Biking Log: 19 miles - Silver Strand

Today, I rode approx. 19 miles on Silver Strand bike path in Coronado. We started at around 6pm and the total ride time was about 1 hour and 20 minutes. I was planning to ride more but there wasn't much day light left around 7:30pm. Through out the entire ride, I tried to keep my cadence at 80 rpm.

Earlier the day, I was concerns that I might experience pain in my left knee during the ride but I didn't. Looks like Monday's bike fitting with proper seat height, stern bar height and handle bar angle definitely help me in a proper riding position. My back is a bit sore though.

Biking Log: Bike Fitting + 10 miles at Miramar Lake

I had an appointment at my local bike shop (Trek Bicycle Superstore) to get me fit it on the bike. I got there earlier so they can make an adjustment to my front gear shifting issue.

Rob was the person who help me fit properly on my bike. I mentioned to him about the neck pain, knee pain and hand numbness . After riding on the indoor trainer for a while, he pointed out that my seat was way too high which will be the cause to my knee pain during riding. He also made several adjust to the handle bar and the height of it by replacement the stern with a longer and higher one. Rob also provide several good tip of good riding posture and hand position. A hour later, I feel like I have a much more comfortable riding position on the bike and it was definitely a good idea to get a professional to fit you on the road bike.

After finishing the bike fit, I decide to go for ride at Miramar Lake. Six miles into the ride, my left knee pain gotten worse and worse. I finish the loop and head back to car. I'm not sure whether the knee pain from Saturday is getting worse by riding today or the new bike setting is still causing the knee pain and might be making it worse even. I don't plan to do any more riding for the next 2 days. I do have plan to ride with James @ silver strand this Thursday. Hopefully the knee pain won't re-occur then.

BTW, I would recommend anyone who wants to purchase a decent road/mountain bike to purchase from Trek Bicycle Superstore to any other local bike shops to offer FREE lifetime adjustment. Last time, my local bicycle shop have replaced the damage rear derailleur and only charge for the part and no labor cost. They have also made several adjustment like correct a bent handle bar, re-tape my handlebar, adjust front/rear shifting issue all for FREE.

Biking Log: 30 miles from Mira Mesa up to Highway 56 Bike Path and back

I've ridden about 30 miles today with plenty of hills (I think was plenty). With the clipless setup, I feel I rode much better today. Even though I was very caution of several traffic light stops and try to clip out very early in the preparation of stopping so I can put my right foot on the ground without falling over.

See route here: click elevation (large)

I notice that on the last 5 miles I can feel pain in my right knee. Not sure what is causing it, maybe the long ride, maybe the in-proper riding position.
Next Monday, I have an appointment with my local bike shop to have them fit me on my bike, hopefully they can provide good professional adjustment to the bike that will better fit my riding style.

I have not ridden since last Saturday due to various previous plans and also some excuses.

• Monday: I was telecommuting and was planning to ride but end up I have to head to work in the afternoon and didn't get off work until much later. I ended up stopping by local bike shop to pick up the SPD-SL road shoe.
• Tuesday: Went to urgent care with Ling. Received the clipless pedal in the mail (from japan) and install it that night.
• Wednesday: Went to a concert with Ling.
• Thursday: Skip yoga and have to help James move some heavy items and was trying out using the clipless setup (shoe and pedal) and make sure I get comfortable for unclip before I start riding on the street.
• Friday: Went golfing
• Saturday: I was planning to ride in the morning but was all sored and tired from golfing since I haven't golf for a long time (half year?). After some cleanup at home, in the afternoon I head out to ride and decide to ride more than before.

No riding today - got familiar with clipless

Today I was planning to ride the loop around Highway 56 bike path, long story short, I didn't get to ride but I did a lot of practice getting in and out of the clipless pedal and I think I'm getting a good handle of it.

Clipless pedal and shoe is much like snowboarding step in system which it lock your shoe in place with the pedal and it allow more efficient power transfer from the legs to the bike.

Long Story:
I got off work and went to my local bike shop and did a quick exchange on the road shoes since the right shoe was making a clicking noise when I stepped on it hard. After that, I went to help James move some boxes to his uncle's garage's storage area on the top. By the time I finish I think it was around 6:45pm and I spend some installing the cleats and did some practice in door to clip in but was having a hard time. After a few more tries, I think the shoe and cleats were a bit break in and it become a bit easier to clip in and out. Been able to clip out at anytime is very important especially when coming to a stop. If not, the result is me falling over the bike still with my legs attached to the pedal/shoes. I rode around my block at least 10 times and getting really familiar with clip out by twist my shoe outward and often time I feel like I almost sprain my ankle. Not sure if I'm doing some wrong. But I think I'm ready to ride with the clipless on the road now.

It was also good to see my new cycle computer (Shimano Flight Deck) is working properly and display the proper front/rear gear number, speed and other info. Now I just need to make the monitor is secured in place on the folk.

My next plan ride will be Saturday morning.

No riding today

Today after work, I was planning to ride the same route as last Saturday which was along Highway 56 bike path. However, Ling was having really bad abdominal pain, so I ended up taking her to urgent care and no ride today.

Over the weekend, I received the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL Pedal and the Shimano FlightDeck cycle computer in the mail and I was able to install them last night, however I wasn't able to try them out since it was dark and I still debating whether to keep the shoe.

I will skip yoga on Thursday and go riding instead.

Biking Log: 18+ miles from Mira Mesa up to Highway 56 Bike

This morning I started riding from home and head toward I-5 (Sorrento Valley) and head up north to get to Highway 56 Bike Path, then finally loop back home through Black Mountain Road.

This is my first ride that consist of a long steady hill (not sure what the grade is), but base on Gmaps Pedometer, the elevation changes from 33 ft to 574 ft in the span of 7.5 miles from mile marker 7 to mile marker 14.5. I've not sweated like today for a long time. This route is a very nice work out and took me about 1 hour 45 minutes. During the ride, I noticed I can't seems to shift to the largest crank (gear) in the front. I will need to take a look at the bike to see what is going on.

See the route here: Click "Elevation" large to see the elevation changes.

I probably will start to ride this very same route during weekday after work since I won't need to pack up the bike and drive to some place else. And also this route consist a nice long hill which is good to prepare me for the Torreny Pine Hill.

When I got home, I also found out that my road clipless pedal (Shamino Ultegra Road Pedal) has arrived and now I just need to pick up a SPD-SL road shoe and get familiar with riding clipless setup.

Biking Log: 23 miles from Downtown SD to Imperial Beach back to Coronado

I left work a bit earlier (5pm) than normal and picked up James on the way and head to Fish Market parking lot by Harbor Drive. We were planning to finish the 23 miles ride from downtown to Imperial Beach and back from Silver Strand to Coronado which we were not able to complete last Sunday due to an incident.

This time around, I was definitely paying more attention on the condition of the road and avoid all the ditches and bumps whenever I can. There were a lot of traffic on the ride down to Imperial Beach through Harbor drive. This is where I really need a full coverage sport sunglasses to protect my eyes and prevent road dusts getting into my contacts. God forbids when dust or dirt get between my contacts and eyes, it hurts so much and it also tends to scratch my eyes as well.

On the way down, we rode pass a salt mine or salt harvesting farm, it was a interesting sight.


We then have to ride across to east of I-5 then ride back to wet of I-5 through Palm Ave. At this point, we really had to ride through a lot of commuter traffic and frequent stop at the traffic light and avoid car and bus.


Finally we were at the south tip of Silver Strand, there is where the dedicated bike path begin. With ocean breeze and sunset along the ride, the last 10 miles of the ride was very enjoyable.




Exactly 2 hours after we started and 23 miles later, we made it back to Coronado Ferry Landing point and after we grab a yummy shakes from ColdStone, we were on 8:30pm ferry back to downtown SD.

Today's ride was the longest ride I've ridden at once so far. I'm sure there will be more in the next few weeks. Next ride probably will be around I-56.

See the route here: Click "Elevation" large to see the elevation changes.

Biking Log: 21 miles Downtown SD to Chua Vista (First wipe out)

This morning at 9:30AM sharp, I meet up with James, Rosemary, Wayne, Dave and other folks for a 22+ miles ride starting from Fish Market by Harbor drive and head down south to Imperial Beach along San Diego Bay, and finally head back north to Coronado through Silver Strand.

Long story short, the ride didn't go as smooth as expected. It was a nice typical SD weather, after about 8 miles into ride, we had to go through several old train track near by Naval Station. I made a big / HUGE mistake which I did NOT cross the small ditch run adjacent to the train track at 90 degree angle. All the sudden, the bike tire was caught within ditch and slipped and I went down with the bike. It happened so quickly and I wasn't really able to react. My first wipe out on the road bike. Others saw it happen and help me up. I was a bit in disbelieve what just happen. I quickly examination of the bike, the left side of the handle bar was bent and some scratches on the right side shifter and the front wheel seems straight. My right leg got some superficial road rash, so was my upper right shoulder. So I quickly got back on the bike and everything seems to be okay and the bike seems to in proper working order.

After riding about 3~4 miles, there was a hill coming up, so I started to down shift my rear derailleur. It didn't run too smooth, then I heard some bad noises and then the chains came off. As I was attempting to put the chains back on the gear, I notice something terribly wrong with my rear derailleur, the CAGE was bent so much that it was hitting by the rear spokes. It was in real bad shape and I don't have any tools or plier to push the CAGE back in position. Luckily, others folks came to rescue (good things they were behind me in a few minutes - delay was caused by James's flat tire). No one has a plier but a Navy guy has a metal tire lever(?) (THANKS Navy guy) and he was able to use it to push the bent cage back enough which I was able to ride to a bike shop (Bicycle Warehouse) near by at L St. The folks over at bike shop were amazed how I damage the rear derailleur, they used a plier and push the bent cage and make minor adjustment to derailleur, so I might be able to keep going. (Thanks bike shop guy, they didn't charge me).

However, the bike was still in bad shape. To prevent possible further damage to the Cassette and the Crankset with a really off rear derailleur, I decide to head to the nearest Trolley station (Palomar Station) and head back to the car and drop the bike at my local bike shop as soon as possible. Another first for me today was getting on trolley with the bike.

Thinking back, when I wiped out earlier, I probably (did) fall down on the right side of the bike and damage the rear derailleur without realizing it.

My local bike shop took a look at the bike and determine that it needed a new rear derailleur. They only have Shamino Dura-Ace rear derailleur in stock instead of Ultegra (what was originally on the bike). I guess it is also time to upgrade. Out the Ultegra and in the Dura-Ace rear rerailleur in a hour or so.

Today I was really bummed that I made those stupid mistakes. After got back home, I decide I should complete my rest of miles today, so I rode 9 miles near by home Sorrento Valley Blvd / Calle Christibal with about 1.8 miles of uphill. It was a tough uphill but I stuck with it and made it through.

Total miles logged today: ~ approx 8 + 4 + 9 = 21 miles total.

Today I made a promise to myself that I will go back to the same route next week after work and finish riding that 22+ miles starting from downtown to imperial beach and back up to Coronado which I wasn't able to finish today. I also really need to do more long distance training.

Lesson learned today:

1. One should always cross ditch or train track with 90 degree entry angle.
   
2. After each wipe out, one should always exam the bike fully and ensure all gear shifting and braking are still functional to prevent another accident and further damage to the bike.

Biking Log: 9 miles - First Hill @ Sorrento Valley Blvd.

After work today, I decide that I need to conquer the hill that I've driven by car almost every single day for the past 5 years.

I started back from home and ride about 4 miles then begin the descent down the hill, for the first time, I was going so fast in my bike, my speed probably reach over 30~40+ miles per hour (I don't have a cycle computer yet, so I don't know exactly how fast I was going). For this one mile down hill, it was easy and I just need to hold on to the bike and keep it steadily.

Once get down to the bottom, I probably ridden about 4.5 miles total, and it was time that I turn around and face the climb of the hill.

I wasn't sure I will be able to make it up the hill on first try. I prepared myself and easy into right gear and started the ascending. After a few minutes, I can feel my sweat was breaking out and my body temperature was going up. Then I can start feeling the pain in my lower back as I was ridding up the hill .

Shannon once told me, don't look up at the top hill, that will always discourage you, look down at the road and just keep pedaling, eventually you will make it up there. I did exactly that which was looking down and just keep pedaling. My lower back pain get worse and legs were about to give out. A quick glance I know I'm 3/4 way through and I just need keep going. I finally made to the top and my lower back feel much better. I think Shannon's advice really help and that is something definitely too keep in mind. I rode the rest way back to home which is relative flat and that conclude the 9 miles ride I finish today.

As I recall Torrey Pine hill is way longer and might be even steeper and I am going to need more hill training if I'm ever gonna make it over on the day of MS Bike Tour.

Planned 22 miles Bike Ride this Sunday

This Sunday, I will be joining Rosemary, her husband and their cycling buddies for training ride. We will be starting at the Fish Market (Downtown) at 9:30 and ride to Coronado (approx 22. miles)

Biking Log: 13 miles - loop around Mission Bay

On Sunday, I join up with Rosemary, her Husband and their ridding buddies to ride around Mission Bay for total of 13 miles. Afterward, I felt some neck pain and kneel pain which might be caused by improper seat height or improper handle bar angle. That afternoon, I've made some adjustment to them and hopefully the next ride will be better.

Sign up for 2007 MS Bike Tour

This fall, I will be riding over 100 miles in the 25th annual MS Bay to Bay Bike Tour, a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

MS Bay to Bay Bike Tour is a two-day non-competitive 100 miles or 150 miles bicycling event between Orange County and San Diego that takes place October 13–14.

The money raised from this event will fund continuing research to discover the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis. Equally important, it will help pay for a multitude of support services, critical to those whose lives has been touched by MS.

Riding 100 miles in over 2 days is something I've never done before and it will be a big challenge for me. I will have to train hard to be able to finish the ride.

YOU CAN JOIN ME WITHOUT GETTING ON A BIKE...YOU CAN SPONSOR ME. Your support, no matter what the amount, will benefit the hundreds of thousands fighting the MS battle. Most of us have been blessed with good health and unfortunately some are not.

Follow This Link to visit my personal page and help me in my efforts to support National MS Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter.

http://www.biketofinishms.com/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=224458&u=224458-183797009&e=1197026849

All donations are fully tax-deductible. Most your work place might match your donation (check with your work)

You can learn more about this event by visiting www.biketofinishms.com

Biking Log: 15 miles loop around Miramar Lakes

On Saturday, I rode my first 15 miles (3 loops around Miramar Lake).