Fear is the mind killer

Definitive proof that my favorite wheelbuilder at Cycle Works wins the Internet, he'd be the one who penned it on the rim tape after building up the new wheel for the MTB this winter. I'm going to let it speak for itself, kinda, but man isn't it so true? To live in fear is to live a really horrible existence - our country is there right now. Buck the fear, and you live the good life. Think about it. I had completely forgotten about this picture after taking it in late april, first time I changed a tube on the mountain bike after the new wheel was built up for it.

I've been riding with a heart rate monitor on lately, and you know what? I think it's a better tool for on-bike fitness than the bike computer. I don't have a bike computer on my LHT because I'm my own worst enemy in that respect, I'm constantly chasing a faster number for now real good reason. "Why the heck am I only pulling 15mph on this trail today, yesterday I was cooking at almost 20!" Gee, maybe it has something to do with the fact that you've put in a ton of miles this week and your legs are cooked, or there's a slight headwind, or or.. yeah. You get the idea.

Anyway, the HRM is awesome because it keeps me in check. There's times I think I'm working good, then I look down at it and realize my heart rate is only at like, 105 or 110. Other times I'm like yeah, I'm rockin' hard now! Above, look down and realize I'm pushing it a little bit (or a lotta bit) too hard. Last week I found that if I kept it in the 135-150 range during my rides I could ride all day long and not get too tired, or feel fried and ravenous afterwards. Shorter rides, like today I'll push it up a notch. Works great for me.

Now I just have to figure out how to get the weight numbers to start their summer free fall. Rode an absolute ton last week (around 15 hours according to the HRM for something like 13k calories burned), and lost.. a half a pound... haha. Love it when that happens! I'm sure it'll shoot down next week, I've come to expect this when I make a drastic change in either nutrition or exercise - either the weight will fly off that week, or it will be some kind of oddball number that makes no sense.. until the next week (ever watch The Biggest Loser? Yeah..). Half a pound is still half a pound.. I'll take it.

EDIT: My wife sent me this link: http://www.scientificpsychic.com/health/cron1.html and it appears to be very interesting. When I plugged in weight and activity levels in the past, it was spot on accurate. For every 3500 calories, you lose 1 pound - so go have fun with it! :)

Tomorrow, gotta drive so I'm thinking about attempting a 0600 wake up to give me an hour to loop memorial stadium.. that would be a great way to start the morning. Not a Husker fan, but something about it is pretty sweet.

Ride lots, enjoy the dreary weather, and man oh man - keep lovin' it. It's a good life when it involves a bike.