Another day in the swamp

I was DC bound today. Jumped Rt 270 down to the Shady Grove Metro. Surprised and thankful no real backups on road or metro today. Saw a pretty scary bike messenger this morning coming out of client office, but he had a cool ride. Some people like this messenger just lurve bein grumpy - I dont get it.

After some computer fun the day was flying. Pretty sweet I even squeezed in a pizza run for lunch, mmmm good and greasy. Well honestly I didnt run for lunch just walked to Pinos - too hot out for running unless youre being chased.

More computer fun and it was time to roll out. Reverse course, metro to Rt 270 up North. Im rollin in a loaner from car repair shop. This sweet ride has 357,000 miles on it! Amazing - it runs great and AC is ice cold.

When home I was in mission mode. Few minutes play time with pup then change and out the door. My legs were up to speed before I made it out of Frederick. Due to late start I had to take the bike light. I always feel safer with the light when close to sunset.

Shoot the heat was just draining me. As I hit steep section of Hamburg Rd in 1st half of the ride I noticed my lower legs were tightening up. Last time I felt this I had cramps in both lower legs. Ugh. Hmm, maybe eating better lunch would help. Or having a water instead of coke with my pizza. Nah, coke and pizza is perfect match cant break that up. I decided to speed up in attempt to ignore any muscle tightness. Wow, it actually worked. Bonus - now I was actually going pretty fast up hill. Before I knew it I was at top and prepping for downhill.

Coming down Coxey Brown Rd I shook out the leg tightness. Then time to get a good hold on brakes and clamp bike frame between my legs for stability. That darn road has some well hidden pot holes. The darkness almost had me flying over the handlebars as I hit brakes late and hard to bunny hop nasty crater in pavement.

That sunset was cool. Half way down mountain I had to stop for couple snaps. I never learn - when stopped for picture I leaned my leg against the front rim - OUCH thats hot! Amazing the rim gets flaming hot when braking hard for over a mile. Then time to hop back on for rocket ride to Harmony Rd at valley bottom.

I rode a few circles as shifting out of big front ring and into easiest gear then - going up. Good rhythm and pedal strokes. Lower back not too tight so I could keep weight centered. Always stoked when I can bust the 1st switch back seated and comfortable. Then I rode thru the false flat and back into woods rest of way to top. I love the nice tree shade along the road but swarms of bugs in forest - not my favorite. I made it back to Hamburg and a load off shoulders as this means - downhill most of way home.

As I rode past Fort Detrick I saw a bank sign displaying time and temp - 8:57 pm/ 97 degrees - wow. At least the sun was down and there was a breeze flowing. Not that I even noticed cuz I had home on mind. I raced thru Baker park and back to the hood. Oh yeah another good day

July 4th Weekend

Great weekend for bicyclists. Saturday the 3rd TdF kickoff in Rotterdam with a 10 mile prologue (individual time trial thru city streets). All weekend here in Frederick we had beautiful clear sunny skies. I hit the streets this weekend for a few hours riding each day. Monday I had the day off from work so I went out for a mid day ride. Nothing like the crushing midday sun to snap the elastic on your ride. I flew thru an almost cleaned up Baker Park (site of Sunday's Firework celebration). I hit Rosemont St and actually cruised all the traffic lights (wow, that doesnt happen often - I usually get stuck at 1st light and have to struggle to keep up with traffic out of town).

By time I made it to base of Catoctins my legs were fully warmed. The climb up to Hamburg Rd was smooth and fast. Little traffic on Hamburg helped increase my tempo. By time I topped mtn I noticed calf muscles a bit tight. No time now I had to get moving.

Left turn on Gambrill and short rise to Coxey Brown. Then get a good grip on brakes and shake out the legs for about 3 miles of downhill fun. At bottom of mtn I was really feeling hot and stopped in shade. A quick call to Lallo's Pizza in Wolfsville told me that I had waited too long to get out the door today, they were closing in 15 minutes (no way I would make it in time for a delicious greasy slice).

After catching my breath in shade I continued down Harmony Rd to Harp Hill. Then it was time to chug back up Harmony to Coxey Brown Rd up to Gambrill. By the time I made the top of mtn both my bottles were drained and I was drenched but no problem downhill rest of way home. This July has been beautiful but pretty darn warm.