Not Broken Down, Just Slow

Today I took the route that would be my ride to work and back, if I ever do it, adding on a few miles of the Green River trail just to make it an even forty. Took me a little over an hour to get to work, and that was with a dropped Nalgene bottle and a water stop. (The Nalgene bottle, true to their advertising, was hardly scratched.)

I stopped in at work on the way back, grabbed some of the birthday cake in the kitchen, ate a Clif bar, and was on my way. I felt great at that point, a little over twenty miles. But for some reason, around mile 26 or so, my left knee really started giving me trouble. I raised my seat to make my stroke a little longer and it only helped a little. Coming back was a little shorter, probably due to my route.

Several times, throughout my ride, I ran into this group: www.unionbaycycling.com. Although, all I could read at the time was the "Wines of Washington" logo on their upper ass. These guys meant business. About 15 or so, and when they passed me, it was like a freight train. I think I only kept up with them due to their longer route and they take longer water breaks. Any time you have 15 people together, certain things can't be fast. One of their guys stopped to take a whiz at the Wendy's in Renton and they just left him. I guess with these guys, you can't do weak things like urinate while riding. At any rate, this guy caught up with me just a couple miles down the road.

My main problems today were again my left knee and neck, straining to look forward while leaning down. I'm sure both will go away with training.

I did pass a couple of people -- A kid on one of those souped-up funky bikes riding on the sidewalk, and one old lady. Hey, I need something to make me feel good.

Don't forget to donate to JDRF under my name. Just click on the "Ride for the Cure" link over on the right and follow instructions. Thanks from me and everyone at JDRF for caring enough to be a part of the cure.