April 21st rides - Saturday

I always feel odd starting a ride thread, being on the left coast.

We started out in a light rain. I was NOT a happy camper. I knew I had 1500 feet of climbing to do and it was cold and yucky out.
DH rode the tandem with DS's GF, I was on my Bianchi, and DS (not Raleighdonson) rode his dad's spiffy new bike.
We also had a portly Randonneuring gentleman riding with us. He's great on downhills and never ever gives up.
we started at Logboom park where i absolutely DID NOT want to get out of the car... I was able to sit for 15 minutes or so and chat with DS who I almost never see.
The ride starts easy, we rode to Marymoor park. While at the park, we were admiring the riding SANDALS someone had, so we decided to ride to Sammamish Cycle and buy a pair for DS. Of course, DH couldn't just buy him a pair, he bought DS's GF a pair too. ANd then I found the Ibexwear.
Since we were all on bikes, it was rather interesting packing all our purchases, but we did it. Next, we stopped and had mexican food for lunch;
Then back onto the trail. First that dangnabt difficult hill on the 520 trail. ARGH.
Then up the hill through Kirkland and then finally FINN HILL the big mother of them all. Except for DS, no one passed me on any hills. FINALLY DH was :D :D :D :D slower than me because he was on the tandem. and our "5th wheel" was carrying one of me around his abdomen, so there was no way he was beating me either. He soundly romped me going DOWNHILL each time though
By the time we got back to Logboom after 32 miles, the sun was trying to burn through the clouds. Nice ride.

I joined the club for a 60 mile ride today. If I had known the ride was going to pass near the town I call home I would have bummed a ride with BF to Louisville (the starting point) and simply left the route upon venturing into my neck of the woods. Oh well, it was a good ride thrugh there were lots and lots of hills to climb on the way home. We traveled through some beautiful countryside and the weather gods were smiling on us for it was a wonderful day. Started out in the low 50's, clear skies, no wind and lots and lots of sunshine to warm us on our journey. By the time I made it back to my car it is was in the low 70's and the day remained simply fantastic. I hope tomorrow brings us more of the same delightful weather!

Yesterday morning I left for my morning commute with 3 layers on top and cafe pants. This morning I lazed around until 11:00 am and then left for a ride in shorts & a SS jersey (not even arm warmers). It was the first sunny, warm day this month. I got in a nice 47 miles, with lots of people waving back. Spring at last!

the stats 63 miles, 3,000 feet
our club has just joined the League of American Bicyclist, so I got to the start early to have everyone sign liability waivers. It was more like winter weather - 50s and overcast, with some wet pavement. I led the short rider- I had one lady who had not ridden in while, so I spent of my time at the back with with, Once I got that 22 miles done, I sat around the coffee shop for a while before heading back to do some climbing training. Things went fine, and the sun tried to come out:) I think I surprised some guys from a local College racing team. That passed me, but took a "shortcut" through campus(and ran a stop sign). I stayed on the street and we arrived at the same time .
Mimi , I would post earlier, but I've been busy putting together cue sheets!

Ahhhhhhh....
Managed to drag DH out the door at 8:30 this morning to do our "Triathalon Loop" - a 40 miler out into Howard County. I was pressed for time as I had a lunch-time commitment with friends, so I needed an early start -- 8:30 qualifies as "early" in DH's book for a saturday ride.
Beautiful sunny day, mild temps (FINALLY!), and tons of other cyclists out on the roads. I think there was at least one organized ride going on - the Baltimore Bike Club frequently runs rides out in that area.
40 miles, 15.6 mph average, 2300 ft of climbing, and a bit over 2300 calories burned! Why, yes, I think I will have seconds on that, thank you! It's yummy! :D

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Originally Posted by Fredwina

the stats 63 miles, 3,000 feet
our club has just joined the League of American Bicyclist, so I got to the start early to have everyone sign liability waivers. It was more like winter weather - 50s and overcast, with some wet pavement. I led the short rider- I had one lady who had not ridden in while, so I spent of my time at the back with with, Once I got that 22 miles done, I sat around the coffee shop for a while before heading back to do some climbing training. Things went fine, and the sun tried to come out:) I think I surprised some guys from a local College racing team. That passed me, but took a "shortcut" through campus(and ran a stop sign). I stayed on the street and we arrived at the same time .
Mimi , I would post earlier, but I've been busy putting together cue sheets!

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Gee, Fredwina, you're double me in miles AND climb!

Another short, but beautiful ride today, since hubby left for France at around 2. We left around 11 and it already was feeling quite warm. I am glad I left the arm warmers home. It was around 71 when we left and 74 when we got home. Anyway, went the "easier' way on the loop and started at a good pace, since it's flat. There were TONS of cyclists out. I mean tons. Most seemed to be going slightly slower or much faster. There were also plenty of "Sunday driver" riders who scare me, because this road is so full of cyclists and while it's not a highway, there are cars. We passed a guy and then he got in behind me and asked if he could tag along. I said sure, so he stayed back there for awhile and then he went ahead of Steve and pulled for a few minutes. Then all of a sudden he dropped back. The poor guy was wearing a long sleeved shirt and long tights; he must have been burning up. Whe we rounded the turn to the second part of the ride, there were about 75 cyclists on a club ride stopped at the little store on the Carlisle rotary. It was amazing. Then we caught some guy and rode behind him for awhile, but he kept going on the main road when we turned back to Concord. Anyway, I was proud of myself. I knew I was working hard and my average, including going up my hill and driveway was over 16. SheFly, I even got up to 15 on those little rollers on Monument St. But don't worry, no time trial for me...

Another glorious warm day! I was flying down the road. Started out with the intention of doing only 15 miles, but kept adding detours because I was feeling really good. Ended up with 26 miles and came home very excited and feeling very proud of myself for keeping up 16.1 mph average! Wheeeeee!:D

Was so tuckered out from saturdays ride that I went home and ate and then
slept like the dead. Did a club ride on beautiful Shaw Island (somewhere in the neighborhood of Orcas and Lopez islands). Now, I knew those little islands were hilly, but I do have to laugh at my innocence now as I reflect on how grindingly hard it was. We only rode 17 miles, but I think they were mostly vertical. I'm not sure of the elivation gain, but those were the biggest hills I've ever ridden on. The high point of the ride came when we reached the small park 3 quarters of the way through the ride, which had a beautiful sandy beach and views of all the neighboring islands breaching the water like little mountain tops. Quite a stunning view. The native islanders were very friendly and seemed amused at our efforts. We also met a resident who had done a cycling tour of all the islands from Whidby to the San juans and she assured us that Shaw Island was not, in fact, hilly. "A piece of cake", it was, she said. Ok, whatever. The only drawback of the trip was the fact that most of the day was spent on the ferry. It was a lovely ride though, and in good company to boot

We were supposed to do 50 Saturday (yesterday), but we did just about every hill possible around our route. I think that should count for the five miles we missed in distance. LOL - what's the ruling, huh gals? :p

Weather was gorgeous, but fairly windy. 80degrees and sunshine everywhere...no clouds.

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Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin

SheFly, I even got up to 15 on those little rollers on Monument St. But don't worry, no time trial for me...

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WEEEE! You'll be out riding the TT in no time! I spent the weekend racing in the glorious weather. Will post reports in the Race Results forum...

Nice job, Robyn! See what some sun and warm weather can do?

SheFly