Saturday, 12/30 ride

[7rider]

Wow.
Well, the mild weather continues in Maryland.
I've been off all week from work, but have opted to paint a bathroom rather than try for my 2,500 mile year goal (will be about 300 miles short - oh well).
Today, however, DH and I rode to the shop to deliver our Christmas joke-gift for them (we got them new fabric for their customer's director's chair - which was getting rather disgusting after a few too many sweaty cyclists camped out on it! :p ).
Was beautiful out. Saw loads of cyclists and the shop was hoppin' - something you wouldn't expect for late December if it were cold and miserable out.
With DH's new Seven ID8 expected to deliver in late January, he was on his flatbar road bike. We're both horribly out of shape and filled to the gills with a week's worth of holiday junk food. So we were rather leisurely on our ride - 16.5 miles at a mild 12.5 mph pace.
First coat of color goes on the walls tomorrow!

[suzieqtwa]

I rode 31 miles this morning. It was sunny ,and very chilly ,but with all my thermal underwear ,and 2 layers of socks ,I managed to keep warm enough. I did see a deer today which is rare because I live a very populated area. I guess they are building so much ,the few wild animals that are left here have no where to go. :(

[Fredwina]

I did 75 miles today.
We had two club rides, but only one leader (that would be moi!),One couple on a Tandem show up to do the slow ride and they knew where they were going. The other fun thing was I had never done this ride before. I went down Euclid ave thourgh Ontario, and climbed in the Chino Hills and Diamond bar, We turned south and went be the oil wells in Brea before coming back over Carbon canyon Road and the Ontario Airport. I tried to get everybody to come back a different way so we could make a four county instead of a three county tour, but no go
I had to help change his flat twice. He's one of those type who doesn't carry tools:mad: other than , a fun time!

[KayTee]

Relatively balmy again in VA, too, although a little windier than yesterday. My computer broke, so I have no idea how many miles I rode or how fast. I'd planned a small chainring recovery spin after yesterday's tough effort and knew I wouldn't stay with the faster group, so I rode about 1/2 the total distance by myself. I found a couple of new (to me) roads, met the main group at the coffee shop, paid my respects at the lbs (and egged on a friend buying a new bike), then returned to the start w/Mr. Tee. I'm thinking I might have ridden 30-32 miles based on his mileage. The sun was out, and so were all the cyclists - nice day!

[Meaux]

I did 10 miles today. Not so much, but I haven't ridden in a while and was without DH. (I don't like to ride without him for fear that I will be too tired to get back. Silly, I know...) Not a bad ride, but not so great either. :(

[makbike]

I joined the club ride this morning in Louisville. I needed just 9 miles to break the 1000 mile mark on my new bike and so it went me on this journey. The weather forecasters told us it would be in the upper 40's low 50's by the start of the ride so I left my feet warmers at home - big mistake. The temperature at the start of the ride was 40's and by the time we made it back to the turn around spot my feet were numb. I called it quits, loaded the bike up in my car and BF and I decided to have lunch together :) I logged 16 miles today, so I broke the 1000 mile mark on my new Giro (got it the first of July) and squeaked over the 5,900 mile mark for the year. Tomorrow is forecast to be a rainy dreary day so I may put my DF on the trainer or I may decided to simply sit on the couch, watch football games, cross stitch and nap with my cats. Oh the joys of being on vacation!

[Offthegrid]

Today was a big deal for me because I *finally* broke the 30-mile barrier. I rode 31 miles at a painstakingly slow 12 mph. But I did it. :)

[ace]

Today was momentous for me. I had a bad fall (not on my bike, I slipped on a puddle of water at the gym) in early November and injured my knee, was on crutches for a couple of weeks, have been in lots of pain. Today I finally felt good enough to go ride outside (I've been pedaling a bit on my trainer). I did 4 miles at about 10 mph, and I am so freakin' happy! High 50's in Oakland today, so I rode in shorts. Biking is better than any medicine (ok, a month ago I would have said painkillers are the best medicine).

-Ace

[lauraelmore1033]

went out for a 20 mile ride with DH on a trail which was reported to be simply brimming with eagles and other wildlife (by Salsabike, I believe, yesterday or so). Didn't see any wildlife, but then DH isn't one to stop and smell the eagles anyway. It was lovely and quite mild, though. Parts of the trail always remind me of Dutch paintings of canal rimmed fields and luminous clouds swimming in blue skies. Hubby was in the mood to push the pace so we really SMOKED all those daddy-daughter duos that were out wobbling on their training wheels. Seriously though, it is gratifying to see that many hard-core biker daddies making the effort to encourage their daughters this way:cool:

[Aggie_Ama]

I test rode my new bike instead of riding.:p

Tomorrow I will have something to report. It is great to see all these "big deal" rides today. Congrats ladies! :D

[jobob]

This is a ride that we were going to do yesterday, but when we reached the start we realized that someone me forgot to put the box containing her helment and shoes and gloves and sunglasses and armwarmers and legwarmers into the car before we drove off. Um, duh?

We did end up having an absolutely lovely day yesterday just driving around. We drove part of our ride route, and as we ascended the big hill on Petaluma Marshall road I had to remind myself that hills always seem worse when you drive them. right. We drove out to the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse and it was absolutely wonderful out there, not crowded at all and the weather was pretty much perfect, not cold, not hot, sunny with no wind. We got our exercise going down about 300 steps to the lighthouse and then going back up them. Our fine day out was topped off by a late lunch at Tony's in Marshall, where we feasted on steamed mussels and dungeness crab. A great day despite my brain fart ! :)

So, back to Marin this morning. Needless to say I made darn sure I had everything this time.

We started out from Lee's sister's place in Novato. We headed up Novato Blvd to Hicks Valley Rd, then up Petaluma Marshall road and the infamous Marshall Wall - albeit the easy side. It was absolutely gorgeous up at the top, with a great view of the hills and Tomales Bay. And it was a really fun descent down to the coast - wheee!

From there we headed south down Highway 1 to Pt. Reyes Station. What a beautiful ride. I was nearly giddy I was enjoying it so much :)

We stopped at the Cowgirl Creamery in Pt. Reyes Station for a sandwich, then continued on Bear Valley Rd, back onto Highway 1 thru Olema, and along Sir Francis Drake Blvd thru Samuel Taylor State Park. This was the one part of the ride I could have done without. Going through the park under the redwoods it was cold and damp, and the road here was bumpy and narrow with not much shoulder. There's supposed to be a bike path that parallels SFD thru the park, but we couldn't find it.

At any rate, we got through the park soon enough and back into the warm(er) sunshine. We turned up Nicasio Valley road, then up Pt. Reyes Petaluma Blvd past the Cheese Factory (that hill before the Cheese Factory is a bit of a stinker, especially late in the ride...) then down Novato Blvd back to Lee's sister's.

A really, really nice route all in all - I probably would have enjoyed Sam Taylor Park more if it were a bit warmer.

About 64 miles and 3500 feet of climbing, at an avg speed of 12.5 mph. Pretty slow as usual for me, but I think I'm actually getting stronger.

[Veronica]

Thom and I are thinking of doing a similar ride tomorrow Jo, but w/o the Samuel Taylor part. About a 35 mile loop starting at the Cheese Factory.

V.

[SadieKate]

About 64 miles and 3500 feet of climbing, at an avg speed of 12.5 mph. Pretty slow as usual for me, but I think I'm actually getting stronger.Okey-dokey, I know whose wheel I will be sucking next week.

Any cheese coming along?

[jobob]

Cool ! It's lovely out there now.

We've ridden about 2/3 of the SF 200K brevet route. The only part left is from Pt. Reyes Station out to the lighthouse and back, which we drove yesterday. That looks pretty challenging, with lots and lots of rollers. And if the wind is up, ack.

Are you still thinking of the SF 200K? I've decided to hold off until the Santa Rosa brevet - I need that extra month of training time :D

[jobob]

Okey-dokey, I know whose wheel I will be sucking next week.

Any cheese coming along?

I plan to bring some Chocloate Stout Cheddar for our hostess. :)

And there are still 2 bottles of pear wine with your name on them. Unopened, I might add.

[Veronica]

I may bring some cookies. :p

V.

[Popoki_Nui]

Cold, gray, but at least no rain. Just a short 35km ride to get the blood flowing after the Christmas excesses. Got home, lit the fire, and demolished several Belgian chocolate truffles and some 12 year old Jamaican rum.
A little more debauchery New Year's Eve, and then I really owe my pancreas and digestive system a vacation...:rolleyes:

~S.

[Velobambina]

Rode in pea soup fog. Started right before dawn and had to take off my glasses in order to see (ironic--I'm near sighted--the mist from the fog was so intense that my glasses were coated). By the time I surrendered at 36 miles, I was soaked. Luckily, it was relatively mild outside (40 degrees). Came home, had a few Shot Bloks, and ran 3 miles w/the hubby, as I'm trying to do at least one brick workout a week.

[Maureen Valley]

My Saturday ride was solo....my husband isn't interested in bikes...just boats. In that regard, he goes his way...I go mine. It's worked for 45 years.

I did the West Orange Trail and logged 25 miles. Now....I'm in Florida, so I don't have the hills and the vistas you have in Marin (one of my favorite places on the planet, by the way) but I do have views of central Florida's lakes and tall pines. I live in an area relatively unknown by tourists.

I'm still using regular pedals and will go clipless when I master the 30 gears my Trek has handed me. Perhaps this week, I'll clamp in and see if I can stay upright.

My new Trek 2.1 performed like a champ. She is soooo smooth and after 25 miles with only one stop for hydration...I was feeling no pain. The saddle is perfect for me...and I'm so glad as I've heard horror stories about finding the right saddle. My stock saddle fits me like a kid glove.

I used to bike in Marin (occasionally) ...and my brother, Mike, was in on the ground floor of the re-pack days in the 70's when bombing the fire trails was the order of the day. He rode with the likes of Gary Fisher and Joe Breeze. He now has a Trek shop in Northfield, Minnesota.

I know I'm digressing...sorry about that...but all this talk of Marvelous Marin has me going down memory lane.

Ride on, girls. Happy New Year to all.
Maureen

[SalsaMTB]

For my Saturday ride, TrekJeni was in town so we met up for an offroad ride. It was a blast, we rode a 10 mile local trail. Glad she came out and hope she had a good time.

It was a little cool when we started, upper 30s, but the sun was shining and I think the temp got up to about 40. Great day for a ride, the trail was a little tacky with only a couple mud puddles.

[maillotpois]

just noticed all the talk about rides in my neck o' the woods (what does that mean, anyway??). well, jo I am surprised I didn't see you and lee but it must have been because I know where the bike path is through SPT!! :p

I did 50 mile loop from corte madera through SPT around the reservoir through nicasio and back. it WAS a great day - and the first time I have been out in that area on a bike since the ride I did with V right before the whole lung thing.

jo our ride next week will be much easier than what you did yesterday - though there are plenty of options to add (or subtract) miles, hills, etc.

[weathergal]

I'm jealous of all of you with nice weather. :D We had a bunch of freezing rain yesterday, so I rode almost 12 miles on my trainer. Ice is coating everything, and we had the electricity go out several times. Fortunately the power was back on this morning when I did another 9 miles on the trainer, since I think I would go insane if I didn't have a DVD to occupy my mind while on the darn thing.

Sun is starting to come out now and is making everthing outside sparkly. Temp is only 25 F though, and with winds at 25 gusting to 35, that's still to cold for me to ride outside.

[Crankin]

We had our first snow yesterday... only about an inch and a half, though. We did the Yoga-Spin interval dvd, probably one of the hardest workouts in the Cyclo-Core/Zen series. After 5 3 minute intervals in the big ring (where I can neither maintain 100 rpm or get to the gears he suggests) it's on to 12 minutes of Power Yoga... fun.

[mimitabby]

our ride was scheduled for 9am but the road and the beach was covered with ICE! we are in SEASIDE, or, and it is unseasonably cold and clear today.
we waited until 11 and started our ride. we rode to fort clatsop, where Lewis and clark built a log cabin/fort to protect themselves from the miserable winter weather of the pacific nw. the original fort lasted only 6 years, but they have rebuilt it twice now and the one now standing is identical in footprint to the original and is really new.

I rode with the big kids and did okay, really. i didn't hold them up terribly
and rode a total of over 32 miles. nice pictures will appear on monday.

[aicabsolut]

I had just come down with a headcold, but I joined up with a local group (most of them waay older than me :p ) for a 37 mile ride in Effingham Co., GA. Low 70s :). I stayed with the B group, and we bumped our average pace up into the 18mph range or so, even though the usual B class is supposed to be 14-17. My HR was sky high because of the cold (just getting dressed that morning and strapping on the monitor put me over 100bpm).

Once during a hard pull it said I was at my max HR for my age :o . I felt like I had just crossed AT and then swung back. Turns out only the ride leader was behind me! So I didn't get much of a rest. I had been trying so hard to keep up the pace the guy had who pulled in front of me, not knowing he seems to like to break away up the one "hill" and then hang back. The ride leader was on my wheel so I had no idea we were losing everyone else, including the guy who set that pace (20-22 in a headwind). So the rest blamed me for the workout! But we regrouped, and on my next pull they all said I did a good job (18-19mph, better wind, some slight downhills).

I got some great paceline and group etiquette experience, and earned myself some invites on more rides with them and with other stuff some of them do. I also did some cadence drills and one-leg drills. Lots of good practice.

I was supposed to go out for another 38 mile ride today (31st), but the cold was much much worse this morning--up at 5:45 feeling like death. .... I didn't mention that I went and rode 2 horses after the bike ride did I? Yeah, probably not smart. But fun :p

Tomorrow there's a social ride around downtown Savannah near my house, so I might go hang out and spin a little. No more group opportunities while I'm still down here...stupid school starting next Monday :( .

My new bike fit plus a massage last week left me feeling great. If only I could breathe through my nose.

Maybe next year I can keep up with those A riders.

[momof4greatkids]

Saturday I rode w/my club, 40+ miles. It was in the low 30's at the start, we stopped for a late breakfast and the weather was in the 40's and sunny on the way back. Very lovely, despite a general feeling that the holiday goodies were weighing me down :D

It was my first club ride going clipless and I managed to stay upright the whole time! How about that? I did have a fall on my own last week though, just a skinned knee, nothing too serious.

Colleen

[IFjane]

KayTee, you are right - the day was beautiful for a ride. SO & I went out for 22 miles in the afternoon. Light headwind, about 52 degrees. This was his first time on the bike since he broke his hand - it's still in a cast but he couldn't stand it any longer & decided to go for it. He has a little trouble shifting but has managed to work it out. Road vibration hurts but not enough to stop riding.

[KayTee]

IFJane, sorry to hear about your DH's hand but glad y'all got out on such a gorgeous day - bet that helped him to feel better as much as anything would. If he hasn't tried it yet, double-taping (or padding and overtaping) his handlebar might help dampen some of the road vibration.

[IFjane]

Thanks Kay. He might try double-taping, though he won't be on the bike again until Saturday. Hopefully another week of healing under his belt will help with the pain. The cast is supposed to come off on the 18th.