bike rides

hello blog land, the weather here has been gorgeous lately so I have taken my bike out on the turnpike trail for a couple rides. T's been at school, so I took W with me in the bike cart and pulled her behind me. She has been having fun watching the cows and horses go by as we ride. For mother's day I said I wanted to go for a family bike ride, so I wanted to scope out sections of the trail to see if any of them had a flat part that the kids could ride on (I know W will not be able to do a lot of the big hills yet without walking up them or whining the whole time). So I found a section over by Grace that is about 1.5 mi long that is very scenic through a marsh area (lot of wildlife for the kids to enjoy) that I think we can all do together as a family (without the bike cart-everyone on their own bikes), so as long as it doesn't rain on mother's day that is our plan.
I had lots of fun riding. I REALLY love bike riding.It's also been nice to get outside and get some scenery changes instead of just staring at my tv in my house while on the amt or treadmill. Yet, still able to get some exercise. I know its not as intensive whole-body-wise as running or even my classes at the gym, but it is definately a leg and glute workout when pulling 50pounds behind me on the cart. Especially when it seems that those 90 mile an hour winds are ALWAYS blowing in my face instead of against my back! That wind is insane! At one point I couldn't even catch up (on the bike mind you!) to a RUNNER until I rounded a corner and the wind wasn't blowing straight into me. I swear I think that cart acts as a parachute sometimes catching all the wind! Anyway, still lots of fun, having a good time out in the fresh air! We stopped yesterday and tried to feed a baby calf with its mommy (no-go they wouldn't come close enough to the fence) it was still fun though. W loved it.

getting back in the groove

Finally recovered from my cold, sinus infection, allergies, etc. so I am feeling GOOD again- yippee! That is until I went to class yesterday and Jen about KILLED the muscles in my hamstrings (which by the way were already sore from Tues, since besides last thursday is the only real workout I've had in about 3 weeks (!yikes!). The weather has begun to turn warm here, which means that the mornings are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! A little chill, but just right for walking or running or biking....so, I am re-motivated to get out there and get going! I even pulled out our bike rack and I'm going to try to install it on my car so I can transport the bikes easier to the turnpike trail to go riding. This year W should be able to ride along with me (or I can run as she rides), instead of my pulling her in the bike cart like I've had to do in the past. Since I don't have to bring the bike cart, I think I can use the rack and it'll be easier to transport everything, which means hopefully I'll do it more often :) Anyone locally want to go with me?

Got my Garmin out again and used it on a short run last weekend with the dog. I love that thing! It is so amazing and cool to know your speed, calories burned, etc while running outside. Helps with motivation too :)