Sunday, May 23 Rides

I had a 20 mile ride in a local park - and I saw a deer again! This is 5 rides in a row now that I've had a deer sighting - and that counts rides outside of the park.

One thing did get a little frustrating, though it was only due to the fact that there were a LOT of people in the park on a Sunday evening and I am not used to that. Large crowds of people blocking the road as the visit with each other and not wanting to clear a path for me - or looking at me oddly when I ask them to let me through. Then there were the walkers with those itsy-bitsy dogs and REALLY LONG leashes that go all the way across the street.... However no problem in the end, so I am happy.

I tried to focus on things other than speed - this being the first time that I've ridden in temps higher than 73... but was happy to note that my shifting seems to be getting much smoother - and I also practiced taking my left hand off the bar. I have to be very intentional about it and think my way through it before I do it - but it is getting easier. We are not worried about the right hand, yet :o

Hubby and I had a great ride while the kids were with grandma and grandpa. It was a little cool and there was a nice little head wind on the first half of the ride, but we had a great 20 miler. Hubby is very fast and so it really pushed me to try to keep up lol. I made it and I am still able to walk so far this afternoon. It was my first 20 miles. I can't wait to do it again later this week.

22 miles to Fremont and back with the DH(with a 6 mile light rail ride thrown in too)
it was 47 degrees with a tailwind and rain going into downtown.
the weather gradually and vaguely improved throughout the day. Now the sun's out and my bike is in the garage. No danger of getting sunburn today!

About 20 miles with a new riding buddy! It cracked 90 here today and was super humid, but we kicked up enough breeze for it to feel quite comfortable. Hoping to ride with her more in the upcoming months!

I did a 29.76 mile round trip ride to my work. I wanted to test out my choice of route before the initial commute to work and, was glad I did. I need to change a 3 mile section to a different road. The one Google bike maps took me on was way to busy and narrow of a road for my comfort.

It was my first really long ride on my new trek 520 and I fell in love all over again, with "bessie" She handled everything I threw at her with ease. I was worried about the stock Bonty Hardcase 700 X 32 tires, because I have to ride on an old rail trail for several miles. I do plan to get some Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires in a few weeks (when I have some extra cash).

Once I hit the bike trail (after going out of my way by 3 miles) it was a blast. I had a great time and even stopped at the half way point to eat a PB sandwich and an apple. I can not wait to start my daily commute in a few weeks.

I did my flat recovery 10 mile recovery spin ride. Saturday I did a metric century where we averaged over 20mph so I just wanted to stretch my legs a little. It was a lovely day!

47 miles in temps in the mid-90s...one of my riding partners had to stop for heat exhaustion (and it was HER idea to ride at 3:30 in the afternoon!!). Never again.

I also discovered that my new saddle (SI SLR Lady Gel Flow) is a little too firm and pear-shaped for me. I'm getting tired of looking at saddles and am feeling like the "princess and the pea".:(

23.x miles yesterday on the bike trail. It was sticky, as we'd just had a lot of rain, and the trail was muddy in places. Only fell over once too. (See other thread...)

90 miles, 90 degrees, 5100 feet of climb. Whoo! That's livin!!!

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Originally Posted by HoosierGiant

90 miles, 90 degrees, 5100 feet of climb. Whoo! That's livin!!!

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Indeed! Where did you go for the 5100 feet of climb in 90 miles?

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Originally Posted by HoosierGiant

90 miles, 90 degrees, 5100 feet of climb. Whoo! That's livin!!!

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I can't imagine moving in 90-degree weather...

Well at least you can create your own breeze :)

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Indeed! Where did you go for the 5100 feet of climb in 90 miles?

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We have several courses we train on in the southern portion of east-central Indiana. The hills there will rival anything in the Bloomington area or Brown County -- we've ridden in both places, and I'm convinced they're not as tough as the eastern routes.

This particular ride wound through the countryside of Franklin County, up and down the ridge line along the Whitewater River. Started in Laurel, then on to Metamora, Peppertown, Oldenburg, St. Mary's, Brookville, back to Metamora, then Laurel, off to Orange, and finally back to Laurel.

Haven't downloaded my Garmin yet, but at least 10 of the hills are over 15%, several top out over 20%, and a number of the climbs are in excess of a mile, with one right at two miles. Is it climbing mountains? No, but it's one heck of a workout for those of us who scoff whenever someone says, "Indiana? There are hills in Indiana?!"

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Originally Posted by Owlie

I can't imagine moving in 90-degree weather...

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I'm one of those people who isn't warm until it's at least 80 degrees outside. I LIVE for 90 degrees!! Will take any opportunity I can get to be outside and sweat in the heat and humidity. :)

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Originally Posted by withm

Well at least you can create your own breeze :)

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Absolutely! Some of the downhills we were on yesterday were definitely white-knuckle-inducing -- winding, tree-lined roads with no sight-line now that the vegetation is going gangbbusters. Riding the brakes for all you're worth so you don't end up in oncoming traffic on a curve (and still doing 35 mph)... yep, quite the breeze!

I did 40 miles with DH's JDRF cycling group...mid-80s, hills from Hell, humidity...but it was fun. By the end I was TOAST!!!

DH and I did 55 miles with the local club. This was my longest ride of the year and my first ride in almost a month. I rode my old bike (a Bianchi) for the first time since buying my new bike last year. I just haven't worked out my fit issues with the new bike, and I'm ready to throw in the towel and sell it. It's incredibly frustrating. The good news is that I felt a bit closer to my old cycling self on the Bianchi. DH said we our average was up by 2 mph from previous rides. It was still far slower than I averaged two years ago, but I'm not all that hung up about it. My comfort level is far more important.

The Bianchi has a triple that has long irritated my IT band. DH is swapping it out for the compact that's on the new bike. Once that change is made, I expect to be good to go.

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Originally Posted by buffybike

I also discovered that my new saddle (SI SLR Lady Gel Flow) is a little too firm and pear-shaped for me. I'm getting tired of looking at saddles and am feeling like the "princess and the pea".:(

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Brooks, Brooks, Brooks :)