Wednesday nights..."train in the rain"!

After an extended dry spell here in Florida, we're now back to our usual afternoon thunderstorms. Typically, around 3 in the afternoon we get squeezed between the east and west coast seabreezes that create some rather violent weather conditions! The last two Wednesday night rides have been wet ones. Last week, it was dry until we turned for home with 8 miles to go. Huge raindrops and lightning, coupled with puddles 2-3" deep are not my favorite riding conditions. Yesterday, the rain started earlier than normal. By the time we rolled out at 6P, most of the thunderstorms had passed. The threat of rain, however, chased off all but 6 of us (our normal group is 25-30 strong!). The roads were a bit wet and there were a few brief showers...but, a good trade-off in the temperature department as it was in the high-70's instead of the usual low-90's. It's a rolling course and the wind was pretty fierce. The 6 of us kept up a pretty steady pace and managed to knock out a 24.7 average over the 45+ miles.

One more long weekend in the training log!!

OK, I'm the first to admit...this blog is getting boring! Each week's training is pretty standard fare...without much to "report" on.
With the Florida State Road Race going on up in Ocala this weekend, the turnout at the Saturday and Sunday rides was pretty small. The smaller turnout and the lack of "racers" gave the rest of us the opportunity to change things up a little. So, instead of doing the usual hammerfest out of Windermere on Sunday, we opted for the slightly longer and flatter Groveland (G-Land) Loop. With a good group, the "G-Land" ride is really a blast. It's super fast and steady. Everyone stops at the 7-11 (some for what seems like an eternity!). Today we had a group of about 7 head out for some extra miles in the hills. Down to 4 of us after the first set of hills and it stayed that way! It was another hot one, which I keep telling myself is good preparation for the last 5-6 days on Ridge of the Rockies when we get into Texas...in August! Got in 105 miles...which included a small detour to Chipotle for a burrito. I really don't eat much during these long rides. I have a big bowl of cereal and a couple egg whites or a hunk of turkey breast before the ride. Then a Gatorade, a banana and a Jocolat (organic fruit & nuts...tasty!) bar...so by the time I get close to home...IT"S TIME TO EAT!! Another thing I learned while training for last year's LA to Boston ride was how to nap! That's where I'm headed!

Saturday ride 6/7

The big Saturday rides in my area are Lakemont (race weekends*) and Errol Estates (non-race weekends). On Sunday's we head to the west to the hills of Clermont. Today was Lakemont, so we headed east for a 58 mile romp thru what's left of once rural Central Florida farm/horse country. The normal start time is 7:30...and there can be well over 100 people at the start. Due to the popularity of this ride, there are actually 3-4 different "starts"...faster groups out first. There's a small contingent (12 or so) of us now leaving at 7A to avoid the masses. In addition to being much safer, it's summer...and it's hot...so the early start is a bit cooler! We keep a very disciplined paceline with speeds rarely dipping below 25mph. We, typically, average 23+mph over the entire course. Super low-traffic roads and only a few intersections mean we get a really steady workout.

*this weekend was the Stuart Crit Series in South Florida. Next weekend is the (FL) State Road Race in Ocala.













Rolling out at 7AM this morning. Winter Park also has a big runners group that we often share the road with.
















The group jammin' into the early morning sun down Lake Pickett Rd.
















The "queue line" for the final sprint down Florida Avenue. The field to the right grows some of the finest strawberries on the planet from late-February thru March.















After the 58 mile group ride I do a 20+ mile cool down ride...usually on the trail near my house. Today, I ran into my buddy MStarr so I had some company! Finished the day with 84 miles.

Summer is here!

Today was a brutally hot 100 miles! Summer is definitely here! We've also had a few wildfires that make it a bit smoky in the morning.















Rolling out to the ride (20 miles) with the usual suspects: Shawn, Robert & Pleasant. During race season most people drive to Windermere for the start. In the winter we can have a dozen or so ride out from Downtown Orlando...or my town, Winter Park.













The group rolls thru Windermere...often close to 100 people at the start.