March 27 Rides

I am having to work at home today, however took a break to play on my bike! It couldn't be long as I had to get back to work, so only got about 9 miles in the sunshine and wind. It was glorious though! Now back to the grindstone of work.

Shifting is getting easier, and am trying to keep from going too fast for my current skill level - I figure that 16-17 mph might be a little fast for my current skills...I have no idea how I am going that fast on flat ground. Average speed is between 12.5-13.5 right now.

---> added: The coolest part is that I wasn't tired at all and I think I could have gone much longer if work wasn't calling me.... There were several cyclists I spoke with, one of which didn't step over a bike until he was 52 years old and at 54 he seems to be into serious racing. At 50 I am a spring chicken :D

Good to always take a health break, Catrin. :)

Did 43 kms. this morning. Clouds clearing up for some sun. Lots of cyclists out there plus joggers.

I led a club ride this morning. It was freezing and my muscles just didn't want to work! We ended up doing 25, freezing miles. At least the sun was shining!

It was beautiful in the Sonoran Desert today- wildflowers everywhere, and the desert birds are singing their hearts out. 47 miles northwest of Tucson- a little cool to start (40's) but warmed up to mid-60's - and the wind politely waited until we got to our coffee & snack stop at the end of the ride.

I know you denizens of cool climates are impatient for spring, and we will be broiling here when your weather is perfect for riding, but it was so nice to be riding through the desert today...

Sharon

I need to jaunt down to your neck o' the woods azfiddle! That sounds lovely.

Today, it was wet, rainy, and cold. :(

Yesterday, however was windy but in the 60's. I rode Critical Mass with friends, then we picnic'd in a park after the ride (shared a jug of communal wine and fruit, bread, & cheese) as the sun set & hazy shades of pink, purple, and blue streched across the horizon, the moon visible in the clear sky. Laughter, bikes, friends. Is there anything better? :D

20 miles on a cool, crisp, very sunny day. It didn't get higher than 42 today, but other than the first few miles, nothing was cold except my fingers. Still sticking with my strategy of going slowly, keeping to 14-17 on the flats. I feel good now. DH felt tired and let me beat him up our hill, a rare occasion.
Did the cue sheet for the ride we are leading on 4/11, today. It's exactly 30.1 miles from the start point, 38 from my house.
Tomorrow will be a longer 35-40 mile ride.

I had to attend a meeting today in Lowell from 9:30-4:00, so I biked there. It was 25F when I left home at 8 am but sunny and beautiful. I rode the Bridgestone MTB with studded tires and was glad I did - some icy patches on Rt. 4 in Billerica. Got to ride the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail for the first time. On the way there, I went north on Rt 4 and did about 2 miles of the trail, but on the way home I did the whole trail (6.8 miles) and rode back on Rt. 225. 14 miles there, 19 miles home.

Got my bike back from the shop last night. Had her tuned and a rack put on the back. Rode 20 miles today. Went early and it was chilly but not too bad. Hoping tomorrow morning will be good enough to go again.

I did the Saturday morning "N2" group ride. It was about 33 degrees at the start - pretty chilly so it took a while to warm up. A bunch of us did the Poolesville route which gave me 65 miles for the day. I felt strong but my legs were burning on some of the hills. A good burn. :) Nice group of cyclists and a lot of funny and bad jokes. :D

Today was a yoga and running day, this afternoon DH and I rode a couple of miles downtown to a wine tasting/art walk. I remembered to bring my jackets since we'd be coming home after dark when it was much cooler. He didn't. :p

Deb, Where did you go to in Lowell and how did you get there, specifically?
I drive down (up) West St. in Carlisle to the intersection of 225 and 27. Then I take 27 into Chelmsford center, to Rt. 110 into Lowell, into that horrible rotary thing where I have to go, to get downtown. I was taking Lowell Rd., past Great Brook to Rt 4 for awhile, but it's actually a mile or two longer. But, I'm asking, because I have tried to think of a way to ride there, without going through that rotary. I could take the trail for about 2/3 of the trip.
The drivers in Lowell are scary enough in the car, but, I still keep thinking of riding. I will be doing another internship there next year, where the place is right on Rt. 110. Going does not involve the rotary, but going home does.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pfunk12

Nice group of cyclists and a lot of funny and bad jokes. :D

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That about sums 'em up! :p

DH and I saw the thermometer this a.m. and decided to shut off the alarms, shut off the coffee maker, and head back to bed. We both have lost our enthusiasm for below-freezing ride starts since the daffodils and forsythia are in full bloom, the tree buds are filling in, and Spring is definitely in the air.
So, we left much later, cruised through Rock Creek Park, stopped at the LBS. Our standard weekend cruise. 35 miles.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Deb, Where did you go to in Lowell and how did you get there, specifically?
I drive down (up) West St. in Carlisle to the intersection of 225 and 27. Then I take 27 into Chelmsford center, to Rt. 110 into Lowell, into that horrible rotary thing where I have to go, to get downtown. I was taking Lowell Rd., past Great Brook to Rt 4 for awhile, but it's actually a mile or two longer. But, I'm asking, because I have tried to think of a way to ride there, without going through that rotary. I could take the trail for about 2/3 of the trip.
Going does not involve the rotary, but going home does.

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I went to the Boot Cotton Mill. Not knowing Lowell at all, I just followed the path to it's end (behind the Costpoint Center at Rt. 110 and Rt. 3) and followed Rt. 110/Chelmsford St. into town. When I saw a sign pointing to the Historical Park in the opposite direction I was going, I turned around and went down Central St. and found the Boot Mill. I didn't encounter a horrible rotary. 110 wasn't the best for biking, but it was doable. On the way back, I took Dutton St. to 110. GoogleMaps bike route actually gives a zigzag path on smaller roads into downtown.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 7rider

That about sums 'em up! :p

DH and I saw the thermometer this a.m. and decided to shut off the alarms, shut off the coffee maker, and head back to bed. We both have lost our enthusiasm for below-freezing ride starts since the daffodils and forsythia are in full bloom, the tree buds are filling in, and Spring is definitely in the air.
So, we left much later, cruised through Rock Creek Park, stopped at the LBS. Our standard weekend cruise. 35 miles.

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Can't say that I blame you. Pretty tough to ride on a cold morning when you are already thinking about packing your winter riding clothes away (or you already did). Isn't Rock Creek Park beautiful this time of year? The shade of green is amazing.

50 miles of gorgeous marin roads. man, there's a lot of traffic out there. larkspur to bovine bakery n back on a new (to me) bike with new gears. hmmm.. need to work up to be worthy of my gears.

was lovely out there. i think i have a mild sunburn. :cool:

I did 9 miles yesterday, the weather was sunny and beautiful here in OH. I bought a new pair of bike shorts yesterday and I took them out for a spin. I think they're keepers!

Thanks, Deb. Actually, you did go on the rotary if you took Dutton St. back. It doesn't look like a real rotary, but all of those lights where Dutton intersects is part of it. My internship site next year is just past Central St., so it might be doable. Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Thanks, Deb. Actually, you did go on the rotary if you took Dutton St. back. It doesn't look like a real rotary, but all of those lights where Dutton intersects is part of it. My internship site next year is just past Central St., so it might be doable. Thanks!

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I should mention that there are a couple of strange road crossings on the Bruce Freeman Trail in Chelmsford. To cross 110 you have to ride on the sidewalk for a ways with a sharp funky turn around a light pole by the road (which you can walk of course). At the crossing of Rt. 4 you have to do sidewalk for a short distance to reach the push-button light, and the path entrance on the other side is difficult to spot (crosswalk not in line with path). All the other crossing points are on minor roads and have a stop sign for bikes. There is no light to help you turn left from the path onto Rt. 225 but traffic was light there. The path takes you by beautiful Hart Pond where there is a small town beach - nice place for rest stop.

I didn't ride yesterday (the 27th), way too cold and it was my scheduled long swim day.

That said, I am finally back out on pavement, after several months on the trainer with Coach troy---between the 19th and 25th, I got in 220+ miles outside. All the Spinervals suffering paid off.

Since today (Sunday) is my planned long bike ride day, I got out at predawn for a decidedly chilly 43 miles on the Orbit! Had to bundle up but it was a great ride.

Yes, I rode the entire trail from the intersection of 225 and 27 last fall. After my friend, who is a newer rider called and told me about those intersections and asked me how to navigate, I thought she was just being wimpy. But, the one on 110 where you have to cross diagonally and then ride on the sidewalk is scary. What if there were bikes coming in the other direction? Add in the fact that most trail users are not experienced riders, it seems like a disaster in the making. It would make more sense to ride on the road, but then you can't access the path, because of the fence. I drive by there 3 times a week and everyday I wonder who was dumb enough to design that? The other crossing, on Rt. 4 was confusing, but for some reason, didn't bother me as much. I think on the way back I did miss the entrance to the trail, but was able to recover and get back. I agree, the majority of the trail is beautiful and it was nice to see so many people using it when I was on it last fall. In fact, I have seen people on it all winter as i drive by. It's probably only 6 miles from my house to get there.
Sorry for the thread hijack, but I really miss commuting, but not sure if I can handle this route once I get into the city. The rule there seems to be run every red light, don't signal, and talk on your cell phone.

it was spring, but a bit windy:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0706.jpg
So I decided to go west, using the mountains to shadow the wind. I wound up in San Dimas.
Strange things afoot at the circle K?
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0708.jpg
nah, they're on adventure:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0710.jpg
I rode on down to Covina:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0713.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0714.jpg
what size helmet does he take?
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0716.jpg
Mt Baldy on the way back:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0723.jpg
Neat old winery:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0725.jpg
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0727.jpg
Orange season:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0729.jpg
and I ended my day getting my kicks on the Main Street of America:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S6...0/101_0733.jpg