Third ride in

Ride last night was pretty good, but at a slower pace. It was pretty hot and after a while the wind starting getting to me. I can see how the evenings are going to be pretty rough. What I really need to figure out is my nutrition during the day so that I'm not starving before I leave. Not sure if a burrito from Qdoba was the best idea. Actually, the chips and salsa on top of the burrito were probably what didn't help.

This morning Nick came over, and we started from the Carmel Community Park Activity Monon Fitness Center Place and Emporium. It shaved about 3.5 miles off the trip (the part we take from my place to the trail that's on regular roads). It took less than an hour, but I was feeling it. I did notice, however, that there is some comfort in pulling the tallest gear I've got at a slow cadence and still getting on at 18 mph. I think that's a good "cruise control" setting for the longer stretches of the trail. Otherwise I pick an easier gear and spin a lot more. I think the change up is probably good for my fitness.

I found a great site to track this madness, too. And now you can play along at home!

The first two rides are a little off, time-wise. But after that I was a little more careful about recording the information off the computer. The only issue I have is that the computer will keep on recording even as you walk your bike through the lobby and then from the elevator. But whatever. It's close enough, and it gets the mileage, which is the most important thing.

I also found out that I will likely be working off and on on a project in Omaha (somewhere in middle America) come July. It'll probably be just a few days a month out there. Otherwise I'll be at the office in Indy and that'll be great since I can bike down.

Not sure what this weekend holds ... I was thinking of a 20-miler around the northside here early on Saturday morning before there's a lot of traffic. The trail is good for the commute, but if I had a choice, I'd hit up the roads.

I think one of the more important things to do is ride assertively on the roads around here. There aren't many cyclists, but it's good for the motorists to see that we are here, and we need our space, too. I haven't been honked at or cursed at, so I see that as a good sign. Overall I've had a positive on-street cycling experience here in Indy. I find if you use hand signals and seem to know what you're doing, people are happy to slow down and give you room. (Very helpful when you need to cross the lane and get into the left-turn lane, for instance.)