I mentioned a while back that I decided to not re-join the gym this fall and winter. One of the only reasons I went back to the gym last fall was to give myself something else to do besides sit and ride to nowhere on the stationary trainer during the winter. Well, once I got my (now sold) Pugsley late last January, I found it increasingly harder to go to the gym rather than ride my bike. Having a viable option to ride outside in the Michigan snow now made lifting weights seem just as stupid as it sounds… just when I started to see real progress and added strength.
Another reason I decided not to go back, was that I found myself opting out of rides way too easily during those “in between” fall and winter days like we’re in right now. A windy, sunny day in the 40s could easily have me opting to sweat in the gym looking at the ass end of a pair yoga pants while I dripped sweat all over the StairMaster, or strain my already bad back to lift weights that most pre-teen girls could easily lift. That’s just not right! (The choosing not to ride part, not the staring at the yoga pants part, that’s just me being my normal, old, creepy self).
Sure, there’s going to be days when there is just TOO much snow and ice (even for the newly acquired Farley) and days when I say you know what, riding in -20˚ just isn’t my “thing.” For those days I will opt for the trainer or a run on the treadmill (as I did today due to it pissing down rain all morning). The goal, as always, is to try to ride outside three to five times a week and on the days I can’t get outside and have the want to get a workout in, I will take it to the basement and save myself a few hundred dollars. I’m not saying I’ll never go back to the gym, but for right now I’ll get by with my bike(s), trying to be the fittest fat man I can.
Monday’s ride
The photos in this post are from Monday’s ride. Monday’s are usually hard for me to get a ride in, but some things fell in place (including me breaking routine) and even though I knew I would be dealing with yet another ride of near constant head and crosswinds, I took the El Mariachi out for a dirt road ride. It was quite deelish. Sure, the headwinds sucked and had me crawling over the bike like an obese spider monkey trying to maintain 12 miles per hours, even on the flats, but the tailwinds (seen blowing dust from the combine above) made for some hero-type speeds as I made my way home on pavement.
The only real downside to the ride was the amount of dogs I dealt with. In two hours I got chased by three dogs, including the fucker that bit me two years ago! Freaking thing once again took off into the road, barking and showing teeth. For the dog’s sake, I hope never bites me again. I’m not sure I–or more importantly–the county animal control would take kindly to a second bite. So don’t bite me dog!
Kicks
Really hoping that I can get out as much as possible while the weather is tolerable and keep that momentum going when the suck weather comes in full force. I finally updated my old pair of Lake winter boots (bought used in 2007!) with a new pair of Lake MX303 winter boots this week. They should be coming soon, just in time for the temps to drop down further next week. I secretly pray I never have to use them.
Later.