SPRING IS IN THE AIR

93 kms | 3 h 39 m | avg speed 25.5 km/h | avg hr 138 bpm | 1.888 kcal

First day of the year with a great weather: sunny and warm(ish). The day started the day in 6 degrees but it went all the way up to 15 degrees celsius. A great day to stick to fat burning zone 2 training and to enjoy the scenery of a very well selected route.

Primeiro dia do ano com clima quase perfeito: sol e quase quente. O dia começou com 6 graus celsius mas rapidamente chegou aos 15 graus. Foi um treino muito bom para manter na zona 2 e queimar calorias e aproveitar o cenario.

As it is becoming tradition, I went to the house of my colleague Peter, which is 12 kms from my home, to start riding together at 8:30. We decided going direction south-east to get the wind against us first and then enjoy the tailwind on the way back. From Maarssen we went direction Nieuwegein to enter the Lekdijk and enjoy the great scenery.

The wind was quite strong and head on. As we decided to keep strictly to zone 2, speed wasn’t great wayting around 25 and 28 km/h. But the idea was to stay on fat burning and help us to build endurance. In the dike we went until Wijk bij Duursteed and took the inside roads on the way back home.

Usually this is a very nice way back with small roads amount farms and not a lot of people. Today is was a bit different as we went against a lot of riders. Most probably a tour from the Driebergen Tour Club. Lost of big groups taking the whole road and not giving much space for the traffic in the other direction. I got a bit pissed and went in front, ringing my bell all the way while cross the groups. Not nice and actually dangerous.

But with a little change in route we got out of the mess and routed back to Utrecht. A great day in the bike. I can feel the legs are hurting and heavy due to the heavy workout of the week but it is all in the plan. Souplesse will come later…

WEEK | An relatively easier week than last but fitness trend is going in the right direction. I should be around 100 long term stress points. Stress balance is –35 points and weekly trimp points is 528. All within my week targets.

Monday: Interval 3 x 5 minutes. Not exactly good as it was late in the evening and I was tired.
Wednesday: Interval  4 x 3 minutes + 1 x 5 minutes + speed drill.
Friday: gym workout like last week + 22 kms ride back home with Mountain Bike.
Sunday: road ride 93 kms.