My E-Go has been seen around town (Glassboro and Vineland NJ)

I love attention, so on 818/12 I took my E-Go to the car show in Glassboro, NJ.  

The next day I rode it 35 miles, which included downtown Vineland, NJ.

Remember the flat tire I had on Saturday?

The last time I had a flat I changed it myself, with no problem.  It did, however, take a bit of time, so this time I took it to a reputable bike shop to get the tube replaced.  I got it back leter on Saturday.  I was in the midst of doing several things, so I did not get a chance to ride until later on Sunday.

It was then I discovered that I only had 2 gears. I just about freeked out.  For what I paid for the bike, I was seriously upset that it is not working right. The next day I had a job interview, and would have to drive by the shop, so I loaded up my bike and dropped it off.  After my interview, I went to my current job, and finished the day.  I was sure they will fix it, but I do not want it to interrupt my training. I am working on a metric century ride, and I just past half way into my regimen.

I got a call later in the day that the bike was done, along with sincere apologies.  They gave me two free water-bottles for my trouble, which always come in handy.  When I got home I took it out on the road immediately.  I was happy to discover that I had all 3 gears, and that they felt more stable than ever. In light of the situation, it was the most joyful ride I have taken.

I am still on track. 

Mechanics of E-Go riding Vs. running, and how it has related to my feet.

I love my E-Go, and riding it has been a joy, with one exception.

My toes.

Initially, I was wearing cross trainers (Nike or New Balance) and noted that on rides lasting more than 30 minute, my toes hurt. They were being crammed into the toe-box of the shoes. I never had this problem when I ran because the motion of each stride pulls the foot back into the heel of the shoe. On the E-Go, the forward motion drives the toes into the toe box, but there is no impact to drive the heel back, so my toes take a lot of pressure. On my long rides it is unbearable, and a reason I will stop striding in order to take my feet off the platform and rotate my foot until the pressure is relieved.

Last month I was advised to use my running shoes when riding my E-Go.   I then went out and bought a new pair of running shoes (Under-Armour) and found they were only slightly better. I have been feeling a little bewildered.

On, August 5th, was going for a short ride.  I had my Keen sandals on, so I just wore them instead of lacing up. I found that my feet were very comfortable throughout the ride. I was amazed, and I do not know why there is such a difference, but there is almost no foot slide. On August 9th,  I used them again for my Tempo Ride (45 minutes) and found that they were just as comfortable. Today  I went out for an intended 30 mile ride (cut short by a flat tire at the 25th mile).  I wore my Keens today, through the entire ride.  I packed my other shoes in the back-pack, just in case I needed them, which I did not.

This issue has inspired me to look at th REI website (I LOVE REI) to gain some insight. I have looked at the Keen cycle sandals and shoes.  So far I have not discovered any noted reason for the way the shoes fit.

What A "Rotten" Day

Yesterday was a very stress filled day.

 I had people telling my what I did not do.

 I had people telling me what they were going to do. 

I had people telling me what others were doing, and what they wanted me to do about it. 

I had things I wanted and needed to get done that got shoved aside.

 I came home to find the windows open, and the AC on. 

To top it off, I found that the chest freezer quit, killing all the meat in it, and $350 in exotic bird food.

 I did some immediate remediation, and then hit the road on the E-Go. 

My hard Hill workout was a pleasure as it got me away from home.

When i came back I had a clear mind and was able to address the problem. 

Not pleasant, but I survived. 

Balance, It Is More Than Just A Core Issue.

Yesterday, I watched Serena Williams win Olympic Gold in Singles Tennis.  I watched her dance her of joy, and shout with glee.  At that time I was dealing with my own defeat, having not been able to complete the 30 mile ride I had planned.  At that time I was researching the reason I was having stomach pains, and why I felt like my leg were led from the start of my ride.  I found some very resourceful information, and a blog that was extremely helpful, Tuned In To Cycling (TITC).  I will follow this blogger, because he and his wife are both long distance cyclist, and they provide information in a way that explains the science in a way that I can understand. Because of this information I was able to go out again today, and do a full 30 mile ride.  It was hard, but I was able to do it.  I was dancing in my head, and definitely cheering myself on, LOUDLY, as I realized I was going to be able to complete the ride.  As usual, the last 3 miles were killers, but completed.  E-GO ME!

What I understand is that I was doing it ALL WRONG; initial approach, action, and follow through, at least from the approach of NUTRITION. 

My reason for riding the ElliptiGo was based in my need for low-impact cardiovascular activity.  I use to jog.  I did not LOVE doing it, but I liked the result.  I was never able to run more than 4 miles, but the weight-loss was accelerated, and that was what I wanted.  Looking back, I hit a wall at 4 miles.  At the time I had adopted a life style and a way of eating that was healthy, but focused on weight loss.  I noticed that sometimes I needed to eat more in order to have the energy I needed.

Unlike jogging, I do love riding the E-Go.  However, I have noticed that when I go over 20 miles, I hit a wall.  My body just gives out, like yesterday. I had hydration (Propel) and an energy gel, but from the start I felt like I had led in my legs.  At 15 miles I felt ravenously hungry, and used the energy gel with fluid.  By mile 16 my stomach hurt and I had the shakes, and the ride was prematurely over.

What I learned from the TITC blog that, because of my focus on weight loss in my nutrition,  my ride was doomed form the start.  I had not eaten the right things at the right time after my ride on Friday, and the energy in my muscles was low.  I had waited to ingest the energy gel when I was very hungry, when I needed to do so before I felt hungry.  I had not ingested enough fluid when I took the energy gel, which most likely led to my stomach pain.  Also, Propel is good for general hydration for short work-outs (less than 40 minutes in average heat), but for long rides, carbohydrates and more electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium) are needed. 

So, without paraphrasing the TITC blog, I need to balance my diet to allow for the energy needed for the ride, and if I do so wisely, I will still lose weight.  It can be a win-win.

The TITC blog has several posts that I found helpful:

• Dehydration and Over Hydration (Hyponatremia) for theCyclist
• Cycling in Heat and Humidity
• Cycling Nutrition: The Bonk
• Cycling Nutrition: Eating on the Bike
• Cycling Nutrition: Eating After the Ride
• Eating After the Ride Part 2

This Should Not Have Been As Hard As It Was

I am disappointed.

This was supposed to do a 30 mile ride, but I was not able to do it. I stopped just under 16 miles.

I do not know why this was so hard. It was hot, but it felt like my legs were done when I started.

I started having pains in my abdomen, not like an upset stomach, but stabbing pain in the lower gut.

 I need to research this, and maybe start earlier in the day.

I Have An Olympic E-Go

I have been watching the Olympics this week.  There are some things that just draw you in.  Gymnastics, Swimming, Diving, and Biking.   It is very inspiring.  In some way it is an unrealized dream that comes around every 4 years.  I remember being allowed to sit up late a watch Olga Corbit on a B&W TV.

 

I never had the balance in life, let alone on the equipment, to aspire to be an athlete.  It would be like Dolly Parton aspiring to be a ballerina.

I have seen the reports on the ElliptiGo website about the Olympic runners using the ElliptiGo as a cross training device. Today, while I was on my ride, I heard someone say, “Hey, Look, there goes one of those bikes the Olympic Runners are using.”  It gives me a sense of pride that what I do on my E-Go is in line with the athletes.  I know I am reaching, but I am allowed to. 

After all, I do have an Olympic E-Go.