Actually, my butt isn’t as sore as I thought I would be. I’m sure it’s the very methodical 10% increase in volume and intensity that I’ve started since the beginning of my training using Heart Zones training methods, and a variety of training tools to not only monitor my progress, but also to “keep me honest”.

Thanks to Jason McCloskey who I only met through Facebook a few weeks ago, (Jason has formed a group called “Pittsburgh Cycling”) Sunday’s training ride was a plethora of 1sts. It was my first century ride. I know, that may seem weird to folks who have done a bunch of those, and for what I’m trying to do at the Giretto, but that is what make this all the more challenging. It was also my first “Urban Riding” in Pittsburgh. I’ve ridden in London, Rome, San Francisco, and a number of big cities, but never in my own home town. Despite living here all my life, the entire city seemed different – I saw things I never saw before while riding in my car. Cycling has a way of doing that. It changes your perspective much more than you realize; it’s why I’ve become hooked on cycling vacations.

This was also my bumpiest ride on a road bike. Nina and I agreed that we were happy we were first mountain bikers, and second road riders. We needed all of our balance and agility to not only avoid the consistent onslaught of Pennsylvania potholes, but the sewer grates and manhole covers that seemed recessed deeper than smart car. I’ll not be complaining about my country roads for a while now.

One other delightful surprise – no sore back, shoulders or neck. I credit both Yoga and Pilates to this completely unexpected first – the first spring I have had ZERO back and shoulder pain. I also had no hip pain on either side, and for that I am thanking God – it’s been a miraculous training phase from the start.

While we only averaged 15.8 mph, we were forced to stop much more than our usual country rides, and we were being careful to pace ourselves the whole day. I averaged just shy of my zone 3, and spent only 32 minutes in Zone 4 out of the 6hrs and 23 minutes of total riding. This was, in my opinion, the evidence of an efficient cardio machine – thanks to proper base training for the last 12 – 16 weeks. I’m stoked that Nina and I are on track, but there are logistics hurdles even higher than the Dolomites. Let’s hope I can get the “rest of the story” right too.