26 | August | 2010 | A Rendezvous with Sneakers

The Biker Tan

26 Aug 2010 1 Comment

No, I’m not talking about the bikers who ride around on Harley Davidson’s sporting nothing but black leather and fringed jackets, revving their engines and turning everyone in the community deaf. I’m talking about cyclists, in their gloves, Pearl Izumi shorts and tight, form fitting jerseys. Baggy shirt thats a size too big while riding? Absurd! That article of clothing is not at all aerodynamic–all it does is flap around in the wind, slowing the rider down. Have you ever seen a professional road race with the cyclists wearing cargo shorts?

This post is not about cycling attire, though. (Don’t worry, I’ll touch upon that subject another time.) This post is about the sun and tans. I admit that I used to be “that person,” you know, the one who never exited the building without slathering on enough SPF 150 sunscreen to coat all of Luxembourg’s army. As of late, however, I have been slacking in my sun protection, and it’s noticable. I now have the visible “biker tan”: a tan extending from mid-bicep down to the wrist, and then from the thighs to the ankles. My hands and torso are two shades lighter than the rest of my body. Boy, am I relieved there’s no bikini wearing in my immediate future.

When riding, or running, it’s vital to wear some sort of sunscreen. Even though the majority of Americans today lack sufficient Vitamin D, there continues to be a high risk of cancer associated with prolonged sun exposure. According to the American Melanoma Foundation, dermatologists recommend the use of sunscreen with a SPF of atleast 15 be worn year-round to protect from harmful UV rays.

You may notice I make numerous references to the Tour de France. I’m not sure if you are familiar with the event, but just a FYI, it’s the Superbowl and World Cup combined of the cycling world. On the last stage of the 2010 TdF, members of the American team were caught by officials not wearing their appropriate jerseys and bib numbers (I still cringe when I think of that). The team members were told to switch into their registered team jerseys. So, to be kept from being disqualified from the race, the Americans did what they were told. When they switched jerseys, it was hard to ignore the well-defined biker tan lines on their biceps…

…And incredibly muscular biker bodies.

Turtle Awareness in Dutchess County

26 Aug 2010 1 Comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in cycling

I happened to pass this sign on Mill Road on my ride today, right after passing a squished turtle. I’m glad to know there is some attempt to save turtles in Dutchess County.

Some people have babies…I have bikes

26 Aug 2010 Leave a comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in cycling, Running Tags: Running

Well, for the first time in four days, there is no sign of rain, and the sun decided to make itself known to us again! And you know what that means: bike ride and run in dry conditions!

A couple weeks ago I signed up to do the 2nd annual Vassar medical Center Tri/Duathlon down in LaGrange, New York. I told you a goal of mine is to complete a triathlon, so competing in duathlons is my way of “babystepping” to triathlons. I completed my first duathlon in July which was incredible. Ohh, FYI, in a duathlon, you run, then bike, then run again–unlike triathlons which have swim-bike-run. In this event, the run will be 1mile, followed by 14 miles of biking, then a 3 mile run. Does not sound too bad. However, I am notorious for not training for long distance events. But I am actually trying to get my body a tad bit prepared for this event. I purchased a new Scott road bike last week in preparation for the race, and it really is a beautiful bike. I consider it my baby. Some people in their 20’s, 30’s, and more often nowadays 40’s, decide to have children and start familes. I on the other hand, just purchase really amazing bikes (if you are a cycling enthusiast and watched the Tour De France, Cavendish won the last stage of the tour on a Scott).

It’s a Scott CR1 Team road bike. Carbon Fiber. Light. Fast. Yes, it really is a beauty, isn’t it? Eventually my drooling with stop.

Proper duathlon training encompasses weekly rides and runs, of various distances, starting weeks before the actual race. This type of training is similar to that of running races. I know this because I have started numerous training plans for marathons I have run, but never actually continued to follow the plan for more than a couple weeks. Either work or some other excuse would arise. Starting today, though, I’m back on the plan, which means bike ride with my baby, and run.

I am also going to re-start my training for a marathon I signed up for September 26th and I have a feeling I will die completing it. I told myself after running two marathons in the past without training, that this one would be different: I would be prepared. I would follow a training schedule. And that is what I began to do a couple months ago. Follow a training plan (which I’ll post later). But the training candle kind of fizzled out once I started work. How hard can another marathon be? Piece of cake, right?

Secretly, I am terrified.

And for you readers, please consult your physician before doing any type of strenuous activity to make sure you have no known medical conditions which might be affected by your new athletic regime. Furthermore, do NOT follow my non-training training. NOT training for athletic events is stupid and you can do quite a bit of damage to your body. Train. Train. Train. Get your body used to the activity. It will reduce the risk of harm. Trust me, I know.