Mike's Bike Blog

The pattern the last few weeks have been strong winds on the weekends. On Saturday my workout was suppose to be 2'29" of easy breathing and low effort. With a stong wind from the North the route down Parmer wasn't too enticing. I left the house with no planned route, but I did tell Jennifer that I might be out only 1 1/2 hours depending how it goes and then finish up the rest of my workout on the trainer. I headed South with a good tailwind most of the time. I found myself on Spicewood Springs Rd., I'd only ridden this road one other time with 331Miles, in the opposite direction. I formulated a route. I'd go down Spicewood Springs Rd. to 360 and maybe do the Dam Loop. Spicewood Springs Rd. is a fun road, it has a lot of curves and some small rollers, at least going down to 360 anyway, the opposite direction offers more climbing.

On 360 I changed my mind on the route again, looking at the time I figured a full dam loop would take too long with the wind as once I turned on Bee Caves I'd be bucking the wind the entire route. I decided to cut the route short and head up 2222 and catch City Park Road and come back to Cedar Park that way. This "short cut" wouldn't be flat, in fact it would require some steep climbing up City Park and Big View. The climb up City Park wasn't too bad, it was the freshest I've ever been going up it so the crosswind and swirly wind that was intent on pushing me into traffic was bearable. Once I got to Big View it was another story. I turned onto Big View and the wind gave me a sweet kiss right between my eyes. Luckily Narrow Ridge dumps you out 1/2 way up Big View, just past the steepest and hardest section (IMHO), nonetheless there's still climbing to be had to get up to River Place. With a strong headwind the climb out was ever so hard.

I finally made it out and onto 620 and made my way back home. So much for an "easy breathing and low effort" workout. At least I was able to stay in zones 1 (125.61 min.) & 2 (24.283 min.) for my heart rate, but as for effort it was far from low effort. Approximately an hour of the ride was at Tempo or above with 15 minutes (11%) above 346 watts (anarobic capacity). I rode 40.97 miles in the 2'31" burning 1757 kJ.

Sunday was more of the same, wind from the North... This time I set out on Parmer with the goal of riding up to Florence. The workout called for 4 hours 9 minutes on a rolling course at CP30 on the climbs. Otherwise, heart rate 1-2 zones. Mostly in saddle on hills to build & maintain hip strength. Getting to Parmer on Cypress Creek wasn't too bad, but once again as I made the turn on Parmer and headed North the whipping of the flags was a sign of what was instore for me. It was a long and brutal ride into the stout wind on Parmer. My legs were realling from Saturdays ride. Onwards I pressed, as I would pass riders coming back in I was envious of the lucky SOBs with the wind at their back. I kept telling myself how much better it will be on the return. On the way out I was only able to average 15 mph. It took me 2'32" to navigate the 36 miles to florence. I really wished I had someone to share the workload with. The return trip was as I anticipated. The only downside was on Andice Road back to Parmer, the wind was a bit in my face on this section, but not as bad as on the way out on Parmer.

Coming back in I averaged 20 mph, that includes the bigger hills on Parmer. I kept to the workout requirements and kept the power at CP30 so I wasn't hammering up them by any means, but enough to pass a few small groups up them. What took me 2'32" into the wind I was able to complete in 1'50". It was a hard 72 miles, I can feel it a bit in my legs today, thankfully it's only weights today and no riding. Here's the ride goodness shared from TrainingPeaks.com.

The real kicker of the ride was on the way back in the wind seemed to die down, there were a few flags barely moving! Darn you mother nature!