Saturday July 12th Rides

I got up early this morning to put in some miles on the road bike, planned on doing 40 hilly miles including a couple passes at Crystal Falls (max grade 20%). Unfortunately, I got on my bike and it was shifting terribly. I shortened my route to a rolling 23 miler instead.

After I got home I did something amazing- I cleaned my bike! Okay I know most of you are thinkign whopdedo but usually DH cleans my bike. I did it all, cleaned the drivetrain, cassette, frame, polished the frame with Pedro's Bike Lust and lubed the chain. This is the first time I have done anything more than the frame. Then ***drumroll*** I adjusted the shift problem! Shifting like butter in the rear now. :D

We are hitting the trail when DH gets off work, hopefully I can do some more trails this weekend.

Congrats on cleaning you bike; doing it yourself is so empowering!

I did a club ride today. There is a big rally near here so not many showed up, and I was the only "cruiser" (read: slowpoke). The four other guys decided to ride the cruiser route with me, at my pace. Very nice of them. It was warm, but not so bad once you get going. 21 miles with breakfast in the middle. Very nice.

And, my shin did not bother me at all! I think moving my saddle up, and therefor back, a little made the difference.

Barbara

Did a solo (as I mostly do) 38 miles. I divide this particular route up in my head sometimes, as the first 14 miles are not as hilly as the latter part. So I have deemed this 14 miles, out to Winchendon, as my personal time trial course. Well, today I did this part at 16.1 mph! Not that this number will mean anything to anybody which is why I never state avg speed but I wanna say it today because it is an absolute personal best for me! I am totally psyched. This is alone in a headwind, no drafting and no group. I'm tellin' ya, I honestly think it's my new carbon shoes and new pedals- my stroke is more efficient and more rounded. I really don't think I'm any better of a cyclist than I have been. In fact just the other day I was lamenting that I'm not at the same condition that I was last time this year. I was having fit issues and I think I've also finally dialed it in. But this average also includes going through Baldwinville where I literally have to stand in the pedals for about 1.5 miles. The pavement is so heaved and riddled with potholes that I sit in the saddle for 8 seconds and then stand and coast through the bad pavement. I end up going through this section at about 10-11 mph - it's brutal - I feel like my teeth are going to rattle out of my head and that bike parts are going to fly out all over the road. If I try to go fast then I get really thrown around and my wheels really take a pounding.

Anyway, after 15 miles or so come the hills on the rest of the ride so I slowly saw the average go down, down. So I kicked it down a notch and sat back for a joyride for the rest of the mileage, through some 1.5 lane country roads, all snug in wooded areas away from the wind. It was a beautiful day.

I did a 20 mile ride as prelude to a 5k run (good ride, poor run). About 12 miles into my ride I was stopped at a traffic light when I heard a call for help. On the other side of the road was a guy with a flat and no tube or repair tools. Of course, I offered to help. Turns out that he's a priest at the church that backs to my house. He offered to replace the tube and CO2 but I told him that he should pay it forward. He didn't really want to accept that. It doesn't sound like a priest thing, so, is it a guy thing? A guy can't be "saved" by a gal? He did take my name and was still saying that he may want to contact me to replace the stuff. Also mentioned that maybe we could ride together so that I can show him some of the good roads for biking. He grew up around here but has been gone for a while. Anyhoo, I figure I banked some bike karma today.

Hi all, finally found my way back here! Busy busy end-of-semester, and then I got sick with a nasty nasty flu virus. the doctor says 6 weeks, but I have just finished my 4th week of it and feel quite good now.

So my Saturday I went for my first significant road ride since June 29th (I have been for for 3 30minute rides, slowly, on the flat as well just to make sure my body still knew how to balance on a bike!).

So my Satuday ride was a hard, hilly 50km, I took the uphills steadily and had real trouble making it home - climbing the last 2km before I get home at about 7kph! It took me over 2 1/2 hours... but I did it, my breathing stayed under control, my heart rate behaved and responded as it should.

I feel like I have ridden a really hard race, My legs are aching like they would after a TimeTrial... but I feel good. Recovery is well under way. Yahoo!!!

MudMucker... mine was all country roads too and (apart from the wind) a beautiful day - surprisingly warm for winter too - a balmy 18'

And MD... a 20mile prelude to A RUN? I am always amazed at you gals who ride and then run! But I think you were being given a message... "ride good, poor run"...
The message then? Ride more!!! (Forget running :p you dont see as much countryside anyways!!! ;) )

Despite all the forest fire smoke (cough, cough), I rode just under 40 miles this morning. The smoke was actually not as bad today, although I would imagine the air quality was probably in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category by the time I got home. Great ride, lots of climbing. I know I've done lots of hills when my computer tells me my max speed was 41.2 but my average was only 12.6!

i only did 3 miles...but it was HOT and all uphill:eek:

I slept in a little and after I got up decided to do a quick ride to a little cafe for breakfast. I just put on new tires and tubes and wanted hubby to follow in the car in case I had a mechanical issue. So we both headed out about 8:00 a.m. and the weather was already hot--92 F with high humidity again. :p We enjoyed a nice little breakfast together and afterwards headed back to the starting point. Did 25 miles round trip.

I rode down to the airport before coming back up to do the club ride. Jiffer and her friend were there and I talked them into doing the "medium" option. (same distance as the long, but without the killer climb):rolleyes: Jiffer decided not to the Padua climb, but at the first regroup there were three guys missing:( Turns one of them had broken his saddle ,and Steve and Fred stopped to help him.
Jiffer split off ,since her friend needed to get back. I chatted here and bunch of folks before heading home with stop at REI to peruse the helmets (I think I need a pink one:o no luck finding one here that fits my giant sized brain.
Oh, and I did 65 miles!

160 miles -- Ride Across INdiana. Whew, dawgs!! That was fun!!!

Giant - WTG!

Raven - WB - sorry you were so sick! glad you're feeling better.

Club breakfast ride today (cruise and gorge), 40 miles. I worked on my spin a little bit since we were going so slow. It's been a very long time. I managed to get up to 140 rpm once but I was bouncing all over the place. More work!

today i road with TNT. it was a good ride. It was a short 30 miler but it is the beginning of training season and it is good to build up an endurance. We road out in Davidsonville Maryland. very beautiful out there! I think I might go out for a slightly longer 40 miler tomorrow.

160.1 miles at 20mph;) along with Silver, makbike,and indysteel!

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

160.1 miles at 20mph;) along with Silver, makbike,and indysteel!

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I have to say I am very impressed!

We rode the tandem to dinner and around town. Low key. High humidity and hot, but still a great day to ride!

Fredwina - try this one: http://www.rei.com/product/747023 It fits my overly large head (and it unfortunately isn't all brain:rolleyes:).

160 miles across Indiana with some very fine people. It truly was a rain ride for we started in the rain but things improved as the day progressed. Averaged 18.2 mph, I'm tickled pink!

I posted this at BJ but wanted to share herer too.

Today my hubby Joe and I met up with a bunch of our mountain bike friends and joined them on an epic ride! Our friends are camping this weekend (they went out on Friday afternoon and will be there through Sunday) in the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. Joe and I usually do the campouts but have an engagement tomorrow to attend so we just went up for the day.

The ride we did today was the Suntop Trail and the Skookum River Trail. From the high mountain top to the low river valley we rode. The climb was hard. On forest road. But once we reached the top we hit the single track and the fun began. We even came across snow (record snow fall this winter), crossed 5 streams, and even had to cross over fallen trees. We had a blast. Needless to say we are beat. Here are the pictures from today's mountain bike ride, enjoy!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...247/suntop.jpg
Shawns coming up the road with Rainier behind her. I took a picture of everyone coming up this road at this point.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/suntop10.jpg
My friend Pat on the trail surrounded by bear grass.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/suntop11.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/suntop13.jpg
My mountain bike. She's a sweet ride! We've had many great adventures together!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/suntop12.jpg
Pat eating her PBJ sandwich.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/suntop14.jpg
Crossing fallen trees.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/suntop15.jpg
Crossing snow.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/suntop16.jpg
Crossing streams. One of five!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...47/suntop2.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...47/suntop3.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...47/suntop4.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...47/suntop5.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...47/suntop6.jpg
Bear Grass

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...47/suntop7.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...47/suntop8.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...47/suntop9.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/suntop17.jpg
White River

Susan...that just looks so......epic!!!!! what a day you must've had!

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Raven - WB - sorry you were so sick! glad you're feeling better.

Club breakfast ride today (cruise and gorge), 40 miles. I worked on my spin a little bit since we were going so slow. It's been a very long time. I managed to get up to 140 rpm once but I was bouncing all over the place. More work!

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Thanks Oak :)
Good to be back... I knew I was missing you all, but didn't realise how much til I came back in! I haven't even had time to "lurk" without logging in.

Now... I just have to ask... "cruise and gorge"
That's literally? Cruise on the bike and then gorge breakfast?
Very cool :)


OH!!! SUSAN!!!!
What stunning photos!
I got my partner to come over and look and told him I want to mountain bike!
He said he didn't want to buy MORE bikes at the moment (he reckons my beginner level mtn bike wouldn't stand up to such an awesome stunning ride.
Thank you SOOOOO much for posting. Highlight of my day :)

We were in the White Mountains of NH yesterday. Did a 28 mile ride that I got from a book that was described as a ramble. Well, it wasn't long, but it was full of long climbs, with one long downhill. We started in Jefferson, NH, rode through a few other towns, and back to Jefferson. Most of the ride was on main roads with wide shoulders, except for the downhill. Not much scenery, but a lot of farms and a couple of scenic overviews. We went slow and steady on the climbs, especially when the sun came out of the clouds. Didn't bring the Garmin, but I estimate it was around 3,000 feet of climbing.
I was exhausted when we got back, as we had hiked up to Zealand Falls on Friday and hiking uses muscles that I don't normally use cycling! We got back home around noon today and I am going to rest and lie by the pond for the rest of the day.

Susan, beautiful pictures.

I rode a little over 27 miles with a group yesterday. It was my first time being clipped in on a ride and it was fun. For some reason I can clip out like a pro, but I can't get back in! I keep practicing it, though, so I hope it comes after a while.
This is also the first time I made sure to properly hydrate and eat during the ride, and it was a much better time even though the last third of it was all hills. My legs were crying, but I'm glad to say that it was because I'm out of shape, and not because I was out of gas.

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Originally Posted by RoadRaven

Now... I just have to ask... "cruise and gorge"
That's literally? Cruise on the bike and then gorge breakfast?

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Yup - breakfast is the destination. Cruise, gorge, cruise some more :) Some weeks the ride's a little harder and longer, it just depends on who shows up.

Wow Susan, what a beautiful place to ride! Thanks for sharing!

Glad to see that a lot of you did get out and enjoy a ride! :D

Oh RoadRaven . . . LOL that was my situation about 8 years ago. Joe and I were mountain bikers and many of our friends that we rode with were also road riders too. They kept telling us that we should buy road bikes and start road riding with them too. Well we finally broke down and purchased entry level road bikes and haven't looked back. Now I own two road bikes, my first one and my good one :D (old one is now for winter riding). We love both! Each has it's own special boing for us!

In fact this morning I am going for a road ride. Poor Joe had to go to work. Oh well I'll just have to suffer and ride for the both of us this morning! :p

Crannkin you sure fit your name! 3,000 feet of climbing! Way to go! It sounds like you had a good ride! And it sounds like you are a strong climber! I love to climb myself! I am not fond of downhills, well not the winding ones, straight aways I usually let fly but any downhill that is windy I slow way down.

Oakleaf, cruise and gorge! hehehe you have to work off that breakfast! And 40 miles should do it and then some!

And loved reading about everyone elses rides and adventures! Keep em coming the summer is just beginning!

Pedal On Everyone!

Sue

:D

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

160.1 miles at 20mph;) along with Silver, makbike,and indysteel!

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Was Silver pulling? ;)

TRIPLE BYPASS!

123 miles with 10000' of climbing over three mountain passes, including Loveland Pass at almost 12000'. Highest elevation I've ever ridden by a long shot. Great people, great support on the ride.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...008/TBP071.jpg