Redemption Ride

[Jay]

I'll back up to Thursday to explain (today is Sunday).

I went to a concert downtown Toronto and got home after midnight (I'm usually in bed before 10:30!).  I didn't really sleep in, worked all day; on a Friday before a long weekend, usually not many meetings, I was in meetings until 4:30.  Sigh.  I cooked dinner for the family as I always do on Friday.  Weather was the best so far this spring (25C+ and sunny, no wind) so I went for a ride on the trails, taking my Fargo.  I thought it would be great: shorts, shirt, short-finger gloves (no additional layers, for once).  I have to ride when the conditions are so good, right?  I was wrong.

First 20 minutes was okay and then I started to run out of gas.  An hour later when my ride was done I was spent, not just tired, but really sore upper body, laboured breathing.  Symptoms I had years ago when I just had my old road bike with it's aggressive cockpit.  On the 10 rides since I put the VO Granola bars on the Fargo my upper body has been pain-free.  I'm also pain-free on the Roadini. I was surprised I was so sore...and then I went into that state I sometimes do.

Initially I was like, yeah, these bars are out.  I'm going back to drop bars.  I spent that night researching for different bars than the ones I had before I put on the Granola bars (not to mention thoughts of different levers, cables/housing).  Sidebar - one reason I went with swept-back bars was to be more upright when riding on trails, so I wouldn't have to tilt my chin up to see as easily down the trail on the many descents, or around corners (that chin up position is my biggest problem as I have an unnatural bend in my cervical spine).  And the bars have been amazing in that regard: I'm so much more comfortable on technical turns, descents and climbing; when I first rode with these bars I was sold, as I was more easily able to handle the terrain, thus I would smile more, and actually go faster.  Not to mention the braking is better with these mtb levers (same callipers).

Redemption ride: I took the Fargo out this morning.  It was around 12C, windy, but I'm sheltered from the wind on the trails so it doesn't bother me.  I felt good from the start and never tired.  At around the hour mark I was on my way back and starting playing Bob Marley's Redemption Song in my head, and I thought, this is my redemption ride (maybe not as important as what incited Marley's lyrics, but a small redemption worth celebrating nonetheless).  This ride gets a 10 out of 10 (vs. "0" on Friday).

Lessons learned:

- When I'm already tired, don't expect much out of a ride, turn back if I'm tired and go for a walk

- I'm a morning person and like riding about an hour after waking up (have some tea and do some mobility / light stretching); I don't have work stress on my mind, nor am I tired from daily chores or walking around.  Expect nothing from a ride after work, or better yet, don't ride at all (unless it has been days since previous ride, or something else that makes me really want to ride)

- I like the cold.  The heat drains me.  I take electrolytes, stay very hydrated; it doesn't matter, I just prefer the cold.  When it's really hot (25C is not that hot lol), plan accordingly.

So, have you had any "redemption rides" lately, and if so, what led to that magical ride and what have you learned?