Three saddles, six bib-shorts, four types of hydration product, yes I am fast becoming a one man cycling product testing facility. I also think having an enquiring mind, has led to plenty of over thinking about me and riding my bike. I have always been one to find out for myself rather than take someone else’s opinion. Not that I don’t listen to people, I do a lot, however unless that person is at the very top of the subject being discussed, I will always look further into it hoping to find out all I can. So you can imagine with all of these new products, information and parts before me now, I have plenty of problems to solve and questions to answer.
Does Beet juice really increase your training capacity and nitric oxide? Who knows, but despite the taste, I take one shot a day thinking it can’t do any harm and could possibly help my training.
March went well, I clocked up 770 miles on the bike and even found time for 4 days golf. My golf has been on hold since July 2017, but to be honest I can’t wait to get playing again after the ride. My enthusiasm and energy is back, thanks to my treatments, cycling and weight loss, so hopefully my swing gets back in shape in July. Then it will be time to finish my other big bucket list goal, playing the top 100 golf courses in the world.
The trip now seems to be approaching quickly, so my gear has started to become my focus as my volume days grow longer. After the February treatments my health seems to be a bit more normal. However I must say that on my 3 volume days each week it feels like it’s all I can do just to eat, ride and rest for the next day. I guess this will be the tour routine for the next couple of months.
I have to add I started to get a weekly massage and must admit it does feel good for at least an afternoon after getting my muscles relaxed. However the following 3 days and 150-250 miles each week, usually tighten them up enough for next weeks session.
Coach Julie has kept me honest with my training schedule and weekly Skype call. If I succeed in this adventure a lot of credit goes to Julie. It makes all the difference having someone monitor your training and knows when your tired before you do. Julie has been my “cycling rock” since December. I’m sure left to my own devices I would have over trained in distance and under trained as far as speed, stamina and even handling skills. Since starting with Julie and Training Peaks my mileage each month has increased, my average speed has slowly risen and quietly I have become a much better cyclist.
So just over a month to go now before I start out from LA to Boston, hard to believe it is almost time to start.