Rides 6/19

DH and I rode out to Bolton Orchards today, in a round a bout way. I knew the way there from a group ride, and just when I thought we were within 2-3 miles, DH got nervous that we were lost, as we were in a town west of where the place is. He looked up Bolton Orchards on his GPS and it had us go back UP a 1.5 mile climb we had just come down. The GPS brought us to their actual fields... not the store and restaurant. So, we just rode back to the main road and went that way, but it was busy, lots of cars, and having to make a left on a downhill into the lot. Lunch was good and we were able to sit and plan our route home to include some more nice hills in Harvard.
50.3 miles.
When we got to our street a woman was coaching another woman as we were "cooling down," going up the hill at 6 mph. Then this woman (the coachee) tried to pass me, but I was afraid she would crash me as I turned left into my driveway on a steep downhill. I made her stay behind me. DH heard the coach yelling "keep your body straight" and didn't know who the hell it was. It was kind of unsettling.
Going to go out for a beer and dinner.

Crankin, I am jealous of the nice scenery you must have to look at while you ride. I was out this morning with my guy and the wind was so bad and the dust was kicking up so much, we had to go a shorter route than planned to avoid choking to death. You couldn't breathe through your mouth or it got all gritty and when we stopped to rest, there was dirt in all the sweat rivulets going down my arms. Super gross. So it must be nice to have a orchard to go see!!

The ride was a good one for me today despite the wind and dust though - we caught a tail wind for a few miles and were screaming down the highway at 29mph. It was pretty fantastic. When you are down in the hoods like that and in as high a gear as possible spinning at 92 rpm... pretty awesome.

My BF and I took a chance on the weather (rain forecast) and headed out for a new-to-us 26-mile loop near Ashland, Virginia, to test various tweaks to my bike set-up. Our route was half flat, half rolling hills---perfect for burning a few calories, but also seeing the sights.The only downside was that the roads were much busier than we had expected, based on the route description. Next time we would probably do the ride on a weekday. Great fun nonetheless!

My DH is laid up with a back problem (just muscular, but painful), so I did our usual Sunday ride out to our old town in the country to get mail from our post office box (which is finally expiring at the end of the month). The PO is NW from where I live now, and predominantly uphill on the way there. Naturally, there was a NW wind today. And it was hot. The ride over just about killed me. I felt slow as mud, cranky, and was scared I would never make it. I'm used to having him to draft off of on the straight-aways, and with the wind, even those were hard slogs. I thought of Susan doing her 1000K brevet and felt like a real wimp and a loser. I got passed by lots of racer boys in full team kit and just wanted to climb under a rock and take a nap. :(

I like riding solo on easier, shorter rides. It's a good time to think. But on a difficult, longer ride, it's TOO much time to think, and too easy to get negative when conditions are less than optimum.

When I called DH from the PO, he was checking the wind data on the computer. 15 mph (w/gusts higher) from the NW. Not terribly high but enough to have an impact. He promised me the ride home would be MUCH better and much faster, and he was right. I flew home, thanks to the wind and more downhills. Just knowing I was moving closer and closer to home and was actually going to make it also helped my mental attitude. This ride definitely ended on a good note!

46 miles - my longest solo ride ever. :p

On vacation in Colorado... should be enjoying great climbs but the return of problems with my hip etc have limited me to a couple of mostly downhill rides, while my DH plays leapfrog / SAG support with the car. Today I got in 8 1/2 miles on the road from Independence Pass down to the Arkansas River. I got on the bike for the last stretch- the descent at the top of the pass was steep and curvy, and it was rather chilly, so I started much lower, just above Twin Lakes.

Saturday I needed to take the day off as my quads were sore from the rides + strength training the previous two days. Bleh. It was beautiful and I almost felt guilty for not riding but don't intend any over-use injuries THIS year :o

Yesterday I rode with two friends - it has been about a year since we last rode together. We rode for 2 hours yesterday, and while we weren't riding next to/in line with each other we did keep each other in sight. We would stop sometimes to regroup and head out again. Kind of a combination of getting our own ride in while riding with each other all at the same time, especially since the three of us are quite different where speed is concerned.

We didn't cover the miles I am accustomed to in that time period, but that was fine. We were out in the corn fields without any wind at all, it wasn't too hot, no dogs in sight or sound, and it was a fine afternoon. They took me riding roads I've not ridden before and I rode over 3 railroad tracks without falling over - woot! (I rarely ever see RR tracks so don't have much experience with them)

DD18 and I officially started our training yesterday. We rode 20 miles with about a 1000 foot altitude gain. I haven't been riding for so long and this kicked my booty. :o But, I'll get it back quickly. It's wonderful to spend so much time with her as she's always on the go. Even better to spend so much time with her and realize what an incredible daughter I have. :)

On Saturday a friend and I headed out west of the metro to the rolling hills and horse country. It was sticky, yucky humid but thankfully the sun did not come out. We ended up with 50 miles. Yesterday, I took my niece out to one of the nearby trails where we pedaled our way to 5 miles. :) She had been using my mountain bike helmet while staying with us but before our ride yesterday we stopped at the LBS where I bought her her birthday present: a new bike helmet. She was so excited! Hope we can get her out on a longer trail ride next weeked.

I was trying to be fast on my 18 miler yesterday, and I set a new fastest time on that route. Yay me.

I left the house without a real plan this morning, and ended up doing a very hilly 25 miles. Perfect weather, and I felt so good on the hills, I kept adding more. Should have brought a bigger water bottle, since I ran out about halfway through. Also could have used a snack, which I realized when I started thinking about how good an egg sandwich would be. Made it home without bonking, but I really shouldn't risk that anymore. Luckily, it turned out to be a great ride.

Did a gently rolling 38 miles out into Lexington, Lincoln & Concord. Took it slow and enjoyed the weather. Then took my dad out for a Father's Day lunch and day in Boston.