Workout 57 - Bike - 34 miles

It was another windy day and I rode from home to the end of Anna Maria Island and back in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. I averaged 15 mph, which is at least 2.5 mph faster than I can do on my trike. The new bike is real nice, except I need shorter cranks for the bike to fit perfectly.

Workout 56 - Bike - 35 miles

I did a lap of LBK (24 miles) with Lenny and Larry. I then continued the task of "dialing in" my new P-38 recumbent bike. In the course of adjusting/test riding, adjusting/test riding, etc. I put in another 11 miles. I think I am getting close to dialing her in.

Workout 55 - 18 miles

It was a very windy day, so I did an easy short ride around LBK - 18 miles. My muscles are a little sore so I may take tomorrow off.

Workout 54 - 50 miles bike training

This was the first day on my new Lightning P-38. I spent most of yesterday unpacking and setting it up. The bike shop I purchased it from (used) left out one of the components, so I had to go to a local bike shop to replace the part.

I did two 25 miles rides. This morning I rode from my home on LBK to a bike dealer in Sarasota to have the derailleurs adjusted. I rode home and had breakfast. After doing some more work on the bike, I headed out again for another 25 miles. During both rides it was very windy and the riding was difficult. Nevertheless, I am MUCH faster on the P-38 compared to my trike, probably 3-5 mph faster. I may make the P-38 my primary training bike as I prepare for some upcoming Century rides. My mileage is starting to pick up and I feel good.

Workout 53 - Trike - 25 miles

Quick lap around LBK with bursts of hard riding. I consider this interval training. The interval bursts was when I was trying to stay with a paceline of upright riders.

Workout 52 - Trike - 25 miles

Did my usual loop around LBK. During one 7 mile stretch I followed a guy on an upright bike and we sped along at close to 20 mph. My average speed is picking up. Getting stronger.

Workout 51 - Trike - 50 miles

Didn't intend to ride this far when I started. I headed south from my house on LBK. When I crossed the Ringling Bridge into Sarasota I decided to head north through Sarasota and find a route to Bradenton, where I would pick up Riverview PKWY back to the north end of LBK. I had a GPS attached to my trike so finding a route wasn't that difficult, although I did hit some heavy traffic in places.

This was a circle route. Went south on LBK, east in Sarasota, north to Manatee avenue and then picked up Riverview in downtown Bradenton. A very nice ride and difficult in places because there was a heavy wind in my face at times. I felt fresh and strong at the end.

Workout 50 - Trike - 25 miles

Did a quick ride around LBK. It was windy in places and I rode fairly hard.

Workout 49 - Trike 30 miles

Today I drove to Brandon, Fl to test ride a new recumbent bike, a Rans TiRex. A physician in Brandon was kind enough to let me test ride his, since none of the recumbent bike shops in the area have one. I liked the bike, but haven't yet decided to add it to my stable.

After the ride, I visited PowerOn Cycling in Riverview and discussed the possible purchase of the TiRex with the owner, Mark Powers.

I then drove further north to Flatwood Park and did a 30 mile hard workout on my trike. Flatwood is traffic free. The only others I saw on the 11 mile loop were rollerbladers, runners and other cyclists. The loop is perfectly flat and smooth, a great place to really turn up the speed and get a good cardio workout. I did most of the 30 miles at a high rpm and felt quite tired at the end. There was a moderate wind that made part of the loop challenging.

Workout 48 - Trike 45 miles

Rode from home along Longboat Key, through Anna Maria Island to Manatee BLVD. Crossed the Manatee Bridge into Bradenton and followed Riverside Pkwy into downtown Bradenton to the Palmetto Bridge. Then retraced the route. The weather was in the mid-70's and I felt good all the way except for some hot foot at the end of the ride. Good training ride.

Workout 47 - Trike - 26 miles

Went hard for 25 miles around LBK. Cloudy and rainy weather, but the coolness felt good. I felt strong today thanks to the great green smoothie I had for breakfast.

Workout 46-Trike 24 miles

One lap around LBK with Mike(my son). Fairly strong wind and we set a decent pace.

Workout 45 - trike 23 miles

Quick 23 mile lap around Longboat Key.

Workout 44 - 41 miles Trike

This was a hard workout. After 17 miles I met up with a neighbor who wanted to go fast so we did 16 miles at a very hard pace. He stopped after one lap of Longboat Key and I completed my second lap for a total of 41 miles, mostly at a brisk pace.

Workout 43 - Trike - 11 miles

This was a very easy ride on Longboat Key with Kelli and Henry. Henry rode a "fun trike" we rented from a local bike shop and Kelli rode her recumbent. We had a nice time. Good to see Henry getting some exercise.

Kelli and Henry riding

Workout 42 - 30 miles

I didn't take pictures today. Rode with my neighbor to Anna Maria Island and back. We set a reasonable fast pace for 30 miles. Combined with my 48 mile ride yesterday, I was tired at the end. The day was perfect for riding, in the low 70's and low humidity with light wind. There was lots of traffic on Anna Maria Island.

Workout 41 - 48 miles

Today was a nice ride. I rode from Longboat Key over the bridge to Anna Maria Island. I rode to Manatee Blvd across the bridge to 75th street. I picked up 15th ave which turns into Riverview Pkwy, which is a scenic ride along the Manatee River. There are some beautiful neighborhoods with homes with full views of the River. All the pictures from this ride are along Manatee River. The ride was 48 miles. There was some heavy traffic crossing the Manatee Bridge, and through Bradenton Beach, but otherwise the traffic wasn't bad.

Workout 40 - Trike 38 miles

Today was a different kind of ride. The weather was cool and windy. I headed north on Longboat Key to Manatee Rd. and then went into Bradenton. I rode to Desoto Park, which was beautiful. I took a video of the Manatee River and some boats. The ride was 38 miles. I was running low on energy at the end and need to find a better way to fuel my rides. I had 3 oz. of trail mix (1:3, nuts/seeds to dried fruit), a banana and some grapes. I put some diluted orange juice in the water bottle, but that was too acidic and caused some reflux and heartburn while riding, something I rarely experience these days.

Workout 39 - 24 miles

I was pressed for time today, but was able to do a 24 miles ride around Longboat Key. Weather was cool and windy. I am still experimenting with on bike snacks. Today I took two small sweet potatoes, 3 oz. of trail mix and a banana. The sweet potato was a bit heavy for eating on the bike. The trail mix has dried fruit, nuts/seeds. The nuts/seeds are about 1 oz. of the total mixture.