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Gravel Fun
Consistent with my past of always wanting to push myself to the next level of fun, I met a new goal this past week. When I mastered the marathon, I ran a 50-mile ultra, and after riding a metric century, I rode a century. Yesterday, I road a metric century (plus several miles) on gravel. Our gravel roads in western Loudoun add a whole other dimension that paved roads don’t. There are potholes and washboards, loose gravel just waiting to send you sliding, and demoralizing climbs followed by the excitement of careening down the other side. Yesterday’s ride was loads of fun, but exhausting. Perhaps it’s time to change up my idea of fun! 😉
Overview of the Week
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll down for daily details…
Sunday
Cycling: 31 miles
Average speed: 12.9 MPH
Bike: Cannondale Topstone
Surface: mostly gravel
Elevation gain: 2,303 feet
Start time: 9:27 AM
Location: western Loudoun
Weather: 51°, NE wind 13 MPH, gusts 24 MPH, and partly sunny, climbing to 62°
What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, arm sleeves, jacket, ear-warmer headband, fingerless gloves over light gloves (removed jacket, ear-warmer, and base gloves 5 miles into ride)
When Bill and I saw wind in the forecast we were tempted to cancel, but as with most workouts, once we were done we were happy we hadn’t wimped out. We had a fun outing riding the gravel roads of western Loudoun County with our friends.
Monday
Strength Training: 1 total hour of full body broken into two time segments
Tuesday
Cycling: 58 miles
Average speed: 14.3 MPH
Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
Surface: paved
Elevation gain: 2,615 feet
Start time: 8:51 AM
Location: W&OD Trail and roads to Purcellville
Weather: 46° and sunny, climbing to 70° and breezy
What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, arm sleeves, jacket, fingerless gloves over light gloves (removed jacket and base gloves 18 miles into ride)
This ride was all about detours for the first 12 or so miles! I could have easily gotten on the W&OD Trail west of the detours, but nooo, I wanted to experience riding all over the place on parkways while dodging cars that had no respect for the signs reminding drivers to share the road. Sadly, the closest encounter was with a school bus that decided it had to pass me on a two-lane road with oncoming traffic, giving me about a foot of clearance…
Wednesday
Strength Training: 1 hour of full body
Gardening: 3.5 hours mowing, trimming, raking, pruning, and sweeping
Thursday
Running: 5K
Average pace: 8:45
Start time: 6:02 AM
Location: neighborhood circle
Weather: 46° and clear with a full moon
What I wore: shorts, tank, ear warmer headband, and gloves
Just as I’d hoped, the dark sky was clear with stars twinkling and a full moon leading my way as I breezed around our neighborhood circle. The cool crisp weather made me feel invigorated and my pace showed it!
Foam rolling: 10 minutes
Stretching: 10 minutes
Friday
Strength Training: 1 hour of full body
Balance and Stretching: 45 minutes
Gardening: 45 minutes pruning, watering, and sweeping
Saturday
Cycling: 74 miles
Average speed: 12.2 MPH
Bike: Cannondale Topstone
Surface: mostly gravel
Elevation gain: 4,820 feet
Start time: 8:47 AM
Location: home via W&OD Trail to western Loudoun
Weather: 55° and overcast, climbing to 64° and sunny
What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, arm sleeves, fingerless gloves over regular gloves, and ear warmer headband (took base gloves and ear warmers off about 30 miles into ride)
We set out for 66 miles of gravel grinding, but the course that Bill had loaded into our Garmins (affiliate link) wasn’t the one we expected so we kept readjusting the course and ended up riding 8 miles farther than planned. Luckily, the weather was delightful and it was a joy being outside. Even though we were dressed in our VeloPig kits, we didn’t join the group but saw them at one of our stops.
On the way home, we stopped at Plum Grove Cyclery with 8 miles to go and I had a new saddle (affiliate link) I’d ordered from the bike shop put on my bike. My girl parts didn’t like the saddle that came on the bike and I had to do something about it! When Kim and her husband visited a few weeks ago, Pat recommended Brooks saddles and when I mentioned that brand to the bike shop owners, they agreed that they were great saddles. I purchased one with a slit in the middle (similar to my road bike), but if I don’t like it after a few test rides, they’ll let me return it.
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
- • Sunday – Weekly Rundown: October 10 – 16 / Trail Closures and Resulting Detours
- • Wednesday – How Upgrading Electric Lines Along the W&OD Trail Isn’t as Simple as Just Sending Out Work Crews
Questions:
- • Have you ever set out to run or bike a set distance, but ended up going much farther?
- • What type of trail work have you had to endure where you run, walk, or cycle??
- • Did you run in a race this weekend? If so, was it live or virtual?
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a small commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.
Dang, Deb! Those are some serious biking miles!!! Especially all those gravel miles, you da beast! Last year, one of our weekend rides accrued several bonus miles when Pat didn’t map out the route but thought he knew the area (not a good plan LOL). That ride had us detouring onto a 4-lane Highway for about five miles, on a windy day none the less. Hope the new Brooks seat works out for you!
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Those 4-lane highways can be scary! And yes, I can’t wait to put a few more test miles on the Brooks saddle!
I like the flexibility of the bike shop owners. Testing it out is so important so I’m glad you have the option to take it back if it doesn’t feel right. Love all the scenery and that church at the top is so pretty!
Yes, they’re great to let me test the saddle out to make sure I like it. We both just bought our new gravel bikes from them and they’ve been super nice.
riding on gravel would be way out of my comfort zone! You have become quite the skilled and accomplished cyclist. I am really impressed!
Thanks, Deborah!
You are amazing. Riding on gravel. How badass.
I’m not a biker. I rarely ride and never more than a few miles.
But I did race this weekend. It was a 5k to support one of my favorite charities.
Thanks, Darlene!
Can’t wait to check out your recap!
Yes… I named my blog taking the long way home because I often go farther than I plan! The bike ride on the road sounds scary. People are so inconsiderate now! Bike riding is definitely not as enjoyable for me as it used to be.
Ah yes, I remember reading about how you came about the name for your blog. 🙂
Way, way back when I did spin my girl parts didn’t like the saddle — even with an extra gel cushion. So that was the end of spin for me!
Occasionally I’ll run a bit further than planned, but never much further.
Sounds like you had a great week, Deb! Congrats on grinding gravel & it sure looked like you had great weather for it.
Thanks, Judy!
I’m hopeful the new saddle will do the trick since my road bike saddle doesn’t bother me.
Ha ha, oh yes- I’ve definitely set out for a run and ended up going farther than planned. I guess I’ve done it on my bike as well, but I don’t bike super long distances like you do.
Riding on gravel is HARD. I really didn’t enjoy my last gravel ride, but I’m willing to admit that it could be my bike and/or skill level. You obviously enjoy your gravel rides, so there must be something to it!
The scenery on our gravel roads is stunning as compared to most of the paved roads. My husband got into gravel riding several years ago and encouraged me to get a gravel bike. I liked it so much that I upgraded to a new gravel bike this summer (a lighter weight carbon bike).
Impressive cycling Deb- and on GRAVEL. Yowsa. You are so tough!
HaHa, thanks, Jessie!
Wow, good for you!!! That’s a long ride on gravel! Also very impressive how late in the season you ride. I think my bike probably won’t come out for a ride again this year. Maybe my mountain bike, but my road bike is probably done!
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I’m “hoping” to ride through early January to stay in top shape for our Miami to Key West ride January 6-8. Fingers crossed that we won’t get much snow between now and then, and it won’t get too cold. I tend to ride lazier on my spin bike – I just don’t push myself as hard.
My runs are never what I planned, but not that much longer. I think my record was last week’s ten that turned into thirteen. I don’t run as the crow flies.
Was talking about cycling on my run with a friend todday. Her boyfriend loves cycling so I’ve talked about renting a bike to ride with them in the park. We’ll see how that goes.
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Oh, sounds fun! I can’t wait to hear about your ride through the park, assuming you do rent a bike and join your friends.
I went out on a hike that was supposed to be two miles and we ended up going for 7.5. Whoops.
We don’t have too many trail closures that I’ve noticed. Sometimes we have them wash out, but that resolves quickly.
Wow, that’s a lot longer hike than planned! Did you get on a wrong trail or something, or was it just a beautiful day?
Whoa – That’s a whole lotta biking! Usually I run the amount of miles I have in mind before starting my run, but I’ve often gone out for a walk and end up walking much farther than anticipated, especially if the weather is nice!
I can totally understand getting lost in thought or just enjoying nature while out on a walk on a beautiful day. And yes, it was a good biking week – this week, not so much! 😉