Nov 4 Rides

[Aggie_Ama]

Went sleeveless again and just looked at next weekend's forecast- 80's again! We did 54 miles, didn't have that great of a ride but it was sunny and brought us closer to our yearly goal of 4,000 miles. I am having some fatigue issues on and off the bike which is why it wasn't a good ride.

May have to break down to see my doctor. Yippee- I feel human pin cushion time coming on.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wow- in the 80's, Aggie-Ama?! :eek:

It was 30 degrees F this morning when DH and I set out on our bikes. By the time we finished breakfast and started our ride an hour later it was about 38 I think. High of about 48 today.

We rode 44 miles, stopping to add or remove wool layers every now and then. I had 2 pairs of gloves and two wool socks, plus a lightweight balaclava- and I needed all that too, since the sun disappeared behind clouds and it felt kind of cold after 4 hours out there pedaling in the breeze. :o
It was pretty hilly too, so I am tired all over now, I feel like a rubber band.
Beautiful ride....but a bit tiring today. I think I will sleep well tonight. :cool:

[Beane]

we rode a brief 10 miles to our fav brunch place, had some great french toast and rode home. a beautiful day.

[froglegs]

Today is a beautiful day, sunny and low 70's. Took the same route as yesterday, only turned back sooner to make it an even hour (12.3 miles, lots of hills) and then followed it with a 3.6 mile run. Now my back hurts and my legs feel like jello. Good thing I have an extra hour to take a nap before I do the chores I've been putting off all day.

[Aggie_Ama]

Wow- in the 80's, Aggie-Ama?! :eek:

It was 30 degrees F this morning when DH and I set out on our bikes. By the time we finished breakfast and started our ride an hour later it was about 38 I think. High of about 48 today.

We rode 44 miles, stopping to add or remove wool layers every now and then.


It is warm, even for Texas. It will be quite a shock when we finally break out the arm warmers/leg warmers/tights. They are forecasting a dry winter but I haven't heard if they are also thinking warm.

You really aren't giving me much chance to catch you in your yearly miles, are you? :p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You really aren't giving me much chance to catch you in your yearly miles, are you? :p

Just wait til February, you'll be leaving me in the dust! :rolleyes: :D

[sandra]

We only got in a short ride today but it was a beautiful day. We rode in short sleeve t-shirts and shorts. High of 81 degrees! There was a man walking on the trail with his shirt off.

I passed another unusual sight. A family on bikes and the dad was riding in a white button down dress shirt and smoking a cigarette! :eek:

[fastdogs]

This was a landmark day for me- my DH came bike riding with me!!! He NEVER rides bikes, doesn't even have a bike. He figures if it's warm enough for cycling, it's warm enough for golf. He asked me to keep one of the walmart bikes, saying he wanted it just in case he wanted to go riding. But the tires are dry rotted, chain is rusty, and it's just not ready to go. So when I wanted to try a new trail I'd heard about (al foster trail), he said he'd come along. So we loaded my new trek, the folding bike, and the burley trailer for Andy. It was gorgeous- cool enough that we started with jackets, but warm enough that they came off in short order.
The trail was limestone, through the woods along the river, with bluffs on ones side part way- absolutely beautiful with the leaves and trees changing color. But we aren't familiar with it, so somehow got off the main trail after about 2-3 miles and ended up on a winding path with lots of tree roots, large rocks, and getting too narrow for the trailer. We found a cut off, past piles of garbage and old tires, and got back on the main trail. I think we went about six miles, not sure. My DH started out on the trek, pulling the trailer, but I noticed after a little while he was tiring- in the granny gears and spinning on a flat trail. I was going along on the folder in 8 or 9 (it's a 9 speed), so I traded with him. He loved the folder, and I wanted a little workout since I knew we wouldn't be able to ride far. I was just glad to have him and andy along, and didn't want to push my luck by hurting him! He did well and had a great time- Andy is getting tired of the trailer and may be ready for a trail a bike. I'd like to start further up a blacktop bike trail from another national park and ride to the al foster trail next time, to add a little distance.
vickie

[sandra]

Fastdogs, that's fabulous that your DH went with you and enjoyed the ride! He may decide he likes biking and start looking for himself a bike. My DH loves to deer hunt and I was afraid I might lose him to hunting season, but so far he says he wants to keep up the riding and that he "can't hunt all the time". :)

Did you love your new Trek?

[solobiker]

Haven't been riding much since the first part of Septembe due to a nasty leg infection however, today DH and I set out on a ride in the Colorado foothills. It was a beautiful day, plenty of sunshine and temps in the 70s. We rode up one of the local favorite canyons during our loop. I got going 39mph on the way down. WEEEEEEE pretty fun and scary at the same time.

[fastdogs]

I LOVE the trek. I was a little bummed that I'd ride the folder and not get to ride my trek- I love pink bike too, but I ride it every day. But I didn't think he'd want to ride the pink bike, and might need the bigger bike. So when pulling the trailer was dragging him down, I was happy to get on the trek. So I got to enjoy both my bikes, and was really happy he seemed to like riding them as well. He doesn't say much, but when I asked if the folder was doing ok for him, he said it was a piece of cake. I can't wait to do it again- I always ride by myself so it was nice to have company (especially when we were isolated on the trail with the junk piles).
vickie

[7rider]

I was thinking of LisaSH today.
There was a guy on the shop ride riding a sky blue Rambouillet - complete with the Brooks saddle (I think that's a requirement, isn't it!). Only, this guy's bike had moustache bars.
The woman from San Francisco on the beater mountain bike was back again - and again putting the hurt on the field. Gads that woman is FAST. She bruised the egos of more than a few guys on their fancy race bikes. It was a beautiful thing to see! :D
So....while checking out other folks' bikes...I did manage to get in a decent ride. It was a picture perfect fall day.

[RoadRaven]

Just 26km for my Sunday ride, but I went as hard as I could into the strong westerly...
My partner made me a nice egg sandwich when I got home - I was famished

(Oh, I was riding home after watching/supporting nearly-17's first triathalon [a short introductory one - 300m swim/15kmbike/3kmrun]... his swim and transition took him six minutes longer than the first out of the water, but he was first home by 2 minutes and won not only his grade, but also overall!)

[Veronica]

27 rolling miles and the hills did not irritate my knee!

V.

[Crankin]

My ride was a 6 mile hike in Spring Hill conservation land. Still dealing with all of the health problems, so hiking seems like a better option. It was beautiful out and it was my birthday.
I only tripped on a root once and fell. Just as I was thinking that I would not like riding my mountain bike in here!

Robyn

[bike4ever]

fastdogs - Did you ride Al Foster at Castlewood State park? I saw a family loading their trailer as I was leaving the parking lot.

It was beautiful in the 'Lou yesterday. I met two new women mountain bikers early in my warm up. One had her bike upside down with issues. I made a quick adjustment to her brake pad, and she was back on the bike.

I was able to ride with shorts and a long sleeve jersey. The trails were all covered with leaves which means you can't see the rocks. I went to a technical section to try and clear a very washed out part. Unfortunately, I landed hard on my knee. I'm glad I had some tissues with me.

As I was finishing, I ran into the two women from earlier in the ride. They were asking about the beginners trails in this park. I took them to one called "Love." It really is one of the easier trails for true mountain biking in this park. On our first slight climb, one girl didn't get into the easier gear and did a tip over on the trail. She landed hard on her knee and that was the end of our ride. Oh well, I just continued up the trail for another loop. It still was a beautiful ride.

[fastdogs]

I've never been to castlewood state park yet- it's been recommended though. I got on al foster trail just off of 109, outside of eureka. There's a parking area there where we loaded up. You can't miss the pink folding bike! Say hi if you do ever run into us, always interested in meeting more of the TE people!
vickie

[RoadRaven]

27 rolling miles and the hills did not irritate my knee!

V.

YAY!!!!!

:D :)

[Veronica]

YAY!!!!!

:D :)

Thanks! I was pretty much dancing on my pedals after we did the hills. They are small and not very steep, but even those had irrititated me. A little victory!

V.

[RoadRaven]

I know Veronica... any hill is a little victory, but hills whenyour knee plays up - ouch

And my partner and my 17yr old both have sore knees at the moment - so my "yay" for a pain-free-knee-ride was genuine and 'refreshed'...

[indigoiis]

I rode 55 miles Sunday in Southeastern Mass. with my local bike club.
It was not as exhilerating as past rides.

I am trying to figure out why. The scenery was lovely and the roads were clear despite the bad storm that came through New England on Saturday. Some things to consider:

-I got trapped riding behind two men. One was a loud and gregarious man who did not like being passed (but then would pass and slow down in front of me.) The other was an ancient Northern british fella, very nice and kind in every way, who forgot to put his teeth in and was wearing kilt socks. He was like a machine. He never stopped. He went about 13 mph steady. They got me lost, because the older gentleman took a left (as soon as we took it I knew it was wrong... but what do you do? I should have turned around and let them go.)

-It was windy.

-I was hot and cold. It was about 55 and I had on a long sleeved jersey and a jacket. I could have taken the jacket off, but our little team never stopped.

-I was afraid of losing these two dudes because I was in a different state, and in an area I do not at all know, and regardless of the (somewhat ambiguously painted) arrowing, I was not secure about where I was going as I had not done a thorough mapmyride study of the ride, which I normally do in a very OCD kind of way.

-I didn't stop for lunch, because these guys didn't stop.

-When I felt the energy to pass, which was fairly often, I would, and then the younger, loud dude would come right up and pass me again, and then slow down in front of me. As if to say, sweetheart, tuck in behind ol' Daddy. Maddening.

-At one point, we were on a highway. With real exits. I was terrified. I nearly messed my shorts. We were as lost as easter eggs.

-My bike didn't feel right. Granted, it's been two weeks since I've been on it, and I wasn't really prepared for a 55 miler. Duh.

So.

It pays to research the route. Thoroughly and as obsessively as one likes.
It pays to not get caught up behind men who don't like being passed.
Don't get caught up behind anyone. (Note to self: Don't ever feel obliged to not pass or to keep someone with you. You are not a Saint. Stop trying to be one.)
It pays to stop and eat, and not worry about who is watching or flying by.
It pays to bring gatorade.
It pays to stop and check things if things feel off.
It pays to stop and take off a layer if need be, even if you have to stop again and put it back on in a few miles.
It pays to remember it is not a race.
It pays to enjoy the scenery.

I did okay.
But I didn't do my very best. That bugs me, but I don't regret doing the ride.
Some days are better than others.

:D