July Is for Cycling

The Stats:
7/7: 12.45 mi; 47:07; 15.08 mph; KC course
7/11: 13.20 mi; 1:48:18; 10.66 mph; Mount Alpha course
7/17: 7.76 mi; 31:44; 14.67 mph; KC course
7/20: 10.74 mi; 51:41; 12.47 mph; Mount Alpha course
7/24: 12.50 mi;  58:33; 12.81 mph; Mount Alpha course
                      7/26: 11.88 mi; 50:46; 14.05 mph; KC course
                      7/30: 7.06 mi; 34:27; 12.29 mph; Job Corps course

It was Tour de France month. As such, July 2014 saw the most cycling action I have yet been able to produce. I tried to imagine Phil Ligget commentating on my rides while keeping the concentration of Vincenzo Nibali plowing through a clueless spectator. Being on the bike peddling through the pain, with my suitcase of courage really broke the sweat and burned the calories. I am hoping to continue cycling through August in preparation for the Capital City Challenge. Mixing running and cycling workouts effectively will be the challenge before that annual endeavour.
Mount Alpha got a lot of action last month. It is really the only hill I had tried, so I felt comfortable riding there from my house. It is challenging for me, and I have to drop to my easiest gear to get to the top, but my breathing is becoming less labored over time. The thigh burning never really stops on a climb though.
At the end of the month, I rode the Job Corps hill for the first time. It is over a mile long and at least a half mile longer than Mount Alpha. That incline really kicked my butt over the last one-third of a mile stretch. But it was a great workout, and I am sure I will be back for more of the same. Cyclists have to be gluttons for punishment.
August should see more runs thrown into the fray. However, I am happy with all this cycling action and my knees are very grateful for the respite they were given in July. Vive Le Tour!