Catching my breath after a long climb
Above the clouds at the top of Hogback Mountain on Skyline Drive
Getting back to work means less time for long rides. I did get in a century today, a cool, sunny, clear day that made cycling a pleasure. It is my first in 3 weeks. Doing a century feels effortless; what a change from the spring.
Most of my rides have been shorter: 30 to 50 miles. I don’t know if they really count for training. But it is the only way to get 300 miles a week. At least I am getting in the rhythm of daily riding. It has been 14 straight days.
Friday was true training. I got in 56 miles. It was climbing in the rain: over 6000 feet of climbing. That counts as work.
In addition to the sheer volume of 300 miles per week, there are 3 goals remaining in my training: climbing 8000 feet regularly and getting in long rides of 150 and 200 miles. Yesterday I rode my first double century. I started before 7am and finished after 8 pm, with good breaks at miles 75, 130 and 182. I had planned to tackle 150 but the day was comfortable and I felt strong. So I kept going.
