July 4th Saturday RIDES [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

BleeckerSt_Girl

07-04-2009, 09:05 AM

DH and I had a really nice 14 mile ride this morning- the first chance I'd had since last weekend to ride at all, mostly due to relentless rain in our area.

It was very welcome, since yesterday I spent 4 hours gardening and stooping to plant Fall crop seeds, and I woke up very sore all over, especially my hamstrings and lower back muscles. The leisurely bike ride was just what the doctor ordered to get gently stretched out and feeling more normal again. Plus it's always fun to ride with DH and chat about the world and Life in general.
I love riding my bike.

Biciclista

07-04-2009, 09:10 AM

Glad the weather has improved over there!

Tri Girl

07-04-2009, 09:28 AM

I just did a short group ride of 35 miles this morning. It was actually overcast and decent temperature wise. Now it's eleventy billion degrees, but it was nice this morning. There was so little traffic, it was ultra pleasant. A storm started to roll in as we took off, but it disappeared after a little while. I saw some neat things along the way and took pictures, but I can't seem to resize them on the laptop, so you'll have to use your imagination.
I saw miniature donkeys (really tiny, but they packed a LOUD hee haw),
the Lazy E Arena (local big time rodeo place), and a cool cloud scene when the thunderstorm was rolling in.

It was a great way to celebrate Independence Day. :)

TrekTheKaty

07-04-2009, 09:34 AM

:(It's a torrential downpour here in St. Louis. SO, no ride but went to the bookstore and bought three books on cycling. I'm out there with you in spirit :cool:

Crankin

07-04-2009, 10:07 AM

Went with cycling friends on a lovely 27.5 mile ride through Boxborough, Harvard, and Bolton and back to Acton. We left early (9:30) and it was good. No cars and hardly any cyclists. My friend wasn't having a good day and felt tired, so we shortened our ride a bit, but it was still really nice; 73 degrees, partly sunny, breezy. It finally feels like summer. Of course, our friend, in his relentless need to climb, took us up a a few streets we always go down. It's a series of 5 hills, where only the first one is really steep, but, still, it slowed me down! And, it's always fun to see things from the opposite direction. I reminded my DH that he had taken me up this route, when I first started riding, on my old mountain bike, with sneakers, on a 95 degree day...
Watching the end of the first stage of the Tour and getting ready to go back to friends for BBQ.
And this morning we got the good news that our son is coming home from Iraq a month early! Only 4.5 more weeks.

Reesha

07-04-2009, 10:16 AM

I think I'm going to spite the rain here in St. Louis and ride grants trail out and back twice... should be a nice 32 mile ride. I need to get comfortable in the rain again after my rainy crash last August and Grant's Trail is fairly protected from traffic. Plus it's right near the Alpine Shop where I'm headed to put my downpayment on my new, future mountain bike!

Also, I wanted an excuse to have a big bowl of white rice for lunch :D

OakLeaf

07-04-2009, 10:25 AM

Our club met for the usual Saturday morning ride. Our first breakfast destination was closed for the holiday, though, so we had to hop over to the next town, only about another four or five miles. But our usual breakfast destination in that town was mobbed with holiday boaters, so we ate at another place down the street. It's a nice day, though overcast. When we got back, I had to do an extra lap around the parking lot until my odometer turned over 50 miles. :o

ZooZoo

07-04-2009, 10:46 AM

Got up extra early (5am) and was on my bike by 6. Rode 30 miles and 'discovered' a loop of the Interurban trail that I had never tried before so that was fun. Could have gone further, but ran out of time and need to get home. Beautful day, 64 degrees, slight wind and had the trail basically to myself.

BleeckerSt_Girl

07-04-2009, 11:59 AM

And this morning we got the good news that our son is coming home from Iraq a month early! Only 4.5 more weeks.

That is good news indeed- I'm happy for you!

nolemom

07-04-2009, 12:03 PM

Rode the usual club ride but with only a handful of riders due to competing races and rides for the holiday. Starting in fog and the humidity was horrible, but that is typical Florida summer weather. Went 50 miles at a decent average even though I did not feel my best. Trying to figure out why I normally welcome it when the ride leader drops back to pull me up to the fast group, but it ticks me off when it is my DH who drops back for me. I was less than pleasant and had to apologize at the end of the ride. Thankfully, he understood. :o Happy Fourth!

Mr. Bloom

07-04-2009, 12:08 PM

:(It's a torrential downpour here in St. Louis. SO, no ride but went to the bookstore and bought three books on cycling. I'm out there with you in spirit :cool:

Well, it came this way, but I got 20 miles in before it hit. It was lovely - in the 60's.:cool:

NOW, it's just cold and rainy:(

RolliePollie

07-04-2009, 01:09 PM

25 miles for me this morning. I realized I do not have any patriotic cycling socks and I think I need to remedy this situation.

After my ride I went up the street to watch our local 4th of July parade. It's the epitome of a small town parade...some fire engines, a handful of horses, a band consisting of approximately 6 people, and lots of folks driving their pick-ups and Jeeps and lawn mower tractors throwing candy at the kids. Now I am praying that no one lights off fireworks tonight and starts a big forest fire...all fireworks are illegal here but people set them off anyway. It's really scary because this area is all forest and the fire danger is really high.

mudmucker

07-04-2009, 01:12 PM

shootingstar

07-04-2009, 01:39 PM

43 kms. Nothing special, but it always is special in our neck of the woods when it's sunny, warm, not too hot and not much wind.

It's a usual route but I need to remind myself not allow daily beautiful vistas to become like a painting on a living rm. wall, that one forgets to truly notice or SEE. :)

Zen

07-04-2009, 02:26 PM

HillSlugger

07-04-2009, 02:50 PM

30 fast miles on the tri bike. A bit windy but otherwise beautiful weather.

Tri Girl

07-04-2009, 02:53 PM

30 fast miles on the tri bike. A bit windy but otherwise beautiful weather.

all miles feel fast on the tri bike (whether or not they actually are is subject to debate in my case, however). :)

HillSlugger

07-04-2009, 02:59 PM

all miles feel fast on the tri bike (whether or not they actually are is subject to debate in my case, however). :)

I can't wait to race on her next Sunday :D

7rider

07-04-2009, 03:01 PM

DH and I took our big aluminum canoe to Annapolis and went for a paddle on an arm of the South River. Sunny, breezy, and absolutely lovely. Saw a red tailed hawk, several osprey, martins, ducks, swallows, and a kingfisher.
Turned not a single pedal. :p
But I am waiting to see PFunk12 post a ride report. You on, P???? Yes, I saw something on Yahoo ....

7rider

07-04-2009, 03:01 PM

I can't wait to race on her next Sunday :D

Are you doing that sprint tri, too? Good luck!!!

PamNY

07-04-2009, 03:02 PM

Short ride today. The bike path was already crowded with people gathering to watch the fireworks. Sometimes it's amusing to watch the preparations for such things, but today was just annoying.

I didn't go see my hawk family. I am so worried that the crowds will upset them & possibly drive them into a busy street (the juveniles love to play on the ground). The closest fireworks barge is 2 miles so I think they will tolerate that. It's humans I'm worried about. I watched the hawks almost all day yesterday. One of the photographers got great photos yesterday:

http://palemale.com/

HillSlugger

07-04-2009, 03:08 PM

Are you doing that sprint tri, too? Good luck!!!

You mean the one I talked Janice into doing? Yes!

tzvia

07-04-2009, 03:08 PM

It's the last day of my vacation in Bend OR. Gotta leave tomorrow to go back to L.A. and I would rather stay here, frankly. Oh well. Been riding all around the Phil's trail network so today took a fun ride along Deschutes River Trail.

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9035/bend2.th.jpg (http://img13.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bend2.jpg)

Happy Birthday U.S.A.!

Reesha

07-04-2009, 03:19 PM

I'm finally on vacation. The past couple of days I've been parking 15-20 miles outside of town and have been biking to the Longsjo Classics (http://www.longsjo.com/) a 4-stage road race held anually in Fitchburg, MA.

For those of you in the vicinity, there is still one last stage race tomorrow when the criterium races will run. For the most part, the weather finally broke (as in sun) and has held some during the races, but some start times had downpours.

Fifty-year old cycling legend Jeannie Longo (http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/50th-fitchburg-longsjo-classic-ne/preview) is participating in the race this year.

I basically have been going in the morning when the women are racing. It's fun to watch and to provide encouragement and support to some of the local women as well. I have a friend racing as a Cat 3 so I have someone specific to cheer for. She's moving up to Cat 2 and will abrubtly lose her Cat 3/4 "comfort".

Tomorrow I may ride from the house to the back side of Fitchburg to watch the criterium, around 50 some odd miles or so. Don't know yet.

Speaking of weather, I finally also got out to mow the lawn. Because of schedule or work but mostly rain and more rain I haven't gotten a chance to mow it since May!

ooo I'm envious! I went to one day of Longsjo last year and I loved every minute. God to see the Women's pro race (or whatever cat it is... the main women's event!) And the final race of the men's pro. Team Colavita made things exciting last year!

As for my ride today I'm sad to say I had to cut it in half. I'm kind of wondering if my seat isn't getting old and squashy because after 40 miles yesterday and then 8 miles of 'hammering' today my frontal lady parts felt absolutely miserable. Burning in discomfort! I've got well over 2000 miles on this saddle, so maybe it's time replace it... I've never had this problem before this summer. The seat also doesn't have a cutaway... maybe I should consider getting one with a cut away? Those Selle SMP Lady models look appealing... aside from the hefty price tag.

kfergos

07-04-2009, 03:47 PM

I'm finally on vacation. The past couple of days I've been parking 15-20 miles outside of town and have been biking to the Longsjo Classics (http://www.longsjo.com/) a 4-stage road race held anually in Fitchburg, MA.

For those of you in the vicinity, there is still one last stage race tomorrow when the criterium races will run. For the most part, the weather finally broke (as in sun) and has held some during the races, but some start times had downpours.

Fifty-year old cycling legend Jeannie Longo (http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/50th-fitchburg-longsjo-classic-ne/preview) is participating in the race this year.

I basically have been going in the morning when the women are racing. It's fun to watch and to provide encouragement and support to some of the local women as well. I have a friend racing as a Cat 3 so I have someone specific to cheer for. She's moving up to Cat 2 and will abrubtly lose her Cat 3/4 "comfort".Ohmygoodness, I was there!! I rode Route 62 from Hudson to Princeton, and accidentally ended up riding on a very short bit of the Mt. Wachusett Road Race course -- that steep little hill into Princeton. People mistakenly cheered for me although it was pretty clear I wasn't a racer. :rolleyes: I sat around in Princeton for a while and saw the leading Cat 3/4 women come through in their big group with one lap left. I can't imagine riding that loop MULTIPLE TIMES. Once on just a short stretch of it was plenty for me.

That was part of the 60-mile loop I did today on a rented bike. My normal one is making its way to Seattle for the STP, so I rented a Madone 5.2 from my LBS. It was my first time on a carbon fiber bike and I loved the feel. I didn't love the SRAM Rival components, the gearing, or the agonizing not-my-shape saddle, though, so it was a very mixed bag as far as cycling enjoyment went. However, the bike was clearly built for speed, and I averaged 19.3 mph on the 46 miles that my GPS worked -- and that was uphill into Princeton, alone, against a decent headwind. Normally I average about 15 mph on these rides, so it was really fun to blaze along at speeds normally way outside of my ability range. Plus it didn't rain and I didn't get lost, so I'd peg it as a pretty darn successful ride.

divingbiker

07-04-2009, 03:49 PM

Met up with Kalidurga at the Kountry Kitchen (yes, spelled with a K :rolleyes:) for a late breakfast then out for about 25 miles.
It was windy.
It was warm.
It was hilly.
We rested, we walked, we took four hours to go
25 miles :eek:
I ran out of water, took a shortcut and tried to call Kalidurga to tell her but she did not have her phone with her.

Three lessons learned.
Wear your Camelbak, bring your phone, and start earlier when there's less wind.

I am cooked!

There you go. That's why I didn't ride with you and Kalidurga today. I was done with my 22 miles (from the Greenbelt Metro up to the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge and over to Bowie) by noon, before it got hot, with plenty of time to go out to the Indian buffet for lunch.:)

I can't wait to race on her next Sunday :D

I'll wave when you blow past me.

pfunk12

07-04-2009, 03:52 PM

Yes, it's true...I did Sugarloaf!! :D This was my first group ride since my crash a month ago. I was planning on doing Poolsville (62 for me) but Phil convinced me to add on. He told me that if I got dropped, he would ride with me. There were 4 of us who did Sugarloaf and the one guy stayed at the mountain to meet up with his wife so only 3 of us did the full ride. Sugarloaf was just like you told me it would be - really not that bad. I love long, steady climbs so I had a blast and I was right behind Karim!:eek: At the base, Phil had given me instructions on climbing technique. But I am so clueless when it comes to cycling. I just ride...I have no idea what the heck I am doing! Since I was right behind Karim, I thought for sure that we had a really long way to go and then he said, "Okay...it's all downhill from here." And the descent? :eek::eek::eek: So, so scary! I would much rather climb up that mountain than be scared to death flying down! It was a great ride - beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, and great company. I ended up doing 82 miles - 20 miles more than my longest ride. I know - what was I thinking?! I have a good sore feeling in my legs and I've eaten enough food today to feed a family of 5.

DH and I took our big aluminum canoe to Annapolis and went for a paddle on an arm of the South River. Sunny, breezy, and absolutely lovely. Saw a red tailed hawk, several osprey, martins, ducks, swallows, and a kingfisher.
Turned not a single pedal. :p
But I am waiting to see PFunk12 post a ride report. You on, P???? Yes, I saw something on Yahoo ....

Zen

07-04-2009, 04:02 PM

And the descent? :eek::eek::eek: So, so scary! I would much rather climb up that mountain than be scared to death flying down!

I'm right there with you, sister. I would like to do Sugarloaf, though. Guess I could always walk down.
(I've walked down hills before:o)

pfunk12

07-04-2009, 04:12 PM

I rode the brakes the whole way! All those turns! If I had known about all those scary turns, I probably would have walked my bike down!

I'm right there with you, sister. I would like to do Sugarloaf, though. Guess I could always walk down.
(I've walked down hills before:o)

TrekTheKaty

07-04-2009, 04:24 PM

Met up with Kalidurga at the Kountry Kitchen (yes, spelled with a K :rolleyes:) for a late breakfast then out for about 25 miles.

Kountry Kitchen! We had one in my college town--we ate there every Monday night after an evening class.

TrekTheKaty

07-04-2009, 04:32 PM

That was part of the 60-mile loop I did today on a rented bike. My normal one is making its way to Seattle for the STP, so I rented a Madone 5.2 from my LBS. It was my first time on a carbon fiber bike and I loved the feel. I didn't love the SRAM Rival components, the gearing, or the agonizing not-my-shape saddle, though, so it was a very mixed bag as far as cycling enjoyment went. However, the bike was clearly built for speed, and I averaged 19.3 mph on the 46 miles that my GPS worked -- and that was uphill into Princeton, alone, against a decent headwind. Normally I average about 15 mph on these rides, so it was really fun to blaze along at speeds normally way outside of my ability range. Plus it didn't rain and I didn't get lost, so I'd peg it as a pretty darn successful ride.

You're not helping--I want a Madone really bad, but I'm trying to wait another year. DH says when I keep up with him, I can have the Madone--but I need the Madone to keep up with him! UUGGHHHH;)

7rider

07-04-2009, 04:56 PM

And the descent? :eek::eek::eek: So, so scary! I would much rather climb up that mountain than be scared to death flying down! It was a great ride - beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, and great company. I ended up doing 82 miles - 20 miles more than my longest ride. I know - what was I thinking?! I have a good sore feeling in my legs and I've eaten enough food today to feed a family of 5.

You are da BOMB!!!!
Way to go. Congrats.
And your impression of Sugarloaf matches mine. Oh, lordy. I thought I was going to freak out coming back down!
We'll have to talk Aziz into do another training session so he can teach you pedalling technique, hill climbing, and pace lines. Wait a minute. Maybe not. You may get too fast.
Oh, and DH says that the all day eat-fests are one of his favorite perks of those long Sugarloaf rides!

Good luck DB and MDHS!

HillSlugger

07-04-2009, 05:01 PM

There you go. That's why I didn't ride with you and Kalidurga today. I was done with my 22 miles (from the Greenbelt Metro up to the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge and over to Bowie) by noon, before it got hot, with plenty of time to go out to the Indian buffet for lunch.:)

I'll wave when you blow past me.

The race info is up. I'm in wave 11 and you're in wave 12; they haven't posted the wave times, however.

Zen

07-04-2009, 05:12 PM

After my ride I went up the street to watch our local 4th of July parade. It's the epitome of a small town parade...

Didn't you post photos of that before? If it's the one I'm thinking about they were great.

Biciclista

07-04-2009, 06:54 PM

today was a traffic avoiding bike ride. My son and Daughter in law invited me to a street scramble, which is kind of like a scavenger hunt or orienteering. The problem is the start and finish for the street scramble is also where half of seattle go to watch the fireworks, so not only was it a car free area, it was also extremely crowded. So I rode 11 miles there, then we did the 3 hour street scramble, then i put my sorry butt back onto the bike and rode home.
Discovery: even when you are totally spent from walking for 3 hours in the heat of the sun, with tired legs and achy feet, your BIKE muscles in your legs are STILL FRESH! so even though i was totally totally tired and depleted, i rode the 11 miles home in good time.
I am very happy to be home now.
BTW, for those of you who wonder about the effectiveness of those "wings" I have the DeSoto Sport Arm coolers. I was out in the sun from 11am until 5pm with those things on. I decided that by 5 the sun would be cool enough to take them off. I did. To my surprise, the sun felt so much hotter on my skin that I put them back on. They do really work!

Fredwina

07-04-2009, 07:41 PM

maybe I should put this (http://janalingo.blogspot.com/2009/07/just-another-day.html) in adventure stories. It certainly turned into one!:eek:

Zen

07-04-2009, 07:46 PM

Oh that's not so bad (cept for the cramps and lost valve)
No one was injured in the telling of that story :)

Cataboo

07-04-2009, 08:58 PM

44 windy flat beach miles. Actually, all of them seemed slightly uphill both ways.

Crankin

07-05-2009, 04:31 AM

Fredwina, your Circle K comment made me laugh. When they filmed "Bill and Ted," it was at the Circle K on Southern and Hardy, in Tempe. They were doing it at 4:30 in the morning, with all of those giant lights, as I was on my way to teach my 5AM aerobics class. It was quite a sight.

ridebikeme

07-05-2009, 05:16 AM

Ahhh reading about everyones rides gives me hope that I someday will be back out there! It was pouring all day here again, so hopped on the trainer for a quick 25 miles. I'm thankful I have a trainer because without it the past month I would be going crazy::)

ASammy1

07-05-2009, 05:41 AM

Did a short 21 mile club ride in the windy area of VB called Pungo. I never in a million years thought I would be the one pulling into the headwind riding at 16 mph! I'm definitely getting stronger :)

uforgot

07-05-2009, 06:21 AM

Fastdogs and I rode the Acorn Trail and through some neighborhoods in Rolla. We were dodging thunderstorms. It was good to see her again. It's been too long. I don't know how fast our bikes went, but our mouths were going at least 80mph.

Owlie

07-05-2009, 07:38 AM

I did a 2.3 mi ride (yeah, I know) on my new bike yesterday. I took it out on the bike trail. I didn't think my bum could handle anything more.

Reesha

07-05-2009, 07:44 AM

Owlie, we've allll been there. There were days early this year when I'd get on my bike and curse myself to high hell for forgetting to take ibuprofen. I usually just push through it.

It will get easier every time!

skinimini

07-05-2009, 10:44 AM

I did an easy 28 miles meandering through my community. There were some little hills, a couple of big hills, and about 10 miles of flats. I felt great, but I've been having some saddle issues, so my bum was anxious to cut short the ride. :(

I spent literally hours on this forum yesterday looking at all the posts about saddle issues. Finally decided to order a Selle Italia SLR Lady Gelflow--hope it works!

fastdogs

07-05-2009, 05:42 PM

the weather was actually pretty decent, considering I had to load my bike on the car that morning with an unbrella to keep from getting soaked. I hadn't ridden my hybrid in months, and it felt good to ride it again. Our mouths DEFINITELY outpaced our bikes.
We found a great relaxing route that has possibilities (going the other direction on lions club road, other side of O hwy), not too much traffic.
Had a great time, and my parents LOVE for me to leave Andy with them.