December rides

[ny biker]

I have posted a club ride for 11 am on 12/13/14 - 15 miles to a rest stop, then 16 miles back to the start. Let's hope the weather cooperates!

In the meantime, I'm hoping it will be warm enough to ride after work tomorrow (12/3). :D

[Crankin]

Well, I don't think I am going to get to ride until the weekend. It's going to be warmer (43) on Saturday, but pouring rain. Sunday looks nice, but a high of 38. That is getting to my limit. But, I need to keep testing my saddle. There's a chance I could ride Friday afternoon, but not looking too promising.
I went to spin class yesterday, before work. When I joked with the instructor that I was there under duress, she was confused and asked me why. It appears she's never been on a real bike in her adult life. Sigh...

[ny biker]

The forecast for today was a bust -- it's been foggy and cloudy, which is keeping the temperature from warming up, and when I came in from getting lunch I could feel that the wind was already changed from the SW to the NW, several hours ahead of the forecast for that. But I have my AmFib tights and my Showers Pass jacket, which is quite warm, in addition to hats and gloves and base layers and a neck gaiter. So I will try to ride after work tonight anyway.

[Jolt]

No outside riding for me today either...or running for that matter. We had freezing rain last night so there was still a lot of ice around. So, I decided to try a spinning class at the gym for (if you can believe it) the first time ever. It was kinda brutal (but I felt really good afterward)! The temperature in the room probably wasn't helping...it got pretty hot and I was on the opposite side from the window. Plus, there was a lot of standing which is not something I usually do on the real bike unless I'm standing up to stretch/give my butt a break. A good workout for sure, and certainly more up my alley than the exercise classes that involve a bunch of choreographed crap that I can't do :o.

[azfiddle]

I'm really not gloating- it's unseasonably warm here in Arizona, so I got out after work for an hour- just a jersey and shorts - the temperature was in the 70's. It should be about 10-15 degrees cooler. At least we might get some rain tomorrow...

[ny biker]

AZ, please enjoy your beautiful warm weather for all of us who are cold.

I did get out and ride tonight. I realized it was the first time I've ever done a post-work ride in December. It turns out there are lots of nice Christmas light displays on the houses along my route.

Conditions were really not great. Temps were in the high 40s. Since the clouds hung around all day and didn't start to break at sunset, the roads (and the leaves that have fallen on them) were still wet when I started. At one point I could feel my rear wheel slipping as I stood up to ride up a steep incline. The wind was kicking up, which helped to dry the roads and leaves, but also was a bit gusty at times, and it was cold. The good news was that I was comfortable the whole time, not over- or under-dressed. In all I rode 17 miles, and was just a bit slower than I would usually average on the same route during the summer.

When I left work, I really wanted to just go home, and I pretty much had to force myself to ride. I just kept thinking -- don't think about it, don't think about the cold and wind, just do it and see how it goes. And it went well. I don't know if I want to ride when it's much colder, because I've got more layers for my torso but I don't have any more for my feet, and there's only so much my lungs can take before the asthma kicks in. But mid-40s with a bit of a north wind, that I can handle, even in the dark.

[Crankin]

Jolt, one thing that I've started doing in spin class (or when I use the trainer at home) is put Nuun in my bottle. The added electrolytes seem to do the trick for me. Just make sure you get the Nuun R Natural, without the preservatives. I realized that I often feel as crappy as I do when I ride outside in very hot weather; it's all related to overheating. Find a bike by a fan or open window/door. I always wear a sleeveless jersey, too.

[AppleTree]

On the trail yesterday for a sunny but VERY cold ride on the Sammamish River Trail. I thought, since this trail was less shaded we'd be safer from the frosty or icy areas, but there were still spots that were a little scary. The worst were the bridges and overpass areas (or underneath the overpass). One overpass was just encrusted with frost, which is somewhat better than ice, but I was careful not to do anything sudden...like brake or turn. It was 36 degrees when we started out and I didn't take off my heavy outer jacket and gloves until two hours later. Did stop and get warm in a few places along the trail. Stopped at Element Cycle in Redmond and noticed they were selling "12th Man" bicycle jerseys... I need to go back and get one of those for my son for Christmas! They were all out except for the display model. FUN! We also stopped for lunch at Starbucks and warmed up.

I did come across one area that was icy, a low area of the trail that was in the shade...I just turned and went another way around it, no way was I going to chance falling on ice.

Starting out when it is as cold as that is so much a mental effort. Once I am out there, I always think, "this isn't so bad!"...but just getting started is hard. I was very bundled up in layers and sure wasn't motivated to go very fast at first, ha. It was maybe low 40s when we got back to the car about 2:00 pm. But I enjoyed being out in the sunshine...ended up doing about 26 miles altogether.

[ny biker]

Another cold ride for me today, a club ride which I led. Yesterday it rained all day, and I had to work, so I basically did not leave my living room all day (worked remotely from home). Today it was sunny, which was great! We also had a cold north wind, 10-20 mph with gusts of 30 mph. Temps were in the 40s, wind chills in the 30s. I could easily have canceled the ride based on the wind chill. But it was sunny!! I figured if I could ride under similar but slightly less windy conditions at night, I could handle it in sunshine. So the ride went ahead as planned.

We rode 33 miles. The route was basically a big clockwise circle, so we had equal parts head wind, tail wind and cross wind. It was in a rural area, but the farms are not large and there are lots of trees, rather than the huge expanses of wide open fields that you find in some rural places. This all combined to make the wind pretty manageable. There were eight of us in all, and we had a nice ride.

[DebSP]

II took my fat tire bike out on the rail trail yesterday. It was cold but the sun was shining. I layered up and stayed warm. The only thing that bothered me were my toes. Couldn't keep them warm. Need to try a few things this winter.17479

[rebeccaC]

II took my fat tire bike out on the rail trail yesterday. It was cold but the sun was shining. I layered up and stayed warm. The only thing that bothered me were my toes. Couldn't keep them warm. Need to try a few things this winter.

I rode in the cold (20+/- degrees) for the first time in a few years over thanksgiving. Wool and thin silk socks and shoe covers worked well to keep my feet happy. A person that rides there a lot in the winter showed me some nordic gear's socks with heated toe sections that i'd always use in really cold winter riding.

luvs southern california weather......

[DebSP]

I rode in the cold (20+/- degrees) for the first time in a few years over thanksgiving. Wool and thin silk socks and shoe covers worked well to keep my feet happy. A person that rides there a lot in the winter showed me some nordic gear's socks with heated toe sections that i'd always use in really cold winter riding.

luvs southern california weather......

I tried wool sock liners and then wool socks in my hiking boots. It was only -1 celcius (30 F). It is going to get a lot colder. I may look for the heated socks before winter is over! Last year I used some hand/foot warmers. They were okay but not great. I think the problem is that I don't have enough room in the boots I am using so my toes are cramped. Have to look at different foot wear. I don't use riding specific footwear.
I did 26 km but it took me 2-1/2 hours since I just toodle along enjoying the ride. It was funny because even my face felt frozen when I stopped to talk to someone who wanted to ask about my fat tire bike!

[marni]

we are experiencing a spell of relatively mild (ie seasonally normal) weather here in Houston, for once. Today's ride was 27 miles in 3:21 for an average of 14.2. Would have been faster but 13 miles of the ride were up and back on notorious Coshatta road- 6.5 miles and 8-10 rollers each way depending on how you count. Group of 5 of us thoroughly enjoyed the ride as it was relatively windless for the Texas plains, for a change.

[Crankin]

Did a teeny 8.5 mile ride in the sunny cold of 38 degrees, plus some riding around my driveway, trying to dial in saddle height on my Silque. It ended up going back up a teensy bit, after being lowered, and I had DH tilt the bars back to what I consider a normal position, from the very upright position the fitter wanted me to be in. I hated it, and I think it was affecting other things.
Still getting used to the gearing, too. Although it is very similar to my Guru's gearing, it has a different cassette on the back. Tried spending more time in the small ring, as was suggested.
Tomorrow is going to be in the 40s and I am going out for at least 20, hopefully, 25 miles. Then someone is coming over to test ride my Kuota.

[ny biker]

I have posted a club ride for 11 am on 12/13/14 - 15 miles to a rest stop, then 16 miles back to the start. Let's hope the weather cooperates

Today's ride was great. Nine people joined me for the ride. So it was 10-11-12-13-14-15-16 -- 10 cyclists at 11 am on 12/13/14 riding 15 miles to the rest stop and 16 miles back to the park.

It was colder than I had hoped, based on recent weather forecasts -- 41 at the start, with a bit of a west wind. But the sun was out, and it rose to almost 50 by the time we finished. So overall the weather was okay.

When I arrived at the ride start (a small county park) there was no one else there, but I noticed a dog standing near my car, staring at me. He was friendly, nothing to worry about, and in fact he wanted someone to play with. But he was also alone, with no sign of a person with him. After a few minutes my friends started to arrive, and I know from experience that one of them is good with dogs. I asked her to help, so she lured him over with a cookie and found a phone number on his tags, and I called the number and left a message on the answering machine. When we were about 14 miles into the ride, the owner called my cell phone and left a message. He lived across the street from the park, and wanted to let me know that he had gone over and gotten his dog, and to thank me for calling him. It seems the dog had managed to get through the electric fence, so he planned to raise the voltage a notch (or whatever adjustment you make to electric fences) to keep the dog from making any more solo visits to the park.

Tomorrow is also expected to be sunny, and a bit warmer, so even though I have tons of holiday-related errands to do, I'm planning to join another club ride. I'm not leading this one, but I did come up with the route.

[Crankin]

Had an awesome ride today. And I think everything is dialed in on my new bike. Saddle height/tilt and tilting the bars so they are not like for an 85 year old. I think the position of the bars was getting in the way of me feeling like I had any power. Only 18.5 miles, but beautiful sun, as many riders out today as in the summer!

[Bones8]

I had a longer than planned ride yesterday. I mapped out a 20 mile route using strava, but I don't actually use any apps as I ride because my handlebar phone bracket thingy broke recently so I was planning to go off of memory. Only three turns so it should have been easy.

Well, I got lost, which ended up adding 7 miles onto my ride. 20 miles would have been the furthest I have ridden, so 27 was 10 miles more than I had ever gone previously! It was tough, especially since I did not bring food and it was really windy out, but I made it. The best thing is that my tush was not feeling too bad. I guess my new Specialized Oura might work out after all.

Anyways, this was just one more reason for me to "invest" in the new Garmin 920xt. I currently use the Polar RCX5 and although it has GPS it doesn't give directions or show maps. Ugh. I'm trying to hold off on buying it until I meet my weight loss goal (16 pounds to go!).

[lauraelmore1033]

Had a good trail ride on the new n+1 (candy apple red tadpole trike) yesterday on the Sammamish River Trail. Was a little slower than I would like, but we'll get there. Today, I did the first half of the Stinky Spoke Ride as practice for the real event in January. It starts out with a climb up "heart attack hill" on the Tolt Pipeline Trail, which I practically crawled up on all fours (pushing a bike!) Oh my gosh, they are not just whistlin' Dixie, calling it that! I think it is 18 percent grade--and rough gravel. A few more "mild arrhythmia" hills and some scary descents, and I see I've got my work cut out for me, getting ready for the ride!

[salsabike]

Had a good trail ride on the new n+1 (candy apple red tadpole trike) yesterday on the Sammamish River Trail. Was a little slower than I would like, but we'll get there. Today, I did the first half of the Stinky Spoke Ride as practice for the real event in January. It starts out with a climb up "heart attack hill" on the Tolt Pipeline Trail, which I practically crawled up on all fours (pushing a bike!) Oh my gosh, they are not just whistlin' Dixie, calling it that! I think it is 18 percent grade--and rough gravel. A few more "mild arrhythmia" hills and some scary descents, and I see I've got my work cut out for me, getting ready for the ride!

Think I saw you out there, Laura! I rode yesterday too, 35 miles on and around the Samm Trail, and I saw a trike! Beautiful day for it.

17482

[lauraelmore1033]

It really was a beautiful day. Probably was me--although I did see another trike out there...

[ny biker]

Well yesterday's weather was not as nice as expected -- they forecast sunshine but it was cloudy all day. Temps were a bit warmer than the day before so it was still okay, just not what we had hoped. I did the 37-mile club ride that was led by my friend. We had a nice time. It was the first time in a while that I rode so much in one weekend, so my legs were pretty tired well before the end.

[ny biker]

I was going to go for a ride last night after work. It was sunny and in the 50s during the day, and in the mid-40s in the evening. It would have been my last post-work ride of the year. I had everything ready to go.

Then during the afternoon I started to feel like I was coming down with a cold. My throat hurt, and I was tired and had that fuzzy-headed feeling. And I just did not feel like changing into my bike clothes and putting air in the tires. So I decided to skip the ride. At first I planned to go for a walk instead, but by the time I got home (fighting more traffic on the highway than usual -- this week has been really bad with traffic) I was too tired to do anything other than collapse on the couch. I couldn't even muster the energy to wrap the Christmas presents that I have to mail out this week.

If I hadn't done two rides last weekend, I probably would have been more inclined to ride last night. And if the storm they were forecasting for this coming weekend had not shown indications of staying far enough south to miss us, I would have forced myself to go. But the weather looks like it will be chilly but dry for most of the weekend, so I will try then for one more ride in 2014. After that I will be busy with holiday things.

On the positive side, I usually reach the can't-muster-the-energy-to-put-air-in-the-tires stage much earlier in the fall, sometimes as early as October. This year has had more than it's share of obstacles and stresses, but it's been good for cycling for me.

[ny biker]

So, I did ride yesterday, lead a club 29-mile club ride. Six people joined me. On the positive side, the route was nice and the company was excellent. On the negative side, I was cold for much of the ride, and my feet were very cold.

Temps were in the low 40s, the sun was out and there was no wind. But yesterday was the solstice, and sunshine this time of year just does not seem strong enough to me. I should have worn more layers even though the exact same outfit was sufficient under similar conditions a few weeks ago. So, note to self, dress for 10 degrees less than the actual air temp this time of year.

After the ride I ran errands, including a stop in REI to return a couple of things. Of course I checked the sale items in the cycling section, and found a pair of Gore Windstopper gloves for $20 off. Since they are lined and windproof, I think they will work for me, and I can fit my wool glove liners under them if needed.

Now I just need to figure out what's going on with my feet. I'm wearing the same socks and booties that worked for me last year and the AmFib tights are keeping my legs warm enough. I though the new insoles might be causing a problem since the arch is higher, but I went back to the old ones yesterday and that did not help. It might be time to break down and use chemical toe warmers.

[Crankin]

Had a pretty good 17 mile ride today, while everyone else is out celebrating the holiday. It's 50 degrees, but with winds gusting to 35-40. The sun was out when we left, but had gone back behind the clouds, just when I was heating up, which was good.
Did our "flat ride," which means the one that is about as flat as a ride you can get when you live on a big hill. The first 7 miles are rolling, with one small hill. We had a tailwind here, but the rollers felt a bit hard today. Once we got out on a main road, we saw a few other cyclists and the pace picked up. Of course, as we headed back, we had a stiff wind of about 15 mph, with those nasty gusts.
I hadn't ridden outside in almost 2 weeks, and I still am amazed at how much I love my new bike. I am going to keep the Oura saddle; my azz is getting used to it and to have no soft tissue pain after a ride is a treat. Going to be warm tomorrow and Saturday, too.

[Helene2013]

I only did a 11km ride on trainer today. Follow by my PT exercices. It was my 1st ride in ages. Knees seem well. Winds are pushing at 90km/h at times. We are beating a heat record for the day. It was near 8c. That is warm. Too bad we had rain added to it. I think if we had no wind and 8c I would have tried to get our old bikes out just for a spin. But hey. Inside is just as well. Better than walking on crutches. Not going to complain for sure.

[Crankin]

Did just under 25 miles, on another very windy day. I thought it would not be so windy, but, we modified our plan a bit, by having lunch near the end of the ride and not doing a big climb, although there was enough climbing for me. We had a headwind for about 2/3 of the ride, and a cross wind the rest of the time. So, exceedingly slow, but fun. It was about 44 degrees out and sunny.
Tomorrow we are doing a club ride, that I've done twice. The beginning, right near the middle has some tough climbing, but after that, it's OK. You can be sure we will wait to leave the start after everyone else, as this is not an AMC ride, rather a regular CRW ride, not part of my Wednesday sub group of the club.

[ny biker]

I only did a 11km ride on trainer today. Follow by my PT exercices. It was my 1st ride in ages. Knees seem well. Winds are pushing at 90km/h at times. We are beating a heat record for the day. It was near 8c. That is warm. Too bad we had rain added to it. I think if we had no wind and 8c I would have tried to get our old bikes out just for a spin. But hey. Inside is just as well. Better than walking on crutches. Not going to complain for sure.

Sounds like good progress!!

[Crankin]

Did 35.8 miles with 2,100 ft. of climbing today. I am exhausted. We did the ride we were going to do yesterday, and it was a good thing we didn't, because the lunch stop place was closed yesterday. The day was supposed to be 50-52 degrees. I think it may have been that somewhere, but not where we were riding! I got warmed up before lunch, as that's where most of the big climbs were, but after lunch, even though it was 1:45 when we left Harvard center, the sun is so low and behind the trees, I was freezing. After a bit of climbing, I stopped to put my glove liners back on. Felt ok when I got home, but am drinking tea now, have that slightly chilled feeling, even thought he thermometer outside says 50.
Glad I did not do the club ride. I would have been miserable. Had a great veggie sandwich at the Harvard General Store. While we were there, we saw a couple that came on that charity ride we led for our synagogue in September. They were part of the obnoxious group that went ahead of DH and said they could do what they wanted to do, so I was not in the mood to be nice. I've known the woman for years, from the health club and she is very strange, always whining. So, I made myself feel better by thinking that she may be a faster rider than me, but she looks like crap, even though she must be 5-10 years younger!
Have 17 miles to go to make 2,700 miles. Don't know if that will happen. The weather might be OK tomorrow, but I kind of wanted to do something different and I need to get some food in this house!

[lauraelmore1033]

Oh my, what a miserable ride! Forecast did call for rain, but it was sunny and dry at home. Went to the Centennial trail and there were signs that rain was imminent. I thought I'd just cruise on down the trail until it did actually rain, then I'd turn around. The rain held off until I reached the very end of the trail and then it started dumping down in buckets! The seat angle on the recumbent is just perfect for rain to pound down directly into the eyes. That was the worst thing; it was raining so hard that it hurt my eyes. I was also horrified to notice that a large stretch of land along the trail has been clear cut. The whole hillside has been devistated! It's horrible. Oh well.

I am seriously happy to be warm and dry now.

[rebeccaC]

After a week of being gone, just relaxing and with some hikes/walks/runs for exercise I got back home yesterday and did a 78 mile ride into the santa monica mountains today. A few serious climbs and descents, including a fun fast final descent down the one way tuna canyon road to the pacific coast highway, 6800'+ elevation gains, weather in the 60’s for the whole ride with a slight headwind going out pch and more of a tailwind coming back all made for a good days ride. I’m doing an ACP 200k on Jan 10th so I’m in the process of preparing myself for that. The company I work for closes for Christmas through New Years, two full weeks this year, so I have next week to get some more rides in.

[lauraelmore1033]

After a week of being gone, just relaxing and with some hikes/walks/runs for exercise I got back home yesterday and did a 78 mile ride into the santa monica mountains today. A few serious climbs and descents, including a fun fast final descent down the one way tuna canyon road to the pacific coast highway, 6800'+ elevation gains, weather in the 60’s for the whole ride with a slight headwind going out pch and more of a tailwind coming back all made for a good days ride. I’m doing an ACP 200k on Jan 10th so I’m in the process of preparing myself for that. The company I work for closes for Christmas through New Years, two full weeks this year, so I have next week to get some more rides in.

That sounds like an amazing ride. It's so cold, wet and dark here, I'm starting to feel not quite human and it's hard to find the motivation to ride.

[rebeccaC]

It's so cold, wet and dark here, I'm starting to feel not quite human and it's hard to find the motivation to ride.

I know I'm lucky to be able to ride in year round good weather....your wet/no sun/cold months would be hard on my motivation too. It would also communicate to my brain the need to consume every kind of chocolate available in the house and just cuddle up with a good book!!!
I have a good college friend who commutes year round in D.C. I greatly admire her determination and confidence in the winter, I definitely would need to come up with strategies to trick my mind into dealing with it in a positive way.

[MarieV]

DH and I did the 14-mile loop to Golden Gardens and back on Christmas day. We had beautiful sunny weather although it was pretty chilly. I've managed to do a 100 km permanent every month since September, so I'm only only 8 months away from my P-12. I actually did 4 permanents in September and two this month, so I've ridden over 1050 km with RUSA this year. That's over 800 km since September 1st, and if I can manage to complete 100Ks in January and February, I'll be set since our weather starts getting nicer in March. If I get my P-12, I may actually start trying 200Ks this summer.

http://www.audunnandmarie.com/Cycling2014/GoldenGardensXmas2014.jpg
On the Golden Gardens Park boardwalk on Christmas Day

Rebecca, your latest ride sounds amazing! I'm so jealous of your warm and sunny weather in the winter.

Fortunately, we get a few days of sunshine every now and then during our dark, wet winters here in the PNW. I definitely got much luckier with weather than Laura riding on Christmas Day rather than a few days later. I still manage to use the dark days and rainy weather as an excuse to eat lots of chocolate.

[lauraelmore1033]

MarieV, Doesn't look like that chocolate eating has hurt you any. It seems like the few nice days come when I am not free to ride! Whaaa, whaaa, whaa...

[salsabike]

MarieV, nice picture! I love that beach.

We did our December 100k yesterday and Laura, we JUST missed the rain--it chased us from Fremont to Maple Valley and back, and opened up just as we finished, so we didn't mind! Yesterday was month 10 of our third tandem P12. The thing I like about doing a P12 is that it disciplines us to always make that 100k ride happen every month. Funny how a little structure helps to motivate us to get out and do it. "We ride for cheap RUSA trinkets." :)

And we saw this handsome fellow on the south end of Lake Washington:

http://home.comcast.net/~deenaheg/kingfisher.jpg

[Crankin]

I don't know, while I am enjoying the recent December riding, with temperatures in the high 40's/50's, there are plenty of other outdoor pursuits to do in the cold/snow. The key to winter is to be outside. I am bummed that there is no snow anywhere, locally, and it's even fading up north. No snow=no nordic skiing. There is one nordic center that still has very good conditions, and I am contemplating going up there (northern NH) on New Year's Day, for the weekend. The season here, for x country skiing is short, at least for me, because I start riding outside on a regular basis in March, while many wait until April. My guess, is that I lf I lived in a place where I could ride year round, I would get burned out. In fact, I know that would happen, as I have to be careful of that even now.
My club has either a ride or hike on Wednesday. The temperature is going to be 24 when the ride leaves. Going to *try* to challenge myself to do this, but I have my doubts!

[AppleTree]

Oh my, what a miserable ride! Forecast did call for rain, but it was sunny and dry at home. Went to the Centennial trail and there were signs that rain was imminent. I thought I'd just cruise on down the trail until it did actually rain, then I'd turn around. The rain held off until I reached the very end of the trail and then it started dumping down in buckets! The seat angle on the recumbent is just perfect for rain to pound down directly into the eyes. That was the worst thing; it was raining so hard that it hurt my eyes. I was also horrified to notice that a large stretch of land along the trail has been clear cut. The whole hillside has been devistated! It's horrible. Oh well.

I am seriously happy to be warm and dry now.

Oh, no! Where did they clear cut, was it north of the Arlington area? I'm so sad about that... :( I haven't been out there for a while now, between work and holidays... Your ride sounds like an endurance test all right, but you did it! It feels amazing after you get done and really makes you feel "hard core", ha ha.

[rebeccaC]

marie, from the times i've been in the pnw i know it can be beautiful!!!!...golden gardens looks like a great place to ride!!

well, it's not always ideal here......some of that pnw rain came south today on my ride up topanga canyon drive.....in the 50's, 56miles with a wet final descent. when i got back to santa monica i was wet enough so riding through puddles was carefree and fun.

any water from the sky is welcome with the drought we're going through

from the top of topanga canyon looking over the san fernando valley
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/16152800732_8c128acc8e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qBnjUm)

[shootingstar]

17504During the day we did 14 km. Then later on we went out last night for an additional 15 km. ride around a neighbourhood to see some Christmas lights. By a separated bike lane (newish) in a wealthy Vancouver neighbourhood (Point Grey) along the waterfront that faces rises north shore mountains.

[cosc]

Shootingstar love the joyous look on your face. May we all find something that puts a big smile on our face this new year.

[azfiddle]

I rode almost every day during my Christmas break - over 200 miles altogether in bits and pieces (15-32 miles). The weather turned from warmer than average to cooler than average so I definitely enjoyed some later start times (11 am, 1 pm- unthinkable here in summer!). Finished the year with over 5100 miles (almost 5200).

And now the odometer turns over once again.

[lauraelmore1033]

Oh, no! Where did they clear cut, was it north of the Arlington area? I'm so sad about that... :( I haven't been out there for a while now, between work and holidays... Your ride sounds like an endurance test all right, but you did it! It feels amazing after you get done and really makes you feel "hard core", ha ha.

It's actually south of Arlington. You know the kinda big (but not really) downhill where you go under two bridges? I think it was after the second bridge (or maybe just before it). Not only was the area clear cut, but there are some Mcmansions on top of the hill and it looks like there are new driveways apparently crossing the trail.

[khg]

December was almost all commuting for me. But after a Thanksgiving cold snap, my husband couldn't take it any more and redeemed a bunch of frequent flyer miles for a post-Christmas trip to Maui. While there we biked up Mt Haleakala (we got bikes and some ride support from Maui Cyclery). It was one of the most difficult, and most fabulous things I've done. We lucked out on the weather--it was warm, sunny, and almost windless, even at the summit. And with that ride, I went over 4,000 logged miles on the year--my best year yet!

A couple photos:

Looking out towards West Maui
https://mebikedolomitesoneday.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/p1010664.jpg

At the summit with the Big Island in the background
https://mebikedolomitesoneday.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/wp_20141229_013.jpg

The obligatory elevation shot
https://mebikedolomitesoneday.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/wp_20141229_002.jpg

The moonscape of the Haleakala crater (well, technically, it's an erosion valley...)
https://mebikedolomitesoneday.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/wp_20141231_001.jpg

my blog (address in sig) has a way-too-long write up, with a few more photos.

And now, we're back home, hunkered down for warmth in another cold snap. Oh well--it was fun while it lasted!

Here's to another year of fabulous riding to everyone--it's so inspiring to see what people are doing!

[salsabike]

Great photographs, khg! Looks wonderful. And actually, your blog write-up of it is REALLY interesting.

[rebeccaC]

khg...great photos and congrats on doing it!!!!!!!.....and you look great in those photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I remember having to use just about every psychological strategy I had at the time to make that climb :)....it's a special climb/descent in so many ways. looking forward to reading your blog tonight.

[khg]

Thanks, salsabike and rebeccaC :) After a couple months of Seattle winter damp, it was so nice to ride in the warmth (even if it was cold at the summit, and the first 1/2 of the descent). Though I have to chime in on the PNW winter discussion above, and say that what I LOVE about the winter here is how it encourages you to curl up under a blanket with chocolate and a book ;) My cats love that too!

But I will be bundling up for my commute to work tomorrow. Sigh.

I was super-nervous leading up to the ride (hard to get breakfast down, the whole works) so it was almost a relief to start the climb--and as hard as it was, I never felt awful. A few times I started to feel discouraged about how long I had been climbing and how much further I still had to go, but then I would make myself look around a bit, take in the view, and try to tell myself that the longer it took, the better, since it was so beautiful out. That sometimes worked... But the gorgeous setting of the climb definitely made it psychologically easier. Physically... Well, this was one of the few rides I actually had sore muscles from the next day. Fatigued muscles, sure--but bike rides hardly ever leave my muscles actually hurting. It was hard. The elevation--especially for someone living at sea level--is just overwhelming. You can't fight it, you just have to slow down and accept that you can't breathe, and can't put effort into the pedals. Getting back to sea level felt so good!

[salsabike]

Yeah, it's the length of the ascent coupled with the altitude you reached that is amazing--really, a huge ride.

By the way, khg, I think we may have met! My husband read your blog report on this ride (I TOLD you it was really interesting!) and said, "Hey! That's Ian B.! Don't you remember--he sat next to us at the 2011 post-PBP dinner and was telling lots of funny stories!" And I did remember. Weren't you also there?

[khg]

By the way, khg, I think we may have met! My husband read your blog report on this ride (I TOLD you it was really interesting!) and said, "Hey! That's Ian B.! Don't you remember--he sat next to us at the 2011 post-PBP dinner and was telling lots of funny stories!" And I did remember. Weren't you also there?

Ha! Small world! I was indeed there, so we've definitely met--though I'll admit my memory of that dinner is hazy (and I have a *horrible* memory for faces...) But I do remember having a good time, so I know it was lovely to meet you :) Will you guys be back? My husband's on the fence about it. He works long hours in a stressful job, so while he really enjoyed PBP, the training leading up to it burned him out--he did a lot of rides because he had to, not because he wanted to (and that was a cold and rainy spring/summer to be out on a bike when you didn't want to be...). Meanwhile, I work Saturdays, so I have a convenient excuse not to get too heavily in randonneuring :rolleyes:

[salsabike]

Very tactfully and kindly said! :)

Ooh, I should make it perfectly clear that my husband Chris rode PBP, not me. I am the veriest weenie of randos. We've done one 200k tandem ride, and we're almost done with our third P-12. 100k rides are fine with me! I do not have the 1200k fire in my belly. Also, I like doing other stuff like swimming, too.

Yes, Chris will be doing PBP again and I will certainly go along for the Paris of it. :) He's done one or two 1200s each year since PBP, and likes them, and LOVED his first PBP.

Do I remember right that Ian is an attorney? Anyway, he did great in 2011, and not everyone wants to keep that stuff going. It does kind of eat up your training time. And it sounds like you guys are having a wonderful time with the riding you're doing.

[khg]

That's great that you'll be back in Paris! I also did Paris while Ian did Paris-Brest-Paris :) Even if he returns for PBP, I don't think my work schedule is going to let me go this time, which I'm bummed about. You remember right that Ian is an attorney--just in case he decides to do PBP again, he went ahead and scheduled the potential trial date for one of his cases around the PBP schedule...

I'm with you on 1200k... I've done some brevets/permanents--up to 300K is great. But I also like sleeping--and sleeping in my own bed, not in a ditch!

I keep contemplating a tandem--I'd love to hear a bit about your experience getting and riding one. If you don't mind, could I maybe send you a PM later so that I don't do too much of a thread hijack?

[salsabike]

That's great that you'll be back in Paris! I also did Paris while Ian did Paris-Brest-Paris :) Even if he returns for PBP, I don't think my work schedule is going to let me go this time, which I'm bummed about. You remember right that Ian is an attorney--just in case he decides to do PBP again, he went ahead and scheduled the potential trial date for one of his cases around the PBP schedule...

I'm with you on 1200k... I've done some brevets/permanents--up to 300K is great. But I also like sleeping--and sleeping in my own bed, not in a ditch!

I keep contemplating a tandem--I'd love to hear a bit about your experience getting and riding one. If you don't mind, could I maybe send you a PM later so that I don't do too much of a thread hijack?

Yes! Please do. We've put in almost 9,000 tandem miles in the last nine years, so obviously we really like it. :) Message away and I'll tell you the whole story about how we started and how it works.