Bike Ride!!!!!

[Catrin]

Finally got to ride my bike today :) Not around my apartment complex like two weeks ago - so this makes it my first real ride of 2011 - and my 6th ride since I had to come off the bike in late Sept/early October with the overuse injuries.

It wasn't a long ride by any means, only 40 minutes and 9 miles. I figured that I should take it easy today since I want to ride again tomorrow when it will be warmer.

Not one twinge of pain in my quads, hamstring or back - and though I forgot to stretch until I got out of the shower - I did stretch. I should have stretched before though and need to get into that habit, it seems a good idea with my history :o

It was 38 degrees with some wind so I wore my bibs with leg warmers + Sugoi Midzero tights over all of it and was warm enough without getting too warm and was able to move just fine. A helmet cover would have been nice though, it was too warm for my "robber" mask. My right knee wasn't hurting at all but I was aware of it the last 20 minutes or so - I suspect that my knees were colder than they should have been.

Now I just have to remember to pace myself, build at a reasonable pace and no repeats of last year's injuries :D

[malkin]

We also had the perfect non-storm of beautiful weather, good (enough) health, free time, and breathable air!

[WindingRoad]

It was a blustery ride here today. We did 40 miles at a pretty slow pace but the wind was awful. I was still, even with 40 mph wind gusts, happy to get out and ride. :D

[redrhodie]

I got out before the wind got bad. It was only about 25 mph, and from a warm direction. It was a balmy 34º! It's amazing how warm that feels once you're used to colder.

Saw only one other cyclist. She appeared to be suffering. She didn't say hi. I understood. Been there, done that.

The roads were pretty much dry. Nice to get home and not have to clean my bike. Also saw grass for the first time in a while. The geese looked happy.

[PamNY]

Catrin, glad you didn't have twinges.

My ride details are almost the same as Red's, right down to the happy grass-eating geese. With the wind, I also saw happy kiting hawks.

Felt so good to get out.

[Aggie_Ama]

Yea! Take it is easy, good advice to yourself. I couldn't do 38 degrees, you gals from colder climates impress me.

I went on a quick hour jaunt, I am allergic to just about everything so the levels spiked today and it was windy, not a good day for me. Took me until 4:40 to get moving. It was refreshing though, I was glad I went.

[Bike Chick]

Good for you, Catrin! I bet it felt awesome to ride. I worked on my bike all day yesterday and am going to ride today. The weatherman is calling for a high of 58! I just can't believe it. 0 degrees on Thursday and 58 on Sunday. They always say if you don't like the weather in southern Illinois, just wait 2 hours because it will change.

[Catrin]

Good for you, Catrin! I bet it felt awesome to ride. I worked on my bike all day yesterday and am going to ride today. The weatherman is calling for a high of 58! I just can't believe it. 0 degrees on Thursday and 58 on Sunday. They always say if you don't like the weather in southern Illinois, just wait 2 hours because it will change.

THANK GOD it is changing! I am a southern woman, my blood is just too thin for the kind of winter we have had this year! I can't complain though, I've been in Indiana for 9 years and this is the first winter that has been like this. Sure, there have been winters with bad spells, but nothing like this one where it just kept coming week after week after month... Like I said in an earlier post somewhere here, I am a temperature weenie :o

Thursday morning it was -4 at one point, and today it gets to 43 - I will take it :)

At least I know not to spring for winter shoes if I return to clipping in at some point this year since I've little desire to ride <32 temps. Next fall I will get a trainer...

[Bike Chick]

At least I know not to spring for winter shoes if I return to clipping in at some point this year since I've little desire to ride <32 temps. Next fall I will get a trainer...

I'm with you. Trainers suck but I just can't do low 30's on the bike for very long. Guess I'm a southern girl too.

Hey, Catrin, I got the flyer for the Harmonie Hundred this week....first organized ride of the year. It sure did lift my spirits.

[Crankin]

I saw one woman riding yesterday as I was on my way to snow shoe. It was in the thirties, but the roads are just a mess here... melting/refreezing and still can't see around the intersections because of the snow piles. She was the first roadie I've seen in about a month; I've seen commuters a few times.
It is supposed to get up to 55 or more :eek: on Friday. DH took the day off, so we can ride.
Now we have to figure out how to get the hybrids out of the bike shed, as both the door and the lock are snowed in. Here's to some hopeful melting.
Off to x country ski.

[Catrin]

I'm with you. Trainers suck but I just can't do low 30's on the bike for very long. Guess I'm a southern girl too.

Hey, Catrin, I got the flyer for the Harmonie Hundred this week....first organized ride of the year. It sure did lift my spirits.

It does look like great fun :) I am thinking that Saturday will work better for me than Sunday. I get up at 4am on work days and I am afraid if I do the Sunday portion of the ride - then drive the 3.5 hours home - that I won't be able to sleep that night and Monday is always a bear at the office.

I am not riding on the road this weekend - still too much ice on my country roads. I am riding in Eagle Creek Park - the main loop is clear though the other roads are not. Amazing how much ice is around, it is going to take time, rain, and more than a few days of warmer temps for it to melt.

[malkin]

... I couldn't do 38 degrees, you gals from colder climates impress me...
.

We just have more & better underwear and create an impressive pile of post-ride laundry.

[Catrin]

We just have more & better underwear and create an impressive pile of post-ride laundry.


LOL, when I looked at my pile of laundry yesterday that I needed to have ready for this afternoon, I DID wonder how much larger the pile would have been for the much colder temps that some of our members ride in!

[Becky]

We just have more & better underwear and create an impressive pile of post-ride laundry.

Amen to that! I can't wait for warmer weather, if only to get more rides per laundry load!

[emily_in_nc]

Upper 50s and sunshine in the forecast for this afternoon, but the winds are supposed to whip up. Still, nothing will stop me from getting out there today! :D

[Mr. Bloom]

Spring is NEAR!

[malkin]

Spring is NEAR!

No kidding!
We opened doors and windows and let in some real outside air!

Of course we know that this is usually a tease, lasting just long enough to trick the fruit trees into doing something before socking them with another big freeze.

[Catrin]

No kidding!
We opened doors and windows and let in some real outside air!

Of course we know that this is usually a tease, lasting just long enough to trick the fruit trees into doing something before socking them with another big freeze.

Which is why I am getting out there at every possible opportunity while this lasts :) It felt glorious to be back on my bike today, though it was hard to stop when I knew I should. Can't go from zero to 3 hours on the bike all at once...but I did ride 30 minutes longer than yesterday and outside of having too many layers on my legs, it went fine :D

[OakLeaf]

Yay Catrin! So glad you're feeling better (now take it easy!!). :)

My wrist and hand are about 90% and I've been on the road bike twice now. This morning I did 30 on the road bike - sucking a lot of wheel with the boyz, but still pretty hard for me considering my lack of conditioning. Then I cut it short (shifting the RD is still kinda iffy, being in the flatlands is a blessing on that score), grabbed a shower, hopped on the commuter and did another 11 to and from church. :)

[Catrin]

Yay Catrin! So glad you're feeling better (now take it easy!!). :)

The problem, now, is how to tell the difference. There was some twinging in my Sartorius (spelling?) in my right leg on my last loop - but it passed and anyway I had to get back to my car. I did resist the urge to do just one more loop - it seemed a good time to stop. Haven't ridden two days in a row since early October so I wasn't about to over-do it.

I just have to learn what "over-doing" it looks like :o The PT did give me an idea on what I can ignore from the hamstring though, and that helps.

[MCAP]

I was so happy to get out on the road with DH today. It was over 60! That never happens in February in Nebraska. There was a lot of snow melting so it was sloppy in a few places, but it was an awesome ride. There was a stiff wind, but it wasn't bad except for about a 4-5 mile section along a highway into the awful wind on a rough shoulder. That was torture! We only went about 10mph there.

All in all we got in 51 miles. It was glorious! I was happy to see that all of the trainer riding over the winter seems to be paying off.

So glad you are back out there Catrin!

[marni]

I too, was happy to get out on the road with my husband today. It was his first road ride of the year although I have braved a couple of days. The wind was pretty nasty but the temps were in the mid 60's which is almost normal for use this time of year instead of the arctic feeling temperatures we have been having, and the sun was out. All of the cattle are out grazing in the fields and we even saw some buffalo.

Himself had a pretty graphic example that even 4 days of spin class a week, although it may make him strong, does not build speed or endurance the same way just getting out a couple of times a week and pounding it, but he is trying to get in shape for a charity ride at the end of March so hopefully he will go out again before then.

It was a good ride, and nice to be out just with him. My FIL lives with us, so we don't get much private time except at night in bed. Riding out together gives us an opportunity to just hang out and noddle with what is going on with each of us.

[Bike Chick]

We got a little over 25 miles in yesterday with a group of friends. There were 7 of us all together. We chose a hilly route and it was windy but the bank said 58 degrees when we rode through a little town mid-way. For February it was awesome weather and it felt so good to be out on the bike. It was certainly a shot in the arm.

[tulip]

I rode Saturday and Sunday, total 60ish miles. My bike computer is dead, so I don't know really how long, but that's my guess. It was windy yesterday but so nice to be out and not freezing!

[roadie gal]

Congrats on the pain free ride, Catrin!

We took our bikes and drove down to Sacramento on Saturday. We had a nice 20 mile ride along the river. It was a bit longer than our first ride should have been, but it felt SO good not to be on the trainer.

Winter returns today. The winds are expected to be over 50mph and the snow will be coming in behind the winds.

[Jo-n-NY]

Continued trainer miles for me this past weekend. I expected outdoor rides going by the forecast during the week of temps in the 40's. I guess it didn't apply to Long Island. No way did it hit the 40's, hardly any of the expected sun and there were even some snow flakes. It was down right raw and extremely windy both days. So I continued to ride to no where land :(

[emily_in_nc]

I got in just over 20 miles yesterday. The first 7+ were around the neighborhood with a gal in our building who is just getting into cycling. It is great to share some of the knowledge I've gained over the past couple decades of cycling! She didn't have bike shorts yet (but she did have a helmet, never fear!), so that was enough miles on the saddle for her. After that, I took off with DH for 13 additional miles. He had just done 47 in the country before joining me and wanted to get in 60. It was windy but sunny and temps in the upper 50s. Very nice to get out, and this coming weekend looks even warmer! :)

[Catrin]

Just completed a 16 mile ride - and it was glorious! Didn't put on the HRM because I am still kind of checking things out and seeing how my body feels back on the bike. It felt much better today than last weekend - the knee is settling down :D Tomorrow I will put on the HRM and venture forth out of the park onto a gentle route that I have that doesn't have too many hills - it would be nice to get 20 miles tomorrow but will listen to my body. Winter is said to return Sunday/Monday so this might be my last chance for awhile.

[redrhodie]

I rode my road bike yesterday for first time since I got my 'cross bike in Dec. It felt really tight and twitchy for the first few blocks, then, it felt like flying a jet for the rest of the ride. :) Boogie (my 'cross bike) feels more like a horse. Also got pedals for Xmas, so I tried those for the first time. It felt like a brand new bike. 26 miles yesterday.

Couldn't get my clothes quite right today, since it was 20º warmer than I'm now used to. Unfortunately, I under dressed, and was colder than I usually get. Happy to get home with 18 chilly miles.

[Catrin]

I WANT TO RIDE this afternoon...but my legs are feeling a bit heavy. If that changes by this afternoon then I will indeed ride - but not if they still feel heavy. I only had a short 16 mile ride yesterday - but am very aware that I've been off the bike for some time and I don't want to return to old habits that led to my injury. I also did spinning class Thursday night and hit it pretty hard...

I just need to keep telling myself that if I pace myself then I will be ready once spring is here for good...

If I don't ride this afternoon then will go for a nice walk. Chance for a ride tomorrow pm if it isn't raining and it is supposed to be warmer tomorrow.

[Crankin]

It was 59 yesterday and I didn't ride. We got the bike shed shoveled out so we could take out the Jamis,' but, the roads are just too full of water and debris for me. And the melting snowbanks seem to be encroaching onto the roads even more. So, I went for a 3 mile walk, mostly uphill and at least I enjoyed the warmth. It's 34 degrees with a really stiff wind out there right now.
I'm stillnot ready for the x country ski season to end.

[Catrin]

It was 59 yesterday and I didn't ride. We got the bike shed shoveled out so we could take out the Jamis,' but, the roads are just too full of water and debris for me. And the melting snowbanks seem to be encroaching onto the roads even more. So, I went for a 3 mile walk, mostly uphill and at least I enjoyed the warmth. It's 34 degrees with a really stiff wind out there right now.
I'm stillnot ready for the x country ski season to end.

Thankfully I've access to a park and the roads are clean there - no crap on the roads from the melting snow since there isn't a lot of traffic.

I don't think I should ride today, as badly as I want to. My legs aren't sore at all but are a little heavy/tender from my activities these past 2 days. I will let them recover :cool: Perhaps a walk today, or I will let them rest and go for either walk or ride tomorrow. The debris in the bike lanes in my usual non-park route is quite impressive though :(

[RidingBuddy]

I'm really looking forward to some nicer weather! I miss being outside.

[Catrin]

21 miles today - and got a taste of wind and subjected myself to a couple of longer inclines. All my body-parts feel fine and I felt stronger when I started than I have on recent rides. Apparently there is something to the idea that we get stronger when we allow our legs to rest when they ask for it ;) :o

[emily_in_nc]

I rode 12.7 miles late this afternoon. Hip was barking at me a bit since I'd done my longest ride of 2011 yesterday, so I didn't try to go longer. It was overcast and upper 50s, with a bit of a breeze. Lots of cyclists, runners, walkers, and kids out. Just felt good to get a workout in, even if it wasn't the best ride I've had lately!

[Catrin]

Wooot! A balmy 54 degrees this afternoon so I got a bike ride in - 23 miles and it felt great! Heart rate is higher than I would like to see it - but I have been off the bike since October so a decrease of some cardiovascular fitness is only to be expected. There is only one way to get it back!

I also climbed two hills that I have not been climbed since my injury and I did not have to walk them :D It was something of a suffer-fest even in my lowest gear, but these hills are quite steep! Had to deal with some snow in the bike lane of a somewhat busy road but I will take it - and I just rode in the regular car lane until I could get around it. Bike is filthy though, so she will have to get some loving attention after dinner and a beer!

[emily_in_nc]

We also had a wonderful day here in NC -- how does 79 degrees on Feb. 27 strike you? Wow! Needless to say, the average high for this date is only around 57, so this was highly unusual, but I'll take it! :D

Got in just under 23 miles in shorts and a ss jersey. If I'd known how warm it was going to be, I could have worn a sleeveless!

I work from home on Mondays so am planning a short ride at lunchtime since it's to be in the upper 70s again before a cold front comes through. Supposed to be quite windy, so hopefully that doesn't prove to be a problem.

[Catrin]

Sounds wonderful, Emily! We had 54 degrees, and snow still on the ground from Friday. My poor LHT was FILTHY and it took most of the evening to clean it. I have to make do with wash-rags in the middle of the living room with Ms. Explorer turned upside down on a piece of carpet just for this. The ride was worth it :D

[marni]

We had similar temps here in Texas yesterday and I got in a 50 mile ride. Unfortunately the winds, predicted at 8-12 mph were actually more in the 15-20 range with gusts to 30mph. The difference was 24 mph with the tail wind and fighting hard to make 16 mph against it. It was challenging to say the least, but I enjoyed it and am not hurting too much today so I guess the 10% increase in training is starting to show some effects.

[PamNY]

Marni, that does sound challenging. Wind changes things, doesn't it?

I did a lazy, easy 20 miles or so with gorgeous blue skies and temps around 50.
Signs of spring are everywhere and I felt great.

[emily_in_nc]

Another lovely day for a ride! Got in 12.5 miles during my lunch break (working from home on Mondays). It was in the mid-70s and mostly cloudy. Pretty windy, which was good at times (tailwind!!!) but not so good at others (headwind!!!)

We rode to the PO loaded down with packages I sold on ebay (plus the Icebreaker merino crewneck I just sold to someone here!) on our rear racks, dropped those off, then rode some extra on the way back.

Next week, daylight savings time starts, and if it's warm enough, I can start doing some after work rides. Gotta love it!

I hope some of the rest of you will start seeing signs of spring too. We already have flowering trees blooming, daffodils, etc. We had a very early winter with a couple snow storms before Christmas (and one over Christmas), so it appears that an early spring is in order. Happy dance! :D

[Jo-n-NY]

Sunday I also got in my 1st "road bike" ride of the season. I only had a 1.5hr free time window so I revisited a route that I mapped out last year. It is the first half of the route that will get me to where my husband works. I drove the 2nd half last weekend to make sure the roads were rideable. Can't wait to put 2 & 2 together for a surprise visit :)