Weekend riding

[emily_in_nc]

Anyone else get to ride this weekend? It's a rainy day today in NC, but yesterday (Sat.) was lovely, and DH and I got out for a long errand jaunt. It was in the low 50s when we took off at 9:15, but mid 60s by the time we finished.

We rode to the farmer's market for veggies, the food co-op for more veggies, fruit, and other food items, then to Trader Joe's for wine, cereal, and almond milk (best price). DH had full Arkel panniers, filled to the brim, and my Tailrider was bulging. Need to get my panniers back too (they are at my mothers's at the moment).

We did some extra miles just because it was so much fun, and I'm trying to increase my mileage gradually as we approach the spring season. Total of 26 miles, which was 2 hours of cycling (plus about an hour shopping) at our utilitarian pace w/quite a lot of urban riding. My longest of the year so far.

FUN! Hope some others got in some fun rides too! :D

[Catrin]

Sounds like fun - congratulations! The temps aren't that cold today, but cooler than they have been and it is quite damp. That, combined with not being able to reattach my rear brake = no ride for Catrin today :(

However, THIS is the time of year to sort these things out!

[indysteel]

Damp is an understatement. Much of my immediate neighborhood was under water yesterday. Thankfully, our house was dry, but the city park in our neighborhood, through which a creek runs, was submerged. A lot of it has gone down now, but it was a fright yesterday.

[Grasshoppergirl]

Same here in CA, rainy today great riding yesterday. I did the Club ride up to Jackson and back across Pardee Dam for 4100 ft in 48 miles. Only one other biker chick today. We were glad to keep the guys in sight and not be last. Lots of water running in these hills and the flowers will be blooming soon.

[Catrin]

Damp is an understatement. Much of my immediate neighborhood was under water yesterday. Thankfully, our house was dry, but the city park in our neighborhood, through which a creek runs, was submerged. A lot of it has gone down now, but it was a fright yesterday.

Glad to hear your house is dry! My apartment complex is fine, but the bike trail on 56th street (just outside my complex) headed to Eagle Creek Park is flooded, and there are little bits of the main road in the park that still have water on them. Hopefully there won't be any more rain for awhile!

[tulip]

Yesterday I had a wonderful 25-mile ride to and through some Civil War battlefield parks. I felt great to be out on the bike and not bundled up like the Michelin Man.

Today it's been raining alot, so I did not go out on the bike.

[Roadtrip]

Flooding here too, I live on higher ground, so no water near the house tho the surrounding areas (Little Miami River/Great Miami and at or above flood stage and the Ohio River is nearing flood stage.)

Supposed to be dry for a few days, but more rain Wednesday, or so they say.

I need to find me to dry land!!!
Shannon

[jessmarimba]

I rode 15 miles today with my group!! A little chilly but the drizzle never came.

I'm just so happy I could keep up with those guys :) :p :)

[Kelly_NC]

No ride for me this weekend. :( I had to do some stuff work yesterday (and my hubby had a pancake breakfast for his VFD). Then, there was all the rain today...grrr. We were actually under a tornado warning a short bit ago. :eek:

[DebW]

I got out for 18 miles on my road bike this morning, as the temp was in the 50s and there was rain forecast for the afternoon. After riding my mtb with studded tires all winter, the road bike felt light as a feather! Of course, the hills felt bigger, and I spun up them in my granny. Very nice to be out on the bike.

[HillSlugger]

It was dry yesterday, and fairly warm, but WINDY! My training plan called for a 2hr 30min ride; I managed 37 miles.

[7rider]

Got out for 39 miles with my friend, Trevor, yesterday. Was really nice out and our route was meandering - up and down roads, sudden turn arounds, through downtown, and out through the park. We ultimately stopped at the LBS where I picked up 3 boxes of Girl Scout cookies that I had ordered from the owner's wife (actually, his daughter, who's a GS). Yum. I prepared for such a load, and brought this mini-back pack that folds up and fits in my jersey pocket. I got it at a 5K I ran last October...something like what I think DebW made from an old jacket's sleeve. That thing is super handy to throw in a jersey pocket so I can carry stuff if I shop (there's a wonderful food co-op next door to my LBS!).

Today..yeah...rain rain rain. So we hung out...and I joined the smartphone world by getting a new Motorola Droid X. Oy! I'll be spending more time than I should getting familiar with this thing.

[lawnchick22]

Oh how I missed my bike this weekend! Worked all day Friday and Saturday, rain today...tomorrow, at lunch, I have a date with some hills, my BF and my bike!

[Biciclista]

yes indeedy. If you would like to be amused, read about the 100k populaire I did yesterday (it was 64 miles) I was guest writer on my husband's blog : LOTS of pictures!
http://theboothbychronicles.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-populaire-ride-report-by-mimi.html

and today i rode to the opera and back, 20 more miles.

[Aggie_Ama]

Yesterday I took a much needed nap after working a fitness expo with my mountain bike team. Today I rode about 12 miles including one endo mountain biking. I swear I am constantly on the ground even though I should be better than that!

[AppleTree]

What a beautiful day in Seattle. The Sammamish River/Burke Gilman was just packed with cyclists of all sorts enjoying the rare winter sunshine. It ALMOST reached 50 degrees. Woo hoo!! We stopped at Starbucks in Lake Forest Park for lunch and got to sit OUTSIDE... I did almost 25 miles and improved my mph to 11.6... which I know is still pretty pathetic, but for me it was great. The air smelled so good and the sun in my face...pure bliss.

[pumpkinpony]

Beautiful weekend in SoCal. I got in a 33 mile road ride on Saturday morning, and a 2 hour mountain bike ride (complete with two crashes) this afternoon. :-) I rode with a meetup group today; first time I've tried that and worked out well!

[WindingRoad]

It is NOT always sunny in Philadelphia, despite what others may say:) It rained to beat the band yesterday, ALL DAY. Today it is super windy so me and BF are going to try for tomorrow. It's spring break so I'm hoping we get at least one ride in together outside before he goes back. So nice to have my favorite riding partner back. :)

[Susan126]

I did the same ride as Mimi, the 100k spring populaire. It was a great ride and a wonderfully beautiful day for the ride. And I finally got to meet Mimi's husband the notorious and infamous raleighdon! He is quite the character! I'm very happy that I finally got to meet and do a ride with both him and Mimi.

A perfect weekend in the Seattle area! :)

[Crankin]

OK, I didn't get quite as early a start to my outdoor riding season as others here, but I got out there today. Still on target with what I did last year.
I had kind of a limited time schedule, as this afternoon I went for a "tea and pastry" pairing lecture at the local museum, with some friends. I decided to go out around 11:30, and actually left a little before, as I was "losing my mojo" rapidly. DH decided to come with me.
So, we did the 15 mile loop that is the easiest one for me to gauge my fitness on. I felt great riding down the hill and on my street. Then when I had to turn to get out of my neighborhood, 2 cars were going by, so I had to stop. I was sprinting pretty fast to catch up to DH, when I saw She Fly ride by, in the other direction! The first half of the ride went pretty well. No pains, or complaining from me. DH seemed to be hurting a bit and his HR was up. We stopped at about 6.8 miles and I undid my pit zips. I knew I was probably overdressed, but I didn't want to be cold.
The fun sort of began when we started up the backside of the loop. There are 3 smaller type hills, ones that by the middle of the season I can go up at 12-13 mph, not in the granny. I didn't even try for speed, but I managed 10, but using a lower gear than normal. After that I just wanted to get home, tempered by the fact I had to ride up my driveway, let alone my street. DH had sprinted up the last hill and he was "done." The street didn't feel too bad and I made myself not look at the computer going up the driveway, as I was cursing myself for moving to this house, thinking about the nice flat street I used to live on!
It was very nice out, about 46, a little windy. I feel good and plan to go out again tomorrow. All the climbing while nordic skiing really did help me keep my endurance up, but I have some work to do.
There's a photo in the what do you look like? thread.

[emily_in_nc]

I missed out on riding today due to various other errands and obligations but plan to get out tomorrow. It should be in the low 60s by the time I leave. Can't wait!

[redrhodie]

I got out early even though it was supposed to warm up to 50º later, because later there was going to be a parade. I think all the other cyclists had the same idea, and for the first time in months, there were a lot of us out!

It was windy. I did my 20 mile loop. I passed a guy, who then tried to stay on my wheel. I could tell he was hurting, probably didn't like being passed by a lady. It sounded like he was about to gag up a lung. Poor baby. Then I dropped him. :)

[Artista]

Hubby & I went out for a mountain bike ride. It was to be the inaugural ride for my new-to-me mountain bike. The weather was about 50 degrees in town, partly cloudy & breezy. Seemed like good riding conditions...til we got to the trail. No sun, cool & very, very windy. After about 20 minutes of riding uphill into a head wind, we decided it just wasn't fun & turned around. 20 minutes out & about 5 minutes back ~ downhill with a tail wind. THAT part was fun!

The good news is that I think I'm really going to like this bike. I've been mountain biking for years but this is the first time I've ridden anything with a front shock. Shocks ROCK!

[Catrin]

Not a long ride at all today as I was volunteering at a mountain bike event - but I DID get out on the bike for a short time after everyone took off. I RODE ON GRAVEL for the very first time :D :D :D

Ok, so it wasn't all that far - probably less than a mile, and I wound up walking it back to pavement as the gravel got very deep and loose and I didn't relish going downhill in that by myself...but the point is that I DID IT without falling over :) I was quite shy about stopping though, and didn't stop properly - but I did stop.

Outside of that did some hill repeats on some rather steep & longish hills - I didn't want to get too far as I wasn't familiar with the area and did not want to get lost. Afterwards went for a nice hike.

Had a great day - now it is time for a beer!

[hirakukibou]

Rode 41 miles with dh and a friend of his. It was a good ride and I am glad to get back to some longer rides.

[HillSlugger]

I took the day off yesterday and rode 50 miles for my 50th birthday, on my Christmas/birthday bike, wearing the Showers Pass jacket my mom gave me for my birthday. A good day! :D

[Roadtrip]

Was near 60 here today and got out for the longest ride yet this year (outside-- free of trainer) and did 8 miles with my DH through a new route with rolling hills, but faced 20MPH winds, and still managed 12mph going uphill and pretty good for me!!

Shannon

[PamNY]

Warm and sunny and I did 20+ blissful miles.

The highlight of the trip came when a cop almost walked into me on the bike path. He didn't look either direction before crossing -- could have gotten slammed. Thank goodness I was going slowly and I have practiced emergency braking.

I didn't hang around but it sounded like he was getting laughed at by his colleagues.

With NYC supposedly in the middle of a cycling crackdown, I was happy to avoid any trouble.

[redrhodie]

I took the day off yesterday and rode 50 miles for my 50th birthday, on my Christmas/birthday bike, wearing the Showers Pass jacket my mom gave me for my birthday. A good day! :D

Happy Birthday! What a great way to spend the day! I hope there was cake afterward.

[pfunk12]

Happy Birthday, HillSlugger! Sounds like you had a great day.
Today was a recovery day for me - 26 miles. I did an 84 mile ride yesterday with 2 friends and my legs are still screaming at me.

[WindingRoad]

Me and my BF did 45 on Tuesday then 35 yesterday so all in all it was a great week for us. He just left this AM early to go back home so I'm more than a little bummed at this point:( I'll get over it, I just hate it when he leaves, sniff sniff.

[SheFly]

Went out to do the club ride yesterday. Saw Hirakukibou and her partner at the start. Headed out with 2 other club members who had time limitations, so we did a "short" loop - just about 25 miles and 1.5 hours. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough saddle time for me, so I headed BACK out to ride the same loop in reverse. That's when I saw Crankin and her DH.

Managed to end the day with 52 miles (3 hours), half of them solo in a stiff breeze. Not sure what's on tap for today's ride.

SheFly

[emily_in_nc]

Happy Birthday, Hillslugger! I turn 50 next month myself but doubt I'll be able to manage a 50-miler (I have SI joint issues from a crash 6 years ago). Sounds like a great day for you!

I rode approximately 23 miles today. Was so mad -- as I was checking my mileage near the end of the ride, I accidentally reset the computer, losing all my stats. I'd hoped to ride 25, but I was hungry, and got kinda irritated when I lost my stats, so just headed home since I was close anyway.

Great day -- 67 when I started out (in shorts, sleeveless jersey, and bolero), and the bolero didn't last long. Windy, tho - typical March weather. 73 at the end of the ride! :D

[Crankin]

I rode just slightly longer than yesterday, about 17 miles. It's windy, with some gusts up to 30 mph. I know these little rides will help me to build up, and I am trying to restrain myself from overdoing, as so far, I feel good. Doing all of my stretches that the MacKenzie PT ordered. I'm kind of working on skills, now, too. I notice my right turns are easier (has been a real issue for me) and I was able to go down a little hill in the drops without freaking today. I think x country skiing, or should I say challenging cross country skiing has really built my confidence and some of my coordination. I felt really good about what i did this winter, so let's hope it continues. It would be nice that after 10 years, and all of the miles I have done that I could make that leap this year.

[jessmarimba]

I did 25 miles today. My legs maybe could've handled more, but my back was screaming at about mile 21. Plus the last 5 or so were into a crazy headwind. I somehow managed to blink my contact out of my eye about 2 miles from the end - it adhered to my sunglasses (thank goodness) but then I had to figure out how to get it back in my eye with the crazy wind. Without the contact I wouldn't have been able to drive home!

[redrhodie]

I didn't do my planned ride today. I was feeling a little stiff after yesterday's ride. I rode my road bike (instead of my 'cross bike) since the weather was decent, but now my IT band is tight, and so is my knee. Not sure if this is from the bike change, the shoe change, or if I need to tweak my fit. Anyway, listening to my body, and letting it rest. No reason to push it and make it worse.

[azfiddle]

Saturday my rides were devoted to road-testing two bikes for possible purchase: Specialized Ruby comp and Trek Madone 4.5

I rode the Ruby about 10 miles total, with a chance to ride up some moderate hills and one really steep climb, around some curves, some downhill etc. It got better and better. I got on the Trek and rode it about 2 1/2 miles- it just wasn't the right fit and I didn't like the feel of it by comparison.

So I made my decision and went back to buy the Ruby!

Sunday, I was back on my old bike (fitting for the new one is Monday) and rode 40 miles with friends from California. We started in downtown Tucson where I showed them the "bike church" and then we rode to San Xavier mission and beyond. It was pretty warm by midday- about 80, and very dry (well duh, it's the desert) but a pretty day anyway. Two pictures of the "bike church"- made of bike parts, it's a memorial. Information here: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/fa10d3da-351b-5cbc-a0e6-2bcb35825897.html

[Catrin]

Azfiddle - the bike church is awesome, and congratulations on the new bike!

It was REALLY hard for me to not ride yesterday - but am trying to develop the habit of not riding more than 3 days in a row regardless of the weather. Once I start clipping in again, I will likely draw that back to no more than 2 days in a row for a couple of weeks to give my muscles a chance to adjust to the increased work.

[MCAP]

I had two great rides this weekend. The weather was not ideal, but that's okay.

Saturday was 30 miles with a group of very fast guys doing hills. We rode into a strong headwind for about 10 miles too. We broke into an A and B group and then met back up. I was the only girl.

Sunday was 40 miles, less wind, more cold! I was also the only girl on this ride. DH and I rode from home to the bike shop to meet up with people and ended up with 3 very very fast guys. They toned it down a bit for me, but we were still cruising between 17 and 21. I got tired and turned off about 10 miles from home while they kept going. It was a really great ride, but it was cold. My toes were frozen stiff when I got home!

Supposed to have nice weather this week. I'm so excited for spring weather and more daylight!

[bikerchic]

Hey cool bit of Tucson history AZfiddle, I will have to put it on my list of things to see!

Congrats on your new bike too! I'm sure you're going to get many miles of fun on it.

[lawnchick22]

Road in the mountains of NC on Saturday. Up some moderate and more-than-moderate hills...a few spots of double digit inclines. A total of just under 40 miles.
Felt very sluggish...I think I slept too much the night before??
First long and challenging ride with a new rear cassette...good to have an extra gear!

[Chile Pepper]

Rode 65 km on Saturday. Really slowly. I haven't been able to do much in the last couple of weeks because of work, and boy did it show. Ah well. Now I'm motivated to try to fit in my workouts a little more frequently, project deadlines or not.

[Jo-n-NY]

I also got in a my first road ride of this season of 23 miles. Although the S shore of Long Island might be flat, the winds of March certainly made up for it. I feel like I got my base miles down at least.