Tuesday, June 7, 2011

I LOVE BIKING!

"My" mountain - this is in lots of photos on my blog.

Great weather has arrived in Vermont.  It is going to get too hot for me tomorrow (90s - horrible especially at work on the second floor, south side, not air conditioned room filled with small sweaty bodies) but right now it is great! Having said that I went to the gym yesterday but I had a great workout.  I'm not sure why but the whole run was terrific.  Today I got up early and was running before 5:30.  Trouble was apparently I did still have some of the same problems I had Saturday night and I had to run for the bushes twice.  Not really how I wanted to start my day but it was cool and very little traffic so most of the run was great.

 I came home, showered and then jumped on my bike for my quick ride to work.  Loved it!  I had the ride home to look forward to all day. I did extra hills to put in one last hilly ride before Sunday. I will probably commute again Thursday but may shorten it.
Sheep 

These guys become curious about me.


While I was riding it occurred to me not for the first time that I LOVE BIKING!  Yes, I also "love" running but it is more the feeling after running or racing that I love than the actual doing of it.  I think I have even posted about this before but it hit me so strongly again today how much I love biking.  I don't think I run along that often (ever?) with a big smile on my face. Today I was grinning ear to ear while biking.  I am so glad I have gotten back into this sport.  It seems like other people at work are also becoming bikers and we are planning some rides this summer.
Now I'm on my way down to my house - another angle.

Same pasture, different view


When I was going up the longest hill today (I need to figure out how long it is) I was trying not to use the "granny gear" which I assume is the lowest gear.  I may have used the "My daughter is pregnant and about to deliver gear' but I did not use the granny gear at all very much.

I wasn't going to post today but I had my camera with me and took some pictures so I thought I would.  I hope you all had a great day too!

What form of exercising brings a smile to your face?

27 comments:

misszippy said...

So great that you've found a second love! You'll get awesome crosstraining benefits from it too. And with scenery like that, what's not to like?

Anne said...

I totally agree that biking can be really great while doing it...whereas, running is sometimes great while doing it, but often, it's after the run that I feel great! :)

Pahla said...

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!! I've never heard anything quite as funny as the "my daughter is pregnant and about to deliver" gear!!!!! I use that gear ALLLLLLLL the time. :)
Cycling makes me smile, too. There's such a freedom to it.

Richelle said...

I always love the photos you take when running or biking. Vermont is so beautiful.

Running definitely brings a smile to my face. I also enjoy yoga.

Kate Geisen said...

This post makes me smile. :)

Running doesn't usually make me smile...til I'm done. Trail running does. That's a lot of fun. I LOVE my bike(s), though my love for my mountain bike is tinged with fear. :) And volleyball. I have a great time playing volleyball.

Jill said...

Yesterday, I got on my bike after the hole race drama and I rode for eternity (40 miles, that's eternity for me) and I loved every second of it. Well, until I fell but up til then it was great...and I wasn't sure it was going to be. I'm so happy you like the biking so much and wow, what a gorgeous place - And that scenery is just amazing!!!!

Liz said...

I love cycling downhill, but I'm not a big fan of going up. I must admit, running does it for me in a way that biking just can't match. Nice post!

Char said...

I often run along with a smile on my face but that;s usually because of something I've thought of, something I've listened to or something I've seen.

Fran said...

Love this post, it makes me happy because you are so enthousiastic about biking.

If anything brings a smile to my face it is running but not always :)

Teamarcia said...

What I'm especially loving is that biking is still doable in our 'ring of fire' heat. I get a better endorphin boost from running but they both make me feel like a kid again.
Gorgeous pics as always!

Michael said...

The pics are so beautiful. It's so nice when we love our sports. Right now with the bundle of nerves that I have every time I bike because of the clipless pedals I don't really enjoy biking that much, but I did last year so I know it will come back to me. Right now I'm surprisingly starting to love swimming!

Anonymous said...

Go for a ride - score some lamb chops! I might be able to get behind cycling after all...

Michelle said...

Glad you love biking! I'm too paranoid about falling so I'm not such a fan of the bike.

I love running the trails here - run by pastures with cows and I "herd" them. And, prairie dogs - they crack me up with the chirping!

Unknown said...

yay! i'm glad you love cycling!

Marlene said...

Awesome that you are loving the biking - this is certainly the weather for it. It's too darn hot for running.

Johann said...

Running is just so deep in my blood I can't imagine a moment that I don't love it, before, during, after...

After running swimming is my favorite sport.

Christi said...

Biking is great and one of my favorite things to do. I just really enjoy the freedom and the wind in my face. Yeah, I am like a dog that way. You should see me behind my hubby on the Harley! :)

A Prelude To... said...

Great pictures. I like that you can see so much more when biking as you travel much further than a run. When we finished our ride the other day I thought about all the beautiful areas we had seen and wondered why I had never even known some of those roads existed. I guess when you cover 58 miles around your town, you DO get to see a lot!

Alisa said...

Wow, awesome biking and photos. I"m a fraidy cat when it comes to riding downhill!

You asked me awhile back about tapering for a duathlon. I've never done a du so I can't really say but I know for sprint tri's I don't really taper :). It's kinda like a 5k. I rarely workout the day before a race or if I do I swim since that is easiest on my body but other than that I don't really taper. I have no idea if that is bad or good :).

Darlene said...

It is so beautiful where you live. I think I would love biking there too. (I have a meniscus tear in my knee & biking is no good & I'm afraid to try). I love boating on Lake George!! I love the feeling after I'm done running esp in a race!!!!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Nice place to ride! Stay cool, if you can!

Amy said...

Such a great feeling when you find yourself absolutely loving your workout! Thanks for sharing the pictures - looks a whole lot different that what you were showing us just a few short months ago!

Ewa said...

You love biking? You could have fooled me! Or did you just discovered that? Aren't you the one who biked in wind and snow last year? Do I remember this right?
BTW, your summer pics are as gorgeous as your winter ones.
As for sweaty bodies in the classroom - kick them outside. ;-)

Chris K said...

What a completely utterly awesome way to start a day. I guess this is the time of the year when you start posting all your fantastic pictures, eh?

HappyTrails said...

You never wish for injuries, but look at the world it opened up for you... Glad your weather is good there now - splendid pics as usual :)

Anonymous said...

As always, your pictures rock! I forgot to ask if your husband has seen any more moose prints?

Glad you love the biking!

Black Knight said...

I would like to bike through that green country.
Enjoy this "new love".
...and it is easier to bring a camera with you.