For those not keeping track of my ongoing bike riding mileage this year — which would be pretty much everyone but me — let me cut to the chase. April was disappointing. I had a trade show at the beginning of the month that kept me out of the saddle all the way until the 7th and then an odd stomach bug kept me grounded the 28th, 29th and 30th.
All in all I logged 431 miles. Sure, compared to 96.223% of the human race, that number in and of itself ain’t something to scoff at. But see, I cranked out 640 miles in January, 559 in February, and 657 in March. So 431 is just frustrating in its plummeting dropoffishness.
As a result I’m planning to Bike Every Day In May, which means that in addition to my commutes Mondays through Fridays, I’ll be making a dedicated month-long effort to do a decent amount of early-morning recreational riding on the five Saturdays and Sundays available. All in an effort to answer last month’s precipitous decline with a jet-propelled spike during this one. Eclipsing my single-month record of 717 miles set last October is the goal, but with a little extra here and there on a daily basis it’s not too far into the realm of fantasy to imagine me topping 1,000 before June 1 arrives. Not promising, just sayin’ it’s a possibility.
And yes, I am well aware that mileage is my addiction. There are worse things to be dependent upon.
As such you can bet I’m not talking little around-the-block technicality rides. In fact, I put out a group email to whoever of my fellow iaalmafiosos still read them, outlining the following rather ambitious weekend calendar, and inviting them to come along should they be so inclined. Should you be too, drop me a comment or an email and I can give you the particulars on any ride that strikes you.
May 02 @ 7 a.m. – L.A. River/Burbank/Griffith Park Loop (approx. 18 miles )
May 03 @ 8 a.m. – Verdugo Mountains Mosey (offroad; meet at Beaudry Trailhead, Glendale; approx 8 miles )
May 09 @ 7 a.m. – Not the L.A. Marathon Bike Tour Ride* (approx 37 miles)
May 10 @ 9 a.m. -Â Ten Bridges Ride** (approx 18 miles)
May 16 @ 7 a.m. – To The Rose Bowl & Back Ride (approx 30 miles)
May 17 @ 9 a.m. – Black Dahlia Ride** (approx 18 miles)
May 23 @ 7 a.m. – Frank Lloyd Wride – Hollywood (gears a plus; approx 15 miles )
May 24 @ 9 a.m. – Los Angeles National Cemetery and Maybe The Getty Museum Ride (approx 25 – 30 miles)
May 30 @ 6 a.m. – The Big Ass River(s) Ride (approx 70 miles)***
May 31 @ 9 a.m. – Elysian Park/Valley loop (approx 12 miles)
* Pre-planned and oft put-off. Route is roughly 37 miles and includes stops at Watts Towers, LA River bed (if safe to access), 6th Street Bridge, downtown. Breakfast at the Pantry.
** Previous iaal•maf spinvitational ride
*** Whittier Boulevard all the way out to the San Gabriel River, downstream to Long Beach to the L.A. River and back upstream to downtown. Roughly 70 miles.
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