Carbon Fork

Icicle Metric

No, it wasn't REALLY the Icicle Metric; it was the Bloomin' Metric. But, it could have been, in terms of the weather. High 40s and RAIN. In late May.

We did it, though, on Sunday, May 22nd. And it didn't rain the whole time, fortunately. It wasn't windy, either . . . that helped a lot.

We took a 3-day weekend to do this ride. We drove up to Cherry Hill Friday evening, had dinner with friends, then headed for Westchester County on Saturday. We went through some little towns, like Chappaqua (found some GREAT scones at Susan Lawrence), then headed over to Stamford. It rained Saturday evening, and the Weather Channel said it was supposed to rain Sunday, too.

It did.

Fortunately, though, it only really rained hard for miles 12 through 17 (up to the first rest stop). I had dressed in shorts, a short sleeve jersey, a windstop jacket, and an orange rain overjacket. My hands got wet and cold, and I got cold during the hard downpour, but other than that, I was relatively comfortable. I wore a motel shower cap over my helmet -- cheap insurance against a soaked head. Hubby wasn't quite as warmly dressed, and I had to remind him to put on HIS shower cap. During the hardest part of the downpour, we stopped under a tree.

Hubby also got a flat, rear tire, 3 miles into the ride. The sag wagon showed up in 15 SECONDS -- no lie! I had just started casting about for my tire tools when he drove up. That was great, as it turned out the spare tube we were carrying for hubby's bike had a hole in it. (He uses 700c tubes, while my smaller bike takes 650s.)

Other than the rain and the flat, we had a great ride -- really. I had taped my knee before we started, and I think it helped somewhat. I did start hurting about 15 miles into the ride, but the pain was light and never really got worse. We made a decision, at the first rest stop, to cut out the nearly 10-mile loop that stretched the ride to 45 miles. We turned right out of the rest stop, rather than left, and finished out the rest of the ride, for a total of 36.5 miles. My knee felt relatively fine for the remainder of the ride; it hurt some but not bad enough to make me want to stop riding.

Overall, I felt good on this ride. There were hills, but they didn't feel very effort-ful. When the ride ended, I was sorry; I could have continued, and no doubt would have felt good after 45 miles. I didn't want to push it with my knee, though . . . I've only just started therapy, and this was my first ride with my knee taped.

After we finished up, we skipped the post-ride sandwiches (they were small and unappetizing-looking). We wanted to do Vietnamese, but couldn't find any V. restaurants in the phone book. We ended up going to Greenwich. We stopped at a local tratteur and ordered up some crab cakes and veggies. Then we had drinks at a local bar, then dinner at Figaro Bistro. THAT was yummy. I had spring vegetable soup, cod cooked with North African spices, and tiny pasta cooked with couscous spices. I had 1/2 a bottle of wine on top of the cocktail I had at the bar.

I slept pretty well, after all that.

Monday we lucked out -- though there were periods of cloudiness, we didn't get rained on for the trip back. We went back through Westchester county (stopping again at Susan Lawrence for another scone), then through NYC to New Jersey. We visited a Dominican bakery in West New York, NJ (I had a guava pastry), then we beat it back down to the Philly area. We found a really wonderful little Asian restaurant in Cherry Hill, Sakura Spring. I had sushi, Vietnamese spring rolls, and sauteed veggies with brown rice.

All in all, it was a very successful weekend.

The Ride Before the Storm

I've actually biked three times this week, but haven't had time to write about it until now. Working until 11 pm most nights doesn't leave much time for blogwriting. Oh, well. I do enjoy what I do. Too bad I can't clone myself.

I did two early morning rides, on Tuesday and Friday. Both rides were uneventful, for the most part. Springtime is bunnyrabbit time, and on Friday, I surprised a bunny that had been sitting by the road. He (she?) hopped off into the bushes, and I continued on my way.

Today, hubby and I did about an hour's ride, and just in time. I had been gardening most of the day, clearing out a weedy flower bed and preparing it for new plantings. Because strong storms were predicted for the afternoon (and did, in fact, materialize), I wanted to make sure we didn't go out too late. We left at around 2:30, and got back a little before 4. I then changed and dashed over to the garden center to buy impatiens. The sky was beginning to cloud up even as I drove over, and warnings were being issued for counties in Virginia, just west of where we live. Whew . . . that was kinda close.

Hubby didn't have much in the way of legs today, for some reason, so we didn't go far . . . only about 12 miles. I felt pretty good, actually, and kept charging ahead. I've never before been compared with Floyd Landis (and never will again, I'm sure), but hubby did comment that he would have had about as much chance of catching me today, as our man Floyd. (Not that I could come anywhere close to catching Floyd, you understand . . .)

I wrapped up the ride at a 14.4 pace, which included numerous slowdowns and stops. Starbucks, of course. You knew that was coming, right? I got hubby an iced tea, and I tried one of the new Mint Chocolate Chip Frappucinos. Without whip. Very tasty.

Tomorrow morning, if it's not raining, I'll do an early morning ride. We're planning to check out the interior demolition of our rowhouse later in the day, so I have to get done early.

The X Rides, Part V

I have no idea what the "X" rides are, other than they are a series of cue sheet rides on the Frederick Pedalers web site. This being an absolutely gorgeous day, other than pesky 25 mph winds, hubby and I decided to go biking in Frederick County. We elected to do the X Ride, Part V, from Thurmont to Emmitsburg, and back again. This particular ride appealed because it wasn't overly long (24 miles), it was not mountainous, and it covered some of the territory that we biked when we did the BBC's Civil War Century last year.

So, after a morning of bagels and coffee, some weightlifting in the gym (me), and a quick lunch, we set off for Thurmont. We got started riding about 2:30 or so.

Did I mention there was wind? Oh, my Lord. Invisible hills were everywhere. Fortunately, we did get some tailwinds, and a few crosswinds that did not drive us off the road.

But hey, it was fun anyway. Temps in the 70s . . . I wore a sleeveless jersey of the neon yellow/green variety, for visibility, and was never cold once. Maybe summer really is on the way. Keep your fingers crossed.

The route was not flat; most of it was "rollers" typical of the terrain around the foothills of the Catoctin mountains (essentially, a lost part of the Appalachians). Some hills were made worse by headwinds; others were made easy by wind boosts from the rear. The roads were extremely lightly traveled. The only real traffic we saw was in downtown Emmitsburg, and on Route 15 (which we had to cross twice).

I have to say that the cue sheet was not the clearest one we've ever used. We did basically OK up until just past mile 13 (we did take an alternate route into Emmitsburg, as the cue sheet didn't really explain the route through Mount St. Mary's College). We came to a "T" in the road, and the cue sheet indicated that we were supposed to continue right onto Four Points Road, and that the intersection was unmarked.

Well. The intersection appeared to be clearly marked . . . it was labeled "Six Bridges Road."

What to do? Hubby and I had a difference of opinion. I said we needed to go right; he said to go left. It was very confusing, as the road no longer appeared to be Four Points Road, AND (as we had traveled this way last year), hubby said he in no way remembered encountering MD 76 on the way back on the Civil War Century.

So we went left.

A couple miles or so out Six Bridges Road, I observed that we were obviously heading AWAY from Thurmont (well-marked with a radio tower), and that the road we were on was apparently determined to head east. Hubby was of the opinion that we should just continue, there would be a right turn at some point. I countered that my knee was beginning to hurt, and that what works in a car (find your way over eventually) isn't such a great idea when you're on a bike and have to supply your own power.

We turned around. Turned out, I was right. When we got back to the original "T" intersection, we looked at the signs again. Sure enough, it looked like Six Bridges Road went both to the left and to the right of the "T."

Nevertheless, we pressed ahead, and when we got to the next intersection, the street sign said "Four Bridges Road."

Guess at some point after the cue sheet was printed, someone decided to mark the "unmarked" road.

We went about 3.5 miles out of our way, with the Six Bridges detour. No biggie, my knee is no worse for the wear, and as I write this, has stopped hurting. (Wonder if the 2 glasses of wine with dinner had anything to do with it . . .) It is true that we had a tailwind going OUT Six Bridges, and a brutal headwind coming back. Oh, well.

I need to look on the map and figure out where Six Bridges Road REALLY would have taken us, had we continued on.

After the ride, we headed back and went to Whole Foods for some fresh salmon and some coconut milk (for panang curry). No lite milk was available, so I bought a 6 oz can of "premium."

Ouch. Turns out it was higher in calories than regular! But I didn't have much of it. Combined with H.T. Traders penang curry paste, it made a very tasty salmon dish.

I've had about 3000 calories today, and earned every one of 'em, on those "invisible hills."

Total mileage: 27.67; pace 12.6.

Body count: 1 "something" -- it may have been a groundhog.

I do wish I'd had some small binoculars with me. There were lots of birds about, including some redwing blackbirds . . . as well as some I couldn't identify without optical assistance.

*****

Coda, May 9th: My hubby e-mailed me this today:

"I did a MapBlast and had we continued on [Six Bridges] road east we would have eventually come to Keysville Road South and  by taking that we would then intersect Md. 77, Rocky Ridge Road, and found Thurmont. It would, however, not have been easy to figure out without a map. So I'm going to carry a map henceforth. "

I must make one observation: my husband is "Mr. Map." He never gets lost, and within an hour of driving around any major city, can navigate it with ease. I rely on him greatly for this skill. Yesterday was one of those rare anomalies where I was right. That happens maybe once every 10 years. (He has taught me a lot about navigating.)

Seneca Jaunt

Damn, I felt good today. Rest days are a good thing. With my work schedule, I take more than I would like, but still, they are beneficial.

Last night DH and I went to a sushi place in McLean. I had what was labeled as a "pink martini," with sake, cointreau, lime juice, orange juice, and apricot brandy. I expected it to be pink of course, but when it came out, I saw that it was pale orange. The server explained that the name of the drink was typo'd in the menu . . . it should have been a "ping" martini, after the name of the staff member who invented it.

Oh, OK. Whatever. It was good, and just what I needed.

After dinner, we went to Tysons so that I could buy more jeans from LL Bean. I picked up 2 pairs, and also went to 'nana Republic to try on a few cute things. Unfortunately, that store's clothing line has gotten a lot more youth-oriented . . . as in 13-year-olds. The sweater I tried on fit OK, but didn't look right on me. I am in the second half of my century, as much as I joke about feeling only 25 . . . and so I have to watch the look of what I buy. I can get away with some styles, but not others. I look great in a black motorcycle-style leather jacket, but not in an open-crochet sweater with a little ribbon belt.

Sigh.

I hit my WW meeting this morning for my monthly weigh-in, went to Whole Foods for a few things, then hit the road. DH is in Baltimore; as I'm working again today, he decided to go to an Orioles game. He'll also check on the rowhouse one last time, before its interior configuration changes forever. My contractor called yesterday to tell me that he finally obtained the construction permit. Demo work starts next week. Yippee! We should have a newly-renovated 2nd house by the end of the summer.

Today's ride was nice. (Oh, were you wondering when I'd actually mention it??) I saw a few other riders out -- all guys -- but otherwise had the shoulders of 28 to myself. I felt good enough to hustle up the hills and rises. The sky was cloudless, even tho' the weatherguy said it would cloud up later today. Hasn't happened yet; hope it doesn't.

My knee bothered me slightly, but in a different place. Maybe it's from the kneecap manipulation that Sarah did, during yesterday's PT assessment. It did not bother me any, other than when I stood, and then only marginally. I'll ice it a bit when I get to work. I wish I could have stayed out longer, but I was getting hungry, and I do have to get a move on.

Body count: zero, zilch.

Mileage: 14.89. Pace 14.6. Like I said . . . feelin' good.

Recap of 2005 mileage so far:

January: 172.75 miles (including Fla trip)

February: 114.26 miles

March: 95.53 miles (March really sucked, weather-wise)

April: 206.7 miles (approaching normalcy, here)

May (so far): 71.18 miles

For 2005, total, so far: 660.42 miles. I did 2085.49 in 2004, not bad when you consider I couldn't bike for 2 months because of my back injury.

Therapy Evaluation

I had my physical therapy evaluation this morning, and the news is better than I had hoped.

Knee: this is very possibly an IT band issue. Sarah, the PT who performed my evaluation, told me that my right IT band is very tight. This was especially evidenced by one maneuver she had me do: I lay on my back with my butt at the bottom edge of the examining table. I clasped my left knee to my chest, and let my right leg dangle over the edge (this is a classic hip flexor stretch). My leg did not dangle straight forward, but went outward a bit, to the right. My left leg was much straighter. Sarah told me that a tight IT band is pulling my leg out.

I also described to Sarah how, 20 to 30 miles into a ride, my right knee will start "twanging" painfully in the lower right quadrant. Because the IT band inserts into the knee at that point, she said it could very well be sliding over a portion of the joint, causing the pain I've been feeling. Additionally, my kneecap may not be tracking properly, because of the resulting muscle imbalance.

I will be undergoing some kneecap manipulation, as well as some stretching and selective muscle strengthening. We may also try taping my knee before a ride, to see if it helps the kneecap track a little better. (Can't wait to see the tan line from that . . .)

Shoulder: Sarah had me perform various arm lifts and manipulations. It appears that I have some irritation in a bicep tendon, as well as in a small muscle that partially controls the rotator cuff. I am to avoid activities that cause pain (no overswitch swimming drills for a while, I guess), and I will undergo some strengthening exercises.

And I'll be icing, icing, icing my problem joints.

Ha. Maybe when I'm 95, I'll have so many problem joints I'll have to climb into an ice bath twice a day.

Colder and Colder

Spring will come someday, I hope. Man, it was cold this morning. I almost stayed in bed.

It was about 40 degrees when I set out, colder than yesterday. I elected to wear my earband and sleeve extenders (under my polartec jersey, no less). I was, once again, OK after about 2 miles, though my fingers didn't like the cold much. I should have broken out my heavy duty REI ski gloves.

It is so beautiful this time of year. I love morning rides anyway . . . the birds, the cool air, the freshness of it all. This morning was sunny, with a faint mist rising above the grassy areas. The trees are in full bloom. Pink dogwoods and redbud are my favorites. There are also plenty of azaleas, and Lord knows what else. Sure makes for a beautiful ride. I went out Seneca a ways, and after I doubled back at Esworthy, I was just in time to see the sun rise, a huge red ball over the trees, ahead and to my right. It sure doesn't get much better.

I did a Starbucks stop this morning, mostly because I forgot to grab some OJ before heading out. I was pretty hungry, so stopped at the Rt. 28 Starbucks for a skim mocha. Actually, turns out I had a chocolate fest today. It's about 7:15 pm as I write this, and I'm recovering from another skim mocha, plus an Au Bon Pain double-chocolate muffin. Sure helps with the deadline stress, and it's not like I do it every day. (Plus, the muffin had no trans fats . . .). I'll be heating up my dinner in a bit. (Yeah, I'm at work.)

A couple of fast riders (guys) passed me on Rt. 28 -- they warned me that they were passing, which I very much appreciated. They had extremely bright red rear blinkers . . . I need to get one of those. They were visible for a long distance. I was wearing neon orange and had several light reflecting patches on my clothing, but you can't be too visible on a bike, especially early in the morning.

Body count: 1 squirrel, 1 fox (looked to be a young'un), one tiny bird. I give the foxes a wide berth, as well as the raccoons. In these here parts, foxes and 'coons can carry rabies.

The skeleton was gone, by the way.

Total mileage: 14.16 miles; pace 13.6.

Green Lights

Another early morning ride. It was cloudy, 45 degrees. As I always do on cool mornings, I thought I had underdressed. Two miles into the ride, though, I got comfortable.

I had to hustle this morning to get my ride in; DH has a 9:30 meeting every Wednesday, now. No Starbucks stops, and I have to watch the distance and time.

The Traffic Light Gods were apparently with me this morning. I think I had to stop only twice, and the light that's my biggest bugaboo, at Longdraft and Seneca, twice turned green just as I approached it (outbound and inbound). How great is that? This light usually will not change unless there's side traffic to trip the buried circuits.

Man, I must be livin' right. hehe

I ran into that Sergeants fitness group again. They were running down one of the streets in Kentlands as I raced toward 28. No offense to runners, I run sometimes to cross-train, but I think I was having way more fun.

No knee issues this ride, or this past Sunday. Maybe that "floating body" that's loose in there has floated into a protected cove, or something . . .

Body count:

• One skeleton. I'm serious. I thought it was one of those tan-and-red straps off a flatbed truck, all piled up -- you know, the ones that winch down to hold a load of pallets. As I drew closer, I could see that it was a backbone, ribs, and head. Of a deer. (What -- you think I meant, of a PERSON??) Stripped pretty clean. Now, I've never seen this before. Wonder if it was vultures?

        Wonder where the legs went??

• One bunnyrabbit. Aw, damn.

Total mileage: 13.58 miles. Pace: 13.6.

Sushi Sojourn/Ale Amble

Yesterday really sucked. It rained, and it was cold. Relatively speaking, that is . . . it was in the 50s. That's cold for late April, in my book. So I spent the day at the office, and went for a 2 mile run about 4 pm, down on the Mall. I sure was hoping for better weather today, as I had decided to take the day off. I can only operate in 7-day-a-week mode for so long, before I start getting mentally fatigued. I figured today's weather would be better, and just right for a "mental health day."

Well, I got good weather, more or less. Yep, it was sunny, and temps were in the high 50s. But somehow, I missed that it was going to be WINDY!

So, I underdressed for our ride, in a sleeveless jersey and vest, and ended up freezing my butt off whenever the sun went behind the clouds. Not to mention the fact that we got lots of "hill work" in, biking those invisible hills created by 30 mph gusts. And the crosswinds were brutal; I had to fight a couple of times to keep my balance.

Overall, though, it wasn't too bad. We did get some tailwinds, which were lovely, for as long as they lasted. And I got a kick out of watching pink cherry blossom petals merrily skitter past. (You know you have a tailwind when the petals are racing down the street faster than you are.)

DH and I had decided to bike to lunch, so we worked our way over to KingFarm. We ate at Nagoya Sushi, a place we'd not tried before. We pronounced it "excellent." I had six pieces of nigiri and a "Crazy Rock and Roll," which had smoked salmon and unagi inside, and raw salmon/avocado outside. Very yummy.

We asked the sushi chefs if anyone at the restaurant was really from Nagoya. One chef smiled, shook his head and said "no." As DH and I have actually been to Nagoya (back in 1993), we were curious about the name. Oh, well. Sushi joints need to have some sort of name, and "Nagoya" is as good as any.

After we finished eating, we went back to our bikes to continue our ride . . . and discovered, to our dismay, that the skies had clouded over slightly, and it was even COLDER than before. It was to me, anyway, in all my sleeveless splendor. We elected to go back and ride later, more suitably dressed.

And so we returned home. I spent a couple of happy hours banging away on the computer and enjoying one of the many books I'm in the middle of reading.

We returned to our bikes about 4 pm (I wore arm warmers and a jacket this time) and went over to Summit Station for a beer. We ordered a Nutbrown and an IPA and sat at the bar for a while, leafing through a Sunday Post that someone had left behind. We left the bar and decided to bike a little bit more . . . but not much more, as the winds still had not died down. We ended up stopping at a couple of Starbucks. The first stop was on account of the beer. (Who was it, anyway, who said, "you can't buy beer, you can only rent it"?) The second stop was for DH; he wanted something sweet. I got him a frapp, and and got myself a doppio. (I figured I didn't need a lot of coffee on top of my rapidly-escaping pint; there aren't THAT many rest stops on the way home.)

Total distance, both rides: about 30 miles. Pace: 12 to 13.

Body count: some creature of indeterminate origin (ick).

We are now watching the Nats and the Mets play at RFK Stadium. The Mets are losing, dammit . . . OK, they just got another run. Maybe there's hope.