oh?Quote:
Originally Posted by muirenn
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oh?Quote:
Originally Posted by muirenn
You deserve it!
I went about 25 miles today. My goal was to go as far as I could on this particular road that is bike friendly. It's a park system that is very scenic. The county shuts down part of the road on Saturdays in the late spring and summer for people to cycle, roller blade, walk, or run on the road. Anyway, I got pretty far until the road merged into another busy road. I was too chicken to go further, so I turned around. I was tired by the time I road home. It was very beautiful today. A big black bug hit me in the teeth on the way back. I found it rather humorous and slightly painful since it bounced off my lip. So I guess I was a happy cyclist today. :-)
I rode 77 miles from Spokane, WA to Sandpoint, ID! 88 miles tomorrow and we will head into Montana, State #3:
Pics: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...4902812&type=1
and lots more pics and updates: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lariss...84979924902812
It's fascinating to read about your journey. And I had a good laugh over the showers comment. They sound like the ones at my junior high, at least until they built the shiny new gym.Quote:
Originally Posted by Reesha
I am really enjoying reading about your great adventure, and it is certainly that! Glad to read the knee is doing a bit better, and may it all be downhill today and with a good tailwind :cool:
We're in the Berkshires. Yesterday we did 42 miles, including climbing the Tyringham "wall." The ride didn't start off so great, as I had a flat just as we got outside of Stockbridge; a huge staple in my tire. But, the weather was great. The climbing felt really hard today. I think it was the 5 mile climb after doing the "wall" that got me. My speed wasn't slower than usual for this kind of ride, I just felt challenged. Best part was that the thunderstorm hit right when we got back in the car, as opposed to last year.
After several consecutive days of oppressive heat and humidity that was not conducive to outdoor activity, we finally got a break in the weather.
The Aurora and I went on a pleasant 13.5 mile ride locally. (I sometimes feel silly posting this modest distance amongst those who ride 30-50 miles, but for this heavier rider approaching Senior Citizen status, it certainly feels like an accomplishment.) Traffic was light-and it was refreshing not to have to deal with muggy air.
I stumbled upon just one yard sale along the way-it seems Saturday is the more popular day for them around here.
Now to focus on getting out during the week after work...
This morning I had planned a 20 mile ride to my gym (from my bike store), attend an hour long advanced Bosu class, then ride the 20 miles back to my car. Yesterday on an easy mountain bike trail my back wheel hit some deep dust wrong and I went down - bike and I are fine except my bad knee is a bit sore from the fall and I had lost some skin from two sides of that knee.
As much as I wanted to do that 40 mile ride, I decided it probably wasn't a really good idea - between the sore knee and the Bosu class - the instructor is HARD. So I rode 13 miles to the gym, and took a 15 mile route home afterwards. In those last couple of miles I was very thankful that I didn't have to ride another 10-12 miles to get to my car...the knee feels better than when I started though, I was just running out of energy as I got closer to home. The temps were rising and the Bosu class was hard, fun, but hard.
Great ride though, and a great Bosu workout (which also featured kettlebells on the Bosu ball - fun!)
Kubla, glad you were able to get out and enjoy the weather! Whatever our distances, they are accomplishments for us so never feel silly about posting them. You are out there riding your bike and enjoying the world around you - that is the part that matters! Sometimes I feel the same way about the the distances I ride...
No ridiing yesterday, as I took a day trip to New York City. Did get in about an hour and a half today.
Another hot, windy weekend here. Seems like we have a red flag warning in the weather forecast every day. At least it still cools down overnight, and riding conditions are good up til about 10 am. Got a quick 21 miles in this morning, running errands in town then tacking on a 12 mile recreational loop before heading home.
We did a 15.4 mile flat-ish ride before we left Great Barrington this morning. We convinced the B and B owner to let us keep one of our rooms (we went with friends) about an hour after check out, so we could shower. It was a great ride and we saw lots of cyclists.
We were out of there at noon, drove to Amherst, and had a great lunch at a place we used to go to when my son was at U Mass. It was only about an hour and 20 minutes to home from there, which went very quickly.
I have taken the whole day off on Wednesday, so I can do a group ride on the southern Maine coast. There is now a "spirited" group that often does the same or longer ride as the group I ride with. I am torn; I am not sure I can do a 16 mph average for 47 miles. Most of the ride is flat, with the exception of one "mountain," which is really just a small mountain, elevation about 500 feet. The other riders, who usually average around 13.5 are great and experienced, but some of them ride very, ah, squirrelly. I guess I will decide when I get there.
Pic from yesterday.
40 miles today after taking a few rest days following a 65 mile day Wednesday. Up north to the park, where on the bluff I could look down and see the farmers market at the marina and hear music playing. Then wishing I had brought my Jamis bike with panniers so I could go down to it! I wanted to so bad, it was a beautiful morning for the market.
Wow, Crankin, Amherst and Concord, what a lovely, historical area you ride in, I am so jealous. Maine coast!! I would love to see photos of that ride, sounds like heaven.
I did have to chuckle though, at the "500 feet" and "mountain"...over in this direction we would call those "hills". :D Although, to me it wouldn't make much of a difference, I'd still be walking up 'em.
I charted a new course yesterday that I thought would be about 55 miles. It included lots of hill work as I am getting ready for a 72 mile ride in heat next month. Well, after stopping off at two different covered bridges and missing an
important turn, I ended up 12 miles off course. I wasn't concerned and knew I could back track, but when my dear husband texted me, 'want me to come and get you', I decided to take him up on his offer. I ended my ride covering 67.62 miles and he saved me from adding six more.
My longest distance ever...and I figured I'd be so sore today. But can happily say no aching body parts.
Here's a picture of my new ride:
I don't consider 500 feet a mountain, either, but the name of the hill includes the word "mountain."
Most of what I ride are considered hills, but some are quite steep, such as the riding I did in the Berkshires. The only real mountains I've done are in Europe.
Will try to take some pictures on Wednesday. Right now the weather looks iffy for the AM, so not sure if the ride will be a go.
I rode my longest ride ever, yesterday....116 miles. :eek: Hadn't planned on it, but that's what we ended up doing. Left the house at 5:45am and didn't get back until after 2pm...so it was a fairly casual pace...but still such a long day in the saddle. I've come to realize, that once I hit the 90-mile mark...everything beyond that is just mindless pedaling, to me. :p Like I'm not really enjoying it much, at that point...but I just want to finish and be done with it. I sincerely doubt that I will ever ride that kind of mileage in one day, again. I felt like a zombie for the rest of the day.
Today we rode 77...and with not much recovery from Saturday's ride, it was rough getting through it. I'm getting too old for this. :o
Linda
Try this? http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lariss...84979924902812Quote:
Originally Posted by Bike Writer
Or just Facebook search "Larissa Rides for Clean Air"
Should pop up!
Oh man, there really is nothing worse than being misted at with lukewarm water when all you want to do is be bathed in hot hot hot water.Quote:
Originally Posted by Owlie
I'm glad you're both enjoying it!Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
Today we did 88 miles and tomorrow we have 101 miles from Thompson Falls to Missoula, MT. There's about 3000 feet of climbing, but since I can't stand on my pedals for climbs due to my knee injury it's going to be a total bummer. My hammies and glutes are getting stronger though and I'm much better at pedaling without using my quads much at all (particularly on the right, though it's easier to be symmetrical about it).
Today was just incredible... I can't wait to post pictures once I get to Missoula, such beauty: moody, broody clouds resting on gorgeous mountains and then it cleared right out as we got closer to Thompson Falls. My rear end was screaming at me-- the pressure is just insane after this many LOoooooong days in a row-- EVERYBODY on the trip is feeling it. Luckily no chafing or saddle sores developing. Still, the thought of sitting on that saddle all day tomorrow is pretty much the worst right now. More poor tender buns.
The best part about all this riding is the massive quantities of food we eat. Today I had:
3 packets of apple cinnamon oatmeal and a banana first thing
On the bike: 2/3 Reese's fast break, 2 sleeves margarita shot blocks, cheese crackers with peanut butter, 1/2 baguette with nutella, pickles, some beef jerky I picked up at a convenience store when i was craving meat, some nuun tablets in my water
Dinner: salad with bleu cheese, grilled chicken breast with a humongous pile of mashed potatoes and gravy, sauteed mushrooms, corn and then banana cream pie for dessert.
It's pretty hard to get enough calories eating healthy stuff because it just won't all fit. I had to cram the pie into me. One thing I have learned is to avoid any and all foods that will make me want to go urgently on the bike. That eliminates a number of my favorite veggies, but fewer things are worse than having to go #2 badly and there being no services for 30 miles. I've got wet ones with me, but there's no making that any better.
Anyway. I'm having fun. Everyone on this trip is just wonderful and entertaining and warm and kind and I would recommend this ride to anyone who wants a big adventure. It's seamlessly organized and a great deal for riders for a wonderful cause.
We did 42.4 miles today... it was excellent, EXCEPT that it was BRUTALLY HOT. I think the boyfriend may have been on the verge of heat exhaustion, as he was getting goosebumps in the last 5 miles. We tried to stop and cool off with wetting down our heads, drinking water, eating shot bloks, and so on, but it was still just the plain fact that we were doing 42 miles on pavement in the sun in 95 degree heat.
It's definitely made me want to get a few lighter colored jerseys, though!
We've been busy this week! We did an (easy!?!) century today from Missoula, MT to Avon, MT after having done another century from Thompson Falls to Missoula just the other day. Today we had cool weather, crystal clear blue skies, and tail winds. Made it to camp with 7 hours of riding and 4000 feet of climbing. Pie in my belly and friends all around me!
Here are some shots from the last few days:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...32351411_n.jpg
My friend Ben after a very painful (everyone had sore bums) century to Missoula:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...80472170_n.jpg
Checkpoint:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...08789029_n.jpg
A perfect bend in the road:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...88094744_n.jpg
The moooon!
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...78541076_n.jpg
Reesha, even the bikes look exhausted! Beautiful pictures.
Glad to see the bikes get to rest as well, they DO look tired! Pictures are just beautiful, thank you for sharing them. It looks HOT though...Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
This morning I got out at 7:15 for my first ride since last Sunday as I've been trying to give my bruised patella a chance to heal. It was right at 30 miles and I focused on making it 30 easy urban miles. There were only 3 hills in that route that made me downshift, and I just focused on enjoying the cool air after the huge thunderstorms we had before dawn this morning. I HAD planned on heading out at 5am, but the alarm woke me to sounds of thunder and rain, so I just went back to sleep smiling.
Things were starting to heat up again by the time I got home so I timed it well. I did not, however, have the right kind of liquid nutrition with me for a 2.5 hour ride with climbing temps. I wasn't sure how far I would ride as I left it up to my knee. She felt fine - no more painful after 30 miles than before, and indeed it feels much better now than it has all week :D As soon as I walked into the door I tossed a scoop of Accelerade, water, and 3 cubes of ice into the blender. It went down very well! I did take one salt stick capsule during the ride and had a small energy bar. I should have had Heed with me but had forgotten I am out...
My route took me downtown, and then back north to check out 24 Hours of Booty and Bootyville. This is the first year it has been held in Indianapolis, and I think I want to do this next year with my mom in mind. They have already scheduled it for 2013 and I wound up riding part of the route as that was how I got there/went home. It didn't seem to be a huge operation, but this was the first year it was here so one assumes it will likely draw more people next year.
Look at that sky! Reesha, your pictures are gorgeous.
I had planned a dawn ride, but a thunderstorm got in the way of that plan. Fell asleep again and woke up at 9:30--kitty has been waking me up at 4:15 or so, so I've been sleep-deprived. Between that. sheer laziness and a flat tire, I didn't get out until about 11:30. It wasn't too hot, just oppressively sticky. 20.2 miles, with free food (some event) in the middle. I just confirmed that I can't do real food when it's hot, but the potato chips were welcome!
We did a North Shore beach and country ride. I've done this ride a couple of times; it's nice, mostly flat, a little climbing in the second half (1200 ft.). We start out in Topsfield and head to Ipswich center, along the river and by several nature preserves and marshes. There is one spot in Ipswich center where you have to stop at a hugely busy intersection and wait for a clearing or a nice person to stop. Then, once you get across, you ride up a hill. It's a little awkward. I actually got off my bike and walked, no one was stopping. Then we ride to the beach loop part of the ride. It was windy and the greenhead flies are out, but we did stop and look at the view. Then we head back, along the shore, through some nice neighborhoods, along some bluffs and eventually head back to Ipswich center, where we bought sandwiches for later. Usually, we eat in a park right after this, but we got started early, so we continued on. We rode to Georgetown center, got more water and ate in a shady park. After the beach, most of the ride is shaded and there were hazy clouds. Good thing, as it was 91-94 during the ride; it didn't seem to bother me at all. It's dry out and I hydrated well. The fact that the ride doesn't have much elevation helped, too. There's one little obnoxious climb after leaving Georgetown, where we got into farm country in Rowley and Topsfield. We went ahead of our friends, got back to the car and changed out of the sweaty stuff in the car,poured water over my head.
46 miles, and we stopped for frozen yogurt at Cherry Hill Farm in Danvers on the way back.
Did a nice 28 mile ride on a nearby National Monument - great scenery, good road, minimal traffic. The small down side is loading up bikes and traveling to a good starting point (I'm spoiled - many rides around here can be done starting from my driveway).
We started at 7am to beat the heat, but there was no avoiding the smoke from wildfires. I've attached a pic from not quite halfway through the ride. It's hard to appreciate how much smoke is in the air unless you've seen it under normal conditions, so I'm also attaching pics of the view from my backyard on a typical day, and today. There are three fires within a 100 mile radius, none closer than 25 miles or so, but collectively they're having quite an effect on air quality.
Did about 30 local miles today, over to the Delaney Reservation in Stow and then stopping at the Acton-Boxborough Farmer's Market. It was hotter than yesterday and more humid, but this ride is all shady. Leaving at 8:45 helped. Got some really good strawberries and lettuce, but we only had one bag (I didn't have my pannier on).
Then we came home, ate lunch and I went swimming in the pond for the first time this year.
30 miles starting at 7am. Temperature was good, but it was horribly humid, and despite a large breakfast, I was hungry by the time I got home.
The weather is soooooo icky! Temps in the 90's, dew points in the 70s, no end in sight. As my Red Ribbon Ride (the MN AIDs/HIV fundraising ride) is coming up in mid-July though, must keep going out and training! I did 55.5 miles on Saturday and just 31 yesterday. The humidity was actually worse yesterday and 10 minutes into the ride I had sweat dripping off of my chin. :eek: Oh, of course I also had to have rear flat less than a couple of miles from home. I was proud that I managed to change it in 15 minutes as it used to take me 20 for a rear.
I am planning a long ride on the 4th and forecast looks awful. :( Oh well, a bad day on the bike beats the best day in the office.
I've been riding only 3 weeks, and I don't have my old legs yet, but I'm getting there, slowly but surely. Right now, I'm just focusing on aerobic fitness and losing weight. It was super hot this weekend, but I got out early both days and was thankful for that, as the temps quickly climbed and we also got afternoon storms. On Saturday it was particularly hot, but I got 33 miles in. I was out at 6:30 and back at 8:30 but it was already so sticky outside, I couldn't imagine riding any more! Sunday, I slept in an extra 30 minutes and rode 26, but was still back before it got too bad. I'm lucky that I can ride in the am on the weekdays, too. I distinctly remember riding all summer long after work and the heat not getting to me so much. Must be the age and the extra pounds. :o
Holiday = Weekend, at least that is why I am posting this here ;)
16 mile ride this morning to test my knee to get an idea about whether I will be able to mountain bike tomorrow. I focused on intensity and climbing to see what my knee thinks - and while it did start to complain at the end it wasn't bad. Getting hot fast and it is HUMID, glad I got my ride in early.
So I should be able to mtb tomorrow :) It shouldn't be TOO hot by 10 am...I hope. At least I will be in the woods and out of direct sunshine.
It does feel like the weekend.
DH and I did a 17.5 mile loop in a direction we rarely do. It's humid as h*ll, as it rained until about 9 AM. This ride has a good hill near the beginning, and we wondered why there were tons of riders coming down the hill. We soon found out why; we got caught in the town of Lincoln 4th of July parade. I wanted to stop and wait, but DH wanted to get out of there, so we rode along side, behind the floats and fire engines, dodging parade watchers and a few assorted other weird things. I got to practice my handling skills :eek:, though I was a little worried we might get stopped by the police.
Tons of cyclists out. Leaving soon to go to a BBQ, although the heat/humidity kind of took away my appetite.
Yes, it does. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Got out this morning at 6AM. Had a 60-mile ride planned, but halfway through, just wasn't feeling it (too hot and too many crazy people getting out on the road by the ocean), so cut it to 40 with a nice, big breakfast at mile 32. Got poured on for the last six miles, but it felt great. I only hope my shoes dry out by tomorrow morning!
I am officially an idiot.
I've been rather sleep-deprived for the last few days, so I slept through my alarm clock. I didn't get out on the trail until 9:15. It was already pretty warm. And then for some unfathomable reason, I insisted on making it a 52-mile ride. I made it back to the car, somehow, around 3:00.
Yes, I am feeling it. I consumed enough water to float a battleship, along with a metric ton of shot blocks. That and taking plenty of rest stops in the shade helped a lot.
61.5 miles yesterday in awful heat and humidity. Starting temp at 8:00 am: 82, dewpoint 77; finish temp 97, dewpoint 72, heat index 104. Highest temp registered by my bike computer yesterday: 109! Eeeeeeeeeeek! I stayed well hydrated, and that was critical! I was pleased that I managed to average 14.5 mph overall, and that I was still producing sweat at the end. The last 15 miles were the hardest, I just wanted to be done.
Rode 10 miles EARLY this morning - wanted to ride further but my sore chest muscles apparently dislike road riding more than mountain biking. Still got 10 miles in however, and that is far better than sitting on the couch, I will take it...
Winding Road and I saw several deer, a doe and several older fawns. 11:00 and it is already 97 degrees :eek: Relief comes tomorrow :D
Rode 31 miles this morning. Humidity was up and made for a not so great ride. I seriously need to move out West. :)
No ride for me again today. The 100+ degree weather is messing up my summer riding:( It's just too blasted hot. And I have a new saddle to try on the bike that I don't like to put on the trainer. Might be a night ride in my future tonight - I think I'll put the Generator Hub back on....
No ride for me either. My last two rides ion this heat did not go well. I darn near threw up on the side of the road/trail. I might try to get out early tomorrow for a short road ride.
Beautiful here today in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Spouse and I went for a leisure ride on Sugar Island. It was 67F when we left and maybe 72F when we got back. This was his longest ride since returning to biking, a bit more than 13 miles for him. I did 15 miles. There was a steep hill that he wasn't interested in and I did it twice. Barely.