If you weren’t aware, this week is Bike to Work Week. There’s events for commuters and everyone who rides so get the full scoop over on Bike Iowa.

If you want to start commuting, but don’t knwo how to go about it, come talk to Mark or Kyle. Kyle is a long time bicycle commuter, and Mark has done quite a bit of touring and commuting himself. They can answer all your questions and give you the insight on how to pack, what to wear, even what routes to take. Soon you too can be commuting by bicycle, getting in better shape, saving money (no gas!), and having a lot of fun getting to work.

For us to all the moms out there who ride, or who encourage their children to ride: Happy Mother’s Day, thanks.

Speaking of moms, your mom wants a bike. We’ve got all kinds of bikes for all kinds of moms. From comfortable hybrids to high end racing bikes to recumbent trikes, we’ve got something for your mom.

My right knee’s been bothering me off and on since TransIowa. It’s fine walking around and for 5-6 miles on the bike, then the inside part, right around the knee cap starts to hurt. I did a little research and talked to my girlfriend(the queen of bad knees), and figured out that I somehow over used my ACL on just that side. The left knee is great. The only cure for a sore ACL is rest, which isn’t so easy to do when it’s nice and you like riding your bike to work. Lucky for me the last couple days have been rainy, and I’ve driven to work. Might give it a shot again tomorrrow if the weather’s any good at all. I need this to go away sooner rather than later, as the weather is finally getting so I can ride regularly. Plus, my single speed moutain bike just needs a rear wheel and it’s ready to go as soon as the trails dry.

It all started 4am sat. april 28th,we had to get off work early fri eve.Bill came in to fill in at the shop.Drove the Escort with 150,000 miles on odo to Decorah, meeting at 7oclk we got there 2mins late , got our race packet with 70 other riders these packets included our first 10 pages of instructions (cue sheets) which laid out the first 130 miles which we needed to finish by 6pm,the ride started in the dark,it was quite a sight after about 45mins we looked back what seemed miles of headlights could be seen,and in front of us many flashy tail lights.I started in tights and long sleeved baselayer camelback long fingered gloves and froze,temps in the bottoms were 15d cooler,our feet were cold ears,hands and core temps were going down.Then the sun came up lights got shut off and we forgot about being cold.As time and miles went by the temps kept going up,Mark said to me take those tights and sleeves off your making me hot so we did a quick pit stop then continued on.Temps went from aboout 35 to upper 80’s on Marks speedo.We had a great day for riding the winds for the most part pushed us the gravel mostly was dry,now when covering that many miles on gravel one notices how many different types of surfaces there are some good some ok some very loose dangerous,we hit 38 mph on downs with brakes on trying to keep it under control.

So, after some reflection, I think I’ve got my head around my TransIowa efforts. I’m fairly proud of it overall, but I’m slightly disappointed in some areas.

Setting a new personal record for distance is always a good thing, especially when that distance in on gravel. Looking back it’s an impressive ride, despite not finishing. We made the “smart move” on when to quit, no sense in being stranded in the middle of nowhere with no way home. I wasn’t too sore after, and 4 days later I commuted and did the Wednesday night ride, granted I rode with the medium group instead of the fast group, and didn’t push it at all, but I’m pretty much back to normal physically.

I am slightly disappointed that we dropped out. Not too disappointed though, just wish I coulda had the legs to finish. I also wish we hadn’t needed to make the smart move and quit when we did. I wanted to seriously push my limits, I wanted to find that place where there’s no motivation, and the next town is 20 miles away, and you have to find a way to keep going in the dead of night. I was actually looking forward to figuring out just how strong I was both mentally and physically. If I try it again next year(likely at this point), I’ll definitely train more in the winter, and I’ll make sure I(we?) have a dedicated person to come fetch me when my body says no more.

Overall I’m pretty glad about how it went. I ate pretty well for how far we went, I needed more real food towards the end, but where we stopped, I was feeling okay food wise. I’m still somewhat conflicted on quitting when we did, on paper it was the smart move, but I wish we coulda kept pushing. I certainly felt good enough to press on, but probably wouldn’t have in another 50+ miles. I’m 90% sure I couldn’t have finished. Oh well, there’s always next year.