Memorial Day Weekend Rides

[Catrin]

I will start with my ride this afternoon. Sadly I had to break out the tights yet again as it was a little cool, and my knee was acting up, so I just rode a relatively gentle 12-13 miles and called it good. I've noted that I tend to have more kneecap tracking problems with I am wearing tights, which is interesting - and nothing at all when I am not.

Tomorrow I will head down to Brown County State Park and help clean up the miles of mountain bike trails from the recent series of terrible storms, and am planning to ride about 35 miles Sunday and 25-30 Monday. More about those later this weekend, assuming the weather doesn't interfere.

[Owlie]

I'm planning on heading out tomorrow morning for 15-20 miles, earlier than I got out last weekend. Maybe take the day off Sunday or do just a short ride, then Monday a pre-dawn, slightly longer ride, because it's supposed to get HOT.

[Catrin]

Same here, 61 today & 90 both Sunday and Monday! I see quite early rides on those days...

[Possegal]

I rode with 2 women from my new job after work today. We rode about 18 miles, with a stop at about mile 17 to sit and chat at a nearby pub. Heard some wicked thunder, and got drizzled on a little bit. But the skies seriously opened up just as we were putting our bikes on the car at the office. It's all about the timing. :)

[emily_in_nc]

I had to work today, plus it rained and rained. Flooded roads, lightning, thunder. 5" of rain in Chapel Hill! http://www.wral.com/weather/story/9653716/

Looking much better for the actual weekend. Will report back! :D

[nscrbug]

Today I did a nice, casual 32 miles with DH this morning AFTER I had put in a full 3.5 hour gym workout....whew! Saturday & Sunday we will head out at 6:30am for longer rides, provided the weather cooperates. Monday is supposed to be near 90, so we will likely be on the road by 6am...maybe even get in a century...so we'll see.

[chryss]

I rode 23 miles yesterday -- 9 during lunch break (an errand + lunch) and then a short 14 with the cycle club. That was short, even for our leisurely group, but it had a challenging hill in it, sort of a rite of passage for each new member. I'm a bit embarrassed because here in Alaska, summer has sprung big time, so I'm out all the time with various recreational activities, especially fishing, and also Memorial Day weekend is when you plant your garden. I have herbs and some little flowers, my partner is going to take care of vegetables in the bigger rows. But I do want to ride, maybe a long flat ride to the end of the valley. Getting one > 30 mile ride would be great, plus a shorter one.

[evangundy]

Better late posting it than not at all. If you're in the Portland area this weekend, stop on by and say hi. I'll most likely be at the registration table both mornings and then trackside, counting laps, during the races. I might get to ride in one or two of them, but I'm not sure yet. Depends on how many helpers I have.
If I don't see you, have a wonderful, long weekend!
Edna

Oregon Human Powered Vehicles Presents:
The 12th Annual Human Power Challenge (HPC)

The event will be held on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 & 29, 2011 at Portland International Raceway (PIR) in Portland, Oregon. This unique event has a large variety of racing formats. Rider skills and strengths will be challenged as they compete in any or all of the following:
Individual Time Trial
1/8 Mile Drag Race
Auto Cross Speed & Agility Course
200 Meter All Out Speed Test
Mass Start Road Race
Short Track Curvy Road Race
Come see regular human powered street vehicles racing, as well as the premier king of speed, the Streamliner. This vehicle holds the distinction of holding every world record for timed distances and ultimate speed. All this HPV (Human Powered Vehicle) racing nirvana takes place on a world class Indy car race track, the Portland International Raceway. This smooth surface course has two feet of elevation change over a two mile, multi cornered, racing loop. Coupled with a large infield area where other racing activities are conducted, the PIR facility is more than accommodating, it's unrivaled!
The Human Power Challenge is happily more than just a race filled weekend - it has culminated into being one of the most festive social gatherings for the recumbent and HPV clan. We do like to spend lots of time chatting, while gazing at the variety of vehicles present, while telling outrageous tales. That being said, folks bring (and are encouraged to do so!), all types and varieties of HPV steeds, be they professionally manufactured or home-built creations. Some of the concoctions dreamed up by those pioneers are simply awe inspiring. We can only say WOW and bring it on!
We also invite and host businesses that represent products and services conducive to the positive promotion of our community. Vendors are welcome to display their services. Please contact the HPC committee for details on attending the event.
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Come and experience a degree of camaraderie and racing that few events have attained, or hope to. Admission is free for spectators, so come cheer your favorite racers to victory. We invite you to come and get "bent" with us, to be a part of theHUMAN POWER CHALLENGE!
More details concerning any of the exciting HPC events and general race information are available at the OHPV website http://ohpv.org/HPC/index.html then follow the links to the appropriate area of interest. Any persons or teams interested in participating in this exciting event can receive further information by sending an email to pirhumanpower@comcast.net

[dingster1]

I'll be riding the WMRT today after I get off. I want to see the new section. Any Md ladies want to join me?

[ridenread]

I did a 27 mile ride yesterday on the first beautiful, warm, spring day I have seen this year. It was 81 degrees out by the end of the ride. Hope to get out again today!

[redrhodie]

Since I chose the wrong bike Thurs, riding the bike least suitable to rain, I decided to ride my commuter yesterday, since it looked about the same out the window as the morning before. Wrong choice again! It was quickly sunny, hot and very humid, and I was overdressed in a long sleeve jersey.

I met a nice woman riding a road bike, which isn't that common around here. She looked fresh as a daisy in her appropriate sleeveless jersey, and I was like a weed on the side of a puddle of mud. I had to laugh at myself when I got home, because one of my hair bands had fallen out, but my pig tail was still in place, all by itself, due to my sticky sweat. :D

21 miles.

[Owlie]

I slept terribly last night and woke up late to boot. My usual route is the local rail-trail, and if you don't get back to the car by about 9, it is physically impossible to get out of the parking lot. Just as well, as I'm sort of sore from yesterday. I took the easy way out and did three or four relatively fast miles around the neighborhood, just to get out. Weather was perfect, of course. :rolleyes:
I'm hoping to go out pretty early tomorrow and get some miles in.

I'm going to go find something caffeinated and then clean my bike.

[westtexas]

Tried to ride yesterday, but failed miserably. Went about 15 miles total, but it was 106 out with winds at 30mph. I couldn't take the headwind and my left leg fell asleep so we had to get off and rest halfway through. I was really upset about the whole thing because it made me feel really weak, but my cycling partner put it to me that even the professional riders have bad days where they do what they can and then go have a beer.

On a happier note, on the way back, we met some nice ladies on their road bikes training for the MS150 in July. We rode back with them slowly with that 30mph tailwind and it was kind of nice to decompress after getting upset about the trip out there.

This weekend we'll probably just ride when we can - supposed to be 108 today with 17mph winds. Memorial Day there is an early morning ride to the Vietnam Memorial with the bike club so I will probably do that since it's at 7 a.m. and should be relatively cool in the low 70s with little wind at that time of day.

[Crankin]

Having a wonderful vacation, but I am missing good riding weather at home.
So, yesterday, we ditched DS, DIL, and my dad to do a 3 hour bike tour of La Jolla and Pacific Beach. Although I have never lived here, my parents moved to San Diego 30+ years ago. I've spent a lot of time here, so I figured I would see things from a bike that you never see in a car.
So, it started out a little on the wrong side, with one too many people for the van that brought us to the top of Mt. Soledad, where the tour started. I refused to not have a seatbelt, so some other woman sat on her DH's lap :eek:. Oy.
We got to the top, as DH and I lovingly looked at the incline going up. Very, very, steep and curvy, probably 20% at least in places. Got to the top, where they gave us our bikes.... beefy, old mountain bikes, which was fine. Right away, I noticed my front brake was like mush, so I told the leader and asked if he had a hex wrench. I might be a mechanical dunce, but I knew what he needed to do. He tried to tell me not to use the front brake, but after I talked to him, he was, like, OK...
We descended down a different road, not so curvy, not as steep, but still a real mountain type descent. Being on a mountain bike and not on dirt gave me confidence and I was the third one down the hill. There was an assortment of "regular" people on the tour, with one younger guy with good mountain biking experience who rode with DH and I and the leader. There was a young couple, about my kids' age who were very annoying. The woman kept getting in front of me in places where I couldn't pass her, so I couldn't talk to DH, like on the bike path, but also on the road. After a couple of times of me saying "on your left" and sprinting past her, she still kept trying to drop me. It was silly, this was a leisurely tour and she clearly was not going to win. When we turned back to La Jolla, there were a couple of teeny inclines and then she got it.
The only really unnerving thing was at one point he had us riding the against traffic, in a bike lane on a busy road, rather than have us make lefts... DH and i were mortified and our bike leader minds were going into over gear. He also didn't signal. But, he did verbally tell us and we stopped and regrouped frequently. At the end we went down to see the cave in La Jolla after climbing a pretty steep hill. The young girl was breathing pretty heavy going up the stairs up from the cave and looked like she was going to cry after that.
We learned a lot of interesting things, especially about the coastal ecology. So despite the lack of safety precautions, it was fun. The shop rents road bikes, but maybe next time. Riding around here does not seem like it would be that fun; lots of multi lane roads, clueless drivers, etc. I've seen lots of male roadies, but no women.
I've been walking for 45 minutes on the other mornings, and given the eating I am doing, there will be a lot of riding when I get home.

[Blueberry]

Crankin-

What a trip!

There are good spots to ride out there - not all multi lane roads. We took our Fridays on vacation a few years ago (well, vacation for me, conference for my DH) and had a blast! Coronado has a nice, fast bike path if you want completely separate from traffic....

[Reesha]

I rode out at 6:30 for a 42 mile ride with one of my bike friends. What was meant to be fairly leisurely turned out to be pretty challenging-- Sara is in better shape than I am in general and I think our bodies' definition of leisurely is fairly different. We ended up missing our turn, thus extending our ride by five miles. That said, the ride was much harder than I planned for it to be... I was hoping to spin my way to a proper cardiovascular base, but nahhh.

It's a slow start this year... avg speed of 14 mph. I'm not going to complain though-- there were some good hills in the mix and a stiff headwind coming home. My *** and hamstrings are complaining.

I'm starving though, so I'm going to go pick up breakfast!

[jamijo]

Dragged DH out to the rail trail this morning (after dealing with an idiot at our apartment who backed into the open drivers-side door of our car while we were loading my bike... apparently his eyes weren't working yet this morning). He walked, since I haven't been able to cajole him into joining the biking world yet, and I biked for an hour. Nice 10 mile ride, my longest & fastest so far now that I've actually been able to get on the bike on a fairly regular basis. Definitely will be heading out there again later in the season, and dragging my camera with me for some bird and critter recording. Two woodchucks, a great blue heron, a bunch of goldfinches, and a ton of dragon flies were just the start of my watchlist from today!

No rides for the rest of the weekend for me though, checked the bike in at the LBS for the '30 day' tune up... even though it's been more like 2 1/2 months. :) Figured I finally have 100+ miles on it, it's better to do it now than it would have been with 2 or 3 :)

[grey]

Just rode 17 HILLY but rural miles, really pretty.

[skhill]

Wasn't planning on getting out on the bike today, but the weather couldn't be better-- mid 70's, not much wind, partly cloudy. Plus the garden is still too wet for planting.

Anyway, I headed out on a route that I used to ride a lot, but hadn't been on yet this year. There's this one hill that used to regularly whip my butt, and I was dreading it. But it was easy today-- despite a bit of headwind, I took it in a higher gear than I remembered, at a higher speed too. Pretty cool. It wasn't a long ride-- just 20 miles-- but after running a 5k race this morning, and putting in about 10 miles of transportation cycling, it's a pretty good day.

[indysteel]

DH and I did 50 hilly miles at the Horsey Hundred in Kentucky today, and we're doing another 50 tomorrow. It was a perfect day here for a ride. I'd really like to go back to doing the full century next year, but we just didn't have enough miles in our legs for it this year.

[azfiddle]

Arizona summer temps are here (100 and above) which means you have to wake up early if you want to ride! Went to sleep at midnight last night after celebrating the high school graduation of a friend's daughter and the alarm at 5 am was not welcome... DH said "It's my birthday, I'm sleeping in" so I headed off alone for the Sat group ride. We rode through town to the base of Mt. Lemmon and then about 5 miles up the mountain - 36 miles, and about 2300 feet of elevation gain. I actually passed 3 people on the climb... not from my group though ;) I don't mind the steady climb- but I am quite the slowpoke.

Wind gusts up to 40 are on deck for tomorrow starting at 6 am, so I'll probably take today off and ride again Monday.

[KathiCville]

I did my longest ride of the year today: 39+ miles, on a beautiful rural route that I had never ridden before. My longest ride this year before today was 26 miles so I was a little nervous about whether I could go the distance without holding up my much faster BF. I surprised myself by staying pretty strong from start to finish, 'though my average (as usual) wasn't anything to crow about (12.8 mph). Nonetheless, a gorgeous day, terrific scenery, satisfying ride, and a perfect excuse to snarf down a yummy gyro on the way home. :)

[emily_in_nc]

Today was our market ride, and we had a LOT of places to stop. Here's where we went:

- farmer's market
- food co-op
- Trader Joe's
- Performance
- Great Outdoor Provision Co.
- Whole Foods

19 miles total at a VERY leisurely/urban pace (10.7 mph average) With all the stops, this was a long ride -- left home a few minutes before 9 am and didn't get home until after 1 pm! One thing that slowed us down a lot was a bike path by a creek that we didn't realize had flooded yesterday in the heavy rain. The water had receded, but there was leaf/branch debris and mud all over the (paved) path. A couple of places we had to get off and walk (VERY glad we were using Eggbeater pedals and not our old Speedplay X-2 -- the cleats would not have liked the muddy conditions at all). Kind of an adventure! :cool:

[owlice]

I got in one whole mile yesterday, just around my block once and up and down the street, and got the bike into the shed and me into the house before the sky opened up and dumped a lot of rain. Great lashing winds, thunder and lightning, too; it was magnificent, though I had really hoped to get in 12-14 miles last night.

Today, 20 miles on the trails; my legs felt like lead when I started. I finally hit a great groove... at mile 18. Oh, well, at least I finished strong! I then got in another 5 while I waited for my kid at a Metro station -- yes, that's five miles in the ginormous parking lot at the Greenbelt Metro, past hissing geese with their goslings in the lot's grassy islands and through the empty outer lots and the Kiss-and-Ride.

On the trails, I got hissed at by another goose out with goslings, saw a rabbit, plenty of red-winged blackbirds and (ugh) cowbirds, and heard a peewee crying from the woods. The water lilies are budding, so will be blooming soon, and oh, the honeysuckle!!

[Catrin]

DH and I did 50 hilly miles at the Horsey Hundred in Kentucky today, and we're doing another 50 tomorrow. It was a perfect day here for a ride. I'd really like to go back to doing the full century next year, but we just didn't have enough miles in our legs for it this year.

Sounds like fun! NEXT year I hope to do this, it just wasn't in the cards for me this year. It looks like it has great SAG support.

[skhill]

DH and I did 50 hilly miles at the Horsey Hundred in Kentucky today, and we're doing another 50 tomorrow. It was a perfect day here for a ride. I'd really like to go back to doing the full century next year, but we just didn't have enough miles in our legs for it this year.

I meant to get up early this morning and make the short drive up the interstate to do the Sunday Horsey ride.... didn't happen. Maybe next year! Funny that it's our local ride, and I've never made it...

[ivorygorgon]

Here is a photo of me and DH, basically at the top of Mt. Palomar - east of San Diego. We rode approx 52 miles and climbed about 5200. It was an incredibly beautiful day. The sky (at a little lower elevation than this picture) was sooooo blue. It was warm, but not scorching. We saw lots of birds, including pheasants and turkeys. We had just an absolutely wonderful day. I was toast though :)

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13199&stc=1&d=1306676735

[indysteel]

I meant to get up early this morning and make the short drive up the interstate to do the Sunday Horsey ride.... didn't happen. Maybe next year! Funny that it's our local ride, and I've never made it...

Where do ypu live? DH's family is in Frankfort, which is one of the reasons we do the ride every year, but I did it before I met him, so perhaps it was fate! It's a fun ride. I prefer Sunday's routes because they're less crowded. It was hot today though. Really hot! Mmaybe we'll see you next year!

[azfiddle]

Ivorygorgon, the Palomar ride looks beautiful!

I didn't plan to ride today, but it was still relatively cool and calm at 7 am. So I snuck in a ride before the sun and wind combined to for adverse riding conditions. I rode 18.5 miles out to Saguaro National Park, and took a longer route home that took advantage of the brisk and rising winds. The last part o the route is slightly downhill but with the tailwind, my average for the last 5 mile section was a nimble 20-25 mph, except for negotiating my way through one intersection that was under construction. Amazingly, I enjoyed green lights at every other intersection on the homestretch.

Tomorrow is going to be calm and amazingly cool, so DH and I are planning a long ride (about a metric century or so).

[grey]

DH and I did 50 hilly miles at the Horsey Hundred in Kentucky today, and we're doing another 50 tomorrow. It was a perfect day here for a ride. I'd really like to go back to doing the full century next year, but we just didn't have enough miles in our legs for it this year.

Some of my friends are doing that again today. Maybe next year I'll go!

[Catrin]

Headed out this morning before noon and put in 29 hot miles. If the weather had been more normal this spring it probably wouldn't have seemed so hot, I think this was only my 5th ride without vest, tights, or something similar.

Awesome ride though! I rode from my LBS and headed north into the country roads to check out some farms with reindeer and other exotic animals! I fully expect to be sore tomorrow after the trail maintenance activities yesterday and the ride this morning, but I do have riding plans if I am not sore.

Wind kicked my butt on the way back to my LBS though - AND I forgot to take food :eek:

[emily_in_nc]

I rode my age (50) today - first time I've ridden that many miles since summer 2009. It was a fairly hilly ride, some urban, mostly rural. DH was doing some extra loops to get more miles in (and b/c he's faster), so I took a break at a rural dairy and ice cream shop and got a pint of chocolate milk -- only $1. Whatta deal, and well worth it to use their rest room! :D Actually ran into someone else riding a Bike Friday there, a bit unusual!

I actually had my fastest average speed of the year today too (I won't say what it was b/c I am slow!) and felt pretty good even at the end of the ride, so I count that as a victory. The TENS unit I am wearing on my right ilium in back to counteract my post-accident pain has changed my (riding) life this spring -- before using it, I would often get pain just a few miles into a ride, and doing 50 miles was a thing of the past. I owe a lot to the doc who suggested it.

[Blueberry]

Yay Emily!! Ah yes - such a lovely place to stop:) Was the other Bike Friday purple? Just curious if it's who I'm thinking of....

(and I would BET you're not slower than I am....)

[Duck on Wheels]

Lovely day for it. Sunny, not too hot, bit of a breeze. Trek and I rode from home (her place) south to the Alameda Creek Trail, then up the trail to Mission Blvd and up Mission to Mission Peak Coffeeroasters for our first stop. About 15 miles altogether? Almost all of it uphill, but only the last couple of miles steep at all. Thought the return ride would be a breeze, but the breeze was blowing the wrong way and building up speed. Headwinds all the way home. Even had to pedal down the steep bits. Oh well. A good 30-mile workout. And was that LeeBob who raced past us just as we got back on Hesperian for the home stretch (which we shortly thereafter interrupted for a second café stop at Paddy's)? :D

[owlice]

All this talk of slow.... sheesh!!! I averaged 11.5 MPH on my ride yesterday, so there! I hope that makes some of you feel better, and if it doesn't, I averaged 10.8 MPG when I was riding around the ginormous parking lot. I'd love to be able to sustain 15 MPH so I can do a century; at my usual average, I'm too slow to try one.

And those averages are on flat trails!

[TrekTheKaty]

Rain all week and I had to work on Sat (and Mon) so today was it. We opted for a hilly 32 instead of riding long. DH dilly-dallyed around the house until it heated up and the wind kicked in. He promptly dropped me and then I hit a bump and dropped a water bottle. I had a 50/50 shot of guessing which way he went--and guessed wrong. Instead of calling, he backtracked. By the time he called, he was almost home! He finally caught up. I thought I was taking it easy on the way out with a good average speed. However, I bonked right after we turned around. Crawled home in my granny gear--into the wind. No money for a soda at McDonalds almost made me cry :confused: Probably dehydrated and should have taken Cytomax instead of Nuun--plus it was only our second "hot" ride (into the 80's, high of 90 today and HUMID). Gotta dig out the camelbak.

But at least I got out there! I'm still happy :D

[Trek420]

Duck just figured out in Mapmyride (because my computer's out of batteries) that we did 35. :cool: Longest ride I've done in who knows when. Duck's training for a half marathon so might have been easier for her.

[emily_in_nc]

Yay Emily!! Ah yes - such a lovely place to stop:) Was the other Bike Friday purple? Just curious if it's who I'm thinking of....

(and I would BET you're not slower than I am....)

Thanks! I was actually surprised not to find more cyclists at Maple View while I was there, but I did see several cars with bike racks parked along the road there. A couple of weeks ago when we did a similar ride, it was packed with cyclists.

The Bike Friday was a black NWT. I talked to the man (and his wife) who owned it. There's a woman around Chapel Hill we see quite often riding a Friday with really, really high handlebars, and it might be purple. Can't recall.

My speed actually isn't that bad, but is a lot slower than I used to be on my Aegis Swift. Not sure if it's the bike or the engine - probably a bit of both. I feel pretty strong, but I am definitely not as fast as I used to be. On my Aegis, before my accident in '05, I averaged between 15-18 mph. On my Friday I'm usually doing utility rides so generally average between 11-13 mph. Today was 14.2. There, I said it. :D

[Owlie]

I was going to ride my age (23) today, as I owed myself a birthday ride from October. I somehow added an extra mile. (So an early birthday ride for this year?) :D
Left the house at 7:10, left trail parking lot at 7:30. When my ride started, it was in the mid-sixties and humid. When I got back to the car, it was in the 80s...and humid. I took it slow, as my knees were bothering me the first half of the ride. There were twigs everywhere from last week's thunderstorms. I took a few pictures--I'll put them up later. I had a slightly unnerving encounter with a deer, and got whacked in the face a few times by plants or small branches that I didn't see in time to duck. A tiger swallowtail followed me for a little while. I had a bit of a headache by the time I got back to the car, but a little trip to Starbucks on the way home (and the sugar and caffeine) made it all better. :D
All in all, not a bad ride.

[MojoGrrl]

I did the Indian Valley Century (metric) on Saturday. Longest single ride I've been on, at an altitude WAY above what I'm used to, lots of small hills but I am totally new to hill climbing. And on the way back, for the last, oh, 20 miles, it was 40 degrees and raining - eventually sleeting/hailing, VERY painful - and I have never ridden in the rain. And did I mention I was wearing shorts and fingerless gloves? Thankfully I had 5 layers on top and a waterproof windbreaker. My boyfriend, who did the full century and got up to the elevation where it started snowing, did not have any wet weather gear on and came back soaked and almost hypothermic :(

I felt pretty bad-*** for completing the ride, especially under those conditions...and considering I have only bee riding for 3 months :)

[Grits]

Friday's ride got canceled due to weather. Got in 27 miles today with some friends during the hottest part of the day - upper 80's and HUMID, but it was the only time I could ride. This was officially my first really hot ride of the season, and it showed in my speed. Tomorrow morning we are leaving at 8:00 to beat the heat and planning on 50 miles.

[goride]

Friday evening rode 27 miles with a friend. We made a stop at our LBS for her 100 mile tune-up. Yesterday I took the day off from biking as there were intermittent rain showers, but spent about 4.5 hours digging up my garden and planting my annual flowers and some tomatoes. Today did a hilly, rural 38 miles with some friends. Planning on another 25-30 miles tomorrow on a paved rail trail. I really need to NOT do hills tomorrow, so the trail will be perfect. We will go out early before it gets crowded.

[owlice]

Just in a bit ago from a 13.5 mile ride on my usual trails. Had I realized that the fitness challenge I'd signed up for at work went through today, rather than ending last night at midnight, I'd have gotten out earlier and taken a longer ride, dangfraznabbit!

Average speed was 12.0 MPH, but only because the computer was showing 11.9 when I got back to the car so I rode up and down the neighborhood streets fast (for me) until I got the MPH bumped up to 12.0 :D

81° when I left, and humid. Saw deer and little hoppy frogs (hope I didn't run over any...), one rabbit, geese and goslings, and a lot of people who don't know which side of the trail to walk on, poor dears. Then again, I don't know what side I'm passing some folks on, and called out, "Bike on your right!" when I was passing on their left. They corrected me, I thanked them, we were all laughing as I rode up the trail.

No bats. Lots of bugs. Off to wash them out of my eyes.

[Reesha]

On a whim went out for a leisurely, ~10 mph helmet-less ride around the park for five miles or so. I'd forgotten how nice it is to ride like that with the breeze in your hair-- haven't been riding without a helmet since I lived in Belgium. It was divine!

[emily_in_nc]

I did the Indian Valley Century (metric) on Saturday. Longest single ride I've been on, at an altitude WAY above what I'm used to, lots of small hills but I am totally new to hill climbing. And on the way back, for the last, oh, 20 miles, it was 40 degrees and raining - eventually sleeting/hailing, VERY painful - and I have never ridden in the rain. And did I mention I was wearing shorts and fingerless gloves? Thankfully I had 5 layers on top and a waterproof windbreaker. My boyfriend, who did the full century and got up to the elevation where it started snowing, did not have any wet weather gear on and came back soaked and almost hypothermic :(

I felt pretty bad-*** for completing the ride, especially under those conditions...and considering I have only bee riding for 3 months :)

You are a bad-azz! Wow, riding in sleet/hail. Yet another reason to wear a helmet, right? :D

Hope your bf has recovered. We did the Seagull Century in MD years ago, and it absolutely poured a chilly rain. We were soon soaked to the skin and quite cold, even with it just being rain (not snow). DH's lips were turning blue and quivering with about 10 miles to go in the century, and I got pretty scared. We were riding a tandem, and the cold wasn't bothering me quite as much as it did him (probably b/c he was in front breaking the wind for me). We were not dressed warmly enough b/c it was not supposed to start raining until mid-afternoon (when we would have been done w/the ride), but instead it started at 11am and rained from then to the end.

This is one downside of events -- we feel compelled to finish no matter what the conditions. Glad you did, but doesn't sound like fun! :(

[MojoGrrl]

Thanks Emily :) Luckily, since I got back before him, I was waiting at the finish with a blanket and dry clothes and a car with the heater on. But yeah, there was a moment when both of us weren't sure he was going to be alright. Apparently, some riders did have to get treated for hypothermia. Same situation as yours - it wasn't supposed to rain until the afternoon, and not everyone was prepared.

[Catrin]

I was going to ride my age (23) today, as I owed myself a birthday ride from October. I somehow added an extra mile. (So an early birthday ride for this year?) :D

Sounds very nice, especially being chased by non-biting wildlife :)

I really want to ride today, but my hip and sartorious is twinging a bit this morning - yeah - THAT leg, and the other quad is a little tender. I really have hit it much harder these past couple of days than the weather has allowed me to do so far this year so I need to take a rest day :( It is just so beautiful this morning & I want to RIDE. I COULD, it is pretty minor, but am trying to be better this year...

I rode Friday, hiked/mtn bike trail maintenance Saturday, 30 mile hot/windy ride yesterday...hmmmm, guess I can't complain. Will go for a gentle walk with a friend today and do my usual stretches. She can only go for easy hikes, and refuses to walk alone so we go when I need a recovery day. I've had some nice rides this year, but not more than 2 days in a row due to the weather - being so active for 3 days in a row was fantastic!

I had planned on taking the mountain bike to the Canal Towpath, it is a 5.5 mile crushed limestone trail that connects to the White River Parkway which would take me all the way downtown and back again and help to further break in the rear suspension. I suspect it is pretty flat and would have been an easy shortish ride but will do that next Saturday morning as I want to go in early AM to avoid foot traffic.

Rest today, ride tomorrow :) Part of me says that I am being overly cautious and I should just go for it - but of course that little voice is to blame for my assorted over-use injuries last year...

[evangundy]

All this talk of slow... I averaged 10.8 MPG when I was riding around the ginormous parking lot. I'd love to be able to sustain 15 MPH so I can do a century; at my usual average, I'm too slow to try one.
And those averages are on flat trails!

My first century about 14 or 15 years ago, was about 10mph average for the day. And a long day it was. Began at 7am and finished about 6pm - lots of stops to rest. Pulled back into the parking lot as the trucks were loading up the port-a-potties. We were last in on the ride, but there were quite a few that had finished just ahead of me.

And now, after becoming a much stronger rider, my fastest century so far has been about 7 hours but I don't remember my average speed. I've never been fast and probably won't ever be, but I don't let that stop me from doing those long organized rides. They are fun, no matter your speed. At a 10mph average, it would take you 10 hours. If you build up your "distance" so you are able to ride that many miles, you'll be able to do it, just at your own speed.

Just pick a century ride that you want to do, register for it so you are committed to riding it, and start increasing your distance a little each ride. There are lots of good training guides out there - I used this one while training to ride a two-day STP: http://shop.cascade.org/content/events/stp-suggested-mileage - and if you'll notice, it mentions mileage, NOT how fast you ride those miles :-)

Have fun :-)
Edna

[owlice]

Edna, thanks! I think I should be faster on the shorter rides, because I know on the longer rides, I will be slower. I don't think I'd have a problem actually riding a century from the standpoint of mileage; it's just from the standpoint of spending that much time in the saddle and finishing so late, I want to be faster. I did a metric last year and was dead last for that. I don't mind being dead last, but would like it to be before my friends have given me up for dead, turned in a missing person's report, driven several hours home, and been asleep for half the night before I finish, as would likely be the case for a century at this point.

If I can sustain 15 MPH regularly on 20-25 mile rides, I have a greater chance of averaging at least 10 MPH over 100 miles. I'd like the greater chance!

I've been thinking about buying a lighter, faster bike, but it occurs to me that what is on the bike could be lighter by way more than the difference between my current bike and any I might buy, so maybe I should concentrate on that, and simply pushing myself to ride faster, even if I do buy a lighter, faster bike! :D

ETA: Probably no riding for me today unless it's near/after sunset, as we are under a heat advisory.

[emily_in_nc]

Did a little 16.5 mile solo recovery ride this morning, concentrating on not pushing, using easier gears than I might usually, and just enjoying the scenery and quiet roads. My legs actually felt just fine, but I am feeling my chronic saddle sore start to get irritated. It's been fine up til this point, not giving me any grief, but I think the increasing heat/humidity and resulting sweating, plus longer rides, have finally awakened it from its winter slumber again. :(

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

[ASammy1]

We rode "Bike the Drive" in downtown Chicago yesterday. 20 cold, wet, and foggy miles on Lakeshore Dr. It was so foggy, you couldn't see any of the skyscrapers or Lake Michigan :( It was nice to ride in the city without having to stop every mile or so though...

[owlice]

Emily, I have had good luck using Cortisone-10 on irritated bits; clears them up nicely, and I'll use it before a ride sometimes, too, to ward off developing a sore. In fact, I read a suggestion for Cortisone-10 here; looking for a solution to a persistent saddle sore is what led me to TE in the first place. And wow, was I (am I) ever grateful!!

[redrhodie]

I was dog sitting this weekend. Brought my commuter bike with me, and rode to the store both days. On Sat, I took the long way there, a shorter way back for 14 miles. I took the longer route both ways Sun, for 18 miles. The bike rack at the store was busy! I was lucky to get a spot.

Today is a rest day. Drove the car to get ice cream, and noticed a lot of cyclists out. Got behind a really nervous guy who couldn't get his foot clipped in. I was fine waiting for him as long as it took, but he appeared to be freaking out. I felt for him. I was afraid he would fall. It was a big relief when he finally clipped in, as much for me as him! Been, there, done that!

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, I have had good luck using Cortisone-10 on irritated bits; clears them up nicely, and I'll use it before a ride sometimes, too, to ward off developing a sore. In fact, I read a suggestion for Cortisone-10 here; looking for a solution to a persistent saddle sore is what led me to TE in the first place. And wow, was I (am I) ever grateful!!

Thank you for the tip - I am willing to try anything! I have actually had to have this sucker injected with cortisone twice at my dermatologist's...late last summer and two years prior to that. It's a nasty little beast! I should probably try some different saddles (have already tried several different shorts), but I think it's caused by the way I sit on the saddle a little crooked from my pelvic fractures in '05, so I am not sure a different saddle would help.

[Atlas]

Last Thursday and today were my Memorial Day Weekend since I work most every Saturday and Sunday. So Thursday I did my usual route but added a few miles of gravel since my partner is a huge gravel cyclist and wants to take some gravel on our tour. I thought 'oh this will be interesting and scenic'. First road was being graded, second got chased by my first dog (and nearly wiped out on him but at least he was friendly), then the hills started, and I decided to head back to the highway with the bike lanes :)

I had planned on going out today, but the wind is gusting up to 45 mph and I'm not exactly comfortable with that. So maybe just a nice stroll through town with extra hills to make up for the lack of miles.

[emily_in_nc]

My speed actually isn't that bad, but is a lot slower than I used to be on my Aegis Swift. Not sure if it's the bike or the engine - probably a bit of both. I feel pretty strong, but I am definitely not as fast as I used to be. On my Aegis, before my accident in '05, I averaged between 15-18 mph. On my Friday I'm usually doing utility rides so generally average between 11-13 mph. Today was 14.2. There, I said it. :D

Sorry to reply to my own post, but I think I figured it out, at least in part. After posting this, it got me thinking, so today after my ride, I weighed my Bike Friday. It currently has a rear rack on it, but I'd left the rack trunk (Arkel Tail Rider) off and just put on a small seat bag with an extra tube, tools, and a CO2 cartridge and chuck, plus my cell phone, lip balm, and keys. Weighed the entire thing: 25 lbs. Not bad, but...my Aegis, with similarly equipped seat bag, came in at around 21 lbs, if that. Doesn't seem like a huge difference, but since I am very light, it's definitely a higher % of my body weight and could certainly explain away most of the speed differences I notice.

But I'm really not a speed weenie any more, just enjoying the ride!

[rubysoho]

43 beautiful miles between yesterday and today.

Yesterday I rode with a friend along the river and had a nice break watching airplanes landing overhead (one scared me because the wing was dipping down low on one side and from my angle I thought it might crash into me!!! :rolleyes:). First time riding with a friend and he and I had some fun competitive moments.

Today i went out before it got too hot but it was pretty muggy still. This was a solo ride and I had planned to take it easy because yesterday I doubled my longest ride. Well, ended up putting in another 20 miles today with a lot of time spent between 15 and 20 mph. Definitely had to push myself the last 5 miles. My legs are spent. Can't wait until I can do a longer ride!:p

[Geonz]

Reading this thread makes me think that for *lots* of people this was the first weekend for "real riding" -- that 20, 30, or more that lays the foundation for longer later... and I think I *shall* endeavor to figure out a way to do the HOrseyHundred again, tho' it's 300 miles away from here. It is a fun ride and some of my friends from the SE head up there.
Saturday I led my ride and we did our usual 20, to Sidney this time. Had to pause and fix a flat so we didn't add the four miles to Philo -- and there were some relatively new riders, and it was a tad windy.
Today I'd called a Leisurely Ride to Monticello -- about 50 miles round trip (tho' I also had the ride out there). Just after I posted it I saw that the faster ride leader had posted that people would leave an hour later from the other side of town... happily, he posted a clarifying "here are your options!"
There were ten of us and the winds started at 18 from the S -- but we were mostly going West, and we spaced the four miles south so we did 'em one at a time. We got to Monticello and found all the "charming restaurants to go to Monticello for" places to eat were closed for the holiday. Subway was open... and as we were leaving the first one of the later group came by. Then as we got to the road out of town, three much faster riders with almost no clothing on went streaking (well, almost :)) by the other direction. It *was* hot and sunny... backs of my calves did *not* get enough sunscreen; I'd worn capris because I knew the tops of my thighs were hopeless and... they're splotchy too. The old skin just doesn't like that sun stuff *at all* -- shold have lathered the sunscreen under the shorts, I suppose? Note to self to continue general habit of riding Early and Late... not when those mad dogs and Englishmen go out.
I stretched the ride home and got in a metric ... but these particular capris just are too much like diapers and have chafed where the padding meets the shorts.
And we averaged just about 12 mph -- somebody looked at the end. I have schooled those who ride with me about the value of learning NOT to look at the speedo when riding in the wind -- to ride what *feels* right. You MUST follow Sioux's Zen RUles!!!

[pll]

Sorry to reply to my own post, but I think I figured it out, at least in part. After posting this, it got me thinking, so today after my ride, I weighed my Bike Friday. It currently has a rear rack on it, but I'd left the rack trunk (Arkel Tail Rider) off and just put on a small seat bag with an extra tube, tools, and a CO2 cartridge and chuck, plus my cell phone, lip balm, and keys. Weighed the entire thing: 25 lbs. Not bad, but...my Aegis, with similarly equipped seat bag, came in at around 21 lbs, if that. Doesn't seem like a huge difference, but since I am very light, it's definitely a higher % of my body weight and could certainly explain away most of the speed differences I notice.

But I'm really not a speed weenie any more, just enjoying the ride!

I think a smaller wheel requires more effort relative to a bigger wheel. Each revolution of your crank will move you less distance in the Bike Friday, so perhaps you have not lost all your speed...;)

[skhill]

Where do ypu live? DH's family is in Frankfort, which is one of the reasons we do the ride every year, but I did it before I met him, so perhaps it was fate! It's a fun ride. I prefer Sunday's routes because they're less crowded. It was hot today though. Really hot! Mmaybe we'll see you next year!

I'm in Lexington, just a few exits south of Georgetown on I-75. And with the heat on Sunday, I'm glad I slept in. The heat was getting to me just mowing the lawn and working in the garden. But maybe next year!

Today my city had its annual bike celebration downtown. I did the fun ride, 10 miles cruising around town at very low speeds. There was one point where I checked the computer and saw I was going 7mph-- slower than I'll probably be running in our upcoming 10k that goes down that same street. It was an opportunity to work on bike handling skills, maybe. Then I racked up 10 miles more, just running around town, at much more normal speeds...

[indysteel]

We'll have to stick around some year for the Lexington ride. We typically go back home Sunday that we can putter around home all day.

Do you like living in Lexington? I have a fantasy during the Horsey every year about moving down there. DH grew up in Frankfort (which I don't particularly care for; it's a big yawn), but I do like Lexington. In four years time, my job situation could be such that it'll be a good time to make a break for it.

[7rider]

After 2 days of riding - hard for DH, not so hard for me :rolleyes: - and swimming and a run this morning, we decided that today would be an easy "recovery" ride down into Rock Creek Park. The park is basically flat (well, a slight grade) and well shaded and usually about 10 degrees cooler than our more exposed routes, so on a hot summery day like today it would be perfect.

So we take our normal route down, and DH shocked me. "Do you want to ride the Capital Crescent into Georgetown?" he asked. DH asked me if we should ride a MUT through Bethesda to the Washington, D.C. waterfront. Us. Committed roadies. Riding a trail (some of which was gravel) with a 15 mph speed limit on a sunny, warm Memorial Day holiday. Although it's a popular bike commuter route during the week (not mine), I've been on that trail exactly once in the 8 years I've been here. I'm not generally a MUT rider. Way too crowded - and it was today. Tons of folks on bike, in-line skates, Trail Squirrels (little kids), joggers with their ear buds turned up way too loud. It was a mad house. But, DH - who drives a turbo charged sporty car - realizes that there's a time and place for speed, and for passing, and we took it very carefully and he groused about helmetless riders who passed us way too fast and with oncoming traffic. It was very surreal. But...it was cool, b/c we stopped at Cycle Life at the end of the trail - a uber-high end bike shop that has a Cafe/Juice Bar in it and he got a vanilla shake and I got a banana chocolate smoothie. Mmmmm...:cool: Certainly not the kind of ride I'm used to, but a lot of fun. But my brain was about to explode by the end from the heat. So not used to that yet.

[azfiddle]

Got in one more long ride for the weekend. Tomorrow's going to be a DOR- maybe Weds will be too-

My DH and I took advantage of the unseasonably cool weather resulting from a cold front that passed through. It was 100 on Friday, but only about 80 degrees today. We did a 65 mile ride, through a lot of semi-rural desert and hills south of Tucson, then came back up through pecan orchards and abandoned fields, in the (dry) Santa Cruz River valley, and through South Tucson, which fields much like being in Mexico. We stopped to enjoy ceviche and shrimp tacos from a mobile restaurant (serving out of a vending truck). They were delicious!

[Catrin]

In the end I did take a small, very easy, recovery ride on my Jamis :) I was going walking but decided in 90 degree heat that I would rather ride and make my own breeze - and it was sweet. Very short ride, only about 6 miles or so - so short I am not logging it. I am glad that I did it however, and tomorrow night will be back to my Gunnar and a longer ride!

[Owlie]

Heh, I slept in today, and I'm glad I did. I woke up sore--not significantly, but enough to decide to give myself a break so I can actually walk, unlike last year's week of intensive riding...

[nscrbug]

83 miles for me today...windy, warm, & humid...high 80's & sunny. The heat kind of got to me today, so this was a rather tough ride to get through. I know I didn't eat enough during the ride (only had a PB & Honey Uncrustable, 210 cal.) during the whole ride. Should have eaten more, but really couldn't stomach much solid food on such a warm day. Took in 2 bottles of Nuun, but could have used a bit more fluid with the heat. I'll have to plan better next time for a hot ride.

[pll]

83 miles for me today...windy, warm, & humid...high 80's & sunny. The heat kind of got to me today, so this was a rather tough ride to get through. I know I didn't eat enough during the ride (only had a PB & Honey Uncrustable, 210 cal.) during the whole ride. Should have eaten more, but really couldn't stomach much solid food on such a warm day. Took in 2 bottles of Nuun, but could have used a bit more fluid with the heat. I'll have to plan better next time for a hot ride.

I am impressed. I struggled with a 50 mile ride, had 4 bottles of water and Nuun and felt parched. This morning, the scale says I've lost nearly 3 lbs (I did eat during the ride, 2 Clif mini bars and a banana, had nice meals). I need to acclimate to the heat!

[limewave]

I took my 5yo DD on her very first singletrack mountain bike ride!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D

3.5 miles long. I am so proud of her! She is a natural. She floated right over the sandpits and rolled over all the tree roots. She even expertly navigated a tricky downhill with a giant sandpit and 90 degree turn at the bottom. Her bike probably weighs as much as she does and only has little 16 inch wheels (she's pretty small for her age).

Best part is that she loved it and wants to go again!

[kfergos]

I did the 7 Hills of Kirkland century ride with a group of biking buddies. It was cool, mid-50s to low 60s, and overcast -- actually excellent biking weather. Averaged 17.6 mph over 100 miles with 7000 ft of climbing. It was a very fun group ride with the added bonus of periodic food stops and strawberry shortcake at the end :D Good day, overall.

[chryss]

Limewave, your post made me smile into my morning tea. So great!

I rode 30 flat and leisurely miles in just over 2 hours on Monday - out and back on The Road, and saw a young hare, a glossy moose in the woods, wild ducks I can't identify and dozens of these very beautiful butterflies, which I did my best to avoid hitting. They're called Canadian Tiger Swallowtail:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253142_10150205265597476_593707475_7449472_1234558_n.jpg

On the way back, I stopped off to buy Chinese take-out and transport back the chicken & vegetable yakisoba tied to my handlebars over a muddy trail. Interesting. (It is extremely fortunate that there *is* a place that will sell good & tasty food within a mile! I'm 30 miles outside Fairbanks in a 350 inhabitant village.)

The weekend was a bit messed about by a very hot Sunday ending in a downpour and a strong cool-off, and my partner not feeling that well. Well, neither of us did by Monday because the dogs became very active when the temperature dropped, and the mosquitos moved indoors, so sleep wasn't easy to come by. The dogs are Siberian Huskies so they suffer above 10°C/50°F. But we didn't mind too much. I was glad I went out and rode for a while.

[indysteel]

I took my 5yo DD on her very first singletrack mountain bike ride!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D

3.5 miles long. I am so proud of her! She is a natural. She floated right over the sandpits and rolled over all the tree roots. She even expertly navigated a tricky downhill with a giant sandpit and 90 degree turn at the bottom. Her bike probably weighs as much as she does and only has little 16 inch wheels (she's pretty small for her age).

Best part is that she loved it and wants to go again!

Wow; that's awesome!!! What a great thing for a mom and daughter to do together.

[indysteel]

I did the 7 Hills of Kirkland century ride with a group of biking buddies. It was cool, mid-50s to low 60s, and overcast -- actually excellent biking weather. Averaged 17.6 mph over 100 miles with 7000 ft of climbing. It was a very fun group ride with the added bonus of periodic food stops and strawberry shortcake at the end :D Good day, overall.

Boy, that's impressive!!!! Plus, any ride that ends with strawberry shortcake is a great ride!!!

[nscrbug]

Boy, that's impressive!!!! Plus, any ride that ends with strawberry shortcake is a great ride!!!

X2! That is an awesome average speed for 100 miles. The best I have ever done was 16.3...and that's a FLAT ride, no mountains in my neck of the woods.

[Owlie]

I finally got the pictures from my ride up on my blog. I hate to sound all spammy but I can't get the picture thing to work on here. :(