Biking Update - October 11, 2008

A good week for biking. I started off the week riding along the Stratford Beach with good friend Nick. I could really see how far I have come, fitness-wise, as we rode over 10 miles at fairly decent speeds and spent the whole time talking as though we were sitting around Captains for Guys Night Out. No out-of-breath moments, even when debating politics and the economy. And it never hurts to have beautiful scenery. On Tuesday, we biked up to Captains Pizza for Guys Nite Out in the coldest evening yet. It was my first ride when I had to wear long pants, and we were still shivering when we got home. (Of course, we got up to nearly 30 MPH on the way home, down the hill, so windchill was a factor) The most of the rest of the week was biking on the stationary bike, where the only "scenery" is whatever DVD I happen to have playing on my laptop while I ride (no TV or A/C plugs in the attic). Then Thursday, CRChair and I returned to the Startford Shore for another 10 mile ride. This time, it was from the very start to the very end of the sunset and it was a truly glorious ride. I never really understood until this year when folks said October was the "perfect month" for sports. (May have had something to do with my visceral hatred of football.) But the cool air, bright sun, gentle breezes, and beautiful foliage makes every ride a joy. I am hoping to really chilly weather holds off a bit longer, since once it starts getting icy, we will probably have to stop biking, at least on the roads.

Also a good week for weight loss. Last week, you may recall that the graph was a ragged sawtooth with my weight fluctuating as much as 4 lbs from one day to another. This week, the fluctuations we about 1 lb per day and were mostly down. I wound up a little over two pounds down from where I ended last week and am now solidly in the 230s. 230 exactly was my goal weight when I started this journey, so I am excited it is within sight. I am hoping to get there by Thanksgiving (when I plan to let myself have what I want to eat) and then work on maintenance for a while before setting a new goal. Coworkers and friends are really noticing the difference in my shape now, which is nice. And I am getting more smiles from the ladies. This is all very good.

This next week is starting off with a Quiz Meet in Montgommery, NJ today, so no biking will be possible. Maybe Sunday. But Monday is Columbus Day and a bank holiday, so I may be able to get in some miles then. I am just barely short of 250 Miles logged for the year, and would like to cross that threshold before the ice sets in. It is nothing compared to some people who log 60 to 100 miles a day. But for me, who before this year only ever rode a bike up and down the same street, it is a HUGE deal. I am also exploring the kinds of exercise available to me over the winter. I will try to bike when I can, but snow and ice make it unlikely. I am checking out a karate studio near my house - I did Tae Kwon Do in college. I'll report back on that next week.