Performance testing

Determining my heart rate zones for optimal training.

Back to basics

First weekend back to serious training. Less than 2 weeks till my first race of the season. Needed some time in the saddle. Goal accomplished. Did 3 laps at a local trail for around 37+ miles and over 2600 feet of climb on Saturday. Did a combo ride of dirt, road and gravel for a general tempo ride of 43 miles and over 1100 feet of climb.

 

Rest day tomorrow.

Garmin Connect - Gravel bottom and trail ride

Garmin Connect - Gravel bottom and trail ride

Back home and getting back to my routine

After a long vacation, challenging travel and food poisoning it makes it hard to get back into the swing of normal day to day life. Just a brief summary of what made this vacation amazing. And what I get to ride now that I'm home. Oh, that, and get back to work!!

And the new ride....

Ongoing trek.

Finally on my way to the continental US. Expected to land in Chicago around 6:00 AM.  Despite a delay in Hawaii from mechanical issues, again, it looks like we're making up time and going to get in just in time to connect for my final flight. My journey home started Saturday night in Manila (Saturday morning by US EST). I'll be arriving home Wednesday morning. Four days later. I have never had such a negative experience traveling or with an airline. I highly discourage anyone from using United. The customer service is terrible. They barely meet the bare minimum of offering lodging, limited food vouchers and ground transportation. I got a token "we're so sorry" of miles or travel voucher. They don't even have enough hot meals on their planes to feed everyone. And it's not like they're free. I can't even pay to get food. By the time I'm done with this 4 day fiasco I will have stayed in 3 hotels of varying comfort levels and cleanliness. I will have been offered limited meals or funds for food or time to get food averaging 1 "meal" per day, a lack of courtesy and no sense of being truly apologetic for all the inconveniences. I guess their attitude is "oh well, shit happens, deal with it". I will not be extensive with the details of my experience for the airline at this point. But upon my return, the airline with be getting an earful of my displeasure. I may find it necessary to "share" my full experience publicly through social media to increase awareness about the poor quality of their fleet, the poor attitude and treatment by their employees and and overall failing performance across the board. 

3 times a charm???

Traveling home is part of the adventure

Left the Philippines Saturday night. Flight was delayed leaving due to the need to remove a passenger. Arrived late in Guam so with the late arrival and the long very slow TSA line I Just made it the gate for my connection. Or so I thought. Boarding was delayed due to the plane not being ready. And once they started it continues for 2 hours to let everyone going through security make their flight. So already 2 hours behind but I still had hope to make my connection in Honolulu. Doors finally close, pull away from the gate, start to taxi and the pilot comes on "we have a problem with the plane and we have to go back to the gate". They tried to fix it with us still on the plan but ultimately we had to get off. Sat around for hours. Already knew I missed my connection. But still hoped to at least get to Hawaii. Got back on the plane. Still not working. Flight officially cancelled. Get off plane,pick up luggage and head to ticket counter to re book. Spent at least 3 hours in a very slow line. After spending 12 hours at the airport I went to the hotel for a few hours only to return to the airport at 2:00 am to try again. Alas, same story. Plane failed to work and ended up back at the gate. Anyway, waited awhile before I decided to get back in line an re book. Not confident in this plane even if they say they fixed it. Just as I reached the counter they officially cancelled the flight again. Hoping I get out tomorrow and be home 2 days later than expected. Meanwhile, I'm experiencing island on Guam for the day. At least I was out of the airport before noon. Just want to get home. Really, I do...😊