Six Days - Six Rides

It is one of the best changes to my routine.  While in the past I was only riding a few days a month; the shorter, more frequent rides are more enjoyable.  

COVID-19 has turned the world on its head, then there's the small ways it brought change.  After the gym closed as part of Wisconsin's Safer in Place shutdown, I took up 30 minute workout videos and 3 mile runs for two days followed with a walk and 30 minute stretch.  As it got warmer, I exchanged the stretching for rides.

Ride to the Fieldhouse
6/12/20 dwm photo

My last bike blog, June 11, was about rides on the 3rd and 6th.  It's time to play catch-up with five days and five rides.

June 9, I went for a quick ride before breakfast and getting ready for work.  The early hour means less traffic and comfortable temperatures.  It's my favorite time of day to ride.  On this one, my goal was to be back under an hour, so I had to keep up the pace.

I rode to the Fieldhouse June 12, for a morning ride, its a perfect destination.   Round-trip the ride clocks in a few ticks over 20 miles.  Most of the ride is on a paved trail with very few roads to cross.

The next ride was three days later, a 14 mile route to the edge of Middleton and back.  A couple hills add to the degree of difficulty which makes it a little better workout.

Part of the Ice Age Trail.
6/18/2020 (dwm)

June 18 went 20 miles.  I had covered much of the ground earlier this ride, but extended it another mile and a half to hit the mileage goal.

The next three day interval landed on the weekend offering the opportunity for a longer ride.

It was the first time this year I rode the Capital City Trail.  Earlier this year, they replaced an old bridge with a new one and straightened the path so two sharp curves were replaced with a gentle bend over a creek.

At the east end of the trail it connects with the Yahara River Trail which is the easiest and safest way for bikers from Madison to get to McFarland and McFarland riders to head to the capital city or points west.

The Yahara Trail is very popular.  It was filled with walkers, runners, and young families out for a short ride.  It's an area where riders need to pay attention and slow down.

Before Sunday's ride I noticed my rear tire was flat.  Instead of inflating it and taking my chances, it made sense to change it at home.  I'm not mechanically inclined, so while I can do it, it takes a little time and attention.  

A boardwalk trail overlooks
Upper Mud Lake.
6/21/20 dwm photo

It was worth the effort as the properly inflated tires made it the easiest and fastest ride of the season.

The most recent ride was Wednesday.  I reversed course on the ride north out of Verona.  It meant there only right turns, and more hills, but the 12.5 mile ride took just 50 minutes.

Six rides.  One hundred and sixteen miles.  More rides = more miles.

Keep Riding!