Indoor Trainer Workouts | Active.com

Indoor Trainer Workouts | Active.com

Winter training tips with your indoor trainer!

Tour of California: May 16-23, 2010

Tour of California Webpage

20 QUESTIONS EVERY CYCLISTS SHOULD ASK

20 Questions every cyclists should ask

Here are some simple cycling q&a.

Tips for cycling in winter time!

ACTIVE.COM - WHY I BIKE IN COLD WEATHER- HOW YOU CAN TOO!

COLD WEATHER RIDING

5 TIPS FOR WINTER RIDING

PREPARE FOR WINTER RIDING

WINTERIZE YOUR CYCLING CLOTHING

I fount this article about winter riding. Here in the Northbay of the Bay Area for the past couple days, it has been REALLY cold. Like below 30 degree temps. That is pretty cold for around here during the day. I really would like to go out biking, but the cold just discourages me. This articel gave me an insight of how I can dress and how to prepare for riding on a cold day.

Picked up MORE cycling gear!

I went shopping at the local Ross and Marshalls today looking for presents. I came across illumiNITE outerwear. At first glance, it looked like runners outerwear. But I look at the logo and it had Performance logo on there(Performance Bike).

It was similiar to this jacket:

I picked up that one in blue for $13!!

Then there was this one:

I picked up this on in red for $15!!

Thank god for Xmas shopping! You go out trying to buy stuff for someone else, but end up getting more things for yourself.

Purchased new cycling wear!!!

I was browsing ebay and stumbled upon some cycling gear. I know it is probably not official wear, but it looks pretty good in the photo. There is not that many negative feedbacks for the uniform. Both pieces under $40. I may order another suit if it feels good.

Haven't been biking:(

Howdy everyone!

I have not been on my bike for a long time. To tell you the truth...ever since Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 came out, I have been at home playing. Things have gotta change!!!

The past weekend was Thanksgiving weekend. I was in Carmel for most of the week. I decided to take my Trek down with me along with my xbox and ps3. The weather was beautiful! Sunny skies and 60 degree temps. I did not take my bike out! I went around the block...and thats it! I wanted to ride with mu Uncle Tim, but he was taking antibotics for some kind of infection. He could not go out.

The weather has been getting colder around here in Rohnert Park. I feel it in my bones at night.

I need some motivation to go out and ride. This cold weather just kicks my butt! I am just always active in the summer, but winter, I hibernate.

So hopefully you will see some post within a week that shows I went out.

Catch you later!!

Bike around town...

So I have been spending less time on my bike(more time on the tennis court.) And it seems like I bike more in Vallejo. I feel I have more area I could cover. So I went on a good ride around Vallejo before the time changes on Sunday. My ride of choice was my Peugeot. My Trek has not seen the road in a while.

20 Miles

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TO BENICIA!!!!

So I have not ridden in a while. Off on my Peugeot to Benicia! The weather is nice and a little breezy. No big problems..just a nice ride.

18 miles

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FLAT TIRE!!!!! AHHHH!!!

This was my first last tire ever while biking! So I just wanted to go on a quick ride to the waterfront before sundown. I was riding on tennessee st. going downhill then suddenly I see my front tire on my Trek go flat. OH MY!! No camelback, no phone, no extra tube, just me and my bike. At this time the sun had already set. So I had to walk home in my clipless shoes. NO FUN AT ALLLLLLL!!!



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VJO to BENICIA on the Peugeot

This is my first long ride on the Peugeot. I was kind of skeptical because maybe I would get a flat tire. So I went on my way prepared with an extra tubes and tools. Going to benicia was fine. I found the higher gearing was helpful. I was cruising most of the way there. The only hill that is a problem is the Rollingwood hill before the cemetery. Coming back to Vallejo was just tough on this bike. Going up Benicia Rd by SPSV was tough. I was on the lowest gear and was huffing and puffing up the hill. I guess I was out of shape. In all, I would take the Peugeot more often on longer rides. But I just trust my Trek.



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RP to Petaluma via Old Redwood highway

This is my quick exercise if I have less than an hour. It is fast going towards Petaluma because it is mostly downhill. Coming back up is a pain in the butt.

11.3 Miles on Bike computer

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The transformation to a single speed.

I fixed up my dad's old bike and turned it into a single speed. This is how it looks now...

RP to Petaluma

So I wanted to explore Petaluma on my bike. I always go to Santa Rosa. Petaluma seems like a different area to explore. Most of the road is country road which cars pass by at 40+MPH. I enjoyed the ride. Something different.

21 miles

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Bike ride with Uncle Tim

So I was excited to take my "new" bike for a ride. This time I had a partner with me, my Uncle Tim. He got inspired to ride a bike after I came over this summer and made him catch the bike bug. Since then, he bought a new Schwinn comfort bike and started biking a lot.
The bike ride was good. Uncle Tim kept a good pace. We had to dodge numerous tourists walking through the bike paths. We will probably bike again the next time I come over.

12 Miles

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New bike!!

I was able to pick up a sweet bike at a garage sale in Carmel. While Marcus and I were driving down to the crossroads area, we came across signs for a garage sale. Of course I wanted to drive and stop. When I was driving down the street, I saw the bike from far away. It was meant to be.

Peugeot Course Record du Monde
54cm
Shimano 600(Ultegra) rear and front derailleur!
Shimano 105 shifters!
SWEET DEAL!

Off to Harbor Freight

Picked up come great bike accessories at the local Harbor Freight. I got a couple reflectors that I am going to put on my bag. I guess it would be good when cars pass you. The best purchase was a nice bike light. I have been shopping around for one. Walmart has one for $10, but it did not seem like it was a bright light. I found one that was BRIGHT with LED light. This one was only $7!!!

To Benicia and back on a hot day!

It was freaking hot today!! I swear, I had to clear out the sweat from my helmet twice as much as I usually do. When i got home, I was drenched in sweat. I love feeling like that.

23 Mile ride according to bike computer

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Lost around Santa Rosa

28 Miles on bike computer

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Ride with Venerie!

My great friend Venerie came down from Davis for the weekend. We decided to make a final bike trip before summer ends for me. I thought we were just gonna bike to Benicia. WRONG! We added about 10 miles to our ride.

The ride was very nice due to the warmer weather. I was used to riding in foggy and colder weather. Next time, I think we could go 40 miles if we had more road to bike on.

28 Miles on bike computer

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Possible ride...

30 miles

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PG-Monterey-Sand City-Marina-Moss Landing

I woke up early to drop off Marcus and start my bike ride. Funny thing happened when I dropped off Marcus. I was driving towards HWY1 on Ocean Ave. Marcus suddenly opens the car door and starts throwing up. Eww.. He said his meds make him do that when he takes it on an empty stomach.

Anyways, I parked my car on Pacific street and suited up. I started biking towards PG. I ended up turning around by Cannery Row because I just wanted to get my trip started. I had a easy time biking to Marina. Once I got to Castroville, I felt my legs starting to get cold. It was just overcast and cold! I biked through the slums of Castrville and got the country road in between Castroville and Moss Landing.

The only boring part was in between Moss Landing and Marina. Other than that, it was a great ride. I just wish the sun came out.

46 MILES on bike computer

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Back in Rohnert Park!

I came back to the apartment in Rohnert Park. I had the whole car full of stuff because I will be leaving for Carmel tomorrow for a week. I unloaded all my stuff in a a hurry because I just wanted to ride again! I suited up and just road until the sun came down.

11.3 MILES according to bike computer

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Out with the cousins!

Another bike ride with my cousins NesJ, Xavier, and Rizal. I had my real bike this time. So far so good until Riz hit his handlebars on a pole at a fast speed. He flew off his bike and got some road rash. He was a sport and finished the whole run without nagging us to go home.

7.6 MILES according to my bike computer

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Ride with the BRO!!!

So my brother Alan and I went for a ride around Vallejo. He was going to run after work but I told him to come over and bike since I got the new bike for him to ride. He was able to keep up most of the way.


8.5 MILES on bike computer

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Biking with the cousins...

I brought my dads old road bike to my cousins house. We ended up going on a short ride around the area.

~5 MILES

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Another bike!

Centurion Accordo

54cm

This bike is cool and seems like the previous owner put a lot of miles on it. I quickly replaced the:
- seat
-front tube
-grip
-pedals.

I think the pedals with the straps are a must for any road bike. The original grip was just nasty. I just need to find replacement hoods for the Shimano STI.

Wow...after a whole month...

First time biking in a while. I felt good except for coming up benicia road hill by SPSV. Maybe I will go out again this week. WooHoo!!

24 MILE according to bike computer


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FREE BIKE!!!

My dad's old bike in college. Just turned it into a single speed. Woo Hoo! My commuter bike!

Tennis @ NVC

So I have to write about my tennis experience today. I decided to go out to Napa Valley Colleege and see if I could hit with any of the players around there. I was lucky to find my old dubs partner, tall Paul. We hit for a bit while I tried to get my timing down. I feel so slow because the NVC courts are so fast compared to the AmCan courts which are slow.
Marlon and Marze, the brothers, came to hit today also. We decided to set up our usual doubles game. Back when I used to go the NVC, Paul and I would beat the two is straight sets. So we strated out game...
Paul and I lost the first two sets. We both played backhands compared to our usual forehand-forehand setup. I guess we were just so rusty. I have not hit with higher caliber players in a long time. We decided to play a total of 4 sets with 5th set tiebreaker. Our scores overall was 0-6, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(8-6), (4-7). I had fun. SO much tennis in one afternoon. I need to step my game up.

The Vallejo-Benicia-Fairfield Loop: INCOMPLETE!!

Well I tried the loop for the first time today. From Valleojo to Benicia was pretty easy. When I hit the end of military road, I kinda did not know where to go. I found Park st. that took me around to Industrial way. That was pretty fun because that road was mostly downhill. I hit 35 MPH on that road. I kept biking to the Cordelia area. OH MY GOD...Between Benicia and Cordelia is like biking in the desert with high winds. You are not able to maintain a steady speed because the gusts of wind are so strong. By the home stretch on the west side of the freeway, I was stuck around 10MPH because the winds were strong. You exert so much energy and you aren't even going that fast. I was running out of energy when I go to Rodriguez high school. I biked up red top and found Mcgary road completely closed off as in fenced off all around. I was pretty bummed because I just wanted to complete the trip. SO instead I called my gf and told her to pick me up at the Jack in the Box. I would bike that trip again if mcgary road is open. Maybe next time I will just drive to Red top and bike to fairfield and back.

23.6 MILES

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Around Vallejo

First time riding around Vallejo in a while. I felt that I could not get into my clips fast enough today. This was a good trip around town. I just don't really like biking long distances on high traffic roads.

11 MILES

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Finally! I got my shoes back!

Well my brother went to carmel this past weekend and brought my cycling shoes back with him. Hallelujah!

I went out for an hour bike ride today around Vallejo. I wanted to go to Benicia, but I just thought it was too late in the day since I left at 7:30PM. I biked to the waterfront, then across the Vallejo-Crockett Bridge, back to the Waterfront, to HWY 37, then to Denny's on Sonoma Blvd, then back home.

16.7 MILES in 1 hour

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Another day at the beach...

The waves were very good today! It wasn't ferocious though. Some of the sets came in two, just the way I like it here in Carmel. When I say a set of two, that means one swells comes right after the other. So when the first wave crashes, it sets up an easy transition onto the next upcoming wave. This enables me to skim further with a lot of speed. and THANK GOD, there was no other skimmers today. There were a bunch of surfers though. The swells started to pick up around 7PM. I got bored and started to tighten up. So off I went home to a steak dinner! Woo hoo!!

SKIMBOARDING!!!

I finally went out today and enjoyed the skim! Today was pretty good with small swells coming in around 5PM. There were 5 other skimboarders out today. I picked my spot on the beack, but then all the other guys flocked to the same area. MAN! STAY IN YOUR AREA! But it was all good after a while. I just hate skimming when its crowded.

I stayed out for about 2 hours or so.

PG to Castroville again!

Monday calls for another long ride. Woke up at 9:30 and finally got out of the house at 10PM. Drove down to pacific street and assembled my bike. There was a cruise ship out on the bay. I could tell there were tourists out in Cannery row because there more people on the bike path than usual. There was just a lot more people walking to Cannery Row from the wharf.

Well, I got to use my bike computer for the first time today. It was really accurate! I reached 31 MPH today going to Marina from Sand City.

I am getting used to the 40 mile distance. I feel I could go further if I am well rested. When I got back today, I felt content with my ride. I bet if I just get a trainer and stay on my bike for a long time, I could go even further on an actual ride.

Nothing really cool happened today. I guess there was an accident during the weekend that sent the car onto the bike path and crashed into the fence near the railroad tracks between Marina and Seaside. I almost ran over a squirrel... thats about it.

Castroville!

43.3 MILES on bike computer

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Longest ride ever! Pacific Grove to Castroville

I got a late start at 11AM from Pacific Street in Monterey. I did my usual warm up to Lovers Point and stretched at the end. I decided to make my trip to Marina. When I got to the Walmart area, I just said, "fuck it, lets go to Castroville."

I made my way on the bike path. The road parallel to the freeway was scary because truckers drove down the same narrow frontage road. Oncoming trucks were hazardous because one they passed me going the opposite direction, their tailwind was hella strong carrying dirt and rocks. I felt a small rock hit my helmet. So that was pretty bad.

Once I got to Castroville, I stopped there at the 76 gas station just to rest a bit. I was contemplating if I should just go to Moss Landing because the smoke stacks seemed so close. I will go there in a future trip.

One crazy thing happened...I was biking on the path between Seaside and Marina. From afar I could see two "sticks" on the path. Once I got closer, I realized they were two snakes! I couldn't avoid them because I was just bombing down the path. I ended up running them both over. Crazy....

Adios!!

Castroville!

40+ MILES

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POSSIBLE RIDE: PG-Monterey-Sand City-Marina-Castroville-Moss Landing

Could be a possible ride...


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Carmel Loop

I decided to stay close in Carmel today. I really like the ocean drive and decided to make a loop where I can do laps. Going west on 8th is a breeze because you go downhill. Going south on scenic is just flatland. The only problem is coming back on Santa Lucia and San Carlos. It is straight hills back to Eighth. I did 4 laps today. It started to get boring after a while.

Carmel's Famous Butterfly House

Carmel Beach

Carmel Beach again...

3.2 MILES each lap

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Monterey-PG- Marina-Almost to Castroville

I woke up this morning at 8:30 and decided to go on a long bike ride due to eating to much here at my Nana's house. I put my Trek in the trunk and head over to Pacific St in Monterey. I did not want to bike out of Carmel because theres just too many steep hills. I parked on the side of the road and assembled my bike. I then biked down to the Fisherman's wharf where I catch the trail to Lovers Point. I stop at the end to stretch before my long ride.

I start heading towards Seaside. I take a path off the scenic path to go into the State park. BAD IDEA! There was so many hills between Seaside and Marina in the State park. I continue into Marina and pass the Best Buy and REI. I make it to the Walmart in Marina but decide to just keep going towards Castroville. The bike path to Castroville after Walmart was just too boring. It was just flat road through the harvest field. I make my way all the way to the hwy overpass and just decide to go back. I believe Castroville was not that far away from where I started to head back.

The way back was hilly, but not that steep. There were a couple straightaways where I was able to get some water. Seaside back to the car was a piece of cake. I shall just try to go to Castroville next time.

31 MILES

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2003 Trek 1200

I have been tinkering around with my bike. Trued the wheels a bit more and tuned the front derailleur. I have been messing around with my ride stance. I flipped the stem, but it was just too low for me. My neck was just killing me. Maybe i just need to stretch more. I decided to lower my stem to decrease the height. My seat is now an inch higher than my handlebars. Who knows, maybe later I will just end up flipping it.  I really love the Tiagra shifters compared to the Sora. It just feels natural shifting.

Friday Ride to Monterey-Sand City-Lover's Point

This was my first long ride around here in Carmel/Monterey. I have always wanted to utilize all the bike paths around here. It is a very bike friendly area. Noone cut in front of me or zoomed my next to me. The only bad thing about biking around here are the BIG HILLS! Going to Monterey, I was just FLYING down to Monterey. It was a bit scary because there are a lot of tree stumps poking out of the cement. I probably hit my fastest speed in my life going down the hill parallel to HWY 1.

The overall ride was very scenic. The bike paths are right next to the bay. There are a bunch of tourists at some places, but they stuck to the side of the pathway. I plan to add a couple more miles next time I go out. I thought I would hit at least 30 miles. I will probably try to bike to REI or Walmart in Marina next time. ADIOS!

21 MILES

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Scenic Carmel

I arrived in Carmel today. Decided to take a short bike ride around the coast. SO MANY HILLS!

3.3 MILES

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First bike ride!

I went out this morning at 8:30AM because I was so excited to try my bike out. The ride to the waterfront is an easy ride. I wanted to explore a bit more. So I kept on going down sonoma blvd and got to the bridge. I just went over and took a pic at the end. Decided to go back home and tune up the bike a bit.

12 MILES

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FINALLY!!! A BIKE I WILL KEEP!!!

I picked up a bike today from a man in Pacifica. He was asking $550 but I managed to give the first offer for $500.

I went to his house and he had a couple nice bikes in his collection including a lightspeed and cerevelo. He was selling this beautiful 2003 Trek 1200 because his son did not catch on to cycling.

He changed a lot of stuff on the bike including:
- The top of the line Shimano Mountain biking XTR cables
- Specialized Body Comfort seat.
- Clipless pedals W/ Nike size 10 cycling shoes!
- Longer stem

He REALLY cleaned up the rear gears and took off the plastic protector. I really love the look.

It has Tiagra components all around which I was really looking forward to. The brakes do not have the Tiagra inscribed on them, but I am sure they are the original brakes.

I am loving the looks and feel of the bike. I am content with my purchase so far.

Another bike sold!

I sold my "new" Red/White Trek 1200. It was just way too big for me at 60cm. The guy I sold it to was a total ASS and wanted to lowball me at $420 when I was pretty firm on $500. I managed to bring him up to $450. That was still great because I originally bought the bike for $340. He also had a fleet of bikes in his garage that he was selling. A Jamis Ventura caught my eye and I offered an equal trade. But he was asking $595 for the bike and wanted me to pay an extra $80. The bike was in new condition but its MSRP is $610. But I would might as well buy the newer version of the bike for a little more. But no...the Jamis was not my ideal bike.

Now I am without a bike!

NEW RIDE!

So I have not been cycling around in a while. School is taking a toll, but I am almost done for the semester. SAD NEWS! I sold my Bianchi! I really liked the bike, but I was looking for a more modernized bike. I wanted to pick up a single speed bike, but maybe in a couple months.

So GOOD NEWS! I picked up a 2001 Trek 1200. So far so good. I though the Sora derailleurs were gonna be POS, but the original owner really had this bike nicely tuned. The Sora shifters are flawless for now. I do plan on changing them to Ultegras. But I am happy with the purchase plus I got a GREAT deal. Lets just say I made a good profit from selling my Bianchi and buying this one.

POSSIBLE RIDE?

I am not sure if McGary road is open between hiddenbrooke and Cordelia. Anyone want to check for me?

31 MILES TOTAL

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More bike research

So I have been looking around for prospective bicycles. I had my eye on the Bianchi, but there have been some other good deals out there from other bike companies. Another alternative I am looking at is the:
Cannondale Caad9 7

I have seen it at bike shops on sale for under $900. It looks so nice...

Lastly, I also interested in the Specialized Allez Double. It just so happens to come in my favorite color scheme.


The shopping continues....

Mid-week ride - My longest ever!

Decided to bike to Santa Rosa and beyond. I got kinda scary in Santa Rosa with a lot of the the downtown traffic. I lot my way looking for Stony Point Road and ended up almost going to Sebastapol. I passed a couple places I would like to eat in the future. I found Stony Point Road and endured the smell of cows and dead snakes on the side of the road. I will definitely ride this route again.

28.7 MILES

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Short Friday Ride

So I was off to a easy 15 mile bike before sundown. Unfortunately I had to go back home in the middle of my trip because I had to do some stuff for the GF. O well...i think I will find a 25 mile bike journey tomorrow.

6.1 MILES

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I sold my Centurion that I picked up last weekend. I decided I will stick with my Bianchi for now until I pick up a modernized bike.

I also checked out Cambria bike shop (Cambria Bike in Santa Rosa) It is a 30min bike ride from my place. A LOT of high end stuff. I found my dream bike:
Bianchi Via NIRONE7 Carbon Tiagra

I picked that because it is obtainable if I had a job. $900 at my LBS.

Off to garage sales this weekend!

Wednesday's ride

First bike ride to Santa Rosa. Well... I did not really make it all the way to downtown. I wanted to bike to the local bike shops in the area. So i checked out Cambria Outfitters and REI. I caught the best tailwind going north on Santa Rosa Avenue. I was just flying! Made it back to SSU and regained my breath by the pond.

19.9 MILES

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So today was great day that ended in disaster. So my GF, Anna, her friend, Dre, and I went to Bodega Bay for the afternoon. We had to hike to my favorite beach, Pinnacle Gulch.

I got there, the waves never showed up. I guess the best time is late summer like the rest of NorCal. So I just hung out and played around with the small waves.


Also found a CRAB!

So at the end of the afternoon, I feel a tingling sensation on my toe. This is not the first time it happened. So I feel my body getting warmer. And BOOM...hives. I am not sure why I get them, but they pop out outta nowhere if I hurt my "bad" toe. We had to double time back to my apartment because I did not have my meds. It was my life and death situation for the week.
Results to:

Monday's ride

So I was supposed to bike to walmart to buy a bike tire compressor. I biked there after escorting Anna to SSU. I locked up my bike, took the compressor from the shelf, and went to the checkout. When I was about to pull out my wallet, I realized I didn't have it. Great...just great......

11.1 MILES

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Another Addition

I drove around Vallejo looking for garage sales. I stumbled upon this beauty. I picked it up after some extensive bargaining.

Vallejo Loop #1

I decided to take a longer bike trip around Vallejo. I first made my way to Mare Island. I just did not want to bike there and back. So whenever I come home from RP to Vallejo, I always pass the big bridge on Hwy 37. So I decided to bike over it and around the north side of Vallejo. I did not encounter any crazy drivers, thank god! I just think people drive a little wreckless around that area. I only encountered one hill which was going up the bridge. I need more of a challenge with hills.

16.3 MILES

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TAX DAY!!!

I sealed up my tax documents and decided to take a routine trip down the street to the PO. I decided that since I did not have anything else to do that morning, I would just bike someplace far. So off I went to drop off my taxes in Benicia. I have made the trip a couple times on my BMX bike in high school. I think using a road bike is MUCH easier. The only problem I has was the Benicia Rd. hill near SPSV. That is always a killer. After that, it is just a coast going west on Benicia Rd.

17.2 MILES

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