This weekend had its ups and downs. The highlight of my weekend being spending the day with Sebastian on Saturday. We went to the Kalamazoo air zoo. It is a museum of sorts featuring types of airplanes and their history. We had a nice lunch and then went to an orchard. The cider was good but their apple choices were limited.
Sunday was to be my turning point. I vowed to start eating right and begin to exercise again. The scales say I am already up 6 pounds. Sluggish has become agetive once more. I reluctantly rolled out of bed at 8 am. Browsing through the adds with my morning cup of tea, I decided to go to the store first thing. I was cruising down the road and noticed my gas guage. Turning left on to High street I proceeded toward the Mobil station. Music blaring and thinking about what I needed from walmart , I neglected to notice the 25 mile per hour sign and the police officer. He of course spotted me . I was issued a ticket. He claimed I was going 38 miles per hour but ticketed me for going five over. He seemed to think that was really generous . If he really wanted to be nice he could have given just me a warning! But that was not to be. So being the mood eater that I am , I came home and had a large portion of the apple crisp I had made the night before. Okay tomorrow is going to be my turning point. Try try and try again..........

summer done now what?

To date I have ridden 2703 miles on my bike this year. This includes 320 mile dalmac ride. The Dalmac is an organized ride from Lansing to Mackinaw city. My friend Sarah and I rode the 4 day west route. What a great experience! The first day we rode through my daughters neighborhood. She was out there at roadside with her husband and my 2 gran dogs Gretchen and Maddy to wish us well.
George, husband to Sarah and best sag guy ever took great care of us. He made sure our tires were sufficiently inflated, bikes were ready to ride and had camp set up when we arrived at the next overnight stop.
Sarah was a great riding partner. She was very encouraging and offered tips throughout the ride. "Come on Rosie lets climb" she would say. It's amazing how those words got me going and helped me up each hill.
So I trained all year for this and I did it!!! Now I need a new goal. Now what?

friends indeed

These are my friends Sarah and Linda changing my back tube with Linda's spare tube. The three of us thought it would be a good idea to ride a long distance training ride. We started at Sarah's, picked up the wow ride 50 mile route and got 82 miles in yesterday. We stopped in Mason for breakfast. After breakfast I got a flat as soon as I got back o my bike. I had a co2 cartridge and gun but no tools or tube. Luckily my good friends had the needed supplies and skill to get me back on the road. We finished our ride without further incident.
This morning I thought I best get right back on the bike . My arms were a little sore at first, my thighs screamed for a bit, my bottom did not want to connect with the saddle . After a few miles I was okay though and I logged another 45 miles. The Dalmac is less than 3 weeks away. My total mileage this season is 1,979 miles. Although I'm still a little concerned about the longest day..94 miles, and about the "wall" , my training has been good. I'm ready!!!

occasional blogger

Well how time flies. Last entry April. Here it is August already. Dalmac is drawing near. Although I have ridden 1,718 miles since March I am a little nervous about the daily ride distance. My longest ride thus far was 67 miles. The shortest day of the 4 day route I am taking is 73 the longest 94. Tomorrow I am headed north to camp with Jeff and Sebastian. I will ride part of the last day's route. I was hoping to practice the hill they call the wall. Today I found out "the wall" is on day 3 and not the final day. Oh well I will look for other hills to train on.

Wilderness state park is our destination tomorrow. Here's hoping we get good weather. Here is a picture of Sebastian during our previous camping trip at Sleeping Bear Dunes and one of Miazey in Lake Michigan, same trip.

Okay this is not funny. I know it has snowed in April before and this is Michigan but give me a break. I guess this was a good time to take my bike in for a tune up.

I'm going to try and summon some energy and hit the elliptical this morning to try and work out.

March wind

It hasn't been as warm as I would like but I am getting out more. Last week I caught these two love birds frolicking about while walking with my son and Maizey the wonder dog.
This week the forcast was rather bleak. When the temperature hit 50 though I decided to bring the Diva out of the basement and hit the road. I need to ride at least 1000 miles before the Dalmac. I managed to maintain a 15.5 average on the way out. Coming back was a little more challenging. I was riding into the wind. By the end of my 32 mile ride my average was down to 13.5. Overall I thought the ride was a good effort. I have 72 miles logged only 928 to go. The weight watchers thing is working I'm down 15# and down a size in my jeans .

Out on the Road

Well what started out as a crappy weekend turned into a good time. Weight watchers weigh in was disappointing. I gained instead of losing. Still down 10 pounds though.
Saturday got a good walk in with Maizey the wonder dog. Then I got to visit with Sebastian my sweet grandson. He came over and hung out with me. We broke out the Jungle Books tape and had dinner and a movie. He was able to stay long enough to visit with his Grandpa and everyone was happy at the end of the day.Even Maizey was smiling.
Determined to not repeat a weigh in fiasco this week, Maize and I hit the road for our 3 mile walk again Sunday morning. I tried to throw a little jogging into it but Maizey didn't seem to tolerate the pace. On our walk I spotted a rewing black bird and a robin. Is spring here ?
The best part of the day was getting my bike out of the basement and riding outside for the first time. Don helped me put air in the tires. I was able to locate all my gear. It was a great ride. I pushed myself and maintained a 15 mile pace for the first 15 miles. A little slower on the final 5 miles but pulled into the driveway satisfied with my effort. I even had a little energy left to do some yardwork .

slowly but surely

okay now I've resorted to weight watchers for weight loss help. The third week into the session I have lost 5% of my weight, 8 pounds. I'm up to 45 minutes on the trainer or elliptical and have resumed my weight workouts. For a change in pace I took advantage of some warm days this month and took to the falling waters trail with Maizey. We walked for at least an hour and I tried to maintain a good pace.
I have decided to participate in Dalmac this year. Some friends from work are doing the U.P. route and I plan to join them. The Dalmac is an organized bike ride from Lansing to Macinaw. There are different routes. The route we are taking takes you across the bridge into the upper penninsula. Should be a challenging ride and to prepare for it I must be sure and put in enough miles during the summer. My other goal is to complete a century ride or 100 mile ride.

Here I am with my grandson Sebastian. I'm resisting posting a photo of me in my bike gear. At this point I'm not sure that would be motivating, more like disheartening. I am caught up in that viscious circle of inactivity. No energy to work out but I know if I do I will feel better. Okay it is the New Year, it is Monday. Right now it has to begin. Yesterday my daughter had her birthday. She was planning on a birthday ride, outside, in Michigan , about 25 miles!!!!!!!! I'm digging deep for some of that motivation. Here I go out to the garage for my bike to put in my training. On your mark get set GO!!!!!!