On the road - my bikes are happy!

Finally! I almost hate to say it because I don't want to jinx the weekend - but I finally got out on the road today (with one of my bikes).

It's been days and days of gray skies and rain, lots of rain. The town next to mine reported 3 and a half inches of rain in this week's storm. That a lot of water!

When I woke up this morning I looked outside to see blue sky. Unfortunately by the time I took my shower and headed outside to retrieve the newspaper from my walk, gray had taken over again. OK, OK, it's a work day, off to work with a dream of biking later. The sun made an occasional appearance but the sky stayed mainly gray. It was a lot lighter than it has been though, and instead of the 40 degree temperatures we've had all week it was in the mid sixties. At 3 o'clock I decided I just had to escape. The roads were still dry, and my bikes were sending me "I want to ride" messages. Time to head home so I could wander out again on a bike.

My bike & I managed a nice 22-mile late afternoon ride. It definitely felt good to be back out on the road, my first ride since last Saturday's jaunt with Robyn & Jean. (Weather wizard, please listen - you're not supposed to keep us off of our bikes at this time of year!) It was amazing how messy some of the roads were - lots of leaves and small twigs on the road. And it was scary that I saw several trees down not too far from my house. The roads were mainly dry, although there were enough spots where the road was totally covered with water that my bike requested (and received) a nice wash when we returned home. Clean, and ready to hit the road again!

It's a 3-day weekend, and I'm planning 3 days of riding. Here's hoping...

--- Denise

crossing my fingers for you my friend! Here's hoping I can send some of our New Mexican sun your way!! ;)

To ____ with yard work, today I got to ride in sunshine, shorts & a jersey. Could this finally be the end of the winter season? Unfortunately, my planned route was interrupted by road work, so I only got 48 miles. I'd been hoping to do a 70 mile loop, but I guess that was a sign that I needed to get back and tend to the yard. I'm hoping for more of the same this weekend.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by newfsmith

...today I got to ride in sunshine, shorts & a jersey. Could this finally be the end of the winter season?

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Me too! Warmth, finally. The weather forecast for the next 2 days isn't as good, but I'm still hoping for a repeat performance. More riding weather, please...

--- Denise

Denise:

I hear ya!!! Hubby and I got out this afternoon and felt so good. When I went downstairs to get my bike it just about jumped into my arms. We did about 30 miles, (forgot to turn my 'puter on I was so happy to be out), and then came home and the sky opened up and poured again...but we got to catch the end of the Giro so that was good. My hubby got a kick out of your bike Friday and wants to give it a go...we'll have to talk...he even said he would let you ride his beloved Colnago which I have never been able to ride!!

Spazz...I put an FSA crank set on my Trek 5200 and I also like it very much, maybe it's just me but do you find it slow to shift??

karen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by massbikebabe

... My hubby got a kick out of your bike Friday and wants to give it a go...we'll have to talk...he even said he would let you ride his beloved Colnago which I have never been able to ride!!

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Karen -
Fun! How tall is your husband? I'm about 5'6", and my Bike Fridays are made to fit me... They are very cool bikes. And Robyn's husband has one too - he apparently got his so he can take a bike with him on business trips.

--- Denise

Karen, on the FSA... nope, I find it to be a bit quicker actually.

I kept the Ultegra STI shifters and 9 spd cluster when the conversion was done. It might just be a "mind" thing babe... er, massbikebabe. :D Or you might need a little adjustment to the derailler.

Opinions anyone...

spazz

Hey Everyone,

Going for my third day of riding in a row... great ride on Sat., Denise. Just don't tell anyone I forgot to signal going down that hill. Yesterday was my first "co-lead" with the AMC. The ride started in Swanzy, NH and was perfect until the skies opened up. It was supposed to be about 30 miles of flats, going through 6 covered bridges. Very nice people and the ride leader, who I had not met was very mellow. So we got to the lunch stop after about 15 miles and decided to eat and wait out the rain under the porch of an apt. building. The rain didn't stop, so after about 45 minutes, we made the decision that the strongest riders would go back to the cars and start shuttling people back there. A few of the people were new riders, wearing non-technical clothing. Most of the people had water resistant, not water proof jackets. So my husband and the leader headed back and I was in charge of keeping the group happy while waiting (it was about an 11 mile ride back on the highway). Unfortunately, another guy went with them, even though we told him no. He couldn't keep up, fell in a ditch unclipping twice and it really slowed them down. Some of the people were griping that wanted to ride... the sun started coming out, but by this time they were back with the cars. My husband lost our portable GPS when he was helping the guy who fell, but we rode back and found it.... what a day. I still think we made the right decision, hypothermia seemed to be a real threat.
Well, today we are going out with friends and doing a 50 mile loop through Groton, up into NH and back. Hopefully, it will stay sunny.

I was hoping to have a really good riding weekend - one that would convince myself that I'm ready to head out touring on my bike again. I can't seem to come up with touring plans that are less than about 45 to 50 miles a day on the bike, and I think I'm back! My total ride mileage for this weekend - although riding an unloaded bike - definitely supports my touring dreams. Now I just need to figure out where my bike and I are traveling, and when!

You already know that I started the weekend with a 22 mile ride Friday after work. Saturday? It was an absolutely beautiful day. I headed out to Robyn's in the morning, and we did a really nice 27-mile ride. Both of us had afternoon (non-biking) plans, so that was the length ride that we'd planned. I thought that was fine, but apparently my bike decided she wasn't done! I drove home, did a few weekend errands, and then my bike jumped out of the car and we were on the road again - 15 more miles.

Sunday started as a wet day, so I started my ride later than expected. OK, OK, I'm a baby and I waited for the roads to dry out! It was cloudy, but it was still a pretty good riding day. I was rewarded for riding by coming around a corner to see a blue heron standing in the middle of a pond. Luckily I had my camera with me, so I can share my view of this marvelous creature. Later in the afternoon, I saw the sun reflected in a pond. Still a nice day. Not too much later I started to see very gray clouds. Another rider passed heading in the opposite direction. He looked up and said "you know we are both going to get very wet, don't you?" He was absolutely right, and when I was about 4 miles from home a steady rain started. Too bad I didn't have my rain gear with me! Oh well, it was still a good ride - 45 miles worth of good.

http://denise.smugmug.com/photos/23375039-M-1.jpg http://denise.smugmug.com/photos/23434332-M-1.jpg

Monday dawned with clear blue skies. The weather forecast called for a high probability of rain and afternoon thunderstorms. Do you think I listened? Nope. Out we headed (my bike and I)... It probably would have been smart to combine some shorter loops near home, just in case - but I didn't do that! I headed to Beverly (on the coast) and then up to Ipswich before turning towards home again. My goal was a 50 mile ride, and when I got home I'd done 54. I was caught in rain twice - not too bad considering the downpour with loud cracks of thunder and visible cloud to ground lightening strikes that greeted me as I pulled up to my house at the end of the ride. Talk about dumb luck and good timing!

Luckily I had my camera with me again, so I could get a shot of this very funny donkey taking a look at me through his fence. I guess he didn't quite know what to make of my bicycle - or maybe he wanted to go for a ride!

http://denise.smugmug.com/photos/23466976-M-1.jpg

Oh, wait, this was supposed to be about biking, wasn't it? Here's a shot of a very happy Denise standing on the shore in Beverly, MA:

http://denise.smugmug.com/photos/23466159-M-1.jpg
Sleeveless? Yup, my summer cycling garb has jumped out of the closet - It was 63 degrees when I started riding this morning, and I figured that was warm enough for bare arms and bare knees!

Good going Denise! And nice photos... thank you for sharing.

I have yet to get out to pedal. My roomie had surgery on Monday (last) and had some problems, so I've been playing nurse and now hostess to all of her friends that have come-a-callin'.

Maybe tomorrow when everyone is off to work.

spazz

Yeah, sounds like we all got to ride. DH took Friday off and he and I did the Nashua River rail trail together (22 miles). Saturday we went Mountain Biking with the kids at Oxford State Park but the thunder and lightning had us cutting that ride a little short. Yesterday we rode all around Grafton with our ten year old and did 25 miles. Man this town is a killer with hills. Today DH and I did about 15 and then my legs had had it for the weekend.
Now its raining and I don't even care. WAHOOOOOOOOOO :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spazzdog

My roomie had surgery on Monday (last) and had some problems, so I've been playing nurse and now hostess to all of her friends that have come-a-callin'.

spazz

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Oh ouch! Please pass my good wishes for fast healing on to your roomie. And I hope you can get out on the road tomorrow.

--- Denise

Just got back from another aborted ride... but this time we got in much more. The route was just gorgeous. It started in Littleton, up through Groton, Pepperall, Hollis, NH. We had just finished our lunch stop at Kimball's fruit farm and were heading back when the skies really opened up. We had just got back into MA, in Dunstable. First someone let us hang out in their garage, then we tried a couple of more miles. It was miserable, thundering and lightening really badly. We hid under the eaves at the Public Library. My friends had no jackets and one was wearing sleeveless. So finally, the guys called a cab and took it the 19 miles back to our cars and came back to get us. At least i got in a good 31 mile ride. I'm disappointed I didn't get in as much as I wanted, but today was a good ride, with one good hill.

Next weekend looks good; who is in for Sunday AM? That will determine the route!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin

Next weekend looks good; who is in for Sunday AM? That will determine the route!

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Robyn -
I'm definitely in for Sunday morning (June 5th).

Your tale of your rides yesterday and today made me realize just how lucky I was. I was pretty soaked yesterday when I got home, but the rain was all in the last 4 miles of my ride. And today? Well, I guess that I was really, really lucky. The total downpour that started as I opened my garage door sounds like what you were riding in.

--- Denise

What is the departure place/time and distance for the 5th? Maybe I can get there...

spazz - ever hopeful

p.s. roomie is much improved. she had her gall bladder removed (had a stone the size of a large marble) plus her gyn was in the OR to inspect the premises from her surgery last yr (crushed overy and fallopian tube removal due to endometriosis).

she had a real hard time with the anethesia... woke up hurling. Every time they tried to get pain meds onboard she'd get sicker. It was ugly. But she's up and around now, slow but moving... and laughing again.

Nice pictures Denise. The donkey is hilarious!

V.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spazzdog

What is the departure place/time and distance for the 5th? Maybe I can get there...

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Spazz -
When Robyn & I talked on Saturday, we thought it made sense to decide on the location for Saturday's ride after we found out who was going to play.

I'd prefer a start time between 9 and 9:30 - but of course I can compromise...

--- Denise

I just checked with my roomie... she's doing real well and said "Go, go... please go!" I'm not sure if that was excitement or a reflection on my nursing skills :confused:

So... I'm in. I know how to get to N. Andover (20 min or so from me) but any other place, I'll need directions please. And whatever time y'all decide on is fine with me.

spazz

Those beach pictures looked really good, Denise. How long would it take to do that ride from your place? I really would like to be back by noon or 1.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spazzdog

So... I'm in.

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Excellent! So far it's you (coming from Medford), me (North Andover), Robyn (Boxborough), and Jean / newfsmith (Norwood). In other words, we're coming from all over the place!

Anyone else going to join us?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin

Those beach pictures looked really good, Denise. How long would it take to do that ride from your place? I really would like to be back by noon or 1.

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Beverly is about 17 or 18 miles from my house using the route I took yesterday, but there were large chunks of road that were fairly heavily traveled - so I'm not sure that everyone would be happy on those roads. They were OK on a holiday, but I'm not so sure about a regular weekend day. Hitting the coast from my house either involves riding on roads with more cars, or riding a longer distance than we probably want to go. (As in, I have a ride to Newburyport that I like, but it's a 50 mile round trip...) I'll take a look at my biking map when I get home tonight to see if I can come up with a different route that hits the coast.

It's funny, but I've really noticed a huge difference in the roads around my place and yours. It seems like from your house you can get right out on nice back roads, and when I leave from my house I have to spend more time getting to the nice back roads. But I'm happy to ride where ever we come up with a good route, whether it starts from my place or someplace else.

--- Denise

Denise, how about riding up through Andover, N. Andover, into Boxford Georgetown... I used to know a route, can't think of it. Part was on 133, 97 but you may know the quieter roads.

I'll see if I can find my old route maps...

spazz

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spazzdog

Denise, how about riding up through Andover, N. Andover, into Boxford Georgetown... I used to know a route, can't think of it. Part was on 133, 97 but you may know the quieter roads.

I'll see if I can find my old route maps...

spazz

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Yup, I ride there all of the time. It's funny, but as I was driving home tonight I was thinking of roads through North Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, etc. that we could ride on Sunday. So I guess we're on the same wavelength. As long as we don't try to hit the coast, I think I can come up whatever length ride we'd like on some reasonable roads.

--- Denise

It's really pretty around there... I'm sure you will lead us well.

As I haven't ridden much (at all) since California, I'd be up for 20-30 at an easy pace. If I'm low balling it too much for everyone elses taste let me know.
I can go as far as I can go, and head back on my own if necessary since I'm halfway familiar with the area.

spazz

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spazzdog

...As I haven't ridden much (at all) since California, I'd be up for 20-30 at an easy pace.
spazz

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25 to 30 miles sounds good to me - I'll plan on a longer ride for Saturday. As far as speed goes, I think my normal pace is an easy pace. (Is that a nice way to say I'm no speed demon?)

--- Denise

Cool!

So, who's comin'?

spazz

Right now, I think it's you, me, Robyn, and possibly Jean (newfsmith), she tentatively said yes but I think she had to reschedule something.

Anyone else out there?

You may even get to meet Honeybee, if the weatherpeople are right. When & Where?

The back roads around you sound fine. I figured the coast would be too long of a trip for just the AM. Plus, I am doing 50 or 60 on Sat., so 25 is fine. Yes, you are right Denise. The reason we stay in Boxborough is we can get right out on nice roads, without much traffic. Even though I would like to be closer to the city and we actually go in a lot, I like the cycling around here too much. Just driving closer to Boston upsets me!

My ride yesterday was really gorgeous; perhaps we all can plan to do it together during the summer. It's 50 miles. I will be at your house at 9, if that is OK.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by newfsmith

You may even get to meet Honeybee, if the weatherpeople are right. When & Where?

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Honeybee? Is that your bike's name?

Sounds like my place in North Andover as the starting point for our ride this Sunday. Robyn suggested 9 as a meeting time - but I think you have the furthest distance to drive, so let us know if a little later would work better for you. I actually get my hair cut in Norwood, and it usually takes a little less than an hour to drive there - I think it's about 40 miles.

Robyn - you know how to get here.
Spazz & newfsmith - I'll PM you with directions.

Does 9 work as a starting time? 9:30?

--- Denise

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin

My ride yesterday was really gorgeous; perhaps we all can plan to do it together during the summer. It's 50 miles. I will be at your house at 9, if that is OK.

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That was your ride through Groton and up into a little bit of New Hampshire, right? I'd love to do that one at some point during the summer.

--- Denise

Yes, the ride actually starts at the Hostel in Littleton that we rode by on Sat. It's almost the same ride that Steve arrowed, so there are plenty of cues. We can plan for a later date, in July.

Robyn

See you sat.

Thanks to Spazz (Gena), newfsmith (Jean), and Robyn for driving here for a ride today. We had a nice wander through North Andover and Boxford this morning. Hot, hot, hot - just checked the temp, and it's now 87 degrees out. (Hard to believe the forecasti is for the temps to be in the 50's tomorrow - what a contrast!).

Thought I'd upload the pics from the end of our ride before I head out again. I'm just 19 miles short of getting to 1000 miles so far for the season, and for some reason I have it in my somewhat crazy head that I want to get there today!

Pictures anyone?

http://denise.smugmug.com/photos/24047079-M-1.jpg
No, Gena did not ride with one bike shoe & one non-bike shoe - I just caught her in the middle of her shoe change!

http://denise.smugmug.com/photos/24047082-M-1.jpg
Here's Jean on her snazzy new yellow Felt.

http://denise.smugmug.com/photos/24047086-M-1.jpg
Robyn & I were comparing our different versions of helmet head. I promise, I'll get in closer (for a better picture) next time!

http://denise.smugmug.com/photos/24047073-M-1.jpg
Yup, that's me with another good case of helmet head.

Pictures uploaded, time for more sunscreen, a quick snack, and a few more miles on 2 wheels for me!

Thanks grrls, it was a fun ride. And thanks to Newfsmith for checking on me after my little crasherini AND for fetching the water bottle that fell off (as a result of crash damage) further up the road.

And now we know why my name is "spazzdog"

me :D

fun pics Denise. hope the rest of your ride was fun.

It really is fun riding other peoples routes for a change. Good luck on your tour, Denise. Maybe next time we can do some "south of town" roads. It was fun meeting you, Spazz. Did I tell you that the very first ride I took on my new bike I crashed it because I grabbed for the brakes on the top of the bar out of habit? Robyn, I got home and checked the calendar, we are going to be in Onset the 18th, sorry that sounds like a nice ride.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by newfsmith

Maybe next time we can do some "south of town" roads.

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I'm definitely up for a "south of town" ride! It will be interesting to see how much (or if) your routes overlap with the roads I tended to wander on when I lived in Easton.

--- Denise

It is fun riding other people's routes. Thanks Denise, for the pretty ride. It amazes me that there are still places in MA, not so far from where I live that I have never seen. Spent a very warm afternoon in JP getting my settled in his apt. I think that I was the oldest person around!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DeniseGoldberg

I headed to Beverly (on the coast) and then up to Ipswich before turning towards home again.

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I just wanted to stop in and say HI on this thread.
I grew up in Ipswich and my mom and sister still live there. I now live in western Colorado (cycling heaven!). I have not been "back east" to visit for several years. I am hoping to visit back home and bring a bike with me! I was not into biking before I moved to CO. There are many places in Essex County that I want to explore by cycle someday....

Cycle on ladies!!!!!! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by surlypacer

...I have not been "back east" to visit for several years. I am hoping to visit back home and bring a bike with me! I was not into biking before I moved to CO. There are many places in Essex County that I want to explore by cycle someday....

Cycle on ladies!!!!!! :D

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Make sure to let us know if you're going to be visiting Massachusetts with your bike - sounds to me like that would be a good time to organize a ride!

--- Denise