Last week, I realized we didn’t have any plans for the long weekend.  My SAT (that would be my “self-appointed trainer,” for those of you new to my blog) and I discussed a few camping options and decided that camping sounded like too much work, especially when I would be leaving right after the long weekend for a short-term opera accompanying job.  “Eureka!” I exclaimed.  “Let us partake in a staycation and take advantage of the sweet summer deals in town!  After all, there should be a plethora of discounts at this time of year because no one in his or her right mind would intentionally plan on visiting Phoenix in the summer!”  So, we did partake in a staycation and it was indeed relaxing.  We spent the 4th of July weekend at a charming resort in Fountain Hills, a golf-oriented community nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountain Range, about 20 miles northeast of central Phoenix.

(View of our resort.)

It was a delightful stay, full of good food, nice weather, and yes, even some cycling.  We started both days with a bike ride, mainly to create a calorie deficit for the impending (over)consumption of food to follow.

The main point of this blog entry, though, is to record my second bike ride of the weekend.  Why?  Well, that bike ride featured the most climbing I have done since moving to Phoenix.  When I was training for my double century in Las Vegas waaayyy back in January and February, my rides included a respectable amount of elevation gained by blood, sweat, and (mostly) tears.  A typical 50 mile training ride would encompass 3500-4000 feet of gain.  Here in Phoenix, the terrain is flat and my normal 30 mile ride boasts an impressive 700 feet.  However, my second staycation spin featured almost 2500 feet of climbing!  Ok, so I only biked 32 miles.  But it was like biking 40 miles with all that elevation, right?  One cool segment we discovered was a wicked 18% downhill descent; according to my cycling computer, I hit 44.5 mph going down that hill!  That is the fastest speed I have attained on my bike to date.  It was really fun!  Sadly, going back UP that hill was a grind….ah, who am I kidding?  Like I would bike up that hill.

(I was almost 10 mph over the speed limit!; Pretty mountains.)

(Pretty morning light.; Official stats of the ride.)

My goal for the next few weeks is to make time for a few good workouts per week, continue to eat as vegan as I can (I have a kitchenette in my hotel room but very limited time to cook), and abstain from excess sugar (i.e, no Coke/soda pop, processed sugar).  I have another adventure on the horizon a couple of weeks after I return home, so it behooves me to be good over the next while!