If you missed the belated edits to my last post, 10/10/2024:  What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been:  5 Years of Consecutive Daily Cycling Tomorrow, please go check it out first. I’ll wait. (Cue the Jeopardy theme music.) It was written the day before my big annual ride. The spoiler version is that I managed my 59.59-mile bike ride, and I’m still doing the deed daily. Although I’m biking slower for various reasons. Extra weight from high stress and low sleep and also after stopping a gig where I walked five to seven miles a day. Biking 100+ miles a week might have something to do with being tired. Whatever, each mile counts. And the only race I’m in is against myself. Or maybe Death. And we all lose that one, eventually. But not today, Death. Not today.

As you can see from the middle Strava image above, I completed my annual long ride. I took Sommar the Fuji Finest (pronunced some MAL) gifted by Orion Robbilard on her first outdoor ride this year. We did a lot of trainer rides in the winter, but with the new street bike Soqi the Cannondale Quick 4 supplanting Sommar and sturdy steel backup Sonnie the GT Arette on the bench, Sommar just hasn’t seen much action. I had some trepidation about the skinny tires, road bike drop handlebars and non-disk brakes, but we got along just fine. Guest rider Rhodney joined me for the first 10 miles of my big ride, and then I continued on to the new extended section of the Southern Walnut Creek Trail. It now goes to a small town called Manor (may’ nor), where there’s not much to see, but it’s nice to have that additional five miles.

I also continued my silly yet serious streaks: biking, walking, and yoga daily. I also got in the pool a few times to work on my shoulder. An added factor was that October 16 was the hottest latest day on record EVER in Austin, Texas, hitting 101 F. So, it continued to be very unseasonably warm autumn. This is nice for sunshine, warm muscles, not getting rained on, and making slips and falls less likely. There was just .01″ of rain, which is not good for plants, wildlife, and the natural water supply that replenishes the acquifers. Normal is 3.91″. Weather patterns and climate change both contribute to our extreme drought, for sure, according to the meterology experts.

I started the day with some whole grain oat groats and protein-packed cottage cheese, both with fruit and nuts. While on the ride, I kept my hydration up with two bottles of water, the second with some Nuun tablets. For energy, I had tasty whole grain Bobo’s Oat Bars and nut butter packets, and while stopping off for water at a convenience store in Manor, I got some tasty potatoes and bananas.

Towards the end, I still had snacks left I wasn’t hungry for, but I was slowing down and running out of gas. But I was determined and knew I had enough base miles to make it. Despite my longest ride this year only being 35 miles, I managed and made my goal. The ride itself was pleasant, being all paved and no cars. With the extended trail, I only needed two complete laps, but I missed the last portion, so I rode home and around to make the 59.59 miles.

Once back at my new to me but very old and tiny flat, I had some protein powder mixed in water and showered off the sweat and grime. Then I crashed and took a power nap. Refreshed a bit, I took my walk and did my yoga. Then I hopped in the car and topped the day off with some freebies like dinner for breakfast at Denny’s, a stressball gerbil toy from Toy Joy, and ice cream from Amy’s. The guy at the latter even gave me a large to-go container and didn’t even make me catch it in a bowl over the counter as in the first years I got it. A few days later enjoyed a steak dinner with my guest rider and I can use a free movie ticket for the next month.

Such is the life of poor but frugal cyclist. After an abundance of miles, attracting more abundance and accepting what the world offers seems fair reward for a long day doing T.ime I.n T.he S.addle (this will always be funny if you understand why). At the end of the day, I was tired and sore, and had received a little too much sun despite the arm, face and neck protection, but I was satisfied. I think I did a pretty good job, considering. Let’s hope I can manage it again next year without electrical assist or changing to kilometers. Thanks for reading, if you did! If you didn’t, then this sentence is irrelevant, so you’re not reading it. OK, it’s getting weird. Let’s end here.

All app images copyright Strava 2024.

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