River Street to the Humber river.
Yesterday the temperature was hovering around 0 celsius, the sun was out so I decided to go and check out the terrain of a cyclocross race being held next Sunday at Humber Bay park.
Total ride time was just under 2 hours and it was really great to be on the bike for so long; haven't ridden this duration since maybe the end of September.
Was warm everywhere except the feet, even with 2 pairs of socks on those biking shoes do nothing to keep out the cold wind and feet were freezing on the return ride.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Trip Report: Red Paw Electro-Dermal Testing
Trip report of an appointment at Red Paw Computerized Electro-Dermal Testing. http://www.redpaw.net
Disclaimer: Food sensitivity or tolerance is not the same as allergies (neither is lactose intolerance) so this testing is not a substitute for the allergic 'scratch test', and you don’t have to jump in to tell me that electro-dermal testing is not a test or diagnosis for allergies.
I have allergies, lactose intolerance, and sensitivities; and I can assure you that while there is some overlapping they each have very different causes, symptoms, and effects.
The office space is not sterile and clinical as I was expecting, it is warm and folksy with Etsy - type crafts (stuffed animals to go with the ‘red paw’ theme I guess) strewn about on the reception desk and on the walls. I liked that the office was not trying to pretend to be a medical clinic, nor a new-age spirtual centre. There are no lab coats, no hard sell, and they don’t appear to sell anything except the service. And while it uses electrical equipment (a machine that goes, ‘Bing!’)and a computer to analyze the results it is homeopathy, not a validated medical diagnostic tool nor scientifically approved and verified procedure.
They are also careful to make sure clients (not “patients”) know that this is not a medical diagnosis.
Here’s a printout of some of the food-testing results.
What I do know is that the testing correctly showed hypersensitiy to everything I already knew about, eg lactose intolerance, some nut allergies, allergy to cats, and other foods/products I know give me varying degrees of adverse reactions. The testing also showed hypersensitivity to some things that I eat a lot.
There is not an exact relation between the number and the sensitivity and allergies; eg since almonds make me break out in hives, I've avoided them for decades, and so they show up lower on the sensitivity scale than peanuts, which I eat almost every day and don't cause an allergic reaction.
A big surprise was that I showed hypersensitivity to tropical fruits like oranges, bananas, and pineapple. I knew about strawberries (bad reaction, sometimes causes rash), but learning that I should not eat oranges and bananas was a bit of a shock to say the least. I probably averaged 2 oranges and 3-4 bananas per day for the past few months.
Knew that my body doesn’t like gluten, didn’t know that I should also avoid wheat, barley, hops, oats (no oatmeal?!), kamut, yeast, sugar (ie, NO BREAD!?). And corn. I’d already been trying to eliminate corn and its byproducts from diet, so finding out that (according to this test and analysis) I should avoid corn starch, maltose, corn syrup, etc was not unexpected.
Another big surprise was the [i]number[/i] of things that I showed hypersensitivity to. The toughest item to try and eliminate is going to be caffeine. It’s both an addiction and such a habit, even if I think about not having coffee, when I wake up I’ll be in autopilot mode and have a pot brewing before even realizing I had decided to try and not have any!I’ve tried a few caffeine-free teas that are supposed to provide an energy boost but none of them are even close.
Summary: for the past 8 months I’ve gone without cow, pig, chicken, fish.
And it’s been good for weight loss (then mainenance) and overall health, but because the list of proscribed foods is so big, in order to cut out so much (bread, peanut butter, several fruits etc) I’m going to have to re-introduce fish and maybe some seafood to my diet.
The good news is that I'm okay to eat all the dark leafy vegetables. Lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, rhubarb, cilantro, swiss chard, collard greens, kelp...all that yummy stuff, heh.
The idea is to cut out all the hypersensitive items for 4-6 months and then get re-tested. Don’t know if I’ll get another test but am going to try cutting out a lot of the bad stuff and see if there’s a noticeable change in overall health.
Disclaimer: Food sensitivity or tolerance is not the same as allergies (neither is lactose intolerance) so this testing is not a substitute for the allergic 'scratch test', and you don’t have to jump in to tell me that electro-dermal testing is not a test or diagnosis for allergies.
I have allergies, lactose intolerance, and sensitivities; and I can assure you that while there is some overlapping they each have very different causes, symptoms, and effects.
The office space is not sterile and clinical as I was expecting, it is warm and folksy with Etsy - type crafts (stuffed animals to go with the ‘red paw’ theme I guess) strewn about on the reception desk and on the walls. I liked that the office was not trying to pretend to be a medical clinic, nor a new-age spirtual centre. There are no lab coats, no hard sell, and they don’t appear to sell anything except the service. And while it uses electrical equipment (a machine that goes, ‘Bing!’)and a computer to analyze the results it is homeopathy, not a validated medical diagnostic tool nor scientifically approved and verified procedure.
They are also careful to make sure clients (not “patients”) know that this is not a medical diagnosis.
Here’s a printout of some of the food-testing results.
What I do know is that the testing correctly showed hypersensitiy to everything I already knew about, eg lactose intolerance, some nut allergies, allergy to cats, and other foods/products I know give me varying degrees of adverse reactions. The testing also showed hypersensitivity to some things that I eat a lot.
There is not an exact relation between the number and the sensitivity and allergies; eg since almonds make me break out in hives, I've avoided them for decades, and so they show up lower on the sensitivity scale than peanuts, which I eat almost every day and don't cause an allergic reaction.
A big surprise was that I showed hypersensitivity to tropical fruits like oranges, bananas, and pineapple. I knew about strawberries (bad reaction, sometimes causes rash), but learning that I should not eat oranges and bananas was a bit of a shock to say the least. I probably averaged 2 oranges and 3-4 bananas per day for the past few months.
Knew that my body doesn’t like gluten, didn’t know that I should also avoid wheat, barley, hops, oats (no oatmeal?!), kamut, yeast, sugar (ie, NO BREAD!?). And corn. I’d already been trying to eliminate corn and its byproducts from diet, so finding out that (according to this test and analysis) I should avoid corn starch, maltose, corn syrup, etc was not unexpected.
Another big surprise was the [i]number[/i] of things that I showed hypersensitivity to. The toughest item to try and eliminate is going to be caffeine. It’s both an addiction and such a habit, even if I think about not having coffee, when I wake up I’ll be in autopilot mode and have a pot brewing before even realizing I had decided to try and not have any!I’ve tried a few caffeine-free teas that are supposed to provide an energy boost but none of them are even close.
Summary: for the past 8 months I’ve gone without cow, pig, chicken, fish.
And it’s been good for weight loss (then mainenance) and overall health, but because the list of proscribed foods is so big, in order to cut out so much (bread, peanut butter, several fruits etc) I’m going to have to re-introduce fish and maybe some seafood to my diet.
The good news is that I'm okay to eat all the dark leafy vegetables. Lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, rhubarb, cilantro, swiss chard, collard greens, kelp...all that yummy stuff, heh.
The idea is to cut out all the hypersensitive items for 4-6 months and then get re-tested. Don’t know if I’ll get another test but am going to try cutting out a lot of the bad stuff and see if there’s a noticeable change in overall health.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
After eating salad every day for 6 months you get good at making salad
Probably nine days out of ten I have some kind of mixed ‘salad’ at work.
On Friday a couple of guys had splurged and gone to Burger King for lunch. After eating one of them complained, “Why did I eat that I feel like shit now” and then he started to ask me about my lunch which was sliced mushroom, carrots, romaine, broccoli, a tablespoon of cottage cheese and a hard boiled egg. “How long did it take you to make that?” which I thought was a strange thing to ask. So I explained that I usually just put some stuff in a bowl, wash it, chop it up and that’s it, only takes a few minute. Then he said, “So it wouldn’t take you much time to make two of them?” Why would I do that?
“Because I’ll pay you five bucks a day," he insisted, "for you to bring me the same thing you eat.”
On Friday a couple of guys had splurged and gone to Burger King for lunch. After eating one of them complained, “Why did I eat that I feel like shit now” and then he started to ask me about my lunch which was sliced mushroom, carrots, romaine, broccoli, a tablespoon of cottage cheese and a hard boiled egg. “How long did it take you to make that?” which I thought was a strange thing to ask. So I explained that I usually just put some stuff in a bowl, wash it, chop it up and that’s it, only takes a few minute. Then he said, “So it wouldn’t take you much time to make two of them?” Why would I do that?
“Because I’ll pay you five bucks a day," he insisted, "for you to bring me the same thing you eat.”
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Post Cross Report
Two days later and legs are still feeling it. Something I realized during the course is that I need to get to a hill like Rosedale Valley Road and spend some time charging up, coasting down lather rinse repeat.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
CSAJ Cross - Riverdale Park - November 22 2009
Sunday November 22, 2009
6:30 am
Been up for an hour, had breakfast and have indeed lost my mind because I’ve made the decision to try something new, and in 3 and a half hours will be in the CSAJ (Cycle Solutiosn Angry Johnny Racing Team) Cyclocross race in Riverdale Park. Beginner Men division. Or as I like to think of it, “Beginner Men Over 50 Who Should Know Better”.
Can think of so many excuses or reasons to sit this one out: left lower back has been really sore for the past 3 days. Recovering from cracked rib and torn rotator cuff from wiping out on my bike about a month ago. Got some bizarre irritation or rash on my arms that is sore and itchy and taking forever to clear up. Have never raced before. Have never even been in group ride, don’t know how to handle being among a bunch of competitive riders who would just as soon ride over me as go around.
Race duration is 40 minutes + 1 lap. My goal is to get through one lap without killing myself, and if I can manage that, try to complete 4 laps in the allotted time. I expect the contenders to do at least 6 laps before the final lap bell. Mantra for this event is: ‘It’s only 40 minutes. You can keep moving forward for 40 minutes. Keep moving forward. Keep your feet moving for 40 minutes.’.
Have never done anything like this before but I can see it is a very difficult course. There are (at least) 2 uphill sections which will require me to dismount and walk up, although I expect the other riders to simply charge up those slopes on their bikes. Plus there are the other obstacles that are designed to get the riders off their bikes.
Post Race Report:
Was too old for the beginner division so I entered Master 3 Men (35 and over).. The weather was absolutely amazing for November 22. Started out cloudy but cleared up before the 10:00 am start time. It was cool but not cold with very light winds. It had rained on Friday and some parts of the course were muddy and slippery.
Accomplished what I set out to do: got through the first lap okay. Kept going, didn’t kill myself or wipe out. Could have gone faster on some downhill sections but the main thing is that I kept control and avoided catastrophe. So glad I had practiced controlled skids earlier in the summer. And the bike held up perfectly. Tires slipped a bit on muddy parts so I had to walk which was all right with me. Did not drop the chain. Did not give up even when legs were burning. Did not give up when I thought I was going to throw up. Sure I finished in last place - 36th out of 36 - but I did finish. And now that it’s over I can say that it was fun.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Cycle Solutions, the Local Bike Store where I bought my bike is hosting a cyclocross in a park about 5 minutes from where I live! Didn't get much notice and I had to keep at them to get details but finally tracked down the info and a site map.
Went out today and rode a few laps of the course. Wow it is tough to peddle for an extended period over bumpy grass, leaves covering divots in the ground, trying to climb up dirt hills until your wheels spin, loose gravel on a running track etc. Very humbling when you think you're in reasonable condition but puffing and panting after carrying your bike up a hil that looks like it's only 20 feet or so, haha. The event is next Sunday. Really wish I had one more weekend to train, or even that there was enough sunlight so I could run the course after work during the week.
But it's good too, to figure out what sort of conditioning and training I should be doing in the gym. I've mostly been doing abs and upper body, figuring that the biking, spin classes and stationary bike cardio would take of the legs. WRONG! Need to do more squats, leg presses etc.
Was out there for about an hour and at different times saw two pairs of serious racers all kitted out, testing out the course, too. Glad I'm not racing in their division. I mean I don't know how people can even 'race' this course; it's going to be tough enough to keep from wiping out on the grassy hills and to avoid crashing into other riders in some of the tighter areas.
So my plan is to go there next Sunday morning and then if I think I can have a bit of fun running the course, make the decision to enter - or be a spectator.
Went out today and rode a few laps of the course. Wow it is tough to peddle for an extended period over bumpy grass, leaves covering divots in the ground, trying to climb up dirt hills until your wheels spin, loose gravel on a running track etc. Very humbling when you think you're in reasonable condition but puffing and panting after carrying your bike up a hil that looks like it's only 20 feet or so, haha. The event is next Sunday. Really wish I had one more weekend to train, or even that there was enough sunlight so I could run the course after work during the week.
But it's good too, to figure out what sort of conditioning and training I should be doing in the gym. I've mostly been doing abs and upper body, figuring that the biking, spin classes and stationary bike cardio would take of the legs. WRONG! Need to do more squats, leg presses etc.
Was out there for about an hour and at different times saw two pairs of serious racers all kitted out, testing out the course, too. Glad I'm not racing in their division. I mean I don't know how people can even 'race' this course; it's going to be tough enough to keep from wiping out on the grassy hills and to avoid crashing into other riders in some of the tighter areas.
So my plan is to go there next Sunday morning and then if I think I can have a bit of fun running the course, make the decision to enter - or be a spectator.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
What did I see
Friday morning I was heading out the lobby. Comning in was some hipster looking guy carrying a bike frame. Odd so of course I had to say something.
"Lose your wheels?"
"No, I just got this", he replied. "Birthday present, birthday on the 11th.""Nice" I said. It was a blue and green Gary Fisher frame. I leave, get on bike and start thinking, there's no bike stores open at 6 am, where did he get that from. Did he steal it? But if he took a bike locked up outside why take the time to dissassemble it when youj could just ride it home.
"Lose your wheels?"
"No, I just got this", he replied. "Birthday present, birthday on the 11th.""Nice" I said. It was a blue and green Gary Fisher frame. I leave, get on bike and start thinking, there's no bike stores open at 6 am, where did he get that from. Did he steal it? But if he took a bike locked up outside why take the time to dissassemble it when youj could just ride it home.
Monday, October 12, 2009
10 Streetcar Track intersection at Broadview and Gerrard
One day this summer around 6:30 am there was no traffic around. Coming south and downhill on Broadview, made this left turn way too fast and was lucky to hang on.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Big Spill
October 3 2009
It had rained overnight and the forecast was for afternoon rain but it had stopped so I deicded to get in my usual Saturday morning ride of 1-2 hours, and hit the Brickworks farmers market.
Was cold so I thought I’d try out an idea for winter riding. Bib shorts, long sleeve North Face shirt, thermal long johns under rain pants, and Outdoor Research cap under the helmet. Gortex windbreaker, sunglasses, mp3 player and Sennheiser headphones. Axiom fingerless gloves…reminder that I’ll need gloves with covered fingers soon. Tried ski gloves and they’re too bulky to change gears with brifters.
Got out shortly after sunrise with no particular route in mind.
Went Gerrard east from Parliament to Warden, then north on Warden and instead of turning west on Danforth, kept going north to Eglinton, then went west to Bayview. Bit of a mistake because there was miles and miles of constructiion; the road was torn up so I had to ride on the sidewalk for a while. But eventually got to Bayview Road and took it south to the Brickworks. Stopped there to buy a loaf of the greatest whole grain bread in the city. Baked fresh the night before.
Took the usual route from there, back north along Bayview and onto the good old Lower Don Trail.
Was less than 10 minutes from home. Crossed a small wooden-planked bridge and was accelerating around a tight left turn when I went over some wet leaves. Tires went out from under me and I slammed into the ground. Hard. Wind knocked out, and in instant pain all along the left side. Shoulder, ribs…so glad I always wear a helmet or I would have probably been knocked out. Managed to pull off helmet, cap, sunglasses, headphones and sat there trying to regain my senses. A jogger came up and offered help, which was appreciated.
After a few minutes, was together enough to stand up again, collect my stuff, and limp away with the bike. Was in some serious pain, left hand and arm were virtually useless, and had to carry it up some stairs then get to Riverdale Park and take it up a long staircase but had no choice.
Finally got home, got out of the biking get-up and into street clothes and called a cab. Noticed that the left brifter had been pushed in and wondered if the bike had any damage but that assessment could wait. Had to get to a hospital for x-rays because there was so much pain I was certain either shoulder or ribs had a fracture, although when changing I was surprised that aside from some swelling there was no visible signs of damage.
After being there for a couple of hours waiting to get x-rayed and checked out by a doctor I asked for an ice pack. I was in huge pain. Massive. An ocean of pain. If the world was made out of pain it would be resting on my shoulder and ribs.So the nurse left, and five mintues went by. Then ten. Then what seemed like forever. Had she forgotten about me? Ignored my request? Finally she returned with a professionally made wonderful ice pack, better than what I had expected and I held that against my shoulder like it was my best friend. Alternated the ice pack between shoulder and ribs and kept waiting.
Finally got x-rayed and seen by a doctor who said, “It doesn’t look like there are any fractures but I’m not a radiologist”. Gee, thanks!
It had rained overnight and the forecast was for afternoon rain but it had stopped so I deicded to get in my usual Saturday morning ride of 1-2 hours, and hit the Brickworks farmers market.
Was cold so I thought I’d try out an idea for winter riding. Bib shorts, long sleeve North Face shirt, thermal long johns under rain pants, and Outdoor Research cap under the helmet. Gortex windbreaker, sunglasses, mp3 player and Sennheiser headphones. Axiom fingerless gloves…reminder that I’ll need gloves with covered fingers soon. Tried ski gloves and they’re too bulky to change gears with brifters.
Got out shortly after sunrise with no particular route in mind.
Went Gerrard east from Parliament to Warden, then north on Warden and instead of turning west on Danforth, kept going north to Eglinton, then went west to Bayview. Bit of a mistake because there was miles and miles of constructiion; the road was torn up so I had to ride on the sidewalk for a while. But eventually got to Bayview Road and took it south to the Brickworks. Stopped there to buy a loaf of the greatest whole grain bread in the city. Baked fresh the night before.
Took the usual route from there, back north along Bayview and onto the good old Lower Don Trail.
Was less than 10 minutes from home. Crossed a small wooden-planked bridge and was accelerating around a tight left turn when I went over some wet leaves. Tires went out from under me and I slammed into the ground. Hard. Wind knocked out, and in instant pain all along the left side. Shoulder, ribs…so glad I always wear a helmet or I would have probably been knocked out. Managed to pull off helmet, cap, sunglasses, headphones and sat there trying to regain my senses. A jogger came up and offered help, which was appreciated.
After a few minutes, was together enough to stand up again, collect my stuff, and limp away with the bike. Was in some serious pain, left hand and arm were virtually useless, and had to carry it up some stairs then get to Riverdale Park and take it up a long staircase but had no choice.
Finally got home, got out of the biking get-up and into street clothes and called a cab. Noticed that the left brifter had been pushed in and wondered if the bike had any damage but that assessment could wait. Had to get to a hospital for x-rays because there was so much pain I was certain either shoulder or ribs had a fracture, although when changing I was surprised that aside from some swelling there was no visible signs of damage.
After being there for a couple of hours waiting to get x-rayed and checked out by a doctor I asked for an ice pack. I was in huge pain. Massive. An ocean of pain. If the world was made out of pain it would be resting on my shoulder and ribs.So the nurse left, and five mintues went by. Then ten. Then what seemed like forever. Had she forgotten about me? Ignored my request? Finally she returned with a professionally made wonderful ice pack, better than what I had expected and I held that against my shoulder like it was my best friend. Alternated the ice pack between shoulder and ribs and kept waiting.
Finally got x-rayed and seen by a doctor who said, “It doesn’t look like there are any fractures but I’m not a radiologist”. Gee, thanks!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
David A Balfour Park Ravine
It was nice and cool this morning, with rain expected around noon so I got out shortly after the sun came up around 7:00 am. Went from Dundas and Parliament to Jane Street and up to St. Clair today instead of Eglinton.
What I didn't realize is that St. Clair west is under heavy construction for miles and miles! Think I would have preferred the hills on Eg to the single lane of traffic on St. Clair.
So after about 40-50 minutes of street riding, I got onto Moore Avenue and thought I had found a new entry to the Moore Park ravine so I carried the bike down these stairs.
But it was the David A Balfour Park ravine, I guess. But was not going to climb back up so... no turning back now. But which way to go? The path that runs east of this creek or west?
This is a trail?! Really.
Decided to walk the bike along this part of the trail that ran beside a fence.
It's good to have a helmet on, you never know what might come across your path.
Continued for a while and ended up south of the Brickworks, circled around and got onto Bayview and then north to the Brickworks farmers market.
What I didn't realize is that St. Clair west is under heavy construction for miles and miles! Think I would have preferred the hills on Eg to the single lane of traffic on St. Clair.
So after about 40-50 minutes of street riding, I got onto Moore Avenue and thought I had found a new entry to the Moore Park ravine so I carried the bike down these stairs.
But it was the David A Balfour Park ravine, I guess. But was not going to climb back up so... no turning back now. But which way to go? The path that runs east of this creek or west?
This is a trail?! Really.
Decided to walk the bike along this part of the trail that ran beside a fence.
It's good to have a helmet on, you never know what might come across your path.
Continued for a while and ended up south of the Brickworks, circled around and got onto Bayview and then north to the Brickworks farmers market.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Caught up in a Victory Lap
7:30 AM I start an exercise ride. Goodlife Gym opens at 8:00 and I time the ride perfectly. Get there at 8:01 AM breathing hard and ready to do some weight training. At 7:50 I'm done and get back on bike, ready for the usual fifteen minute cool-down ride back home, only to see about 30 or 40 cyclists at the intersection in front of me turning onto the street in the same direction I'm going to be heading.
Of course I'm curious about what's going on, so I catch up to them and ask. They're doing a "victory lap" to celebrate having completed the Niagara Falls Ride To Conquer Cancer earlier this summer. There and back over two days. I ask a few more questions about it because I had been thinking about trying it next year, or at least doing that trip one-way.
And this is my neighbourhood, a part of Gerrard Street I've riding many many times this summer, and I can't let them out-run me in my own hood, so of course my cool-down ride becomes a 'keep up with the kitted-out cyclists on road bikes' ride :)
A great way to start a Sunday.
Of course I'm curious about what's going on, so I catch up to them and ask. They're doing a "victory lap" to celebrate having completed the Niagara Falls Ride To Conquer Cancer earlier this summer. There and back over two days. I ask a few more questions about it because I had been thinking about trying it next year, or at least doing that trip one-way.
And this is my neighbourhood, a part of Gerrard Street I've riding many many times this summer, and I can't let them out-run me in my own hood, so of course my cool-down ride becomes a 'keep up with the kitted-out cyclists on road bikes' ride :)
A great way to start a Sunday.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
GoodLife Fitness
First day weight training at Goodlife
Leave home at 6:00 am. Bike hard and arrive in around 10 minutes, pumped and with a bit of sweat.. Hit the weights, took about 40 minutes to go through the routine including a quick warmup. Then got on the machines for about 15 minutes.
Like the same seretonin rush I got when I started biking! Rode home in under 10 minutes and feel supercharged. Slammed down an amazing protein shake – fruit is cheap and plentiful now so I’m keeping stocked up. It was: ½ scoop whey, ½ banana, ½ clementine (I had the other halves for breakfast, with an egg), watermelon, blueberries, tablespoon peanut butter, splash of coffee, water and ice.
Feel great. Energized.
Joining the gym and hitting the weights was the best investment since buying a bike.
Leave home at 6:00 am. Bike hard and arrive in around 10 minutes, pumped and with a bit of sweat.. Hit the weights, took about 40 minutes to go through the routine including a quick warmup. Then got on the machines for about 15 minutes.
Like the same seretonin rush I got when I started biking! Rode home in under 10 minutes and feel supercharged. Slammed down an amazing protein shake – fruit is cheap and plentiful now so I’m keeping stocked up. It was: ½ scoop whey, ½ banana, ½ clementine (I had the other halves for breakfast, with an egg), watermelon, blueberries, tablespoon peanut butter, splash of coffee, water and ice.
Feel great. Energized.
Joining the gym and hitting the weights was the best investment since buying a bike.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Jane and Eglinton
This morning's bike ride was epic.
From Parliament went west along Dundas with the intention of going back to the Humber trail. But when I got to Jane, I wanted to do more street riding so I turned north. There were a few little hills as I continued along until getting to Eglinton. Turned east and...even more hills. East along Eg past Keele, past Bathurst, past Avenue. Turned south on Yonge and then headed over to the old favourite, the Moore Park ravine so went onto that muddy path to the Brickworks then the Lower Don trail and back home. Riding time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Humber Trail
One of the great aspects of having done a 4+ hour ride last weekend is the boost in confidence. So this morning I decided to go across town and check out the Humber Trail and started out at 7:00 AM. I found this map and started at Dundas & Parliament. Didn't follow the map exactly but eventually got out to the Humber Trail.
View from bridge over Humber River. Bike trail can be seen on the right.
It's really nice, a wide paved trail There's a section which includes a bunch of dirt trails too so I rode on those until I was good and disoriented and then got back on the main path.
After being out for a little over an hour, turned around (sort of), got onto Bloor Street and headed east.
Total riding time 1 hour, 50 minutes and don't even feel too tired.
View from bridge over Humber River. Bike trail can be seen on the right.
It's really nice, a wide paved trail There's a section which includes a bunch of dirt trails too so I rode on those until I was good and disoriented and then got back on the main path.
After being out for a little over an hour, turned around (sort of), got onto Bloor Street and headed east.
Total riding time 1 hour, 50 minutes and don't even feel too tired.
Sunday August 30: Oshawa Ride4Life 88 km charity ride
In the morning I noticed that the back brake was rubbing the rim, and the front wheel was a bit off, causing the tire to rub against one brake pad on each revolution.
And of course being a complete noob I didn’t know how to fix these things. Asked around at the starting area but the repair truck was not there and no one knew where it was. So I got into the queue for the start of the race with my brother and his friend. There were all these people with some really nice bikes, and jerseys and some with full team kits on. My brother and his friend were in t-shirts; I had on my standard wicking microfiber t-shirt under the MEC button-up kayaking shirt with the sleeves rolled up. This combo has served me well on many kayak trips so I see no need to replace them with a $60 single-use biking jersey.
We start off in good spirits and the ‘rolling start’ went on for longer than I had expected but eventually everyone was going along and the 300 or so riders started to spread out along the road.
I had borrowed a pannier from my brother but at the last second decided to go without it. Stuck a bag of trail mix in pocket of shorts, a couple of cliff bars and two small clementines in shirt pocket, and ditched the pannier. They told us there would be rest stations with water, oranges and bananas along the route so I figured I’d be okay. Having been warned about bonking, and having done some 40+ km rides, I had a pretty good idea of how to maintain energy. I find it best to take lots of little sips of water, and small handfuls of trail mix, starting very early in the ride, eg about 20 minutes in. And after about ½ hour the clementines in the shirt pocket were annoyingly banging against my leg, so I ate them while riding no-handed along a level stretch of road.
About an hour and a half in, I saw the repair truck and pulled over. The guy there fixed up my brake problem and wheel alighment really quickly and I was back pedaling within minutes.
At one pont in the ride there was a surreal moment when I rode past a sign in front of a house that read "GO MATT GO". Then another. Then I noticed some smaller words about going for medals. Must have been for Olympic snowboarder Matthew Morison.
A rookie mistake I made was underestimating the difficulty of riding hills over such a long distance. Toronto is pretty much Flatland so the few little hills I’d ridden in town had not given me any problems.
But I was probably too aggressive on the hills in the early part of the ride, because around 60 km my left knee became really painful. I had no Advil, and because I’d blown off the pannier I had no tools. Possibly a hex key to raise the seat a little bit might have eased the pressure and made the knee feel less like there was a hot poker being jabbed into on every push down. I had to take a few breaks and walk up a few of the steeper hills, and did most of the last 20 km peddling with one leg. But there was no way I was not going to finish. Really thought my brother would past me near the end because I was going so slow, but his 15-year old bike held him back and he came in a little after I’d finished.
At the end of the ride, the registration tent had been changed into a massage tent. Free massage after 4 hours on a bike? I’m not one to turn down that offer.
And of course being a complete noob I didn’t know how to fix these things. Asked around at the starting area but the repair truck was not there and no one knew where it was. So I got into the queue for the start of the race with my brother and his friend. There were all these people with some really nice bikes, and jerseys and some with full team kits on. My brother and his friend were in t-shirts; I had on my standard wicking microfiber t-shirt under the MEC button-up kayaking shirt with the sleeves rolled up. This combo has served me well on many kayak trips so I see no need to replace them with a $60 single-use biking jersey.
We start off in good spirits and the ‘rolling start’ went on for longer than I had expected but eventually everyone was going along and the 300 or so riders started to spread out along the road.
I had borrowed a pannier from my brother but at the last second decided to go without it. Stuck a bag of trail mix in pocket of shorts, a couple of cliff bars and two small clementines in shirt pocket, and ditched the pannier. They told us there would be rest stations with water, oranges and bananas along the route so I figured I’d be okay. Having been warned about bonking, and having done some 40+ km rides, I had a pretty good idea of how to maintain energy. I find it best to take lots of little sips of water, and small handfuls of trail mix, starting very early in the ride, eg about 20 minutes in. And after about ½ hour the clementines in the shirt pocket were annoyingly banging against my leg, so I ate them while riding no-handed along a level stretch of road.
About an hour and a half in, I saw the repair truck and pulled over. The guy there fixed up my brake problem and wheel alighment really quickly and I was back pedaling within minutes.
At one pont in the ride there was a surreal moment when I rode past a sign in front of a house that read "GO MATT GO". Then another. Then I noticed some smaller words about going for medals. Must have been for Olympic snowboarder Matthew Morison.
A rookie mistake I made was underestimating the difficulty of riding hills over such a long distance. Toronto is pretty much Flatland so the few little hills I’d ridden in town had not given me any problems.
But I was probably too aggressive on the hills in the early part of the ride, because around 60 km my left knee became really painful. I had no Advil, and because I’d blown off the pannier I had no tools. Possibly a hex key to raise the seat a little bit might have eased the pressure and made the knee feel less like there was a hot poker being jabbed into on every push down. I had to take a few breaks and walk up a few of the steeper hills, and did most of the last 20 km peddling with one leg. But there was no way I was not going to finish. Really thought my brother would past me near the end because I was going so slow, but his 15-year old bike held him back and he came in a little after I’d finished.
At the end of the ride, the registration tent had been changed into a massage tent. Free massage after 4 hours on a bike? I’m not one to turn down that offer.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
This morning I was out for a ride from around 6:30 to 7:00 am and it was brisk. Around 10C (50F), maybe a bit lower when I got down by the lake. But I thought I was tough enough to put up with the chill, and prepared: a liner for a hat that fits snugly, covers the ears and fits under my helmet. Using rainpaints over bib shorts, and 2 layers of shirts.
So I'm riding along thinking that I should get gloves with full fingers this weekend, and what layers or items I'm going to add if it gets much colder, and pull up to a red light. There's a girl on her bike, commuting to work in shorts and a t-shirt.
"Aren't you freezing?" I asked. "Naw, it's okay as long as you keep moving" she laughed.
So I'm riding along thinking that I should get gloves with full fingers this weekend, and what layers or items I'm going to add if it gets much colder, and pull up to a red light. There's a girl on her bike, commuting to work in shorts and a t-shirt.
"Aren't you freezing?" I asked. "Naw, it's okay as long as you keep moving" she laughed.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I'm usually non-confrontational. But two days ago I was riding along a slight downhill, curving stretch of road. Parked cars on the right, and a row of cars zipping past on the left. This guy in a truck gets right behind me and lays on his horn, then pulls away.
Well, a couple of hundred yards later he's stopped at a red light. I manage to catch up and go up to the passenger side, the window is open and past the passenger I yell, "WAS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO TELL ME? BECAUSE YOU BLASTED YOUR HORN AS YOU PASSED SO I FIGURE YOU MUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING TO ME" and he takes a few seconds and mutters something lame about wanting to warn me about getting out into traffic.
Here it is, where Woodbine and Lakeshore meet.
View Larger Map
Well, a couple of hundred yards later he's stopped at a red light. I manage to catch up and go up to the passenger side, the window is open and past the passenger I yell, "WAS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO TELL ME? BECAUSE YOU BLASTED YOUR HORN AS YOU PASSED SO I FIGURE YOU MUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING TO ME" and he takes a few seconds and mutters something lame about wanting to warn me about getting out into traffic.
Here it is, where Woodbine and Lakeshore meet.
View Larger Map
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Out the front door and riding at 6:40 AM this morning. It’s cool, and I’m ready to try for a new PB by riding at least 50 km. Got a bottle full of water, some trail mix, and a thermos of coffee and clementine if I start to fade.
There are some really nice long stretches of road without much traffic and I’m cruising along all right. Next thing I know I’m passing Scarborough Town Line. At one point I was about to turn back but two kitted-out guys on road bikes also out for a morning ride pass, so I speed up and try to stay with them, and for a while I do but they are around 5 kph faster than me, and eventually pull away on a downhill section and I can’t catch them again. Maybe I need slicker tires.
But thee are very long stretches without having to stop, and some challenging fun hills and next thing I know I’m at Markham Road and Ellesmere, and have gone 25 km. Halfway to the target distance, and still feel pretty good. Take a quick break for a sip of coffee and some trail mix, then start going west along hilly Ellesmere Road. A few kilometers later I realize the rear tire’s gone flat. It’s not even 8:00 AM, I’m somewhere in the Scarberian wilderness, and did not bring:
Cellphone
Patch kit/inner tube/pump or any tools at all
Had a twoonie and a $20 bill so I didn’t even have the right fare to hop on a bus to…somewhere. Bus to subway, subway then another bus. At least an hour. I see a convenience store and start walking to it to get change for a bus when a cab goes by, without a fare. I wave him down, throw the bike in the back seat. I figure the twenty dollar bill will be more than enough, and on the way back start to realize how far I’d gone. Cab ride ending up costing $40 and I still had to get the tire fixed.
Finally 10:00 AM rolls around and the local bike store is open, so I take the bike there. On the way, I see the lights at intersections are not working, and then realize that the electricity is down in the area and all along Parliament. The LBS is open, but with no power. Since I have to get the tire fixed, I ask the man who sold me the bike about the price for easier-rolling tires. He looks at mine and says, "I'm impressed you wore these out so fast, look how much the tread has worn down".
So I switch out the Continental Speed Kings for Specialized Nimbus 700x35c and they are a bit faster (and have a supposedly puncture-resistant lining), around 2-4 kph on level ground, which is pretty good improvement considering I'm stuck with the same old legs.
There are some really nice long stretches of road without much traffic and I’m cruising along all right. Next thing I know I’m passing Scarborough Town Line. At one point I was about to turn back but two kitted-out guys on road bikes also out for a morning ride pass, so I speed up and try to stay with them, and for a while I do but they are around 5 kph faster than me, and eventually pull away on a downhill section and I can’t catch them again. Maybe I need slicker tires.
But thee are very long stretches without having to stop, and some challenging fun hills and next thing I know I’m at Markham Road and Ellesmere, and have gone 25 km. Halfway to the target distance, and still feel pretty good. Take a quick break for a sip of coffee and some trail mix, then start going west along hilly Ellesmere Road. A few kilometers later I realize the rear tire’s gone flat. It’s not even 8:00 AM, I’m somewhere in the Scarberian wilderness, and did not bring:
Cellphone
Patch kit/inner tube/pump or any tools at all
Had a twoonie and a $20 bill so I didn’t even have the right fare to hop on a bus to…somewhere. Bus to subway, subway then another bus. At least an hour. I see a convenience store and start walking to it to get change for a bus when a cab goes by, without a fare. I wave him down, throw the bike in the back seat. I figure the twenty dollar bill will be more than enough, and on the way back start to realize how far I’d gone. Cab ride ending up costing $40 and I still had to get the tire fixed.
Finally 10:00 AM rolls around and the local bike store is open, so I take the bike there. On the way, I see the lights at intersections are not working, and then realize that the electricity is down in the area and all along Parliament. The LBS is open, but with no power. Since I have to get the tire fixed, I ask the man who sold me the bike about the price for easier-rolling tires. He looks at mine and says, "I'm impressed you wore these out so fast, look how much the tread has worn down".
So I switch out the Continental Speed Kings for Specialized Nimbus 700x35c and they are a bit faster (and have a supposedly puncture-resistant lining), around 2-4 kph on level ground, which is pretty good improvement considering I'm stuck with the same old legs.
Monday, August 17, 2009
OMX Series: Moore Park Ravine to Brickworks
“So you think you can bike” is not a challenge to anyone but myself. An incentive, a piece of advice - to keep moving forward.
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