Endorphins

When your body begins to adjust to long-term strenuous exercise, it begins to increase the level of endorphins in the bloodstream. While the actual effect lasts only a few hours, the ability to manufacture endorphins seems to increase as fitness improves, and the overall effect of them rises. At least that seems to be my experience. As I’ve been able to increase my cycling fitness, I feel better and can last longer in the saddle.

But, endorphins create a subtle effect. Normally, you don’t realize you’re experiencing an endorphin high unless you think of it. In my case, one of the women behind the desk at an inn in California asked two of us if we were feeling the endorphin rush. That made me do a little more research.

So, it's a nice benefit and an unconscious motivator to get out on the bike more. You just ‘like the way you feel’ after exercise. I guess addictions – major and minor – are all like that.

First Bike Tour of 2011: Wine Country

Well, I've completed a bike tour of Wine Country with Backroads. I signed up for this trip in early January, thinking it would get me some early mileage and give me a boost on my way to the first century of the year. It certainly accomplished that: the first four days were 32, 47, 49, and 51 miles. But, by day four we were riding completely in the rain, and a windy, drenching rain greeted us on day five. So, I chose not to ride on flooded roads in torrential, windy downpours. Instead, I did what all good red-blooded Americans would do when faced with nothing to do in Napa. I went wine tasting! Let nobody claim that I can't make good of a bad situation.

The rides were certainly challenging. When we did not have rain, we had headwinds. It took a lot of gumption to get back on the bike and ride. There were some serious hills, and I don't believe Backroads fits their bikes with the right gears. Their smallest chainring is a 30 tooth, and the rear is a 32 tooth. At home, for example, I have a 24 in the front and a 34 in the back, and I still don't think I get down low enough.

But, after a long hill at the end of the 50 mile ride, I think I still had something left in the tank. So, the basic goal of training for century rides seems to be achieved.

More pictures of the tour can be seen at my webspace album.