RAW 2026 Training: Week Five
A long overdue update.
Memorial Day, my birthday, and catching up with old friends. Not a bad week!
Week Five: Solid Memorial Day
This week was solid, beginning with a 32 mile ride with my neighbor through McFarland on Memorial Day. We stopped for breakfast along the way and overall had a stellar time. Towards the end, my buddy led me through a shortcut path along the lake. We came out to a very steep hill. Just as we hit it, we heard shouting - a couple yelled that it was their private driveway, not the bike path!
Unfortunately I was really caught off guard, lost momentum, and fell and scrapped my knee again. My poor legs aren’t gonna make it!
On Friday, May 29th, I turned 39!
On Saturday, I drove down to Illinois to celebrate my birthday with some longtime friends. We came up with evening plans but what to do in the afternoon?
BIKE RIDE! 🤩
We took a relaxed ride along the McHenry County Prairie trail. I haven’t ridden a bike in Illinois since I was a kid so it was nice to be back. It was perfect weather and very busy on the trails. I would love to explore more trails in the future!
Birthday Haul: New Bike Gear!
In a shock to no one, all I asked my family for my birthday was bike-related presents. Boy, did they deliver! REI is very happy with us.
Bike jersey and bib: Me + tight outfits are usually a no-go, but since I’m fully committed to biking now… I have to embrace them. I “get it” now: they are quite comfortable! Unfortunately the jersey was too tight, so I’ll have to exchange it for a larger size. Someday, I’ll make exercise clothing that is “Heavyweight friendly”…
Selle Royal Respiro saddle: After some research, I decided to upgrade my saddle from the stock Felt VR one to one with a cutout. Why? “A bike saddle with a cut-out features a hole or deep channel in the center. It is designed to relieve pressure on sensitive perineal soft tissues and the pudendal nerve, improving blood flow and reducing numbness or discomfort during long rides.” I’m all about improving my comfort so this upgrade seemed like a no-brainer. Verdict: I love it! I can definitely notice a difference in comfort.
Camelbak Podium stainless steel water bottle: Features a high-flow cap that makes drinking water while riding easier - “just grab, lift, sip.” One issue is that it scratches easily when placed in a metal bottle holder. I switched to a holder that could be loosened but some light damage was done. Two thumbs up, though.
Body Glide: I think you know what this is for. Haven’t tried it yet but I’m sure it’ll be great on longer rides.
Smartwool bike socks: As someone who sweats a lot, I appreciate this brand because of the breathability, thinness of the material, and overall comfort. I’m not sure what the difference is between the “bike” versions and regular ones. We’ll see.
So far this season, I’ve used my Peloton shoes with my Felt road bike. They’ve worked just fine, but with all the riding I’m doing, I figured it would be good to get another, dedicated road bike pair. Enter the Shimano RC102’s. I dig them! They feel a bit more comfortable than the Pelotons.
Finally, I asked for a compact multitool I can carry on the bike. If I need to adjust something during a long ride, this will be worth it. I got the crankbrothers M-10 multi-tool. It was immediate useful: swapping in the new saddle, replacing the water bottle holder, etc.
Grateful
I ended the week full of gratitude. Great bike rides with friends old and new. A lot of birthday celebrations. I’m 39 and feeling fine!