Spetember 21st Rides

I did the Tour for Woodside today! It was a very fun ride - I did the 55 miler. Sorry, but I don’t have any photos. It’s too bad because parts of this ride were absolutely stunning. We started off from Woodside high school about 7AM and the first three miles were uphill – not too steep but constant. Then the road turned into rolling hills paralleling highway 280. About 5 miles into the ride we started riding beside a reservoir and the views were beautiful. We did a big circle and came back to riding along the reservoir and back into Woodside. That was about 20 miles and at mile 17 there was a well supported rest stop

At mile 23 the climb began and continued for a good 4 miles to the top of Kings Mountain Road. That was tough, but towards the top, it started to rain of all things. I think it was just very heavy fog. One thing about cycling in California is that if you ride the mountains at all or travel any distance you have to prepare for the weather to change. It can be a 40-50 degree temperature difference with a 30 mile radius. So, instead of being very hot, I was chilly as I reached the summit (to a bunch of Woodside Cheer Leaders cheering us on – that was a cute touch) and the next rest stop (they had cream cheese and peaches sandwich – according to the woman at the stop, that’s what they feed the Tour de France riders – I had some – good sandwiches!

Then it was off again – up another climb (no, the climbing wasn’t over yet) of about a mile. We were climbing and tired but the sun was starting to peak through the clouds in there in the woods we were riding through the rays of sunshine that were reaching the ground (you know what I mean – the rays were actually visible). It felt as if heaven was pretty close (but we just needed to get through the hell of the hill! :p). Once we hit the top of that hill, we had literally 7 miles of down hill. What a blast! Just a nice decent – not too steep – but fast and fun. I really enjoyed that.

We rode by some horse ranches ($$$$ area), and back into town, then turned towards the second loop of rollers we had. At the point there was about 12 miles to go. This part went by quickly except for my new nemesis – Alpine Road – what a sick joke. I swear there were places the so looked to be down hill, but were instead a continuation of the climb. We were on that road for about 4 miles and I swear it either looked flat or down hill, but I could not get above 12 mph and that was pushing it!

FINALLY we came to our last rest stop. Another very well supported one - for a local ride supported strictly by volunteers, they did a very good job and everyone supporting it was friendly and sincerely appreciated the cyclists). Then came the last six miles! These were all rollers until the last mile – it was all down hill back into the school and the finish line! YEAH! We put the bikes away, then sat down to BBQ Chicken breast, pasta salad, green salad and choco chip cookies!! YUM! This is definitely one I’ll consider next year. What a fun ride!

I had very limited time this weekend as I'm preparing for business travel Mon. morning. But I bought a Garmin Edge 305 and it came in Friday so I HAD to take it out for a couple of short rides. It's a pretty fun toy. I've been without a heart rate monitor and an altimeter for over a year so it was good to have that back. I'm one of those who waits 2-4 years for certain technology to drop in price. They're pretty cheap now.

Yesterday I took the carbon fiber bike out for an hour on the most sustained-steepest group of hills closest to me to the north, so I could test out the altimeter. I've been underestimating some of my grades (measured by map). although overall the elevation gains I've been estimating by map are close.

Today I took the red steel bike out on the second-most sustained-steepest group of hills closest to me to the south for about an hour. It was such a nice day today, balmy warm, a little humid, sunny.

Parked in a neighborhood called "New Town" with new homes modeled after old-style homes--row houses, plantation houses, etc--everything with front porches and gardens instead of front yards--adirondack chairs out front. Past St. Charles Municipal airport, out to the Golden Eagle ferry (just a tourist stop) then wound our way back through the farm land to the other St. Charles Smartt airport. There was an organized "Flat as a pancake" ride that we ended up in for several miles. Continued out to where the Graffton Brussels ferry usually leaves (this road was under water when I scouted the route yesterday) and wound our way back (thank you to the people who posted this route on MapMyRide--it's a popular route for cyclists). We dropped two people off at the car after 30 miles and headed out for a second loop. DH decided to head back to the ferry instead and see where it went. We'd heard rumors of vicious hills over there--but it is a part of our century next month. Turned out to be two moderate hills then small rollers. Happy with our scouting report, we headed back to the ferry.

I felt strong and blasted off the ferry into a strong headwind. My confidence dwindled until we turned and then my speed picked up. We wandered around for awhile and rolled up to the car with 57 miles--close enough! Off to the pub.

Sis called just raving about our ride and we are already planning on heading back out next weekend.

DH and I did the shop ride today. I really thought we weren't going to get to the shop in time for the start, as we were really running late at the house this a.m. I think we were both trying to will the thermometer upward, as it was stubbornly stuck at about 48 degrees (9 degrees C) :o Fortunately, if there's one thing you can count on...it's Mike's getting the 8:30 ride rolling at 8:40! :rolleyes:;)

We even made it for announcements at the start ("Protect your front wheel, and if you don't know the way, DON'T LEAD!"). Mike was going to break the B group up into two - a fast and moderate pace on the paceline on Clara Barton. "Who's doing the C-ride?" he asked. We all looked around. No hands went up, so I wasn't about to raise mine. "No C-ride today?? Okay."

So off we went. Jose and his brother Carlos rode up beside me. "So, you gonna join us on the B today?" Jose asked. I'll let you know at Mass Ave, I replied (the split point for the C and B rides). Later, Hector came up beside me. "So, you're gonna do the B, huh?" What is this???? Don't raise my hand, and all the former C-ride alums take note! :eek:

Mike kept the ride at a casual pace to start, and I ended up at the front of the pack - definitely NOT my usual location! So, Bo (who claimed to be hung over) and I took the left onto Massachusetts Ave and made the long climb up, getting quickly overtaken by the stronger climbers. Only Trevor, Buck, Sandy, and 2 other guys ended up doing the C-ride. I made the break!
I stayed with the back B-group, which pacelined at a nice 22 mph along Clara Barton. We had a group about 30 strong, so it pogo'd a bit, but overall was pretty good.

After the re-group at the top of Old Angler's Hill, the group fractured a bit, and I finished with about 10 (well, rode back to the shop alone, as that group did the extra 8 through the park, which I did not). But I ended the day with 34 miles at an 18.6 mph average! Definitely my fastest ride of the season (I hit 18.2 earlier), and the fasted in years! Way cool. :cool:

ah cunninghamair, whats up with the "twig" in the road?

We planned this ride over a month ago, and as of last night, i was wondering if it was going to happen because it rained ALL day yesterday. Here's the plan: I'm driving to the ferry terminal because it might rain and i have no intention of doing 60 miles in the rain. and D is riding his bike. we meet there.
we got onto the 830am ferry; it looks just like this one (the 9am ferry)

http://www.sersale.org/bike/vferry.jpg


Once on the ferry, we are very jolly but secretly i am nervous because i have been warned that there is a serious long hard hill right after you get off the boat.
http://www.sersale.org/bike/vontheboat.jpg
Vashon Island is lightly populated and very beautiful. We climbed that first hill, about a mile of 8-10% grades. yikes! then the next 5 miles or so were lovely ups and downs, rolling hills. Next you drop all the way down to sea level and cross over to Maury Island. It's not really an island anymore; maybe it used to be. The Nursery is about 500 feet above sea level. eeek we had to go way back up!

http://www.sersale.org/bike/vmadeit.jpg
but we made it! This hill had some 11 and 12% parts but for some reason it felt easier than the last serious climb. when we got to the top, there was the nursery. And i was VERY pleased. Note well: smart wool favorite socks. I needed them, the temp was below 60.
We did our shopping, and found lots of cool plants. Raleighdon said we needed to fill the box.
so we did
http://www.sersale.org/bike/vbamboo.jpg

we were finally finished shopping, here's Raleighdon ready to go:

http://www.sersale.org/bike/vloaded.jpg

We rode back down that hill. I was happy because i knew it was a very gentle grade all the way back up to where we had to get back on the ferry. But Raleighdon had other ideas. We were also exchanging a painting for some Cd's only 5 miles from the nursery. And Raleighdon found a diversionary route... sounded short. but my friend lived on Ridge road. What does that bring to your mind? I thought nothing of it. OH NO, it was another series of 8-12% grades to go all the way back up to the top of the Island!
It was very beautiful there, and very green
http://www.sersale.org/bike/vtree.jpg
We found our friends, exchanged our gifts, and went on to our lunch in town, fortunately, mostly downhill

http://www.sersale.org/bike/vsign.jpg

we ate at the Red Bike!!


food was fine, we were happy.

Next was the last leg of my journey, "It's all downhill from here!"

I clocked myself going 38 miles an hour right before I slammed on my brakes!!!! EEEK.

I ended up being a few blocks behind Raleighdon because it was just too steep and scary for me going downhill.

we got onto the ferry ALMOST LAST (that means no waiting)
and here's a picture of the seattle ferrydock waiting for us as we returned:

http://www.sersale.org/bike/vdock.jpg

I ended up riding 27 miles total, Raleighdon got a metric century

good job!
I rode my bike to church and to local library branch, which had just been remodeled. while there, I found out the books I wanted to check out were at the other branch. leaving, I found I had broken a spoke, so i went back home:(

So, today was our annual club century. DH set off to do the 100 miler with the fast men, and I set off to do the 70 miler (bit more than a metric). Unfortunatley the attendance was very poor, so I was the only one doing the 70, although quite a few folks did the 51.

I actually made pretty good time on my own, although the heat was beating down (90 degress). I had a stretch of road with a great tail wind, but then turned and had to battle a head wind alone for the last 8 miles, and I had to dig deep for those last 8 miles. But, I finished with quite a few of the 51 milers, so I was feeling pretty good about the ride. But, I was expecting DH in at around 5 hours, 6 hours max. When the fast men were still not in at the 6 hour mark I phoned to find out that they went out so fast they missed a couple turns, and their 100 mile route turned into a 125 mile route. These are guys used to doing a fast century, so not used to being out there for 7 hours in the hot sun.

DH asked me to run a sweep with the car (no support on the ride) cuz there was a fellow that he thought wasn't doing so well. He got dropped from the main group, but then a couple guys went back to ride in with him, but by the time I got to him (he had done ~115 miles at that point) he had bonked so bad he lost concentration and took a fall that damaged his wheel, so his bike wasn't even rideable. He had some nasty road rash, and while there were 2 guys with him, no one had reached anyone with a vehicle so they were just all on the side of the road. SO, I was able to give him a ride in, and fortunately I had some bananas and gatorade in the car, so he could rehydrate and eat something while we drove. The other 2 fellows were feeling strong and wanted to ride in, but I made sure they had fluids and food before we set off.

Then I felt like a race support vehicle, as I held fluids and bananas out my car window (DH was driving at that point) and passed them to the other guys that wanted to finish.

So, that's the first time I ran sag after completing a 70 miler on my own. I was pretty hungry and tired, but we waited to have lunch until we were sure everyone either got in safe, or had what they needed to finish.

But then we went to our favorite outdoor restaurant, and had a nice cold draft beer with buffalo wings, hmmmm good.

Oh very cool ride report, Mimi! :eek: :p What an adventure!
I just love the way you and RD are 'gotten up' for riding- you both look so warm and happy and ....bright. :p
I can't believe your lunch place was the Red Bicycle. :eek:

(My fastest ever speed was 40.2mph....and it was quite scary I remember. I had a nice smooth straight road with no traffic and great visibility though- that really helps.
Odd though...that was about a year ago, and since then I have hit 38 once in a while and it didn't seem that scary. I wonder if the next time I hit 40 it will seem scary like it did before?)

Did the 4.5 mile mountain bike trail at Pedernales Falls State Park. The trails are pretty fun for a state park, some technical parts, some real easy parts, perfect for an advanced beginner. I tried some new stuff, crossed the Pedernales (cold wet feet) and had a great time. It is so warm out still, yesterday we went swimming in the river after doing 16 miles of mountain biking. Of course we didn't complain about the 60 degree night time since we were tent camping. :)

you went 40 mph?!?!? that's REAALLY fast (and proof that you have killer hills!)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Oh very cool ride report, Mimi! :eek: :p What an adventure!
I just love the way you and RD are 'gotten up' for riding- you both look so warm and happy and ....bright. :p
I can't believe your lunch place was the Red Bicycle. :eek:

(My fastest ever speed was 40.2mph....and it was quite scary I remember. I had a nice smooth straight road with no traffic and great visibility though- that really helps.
Odd though...that was about a year ago, and since then I have hit 38 once in a while and it didn't seem that scary. I wonder if the next time I hit 40 it will seem scary like it did before?)

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Lisa- You may not be scared at all, I no longer am on a hill on my commute. It used to freak me out to do this hill as I regularly will hit 38-45 mph depending on if I coast, pedal or brake and if the wind is behind me or a headwind. Speed doesn't faze me at all on this hill. The shoulder is huge, the pavement in excellent condition, traffic minimal, the drop straight.

Now there is a hill called Tumbleweed hill where I have hit my top speed of 52.5 mph. Yes that says 52.5 mph. It was a day of tailwind and just not even grabbing the brakes. Normally I feather them and still go 43-48 mph. Scares the living daylights out of me everytime. Some people in the area avoid this hill all together. It is a straight shot down but whoa it is fast.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

you went 40 mph?!?!? that's REAALLY fast (and proof that you have killer hills!)

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LOL....I guess so. The real proof that we have hills is the sad fact that today's extra hilly 21 mile ride averaged a pathetic 8.5 mph....!!!!! :eek: :( Ironically I hit both 38 AND 36mph during the ride today on some nice downhills....but then the l-o-n-g uphills cost us dearly, and the whole ride's average wound up at 8.5....unbelievable. :rolleyes:
I just can't win around here! :D :o Got some nice quads coming along though. ;)
Usually I'm averaging about 10.5mph these days, which is 1mph faster than last year. :)

Mimi-

Awesome ride report - many thanks for sharing:) Love the pictures!!

CA

This morning I was up at 4:30 AM so that I could be in Issaquah by 6:30 AM for the first annual Cycle the WAVE. A ride for Women Against Violence Everywhere. There were two courses, the girly girl course a 30 mile ride and the burly girl course a metric. I signed up for the burly girl ride. I arrived by 6:30 and riders were arriving by the minute. I parked and then went to the check in and picked up my number and packet. I got my bike ready and then rode over to the start. The burly girls were scheduled to leave at 7:30 AM and the girly girls at 8:30 AM. We were a little late starting but finally at 7:50 we were off. It was misty and wet. The course was very very hilly. There were some pretty steep and long climbs and a couple of long fast descents too. One descent had a 10% grade and the hill was over 2.5 miles long. The road name was Village Park Dr. SE. in Issaquah. What a rush! I hit 44 mph and got kind of scared when I realized how wet the road was! :eek: There were three fully stocked rest stops on the metric course. The ladies working the rest stops were awesome. Even though it was raining off and on all morning and afternoon long I still had a great time. I joined a group of ladies just before the last rest stop and stayed with them (well almost, I lost them on one of the steep climbs . . . they sure could climb but caught up to one on the big descent). I rolled back in around 1:24 to cheers and applause. I was given a ribbon by a young girl as I crossed. I'm very tired but very happy I did the ride. I will sleep very soundly tonight.

When I got home the sun was actually out. Right now (it's a little after 7:00 PM) It's pouring! I even hear thunder! What weird weather!

Well tomorrow is the first day of fall. It sure feels and looks like it right now.