Training Log Archive: veinbuster

10 cm of heavy snow this morning. 40 minutes worth of shovelling. Fattie time after tending to Mrs.

C • How is she? 7

First snow ride.

I was surprised to be able to make so many first tracks given how late I was getting out. My Garmin didn't register the first few minutes, but I went with its metrics.

The west side of the Newmarket path was plowed, but the west and the east side were not, nor was any of the woods. What has been 10cm of very wet snow was starting to melt anywhere there was sun. The ride was all sloppy, but without there having been any salt yet this year the spray I was throwing was clean.

The fattie loved the conditions. It just bowled through the deepest snow. It was quite slippery on downhills, especially over grass. The steep little uphills demanded a low gear and gentle power delivery. I tested my snow bank skills on the plowed sections. The fattie plunged through everything up to 20cm high. A couple of bits bigger than that tried to push the front wheel off track so I'll work on that some at the next opportunity.

Riding through a bit of evergreen forest was fun. The sun was melting the snow on the trees so fast that it was like a very heavy rainstorm underneath - visually stunning.

I met one Viking on skis. I was able to avoid his outbound tracks except for a couple of stretches of 15-20m where the trail was too narrow for me to take a different line. It was interesting to note returning that my track was easily 50% wider than his. Two runners and a few dogs were the only other traffic. I tried to pass everyone slowly enough not to throw spray at them.

Day 3 soloflex

A bit of fresh snow outside but I stayed in for the dressing removal when Mrs. is ready.

Slow motion lifts to focus on form

Short dawn ride to get back in time to help Flight do her strength routine on the soloflex.

Started out at 2C with a huge shadow. Going up the hill from the house my shadow was two lots long - so 100ft. It was surprisingly quite for being out at commuter time. Our water finally seems to be at the right level after six months of being low.

The winter boots should be good for noticeably colder days. The single BOAS over a weather proof tongue and then a Velcro weather seal on top make them very easy to get into. The sliders beside the clips make the boots very slippery on asphalt and wood, so I'll either file them down or use the for trails only.

Lots of lifting and carrying helping Flight use my equipment for her workout.

Soloflex wouldn't work for her squats, so I loaded her shoulders with my dial-a-weight. On and off for eight sets. The sit-ups in my inverter where fun. Especially seeing how red her abs gots by the time she finished the third set.

Back to my old work schedule for a day. Downtown by 7.

C • Glad to hear things went well 3

Both daughters recommend a fat trike. The youngest endorses a spare set of summer wheels.

Day 2 soloflex and free weights

Looked good for an early ride, until I saw a decent looking rain on radar about 10 minutes away. I opted to stay in and protect myself from the hint of a lingering cold getting a better grip.

I had planned to head south on the trail to start into the wind, but by the time it brightened up enough to want to go out it seemed like the right window to head north and try another trail/road route.

Traffic was fairly light with me riding after commuters and before the lunch crowd. North to Holland Landing. East through Sharon to Mount Albert. South uphill and into a brisk wind to Cedar Grove. Then west through Pleasantville to home. I had a brief sunny break at 10km. The road stayed wet except for a couple of commuter heavy bits of Hwy 48 and then Mullock between the 404 and home.

I saw only one other cyclist: a young lady at 38km who appeared to be riding to work. One jogger and one faster runner pushing a stroller. Not much for two hours.