Hey Everyone,
I hope everyone is doing well. I know I've missed a few days but
with good reason. This past weekend was the 25th Annual
MS 150 City to Shore Bike Ride. What's that, you ask?
The MS 150 City to Shore Bike Ride is a two day 150 mile
bike ride to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis
Society. This was my 12th year riding in the event.
Every summer, I adjust my training routine by basically elminating
weight training work for my legs and doing lots of cycling and
then changing my routine again once the ride is over.
I could NOT believe the weather! Actually, everything was
great about the weather EXEPT the wind for the last 25 miles
of the first day. I've NEVER ridden in wind anything like that
at all. It was brutal. The last 25 miles that day felt like a
weight workout, not a cycling event. I typically spend most
of my riding time in the 16 - 22 mph range. I rode at about
10 - 12 mph that last 25 miles, even on flat roads!
There are two high, long bridges back to back into Ocean City,
so we hit those at the end of the ride Saturday and the
beginning of the rid Sunday. Luckily, they are a quarter
of a mile apart and face different directions because the
first one Saturday was right into the wind. I was riding
standing up, in my smalllest gear and was riding at about
6 - 8 mph going up that hill. I thought I was doing weighted
lunges! I'm glad my brother in law rode on Saturday because
no one can truly appreciate how bad that wind was!
This should give you an idea of what the wind was like.
On the second bridge, where I wasn't riding into the
wind, I coasted down the brige at around 35 mph.
On the first bridge, into the wind, I had to pedal down
the bridge and still only managed to go around 11 - 12
mph.
So now my knees are killing me. I'm okay as long as I
don't bend my legs! :-) There were about 6,500 riders
this year raising about $3.5 milllion (the final tally will
go up as late contributions come in after the ride).
I must point out, as always, the volunteers make this
ride as successful and as popular as it is. They do an
amazing job and without them, this event would never
happen.
Besides being a nice story about a good cause, how can
it help you lose fat and get fit? If you have trouble sticking
to your routine or nutrition program, consider entering some
type of event in the future that you would have to train for.
I know I couldn't do this ride each year if I wasn't out on
my bike from March to September. Something to train for
may be just what you need to get more consistent with
your program.
As always, questions and comments are encouraged. You
can reach me at gregg @ buildleanmuscle.com
Gregg
