April 27-29 Weekend Rides

Had a sweet 25 miles on my Gunnar yesterday :) Next to no winds - even across the naked corn fields and it was just sweet. I thought about riding further but want to ride today. Am ramping things up slower than I would like because the weather has prevented consistent riding.

Today is supposed to be 72 degrees and +19 mph winds. That translates to higher winds across the corn fields... I will ride in my favorite nature preserve park. It is something like a pretty treadmill, but the winds are really moderated there. I need to get around 30 miles today - which will be more of a chore in that park but I am up to the challenge :D

I could be riding now, when the winds are calmer, but would have to wear tights and I am SO over having to wear warm clothes on the bike :o

Your ride yesterday sounds perfect Catrin, I have some lovely pictures in my mind's eye of you and your beautiful purple Gunnar in "naked corn fields". I hope you get a lovely ride today and that the winds are lighter than forecast.

I had a lovely potter into town on my Marin today. I used my panniers for the first time and was therefore able to buy two big bags of catfood without having to take the car. Perfect.

Did my first dark ride before work on Thursday. Well, at this time of year, even 5:30 AM isn't totally dark, but it was cloudy and I used my light for the first time in 2011. It was 62 at 5:30 with like 100% humidity, but a pleasant 10 miles around the town center. I love seeing the town wake up. Yesterday, I rode 20 miles in a very stiff breeze. I worked so hard dropping a guy who was wearing jeans, on a hybrid, that the wind really got to me during the second half of my ride. Today? Who knows? It's much cooler and cloudy-ish. I might have to wear my tights.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Did my first dark ride before work on Thursday. Well, at this time of year, even 5:30 AM isn't totally dark, but it was cloudy and I used my light for the first time in 2011. .

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You are SO lucky that it gets light so early! In Indiana, because we joined the Eastern time zone, the earliest it ever gets at the height of summer now is 6am...sigh

Yesterday was perfect commuting weather. I rode my Soma since the streets were still wet from rain overnight, but it was sunny and warm in the afternoon. First ride this year in short sleeves. I had on arm warmers, but didn't really need them, ended up rolling them down. 30 miles.

Today was an early spin just to meet my weekly mile goal. I rode my fastest time on my regular 18 mile loop. Have to give credit to the new wheels. They have made my bike noticeably faster. It really doesn't matter how fast I ride, but it is fun when it feels like flying. :)

Catrin, that's because you are on the edge of the time zone. Our earliest sunrise, around the solstice is about 5 AM. I actually prefer the before work rides in the fall, though, because when I go out it is really dark and it feels so peaceful. I think more people (hence, drivers) are out and about early at this time of year, especially people who work outside. If I didn't do these little early AM rides, I might not be able to ride during the week. I have time to do 15 miles, but doing something shorter and different than my usual training loop (i.e. flatter) makes it more serene, which fits with the early time.
Sometimes I don't believe I taught a 5 AM fitness class for 5 years. I still feel a little a bit "weird" when I start my ride that early.

So, my ride today was 9.5 miles to Starbucks and back on the Jamis. First time I have been on that bike since last June or July. She's been very lonely. On the way back, we rode over the Old North Bridge, up the hard packed sand path to the street that leads to our neighborhood. So much fun and all of the tourists stopped to look at us.
Tomorrow will be a 35-40 mile hill ride.

We have more snow today.

Our ten days in Munich were gloriously sunny, highs in the 70s and 80s. I'll post a real thread when I get around to managing some pictures, but the highlights were that we had a wonderful time, rode every day but one, loved our hotel and hated our rented bikes.

:)

Snow?! :eek: Poor you.

Today was gorgeous in NC. A cold front came through, so we waited until about 9:45 am to start our market ride. It was about 62 degrees then, perfectly sunny, with a bit of breeze. I wore shorts and a SS jersey with arm warmers. A bit chilly starting out, but quickly warmed up. We hit the farmer's market and food co-op, then back to the apt. to drop stuff off.

DH chose to stop for lunch then since he wanted to take his Trek out for a longer, faster ride this afternoon. I just grabbed a few cookies with Nutella spread on top, topped off my water bottle, and took off again for a neighborhood loop. Ended up with 28.5 miles total, and the temp was 74 when I got done. Gorgeous out! Didn't notice any pollen today either, a huge plus. LOTS of lovely roses and irises in the ritzy country club area I was riding through part of the time. Nice to look at other people's yards w/o having to do the work myself!

Tomorrow morning I'm riding with a friend, and the day promises to be a carbon copy of today, weather-wise. What a lovely weekend! :)

I did a nice 20 miles today with Winding Road at a local park to try and beat the wind a bit - had a tight muscle in one leg that just didn't want to loosen up, so I wound up sitting out the last loop. Very nice ride though, I normally ride by myself and was glad to see that I had the wind for both riding AND talking :) I also got to show off my brand new pretty purple bike :D

Am considering heading south tomorrow to help out with trail building efforts at Brown County State Park, it will depend upon the weather. If'en I am looking forward to riding those trails, then I can provide a little labor :)

Took a nice 23-mile ride today on some of my usual trails. Was in the mid- upper 60s while I was riding, a lovely day but with lots of pollen in the air. I had to stop to wipe my face, it was so gritty. (I do this in a most ladylike fashion... I pour some water into one hand, pour a little from one hand to the other, splash the water on my face, then pull the neck of my [cotton] tee-shirt up over my face and wipe down. :D)

DH and I did a hilly 22 mile ride today, hit some headwinds too. I'm still trying to get slowly back in shape from a whole winter of no riding.
I did better than I thought I would, but man am I beat now! No way I'll be riding tomorrow again- think i'll garden tomorrow instead. :cool:

Friday was nice enough for a commute but I was interviewing assessors and needed to dress in more than normal "business causal Friday's" so the commute was out but I made the most of it by a nice little ride yesterday after work, only 5 miles on a nearby path as a little warm up for a longer ride today where I more than doubled that mileage. Considering the calendar I figured I'd be on longer rides by now but the weather had not been cooperating earlier this spring. But I feel that I'll be catching up in no time.

Gosh it just felt glorious out today. Temps were not as nice because we had a lot of cloud cover (50's) but the wind was not howling like it had been so it was just great to be out. Particularly since I had just picked up my new bike today. I'm starting another thread about it.

I enjoyed a ride with my DH who is back on his road bike after 6 weeks recuperating from his accident. Yay! We did about 30 miles around the foothills of Tucson, back on a more urban route, with a stop at a French bakery. Getting back on the bikes to head home, I noticed the left side of his helmet was not pristine any more- apparently, he must have landed on it when he fell. How did he miss that? How did I miss that? He protested that it was fine, but I insisted! So we rerouted toward the bike shop to get a new helmet.

Then I ran over something metal. Funny clinky noises, and a flat tire. But not just a puncture- my tire had a deep gash. I fixed the flat but the tire is now bulging ....apparently trashed. So now I need a new tire. I put brand new gatorskins on the Fuji right before I bought the Ruby, plus we have a few other tires in the garage, so at least I don't need to buy one. I just won't have matching tires on my new bike anymore :(

I did my first group club ride yesterday. It was beautiful weather for once (it's raining again today). Lucky for me, the group only averaged 13.5 mph so I was able to keep up. We ended at 29 miles.

2nd ride of the weekend: a new destination, 50 miles round trip, to the Whipple Observatory located in the Santa Rita Mountains, south of Tucson. Beautiful ride- 18 miles nearly flat, with a 7 mile climb (about 1000'), with picnic tables and a rest room available. The wind came up just as we headed back, so the descent was a little was less fun, but we ran a rotating pace line on the flat section for a lot of the way back to the car, which helped. Temperatures were perfect- cool enough for a windbreaker at the start and on the descent and otherwise just jersey and shorts. Nice to have DH back on board for the rides :)

Got in 30.5 miles today, the first 10 or so with a neighbor friend who is just starting to cycle, so that was a more leisurely/social pace. Had a great time looking at flowers in the lovely gardens around and chatting it up. After dropping her back at the apartments, I did another 20 at a faster clip. Temp was in the 70s, sunshine to somewhat overcast at the end, east breeze, and light traffic, since it was a Sunday. So, I got in 59 miles for the weekend, very good for me, and am up over 500 for the year (all outside miles), also very good for me! :D

My DH got in 91 today and is up to about 2700 for the year. What an animal! :eek:

We did a 35 mile very nice ride today. I had originally wanted to ride to Harvard, MA, but all of our longer rides have been up the same big climbs so far, so we headed out to my old school, in a very round about way. I rode up a climb that is a really beautiful road that I used to commute on, before I moved to Concord. It was just gorgeous today, between 59 and 72 during the ride. I took my arm warmers off for awhile, but put them back on for a long downhill near the end of the ride. Lots of cyclists out. My goal today was to warm up slowly for at least 5-8 miles, which seems to be the key to me feeling good. We didn't push it for the rest of the ride, either, but I feel like I worked.
We stopped at the Martin St. Playground in Acton and ate lunch on the way home. That's where this kind of bad picture is from.

Did 50 in Taos, NM, at 8200 feet. Lots of hills, lots of wind, miserable.

Good beer.

i was so tired and achey after the windy 20 mile ride yesterday, I was sure I'd be really sore today...but for some reason I wasn't! :) Not even my butt!
That's good news.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

That's where this kind of bad picture is from.

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That's not a bad photo - it's cute as a button! :D

I got about 14 super windy trail miles today. I could not get the bike over 11 mph because the wind was so bad. Half of my ride was miserable, the other half glorious!

A perfect day here....no wind, sunshine, and ~60 degrees. The strong sun and absence of wind made it warm enough for shorts and short sleeves :) DH wasn't feeling well, so I cranked out a quick 23 miles on my own.

Despite having worked hard (mostly off-bike) all winter and being it great shape, I've lost my taste for long rides. Maybe I'm becoming more of a utility/commuter cyclist, or maybe I'm just being lazy ;) Anyone else experience this?

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Originally Posted by Becky

Despite having worked hard (mostly off-bike) all winter and being it great shape, I've lost my taste for long rides. Maybe I'm becoming more of a utility/commuter cyclist, or maybe I'm just being lazy ;) Anyone else experience this?

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Yes, I am. I'm finding i really enjoy the 10-15 mile rides now.
The 20 mile ride yesterday seemed more like the 30 mile rides used to seem to me 2 years ago. :cool:
i also took the bike computers off my two bikes because i didn't want to feel like I should ride faster anymore.
I think it's partly because i also want to get back home and garden, play with my bees and stuff. :D I want to do more things!

Managed only 12 miles Saturday. Weather was picture perfect for the ride, which was to test out the changes the fitter made to the bike, but after only four miles the saddle was killing my backside and new stem makes the handling of the bike much more "twitchy" which took a little getting used to.

I stopped and raised the saddle (height fitter says I should be at is just not obtainable right now) a little and turned around. I limped back to the car standing on the pedals most of the last two miles as it hurt just to sit. Today I woke up to swollen lady bits on my underside which has made sitting painful. I did have the fitter level out the seat as it was "ever" so slightly pitched nose up in an attempt to keep me from sliding forward on the seat.

Wil just have to keep tweaking the fit until we get it right... In combination with working on my core strength.

Not the best ride I've ever had! That which dosnt kill you makes you stronger eh?

Shannon

So my plans changed a bit, but I rode on Sauvie Island for 25 miles! Got a late start and it took over two hours including water breaks. The road is flat, but not smooth, has no bike lanes or shoulder. It was sunny & 70 degrees, windy (maybe 10 mph or so), and since we got a later start at around 5:00 p.m., it was chilly by the time we returned to the car as the sun was setting. I was sore, tired and hungry! But it was all good. No mishaps to speak of. I didn't really care for that type of riding, as it was my first riding on those types of country roads. It's a bit of a trek just getting to the island, so I doubt I will do it again. I'm much more an urban cyclist and we have great city roads where I can go for long ride in a bike lane. Here is a photo:

Today was the most fun I've had on a bike in a long time. I replaced the heavy, power-robbing suspension seatpost on my Sirrus with a normal one. What a difference! I had three more Newcastle/Auburn climbs I've never done before to ride, so today was the day. First was Bald Hill Road. This was pretty steep, with a maximum grade of 14%:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82938865

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thq7v1vkaFY

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/...55671257cb.jpg
view from top of Bald Hill Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/...86ab8d502b.jpg
view from top of Bald Hill Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

This was spraypainted on the road near the top of Bald Hill Road:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/...718b2d266d.jpg
'fi'zi:k' spray painted on road near top of Bald Hill Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

Next was Baxter Grade. This was the "easiest" of the three:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmClaazYzNc

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/...8e6970b7ae.jpg
my Specialized Sirrus at top of Baxter Grade by kittyz202, on Flickr

Auburn city limits at top of Mt. Vernon Road:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/...46060cee69.jpg
my Specialized Sirrus at top of Mt Vernon Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

Then I got back to downtown Auburn just in time to get video of the entire Masters race in the Auburn Criterium. This was the final race of the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ_oTbli7_Y

After watching the race I asked someone where Linden Ave was. I read on The Hammerin' Wheels' website that it is about a 23% grade, so you know I had to climb it:D I measured 25%, and with my super-low climbing gears I was able to climb this in the saddle no problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxYS4xdgKRg

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

I think it's partly because i also want to get back home and garden, play with my bees and stuff. :D I want to do more things!

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You might be onto something there......since I quit my second job a few weeks ago, I've been quite busy around the house. I'm exhausted each weekend, but get so much done that it's totally worth it.

There's just not enough time for all my fun :eek:

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Originally Posted by Velocivixen

So my plans changed a bit, but I rode on Sauvie Island for 25 miles! ... It's a bit of a trek just getting to the island, so I doubt I will do it again. I'm much more an urban cyclist and we have great city roads where I can go for long ride in a bike lane. Here is a photo:

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Congratulations on completing your ride, sounds great! I am the opposite of you, I've no desire for urban riding, but dearly love my country roads :) I just love to point my bike in a direction and just go there. I haven't yet done that this year, just waiting to get my base up a bit first.

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Originally Posted by luv2climb

Today was the most fun I've had on a bike in a long time....

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It sounds, and looks, like you had a lot of fun!

DH and I went to the local mountain bike trails for a few hours. It was great but the hills were kicking my butt. I hadn't done much technical singletrack since getting my Trek 520 commuter/ grocery getter. It was a nice change of pace.

Lisa, I am doing less 50-60 mile rides; last year and the year before only about 2-3 a year, compared to 10 or so before. Two years ago, I did a lot of little farm stand runs, shopping, etc. on my "other" bike. Last year, hardly any. But, I had my highest yearly mileage ever, by doing lots of little rides and maybe 2 25-35 mile rides a week. Some mornings I go out and do 10 miles before work, which are just as enjoyable as 40.
You have a lot of hobbies, so no wonder you want to get back and do stuff. Most of my free time is spent riding, but sometimes I'd prefer to go on a hike, or even sit on my deck and drink coffee. I feel very guilty and get antsy if I don't do at least a small ride. I know that's a bad sign of addiction, but I guess it could be worse.

A group of us went to New Harmony, IN on Saturday to ride the Harmonie Hundred. It was a very windy 50 miles but a nice ride. Yesterday, I rode around the neighborhood and took pictures of the flooding. All the state highways and county roads that we use are closed due to flooding and the interstate is the only access to anywhere. No bike rides longer than 5 or 6 miles for a while until the water goes down.

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Originally Posted by Velocivixen

So my plans changed a bit, but I rode on Sauvie Island for 25 miles! Got a late start and it took over two hours including water breaks. The road is flat, but not smooth, has no bike lanes or shoulder. It was sunny & 70 degrees, windy (maybe 10 mph or so), and since we got a later start at around 5:00 p.m., it was chilly by the time we returned to the car as the sun was setting. I was sore, tired and hungry! But it was all good. No mishaps to speak of. I didn't really care for that type of riding, as it was my first riding on those types of country roads. It's a bit of a trek just getting to the island, so I doubt I will do it again. I'm much more an urban cyclist and we have great city roads where I can go for long ride in a bike lane. Here is a photo:

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Very cute photo, and that looks like a beautiful area! I wonder if you would have enjoyed yourself more earlier in the day? I love country roads and used to ride them all the time when we lived out in the boonies. They do have a few downsides, though; no shoulders (here in the south), fast-passing cars and pickups, and lots of loose dogs. Don't have that much in the urban/suburban areas I ride in now. But I love how you can ride so much further without having to stop at lights/intersections so often, and there is a lot less traffic. Each type of riding has its pros and cons for me.

Completed my 5th 100 k ride for my p12 yesterday, the first of May
I was not in the mood, have been feeling out of sorts and we started the ride the day after my husband did the fleche, a 24 hour ride (ugh) and we started much later than we normally do for a long ride (almost 1pm when we finally got on our bikes)
big picture is our reflection on our truck "Honey, does your truck make me look fat?" "YES!"
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._1590828_n.jpg

We rode in the Olympia/Tenino/Rainier area and it was really very beautiful. My husband was strong but sleep deprived, so I was always worried he would not perform well, oh yes..we rode the tandem yesterday because I wanted us to be FAST. well, we weren't, we did a "keep together" ride instead.

The weather was perfect. with highs around 67 degrees, light wind, sun, dry pavement and few busy streets, it was a wonderful ride. Mount Rainier, covered with fresh snow, stood out like a jewel against the blue sky.

glad May is done, it's going to be a really busy month.

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Originally Posted by Bike Chick

A group of us went to New Harmony, IN on Saturday to ride the Harmonie Hundred. It was a very windy 50 miles but a nice ride. Yesterday, I rode around the neighborhood and took pictures of the flooding. All the state highways and county roads that we use are closed due to flooding and the interstate is the only access to anywhere. No bike rides longer than 5 or 6 miles for a while until the water goes down.

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I was thinking about you Saturday, was wondering how windy it might be down there. I limited my riding to a nature preserve park, but Friday had a nice ride on my country roads :)

Sorry to hear the flooding is so bad, sounds quite extensive!

@Emily, I should have clarified a little. I think that part of my "dislike" of the ride had more to do with feeling the road. In a parking lot while we stopped for a break I rode my DHs bike (hybrid with bigger tires and no heavy pannier on the back), and his bike felt so much more "cushy". The cars on the island expect cyclists and were gracious in their passing of us. I am already thinking about getting a more "road-type" bike (I think I've been bitten!).
@Emily, I loved your photos! I saw Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and a third mountain. I absolutely LOVE living in the great PNW.

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Originally Posted by Velocivixen

I absolutely LOVE living in the great PNW.

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yeah, especially when the sun comes out for a few minutes!!!

Nice thread! As a road cycling beginner, I like the idea of reporting in on rides!

So this was the second weekend with the new Kona Sutra. I rode twice, Saturday 16.8 miles "flat", Sunday a bit over 15 miles "hilly". It looks to me as if 50 miles/week could be a realistic goal for me to start out with. Does this sound reasonable?

Where I live, there's basically 1 road (that's not untypical for Alaska). I'm at mile 21 (well, about a mile off, via currently muddy unpaved side roads). It ends at mile 53 or so at a resort built around natural hot springs, and afterwards there's wilderness and then, somewhere, Canada. Mile 1 is a little outside Fairbanks, and at about mile 7 or so a road goes off to the town of North Pole. The bit between Fairbanks and where I am is pretty hilly (for me), older pavement with some chipseal and potholes, but a shoulder (presently occupied by lose gravel). The bit between me and the end of the road is nearly completely flat, has a new road surface, fewer cars, and no shoulder. The road passes in a river valley through a very picturesque State Recreation Area with numerous hiking trails going off (into the mountains), fishing ponds... It's extremely beautiful to drive out a little bit, to one of the trailheads, and ride out a few trailheads down, turn around.

If I want to ride anywhere else than on this road (or the one at right angles at mile 7) I need to drive. Or to get a mountain bike, which I may.

Mimi,

You are awfully brave to post that photo. Too funny! :D

well, Emily, I don't really look like that!! :cool::p
I love my hobbit feet!!