Alpine Approach
Posted by Daniel Thu, 19 Oct 2006 21:23:24 GMT
My last midweek group ride for a while covered the Alpine Approach. A beautiful park that hugs the Palisade cliffs and passes under the George Washington Bridge. It’s been on my list for a while, but I never made the opportunity to ride it. Today that chance was presented, and despite the fact that the ride has more hills than I’m prepared to ride at this point, I went anyway.
It was a great way to sort of close the season (although I’ll continue to ride) but the fun I’ve been having with the midweek, morning crowd, will be missed. The good news, my knee felt 90% or better. The bad news, everything else felt like junk. Part of that is because I haven’t been riding hills to protect my knee. That seems to be working. My knee felt good. The bad part is that I got a cramp in my left calf, and then a compensating cramp in my right (a bit later on). Then, I bonked a bit, despite having tried to keep my intake going. Maybe I didn’t drink enough because of the hill riding? Whatever. There were only four of us today, and everyone was kind enough to wait or slow the pace (in fact I believe the ride leader changed the route he had in mind to avoid even more climbing on the way home… he’s very gracious.)
I suspect yesterday’s flat 50 miles had something to do with all this as I haven’t been out nearly as much or as often lately (weather, holidays, etc). 83 miles total back to back is more than I’m used to at the moment, plus the hills today. Worth every sore muscle though.
My weight has hit a new low, and I have plans I do for when I reach a certain number. That number isn’t the end of the road, but it is significant enough to warrant some attention from me.
(That’s me on the left… looking somewhat stupid as I try not laugh (and not look tired) as David ( Schloss (Founder and President of the club) who’s not in the picture) suggests I try to not look tired. Heh.)
If you change your mind, and decide to do another group ride this year, let me know and I’ll try to join you. Really.
Seth
(If you’re interested, that is.)
Seth
I’m not against it at all! I’ll try and find a Sunday morning (the only day I could pull this off) soon, and if you can make it, we’ll plan from there.
What caught your interest? (Not that it matters…)
Daniel
Unfortunately, Sunday is the only day that wouldn’t work for me.
What caught my interest was that you’re doing half centuries. :-) We don’t have to go that far, but it’s good to know you’re doing it.
Seth
Seth
OK. We’ll have to do it in the spring… and the half-century really wasn’t tough (it’s a flat route), in fact the same group of folks talked about doing some even longer rides, so hopefully we can hook up on a good one.
Daniel
I’m happy to come down for any route. I didn’t mean to sound like I would only do a half century, or only a tougher ride. Anything more than 15 miles would be fine, and any time of day.
This has been going on for long enough. It’s time we met.
Seth
You’re right, it certainly has gone on long enough… and I’ll make the same offer if I wind up back on my own schedule in the spring.
Daniel