It was Saturday, so it was time for a long ride! I was actually intending to make it a short(er) ride of 10 miles, but I took a road untraveled (at least by me) and became curious where it went. And my time was looking so good that I wanted to see if I could improve upon the last couple of rides and make my goal of a 20 mile ride in 1 hr, 30 min.
First – the path. Instead of crossing into Richland, I decided to check out the Pasco path. I’m so glad I did, because I think I found a new favorite ride! I rode into Chiawana Park (West End) and just kept going. I found views I’d never seen before and a park I’d never heard about! It looked new, pristine, beautiful, and with not many people. It really looked like a perfect place for a little picnic in the sun. There were just a couple of kayakers in the water, a couple of people lying in the grass, and the bike path was WIDE, with a lane for cyclists going one way, and a lane for cyclists coming back. I didn’t get very far along the path, having already traveled 10 miles by that point. On the way back, I turned off the path a couple of times – the first to find out what street the park I’d found was from; the second to find out what street this incredible LARGE house was on that I passed by! I think it’s about the largest house I’d seen in the Tri-Cities, with a nearly-as-large house next door!
Second – the time. I DID IT!!! I was really surprised, but I managed an average speed of 13 mph, which is faster than my previous averages of 11.8 mph. And my total time for 21 miles was 1:32 – 1 hour, 32 minutes. WOOHOO!!! My maximum speed was 23 mph. And the whole ride was a blast. Granted, there were fewer people to navigate through in the parks which let me feel better about increasing my speed, which adds to thinking I’ve found a new favorite trail to follow. I also liked the fact there were a few turn-offs to get onto the road if needed. I did get off at one turnoff, just to see where I’d end up, and then got a little lost trying to find my way around – then turnoff got onto Sylvester, but then I took a side-road that was unfamiliar to me and ended up back on the bike path. So my 1:32 was actually including a few side-adventures. I was excited about that.
Third – endurance. So, by the time I was on the final leg of the trip, I was slowing WAY down. On the way out, I was hitting about 18 mph, coasting to about 15 mph, and then hitting 18 mph again. On the last part of the trip back, I was definitely going slower. I’m not sure what my top speed was, but I know I was coasting to about 11 mph. The funny thing is 11 mph isn’t horribly slow, but after spending most of the ride going nearly 20 mph, I guess I was surprised how slow it felt. I shouldn’t have been, since cars are the same way – dropping from 55 mph to 35 mph feels like a drag; same with going from 35 mph to 20 mph in school zones. Next time, I definitely need to take a granola bar with me or SOMETHING. I had my heart-rate monitor on, and forgot to actually TURN it on until part-way back. I hit a burn of 600 calories for the last part of the trip. Having only eaten a PB&J sandwich and a but of milk before the ride, I was definitely needing some more gas for the last leg.
Fourth – the tan. I had to include this, because it’s the first summer in a long time I’m actually getting a TAN. I should note that it’s more prevalent on my arms, but I love the fact I’m actually getting some COLOR. That’s not to say I don’t slather sunscreen on me before every ride – but it’s GREAT!
Fifth – the bugs! I chuckled part of the way through the ride as I looked at arms. Part of the bike path I took is on something of a dike, narrower, and no trees around – well, there are trees around, but they’re lower down the hill on each side. When I looked at my arms at that point, they resembled the front of a car after a drive…little black bugs stuck to me. Yeah, it was gross, but I was enjoying the ride too much to be disgusted.
With this ride, I now have 81 miles on my bicycle! Actually, make that 81 miles after my bike computer was put on. I might have 85 or so actual miles on it, but I never thought I’d have 81 miles on my bicycle after three weeks! I’m LOVING cycling, though. LOVING it. I wish I could squeeze more cycling in during the week, but my Saturday rides are definitely making up for the time I don’t get during the week. I think I need some cool-weather gear as it gets a little cooler in the mornings. Maybe I could even get cool-weather gear for my birthday so I could keep riding in the fall!