View Full Version : January rides? Anyone?
ny biker
01-08-2015, 12:34 PM
We're one week into the new year! I haven't had a chance to ride my bike yet, not even on the indoor trainer. The weather here has been too wintery for me, and I've been busy unpacking from my holiday trip and trying to address some of the many things around the house that I've been ignoring.
What about everyone else? Any good bike rides yet this month?
Crankin
01-08-2015, 01:46 PM
Well, my new bike is on the trainer. I was going to ride it this afternoon (like now), but I'm kind of tired, so I think some restorative yoga is in order.
Veronica
01-08-2015, 01:50 PM
I've done a couple of rides on the trainer.
Veronica
Helene2013
01-08-2015, 02:12 PM
Twice on trainer only. Too tired to even think about moving my butt once work is over.
Too cold now for outdoor. It was -39c with windchill today. brrrrr
ny biker
01-08-2015, 02:20 PM
Twice on trainer only. Too tired to even think about moving my butt once work is over.
Too cold now for outdoor. It was -39c with windchill today. brrrrr
Yes this arctic air is no fun, and I think our windchill is not even as bad as yours.
I find I'm most likely to ride the bike on trainer after work if everything is set up and ready to go before I leave for work. I haven't been able to do that yet (my living room has been full of other stuff, like the extra suitcase that needs to go back to the storage unit and the bags of old clothes I had to take to Goodwill). Last year I also found it helpful to change the programming for my thermostat so that it stays at the colder daytime temp on days I want to ride the bike instead of warming up to the usual evening temp. The colder room makes the workout more comfortable, and since it's not toasty and cozy I'm less likely to sit down on the couch and decide to stay there for the rest of the evening.
I rode on Tuesday--a very non-exciting 10-mile (round trip) commute. Does that count as a January ride? ;)
We're having ok weather here, and if it holds, on my way home from work on Saturday I might go home via a circumnavigation of Bainbridge or Mercer Island. But it's the time of year when I'm much more interested in time under a blanket with a book, cat, and chocolate than I am time in the saddle...
Veronica
01-08-2015, 02:40 PM
Our weather has been pretty decent this week. The week I went back to work. Winter break we had some nasty winds.
Every day I think I'll ride after work, but I'm so tired when I get home. And I don't even put in an 8 hour day at work! I find it a lot easier to get in my workouts in the morning - hence the trainer rides.
\Veronica
lauraelmore1033
01-08-2015, 03:09 PM
I've put in a little under 60 miles doing trail rides. Nothing too interesting.
AppleTree
01-08-2015, 04:43 PM
I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can get out for a short ride tomorrow. It's been over a month since I've been on my bike, with the holidays and weather, etc.
rocknrollgirl
01-09-2015, 02:30 AM
We got out this week, mt biking not on the road. I think it was 21 degrees when we left the house with probably 25 mph winds. We have a short stretch on the road before we hit out local trails. Once we got into the woods it was fine. We have all the heavy winter gear, so we are well dressed for it.
Heading out again tomorrow a bit further north from home. I think the high for the day is forecast to be 22!!! I just check the expiration dates on all of the toe warmers!
AppleTree
01-09-2015, 03:14 PM
We got out this week, mt biking not on the road. I think it was 21 degrees when we left the house with probably 25 mph winds. We have a short stretch on the road before we hit out local trails. Once we got into the woods it was fine. We have all the heavy winter gear, so we are well dressed for it.
Heading out again tomorrow a bit further north from home. I think the high for the day is forecast to be 22!!! I just check the expiration dates on all of the toe warmers!
That is seriously hard core rocknrollgirl... wowzers! :eek:
I finally did get to go out this morning, just errands, it was in the mid-40s, but with the sunshine it felt warmer and felt nice to be out in it... stopped by the book store, the health food store for vitamins and then the grocery store for salad ingredients. Okay, I did buy some chocolate too. :p Theo 70% dark chocolate with cherries and almonds... practically health food, right? Don't even know what my mileage was and don't care, probably less than 10 miles all together.
rocknrollgirl
01-10-2015, 03:04 AM
That is seriously hard core rocknrollgirl... wowzers! :eek:
I finally did get to go out this morning, just errands, it was in the mid-40s, but with the sunshine it felt warmer and felt nice to be out in it... stopped by the book store, the health food store for vitamins and then the grocery store for salad ingredients. Okay, I did buy some chocolate too. :p Theo 70% dark chocolate with cherries and almonds... practically health food, right? Don't even know what my mileage was and don't care, probably less than 10 miles all together.
We have all the gear, so it is not quite as bad as it looks on paper. Right now it is 15 degrees. It will not break 20 on our mt bike ride today, so hand warmer, toe warmers, full winter gear, camel back under the jersey etc. Aquaphor on exposed face areas.
I usually ask myself, "would I ski in these temps?" and if the answer is yes, then off we go. Heck I have backpacked in temps WAY colder and slept out in the woods. I am contemplating wearing my ski goggles today. May look wacky but my face will be protected.
I will let you all know how we make out. Maybe I will throw my camera in so you can see the final outcome of the gearing up!!!
Ok, back from the ride. It was 13 when we left the house, 15 when we started and 18 when we finished! It was such a pretty day. We got about 2 hours of ride time in.17512
Big tall guy on my right is my husband and the guy on my left is one of are riding buddies.
BlessedB
01-10-2015, 04:48 PM
I snuck out of work early on Wednesday and put in 40 miles on paved trails. It really makes me appreciate our Florida weather!
Rode 20 this afternoon, it was in the low 60's to 50's - definitely need to get some warmer clothes. Now back home sitting in front of the fire.
MarieV
01-11-2015, 11:29 AM
I did my first 100K for 2015 with DH on Jan. 3rd. We mostly rode on the Burke-Gilman and Sammamish River Trails, which were both surprisingly crowded even though it was in the 40s. We saw at least half a dozen other Seattle Randos, including Jan Heine who sped by us in a flash of blue on the BG. It was overcast but not rainy, and the sun came out for part of the ride, which made it feel warmer. We were scheduled to do the Maltby-Granite Falls 100K yesterday, but 40-degree weather and 50-70% chance of rain was way too cold and rainy for me, so DH went without me.
salsabike
01-11-2015, 11:50 AM
We did our January tandem 100k yesterday--a 70-miler, actually. Lake Forest Park-Capitol Hill-Renton-Kennydale-East Lake Samm-BG back to LFP. What I like to call "one of the longer 100ks". :) I think this is the third time we've done this one, and we really like it, but boy! We always JUST make the first two control times, because so much of the first half of the ride is uphill. Yep, it was grey and misty and pretty cool. We didn't get rained on very much--our shoes under the booties stayed dry--but we definitely got condensed on. Lots of bikes out yesterday.
I snuck out of work early on Wednesday and put in 40 miles on paved trails. It really makes me appreciate our Florida weather!
Rode 20 this afternoon, it was in the low 60's to 50's - definitely need to get some warmer clothes. Now back home sitting in front of the fire.
Just got back from three weeks at our new place in New Smyrna Beach. The first day we were there we popped over to Lake Mary and bought Townies, I pedaled that thing everywhere, FL weather rocks!!
salsabike
01-11-2015, 12:07 PM
Pax, that is great!
azfiddle
01-11-2015, 01:33 PM
It's a good time of year to be in Arizona. I was on Christmas break from teaching through Jan 4, and got in about 125 miles. This week, I got in one after work ride (15 miles), 44 yesterday and 39 today. The weather this weekend was great for cycling- mid-40's to start and to mid-60's to near 70 later, and mostly sunny and dry, so it feels warmer. Jan 2 was really cold for us but I braved it when I rode in to work - temps in the 30's on the way in, and about 42 on the way home. Toes were cold but I managed everything else okay.
Pax, that is great!
It was like being a little kid again and getting a new bike for Christmas!
rebeccaC
01-12-2015, 02:50 PM
It was like being a little kid again and getting a new bike for Christmas! :)
Well I guess it’s too easy for me to change my mind. I’d been planning on doing an organized 200k this past weekend but when Sky King posted about her ride in that texas desert area I felt the need to ride in the Mojave desert again…..this is also a good time of the year to do it. So, we did our own 200k ride (+ a couple) leaving from and coming back to furnace creek in death valley national park on saturday. A long days ride, thankfully with little wind and traffic, but beautiful scenery in the quiet and peace of a desert, very good massages when we got back to the furnace creek inn and a sky with an incredible amount of bright stars in it that night. The next day we just rode up to dante’s view, with its up to 15% grade the last 3 miles, to watch the sunrise over the valley and on the way back to the furnace creek inn we rode artists drive and into the badwater basin with its salt flats. It was cloudy with an on/off very light rain on Sunday morning which didn’t bother me as the views were so incredible……and lots of rain on the drive home later Sunday. Temp’s in the high 40’s both mornings and high 50’s to low 60’s each afternoon. My first time in death valley and I’m definitely going back as there are so many great area’s in the national park that I want to come back to explore more.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/15630783913_3515f418cf_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pPeRun)
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7571/16250713165_aace89e637_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qL29RK)
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7540/16235176896_9b3475c85b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qJDwt3)
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7520/16265798392_3bd3d128ed_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qMmtaS)
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8644/16080296717_b07f85d64e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/quXHZ8)
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8653/16080511399_33ccce3f5c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/quYPNx)
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7547/15646868454_6a20f2d944_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pQEhS3)
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8643/16080304067_ea8fc19604_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/quXLaR)
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/16079096948_a5512fac7b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/quRzks)
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/15630744023_fec750c85b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pPeDCB)
salsabike
01-12-2015, 04:01 PM
Fascinating and beautiful photos, rebecca!
AppleTree
01-12-2015, 06:27 PM
Just breath-taking pictures, truly! We were in Death Valley a few years ago. It was late May...and already 110 degrees... at 7:00 pm. We did do a short ride just to say we did it, but it was not a good idea at all, ha ha. But I didn't expect to find it as beautiful as it was...not really a desert person, but it WAS tremendously beautiful. I would love to go back in more temperate weather to ride. How lucky you are rebecca! And not a car in sight!
MarieV
01-12-2015, 10:09 PM
As always, beautiful photos, Rebecca! The red rock formations remind me of Bryce Canyon and Canyon de Chelly.
Holy cow, Rebecca, gorgeous pictures!!
Helene2013
01-13-2015, 05:02 AM
Oh man I miss traveling West. Beautiful. So many good memories there. Every turn we'd take we'd be saying "wow" "OMG", etc... we sort of lost our vocabulary. haha
We have a month again this summer and wanted to travel (motorhome) since gas is so cheap (and should stay by summer). But our exchange rate is nearing 25%. So I may decide to travel in Canada instead but certainly will miss all of that. Not the same on Canadian side.
Was trying to find out cycling paths for Manitoba and nothing was looking good. Prove me wrong ladies!!! hihi
Veronica
01-13-2015, 05:37 AM
We haven't been to Death Valley since Oct. 2003. We always went in the fall. We keep meaning to go back in the spring, but there are SO many places to go to and only so much vacation time!
How was the Inn? Lodging in National Parks always seems a little overpriced to us for the type of room you get.
http://tandemhearts.smugmug.com/Other/Favorites/i-5rWV7nj/1/L/dunes-with-phtographer-L.jpg
http://tandemhearts.smugmug.com/Other/Favorites/i-2XmXbMc/1/M/zb-1-M.jpg
http://tandemhearts.smugmug.com/Other/Favorites/i-wJgcPLJ/1/M/bones-M.jpg
Death Valley in the fall - a little warmer, but still comfortable. :)
Veronica
Sky King
01-13-2015, 06:30 AM
Love the photos! We came back to a horrible January inversion and I haven't seen the sun for almost two weeks.
Traffic looks good :) When we were there in 2013 we realized the week between Christmas and New Years was not prime for biking
Nice to see you could ride to Artist Drive, etc. If I close my eyes I can "hear" the desert. Thanks for posting
Crankin
01-13-2015, 12:06 PM
Funny, I haven't thought about Canyon de Chelly in years. Never in terms of beauty, but back in the day, we'd always say that's where we'd end up if we couldn't get a teaching job in the city!
Not to mention, it's always the spot where the weatherman states the lowest temperature in the state!
rebeccaC
01-13-2015, 05:22 PM
Thanks for the nice comments!!
Marie, the valleys red rock canyon has some amazing geologic visuals very much like Bryce!
And this + a trillion
it WAS tremendously beautiful.
Veronica, finding the Inn with a massage for after Saturdays ride is what tipped me quickly into doing it. The Inn is an older building. What I saw of it was being nicely preserved. I’d think the expensive part is because of the location. The location is also great for short or long rides into some incredible landscapes.
Nice to see you could ride to Artist Drive, etc. If I close my eyes I can "hear" the desert. Thanks for posting Artist Drive was another world especially on a bike ….and thank you
Veronica
01-13-2015, 05:38 PM
We've stayed at Stove Pipe Wells and at the Ranch on previous visits to Death Valley. I like the cabins at the Ranch. They're tiny and only have a shower, but they are REALLY quiet since you only have neighbors on one side. The Inn's prices are in line with the cost to stay at most of the nicer hotels at National Parks, but those nicer hotels don't seem to have much sound proofing between rooms! :D Of course, I don't think either of those places offer massage.
You have to go back. There's so much good hiking there.
Veronica
azfiddle
01-13-2015, 08:59 PM
Rebecca- stunning, absolutely stunning photos. I've never been there to bike, but in my serious birding years in California in my 20's- did some intense weekends in the area searching for rare migrant birds lost in the desert. Went to sleep at 10 pm on the golf course in Furnace Creek at 10 pm and it was still over 100 degrees!
rocknrollgirl
01-17-2015, 05:22 PM
No nice photos to share, just a ride update to add to the thread. We got in a couple hours mt biking this morning. Conditions were perfect. It was about 15 degrees when we started and warmed up to 25 when we were done. I have been cleared for 3 weeks to ride after my surgery and I feel like I got my mojo back. The first week I was pretty tentative, but today I was able to ride some pretty techy stuff without issue, conquered a few new big log overs and a very sketchy bridge. So I was very pleased to feel back in the saddle. I just have to regain my top end anaerobic umph and I will be all sorted out.
lauraelmore1033
01-18-2015, 10:24 AM
Top end anaerobic umph! I coulda used some of that yesterday when dh and I did the Stinky Spoke ride in Woodinville! I've done this ride a couple of times (before the Hysto and back problems)and squeeked by with some half-@$$ed training on parts of the course. Recently, they've reversed the course so it starts out with a climb up a hill with a 20% grade (guess who was walkin'that...) and just generally it seemed harder to me. Of course, I'm heavier this time, and older, and was trying to do it on a cyclocross bike. Saw lots of fatbikes, seemingly floating up those hills and tearing down the descents without a care in the world. I made it through, though. Thirteen miles of climbey gravel pipeline trail and well groomed woodsy bits and 5 miles along the Sammamish River trail where I passed with pleasure, a large number of the properly equipped mountain bikers who had passed me earlier. If I do this ride again next year, I would have to do it on a proper mountain bike--but that would mean buying yet ANOTHER bike! Not sure I can do that...
salsabike
01-18-2015, 10:30 AM
Laura, did 32 miles on/around the Samm River Trail yesterday and saw you all Stinky Spoke riders! Bet I saw YOU. One of these days we'll have to meet. :)
lauraelmore1033
01-18-2015, 10:42 AM
Laura, did 32 miles on/around the Samm River Trail yesterday and saw you all Stinky Spoke riders! Bet I saw YOU. One of these days we'll have to meet. :)
I bet you did. I finished with 15 minutes to spare, so I was out there around noon. Yes, we should meet.
rebeccaC
01-18-2015, 10:48 AM
laura, sounds like a good/fun 18 mile ride......and wondering how someone gets stinky spokes??????:eek: :)
thanks azfiddle!!
just a relaxing at home weekend for me....did a ride to the farmers market this morning and will do a later ride today to a friends for dinner. weather is finally back into the 70's
lauraelmore1033
01-18-2015, 10:57 AM
laura, sounds like a good/fun 18 mile ride......and wondering how someone gets stinky spokes??????:eek: :)
thanks azfiddle!!
I think the stinky part of the name comes from the anticipated stinky weather. It is held on what is supposed to be, statistically, the day with the worst weather of the year. (typically, it isn't, though...) There is another organized ride, called Red Spoke, and I think Stinky Spoke alludes to that ( mainly because they start in the same area).
rebeccaC
01-18-2015, 11:30 AM
It is held on what is supposed to be, statistically, the day with the worst weather of the year..
you people in the pnw are crazzzzzy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....but truly adventurers :)
lauraelmore1033
01-18-2015, 12:14 PM
you people in the pnw are crazzzzzy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....but truly adventurers :)
Well, it was only about 45 degrees and drizzly. So, really not soooo adventurous. (it did start dumping shortly after the ride was over, and the wind kicked up, and I probably wouldn't have ridden in those conditions)
AppleTree
01-19-2015, 02:54 PM
Well, it was only about 45 degrees and drizzly. So, really not soooo adventurous. (it did start dumping shortly after the ride was over, and the wind kicked up, and I probably wouldn't have ridden in those conditions)
Ha ha, it's all relative isn't it?? During the middle of winter 45 degrees sounds like a balmy day up in these parts! Glad the heavy weather waited till you were done, but it sounds like a fun ride in some more remote areas than our regular biking trails. Bet it was beautiful!
I got to ride TWICE last week, woo hoo, both short rides, nursing a rather sore knee right now, just a bit of tendonitis. Both sunny days and in the mid-40s. I'm doing PT in Kenmore on Wednesday, so hope the weather is good that day to ride afterwards on the Burke. We signed up for STP this year, so want to start getting in good shape for that.
lauraelmore1033
01-19-2015, 03:05 PM
oooh, take care of that knee! We're doing stp again this year too (and the training series).
salsabike
01-19-2015, 04:49 PM
Hey, AppleTree, keep an eye out for me on Wednesday. I ride a green and copper colored Seven out of Logboom and I plan to ride midday, so give a wave if you see me! Guessing you're seeing Erik Moen?
Laura, what # STP will this year be for you??
lauraelmore1033
01-19-2015, 05:37 PM
I've lost count. #8?
AppleTree
01-19-2015, 06:59 PM
Hey, AppleTree, keep an eye out for me on Wednesday. I ride a green and copper colored Seven out of Logboom and I plan to ride midday, so give a wave if you see me! Guessing you're seeing Erik Moen?
Laura, what # STP will this year be for you??
I will do that salsabike! Yes, Moen's office, actually one of the other associates there, they are SO wonderful. I'll be on my "winter" bike, the Jamis with fenders and my usual trunk bag on the back... ha ha. I am like a turtle, I like to carry my home on my back. :roll eyes: My appointment is at 9:00 that day, so will be on the trail a little after 10...probably heading toward Redmond this time.
Laura, 8 STP's is really extraordinary...:):)
azfiddle
01-19-2015, 08:37 PM
Finished a 200k brevet yesterday... my third.
AppleTree
01-23-2015, 04:42 PM
Chilly ride on Wednesday... 24 miles but so nice and SUNSHINY out that day. But I kept my balaclava on for almost the whole ride. Lots of other cyclists out that day too, and joggers. As cold as it was, I was surprised to see a jogger running barefoot on the trail...:eek: I didn't see you Salsa, but then again, I'm about as good at spotting bike models as I am cars...which is to say I suck at it, ha ha. Hope you had as good a ride as I did that day. :)
salsabike
01-24-2015, 01:38 AM
I was home sick, much to my own surprise! Blech. Hoping that this week will be better for rides. I have such mixed feelings about our weather--good for riding, bad for summer drought. Did you go towards the UW or towards Marymoor?
AppleTree
01-24-2015, 11:41 AM
I was home sick, much to my own surprise! Blech. Hoping that this week will be better for rides. I have such mixed feelings about our weather--good for riding, bad for summer drought. Did you go towards the UW or towards Marymoor?
Went towards Redmond, actually turned around after stopping at Element Cycles looking for a Seahawks bike jersey... :p I think we are in for a nice few days, hooray for sunshine! Seems like we have had enough rain to stave off a drought, but maybe the snowpack won't be so great?
Hope you are feeling better Salsa. I'll be doing the same thing next Wednesday, IF the weather stays good!
smittykitty
01-25-2015, 09:21 PM
I rode today, just 12 miles. I haven't been on my bike since Oct. We've been busy all weekend with a bathroom update and I was tired and behind on chores, no food in the house, but it was sunny and a warm 52* So off we went. It felt great. Always feels so good getting back on the bike after a long break. Darn sun was in my eyes, oh well!
ny biker
01-26-2015, 10:15 AM
I've managed to ride outside twice this month. First on January 19 (MLK Day) I went for a 31-mile trail ride with a friend. It was cold and windy at the start and I really did not feel like being outside, but once we got going I warmed up and was glad we went. I followed some advice that I read here on TE a few years ago, I think maybe from Tulip -- I have an old wool sweater with a small hole in it, and instead of throwing it away I wore it as a bike jersey under a windproof jacket. It was warm and toasty! My legs were exhausted by the end of the ride and hurt a lot during our post-ride lunch. I'd only been off the bike for less than a month but it felt like longer.
Yesterday (Sunday) I had to work but I managed to get in a hour-long ride around my neighborhood before it got dark. There was brine on the roads to pre-treat for an approaching storm. It stuck to my tires and made a sound kind of like when you pull off a piece of tape as I rode. It also smelled bad and caused some mild post-ride irritation -- sore throat, asthma symptoms, head congestion -- similar to when they put lots of salt on the road during a snow storm. Other than the brine, it was a nice little ride. It was cloudy but with temps in the high 40s. I tested out a jacket that I had bought last year but had only worn once for a bike ride. Last time I wore it I was kinda cold, so yesterday I added one more layer underneath and it was very comfortable.
After I got home I cleaned off my tires, since I was worried that the briny stuff would make things stick to the tires and make flats more likely. That was a messy job.
ridebikeme
01-26-2015, 06:58 PM
I was out today ahead of the big storm that is predicted here in the northeast. Other than being outside today, it was very exciting to be back on the bike... I've been injured for quite some time now and am just getting back on the bike... and the first time on a bike outside YIPEE!
Great to read about all of your rides posted here, keep going ladies!!
salsabike
01-26-2015, 07:15 PM
I was out today ahead of the big storm that is predicted here in the northeast. Other than being outside today, it was very exciting to be back on the bike... I've been injured for quite some time now and am just getting back on the bike... and the first time on a bike outside YIPEE!
Great to read about all of your rides posted here, keep going ladies!!
That's COOL! Good for you! :)
Sky King
01-27-2015, 06:00 AM
We got our first desert ride of the year in on Sunday. 17 people showed up at the kick off point. I was a bit stressed as some of them wanted to be back in town by late afternoon and I have ridden this area before & knew that would make for a very fast ride. On the drive out I practiced the mantra of not needing to be responsible for other people and reminding myself all were capable, adult riders and as it was an out and back we could all go our own pace. The ride is 30 tough miles on a jeep track, gradual climb out to a canyon overlook. Beautiful desert scenery. Except for Sunday, we got there in a bank of heavy fog. The aggressive riders took off at a good clip, at mile two we hit a significant muddy patch, (note to self - no need to follow the pack) Everyone's bikes, sans one who stopped and picked his bike up, were totally covered in mud. We stopped, grabbed some sticks and started scraping. One guys rear derailleur snapped in half - he is a skilled mechanic and he quickly turned his bike into a single speed.
I knew that once we climb the next hill we'd be out of the mud but much to my surprise everyone on the "extreme team" opted to turn back as did a few of the first time in the desert riders. Suddenly 17 became 7. We climbed the hill and viola no more mud the rest of the ride. Ryan rode the entire way with one gear. The rest of us noodled along at a nice steady pace, the sun burned off the fog at mile 7 and it was an amazing day.
One of the women who turned around is deep into racing and she had her carbon fiber full suspension mt bike and she was freaked out that she'd gotten it dirty and was afraid it would break, that surprised me as why spend all that money on a bike if you are afraid to get it dirty - but then that's me ;) Do I feel a bit self righteous, well I suppose I do. Looking forward to the next ride and am confident I won't be stressing out about not being "good enough"
azfiddle
01-27-2015, 06:13 PM
Saturday was slated to be really windy- just couldn't psych myself up for 30 mph gusts so I stayed home until 3:30- just went out for 16 miles.
Sunday I rode 67.5- rode to the start (not too cold, mid-40's) but it stayed overcast and the first 10 miles were along the bike path along the Rillito "river" (usually a big dry wash, as it was that day) and the cold air drainage from the foothills dropped the temperature - possibly into the 30's. My hands were freezing. Finally it warmed up- but it wasn't quite what I prepared for.
Guess the 200k did me some good- 2000 feet+ of climbing didn't stress me at all. The group wasn't really pushing hard though, so that helped. Stopped for breakfast at a golf course restaurant but I didn't really much as we had 20 miles to go and my stomach doesn't do well with greasy or heavy protein meals mid-ride.
It turned out to be a nice day in the end.
AppleTree
01-28-2015, 03:42 PM
A little warmer than last week's ride on the trail, another balmy northwest day, but seemed to be far fewer people this week for some reason. 25 miles, still trying to go easy (on my knee) and it was great except for the worms... I have never seen my bike so worm encrusted before. It is absolutely disgusting... and I JUST washed it and lubed the chain the day before. I have full coverage fenders on this bike, but still got worm guts thrown up on my water bottle and the underside of the down tube...the inside of the fenders are...just YUCK! :( Unlike skyking's friend, I'm not afraid to get my bike dirty... mud is one thing, but worm guts are quite another. :p
salsabike
01-28-2015, 09:12 PM
Oog, is THAT what I was picking off my rear fender this afternoon? I thought it was some incredibly disgusting bug. I rode the same area you did, 32 miles altogether, but from about noon to 3 pm, so probably later than you. It sure was a nice day! Even as I worry about a summer drought, it was dang nice out there today.
Funny, SkyKing--I too think you shouldn't be afraid to ride your bike. They're tools, meant to be used. It's why I ride my Seven through the winter--if it can't take a little rain, what good is it? :)
Azfiddle--I can't eat big meals during rides either. They make me want to take a nap.
I went out for a short ride in the snow yesterday on some side streets to test out the studded tires I recently made (you put screws through the knobs on mountain bike tires from the inside, then line the tire with an old tube so the screw heads don't puncture your tube). They worked pretty well, though I did still have some sliding because there were a couple inches of snow so the tires got packed with it at times. I was surprised how much harder it is to ride in that stuff...I ended up picking a low gear and staying in it for most of the ride. However, it was fun!
Sky King
02-01-2015, 07:55 AM
crazy lady :) also drop the air pressure in your tires, if you didn't already, when riding on snow. However the best for snow are the 4 " and widers, even my ECR with the 3+ struggles in anything deeper than 2 inches.
I went out for a short ride in the snow yesterday on some side streets to test out the studded tires I recently made (you put screws through the knobs on mountain bike tires from the inside, then line the tire with an old tube so the screw heads don't puncture your tube). They worked pretty well, though I did still have some sliding because there were a couple inches of snow so the tires got packed with it at times. I was surprised how much harder it is to ride in that stuff...I ended up picking a low gear and staying in it for most of the ride. However, it was fun!
crazy lady :) also drop the air pressure in your tires, if you didn't already, when riding on snow. However the best for snow are the 4 " and widers, even my ECR with the 3+ struggles in anything deeper than 2 inches.
I did drop the pressure a little...put in 40 psi (the minimum for these 1.95" tires) in the house figuring the cold temps would drop it further once outside and cooled down. As for the fat tires, I am taking a trip to Vermont for a conference later this week and am hoping to be able to rent a fat bike one afternoon...there is a shop not far from where I am staying that I think rents them. Curious to try one.
BlessedB
02-01-2015, 07:53 PM
64 miles yesterday down here in Fla. 42 degrees when we started, which for us is extreme, lol, but low 70's by the end. Ride with a couple of wonderful ladies on the Suncoast Trail, north of Tampa. Then 31 today with a different group. I feel so blessed.
rocknrollgirl
02-02-2015, 02:21 AM
We got out Saturday for a 2 hour mt bike ride. It was 14 degrees when we started and 15 degrees when we finished. I have all my winter layers dialed in which is nice. No more frozen toes for me.
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