Holiday weekend rides

[Crankin]

I'll start this thread, because I had a "rude cyclist" experience this morning on my ride.
I went out about 7:45 AM, just to do my usual loop and maybe add on a little more. I decided to do the loop in the direction so I would not be in the morning traffic. As soon as I got on one of the main roads (Lowell Rd), someone came up behind me and said "on your left." I think I had slowed a bit, and was going maybe 14-15. I was hot, had my vest and arm warmers on, but I didn't want to stop after like 3 miles. So, the person passed me, but she really wasn't going any faster than I go on a good day. She was young, was clipped in, had cycling clothes on, but had a sweatshirt tied around her waist, which to me is a sign someone doesn't know about things like arms warmers or vests that can be stuck in a jersey pocket. She didn't have gloves on, either. I didn't want to pass her, as I knew I couldn't maintain a speed faster than she was going for more than a few minutes. So I asked her, "Do you mind if I stay behind you?" I was not on her wheel, just behind her. She didn't answer me... after a few minutes I realized why. She had earbuds in. I saw the little white I Pod wire sticking out of a pocket. Now I decided to play with her a little... bad. This road is flat, but has some slight rollers that require nothing more than shifting down one gear and spinning. Every time she got to one of these (there are 3-4) she stood and pushed a big gear and was rocking back and forth the way I might do on a very hard climb. Because of this, I ended up on her wheel every time there was even the slightest rise in the road. So, at one point she looks back and gives me the nastiest look I've seen in awhile, after she realized I was behind her still. Yeah, she was messing with this old lady! I knew I would be turning off on a cut through street, so I could stop and take my stuff off, so I think I was behind her for like 5 miles.
When I stopped, my average was pretty high for me, for the beginning of a ride. So, while it helped the speed, I was really annoyed. She could not hear a thing.

[chryss]

Yeah, it's stories like these that make me wonder how often rudeness is a consequence of ignorance of the relevant social cues and norms. This doesn't excuse her in my book! I've been quite insecure myself about when it's ok to follow, what is expected from me etc. (And I admit I occasionally like riding with the iPod in, but make sure to use only one earbud so that I can still be hearing what's going on around me.)

My partner and I both have both Monday and Tuesday off, which is great, but it's going to be quiet -- there'll be many chores around the house and garden, and she's working on a deadline for a personal project. We also want to go hiking. But I'm sure there'll at least be one longer ride (longer for me!).

Yesterday, after 24h of torrential rain, the weather turned nice just in time for our club ride (women, "slow to moderate pace"). We ended up doing just over 20 miles up a ridge that runs west of town - quite a suburban residential area (for Alaska!). It was wonderful climbing and climbing (for me!). Runkeeper overestimates the climb, but here's the map nonetheless: http://runkeeper.com/user/chryss/activity/41491565 .

[Catrin]

Went to my first club ride this year and had an awesome 33 mile ride this morning! None of the loops were right for me, they were either too short or too long and I am trying to build mileage without awakening old overuse injuries. I would have preferred 40 miles rather than 33, but I think that was a good stopping point. 105 miles for the week :)

Something surprising happened during the SAG stop. First of all, I must point out that LAST year I was truly the last rider to ever come into the stops. Indeed, in the ride that IndySteel helped organize/run about this time last year, I was 45 minutes behind everyone else :eek: I did have fun though, and that is what counts.

Today was my first club ride since September when I was taken off the bike. I wasn't last. Not even close, I was in the middle of the pack :D Yes, this was a little bit of a surprise given my very upright riding position and 1.5 inch tires... but the real surprise was when TWO young women told me they hoped they could keep up with me on Monday because they couldn't today - and they were on road bikes and aren't new...

I actually couldn't believe my ears and had them repeat themselves. They were likely just having off days, but it was still kind of neat - that is the first time anyone has said that to me :)

Oh yeah, I finished my ride with legs, and quads, feeling fine. I think I can start pushing harder now to build my mileage. I had a PB in average speed, this was the first time it was over 14 mph - though that was only due to it not being very windy. I've also discovered the big ring, that is probably part of it...

[Crankin]

That's great, Catrin. Sounds like a nice group.
We did a 25 mile ride, about half of it with our friends. They rode to our house and then we rode about 11 miles together and we split off, so they could get ready for the bbq they are having in about a half hour. DH was using his GPS to guide him (he can't remember routes for crap) and even though we have done this ride probably twice since the first time this season, it was the first ride of this loop for the year in the GPS. At the time, we were trying to get our first 25 mile ride of the year (it was March), so we did some funky circles around town at the end. I just wanted to go home today when we came to the turn off, but we did the 25.
Even though I am exhausted from insomnia and we were going slowly for the first half, we pushed it for the second half. It was a good ride and there's a zillion cyclists out.
Now I am ready for lamb burgers and rum swizzles...

[indysteel]

Catrin, that is just stupendous! I'm glad you had such a good time!

We are striking out so far this weekend as far as rides go. I met Brian after work in Columbus to drive to BCSP for a MTB ride. We were on our way to the park when he realized that he had left the key to the bike lock (the bikes were locked to the rack) at home. So, we turned around and went home. Frankly, I was feeling a little distracted by the labwork I got back yesterday so perhaps it's just as well.

We were planning on riding our roadbikes this morning, but DH felt sick to his stomach, and eventually threw up. Poor dear. Granted, I could ride on my own, but I just haven't. Maybe tomorrow. Ugh!

[Roadtrip]

I'd planned on getting out this am before the heat set in, but I just couldn't get myself out of bed at 6:30 when I'd planned on getting up. By 10am the dew point was already over 70 and very thick air, argggg, so planning on tomorrow barring rain. Parents coming for the fourth, but may do a light ride with them at the local trail, we have to see.

Shannon

[Owlie]

24 miles today, most of the second half in rain. I got out about half an hour earlier than I usually do (despite waking up 45 minutes earlier than normal:confused: ). Not too many people out on the trail, probably because of the heat and humidity and/or the rain. Of course, I was wearing my blue and white jersey from my alma mater's cycling club. The rain wasn't kind to it.
Because of this jersey, I ended up chatting with two older men who were just heading out from one of the access points south of me when I stopped to adjust my saddle. One's son went to my alma mater for engineering management and is now working for Dow Corning (he said "My son graduated last year and managed to find a job somewhere with worse winters than Cleveland!"). The other one's son went to the university where I'll be starting my master's in the fall--I got the impression he went to med school there.

Last ride for about a week, and 50 even miles for the week.

[Catrin]

Congrats Catrin! All that commuting has made you a lot more powerful, I think:)

I am not commuting - urban traffic just makes me too nervous. I would like to try it at some point though, which is probably what you remember :)


I could say she was just having a bad day last time, but that's not the impression I got. Doesn't really matter, but I wonder what will happen next time I see them on my road bike? Could be interesting. And I'm sure I'll see them again:)

Hopefully they will learn how to hydrate before it gives them a problem :eek: I do remember getting VERY nervous around others when I was new, I was so terrified that I might run into someone...

[TrekTheKaty]

Rented a Trek Madone today and rode 23 hilly miles with my hubby for my bday :D It's supposed to be in 90's today, and was already 85% humidity by 7:30 am when we departed. Fell in love and then discovered you can't buy one this time of year. Great morning, followed by fruitless bike shopping all over time :(

[withm]

. I would have preferred 40 miles rather than 33, but I think that was a good stopping point.

Is there a reason that after hitting 33 miles you could not ride 3-4 more miles, then turn around and ride back? Then you get your 40 miles in.

[Catrin]

Is there a reason that after hitting 33 miles you could not ride 3-4 more miles, then turn around and ride back? Then you get your 40 miles in.

I wimped out. This morning was nice and cool, but then the broiler turned on in the sky, apparently. I had also just taken my life in my hands by riding down SR 267 for about 5 miles and noon-time Sat traffic was picking up - I wasn't about to head back into that again, though was pretty proud of myself for doing it the first time :D

They are having the same ride Monday, and while I probably won't be at the official start since I've a party tomorrow night, I am going to ride from home and do the same ride after I get up and have breakfast. They will have the SAG open until 2 and porta-potty there all day Monday so I am going to make that my official 40 miler :)

Tomorrow I've mountain bike drills planned!

[jessmarimba]

Think I will ride Glenwood to Aspen tomorrow on the Rio Grande bike trail, stay on a friend's floor, and ride Aspen to Glenwood on Monday. But I'll bring bus money just in case :)

[redrhodie]

I did the 7 am shop ride. I haven't really ridden with anyone since my old riding buddy injured her knee. She's been off the bike for 2 years now, :eek: so it's been that long. There were 6 of us today, 3 men, 3 women. Great group including 2 of my favorite people in the world (my wrenches), an easy 16 mph pace, 30 miles exactly, on mostly flat country roads. It was a nice social ride. We talked while we rode, and no one got dropped, flatted, or fell. It was nice to not be concerned with going fast. It was nice to have company. I liked it a lot.

The only problem was the 7 am start. That meant I had to get up at 5. Well, I did it, and survived :rolleyes:, so we'll see if I can keep it up.

[TrekTheKaty]

That's what post-ride naps are for :D

[owlice]

(he said "My son graduated last year and managed to find a job somewhere with worse winters than Cleveland!").

Made me lol here! Oh, that's great!

After spending most of yesterday inside catching up on some work, I stuffed my backpack in a pannier (a feat in itself, believe me), threw a pair of old baggy shorts and a high-vis vest into the other pannier, put the bike on the rack, and drove to my usual trail. Rode it to a bakery/cafe place (similar to Panera), pulled on the baggy shorts, got dinner, and sat there doing some work. Chatted some, too, with a very outgoing, interesting guy who was also doing work. (He was obviously bored with what he was doing!)

After sunset, I loaded back up and headed home, but went around the lake three times (small lake) just to get in a few more miles. Got back to my car at 9:50 PM, which is a little later than I usually like to be out riding, but okay.

Just 15 miles, 5.5 there, 9.5 back, but it was good to fit it in, and I may do the same today.


So I parted with mentioning that they needed to hydrate more, and pulled off. They each had small, capped, Gatorade bottles in one cage, and nothing in the other; only about an inch of liquid was missing, and they had ridden at least 11 miles by that point, and neither had taken even a sip in that entire time. Temperature was in the 90's.
Hmmm... I regularly go 11-15 miles without drinking. My maintenance rides are in the 14-16 mile range (okay, sometimes 8-14 mile range <g>), and I usually don't drink anything until the end of them. (And I drink just water; Gatorade is completely unappealing to me.) I do often drink before I get on the bike, though.

What affects me more than just plain heat/humidity is whether the sun is actually beating down on me. Riding in the 90s in shade is okay; in the sun... not so much!

[Catrin]

Mountain bike parking lot and grass drills this morning for about an hour or so, plus another 30-40 minutes just roaming around on my lovely Jamis :)

[Grits]

Ride from hell yesterday. Nah, I guess I've had worse. Still it is disappointing to really be looking forward to a ride and then have it turn out to just be a "bad ride day." 5 of us were doing a 40 - 50 mile ride. I started out leading and my legs immediately felt like lead so I dropped to the rear and then started feeling better after warming up. Was good until about 20 miles in, and then my legs started feeling really fatigued, and I had trouble keeping up the rest of the ride.
It was REALLY hot yesterday. The last few miles my on-bike thermometer was saying 100 degrees (102 for a brief time). The actual temps yesterday got to the mid 90's. Only explanation I can think of is it is the week before my period, and that can cause me to not have my best rides. The good news is that my average mph on a bad ride day was a speed that I would have been very happy with just last summer, so at least there has been improvement. One of the riders invited us to his pool afterwards, so that was heavenly!

[Orange utopia]

29 miles in terrible humidity with lots of never ending hills today. I am wiped out but I did get my average speed up to 13.5 which is surprising because I felt like I was going super slow.

[Crankin]

Quick 14 miles to W. Concord and back. I rarely ride on some of the streets we cruised on, so it was fun. Stopped and had a cold drink, back in Concord center. It was supposed to thunder and be quite rainy, but we got home just as it started sprinkling. I actually stretched when I got home, which is needed, because tomorrow, we are going on a hilly 40-50 mile ride.
My last 3 rides have been in an average zone which is making me happy. Nothing super fast, but approaching where I was 4 years ago, before my mystery illness. I don't expect that on a hilly long ride, but it's good to see it on the rides closer to home.

[solobiker]

Got in 30 miles this morning before the heat set in. I was on my bike by 630am. Such a beautiful morning. Not too many hills on my route today. My back usually does not like any more then 20-25 miles and it was telling me so today too.:( Oh well. No ride for me tomorrow..have to work and by the time I get out it is supposed to be in the upper 90s. I may ride my spin bike. Have a great day everyone.

[nscrbug]

Saturday's ride was 76 miles in horrid humidity and temps in the mid 90's. Despite how dreadful the air quality was, I ended up having a pretty good ride. Wish I could say the same about today's ride, which was 103 miles of misery. Humidity and temps weren't nearly as bad, but I was just having a terrible "pain" day. Everything that could possibly hurt me today...DID. My hands, my back, my butt, my girly bits, my neck...about the ONLY thing that did NOT hurt me were my feet! At one of the rest stops we made, I really felt like crying but I held it together for the sake of not embarrassing myself in front of my DH and another riding buddy of ours. I felt bad because DH and our riding buddy had to keep slowing up to wait for my slow @ss. I finally told the buddy to just go on without us (which he did)...DH stayed behind to ride with me. We left our house at 6am and didn't get home until almost 1:30! I don't care what anyone says...that is just too damn long to be on a bike.

Sorry for venting and ranting...I'm just havin' one of THOSE days. :(

Linda

[PinkBike]

nscrbug -- dont beat yourself up, i'm WAY impressed with your 2 days of riding. 100 miles in 7.5 hours is more than admirable. and after a 76 mile day. you rock.

saturday fat cyclist tweeted that he rode 96 miles with 10,000 feet of climbing. woh.

but i think i got him beat. 35 miles, No climbing, No wind, but 118 degrees. you have no idea.

THAT's what post-ride naps are for!! and cold showers.

[jessmarimba]

Rode 43ish miles from glenwood springs to aspen on a 30 pound bike + 12ish pounds of gear. I think the whole thing was a gradual uphill...looking forward to the ride back in the morning! (though I've learned that 45-pound bikes don't even coast down hills.)

Nice to escape the worst of the heat, though with the altitude and the dryness I think I had 5 bottles of water.

[Owlie]

but i think i got him beat. 35 miles, No climbing, No wind, but 118 degrees. you have no idea.


I don't think I could move if it were that hot.

[luv2climb]

The heat down here in the valley chased me up to the mountains today for my first high altitude ride of the summer. Since the road I planned on riding was littered with goat-head thorns when I climbed it last summer, I played it safe and rode my 32 lb Rockhopper with 26 x 1.95 Specialized Hemispheres. The thick tires do a much better job of resisting flats from those pesky thorns.

I climbed Ice House Road from US 50 in El Dorado County, then up Granite Springs Road to the top at 5,709' elevation. Since this was my first ride on this road, I kept going a little while after reaching the top just to make sure I really completed the climb.

I turned around and descended to Ice House Road, then completed that climb and rode a little further down the road, again to make sure I really did reach the top and not a false summit.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96655663

Here's video of the ride up Ice House Road, plus the steeper sufferfest part of Granite Springs Road. Since Ice House Road didn't cause much suffering, there's not a lot of "suffer sounds" until Granite Springs Road. I'm glad, actually. It means I'm getting stronger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYrkt57xJ2w

On the way back down Ice House Road, I decided to see if my non-suspended mtb with 65 psi in the tires would make it up a steep, rocky trail by the side of the road. It did. Here's video proof:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk527z78-0I

Bottom of Ice House Road climb:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/RockhopperatIceHouseRoadUS50.jpg

View from the top of Granite Springs Road:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/viewofSierrasfromGraniteSpringsRoad.jpg

Top of Ice House Road climb:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/topofIceHouseRoadclimbwithviewofsnow-cappedSierras.jpg

A closer look at the mountains from the above pic:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/viewofsnow-cappedSierrasfromtopofIceHouseRoadclimb.jpg

Dirt trail near Ice House Road:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/dirttrailnearIceHouseRoad.jpg

View from top of trail:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/viewofSierrasfromtopofdirtclimbnearIceHouseRoad.jpg

About to descend Ice House Road:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/IceHouseRoad7gradesignwithRockhopper.jpg

[wackyjacky1]

Great pics, l2c!

I was going to do a nice ride to the Missions and back, but discovered I had a flat on my bike just as I was getting ready to leave the house. Turned on the TV while I was fixing it and got hooked on the Wimbledon final. By the time that was done, it was too hot, so no ride for me. Bummer!

(BTW that's the first flat I've had on that bike, and I've had it for something like three years now. Yay for kevlar-reinforced tires!)

[Crankin]

My 50 miles turned into 22.5, as my son called and said he was coming over while we were riding.
It's really humid, about 83 degrees, so i was not particularly sad to cut the ride short. DH decided to document the ride with lots of pictures, which I will post later.

[Catrin]

Great pics Luv2climb, and you really DO love to climb :)

I broke my 40 mile barrier this morning with a 42 mile ride :D While Saturday was hot and humid, a cool front came in this morning with drizzle, so the first 14 miles or so of my ride was in a cool drizzling rain. I do not intentionally ride in the rain normally, but it didn't look like it would get any worse so I headed out into the rain :cool: It remained overcast, and the high today is only supposed to reach 84 - I will take it!

I rode from my apartment to the SAG of a ride in the next county, then turned around and came home. It was just under 42 miles, though my computer and MapMyRide are disputing about the actual mileage. I believe my Sigma over MapMyRide.

Obviously I don't count the mountain bike drills in my mileage, so that gives me 75 miles between Saturday and today's rides. I am FINALLY starting to feel like my old self! Quads and hamstrings are quite happy, though my hip is complaining just a little bit, I will add more hip stretches to my after-ride routine. I will go for a slow walk shortly.

[redrhodie]

New rule, if I want to watch the tour, I have to be on the bike by 7 (unless I'm working or taking a rest day). This will not be like other Julys, my lowest mile month of the year. I know they show it over and over, but once I start watching it, I can't stop. :o I am nipping this in the bud right now. Besides, there's way less traffic, and it's cooler at 7 than at 10.

Rode 20 miles in record time this morning. I know it's the wheels, but I don't care. Yay me. :)

[luv2climb]

Great pics, l2c!

I was going to do a nice ride to the Missions and back, but discovered I had a flat on my bike just as I was getting ready to leave the house.
(BTW that's the first flat I've had on that bike, and I've had it for something like three years now. Yay for kevlar-reinforced tires!)


Great pics Luv2climb, and you really DO love to climb :)

I broke my 40 mile barrier this morning with a 42 mile ride :D While Saturday was hot and humid, a cool front came in this morning with drizzle, so the first 14 miles or so of my ride was in a cool drizzling rain. I do not intentionally ride in the rain normally, but it didn't look like it would get any worse so I headed out into the rain :cool: It remained overcast, and the high today is only supposed to reach 84 - I will take it!

I rode from my apartment to the SAG of a ride in the next county, then turned around and came home. It was just under 42 miles, though my computer and MapMyRide are disputing about the actual mileage. I believe my Sigma over MapMyRide.
Thanks! :D

I seem to get flats in groups of two or three. A few weeks ago I got a rear flat on my hybrid from an inch-long nail that looked like a miniature railroad spike, complete with rust. Then a few days later I got a rear flat on my road bike from a tiny thorn that somehow worked its way through the Stop Flats (AKA Mr. Tuffy) tire liner.

I make it a habit to glance at the tires on all my bikes and my truck when I walk by them. So far that has prevented any nasty pre-ride surprises.

Rain rides suck for me unless it's warm out, then they feel good.

I don't trust mapmyride either. The rides I've seen posted by other people, on roads I've measured with my Garmin, show wildly inaccurate percent grade readings.

[Roadtrip]

Got out this morning for what turned out an abbreviated eight miles. Was on the way out and checked the radar again and saw storms moving in. Got nearly back to the car before getting rained on, which wasn't too bad, but once we got back home the sky opened up and poured buckets. Glad I wasn't out in that!!!

Shannon

[Orange utopia]

Did 12 miles this morning with my husband who was pulling our 3 year old son in the trailer.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/Two_mini_mes/P1030262.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/mjanke/image/136118402.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/mjanke/image/136118406.jpg

[indysteel]

Did 25 road miles Sunday with DH. Just one of our usual routes, but we had fun. Today, we did about 10 miles on the mountain bike trails at Brown County State Park. This was my fourth time MTBing, so I'm a newb. I'm pretty pleased with the progress I'm making. We sessioned an area on one of the trails I was having trouble with, and I finally got it. Yay! We did that trail twice and then moved onto a trail that's a bit more technical. I was really pleased with my first pass through it. The second pass went well, too, but I was starting to tire a bit. Mentally and physically, it's just a lot more taxing.

[goride]

Glad to see that so many were out riding this weekend.

Two good rides this weekend -

A nice early ride (5:30 a.m.) with a few friends on Saturday morning, 45 miles riding rolling country roads (and a few good climbs) around some of the inland lakes in the area. Since it was a holiday weekend we knew traffic around the lakes would be heavy by mid-morning, so we wanted to get out early. It was already hot and humid, and a few times the weather looked threatening, but it did not rain. We did something we do not normally take the time for when we ride together and stopped for about 20 minutes at a coffee shop on one of the lakes about half-way through our ride. Nice chance to chat without worrying about traffic.

On Sunday, did a 51 mile trail ride with a few of the same group. It's an interesting trail, in that it is not a "rail trail" so it's got some nice rollers. As it passes through some of the communities, you are routed through the towns on some lower traffic roads instead of trail. Although we did take a detour to Main Street in one of the communities to stop at a shop that makes their own chocolates. Since it was about 85 degrees, I only bought one piece of really scrumptious chocolate to be eaten on the spot, since I knew chocolate would not survive the rest of the trip in my jersey pocket. We had a chance to refill water while in town, also. It's a popular community for cycling, so the shop proprietors there are very accommodating.

Today I needed a recovery day, so no ride.

[Catrin]

Did 25 road miles Sunday with DH. Just one of our usual routes, but we had fun. Today, we did about 10 miles on the mountain bike trails at Brown County State Park. This was my fourth time MTBing, so I'm a newb. I'm pretty pleased with the progress I'm making. We sessioned an area on one of the trails I was having trouble with, and I finally got it. Yay! We did that trail twice and then moved onto a trail that's a bit more technical. I was really pleased with my first pass through it. The second pass went well, too, but I was starting to tire a bit. Mentally and physically, it's just a lot more taxing.

What trails, Pine and Limekiln? I hope to be there Saturday for my second time MTBing :)

[indysteel]

What trails, Pine and Limekiln? I hope to be there Saturday for my second time MTBing :)

Yep. I probably should try the North Tower Loop at some point (the other beginner trail). Maybe next time, but I'd prefer to spend some time on the more technical sections of Limekiln. There are some rocky sections and it's a good place to learn how to pick a good line. I was proud of myself for not braking over them this time around. No falls; no crashes! Woot!

[indysteel]

Great pics Luv2climb, and you really DO love to climb :)

I broke my 40 mile barrier this morning with a 42 mile ride :D While Saturday was hot and humid, a cool front came in this morning with drizzle, so the first 14 miles or so of my ride was in a cool drizzling rain. I do not intentionally ride in the rain normally, but it didn't look like it would get any worse so I headed out into the rain :cool: It remained overcast, and the high today is only supposed to reach 84 - I will take it!

I rode from my apartment to the SAG of a ride in the next county, then turned around and came home. It was just under 42 miles, though my computer and MapMyRide are disputing about the actual mileage. I believe my Sigma over MapMyRide.

Obviously I don't count the mountain bike drills in my mileage, so that gives me 75 miles between Saturday and today's rides. I am FINALLY starting to feel like my old self! Quads and hamstrings are quite happy, though my hip is complaining just a little bit, I will add more hip stretches to my after-ride routine. I will go for a slow walk shortly.

Good job! Hope the aches and pains work themselves out over the next 24 hours. Did you end up getting some Tiger Balm? It smells pretty funky, but you might massage some of on your legs and hips.

[DebW]

Did a 50 mile ride on Sunday out to Berlin with hirakukibou and her partner. Did some nice roads, and we got home at noon well before the rains.

[Catrin]

Yep. I probably should try the North Tower Loop at some point (the other beginner trail). Maybe next time, but I'd prefer to spend some time on the more technical sections of Limekiln. There are some rocky sections and it's a good place to learn how to pick a good line. I was proud of myself for not braking over them this time around. No falls; no crashes! Woot!

Woot indeed! I've walked Limekiln, that center section is certainly more technical than Pine Loop, though they are both beginner trails. I am going to page the mountain bikers on my FB page to find out if anyone is headed there next Saturday who might like to "warm up" by a slow trip around Pine Loop...then I can do further work on the trail solo. I would hate to tie up someone's day by sticking with me on Pine.

[indysteel]

Woot indeed! I've walked Limekiln, that center section is certainly more technical than Pine Loop, though they are both beginner trails. I am going to page the mountain bikers on my FB page to find out if anyone is headed there next Saturday who might like to "warm up" by a slow trip around Pine Loop...then I can do further work on the trail solo. I would hate to tie up someone's day by sticking with me on Pine.

We're headed to a "floatilla" at Sweetwater Lake next Saturday, so we won't be headed out there ourselves. Just be forewarned that it will be crowded by mid morning or so. You might try early morning or late afternoon. I, personally, find it difficult to get into any rhythm with experienced cyclists wanting to whiz by me in both directions. Thankfully, we had the trails almost to ourselves this afternoon (we started around 4 pm).

Good luck down there!

[Catrin]

We're headed to a "floatilla" at Sweetwater Lake next Saturday, so we won't be headed out there ourselves. Just be forewarned that it will be crowded by mid morning or so. You might try early morning or late afternoon. I, personally, find it difficult to get into any rhythm with experienced cyclists wanting to whiz by me in both directions. Thankfully, we had the trails almost to ourselves this afternoon (we started around 4 pm).

Good luck down there!

This is good to know. Considering my drive, I will likely go down early. I DO want others on the trail if I am going to ride solo, so I don't want it too deserted. Just in case something should happen...


Good job! Hope the aches and pains work themselves out over the next 24 hours. Did you end up getting some Tiger Balm? It smells pretty funky, but you might massage some of on your legs and hips.

I did get the Tiger Balm sold locally, and it is the white version. There is a red version that is supposed to be stronger, I will decide when I've used this little container if I want to try the stronger version. It smells better than Bengay!

The hip ache is quite minor, and I suspect is likely related more to not doing my lateral exercises once a week like I should lately than anything. I am only meeting with my trainer once every two weeks until September when we can start meeting more frequently again so am going to have to be focused on doing what I already know I need to do... Quads are a little sore tonight, but I've asked a lot of them the past three days. Tomorrow they will rest, I will still go to the gym but won't do much leg work until Friday. More drills Wed or Thursday, with a road ride on the day I don't drill - then rest from the bike Friday for Saturday :)

[Crankin]

DH decided he would document our ride today. There's a lot pictures with very stupid captions.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/64097206@N07/5902733069/in/set-72157627118232240

[azfiddle]

Yesterday I did a 20 mile trip up toward the base of Mt. Lemmon. Very few cyclists out- not surprisingly, as the overnight low temp was 80 and my ride, between 6:30 and 8:00 am, was between 85 and 92, with higher humidity than usual (over 50%, which is high for Tucson). Still, of the 15 riders I saw (on route where I might usually see 100!) I ran into 2 friends.

Today we rode on a 28 mile ride organized by a local youth cycling organization (El Grupo). The group reaches out to area youth, especially but not only disadvantaged youth, and gets them involved in cycling. This ride benefits some kids attending a mountain bike camp in Flagstaff. We were at the very end of the group, since a lot of folks left earlier than the official start time. It was really a nice morning- with mostly overcast skies and cooler temperatures. They had aid stations with refreshing and delicious watermelon as well as water, electrolytes, cookies, chips etc. I stuck with the watermelon and water, and had my own electrolytes already. And it was nice to support the kids.

[jessmarimba]

I'm baaaaack!! ~85 miles roundtrip over two days. First half pretty much all uphill, second half pretty much all down (and a full hour shorter). That bike is certainly a tank with all of my stuff on it.

I started getting really nauseous about 2 miles from being back. I think it was a salt issue - I wasn't tired and was ok as long as I kept pedaling, but when I stopped to fish another water bottle out of my bag I thought I'd be sick. After 32 ounces of soda and some super-salty fries I felt MUCH better.

(After a shower, a beer, and some tortellini, I feel even BETTER...about to go get the ice cream!)

[chryss]

Only about 19 miles today of which 16 or thereabouts on the road, and a short 6 mile jaunt on the mountain bike trails last night. It's been raining every day for two weeks or so now, and we're getting a bit fed up with it.

When the sun came out in the afternoon, I jumped on the bike, rode up to the road (slowly, unpaved roads with big puddles and up a sharp incline) and turned left, which is the hilly side. I haven't ridden there in a while, though the club rides I am participating in have gotten a lot hillier, so I wanted to see if there was some improvements on "my" rolling hills. It goes like this: Down first, then one hill, after which there's the local school, then two more hills, after which there's the local inn, then a long hill with steep and more shallow section, after which the road drops into a small valley and stays there for 2-3 miles. Then it slowly creeps back up, with two stores coming up right at the start of the incline -- that's as far as I had gone. Roundtrip would be a little over 20 miles to there, but I wanted to go further, maybe 1h out and then turn around at a convenient spot.

But that was calculating without the weather. It was nice until I dropped into the little valley, where drops started to fall, and looking up, I saw a grey wall in front of me. I went on for a while with the rain in my face until I felt that rain was really quite painful, and looked closer to see little grains of hail or graupel. A lot of cars on the road, too, with trailers or camper vans -- it's the height of tourist season, and the road is the main access to a large state park and the only access to a hot springs resort. Anyhow, I turned around in the valley, thus the low mileage. It was a lot better with the rain coming at me from the back, too.

On the plus side, all the hilly rides with the group clearly improved my stamina, and while I'm not fast, "my" hills felt a lot easier (and a little faster) today. And I got a wonderful hot shower at home afterwards.

[Realgone]

My sister-in-law is visiting from Michigan and we took her took Mt Rainier. I saw many cyclists. Pretty hardcore too. The area we saw them was at the NE entrance to Sunrise which is all uphill and the end is at 6600 ft. Not sure of the starting elevation there, but itnis a minimum of ten miles all steep uphill. We saw a black bear on the side of the road on the way up until a motorcycle scared it which was annoying, yet cool at the same time because he jumped into a nearby tree. Great trip!

[Catrin]

DH decided he would document our ride today. There's a lot pictures with very stupid captions.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/64097206@N07/5902733069/in/set-72157627118232240

Great pictures - and I must admit that I chuckled at some of the captions. It looks like the two of you had a great ride!

[Sky King]

Taking the bike riding to a new level, the Bike Hermit declared he is "training" for the Java Man Triple Brew Pub Extreme Moderation Tour. After I wiped the beer off of my face from laughing, We had an awesome weekend, riding where ever the moment took us. When all was said and done we covered about 90 miles, paying no attention to speed, with the main focus on having fun. Can't wait to continue. Glad everyone had a great weekend too!

[roadie gal]

No rides this past weekend. It is just too damn dangerous around here on the July 4th holiday. We have a TON of tourists who are all looking at the scenery and don't see cyclists. But my SO and I are going out for a ride tomorrow.

[Sky King]

DH decided he would document our ride today. There's a lot pictures with very stupid captions.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/64097206@N07/5902733069/in/set-72157627118232240

Love it!!
Looks like a really fun ride, like your Terry Jersey, I have that one and the long sleeve one as well

[Norse]

This was supposed to be the weekend to really push some final training for the upcoming Red Ribbon Ride (local AIDs/HIV 4-day, 300 mile fundraiser), but, it was rather a tale of misadventures.

Saturday: I planned about a 50 mile solo ride through rolling countryside, however, I made the BIG mistake of donating blood the day before. Note to self: never again. So, even though it was still early, it was hot, I felt sluggish, crappy and nauseated. Decided to keep going and just try to take it easy. The powers that be decided that if I would not stop myself, they would stop me. 6 miles in, rear flat with a bent piece of metal stuck in my rear tire that I could not pull out. Call DP for ride to LBS, ride over. Rode bike home after tire fix, hopped on trainer in cool basement for a 1 hour work out followed by yoga.

Sunday: Could not get out until afternoon and again, it was hot. So, I did a fairly easy 24 miles on local paved trails and wide-shouldered rolling roads.

The 4th: 5 of us doing the upcoming RRR had planned on meeting in WI to do a mighty hilly 60 mile ride - we have a day of horrid hills in southern MN bluff country on the RRR so hill training is crucial. Two bailed because of the heat and ever climbing dewpoint. Of the 3 of us left, my friend S kept falling behind and we were afraid he was not feeling well - turned out, his brake was rubbing. So, while J and I were up the road ahead of S, and a mere 8 miles into our ride, J's seat suddenly flies off his bike while riding up a hill. The seat bolt snapped clean in two and now we had a dilemma. J trotted over to some local friendly looking farmers and they helped him jerry-rig his seat on with another bolt, but it looked rickety so we decided to turn around and get him back to his car. Meanwhile, S fixed his brake. On the way back, J's seat comes off again. We got his car and went back to get him. His day was done. S and I figure, we came all this way, we've only gone 16 miles and we need more hill work! We found hills, BIG hills on a 9 mile out and back route. Did it twice, drained our gatorade, low on water, called it good and went home where DP and I grilled salmon and asparagus and watched the day's TDF. Yay Tyler!

[Trek-chick]

I only got out for a 20 mile ride on Sat morning. The rest of the weekend was spent with friends and family AND getting our stuff/packing for our trip to Mt. Rainier (93 mile hike on Wonderland Trail) at the end of this month.:D:D:D

[m.eliza]

Managed 46 miles on Saturday and a total of 60 on Monday (though in 3 separate rides). Got slammed with a migraine 10 miles from home on Monday. Fortunately I carry Ibuprofen on my bike! That plus a few minutes sitting in the shade dulled it enough so I could get home. Great weekend overall!

Crankin, I love your pics. I felt like I was looking at pictures of my own rides :) How does DH manage to take such nice pictures while riding? I'd be too nervous to operate a camera and ride straight at the same time.

[Crankin]

He has outstanding handling skills, though it still gets me nervous. He took 800 pictures on our tour in Spain last year, most of them, while on the bike. He did stop for a couple of them, yesterday.
I can barely do the water bottle, so I try not to pay attention to it! Though he did find out you can't take a picture mountain biking down even a little hill. Last summer, before we sold our mountain bikes, we took a practice ride before we went to Maine to actually use the mountain bikes. We were on the Annursnac Trail, right near the town line/Stonymeade, when I went ahead and was waiting, waiting. Finally, he appeared, all bruised, the result of trying to take pictures while riding in the woods. I laughed my head off.

[tulip]

21 derful miles on Saturday along the Chesapeake Bay, and 40 on Monday. It was extremely muggy on Monday. Liquid air. Ick. But a beautiful ride through fields of sunflowers.

[colorisnt]

Did about 27 miles and then returned to the park from whence I came with the cycling group.

I was going back to my car when I slipped on a wet algae surface. Worst crash to date. I have bruises everywhere including on my right cheek. Also terrible road rash on my legs/face. It hurts like crazy this morning - just really body sore. But my head was fine thanks to my hemet. About 9 months since I fell into a ditch and replaced the last one, but I am happy to do so.

I need helmet insurance. Had I not had it, though, I may not have lived. I hit my head HARD on concrete.

[Catrin]

Good job! Hope the aches and pains work themselves out over the next 24 hours...

They are fine, just a little tenderness in my quads today so am letting them rest. Went to the gym and tossed weights around, but went easy on the legs :)


Colorisnt - youch! I hope you are feeling a little better?

Crankin - he takes those pics while riding? :eek: His handling skills are awesome!

[colorisnt]

Yeah, I've been sitting with a heating pad on my neck and a bag of ice on my face. It seems to be helping.

[MojoGrrl]

X-posted in Newbie Achievement thread...

Went on my longest ride to date, going around all ~75 miles of Lake Tahoe in about 7 hours (including several breaks!) and how I climbed those hills, at a 6200+ feet altitude, I don't know...must be the new Ti bike! And managed to do this on what turned out to be NOT the right saddle for me.

Then yesterday I bought a new saddle and went for a test ride on it, and I'm not sure what I was thinking because it was 95+ degrees out. I still managed to do 11 1/2 miles with an average speed of 17 mph - much better than my average on the Dolce Sport!

[luv2climb]

Went on my longest ride to date, going around all ~75 miles of Lake Tahoe in about 7 hours (including several breaks!) and how I climbed those hills, at a 6200+ feet altitude, I don't know...must be the new Ti bike! And managed to do this on what turned out to be NOT the right saddle for me.

Then yesterday I bought a new saddle and went for a test ride on it, and I'm not sure what I was thinking because it was 95+ degrees out. I still managed to do 11 1/2 miles with an average speed of 17 mph - much better than my average on the Dolce Sport!
Was that the ride around the lake? I watched and recorded a bike race that went around the lake last September. I recorded the riders climbing Spooner Summit, which has to be the easiest high altitude climb I've ever done (I climbed it after the race was over).

I'm climbing the Tahoe side of Kingsbury Grade Saturday on my new Dahon Speed D7, since I'll be renting a car and it's a PITA to put a full-size bike in a typical sedan.

I have a Dolce also and sometimes I wonder if it's the slowest road bike around. I think the Sirrus I bought used last summer for $250 is faster than my Dolce.

[MojoGrrl]

Was that the ride around the lake? I watched and recorded a bike race that went around the lake last September. I recorded the riders climbing Spooner Summit, which has to be the easiest high altitude climb I've ever done (I climbed it after the race was over).

I'm climbing the Tahoe side of Kingsbury Grade Saturday on my new Dahon Speed D7, since I'll be renting a car and it's a PITA to put a full-size bike in a typical sedan.

I have a Dolce also and sometimes I wonder if it's the slowest road bike around. I think the Sirrus I bought used last summer for $250 is faster than my Dolce.


Yes, it was around the lake...very challenging but I am proud of myself for doing it! According to Strava, I ranked 2nd overall amongst women (who use the app) on my climb on Spooner. I do love my Dolce, but this titanium bike sure is fast!

[luv2climb]

Yes, it was around the lake...very challenging but I am proud of myself for doing it! According to Strava, I ranked 2nd overall amongst women (who use the app) on my climb on Spooner.
As you should be! :) Finishing a climb is always something to be proud of.

I don't fancy myself a super climber or anything, but that Spooner climb was ridiculously easy for some reason. I read that it was supposed to be something like a 6 or 7 mile climb, but it was over so quickly that at first I thought I was on the wrong road when I reached the summit.

Other climbs are hard like they're supposed to be, like the Tahoe side of Kingsbury Grade, where I measured a max grade of 12% last year. Another fun one is the last steep section of Ski Run Blvd. I measured 21% on that, and I'm going to attempt to climb it on the Dahon. I hope I don't break the handlepost climbing out of the saddle LOL!

[indysteel]

As you should be! :) Finishing a climb is always something to be proud of.

I don't fancy myself a super climber or anything, but that Spooner climb was ridiculously easy for some reason. I read that it was supposed to be something like a 6 or 7 mile climb, but it was over so quickly that at first I thought I was on the wrong road when I reached the summit.

Other climbs are hard like they're supposed to be, like the Tahoe side of Kingsbury Grade, where I measured a max grade of 12% last year. Another fun one is the last steep section of Ski Run Blvd. I measured 21% on that, and I'm going to attempt to climb it on the Dahon. I hope I don't break the handlepost climbing out of the saddle LOL!

Great job, Mojogrrl! A seven mile climb doesn't sound all that easy to me--and probably to many of us! From past threads about this ride, I'm gathered that successfully climbing Spooner is a big accomplishment. It's not just the climb itself, but where it falls along the ride, and my understanding is that it's near the end.

[luv2climb]

Great job, Mojogrrl! A seven mile climb doesn't sound all that easy to me--and probably to many of us! From past threads about this ride, I'm gathered that successfully climbing Spooner is a big accomplishment. It's not just the climb itself, but where it falls along the ride, and my understanding is that it's near the end.
I'll admit that when I climbed it it was the first climb on my ride, not the last:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50666558

It just didn't feel as hard as the other climbs I've done. There are many climbs that feel very hard even when they're done first like Spooner was.

Here's video from the ride I'm talking about that a friend took of me climbing Spooner and the Tahoe side of Kingsbury Grade. Don't worry, there's no heavy breathing as it was recorded "third person", not the typical first-person effort like most of my videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaR70lTtIl0

Again, I'm not trying to be a braggart like many of the roadies on other forums. I'm just being honest about what my experience was like.