Category Archives: Daily Activities
And Now, A Day or Two of Rest.
Happily recalling my “big” cycling streak of 2008, that summer I proudly pedaled 50 consecutive days. Now in the summer of 2013 I’ve surprisingly yet gladly surpassed that number, marking a grand total of 65 straight days in the saddle. From June 29 through September 1, my never-complaining legs propelled me 1625 miles altogether, for a modest yet perfect average of 25 miles per day. With this “average” accomplishment I now rest for a day– or two, or three– before resuming in pursuit of my yet-to-be-set distance goal of the year.
2008 2013
- Consecutive Days: 50 65
- Total Mileage: 1480 1625
- Daily Average: 29.6 25.0
- Longest Day: 71.0 70.1
Five years older, apparently I’ve fallen into shorter rides overall, reflected in the lower daily average without any longer single days. Altogether, now with some extra pounds on me, plus an aging machine, a few mechanical setbacks, and those ever-present daily time limitations, I’m thankful to be keeping myself in relatively decent cycling shape while a return to competition remains my goal, other factors permitting.
Meanwhile, when I refer to my stats “matching up perfectly with the months,” this is to say my end-of-month distances have been hitting milestone numbers, while my average has increased proportionately. Neatly enough, on May 31 I totaled 2000 miles for the year, at a 400 mile-per-month average. Then on August 31 my year-to-date total hit 4000 miles– notably sooner than last year— for an overall monthly average of 500.
In any event, I’m getting there– wherever “there” is! It’s all relative– that is, what seems like a lot to a novice is nothing to a pro, while I remain somewhere in between. And as I’ve said I say once more: It’s now time for a short rest. I’ll catch you back out there very soon, unless you more likely catch me first!
And So It Is…
83 percent it was to be exact, 1403 kilometers out of the challenge of 1680 in 33 days. Oh well– I gave it a shot, amid a few other activities vying for my time, such as work of course.
Meanwhile, in Denmark, work so it is– for some!
Thinking Fast.
As the sprinters raced to the finish line of today’s primarily flat stage, my own thoughts sped along with them. Would this finally be Peter Sagan’s day, giving him a well-deserved first Tour win of the year? Or rather, would “The Missile” take back-to-back stage victories and up his magic number to 25? As usual, they got to the front of the peloton in those key final moments today, after both having to do some unusual– for them at least– catching-up. Bike trouble delayed Sagan momentarily, while Cavendish picked himself up from a crash. From there– impressive as always– it was all about teamwork and rolling mechanics to put them back in position.
Talk about thinking fast. It turns out my speeding thoughts couldn’t keep up, because I was wrong on both questions. The Missile had to settle for the number four spot today, while the 23-year-old Slovakian saw his THIRD second-place finish of the year thus far. After all these “seconds”, I’m really looking forward to a stage win for Sagan. For now I’m glad he holds onto the sprinter’s green jersey.
In any case, another day in France is done, now with four more rider losses unfortunately. Today’s accolades for stage 6 go to– in addition to the impressive teamwork of Sagan’s Cannondale and the valiant yet unsuccessful effort of Nacer Bouhanni– the big winner du jour of course, the always-powerful Andre Greipel.
It’s Greipel’s Day!
For the 100th — and First — Time
My post of last October 24 of course deserves a “reblog” here today. It’s that great time of year again!
Beginning on the island of Corsica, ending at nighttime, and remaining– for the first time in a decade– entirely within the country for which the event is named, are just a few distinguishing new features of next year’s exciting journey. The route for the 100th Tour de France has hereby been unveiled!
Just Like Old Times
It sure is nice to be back in the saddle on Pacific Coast Highway, especially on such a fine Saturday as this.
Endurance.
It’s all in the name, and I’m counting on this allegedly longer-lasting make. Let’s just say that in 600 miles of cycling so far in 2013, this has not been my year.
First came a broken shifter cable, annoying yet simple and inexpensive enough to fix. Then a week later came not one– but two!– sidewall punctures on a brand-new set of tires, from which these aptly named replacements came about. Apparently two “occasions” were insufficient vexation for a one-month riding period, because this past week produced a slip and a recovery, ending in– crack! The result: A broken carbon seat post.
Now I’m back in the saddle once again. This series of rare setbacks to “endure” had me momentarily down, but certainly far from out. With 45 miles today, it appears I’m off to a solid restart. We’ll just have to wait and see if these tires keep pace with my psyche. After all, in both name and practice, it’s about: Endurance.
Before Sunrise…
Burning nearly a thousand calories before 8am is certainly a fine way to start the day. It’s even finer when pedaling across the Golden Gate and up Hawk Hill to the top of the Marin Headlands, all before sunrise.
Looking East Across The Bay, Just After 7am.
Another “Short” One
From the Golden Gate Bridge south into Daly City, it was a great start before my having to cut it short for time.
The Ride Cut Short
The repair ended up taking only about ten minutes. This allowed enough time afterward to tack on an additional 12 miles to the initial 15, in order to piece together some semblance of a workout. In the end, the ride cut short was not a total waste. If this annoying detour should ever fall upon you, simply remember it’s a rather quick fix– especially if you time it around 9:30am just before the bicycle shops open!
If Only…
At 108 miles in the first week of this year, the odometer sits ever so slightly ahead of last year’s 103 at this time. If only I could not just maintain this rate in the coming weeks and months, but better yet exceed it, my 2013 cycling mileage will far surpass that of 2012. Then again, while a new year always seems to start strong, demands on my time– such as making a living of course– won’t always keep the miles rolling in. If only I were getting paid to ride, the numbers would be off the charts. In any case, it’s always good to have goals– and dreams– along with a nice view on a crisp and cloudy morning. Strava can keep track of the rest!
From the top of the Marin Headlands on a post-rain January morning.
So Where Are You?
After a night of rain, the crisp and relatively dry morning made for an excellent ride, however solitary.
Video
Happy New Year & Cheers!
From domestic changes, professional challenges and unplanned adjustments, to exciting meals, picturesque cocktails and memorable dress-up events, this past year earns its chapter in my personal history as one of, shall we say, unique growth– literally and otherwise! Suffice to say, no two 365-day increments are exactly alike, thankfully enough. While a grand total of 4708 miles in the bicycle saddle call out to be surpassed in the coming months, various opportunities, strategies and decisions– those unmistakable elements that constitute overall life satisfaction– will only get better. “The best is yet to come,” after all. Altogether, taking the good with the not-so, may we all toast with a smile to our better moments of 2012. Happy New Year & Cheers!
One Delicious Deal
It doesn’t get better than this. Well actually it does, if you go for the big meaty frog legs in the extensive hot section. Either way, how can you possibly beat plate, after plate, after plate of all-you-can-eat sashimi, among all else no less, at Hokkaido Seafood Buffet in San Mateo? Go ahead and try, but anywhere else you’ll surely spend far more than the going dinner rate of $20! That’s right. Stuff yourself silly with succulent raw fish, for less than the cost of gas to get there. One delicious deal it is, hands down! Good thing I don’t live next door.
With Our View…
Seeing as the world did not end yesterday– whether to your dismay or delight– we carry on with our view of the planet largely unscathed. With this remains the chance to enjoy a lovely cocktail– or any number of your choosing– before an equally lovely 39th floor view, all at San Francisco’s appropriately named View Lounge. The fish tacos look pretty good as well, by the way. Here’s to the world intact. Cheers!
From Another Point of View
There’s always another viewpoint, as true for San Francisco as anything! Do you see the Golden Gate?
At 4000, Pause.
One hundred miles per week ain’t too shabby, I suppose. Or an easily calculable average of four hundred per month is what it comes out to be, given that here at the end of ten months of the year I’ve now cycled just over four thousand miles. I pause for the moment but by no means stop. With two more months to go in 2012, I could just… well, quite unlikely. I was going to suggest surpassing my all-time annual record, but this would require another 22-hundred miles in the saddle before year’s end. And who in the world has time for that?
Your Best Choice?
As for that busier-than-usual weekend in San Francisco, it’s certainly here, while my car is certainly staying put until Monday. In a change from my usual Saturday cycling routine, I didn’t dare cross the Golden Gate Bridge amidst the horrific thought of one million tourists in town. Instead, my Strava app recorded a shortened yet decent 35 miles in the saddle without leaving the city. Leaving, however, may be your best choice of them all!
On The Nose.
“This must be a 1958,” I declared with quick yet careful thought, if not just calculated guessing. “You hit it right on the nose,” the gentleman replied. “1958 it is.” Oh, how I love it when I’m dead-on with MBZ model years!
Spotting it well ahead of me in the gray-sky distance while cycling through Golden Gate Park, I knew right away this one would stop me in my tracks. And let me tell you, it was well worth my break in cadence, not to mention an excellent photo-op. What I had the good timing to encounter has to be the most pristine Mercedes-Benz 190 SL I believe I’ve ever seen in the open air, outside of a showroom or auto show that is.
If you’re even more spellbound than I am and happen to have a bit of cash to spare, this timeless automotive masterpiece can most certainly be yours. All Steve at CarPlanet will need is the money of course. See if you can guess this classic’s asking price; you might just hit the figure on the nose!
On A Clear Day…
Even without personal watercraft it’s so easy to get out on San Francisco Bay, thanks to the commuter ferries linking the Embarcadero with Marin County. For those of us who don’t normally use them, it’s also easy to forget this simple privilege exists. The views are truly spectacular, especially on a clear day such as this one.
It’s Different, Apparently.
So I found the answer: 6.5 inches shorter, 3.3 inches narrower, and 4.6 inches lower. If you happen to be pondering the same question I did, then these specifications might satisfy at least your initial curiosity as well. Suffice to say– even with some challenge to the immediate naked eye– several key differences do exist between the new BMW X1 and its close sibling the X3. We’ll soon see how well the X1 is received here in the U.S., eye-catching as this little guy is. Of course success might depend on whether you choose to call it a crossover or an SU– pardon me– SAV. As I’m not one for “crossovers” myself, let’s go with the latter.
The shorter, narrower, lower X1.
The longer, wider, taller X3.
Fini, et Pas Fini
Paris came and went, again, as 2162 miles of hard hammering are now “fini.” After three weeks of enjoying my routine, on this morning the routine is over. No new day of competition is waking me up at 5:30.
While last year marked Australia’s moment, this year the highest honor goes for the first time to Great Britain. And yes, “The Missile” did indeed take the final stage one more time. Altogether, broadcast withdrawals notwithstanding, here’s to the exciting and successful completion of the 99th Tour de France.
The final stage winner hammers just behind 2012’s overall Tour winner.
Bob Roll commented yesterday that every year more and more spectators decorate the roadsides of France. As the planning for next year’s Tour progresses, I have to wonder about crowd control, or in some cases lack thereof. After all, given such alarming incidents as loose dogs, burning flares and scattered tacks, not to mention increasingly chaotic and ever-diminishing road space for cyclists to reach their marks, I would imagine in many cases a bit more order would be most appreciated. Yes, “C’est Le Tour,” but still– to a point.
How fitting that Great Britain dominated the 2012 Tour, just in time for the Olympic Games to kick off in London! After an intense three weeks in France, now it’s on to the next riveting chapters of athletic competition. All the while, I’m pleased to have gotten in my own ride on every single day of the Tour, logging just over 500 miles in my own saddle during this period. It’s not 2162 unfortunately, given the limitations of time and local roads, but at least almost a fourth that number for this amateur. C’est mon Tour, though thankfully– I’m “pas fini.”
Gazing South-Southwest
From one of my most recently discovered vantage points, often on the horizon gazing south-southwest appears a certain famous landmark. On a day like this one however, with weather conditions so drastically different from one mile to the next, you really wouldn’t know anything was out there. And trust me, having pedaled through that thick, damp, blinding cover not long before this photo was taken, indeed the cycling day was far more satisfying in the vicinity of this present location.
Hot in the Bay
What a fantastic outdoor day, when it’s unusually hot in the Bay. From one picturesque viewpoint to another, this is a time to savor what feels like Southern California weather, never knowing of course how long it will stick around. When it falls on a Sunday, all the better! Summer is indeed upon us, and not just by calendar alone.
Always A Plus
A 120-mile motorcycle excursion proved most enjoyable yesterday, especially considering the rarity of such an event for me these days. Suffice to say, in this first third of 2012 the miles have added up far more quickly on my bicycle than my motorcycle– 1250 versus 700 respectively– and not by accident.
No miles of any kind accumulate all that quickly within San Francisco itself, inviting the satisfaction of any beyond-the-city journey. Still, while the motorcycle has become my almost-daily city commuting tool, the bicycle continues to enable my longstanding pleasures 
of strength, endurance and distance. Gone is my time, so it appears, of an 11,000-mile motorcycling year. At the same time, still to return is a year of bicycling 6,000 miles. While anticipating this accomplishment, at least I’m reminded of the pleasures of a motor once in a while.
Motorcycling has its place no doubt, and fortunately I’ve not had to choose one over the other. However, as I’ve said more than once over my past 2.5 years of owning a motorcycle: I’m a bicyclist first, and I always will be. Of course my preference also burns more calories, which is always a plus!
Ryan R. Sanderson 