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!