It’s Bagel Wednesday! Yesterday was a complete rest day other than some gentle walking. It was a warm and sunny morning and we headed out for a brisk ride to breakfast. My legs felt pretty good. Still recovering a bit from the 88 mile ride on Monday, I think. I felt it a little on the hills, but not too bad.
Saw a friend at the cafe, too, which was a nice surprise!
They were out of wheat bagels, so I had a poppy seed instead.
When we left to go home, the ridiculousness continued:
This is really getting discouraging. John’s tire, this time the back one – the tube on this was from last year, so at least it wasn’t a new one. It is getting expensive though.
This week I am getting super puncture resistant tires for my bike.
12 mile ride today. All this, plus a general late start to breakfast put me behind for the day. I told myself no Tour watching until lunch time so I could get work done.
Then I could watch! Hooray for eating in front of the TV!! I’ll admit it.
I mixed up some vanilla greek yogurt with peanut flour to make peanut butter yogurt. This was really good! I mixed in a little granola. Red plum on the side, which I dribbled on my shirt because it was so juicy.
The Tour had a scary stage today with a lot of crashes. That would be so scary to me, and one reason why I am happy with a 13 mph average speed on my bike. I don’t need to race.
I got hungry an hour or so after lunch, so I grabbed a granola bar.
All while Pixie napped away in catnip splendor.
Awwww…. she always looks so sweet when she is sleeping.
Then it was time for an iced coffee with almond milk and some cashews.
One thing I really struggle with is eating during these long ride periods. It’s like being on a big calorie see-saw. I have trouble balancing calories, and the scale jumps all over the place. Right now my goal is for it to go down, but that is difficult to do with hard training (as anyone who has trained for a half or full marathon can attest). I have also been upping my carbs a fair amount as of late. So why is it that I am doing a 100 mile ride again?? 
I made a quick dinner tonight. The usual salad.
It was dark and stormy during dinner, so funny lighting. At least I didn’t need to water the garden!
Tonight is more work and a snack:
Question: Are you watching any of the Tour de France?
I usually do a recovery swim after a long bike ride. It helps me a lot.
That is so weird about your tires! Did you ever figure out why it’s happening so much?
I’m watching Tour de France. Not all of it, but Michael shares the good parts. Yesterday’s finish on the mountain with the near tie between Cadell and Contador was exciting. Glad Contador didn’t win it!
We figured out some of the flats when finding embedded things in the tire, but all the other ones have just been bad luck with running over something. Poor John was ready to give up on riding all together!
I love to watch the Tour and tape and watch it each day. I wanted Tyler to finally win a stage and I’m glad that he did. It is fun to have so many American riders and American based teams. I
I am so glad Tyler won! He seems like a different kind of sprinter attitude wise and it is refreshing.
Yes, I totally watch the Tour! Pulling for Andy Schleck. Love Tyler Farrar, hate Cav. Who do you want to win?
I like Andy, Levi Liepheimer, Cadel Evans or Thor to win. I don’t think Andy is really top form right now, though. I do like Sylvan Chavenel (sp?) as well.
I love that you keep an eye on the scale, but you focus on real accomplishments and the (heavy-duty, in this case) actions they require. It’s a message I wish more people could understand and appreciate.
And thanks for including the pic of the oats & dark chocolate granola bar. I’ve got a road trip coming up and that would be perfect to toss in the snack bag! 🙂
I keep thinking I am learning more about nutrition and hard training each year, but then I don’t really know if I *do* learn anything!
One thing I like about those chocolate bars is that they don’t melt!
I’d be buying those heavy-duty tires, too – these flats are just plain ridiculous. You’ve had your share for the next few years!!!
You’re training for the 100 miler because it’s a fun goal. You’re *almost* there and then can cross that off the list and move on!
When you and John bought your new bikes, didn’t you go for more of a hybrid/road type bike? Are the tires thinner / less rugged than before? Maybe that is why they are more prone to flats?? I think it shows what amazing shape you’re in to be able to bike that far and recover so quickly. amazing girl!
Yes, the bikes are hybrid and mine have road tires on them, but we just have had a real string of bad luck with running over stuff, plus the use of the trainer over the winter. I have learned.
We did the 100 mile last year and figured we would do it again this year. I really forgot how hard it actually is LOL!
Lori, I’ve been thinking about this post. I think you set the hard fitness goals because it is a passion of yours. Being someone who can achieve these things is who you have become. Can that be enough–that you are a super athlete who is not super thin? It seems like the two are almost mutually exclusive. Especially when you factor in that you are a POW ( a term that I actually hate, but you know what I mean–previously overweight person.)
I don’t know if that can be enough. It’s just so close!! I dislike that POW term. I think that is better suited to the obese rather than the maintainers (as prisoner of war).
What’s up with those tires lately? Last year you both had no troubles at all and now it’s a bummer everytime. Very annoying for you.
I don’t follow the Tour but I see a bit of it every now and then. Race biking is a big sport in Holland, there are Dutch men in the tour too, and there’s a lot about it on TV.
My best friend K. is a huge Tour fan, she watches everything.
My Mom watches the Tour for as long as I can remember. I remember when I was a child that was annoying for my sister and me because we wanted to see something else on TV (back then there was only 1 tv in the house) and my Mom wanted to see the Tour, those were 3 long weeks LOL.
Oh and want to let you know: I did suck it up and did go for a run this morning!
Hooray!
Oh you poor thing with the flats! You are going to be one bike tire changing expert by the end of this season.
I can raise my hand to the scale being all over the place while trainin hard. When I trained for my first marathon, they brought in a nutritionist who told us to stay off the scale.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO – not another flat – what is going on over there!!!???
OK – you know I have to say that I love the Pixie pic & long for that type of sleep! 😉 Is your eye mask working for you?
I am not a bike person so not watching except for news stories but I admire your ability to ride!
Poppyseed bagels are the best! Yum!
I made a breakfast casserole this week, so I missed out on bagel Wednesday – think I’ll have a bagel this weekend though – my husband loves it with cream cheese and smoked salmon and sliced tomatoes. 😀
yes on the tour! and i am so happy cadel evans is in second place overall. i want him to do well this year.
You guys are hell on wheels. Or at least hell on tires. How many has that been this year? There is a place around here that has a bike vending machine where you can get tubes, etc. from a vending machine. Think I might make a few $$ putting one in your area. LOL Sorry. It really is unfortunate. Hope that’s the last of your tire problems.
I haven’t been watching the Tour de France but I think I might just do that. I did make a cake in the shape of a bike wheel though. In honor of the Paris-Brest 1200Km ride. 😀
Just the occassional glance at the Tour. I used to be a Tour junky when Lance was there but now i’ve lost interest. He was my hero! LOL! Even with all the scandal
Another flat??? OK you two…no more riding over nails for fun!!! 🙂 Haven’t watched much of the Tour but my husband loves it. Pixie looks angelic in that photo. Have a great day with NO flat tires Lori!!
I think I’m going to have to get on this bagel Wednesday, that looks delish! I just started reading your blog – you are training for a 100 mile bike ride? Yikes! I ride 12 miles on Sundays, and that’s enough for me. I am training for a half marathon though, but that can’t compare to a 100 mile bike ride.
Thanks for reading! I am training for a 100 miles in one day. We do take a lot of breaks and make it fun, though!
Flat tires are frustrating. In fact, I’ve had 3 to Ted’s 0! Why?!!!
Good for you taking on the Century challenge again. 100 miles! I can’t imagine.
One day I’ll do it – it will be my goal before I turn 50 🙂
As for the Tour de France, I was reading an article today that explained all about those colored jerseys: yellow jersey, green jersey, polka dot, etc. It also explained a little about strategy. The article helped a lot since I could never understand what the riders were doing nor what the announcers were talking about.