Sunday ride with Alf

Distance 62.9
Moving Time 5:08:49
Elevation 5,003ft
Avg Speed 12.2mi/h
Max Speed 48.5mi/h
Heart Rate Avg 129bpm Max 175pm
Calories 2,097
Temperature 61

I rode with Alf today on what seemed to be a mostly leisurely ride from Oakland to Berkeley to Orinda to Briones to Martinez to Concord to Pleasant Hill to Walnut Creek to Lafayette to Moraga to Oakland - WHEW! I just realized that my maximum speed was 48.5 mph. I remember when I was terrified of going 20 mph.

I say the ride was mostly leisurely because Alf and I did a lot of talking, so rather than speed through the route, was spent time climbing hills and long, flat roads yakking away about everything and anything.

The only picture I took was the cute farmers' market setup in Downtown Martinez.

Rediscovering Spinning

In the last 15 years I have taken a spinning class maybe four times. Keep in mind that this is not the ancient textile art in which plant, animal or synthetic fibers are drawn out and twisted together to form yarn. This is a cardio class simulating outdoor cycling. And each of the four times, I never desired to take another class. The instructors would try their best to give the spinners the illusion of actually riding a bicycle outdoors.

I had friends who swore by the exercise regimen, but I just couldn't see myself riding a bicycle for more than fifteen minutes indoors or out. Well, this past Sunday, Alf Victorio mentioned that on non-cycling days he tries to get to at least one spinning class a week. Alf shared with me that since spinning, he's become a stronger and better rider. I told him all the reasons I didn't want to consider spinning because of my past experience.

I decided to give spinning a try this morning -- on my own. I downloaded a couple of apps. First, Global Cycle Coach (Setona LLC). I decided not to use this app after listening to the trial workout and learning that additional workouts are an average of $9.99 each. The second app was Spin Class (Knila) which is a basic 32-minute timer with different levels and intervals. I used the Spin Class app with a Spinner at 24-Hour Fitness this morning and was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the workout. At the 20-minute mark, I was so exhausted that the remainder of the workout was basically recovery pedaling. So with this new found love of spinning on my own.

Sunday, 11/16/14 Del Norte to Lafayette

Distance 49.3
Moving Time 3:39:26
Elevation 2,159ft
Avg Speed 13.5mi/h
Max Speed 34.4mi/h
Heart Rate Avg 117bpm Max 147pm
Calories 1,394
Temperature 63

Another big thanks to Training Ride Leader (TRL), Hugo Sosa and co-TRLs Angelica Reyes Sosa, Jeff Adamus, Kobie Wagener, and Ron Marshall

Started the day's ride from home with such a gorgeous sunrise. 

Pleasant surprise to have Alf join the group for his very first East Bay training ride.

Saturday, 11/15/14 Orinda Fall Prep #11 - Martinez, Reliez, Pacheco

Distance 55.0
Moving Time 4:03:34
Elevation 3,894ft
Avg Speed 13.5mi/h
Max Speed 36.9mi/h
Heart Rate Avg 137bpm Max 170pm
Calories 1,845
Temperature 61

Thanks Training Ride Leader George Head, with co-leaders Aaron Lewis, Mary Vencill, Margaret Simon, Ron Hirsch, Matthew Bokach, and Jane Maxwell. I was so hoping to add 20 more miles to the ride after we returned to Orinda BART, but thanks to Carlos Rangel, I got a ride back home.

More to come ...

Del Norte BART to Orinda, but another way

Distance 54.4
Moving Time 3:43:07
Elevation 2,198ft
Avg Speed 14.6mi/h
Max Speed 35.6mi/h
Heart Rate Avg 131bpm Max 165pm
Calories 1,602
Temperature 72

AIDS/LifeCycle Volunteer Training Ride Leaders Hugo, Jeff, Kobie and Greg continue to impress with their time, knowledge and leadership. Thank you for a fun ride to Orinda. Loved seeing familiar faces and meeting new folks.

Group Photo

I had planned to ride two hours before meeting the training ride group at Del Norte BART, but with getting over being sick for five days, I thought taking today easy would be much better for me in the long run. When I told Mama that I would be riding Saturday, she asked me if I thought that would be a good idea. I responded I would be fine and she said, I guess we're all hard-headed ... take care. Mother's wisdom for a 53-year old. I listened to my body and her and took yesterday off.

I did get in an hour before our 9am meet-time. I have a few months to get in shape, but I want it NOW.

Ramona and her older son, Daniel joined today's training ride -- so great to see such wonderful pairs. Ramona rode with her son, Gregory in AIDS/LifeCycle 2014. More like Gregory sped each morning to camp in time to have the tent set up for Mom and son. Now that's a nice benefit. Your tent set up each afternoon before you get to camp.

Here are my photos for today's ride.

TRLs Hugo and Kobie

TRL Greg and Riders

Ramona's profile and Smiley

Rider

Cyclist Rep Melissa, Tanya and Riders

Daniel, Ramona and Art

Rest Stop

Will pretending he doesn't want his picture taken

Michael and Art

Del Norte BART to Vallejo

Distance 60.8
Moving Time 4:33:59
Elevation 3,789ft
Avg Speed 13.3mi/h
Max Speed 33.8mi/h
Heart Rate Avg 136bpm Max 174pm
Calories 1,894
Temperature 61

Sunday's ride with Hugo, Angelica, Rachel, Jeff, Lark and Greg.

Always love my Sunday rides with Hugo, Angelica, Rachel, Jeff, Lark, and Greg as fearless Training Ride Leaders and fellow riders including Kelly and Bob. I promised to get back home by 1:00pm, so I had no time to socialize. Got home at 1:15pm. John and I darted to the gym to get ready for a mini-reunion with friends from Hawaii. Fun was had by all on the ride and reunion!

Bob Katz - He's usually the photographer

More Riders

With Kelly Williams

With Rachel Carl Sandoval

The Group - we were about 30 riders

Love our TRLs

AND, the non-cyclists - Hawaii Friends