Amazing but true weekend rides!

[redrhodie]

Okay, they don't have to be as amazing as knot's laundry stories. ;) I suspect many will be, though!

I did the lbs ride Sat. There were a few guys I hadn't met before. One was an eccentric looking guy with an amazing mustache on a steel bike, and bike and kit were all primary colors. Turn out he's a firefighter, explaining the facial hair. He was a really nice man. We rode with one of the regular women, a strong rider who has done the Southern Tier. It was a good pack of 3, and we finished really fast.

Another guy I hadn't met before, conversely in black, kind of bothered me. He kept riding no hands (a skill I think is useful, in the right place, which is not in front of me). He also kept blowing snot rockets, and the same sentiment applies. He obviously needed to be in front, and had to compete with anyone who took the lead. I know you know this guy. :rolleyes: You're not riding unless you're racing. He finally took off with 2 other guys, and that was fine by me.

30 miles, and another 30 miles alone on Fri. Rain and rest today. What did you do?

[lauraelmore1033]

I did an easy but painful 20 mile ride on the Interurban trail and was only nearly killed twice by cars overtaking in an intersection,turning right and then suddenly stopping short because there were pedestrians in the crosswalk, and had my tire go flat 2 miles from home. I had sworn off the bike before, and this is not helping me regain my enthusiasm at all:(

[Crankin]

I did my first post bike tour ride yesterday. Rode to the LBS, bought tubes after our flat debacle in the Finger lakes. Rode our "go to" loop (which is She Fly's TT loop, except backwards) after that. We started slowly, but the trip definitely gave me power, and I felt strong, so I kept going faster. DH kept trying to drop me and couldn't. Of course, he was tired.
About 5 miles or less from home, I had ANOTHER flat :eek:. DH and I worked in tandem, found more glass in the tire and sped home, where we checked all 4 tires. There was lots of glass embedded everywhere, hanging on from the tour; we were done with the plethora of flats, so DH went back to LBS and got new tires and tubes.
18 miles or so. It's raining today and i did some core work, which I have been sadly neglecting.

[Biciclista]

yesterday I did my 8th official 100 kilometer ride of the year, i need to do one every month and follow the randonneurs rules to get credit.
It was a "grown up ride" extensive hill climbing (not steep, just long long) and lots of distance. With a 2 mile wrong turn, I clocked 74 miles at the finish.

[goldfinch]

I rode 37 miles yesterday, my longest ride ever by 12 miles. It was on a fairly level railroad grade. I had planned to do 30 miles so I biked 15 miles down the trail and then turned around. I thought it would be a slight downgrade going back. Well, not for the first 8 miles, instead it was a slight incline. The last 7 were a bit downhill but the wind came up and I had a headwind. When I got to mile 28 I was dragging. Then another biker came up along side me. A big guy, about my age. He asked where I was going and how far I had ridden. We started to chat. I said I was dragging in the head wind. But already I was going nearly 2mph faster just riding along with him. He hung with me and we chatted. He has been riding about as long as me. He has dropped 70 pounds since April. He rides a lot more than I do. We rode along, with my now improved pace, and I ended up deciding to overshoot where I had parked and ride with him further. We went several miles together and then he turned off for home. I turned back and ended up doing almost 37 miles. What a difference riding with him made! I wish I had riding partners! He was my angel.

It was interesting to watch our pedaling styles. He most definitely is a masher as compared to me. I pedaled almost exactly twice as fast as he pedaled. He would push hard and coast so as to not overtake me. I just spun and spun.

I still am slow--my average was 10.5mph. But it was 37 miles at that average. I dragged a lot of crap with me, three water bottles, an apple and walnuts, a rain jacket (it was raining when I started) and the tights I wore over my bike shorts for the first third of the ride. There was a convenience store in the middle of no where so if I do this ride again I can skip bringing that much water. The guy I met said get skinnier tires! He had a hybrid that he was running with narrow tires.

It was a good day.

[azfiddle]

Way to go Goldfinch!
Crankin'- sorry to hear about all the glass and flats!

I rode 37 miles yesterday with my DH, our first ride together in a few weeks. It's rare for me to be ahead, but he was in a very relaxed state of mind so I did not have the usual view of him from behind;) I had left my cell phone at work on Friday, so we planned a route that would pass by the school so I could get my phone. Light headwinds on the way "out" the climbing part of the ride but more favorable winds on the route home. It stayed relatively cool and partly overcast for the morning, so I wasn't overheating, even though we didn't get back until nearly 11 am.

Today was a solo 20 mile ride- just wanted to get up to my weekly goal (80-100 miles a week). I ended up with 95, counting Monday through Sunday.

[Owlie]

Woo Goldfinch! Crankin, that sucks! I'm surprised that I didn't get more flats when I was riding in Cleveland. The roads are awful and there's broken glass everywhere because I lived in an area full of students.

I did 16.76 miles yesterday, and fast (for me), because I was working with a time limit, and I got out later than intended. Still didn't get home in time. :rolleyes: Lots of deer out, as well as a peacock! (I think he lives on a farm next to the trail.)
My legs were still not happy after Thursday's long ride. They've stopped complaining for the time being, so hopefully I can ride Monday with no trouble...and hopefully no flats!

[Catrin]

Cranking...eeek on the glass, hopefully your flats are over! Goldfinch - congratulations :) Redhodie, sounds like you had fun - even with THAT guy ;)

Now that I've added mountain biking to the mix, it is difficult to know how to look at my weekly mileage. Obviously on weeks I mountain bike more than one day my mileage plummets - even though I am probably on the bike more hours than I normally would be - and certainly put forth more effort in a few miles of mountain biking. I do like to ride 90-100 road miles a week.

Friday was a needed rest day after 3 days of mountain biking and hiking, Thursday I actually went to spinning class (legs were a bit sore but felt the need to DO something that involved pedals & I figured I wouldn't over-do it in class).

Saturday I met Roadtrip for a rail trail ride out of Yellow Springs, Ohio and we had fun :D

Today I want to ride at least 25-30 miles, but we had bad storms last night (collapsed the stage at the Indiana State Fair which is in my town), and the sky keeps spitting rain. I am hoping to at least go ride in my favorite park for 25 miles in an hour or so...country roads would be better but we shall see what the radar says in an hour :cool:

[KathiCville]

My BF and I rode in the Anthem Moonlight Ride in Richmond (VA) last night (Saturday). Only 17 miles, but great fun! 2000 cyclists of all ages and abilities. Ma Nature had threatened rain much of the day but the skies cleared up nicely just in time for the 8 pm launch.

[tulip]

My BF and I rode in the Anthem Moonlight Ride in Richmond (VA) last night (Saturday). Only 17 miles, but great fun! 2000 cyclists of all ages and abilities. Ma Nature had threatened rain much of the day but the skies cleared up nicely just in time for the 8 pm launch.

Kathi, this is the first year that I did not do that ride--well first time in a couple of years. I've enjoyed it in the past, but just had other things going on this time around.

I rode yesterday, but the air was bad because of the wildfire in the Great Dismal Swamp. That's a ways away from me, but the air was smoky and my eyes were itchy and I sneezed alot. Still a good 25 mile ride, though.

[eofelis]

I had a bit of an epic ride today. 60 miles, my longest ride this year. Plus getting rained on on a big descent. I haven't been road riding as much this year as in most years. I've mostly been commuting.

Anyway, here is a map (http://www.tomorrowhillfarm.com/JHsMapsJpeg/Little%20Park%20Rd%203-1-11.jpg) (made by my SO, John) of the ride we did today. The Little Park Road - Monument Route. We extended it west from the Glade Park Store to the where the pavement ends on DS Road.

We left home at 7am. The day was overcast and cool. Rain was forecast for the afternoon. We figured we'd be home before it started.

This was for both of us our first time climbing Little Park Road this year. It's 12 miles of stair step climbing, with one gut busting section of 15% grade. It's very scenic with little traffic.

We rode out past the Glade Park store. I was feeling tired but was determined to make it to the end of the pavement to turn around. We stopped at the Glade Park Store on the inbound leg for a snack before heading home. We watched rain develop a mile to the east of us. As we got back on our bikes the rain started. Oh well.

Most of the rest of the ride was a twisty downhill for several miles, in pouring rain. I got totally soaked immediately but I wasn't chilled. I rode the brakes mostly, taking it easy. By the time we got home into town it was hardly raining.

I'm pretty tired now. Bed early.

[Becky]

DH and I did the 54-mile loop of an organized ride yesterday. A friend of ours whom we haven't seen in awhile joined us, as well as a nice guy traveling at our pace. It was wicked flat, which was a change from our normal terrain. We were pleasantly surprised to have almost no wind for the first 20 miles, but paid dearly for it on the second windy half. My lower back gave out before my legs and lungs did, so I'm happy with my performance. I guess I need to do more yoga and core work ;)

All in all, it was a good ride, with a great route on some new roads and decent logistics. We're thinking about doing the club's September century ride :)

Today was a total wash out weatherwise.

[indysteel]

Becky, any chance your low back pain was from tight hamstrings? I know when I'm fighting wind or otherwise working harder than normal, my hamstrings start to tighten. If I take a few breaks during the ride to stretch, it usually feels much better.

[Becky]

Becky, any chance your low back pain was from tight hamstrings? I know when I'm fighting wind or otherwise working harder than normal, my hamstrings start to tighten. If I take a few breaks during the ride to stretch, it usually feels much better.

Quite likely. My right hammie has been bothering me for a few days now. I need to get back to practicing yoga more than once a week :(

[Roadtrip]

Saturday I met Roadtrip for a rail trail ride out of Yellow Springs, Ohio and we had fun :D

I had a blast too!! The ice-cream at Young's was tasty too :)

[emily_in_nc]

Nothing spectacular mileage-wise, but a huge plus was the temp being in the 70s both Sat/Sun mornings due to overcast skies and early-morning rain. What a change from the normal riding conditions here in the summer (80s-90s with sunshine). It was also overcast both days with an occasional spit of rain, so even with the post-rain humidity, was very tolerable.

Did 12 miles with DH yesterday to the markets, and 30.5 solo miles today. Last rides in NC for a long time, probably, as we move out of our apt. Saturday and will be very busy this week after work continuing to pack and organize for our move to Belize August 27. We'll be staying at my mom's the week before we leave, but our Bike Fridays will be packed in their suitcases for storage in her garage. :(

Hopefully our beach bikes will arrive in Belize soon after we do!

[trickycoolj]

Took out the mountain bike, got some new tires for it, and met my mom and some of her friends for a 22mi ride on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail in Iron Horse State Park. It's the former Milwaukee railroad that was converted to a gravel/dirt trail that includes railroad trestles and a 2.3 mile train tunnel! The tunnel is not lighted so you have to strap on as many lights/headlamps/flashlights as you can. The grade is no more than 2.2% but since my mom's knees don't like the full round trip with the uphill we do a two car system and just ride the 22 miles downhill. There's a few picnic tables and back country camp sites mid-route that we stopped at for lunch. The weather was sunny and cool, maybe around 70? Hardly broke a sweat, threw the mtb in highest gear and was mostly spinning and coasting. Sometimes I'd be cold in the wind and would ride fast ahead of the group until the next sunny patch other times I'd fall back and ride with my mom.

Lots of people were out enjoying the ride this weekend, many scout troops on rag-tag bikes which looked fun. Nearly got taken out by one who had lost an entire crank arm somewhere along their journey and was sort of skateboarding his bike and swerving all over the place. #1 reason I keep a bell on my mtb!

First lengthy ride on the saddle I got for my mtb last year and I love it. Actually fits my sit bones and the cutout made all the difference post-ride! Sit bones are a tad sore from lack of practice, wrists/forearms from lack of bar ends for alternate positions and my shoulders/neck for carrying a pack of picnic snacks. Haven't done this ride in several years while the tunnel was closed for repair and I'm suddenly realizing in my late-20s that I'm approaching the age where I'm starting to "feel" things a lot more than I used to!

[MojoGrrl]

107 miles total this weekend: 43 on the tandem on Saturday, a very fast ride...preparing for Waves to Wine next month, and then 64 today - miserably hot and it was climbing the whole time, 5500 feet total, at elevation around 2500 feet. EXHAUSTED tonight...

[grey]

Wow Mojo! That's a lot of climbing!

Participated in my first metric century on Saturday. Met up with Kaybee but only actually rode with her & her husband for the first 10 miles or so - after that we got separated and never saw each other again, though it turns out we were all of 5 minutes apart at the finish. I learned a few things. One, I didn't pace myself enough at the start, and by mile 40 both my riding partner and I decided we'd better stick to the small cog or we might not make it. Had I done that sooner, I think I could ride 80! *facepalm*

Also around 40 miles my husband and brother caught up with us with the car and camera. My brother is a pretty good amateur photographer, they circled around us with that camera clicking away and I totally cracked up. At another point they were waiting for us and my husband held up a sign that said "You're kicking a__!"

The ride was very well organized, there were people stationed along the road handing out cold water along with the stops, which were stocked with everything from bananas to peanut butter sandwiches.

After the ride I had riders over for a post-ride meal, everybody brought something or a few somethings for us all to eat. Some of the folks that came are ones I knew rode, but never managed to meet up with/get email addresses for, etc., and others had moved away so it was good to see them again. And then I slept for four hours.

here's one of my brother's photos:

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/4629/menloturn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/menloturn.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

He took tons, some really neat ones of other riders but didn't manage to get many of the riders I know. In all, almost 400 people were in the Chattooga Century.

PS, hey ZoomZoom, does that jersey look familiar?

[maillotpois]

DD (15 years old and training for Waves to Wine) and friend and I did 38 miles. It was DD's longest ride to date on her own bike, with clipless pedals. Friend was wonderfully patient, but it was also her longest ride all year, even though she used to do double centuries with me (she has a 3 year old).

DD was all worked up about the one final climb on the route (back side of White's hill - way easier than the front side which was our first climb of the day), and it made her almost hysterical on the two preceding climbs (which were actually harder than the final one, but she hadn't done it on her own bike, so she didn't really know til she did it.) All ended well.

Congrats to all on some great rides this weekend!

[limewave]

50 miles on the road Friday. I did not feel great, but it was good to be out.

Saturday we kayaked for the first time in 3 years! Nothing like paddling out on Lake Michigan and watching the sunset.

Sunday we got out the mountain bikes and road about 30 miles on the NCT from Freesoil--one of our all time favorite sections of singletrack.

Then we grabbed some lunch and drove out to Ludington State Park (one of the best state parks ever) and did some hiking. Capped it off at the local brewery.

I lOVE Michigan. Especially in the summer.

Great weekend! The kids got to stay at my aunt's where they swam as much as they wanted and they even got to see a newborn calf.

[OakLeaf]

I did the club ride. Lately it's been splitting into two groups, which is a good thing. The bulk of the riders are sloooooooow, which is fine. Some of them are getting up there in years and do some serious yearly mileage and I don't mean to take anything away from them. And I'm not fast, but I just don't have the patience for a sub-10 mph average (counting a sit-down breakfast), and it's nice if I can have someone else to ride with, because normally the story of my life is too slow for the fast group, too fast for the slow group.

The posted route was 41 miles, I posted a post-meal variation that gave us 53. Two of us went off the front, finished our sandwiches just as the first of the other group were arriving, and got back to the start in the time it took about half of the 41-mile group to finish. :)

[Norse]

We are finally having nice weather here - temps in the upper 70's low 80's and more importantly, dewpoints in the 50 - low 60's. I had a bike-fitting follow-up appointment Sunday so I rode to that and it took longer than expected because he discovered the probable cause of may saddle sore problem: the left side of the saddle had warped ever so slightly so that it was lower than the right. I just bought this saddle this year so luckily it's still under warranty and a new one is on the way.

After that, I picked up the local Cedar Lake trail and rode to the Mississippi river where I sat on a bench enjoying my 1/2 of a peanut butter sandwich. Back home using the trail and nice wide bike lanes with a few finishing hills thrown in. Only 24 miles but a pleasant outing. :)

[smittykitty]

DH and I did our first "organized" ride. We rode the Mid-Valley Bike Club's Covered Bridge Tour out of Albany, Or. We did the Metric Century.

It was a great ride over 4 covered bridges in beautiful, Western Oregon's farm country. Lots of great food, drink and support. Lots of friendly people and the weather was good too (a little cool at first, but warmed up early).

My right leg (currently the weak link) gave me trouble all day. I think it was telling me it was time to get back to the gym and work on strengthening. My chest also was trying to explode on the many hills but I made it up all of them.:):) I was very proud of myself.

I was ok with our avg. of 14 mph for the day since I noticed I inched over the crest of the steepest hill at 4 mph!

And thanks ladies for all your advice. Boobs to the tubes really works!! I scooted back in the saddle, hands forward, girls facing the pavement and up the hill we went. Sang a little song or counted. I think it really helped! The new Jett saddle was comfortable all day too.

It was a great first organized ride for us and fun to go to a new location.

[cosc]

Saturday was the 7th and last day of Candisc. Milage was 389 for the week with lots of hilly terriain. The scenery was awesome with all the fields in their prime, (sunflowers, wheat, soybeans and some flax).The many waterways poppin full of water creatures was beautiful. We had outstanding weather with only 1 day of rain toward the end of the day. I went by myself but met some great people.
I ride by myself at home but find out how slow I am during these tours.
Saturday was a magical day of riding being relatively flat, partial trailing wind, and my fastest ave. of the week- 14mph.

[Antaresia]

I didn't have any plans for Sunday, but my friend called me up "Hey, I got a free bike from my dad! Want to come to the LBS with me to buy gear and get the tire replaced?"

HECK YES.

So, we made our way down, shopped for a few hours. I told him to get lights, but he said he wasn't planning on doing night riding yet so I let it go. He wanted to go for a ride after, so we wend downtown and did a little micro-brew tour. By the time we ready to go home it was dark out, and I chewed him out for not getting lights when he had the chance :rolleyes:

all the way home he moaned about how hard & painful it was, lol. I remember when I first started, it was hard. Good motivation to never stop riding, right there. And yesterday I get a text from him, saying "traffic is soooo slow and backed up I can't wait to start riding my bike to work"

IDK how many miles we did, but I can't think of a better more productive ride!

[Bike Writer]

50 miles on the road Friday. I did not feel great, but it was good to be out.

Saturday we kayaked for the first time in 3 years! Nothing like paddling out on Lake Michigan and watching the sunset.

Sunday we got out the mountain bikes and road about 30 miles on the NCT from Freesoil--one of our all time favorite sections of singletrack.

Then we grabbed some lunch and drove out to Ludington State Park (one of the best state parks ever) and did some hiking. Capped it off at the local brewery.

I lOVE Michigan. Especially in the summer.

Great weekend! The kids got to stay at my aunt's where they swam as much as they wanted and they even got to see a newborn calf.


I LOVE Michigan too! I was at Ludington State Park a couple of weeks ago, not to stay or for the day but on the way home from another trip and I was scouting it out for a trip next summer. You are right, it is one of the best State Parks ever! Miles and miles of sandy beaches and plenty of biking opportunities.