Had a fun ride for our canine friends on Saturday in Redlands, CA. Great time with some good climbing and unfortunately way too much fog in the beginning.
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Had a fun ride for our canine friends on Saturday in Redlands, CA. Great time with some good climbing and unfortunately way too much fog in the beginning.
The northwest weather parted long enough this weekend to do a 45 mile ride on the Centennial Trail! Gosh, I hope the weather continues to cooperate this spring for our training.
It was VERY cold to start. When we left the house it was nearly 40 degrees, and I thought, "that's not terrible", but by the time we got to the trail it had dropped down to 32...brrr. It was supposed to warm up to 56 or so later, and I did not put on the thermal tights. My knees were the coldest, at least I had warm gloves. I didn't warm up till I had cranked out five miles.
Anyway, it felt great to be out in the nice weather, and I did my best mph for a long ride, nearly 12...usually I can only manage MAYBE 10 or so...pretty good...for me anyway! :o I have really been trying to improve my speed.
I would have stopped to take more pictures. It was such a pretty morning, but as I say, I was trying to improve my speed for once. :rolleyes:
The second photo was taken near the trail, just outside of Snohomish. So funny, with all the shoes covering it, I am not sure what the story is on that one.
Not sure why, my photos weren't included in the last post:
Awesome ride today, 80 minutes and had no pain at all. Indeed, I felt stronger on the bike than I think I ever have :) 16 miles in 80 minutes and given that part of that was in the wind I am pretty happy with that!
Yesterday was a bit on the warm side- really starting to need more water. We did a ride east of Tucson on Marsh Station Road. Lots of nice desert out there, and although it parallels the railroad and freeway it's usually somewhat separated. 60 miles back to the car, but I talked the DH into picking me up 3 miles down the road so I could make it a metric century. I was pretty slow - I've ridden a lot this month and my legs could really feel it.
So today- no bike ride. We went birding instead, until the wind came up.
On Friday Hiakukibou and I did 23.5 miles (for me) on one of our shorter routes. My legs felt really dead and I was just overall not feeling it! Good thing that Hirakukibou wasn't either, so we generally had a lovely, social and sunny ride, with temperatures around 46 degrees. I had been complaining about my shifting since DH put the new cassette on the rear with a 28, as my chain was being really wonky. On Friday, I realized it was my front derailleur that was causing the issue, as I could barely move it up from ring to ring. DH fixed it on Saturday.
Yesterday, it was kind of raw and cold, with rain in the AM. I thought I would run, but I still felt off, from allergies. So we drove to the museum lot at the North Bridge, walked into town, stopped and had a glass of wine, and walked back to the car. Today we did our first ride of the season with our friends, about 24 miles. A lot of climbing and felt much better. It was still kinda raw and cold, but we had fun on local roads that I haven't been on much this year.
I did the 50km ride today!
http://j.mp/HBrGT6
Ride Time: 2:21:57
Stopped Time: 39:29
Distance: 33.20 miles
Average: 14.03 mph
Fastest Speed: 28.29 mph
Ascent: 1047 feet
Descent: 1076 feet
Not bad considering I was riding my steel cx commuter! I don't feel bad when carbon fiber clipless team-kit people pass me, haha. It was beautiful, biking along the water front and I want to do it again, but on my own. I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have, trying to keep up with the faster bikers.
It was an organized ride, so I got a pin for doing it. I'm so happy about that, I feel legit.
I did a Donut Ride for Biciclista's DH - Ralieghdon:
Troy Lock
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g...0/100_0660.JPG
Mohawk Hudson Trail:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L...0/100_0665.JPG
Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z...0/100_0666.JPG
Break Time:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q...0/100_0669.JPG
That felt better:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-S...0/100_0671.JPG
I have a century coming up this weekend and really needed to get some miles in, so I did 63 miles yesterday with a new friend, with tons and tons of climbing, and got my first bee sting on the bike. It happened only about 15 miles in and I just kept going...it wasn't bad yesterday, but it's horribly red and swollen today. I went back out today for some more climbing and I'm exhausted.
I've been doing short (14.8--the trail is well-signposted and I know how far my turnaround point is from the lot I usually park at!) rides after class to get used to my newly-fitted bike. So I rode last Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and Monday of this week. Today, my knee was really unhappy with me for some reason--and it was my left, somewhat unusually. It might be the yoga...
I must say, I'm looking forward to it getting light (and warm) early enough for me to ride in the mornings. Trying to get to the trail during rush hour is a PITA!
Went out this weekend specifically to get some pictures of local wild flowers. Had to climb through a gate to get a good view of the bluebonnets. Only occurred to me after I got partially stuck halfway through that I should have emptied my jersey pockets before starting through the slot between the bars, instead of half way through. Duh! Fortunately I did have the sense to take off my helmet and I did get back through the gate more easily with empty pockets after taking the photos.
Anyway, the ride was good and I ended up doing more than I had planned.
42 miles in 2:10 14.9
Finally finished my post about how to ride 15 miles in 3 hours :)
I will count yesterday as part of the weekend- since it is a three day weekend for me. I planned to ride up to milepost 14 on Mt. Lemmon, Windy Point (about 6400 feet). But even though I am the slowest person on 2 wheels riding up the mountain, I felt great and decided to keep riding. I made it Palisades Ranger station, about milepost 20 and 7900 feet. I had to turn around to get back but felt great and confident I will be able to ride the whole thing in 2 weeks.
I always count Friday rides as weekend rides.
Yesterday, Hirakukibou and I rode, just around Concord and Carlisle. It was windy, cloudy, and 44 degrees when I left to meet her. I was slightly underdressed, could have used a LS base layer instead of SS and a heavier head covering. Feet and hands were good, though. We did a lot of hills, for a 19 mile ride. Of course, the sun did come out when I was about 2 miles from my house and it was bright and beautiful (although not above 54) for the rest of the day.
When I was riding on my way to meet Hirakukibou, I saw 2 guys riding in shorts. It never ceases to amaze me that people can tolerate 44 degrees and windy on bare legs.
Am in Vancouver for awhile and did a 23 km. cycle of which halfway it hailed, rained cold with sun peeping through. We were glad to get home since we were cold from sweat and rain.
Nevertheless it's been nice with the cherry blossoms out.
Two rides planned today - both to test my neck and to help support the local mtb community by showing up with my mountain bike to the Mayor's Spring Ride (only 11 miles on MUT paths so it will be a slow pace)
Ride 1: 37 minutes, 8 mile EASY ride as my quads were so sore yesterday that I couldn't even go for a walk. Not sore today but I don't want to push it. Figure 2 short easy rides at an easy pace will help recover. Foam rolled before and after ride 1. Had fun and had to keep pulling back on the intensity...easy pace, easy pace...
Looking forward to Ride 2 - 11 easy miles on the mountain bike (first ride of any kind since my whiplash injury on that bike) will be a good test if my neck is strong enough to handle the different riding position. I think it is, but this will provide an indicator... if all goes well then an easy dirt trail is in my near future ;)
Ride 2 went fine, though it will be some time before I ride around THAT many people at the same time :rolleyes: I am just too accustomed to being alone in the woods or on my country roads. It was fun though.
11 miles on the mountain bike - and while I never road ride with that bike, I think the riding position will be fine for the trails. Dirt, here I come :cool: :D
YAY Catrin!
I did 40.2 miles. And now I want to eat all of the things.
Well don't eat ALL of the things, leave some for the rest of us ;) When I read your words I laughed out loud picturing that rather twisted and very funny internet comic/blog - as I am sure you meant us to. I can picture it - just not the name of it :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Owlie
I won't say that I don't have some tight muscles at the base of my neck, I've not ridden in that position for 6 months. What matters to me is that nothing associated with the whiplash injury is complaining in any way at all - and hopefully that won't change tonight or tomorrow morning :)
First ride out on the tandem Friday. I have to admit my shoulder is a bit, ok a lot, sore. It was pretty windy so we had a lot of cross draft so I had to really hang on at times. We did average 16.8 MPH which was pretty awesome considering it's our first ride out. Going out again tomorrow too and hoping my shoulder cooperates. Plan to take it easy and not go so fast. I have to remember to stop and stretch my arms more this next time.
Did a century today - first one on a single bike (not on the tandem) since August last year, and on my BRAND NEW Scott Contessa Foil carbon aero bike (with a new Garmin Edge 500). 104 miles, 6068 feet of elevation gain (went up a 4800 foot mountain - very long, slow climb and very fast and freezing cold descent). My new bike was great and for the first time ever, I managed to take off up some hills and leave my super-cyclist boyfriend in the dust! And in the big ring!! I think I'm going to like my bike.
Did my (usually) constant wind ride today. Typically I get an onshore flow that just saps me all the way to the beach (which is beyond the end of the Santa Monica Mountains in my photos). This time, the wind was gusting from the W/NW and W/SW so I had to work to stay in my lane. Rode down to Pacific Cost Hwy and up and down the cost a bit but the wind at the beach seemed to be coming from both directions; no tailwind anywhere and it was cold. Wished I had my shell but I didn't. Normally get a nice tailwind back to the outlet mall just off the 101 about 10 miles from the beach but the wind was gusting sideways in both directions, becoming a headwind again as I got within 5 miles of the car. I was dirtier than I get mountain biking in those mountains as that wind blew find sand all over me;it was in my hair and is even now still coming out of my eyes. My legs feel like lumps of fat. Fun ride.
I did stop at one point to see what was being grown and thought I should take a pic or two with my crummy phone. Looks like basketball sized cabbage.
http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/...a2/theroad.jpg
http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/...a2/cabbage.jpg
Rode out along the ocean again today, but made it farther than I have before, 38.2 miles. I was also a windy day, but beautiful. I had sand stuck to my face, legs, and arms when I got home. Just took a shower, and now to go clean my bike.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l1...y/40cac772.jpg
It took all of my will to get out the door today. I didn't get dressed until 1:45.
Did my most regular loop of 15.8 miles. It was another grey, and very windy day, but not quite as biting cold as Friday. DH and I swore to make a slow ride, which we did, until at about mile 10, I saw a couple pull out of a side street, in front of us. They looked young and very kitted up in bibs with a crazy print. We weren't even really trying, but we passed them and then picked it up until we got into our neighborhood.
I'm glad I went, but I am hoping for a sunny ride soon. From the looks of the weather report, that won't be any time soon.
Congrats everyone on your weekend rides. I only did 6 miles around the neighborhood yesterday.:(
A litlle cold saturday, but sunny:
16 miles To Schenectady:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2...0/100_0678.JPG
The Mohawk:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...0/100_0681.JPG
Nope, I haven't gotten lost:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m...0/100_0685.JPG
16 miles later:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I...0/100_0686.JPG
A little late for Women's history month (should have zoomed in )
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B...0/100_0690.JPG
coimg down the hill at Knolls Atomic lab:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2...0/100_0692.JPG
Past Niskayuna depot:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A...0/100_0695.JPG
and Almost home:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J...0/100_0699.JPG
Beautiful pics, Fredwina! I miss the countryside up north.
I rode my bike home from my Aunt's house after our Easter dinner yesterday. She lives about 30 miles north of us and, conveniently, there's a bike path that starts just a few miles from my home that goes all the way to her house! It was a nice way to end the evening. I added a few extra miles for a 36 mile ride. :)
I should have worn sunscreen.
A couple weeks ago we did this ride (scroll down to "Hwy K Ride Report"--for some reason it's not giving me the url for that specific post). Someone emailed me after she read that post and said "The house in that picture is mine. Knock on our door if you ever need water, or if no one is home there's a pump in the yard."
One problem I've had with riding around here is that it is SO rural, there's no stores or any place to get water. I drink a bottle per hour, so a 5-hr ride means I need 5 bottles of water! That's a lot of water to carry.
If I could just get in the mindset though, because it is so rural, people are super friendly like her, and I know they'd love to refill my water bottle if I'd just knock on their door.
But you rode!Quote:
Originally Posted by surgtech1956
When I ride in the rural area of Minnesota where I grew up I only carry one bottle of water because I can stop at just about any isolated home or cabin and refill and have a chat. Maybe even a cookie. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Melalvai
We live in kind of a "free-way" for local cyclists. It is not unusual for friends and acquaintances to stop by our house for a bathroom break, water-bottle fill, emergency snack, directions, quick bike-repair . . . .
And beginning next year the bike path to the north of us will be extended and go right by our house! I'm really excited about this. I imagine we'll have even more cyclists stopping by when that happens. I'm thinking about getting a bench to put in our front yard where weary cyclists can stop and sit a spell.
That's awesome. If I lived on a bike path or bike route I would absolutely do that. Maybe a bench and rig up a pump or water spigot somehow.Quote:
Originally Posted by limewave
I'm Visiting my Mother this weekend, Mainly to check up on her. I decided to rent a bike:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m...0/100_0739.JPG
KHS urban Xcape
Beale St.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6...0/100_0741.JPG
Sun Studios
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X...0/100_0744.JPG
Where my mother now lives:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d...0/100_0749.JPG
Across the street in Overton Park. Site of Elvis First Concert:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...0/100_0750.JPG
North Parkway:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-J...0/100_0755.JPG
The Pyramid:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w...0/100_0757.JPG
The Mississippi:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C...0/100_0760.JPG
Back Downtown:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a...0/100_0765.JPG
Not the Peabody:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_...0/100_0767.JPG
Lunch:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C...0/100_0772.JPG
What the LBS Owner showed up on:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J...0/100_0734.JPG
Left at 6am yesterday morning to travel down to Raleigh, NC (4 hour drive) for a meetup with my Tour de Cure team. We met with the ride's organizer and then went on a fun 20 mile ride. The first hill right at the beginning of the ride wasn't great and I think not being warmed up was the issue but after that it was a great ride. We mostly ranged between 16 and 20 mph. On a downhill I was able to get up to 31mph! I didn't switch off the middle gear so I think I could have gone faster if I had used my full range of gears. It was really windy though and that made my bike be a smidge squirrely so I didn't want to push the envelope too much.
At the end I definitely felt I could have either pushed to go faster for the entire ride or could have ridden a longer route. There was the option to go on a longer ride but a few of us opted to go the a Beer Fest. :D
Got my first 50+ mile ride of the season over with! I say that, because, despite being in good shape, it's still painful when it involves 2500 ft. of climbing.
But, it was great. We rode out to Bolton Orchards, about 24 miles, and a couple of miles of getting lost right before lunch. Most of the tough climbing is before lunch, thankfully. The farm market was quiet, it's only April, but it was about 72 degrees out. After lunch, we slowly rode up the 4 mile moderate climb into Harvard center and then took a different way home, which involved less climbing. I was feeling a little bonky as we were heading into west Concord, so I stopped and finished my Luna Bar and drank a ton of Nuun. So, as we headed from there into Concord center, we were stopped at the light to cross the highway. A cyclist pulled up behind me. We said hi and when we crossed the highway, he took off, really fast. Then, there were some cars stopped for someone taking a left. As I was slowing, a car full of teens drove by us; I heard them yelling, but I couldn't really tell if they were just talking or yelling at us. All of a sudden, I see DH take off. I thought he was getting a burst of testosterone and chasing the fast cyclist. When I caught him, he said that as he was slowly passing the teens, one of them purposely opened his door to hit DH :eek:. He pounded on their car and said he wanted to smash the window, but of course, he didn't. I asked if got the license plate, but he didn't.
It's pretty rare that stuff like this happens around here. It's very busy, with lots of tourists here for Patriot's Day celebration tomorrow and people not knowing where they are going, so I was super alert yesterday. But, I don't think they were tourists. They looked like super entitled little Concord boys.
Crankin - I am so sorry to read this but so glad that your DH didn't get hit! Pity he didn't get the license plate.
I've taken a full week off the bike and planned to have a good 26 mile ride today to test my commuting route to work...temps are fantastic, sun is shining - winds are 20-30 mph all day today. No road riding for me :( Tomorrow I am off work and it is STILL supposed to be windy.... So I will go for a walk today (not in the woods), and if I have to hook the trainer back up tomorrow I will - but if it is just a little less windy I can ride in my favorite local park. I HAD wanted to mountain bike tomorrow but with torrential rains all day yesterday the trails will likely be still closed - beginner trails take longer to drain.
I know some of you ride in much higher winds, but frankly, I've problems staying in my lane when they are that high. I don't know how you women do it!
I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike...I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike! (channeling Queen for a few seconds).
Yeah, really. I took the week off simply because I was wiped out. Now that I actually want to ride, it's too windy--I don't want to risk damaging that abdominal muscle even more than last Saturday's ride did. I think it's going to be the trainer and yoga today...Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
Smart woman - we are both learning :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Owlie
It does look, however, like the winds will be low enough for me to ride in Eagle Creek Park at 7 this evening - as long as the sustained winds are <21mph then I can ride in the park - most of it is pretty protected from the winds but there are portions that aren't. So I CAN ride tonight and tomorrow night it looks like, just later than I ordinarily would. I will take it!
I am in a town where I spend spring and fall. I learned about a Sunday group ride that has people of all sorts of riding levels. It leaves in 5 minutes. The sky looks too much like rain, forecast is 60% chance of thunderstorms with winds 20-30mph, gusts to 40mph. Chickening out. :(
I think that I will try a run.