Training Log Archive: rjb3

Hudson Highlander XVI

It was raining hard when I woke up, but the weather gradually improved during the drive to the meet. Turned out to be a nice day.
Start, Finish and two map exchanges at Lake Walsh.
Started with Paul Regan. By the time we got to 1 we were in a group of five: Dean Sturtevant, Charlie DeWeese, Craig Weber, Paul and myself. The group stayed intact until the trail run. Paul was doing the Lowlander and
Craig took off faster than the rest of us were up to. When we got to the end of the lake and turned north, Dean dropped back, so Charlie and I completed the leg together. Started the third leg with Craig at a walk. Charlie and Dean join us, but Dean soon dropped back again. The three of us completed the rest of the course more or less together. Craig looked strong at the end and I suspect he was holding back to keep the group together. With Charlie's resent injuries, I was surprised at how well he held up. I would not have been able to keep up with a healthy Charlie.
I clearly had a lot of help getting around this year, but for this event, I'll take whatever I can get.

Highlander - Splits

DRT.
A morning storm dumped a lot of water. Small streams and ditched were gushing, overflowing. Hoped to get a dry ride in, but it wasn't to be. Started raining about 5 minutes in. This lasted about 10 minutes. By the time I got to HJ the sky was clearing, but on the way back got another 10 minutes of rain. Sun coming out again as I got home. Not surprisingly, there weren't many people out. Only one other biker. Probably saw more wildlife then people:
one hawk, two turkeys, four swans (on Lake Walton) and five deer. One of the deer was standing just off of the trail watching, ready to bolt. However, he held his ground even though I went by within three meters. Another was standing in the middle of the trail watching me approach. Two others with it took off, but this one was like a statue. Only after I started dinging my little bell did it move out of the way.

Star trac. Alpine Pass program.
Level 12 except for the middle hill which was at 9.

Usual set of machines.

Baird Park.
Got a break in the weather after a couple of early showers. Cool but humid.
Seemed like a lot of leaves on the trail since Sunday. Canopy is still mostly green.

DRT. Usual ride.
Encountered another new vehicle. This was a recumbent tricycle, two wheels in the back. The rider was lying flat except his head was propped up a bit. No foot pedals, this was arm/hand powered. First time I saw him we were going in opposite directions. I didn't see much as he went by very quickly, but it was obvious he was powering with this arms. Saw him again as he was packing up. He has one leg. He said that since starting to ride he had lost 50 pounds (now at about 185). He also competes with the trike.

Star trac. Alpine Pass program.
Level 11, except for the middle hill which was at 9.
This was hard enough.

Usual set of machines.