Well, I’ve been using the new (to me) bike this week, and I updated my Polar HR watch with the exact wheel diameter – to get a more accurate distance/speed for my trips to work. With the new settings, it comes out to about 9 miles (which is quite a bit different than my previous estimates). Its much more reasonable, with an average speed in the 20mph range. It now takes about 30 minutes to get to work and about 27 minutes back – I’m getting faster!
I’ve also started using AJAX a bit more. Mostly just trying things out, but it’s fairly neat so far.
A few weeks ago I started riding my new bicycle to work (it was one of the “cruisers” on sale at CostCo – Motiv brand). The bike wasn’t the highest quality, but it was mostly just a check to see if I enjoyed riding to work. Well after a couple weeks (only three days a week or so) I decided that I really enjoyed it! So, when my cheapy cruiser started to give in, I picked up an older (’99) Specialized Hardrock mountain bike (almost like a hybrid). I got it used and on sale at “Play it again Sports” and it only needed new tubes!
Depending on the accuracy of my Polar 520 watch/heart-rate-monitor/trip computer, the trip was about 15 miles (watch said 16 miles, but it may be as low as 12-14 miles). It takes about 38 minutes there (mostly uphill) and about 29 minutes home. I’m pedaling pretty steady and I keep my heart rate in the 140-160 range, so it’s a good work out (1100+ calories for the round trip). It’s a great work out, but I have to take a shower at work and when I get home…