Since today is the last day of July, it is time for the monthly wrap up of my goals, so you have to read through that before you get to cupcakes 😀
Here are my goals and how I did last month.
- Stretching –I was supposed to stretch 3 times a week. I give myself a C on this one. I just forget! I can’t believe how hard it is to remember to do stretching, because it does feel good.
- 400 miles on my bike – Not only did I do 400 miles, but I did 505! I was shocked. I did not ride every single day, either. It helped doing an 88 mile day and a 100 mile day, though. I did ride in the rain a little (88 mile day), but I did not ride a lot when it was super hot.
- No caffeine for a week. I did it! It actually wasn’t that bad. I found also that it did not have much of an effect on me other than feeling a little tired the first couple days. This is not an experiment I will do again any time soon, though.
- Walking 3 times during the day – I did okay with this. Some days I just walked twice because I either forgot 😳 or it was too durn hot to go out in the afternoon. This is something I need to stick with doing.
A decent month. I do find that I get overly ensconced in work and forget the walking, which I really need to work on. On the scale front – no budgie. That stops now. I’ll talk about that with a little tough love tomorrow.
Now on to the part you all are waiting for – the ride! John was feeling pretty well and up for a long ride, so we decided to go. It was just a gorgeous day on Saturday. A little warm, but that’s okay. A little windy, too – not so okay, but what are you going to do, right?
Kelly asked whether we take our bikes somewhere first to ride. The answer is no. We start every ride from home and either go north or south. The only time we took our bikes was for the farm tour ride a couple weeks ago.
We decided to head down to Saratoga after lunch for a cupcake ride. We rode a nice tailwind on the way down. After 11 miles, we took a water break. I puffy heart my insulated camelbak!
Hooray for shade! I love this side road because there is hardly any traffic and it is nice and shaded.
It is right near a state park, too.
Then we booked on down to Saratoga for another 11 miles. It went so fast because of the tailwind. Not to mention I was rocking out the pace making. My legs felt awesome with 2 days rest. I told John I was kicking ass and taking names today! Average speed of 14.5 miles per hour on the way down.
At mile 22, we reached the Bread Basket:
It’s a cute little place.
They sell a lot of bread (you think?)
And cupcakes. I had a carrot cake one with a big iced coffee:
It’s so cute!
It was a gut bomb, though. Very dense carrot cake. The frosting was cream cheese frosting, but that was not overly sweet, which is a good thing.
After eating that, we crossed the street to walk around Congress Park. They have an old carousel that you can ride:
The park has kind of a Greek and Roman theme to it.
Lots of fountains and marble.
This statue was part of a Palladian circle or something like that. It’s supposed to be Pan.
I find him mildly creepy and I think I might have nightmares after writing this post.
There also was an abundance of cuteness:
Seems like a late clutch for ducklings, but so cute!
I just wanted to pick the up and cuddle them, but I don’t think the mother would have been too happy with that!
That let our cupcakes settle some and it was time to head back. This was into the wind for most of the ride back. My legs were feeling so good that I took up most of the front riding. We stopped at mile 34 for a breather.
And some refreshment!
I was pretty hot by this point, too. That extra work of going against the wind and being in the sun, plus warm temps. Phew! We then booked the rest of the way home. Still managed a really good pace for the ride home, wind and all. Rest days do so much for leg strength, they really do! So take them. 😀
Sweaty lady:
No sunburn thanks to liberal slathering of sunscreen a couple of times.
Ride stats:
Total miles: 44.8
Ride time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Average speed: 14.1 mph
25.4 top speed
Calories burned: 1420
Cupcakes consumed: 1 large.
After the ride – beautiful cold seltzer water!
Don’t you just want to dive into that glass?
Question:Â How was your July?
Pan is not as creepy as the Burger King!
Cute cupcake!!! Love the little carrot on it.
You two are such machines! I still have been on a bike this summer…need to work on that. But it has been too darned hot here to do much outside activity.
The ducklings are so precious!
Beautiful gardens. I’ve always found sculptures of Pan oddly soothing. This one’s horns look like little penises. Heeee! I’m drinking fizzy water right now, the Pamplemousse flavor of La Croix. It’s a splurge but it is so delicious. I’m slugging it right from the can, I’m classy that way.
Note that I am showing Pan from the waist up LOL!
Wow – over 500 miles in a month is amazing!!!
As to that gorgeous cupcake, I say Bombs Away! 🙂
So cute ducklings! Looks like a really nice bike ride. I had some highs and low’s in July, and I’m trying to wade myself up out of the “low’s.”
omg that statue is wicked creepy!
I LOVE all your biking recaps! They look exciting, relaxing (well your breaks and the scenery anyway), adventurous, AND a workout all wrapped into one!
I am glad you posted your goals. This is an area I really struggle with. I might start weekly goals and make a few monthly goals too. If it’s not written down I tend to forget what I am trying to accomplish!
I do the goals for each month. It really helps me stay focused on things. Doesn’t mean I am successful on all of them, but I usually learn something every month.
I lost 4.2 pounds for the month of July bringing my 23 month grand total to 77 pounds lost! I also signed up this month for my first ever 10k and I’ve gotten through 2 5 mile runs already! My goal for August is to increase my distance to the 6.2 miles and “get her done” under 60 minutes!
My father-in-law and his girlfriend were up in Saratoga this week. Bev’s son is a chef working at the racetrack for a couple of months. It looks like a beautiful place for a visit some day!
Great job!
Saratoga is beautiful and definitely horse country. We are going to go to the track this season biking there.
Fantastic month Lori is all I can say. So maybe you didn’t stretch and walk as much as you planned but you did do it and you did great on your other goals.
As for me July was better than June but could definitely do better. Post about it tonight.
What a beautiful ride. I love that park, it looks so serene and peaceful. Beautiful! And the cupcake looks great too.
It was a good month 😀
Congratulations on that SERIOUS July mileage Lori!!! Woo Hoo. Glad John is feeling better too! Love the pics! (and I thought the same “wow, seems late in the season for such little ducklings”) Pan look like my boss! Kidding, kidding, kidding…sort of! Have a great day!!!
Oh great, now I’m going to have nightmares about that statue! 🙂
Awesome accomplishment on the 500+ miles!
Cupcake ride posts are my favorite. 🙂 You live in a beautiful area. And even though you start all the rides from your home, they all look different!
500 miles is incredible. I think that deserves an extra cupcake. 🙂
What a July you had!
1. I hate to stretch. I just wonder how long I get get away with NOT stretching. It’s so beneficial.
2. Over 500 miles on your bike?! W A Y TO G O L O R I !!!!
3. Give up caffeine? Only if I was very, very ill. I need that kick in the pants.
4. And… since I walk every day (the dog won’t let me rest), I’ll reward myself with that Carrot cake cupcake. That looks SO good. 🙂
You rock Lori!!! Love the pics!!!!!!!! I got stuck on the bread bakery! 😉
I had a great July. Back to exercising like I used to with my Hokas.. well, I have been BUT I got rid of the hip issues & other stuff I got while trying to run on my bad feet so now feeling good body wise.
August – well, today started with UCLA & oral surgery like Cammy & Tami so I am off exercise for at least a couple days.. they want more but I will see how I feel. On soft foods too! Man, this is catching! 😉 Actually, mine was in the works. Stage 2 of implants… in some major pain!
Congrats on your good month!
wow you did so well on your goals! good for you. i have really been trying to stretch each night and I think it helps me alot!