October 8 and 9 rides

[pll]

I'll start the thread...

Beautiful weather and light this morning in this part of the world. Fall is under way and the trees had gorgeous colors. I went for a 2 hour ride and got a little more than I bargained for.

On the way back, I was behind another female cyclist at a 4-way intersection. We were 3rd in the "queue". When it is our turn, we start through the intersection, except I see a black SUV rolling through the stop sign (not the driver's turn) and I think the driver wants to go through the intersection before the cyclists... I hit the brakes and see that the other cyclist is about to be hit by the SUV. Someone is screaming "stop!". I think of screaming but glance back at the cabin and the windows are closed... look back at the cyclist and, despite her attempt to open wide left, she is going down. She falls and rolls away somehow... I hear an "Oh, my god". I now see the driver's face, as she covers it in horror.

Anyway, the cyclist's companion was right behind me. We went to the fallen cyclist as the driver gets off the car and is apologizing ("I did not see you"). I call 911 for an ambulance. The cyclist eventually sits up on her own and is talking to her friend, but bleeding from the back of the head -- the helmet retention system made a cut, apparently. Patrol cars come, a fire truck and the ambulance appear. The cyclist was ok, but shaken. The driver melted down ("I have kids"), the cyclist melted down. My knees were shaking. After talking to the police, I rode home. Yikes.

Here are a couple of pictures:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1-ADSyxFu7I/TpB72DPFw9I/AAAAAAAAdxw/7OK0PrlGF2c/s400/DSC00056.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--RWalWgd8xo/TpB73BWzzQI/AAAAAAAAdx8/Db-WAyQUK8g/s400/DSC00057.JPG

[redrhodie]

Wow pll! That sounds like an awful ride. I hope she's okay. That driver. Grrr.

I rode with the shop, but only 2 guys showed up despite the gorgeous weather (due to the cyclocross races in Prov). It was fun and easy, down to Pt Judith and back up the bike path. I nearly hit Jon when I didn't realize he was stopping. Totally my fault. Luckily my bike was quick to react and I missed him. I really don't know how I pulled going around him off, but whew. Way. Too. Close. Haven't had a close call in a while, but I appreciate them when they end well. Keeps me on my toes.

I think we did 28 miles.

[hebe]

We went to the fallen cyclist as the driver gets off the car and is apologizing ("I did not see you").

How many people say this when what they mean is "I didn't look properly?" I hope not to offend anyone by saying this, but so many SUV drivers seem unaware of the damage that they can do in such big vehicles. I hope that lady is ok, and I hope that you are not too shaken too.

I'm glad your J is ok, red. Your ride sounds very pleasant.

I had a lovely short errand ride today. I was booked in for a flu shot at about 9am, and we needed a few bits of shopping, so I cycled into town and parked up at the surgery. There's a new crossing gone in on a super-busy road that I use, so now I can ride the fast road and use the crossing to get onto the scenic path, rather than turning across the traffic. Anyway, I had my shot and went to the butchers for a chicken, and stopped at another shop on the way back for potatoes, carrots and parsnips. I only had my basket on the bike, which ended up completely full. So only about 4 miles or so, but just a lovely perfect ride that set me up for the day.

[Fredwina]

geez, pll. hope she is ok . I tried a longer route today
Fall
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xd-pmtfy-DY/TpC0Qa7sOJI/AAAAAAAAQoI/OiW8zfq0CnE/s640/100_0224.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m0tst0DC8kE/TpC0XQQXpYI/AAAAAAAAQoU/A0B-AZg2jcQ/s640/100_0227.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6xOPFnRpf8c/TpC0b1-0W4I/AAAAAAAAQoc/SrnOWcJ9KIg/s640/100_0229.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9AmodvHtjRk/TpC0dljdLBI/AAAAAAAAQog/ORFcx4sTv0Q/s640/100_0230.jpg
Castleton-on-hudson:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EFSyXEP6jBs/TpC0lCGRSNI/AAAAAAAAQow/Yi5jT4a8pb0/s640/100_0235.jpg
lot of dutch place names Murder's Creek:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yi55Qg0yOTs/TpC0sYR1X4I/AAAAAAAAQpA/V4-sye7fu5Y/s640/100_0242.jpg

[Becky]

It was gorgeous here today, but neither DH nor I have had the "long ride" bug lately. Instead, we did 13 miles of errands, including a couple of stops at nearby car dealerships and lunch outside. I really enjoyed car shopping by bike. I feel like I'm sending an "I don't really need a car to get around" message :D

[Crankin]

Yesterday I did 41 miles with Hirakukibou; it was about 30 degrees when we started :eek:. Consequently I spent most of the ride feeling cool and then too hot, and I was not wearing the kind of layers that were easy to shed. This necessitated a couple of stops where I shed my heavy skull cap for a thinner one, and then eventually took it off. Took my wool glove liners off, and finally took the sleeves off of my Gore winter jacket. That did it, but I was not feeling it for most of the ride. Legs were heavy and by the time we parted I realized I was bonking, despite a good breakfast. Got home, ate a bar, had coffee, and then I showered and ate lunch. We congratulated ourselves on riding on the coldest morning since last spring.
OK, today is Yom Kippor. Being the bad Jew that I am, I went to temple, and since I don't fast, went on a 21 mile ride when I got home. Today is 78 and feels like summer. We rode to Great Brook Farm, staying closer to home, so I didn't see anyone I know... I just tell them my bike is my G-d.
Hope to go on a 50-60 mile ride tomorrow, and then do around 30 on Monday. I will hit my "acceptable" goal of 2500 miles tomorrow; I really want to do 3,000 again, but I don't have as much free time as last year. We'll see.

[goldfinch]

Yesterday I went from Fairfield, Iowa to Libertyville to Keosauqua (32 miles) by bicycle. Hilly. Windiest ride of my life, riding either cross wind to be tossed around or into the wind to slog along. I had to pedal down hills to keep going. My ears hurt from the wind. The uphill stretches were a relief from the wind because they were sheltered a bit. Got chased by a pit bull. Smelled manure on the fields. It was the hardest ride of my life. And when I got to Keosauqua I discovered the restaurant where I was meeting the spouse was closed permanently. Yet I had a great time!

[pll]

Yet I had a great time!

A true cyclist!

[Jen12]

How many people say this when what they mean is "I didn't look properly?" I hope not to offend anyone by saying this, but so many SUV drivers seem unaware of the damage that they can do in such big vehicles. I hope that lady is ok, and I hope that you are not too shaken too.



Wow! I don't drive an SUV, but I know that I have a big blind spot in my car. It drives me crazy when other motorists sit there and I can't speed up or slow down to get them out of that spot. In certain areas where I know that cyclists are frequent, I'm extra careful when driving.

For those of you who drive large vehicles...do you have a bigger blind spot than with a smaller car? I'm curious.

Anyway, I hope the cyclist is okay. That's not a good way to start a weekend. :(

[Becky]

For those of you who drive large vehicles...do you have a bigger blind spot than with a smaller car? I'm curious.

My personal car is average-sized, but I drive various trucks and SUVs for work. IME, the size of the blind spot doesn't seem to correlate to the size of the vehicle. It's more of an individual vehicle thing. "My" Dodge Durango had great side/rear visibility, but a horrendous front blind spot due to the size of the drivers-side front pillar. Left hand sweeps and turns were always fun. The pickup trucks are generally no worse than my car, even with a cap, but require lots of side mirror use due to the cap and the truck's length.

[Roadtrip]

No riding, even tho it's SUPER nice outside, which makes me want to ride that much more. Recovering from a cold and breathing/chest isn't right.

Visited the doc about shoulder that has been hurting since my crash five weeks ago and now have an MRI scheduled. Doc thinks potential torn Labrum. We'll see when the scans are done.

Shannon

[Owlie]

Yikes, pll!

I did 24 miles this morning. Beautiful day, though I spent the first half-mile freezing because I forgot my wool base layer. It's amazing how deconditioned I am after not riding (to any significant extent) for a month...:rolleyes:

[PamNY]

pll, hope the cyclist is okay.

We had a warm, summerlike day and I had a delicious time visiting the monk parakeet nest and looking for the female hawk who has a (possible) new mate. Found her but didn't see him.

A pedestrian family frustrated me on the way home -- they were crossing the greenway; I saw them from a long way away and slowed; they just stood there so I finally started up again -- at the exact instant they decided to cross without even a glance in my direction. I truly am sympathetic to and aware of families with multiple little ones and strollers and such, and I honestly don't expect them to change their behavior for my convenience, but these people were a special kind of annoying.

More summer weather tomorrow!

[pll]

pll, hope the cyclist is okay.


By the time I headed home, she had stood up and walked to the side of the road, where she was standing and talking to a couple of the EMTs (who were not actively treating her). Her friend was on the phone. One of the EMTs had picked up the helmet and moved the bike, which upset the policemen.

[redrhodie]

I did a fast 18 mile ride this morning before traffic gets busy. It's crazy here this weekend. My rides have been around 30-40 miles long all summer, and I almost forgot how much I like riding under 20 miles. I think there's a real benefit to shorter rides where you make yourself almost puke.:D I feel really good right now.

I didn't get my clothes quite right, and ended up roasting. It's warming up fast, and may hit a record 85º today. I should have left the arm warmers at home.

[Fredwina]

I also had my video camera out:
http://youtu.be/8HFMoz0eicw
was going to use the song " I love new York" by Steve Karmen http://youtu.be/uO7s02PvG2U but couldn't find a mp3 of it :( It's the official song of NYS ,and most other songs about New York are about the City, not the state

[tzvia]

Fall, my favorite time of year for cycling.

Yesterdays ride was awesome. It actually rained mid-week, so the air felt cleaner than normal. So I did my climbing mtb ride. I could see across the Valley to the next mountain range from the trail I was on in the Santa Monica mtns. On turning south, going over the mountains, Los Angeles came into view below, with some rolling low clouds hanging over the beach. It was only 90f. The air was so clear, the trail tamped down and 'washed' by the rain, perfect conditions after months of riding sandy, dusty trails. I passed a group of about 20 hikers enjoying the change from the hot smoggy summer to a perfect day.

It was a great recharge after a week at work rocked by an internal reorg/realignment of employee function/dept/manager, affecting all US employees. My roll is expanding to include IT security at our client in the greater US and possibly the world, much more than 3000 deskrops and a couple hundred servers in three states. Not sure if I want to hide, but a good workout on a glorious day was what the Dr ordered for sure

[ShubieGA]

Fredwina, you took great pictures. how do you have your camera hooked up? on your helmet?

[Crankin]

Well, my 39 miles to reach 2500 will wait until tomorrow, because I only rode 21 today!
It is unseasonably warm, in the 80's, and while others are just oohing and ah-ing, I would prefer crisp, cool fall days right now. I need time to acclimate to warm temperatures much more than cold, I have discovered. Then, just when we were getting ready to leave to ride, I started having some kind of allergic reaction. I took a Claritin and went, but it was disconcerting. My body seems very reactive now, and I'm not doing anything differently. So, we decided to ride to Nancy's Air Field Cafe in Stow, for lunch/brunch, although I had eaten a good breakfast. We went there the most direct way and, it was mobbed. This place is always very popular with locals, as it's a "locally oriented" restaurant in terms of the food they buy from area farmers, but today, well, I've never seen it this crowded. I quickly surmised that almost everyone in there were tourists who had come out from Boston for apple picking; heard many different languages being spoken, which, while we see a lot of tourists in Concord, not so much in the old 'hood. I had some delicious blueberry pancakes with orange butter, but we have a lot of work to do around the house, so we headed back the quickest way. It was a really nice ride, despite my allergic stuff. I definitely riding for miles now, and not so much speed. I have tomorrow off and am riding with a friend, so I'll hit my goal then. Still think I can get to 3,000, even with my lazy attitude!

[Owlie]

I didn't feel up to doing a long ride this morning. I did 3 miles around my neighborhood, with lovely weather. I got my courage up and tried the hill I generally avoid, because I live at the top of it and the people who live on it can't seem to find their own driveways.:rolleyes: No one was parked on it today! I'm getting better about grabbing for the brakes, but not much.

[Fredwina]

Yes, it 's mounteed on my helmet

[indysteel]

DH and I did 45 today. Aside from being a little warm for this time of year, conditions were basically perfect. There was just enough cloud cover to keep the heat down a bit. Then we came home and raked leaves for a couple of hours. I'm ready for dinner and a beer at this point.

[nscrbug]

Wow pll...that sounds terrifying to witness something like that. Hope the cyclist is okay. Did this take place up north somewhere?

I did 80 miles yesterday, and 78 today. Yesterday we ended up riding out towards Plainfield and back. Today we rode down to Joliet and back. Weather was absolutely beautiful...nice colors on the trees too.

Linda

[AppleTree]

No long rides, but I got to ride both Saturday and Sunday, which felt fabulous...weather and our schedule finally allowed for two nice weekend rides. Today we went out to the Centennial Trail out of Snohomish for a few hours this afternoon. A few fall colors, but not many yet? Seems fall is arriving late this year (at least to me?).

I stopped for a drink and I turned around and noticed a small pumpkin patch inside the gate of one of the industrial businesses outside Lake Stevens...wood pulp mill or something like that, not sure. An improbable place for a pumpkin patch anyhow! So fun...those are the little things I love about being on my bike.

pll...what a scary story. Love your photos though, sorry it ended like that.

[bluebug32]

I did a 64 mile organized preview ride of the Tour of the Battenkill's new race course in Cambridge, NY. It was fast with some crazy hills and a good deal of the roads were dirt. One had an 18% grade climb. The roads are some of the best I've ridden and, though we don't have a lot of changing leaves in Upstate NY yet, the autumn fields, old barns and covered bridges made for some gorgeous scenery.

[azfiddle]

pll- wow, very scary experience and I do hope the other cyclist is really okay.

I took a DOR yesterday. It's fall break at our school, and I took advantage of the time and nicer weather last week- I had accumulated 194 miles between Saturday October 1 and Friday October 7, so I was completely ready for a day off.

Today I rode with the El Tour de Tucson / Carmichael training group again. The theme of the day was pacelines, and we practiced double pacelines, rotating double pacelines and single rotating pacelines, mainly along a freeway frontage road with little traffic. Even though we self-selected into 3 groups based on experience with pacelines, my group still had a few riders who didn't seem to be "experienced". Some of my regular riding buddies were in the group, and I was more than comfortable sitting 6-12 inches from their wheels, but there were a few that were very unpredictable and I kept more of a distance. On the way back, my small group of 7 were led off by a tandem at 18-20 mph. I managed to keep up with them for about 6 miles, and just dropped off a little for the last 2.

[smittykitty]

Got to ride both yesterday and today with my fav. riding partner (DH). Just 14 miles yesterday and about 18 today with a latte stop along the way. Rode on the local country roads. Traffic was a bit busy today though.

Weather is getting a bit cooler, but still very nice. Colors haven't changed much here yet. We've had a wonderful fall after a cool, wet summer.

The weather predication was for rain both days, but the rains held off!!!

Odometer passed 1000 miles yesterday for this year. It doesn't sound like much compared to so many of you, but a biggy for me:o

Hoping to get many more nice week-end rides in this fall.

[Owlie]

I think I need to get my a$$ in gear, reading some of these posts!

[redrhodie]

I was going to take a rest day today, but the next thing I knew, I was on my bike. :D I did a relaxed pace 21 miles. It was amazing out. The ocean was at low tide and there were no waves or wind. Lots of water fowl sunning themselves on rocks usually submerged, ones I've never noticed before. Lots of butterflies, too. I had to swerve around a few to avoid hitting them. There was an almost magical beauty to the whole thing.

[Dannielle]

Saturday I rode 23.5miles and Sunday I rode 14miles...on the Katy trail both times.

I really, really want to get out today as we're about to lose our 80 degree temps but I've got so much work to do I don't think I can make it happen. :(

[ridenread]

It was an absolutely beautiful New England morning. I did my favorite loop which is about 23 miles and the whole time I was riding I was thinking about how much I love where I live.

[Catrin]

Fun to read about all of the great rides, and I do hope that cyclist is ok, scary stuff. I had some mtb fun Friday and Saturday, haven't been on the road since Wed. Hoping to change that soon, I want to get in some nice country miles and chase crunchy leaves on the road. I wasn't able to do that last year since I was injured... I can't actually CHASE crunchy leaves on the mtb trails, though I do get to ride over them :)

Saturdays used to be my long road-ride day, but that has now changed. Now it is my MTB day and I get in as much as I can on the road during the week. It means that my road rides are shorter than they once were, but I am more relaxed and enjoy them more since I focus more on time these days rather than miles...there is only so much daylight once I get home from work.

[Roadtrip]

chase crunchy leaves on the road. I wasn't able to do that last year since I was injured... I can't actually CHASE crunchy leaves on the mtb trails, though I do get to ride over them :)

ohhhhh how I missed the oddly satisfying sound of a crunchy leaf. Thanks for reminding me of this :D

Shannon

[Crankin]

I rode with a friend today, since I am off for Columbus Day and it's another warm one, about 82 right now. I am ready for this to go.
We did about 23 miles, from her house in Acton, down to the Delaney Reservation in Stow, where the pond and wildlife were beautiful, and I saw 2 swans in another spot before we got there. This used to be on my commute, no wonder I was in a good mood when i got to work! We left there, rode down to the end of Harvard Rd. and decided to back track, and take a longer way back to our lunch spot. Had some nice downhill and a quick trip back to W. Acton, where we sat outside and had our salads. It was a little hard to ride the 3 miles back to her house, after sitting, and I was glad I didn't ride there, because it's another 5 miles home. Put my bike in the car and now I am procrastinating about all of the things I should be doing.

[Titania]

It was a gorgeous weekend here in New England. I'm working today, but DH and I did go out yesterday for a lovely ride. We rode just 13.1 miles, as we had just ridden 23 miles on Friday and my sit bones were still sore. We left the house around 8 am, and it was a really great time to ride. There were hardly any cars out.

[azfiddle]

Yeah, it's not the weekend anymore, but I am on my last week of vacation so I did 38 miles in absolutely great cycling weather. I used to be a serious birder, and decided to pack binoculars and walking shoes in a camelpack and rode to a wetland birding area. (NYPam are you out there?).

I enjoyed a very smooth and speedy trip across the city, partly on bike lanes and partly on a MUP trail, and averaged over 17.5 mph on the way out! Even though I got to the wetlands a bit late, after 10 am, I had a good time birding, wearing my Terry conservation jersey. I continued on to meet my husband for lunch at a great hole in the wall Mexican restaurant and came home. The route home wasn't quite as speedy, with more traffic and stops/lights, plus its marginally uphill, so my final tally was 15.7, but still faster than most of my hillier routes.

[indysteel]

Another 27 miles today! I love federal holidays. I got a bunch of stuff done and got to ride. Win, win.

[Catrin]

Another 27 miles today! I love federal holidays. I got a bunch of stuff done and got to ride. Win, win.

Lucky you...city offices are still open on Columbus Day. County offices are closed but not the city...

[indysteel]

Lucky you...city offices are still open on Columbus Day. County offices are closed but not the city...

Yeah, but you got to spend the entire weekend in Brown County, while I was in in-law hell.

[Catrin]

Yeah, but you got to spend the entire weekend in Brown County, while I was in in-law hell.

Indeed, and I was there 3 glorious dayso. Ok, I take that back and am not jealous :)

I am heading back Saturday for a day trip to get lost in the woods - hiking the entire NT loop, then riding it (and probably walking the bike for part of it & the connector). Let me know if the two of you will be there - though I am quite sure you are faster than I.

[indysteel]

We're camping at the park this weekend. I haven't been out there in at least six weeks, so we'll likely spend Saturday morning at Limekiln so that I can get back in the swing of it again. It sounds like you'll be by the North Gate, so we'll look for you on the trails.

[Catrin]

We're camping at the park this weekend. I haven't been out there in at least six weeks, so we'll likely spend Saturday morning at Limekiln so that I can get back in the swing of it again. It sounds like you'll be by the North Gate, so we'll look for you on the trails.

I really LIKE Limekiln and like to finish up there. This Saturday, while the weather is still nice, I want to hike the entire NT Loop and then focus on riding the connector and loop after warming up Pine. If I am not too tired may still hit LK afterwards, but I suspect I may be too tired. I hope to start hiking around 10:00...will probably park at the North Tower for the hike, then drive down to the Upper Shelter to ride down, and back up, Pine Loop to warm up before hitting the NT Connector.