March 27 Rides

I am having to work at home today, however took a break to play on my bike! It couldn't be long as I had to get back to work, so only got about 9 miles in the sunshine and wind. It was glorious though! Now back to the grindstone of work.

Shifting is getting easier, and am trying to keep from going too fast for my current skill level - I figure that 16-17 mph might be a little fast for my current skills...I have no idea how I am going that fast on flat ground. Average speed is between 12.5-13.5 right now.

---> added: The coolest part is that I wasn't tired at all and I think I could have gone much longer if work wasn't calling me.... There were several cyclists I spoke with, one of which didn't step over a bike until he was 52 years old and at 54 he seems to be into serious racing. At 50 I am a spring chicken :D

Good to always take a health break, Catrin. :)

Did 43 kms. this morning. Clouds clearing up for some sun. Lots of cyclists out there plus joggers.

I led a club ride this morning. It was freezing and my muscles just didn't want to work! We ended up doing 25, freezing miles. At least the sun was shining!

It was beautiful in the Sonoran Desert today- wildflowers everywhere, and the desert birds are singing their hearts out. 47 miles northwest of Tucson- a little cool to start (40's) but warmed up to mid-60's - and the wind politely waited until we got to our coffee & snack stop at the end of the ride.

I know you denizens of cool climates are impatient for spring, and we will be broiling here when your weather is perfect for riding, but it was so nice to be riding through the desert today...

Sharon

I need to jaunt down to your neck o' the woods azfiddle! That sounds lovely.

Today, it was wet, rainy, and cold. :(

Yesterday, however was windy but in the 60's. I rode Critical Mass with friends, then we picnic'd in a park after the ride (shared a jug of communal wine and fruit, bread, & cheese) as the sun set & hazy shades of pink, purple, and blue streched across the horizon, the moon visible in the clear sky. Laughter, bikes, friends. Is there anything better? :D

20 miles on a cool, crisp, very sunny day. It didn't get higher than 42 today, but other than the first few miles, nothing was cold except my fingers. Still sticking with my strategy of going slowly, keeping to 14-17 on the flats. I feel good now. DH felt tired and let me beat him up our hill, a rare occasion.
Did the cue sheet for the ride we are leading on 4/11, today. It's exactly 30.1 miles from the start point, 38 from my house.
Tomorrow will be a longer 35-40 mile ride.

I had to attend a meeting today in Lowell from 9:30-4:00, so I biked there. It was 25F when I left home at 8 am but sunny and beautiful. I rode the Bridgestone MTB with studded tires and was glad I did - some icy patches on Rt. 4 in Billerica. Got to ride the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail for the first time. On the way there, I went north on Rt 4 and did about 2 miles of the trail, but on the way home I did the whole trail (6.8 miles) and rode back on Rt. 225. 14 miles there, 19 miles home.

Got my bike back from the shop last night. Had her tuned and a rack put on the back. Rode 20 miles today. Went early and it was chilly but not too bad. Hoping tomorrow morning will be good enough to go again.

I did the Saturday morning "N2" group ride. It was about 33 degrees at the start - pretty chilly so it took a while to warm up. A bunch of us did the Poolesville route which gave me 65 miles for the day. I felt strong but my legs were burning on some of the hills. A good burn. :) Nice group of cyclists and a lot of funny and bad jokes. :D

Today was a yoga and running day, this afternoon DH and I rode a couple of miles downtown to a wine tasting/art walk. I remembered to bring my jackets since we'd be coming home after dark when it was much cooler. He didn't. :p

Deb, Where did you go to in Lowell and how did you get there, specifically?
I drive down (up) West St. in Carlisle to the intersection of 225 and 27. Then I take 27 into Chelmsford center, to Rt. 110 into Lowell, into that horrible rotary thing where I have to go, to get downtown. I was taking Lowell Rd., past Great Brook to Rt 4 for awhile, but it's actually a mile or two longer. But, I'm asking, because I have tried to think of a way to ride there, without going through that rotary. I could take the trail for about 2/3 of the trip.
The drivers in Lowell are scary enough in the car, but, I still keep thinking of riding. I will be doing another internship there next year, where the place is right on Rt. 110. Going does not involve the rotary, but going home does.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pfunk12

Nice group of cyclists and a lot of funny and bad jokes. :D

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That about sums 'em up! :p

DH and I saw the thermometer this a.m. and decided to shut off the alarms, shut off the coffee maker, and head back to bed. We both have lost our enthusiasm for below-freezing ride starts since the daffodils and forsythia are in full bloom, the tree buds are filling in, and Spring is definitely in the air.
So, we left much later, cruised through Rock Creek Park, stopped at the LBS. Our standard weekend cruise. 35 miles.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Deb, Where did you go to in Lowell and how did you get there, specifically?
I drive down (up) West St. in Carlisle to the intersection of 225 and 27. Then I take 27 into Chelmsford center, to Rt. 110 into Lowell, into that horrible rotary thing where I have to go, to get downtown. I was taking Lowell Rd., past Great Brook to Rt 4 for awhile, but it's actually a mile or two longer. But, I'm asking, because I have tried to think of a way to ride there, without going through that rotary. I could take the trail for about 2/3 of the trip.
Going does not involve the rotary, but going home does.

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I went to the Boot Cotton Mill. Not knowing Lowell at all, I just followed the path to it's end (behind the Costpoint Center at Rt. 110 and Rt. 3) and followed Rt. 110/Chelmsford St. into town. When I saw a sign pointing to the Historical Park in the opposite direction I was going, I turned around and went down Central St. and found the Boot Mill. I didn't encounter a horrible rotary. 110 wasn't the best for biking, but it was doable. On the way back, I took Dutton St. to 110. GoogleMaps bike route actually gives a zigzag path on smaller roads into downtown.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 7rider

That about sums 'em up! :p

DH and I saw the thermometer this a.m. and decided to shut off the alarms, shut off the coffee maker, and head back to bed. We both have lost our enthusiasm for below-freezing ride starts since the daffodils and forsythia are in full bloom, the tree buds are filling in, and Spring is definitely in the air.
So, we left much later, cruised through Rock Creek Park, stopped at the LBS. Our standard weekend cruise. 35 miles.

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Can't say that I blame you. Pretty tough to ride on a cold morning when you are already thinking about packing your winter riding clothes away (or you already did). Isn't Rock Creek Park beautiful this time of year? The shade of green is amazing.