Train like a Race Horse, pt 2

Saturday Tridaddy was working out in a western 'burb which is all thoroughbred horse farms. Rolling hills, changing leaves, blue sky, aahhhh, purely pastoral. I like this horse in particular because he went lame and can no longer race at the track, but that doesn't stop him from running with his head high.

Beauty in motion

I on the other hand, scare myself. I am currently not worthy of my new ride, a Quintana Roo Tequilo. Add two letters and you have a good approximation of my riding skills on aero bars. But, this bike has bubbles, really cool bubbles, and that makes me smile. Did I mention she does 20 in granny gear? I have about 2 more weeks to practice outside and still retain feeling in my hands and feet and then it's indoors for a winter of spinning. Six hours or so is a lot of time to spend in the saddle so my off season conditioning will focus on endurance and strength training for my neck, shoulders and upper body.

So, I'm not quite ready to be put out to pasture, but I have a lot of practice in front of me. We did go on the annual trek to the apple orchard Sunday. Another simply marvelous day to pick apples, walk the orchards, hunt for pumpkins and breathe in autumn.
No trip would be complete without apple picking, but in a rare early end to picking season, this orchard was out of apples to pick. Not to be deterred by details, we took the wagon ride around the orchard anyhow, and noticed that there were still some trees that could be gleaned. The guy in the pumpking barn said we were welcome to walk the orchards and see what was left, they just weren't opening the fields to pick for purchase. We found plenty of apples to pick and sample, so crisis averted.
Part of the orchard ritual is to find pumpkins to carve. Hyphen girl in oldest child character is not content with any old pumpkin, no it has to be the biggest pumpkin in the patch. At $.39 a pound we tried to discourage that at first. Not that it breaks the bank, it's just that spending four times for a pumpking I can buy for $3.00 at the grocery store irks me. So, we made a deal with her, she can pick any pumpkin she wants but she has to be able to pick it and carry it to the barn and to the car herself. She just about gave herself a hernia this year, but she did it. That was worth the price of admission. It's always good entertainment when you get to needle your tweener, and then let them glory in their accomplishment.
My boy took a little more sensible approach, he is his mother's son.

The rest of the IMFL and training thoughts are yet to come, too much housework and office to do today, that and I'm required to take at least a 30 minute ride on the bubble bike today-coaches orders. Ok, twist my arm.

Have a good one!