august 18 rides

Well, what with getting a Minus Car T-shirt I couldn't exactly let a little rain make me drive this morning. My weather powers are still okay, though, 'cause I never did see the "downpour" that our Whining Wheatherman said was in west Champaign... tho' the sun was just being swallowed by some very dark clouds as I approached work, so it may be pouring out there now.
Last night was also pleasant; I got sprinkled on and then the sun was right behind me, and I said, "Okay, rainbow, come on out!" And it did :) http://www.resourceroom.net/pcc/imag...bowcropped.jpg
Now, is there a pot of gold at that person's house?

I was out running at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana and our training group saw the rainbow too. It was a small reward for being on my feet rather than on my bike.

I am just hoping that it clears for tomorrow's ride, even if the prediction is 60% chance of rain. Geonz is good at keeping the rain away.

Cool fifty degrees, but much more plesant with leg warmers. I prefer cooler weather, but sometimes I can be such the wuss! :rolleyes: Nice ride in though.
Hey, Sue, could you work some of your weather wonders out west and send some rain our way? We really need it! Thanks. :p

mlove, I love your avatar!

Fast commute. Life is good.

So I was coming up to this intersection where there are hardly any cars on the road I'm on, but crosses a very busy road. I often take the lane to trigger the light. Coming up to it I looked behind me and saw a pick up coming, so I got over to the right and let it pull up. Turns out its a couple of really seedy characters in an old beater that its emitting some really noxious fumes. I had pulled slightly ahead of the truck so I wouldn't be right next to the creepy guy with his window down staring at me. I was really nervous and started mentally hashing out my escape plan. Luckily there was a bike path to my right I could take where they couldn't follow if need be. Even more luckily the light finally turned (as I was gagging from the fumes). I waited for the truck to start going, and it hesitated. Another car came up behind it and it finally went. I've never felt so uncomfortable on my bike before. Fortunately the rest of my commute was quite pleasant, there were some beautiful dark clouds where I was heading, the sun poking through and occasionally lighting up patches of the mountains. Made me wish I had my camera. And my friend who rode for the first time to work with me on Tuesday joined me again this morning (after the truck incident). This afternoon instead of riding home, I'm riding to the brewery :D where after drinking beer DH will give me a ride home. Have a good weekend!

I went on the club ride that i have been doing on Friday mornings all summer. I can only do 2 more, since school is starting. After being away on my bike tour for almost 2 weeks, i was surprised that they had upped the speed considerably! I like to go out slowly and warm up (in fact, I need to), so I felt horrible the first 10-12 miles and when we got to the first stop, my average was 17.5! After this we were riding on roads that i know well, so i was able to stay with the front group, until about 2 miles from the end. We were going up a moderate hill, with some downhills in between, when my hamstring just started killing me, probably from mountain biking yesterday (it was complaining when I woke up). I got dropped by another woman wearing sneakers, a cotton t shirt, and underwear that was showing through her bike shorts..... of course she's about 15 years or more younger than me (rationalization). I did make it back ahead of the rest of the group, though; 32.2 miles, average 16.05. Beautiful country roads on the most part, but it's getting humid again.

Hmmm.... our guy always said "there's always somebody older and faster than you," b ut maybe it should be "tackier and faster" :-)
Yea, the sun is sinking faster, these days...

Finally felt good enough to get back out on my bike this morning. Of course it was hot already by the time I got home from taking my son to school, but oh well, I was going. Got my stuff together and got on the bike by about 8:30.
I cannot wait until August is over, the heat we are having here is killing us!!!
Anyway, I only went about 8 miles today, avg speed 11. We went to the bike shop today and got me some slick tires for my mtn bike to hopefully help my speed and climbing some. I mean I know I am not going to get much out of the old girl, shes just not built for speed. I'm not really into speed that much anyway, I just want to get stronger and lose weight, but hey, at the same time, I'd like to be a little faster. :D

I keep forgetting to post my rides. This evening DH went on a splendid hour ride. He is test riding a road bike, so we were able to go at a much quicker pace (read-he could keep up with me :D ).