tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56447048237163262392012-01-01T13:21:13.716-08:00...the cadence of my daysDarby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.comBlogger3151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-54391493996306098172012-01-01T13:18:00.000-08:002012-01-01T13:21:13.735-08:00

“It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care. We're not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we're on your side and

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-88024485924793903962011-12-26T23:00:00.000-08:002011-12-30T07:52:55.894-08:00

The First Decision For Success - The buck stops here. From this moment forward, I will accept responsibility for my past. I understand that the beginning of wisdom is to accept the responsibility for my own problems and that by accepting responsibility for my past, I free myself to move into a bigger, brighter future of my own choosing.      Never again will I blame my parents, my spouse, my

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA 95603, USA38.9101752 -121.06790738.8111697 -121.2258355 39.009180699999995 -120.90997850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-44301285734538882612011-12-26T22:30:00.000-08:002011-12-27T10:10:10.766-08:00

I finished reading Andy Andrews’ book The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success. I am not into self-help books. However on the good advice of someone I trust, I was told this was a fun story to read that had some great lessons and advice for personal growth. Years ago a dear friend told me something similar about Og Mandino and was right - so I read this book with

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA 95603, USA38.9101752 -121.06790738.8111697 -121.2258355 39.009180699999995 -120.90997850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-16115162718976115292011-12-15T11:49:00.000-08:002011-12-15T11:51:05.546-08:00

If you have ordered something and it is being shipped from FedEx and your are tracking it online, it can sometiems be very confusing to see the package progress.  I am in California and sometimes I will order something from not too far away. For instance I have ordered items from less than two hours' drive away in Nevada but through FedEx tracking I will watch in amazement as my package travel

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-48272458650315217952011-10-28T09:39:00.001-07:002011-10-28T09:54:00.032-07:00

I hope you're all doing well. I haven't updated in awhile so decided to check in. Things are going alright. I've not been able to get much saddle time but enough that I don't become lethargic. This week has been a sickly one around here. I spent most of it home with Randi who cant go to school or daycare with a fever. Both of us feeling pretty rough still but she is improving. Angela isn't on

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn Auburn38.899541 -121.07238tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-22202974043673116962011-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:002011-09-30T23:29:02.015-07:00

Earn your stripes in 2012 California based bicycle racers Category 4 or higher, contact me about joining Team Traveller - CA Cat 5 racers intent on consistent racing to win & getting upgraded quickly will be considered as well. Slackers need not apply. If you are interested in sponsoring a winning cycling team, contact me and I will get a 2012 sponsorship information packet to you.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890138.8471334 -121.1558541 38.9459974 -120.9979261tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-23759674844871628132011-09-22T21:34:00.000-07:002011-09-22T21:37:00.659-07:00

Tonight I had another great ride after sunset. Despite the fairly heavy traffic, it was safe and I was able to just wander around aimlessly on my bike and enjoy myself. It was warm, but not hot. I put in a couple of little sprints but that was about it for any kind of efforts tonight.  

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-6625305261057945012011-09-21T18:02:00.000-07:002011-09-22T20:55:15.657-07:00

I rode up to North Auburn, then had a flat tire. I went to fix the flat and the "Air Kiss" inflator I had started spraying the C02 out everywhere even though I had not activated it yet. Luckily, I was just a block from my wife's office so I went there and got the car and was able to get home. That was the end of my ride for the day because I just did not feel like going out again once my

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890138.8471334 -121.1558541 38.9459974 -120.9979261tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-70638048504360427462011-09-15T20:04:00.001-07:002011-09-15T21:05:58.187-07:00

Wow, what a beautiful ride! I left Auburn across the famous Forresthill Bridge (you might remember Vin Diesel driving a car from it in the movie xXx. Then I climbed about 800 meters up to Foresthill. I then turned around and made my way home. Being unfamiliar with the route, I paced myself very conservatively for the entire trip. I took time to enjoy the amazing creation which surrounded me,

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn Auburn38.899023 -121.07443tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-70797550468803200422011-09-13T21:24:00.000-07:002011-09-13T21:29:13.234-07:00

20 Minutes in saddle Heaven. I only had about 1/2 hour to allot for training tonight. I made it count with some nice, short hill intervals.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-63320339410406773232011-09-12T20:11:00.000-07:002011-09-13T21:22:12.152-07:00

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-3764786549073456962011-09-11T21:11:00.000-07:002011-09-13T21:13:37.598-07:00

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890138.8471334 -121.1558541 38.9459974 -120.9979261tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-82360624380383800182011-09-09T23:08:00.000-07:002011-09-13T21:10:17.470-07:00

1/2-Hour around Downtown and Old Town. There were people everywhere making a good hard workout close to home kind of tough. I noticed all the hullabaloo was due to the fact it was the last Auburn Cruise Night of the year, so Angela and I went up and checked out all the awesome old school hot rods after my ride.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890138.8471334 -121.1558541 38.9459974 -120.9979261tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-60357186617314933202011-09-08T22:40:00.000-07:002011-09-08T22:42:20.394-07:00

I took a nice ride just deciding where to go as I went, instead of planning a route. It was warm out, but not so hot I could not enjoy my ride. I kept myself under control with a focus on cadence and pedaling, with no regard for or attention to speed or climbing.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-61070655015590714362011-09-05T20:00:00.000-07:002011-09-05T20:00:59.232-07:00

I had one flat on the way back into town coming up Auburn Folsom Rd. I found a piece of broken auto glass in the tire and removed it, and had the tube changed quickly. Then I made my way home up that final climb to the Indian Hill Rd. intersection.  

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890138.8471334 -121.1558541 38.9459974 -120.9979261tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-47911704034246551502011-09-04T17:02:00.000-07:002011-09-04T17:02:14.665-07:00

For the most part, this was a nice mellow ride. I tried to keep from pushing it too hard at all. I stuck to my plan to stay within a certain HR range with only a couple of exceptions during climbs. It was hot out but I had nice ride parallel to I-80 on the frontage/access roads. As long as you remember to look to the right instead of focusing on the interstate, there are some nice sights to

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA38.8965654 -121.076890138.5004944 -121.7086041 39.2926364 -120.4451761tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-1080729599610189682011-09-02T14:00:00.000-07:002011-09-02T14:01:27.569-07:00

I rode up to North Auburn and stopped for a few minutes to talk to my wife on her lunch break.  Then I headed through the Auburn Greens area, through Regional Park and then up Dry Creek Rd.  I considered taking Christian Valley but something told me not to do that today, so I made a u-turn just a few meters after turning onto it.  I have learned through trial-and-error to always, always trust

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-84392084365674177142011-09-01T20:40:00.000-07:002011-09-01T21:04:03.299-07:00

I rode down to Folsom, then took the American River Trail over to the Nimbus hatchery to see the completed pedestrian/cyclist bridge on Hazel Avenue.  I like it and think it was worth all the months of inconvenience to have it as it is now. The ride was challenging but a great one nonetheless. The challenge was increased by the fact I ride with a standard 53/39 front chain ring combination,

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA 95603, USA38.9101752 -121.06790738.8111697 -121.2258355 39.009180699999995 -120.90997850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-9826360585433677502011-08-31T21:21:00.000-07:002011-08-31T22:07:13.745-07:00

Tonight I did a late training ride.  After a 20 minute warm-up, I did 12x30 VO2 builder sprinting intervals, albeit a very tired and weak attempt at them. I admit it, my sprints (for the most part) left much to be desired.  As weak as they were, I did all 12 of them which is more than I thought I would get done considering I have been up since before 5.00 this morning. Besides, all was not lost

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA 95603, USA38.9101752 -121.06790738.8111697 -121.2258355 39.009180699999995 -120.90997850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-23807706206029172102011-08-28T21:20:00.000-07:002011-08-28T21:20:59.558-07:00

I had a great ride. I just pushed when I wanted to, and spun along with minimal effort when I wanted to with no focus on averages or anything else. I thought about throwing in an attack on the hill from Penryn Rd up to Valencia Club, but decided it would be pointless since I would be battling a headwind, and I didn't want to do the work, so I just spun up. I made the same choice for Ophir Rd

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-58510331081071352992011-08-25T20:15:00.000-07:002011-08-25T20:15:52.939-07:00

One more nice ride. I thought about pushing today but opted instead to enjoy it and not get all worked up for no actual reason, especially in over 90° heat. The only real push I allowed myself was on Brewery Lane in Old Town. So I just went over there for that and then got on with the easy riding.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-79345143871227807162011-08-23T22:29:00.000-07:002011-08-23T22:29:30.141-07:00

I was out for about 45 minutes but didn't record my warm-up or warm-down. It was a nice ride with some good aggressive pushes. Because it was so dark outside, a couple of the invisible dips and pavement cracks along the Auburn criterium course put my reaction skills to the test; but I fared well. That course is so very different at night without traffic control or hay bales. I do however

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-27076250774616749282011-08-22T22:01:00.000-07:002011-08-22T22:01:36.947-07:00

I logged another 1/2 hour of saddle time tonight. I had not thought much about riding today because I was in the kitchen at 5:30 this morning and was feeling too tired to muster the motivation to ride. However, when I went online and over to steephill.tv and watched the highlights of Stage 3 of Vuelta a España, I almost had my whole kit on by the end of the 4 minute video clip. I made good

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-54477166529933954462011-08-21T19:15:00.000-07:002011-08-21T19:15:37.947-07:00

This early evening was nice for another great half-hour training ride. It was "short but sweet" highlighted by both a wonderful climb up Auburn Ravine Rd which became a speedy and fun descent on the way back home.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-27744329913101184882011-08-19T21:23:00.000-07:002011-08-19T21:23:26.385-07:00

I pushed myself tonight, but in a good way. I decided not to monitor HR, speed, cadence or anything else during the ride and just ride hard and check the stats once I downloaded the data. I had a great ride, and it felt good to get out. I almost did not ride tonight after getting up at 05.00 to go make yummies for everyone. I am glad now that I decided to ride.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-63300818758031450852011-08-18T17:17:00.000-07:002011-08-18T17:17:52.670-07:00

I took a nice half-hour ride as a reminder my legs can still turn pedals. It has been a long week and I needed it. I took it fairly easy but threw in a couple of good efforts to get my blood pumping and my breathing up. After that, I backed off and enjoyed the ride back home.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-39968638566232418702011-08-14T17:27:00.000-07:002011-08-14T17:27:36.170-07:00

I had a nice ride. For the first 20 minutes or so, I pushed it a little. After that I switched to ride at or below a set heart rate for the rest of the ride. It worked out pretty good. I thought it would be more difficult to keep myself in check when it came to certain hills and stretches on which I tend to race myself every time. However I was able to maintain discipline and stick to the

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-51508096240583856442011-08-13T21:32:00.000-07:002011-08-13T21:32:43.878-07:00

I took a late evening ride. It was already dark outside so I had my blinkies and a couple of highly reflective add-ons. No matter how well I illuminate myself and attempt to be visible, there is always the one or two numskulls. I always try to stay aware of that and ride with the concept that I am invisible. I do that in the daylight riding as well, but especially so at night. Have a great

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-34332094636145087442011-08-12T18:35:00.000-07:002011-08-12T18:35:21.021-07:00

It was not a bad ride I suppose.  But I fell short of my target average speed, so that part sucks. I hate you stupid wind that changes directions so I have you in my face the whole ride every time.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-15135086904948161902011-08-12T13:55:00.000-07:002011-08-12T14:09:13.836-07:00

The Product:  VeloShine® Bike and Body Wipes Ryan from VeloShine sent me a complimentary sample of their great product. I tried them out on my road bike and on my mountain bike and am pleased with what they do. I learned a few things from Ryan that you should know about the product: VeloShine is a Multi-Functional Bike and Body Wipe VeloShine is a Clean & Green Product - 100% Biodegradable &

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-64852002656410041852011-08-11T16:18:00.000-07:002011-08-11T16:18:14.851-07:00

I had a nice ride today. There is nothing spectacular to report. My legs are really coming back now. I had fun.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-68295915533515262552011-08-09T16:18:00.000-07:002011-08-10T15:50:40.662-07:00

I pushed myself a little - not too hard, but not too easy. Mostly because I fought wind It was not ridiculous wind or anything, but it was just enough to be annoying and make me fight. It made for a nice fight up the few short climbs I did. Of course as always, it was blowing right against my direction of travel both ways.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-13880458440191235412011-08-09T12:07:00.000-07:002011-08-09T12:27:45.116-07:00

I always kept my hair fairly long in junior high and the first couple of years of high school.  Whenever I needed a cut, I would usually go to the Lookin' Good salon, next to the Market Basket at Northway Shopping Center back home in Orange, Texas.  I was always happiest there when I could get Paul Burch; he always got my "wings" perfect.  Yes I had feathered Farrah wings.  So?  Later on I had

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-70398220344495996792011-08-08T21:27:00.000-07:002011-08-08T21:27:00.213-07:00

It was dark already and I only have basic (blinkies) lighting and decided to make a quick 15 minute or so of tonight's ride. There was no significant climbing tonight. I rode down through Old Town, then over toward the post office & back up Palm Ave through Save-Mart parking lot, & up Elm Ave toward Downtown. Then I spun around a little and eventually made my way home. I felt really good, with

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-56897315567903475642011-08-07T18:08:00.000-07:002011-08-07T18:08:23.451-07:00

Another ride in the gorgeous Auburn, CA area countryside. I stayed fairly close to home and avoided any "monster" climbs. The rollers I do ride were enough for a good workout at a medium to moderate pace. I had an opposing 10 kph - 15 kph wind most of the time. A wind which, as is the rule was in my face heading out, and likewise on the return trip. That never makes sense to me. But like I

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-4283887390332312272011-08-05T21:36:00.000-07:002011-08-05T21:36:04.200-07:00

I just got home from my ride.  I'm all showered and squeaky clean and chowing down on some post ride munchies, happy to have had a chance to ride. My legs have this weird feeling.  I cannot distinguish whether it is from them being pushed hard and they are tired, or that they are giving me a physical signal to let me know they are ready for a real work out now that they are warmed up.  I think

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-39175709585738148402011-08-03T22:26:00.000-07:002011-08-03T22:37:21.196-07:00

This ride started out fantastic. I got a personal best on Rattlesnake despite the fact that my front tire felt a little weird, which caused me to hold back a little. Once I got to the intersection of Auburn Folsom Rd, I noticed that the front tire was extremely low. I started toward Horseshoe Bar Rd but realized I was going to have to stop and patch the tire. While there a nice guy was driving

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-362944041881273492011-08-01T21:16:00.000-07:002011-08-01T21:22:12.280-07:00

It went fine. I felt great and just spun around a bit with no route planned, and no statistics to try to beat. Tonight was all about just riding the bike and spinning my wheels for a half-hour or so. I did do one sprint out coming out of downtown toward Hwy 49. At the High St/Lincoln Way intersection I had someone sucking my wheel. I didn't do a proper look back, but just a quick peripheral

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-82945972595434569852011-07-30T21:12:00.000-07:002011-07-30T21:14:12.832-07:00

Tonight's ride was a trip from home to the American River Canyon Overlook area and back. It was warm outside, but not uncomfortably so, with only the slightest breeze. Just prior to the ride up Maidu Drive I had an epiphany about why my training has suffered so lately. Last year at this time I had a completely different state of mind when riding. The thought process I used was to go out and

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-61062166189704265682011-07-29T21:17:00.000-07:002011-07-29T21:17:03.691-07:00

I felt a lot better tonight. I still got winded a little on a couple of little hills, but that is because I was pushing a good cadence and fighting a slight headwind. I recall saying to myself at one point "Darby, your legs are saying 'use us, we have got it to give now but you need to push us'. So get on with it already." So I gave it a very little bit more than I have been lately and my

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-62817925105835794942011-07-28T21:46:00.000-07:002011-07-28T21:46:04.530-07:00

I felt really sluggish again. I was just rambling around with no real route planned, to get my legs moving. I think the only real effort I put out was toward the end of the ride spinning a nice high cadence up Sacramento Street. Other than that it was pretty easy-does-it for me tonight. My form has not been like this in some time and it has been going on for weeks. Maybe I'm depressed.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-86998011111932789042011-07-26T22:19:00.000-07:002011-07-26T22:19:02.591-07:00

It was a great ride with some nice climbs. I've always "meant" to get out and do this group ride but stuff always prevented it. I did my best to keep good form and hang with the group, and for the most part I did so. Just after we started up Wise Rd to go climb Baxter Grade, I was making great time keeping with the lead out when I got stung in the face by a wasp or bee or something. I swatted

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-54111317202003781632011-07-26T09:48:00.000-07:002011-07-26T09:48:24.998-07:00

Are you thinking of beating the triple-digits heat by taking the kids out for a nice swim at the pool?  Maybe you should reconsider! Dangers of Chlorine and Bromine: KNOWN CHLORINE DANGERS * Chlorine combines with natural organic matter decaying vegetation to form potent cancer causing trihalomethanes (THM’s) * Collectively include such carcinogens as chloroforms, bromoforms carbon

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-81314870329456139892011-07-25T22:18:00.000-07:002011-07-25T22:32:23.063-07:00

I decided to take Glenview Rd in Newcastle instead of the standard climb up Indian Hill Rd from the gas station. Glenview Rd is is a great steep little climb of about 1km with an average grade of 9.3% up the real life version of a Thomas Kinkade country lane. There are even a couple of jumps in grade that are gnarly, one is 17.7% thankfully it is only for a few feet. I had to stop for a few

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-4512157457000878842011-07-23T16:41:00.001-07:002011-07-23T16:41:29.338-07:00

My body felt so tired today. I guess I did not fuel and hydrate well enough yet again. I kind of knew heading out that it may end up that way. For the entire ride I felt as though I was pulling someone behind me, or riding with a parachute behind me or something. I just could not get a decent rhythm, or feel I was in the zone. It was a good enough ride, but I do not like feeling like that.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-39888773426785316672011-07-21T21:18:00.000-07:002011-07-23T09:09:35.323-07:00

I went out and did a slow and easy 8 km.  I rode about ten kilometers, but I will count the extra 2 km as a warm-up. As I headed up High St, I noticed my computer was on but I forgot to start it when I left the house. So that is where it shows my mapped ride started. It was pretty late and getting darker by the moment. I rode down through Old Town Auburn, then headed up Brewery Ln.  From

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-48107398536577036082011-07-20T21:10:00.000-07:002011-07-23T09:11:37.939-07:00

I just did not feel like I had my legs tonight. I did well climbing Luther Rd from Hwy 49 over to Bowman Rd, but I did not put any real effort into it and just spun my way up.  Of course, just spinning up Luther Rd is a challenge. Check out the elevation profile and you will see what I mean. There was not much wind to speak of, if any at all. The temperature was perfect for riding. I just

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-40622764214924023542011-07-19T21:37:00.000-07:002011-07-19T21:41:51.311-07:00

Hello again faithful readers.  Today I rode a couple of the byways that I ride less often than most.  The ride was good, with no accidents or close calls worth mentioning.  I did have one dumb-ass yell something undecipherable at me or in my direction.  I just let it go.  He must have feared my response/reaction because he made a dangerous move at the next intersection so that he could turn and

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-52205473441094549982011-07-18T22:09:00.001-07:002011-07-18T22:09:23.507-07:00

It was nearly 21.00 before I was able to get out the door for a ride tonight. I made the most of it though and enjoyed the ride, thoroughly. I rode up Lincoln Way then cut across to Bowman Rd. I turned onto Old Airport Rd and took that to the area around Auburn Municipal Airport and rode over to Hwy 49, and rode that to Nevada St. I rode back into Downtown via Elm Ave and then worked my way back

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-71928193246281229592011-07-17T20:08:00.000-07:002011-07-17T20:08:05.204-07:00

A nice ride out to Penryn/Loomis and back. There was quite a lot of wind, but I wasn't in any hurry anyway. It has been a few days since I was able to ride, and I know better than to get back out there and go all-out after that. I had one flat on the rear tire just after passing the gas station in Penryn, but that only cost me about 8 minutes. I am quite surprised I did not see many other

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-86052145645177187262011-07-14T18:36:00.000-07:002011-07-14T18:38:04.556-07:00

Nothing exciting. I was just glad to be rolling. I left home and rode to North Auburn via Nevada St up to Hwy 49, then went up to Dry Creek Rd and rode through Auburn Greens by way of the back route around Regional Park. From there I rode by my wife's work but it looked like there were a lot of patients there so I kept going. I headed back up Hwy 49 out of North Auburn and then went down and

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-23306610802317254902011-07-12T19:46:00.000-07:002011-07-12T19:46:56.701-07:00

Hi all.  I won't be posting training reports for yesterday or today - or maybe tomorrow.  As I mentioned in my last blog post, I broke a rear spoke on my rear wheel.  I do have another wheel that I put on but it is extremely out of true and would probably look like a clown bike rolling down die Straße.  So as soon as I get one or both of them fixed I will be rolling again. I will be back at it

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-83815140819348762592011-07-10T21:46:00.000-07:002011-07-10T21:46:22.522-07:00

I set out intent upon riding Ophir Rd/Taylor Rd to Loomis; then King Rd to Boyington Rd through to Penryn Rd; and back to Taylor Rd; and then heading back home. Things did not go as planned. On the descent from Auburn down Ophir Rd, I heard the tell-tale *tick, tick, tick* of something stuck to or into my front tire. I made it to the stop sign at the intersection of Taylor Rd, and noticed I

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-32934546444154735422011-07-09T22:17:00.000-07:002011-07-09T22:17:31.442-07:00

I did a nice little ride - Shirland Tract, then headed to King Rd. over to Taylor Rd, up into Newcastle and up Indian Hill Rd. back into Auburn. It was a good ride, albeit somewhat windy in spots. I got both the cadence and the heart rate going really good without much focus on speed today. I think with the focus on increasing cadence, the speed will inevitably come with it eventually.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-50299541639378234712011-07-09T15:16:00.000-07:002011-07-10T10:57:02.520-07:00

If you are as lucky as I am to have a stove-top espresso pot, here is a great technique for Cafecito or Café Cubano. Cafecito is a Cuban-style espresso. It is very strong and quite sweet. There is a Cuban ritual to making a Cafecito coffee. The ingredients are: cuban coffee and sugar. You'll need a espresso maker, and a Pyrex measuring cup (if you don't have one, a metal cup will work fine).

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-30420848615998889662011-07-08T21:53:00.000-07:002011-07-08T21:53:55.159-07:00

An easy day just to get my blood flowing and move my legs. I did not get a chance to ride any earlier today so I made the best of the half-hour of daylight I had left. It felt really good.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-71957096160663188782011-07-07T21:02:00.000-07:002011-07-07T21:02:30.991-07:00

It was a a nice mellow descent down to the Confluence. Traffic was very heavy, so I stayed on the road and went with the flow instead of riding on the side. Since I was traveling at the same speed as traffic anyway it was safer for me and for them while allowing myself full use of the entire lane for the curves. It was so hot once I started climbing. I just wouldn't let myself dig into those

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-2486066540546995052011-07-06T17:21:00.000-07:002011-07-07T20:57:20.652-07:00

Another nice hot ride. I took it pretty easy the whole time. I rode out to just at Meadow Vista, then rode up Pine Wood to Bancroft and on to Halsey Forebay. I stopped in the lot there at the forebay watching the water rush through and resting for a moment in the shade of a nice big tree. After that, I took rode through Christian Valley back across to Highway 49, then through Auburn Greens after

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-82767688494388214342011-07-05T20:48:00.000-07:002011-07-05T20:48:01.011-07:00

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-41295637160443438092011-07-03T20:42:00.000-07:002011-07-03T20:42:32.609-07:00

It was 93 degrees Fahrenheit when I left for my ride. It stayed hot the whole time. I rode out of Auburn all the way down to Sierra College Blvd in Looms/Rocklin and then rode that all the way to where it becomes Hazel Ave. through to the Nimbus Hatchery. I topped off my bottles there and then headed toward Folsom via the bike trail. Once in Folsom, I rode the trail up to Beal's Point, stopped

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-81093139196206854572011-07-01T16:13:00.000-07:002011-07-01T16:13:52.204-07:00

First of all, let me wish all my fellow U.S.A. folks a happy and safe Independence Day weekend. This was a good ride. I rode out of Auburn down Indian Hill Rd. over to Loomis via King Rd. then through Penryn on Taylor Rd. back into Auburn. I decided to ride over and climb Bald Hill Rd back into Auburn. It was a killer, as usual. Category 3 climbs are so much different on my standard

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-75960248652826784432011-06-30T19:59:00.000-07:002011-07-01T16:01:10.878-07:00

Nice ride. No particular place to go. Wheee!

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-966238748749566552011-06-29T16:57:00.000-07:002011-06-29T16:57:43.854-07:00

Not much about which to speak. I had a fun ride without pushing it too much. I did get my HR up pretty good a couple of times but recovered right away and kept it simple. It was pretty breezy on the way back to Downtown from North Auburn. There was no real planned route, as is the case for me often. It probably would not hurt to get my wheels trued soon. They aren't bad, but could use a

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-38486442020210262622011-06-28T19:59:00.001-07:002011-06-28T19:59:43.503-07:00

A decent ride out to King Rd and back into Auburn via Rattlesnake and Shirland Tract. I'm about 2kph slower than I was last year at this time on the same climbs. I guess it may because I was on compact cranks then and just haven't built my legs enough in the interim to compensate for the switch back to regular cranks.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-66178710078174432122011-06-26T18:50:00.000-07:002011-06-26T18:50:35.733-07:00

I parked at the lot near Beal's Point and rode out to the aquatic center and back.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-21518363307611601152011-06-22T21:17:00.000-07:002011-06-22T21:18:56.971-07:00

Tonight I just went out for a short half-hour. I rode down through Ophir/Taylor to Newcastle again and up Indian Hill Rd. It was so hot it made the climb seem 10x worse than it should feel. I had sweat dripping off of me in streams. Enjoy that visual. Plus there was a wheel-sucker getting a free pull without asking. I thought I just sucked really bad today until I took a peek back and

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-14498226189627594062011-06-21T23:32:00.000-07:002011-06-22T00:36:51.049-07:00

I kept it slow and easy by riding the rollers tonight, with a focus on keeping HR below 170 (which is like 110 to everyone else since my Max is 220).

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-75668662578849257982011-06-20T22:08:00.000-07:002011-06-20T22:08:24.190-07:00

A dusk-time ride down Millertown Rd, I then took Ophir Rd over to Taylor Rd and up through Newcastle to climb Indian Hill Rd back into Auburn. My HR seemed really high right from the start tonight, so I tried to back off a bit until I got good and warmed up. I really did not have much of an effort in me of any kind to speak of until after coming up Indian Hill Rd and riding back into Auburn via

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-79869959188127606342011-06-19T22:06:00.000-07:002011-06-19T22:07:06.195-07:00

I waited until after 19:00 to ride and still had sweat streaming off of me. I took Mt. Vernon Rd. out to Bald Hill and climbed up the easy side, then took Wise Rd. over to Ophir and rode that up into Old Town Auburn. The descent down Bald Hill to Wise Rd was slower because traffic was extremely heavy out there tonight. Even though I did not push myself, and lost some km/h on the downhill from

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-66655807585155324532011-06-18T17:35:00.000-07:002011-06-18T17:35:33.239-07:00

After a short warm-up I did what was supposed to be an easy ride; but we know how those turn out for me. Just before the 30 minutes was up, I considered riding out to do the Maidu/Riverview Climb. I love that short descent down to the bottom of Maidu Drive, but that climb up the other side of Maidu Drive to Riverview Drive used to kill me. It is still tough, but lately it just annoys me

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com2Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-60516991213705860072011-06-17T17:09:00.000-07:002011-06-17T17:17:17.120-07:00

I kept my pace reasonable. I tried to keep my HR in acceptable zones and not put my legs through torture by taking it pretty easy, but getting a decent amount of burn. I rode down Shirland Tract and Rattlesnake, taking time to actually enjoy the scenery out there for a nice change. I then rode Auburn Folsom to King through to Taylor Rd. in Loomis. On the way back up to Auburn I debated

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-61446948197733121762011-06-16T19:42:00.000-07:002011-06-16T19:47:05.998-07:00

I rode up to Colfax and back. Once I got up there I stopped for a small cappuccino at a corporate coffee spot and then headed back down the hill to Auburn. It had been a long time since I rode up there, and I forgot about some of those steep grades (spoken 15% - 17% in places), but I just dug in and made the most of it. It is great for getting a feel about where your fitness level is. In

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-45250070670169390662011-06-15T17:57:00.000-07:002011-06-15T17:58:23.250-07:00

I headed out thinking I might climb up to Foresthill today, but as I rode and got near the turnoff, something inside me just kept discouraging me from going that way. So, I rode out Bowman Road and decided to continue across Dry Creek Rd and do one of my routes through Christian Valley. I took a slight diversion down by Halsey Forebay up Bancroft and a little beyond and then turned around and

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-53626436279039020692011-06-14T17:33:00.000-07:002011-06-14T17:48:27.237-07:00

I had a nice solo ride. I kept a normal training level RPE for the first hour or so. Then I took it pretty easy on the climb from Nimbus Fish Hatchery back up to Auburn, with a couple of no time-limit relaxing nutrition breaks where I stopped completely. I hardly ever do that, but today I was just enjoying the ride and not trying to push myself too hard. As always on the way out and back the

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-50983832027132500722011-06-12T22:55:00.000-07:002011-06-12T23:22:16.424-07:00

Indoors Training Session - CycleOps Mag+ Trainer I knew if I went out for a ride today I would overdo it, so I stayed away from the bike until tonight. I kept it nice and slow to keep my body where it is supposed to be on an easy day. I spent 99% of the ride spinning only 42.7 gear inches (39x24) and 38 gear inches (39x27)so I was obviously not putting too much effort out. I did allow myself a

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-65628588592686122742011-06-11T11:29:00.000-07:002011-06-11T11:30:50.973-07:00

Yeah, we witnessed and/or participated in all of the above on this ride.  We actually started the same place we finished later, but I was about 4 miles in before starting the Garmin. A nice ride with good descending and some nice non categorized climbs. A good group of Christian men from Crossroads Church who ride every Saturday. I felt really good on the old Trek aluminum frame.  I need to do

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-83079496203156114562011-06-10T21:14:00.001-07:002011-06-10T21:15:30.505-07:00

A nice 1/2 hour - Up Lincoln Way, down Auburn Ravine, around Downtown Auburn a few times and then back home.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA 95603, USA38.9101752 -121.0679069999999938.8313717 -121.17692 38.9889787 -120.95889399999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-11199936390893763442011-06-09T21:29:00.000-07:002011-06-09T21:29:27.660-07:00

It was pretty late so I decided to just do laps on High Street between Elm Ave, and Auburn Folsom Rd.  It was a nice ride.  If there were no traffic lights it could be a much nicer place to ride laps but I'll take it since it is about as close to a good 1/2 hour of flat riding that I can get around here.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-7134989448321204642011-06-08T17:59:00.000-07:002011-06-08T17:59:14.516-07:00

I took a ride to North Auburn again. I changed the route up a little by taking Dry Creek from Regional Park out to Joeger and up Bell Rd. I made a short pit-stop in the parking lot at Angela's office to eat something. She came out for a moment and said hi before I headed home via Highway 49. It was obviously nothing for the record books. I can't ride much more than a mile or so without having

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-62890398497892061682011-06-07T20:50:00.000-07:002011-06-07T20:50:21.225-07:00

I only wanted to get 1/2 hour on the bike tonight, so I rode out to Indian Hill Road and descended and then climbed back. I saw a few of the guys from the Tuesday night group ride coming up as I was descending. I gave it a good push tonight. If I had hydrated properly and had not just had dinner a few minutes before the ride I think I may have done even better.  I haven't broken 10mph on that

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-37628644007996075922011-06-05T21:06:00.000-07:002011-06-06T00:08:49.069-07:00

I headed out of town on Auburn Folsom Road with no real plan. I had a general idea that I would probably either descend down to Douglas and head across to climb Sierra College, or continue to Folsom and ride the American River Trail across to Hazel and ride up to where it Becomes Sierra College. I made the descent down as far as Horseshoe Bar Rd and was met with a pretty lady in a day-glo

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-64103922229683862432011-06-04T19:26:00.000-07:002011-06-04T23:14:53.590-07:00

I kept debating all morning whether to get out and ride or to get on the trainer or rollers instead. The only reason for the indecision was not wanting to have to clean the bike afterward. I decided to ride anyway and just deal with the cleaning when I got home. I am glad I did. It was a nice ride. Obviously because of the weather I took it pretty easy, but it was still fun. I got a good workout

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-37500021657726789562011-06-03T15:51:00.000-07:002011-06-05T00:40:12.484-07:00

Another easy day. It seemed like rain was inevitable so I wanted to get out and get my 1/2 hour or so of training. No really hard efforts or mentionable climbs today. As you can see from the map, I had no clear direction, pattern, or route. Before heading home I stopped by and said hi to John C. at Pacific Fitness, then rode a couple of laps around Downtown Auburn and back home. The forecast

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-85345154204717619952011-06-02T20:22:00.000-07:002011-06-02T20:22:14.345-07:00

I went out for an easy ride. I kept it pretty much under control as far as staying within the easy requirement this time. I did get my HR up a couple of times, but it was climbing so I am fine with that, as it just comes with the terrain here in Auburn. It was close to 5pm so traffic was pretty heavy but manageable. My body felt good, I made a slight seat height adjustment and am not sure

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-17350395007870965682011-06-01T22:49:00.000-07:002011-06-02T20:30:55.579-07:00

Indoors Training Session - CycleOps Mag+ Trainer Excellent indoors training session. The unseasonably strange weather kept me inside. I have just finished getting my drivetrain nice and clean, and simply didn't feel like mucking it up with inclement weather riding. I remembered about 17 minutes into the session that today was supposed to be super slow and easy. I had the slow part down but

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-83726336217974591522011-05-31T19:24:00.000-07:002011-05-31T19:24:53.463-07:00

I planned an easy training ride. Well, I got the training ride part of it taken care of. I will have to save easy for tomorrow. It was very, very windy again but I'm okay with that. One guy who was a passenger in an SUV yelled at me to get on the sidewalk where I belonged and laughed like an idiot. He was probably drunk or high, or both. I chased him down. I'm not saying what I did to him when I

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-91143277596851298242011-05-30T17:33:00.000-07:002011-05-30T17:33:59.901-07:00

I love riding this loop. I did a bit of back-tracking and veering off course a couple of times just to get a few extra short sprint climbs in but other than that I stuck to the loop. I would have better time on the climb up Bell Rd to Cramer but I stopped and ate a PB & J and had a one-sided conversation with a rottweiler inside a fence right at the base of the climb who was so excited he

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-3847132456667680592011-05-29T19:53:00.000-07:002011-05-29T19:53:20.698-07:00

I rode from home out to Loomis Basin Park and back using the Taylor Rd/King Rd/Penryn Rd triangular loop. The weather was very comfortable. I made decent time today considering I spent much of the ride with a rear brake pad providing unplanned resistance training. It was minimal resistance such that I did not notice it until turning back onto Ophir Rd on the return trip. Something just didn't

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-39919806119721423452011-05-28T23:55:00.000-07:002011-05-29T00:44:25.992-07:00

I didn't get out to ride today, so I chose to do a late night 30 minutes on the rollers. Great ride. Not too intense, just a nice spin while watching episodes of Pawn Stars and being glad God has blessed me with the health, metabolism and drive to not be in the same physical shape as those guys. As a nice treat as well, I was able to ride the rollers consistently without hands for minutes at

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-52735692206764384002011-05-27T22:08:00.000-07:002011-05-27T22:10:38.822-07:00

I went out for a nice training ride in the cool of the evening with the setting sun. I did push my HR up right away and even maxed it out at one point tonight.  I know better than to do either one of those, but still made a good little ride of it. Nothing exciting to report. I just wanted to get my legs moving again. It was a very good ride. Equipment notes: In my opinion the SRAM chain is

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-78468340111823144152011-05-26T22:10:00.000-07:002011-05-27T10:18:01.383-07:00

Everything seemed to be working fine. I still need to do a little tweaking on the front dérailleur but it is just fine-tuning. Now to just get back into shape after a month out of the saddle.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-61284081854000463402011-05-20T22:13:00.000-07:002011-05-27T10:17:33.856-07:00

Finally out on the bike again. My chain is not safe though, and broke twice on the ride. I had to stop and reattach it a couple of times and rode it on weak links as safely as I could to home. Remember people, if you use a Shimano chain and you remove a link, they recommend that you throw the pin away and replace it with a new one designed for said replacement. Lack of that knowldege has cost

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-21908883906643863912011-05-08T13:50:00.000-07:002011-05-08T19:32:53.521-07:00

As you may recall from my last training report, my chain broke, wrapped itself around the cassette and rear dérailleur, caused the inside dérailleur cage to break right in half and brought my training to a screeching halt. Knowing there is no way I can afford a replacement dérailleur, I tried to find a replacement at the local bicycle shops for only the broken piece. Shimano does not provide

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.0768901000000138.8476064 -121.10670460000001 38.945524400000004 -121.04707560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-40249469359604898192011-05-02T21:38:00.000-07:002011-05-02T21:39:15.205-07:00

The ride was fine. Nothing too exciting to report as far as the ride itself. No real planned route was scheduled. I just wanted to get out and ride. The real fun (not) began after the ride. I have been noticing over the last couple of rides that my rear cog had a lot of slip when trying to shift to the 11t on the cassette. It was working fine, if not seamlessly before - but over the last few

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-89811574174636346492011-04-30T19:49:00.000-07:002011-04-30T20:27:55.600-07:00

This is a great route to get out and just ride and see part of the Auburn, CA area you just forget is there if you don't go see it from time to time. Old barns, hay, livestock of every imaginable type, streams, country lanes, horses, beautiful trees and flowers and shrubs, ponds...you get the picture. There are some fun descents and a couple of nice climbs that you can either just spin up if you

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-19751605030234926852011-04-29T22:36:00.000-07:002011-04-29T22:51:33.232-07:00

I did not get a ride worked into the schedule earlier in the day today but I wanted to train.  I debated whether to go outside and train, or just train here at home on the rollers or the trainer.  I chose the trainer.  I got it for next to nothing from "craigslist" a few weeks ago and have not used it.  The truth is, the only indoors cycle training I've ever done is on the rollers or an exercise

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-64176066874881490622011-04-28T21:49:00.001-07:002011-04-28T21:51:44.150-07:00

It was right about sunset, and I was pretty tired from an extremely stressful day with Crohn's disease symptoms and the general stresses of life (which of course is a contributor to the Crohn's symptoms). Nonetheless I wanted to get out and just get a little movement in my legs because training is on the menu today. I intended it to be a relaxing 5 miles. The ride was indeed a little of that,

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-32259976783078283502011-04-27T21:43:00.000-07:002011-04-27T23:16:24.302-07:00

I did 4 special miles tonight. To learn more go to: http://tinyurl.com/62q6vap. I did the climb up Millertown Road that I mentioned skipping yesterday. Now I remember why I skipped it, haha. It sucked so much while I was climbing it, but now I can hardly wait to go try it all over again. Even thought it is only a 1 mile long CAT-4 climb, on more than one occasion I distinctly remember saying "

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-65016213327707539992011-04-26T23:18:00.000-07:002011-04-27T23:15:56.887-07:00

I rode out of Downtown over to Nevada St, then took the short part of I-80 W that allows bikes over to Ophir Rd. From there, I descended down to Taylor Rd then went left up to Newcastle and across the I-80 overpass for the climb up Indian Hill Rd back to Auburn Folsom Rd. Then I headed back into and through Downtown for a lap or two, and then home. A nice little ride tonight and pushed myself

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644704823716326239.post-26282160297158340782011-04-25T23:11:00.000-07:002011-04-27T21:53:38.654-07:00

Just me wandering around aimlessly on my bike. I had a great ride that would have been much better if today had been less trying and I would have been in a better mental state. But it is okay now; all that junk from today is out there on the road now. There was a slight sprinkling of rain as I set out, but it did not last long.

Darby Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160986997125890019noreply@blogger.com0