Monday, May 3 – 33 kms in 1:22
Due to rain I didn't manage to ride to school this morning, but I managed to get a ride in after lunch. Again, it may rain in Vancouver, but it does not rain all day every day. My afternoon ride was on one of my usual routes along Marine Drive towards UBC. This road is a favourite with roadies, and also give access to some easy single-track in Pacific Spirit Park. On week days the park is a nice place to ride, but on weekend some trails can be overwhelmed with joggers and dogs. The steeper trails on the north end of the park tend to be more lightly used and also offer some of the more interesting riding.
Tuesday, May 4 – 30 kms in 1:16
I'm not as crazy as I used to be. When I lived on Bowen Island full time I would ride from Bowen Island to the blood donor clinic, donate and the ride back to Bowen. In all, about 80 kms roundtrip. And after donating they do recommend, "NO STRENUOUS ACTIVITY". But that ride was not out of the ordinary for me, and so I wasn't really engaged in anything risky. I think the main concern is people who do something well outside their ordinary routine after donating.
The plan for today was a commuting ride to school and back, but I managed to get a short ride up to the blood donor clinic and then to school and back home.
Wednesday, May 5 – 20 kms in 0:51
Cory's plan for this day was a commuting ride and some core exercises. The core exercises are boring, but necessary. I can feel the effect of the plank and the various sit ups and other abdominal work. But I do find it interesting that two years of hauling a 2 year old has probably done almost as much for my core as the targeted exercises. I know that all of the stroller pushing sure helped me when I got to the hike-a-bike sections. I was used to pushing 25+ pounds of wheeled encumbrance up steep hills. And carrying a two year old around on your shoulders all day is more awkward that hauling a cross country bike.
Thursday, May 6 – No ride
I really need to buy a trailer to haul Sarah around in. On my days of daddy duty I do not get any riding in. We get some decent walks, but it is my one day off from riding. On the face of it one day off per week is probably going to do me more good than harm, but I really do enjoy riding my bike. So today I had a few long walks with Sarah and enjoyed a fun day with a two year old.
Friday, May 7 – 33 kms in 1:29
Okay, I admit it, I am very lucky. My commute to school takes me 12 minutes, and after school my ride to Horseshoe Bay is one of the great road rides around Vancouver. With a great view of the ocean on my left I cruise along Marine Drive doing a few hill repeats. On the face of it, this ride should not be very popular with cyclists. The road is narrow and winding and quite busy. But so many cyclists ride this route that the drivers seem to be used to dealing with us. So, if you don't mind being passed by German cars (Mercedes Benz, Porsche, BMW, and Audi) then it is a fine route to ride.
These days the downside to the route is the amount of construction. I got stopped by a concrete truck that was backing into a building site, and as a result of my wait I missed my ferry. But I got to sit in the sun, have an ice cream cone and enjoy the lovely weather.
After the ferry ride I have a 5 km uphill ride and then I'm home. In all 33 kms
Saturday, May 8 – 25 kms in 1:42
Cory's plan called for a 2 hour aerobic ride, but due to the realities of family life I couldn't quite meet his schedule. Every ride I do on Bowen Island starts with a 60 metre climb over the first 330 metres. So while the intent is for an aerobic ride, I start each ride in a state of anaerobic shock. But once I make it up the hill I can pick routes that avoid too much anaerobic work. On Thursday I was supposed to do some hill intervals, but as Thursday was daddy day I did the intervals today. There is a route I regularly ride that has five hills on a great piece of double-track. The hills get progressively steeper and looser and they are a great workout. To ride all five it usually takes a good choice of line (The double-track is also used by 4WD vehicles and the best line changes from week to week based on traffic.), a bit of luck, and enough power. I stalled on the final hill and had to walk it. That happens about ½ of the time, so I know if I do manage to ride all five hills I'm having a good, and/or lucky, day.
Sunday, May 9 – 33 kms in 1:35
This was to be a 2 ½ hour aerobic road ride, but I only managed to fit in an hour and a half. I'm stuck with the reality of juggling work, family, and riding, and trying to make my rides match what Cory has planned for me. I know that the closer my rides are to his plan, the better the results will be, but some sometimes things just don't fit together. This was one of those days. I managed to get a great ride back from Bowen Island along Marine Drive, but in the afternoon, when I would have liked to continue the ride around Vancouver I was back on daddy duty. Such is the reality of life and I should just suck it up and deal with it. Like most relatively new parents I do remember back somewhat fondly to the days, not that long ago, when I could go out and ride for hours guilt free. Now I must recognize that I'm ignoring my daughter and saddling my wife with the challenge of entertaining a very active two year-old.
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