MY RIDE: road trip & w/some bike 'firsts'
I don't know how many miles I did today on my all day ride... but it was certainly a 'trip'... in more ways than one! AND with some biking firsts for me:cool:.
Both of my bikes need a trip to the lbs for mechanical reasons, plus with winter, I have not riddeen outside in a while...
Despite that, one of my best GFs asked me as her only b-day request to make a road trip to the WindyCity to visit her old stompin grounds of years ago (where she lived car-less--bike & public transpo travel only). Total spur of the moment plans.
The GF is a free spirit big city loving shiek chick. I'm a homebody from Mayberry. My riding routes are miles of rual routes with nothing but farm fields. Going to see the big city by bike I thought was literally going to give me a nervous breakdown:( before I even got there. BUT, I love my friend dearly. As her only known bike loving pal, how could I say no?:rolleyes: Thus, away we went...
I ended up taking DH's mid priced mtb. The last trip she went, her ride mate's very nice road bike got the locks cut and stolen. DH was not thrilled about me taking his bike because of this. All I knew to do was go to my lbs last minute and buy the best lock they had in stock--heavy Kryptonite U lock +heavy cable. The lbs told me not to lock up to something like a parking meter--but a tall light pole, if no rack available.
First we did part of a bike/jog path by the lake. A chilly spring day, but beautiful sunshine. The path was packed! But, oh my... I could not believe how courtesy people were! I just followed my GF's lead, and everyone made room and all seemed to abide by the rules to share. The one path I took closer to home in a state park was not like that--just awful, and rude (once was enough there).
The next thing that struck me: dogs. A TON of dogs. At home, I swear our rual dogs must get conditioned from chasing farm animals and wild life in large fenced yards because I can never pass a dog on my route without it sprinting to eat me. Everywhere we rode not even *one* dog attacked. Very well mannered on their leashes. Maybe in the city it's a privelage to get outside for a walk when you don't have a big yard? ...thus, you behave????:confused: I dunno, but I liked it.
I have no clue where we even rode to next, but it was into the city (where she used to live etc.). It was THERE that I found a bit of bike heaven. Something that could *almost* make a humble homebody Mayberry gal like me move to the city. That thing was: ***a bike lane***. WOW!:eek:
Being in "the big city" I was fully expecting to be multiple compounded with my usual road rage drivers cursing and throwing things out the car windows as they pass--apauled they must share a sliver of the road. This was not the case at all.
While some of my bike skills have lots of room for growth, I am VERY good at holding a straight and steady line--aka/read rual roads if you don't while being passed it literally could mean death by high speed. Thus, this was my strategy in the city bike lane. Cars were so courtesy--not even one near clipping (which happens regularly at home). Not even the taxi cabs.
It was like being in the bike twilight zone. I felt welcomed and like I 'belonged'. At that point I said to my GF, "if I lived here, I frankly do not see any (or very little) need for a car... what's the point?". Man, that was SO nice!
My cycling helmet tips off in respect to the Windy City of Chicago... thanks for making my bike day a great one!;):)
Plus... I'm pretty proud of myself for making it through trying something new... without actually having the full nervous breakdown:D.
Thx TE for letting me share!:cool:
Northern Virginia Sunshine
Long ride today - first one of the season. 41 miles :) Slightly chilly, but it felt good.
Longest Ride of the Year / or EVER!
Headed out into the icy fog this am to do what I was TOLD was going to be a 30 mile ride. Turned out that the trip was 60 miles round trip :eek:
I've never ridden more than 38 until today. Whoa -- and the pace was quite a bit higher than what I would have done on my own. I have to admit I was hurting BAD! Had cramps in my thighs, calves and back by the end. But man, was I happy and proud to say I made it at the end!
My first ever 60 miler! I probably wouldn't have gone had I known it would be that long, but I'm glad now that I did. Turned out to be a gorgeous (yet COLD) day for riding, and I found some new routes to try out.
