I rode my bike around Jordan lake today to see what the lake levels are like. I stopped at the swimming cove and took a picture of it. I was pleasantly surprised that the lake levels seemed okay – about the same as last time I swam, which was sometime in September.
For the record, WRAL’s drought meter says -9.81 meters.
The route I took around the lake is plotted out here. It’s a great route – lots of flat sections. My normal riding territory is much hillier; and, even when it looks flat, it’s generally one of those “false flats” that are actually gentle ups and downs.
During these nice flats near the lake, I was going a moderate pace with my heart rate around 150 and making 21.5 miles per hour with the wind in my face! Then, when I changed direction without so much wind, I would go 23.5 mph. My goal for White Lake Sprint is to do 22 mph, which would give me less than 40 minute bike split. I think I can make this goal no problem.
Very windy ride today and lovely weather! I rode for three hours. For the entire first half of the ride, I felt like I was in a wind tunnel. I worked on my tuck position. It’s really fun having the feel of a strong wind against your body, and using that to work on better aero position.
Near the end of the ride, I thought of Queen’s “Bicycle Race” song. About 10 minutes later, the song came on. That was funny!
I carry an mp3 player while riding my bike, and keep the volume low, with just one headphone on, so I can still hear traffic. Not that hearing big flatbed trucks barreling up from behind does me any good. One big truck passed me at full speed, and pulled back into the lane too quickly missing me by just inches…probably didn’t realize how big his rig was. ASS HOLE!
That reminds me: I didn’t like the part of today’s route that went up 751…too many idiot truck drivers. Next time I’ll just continue up Farrington Road to get back home.
Oh, one more thing. I found another cove that looks just as quiet, and quite a bit bigger. Its right at the southeast corner of Martha’s Chapel Road and Farrington Road. After turning onto Martha’s Chapel, there’s even a wide gravel shoulder you could park in, and it looks like you can hike down to the cove. I will have to explore that this season. The other cove is really for fishing, and I always wonder if us swimming there annoys the fishermen.
Ride Stats
HR: 138 av / 226 max; 16.6 mph average speed; Distance: 50.59 miles. Time: 3:05
I don’t like to ride on 751 for the same reason. Of course yesterday a pickup truck breezed by me too close for comfort near the Harris plant. So you can never feel too comfortable even when there is little traffic.
21.5 in the wind is remarkable. Very impressive. My cat eye battery went dead months ago on my training bike, so I don’t know my speed, but I doubt I have improved any from last year. So my goal is to average 19 at the RIverwood Sprint Tri.
Bob
I see that truck drivers are the same than here in Spain. Be carefull, I do not know over there, but here, cyclist are getting ran over almost daily. Take care.
That cove you saw is a very popular fishing spot, that parking area and there is a small dock was built about 2 years ago. The inside the cove is an active waterskiing area. I have often done open water swim training in the lake with my husband following along side in one of our kayaks, usually we paddle away from the boat traffic and I’ll just beach the boat while I do my swim.