for my ride in September!

Texas Honeybee Guild has a permanent stall at Dallas Farmers market. They also sell at art shows and Deep Ellum Outdoor market. Some local green grocery stores carry them. I have seen their products at Green Grocers (Dallas) and Gecko Hardware (Garland).