Just Riding Along... Waxing philosophical...

Lately, I have been mapping, saving, and logging all of my miles during cycling excursions and also while running. Part of me is really into statistics, and it is nice to see your progress on a chart. Many different apps and programs are available to the masses, I have been using Map My Ride. It is a great program, easy to use, and I highly recommend it. That said, I am completely abandoning my stat recording habit. Here is why: I have become obsessed with logging miles. So much so, that all of my rides and runs are only mileage focused, and not enjoying the process of riding or running. Lets be honest though, is running really enjoyable? Anyway, I have found myself not enjoying the opportunities that arise, for example, stopping for a great photo, taking a road I have never been on, stopping on a run just to breath in nature, all because I do not want to ruin my average speed. That is lame. Also, I have been reading quite a bit off of Rivendell Bicycle Works's website. Not only do they sell quality bicycles, parts, clothing, and lots of other goodies, there is a ton of great information on cycling in general. In our house with a new baby, I am spending a good chunk of time sitting with our baby boy and just reading about cycling from their perspective. It is really starting to soak in and make sense. Check out their site, tons of information, and lots of pretty pictures of bicycles, like this for example:

Photo from Rivendell's site.

Just keep spinning...

Just Riding Along... Day 12.

Today's installment, riding with the moon again. Clear calm night in SW Ohio once again, perfect weather for riding. Short ride, but still a ride, almost to the halfway point for the month. Enter the map:



I really like the app for Map My Ride. Very handy, and free. Not just for cycling, but for other outdoor pursuits as well. Check it out if you have not already.

I normally do not ride with my iPod, and tonight I did not have it as well. Every now and again I will wear it, but I usually like to hear the random sounds that are going on around me. Tonight however, I had a soundtrack in my head, a song that I could not shake. It flowed with my pace perfectly, and I enjoyed going over and over this song in my mind while riding with the moon. Amazing. The band is Fleet Foxes, and this is the song:

Just Riding Along... 31 days.

Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is over, it's time to get back into a cycling routine. November was an off month for me exercise wise. Which who really stays in a routine during the holidays? I sure didn't.

Time to get back into a regular cycling routine though. I am not the most motivated person out there, so I need to set a goal, and make it public. That keeps me honest, and opens myself up to ridicule if I fail. That's a great motivating factor. Anyway, here is the plan:

My plan for the month of December is to bike or run every single day.

Yeah, I said it, every day. This will be tough, with the colder temperatures, less sunlight, and more holiday time coming up, but I think it is doable. Scratch that, it is doable. No thinking about it, just do it. (Enter cheesy Nike commercial)

So to start it off, this morning I was out before the sun on the HaroX. Air temperature was in the mid 20s, and lots of fog out. Just a quick ride to warm up the lungs. I have to say, it was a great way to start my morning. I am looking forward to this.

Keep checking back to see some progress, or check on Twitter @codsow. I will be tagging the posts with #monthofbiking, and posting up the Map My Ride ride/run reports daily.

Only 30 more days to go...

Wasson Way Project...

If you live in or around the Cincinnati area, you are aware of the rail lines that crisscross the city. One of these lines cuts through the heart, if you will, of the east side. How often do the trains run on these tracks? There has been no traffic for over a year! This 6.5 mile stretch goes from the city of Mariemont all the way to Xavier University. So why all of the talk of a rail line? Why Rails to Trails of course!
The Wasson Way Project wants to turn those unused rail lines into a multiuse path. This path will connect to the Little Miami Bike Path in the city of Mariemont, giving a huge percentage of the city of Cincinnati an easy option for taking a trip on a bicycle!
I am really excited about this wonderful idea. From their Facebook page, they are having a meeting about the project tomorrow night (Wed.) at Hyde Park Florist at 7pm.
Things are looking up for Cincinnati!