June Riding

[Crankin]

I've actually ridden 2 days in a row. A miracle.
Yesterday I was the sweep for a 31 mile ride that another leader and I do on an intermittent basis throughout the summer. We've never had a lot of riders, so the other leader opened it up to another group that made me somewhat nervous. They are fast. But, they all behaved, the weather was perfect, but I was glad I was the sweep. However, toward the end, there were a couple who fell back after some serious climbing and I was happy to do my job behind them. I was tired at the end, but glad I forced myself to do this.
Today was our rescheduled AMC New Members ride, which is not just for new members. Usually, it's at the beginning of May, but we were rained out. Tuesday, our friend who leads the slower group (we always split the group in 2, as some years we have 30-50 people of varying abilities) bailed, as he has a sprained MCL. I found someone else, but not someone to sweep that group. We only had about 12 riders, so we wanted to all stay together, but there were 2 riders who could not do a compromised pace. After a climb, they told our replacement leader who was sweeping, they would go off on their own, which was fine, as one is a leader, too. This woman is a real pain, so I am glad I was not dealing with her. Once they dropped off, there was only a small gap in the group. I got to stay in the middle, so my speed was up there. It was so nice to have a congenial group, no incidents, and perfect temperatures. About 5 miles from the end, it started spritzing out. We had several bailing out points, but we took a wait and see attitude, and did the entire 20 mile ride. It started raining harder as we were leaving the parking lot, but it was finished when we got home.
All in all, a good day. It is supposed to rain starting tomorrow late afternoon and continue for several days.

[Catrin]

Sounds like a very nice day - congratulations on being able to actually ride 2 days in a row! The weather this year has just been wild everywhere!

[azfiddle]

Hi - been AWOL but riding pretty much every day. I finished the school year with a "PCW"- perfect commute week and over 75 days riding to work. I'm doing the 100 commute day challenge on bike journal this year.

I think I posted we went to the Chiracahuas last weekend for a mini-bike tour. Just to practice, really, because we only rode 2 miles to the campsite! But we packed in all our gear. I had to replace my panniers- the ones I bought used ripped on the seam. (I think I'll post separately to see if anyone has a suggestion on whether they can be repaired). We took the touring bikes on a rough dirt road in the Chiracahuas - looking for a rare bird. Although we negotiated it successfully, it was not really ideal. The "back side" of the hill (we went down 2.4 miles over the top of the pass) was really steep and it was hot- we couldn't get enough traction to ride in places. Then coming down was just really challenging because the road was either gravel or rock and it took a huge amount of concentration. We had to brake the entire way and my hands were hurting. I decided it needed mountain bikes, disc brakes and possibly a younger body to enjoy that ride! But we did it! We spent time hiking and looking for birds on Saturday and did the big mountain ride on Sunday. We didn't even see the rare bird (Slate-throated Redstart) when we got to the spot after all that work!)

Tues, Weds and Thurs mornings I did various flattish rides around Tucson to some birding sites.

Then Thursday night until today, my husband and I took a somewhat longer bike camping trip to Madera Canyon. The grade is not bad until about 3 miles from the campground. It was about 16 miles, 5 flat and and 8 3-4%. But the last bit is 7-9% or higher most of the way and I could not pedal the loaded touring bike on the steepest (10-12%) sections. So it took us about an hour to go the last three miles. Friday I rode to the end of the road- maybe 1.5 more miles but gets up to 13%! I saw one of the birds I was looking for last weekend (Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher), but mostly lots and lots of hummingbirds.

[emily_in_nc]

AZ, those sound like the kind of adventures DH and I had last year. We rode on some crazy steep and unpaved forest roads that left me saying "never again"! But nice that you got to see birds!

We broke down and bought a bike trainer (used to have two of them but gave them away when we moved to Belize in 2011). Now we can "ride" inside our motorhome, as the place we're staying now is not bike friendly at all, and I'm not ready for the road yet anyway. So today DH put my mountain bike on it, and I rode for 30 minutes, my first "ride" in the 6 weeks since my jaw- and thumb-breaking accident. Felt pretty good (for a trainer ride, anyway, not a big fan!) I didn't push it since it was my first ride but still worked up a light sweat, so that's a good thing.

[north woods gal]

Great ride reports! Thanks.

Nothing special, here. Just my usual every day stuff. Just for fun, yesterday, I rode my 5 different fat/plus bikes for an hour on our trails just to get a comparison in a back-to-back kind of way. (Yes, even with fat bikes, there are a lot of differences in the way they ride and handle.) Didn't really learn anything I didn't already know, but still fun and interesting and a good workout, to boot.

The Trek Stashe 29x3" rigid was the fastest and most nimble, but it has the purest XC (straight up) geometry. Definitely not as comfy over rough ground, though, as the fat bikes. Definitely felt the difference. Can still do the same log hops and rock pile climbs as the fat bikes, but not as much margin for error. Timing and approach are more critical for the stunt stuff. Super gravel and logging road bike, though.
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p606/Jneastra/P1080345.jpg (http://s1158.photobucket.com/user/Jneastra/media/P1080345.jpg.html)

My Norco Sasquatch fattie came very close in speed and handling and was much more comfy over the long haul. It's a fat bike that rides like a good trail bike. I could ride it as my only MTB and be perfectly happy.
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p606/Jneastra/P1080745.jpg (http://s1158.photobucket.com/user/Jneastra/media/P1080745.jpg.html)

Switched back to the original Schwalbe Sammy Slick 700x35 tires on my Salsa Warbird and ride comfort AND handling in sand improved, dramatically, over the 700x40 WTBs I was running. Funny how two tire models can look so similar in tread but perform so differently. Problems solved with just the change of tires. Time for a nice long run on this one. Does great on hard packed gravel.
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p606/Jneastra/P1080233.jpg (http://s1158.photobucket.com/user/Jneastra/media/P1080233.jpg.html)

[Crankin]

DH and I rode the bulk of our club's bike rally ride we are leading next Saturday. We developed the route, it's not new, but it has a climb we haven't done this year. We did about 23 of the 29 miles, from our house, although the ride starts about 4 miles away. We also did the end part differently, so as not to repeat riding we did yesterday. PMC riders are out in full force, training, which can be kind of annoying. You get groups, going fast, then they stop and clog up intersections because they are unfamiliar with the area. And, maybe it's just me, but it bugs me when these riders keep their little "badge" that they put on their bike when they actually do the PMC, all of the time. Like, "look at me." Yes, I am very sensitive to anything that seems like passive bragging...
ETA:
Emily I didn't see your post above earlier. Glad you got the trainer and had a successful first ride. Are you still in NC?

[ny biker]

Glad you're able to start pedaling again, Emily.

I rode 38 miles yesterday in northern Maryland, a great area for cycling. I joined an another bike club that sometimes rides in that area. Most of their rides are farther north and east, too far from where I live, but they do some that are close enough for me. I got to bed late (as usual) on Friday night, was not sure I wanted to get up early the next day, but decided it would be worth it. The route was really nice and the weather was just about perfect. The people I rode with were all very friendly and a few of us went for lunch after the ride.

I put the Sole insoles that I've been wearing in my sneakers into my bike shoes, and overall I think they were comfortable and offered better arch support than the Bontrager insoles I had been using. The route only had a few hills, but the first one made my right ankle start to hurt again. Just a little pain, but enough to get my attention. After that I started to push more with my left leg while pulling up with the right leg when going up hills, to take the pressure off my ankle. The only down side to the Sole insoles was that they were a bit thick and made my toes a bit cramped, so today I ordered a second pair, a thinner version of the ones for my sneakers, to use for cycling.

p.s. North Woods, is it a coincidence that all three bikes are similar colors?

[emily_in_nc]

Emily I didn't see your post above earlier. Glad you got the trainer and had a successful first ride. Are you still in NC?

Yes, and will be for some time since I have to get braces on my teeth so will have multiple orthodontist appointments once the process gets started (still working with the oral surgeon for now in elastics and arch bars). Also, my step-father has been diagnosed with Parkinson's so we've been helping my mom wherever we can. Will likely be helping her get their vacation home ready to put on the market this summer, as I don't think my step-father will be able to drive there going forward, and my 82-year old mother doesn't do that drive (narrow, curvy mountain roads).

It's a shame this particular area is so bad for cycling -- most roads are narrow with no shoulders and lots of traffic. No bike paths. There are some so-so roads we have ridden (on previous visits) around my mother's house, so we may take our bikes over and do that once I am ready to ride outside again, but the area around the campground we're staying at (about 20 minutes away from my mom's) is not good at all, unfortunately. There's a very steep, mountainous unpaved road to even get out to anything paved, and then those are very hilly with no shoulder and not bike friendly (loose dogs, traffic, etc.) Not an ideal place to get stuck for an extended period of time, but I'm trying to focus on healing and realizing that this too shall pass.

Here I am on the trainer yesterday -- glad we got it!

18300

[north woods gal]

Emily, I missed your post, too, on getting back in the saddle, so to speak. Good for you. I heartily agree to stay off the roads until you are ready and are in a more bike friendly area, at least. You'll know when the time is right.

Have always found it interesting how some areas can be so bike friendly and others not at all. I don't think it's always by design, though. Sometimes a matter of how the roads are laid out in an area and what kinds of roads. When it's all too the good, bicyclists seem to come and make it their own. In your travels, bet you've seen it all. Will be sure to check with you when in a new area. Get well.

[ny biker]

Looking good, Emily.

(What kind of floor is that in your motorhome?)

[emily_in_nc]

Looking good, Emily.

(What kind of floor is that in your motorhome?)

It's laminate planks, installed either by the previous owner or the dealer. Looked great when we bought the rig, but not as good now. I would not recommend it as the seams pull apart with the motion of driving and weather and the rollers of the slide out put little chips and dings in it, showing white below. I have done quite a bit of research, and what seems to do best with the motion of RVs is the "luxury vinyl planks" that look like wood. I guess they have more give than a hard laminate.

[Pax]

Glad you got in a ride, Emily, and I imagine the trainer was a bit smoother than a road.

That laminate was what was in my folks last Class C, same thing with the separation, mom was very unhappy about because the open grooves held too much dirt. If dad had lived he'd planned on pulling it up and installing vinyl.

[Crankin]

It's 48 degrees and raining.
Is it March?

[ny biker]

70s here with sun and a cool breeze. Cloudy, 60s tomorrow with possible rain. Of course the A/C is on full-blast at work which makes it even worse. I am still bringing the big orange tote bag of extra bike clothes to every ride -- even on the warm days I seem to need an extra layer at some point. We are expecting summer heat and humidity next week, however, so I think the big orange tote bag will finally go into the closet until the fall.

[Crankin]

Yes, it is going to be 90 here by Monday. The ride I am leading Friday may be a little iffy, with rain, but it's still kind of unsure; the storm might be south enough to only hit the Cape. Saturday will be nice, but the ride we lead doesn't start until 12:30, so hopefully we will be back before late pm thunderstorms. Our happy hour/dinner is under a tent at a local farm will happen even if it's storming. The happy hour starts at 3:30, but by the time we run home (4 miles) and shower, it's usually close to 4:30 when we return. I cannot sit in sweaty bike clothes for 3 hours after a ride.

[ny biker]

It's laminate planks, installed either by the previous owner or the dealer. Looked great when we bought the rig, but not as good now. I would not recommend it as the seams pull apart with the motion of driving and weather and the rollers of the slide out put little chips and dings in it, showing white below. I have done quite a bit of research, and what seems to do best with the motion of RVs is the "luxury vinyl planks" that look like wood. I guess they have more give than a hard laminate.

Interesting. I remember at one point we were both considering cork floors. Long story short, I am now looking at LVP for my condo. They have vinyl that looks like tile, also, if you prefer that look.

Sometimes in winter my excuse for being too lazy to set up the indoor trainer is that it takes up too much space in my living room. But I guess if you have room for one in an RV, I can't really use that excuse any more...

And to keep it cycling related,

[emily_in_nc]

Interesting. I remember at one point we were both considering cork floors. Long story short, I am now looking at LVP for my condo. They have vinyl that looks like tile, also, if you prefer that look.

Yes, I was and am still considering cork floors if we redo the floors in our motorhome. It came with these floors. But with my accident, all my extra dollars have been spent on medical/dental stuff, so floors are a year or two down the road, if ever! I still love cork but have gotten so many rec's for LVP in RVs that I would probably lean that way. If I were in a sticks-n-bricks home, cork for sure!


Sometimes in winter my excuse for being too lazy to set up the indoor trainer is that it takes up too much space in my living room. But I guess if you have room for one in an RV, I can't really use that excuse any more...

Oh, we don't have room to keep it set up. It opens and closes, and we just put it in the middle of the floor when in use. When not, it stays folded up and stuck against a wall. Otherwise we would have no place to walk! :D

[ny biker]

Oh, we don't have room to keep it set up. It opens and closes, and we just put it in the middle of the floor when in use. When not, it stays folded up and stuck against a wall. Otherwise we would have no place to walk! :D

It's actually not too different for me -- I could leave it set up, but it really takes up too much room, and I have to set it up right by the front door. This is one reason why I don't want or need a big house, but would like just one additional room. If I could leave it set up, I would use it more in the winter, and even would be using it now. And I hear you on the medical expenses -- the bills for treating my ankle are one reason why I'm about to go ahead with the LVP, which is less expensive than engineered hardwood or cork.

Speaking of riding indoors, I rode the stationary recumbent at the gym last night instead of riding outside. I decided that another hill ride would be too much for my ankle, especially since I've started doing some different exercises at PT that are causing a bit of pain. But also the weather was just too cold for June. It was in the 60s, which was entirely do-able and would have seemed great a couple of months ago, but right now I am just not in the mood to play the how-many-layers-do-I-need game.

So I rode for about 35-40 minutes, not sure exactly how long because I paused in the middle and the dumb thing shut off so I had to start the timer again. It was a decent indoor workout. When I finished I tried to stretch my calf muscles but pushing on the pedal with my heel down, which worked fine for the right leg but when I tried with my left leg my foot slipped off and the pedal spun around and hit my shin really hard. I went to the locker room, put my foot in the sink and ran cold water over my leg, but still ended up with a lump. Doh!

[emily_in_nc]

Ouch, NY! That sounds painful. I hate it when I injure myself doing something like that. Hope it's very quick to heal up and that your ankle continues to improve.

[north woods gal]

Not my best few days, these last. Came down with a bug on Sunday and by Monday I ached from head to toe and was queasy, to boot. Might have had something to do with the abrupt change in weather from 40s and 50s directly to mid and upper 80s (well above normal for June, up here.)

Better, today, though. I was a little wobbly on some my trail climbing to start, but actually finished stronger than I started. Still way too warm for this time of year, though. We do have a window air unit (our only AC) that we put in the bedroom, but we also have a Robin nesting in the window sill, so we'll wait until she's done. She nested there, last year, too. Neat to watch. :)

[Crankin]

Glad you are better, North Woods. Take it easy. I have not ridden since Sunday, but did my gym classes Monday and today, and walked a very fast 3 mile walk on Wednesday.
I have 2 30 mile rides, tomorrow and Saturday, where I am the sweep. Tomorrow's is a repeat of last Friday, but Saturday is our club's bike rally. There will be lots of people. Hopefully, there will be no pop up thunderstorms Saturday.
Supposed to be 92 Sunday, and I am not sure if I will ride. Maybe an early AM breakfast ride is in store. I will commute on Monday, in my new Terry cycling dress that I have been staring at lovingly as the temperature plumeted to 47 degrees. We have 3 days of 90s predicted.

[emily_in_nc]

Meanwhile, down here in NC, we have had highs only in the low-mid 70s the past couple of days. Crazy! But we're due for upper 80s and low 90s very soon; this is a blip.

Planning an oh-so-exciting trainer ride today...wheeeeee! :rolleyes:

[Pax]

Planning an oh-so-exciting trainer ride today...wheeeeee! :rolleyes:

Set a fan to blow in your face, smear some sunscreen on your upper lip, and pretend you're riding at the beach!

[Crankin]

Did the same ride as last Friday; only 3 showed up and they all rode the same speed, so I had no excuse to be slower as the sweep.
Not a good ride for me, but I stuck it out. Don't ever eat beans and home made salsa for breakfast before a ride. I knew I shouldn't, but...
I was in pain for a good part of the ride and felt just out of it on my way home in the car. But the people enjoyed it.
Exhausted.

[Crankin]

Another exhausting ride, mostly because it was 84 degrees. But, no rain, thunder, or lightning. This is good!
We had a large group of over 20 people for the "faster" group on the 30 mile ride. DH and I had agreed that due to the hotter temperatures, we would keep the speed at around 13-14 average. That lasted until we got to the rest stop, about halfway through the ride. A couple of riders stopped and waited for the slower paced group to pick them up. As soon as we left the rest stop, one woman told me she was losing it. I stayed with her as the sweep, but the rest of the group was gone. I was still at the upper end of the agreed upon speed (13.8 average), and feeling pretty tired myself. This woman was getting slower and slower, so finally, about 7 miles from the end, she decided to wait for the other group.
I rode the last 7 miles by myself, almost just going straight home, as i was a mile from my house. But, I made back to Verrill Farm and I was pissed. My DH said they had a tailwind and the riders were on his azz. Yeah, his average was a mile faster than mine. I followed our plan and even got back 5 minutes before our estimated time. Usually, I have 5-6 riders at the back with me, but this year, we had a very different group, and I didn't know any of them. So, we raced home in the car, and showered, and returned for the happy hour and dinner. Food was good, and then DH and I went out for ice cream... we were home at 6:30 and DH is now sleeping on the couch.
I am not slow enough for the slower group, so I think this speaks to the lack of riding I have done so far this year and the heat. I might take a slow recovery ride early tomorrow, as it's going to be 92 later in the day. My car is in the shop, but I am going to commute to work Monday.

[north woods gal]

Yeah, watch the heat, at least until you get acclimated to it. I was out, yesterday, working on the trails, doing some heavy labor - digging and fitting some plank bridges over muddy spots. Temp was 89, which is way above normal for us this time of year. Started getting dizzy from lack of water. Barely made it the short walk back to the house. Hubby sat me down and made me drink lots of water. Was better in no time. Should have known, better, but I figured I wasn't that far from the house ...

Head out on the fat bike, this morning, with a temp in the 70s and no problem at all as far as my conditioning. 70s work for me. Need to ease into the upper 80s. Just beat some serious storms. Glad I got out for an early ride.

[Crankin]

Up to about 75 no problem for me. Above that, if it's blazing sun, but dry out, OK, Add in humidity, above 75, not good. Problem is, in New England, it's hard to acclimate, as you can have days with highs around 60-65 and then a day of 85. We usually never have more than 3-4 days in a row of high 80s or 90s.
We did go for a ride to eat breakfast, a whopping 8.1 miles round trip. We ate at a place popular with cyclists, and it was overrun! It was early and everyone was out to beat the heat. I will be glad when the end of July comes and all the PMC riders are not training on the roads around where I live.
After showering and reading the paper, we headed into Boston, where we walked the Greenway, the waterfront, and into the North End. It was definitely hot and humid, but we tried to stay in the shade and when we couldn't stand it any longer, we ducked into a small and quiet trattoria/bar in the North End, on a side street, far away from tourists. Had a glass of rosé and shared an appetizer, before walking back to the car. So, a few more calories burned.
Now safely in my air conditioned home and tired. Preparing for at least one, maybe 3 car free days.

[Catrin]

It's hard acclimating to higher temps/humidity, but there is an odd pleasure with that as well when it is all working and our bodies have had a chance to acclimate to the higher temps. Of course, it gets much hotter in Indiana than in New England. Frankly, your temps sound delightful! Be careful and enjoy!

We're in the 90's this week, which we haven't seen since Sept 2015 (summer of 2016 was MUCH cooler than normal for us).

[Crankin]

Rode to the gym at 5:25 and it was already 70 degrees, but felt delightful.
Of course, now I am getting ready to leave to ride to work, and it should be in the high 70s in 45 minutes, and OK (the route I take there is shady), but probably still 90 when I leave at 6 PM. I take a more direct route home, which is less shaded and more heat from cars. Of course, I can stand anything for 2.3 miles.
Best thing, my Terry cycling dress fits perfectly and looks very stylish. I hope they make this in other colors/patterns. Perfectly acceptable for a hot day at work and for going out at night on my trip to Spain.

[north woods gal]

Severe storms rolled through the area on Sunday with wind gusts of 70 mph, plus and almost 4 inches of rain. Trees down all over the place. We lost power on noon Sunday and just got it back, last night, so 30 plus hours of roughing it with no electricity.

My trails got off fairy easy. Had one tree top that fell on the trail, but I was able to cut it up and move it. Huge old spruce, though, toppled across another section of trail. Too big to cut, so just re-routed the trail around it. Some parts of the trail remain under water, but plenty of dry trail to work, so got in decent rides. Fat bikes, only, of course when the trails are so soft - deer leave a much deeper footprint in the soft stuff than the fatties.

Good workout, but missed not having a shower to finish with (well pump is electric), so just doused myself with a couple of buckets of cold lake water.

Did NOT miss the daily dose of sickening political news without the internet or TV, but did miss posting and seeing what my friends, here, have been doing. Nice to be back.

[ny biker]

I am not able to acclimate to the heat because I spend 5 days/week wearing a sweater and wool wrap in an over-air-conditioned office. It's even worse this year since I can't go outside for a walk at lunch or after work. Soon I'll be heading out to a sedentary vacation that includes a week in Massachusetts. When I get back in early July I will definitely struggle with the heat.

But for now... we had a great bike ride on Saturday. It was one of the two big rides that my club organizes every year, with routes ranging from 22 to 63 miles. Last year it was very hot but this year it was pleasant, though just after finishing when I was out in the sun putting the bike in the car it did seem very hot. So I guess I finished just in time. I had planned to ride 45 miles but got a late start (too much pre-ride chit chat) and after about 8 miles stopped to help the SAG driver. Yes you read that right, the SAG driver needed assistance. :D When I rode up and found him parked on the side of the road, he had just finished helping a rider with a flat tire (and a brand new bike with no supplies or know-how to fix a flat), and had cut his forearm in the process. He had a first-aid kit (because SAG driver) but needed another set of hands to put adhesive bandages on the cuts (because forearm). So I assisted. When I reached the first rest stop I saw some friends who had helped with registration and then started late, so were doing the 35-mile route. I decided to finish the ride with them, and ended up with 39 miles in all. Then I hung out at the picnic (more chit-chat -- the best thing about these rides is the chance to see people who normally ride in other categories). All in all, a good day.

One of the people I rode with after the rest stop had just come back from the Wisconsin bike trip that I asked about a week or so ago. She said they had fun. It was a great area for cycling, with very small towns and almost no car traffic, plenty of steep hills and an occasional unpaved section.

The saddle problem I had earlier -- a lump on the right side -- has come back. It had come back after the previous weekend's ride and receded over the course of the week, but it hurt as soon as I started riding on Saturday and bothered me for the first 20 miles. After that it didn't hurt but the lump is definitely back. I've been icing it and it's going away again, for now. I've spent a fair amount of time reading old saddle threads -- thanks to Muirenn, Knotted Yet and everyone else for such a treasure trove of excellent information. My conclusion is that the saddle I've been using for years has always been a tad too pear-shaped, as I've always had minor issues with chafing, and for some reason now the problem is worse and is causing something under the skin (probably a tendon) to become bruised and inflamed. I am very close to trying a leather saddle, probably a Rivet Independence. In the meantime I will ride the recumbent stationary bike instead of my weekly post-work hill ride (the ankle can't handle the hills, anyway) and will sit on an ice pack as needed to get through the ride I have planned this coming weekend.

[emily_in_nc]

NY, so sorry about the saddle sore... no matter the cause, those are no fun. Definitely sounds like a saddle change is in order. I have heard that wearing two pairs of shorts helps. Also, you might try lidocaine cream (from any drug store) to numb the area. It has to be applied every hour or so but really helped me when I was having a bad saddle issue. I bought Gold Bond brand at Walmart. Good luck!

NWG, I saw on the news about the storms in Wisconsin and hoped you weren't getting hit too hard. Sounds like it was bad but could have been worse. Glad you're okay! Out cutting up trees and everything...you are one fierce woman!

[Crankin]

Yesterday I had a car free day and it was the hottest day of the year. Rode to the gym, did my class, rode home (2 miles). I woke up with my sinus/cold thing back in full vengeance. I know I *never* get just a cold, so the 10 days of being sick and ruining Memorial Day weekend should have been a hint. This is why I felt so horrible on the rides I led last weekend. I had no choice but to ride to work, though, and it was still cool-ish out. On the way there, a woman yelled at me that my flashing tail light was blinding her! Good, she saw me.
My car was finished, and was sitting at the place, about 3/4 of a mile from my office. It was already 6:15, usually getting quieter in terms of traffic, but going to the car place forced me to go right through West Concord village. It was complicated by the fact an ambulance came through and the traffic was backed up, and a train had just come through, so people were exiting the commuter lot. I was in the lane, which I prefer, as there was no room to ride along the cars. First, another cyclist came up on me and got on the sidewalk. The traffic started moving and Icaught up to him. Then another rider, a woman said "coming through," and passed me, in the narrowest of space between the traffic and parked cars. I had to make a left to get into the car lot and the traffic was just stopped. I rode up on the sidewalk, which I abhor, but there were no pedestrians. Then I crossed at a crosswalk and rode on the sidewalk on the other side, until I got to my car. I gladly drove the 1.5 miles home.
This all made me thankful for normally taking a left where I had to go right to get my car... or, I actually go up a hill and around the business district to get to Main St and on to my street.
Since I am leaving for my trip in 10 days, I am going to the doctor tomorrow. My sinuses are pounding. I may do my group ride, which leaves from Concord Center, but I will have to drive there, and skip the lunch overlooking the river at one of the member's home, to get home, clean up, and get to my appointment. If I feel really awful, I won't ride.
Thursday night DH and I are leading a ride and I am not really looking forward to it. Only 17 miles, though.

[north woods gal]

... NWG, I saw on the news about the storms in Wisconsin and hoped you weren't getting hit too hard. Sounds like it was bad but could have been worse. Glad you're okay! Out cutting up trees and everything...you are one fierce woman!

Thanks. Yeah, definitely some of that pioneer woman spirit helps if a gal wants to live, up here. I think it's just part of the program for any woman who lives in a rural area where the outdoor life style prevails. I do miss some of the girlie stuff, though. Just not many opportunities to dress up and go out on the town. Standard wardrobe is jeans and a sweatshirt, most of the year. On the other hand, it is kind of nice to go without makeup and go bra-less when out in the woods. The deer and bears don't care. :)

[rebeccaC]

Good to see you’ve found a way to keep spinning Emily!!! Hoping for rides outside sooner than you expect.

NWG…you’re not a pioneer woman…you’re a good warrior woman :)....who possess a determined spirit, an attitude that drives your actions towards your goals. When faced with limitations, disappointment or opposition, a warrior woman only gets more determined to make what she envisions happen.....that you are!!


NY….hoping the lump is just an temporary inconvenience...perhaps fixed by a beautiful leather saddle!!

To celebrate my last cycle of chemo/radiation I postponed it for a few days so I could feel good enough to ride one of my favorite roads that runs parallel to the base of the eastern sierra mountains and to just get back to the desert and it’s peaceful ways. We started at mono lake just after the sunrise and rode towards the Sierra’s and then rode old grade road. A flat 36 mile ride which took most of the day with stops for quick breaks, photography and just absorbing the views. My longest ride in what seems forever and it felt good.

Mono lake
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4262/35132905452_a6914b4fbb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VwzjMb)


https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4265/34489250423_48a2b4cd38_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UxGqyF)


https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4217/35258931286_a995174f0b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VHHeSo)

happy California cows on old grade rd.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4226/35258926486_c16a3085cc_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VHHdrC)


https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4251/35258928296_f390b90431_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VHHdYQ)


https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4199/35259925626_36825f7755_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VHNksb)


https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/34489253163_895dd8e019_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UxGrnV)


On the drive home we stopped at the Manzanar obelisk which stands for the “place of consolation for the spirit of all mankind”. When there i always say prayers for the recognition of the tragedy that the internment camps were and with the hope of keeping that kind of fear and response from ever happening again in the U.S.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4239/34911861240_cf6f437323_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Vc3q35)

[emily_in_nc]

rebecca, such a stunning place and what a thing to celebrate! Sending good juju for your health going forward. Hope the big C is gone FOREVER.

NWG, I hear ya. We lived on acreage twice and were very outdoorsy, though I left the tree cutting to DH. But on our second rural lot of 11 acres, we cut and cleared all the trees for our house build...hauled 'em into a pile with chains and my DH's truck! So, I have a bit of that pioneer spirit in me too. I don't dress up or even wear makeup hardly ever these days and live in t-shirts and shorts (or jeans, depending on season) as well. I actually miss getting a little dressed up (just a little, I don't do fancy very well) and going out to eat. In our RVing lifestyle, there's not a lot of that since we usually have to bike or walk to restaurants so have to wear comfortable shoes! :D

[emily_in_nc]

Crankin, so sorry to hear that your sinuses are acting up again! You have really had a time with that. Hope you can get some relief soon and be well for your trip. Sending healing wishes....

[Catrin]

Lots of great things happening on this thread, I've not been able to visit TE as much as I would like.

Emily - glad that you've found some way to start pedaling again and hope you can ride outside soon for as long as you would like!

Crankin - may the sinus problems ease soon, not fun for sure - wishing you the best for your trip! Healing wishes indeed.

Rebecca - Those are drop-dead gorgeous shots, thank you for sharing! They make me wish I had pedals under my feet again :cool: I was very glad to read that you've reached the end of your treatments! Wishing you the best in your recovery.

NWG, I hear you. Back in the day (>30 years ago) I lived in rural Nebraska for a time and that spirit you describe certainly helps there as well.

[Crankin]

Thanks, Catrin. I went to the doc and got my drugs!
So, I had a little crash today. It didn't involve anyone else, just my own poor judgment and doing something out of my normal routine in cycling. At the top of Strawberry Hill (where it is flat) we were turning left. I came up to the intersection, still clipped in and there was a car. An Acton Police car... My leg was in the up position, and I couldn't get it down fast enough. So, it was crash or get hit. I was probably going 0-1 mph and fell on my knee. Someone had to lift my bike so I could unclip. The damage is 2 abrasions, not bad and bruising, some stiffness. I treated myself and told the riders to go on, I was returning to my car. On the way back down the hill, my bandaid fell off and I looked like a pro, with blood streaming down my leg. I stopped at the corner of my old street and put on a better band aid.
So, I rode 10 miles. Gorgeous day, but just as well. Just heard from my friend that I would not have made it back for my dr. appt. as there were 2 flats and they stopped at a pond for half an hour! I cleaned it up and I've been icing, using antibiotic stuff on it and Arnica in the surrounding area. No swelling and no pain, just stiffness. I hope it's OK for leading tomorrow night, but I know it's not injured, like requiring medical attention.
Stupid!

[Catrin]

Thanks, Catrin. I went to the doc and got my drugs!
So, I had a little crash today. It didn't involve anyone else, just my own poor judgment and doing something out of my normal routine in cycling. At the top of Strawberry Hill (where it is flat) we were turning left. I came up to the intersection, still clipped in and there was a car. An Acton Police car... My leg was in the up position, and I couldn't get it down fast enough. So, it was crash or get hit. I was probably going 0-1 mph and fell on my knee. Someone had to lift my bike so I could unclip. The damage is 2 abrasions, not bad and bruising, some stiffness. I treated myself and told the riders to go on, I was returning to my car. On the way back down the hill, my bandaid fell off and I looked like a pro, with blood streaming down my leg. I stopped at the corner of my old street and put on a better band aid.
So, I rode 10 miles. Gorgeous day, but just as well. Just heard from my friend that I would not have made it back for my dr. appt. as there were 2 flats and they stopped at a pond for half an hour! I cleaned it up and I've been icing, using antibiotic stuff on it and Arnica in the surrounding area. No swelling and no pain, just stiffness. I hope it's OK for leading tomorrow night, but I know it's not injured, like requiring medical attention.
Stupid!
Youch! Very glad to read that no serious damage was done!

[north woods gal]

Thanks for the nice comments, folks. Rebecca, as always, your photography just stops me in my tracks. Wow!

[Crankin]

Happy to report my knee is not worse this morning. I will be able to ride tonight.
NY, when are you coming up here?

[emily_in_nc]

Ugh, Crankin! Hope you are not too sore today. Thank goodness it wasn't worse.

[rebeccaC]

thanks emily, catrin and nwg!!!! it felt good to be able to post a ride report :)

[emily_in_nc]

thanks emily, catrin and nwg!!!! it felt good to be able to post a ride report :)

I bet! I can't wait to do that myself (other than a trainer ride). Happy for you!! :p

[ny biker]

I think most of us have had falls like that, Crankin. Glad you're mostly okay. We're heading to Cape Code June 23-July 1. Staying in Hyannis this time, in a small house that is walking distance to the restaurants and stores on the main street. I had suggested a possible side trip to the Concord area on the way to or from the cape, but it doesn't work with my sister's schedule. The agenda will be somewhat similar to last year's trip, centered around Cape League baseball games but with time for some sightseeing.

So, potentially big news today. As mentioned elsewhere I've been going to PT for the ankle tendon problem. Several of the exercises I'm doing are for strengthening the hip and glute muscles, for better ankle stabilization. So I'm doing squats. But they're bothering my right knee due to the patella tracking problem that used to hurt when cycling. While discussing this, the therapist did some measuring to try to understand what's going on. She determined that my hip/femor angles are the same on both sides. Then she mentioned that the left leg is slightly shorter than the right. Aha!! A giant metaphorical light bulb went on over my head. Could this be causing, or at least contributing to, the saddle problems on the right side??? I'm very excited to have this new information. Of course I'm not sure what to do next -- go ahead with the purchase of the leather saddle? Or hold off on that and make an appointment with the bike fitter? Or buy the saddle AND schedule an appointment with the fitter?

[Crankin]

I can't really address the saddle issue, NY, but it seems like you should have the fitting first. Can the PT recommend a fitter?
So, our ride tonight was really good. Except for the traffic. It was a good route, but it was still rush hour. About half of it or more was on country roads, in a wildlife preserve, but we had to make a couple of turns on a main road, which were a bit hairy for a small group. We had 6 riders and we all stayed together. Perfect temperature of 70 and a pretty stiff breeze. So, we might take this route and make it longer, to do on a weekend.
It's going to rain tomorrow, and i have to work around noon time, so I don't think I'll be riding. Saturday, it will rain early, and we are going out for our early Father's Day with my son and family in the AM. Hoping to do a short ride after that and a long and hilly ride Sunday. My knee was fine tonight. Amazing what Arnica does to decrease swelling.
I will be away those dates, NY, so I am sorry I am missing you. I would happily drive down the Cape. Be careful of that allergy thing!

[shootingstar]

So have been riding on new saddle after my 10 yr. old saddle got busted after a lot of use.
My distances this year has been under 50km. so far, which is ok so far, since half of the time, I'm riding with weight of my commuter business clothing /groceries. More physical effort Yesterday, we rode to our favourite Italian store where there is a terrific deli-café onsite. They are major distributor of Italian groceries for Western Canada also. Italian-Canadians hang out there plus locals in the know and workers from industrial parks nearby. Place is near the airport..which you can appreciate those areas in North American cities, tend to be surburban/industrial areas. Strangely by bike through 50% of route is only on road, it's only 12 km. one way from home downtown. It's a strange sensation that the cycling route is actually shorter than by car because we are cycling through valley park pathways that bypass circuitous road areas, intersections and....some traffic lights.

Then went did a detour to a local building materials and hardware store where of course, they don't have bike racks. At least the place is only 10 metres away from park pathway route. Same for 2 other places in town where I've bought small hardware, plumbing items to fix things around home.

Today, we will do the same type of cycling, destination visits to check pricing, plus a stop at an Asian supermarket that serves the suburbs. I have to buy some tougher bed sheets which again only the suburbs seem to have the widest choices. It will be a different route but still over 70% through park pathways. As soon as we get out of the downtown area....these areas are under-utilized and quiet. Methinks everyone heads out to the mountains...which are 120+ km. away. There are several national parks within 1-3 hr. drive.

Though prairie, we are 1,000+ above sea level (Vancouver is at sea level, if you don't count local mountains) which helps marathoners, triathletes and cross-country skiers train in our area who compete at national and international level.

Just to give a flavour where I live....stark prairie (which can be sometimes boring rides to me. I miss British Columbia and Ontario) vs. in a distance, but not far, stunning snow-capped mountains, wilderness, large wildlife.

[north woods gal]

NY, my left leg is slightly shorter and I have a long history of back troubles. Very well may be a source of your issues. Best of luck.

shootingstar, I love that you have such variety of landscapes in your area and, especially, that kind of a view of distant mountains. We are so solidly forest that the only way I get to see any great distance is to head to a large lake or our local airport. :)

This week, have been hard at work building up sections of my trail that wind though some swampy lowlands. Hubby built me some ten foot long treated wood bridges that I can use to cross the worst areas, but left it to me to move them in to place and install because he has a bad back. Very mucky, yuky mosquito infested kind of work, but they work. Eliminates tearing up the trail. The deer like them, too. See their muddy tracks on them.

The honeysuckle vines we have growing outside our door are in bloom and are under constant bombardment by the hummingbirds. Neat.

[Crankin]

Ended up not riding yesterday, we both felt kind of sleepy after our brunch with my son. Instead, around 4, we walked into town and had a glass of wine. Got sprinkled on, on the way there, but it never really rained. After we walked home (sometimes I wonder if I am the only one who would walk 4 miles rt for a glass of wine!), we chilled and then went out for Korean food in the next town. There was some kind of open house thing going on in all of the galleries and businesses and we had to ride around to find parking, kind of unusual in Maynard, MA.
I slept for 9 hours and finally felt awake, but it is getting brutally humid and kind of hot, too. Went out to ride around 12:30, though, and it was mostly cloudy and breezy, but seriously humid. If the sun broke through, it felt horrible, but we mostly were in the shade. Rode by the Old Grist Mill and Little Red Schoolhouse of Mary Had a Little Lamb fame, and then back through some back roads near where I used to teach, and finally up the climb we did on our bike rally route last week. From there, we took the straight way back, which is not pretty, but fast and flat. About 3 miles from home I had to stop and dump water over my head, and I realized I was hungry, but on we went. A total of 28 miles, at an OK pace for this weather.
I am being a little cautious with riding this week, after my crash Wednesday and the fact we are leaving for our cycling trip on Friday. I don't know if I will do the group ride on Wednesday, but I will ride. Not going to commute, it's going to be humid, with threat of thunderstorms. I am going to help lead a ride Friday morning, but it's the same route every time I do this ride, so that's OK. We don't leave until night, and I plan to pack Thursday night.

[Pax]

Still no riding, but regular swimming, makes me feel so good! We're leaving for the conference in Chicago on Thursday and then a week and a half later to our place in Florida for a couple of weeks. We'll take the bikes to FL and leave them there, really looking forward to riding once we get the place cleaned up and habitable again.

[CAS]

I want to do a Trek Bike Tour next year, so, I have been concentrating on getting my mileage up. I am trying to get in three to four rides a week, and I also joined a bike club. The bike club I joined has most of the members in my age group, which is wonderful. If I want to go at a social pace, I ride with the club, if I want the speed I ride solo. Tomorrow will be the beginning of a warm week (fortunately, not anywhere near what Phoenix will get) in SoCal, so I will ride in the morning.

[emily_in_nc]

E(sometimes I wonder if I am the only one who would walk 4 miles rt for a glass of wine!),

Ha! Nope, you're not. That's the kind of thing we would do, even if we did have a car (other than our motorhome)! :D

[Crankin]

Good to know I am not the only weirdo around.

[north woods gal]

I've been known to walk that far for a good cup of coffee at a favorite coffee shop. :) That's my addiction.

Have had three days of peekaboo rain. Rains for half hour, then stops for half an hour before starting, again. Getting a little old, but have been able to work around it with my trail riding around the house by watching the radar for those in between rain period times.

I use my Salsa Blackboro when things get soft because it has the widest rim and tire combo and leaves the shallowest print. Still amazes me how different it rides than some of my other fat bikes, though. Definitely slower to respond with those huge 100mm rims and 4.8 tires. Requires me to apply more body english with the steering than my other fatties. Can still do all the tech stuff with it by adapting my riding technique, mostly the timing, but it takes a little time to adjust. You would think that all fat bikes ride and handle the same, but just ain't so. Keep it in mind if you plan to ride a fattie.

[Pax]

I'm weaning off coffee right now in preparation for our return to FL, good thing I'm not riding these days, I'd crash and then just lay there in a daze... pretty much like now, just staring into space. coffeeeeeeeeeee

[Crankin]

I could never give up coffee. I often say I am so healthy, please let me have my one or two vices (coffee and wine), neither of which I abuse!
So, I went on my group ride today, despite a pretty high level of anxiety after my little crash last Wednesday. I almost went home after I, walked out of the house without my cycling shoes (I realized that before I got in my car), hit the curb while parking, and then realized I forgot my gloves. Oh, and after seeing who was there, I knew it would be tough. Usually there are 2 groups and there were not, but, it was a medium sized group. My friend Jack was sweeping, and thankfully, I never was riding with him! But, it was hotter and more humid than I thought it would be, and the healthy black bean nachos I made last night were not the right meal the night before a ride. I was seriously thinking of turning back after 7 miles, but I kept talking to myself. Once we got to the halfway point, I ate at our stop, and shortly after that, we were back on the last part of the loop. However, (I later found out) someone told the leader he would pull her for a bit, so the fast people got faster and I could only see 2 or 3 riders ahead of me for a long time. There were a couple of others who sometimes ride with me, at my speed, but they seem to not know how to pace themselves and flame out, or they cannot climb as fast as me. So, I was alone, as those people fell back and I couldn't see them, either. By then, we were back in Concord, and the leader had stopped about 5 miles before the end of the ride, which started in Bedford. A whole group just went ahead to the end, so there were only about 10-15 people for the last 5 miles. My average was way fast for a group ride, with this group, so I guess maybe I need to ride with those people more often, and not go with the "regular" group, but the fast one.
I did not go to the lunch and was glad I had a banana in my car. Took some Pepto, ate, showered, and took myself for a manicure, Thinking maybe I should not help lead on Friday, but it may be a moot point, as it might rain. I will be packing for my trip tomorrow night, and we don't leave for the airport until 6:30 PM Friday.

[Catrin]

What is this....weaning off coffee? I don't know what those words mean. I HAVE cut down over the years, these days I have no more than 2 cups in the morning or I don't sleep.

Pax, are you moving back to Florida? You can't go yet, we've not had a chance to meet for a hike yet :cool:

[Pax]

Catrin, yup, we're moving back, my wife wants to retire and we can't afford two places, so it's back to the condo down there. Come down and we'll go kayaking (I'll pass on hiking, to many snakes and spiders for me). :p

Coffee ended up being like medicine in that heat, don't have it and get a headache, have it and feel your core temp rise... when you step outside it's like being on fire, for me anyway.

[emily_in_nc]

Good to know I am not the only weirdo around.

Interesting that this is probably only weird in certain cultures, like the car-based society of the US. When we lived in Belize and then in Mexico, people walked or biked many more places, and I am sure many spots in Europe are the same. I think that's one reason we enjoy those cultures more as we are are more in the mainstream there and not "weirdos", as I am sure many here in the US consider us! Kinda sad...and a reason so many Americans are obese.

[emily_in_nc]

Coffee ended up being like medicine in that heat, don't have it and get a headache, have it and feel your core temp rise... when you step outside it's like being on fire, for me anyway.

Make cold brew and have it iced?! I could not give up my coffee, even in the heat of Florida, Belize, or Mexico. It's funny, in both those latter two countries, soup is a very popular meal, which was surprising to me. It's hot and humid already, we're eating in open-air restaurants for the most part, so hot soup is tough to handle. Though I do admit that when I had a bad cold, it went down pretty well. :D

Good luck on your move back to Florida, Pax. We are hoping to get back down there soon for my orthodontia. Wherever I start that, we'll be for quite awhile, and I really don't want to end up here in NC all winter. It's not that winters are so terrible (except occasional snow/ice storms, not my fave), but living in a motorhome anywhere cold is not that great since you have to winterize, and there's not much for us to do here. The cycling is particularly bad and dangerous in this area. We are here through July at least for my final check-up at the oral surgeon's on the 31st, and in the meantime helping my mother out with a lot of different things, but we hope to make our escape after that.

[Crankin]

I agree, iced coffee is the way to go. Although, I drank hot coffee like crazy when I lived in AZ. Iced coffee was not popular there when I lived there, but of course, that was in the dark ages. I used to make sun tea; put the big jar out in the yard and the tea is brewed in a couple of hours. New Englanders are iced coffee crazy, but truthfully, I don't like it that much. Last summer my DH was making cold brew, when he was at home, unemployed, and he was just saying he needs to get back to that.
Yes, Emily, I agree, we are seen as the odd people because we walk places. We live just far enough away that a walk to town is enough to count as exercise, though, at least for me.
I am not going to co-lead the ride tomorrow. Spoke to my friend who I lead with, no big deal. So no cycling until Monday, the first day of the cycling tour. I hope the bruising on my knee goes away. It just feels stiff. The road rash is 95% gone. Probably should not have gone to the gym this morning, but I modified a few things in the class. Funny, the only thing that hurts my knee is when I quickly bend down. Stairs don't bother it and neither did other things this morning, that I thought would.

[north woods gal]

I know I shouldn't complain, what with so many having to deal with extreme heat, of late, but we're stuck in another one of these long drawn out cool and very wet spells. Temps have been struggling to even break 70 and rain, rain, rain with drizzle thrown in for a little variety. Have even had to resort to wearing leggings on some days. Earlier in the month, when we got stuck in one of these miserable wet weather ruts, I managed to ride between showers. Now I'm just saying the heck with it and riding in the rain. The fat bikes are getting me though it all, though, even for trail riding. Standard size MTBs would sink out of sight in some spots. Hope July brings some sunshine, at least.

[Crankin]

Well, if it's of any interest, the same changeable weather here in Spain. We are in the mountains, though, which I believe is somewhat common. First day of the riding, no issues, but on the second day, we got the 2 climbs in and it started pouring just as we were getting ready to leave the lunch stop. We shuttled to the hotel, where it was sunny. The next day, we had a fabulous ride, with sun most of the way, and only a short period of light rain. Yesterday was a rest day. We did not do a cable car ride over a natural park, as it was 35 degtees and raining when we got there!
Today it is pouring. We are supposed to be shuttled to the top of a mountain pass, to ride down... that is probably not going to happen!

[Crankin]

Did not ride today; it was pouring at the top of the pass and 40 degrees and windy at the coffree stop and the next lunch stop. Even with leg warmers, rain jacket, toe covers, and long gloves, it was horrible. And, it was about 50 miles of downhill. One older (than me) woman, got out and rode the last 25 miles, with one of the leaders. She had no rain gear, gloves, or head cover. It was warmer when she started (50?), but it started pouring again as we rode down in the van. The other 2 women had no cold weather gear with them, so DH and I were not alone. I am still seeing beautiful scenery! That woman who rode is giving me a pain in the azz. I am being nice, but there is always at least one on every trip.

[emily_in_nc]

Glad you are having fun in Spain, Crankin, though sorry about the chilly and wet weather. I would hate that. Glad the scenery makes up for it!

[Geonz]

Wednesday night I led our "level 1" ride ... one of those days where nothing's where it should be. I didn't know where my keys were and thought I'd left them at work so ... I head out and get to work and they're not there -- they're on my bike, dropped down in the basket. Oh, but I've left my waist bag at home so just hope I don't need wallet or cough drops or pepper spray or...
... and when my rear went smack, smack smack on the 6 mile ride back from the ride, I realized that the bag wiht the pump was at work.
... happily, the cyclist who went by me goin' the other way as I was walking figuring out a plan turned around and inquired, and he had not a pump but C02... so I praised my disorganized self for at least having figured out a "quick uninstall" for my crate on the back of the bike (cargo longbike), and having tube handy. He had good flashlight and time :) THen he says "I thought it was you -- and know you have a long way to go." Sweeet :)
THe other kinda nifty thing is... well, maybe he was just tired, but ... he expected me to be able to fix my own flat :) *And* even though this was the first flat I've had on this bike it went pretty seamlessly. I couldn't find the cause ... so perhaps a pinch flat on our rough roads b/c ... just swapping the tube worked.

760 miles for June :) Might not get much at all today w/ storms everywhere...

[rebeccaC]

Now I'm just saying the heck with it and riding in the rain.

"We can whine about the rain. We can swear at it. We can hide from it. Or we can just ride in it as best we can...and be fully alive while we do it." If you can do a long ride through a heavy downpour ending with your body and mind intact, you’re ready for pretty much whatever…. and there’s always the warmth of home and hot chocolate to return to. :)

…and a bonus is getting to clean the grit out of all the beautiful places on your bike that the rain has made nasty.....my bikes purr when i clean them :)

I luv riding in the rain…….eta well, it doesn't rain that much here though and few really good storms :)

[rebeccaC]

Maybe TE could get a group together, someday, and do a foreign tour. Italy?

Geneva to Trieste through the Swiss Alps and Italian Dolomites, from Lake Geneva to the Adriatic Sea….why not a day of base jumping in the Dolomites too….I’m in if you are….:) and if KHG ever comes back and sees this thats 5 with her husband and Alex

[Crankin]

I don't think it would be easy.
A trip like that would be out for me. I've hiked and driven in the Italian Alps and I know, even with training more, that would kill me. I like hills, but what I did in Spain is enough for me. It would be fun to do a group trip, just not one with climbs that have 15-20% grades and last for miles.
Some of you are a lot younger than me... I am pretty good for an old lady, but I know my limits.