Training Log Entry: Wednesday, April 30

Ok. So this wasn't a completely successful training ride, but it was a "learning experience." The idea was to start at 6p.m. and go to the Blue Hills and back (about 28 miles). This picture at right is a detail from my planned route showing, more or less, the portion that I was able to do.

First off, I didn't get started until 7p.m. (decided not to clip in, due to the fact that I am, in fact, a horrible person who needs help from "y'all" in overcoming my fear of clipping in). Then, I took a warm-up lap of Franklin Park, climbing all the little hills in there easily without having to downshift much at all. Lot's of golfers out, beautiful evening for 9 holes. Thought of Chuck, of course.

From there I meandered over to the Arboretum and made it before sunset, which is when it closes. I didn't exactly follow my map getting there. Entered at the South Street Gate and went up the observation hill with the big (white?) pines at the top. No aging skate punks there last night, sorry to report, though the lilacs are almost in full bloom. This hill was a bit more of an effort, but still not too much huffing and puffing. The descent however was a little chilly.

Then I climbed the bigger/steeper hill at the south end of the park. No problem. However, on my way down, I noticed a full-on phenomenon that I will refer to as "the wind chill factor" (hereafter, WCF). Ok, I was nicely warmed up from the ride thus far, a good 4 or 5 miles to that point. But the WCF of the steep descent made me shiver. Yikes!

Despite the chill, I decided to forge ahead with my plans, now modified to get to Stonybrook Reservation and then get the hell home asap. And I had by now lost almost all of what was left of the daylight, ergo most of my external source of warmth. I was freezing! And I kept thinking, as long as I keep riding, I'll stay warm. (Yeah. My legs and trunk will stay warm, but what about my fingers and my ears and nose!? Brrr.)

I got to Stony and I was still in relatively good spirits. But it was now getting dark and I had completely forgotten how to get to "Bald Knob," the hill I had chosen for it's elevation and aerobic value, blah, blah, blah. By now you see my scientific approach to the task was disintegrating.

Suffice it to say I got home in one piece with a smile on my face and a feeling of accomplishment, but cursing the WCF and very much anticipating more [warmer morning] rides.