July 9th Bike Rides

[hibiscus09]

I felt like I was near death today. We rode 40 miles in Ft. Jackson and it was described as a rolling hills ride. It was awful -- the hills went on forever and around mile 30 or so, I just wanted to start barfing. I wanted to do anything but pedal. :D Apparently, we took the longer loop and one road was just a continuous hill that seemed to go on forever. Anyhoo, we made it. It was muggy and hot. I took a water bottle with me and a bottle full of Accelerade. Luckily, there we came across Ft. Jackson Golf Club and were able to buy more water and some Gatorade because we definitely ran out of fluids. Not too smart. :p Now, I know when I need my Camelbak.

What else? Ummmm, oh -- my chain came off 3 freagin times. I've never had that happen and don't know what the deal was with it. My hubby didn't even notice the first time and kept going and going :D -- but, luckily I seemed to remember from childhood days how to remedy the chain situation on my own.

My max speed was 30mph, but it could have been faster if I wasn't freaking out coming down the hills. The roads weren't the best in the world and definitely need repaving. I was worried I would hit something and go flying off the bike.

I plan on doing a lot of resting for the remainder of the day. :p

[makbike]

I hosted a ride for the bike club today, what a beautiful day for a ride. We covered 44 miles of beautiful backroads in my community. I took my Giro out on this ride knowing that I was going to have to sweep so speed was not an issue today (yes I will admit some days I love to go fast). I was a true slug today, only averaged 14.1 mph. My wonderful BF rode with me, given this was my first long ride on my recumbent, instead of taking off with the fast group. I must admit it was nice having him ride with me. My legs are very tired and my left knee a tadbit sore. I need to mow the grass :( and I'm thinking I also hear the bed calling my name so maybe a nap is also in order sometime today. I do need to ride the first part of a route I want to use for my club ride Tuesday morning just to check the accuracy of the milage before I mark the route tomorrow. So much to do and so little time.

[emily_in_nc]

I am so envious of everyone posting their daily rides! I am on a two-week, forced layoff after laser surgery to zap my greater saphenous vein in my left leg. I get to ride again on Wednesday, but in the meantime, no riding, hiking, running, or weight lifting. I can walk, but that's it. I am going stir crazy! :(

Anyway, just venting. It's great to read about everyone else's rides...

Emily

[KnottedYet]

Rode with my margarita induced hangover. Went down the BG with a friend of mine to an LBS and then back. Got to see Salsa and Mr. Salsa again! We were able to say "Hi", very cool!

After STP the whole Seattle bunch has to get together for a ride or something! Party! (but no margaritas for me for a while, okay?):o

This was my first ride in the Skort on the Brooks B67. No problem with the skirt part catching on the springs or the bag loops. Very nice. Saddle is just starting to break in, and it is sooooo comfortable.

[mimitabby]

After 50+ miles yesterday i didn't want to ride, but i knew i had to.
My son got out of bed and said we could ride to West Seattle together. I thought that was great. THen he started arguing with himself that he was NOT feeling like riding today. So I rode alone...
So instead I rode to the Leschi Cafe. It was quite amazing, I averaged 13 mph
REALLY fast for me and passed several people of both sexes. What happened?
was that really me? after 11.5 miles I was done though.
My knee didn't break and I'm committed to riding tomorrow too.

Amazing!

[DebW]

I did a 66 mile ride today. Getting ready for the Tour de Cure 2 day/150 mile ride for diabetes next weekend. Been working on a good route between Wayland and Andover, and I've got it down to 31 miles now. Finally did it without any wrong turns or backtracks (third time was a charm). And got to play with my nephew for an hour in the middle of the ride. Oh, and I tried Nuun and love it!

[Brandi]

Me, my dh and my bf went on a 22 mile bike ride. The first 5 miles almost killed us. 5 miles of steep uphill. almost no break! But the view was really wonderful. Then it was a lot of down hill from there on. A little jelly belly sports bean break. Oh found a watch on the side of the road too. Casio!
My husband had a blow out. Changed he's tire, when the 2nd tube started to leek. There was a very tiny metal splinter in the tire.
The day was wonderful! Now I am eating a blueberry scone watching a movie and relaxing. And feeling a nap coming on!
By the way that is my Dh (dear huasband, today) and Bf(bestfriend not boyfriend) wouldn't that be funny!

[Fredwina]

I was going to do another flat ride today, but decided en route to do a local favorite, Glendora Mountain road.I was having a no so a good of day, I managed to spill a pitcher of lemonade on my new dress a church. I made up 3/4 of the way up, at a bit slow pace than the fourth. road past a horse show and decided to turn around about 2/3 of the way up, when I came down, I could see a brush fire in the Valley, good thing I didn't go to Covina. Got in about 4 hours ,with a lot slower pace than yesterday
here is GMR about 1/4 of the way up:
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6004/3126/320/gmr01.jpg
nice veiw of the lake below. I was suprised by this one, as it's about a 100 foot drop:
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6004/3126/320/gmr003.jpg
and here's where I turned around:
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6004/3126/320/gmr04.jpg

[bikerz]

Just got back from 32 miles along the SF Bay with Winddance (Lisa).

Ahem. It was windy out there! (But at least it was not hot!)

We discovered a new cycling technique for building stength and endurance - "headwind repeats"! :D Too bad the "tailwind repeat" portion of the exercise is over so soon! We also got a little "SMASHING" in (like Thor! I love that!).

Fun ride, beautiful vistas of the white-capped bay (have I mentioned how windy it was?), full of wind surfers, parasailers, kite-flyers, etc.

[Geonz]

hibiscus, I think I rode there... I did not like it either!!!

I drove all day to pick up folks from the camp bus in Hinsdale (up near Chicago), wait around for the bus, drive back... had time for an 11-mile loop. Sunny and deleightful :-)

[winddance]

What z said. I couldn't believe some of those gusts today. Who needs a wind tunnel?

Can you bonk after a ride? :p I just went to go get some food for the cats, and slogging up the hill on the way home (I walked) I was definitely slowing down. Time for some streching, some fruit, and recovery couch time...

[Denise223]

I really didn't feel like going out for a ride today, but....I decided to at least get out on my bike & take it from there.

I am REALLY glad that we went out :D !!

My husband and I did 14.5 miles -- the scenery was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!
We're lucky -- even though we live in a busy city...we can drive a few miles out west and it's like we're in Vermont or Maine... Just gorgeous!

Our map said that there were going to be "rolling hills". I'm very happy to say that I rode up all of them, so did Ben. On the last part of a couple of them.... I was really huffing & puffing -- but, I did it!!

We've only been out about 13 times since June 5th of this year - so, I know it's going to take awhile to get used to hilly terrain. <<-- of course, these are "hills" to me....

Anyway, it was great getting out today on my bike :) ..... I'm really happy that I went!

Have a great night!

Denise

[Kalidurga]

First off: Beautiful photos, Fredwina! Gorgeous place to ride, from the looks of it.

I hit two milestones today-- My first ride beyond 30 miles and I crossed the 400 mile mark on the new bike. I'm nowhere near being a fast rider, but I intentionally slowed down my cadence and speed just a bit to be able to extend my distance. The fact that I made it to 32.5 miles on the gravelly C&O Canal towpath makes me feel very confident that my next ride on smooth pavement is gonna be a breeze. And I only whined to myself once or twice in the last mile or so :p

[tprevost]

Great Job Everyone...

I just did a quick 10 mile recovery ride to our campground and back. Fredwina, I SO want to do Glendora Mtn!!!! I hope to get over there in the next month or so but I'm sure it will take several tries before I get very far up the road :p

Tracy

[im4smiley]

We had 6 in our group ride today, someone suggested Vermont, you know that means lots of hills! But we went anyway, did 35 miles, seems like with all that climing there would be more downhills but...never seems to work that way. We rode a loop from Greenfield, MA to Guilford Vt and back to Greenfield through Leyden Ma. By the last hill I thought my legs would fall off! It was a beautiful morning for a ride, glad we did it then and not in the afternoon when it got soo hot. I really do love to ride my bike :)

[hibiscus09]

hibiscus, I think I rode there... I did not like it either!!!

:D My legs are still aching! :eek: :)

[jeannierides]

Well, my ride was less than successful. My bf and I went out for our Sunday morning ride before I have to go to work. We came to a stopsign at a pretty busy road (out in the country - no redlights), and I slowed so we could clear. I thought he was clearing to the left and I cleared to the right, but I never heard him say anything except stop stop! By that time I had rolled too far into the road - I thought - to clip out without falling into the middle of the road, and so I just sped up & crossed right in front of a pickup truck! Stupid stupid. I just panicked and almost got myself killed. Of course when I pulled off to stop, my bf was all over me. I told him I just couldn't do it, so we turned around and went back. It seems every time I ride I'm getting less and less confident - more afraid of the traffic, and making careless mistakes. Of course he's pissed off, and I'm thinking I should just go back to jogging!

[salsabike]

Jeanne, don't quit! You might need instead to develop your own approach to things like stop signs, if BF's aren't working comfortably for you. Like, each of you could clear L and R just for yourselves. And...maybe you could tell him later, when everyone's cooled off, that it would be more helpful if he...whatever would work better for you.

We did our last big tandem ride today before next Saturday's STP. 60 miles around Lake WA, which we have now done so often that it feels fairly easy. How exciting that we've gotten to that stage! Just wish I had another month to do the kind of high-mileage weeks we've done for the last few weeks. KnottedYet, she of the sharp eyes, spotted us again on the trail going past TiCycles, and yelled out "Salsa!"---so we got to meet in person, and I got to pat her new Brooks B 67. Yay! TE ride to come after STP (Mimi, glad your knee is OK). Anyway, gorgeous day, no wind to speak of, great ride.

Fredwina, those pics of your ride are gorgeous!

[KnottedYet]

Well, Salsa, when we have the TE ride after STP you can ride the B67! I noticed the Frogs in the stoker position, and that's what's on my Kona, so you should feel right at home! MimiTabby and Quillfred are right.... Brooks are faaaabulous!

[Duck on Wheels]

Jeanne, don't quit! You might need instead to develop your own approach to things like stop signs, if BF's aren't working comfortably for you. Like, each of you could clear L and R just for yourselves. And...maybe you could tell him later, when everyone's cooled off, that it would be more helpful if he...whatever would work better for you.

I agree. Communication is complicated, not least within a close relationship. Keep the riding simple. Each look both ways. Each also warn the other (like calling out bumps, gravel, cars approaching) but don't assume that what hasn't been called isn't there. And if you're feeling extra nervous now, maybe find a quiet road/park/bike trail for the next few rides to regain your confidence, practice clipping and unclipping, and so on. The more aspects you feel you can do more or less automatically, the more of your attention you can give to aspects that can't be automated -- like watching the traffic.

[Fredwina]

Great Job Everyone...

I just did a quick 10 mile recovery ride to our campground and back. Fredwina, I SO want to do Glendora Mtn!!!! I hope to get over there in the next month or so but I'm sure it will take several tries before I get very far up the road :p

Tracy
Tracy,
My club does this as a club ride from time to time. We leave from Claremont. Some folks go up to what's called "the shed", and some keep on going to Baldy Village over Glendora Ridge. It's about 50 miles either way. with either 3000 or 4000 feet of climbing. It should be on the schedule for Sept. or October.(too hot right now!) I'll repost back unless I hear great clamor for a TE- only ride,
Going up from Glendora , It about like the climb on railroad canyon for the hemet century, but 7 miles long. and its gorgeous up there. Always blows me away that it's only 5 miles from LA

[jeannierides]

Well, thanks, girls. I am not sure what I'm going to do. I love the idea of riding, and I love how I feel after I ride, but the rides are so full of what I'm not doing right (not gearing up at the right time, not gearing down at the right time, not staying close enough to the shoulder, worrying too much about the huge SUV's that seem to want to feel the paint on my bike), that I start out worrying about every little thing that I'm *going* to do. (And, of course, I DO understand that not fully clearing before crossing is not a little thing.) I realize that this whole thing is going to sound like I'm blaming him for my own inability to be consistant, and that after 2 1/2 seasons of riding I should be getting better and not worse.

[limewave]

DH and I did a 50 mile ride through rolling farm country. We stopped at a little cemetary for a picnic. It was beautiful, very windy though. We averaged 23 with the wind and on the way back only 16 mph. This was the first ride we have been able to do together in almost 3 years. It was wonderful.

[Kalidurga]

Jeannierides, maybe what you need is to practice riding without the BF. I'm sure he's a great guy, but even the most well-intentioned people can expect you to do it their way and get frustrated with you if you don't. If you can find a women's only group to ride with or, as Duck On Wheels suggested, get out there yourself someplace where there's less traffic, you could develop the confidence and skills necessary to not worry about what he thinks you should be doing. In riding, the most important relationship is between you and your bike, not you and your riding partner (even if it is a BF/SO/whatever).

Any bad ride should be a learning experience, not a confidence-breaker.

[tprevost]

Tracy,
My club does this as a club ride from time to time. We leave from Claremont. Some folks go up to what's called "the shed", and some keep on going to Baldy Village over Glendora Ridge. It's about 50 miles either way. with either 3000 or 4000 feet of climbing. It should be on the schedule for Sept. or October.(too hot right now!) I'll repost back unless I hear great clamor for a TE- only ride,
Going up from Glendora , It about like the climb on railroad canyon for the hemet century, but 7 miles long. and its gorgeous up there. Always blows me away that it's only 5 miles from LA



Fredwina,

I don't think I'd want to try it for the first time with a club; not sure I want any witnesses :p BUT, great reference point (RR Canyon) as I live in Canyon Lake which is off RRCyn so I know exactly what to expect!

I may try to get over there in the next few weeks and putz around the bottom for a mile or so, then go up the 8-10 miles. Can you PM me directions to the base from the 15?

Thank you SO much!

Tracy

[kerrybelle]

I went with a group of friends for a great 34 mile ride. I live in a relativley flat area with some rolling hills, but nothing with very much grade at all. We drove up noth and I found that I can ride up some good hills. Lucky for me the steeper ones weren't too long. Still, I'm sure these hills aren't as steep as other areas, but for me they were pretty steep. I was thrilled to make it up up everything!

I even beat my husbands average speed by .01 mph. They couldn't believe it, since he goes down the hills sooo much faster than I do! Going down the steep hills really scared me! None of it was too easy but I did it and am thrilled about it. The other milestone was that I now have 1027 miles on my road bike. I only got it last August and didn't ride it over the winter months.

Kerry

[Kimmyt]

First century! w00t!

[alpinerabbit]

I rode 60 km to a mountain pass and back, the Schwägalp (note it ends by that chalet, not up in the sky). This was the last training ride before the Engadin bike marathon next Sunday, except for the carbo loading run I will do Wednesday.

http://www.munggaloch.ch/project26/bilder/ai012.jpg

It was hot and humid (for Swiss standards that is) - I lost 1 kg of weight between early morning and getting back, despite downing water as often as I could.

Jumped into my parent's pool on returning. Yeehaw. This morning I didn't feel a thing in my thighs. And that's diametrically opposed to what certain pro riders believe: that too much water (read showers) are bad for your muscles. There are some that are said not to shower at all during multiday tours :(