New bike shorts and an OK ride

On my last ride my bike shorts were bunched up and uncomfortable in places where you don't want to be uncomfortable. A close examination revealed that the shorts were stretched out and simply worn out. I don't buy myself biking clothes that often, unlike running clothes. So, it was time to go on a mission for new bike clothes. I don't want boring black shorts and I don't want clothes with any writing on them (unless you are paying me to advertise your product). This was hard. It was very difficult to find cute and interesting bike/triathlon clothes.

This was about as close as I could get. The shorts are advertised as triathlon shorts with minimal padding.

I order them. They arrive. Let me tell you they have the most minimal padding of any bike short I have ever encountered. Really close to none. I wore them for about thirty minutes on the spinner and they seemed OK. And I wore them today for 2-1/4 hours and, again, they seemed OK. Whether they would last through an Ironman ride, I don't know.

And the new top and socks are color-coordinated, but not too mixy-matchy.

These were the other two shorts I ordered. Also advertised as triathlon shorts, but with more padding (but still not a lot) than the shorts above.

And yes, the cat was helping.

Here is today's duck picture. I went the usual route. I was hoping to improve on my 14.1 and 14.3 from my last two rides, but only managed 14.0. I'm really glad I didn't drop below 14mph, but it was close. Can't blame it on the heat. I did have to stop and adjust the wheel sensor for my cycling computer and I did get off the trail early which caused a long wait at a stoplight, but really, the reason I was slow was my dead leg syndrome kicked in pretty from the turnaround at Wilderness Park, but in earnest the last five or six miles. Poor Leah.

For most of my ride the two issues were 1) will I beat 14.3 mph (and we already know the answer is "no") and 2) can I get a Polar Pop after my ride when it isn't 100F outside. It's amazing what can motivate you on a ride (or run or whatever). I wasn't sure that I actually could justify it, but when I got back to my car, I realized that I hadn't brought a protein bar. Well, that settled in. Suddenly it became an entitlement as strong as any held by anyone. And I was pretty sure that the exercise nutrition people meant to include Polar Pops as suitable post-workout nutrition, right up there with whey protein isolate. So, I had one. I also got some beef jerky because I do believe in that post-workout protein thing.

My next time on this trail will be Friday morning. I'm taking the day off to start the Labor Day weekend. I'll get the ride in and then start up the 5 freeway to Northern California for my grandson's 8th birthday.