Weekday Rides?

[Catrin]

After the weather kept me off the bike for 9 days, I FINALLY got in a glorious 20.5 miles tonight. Hard miles too, though I didn't realize how hard until I looked at my heart rate monitor. I deliberatly steered my bike to new areas where I would have to deal with signalized intersections and traffic....and found my bike won't trip the signal sensor. I finally just became a pedestrian and walked it across.

My neck seems to be taking everything I throw at it without much complaint (outside of the Schwinn spinning bikes), so I think I can safely, and finally, start building mileage :)

[goldfinch]

I took a break for a week to rest my foot and today went 12 miles on the hybrid bike. It was hot and humid after a morning thunderstorm and absolutely, wonderfully fun. I took the limestone hilly MUP that goes around town and saw no one else on the trail. Birds and bunnies were flirting. Foot is giving me no grief and I am happy to be riding.

[Crankin]

I rode Monday.
5.56 miles to a client's house, 5.2 miles with the client (a 13 y/o boy with PDD), and 5.56 very fast, cold, and windy miles home. I was hungry and exhausted and didn't really think riding 16 miles this way would get to me.
Yea, I forgot I had run at 6 AM.

[Catrin]

...Foot is giving me no grief and I am happy to be riding.

Woohooo! Glad to hear the foot was fine :)

[redrhodie]

I rode Monday, something like 18 miles.

Right now it's raining, but it's suppose to let up by the time I leave, so I'm commuting. I expect to get wet. Hope I don't melt.

[Owlie]

19.2 yesterday, 12 this morning. I got up early for that too.

[indysteel]

I did my old weekday training loop out of Broad Ripple with a girlfriend of mine. It's been a long time since I've ridden in heavy traffic, and the cars seemed particularly aggressive last night. Next time, I'm just going to take the entire lane if they're going to pass with inches to spare. Jerks.

[redrhodie]

It rained lightly the whole way this morning. It felt really good, though. Turns out my Specialized jacket is awesome in the rain, and it dried in less than an hour.

I didn't melt.

[Catrin]

I finally joined my shop ride tonight and had a great 17 miles - there were over 200 riders and 5 different groups of differing speeds and distances - I was in the "fun and fitness" group - which is the shortest and we spread out across the route. It was fun though the wind was a bi*ch on the way back! My neck did fine, even in the wind, so I think it is good to go!

Oh yes, even with the wind my final average speed was 13.46 - and I do think this is a personal best outside of the very protected park that I ride in so often :) With my very upright riding position, I would like to eventually get it up to 14.5 but I don't think it is realistic to get it much higher than that, though we will see.

Tomorrow I plan to test my riding commute route and be downtown in time to watch the festivities before the start of the Indianapolis 500 Mini-Marathon, but that will be something for the weekend rides thread.

Red - glad you didn't melt ;)

[redrhodie]

I finally joined my shop ride tonight and had a great 17 miles - there were over 200 riders and 5 different groups of differing speeds and distances - I was in the "fun and fitness" group - which is the shortest and we spread out across the route. It was fun though the wind was a bi*ch on the way back! My neck did fine, even in the wind, so I think it is good to go!


Wow, that's a huge group. Was there some reason for that, or is it always that big?

[Catrin]

Wow, that's a huge group. Was there some reason for that, or is it always that big?

The Thursday rides are always that large, sometimes larger. My LBS got a mention at the end of 2011 in Bicycling for having the largest shop rides in the country (that they knew of). It does help that one can be on country roads pretty quickly after leaving the parking lot.

There are also Tuesday night rides - but that is a true training ride for the fast boys and girls. I understand that is also a large group but not as large. I really like the Thursday night groups are truly split - there are training groups for the racers, slower paced groups for those who want to learn how to ride in close groups, then there is my group - it is a true no-drop group but of course we get quite spread out unlike the faster groups.

[redrhodie]

I guess I need to stop complaining about my huge groups of 30.

[Catrin]

I guess I need to stop complaining about my huge groups of 30.

:) I don't know if it was the normal size for my group, but we started with about 25 of us in my group. I was able to hang with no problems until I was stuck at an intersection, was solo after that point. There were 5 groups in total. I had fun and will return, this is a good way to mix it up and get used to riding around others.

[indysteel]

Glad you had fun, Catrin. The route Nebo uses for its training rides remains one of my favorites. The last time I did a Thursday night ride there--in September of 2008--the group was much smaller than that. I can't even picture 200 riders congregating in Nebo's lot. That would be a big turnout even for a weekend CIBA ride. Is it chaotic? Is there a place to park?

[Catrin]

Glad you had fun, Catrin. The route Nebo uses for its training rides remains one of my favorites. The last time I did a Thursday night ride there--in September of 2008--the group was much smaller than that. I can't even picture 200 riders congregating in Nebo's lot. That would be a big turnout even for a weekend CIBA ride. Is it chaotic? Is there a place to park?

Everyone has to park in the empty lots on the north side of 106th as those businesses are closed by that time. It would certainly be chaotic if most of the riders didn't return every week. I think everyone is so accustomed to "their" group that everyone sort of congregates in their own group in Nebo's lot in the order in which the groups head out so it was really quite organized. They have a couple of minutes lag between groups.

Looking back at my last post - I only was dropped by the faster members of our group after I got stuck at that intersection. The slower members of our group (and the leader/sweeper) were behind me somewhere and I never saw them after we crossed 116th. I did wind up riding with another woman who was close to my speed and we missed a turn (the marker needs refreshing). I've ridden a LOT of miles in that area over the last two years though so once I realized we missed it I was able to lead her back - she was following me to begin with. It really helped knowing the area well enough to realize there wasn't a turn for a couple of miles so I knew we had missed a turn.

[withm]

LOL. I doubt there are 200 avid cyclists in the entire county here.

[redrhodie]

Glorious day here today. Bright sunshiny day, light breeze. I rode up to Portsmouth and did hills, first time in a long time I felt like climbing. I felt good! I've been having issues climbing since finishing radiation, so today felt like a breakthrough. I did have on different shoes, so maybe it was that.

I saw parachuter in the sky while riding by a windmill that's surrounded by a babbling brook, on a street called Paradise Rd. It doesn't get any better than that.

[Blueberry]

Yay, Red! I'm so happy for you - you deserve every minute of it and more:)

[Crankin]

It was gorgeous this morning. I had a booked solid morning, so I got up at 4:45 and went to Boot Camp.
Then, before I left for the first client, I called my voice mail and found that #2 and #3 had to reschedule. GRRRRR. It was too late to call and reschedule the first person to later and I was all dressed in work clothes. The first person is one of the 3 people I could actually ride to. So I drove to the house, and ended up coming home and doing paperwork, before going to the office and my afternoon.
But, I did ride 5.5 miles with my 13 y/o client who only warms up to talking to me after we ride or hike.

[goldfinch]

Today was a wonderful ride! I went 31 miles on rolling hills through Amish country, tail wind all the way. I ended at a Mennonite store, had a pulled pork sandwich and waited for my spouse to pick me up.

[rubysoho]

Bonked on my ride today. Not happy about. I really ought to know better by now. I was way under-fueled. :rolleyes: Although, I did recognize the early feeling and cut 6 miles out of my ride. Hoping I can recover quickly for some decent riding this week (if weather cooperates!!).

[withm]

It was gorgeous this morning. I had a booked solid morning, so I got up at 4:45 and went to Boot Camp.
Then, before I left for the first client, I called my voice mail and found that #2 and #3 had to reschedule. GRRRRR. It was too late to call and reschedule the first person to later and I was all dressed in work clothes. The first person is one of the 3 people I could actually ride to. So I drove to the house, and ended up coming home and doing paperwork, before going to the office and my afternoon.
But, I did ride 5.5 miles with my 13 y/o client who only warms up to talking to me after we ride or hike.

Crankin - I think it is soooo cool that you ride and hike with your clients. That is so enightened! Kudos to you!

Martha

[Crankin]

This kid has more in common with me than most adults! I am a real believer in using physical activity to treat anxiety and depression; I just wish more people were willing to try this.

[shootingstar]

That's great Crankin.

[Catrin]

Sounds like a good kid Crankin, and I couldn't agree with you more. My old bouts of depression have almost completely disappeared since I got off the couch...

Today I rode 11 miles in my favorite park. My intention had been to ride 11-12 miles there, and then leave the park to check out a ~9-11 mile loop I rode last week for the first time. My right quad, however, was tight from the beginning and never loosened. After 9 miles it became apparent it just wasn't going to so I took the hint and spun it easy homewards-bound. Nice ride, if short.

Yesterday was a heavy leg day at the gym, and then at the finale of our "Slim It to Win It" body composition challenge we had a 45 minute special Zumba class that I tried out. Never done that before, and my legs were a little toasty going in so I am not all that surprised that my quads were talking to me today. It seemed fine before I started or I wouldn't have headed out. Darn it, it is such a beautiful day for a ride and I am off work today...

[indysteel]

crankin - i think it is soooo cool that you ride and hike with your clients. That is so enightened! Kudos to you!

Martha

+1!

[indysteel]

Glorious day here today. Bright sunshiny day, light breeze. I rode up to Portsmouth and did hills, first time in a long time I felt like climbing. I felt good! I've been having issues climbing since finishing radiation, so today felt like a breakthrough. I did have on different shoes, so maybe it was that.

I saw parachuter in the sky while riding by a windmill that's surrounded by a babbling brook, on a street called Paradise Rd. It doesn't get any better than that.

That's great, Red. I hope you have many fantastic rides ahead of you this summer. As Blueberry said, you really deserve it.

[redrhodie]

That's great, Red. I hope you have many fantastic rides ahead of you this summer. As Blueberry said, you really deserve it.

Thanks guys! I will feel really silly if all these weeks of feeling like I'm dragging an anchor whenever the road tips up was a cleat issue, but I think that's the case. :o I'll have a better idea after Saturday's ride.

[Catrin]

Thanks guys! I will feel really silly if all these weeks of feeling like I'm dragging an anchor whenever the road tips up was a cleat issue, but I think that's the case. :o I'll have a better idea after Saturday's ride.

If that does turn out to be the case, at least the solution is an easy one :) Have fun Saturday!

[Owlie]

Glorious day here today. Bright sunshiny day, light breeze. I rode up to Portsmouth and did hills, first time in a long time I felt like climbing. I felt good! I've been having issues climbing since finishing radiation, so today felt like a breakthrough. I did have on different shoes, so maybe it was that.

I saw parachuter in the sky while riding by a windmill that's surrounded by a babbling brook, on a street called Paradise Rd. It doesn't get any better than that.

Awesome. :)

[indysteel]

Thanks guys! I will feel really silly if all these weeks of feeling like I'm dragging an anchor whenever the road tips up was a cleat issue, but I think that's the case. :o I'll have a better idea after Saturday's ride.

I felt the same way after I realized my rear brake had been rubbing over the course of several hard rides!

[AppleTree]

Bike errand day! My favorite kind of day... to the hardware store, to the health food store...found some really, really fabulous toasted pumpkin seeds there, yeah! To AAA for some maps for our trip this week, then to the grocery store. When I came out though, my bike had fallen over and knocked the lenses out of my sunglasses (cheap drugstore ones)...not sure how that happened?? I left them in my helmet which was hanging off my handlebars along with my gloves. Anyhoo, I need to prop my bike up better next time. :o No damage though.

Had one close call in the grocery store parking lot when someone backed out of a handicapped parking space. That's been happening a lot to me lately, and I am overcautious now. I hollered (in my best LOUD mom voice) WATCH OUT!! I could see her going, "huh????" Grrrr. :mad:

I loved your story too Crankin. It seems so obvious to us doesn't it? Excercise+Beauty of Nature=Bliss. A very simple equation indeed. :):):)

Love reading all of the stories here. Very inspiring.

[Catrin]

4 mile mountain bike ride tonight, the second since my neck injury in October! The trail is WAY easy, actually too easy for me but it is a good trail to practice skills and to work on getting my confidence back. I had fun and showed the trail to another woman who wanted to check out a local easy trail.

I am ready to try commuting to work tomorrow...but my ankle is a little cranky tonight from twisting it at the gym last night. It didn't hurt on the trail tonight and my route is pretty darn flat outside of two steepish hills on the way home. If it isn't hurting when I wake up I will go for it, it doesn't appear to be swollen or bruised...

[Owlie]

I did 19.2 miles today.

I think my old computer was badly prone to interference. I'm averaging around 14.5mph (stops and the mile-long incline included) with this one. With the old one, I'd never get above an average of 12.5...and I was using this thing from the week after I got the bike until about November, when I discovered it wasn't actually registering anything. If this is the case, this explains why I hadn't seen any improvement speed-wise!

[Catrin]

I think commuting counts as a weekday ride, even if it is on Friday ;)

29 miles round trip today, and the trip home was broken up by a trip to my gym and I learned a new workout for my fitness "library". I've eaten enough, but I can't seem to get over being hungry :eek: My body is accustomed to getting exercise all at once, not spread out over the course of 9 hours!

[goldfinch]

Today I took the limestone trail that surround the town I am visiting. I love this trail. It is 18 miles of up and down and around ponds, through woods and cornfields. So much to hear, see and smell! Today a deer ran along with me, below the trail, until she decided to speed up and cross in front of me. I saw many indigo buntings and my FOY Baltimore oriole.

So much fun! And I am pooped.

[Catrin]

Today I took the limestone trail that surround the town I am visiting. I love this trail. It is 18 miles of up and down and around ponds, through woods and cornfields. So much to hear, see and smell! Today a deer ran along with me, below the trail, until she decided to speed up and cross in front of me. I saw many indigo buntings and my FOY Baltimore oriole.

So much fun! And I am pooped.

Sounds like fun! I love the image your description gave me :)

[Owlie]

Today I took the limestone trail that surround the town I am visiting. I love this trail. It is 18 miles of up and down and around ponds, through woods and cornfields. So much to hear, see and smell! Today a deer ran along with me, below the trail, until she decided to speed up and cross in front of me. I saw many indigo buntings and my FOY Baltimore oriole.

So much fun! And I am pooped.

Ooh, sounds like fun!

I did a fast 14.8-mile ride, relatively late. On the way home, the highway patrol had set up a sobriety checkpoint (the bit of road I was on stands between campus and the cheap bar). The officer who happened to get my car looked at me, at the bike on the back of the car, and...
Officer: "Well, obviously you haven't been drinking because it looks like you just got back from a ride. How far did you go"
Me: "About 15 miles."
Officer: "Man, I'm tired just thinking about it."[hands over "This sobriety checkpoint was brought to you by the Ohio Department of Public Safety" card] "You're free to go once it clears up in front of you. Have a nice night!"

I wasn't terribly thrilled about the existence of the sobriety checkpoint because I was hungry, but I chuckled for while afterward...

[redrhodie]

I had a chiro appt yesterday, but realized I had more than enough time to do my 18 mile loop and still have time to shower. Off I went.

I realized I can pump, dress, and get on the bike in about 10 minutes. I remember when it used to take hours of planning. Funny how that works.

[Catrin]

I originally posted this in the wrong thread so just moved it to here:

Lase night was 78 degrees, next to no wind or humidity, drivers were courteous and cyclists were everywhere I wanted to keep going but I was good and took it easy. Rest the leg again tomorrow, hit it harder Wed if it isn't raining. 13.5 mile loop in right at 55 minutes

I've had a few people advise me lately that it would be better for me to focus on time on the bike rather than total mileage. I tried to do that once before but it is so easy to focus on miles! It isn't like I've a more specific goal outside of a metric in September and to improve in both trail and road riding... Considering how....focused....I get in my activities I think this a better approach.

[Roadtrip]

Rough ride. Started bad. I hadn't eaten much all day and no time for dinner before ride. Also not much saddle time in this year, but you gotta start somewhere right??

DH did a "beginner" (no drop, 12mph avg speed, few hills) ride with the locals last week which I begged off of due to bad back spasms and otherwise just feeling unwell. He enjoyed it.

Tonight was the next ride and DH talked me into joining him on the ride. I was stressed from the start. First real road ride with a group. I also struggled (I'm a flat lander rail trail rider) with the term "no hills" and was always on the limit and by the time we got a few miles in I knew I was in trouble. Legs were gassed and rubbery.

The group stopped at the next light and I decided I wouldn't be able to do the scheduled 12 miles, plus didnt want to keep holding up the group, so the sweep rider escorted me back to the ride start. I felt horrible. Lungs on fire and just couldn't recover. DH went on with the group.

4.5 miles and 360 feet of climbing... Not my shining moment.

Shan

[Catrin]

Roadtrip - congratulations on the 4.5 miles, that was a great beginning even if it didn't feel like it. I hear you about the hills - the definition of a "hill" is at least partially subjective and related as much to to what we are used to/conditioned for as the actual topology.

I think you did great, and you did what you needed to do for your body. The important thing is you listened to what you body was telling you - which makes you a wise woman!

[Catrin]

Just under 17 miles tonight, and it was beautiful! My leg felt better than it has in a week or so, so I appear to have taken the right approach :)

Instead of increasing actual miles, I think I will focus on increasing time in the saddle, regardless of the miles. Knowing me that will be a better way to rebuild my endurance and a less likely path to over-use injuries because I am too stubborn to stop before I reach my target mileage. sigh :rolleyes:

[goldfinch]

I too had a great ride today. Thirteen miles over a mix of rolling hills and flats, averaging 14.5mph (fast for me) and that included a half mile worth of gravel driveway. Beautiful day! Saw a Nashville warbler, so the migration is making its way here. The white-throated sparrows were singing and the chipping sparrows were mating.

I am home in Minnesota! I love being home!

[Owlie]

Rough ride. Started bad. I hadn't eaten much all day and no time for dinner before ride. Also not much saddle time in this year, but you gotta start somewhere right??

DH did a "beginner" (no drop, 12mph avg speed, few hills) ride with the locals last week which I begged off of due to bad back spasms and otherwise just feeling unwell. He enjoyed it.

Tonight was the next ride and DH talked me into joining him on the ride. I was stressed from the start. First real road ride with a group. I also struggled (I'm a flat lander rail trail rider) with the term "no hills" and was always on the limit and by the time we got a few miles in I knew I was in trouble. Legs were gassed and rubbery.

The group stopped at the next light and I decided I wouldn't be able to do the scheduled 12 miles, plus didnt want to keep holding up the group, so the sweep rider escorted me back to the ride start. I felt horrible. Lungs on fire and just couldn't recover. DH went on with the group.

4.5 miles and 360 feet of climbing... Not my shining moment.

Shan

Miles is miles. Good for you--both for getting out there, and listening to yourself. :)

19.2 miles today. Really pretty out, and I made it up the long incline around or above my overall average. (Usually it's lower). I started out late, made a last-minute decision to add the extra 5 miles, and so didn't get back to the car until nearly 9. Oops!

I'm going hiking (maybe) with some friends in Yellow Springs tomorrow, then I'm taking Friday off, since I'm planning to do 50 miles on Saturday...

[goldfinch]

Rough ride. Started bad. I hadn't eaten much all day and no time for dinner before ride. Also not much saddle time in this year, but you gotta start somewhere right??

DH did a "beginner" (no drop, 12mph avg speed, few hills) ride with the locals last week which I begged off of due to bad back spasms and otherwise just feeling unwell. He enjoyed it.

Tonight was the next ride and DH talked me into joining him on the ride. I was stressed from the start. First real road ride with a group. I also struggled (I'm a flat lander rail trail rider) with the term "no hills" and was always on the limit and by the time we got a few miles in I knew I was in trouble. Legs were gassed and rubbery.

The group stopped at the next light and I decided I wouldn't be able to do the scheduled 12 miles, plus didnt want to keep holding up the group, so the sweep rider escorted me back to the ride start. I felt horrible. Lungs on fire and just couldn't recover. DH went on with the group.

4.5 miles and 360 feet of climbing... Not my shining moment.

Shan

You will get better quickly. I started riding last April. I was recently looking my record of rides from when I started last year. For example, from last May:


May 3: 3.2 Windy, felt like crap, came home

[Catrin]

Had a lovely, and warm, 90 minute ride this evening and rode 18 miles. I had to keep pulling myself back because it was hot and for some reason my stomach kept acting up. It didn't FEEL all that hot to me on the bike but it had to have been. I know it was at least 91, which was the reason I wanted to get out there. Can't get acclimated to hot riding if we don't do it...

Nice ride though, a mixture of park and open road.

[Crankin]

DH and I rode about 21 miles this morning, through Great Brook Farm, and back a slightly different way than usual. This is the day I either usually ride with Hirakukibou or go on a group ride, but alas, Hirakukibou has embarked on her journey across the USA.
Didn't leave until 9:15 AM or so, and it was already steamy. And then there was the little issue of only 3 hours of sleep. I drank a full mug of strong coffee at 3 PM and then, right when I was getting tired, I had an emergency phone call and dealt with that until around 9 PM or so, I couldn't fall asleep. I felt dead, although my legs were fresh from resting yesterday. At about mile 11, we got a phone call from our friend and we decided to go ahead and book our trip to the Berkshires this weekend; it looks like the weather will be OK Sat. and Sun. although Friday looks questionable.
I need to get away. Hard riding, but, good.

[Owlie]

Be careful out there!

[azfiddle]

I've had lots of time to ride my bike on vacation- today's ride was 34 miles southeast of Tucson to Pistol Hill. We're "enjoying" temperatures above 100 now, so it's essential to get out in the early morning, when it's still in the 70's and 80's.

[pangaea99]

I had a lovely 11mile ride along the Mississippi on my hybrid today in hot humid weather. It's fun to get on my hybrid after riding my roadbike for the last few days. I've been getting discouraged because I haven't biked with chamois padding ever and it's been burning (finally broke down and bought knickers today, never needed them for my hybrid).

But anyway, I always feel like I'm on an escalade - so high and comfy - when I ride my hybrid and I'm so much more confident on it. Riding my roadbike gives me anxiety and I dont notice till I rid my hybrid and realize how intuitive riding is supposed to be. I just have to give it time I guess.

[Owlie]

I had a lovely 11mile ride along the Mississippi on my hybrid today in hot humid weather. It's fun to get on my hybrid after riding my roadbike for the last few days. I've been getting discouraged because I haven't biked with chamois padding ever and it's been burning (finally broke down and bought knickers today, never needed them for my hybrid).

But anyway, I always feel like I'm on an escalade - so high and comfy - when I ride my hybrid and I'm so much more confident on it. Riding my roadbike gives me anxiety and I dont notice till I rid my hybrid and realize how intuitive riding is supposed to be. I just have to give it time I guess.

There's definitely a learning curve with road bikes. It took me quite a while to get comfortable. If you haven't done so already, get your road bike fitted.

[chatnoire]

I still get anxious on my road bike.

I went out for a ride last night that was Not. Fun. 20 miles in 35 mph winds around the reservoir. I thought we could do a full loop, and the climbs were non-existent, so I was looking forward to a long, flat ride. Nope. It was short, hard, and unpleasant. Also, the trail didn't do what I expected.

I got really annoyed at myself for being unable to maintain speed when a high wind gust would essentially "apply the brakes" - literally slowing me from my top speed of 29 down to 9 mph.

[redrhodie]

I had a funny ride today. As I was heading out the door, I decided to pull my seat bag off, thinking, well, if I get a flat, I'll just ride home on it. Okay, in hindsight this makes me look like an idiot, but know that this was my bike with tubular tires, and I've done that the last 2 flats, no problem. And also, I wasn't going very far.

Well, sure enough, like clockwork, I flat at the furthest point from home, but for some reason, (probably because it was completely flat and the front tire) the bike was completely uncontrollable. It was like riding on sand, and braking was downright scary. So, first time ever, I called my dbf for help.

His options were to drive my car out to get me, or to ride his bike with my saddle bag, which had a spare tire and tools. He opted for the bike, and made it in a bit over half an hour. While I was waiting, I pulled the glued tire off, which wasn't that easy. But I did it and figured he could help me mount the spare, which was pre glued. Well, the spare had been in that bag for over a year, and when I unrolled it, the rim tape ripped off.

So now the two of us are there, no closer to home, but at least we had each other. Ha! What I ended up doing was taking his front wheel, riding home, and driving my car back to get him. See? Funny.

The joy of tubluars. They do ride great, though.

[indysteel]

What a ride, Red! Glad you both made it home and I suppose it was better to learn that your spare was worthless under these circumstances than when you were both really far from home, riding at night, etc.

[redrhodie]

That's a very good point, Indy. Even if I had my spare with me, it wouldn't have helped. But I'll always carry one with me from now on. This was literally the first time I went without it.

Getting stuck is part of riding, and I know a lot of women really worry about it, but I've had it happen enough to know you always get home. There were other options, but having my guy come on his bike was the most fun. It wasn't the fastest way to get home, but it worked.

[indysteel]

He's a keeper for sure, Red!

[Owlie]

Coincidence, red. I left my seat bag in the car because I was so anxious to get out for a ride. (I played hooky this afternoon so I could ride, because it is absolutely gorgeous. Low humidity, breezy, sunny. Ahhh.) No flats. Whew! I have, however, determined that I'll be needing new tires soon. I have about 2000 miles on them, and there's a very small piece missing from the front one.

30.8 miles, with a head wind both ways, but I made it up the incline of doom (not a hill per se, but it's a quarter of a mile and a shallow climb, so it sucks the energy right out of me, and of course it's at the very end of the ride) fairly well, considering.

[sookiesue]

I had an appointment for a haircut last night, and since I usually (thanks, wonderful husband!) get at least a short ride in on Tuesday nights, I thought I'd be smart and bike over to the salon and back. It's about 13 miles. 2 miles straight up hill from my house on a road, 3 winding miles down through the forest trail, 2 miles on a busy road with a bike lane, and about 5-6 miles through town, on and off bike paths.

I started off with what I thought was plenty of time to get there. About halfway up the hill it started to rain (20% chance of showers and 65 degrees, my a$$!!!) a bit, but not enough to deter me. When I got to the top of the hill it was coming down pretty well, but I figured once I got in the forest it would seem less rainy because of the canopy cover. WRONG.

Started down the wet, very muddy, very rutted trail. Now it was too late to turn around and get home and drive there and still make it on time, and I was still sure that the rain would clear and I'd get there easily.

Nope. I was covered in mud, front and back, freezing cold, and soaked to the skin by the time I got to the bottom of the hill. I tried to hurry, but realized that I was still 4 miles away and my appointment was supposed to start in 4 minutes. Guess I rode very slowly in the muddy ruts?

Called the gal who cuts my hair and explained that I was very late, very muddy, and she probably didn't want me in her nice new shop. Fortunately I've been going to her for 17 years (!) and she was understanding and rescheduled me for the weekend.

I turned around and headed home. Went up the road instead of through the forest this time. I got home and was very glad I'd decided to bail on the appointment. My front was pretty muddy but my BACK was completely covered in about 1/2 inch of mud, waist to heels.

Guess I'm a real Oregon cyclist now!

[Crankin]

I did an errand ride yesterday (see commuting thread) and this morning I rode to the gym. It's dead around here, so no need to take the alternate route back; last week I had a little car altercation on that route, I really think due to solar glare.
This morning's ride was about 13.5 miles. I left at 4:49 and I saw the most beautiful sunrise over the Concord River, just as I was riding over the bridge. And it was cool... a prelude to the heat wave that is starting later today.

[Jiffer]

Rode 10 miles today, my longest "week day" ride in about a year. My week day "short" rides, used to average around 20-25. It's nice to at least be in the double digits again! As long as I ride slow, keeping my heart rate down, I can go longer these days. My "long" ride this weekend will be 18. I've been bumping up 2 miles each week lately.

Getting my poisonous mercury fillings replaced soon and hoping that will be the key to improved health and swift century riding again. :D Mercury poisoning could be the reason I have candida, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism and low hormones (along with like 10 other things).

[Catrin]

100 degrees at 5:00, so did I go to the great group training class at the air conditioned gym I normally attend on Tuesday evenings? Nope, legs needed some gentle recovery instead so at 5:15 I rolled out into the heat for a little ride. Nice ride, much shorter and easier than normal. As I rolled home at the end of my ride thunder started rolling - and we even had a brief heavy storm!

Oddly enough it didn't FEEL all that hot - even the thermometer on my bike computer told me it was 100 as I started. I was drenched by the time I got home though - and I was only out for 45 minutes. Much better than my last hot ride!

[murielalex]

100 degrees at 5:00

:eek:

Dang. I'm going to be in Indianapolis in two weeks. Hope it cools down a bit before then or I'll be wishing I was back in Florida where it's cool by comparison.

I'm trying to get in weekday rides as I build up to a couple long organized rides over multiple days in the Fall. I do interval training twice a week on a computrainer, but it's not the same as getting out on the road. I tried commuting, but due to the terrifying traffic and no safe routes during rush hours, I can only do that once a week. Today, I tried something new. I got up and was on the road at 5:30 for a nice, slow hour-long ride. It was really beautiful outside: cool, quiet, and it was pretty much just me on the road. I sure hated the getting out the door part, but I was in such a good mood by the time I got home, it was worth it. I'm going to try and do that at least once, hopefully twice, a week.

[Crankin]

I routinely ride at 5-7 AM at least once a week for a good part of the year. It's my favorite time to ride.

[Crankin]

Today I went on my first group ride since December 27th :eek:. I did do 2 hikes with the group in January/February.
The ride started in Concord center, so I rode to the start. This group is a moderately paced, social group. They use human arrowing for turns, which is somewhat weird for newcomers. A lot of the people who were active when I started with them in 2005 no longer ride with the group (it's an older crowd), and now there's usually always a faster group that does the same route plus more miles at a faster pace. I'm always on the edge of thinking I can hang with the faster group, but today was definitely a no-go... they were doing 44 miles at a 16 mph average, up significant hills that I am familiar with. And it was hot.
We rode to the MIT observatory in Groton, which is very near where I lived when i first moved back to MA. In fact, the faster group went right by my old house. It felt weird. I was riding on roads I used to drive on all of the time, but there were times I was not quite sure of what street I was on. The regular group has also picked up its pace, too. After the first 4 miles, I got up near the front and stayed there, except for falling back a bit, so I wouldn't have to arrow! The group was really big and it would have taken me awhile to catch up.
The hill up to the observatory was challenging, but I've done much worse. It's funny to watch some of the guys. They start out fast, stay in a hard gear and then poof! I pass them and leave them in the dust in my granniest of granny. No shade on the climb, either.
I peeled off to go home before they got back to Concord center and headed to lunch. I didn't have enough to eat and I was on the edge of bonking. When I got to the street that intersects with my street, I stopped, poured my water over my head and down my jersey and ate a shot block, to get up my hill.
I feel like I worked hard, but I'm not "exhausted," either. I rode 40 miles, no idea what the average was, as I didn't check it after I started the climb to the observatory.
I need to go on more of these rides...

[Catrin]

It sounds like you had fun Crankin, what is "arrowing"?

I did something tonight I never do, and probably should do more often. Instead of going out with a specific goal in mind, I just went out for an easy ride on my bike. I didn't have time to get in a good ride and have the slightest hope of sleeping tonight but I still wanted to ride. It was a very short 9 miles or so but it was delightful and I've a workout tomorrow night, and riding or mountain biking the following 3-4 days.

I don't seem to be riding as long this year as in the past, I've yet to even ride 50 miles yet (though that will change in September). Lots and lots of rides between 25-40 miles however, and that is just fine :) I am riding more frequently (when it hasn't been over 95 degrees), and my over-use injuries seem to complain far less with this approach. I will take it!

[Crankin]

Arrowing is when someone behind the leader is posted at turns, with their bike pointed in the direction of the turn. No cue sheets. The "human" arrow stays at their post until the sweep passes. So, if there's a large group (like today there were about 35 people and most were a lot slower than me), you have to wait until they all pass and then get back into the group. It takes a while to get back up near the front... some of these riders, bless them are a little squirrelly, and I always stay near the front. I could have arrowed today, as i did know where I was most of the time (I get a little anxious if I'm doing this in a strange town), but when I got up behind the leader, the person right behind him told me to "stay back, unless I was willing to arrow." Of course I was, at that point we were on roads I ride all of the time, but I think these guys didn't really know me, as I haven't been there in so long. Some of the stronger riders will stay near the back and then do sprints to get up to the front to take their turn arrowing. I have done this in the past, but I had to get used to some of the newer people today. I prefer to ride with those whose moves I can anticipate.

[Owlie]

62.2 miles on Monday. My sitbones are still recovering.

[Zona]

I have been off my bike for 9 days, no exercise or nothing but walking after HRT pellets, I can't wait to ride in the morning.

[Owlie]

50.2 miles in preparation for the organized ride on Sunday, just to make sure I can still do that distance and not die. I had a few fueling problems (like the lack of a real dinner last night...and not enough food today), and I tried to outrun a shower (and failed). I left at 3:15ish, got back just before 8, so faster than normal.

Starving and sore in a variety of places...

[lovelygamer]

I was away in Boston this weekend and I only had time for a five mile ride one morning but man was it sweet. Mass is SO bike friendly that bikes were everywhere. They had lanes and markings on streets and transit. I just loved it. I hope my state is like this someday.:D

[Catrin]

I had a beautiful hour's ride last night, it wasn't as long as I would have liked but I go to bed early. Traffic patterns appear to be changing with the season so I just went to my favorite park and played on hills for an hour. I saw 4 deer while riding, three of which snorted at me. This is unusual behavior for deer in that location but it has been happening to me and others lately. I also saw two hawks out looking for dinner, just a beautiful sight!

[lovelygamer]

We have had torrential rains in Maryland for the past week, yesterday included. However, we got released early from work due to a lack in services AND the rain stopped so I was able to go ride 20 miles in 70 degree weather. How nice was that? I took a nice picture too-will attach it here.15311

PS I saw two baby deer, an arms length from me. I also saw a field full of turkeys and geese.