July 12 rides

Just an easy 20 miles with a couple friends. We rode around a lake a little further away from home. Started out sorta cool, but quickly hit the upper 90's. It was a beautiful day to ride.
We found a "waterfall" on our ride (that's what Sarah called it). The water tower was too full and the overflow was spilling out the top and hitting the road. It was such a nice refreshing sprinkle, we rode through it a couple times. :D Then I just had to take a shadow shot for fun.

So what did you all do today?

We took the new tandem out - just a short little shakedown ride to check out the new fork.

I do love how much space I have in the stoker compartment. It was fun to get down in the drops back there and hammer along.

Veronica

Did the C-ride with the shop. Legs were kind of shot from yesterday's ride. About 16 of us did the ride's 30 mile loop. Was nice to catch up with some of the guys I hadn't seen for a while.
DH was sooo excited when we got back....he took the "non-existant sprint" on the B-ride. Aziz led him out ... at about 43 mph! :eek: - and he nipped 4 other guys at the line.
When we got back to the shop, I got a tape recorder out of the car, and proceeded to interview our local National Champion, Kay, for an article I'm writing. This woman is 59 years old, started riding a hybrid around the neighborhood when her knees no longer allowed running, and moved to racing in 2004. She now has (lemme count)...seven (?) national titles under her belt. Amazing.

Rode up to Tempe Town Lake and up part of the greenbelt in Tempe/Scottsdale. I went 21 miles, which is the farthest I've ridden since I was a teenager. It was over 90 when I left and around 100 when I returned. I stayed cool (enough) by drinking lots and stopping to wet down bandanas for my head and neck. It was a nice ride, but I look forward to doing it when it's cooler. I wanted to stop and sit for a while by the lake, but didn't feel like I could take the time with the temps rising. Once it hits 100 it's close to game over for me. Don't think I'll be increasing my mileage much until it cools off here (around October...boo).

This was my first ride out since I put road tires on my MTB. *Boy* did that make a difference!

:(:(:( Had a great MTB ride with a friend, for about 9 miles. Then I sprained my ankle (feels really bad) flying over the handlebars. Still not sure what happened, but it involved an easy section of smooth singletrack, a tree, and possibly a branch I may have swerved to miss, and then overcorrected afterward? Anyway, this tree was only maybe 3-4" in diameter, but came up to maybe around handlebar height and bent back 90 degrees, parallel with the trail. All I can figure is that I swerved slightly, came back over too far, knocked my handlebars on the bent-back trunk, and hit the base of the tree with the side of the front wheel. All I know is I was airborn with both feet clipped in. My friend was the one who noticed the front wheel ended up on the wrong side of the tree. As it turns out, SPD pedals aren't really designed to release from that angle (straight forward / up) - it felt like I tried to rip my foot off. Fortunately, there was a way out to the road that was mostly downhill, since I could not pedal, and also my friend knows those trails really well. Glad I wasn't alone.

No biking for me for a while. :( Or running. Not sure about swimming. And my only tri of the summer is in 3 weeks. Waaaaa! I most upset about the great road biking season I'm having.

At least I didn't cry. :rolleyes:

Just got back from MTB ride with hubby (my b-day ride) today. Just went along river path, entering on the path, we had to wait for a black and white snake to sliver by! It was pretty, like a train going by.

Tri Girl: Waterfall. Good one :p

Skierchickie: So sorry about your ankle. I'll remember that--spd's don't unclip when wrapped around a tree :)

Today was a compromise ride. I wanted to go long, but was too lazy to get up and drive anywhere. DH wanted to ride from the house, ie. hilly. I wasn't in the mood for the gravelly Katy Trail, so we headed out on the road.

DH promised if I made it up my new nemesis hill, it got better on the other side (I interpreted this as "flatter"--apparently he meant "rolling"). He lied. Curse words flew. However, my only option was to turn around and head back--but I'd come up with a very short ride. So I switched to my granny gear, waved him by and dropped to a snail's pace. "You call it rolling--I call 'em HILLS!" At some point I dropped into the zone--wind in my hair, some pretty countryside and the downhills ARE fun:) The next thing I know, we crest the hill in St. Paul, MO--with a view of the big, old, beautiful church and DH just ahead of me. I was so happy, and wanted a pic--but in the end, no energy to reach for the camera :cool:

I wanted french fries, but it looked like town was still in church--so we split some jelly beans. On the way home, I made it up a hill that I had walked twice before. DH swung back and reported the girl on the tri bike that just passed me rocked the big hill in her big chainring while down in her aero bars--"Yes, she's a stud! And you're point?" And it was DH who swung into McDonald's with 8 to go to the house! Once home, I got a hug and "I'm proud of you!" Yeah, Ok--sorry I called you a d@#$ liar :D 3400 ft elevation gain over 30 miles--they do a century out there. Are they nuts?

A beautiful New England day, it still doesn't feel like summer but it was perfect riding weather.

I did 50.15 miles, my furthest ride yet. Now I just need to be able to do it twice by mid September when I do my first century. I felt good , my left shoulder is now a bit sore though. I need to get some ice on it I think.

If it took me just under 3.5 hours to ride 50 can I expect to me able to do 100 in 7 hours?

Tri Girl::)
I took detour from my usual route home from chruch to take some photos on rt 66:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/Sl...2/100_0746.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/Sl...2/100_0749.jpg
the lamp lights up at night: see here
Then I roode across route 66:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/Sl...2/100_0750.jpg
I tried to take some photos of the plaque, but no luck(see here). I was going to take some photos of the inn, but my batteries ran out. There's always next week

This weekend was all about short, faster rides for me. I'm a single mom with 2 girls so when my girls are with me for the weekend, I don't spend much time on the bike. So I missed the long group rides with 7rider. When the girls are with their dad (every other weekend), I can stay on the bike as long as I like. To be honest, I don't think they even care if I go out for a really long ride but I always have mother's guilt. They always tell me to have a great ride and when I come home, they always ask me how my ride was. So although I didn't get do as much mileage as I would have liked, I spent more quality time with them. And I felt really, really strong on the bike. I felt like I was flying and it was easy.

I'm back in the saddle so to speak and did 18 miles. It was overcast so it was a nice early morning ride on a July morning.

I went on a 15 mile mtn bike ride with DH, and 2 friends. It was on a trail we had never been on before. It was so pretty, we have been getting a lot of rain lately so the alpine flowers are out and everything is green. The trail had quite a bit of climbing and several switchbacks. Well I was trying to negotiate one that had a log on it. Didn't make it and unfortunately I went to put my foot down and all my foot hit was air. (there was a steep drop off to my right) You guessed it...My body went tumbleing down this hill (backwards) with my bike still attached to me. Luckily there was just trees in my path, not rocks. I fell about 40-50 feet. No significant injuries, several bruises and scratches. Although my right shin is very swollen right now. other then that it was a great ride!:p I am ready to try it again

Quote:

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Originally Posted by solobiker

I went on a 15 mile mtn bike ride with DH, and 2 friends. It was on a trail we had never been on before. It was so pretty, we have been getting a lot of rain lately so the alpine flowers are out and everything is green. The trail had quite a bit of climbing and several switchbacks. Well I was trying to negotiate one that had a log on it. Didn't make it and unfortunately I went to put my foot down and all my foot hit was air. (there was a steep drop off to my right) You guessed it...My body went tumbleing down this hill (backwards) with my bike still attached to me. Luckily there was just trees in my path, not rocks. I fell about 40-50 feet. No significant injuries, several bruises and scratches. Although my right shin is very swollen right now. other then that it was a great ride!:p I am ready to try it again

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Holy cow!:eek: That's one reason I'm terrified to mtn bike in Colorado.
I'm glad you're OK, but you'll sure be sore... rest up and take care of yourself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 7rider

DH was sooo excited when we got back....he took the "non-existant sprint" on the B-ride. Aziz led him out ... at about 43 mph! :eek: - and he nipped 4 other guys at the line.

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43 mph on the B ride?! I'd hate to see your A's! :eek:

Solobiker, glad you are ok. Sheesh! What a tumble! :eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by solobiker

I went on a 15 mile mtn bike ride with DH, and 2 friends. It was on a trail we had never been on before. It was so pretty, we have been getting a lot of rain lately so the alpine flowers are out and everything is green. The trail had quite a bit of climbing and several switchbacks. Well I was trying to negotiate one that had a log on it. Didn't make it and unfortunately I went to put my foot down and all my foot hit was air. (there was a steep drop off to my right) You guessed it...My body went tumbleing down this hill (backwards) with my bike still attached to me. Luckily there was just trees in my path, not rocks. I fell about 40-50 feet. No significant injuries, several bruises and scratches. Although my right shin is very swollen right now. other then that it was a great ride!:p I am ready to try it again

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Oh my gosh, that's awful! Sounds miraculous that you weren't badly hurt! Lucky gal.


I got in an 18 mile ride in Mass. with DH and 3 other friends. The roads in MA are 1000 times smoother and better maintained than where we live in NY. :cool:

.14 mi this morning, just going around campus and getting a feel for the bike outside of the controlled setting of the empty parking lot. First "on my own" ride too. It was nice--nice day, nice part of campus, no one out...

Congrats to DH! :D Was that on Democracy? I got burned last week by K and P on that stretch coming back from Sugarloaf. They made me feel like I was standing still. I think I'm afraid to show up for the B ride!! ;)


DH was sooo excited when we got back....he took the "non-existant sprint" on the B-ride. Aziz led him out ... at about 43 mph! :eek: - and he nipped 4 other guys at the line.

70 miles around Lake Istokpoga. A beautiful calm day and a wonderful group let me get my highest average ever on the ride. Would have been perfect if two pit bulls had not bolted into the road about 10 miles from home. One of the guys I was riding with couldn't avoid hitting the dog and went down pretty hard. He will be fine, but it was very frustrating. I know that Animal Control has been called at least once before. The owner had not been able to control one of the dogs and he actually ripped through his collar. I made another report to Animal Control, but they are not staffed on the weekend. Had several of the bike club members over for dinner. It was a perfect way to end a good weekend.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pfunk12

Congrats to DH! :D Was that on Democracy? I got burned last week by K and P on that stretch coming back from Sugarloaf. They made me feel like I was standing still. I think I'm afraid to show up for the B ride!! ;)

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It was. I don't even bother to make a go at that one!
I can't tell you the number of times I was asked today, "Where's P?" :D
Hope to see you next week!

Hope all you tumblers heal up soon!

We did 62 miles (my longest ride in nearly a year) before the sun could catch us. I woke up at 5:30 and couldn't sleep. Around 6:30 I woke the sleeping dog, cat and husband. The husband grudgingly got out of bed and started the ride at 8:00. He then thanked me the rest of the ride for waking him for the lovely ride. It was 78 when we started and only 92 when we finished around 1:30 (we stopped for breakfast). Of course it teased 100 by 4:00. :rolleyes:

I ignored the brain cells that told me to roll out of bed at 5 something AM, when it would be realitively cooler... and slept in until 6:30, ate breakfast, and read the paper. Finally getting me and my bike to the Mississippi River levee at 10:30 in the morning, when it was already 90 degrees and something like 85% humidity. But I rode 10 miles up to the end and back (20 miles round trip), taking it easy. Was good to be out! Average speed was 15 mph. :)

I need to replace my computer - I was doing 0, no 15, no 11.4, no 20.... all the while moving the same speed, then the screen goes blank. I gave the thing a new battery, cleaned the heads, jiggled wires. Don't know what else to do but rip it off and throw it in the river! (trash actually).

Solo, that drop sounds super scary!:eek: Amazing you weren't seriously hurt.

Went for a ride with my parents yesterday. It was my first ride in two weeks, I've been feeling unmotivated post-vacation. They don't ride very far, so I just took it as a "get back into the swing of things" ride. Crank until I got to an intersection, wait for them to catch up. Felt good and I think I've got the "urge" again, so mission accomplished.:) 14.2 miles, 13mph.

Hey! Long time not see! Between wedding shitake and not riding much I haven't been about. The good news is, I put in 22 miles yesterday, solo, and even did some adventuring. I'm still a little nervous, but I would say I'm riding again, after my wreck in April. It's good to be out. I may even try a group ride next weekend. I just need to go early, and avoid higher traffic areas. It was so nice to be out!

22mi total. Was to be a "training route" day but had other stuff cut it short. Ugh... tomorrow.