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DH and I are in Denver for our 30th anniversary. We brought the bikes and had a lovely 13 mile ride along Clear Creek Trail this morning. :) It has been ages since we've ridden together. Would have been longer but we had an appointment with Mom's financial advisor. All the stuff since Dad died... I think we should get 2 or 3 more rides in before we go back home. It has been so long since we've had a trip that hasn't involved a family health crisis or a funeral. It seems like paradise!
I must be some of the lucky ones. :)
Hubby is very patient knowing I will never be faster or stonger than him. When he wants speed, he goes with his club rides. When with me, it is to be together. I'm the one frustrating as I can't achieve what I'd like but it is what is is. He keeps telling me to go at my own pace and he's just happy to see me ride. He is a great coach to me when I need a little push or need to slow done or stop.
When with me, if we are on a bike trail, he will go for a sprint and come back to me. We have the perfect ride to satisfy each one of us.
You are lucky, Helene! My DH is a wonderful guy, but he is not a very patient person AND, since we are traveling full-time now, he doesn't have a club of faster riders to ride with, so I am his only cycling companion. That is part of what makes this hard since he wants to be able to ride together as much as possible. I told him that the slower person has to be the one to determine the pace, and he gets that, but I think he still keeps hoping I will get faster. I used to be faster, but I was 12 years younger then and hadn't had my pelvic fracture that set me back quite a bit on the bike. When we used to do club rides, he'd ride with a faster group than me and then save his recovery rides for when we were riding alone together. Don't really have that now. He doesn't like to ride alone all that much, and I really don't either, since we are so often riding in new places and need to figure out the routes/roads together. It's different from riding roads we're both familiar with and don't have any questions about.
Consider yourself very fortunate!
Emily, what about a tandem? We may have talked about this before--my brain is shrinking, I think :-P.
I'll never be as fast as Chris, but I ride a lot on my own. And we have put 8-9,000 tandem miles since we started in 2005, in addition to riding our own singles regularly. We have a blast.
And for all those who instantly say, "I could never..."--rent one and try it first.
Lovely. I know the family health/funeral times very well--good for you guys for going for this ride! A little normal joy. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by blackhillsbiker
I feel lucky like Helene, although I was the one that complained; I *can* ride as fast as we were going on Sunday, but left to my own devices, I don't. But once in awhile, I yell at DH "Do you know how fast you are going?" When he has GPS set on a course, I don't think he has speed set on his screen. I need to go very slowly in the beginning of a ride... it's the same every time. This is why on group rides, I often am doing well, when others are fading, because they went all out in the beginning and I didn't, as well as the fact that many rides are in the area I live in, and they have no idea what climbs are coming.
I'd rather die than ride a tandem with DH. I complain like i did once in awhile, but generally, he pushes me because he knows I can do it, yet he is content to ride at my speed most of the time. I would be scared to death to not be in control and I just don't like the idea of behind "behind" someone while screaming down a hill.
[QUOTE=Crankin;714007] I *can* ride as fast as we were going on Sunday, but left to my own devices, I don't. QUOTE]
This is me. One of our infamous stories at work involves a group bike ride. There were 4 of us, and a very strong (and aggressive/competitive/Type A) guy who lived in the area was leading the ride. He hadn't told us how long it was, and I was second in line behind him. I was disappointed that we were riding on busy enough roads that we were going single file, and he was going faster than I wanted to. I kept up, but I didn't want to go that fast. In my mind, the torture was compounded by the fact that I didn't know the route/length he'd planned. I kept asking "do you know how fast you're going?" and he'd yell back "yeah. Sure." I never asked him to slow down, but I thought my questions were polite hints that the pace was too fast. After 15 miles, we came to an intersection and I just said "I'm leaving. I'm heading back." And I did.
The guy leading the ride claims that although he got my questions, the fact that every time he looked in his mirror he saw me right there so it was obviously not too fast since I was keeping up. My response is "stop being insensitive."
Pace really does matter to whether I enjoy a ride or not!
Not to change the subject, but for the past two weeks I have been working like a dog in the heat, 4 or 5 hours a day, making MTB single track on our 7 acres of heavily forested land. Really brutal physical work with rake, handsaw, chainsaw and shovel. Proud of what I have done, though, even if I am pushing my physical limits for someone my age. All on my own, too, since my DH has disabilities that limit him, physically.
The trail system consists of an outer loop that will be a full half mile in distance when I'm done, but is now just over a third of a mile. Inside that loop I have three inner loops, all interconnected, so lots of options on how you want to ride. This is true single track stuff - very lumpy and bumpy, never flat for more than a few yards, some good stiff climbs and drops, loads of tight turns, plenty of rocks, roots and other obstructions to negotiate. In other words, a full suspension MTB is a big plus. All in all, I'd rate it as an mid-level intermediate trail.
My husband has been very supportive and has also provided some good perspective in that he has never ridden single track. Even with his fat bike, he is NOT comfortable riding my trails. What he finds the most disconcerting, other than the constant bouncing, is the sudden changes in speed/braking needed and the pinpoint steering in the twists. He's never done anything but roads, so he is used to pedaling at a constant, even, relaxed cadence and that is simply impossible on most single track, mine included. He promises me, though, that he will practice.
My average speed on my trails is only 6 mph or so and that's with the aggressive riding needed. Sounds laughable to roadies, I know, but those of you who have done single track will understand. Absolutely love it, though. Been a true labor of love. :)
I think when I was mt biking, my average speed was probably less!
Today I rode with my friend, probably the last time for a bit, as she will be joining her DH in Amherst. It's really hilly there, long climbs, steep ones, and her DH, who is a very fast and skilled rider mentioned this past weekend that he didn't really appreciate the wonderful riding we have around here; a variety of terrain, steep, but short climbs, lots of rolling areas. His commute home from the university is 14 miles, with 1,400 ft. of climbing.
We just rode locally, as she had to be back by 11, so we rode out to my old school, where I taught, a few roads I really like but haven't been on for awhile. It ended up being 28 miles, so more than I thought we'd do.
Yes, this is me. We have owned three tandems over the last decades (we've been married 31 years, so I am not kidding when I say decades!) Although they are undoubtedly the great equalizers, and at times we had amazing fun on them, over the years, things got worse for us rather than better trying to ride tandem. I think in large part that was because I had gotten used to riding solo and did not appreciate having to relinquish control. Likewise, DH had gotten so used to riding solo that he had a hard time adjusting to having to call out every little thing. He's a quiet introvert, so having to lead that way and be that verbal was just not a natural thing for him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
And even though I would be willing to give it another try, we already have six bikes we travel with in our motorhome and absolutely NO space for a tandem, so it's a non-starter at this point in our lives. We just have to learn to ride together more harmoniously, or ride separately!
Super fun day today! We rode from the RV park where we are staying to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Garryowen, MT. Ride was on a flat frontage road (after 1/2 mile of gravel in the campground), then turned uphill into the NM. Once inside, we rode the lovely rolling battlefield road along the ridge, five miles each way, stopping for numerous photos along the way. Some really nice climbs and descents; long but not too steep, and just gorgeous! Ended up with 30 miles on the day and went over 2000 miles on the year. :)
Emily, you're killing me with these reports of my beloved west which I miss so much. Keep them coming, though. I love them.
Back here at home, I'm trying to get work done on my MTB trails before winter sets in and it sets in, early, in these parts. Way overdue, though, for some nice pavement work. Love my road biking every bit as much as my MTB work and then there is the gravel road biking, which is somewhat a combination of the two. So much biking to do. Whew!
I am tired..
We led a 17.5 mile ride tonight. It's a nice route and very shady, thankfully, because it was 88 when we left at 6. Only 2 people showed up, but that was fine with me. One guy was closer to my speed and the other was up DH's butt. We stayed together pretty well and I refrained from complaining that I was working way too hard. At least the sun was going down, as for the first 2 miles I was just sweating in a way I do not usually sweat. I knew my average would be over 15 and it was.
Yesterday I rode 28 miles (fine), but then we walked to town and had a beer, 4 miles round trip. This morning I woke up stiff and sore and should have skipped circuit training, where we had a sub who taught the class totally differently and beat me up a little more.
Tomorrow I will be riding with another friend, who is up from her summer house on the Cape, but it will be a short, slow recovery ride.
I'm not sure how it manages to go so fast, but today is the last day of our long-awaited vacation. Yesterday's ride on the Flatirons Vista Trail was a little disappointing. Even though the Rove is a gravel bike and didn't complain about the trail, it would have been better suited for the mtbs. I didn't enjoy it because I was gripping the drop bars a little too hard, wishing for flat bars, and concentrating too much on keeping skinnier tires on course. Beautiful views, though. Hubby was struggling too riding his old Schwinn High Plains. Today is back to a trail around Golden which is much more relaxing. I think next time I might bring the Karate Monkey and really enjoy the Flatirons Vista. We've managed a ride all days but Wednesday (our anniversary) when we took in a Rockies baseball game. Not really ready to go back to work. At least I enjoy my commute. :)
Deb
I know what you mean with a gravel bike and riding them on gravel. My Salsa Warbird is a gravel bike with 700x35s and it does a great job on firm gravel, but I still have to steer a good line through the gravel, always alert for soft or loose spots. It's made to go fast on gravel and it sure does, but when I want to relax and just take a break from having to continuously scout a line through the gravel to avoid fishtailing, I use a mountain bike or my Salsa Fargo, a drop bar bike with big 29er 2.2" tires. Not quite as fast, but plenty fast enough and much more forgiving.
So, maybe I'd be better off buying a mountain bike to ride gravel? I was a horribly un-technical mt bike rider, but I would like to adventure out to some of the dirt roads in western MA and northern New England. For my skill level, I am not sure what to do.
Today, I stuck by my guns and followed my friend about 75% of our 13 mile ride. She is a 10 mph average rider... she could be faster, but I think suffering is not her thing! I haven't seen her in a month, so we talked and I got to work on my balance skills by riding slowly. I only went ahead for about 2/3 of a road where I like to go fast. I didn't do my usual 17-20, just 15-16, though, as my legs were feeling the past few days of work. Then, right before we get back to her house is a highway overpass, that I went ahead on, too. But, overall, it was a true recovery ride.
Deciding what to do this weekend. We have not been to the beach yet, so may just do a short ride tomorrow, and head down to Falmouth for a late afternoon at the beach and dinner and head home, followed by something longer on Sunday. Or, we may do the opposite.
Crankin, the dedicated gravel road bikes like my 700x35 Salsa Warbird are actually designed to be gravel road race bikes. They're primarily designed for speed, something like a cyclocross bike, but unlike a cyclocross bike, the geometry on a gravel bike is designed for long hours on the saddle, so more akin to an endurance road bike, but with geometry that favors better traction. People who actually race these bikes on gravel expect to fishtail and spin out, now and then. It's part of the game and they practice techniques to deal with it and stay in the saddle. In fact, I've been doing that very same thing with my Warbird on some of our soft sand roads. Fun, really, and a real confidence builder.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
People who ride mostly pavement, though, are not used to sliding around and fishtailing in gravel. It can be spooky. I get that. Going with a mountain bike with wide tires is the best way to avoid this, plus tracking a good line through the gravel and steering are not as critical. Wider on the tires is good for stability, but, of course, it's more work to push big fat tires and slower going.
Should also point out that the actual gravel/dirt/sand road you want to ride is all important as to the bike you need. Have talked to a couple of guys who race gravel, up here, and they tell me that folks show up to races with gravel bikes, mountain bikes and even fat bikes, depending on the condition of the roads. Some of our gravel roads, up here, are so soft and sandy, that even 4WD pickups and ATVs struggle!
Unless you're tall with long legs, like me, I'd shy away from the 29er MTBs. They can be a bit much to handle if you're physically smaller. Same with fat bikes. Love fat bikes, but anything more than 10 miles on a fat bike is real workout and they'll drive you nuts on pavement. For an all around MTB, one you can ride with decent performance on pavement and all but the worst unpaved roads and trails, I think a hardtail (front suspension, only) 27.5" MTB would be my suggestion. These run 2.2" tires (about 56 in millimeters), normally, but most can go with 2.4" tires if you want even more stability.
I am short, used to be 5' 1", I've shrunk about half an inch. No 29ers or even 27.5s for me. I had a standard Norco 26 inch FS mtb that was too big for me. It was a 15 inch small size, and I needed a 13 inch mountain bike. Most of the dirt roads here are packed, but with lots of rocks. I think, of course, weather conditions change the conditions of the roads. I don't forsee a lot of soft sand roads, although there is one very near my house that attaches a packed dirt road/nonmaintained pavement to a regular street.
My primary road bike is an endurance carbon road bike. My other bike is a custom titanium road bike, with more upright geometry. I have ridden local short stints of dirt/gravel on both, but I have to go slowly. Very slowly. I know all about fishtailing, etc., what fat tires do on the road, etc. I have been riding for years and my son raced both road and cross for 5 years. I just want to have fun, but at this point, I need to think carefully about what I will buy. A lot of the Salsa, Surly type bikes don't come in small enough sizes for me... I tried a few at Harris Cyclery, of Sheldon Brown fame a few years ago (where they were most unhelpful and kind of snotty to me, in a reverse snobbery kind of way). I've seen a Specialized bike that I think met all of my requirements, but I cannot recall off hand what this bike is called; it's new for 2016.
The Rove "gravel bike" is a really comfortable path/tourer-type bike for me. It is less aggressive in riding position than a cross bike. I love that I don't have to even think about uneven spots or sticks, etc. when on a path like I did with the road bike. It is comfy and stable. But on loose gravel or rocks/roots/ruts, I prefer my mtb. It requires less concentration. I have a Karate Monkey with big 29" tires and flat bars. Also front suspension which is much easier on my hands and wrists when it is rough. With my arthritis, I steer clear of difficult technical trails. If I hurt myself, it takes forever to heal.
We rode about 50 miles today. My husband was teasing me that we are #stubborngeezersonbikes :) It was glorious. I don't want to go back to work on Monday.
Deb
Crankin, sad to say, 26" MTBs are disappearing, now, and that's bad news if you are short in height. Most of the big bike makers are moving to the 27.5" as the standard for MTBs. I know, because I went shopping, earlier this year for a 26" and had one of those "What?" moments.
I personally think this is a mistake. With all the testing I did this summer on our technical single track with all kinds of MTBs, there were still some things that the 26" did the best. A 26" is still tops for quick acceleration and tight turns. I was able to make some quick climbs and tight turns with the 26" that I could not make on a 29er or fat bike. And, yes, my 26" is still more agile than my new 27.5" Giant.
The good news is that you can now find great quality used 26" bikes at great prices. A lot of bike shops won't even take them in on trade, now. Best of luck. Hope you find the bike you need.
I won't be looking until at least the late fall/spring. Although we toyed with the idea of fatties, I don't think they would get used enough to justify it. I wanted a dirt/gravel bike and possibly an around town bike with flat pedals. My Guru is just too nice for that, although that is what I use it for, since I got my Trek that is only one cog higher in gearing. Plus, I want a bike that I can easily wear a skirt on...
Went to do a ride that I had done with a club earlier this year, modified to start from home. It wasn't long, 25 miles, but goes into an area of another town that is not known for it's "beauty," but actually has a part that is quite lovely and rural, similar to where I live. I knew DH had not ridden here and thought he would enjoy. We relaxed all morning and went out at around 1 and looked up at a very dark sky, that was threatening. After looking at the radar, we determined it would be very close, and felt a bit uncomfortable to go on the planned route. So, we ended up riding 18 miles in Concord and Lincoln. The dark clouds moved slightly northeast, but we were correct; a very strong storm came through, and it poured about 4 miles from our house. We could see the rain pouring down.
So, I haven't done a lot lof long rides this week, but some short, fast ones. Still may do the ride we didn't get to today early tomorrow.
We use fat bikes, all year round, but now mostly on our property and for local rides within four or five miles from home. Love them back on the trail or soft stuff, but they are a pain in the butt if you have to do any road work and, especially, if you have to travel any distance. Ten miles on a fat bike is a long ride. Way more work than necessary, unless you are on a rough or soft trail. At least with a standard mountain bike, you can do some distance road work. Maybe not the best choice, of course, but still doable. Used a 26" MTB for many years as my commuter and city bike, riding thousands of miles on pavement.
Very few long rides on pavement since I started this MTB trail project n our property, so my monthly miles total for August is in the dumpster. Do four or five miles of single track work, every day, with lots of climbs, so still in decent bike shape, though. That's the good news. The bad news is that I have been putting in four or five hours a day, too, of heavy labor, making trails, barely able to undress and step in the shower, afterwards, I'm so tired. Have way overdone it. Now coming down with a cold. I do know better than to push myself so hard at my age, but pushing too hard is just my nature. Oh, well.
This discussion on mountain bikes made me thing that surely Trek is still making a WSD 26 mountain bike that short women can ride. But they show so many different mountain bike lines on their website, I would have to spend a week reading about them all. Seems far too complicated to me. I still have the hardtail 26 that I bought back in 1998 or 1999. It's a men's frame, the reach is a bit longer than it should be for me, but overall it's a quality bike and I plan to keep it. It needs some attention which I've been putting off because I have to spend money on too many other things -- it's not shifting right, handlebars feel a little too wide, and for some reason my heels have started to hit the cranks when I pedal even though nothing has changed with the bike, pedals or shoes so something about the way I pedal must have changed. Anyway I'd like to get it ready to ride this fall or early winter. I got a good back fender for it last year so I can ride it on road in winter when there's lots of sand and salt from storm treatments. I'd rather ride the mountain bike in those conditions than get the road bike so dirty.
Anyway. I went out last Thursday after work for the regular hill ride -- my first since getting the new gearing for the road bike. It was hotter than I expected and I had eaten lunch too late so at first I felt sluggish. But once I got away from the highway and closer to the river it was less hot. I changed the route a bit at the end, adding a couple of flat miles, so in all I rode almost 21. The new gears don't magically make the hills feel flat but they do make it easier when things get very steep.
On Saturday I did a club ride that was very flat. I figured it would be a good chance to play with the new 46T chain ring. Unfortunately it turned out to be one of those rides where everyone else is way faster than me. I had a feeling that might happen, and sure enough it did. I decided that if I was dropped and out of sight of everyone else at mile 25 I would take advantage of a short cut and head back on my own. But at that point we were on a rail trail and everyone slowed down so I was able to keep up. But as soon as we were off the trail they all put the hammer down and I was well and truly dropped by everyone except the ride leader, who was clearly holding back, riding just a little ahead of me, so I wouldn't be alone. This actually kind of annoyed me, though in retrospect I realized I was annoyed because I was starting to bonk and that made me cranky. But it has made me think -- I do the same thing when I am leading a ride and one person is way behind everyone else. Do I annoy them by doing this? Honestly in most cases I'm not riding much slower than I would if they weren't behind me, but a few times I have had to really slow down for someone.
At any rate, we reached a rest stop after about 30 miles and at that point I did decide to take a shortcut back. So everyone including the ride leader went on without me. After that I was able to ride slower without feeling like I had to push harder than I wanted to. The short cut used a longer portion of the rail trail, and I stopped a couple of times to read some historical markers (I love historical markers) and to answer a text message from a relative that I thought might be urgent. So the fast riders ended up passing me near the end even though I was riding fewer miles. Oh well, I was having fun. Then at the end I learned that one of the fast riders was not back yet, after being separated from the group by a red light. He didn't answer his phone so the ride leader drove back to look for him. A couple of minutes later I also drove back to help look, and it was lucky I did because the missing rider was on the trail and not visible from the road when the ride leader drove by, but he was off the trail and on the road when I went by. He had stopped for a few minutes because of a leg cramp and then missed a turn, but did not want to be sagged back. So I drove back to the park where we started and waited for him while I called the ride leader to give him and update.
Last week 2 riders were killed in separate accidents, near here, on the same day. One, it is clear what happened. Both were during the morning rush hour. The other, which happened on the road by Hanscom AFB and airport, was about a few yards over the town line from my town. This is a hugely popular road with cyclists. The part in Concord has some homes, then lots of office parks. The accident happened either on, or on top of a hill, where there are a few houses and condos, on one side of the road. At the top of the hill, the road turns somewhat sharply left. DH and I could not imagine what could have happened. Unlike the other incident, there has been no talk of it, no names. Last night, I found out it was someone from my temple. I didn't know him, but 2 of my friends know the wife. It kind of shook me up, but, I made myself ride to work today (not on this road, although I did ride it Saturday).
NY, glad you have a rail to trail to ride. We have some very short ones in our area, but I enjoy being able to take my road bike off the pavement when I can. Love the variety and the scenery on most R-Ts is often very nice, too. The 11 mile one I did in southern Wisconsin a few weeks, ago, while at my family reunion, could have very easily been done with a standard 700x25 road bike.
Crankin, it always hits me in the gut the I hear of a cyclist going down like that. I worked with a gal in Chicago who lost her boyfriend that way and it was on a road on my commuting route. Nasty road and I could see how it could happen. Really makes you think when you know someone who is in any way connected to such a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers to their loved ones.
Once more my after work before heading home from Oxnard favorite ride….Caryl rd.
I’ve seen wild geraniums bloom first, then wildflowers and now bougainvillea’s are adding their color to the ride. Perfect low 70’s and no wind. We haven’t done any longer rides lately but Sat. we are going to the Napa Valley to spend a few days of riding through the beautiful wine country, relaxing and just being together…..feeling blessed.
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and back down ending at the ocean and someones chair :)
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So.... the sh!t hit the fan last night, when the Lincoln police took down the ghost bike someone had placed at the site of the cyclist death that I described in my earlier post. I've seen a lot of emails and FB posts about this. The person that put the bike there is looking for a private homeowner near the site, who is willing to host the ghost bike. This happens to coincide with the upcoming memorial for another cyclist who was killed in the same town in June. The town is "allowing" a ghost bike to be up for this person for 3 days, and are providing traffic control during the ceremony, but are otherwise being azzholes. There's a lot of bad stuff going around right now, showing how much people hate cyclists. One of the articles I read stated that advocacy for cyclists has finally come to the suburbs...
rebecca, thank-you. What wonderful pics! Just looking at them makes me want to grab my bike and ride. :)
Crankin, do take care. It's sometimes hard for us to understand why anyone would hate bicyclists, but as we all know, those people are out there. Watch your back.
Crankin-
Do take care of yourself. I've dealt with some similar stuff (friend killed by a drunk driver on a road that was less than a mile from my home) and then someone complained and the city threatened removal of the ghost bike. I have not forgotten how horrid it all feels. Please take care of yourself and let us know if we can help!
Thanks. I am OK, just pissed! But, glad to be connected to so many different cycling groups, so I am getting good information. There seemed to be a news blackout about this incident, until Mass Bike (an advocacy group) put the article about taking down the ghost bike all over the internet. It was in the Boston Globe today. Although I did not know the man that the memorial on 9/10 is for, I will go, with a group of people. My DH commuted through the spot where he was killed for almost 15 years... Although I also did not know the man killed in the incident where they took down the ghost bike, there is a connection, besides the synagogue. When we first moved to MA, we became very close friends with a family who had also moved here from the west. We were inseparable for years, until a stupid thing ended the friendship. It wasn't like we had a fight, but we did drift apart. About 8-9 years ago, we saw them, as we were leaving a restaurant, and talked for awhile. The husband had also become a cyclist, and I clearly remember him saying he rode with the guy who was killed. It makes sense, as they live in the same town.
Did a 30 mile ride with DH today; this is not stopping me from riding at all. We rode to to the start of one of the after work rides we led last year, did most of the ride, then stopped and had lunch in Concord center. By the time we left lunch, it was 86 degrees and feeling like a desert. DH made a poor choice for lunch, a meatball sandwich, so the 4.5 miles home from lunch was slow...
thanks nwg.....and yeah you should go for a ride :)
had a friend who was hit and killed in a Venice alley last year. We first made the important contact with the family because they lived in the area and asked how they felt about our doing a ghostbike. then we also talked to the city. We were able to secure a ghostbike to a post by where the incident happened. The family removed it a month or so later and kept the bike. Before, during and after its presence i did and i now usually think of my friend when riding in that block of the alley.Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueberry
In both of the cases I cited, the families had been contacted and there were no issues. It's the small town New England attitude that is hurting advocacy, because each city and town is a fifedom unto itself... townies running amok. If you are from here, you understand what I mean.
I will do my best to send some of our traditional late August cool down weather your way, Crankin and anyone else who needs it. We'll be just tickling 70 for a high, this next week. Normal for us.
I still laugh at the wierd looks I get from some, when I ride my bike to the gym. Not from those in my 5:45 am circuit training class, but from the others who are walking in or driving up when I arrive. One even asked, "How can you get up that hill?"
I walk to the gym, down the big hill to get there and up the big hill to get home. In winter I see most people leaving (going out the back door to the garage) wearing shorts and a light jacket, while I'm bundled up in my long down coat, scarf, hat (sometimes two hats), mittens (sometimes with wool glove liners), wool socks and Ugg boots.
So I did the weekly hill ride after work on Wednesday. Tried another route change that ended up making me climb a really steep hill, oh well. Forgot the cue sheet I had written up for a short extension toward the end, tried it anyway from memory, ended up going up another steep hill to a dead end at a school. Oh well. I might actually do the dead end to the school on purpose in the future. Also I had some problems with my contact lenses, possibly from ragweed or some other late summer pollen. I had to stop and put eye drops in my eyes at one point, and was a little worried the lenses would come out and leave me to finish the ride in blur. I guess I'll wear my glasses next time.
This weekend I'm looking at doing a ride with the club that I don't really like, because the route looks good. None of my friends are available to come with me and I know I'll be dropped within a 1/4 mile due to pace inflation and no sweep, so I'm going to start a half hour early. Also I modified the route a bit to add a second rest stop which I think is necessary on a hot day, and then changed a few things at the end to use more scenic and lower-traffic rural roads. The risk is that I'll be alone with no one to help if something goes wrong, but by starting early I'm hoping to have someone behind me for much of the ride. And I'll send the route to a few friends that I can call in case something goes really wrong.
nah i know nothings going to go too wrong:) ....have a ride that makes you happy and satisfied!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by ny biker
stopped on my commute this morning and on my early afternoon return to take some photos. Off to some longer rides on peaceful wine valley and shaded mountain roads up north…..and massages…
safe rides for everyone....
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Went out to do a 47 mile ride and realized we hadn't downloaded the route...
So we just explored some quiet roads in Lincoln, Sudbury, Stow, and back through Acton to home. Saw people blueberry picking at one farm, but it was just before a climb, so we didn't stop; I wanted to get that over with.
I had an embarrassing moment that hasn't happened in a long time. We rode up a new street, a short, steep hill. It flattened out where the street intersected with a main road. DH turned left, I heard cars, and I guess my pedal was in a slightly awkward position as i stopped. My cleat slid on the pavement and I couln't unclip my other foot, as I was already falling! I was not in the middle of the main road, but cars stopped, and I waved them on. Took me a bit to unclip and get up! Oy. No injuries to me or my bike, but I am sure i will be sore.
A decent 35 mile ride, though.
Went on a nice long ride by myself Wednesday evening after work (20+ miles). Today I went on a longer ride with a good friend. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to keep up. She was on a road bike, but the Rove is no slouch. :) I'm ridiculously happy to find a bike that is comfortable for me.
that IS such a good feeling :)....glad you are enjoying the Rove....it's a well designed bike!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by blackhillsbiker
We did a nice 46 mile ride from Calistoga to Yountville and back on mostly quiet roads with beautiful Napa Valley scenery. A pleasant stop at the Bouchon Bakery in Yountville for heirloom tomato and brie sandwiches, iced tea and a BIG bag of oatmeal, pecan and pouched raisin cookies and a box of French macaron’s to go. Tomorrow we are doing a longer 80+ mile ride with some good climbing over Howell mountain into the Pope Valley then to Lake Berryessa and back through Rutherford.
Temps in the high 70's in the afternoons. Low clouds this morning made for a cooler ride.
Solage Spa ftw!!!!!....well, and now eating cookies on our very private large patio. Feeling relaxed………
Continue to work on MTB trails our 7acres and an adjoining undeveloped 3 acres. Now at almost a mile of trails, all loops and all interconnecting. With my AWOL sense of direction, I wouldn't be surprised if I managed to get turned around and lost on my own property at some point. :)
I do finish each day, though, with an hour of riding the trails, which nets me about 5 total miles. Good workout, too, because some very steep climbs right the limit of what I can handle and not stall out, though I do have to hit them just right. Leaves me panting and short of breath in a way that I never experience with my road biking.
I do miss my roadwork, though. The open road is calling to me, as always. Love the challenge and variety of MTB riding, but I am ever so addicted to the rapture that comes with flying down a beautiful paved road. Oh, well, preaching to the choir, here, but nice to be on a forum where everyone understands. :)