Back Outside with the Bike!

Well the weather has finally warmed up enough that I was able to actually ride my bike outside for the first time in 6 months. I got new pedal power meters last week and have been using them on the trainer, but now I get to see what kind of power I do on the open road.

My coach called for a 1:30 bike ride today. I was a bit worried about the roads, but for the most part the street sweepers had been house so the gravel/sand from winter was gone and I had a safer bike ride.

I started with the Shultz road loop but then I had more time to kill so I did an out and back on another road. The route was mostly flat, but did have some rolling hills. It was interesting to see the spikes on the hills, and my legs could definately feel those after a while. My goal was to keep my HR below 160 and keep my power up as best I could. I succeed for the most part. Aerobically I was fine, but my legs sure did start getting tired at the end.

When I last rode outside I rode for just over an hour and averaged 17.5mph over the same/similar route/terrain. Today I just rode for 50% longer and averaged 1.5mph faster! So all that winter training is paying off.