Training Rides
Saturday, September 18, 2010 - By Jim Wheeler, Ride Navigator
Today, seven of us (Adolf Lex, John Bear, Ruth Husky, Peter Mentis, Dick Merritt, Ted Boydston, and myself - taking photo) rode 39 miles from Sun City Center, to Cockroach Bay, then on to Simmons park and back again. Couldn't stop at Popis since it was too crowded and people were waiting for tables... The SNOWBIRDS ARE BACK!!! To see the route and stats go to http://connect.garmin.com/activity/49489125.
Saturday, September 11, 2010 - By Jim Wheeler, Ride Navigator
As you can see from the photo, we had more riders today; me, Mike Libenson, Ted Boydston (taking photo), Adolf Lex, Dick Merritt, and Peter Mentis.This was again a new route, taking us east through Waimouma, south, then west to Parish, then farther south to stop at the Bay Pines Golf Course, then west, then north along Highway 41, and along country roads back to our starting point, for 52.5 miles. To see the map and stats, go to http://connect.garmin.com/activity/48520175.
Thursday, September 9, 2010 - By Jim Wheeler, Ride Navigator
Well, riders were few and far between today...one out after knee surgery, one out due to a continuing illness, and one out because of a sacred holiday. However, Adolf Lex, Patty Riley, Charlie Morris, and I (taking photo) rode a new route today, traveling east to Waimauma, north to Riverview, west to Gibsonton, South to Apollo Beach, and back to the start via country roads... a total of 41 miles, and yes, it is still HOT down here. You can find our route and stats at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/48268622.
Saturday, September 4, 2010 - By Jim Wheeler, Ride Navigator
Mike Libenson described today's 58-mile ride along the Pinellas trail from St Petersburg College to Tarpon Springs as "The best possible ride that I could have done; because, now that I have done this one, I know that I can do all the rest."
Why was Mike so excited? Well, along the trail, we had to cross eight high bridges EACH WAY in 90-degree heat, with numerous stops and starts as we crossed several busy streets. And he handled them all in stride (a little complaining, but all in stride). ;>) Yeah, I know that the bridge shown doesn't look too high, but try riding it!
Due to an illness and one scheduled doctor's visit, only four of us rode today (Adolf Lex, Mike Libenson, backup rider Dick Merritt, and myself – taking the photos). We had scheduled this training ride to help us build our leg strength, not only for the long ride, but for our short, hilly ride to the AARP Convention in Orlando at the end of this month.
We left Sun City Center at 7:30 this morning, arriving at St Pete College (66th & 5th Ave. N) a little before 8:30. Shortly after we left, Dick had a flat tire, which took a while to fix, and we stopped in Dunedin (pronounced Dun Eden, not Dune din) for lunch at Jolly Mon's, making it back by about 2:30 and home at 3:30. See the route and stats at: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/47563442.
Thursday, September 2, 2010 - By Jim Wheeler, Ride Navigator
Today, four of our riders (Jim Wheeler, Mike Libenson, Adolph Lex, and John Bear) along with a riding friend, Patty Riley, rode 50 miles (exactly) from Sun City Center to Alderman Ford Park in Pinecrest, FL and back again in a little over four hours. It was an especially nice day, because the temperature started out in the mid 70s and only reached 90 degrees by the end of our ride. Sorry, my bicycle GPS wasn’t working, but here is the proposed route if you’re interested (we shortened it by 6-1/2 miles):http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/fl/-sun-city-center/111128301748215774
Saturday, August 28, 2010 - Jim Wheeler, Ride Navigator
Our training ride today carried us 52 miles, leaving Sun City Center, traveling west through Wimauma, on south to Highway 62, west to Parrish, NNE
along Highway 301 to the Sundance community, then west through Sundance to Highway 41, then NNE on SR 41, finishing up on back country roads to and through Kings Point and ending at our starting point at Winn Dixie on SR 674. The route and details can be found at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/46525880.Today's riders consisted of four of Sammy Riders, John Bear, Adolf Lex, Mike Libenson and Jim Wheeler. Mike Brown, our fifth rider, is recovering from a sinus infection. Also, along for the ride were Ruth H., Patty R., and Dick M. Starting this week, we begin two-day per week training rides.