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).  

Tour d'Italia

Today I participated in a bike rally for the second time. I rode 30miles for the first time. I have been mostly riding roughly 20miles at a stretch and am comfortable with that distance. Texas is starting to get hot very fast. I had been mentally preparing myself for the ride, to be out in the sun for three hours and I got a pleasant surprise today. Today morning, I wake up and find my meetup group backing out from the ride since thunderstorms were predicted for the whole day. When I checked the weather, it seemed that the rain won't start till 12noon. I had already paid for the ride, so I didn't want to miss it. So, I got ready and checked the weather again. Rain got postponed much later and there was thick cloud cover for the whole ride!!!

Started the ride on a positive note, there was a pleasant breeze and no heat from sun. About 2 miles into the ride, I saw a vast sunflower field. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Right then, I felt, that nature has a way of granting your wishes when you least expect it. It was beautiful.

The flower was as big as a person's face. The plants were standing up with their face down. I felt like walking up to them to ask "What's wrong". I didn't ask since we didn't want the same thing :-)


The ride was tough. For the first 12 miles, we had to ride on old state highway. The ride was so bumpy that I regretted riding it on my hybrid. There is no shock absorption. To add to that, the course was an endless array of hills. Some of the hills were long and high. Once I stared up at the elevation climb and pushed myself to finish it. When I came out down that hill, another hill stared back at me. I apologized, huffed and puffed through the rest of the hills without staring.

Occasionally, someone will catchup to me and say encouraging things like, "The high hills are over in the first part, there are only small hills towards the end". I should have been suspiciously. The guy who said this, immediately pushed off to find his cousin. Liars! Met another liar at mile 25. He told me that this is the last hill. I gave him the stink eyes at mile 26 on top of a bigger hill.

It was also hard since this is the first time I am attempting 30miles. I am glad that I never got of the saddle, just kept pushing and I reached the finish line. Checkout today's workout stats here. I am so grateful that the sun was hiding today. I plan to do another 25-30miles tomorrow morning. Thanks for your support!

Rallying to train

I have been mostly biking around the white rock lake. Its about 10 miles once around. I was wondering what I will do as I increase the distance every week. I can certainly do multiple rounds around the lake but doing 7 rounds around the lake will get boring! That's right, I am building up the stamina to do 70 miles in one day and go back an do it again the next day. I have got to be able to do this on Sept 7th weekend.

When I was wondering about this, I spoke with my garden buddies Karen and Sean. They told me about the string of rallies that happens every week until fall around Dallas. I was thinking of doing the Red River rally in Oklahoma. Thankfully, Karen told me that there is one closer in Mesquite. It was an easy choice to go to Mesquite since its a shorter commute.

The online registration had closed but I was able to register in person. I don't have a car bike rack that's why I limit myself to white rock lake trail. Yesterday night, I figured, I can dismantle the front wheel and put my cycle in the back seat. The back seat is dirty now but hey, something's got to give.

The rally itself was great! My pace was phenomenally better than usual on a hilly terrain. I shaved about 1-2mins on each mile. Loved being out in the countryside, seeing crops and horses. Just liked the different scenery. I also got to see Mesquite's compost site up close. The weather was cool and it allowed me to complete 20 mile today. Tomorrow, I get to do the same distance around white rock lake!

I have registered for the next event on June 15th. Will be riding 30 miles in Italy!

Its Italy, Texas! I wish I can go to Europe just for a bike ride. 

Energy bars

With endurance training, I need to eat every one hour of the workout. Energy bars are a great way to do this. They are lightweight and contains essential nutrients.

For a long time, I avoided energy bars in traditional packing (plastic with foil liner - not recyclable in main stream recycling). I thought KIND bars are way to go. It's wrappers are clear plastic and hence must be recyclable. But I found out after some interaction with KIND bar customer support and my local recycle company that they are NON-RECYCLABLE.

Thats when I came across, Thunderbird Energetica. They are produced in a Austin based facility. They use organic, unique ingredients and the wrappers are COMPOSTABLE! They have 5-6 different bars. These bars are going to provide me the energy to train and complete this challenge!

If you are not quite ready to give up your favorite energy bars which comes in foiled wrappers, please consider sending them to Terracycle for recycling. Thanks!

Protein supplement

I have been adding protein supplements in my morning smoothie regularly these days. Since I find Whey protein questionable, I am resorting to plant based protein supplements. I am also staying away the GMO soy products. I chose this one since its not a overwhelming amount of protein and it is a simple formula - just hemp power.

The store keeper kept pointing to another protein power with synthetic amino acids like those found in animal protein. I thought, what is the point in going for it when I am avoiding GMOs. I am happy with my choice. Have been having a little bit of Hemp power regularly and I already feel stronger!

Electrolyte supplement

I have started mixing electrolyte supplement in my drink to replenish the lost minerals and to recover faster. I have chosen Coco Hydro. While growing up in India, we used go through harsh summers by drinking coconut water. It has wonderful hydrating properties.

As an environmentalist, I like to do it in the most responsible way. Most packaged coconut water comes in irresponsible disposable packing (combination of metal, plastic and paper - not recyclable). It is like peeling bananas and selling them in wrapped in plastic (this is a true occurrence). Please stop buying those!

There are products like Coco Hydro which offer the same benefits without the packaging. It is a powdered concentrate which when mixed with water becomes coconut water. I love the taste of it. It brings back childhood memories!

Training plan

I have been biking as much as possible last two weeks. I bike to work 2-3 times a week and am doing consecutive long rides over the weekend. The idea is slowly build up the length of the consecutive rides upto 50-70 miles two weeks before the actual ride.

On the actual ride, I will be doing
       Day      Miles
         1           45
         2           68
         3           69
         4           62
         5           60

I get training directions from Climate ride's online page . I am following their hydration and dietary guidelines. More than anything, I really listen to my body. I take rest when the body demands it. So far I am doing well. Thanks for your support!

Biking around White rock lake

Biking around white rock lake has been the most satisfying experience. It is very refreshing to see so much greenery and life around. The sound of water and the sight of the falling sun rays on water are soothing.

I have seen some beautiful birds on the trail. People say that it is a bird sanctuary. I was thrilled to see Red-winged blackbird couple of times by the lake. Its shoulders are sparkling red that I wonder if it is a bird of Paradise!

People in Dallas are so active! I have not come across a single person who is not fit in Dallas. Other active folks on the trail encourage me with their nods and smiles. I forget sometimes that I am training by myself for this long ride. 

Hope to see you out there on the trail!

My workplace encourages biking

I am grateful to work for a company that encourages employees to bike. There are bike stands at all entrances and showers in every floor. There is a newly installed bike maintenance stand and they regularly check with bikers to find out how useful it is.

Every year, my company gets employees ready for "Bike to work" day through multiple newsletters. They send out weekly reminders. This year, they projected related videos in the newly installed multi projection wall. They reached out to employees in several ways and made it a successful event.

They also encourage employees to participate in Endomondo's national bike change which runs from May1st - August 31st. My company motivates participants to bike more by entering employees with high points (2000 or above) in a drawing for a free jersey. This was last year's prize. This year they will come up with an equally attractive prize. Thank you Sharon Wagner for leading these efforts!

I had already joined the national bike challenge when I signed up for this ride. Couldn't really ask for better timing. All those miles I will bike for the challenge will be training for my long ride in September!

I love biking to work and I do it more often now. The air is so clean when I bike in the trails surrounded by vegetation. It actually smells sweet at times. Flowers of various colors bloom. Its a beautiful sight. When I reach office, the state of art showers just makes me float. The restrooms have LED lights, the taps have solar sensors which work with the ambient light from those LEDs and the paper towels get composted!

If you work for my company, definitely make use of this facility. Else, demand for the same!

I have taken up a huge challenge but I have all the resources to get ready for the ride. So, support me with your dollars and I will be able to do it with ease. Thank you!

Why I signed up?

Because I am crazy! You already know that. Five years back, I signed up for a marathon. When I signed up, I didn't have much stamina. I could hardly run on the treadmill for 30mins. I took up the challenge because I had never done something like that before. It was the most exciting time of my life. I worked hard for raising funds. My friends and family encouraged me. I was able to raise funds and complete running a full marathon.

Over these five years, I have steadily got more and more passionate about sustainability. I started out as an avid recycler. Then one of my friends challenged me by saying that just recycling is not good enough. He told me that reducing consumption is better than recycling. So, I decided to do that. I didn't stop there. I started composting my food waste, taking public transport and drastically reduced the trash I put out.

After I made these changes, I understood the depth of the problem. Since then, I have been trying to contribute more to sustainable developments. It seems to me that lot of work needs to be done. There are very few non-profits who are able get people thinking about these issues. I am participating in this event to help them raise funds to find solutions to present day environmental problems.

I have been biking about 14-15miles at a time when the weather permits. Its nowhere close to 320miles that I have signed up for. In this ride, I will do a maximum of 70miles a day! I believe that I am meant to do it this year because this event has been happening for six years but I heard of it only this year. Even though I had to pay $75 to register, I was able to make a decision within a minute after I got an invite to participate. I am definitely in a better shape to take this challenge at this time of my life. So, please support me by donating here.

Thanks!
Swetha