Monday and rest day! Yay! That meant being able to sleep in a little later. I guess I have things backwards cause that kind of sounds like a weekend. Too bad I actually have to work 
I made up some oats with peanut flour and egg whites whisked in and topped with peach jam. The last of my peach jam I made last year. Going to have to get jammin’ again!
Had a fairly steady work day, but I got hungry fast, so I had a snack of some cucumbers and half of a carrot cake Larabar.
A new to me flavor. I had a coupon, so I bought 4 different Larbars this weekend.
Anyway, some people have asked (and probably others wonder as well) whether or not I plan on doing bike races – or why I don’t do bike races.
There are a couple reasons for that. Back when I was able to run, I did a fair number of 5Ks, a triathlon, and a duathlon. Those were always fun and I like the organized races to a degree, but sometimes I felt a lot of pressure (self-imposed) to perform. I can tend to be competitive with things – just ask John! I do miss the 5K races sometimes.
With biking, first off – I am not really fast enough to do anything like a race. I have a hybrid bike, so that puts me at a disadvantage right off the bat. That was the case when I did the 65 mile charity ride in 2010. I was in the back of the group and one of 2 hybrid bikes in that race.
John and I participated together in a 35 mile Tour de Farm ride, which was fun and had a fantastic meal afterwards, but again, we were really not part of any of the groups riding. Most people finished very fast and we figured it would be more leisurely.
The other thing is the biking is just plain fun for me. I love riding distances (major duh), but I like doing them my own way and at my own pace. I will ride 50 miles and stop when I want to take a picture or when I need a rest or snack. We like to make riding to a destination part of the process, like riding for cupcakes or ice cream. Then we can stroll around or enjoy the weather before going home. No pressure to get done in a certain time. I guess that is why I don’t consider myself a hardcore rider. I just like to ride and don’t want to pressure myself to do things by someone else’s rules. Or does that just make me a rebel??
That said, I have thought about doing a group ride here and there later this year, but it’s hard to shell out the money and not know how the weather will be or what the course is and all that stuff.
All that riding talk made me hungry! This was lunch:
Blueberry sauce topped with ricotta cheese (I use part skim) and a coconut flour biscuit. Pretty good!
Work ran out in the afternoon for a bit. We finally got everything caught up. So, I made the lattes today.
It was quite good if I do say so myself! And I will. 😀
I told John that I wanted to make a better effort at cooking meals instead of meal assembly, and we implemented that tonight. I made up the chicken with balsamic tomatoes. John made rice (which I did not have).
Does this not look like the best dinner? It was really, really good. That recipe is so easy and pretty fast. Try it if you haven’t. Nomf, nomf! We only did 2 chicken breasts and there was some tomato topping left, so I need to figure out what to put that on this week. Maybe an omelet?
Relaxing, a snack, and stretching are on the docket for the rest of the night. Lots of stretching. Someone who shall remain nameless has been remiss in the monthly goal of stretching.
I get that. I tend to put pressure on myself too, and perhaps do more than I am actually physically ready to do (i.e. Hood to Coast).
I like biking events because it’s challenging and it’s something my boyfriend and I can do together (he’s not a runner or swimmer but he loves cycling). I do admit that the grueling training for a big event is sometimes stressful and takes the fun out of it. But the Big Day makes up for it!
I think my inner child would rebel at having to do the training rides for racing or group rides. One of the local groups who races and group rides tried to increase their participation in the local MS-150 and invited a bunch of us to join them on some weekend rides. A couple of co-workers went…ONCE. The regulars in the group ride 250+ miles a week–every week, and they really didn’t want to be bothered with a bunch of folks on hybrids and, in a few cases, cruisers. A friend of mine whose part of that group calls my hybrid a “granny-bike.” (Of course, he’s smiling when he says it.)
You’re better off keeping it fun until there’s some group ride/event that looks like it would be fun.
That snobbishess is such a turn off. There are a couple bike shops around here and the staff at one of them act like that. So – you can guess where we don’t go.
I think knowing what works for you, and sticking to your guns about that, is awesome. Racing/group rides aren’t for everyone, just as running a marathon isn’t for everyone (me). Better to do what you like and enjoy the sport than do something out of pressure and hate it.
Lately I am getting a bit obsessed with reading books and blogs about bike touring. I have read a ton of blogs on crazyguyonabike.com. I think I’m ready to retire and bike across the country. Of course I only bike when the weather is above 50 degrees, the winds are below 15mph, and there is no rain. 🙂
I had thought about a bike tour because those are multi day and a little different. That’s a lot of riding, though. I could do a couple 50 mile days in a row. Then after that I think it would be hard going for me 😀
I used to ride no less than 50 degrees. Then I got down into the 40s and it wasn’t so bad. The 30s is pretty darn cold. I did 25 once on accident. I only went 2 miles to my gym, but it was freezing (literally).
We both think of biking along the same lines…Sometimes i feel the urge to join a group or a race and back out for the exact same reasons as you. And i know KNOW If i could find someone…anyone… to ride with i wouldn’t even be looking at these group events……sigh….where are all the bike riders. The ones who may not do alot of mileage now but want to work towards that end??? sigh……Happy Riding this year Lori! I’ve discovered the bike trails of California. Woo hoo!!! Hugs! deb
I totally understand you on the biking. You should come over here though. Holland is a bike country, lots of people bike here, almost everyone has got a bike too (yes me and R. too 🙂 ) This also means there are many different bikers here. There are races for the fast ones but there are also tour rides where people just ride a city bike for example. Those rides are just for fun, no timing or what so ever and you can take as long as you want.
I haven’t planned many runs this year, I just go with the flow, if there is a local race and I want to run it, I do but if not, it’s okay too. I found out I don’t like the pressure for a run and since I’m not the fastest runner I often run at the back of the pack. Runners in Holland are fast. For example, I believe you can finish the New York marathon in 8 or 9 hours. Here in Holland you usually have to finish within 6 hours or so. Pressure on runs here is higher which can intimidate me.
You do what you like Lori and that’s important. I love reading about the rides you and John take during Spring and Summer. I even talk about them to R. because I love them so much.
I totally understand why you rather ride a bike the way you do than participate in rices. Besides, I like seeing the cupcake and ice cream photos. 🙂
I liked the biking shirt (We can do it) and the balsamic chicken. I’m bored having the chicken the way I always do. Is there a recipe?
The recipe is here http://findingradiance.com/2011/02/22/chicken-with-balsamic-tomatoes/
uhoh I AM THE NAMELESS ONE RIGHT? 🙂
or do I have company in my remissnessment?
I understand wanting to keep the biking fun and go at your own pace. Is a hybrid bike just one that isn’t a racing bike?
Yes, a hybrid is between a mountain and a road bike.
I completely understand why you don’t race! I could say many of the same reason as to why I’ve not done much running/racing lately. Ocasionally I get the itch but it doesn’t take long for me to talk myself right out of it LOL!
How was that carrot cake Larabar? Sounds yummy!
The larabar was pretty good. It was very sweet, more so than the other bars. I think because it had raisins in it.
You’re right on – if you are enjoying how you bike then that’s what matters. You never know, maybe you can find some organized biking events that are more leisurely at some point down the road (pun intended).
Lori, that flavor bar sounds yummy!!!
I did some competing when I was younger too & yes, I put that self imposed pressure on myself too! I like being able to work out at the things I do now just for me & YES to my own rules – I really pressured myself with races & competitions. Not saying never but most likely not. 😉
I have to stretch. Honestly, with age & the hormone changes, crazy how much the bod changed. I have enough probs & I do stretch! 😉 This age thing!!! 😉
I so wish we could go on a ride together! I have the same riding mentality as you! I love riding at my own pace and I love ice cream!
Well, your moving to England puts a damper on that LOL!
Hey! Just caught up for the week- I have a question. Do you plot out your bike rides for routes that include bike paths or do you just take the roads that get you to where you want to go, regardless of bike paths?
Well, since we ride so far, there aren’t always bike paths or lanes. We try to stick to roads that have a wider shoulder, although sometimes we are caught unaware when doing a new route. We usually pick a place we want to go, then map it out using Google Earth to view roads and make sure they are suitable for riding.