30 Days of Biking: Day 7

Day 7: Big Mile Day

Yes, 1 full week of riding every day, woohoo!!!! Thinking back on when I did this 2 years ago, I remember a lot of pain in my legs by week one. This time...hmmm...not much pain!

I've been looking forward to today because I knew I was going to get some big miles in. Well, if you're a road biker, then its not big miles, but to me, a mountain biker, big miles. It was a beautiful day, nearly clear skies, temps in the 60s but rather windy. Didn't have to fight it too much as I was in the trees. Yes, I did stop a few times to take in the scenery (even though I've ridden these paths for years), there is still always something new to see. It was a good day of riding!

Here's my stats for today...

Total Miles Today: 21.3
Total April Miles.: 60.2

Cart path through the woods

Flat Creek

One of the many small lakes/large ponds in Peachtree City

Lake Peachtree finally filled with water

30 Days of Biking: Day 6

Day 6: Deja Vu on the PAC

This afternoon after work I went over to PAC (Peachtree City Athletic Complex) and rode the PAC trails. There is about 3.5-ish miles of trails, so to get my 5 miles in, I rode it twice with the 2nd time in reverse mode. 

I have discovered something during these last few days...I've been wanting to get my miles in and trying to do them as fast as I can. But I had to ask myself before I started riding today...is this really the goal, to get the miles in as fast as possible? So I decided to go at a good comfortable pace, stop to smell the proverbial rose, and I discovered something. There is a lot I am missing when trying to get the goal done ASAP. What mountain biker doesn't want to go fast, especially downhill? But sometimes you just have to take time out to look at the surroundings. Thats why I mountain bike, to get out into nature, and if I am going fast and not taking time to look at the nature I want to get out in, then whats the point? So I took the time to stop and take some pictures of the swamp down near Line Creek, almost ran over a yellow jackets nest...ALMOST...and took time just to breath in the scenery. It was nice! 

Here's my stats for today...

Total Miles Today:  5.7
Total April Miles.: 38.9

PAC Trailhead and me

Swamp down by Line Creek

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30 Days of Biking: Day 5

Day 5: A Dissappointing Day

I know it was bound to happen, but I didn't think it would be this soon. Only 5 days in and I failed to meet my minimum of 5 miles per day. I know the #30daysofbiking has no minimum amount of miles, but I wanted to set a minimum limit for myself. Unfortunately events through the morning kept me off the bike...well enough where I couldn't get my 5 miles in, and then I had to go to work. Yes, you could say I could ride after I got off work at 10 PM but I had to get some quick sleep to be back at work at 8 AM. I know, I know, sounds like excuses. Believe me, I came down on myself pretty hard today. My only consolation was that at least I got on my bike and fulfilled the daily #30daysofbiking challenge.

However, on Thursday I plan to make up on some lost miles by putting in some decent cart path miles in Peachtree City, GA. At least I got some distance in (I'd say mileage, but didn't even get a mile in). I rode from our house, to the mailbox and back...hey, at least there is a hill involved, and its all gravel...that's gotta count for something, eh?  Okay, so here are the stats...

Total Miles Today:  0.3
Total April Miles.: 33.2

View of the gravel drive going away from our house

30 Days of Biking: Day 4

Day 4: Gettin' Some Miles In

Beautiful afternoon in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia and a great day for riding at Cochran Mills! I wanted to get some miles in, and after riding a little more than 6 miles for the last 3 days, I was able to get in 13.5 miles in, woohoo! I hit the red trails first which are a bit more technical than the yellow trails which I did last.

I had a close encounter with a native of the area, a raccoon that wanted to use the same trail I was using. He stopped and looked at me for a minute, but then he thought climbing a tree would be better than looking at me...go figure! 

On the way back I ran into an acquaintance from my Stinky Trail days, Kurt, who placed 5th in a race at Tsali this past weekend. Haven't seen him in over a year and it was good to catch up with him. He was riding on the trails with his 2 sons...the next set of racers I can only imagine!

Total Miles Today: 13.5
Total April Miles.: 32.9

Friend on the Trails

Entrance to Cochran Mills Park

30 Days of Biking: Day 3

Day 3: Riding with a Newb

Yes, you read it right, it was my honor to be riding with a father and son. The father is a good friend of mine, been riding with Rob for several years. This was his sons first time mountain biking...well really the 2nd time, but its been a while. He did really good. Cochran Mill Park is a great place to take a newb, the yellow trail is smooth and flowy with minimum technicality. Bobby even earned his right of passage as a mountain biker when he took a little spill and drew a little blood! Yes, both me and Rob were proud! 

Total Miles Today: 6.6
Total April Miles.: 19.4

Father and Son

First Blood for Bobby

30 Days of Biking: Day 2

Day 2

It was a rather windy day for Georgia. I worked a day shift, then I had a meeting after work which lasted until 530 PM and I didn't get home until 630 PM. I was even thinking about not riding today and making it up tomorrow, bbbuuuuttttt I made a commitment and I decided to ride. Glad I did!!!

Total Miles Today: 5.8
Total April Miles.: 12.8

30 Days of Biking: Day 1

Today was Day 1 of my 30 Days of Biking challenge. It was a little rough for me this afternoon. I worked 10 PM to 6 AM last night to help cover severe weather here in north and central Georgia. Didn't get home until 630 AM this morning, slept for a few hours, woke up around 1230 PM and just felt blah! When I woke, the rain had stopped, so after a quick breakfast (yes, at 1 PM in the afternoon), I got on my bike and road the roads around our house. Got chased by the neighborhood dogs a couple times, but was able to get in 7.0 miles. Hopefully by Sunday the trails will be dry and I'll be able to hit the mountain bike trails!

Total Miles Today:   7.0
Total April Miles.:   7.0