Finishing 2014 strong

So far winter in Colorado has been clear and dry with a lot of daytime sunshine. Since the days are so short now, the majority of my riding has been at night. I'm pleased with my fitness and ability to ride 1-2 hours at a brisk pace 5 to 6 days a week. I fit in a few hard hill efforts on my single speed  to try and maintain my VO2 max. I have spent the last 2 years ramping up my volume so it really is rewarding to put in 150 to 175 miles a week consistently now. I was only logging about 20 miles a week to begin with. 

The most important thing I have learned this year is never miss you glycogen window if you want to maximize you're athletic ability. If I miss it, my legs feel tired and sluggish. If I hit it by consuming about 200 calories minimum within 30 minutes of a workout, I feel great! I then ride further and faster on my next ride which for me is usually 8 to 12 hour later. Can't log 10+ rides a week as I have been if I don't re-file during my window.

As I mentioned, almost all my riding has been at night so I don't have manny pictures. Here are 2 from the last 4 weeks:

Yep, it is a dark cold world out there for a cyclist in December but my niterider 600 lumen LED lamp has my back.. I mean my front.

I did manage to get a nice warm sunny mid day lunch ride in with my work riding club. It was 60 degrees but only 3 of us made the ride. I enjoyed the sun on my calves! 

I have just about completed the Ice Bike Challange which is to commute 52 times to work between October 1st and March 1st. Today was number 50! Finnally a challange I can complete! I still plan to ride every day and see how manny commutes I can get in before March. I'm sure we will have more snow days to come. That should keep things interesting.