November Rides

[Crankin]

So, we have a pretty bad nor'easter predicted and the rain has already started. It's snowing up in Burlington, VT.
Got up, and DH and I decided to beat the rain, after looking at the weather. In order to give ourselves motivation, we decided just do one of our usual weekday early AM loops, and stop at a café for breakfast on the way home. We actually had a pleasant ride, despite it being 41 and cloudy. Saw lots of other riders doing the same thing as we were. Had a nice Mediterranean breakfast sandwich and coffee, and then rode the 3.5 miles home, for a total of 14 miles. It was spritzing when we left after eating, but only briefly. However, the rain started in earnest about 45 minutes after we got home.
DH spent an hour trying to adjust my Frog cleats on my winter shoes, so I don't fly out of the pedals unexpectedly. I know this has been an on going issue for a lot of people, and now it seems to be right. He also worked on my regular shoes I use with those pedals, but those were not as bad. I love my winter shoes, so now I can use them more. I expect to commute right up through the first snow, so it will be easier than shoes, booties, and sometimes chemical warmers.

[AppleTree]

I need to dig out my toe covers. :rolleyes: 30 miles on the rail trail, it was chilly today, foggy, damp and cool, I never really did warm up today. I had two layers of tights, a winter jersey with a base layer, wool socks and a wool neck gaiter... It was in the low 50s most of the day, but felt colder. At least it wasn't raining. We are in for a bout of rainy days over the next few weeks I think. It might be dry tomorrow morning, so will take that opportunity while I can, maybe do 15 to 20 miles!

[shootingstar]

Did a grand total of 20 km.....wanted to squeeze in cycling, then produce / grocery shopping by bike to farmers' market and then, grocery store before first snow fell.

I was right --it snowed within 1 hr. after I got home.

[marni]

did the Independence ride today. This is a ride that follows the principles of Joey's shoes, for every Independence ride jersey purchased, a handicapped veteran rider gets a jersey. in addition to that, the funds raised go toward buying specialized wheelchairs and bikes for handicapped veterans.

we started out in the mid 50's and ended in the mid 60's/ Some pretty heavy (15-2 0 mph headwinds that shifted around to a quartering headwind by the time we headed back. So inspiring
to pass a group of blind veterans riding with partners, and several hand cranked bikes. Aside from the cold it was sunny.

all in all we did 42 miles in 2:45 which was not too bad considering the wind.

[salsabike]

did the Independence ride today. This is a ride that follows the principles of Joey's shoes, for every Independence ride jersey purchased, a handicapped veteran rider gets a jersey. in addition to that, the funds raised go toward buying specialized wheelchairs and bikes for handicapped veterans.

we started out in the mid 50's and ended in the mid 60's/ Some pretty heavy (15-2 0 mph headwinds that shifted around to a quartering headwind by the time we headed back. So inspiring
to pass a group of blind veterans riding with partners, and several hand cranked bikes. Aside from the cold it was sunny.

all in all we did 42 miles in 2:45 which was not too bad considering the wind.

Marni, that ride and that cause sound awesome.

[rebeccaC]

Sometimes I need to be in a place that’s good for my soul, a place to clear my mind, bring me peace, ignite my creativity, give me clarity and lets me be still, feel calm and be connected to nature. Joshua Tree National Park is one of my magical spiritual heavens to bike, hike and climb in......to just be

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/15510869388_6a9e9461a5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pCDg5y)


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15510878468_ae8fc83ab5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pCDiM7)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7476/15076921623_3f6e218734_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oYiawx)


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/15510887578_1698676af4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pCDmub)


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15083366654_af8e220835_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oYScpL)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/15672552336_f01ac9c5e1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pSVVMA)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/15697841242_da8433a53a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pVaxid)


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3952/15511448250_018f76c4c4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pCGe9W)


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15076930193_ddd259e8a5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oYid5i)


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/15511081657_bbc3e639ca_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pCEmbn)

[Blueberry]

rebeccaC - those photos are beautiful! Thank you for sharing them!

I did a short ride today. It's been a few years since I've done much cold (or cool) weather riding (have mostly ridden the trainer), so I'm having to re-learn what clothing works and what doesn't. Thin top and a jacket, plus tights, gloves and a helmet cover was too much for 50 degrees today. Also forgot how much slower I am (or feel) when it's cold and windy. SO glad to get outside, though!

[azfiddle]

Rebecca C, loved your photos. I grew in southern California and sent some time out there. We camped there in June en route to northern California from Arizona. It was gorgeous and we did a short ride from the Cottonwood campground .

My ride this weekend was in the only 90 minute space I could carve out between other activities- I rode up to Saguaro NP, around the 8 mile loop and back home - 24 miles total. It was a little windy but the wind blew me up the hill to the park and didn't slow me down so much coming home. Fall finally got here with some cooler temps.

[rebeccaC]

thanks blueberry, azfiddle thanks and we rode from the Hidden Valley campground to Quail Springs, Keys View and Jumbo Rocks and climbed in Hidden Valley. Had some beautiful storm clouds on Saturday too. I didn’t want to leave this afternoon….

[VeganBikeChick]

rebeccaC, those photos are simply amazing. Yes, thank you for sharing.

[lph]

Nice photos, RebeccaC! Are you setting up a rope for the next team in that one shot?

[lauraelmore1033]

Those are beautiful photos. I'm jealous of the non Mordor-like weather.
Sunday I accompanied DH to Marymoor park for his third Cyclocross race. I did a quick zip up the Sammamish River Trail to Bothell and back on the recumbent while he warmed up for the race. Lots of trail walkers and sunday drivers who suddenly became sprinters when they noticed the fat lady on the funny bike was about to pass. Made them eat my dust anyway and arrived back to the park just in time for the rain to set in and to watch Dh do some fun slipping and sliding in the mud. Makes me want to do it some day...

[rebeccaC]

Thanks lauraelmore and VeganBikeChick

Lph, thanks…..she and a couple of her friends were starting their climbs after we had finished that route.

[Crankin]

Just finished my early morning annual birthday ride. It was predicted to be between 33 and 36 degrees, so I wore my winter cycling jacket, a thermal jersey, and a LS base layer. Of course, I got downstairs, and it was 41. Sometimes it is warmer at my house, on the top of the hill, than in town, but I didn't notice a difference. I had to unzip about halfway through my 13 mile ride. Very pleasant, though slow, as I'm just not warmed up and it is cold, despite being warm from my clothing. Now that it's no longer Daylight Savings Time, the sky was light, though not completely when I got back.
A good start to a very long day. I am seeing clients from 9-7, then going to a friend's house for dinner. Now, I have to get my azz in gear, so I can go vote before work.

[Blueberry]

Happy Birthday, Crankin! Sounds like a perfect way to start the day!

[cosc]

Crankin, have a happy birthday. Your giving me motivation to go ride in colder temps.
I haven't rode too much lately due to a very windy fall, colder weather with little sun. Today I'm going to ride-no excuses.
Rebecca your pictures are wonderfully surreal. Someday I hope to ride in Joshua Tree Park.
Thankful for all who take time to report on their rides.

[Catrin]

Happy Birthday Crankin!!!!

[Crankin]

I used to do this ride with Hirakukibou and it was way more fun. We would stop for coffee and a treat. Now she lives too far away to meet at such an ungodly hour!

[Bones8]

Great pictures, RebeccaC

[marni]

rode 42 miles at 14.2 yesterday in a strong wind (15 mph) with gusts up to 30. Random light rain showers. Got back to the car and got the bike into it just as the skies opened. Guess our fall weather is drawing to a close since it is wet and drear today and will be for the rest of the week.

Met a woman at the gym who had just moved into Texas from Montana who was rejoicing about being able to ride in November. I didn't way anything about the summer heat and humidity. Let her have her joy while she can.

[ny biker]

I haven't ridden yet this month because I was out of town last weekend for a wedding, plus the weather was terrible anyway. (I did have some very nice rides that I didn't get around to writing about in October...)

I was planning to go out after work tonight, since this morning's weather forecast said we would not get rain until later tonight. However it appears that light rain has already moved in (I'm still at work, 20 miles west of where I would be riding, but the radar shows rain in that area and some hourly forecasts call for light rain for the next couple of hours). With so many leaves on the ground and a hilly route, I'm canceling the ride. :-(

I can't ride tomorrow night, since I have other plans, but maybe it will work out for Friday. In the meantime, I fear it may be time get the indoor trainer out of storage. I really don't want to start riding in the living room, but it looks like it might be pretty cold next week, so I guess I have to prepare for it.

[Crankin]

I did my short and hilly 11 mile ride today. I had time to do more, it was 60 degrees, but by the time I went out, the wind was strong and the sun was fading. I swear, I am getting slower by the minute.... the last time I felt like this, my gps was actually off a bit. I'll have to have DH check it when he gets back from his trip.
I'm glad I went, but mad I didn't make myself ride at least 20 miles.

[marni]

clocking in another 46 miles today. Can't saythe speed is great because of the headwinds. but it is dry, cool and relatlively sunny. That makes 130.5 miles this week. YAY ME.

[ny biker]

clocking in another 46 miles today. Can't saythe speed is great because of the headwinds. but it is dry, cool and relatlively sunny. That makes 130.5 miles this week. YAY ME.

Excellent!!

I went out last night after work, for about 17 miles. Yesterday the temps got up to the 50s with the sun, but we had a cold NW wind. I started to ride at 7 pm so it was dark, and temps were down to the mid 40s. Fortunately the winds were not as bad, and most of the route is pretty sheltered from it. I was cold at first, but comfortable for most of the ride. Toward the end the breeze picked up and I would have had to add a layer if I was doing a longer ride.

This is real progress for me. A year ago, I stopped the post-work rides when daylight saving time ended. But after last winter I've figured out how I need to dress for colder rides (down to 40F), and I've found a community center that I can use as a ride start location, which provides a safe place to park my car after dark as well as a restroom and water fountain, if needed. So I can keep riding as long the weather is dry and not too cold. I've also made some changes to my route to minimize the amount of time I spend on the multi-use trail, because it is not really safe after dark. Now I'm using it only to get across a few busy intersections, then leaving it and riding on nearby residential streets instead. I hate the cold and prefer riding in daylight, but it's nice to have the ability to ride outdoors instead of using the indoor trainer.

[Crankin]

I agree, NY.
I got out for just under 19 miles this afternoon. Even at 1:45, it feels like the sun is going down. I've been riding with a front flasher since DH's crash and rear flashers in daylight, all season. The front flasher is just a little thing that goes on with a rubber loop. My new light is so strong, I only use it in the real dark and it doesn't have a flash mode. It was about 46, clear, bright and sunny, with just a light breeze. I was dressed a bit too warm, but I did bring a lighter weight head cover, so when I stopped, I switched to it and unzipped a lot.
Saw quite a few riders, all going in the other direction. No one passed me, and I saw one guy pull out ahead of me, and zip off. I just feel slower than hell. Not sure why... I keep checking to see if my brakes are rubbing, but my legs are dead and my brakes are fine. It's like I came back from Portugal and had used up all of my gas. I will have DH check my GPS tomorrow, because a couple of weeks ago, it was recording wrong, about 2 mph slow. I know what speed I usually go on these types of rides, as I've done them hundreds of times.
Hoping this is what it is, but I doubt it! Oh well. Tomorrow I will make my yearly goal; I only need 24 miles. At least I did that. Last year, I was 500 miles short.

[shootingstar]

Squeezed in 30 km. today plus shopping, bakery stops and bike brake pad replacements. Before the snow flies into our area tonight. Quite nice right now. So am glad I made use my favourite bike routes to do stuff and some little hills.

[MarieV]

We've had two unusually sunny November Saturdays in Seattle. Last Saturday I organized lunch and a bike ride to go wine tasting with friends. I rode 25 miles to Redmond to have lunch at La Isla--love their plantains! The weather was overcast, but a lot of people were out on the Burke-Gilman and the Sammamish River Trail. Then five of us rode from La Isla to Woodinville and did tastings at Zerba Cellars and Lachini Vineyards. We had so much fun but totally lost track of time. It was 5:30pm when we finished, and I still had to ride the 18+ miles home. Luckily, I had front and rear lights since the last 45 minutes were in the dark.

Today was so beautiful and unusually warm! DH and I did the pre-ride for my new 100K (65.6-mile) Seattle Int'l Randonneurs Seattle Lakes and Trails ride (http://permanents.seattlerando.org/2014/11/seattle-lakes-trails.html). We started in Greenlake, rode up the Interurban Trail, down NE Perkins Way (nice long descent), rode along the Burke-Gilman to the Sammamish River Trail, down the west side of Lake Sammamish, up Newport and around Newcastle (a few more long descents), then counterclockwise along the bottom half of Lake Washington. We ended up at Husky Stadium about half an hour before the start of the UW-UCLA game. It was CRAZY but AMAZING!!! The photo below was before we crossed the street and got engulfed by the sea of purple. I wanted to take a photo, but there were so many people. I was afraid if I stopped, my bike and I would get carried along to the stadium. We had to walk our bikes across Montlake Bridge to the Hec-Ed bridge, almost half a mile. The Burke-Gilman Trail was so full of people, we were afraid we wouldn't make the 7-hour cutoff for the ride if we kept walking with the crowds. We eventually had to just ride on Montlake Blvd., which is usually scary since there's no bike lane and cars are either crawling bumper-to-bumper or speeding by at 35-40 mph. For the next half mile there was a constant wave of purple converging on the stadium from every direction--it was INSANE!!! We finally made it back to the Greenlake Starbucks with 35 minutes to spare, then we sat outside and had hot cider and coffee. What a perfect day!

http://www.audunnandmarie.com/Cycling2014/Husky-stadium-small.jpg

[rebeccaC]

that sounds like a wonderful ride MarieV....purple and all :)

about to ride to the farmers market..... late season Tenerelli peaches ftw....and quinces and pears!!!

[Crankin]

I made my yearly goal today, by riding into just about every little pocket of Concord and up around the loop to Hanscom AFB. I knew we would be very close, and when I added up the totals, it was exactly 2,500, without even an extra .1 mile.
It was warmer today, but cloudier. I was dressed about right and all I did was take off my head cover at about mile 7, after climbing a small hill. Legs felt less dead today, although my speed was not much different, there were parts of the ride that I felt really good on. This is becoming rarer and rarer, it seems. I really want another 3K year next year, but I will have to get to more group rides, as I can't really motivate myself to do longer rides alone, other than the ones I do on the weekends. And I should work on my speed a bit. It was OK through the summer, and in retrospect, this is how I feel every year. Any riding I do until it snows will be "whatever" type rides.

[marni]

today could have been a Houston Chamber of Commerce day for a ride. Temps started in the low 60's as we headed out at 9:00 AM and had reached mid 70's by the time we finished. Bit of a breeze (less than 8 miles an hour), full sun and non existent humidity. Glorious.

Second perk was that this is the second week in a row that I have managed to ride 130 miles in the week.

Today's stats 50.7 miles in 3:30 at 14 mph average.

[Dog]

Pulled out some winter gear and got out on my Surly LHT yesterday for about a 20 miler on Whidbey Island - was able to drop off and pick up some books at the library. Perfect day - in mid 40's with beautiful views of the Olympics and Mt. Baker. I haven't ridden as much this year due to more time spent hiking & scrambling in the mountains. I may get out again this week with more sun in the forecast.

[ny biker]

I rode 40 miles today with a small group of friends. The weather was nice, a bit cloudy but temps in the mid 50s. My legs are pretty sore -- there were more hills than I expected. But we had a nice day.

[azfiddle]

Went 68 miles yesterday- not the 85 planned- it was probably my last long ride before El Tour de Tucson (century) in 2 weeks.
Today, just 20, downhill and then back from Oracle Arizona to San Manuel. Very pretty ride and almost no cars on the road. I usually like going uphill first and downhill coming back, but it was just where my friend and I were starting from.

[AppleTree]

"Only" 23 miles on the Sammamish River Trail, but hey, it was 38 freaking degrees when we started about 10:30 and windy as all get out...in both directions as luck would have it. :rolleyes:But it was GREAT to be out there, sunny and colorful. It looks like construction is nearly complete on the new section of trail just east of Marymoor Park going south along Lake Sammamish. It's paved now, but still fenced off. I took a chance and snuck around the barrier to see what it was like for a half mile or so.... it was sweeeeeeet. Can't wait till that is officially open! (I felt like a little kid peeking at a Christmas gift)

When we got home our power was off, the wind around our area must have really had some big gusts, a lot of tree branches and debris on the roads and some traffic signals out. Fortunately, it came back on in about 10 minutes...whew.

It seems like our choices up here are cold and dry or warm and rainy... I think I'll take the cold. :)

[ny biker]

It seems like our choices up here are cold and dry or warm and rainy... I think I'll take the cold. :)

Tough choice. I guess I'd take the cold, too.

We had a beautiful day here today, and since it was Veterans Day, I did not go to work. I actually had to use a vacation day for the holiday, since my employer does not close for this holiday but our client does, therefore I was not allowed to work. I generally resent this sort of thing, but since the weather was lovely -- 70 degrees and sunny by early afternoon -- I took advantage of the opportunity for a bike ride. I rode a 40-mile out-and-back on a local rail trail. This was my third ride in five days, and I was pretty tired after the one we did two days ago. But today I felt good, and ended up with an average speed of 15.1 mph, which is a bit higher than I usually ride on this particular trail. At my turnaround point I considered riding a few miles farther before heading back to the start, but decided against it because I wanted to finish before dark. I think this was a good decision, since my legs were pretty tired by the end.

Afterwards I went to a nearby Panera for a big salad, then stopped at the LBS and had a nice chat with a couple of the guys who work there.

The arctic cold front that dumped all that snow in Minnesota will arrive here tomorrow, so I'm glad I was able to enjoy the warm weather today. My next opportunity to ride will be Sunday, if the weather is dry and not too cold. On Saturday we have the volunteer's dinner for my bike club, where I'll be receiving the ride leader's jersey that I earned this year.

[Crankin]

I commuted yesterday, for the first time in a week or so. Like NY Biker, it was warm here, but since I wasn't outside in the middle of the day, not sure if it got up to 70 here. I think more like the mid sixties. My clinic was open, but it was a bit quiet, with so many of the therapists taking the day off. I didn't leave for work until close to ten and I was dressed way too warm. Riding home at 6:15 PM was lovely. Funny, there didn't seem to be less traffic, even though I know a lot of places were closed. DH said I looked like an X Mas tree when I arrived home, because in addition to my headlight and 2 rear lights, I had on a flashing ankle band and my safety vest. Glad he told me that!
The forecast for the rest of November is freezing cold. I have to make a commitment to riding in really cold weather until the snow flies. I have the gear.Right now it's very foggy and warm out. I will ride today, but I just don't have the energy to go on the group ride. I think this may be the last 60 degree reading I see until spring.

[Crankin]

I went on a hike (more like a walk) with a friend I hadn't seen in a couple of weeks in the late morning and then rode 14.5 hilly miles with DH after lunch. First day in awhile where I felt pretty good while riding and my speed was decent.
My friend Jack just guilted me on FB, for not going on the group ride!

[ny biker]

I went on a hike (more like a walk) with a friend I hadn't seen in a couple of weeks in the late morning and then rode 14.5 hilly miles with DH after lunch. First day in awhile where I felt pretty good while riding and my speed was decent.
My friend Jack just guilted me on FB, for not going on the group ride!

I missed a group ride on Saturday because Foo Fighters tickets went on sale at the same time that ride started. I just told my friends I couldn't make it, didn't give a reason.

Yesterday I rode alone instead of joining a group ride because their route included the road where I got a ticket during a ride several years ago when I was not actually breaking any laws. I ended up spending a lot of time researching the law and taking vacation time to go to court to fight it. Just looking at the map of the route from yesterday brought back all the anxiety, so I decided not to join them.

But you're right about having to make the commitment to ride in the cold, and in general doing group rides helps me with that, because it forces me to get out of the house.

[Crankin]

I'm OK with it. It wasn't that cold this morning; the warmth stayed up here and is just starting to go away as I write. One of the reasons I didn't go was that the ride was around all of my favorite, usual roads in Concord, Acton, Boxborough. In other words, nothing special. DH was working from home and we decided to ride after lunch when it would be 60. The group gets lots of people from the city or suburbs east of here, so riding around here is "the country" to them. I got to more group rides this season than last, but still not enough. That's why I have 2,525 miles instead of 3,000! My head is the cause of most of my angst about cycling. I need to practice what I preach at times, but somehow, I seem to get a decent amount of miles, despite it all. I was very happy with my average, though :).

[marni]

foolishly believed the weather mans' rain predictions yesterday which failed to materialize. Rode out instead today at 38 degrees ( this is Houston d### it !) into head winds of 18-20 from the NE which didn't help although we did have a lovely tail wind for about 10 miles on the way back. My top speed going into the wind over the highway overpass was 5.5 mph. Didn't know whether to persevere, get off or fall off.

So todays' stats are pretty pathetic. 38 miles in 4.14 for a speed of 9.3

[cosc]

I went to Ohio to babysit my 4 year old grandson the end of October. I rented a bike and rode 30 miles on a great bike trail with perfect weather.
The covered bridge is new this year. Can you see the trail under the leaves?

17447

First week of November, I rode a 50 mile out-back overnighter to Snake Creek state park by the Missouri River. Daytime temps was a 60's so nice for riding. Night temps plunge quickly with the setting of the sun.
.
17443

Last week I enjoyed a 3 day 170 mile ride. Mornings were in the low 30's but warmed to 50's. Wind was mostly favorable except 30 to 40 mile crosswinds one afternoon. Roads were very decent considering this is SD and I only had 10 miles without a shoulder. I spent 2 nights in a hotel and my Hubby came and picked me up on the last day in Yankton, SD. I rode my trusty salsa vaya with 2 front panniers and my handlebar bag.

Yankton is on the Missouri River which is the border between SD and Nebraska. The old Meridian bridge in the picture is a double decker built in 1919 and had many years of use, until the new Discovery bridge was opened in 2009. The great old bridge is now a bike/pedestrian trail. The end of my trip was definitely the highlight of the trip.

174461744417445

I hope I have bike riding out of my system because we now have average temps of 20 and a few inches of snow on the ground.

[marni]

another cold ride. Started out at 38 degrees and finished 3 hours later at 43 degrees. At least the wind was much lighter, especially when compared to two days ago.

today's stats 42 miles in 3:15 for an average of 14.3 which is a step up from Wednesdays pathetic average of 9.3!

[Blueberry]

Having so much trouble dressing for cold weather! I usually commute in regular clothes (it's short and I have no where to change or store stuff) - but I was a human popsicle today. After a lovely commute in, I called DH for a ride home from the bus. Brrrrrrr. Probably would have been ok but for the waiting outside for the bus. No shelter and I have to wait or risk not being able to get the bike on the bus.

[shootingstar]

I only did 9 km. round trip (bakery) today @-19 degrees C with a wind chill and light headwind which made it cold it enough! Why is it the first bike ride among some lumps of ice and snow on pavement feels like victory? It really does.

I don't have studded bike tires right now so there were some rocky patches I ended up walking over. Oh well..nice bright cold sunshine out there today.

[azfiddle]

It's our real riding season here- I rode about 24 miles on Veteran's Day to Saguaro NP and around the loop, commuted 22 miles round trip yesterday rode 28.5 miles today by myself on part of the El Tour de Tucson route. Tomorrow we'll do about 80 miles on the ending part of the route - then time to "taper" (like I really do that....;) )

[Jolt]

Today was the annual Cranksgiving* ride in Portland...it was cold! This year, since I am not a fast rider by any stretch, I decided to compete for the most weight of frozen turkeys hauled, and borrowed a trailer from the bike co-op where I volunteer. In that division, one only has to go to one store, load up with turkeys and ride back so it ended up being a really short ride (probably half a mile each way) to the nearest large grocery store. Somewhat surprisingly, I ended up winning with 135 pounds of turkey between panniers and trailer. There were a couple of people with cargo bikes so I thought one of them would end up hauling more. Next year I may decide to go back to the regular division where you have to get specific items at a bunch of different stores, since that makes for a longer ride. Either way it is a lot of fun and for a good cause!

*an event put on in many cities in the weeks before Thanksgiving, that is a sort of race/scavenger hunt to collect food for local charities. There is no entry fee, but riders buy items along the way to donate.

[Crankin]

That sounds like fun!

[AppleTree]

What a cool idea Jolt!

[ny biker]

I led a 34-mile club ride today. It was cold and gray, thermometer said mid-40s but without the sun it felt colder. I would have been warm enough except the group's pace was a bit too slow, and I was coasting for too much of it. I was riding sweep but there were a few times when I just had to speed up and pass people in order to warm up.

Afterwards we stopped at a nearby Dunkin' Donuts for coffee and hot chocolate.

Despite the January-in-November weather, we had a nice ride with a good group of people. I posted the ride on the club's schedule in order to force myself to get out and ride, and I'm glad I did.

[marni]

did my normal Wednesday ride yesterday and it was much better than last week. Yes the winds were really blowing last week as the same 42 miles only took 2:30 instead of 4:30 and the average mph was up from 13.2 to 14.8. Only problem was that it started out cold 40's and ended in the low 70's so by the time I was finished I was feeling like boiled lobster. There are only so many layers one can take off.

the ride stats were 450.2 miles in 2:30 at an average 14,8 mph.

[AppleTree]

Wow, great stats Marni! 450 miles in just 2 1/2 hours!! 😋

[antimony]

That sounds like fun!

FYI, Boston's is tomorrow (Saturday). :)

https://www.facebook.com/events/302207596652765/

I might go, but I have a bazillion errands to run before family arrives for Thanksgiving.

[Crankin]

It's one thing to do this in Portland, ME, but Boston, no.

[Crankin]

Did my 15 mile loop, which I haven't actually done in a long time! Though it was 41 out, it was windy, and we were heading straight into it all the way on the last half of the loop.
My legs felt good, despite my groin giving me fits. Need to start back to my exercises for that. But, despite wind, the groin, and eating lunch right before the ride, my average was good.
Then I went to the LBS to get the saddle/stem fitted for my new bike!!! Going back to pick it up in 10 minutes. It's going to be 55 degrees tomorrow and I will have it to do a longer ride! Pictures to follow...

[azfiddle]

Yesterday- El Tour de Tucson! 104 miles in beautiful weather :)

[Crankin]

Took my Silque out for its inaugural ride. It was a pleasant 53-58 degrees. We started in sun, which necessitated some gear changing, but thankfully, the sun went in near the end of the ride. We ended up riding on some of my most favorite roads, near my old neighborhood, where I first started riding. Did a couple of hills I haven't seen in years. Not big hills, but hills.
It was a really good ride, but slow, due to constant stopping to tweak a few things on the bike. We stopped at Nashoba Brook Bakery for lunch and had some tuna salad and watched the people. Felt a bit chilly when we left lunch, but the climb back up to my house took care of that. When we got to our street, the high school x country ski team was roller skiing on the loop, necessitating me to not go up past my driveway and turn around, using the downhill as momentum to get up the 15% grade. The kids were everywhere, so I bore down and went really slowly up the driveway.
You can read my review of the bike in the Bikes thread. 27.5 miles.

[Crankin]

Took advantage of a slow work day and came home for lunch and took a short 8.5 mile ride, mostly uphill. It was 59 out, but cloudy and didn't feel that warm. But, I had on knee warmers, a ss jersey with a base layer and arm warmers/vest, instead of winter gear.
I love the way my new bike feels. However, I do think there is something going on with the saddle and/or the height of the saddle. My knees hurt mildly. I never have this. I raised the saddle on Sunday, by a teeny, teeny bit. Jury still out on the Oura. Soft tissue is perfect, but not sure if my sit bones will get used to it. My left sit bone as well as the bony part where my left leg attaches to my butt is sore. This is kind of like how the Brooks saddle felt, except that had other torture, too. More concerned about the knees.
It's going to snow tomorrow, and I may be tied up with nordic skiing right after Thanksgiving. Perhaps will go to the LBS on Sunday to discuss.

[ny biker]

Where do your knees hurt?

I had knee issues when I got my Madone, I think due to a different pedaling angle by switching from a triple to a compact double. I ended up going to Speedplay X cleats, from SPDs, eventually switched to the (expensive) Speedplay cleats with a longer-than-standard shaft to solve the problem completely.

I rode on Saturday with my bike club. It was cold, I was tired, didn't get home from work the night before until after 10 pm, really did not want to ride. But it was a friend's last ride before knee surgery, so I went anyway. We had a very nice time, with a good group of people. In all we rode 40 miles. It started on the road where I was ticketed a few years ago for impeding traffic even though there was no actual traffic at the time, and just thinking about riding there again brought back the anxiety of having to go to court to fight the ticket. So I let the group start ahead of me and then rode as fast as I could to get off that road as soon as possible.

I also went for a ride yesterday. Due to crap at work yada yada yada I was forced to take the day off. So I did the weekly Tuesday morning club ride. Again, nice ride with a good group of people, and four of us went out for a sandwich afterwards. Total was 31 miles. The rest stop was at a historic church on a hill above a river, very scenic and worth the effort to climb the hill.

Then I took a nap, packed up the car and drove north for Thanksgiving. I left a day earlier than originally planned to avoid the big storm. I left at 10:20 pm, arrived at my parents house just after 4 pm, got to bed at 5 am. I managed to avoid all the traffic except for one spot in Delaware, but was able to take an alternate route to get around that spot. Was planning to drive home on Saturday, go for a ride on Sunday (weather-permitting). But yada yada yada crap at work I will also not be able to work on Monday, so I'll probably stay with my family through the weekend and drive back on Monday. I think I will probably be raking leaves for exercise while I am here.

[marni]

Wow, great stats Marni! 450 miles in just 2 1/2 hours!! ��

woops pardon my dislexic fingers. Obvously it was 45 not 450! Even 45 in 2 1/2 hours is pretty stypendous for me, I must have had a lot of tail wind or a total lack of wind 'cause I know I wasn't going up hill or down.

[Crankin]

NY, I suspect the knees are from 2 things: The amount of lunges, squats, jumping I do 2X weekly at the gym comboned with using the compact. My Guru has the same compact gearing +1 lower cog as my new bike. I also noticed the knee issue when I first started riding the Guru, and it still happened when I switched back and forth from the bike with the triple. But, not as much, over time. I just have to keep telling myself using the small ring on the compact is not the same as the granny on a triple (which I have no issue using!). You have to use the small ring on the compact a lot more, there's a lot more switching back and forth. My sweet spot with the compact gearing is a combo that is just a teeny bit cross chained; hence I try to use the next one up, which is harder than I am used to. Hopefully, I'll get used to it, since now this is all I have.
I've been using Speedplay Xs for 10 years. I had SPDs on my first road bike and switched over when I got the Trek 5200 in 2004. I have Speedplay Frogs on my Guru, so lots of float on both bikes. My sense is if I stopped the stuff at the gym, the knees would not hurt, but really, I am not doing that much there and just with baby type weights of 6-16 pounds. I just have to get my body used to it. It's not pain, just achiness around the outside of the kneecap from the medial point, around almost the whole way, but not on the top.

[BlessedB]

Did a lovely 28.5 with girlfriends on Saturday, (LOTS of wind), plus an additional 10 miles looking for my iPhone, which slipped out and disappeared. Sunday only did 20, but for whatever reason (wind even worse) it felt like 40. Too sick to ride so far this week, but hopefully by Friday can get in a few miles at least - just itching to ride! This is prime riding season in Florida; I can't believe how much easier it is without the summer heat and humidity.

[marni]

40 very windy miles in 3:00 hours. The brief tailwind we had allowed me to coast down off the freeway overpass and the 1/4 mile to the stop sign without pedaling. On the other hand it was peaking at 19 when we headed back into it. Gotta love the flat Texas prairie and the howlin winds.

on the other hand that gives me another 125 miles or more week.

[Crankin]

So, only in New England would I be x country skiing yesterday (awesome) and riding today. It was warm (50 ish), but the roads were in so-so condition from our recent snow. We didn't get that much here, but it is melting. Didn't want to take the new bike out, but I want to test some changes I made. So, I settled on a 14 mile ride that had lots of hills.
Upside is, I spent more time in the small ring and my knees are fine. Going to put the saddle height back to where the shop had it, after raising it a snitch. Jury still out on the Oura, but, with the very, very slight tilt up in the front, I only felt mild pressure in my left glute and nothing when I finished riding.
The LBS will call me when my 2nd bottle cage comes in and I will discuss the saddle with them when I bring the bike there for them to put the cage on. I hope I have at least a couple of more rides out side this year. Apart from the saddle, the bike still feels just dreamy smooth. I did clean my bike when I got back, which is a miracle for me.

[ny biker]

Due to a schedule change at work, I ended up going back to my original holiday weekend plan of driving back here late Saturday night/early Sunday morning, instead of making the trip on Monday. The weather today was warm, in the 60s with sun, so I forced myself out of bed for a club ride this afternoon. The route was 31 miles and very flat, and the pace was fast, which was okay for a while, and then I really wanted to slow down but couldn't because everyone else was riding fast. I finished with an average speed of 15.4 mph, which was about 1 mph faster than I had expected. Afterwards a few of us went to nearby coffee shop, where I had a nice peppermint hot chocolate.

Much of the route was on the shoulder of busy roads, and there was lots of broken glass along the way. So I give a thumbs up to the Mavic tires that came with my Ksyrium Equipe wheels, because they made it through without any problems.

And so November is done and dusted; meteorological winter starts tomorrow. We're expecting some roller-coaster weather this week, and I don't know yet if I'll be able to ride outdoors. I guess I should get the indoor trainer out of storage, just in case.

[Owlie]

Got out for a ride with BF's family yesterday. 10.28 (or thereabouts; I didn't pay attention to the mileage before I set off) miles. Good weather (though there wasn't as much wind as usual, so my long-sleeve base layer got a bit warm after 30 minutes or so), relatively little traffic, and I actually remembered to eat this time.

[azfiddle]

Thanksgiving week- beautiful weather! I rode every day from Tuesday - Sunday- longest ride was Saturday (48 miles) but put in a respectable 148 miles for the week with all the time off. Mostly I rode on the east side of Tucson at Saguaro National Park and the base of Mt. Lemmon, but one long ride took me to the far northwest. And since most of the rides were under 2 hours, that still left plenty of time for cooking, eating, spending time with my family and playing music. I'm trying to focus on losing a few pounds, so hopefully all the miles will give me some help. (The scale hasn't said so yet).

[rebeccaC]

Thanksgiving in Michigan north of Lansing. We went for a couple of rides to be in the moment of the fall and winter scenes in farm fields and fading small towns. 20 or so miles each time. Didn’t see anyone else riding and few cars and that added a nice isolating feeling that played to the scenery. BBrrrrrrrr….it was in the 20’s to start but then to the 50’s towards the end of the trip.

Gravel/frozen mud sideroads ftw




https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8604/15900617105_a5435b8e21_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qe5PuM)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7477/15729065350_e0d0833d51_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pXVz8U)


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[Jolt]

18 hilly miles today...I had thought that the good riding weather was probably done for the winter, but today it got up into the 50s and was just too nice of a day not to get a ride in. The roads are pretty wet because of the melting snow, with puddles and lots of wet sand, so I was very glad to have fenders. I still had to do a little wiping down of the bike with a wet rag when I got home, but it wasn't bad.

[VeganBikeChick]

Amazing pics rebeccaC. You could frame them. Love the B&W! Thanks for sharing.