Today's ride was intense! I did about 15 miles round trip, just to stretch my legs before the weekend training. Into the wind, I was only able to manage about 12 mph on average...but, on the return trip, I brought it up to ~22 mph on average, with a peak around 38 mph! That was really fun. I finally got to use the big gear up front, which I haven't been able to get into up until today, because it is very tall. My knees are feeling better. With time, I'm sure they'll be in good shape for our trip!
HERE WE GO AGAIN
first post! i win.
gonna be cold this weekend so we're not riding to arthur. the ride last week to monticello was great - super flat road and nice weather. i'm trying to do a better job of riding with people who ride at the same pace as i do so that i don't get too far ahead or too far behind. i think amy does a good job of keeping up, i'm not sure who else, but we've got a couple thousands miles to figure that out, no?
right now i'm trying to do a better job of stepping up and making us really feel like a team, especially if i want to be a ride leader. we're a team, whether we realize that or not...there's some people that i don't even know yet, and that needs to be fixed! we're gonna be spending the WHOLE summer with just each other, we're gonna have to rely on each other and support each other for almost three straight months...it's time to start acting like a team, being family.
ya knowz?
Training...Yahoo!
So, we've begun our trip already, by training in advance with Saturday rides. We're gradually ramping up the mileage as the team gets used to riding as a together. Already, we're able to communicate readily, and ride in a tight pack to increase efficiency.
In order to keep things in perspective, so we don't forget the purpose of our ride, we're reviewing pieces from the Portraits Project, which was completed last year, before our training rides. This helps us keep in mind why it is that we're riding. Part of my personal effort will be to read up as much as I can about factors affecting cancer, and cancer prevention. As with all humanity, I share the idea that proactivity and knowledge can help defer the onset of diseases, though cancer certainly seems to strike indiscriminately. I hope to share the facts I uncover with people across the U.S. For instance, at the intensity levels of EM radiation at which cell phones function, IEM < 1.6 W/kg, no tumors have been known to develop in test animals. It is only when test animals are exposed for prolonged periods of time to intensities ~4 times greater than this, that the animals developed tumors. So, we can tentatively say it is safe to speak with our cellphones, without worry of developing brain tumors. This says nothing about the danger of driving while using a cellphone, however! Hey, I'm a cyclist. I'm sensitive to that topic, in particular...
No ride this weekend :(
Due to inclement weather, we will not be riding this weekend!
Getting Huge to Fight Cancer
With the spring season upon us, the name of the game for the Illini 4000 is training. For us, this means watching a lot of Tae-Bo videos in fast motion and a strict regiment of steroids (just kidding).
For the last two weeks, the team has been working hard spending their Saturdays training in preparation for the summer. On March 29th, we completed our first outdoor ride to Homer Lake! This fun filled 36 miles was a little rough at first, but a headwind in the morning always makes for smooth sailing in the afternoon. Only one short week later, the team upped the ante and completed a 55 mile ride to Monticello and back (Not the one in Virginia). Having worked out all of the kinks and equipment issues the week before, the team focussed on communication and safe riding while in a group. The improvement was astounding, and it all culminated with a trip to Jarlings Custard Cup for celebratory ice cream. This weekend, the 2008 team will be facing its greatest challenge yet as we attempt our first full length ride together: an 80 mile round trip to Arthur, Illinois and back!
Great job so far guys. It's amazing to think that in one month, this rag tag bunch will be transformed into the cross-country cycling machine that is the Illini 4000! - Nick Ludmer, Co-Director