Schlumberger Education Expedition 2009

After having missed a relatively warm week while I was travelling with work, Saturday morning dawned cold and windy. We had 15 mph NW winds and the temperature at 5 am was 46 F. No incentive to get out of bed for this ride. I had organised to hit the trail with a bunch of friends with a departure time of 6 am, to get to Hightower High School in Fort bend, for the 7.15 am push off, which was around the time when it was going to get light

Above shot is taken about 9 am at Rest stop 2. We ended up doing the 53 miler due to the wind being blusteringly strong. It was so cold, that we were all wearing extra layers to stop the wind cutting through. Fingers didn't warm up till the sun was out for at least an hour.

The rest of the day turned out to be sunny, but windy and the wind was cold. Turnout for this ride was not as big as last years when the weather was better. We saw the odd bit of road kill along the road, and quite a few black caterpillars trying to cross the road. Horses, Cows and several fields along with the odd small town as we cycled through Manvel and Rosharon. Manvel is Manvel is a city in Brazoria County, Texas. The current population is approximately 7,160 as of April 2008, and it is about a 40 min drive SW of downtown Houston.

The ride raises money for the local school district, so the schools had volunteers out to help with the rest stops. They ran a competition for the best rest stop and we all picked number 6. Apart from cheering the cyclists on till they were hoarse, they also kept the bikers who stopped, entertained while they played games like twister, next to the food and drink stop.

The wind took its toll. We made it back by 12pm for a meal of fajitas (beef or chicken) or a choice of subway sandwiches. We burnt plenty of calories and it was good to get something to eat after that. All in, a good ride and good to get some windy riding practice in!

Tour De Houston 2009

A clear and relatively warm morning - It was dark before we started and the sun started to rise as we set off down the Elysian Way...on the 2009 Tour De Houston. This years route was changed - we didn't do the Hardy Toll Road, instead headed out from Elysian to the Houston Heights - an older neighbourhood where time just seemed to slow down - both the older style houses, and the people too. I did 40 miles on a loop ride and on the way back people were out exercising, but no ipods here - more like Sony Walkmans...several of the churches were filled and the congregation singing added to the serenity of the neighbourhoods we were riding through. Rest stop 1 was at Regan High School at the 10 mile mark.

The KJSB Christian Van was playing music, and loading up supplies - Though it wasn't hot, I was drinking a lot of water! The sun was already out and I wanted to try to go at a decent pace. Volunteers were hard at work as the first riders rolled in. There was a 70 mile loop which the Mayor was doing, he had kicked the ride off in the morning and was enroute but we shortly after split off from the main group into 3 directions depending on distance cycled. Weather was supberb.

Not to hot until about 10 really and even then there was a cool breeze blowing which provided some headwind on the way back into the downtown area. After the second stop at the 20 mile mark, I skipped the 3rd and rode the last 20 back to the finish line getting in about 10.15 am. I had a pleasant surprise halfway when I met up with my family who had come out to meet me with some extra breakfast. A good excuse to pull up and rest for a few minutes as well as I spotted them on the side of the road. Discovery Green was pumping away with the riders who had made it back to the finish line.

All in a great ride - about 3,300 cyclists - a little crowed at the start but okay once we were off...Discovery Green making a great location for it. There was a band playing the old Men at Work song "Who can it be now"...and for a minute I thought I was back in Melbourne!

Morning training update

Its been warm this week and its been easy to get up and pedal in the mornings
I've been averaging 50-70 miles a week indoors on most mornings. Looking to try to increase the time in the saddle on several sessions a week, but have to getup by 5.00 am to fit this in...

I also train Cardio on a rowing machine - A concept 2 - which is good for balancing the workout with the legs from the bike.