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Giving My Gravel Bike a Break
And just like that, I think I’m done with riding gravel until the spring. My last two gravel rides haven’t been enjoyable and I ride my bikes to have fun. It’s harder to control the brakes and change gears when my fingers are stiff from wearing double gloves or numb from the cold. Gravel riding – at least on the hilly roads we ride – requires a lot of moving up and down the gears as the terrain changes and even with electronic shifters, it’s harder to find the the tiny buttons with fat fingers. Additionally, being able to brake with precision is essential for avoiding skidding on loose gravel, another thing hard to do with numb or stiff fingers.
So for now, my gravel bike has been washed (thanks to my hubby) and is hanging on the wall waiting for spring…
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: 35 miles
• Average speed: 12.0 MPH
• Bike: Cannondale Topstone
• Surface: mostly gravel
• Elevation gain: 2,575 feet
• Start time: 9:58 AM
• Location: western Loudoun County
• Weather: 42° and overcast, climbing to 53°
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, arm warmers, jacket, neck gaiter, ear warmer headband, winter gloves over light gloves, and shoe toe covers
I’m not going to lie, this ride was tough! Perhaps I was under-fueled; although, I didn’t feel like it until near the end, and well, I was close to finishing the ride so I didn’t eat anything at that point. Or perhaps I was bored – I rode slightly behind and alone most of the time without a chatting buddy. Whatever the case, I was happy when this ride was over.
Monday
Strength Training: 1 hour of total body
Walking: 1.5 miles
• Average pace: didn’t record
• Start time: 8:19 AM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 34° and sunny
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, nylon shell, down jacket, gloves with mittens on top
I took Pablo out for a walk after wrapping up my first two client sessions. I didn’t think we’d go far so I didn’t wear my Garmin (affiliate link); however, Pablo was in a spunky mood and even though he stopped to sniff and pee a few times, he seemed eager for a longer speedy walk, breaking into the occasional run.
Tuesday
Running: 5K
• Average pace: 8:56
• Start time: 6:57 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 32° with light snow flurries (feels like 28°)
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, shell jacket, mittens over gloves, ear warmer headband
Cycling: 35 miles
• Average speed: 16.3 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle Spin
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 64°
• What I wore: bike shorts and jog bra
Foam rolling: 10 minutes
Stretching: 10 minutes
I was pumped to see snow flurries during my run which kept me entertained. Once home, I hopped on my spin bike (affiliate link) wishing I was riding outside. I do have to admit, though, spin miles go by much faster than treadmill miles.
Wednesday
Strength training : 1 hour of total body
Thursday
Cycling: 36 miles
• Average speed: 16.4 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle Spin
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 6:30 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 63°
• What I wore: bike shorts and jog bra
Walking: 1 mile
• Average pace: didn’t record
• Start time: 9:03 AM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 47° (feels like 43°) and overcast
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s shirt, nylon shell, velour jacket, gloves with mittens on top
Pablo and I went for another slightly longer than normal walk. He’s funny, some days and nights he’s all about a long walk and other times he wants to stay close to home.
Friday
Running: 5K
• Average pace: 8:42
• Start time: 5:40 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 43° (feels like 40°)
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, shell jacket, mittens, ear warmer headband
Strength training : 1 hour of total body
Foam rolling: 10 minutes
Stretching: 15 minutes
Saturday
Cycling: 38 miles
• Average speed: 10.2 MPH
• Bike: Cannondale Topstone
• Surface: mostly gravel
• Elevation gain: 3,189
• Start time: 10:43 AM
• Location: Middleburg, VA
• Weather: 47° and sunny, climbing to 55°
• What I wore: long bike pants, sleeveless base layer, s/s jersey, arm warmers, jacket, neck gaiter, ear warmer headband, winter gloves over light gloves, and shoe toe covers (removed winter gloves and neck gaiter at mile 15)
This was another difficult ride, but with almost 3,200 feet of elevation gain in 38 miles of mostly gravel roads, it had every reason to be tough. The roads were dry and dusty, and with the blessing of the hounds, a Christmas parade, and a hunt all going on in Middleburg, traffic was heavy on the normally quiet roads on the outskirts of town.
At one point, truck after truck with each pulling a horse trailer met us as we made our way down the gravel road. Each truck kicked up more dust leaving a haze of brown through which to navigate. As one truck approached, I moved toward the side of the road and got caught up in thick loose gravel and lost control of my bike, going into a fishtail. Luckily, I was able to get to the grass on the side of the road and come to a stop without crashing. I was out of control enough that my Garmin (affiliate link) detected an incident and sounded the alarm. Whenever this happens, I have 30 seconds to cancel it or my Garmin sends a message to Bill letting him know something has happened.
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: November 21 – 27 / Running with Friends Near and Far
- • Tuesday – Dear Running…
- • Wednesday – 2021 Ashburn Farm Thanksgiving Day 5K Race Recap
- • Friday – Catching Up Over Coffee: Adding to Our Family and My Little Buddy is Moving
Questions:
- • Do you have any holiday themed runs or rides planned? ~ I will miss two holiday themed races and two organized Christmas lights night-time rides due to being out of town twice during December visiting my mom.
- • Do you ever need a break from one of your normally favorite things?
- • Did you run in a race this weekend?
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.
A super solid week of training and fun for you. That ride in Middleburg looks beautiful and hilly! It really is amazing how you have embraced cycling this year and become so good at it too! Have a great trip with you mom
Thanks, Deborah!
That’s scary about the horse trailers! I’m glad you were ok. I’ve crashed my bike in the road and ever since the last one, I’m a little reluctant to ride anywhere in traffic. I’m kind of a fair weather cyclist anyhow–I don’t like to ride when it’s cold! It’s hard to call it quits on a favorite activity. I’m always sad at the end of waterskiing season. it’s so short!
No races for me–I’m still working my way back from my prolonged recovery and i don’t want to push myself to injury.
Yeah, the hunt was just ending and there were so many trucks pulling horse trailers leaving. Interestingly, we love when we come upon a fox hunt while we’re out riding. It’s more fun seeing people riding their horses in their bright red or white regalia, but not so much when they’re pulling their horses in trailers kicking up dust.
Gravel riding has not lured in just yet. There are plenty of gravel roads in my area (most are quite hilly as well), but I’m leery. There’s even a hood-sized herd of gravel riders here… I’d need another bike, so there’s that. Excuses! For now, I’ll be hibernating inside anyways 🙂
I didn’t think I’d enjoy gravel riding so much, but as I like to tell my gravel riding friends, “I was riding gravel before it was cool because I grew up on a gravel road and put many miles on my bike riding between our house and my grandfather’s house.” I suspect you’d be fine riding gravel on your hybrid, depending on the tires you have on it.
I like your festive running outfit! Although I will say you’re hardcore- a feels-like temp of 40 and you’re wearing short sleeves. I do wear shorts for every run, but I would be in long sleeves (if it ever got that cold here.)
Sounds like hanging up the gravel bike for now is a good choice- think how thrilled you’ll be in the spring when you can get back out on it!
I had on a very thin nylon shell jacket that I wear most of the winter, but I’d unzipped it because I’d gotten too hot. I took it off for the picture since it kept covering up Santa on my shirt.
A very solid week of training.
It has to be very tough to ride on the gravel but I see you are expert.
Pablo is a very good mate for the activities outdoor.
Here not running yet until the “authorization” of my running doctor (I hope tomorrow).
Have a good week ahead.
Black Knight recently posted…December
Thanks, it was a great week of workouts – I’d pushed hard since I knew I’d be missing a few workouts this week while visiting my mom.
I hope you got the go-ahead to start running again!
Shorts at 40. B rr. I was watching sunset Friday and freezing while a woman was running in shorts. That hurt to watch
Yay spunky Pablo/bonus longer walk.
No holiday races. There’s a Frosty one at the weekend, but it’s just too far to get there with weekend subway service.
Cari recently posted…PRs and Peloton challenges
LOL, my body’s thermostat has always been out of wack and I get hot quickly while running, even in the winter.
I still see the occasional biker on the bike path — I always think holy moly they must be cold!
The flurries just wouldn’t stick around for me. 🙁 Not that I want snow, mind you, but it’s nice to run in snow showers sometimes.
Bandit loves his walks, but he can be balky sometimes too. More often with Mr. Judy than me (especially when I’m not here). Dogs can just be strange!
Yep, I get sooo much colder cycling than running.
I drove through a few flurries on my way home yesterday, but luckily they didn’t amount to anything. I’m looking forward to our first snowfall and would love to see one while everyone’s Christmas lights are still up.
Wow, what Garmin do you have with that functionality? That’s pretty cool! But scary too, glad you were okay. And yes, sounds like it definitely time to pause the gravel cycling!
Pablo sure is spunky! What a cutie.
I have the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus – I think it’s the top-end Garmin for biking; however, it may be a common feature on the cycling Garmins.
Sorry about the horse trailers – that is a bit scary! But, that is so reassuring that you have a system that will look out for you. You’ve had a long cycling season. Good for you!!
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures recently posted…Weekly workouts – Joy to the Run
Thanks, Lisa! I’m hoping my cycling season can go on a bit longer, just on my road bike until next spring.
I love seeing Pablo!
So I can’t imagine how it must feel to have to manipulate bike controls in the cold! With my Raynaud’s I can barely hold my phone while running! Putting the gravel bike on pause sounds like a good idea.
I don’t know if you saw my coffee update, but Pablo is moving to Tampa, Florida so you won’t be seeing as many pictures of him in the future. 🙁
I can’t imagine being able to bike in the cold with Raynaud’s.