March 26th Monday rides

Well I put on a new stem yesterday and just HAD to go out to test it today, despite a rainy forecast. It was 40 degreesF and really WINDY with grey clouds, but out I went for a 13 mile ride with some hills to test our shifting/derailleur fine tuning we had naturally had to do after changing the stem out.

I felt pretty good, and so did the bike. Nice and smooth and the stem seemed ok on the fairly short ride. I got blown around a lot by the gusty wind, but that was sort of invigorating. Then it started raining, but still I felt refreshed rather than miserable- luckily I had thought to put on my screaming neon yellow NightLife wind/rain jacket, which kept the wind and wet out nicely. I felt good, though I was sure all the car drivers were probably feeling sorry for me riding in the cold windy rain... :p :p
I was happy to get home and dry up and warm up and get back to work. It was a good day. :)
I'm so glad that winter is over and I can start riding again!!!!!! :D :D :D

Had the grand kids all day today, and since rain was threatening a bit when they left, DH and I decided on a short ride -- only 8 miles through the subdivisions around here. Still no rain, but it did feel like it was on its way during the ride!

I'm still amazed by how much distance we can put on by riding around the neighborhood -- and how it really doesn't seem like we're going any distance at all when we're out tootling around. And I'm even more amazed at how easily I can ride it compared to last year at this time!

And I'm blown away by the difference in my new bike compared to my old one! Shifting's such a breeze, and braking -- I've been pretty scared of my front brake on my comfot-beast, but I can use it on this bike! (at least from the hoods. Who knows what I'll discover when I'm brave enough to play in the drops a little more!)

Got some comfort questions, but I think I'll take those over to some other forum -- have to peruse the list and see where seems most appropriate!

Karen in Boise

The sun is finally showing itself early enough for me to start commuting, so commute I did. After the faculty meeting I quickly changed and off I went for another 20 miles of fun before I headed home. All in all I got in about 23 miles today.

I can ride about 25 minutes now according to doctors orders and today was soooo pretty out, it was uspposed to rain all day but instaead it was just kinda cool and breezy.. I'm learning to ride one handed so I can ride a little longer.... :D

KT, good for you, out there riding!! I rode with my cast on and it took me forever to stop turning that arm out crooked after it came off. Do you have a brace that you could wear? We don't want you getting injured again before you are fully healed up!!!

I, um, got lost on my way home from work today (yeah, that's the story!) and ended up out of town on the Mopak before I realized I was lost. Then I went a little further, just to make sure (I was really lost. Really!)

I finally got my bearings, and turned around into what was now a headwind. I think I preferred being lost.

Nice spring day to be lost, though.

Yesterday (as I'm in the future ;) ) I commuted home 35-40miles, and plan on doing around 15-20 today when I get home from work with the Hubby. It was overcast this morning so hopefully it doesn't rain by the time we want to go!

I did about 12 from home along the Mississippi today, nearly died coming back up the hill on the return, then called my brother to see if he wanted to do a little riding with me. So we did another 12 or so around the lakes in town It was 80 in Minneapolis today...totally glorious!

I went for an 8 mile bike ride. I rode my mntn bike on the road while towing my dd in the burley. I'm training for a mntn bike race and since I can't get out on the trails nearly as much as I want to, I figure this would be a good alternative workout. We rode down along the lake into a head wind for the first 4 miles. I thought I was going to die. It wasn't until the ride back that I truly faced pain--a long steep climb on mile 7. I actually grunted and groaned with the effort. But it was fun, DD had a good time. I'm loving this warm weather.

Took SilverSon for 15.75 miles. His previous record was 10 miles. So, we went out and bought him real cycling clothes to celebrate.

thar she blows! :eek: Dorothy & toto didn't blow past today :rolleyes:

It was still quite windy along the river but i just kept on pushing & smiling :)

I decided to do a long ride tonight & reached my goal of 60km :)

Someone please send summer back to Australia!!! It was only 24C today.:(

C

Minneapolis really was just beautiful yesterday - now we get ick for the rest of the week. I squeezed in 11 miles after I got home from work yesterday afternoon.

Rode down on Galveston Island today along the far West end where there are wonderfuly wide shoulders of the road. I enjoyed the fresh sea breeze air and sound of crashing waves coming across the water as I rode.

Glad I had some business on the Island today that finished early! ;) I had a feeling that would happen so I brought my bike and gear.

I thought I was getting a direct cross wind; but found out on my return it was more of a catty-cross wind. So going back was much easier. Enjoyed my ride all alone.

Enjoyed my stop about 5.25 miles in when I stopped to get a drink from my bottle and watched the waves crash on the beach. Ahhhh! Nice! :cool: Total miles: 10.5.

Celeste, you've made me jealous - I was able to go to Galveston for the day when I visited Houston a couple summers ago, so I can picture how gorgeous of a ride that was.

P.S. How do you people stand that salty water? :P