Mrs. Edge and I took a vacation to the Napa (California) Valley. Since wine drinkage has been linked to some vague health benefits, this qualified as a fitness vacation, which means that I’m still working on Ferns’ Fitness Challenge.
Believe me, no matter how much you enjoy drinking wine, after several days you do need a little break, so mid-week I sent Mrs. Edge off to a local spa, while I rented an upscale road bike for the day. The terrain is hilly at the edges, but Napa is a long, skinny valley, and the roads were not nearly as hilly as the ones I tackle in New England. I was able to do over 40 miles, and felt less tired than I do when I’m biking 20 miles at home.
You can try clicking the picture if you really, really want to see this larger.
I’ve been trying to keep my cycling updated on my Fitness Porn page, and lately I’ve been adding my weight loss, as well (The mileage table on the is done with Endomondo, a nice cycling/running fitness app). It’s not dropping off as quickly as I’d hoped (does it ever?), but there’s definite progress. For those of you who aren’t tired of my spandex-clad, old-guy bod, here’s a shot of me as I’m flirting with the 170 pound mark — the lowest I’ve been in probably 20 years.
While there’s still that little bit of love handle around my middle, my legs are developing rather nicely, and the fat has dropped low enough so see some pretty nice muscle definition. I’m told that my butt has firmed up nicely, too, but I keep forgetting to take a picture of that.
And for those of you who remember this before it was a fitness blog, yes, we had some nice, kinky hotel sex while on vacation. Nothing like being 3,000 miles from home and very relaxed to get the libido moving.
The Edge of Vanilla 
Congratulations on approaching your 170 goal! When you get there, I think the most appropriate way to celebrate would be by posting a butt shot. Or really, you could just do it now as motivation.
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Looking good man.
I think celebration of 170 pounds should be 170 days of lockup 😉
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You look great! And thanks for the tip on the cycling app.
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There are several great cycling / running apps that take advantage ofbyour phone GPS.
Endomondo has a neat feature that cheers you along at each mile.
MapMyRide (or MapMyRun) is a fantastic app that shows your stats and even your route in live mode. It’s actually my preferred app, and has the most features.
Strava is great for competing against others who take the same routes.
Move! is a basic app, but displays asanfull featured cyclocomputer, including elevation.
Are you a cycler or a runner?
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Oh, a cyclist. Though, after my kids were born, I transitioned to going to the gym for exercise. The extra bits of getting suited up and getting going don’t take that much time, but it was still more time than I had, and the gym is nothing if not awesomely efficient, particularly since it’s rock-throwing distance from my house.
But a few weeks ago I took my baby, a 1997 Independent Fabrications Crown Jewel, to the shop and got it all in working order again and took a ride up Monument Road in Concord.
After a couple of years off the bike, the bike itself felt all wrong. It felt too small, despite the fact that I have not gotten taller nor has the bike shrunk. I mean, I remember when this bike used to feel like part of my body! After a few miles, it felt less weird, but it’s funny how fitness isn’t exactly transferrable. I’m probably in better shape than I ever have been, but man, I was SLOW. Nonetheless, I enjoyed myself thoroughly. It’s so pretty out there!
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Holy cow, that’s a serious bike for a girl!
(ducks and runs)
No, seriously, that must be a very nice ride.
I know what you mean about the fit, though. I used to ride oversized frames, and a few years ago I picked up a barely used Cannondale in my size (52 cm). It felt “off” even though it should have been a better fit for me. Then I didn’t ride for a few years, and then I picked up a non-suspension MTB and put road slicks on it. It felt great, but after a few years I tried out the Cannondale again. It was better (and I was surprised to discover that it was the same size as the road bike), so I spent the last winter making some adjustments, and now I wonder how I ever rode anything else.
And it’s only this past year that I felt less silly about the spandex gear; but it took a few long rides for me to *really* understand the advantages.
I’m now in the middle of a serious bike fetish/fixation, and lately have been doing nothing except plotting routes, looking at mileage, and looking at various bikes online.
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Waaal, back in ’97 they didn’t make them in unobtanium, but hey, steel is real, baby. I’ve had it repainted once, and it’s my intention to keep it nice enough that when I’m 85 I can put upright bars and a basket with a plastic daisy on it for my trips to the bocce court.
I remember donning spandex shorts for the first time and riding down the street thinking, “This is like one of those dreams where you realize to your horror that you completely forgot to get dressed before leaving the house.” But it’s like anything else: you get used to it.
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*applause… drool* Those are some great looking legs, Tom!
And I am uber impressed that you made the effort to go for a ride while away from home, in between all the wine quaffing and lounging about like a true hedonist. That’s some awesome dedication right there. Your results are well deserved.
Ferns
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The funny thing is that for me, that one half day of riding was the most memorable part of the trip.
Of course, it was the only part of the trip in which I wasn’t drinking wine…
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I’m beginning to think you’ve lost your grasp of the meaning of “love handle”…
;-p
You’re doing great, sunshine!
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“Love handles” for somebody with small hands?
“Muffin top” that didn’t overflow much?
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I take a break and you move to fitness porn 🙂 You look great though and congrats on the progress.
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