May 20th ride report

[mimitabby]

didn't ANYONE ride?

[mimitabby]

Forecast for today 80% chance of rain all day. Thunderstorms (not like the ones you get on the eastern half of the country)

Sigh... got up.. no rain. got in the car and drove to DS's GF's house. no rain.
got on our bikes. RAIN. COLD! (wore wool teeshirt, padded warm longsleeve jersey, wool knickers & socks, fleece vest AND raincoat AND hat).
Went to breakfast.. got out. still raining. mopped my Brooks saddle dry so I didn't have to sit in a puddle..

got on. The ride was consisting of 2 young hotshots on single bikes; a very strong woman rider - she was bushed from climbing up Snoqualmie yesterday; YEAH RIGHT. she didn't even bother to wear a raincoat! and then a 70 year old guy who can ride forever and two strong tandems; one being Raleighdon and DS's GF and then bringing up the rear; ME.

it was miserable. The wind was nasty, it was cold, temps in the low 40's with wind and did I say it was raining? We were supposed to ride about 60 miles, but when we got to Seward Park (dangerouslly close to my house) I was done and wanted to go home. My feet hadn't gotten wet yet, and I wasn't really cold with all those layers, just unhappy about the wind and the rain in my face.
Raleighdon talked me into riding to Culon park (I don't know how to spell it)
another 8 or 10 miles. Sigh... So I did.
Twice I almost turned right and went up the hill to my home. The pack left me far behind. the 70 odd year old guy was on the horizon and Raleighdon and DS's GF on the tandem stayed closer to me now that they had decided to not to do the highspeed stuff in the rain.

When we got to Culomb park (I still don't know how to spell it) My FEET were wet. I didn't wear booties because i really didn't think it would be quite this miserable.
and we stopped and had hot chocolate there. it was good, but then i chilled and all my muscles constricted. OWCH it was hard getting started.
Fortunately upon turning around finally the wind was at my back so now I got the rooster tail of rain from the tandem ; the rear fender was askew so it wasn't doing any good, but we were going 15-19 mph most the time. Even at that speed and with uphills, My feet did not warm up, they just got colder as i was wet.. I decided that now it was a good thing that i got out of that ride because of that. my feet did not warm up on the hills to home.
32 miles. and i earned every stinkin' one of them.

[Jolt]

didn't ANYONE ride?

Nope, weather was rotten here. Actually, it cleared up for a bit and I almost did go for a ride, but the forecast was still not great so I didn't. Turns out that I would have gotten caught in a lovely downpour/thunderstorm if I had gone for that ride, so it was just as well that I skipped it!

[RolliePollie]

I did!

Rode with a great friend of mine who is nice enough to wait up for me. 20.3 miles, perfect weather, and did better than anticipated on the hills. New top speed of 34.3 mph!

Slight sunburn on shoulders and hoping that the sun is starting to blonde up my hair (hmmm...will I get blonde streaks from my helmet vents?).

[madscot13]

I went for a rainy ride today. About halfway, when the tire water was reachign my face I realized I had fenders in my closet. I headed over to an estate sale that pyxichick pointed out. No BWCA maps alas. But it was a nice ride anyways, probably because I packed coffee.

[madscot13]

But I s'pose that was not the ride you were mentioning now was it?

[makbike]

I too rode today, twice that is. I took my Giro out for a short spin (7.3 miles) and enjoyed the brief time I spent on it. I have not really riden it since October so it felt good to be on it even if my legs were talking to me.

My second ride was a club ride - a much loved club ride for the it ends at an ice cream shop and the club foots the bill! I got in 20 miles today and felt strong. I enjoyed the waffle cone with a scoop of cookie dough and a scoop of parlines and cream - very good. Somehow I don't think I burned at many calories but heck a girl has to have fun once in a while.

The weather was picture perfect here today. Temps in the upper 70's, a slight breeze, lots of sun (not a clould in the sky). The sailboats looked refreshing as they made their way up and down the Ohio River (the club ride today was from New Albany, IN to Utica, IN). It felt great to be out and beat the heck out of mowing the grass.

[cosc]

I got up early and rode 21 miles before sunday school. A gorgeous day, temps 58, and a haze just above the horizon.

[Starfish]

hoping that the sun is starting to blonde up my hair (hmmm...will I get blonde streaks from my helmet vents?).

LOL, I just got this image of pulling sections of hair out your helmet vents like those old frosting bonnets...you could pull hair out the vents and squirt them with lemon juice! :p

[Pax]

Rode yesterday and today, we ran our errands yesterday on the bikes and today we took the road bikes out for a shakedown ride of 10 miles or so prior to next weekends Bike The Drive in Chicago!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes I rode a pleasant 18 miles today. It was supposed to be rainy but it wasn't- just windy and cool. (Not cold and wet like poor Mimi's ride! :eek: )

[RolliePollie]

Hey Starfish...ha ha HA...that's a really good idea! Too funny! But really, it would solve a dilemma for me. I depend on the summer sun to "re-blondify" my hair. Now that a lot of my time in the sun is spent with a helmet on my head, I'm worried that I'm going to end up with super light blonde ends and a darker "helmet" of hair where it's covered. So I can just randomly pull hair out of the helmet vents and abra cadabra! I'll have highlights! HA HA HA!!!

Can you imagine how funny that would look...you're flying down the road with hair sticking up through your helmet like you've stuck your finger in a light socket! My hair is kind of long so I'd have to be careful or I could get hung up on bushes or on passing cars!

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[Jolt]

Hey Starfish...ha ha HA...that's a really good idea! Too funny! But really, it would solve a dilemma for me. I depend on the summer sun to "re-blondify" my hair. Now that a lot of my time in the sun is spent with a helmet on my head, I'm worried that I'm going to end up with super light blonde ends and a darker "helmet" of hair where it's covered. So I can just randomly pull hair out of the helmet vents and abra cadabra! I'll have highlights! HA HA HA!!!

Can you imagine how funny that would look...you're flying down the road with hair sticking up through your helmet like you've stuck your finger in a light socket! My hair is kind of long so I'd have to be careful or I could get hung up on bushes or on passing cars!

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! :D

That is a wicked amusing mental image--I about fell off my chair! :D

[7rider]

Hmmm.
DH is...um..."shiny" on top - that is, lacking in the hair department. Before he started wearing a HeadSweat regularly, he'd get helmet tan lines on his noggin! Never gave a thought to hair highlights via helmet vent. Hey. It could be the new "in" thing!

I wanted to get an early a.m. ride before I brought Noah and Tasha (my furkids) to Alexandria, VA for a spa-day to support the House Rabbit Sanctuary and the Alexandria animal shelter. Spa day was thorough grooming, nail clipping, and a massage. Bunnies came back totally spent and spent the rest of the day sacked out! Spoiled buns.

But...oh.. the ride. It was raining in the a.m., so no ride. I did get out this evening for a nice solo 30 mile loop. Murphy's Law was in full effect. Seemed like I had a nasty headwind the whole way!! :rolleyes: 15.8 mph average, and about 1500 feet of climbing.

[Starfish]

didn't ANYONE ride?

I have just about had it up to "here" with cold, dark, rainy riding. I rode yesterday in full winter clothes...booties over calientoes, several layers on top, two sets of gloves, hat under helmet, winter amfib tights, etc.

I confess if it had been 85 and sunny today, I would be out doing a recovery ride...but not in this rain and cold. Not in May. :mad: I know, I know. Pretty whiney.

[Cella66]

Tour De Cure Bar Harbor, ME

The day started with a lovely light rain and 41 degrees. I am on day 2 of a cold that kept me up most of the night. My friend showed up to go to the event and he didn't think that I should do the 100K because I still had a fever. So he went on without me and I chose to do the 50K. Tons of long climbs. I did okay, but was a little disappointed in my time. I am hoping that it is just feeling poorly that did it. I also decided not to eat at the first stop as I wasn't hungry. Bad idea, very bad idea. I also took a wrong turn and did an extra 4 miles... Go figure!

But the sun did come out for a few min and warmed me up enough to re-energize me and the views of the ocean and cliffs were so amazing. I love an angry ocean.

I am looking forward to next year and actually doing the 100K

[luvs2ride]

DH and I rode 84 miles yesterday in preparation for our Lake Tahoe Century on June 3rd. We were in the seat for 8 hours !!! The longest I'd been in the seat before this time was about 6 hours (70 miles). Lots went wrong on this ride including sore thoat for me and chills for my husband (we've caught the kids' colds). Also lots of flat tires and "bonking" for other members of our TEAM (Team in Training) Really proud that we did it and with over 9,000 feet of climbing (guess they really want us to be ready for Tahoe which is supposed to be hilly). I had no idea it was this "hilly" in Southern California! It was 70's for most of the ride with light fog in the morning and sunny/hot when we were climbing to get back to our cars (YUCK !!) Don't want to look at a bike for a few days !!

[Starfish]

Wow, luvs2ride, that is a RIDE. Good job.

[Popoki_Nui]

I have just about had it up to "here" with cold, dark, rainy riding.....
I confess if it had been 85 and sunny today, I would be out doing a recovery ride...but not in this rain and cold. Not in May. :mad: I know, I know. Pretty whiney.

I think we've earned the right to whine this year. The rain and cold are getting to me too. The year is close to half over and I'm not at even a third of my distance goals, and way behind last year's at this time. Whiney? Join the club! Zero kilometers today because....yep. Cold, wind, rain.

[ShubieGA]

My friends and I got in a 27 mile ride with lots of hill practice - not too many huge ones, just enough to get my best speed so far - 36 mph! I was praying for no bumps at the bottom. I need to get better with hydration - I bonked for a bit in the middle. Still a good day!

[Starfish]

I think we've earned the right to whine this year. The rain and cold are getting to me too. The year is close to half over and I'm not at even a third of my distance goals, and way behind last year's at this time. Whiney? Join the club! Zero kilometers today because....yep. Cold, wind, rain.

It's weird...earlier in the spring, I would suit up, ride in the hail, even, and feel tough and good. But, by late May, the weather seriously demoralizes me. PN, I always look across and could swear it is sunny over there! I guess not...

[Zen]

No miles here, I share the weather with Regina.

chose to spin instead

[salsabike]

It's "Coulon" Park, and poor Mimi! That does NOT sound like a good time. Although it does feel good once you're back home...

We DID ride today. Logboom to Marymoor to Blazing Bagels, and back, tossing in the Bothell campus hill on the way home just to make sure we keep up our hill climbing. It wasn't bad--sporadic drizzle and warm when we started, colder and more regular showers when we finished--but I was glad we were doing the 30 rather than the 60 mile ride today. And after we got home, it started SERIOUSLY raining, so nice to be home.

[Trek420]

Short ride but rode up East St. in Hayward then down 2nd, turn right go up East St then down 2nd turn right go up....then down 2nd to LBS and got glove liners, back up the hill to car.

East St used to get me off the bike walking at several points.

This was on the commuter because the road bike is at the LBS primping for the AIDS ride. I was slow as all get out and felt like I was gonna hurl at several key points (sorry TE).

Yikes hill repeats can be boring but .... glad I did it.

I wish I'd been doing this every week for like oh forever but it's good to know "here's a hill I could not ride before and now I can...a few times. :p "

[Mr. Bloom]

Two rides in two cities.

This morning, I did our Ohio River ride in Newburgh. I did it alone, pushed hard and got 13 miles at 17.8mph.

Tonight, I did my Lake Monroe ride in Bloomington. Right down to the water (5% grade). 18 miles at 17.3mph.

These are good speeds for me...and my knees don't hurt!!!:D

[Geonz]

Okay, I rode!! To my surprise I WOKE UP at 5:00 w/o the alarm... but it was still 6:15 before I was out the door and riding out to Monticello, 24 miles away, where the Lions Club has their Sangamon River Ride. At one point I saw another cyclist a mile or three in front of me, but I wasn't gaining ;)
Did the 42 mile ride (shorter options... they have a 16 miler with the rest stopat 13 miles which is ROTTEN if you ask me!!), consumed a pork chop sandwich and beans and hopped on the bike toride home inthe slight tailwind. Pulled in with 91.6 miles... yea, I have temporarily nudged in front of a certain rabbit at bike journal :)
SHowered and checked email and rode out to chat about the Champaign Bicycle Plan because it turns out they are at least pretending to be having one ;) (Urbana-Champaign is number ten in the "top ten" green communities... but if it were ust Urbana it would benumber 5... Champaign is a little more business oriented than our People's Republic of Urbana :D :D )
Went via LBS because (excuse for the day :)) otehrwise I might have ended the day at 98 miles; ended up with a sidetrip and 107 miles. Got gloves because doing 100 miles without them was a little sore-making. Got sunglasses 'cause they have 'em for ten bucksand I'd ridden without them. Got another shot of lubrication on that stuck seatpost - but my LBS guy said it'sgonna take something more (like squirting thestuffin upside down and letting it sit afew days - all this to raise the seat, eh??)

Our weather perfect - 7mph winds, sunny, 80's.

[Jolt]

This was on the commuter because the road bike is at the LBS primping for the AIDS ride. I was slow as all get out and felt like I was gonna hurl at several key points (sorry TE).


Thanks for bringing that up! :D

[Popoki_Nui]

It's weird...earlier in the spring, I would suit up, ride in the hail, even, and feel tough and good. But, by late May, the weather seriously demoralizes me. PN, I always look across and could swear it is sunny over there! I guess not...


Sorry to burst your bubble, Starfish! ;) ;) Statistically it is slightly sunnier here than PA, but when those big ol Pacific storms roll in, the 20 or so miles between you and me make very little difference.
Now, will whoever stole Spring please return it? No questions asked.

[Trek420]

Thanks for bringing that up! :D

You're welcome! There's even a jersey and...hey, I should have got this for Red Dress Day.

[KnottedYet]

that's beautiful. i think you should get it anyway. (what did you get for Red Dress Day? I forgot.)

[Trek420]

that's beautiful. i think you should get it anyway. (what did you get for Red Dress Day? I forgot.)

I got the TE Hill Slug jersey :p Much more appropriate ;)

[mimitabby]

It's "Coulon" Park, and poor Mimi! That does NOT sound like a good time. Although it does feel good once you're back home...

We DID ride today. Logboom to Marymoor to Blazing Bagels, and back, tossing in the Bothell campus hill on the way home just to make sure we keep up our hill climbing. It wasn't bad--sporadic drizzle and warm when we started, colder and more regular showers when we finished--but I was glad we were doing the 30 rather than the 60 mile ride today. And after we got home, it started SERIOUSLY raining, so nice to be home.

where the heck did you find WARM? maybe the warmness was in your state of being, because it sure wasn't on the west side of the state of Washington!:eek:

[kelownagirl]

Me, me! Did 70km, half flat and easy, half "hardish" climbing. NO rain here, sunny, warm, 70 degrees.

PS - Mimi, I'm determined to catch you on the BJ bike race. :)

[iFKA]

Me, me! Did 70km, half flat and easy, half "hardish" climbing. NO rain here, sunny, warm, 70 degrees.


Preety same in Europe, I had a great weather and rode 65km with my fiends. There was 6 of us - half was GIRLS!!! Usually out of 100 contestants on some competition you can find maybe 3 girls.

I finally succeed to recrute few my friends :cool:
biking is spreading among chicks here... Croatia be aware ;)

[Crankin]

Nope, the weather was awful. Did a very hard yoga session and a short cardio Saturday. Yesterday we went on a 3.5 mile hike in Estabrook Woods. Went on a trail that I had done a mtb ride on last year. I can't believe I did that one...
Later I went out to do errands and stopped for coffee. The sun came out momentarily and I saw a few cyclists, looking really nervous, as the sky turned black and a new thunderstorm headed this way.
I haven't been on my bike in almost a week. Planning to ride after work today and commute tomorrow.

[PinkBike]

i rode! its in the 90's here, sleeveless jersey time.
DH and i did our commute to church (33.8 miles total) with a twist -
he was off his bike for two months during rehab, then started riding again but his doctor put the kebosh on that due to the stress on his shoulders. doctor doug said at least another month off the bike.
so we'll show him - we went out and got DH a recumbent!
if you've never ridden a recumbent, it is a blast!! effortless!
but uphills are brutal and the pace is more "relaxed," shall we say.
i just worry about visibility, being so low to the ground, so i stayed a little behind him and felt like a sentry.

[Duck on Wheels]

Not me. Didn't ride. Dark roiling clouds threatening to rain, so I walked instead. 17 km. The rain didn't start until I was about a block from home again on my way back. Darn! Could'a taken the bike after all. Then UK called to boast about her ride -- 80 miles (or very nearly) and felt like she could do more. Guess she's about ready for the ALC. :)

[uk elephant]

I had a great ride yesterday. Beautiful day, sunny and warm but not too hot with a light breeze. Did 80 miles (actually only 78.8, but I think that's close enough to 80) and I felt great afterwards. Could have easily done another 20 (after I had had my ice cream). I felt totally energized and proud of my self so I called home to brag. And feeling so good after a long ride made me feel a little less nervous about ALC in just a few days! Can't wait to get started!

Only had one problem on the ride. The bike felt really wobbly, like the rear hub was loose. When I got home, I notice the rear tyre was falling apart. Got a new one put on today and the bike feels fine again. I guess 3000 miles was enough for the old tyre.

[deedolce]

Rode 46 miles with about 17# in panniers to add to my load. Beautiful day, really perfect weather! Man, my legs suffered. Any sprinting was a memory of an unloaded bike. lol. Trying to train for a fully loaded tandem tour of the Coast in July.

[SadieKate]

Dee, what did you find out about tandems on Amtrak? I'm curious because Bill and I have talked about trying to take one on the Capitol Corridor but haven't gotten any further in our research.

[deedolce]

I haven't found out anything yet. You'll see it on a listserv near you in the next day! Then we'll both know! I asked Jeff Hall, and he said that dear editor did it, but on non-rush hour times. But I don't know the official stand.

P.S. Click on my blog to see a pic of our 'new' tandem I bought on Craiglist just this last Saturday! She's a beauty!!

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I was supposed to be doing a "recovery ride" Sunday since I'd just done my LT test Saturday. However, it was just WAY too nice out yesterday and I was feelin spunky.... I did ripped a nice 65k (sounds better than 40.5 miles, eh?) around town.
OH - and get this! Instead of DRIVING my bike down to Riverside like I normally would have (before I started commuting last week), I just took off from my house! Ya-hoo! Instant addition of 12 or so miles! :P

The way my legs feel today, I can tell why they say to take it easy after your LT test.. Oh well.. it was too nice to take it easy. :cool: