Ode to the Dairy Farmer

The climate, soil, and geography combine to make Dane County home to some of the most fertile farm land in the country. A tour through the surrounding country roads finds dairy farms dispersed throughout the valleys. Although much of the original farm land surrounding Madison has been eaten up by the developers, the lasting result of these old farms is an abundance of well-paved county roads. Because of the influence of an active biking community, many of these old country roads have added bicycle lanes, far from the busy streets of Madison. Thus bicycle touring is assessable to most Dane County residents. From my house I can be away from city traffic and cruising the country roads within minutes.

Yesterday I left early in the morning hoping to finish my longest ride of the year. The loop is about 28 miles. I knew the mileage wouldn't be a problem as I have been riding 22 miles consistently, but the numerous hills would be a challenge.

The climbs begin before I even leave Madison. Just west of home is the Channel 3 hill. It runs up the backside of Elver Park and quickly throws bikers out to the western farmlands of Dane County. After getting around Elver the climbs and descents stack up one after the other. During the climbs I average about seven miles per hour, and during the downhills I sometimes reach speeds over 30 mph. It's misery, and then its ecstasy.

About four climbs and six miles later, I find myself at the top of a wide ridge. Looking west from the ridge are the rolling hills of Dane County and the eastern edge of the Driftless Area. It's stunning. And it sits right out my backdoor. The Driftless Area is the remnants of the last ice age. When the glaciers retreated, southwestern Wisconsin was left littered with woods, water, and rolling hills.

After a short ride along the ridge the road drops down towards the historic Riley Tavern. Here I am able to enjoy the flats for several miles, and to regather some strength before the climb to Mt. Horeb. Surprisingly the climb is very doable. Although at times I can feel the lactic acid build-up in my quads, I am still able to fight to the top of the hills, and to a visual sighting of the Mt. Horeb water tower. My return to Madison takes a slightly different route, although no less hilly.

When I return to Madison and get off my bike I am whipped. The legs are wobbly and my energy is zapped. Still I feel good. Today's ride totaled 28.3 miles, 1.7 miles less than the Birkie. This thought puts things into perspective. I am getting stronger, feeling more fit, and am proud of how consistent I have remained.

Yet the obvious truth remains: biking 28 miles is not nearly as difficult as skiing 30 miles. Today took two hours, and my February ski will take close to five. Today 50 km feels a long way off. And yet still so enticing. I just have to believe that in seven months I will be ready.

Gradual progress.

Set Back? At Least I Think it Was!

Trying to stay on a set routine, sort of a scheduled work out, is challenging. Too often, life just gets in the way. After a sketchy June, July had started well for me. Through the first five days I logged 8.5 miles on the trails, pedaled over 50 miles on the highways, and even swam about 500 yards. Tuesday (the 6th) was a scheduled rest day. I was feeling good, healthy, strong. I honored the rest day knowing I was ready to pick up the distance and stay out for as long as possible. Starting Wednesday my workouts were going to increase in duration and intensity.

Because rain was in the forecast, I knew squeezing a dry workout in was going to be difficult. Didn't matter. At some point I was going to hit the streets. However during one storm I decided to stretch the muscles and lift a few dumbbells. Nothing big. Just trying to maintain strength and to somehow find flexibility in this crickety body. After stretching I completed two sets of lunges and still felt strong. Casually I tried a traditional squat. Instant pain shuttered up the back of both legs. My hamstring appeared to fold up into my glut. It felt awful. I was certain it was devastating.

I immediately sat on the couch. My daughter brought me an ice pack. I iced it and massaged it, and then slowly started putting weight on it. Within an hour I did some slow, mindful stretches. I was beginning to feel as if it wasn't as bad as I thought. Later in the day I had to put some local basketball players through a workout. Skills and drills work! Every week I am demonstrating hard and digging low. Today I was worried my legs might not hold. I took a hot bath, massaged the legs a bit more, and walked gingerly around the gym. The hamstrings held.

After dinner I took my daughter to the pool, avoided the deep end, and spent about an hour walking around in the shallows. Frolicking in the pool appeared to be good for the hamies. I then spent the rest of the week babying my legs and avoiding anything athletic. Then on Friday I took the dog around the neighborhood (the big loop), and biked back and forth to the pool with Chloe (twice). By the end of the day my legs felt solid.

Today I ran through the hills of Elver Park...ran for an over an hour. I felt strong and healthy. And besides having no problem with my hamstrings, for the first time in over a month...my knees aren't sore.

Makes one wonder if rest (and injury) can make one stronger!