Cycling has its oddities, that\’s for sure.

Take my last two Sunday long rides. During yesterday\’s jaunt, I felt tired on the way home; the headwind (8 mph) was driving me crazy; and I seemed to be plodding along very slowly.

Yet when I compared yesterday\’s notes with those from the previous Sunday, I saw that I did yesterday\’s ride slightly faster; and that, even though I added several extra miles. On top of that, the wind yesterday was stronger than it was a week earlier! It seemed weird; but perhaps I\’m finally getting a bit stronger!😊

Other oddities have to do with on-bike eating. During a long ride, appetite suppression is liable to set in; but for me, a rapid cadence in a low gear is more likely to do it than a slower cadence in a harder gear! What\’s going on there? Does the former increase my heart rate; and is that why I stop wanting to eat?

I know that exercise, such as cycling, causes blood to be diverted from the stomach/digestion; and sends it to the legs, heart, and lungs instead. That\’s why gut-training is so important if you want to do long events. Yesterday I burned 900 calories, and took in just under 700; and that sounds about right to me.

Yet again, I think I was overdressed. It was about 64 degrees at 7:00 am; but reached the mid-70s by the time I got home. My cycling jacket was wet with sweat; and so was the blouse that I wore. The leg warmers also got to be a bit much. I\’m still uneasy about not being warm enough during a ride; but I think I\’d better put the cold-weather gear in my Camel-Bak pockets; and put it on if I need it.