Happy Dog

Starting the first week of 2013, I decided to do some biking. The initial intent is to burn those calories from pasta, sweets and meat accumulated during Christmas and New Year celebrations, though I feel it is simply necessary to have a cardio-vascular workout and just about time to lose some weight.

I find this an opportunity too to listen back to my mp3 collection.

After selecting among several (free and paid) mobile apps to accompany me during biking, I finally settled with MapMyRide. Even with it’s free version, I am satisfied with its rich features and reporting capability (including the cool fly-by video of the route).

Neat calendar to record my activity.

I have one week though, without biking activity (except to and from work), due to a cold wave which even brought freak snow in Saudi Arabia (and no I am not inventing an amazing story, yes it snowed in Saudi Arabia though not exactly on my location). To which I think my aching joints and muscles are thankful for the break (*cough*excuses*cough*).

“Happy Dog” is the name I gave to the route (which is about 13.45 kms) I frequent for the past few weeks, for the purpose of measuring my progress to which I have not reached below 30 minutes time for this route. I am thinking however to try new routes.

My 13.45 km ‘happy dog’ route. I am thinking to increase my distance or do two laps, but when I am ready.

I promise to keep my interest in biking and continue with my workout, I just do not know how it would feel riding a bike during the hot summer season here in the desert.

I think I have to end this blog and saddle up for my workout for the day.