Saturday was just a stunner of a day. Even though it was 30 degrees and frost when we got up, we knew the high was going to get up into the upper 50s. That is biking weather, people! We unhooked the bikes from the trainers and got them down the stairs.
It was time for breakfast. The go-to for long rides? You know what it is 😀
Banana custard oats with cashew butter and blueberry jam. Had a nice relaxed morning while waiting for the temps to rise enough to head out. I could barely contain my excitement!
It was a wee bit chilly at the start, and we had some layers on, but there was not even the slightest breeze and it was sunny. I was so happy to be riding. John came up next to me and I had a huge grin on my face, which he commented should be on the blog.
So here it is!
You can tell it is fall around here. This is part of a detour we take to avoid being near the interchange to the highway. It adds a couple miles to the trip, but worth it. This is around the 10 mile mark.
Arrived in Saratoga after 22 miles and ready to fill up on carbs! We were going to go to Uncommon Grounds as we like to, but the line was practically out the door and we didn’t want to have to deal with that. So we walked up the street to Brueggers.
I had an apple bagel with pumpkin cream cheese.
It was pretty good, but not near as good as Uncommon Grounds. I also pulled out my pear to have.
Quite a lot of shoppers out today. Maybe because the weather was so gorgeous!
Then it was time for the reason for the ride 😀
Cupcake Lab! I had some trouble deciding what to have. The maple cupcakes really caught my eye – so I got the regular size of that one.
It was a maple cupcake with maple frosting and sprinkled with maple sugar. A maple trifecta!
I also got one of the 2-bite cupcakes. Heath bar.
It was a chocolate cupcake with heath bits on it. It was good, but I have come to realize that I like non-chocolate flavors best for my baked goods. Does that make me weird?
John got a big size of the heath and a fresh baked butterscotch oatmeal cookie (yum). These were perfect along side fresh brewed coffee. Got to love the big calorie burn days!
It was nice to sit and chat, too. Our schedules are so busy and funny how we both work at home and still need to make time to spend together.
A little more walking around and it was time to pedal home. My legs were feeling really good. Again, no wind helped. We often face winds on this ride, so it sure was nice today! After the 32 mile mark, we stopped for a bit of a break since it was after a big climbing hill. Look at the long shadows:
I’ve never been so tall! I had some coconut water (you knew that was coming, right?).
Perfect fuel to finish out the ride. I am surprised I still had bike legs this good! It appears that my lower half seems to be just fine thankyouverymuch.
You could tell every bike out today was appreciating this chance to have another ride. Lots of waving and head nodding 😀
Ride stats:
44.8 miles – eh, 45!
Average speed: 13.3 mph
Top speed 22.4 mph
Calories burned: 1382 – woohoo!
My appetite was really dampened by this ride, but I knew I needed to eat food tonight. I had half of a protein muffin that John baked this morning:
and then we watched TV for a while waiting for some sort of appetite.
After a while, I got craving some veggies, so I cooked up this for dinner.
Sweet potato topped with laughing cow and sauteed broccoli and a cute little macintosh apple.
The balance bar was pictured there, but I didn’t eat it. I ate the plated stuff and just wasn’t hungry. Funny how large amounts of exercise make me so not hungry for a while.
About 9 pm, I did feel hunger kicking in again and had some granola and a couple Dove Promises.
We brought the bikes back inside again. Pixie doesn’t really like them, but she has to investigate.
All in all a good day, but it is November, so unless we get lucky again, this was probably the last cupcake ride until spring! Now it will have to be biking on the trainer and then driving down there LOL!
Yeah for cupcakes rides! It looks jummie as usual.
Happy for you you were able to go out for your ride yesterday. Looks like a perfect day for a bike ride.
Any chance that John would share the protein muffin recipe? It looks so yummy!
.-= Heidi´s last blog ..Shoes & Burdens =-.
The recipe is here:
http://findingradiance.com/2009/01/31/low-fat-high-protein-muffins/
I’m in for cupcakes. The maple would be simply divine!!!
.-= Michele @ Healthy Cultivations´s last blog ..Foraging on Friday =-.
What a beautiful day. Cupcakes look incredible (and highly edible!). Glad you got in a possibly last bike ride of the season, although who knows these days — it’s warm enough today in NYC to get the wheels out!
.-= Ishmael´s last blog ..Run to the Light =-.
What did you think of the coconut water? I tried one brand and it was disgusting. I currently have another kind that’s pineapple and coconut flavored. I’m a tad worried to try it!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Mexican Crockpot Chicken =-.
I adore coconut water! It has to be cold, though. I like the Vita Coco brand the best.
Being new to your blog, I had to go look up the banana custard oats. They sound so simple and delicious! I’ve not been a big breakfast eater in the past, but I know that I need to be now. I will definately be trying these in the morning.
Wow 45 miles on the bike! You are awesome! And what a wonderful thing to ride for! Cupcakes!! Yummy!
Thanks for the inspiration!
.-= Pati´s last blog ..What Have I Been Up To =-.
Custard oats are amazing. I almost never have them any other way!
Hah! High-60s here and I have proclaimed it too cold to ride! 🙂 I’m going to have to come up with some other cupcake-worthy challenge for the winter.
.-= cammy@tippytoediet´s last blog ..Linkie-loos You Perhaps Can Use =-.
Wow, you are out on your bike, my friend is in the pool. I feel like a wienie. I don’t like to be cold any more. Yes, those cupcakes look amazing. But you are a little weird for not liking chocolate in baked goods LOL.
.-= debby´s last blog ..Lookie What I Made =-.
That maple cupcake is hilarious – I like how they don’t even pretend to add anything else…nope, all maple. But like Debby says – what’s up with not liking chocolate baked goods?!?
Nice, nice ride – glad you were able to (probably) end the season with such a good one!
.-= Shelley B´s last blog ..Friday Mishmash =-.
You always make me want bagels and cupcakes lol. Way to go on all those biking miles 🙂
oooh thanks for linking the protein muffin recipe!!
.-= MizFit´s last blog ..4 tips for fighting holiday frazzle =-.
What a wonderful day Lori!!!!!!!!!! I always love your pics! I have a post coming up this week with how boring my food looks compared to yours! 🙂 I don’t do pretty plates…. but I can see how nice it is when you do it. I am too lazy!
OK, I was going to ask for the muffin recipe but that is handled. 😉 Now, for those cupcakes & hey, I wanted a pic of the cookie!!!
Too funny on Pixie!
.-= Jody – Fit at 53´s last blog ..Its My Birthday! Bday Pics Cookies! =-.
Hi There! I came across your blog and think…wow what an inspiration you are to many people. Whether it’s people that want to lose 5 lbs or 100 lbs…you are great! Kudos on the progress you’ve made in your life 🙂
I’m going to stick up for you about the chocolate baked goods. I love me some chocolate but almost always prefer vanilla or red velvet or something other than chocolate cake. Although there is this ONE cupcake – dark chocolate with a coconut cream cheese frosting. That one is pretty good.
.-= Helen´s last blog ..Seeking Comfort- Part 2 =-.
a 45 mile bike ride~!!!
WOW
I just got a new bike this last week. I am so stinking excited to trek around town with my family.
it’s so inspiring what you do! thanks for the motivation!
.-= A Sparkle A Day´s last blog ..Tiny Queen Bee needs a new Hive =-.
Riding 45 miles is pretty darn amazing! Good for you! I wish I could be one of those people who aren’t hungry after a tough workout. unfortunately, I’m the opposite. Within a half hour I am ravenous. I did a long run on Sunday, but for various reasons couldn’t get to eating right away after – and by lunchtime I thought I was going to eat my arm. I was delirious.
Protein muffin is a good idea. I could add something like that with the afternoon coffee.
Great job with the blog – love it!
Just reviewed ingredients for protein muffin and calorie counts. For my budget, it is a little high. Have you ever tried making one that’s less calories? I’m trying to think of ways to lighten in a bit. Maybe 2% milk? Subbing out some of the sugar? I love to cook, but I’m not too imaginative when it comes to substitutions. Any advice would be appreciated.
.-= Sadaf´s last blog ..Scenes from the weekend =-.
Those are jumbo muffins – like you would get out at Dunkin Donuts. You could make them in 12 regular size muffin tins and the calories would be half.
Love that you got to ride outside again! Totally makes a difference. Beautiful pear!
.-= Amanda @ bakingwithoutabox´s last blog ..Slow Cooker Apple Butter =-.
Great ride! Way to go. It was an amazing day Saturday. Hopefully not the last one. This week looks a bit gloomy but you never know.
So funny about the shadows. Ted,Shane and I were on our walk Sun. morning and Ted shouts out: “LOOK HOW TALL MY SHADOW IS!” I was amazed at his fascination and thought..”still a little kid”. But hey – it must be something in your blood..you cycling types. 🙂 Don’t let go of that.
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..The First Brick and Apple Almond Crumb Pie =-.
Mmmm, that maple cupcake looks especially good! So glad you & John got one more bike ride in there! I also think your dinner looks particularly tasty. I think I need to get some sweet potatoes….
.-= Pubsgal´s last blog ..T-minus 2 Days Until the Big Blue Post! =-.
I kind of know what you mean by baked goods. I of course love brownies and chocolate chips in cookies and stuff but I don’t like chocolate cake. It never tastes as chocolately as I’d like it to.
Glad you got a ride in before winter officially starts!
.-= Ang´s last blog ..Summer in Baltimore =-.
Glad you guys enjoyed one more outdoor bike ride this weekend – our weather was cold, cloudy, rainy = icky – wouldn’t you know today a work day its nice out!
Now I have toffee cupcakes on my brain – I definitely think those are insulin worthy!!
.-= Biz´s last blog ..Pumpkin Scones with Spicy Glaze =-.
hurray cupcake rides! Once I hit my high mileages on my bike rides I’m totally making them cupcake rides, inspired by YOU.
Thanks! That’s even easier!
.-= Sadaf´s last blog ..Scenes from the weekend =-.