Hoping to get out and ride after work tonight. Anyone else?
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Hoping to get out and ride after work tonight. Anyone else?
Pretty steady rain, at the moment, so probably not me.
Did get out and do some mountain biking, yesterday, though, but careful not to overdo because still have a touch of my lingering cold. Love biking this time of year, as I've said, but now find all my mountain bike trails covered in leaves. Not good. Those leaves make it hard to actually see the trail and some of the sections are very narrow, not to mention the leaves cover some tricky spots. May just drag a rake down my trails around the house, but not much I can do on the backcountry MTB trails other than be extra careful. Oh, well, that's mountain biking.
For those of you on pavement, watch those leaves when wet. Ask me how I know. :)
*Finally* went out on a longer ride today and it was fabulous. Went with my normal group, my friend was leading and all of the super fast people went out ahead of the group, so it was not too big. Most of this ride was going in an opposite direction than I usually ride these roads and there was one small section of neighborhood streets i had never been on. Basically, the ride went from Bedford, MA, to Billerica, south Chelmsford, a teeny bit in Carlisle, then Concord, and back to the start. The weather started out chilly, but warmed quickly. I was dressed just a bit warm, but I would rather have that than the opposite. I did change to short fingered gloves at the rest, and had my vest and jersey (light thermal) unzipped. However, a lot of the ride was in the shade, so no overheating... until the 2 climbs. The first was going the opposite way than usual on Vose Hill Rd., a climb I did twice this year in close to 90 degree heat. It's a neighborhood street, a loop, and it was easier going this way, but not easy. I could stay with the faster people. Then, lo and behold, the second climb was my old street. I have not ridden up it since March. It is also a loop and we went up the steeper grade side. Couldn't keep up with the fast guys here, but I was not with the slow ones, either. All I can say, is I am glad I don't have to do this every time I ride anymore.
There are pops of fall color, but not enough to take pictures. We will do some riding this holiday weekend, west of here, where I might get some pics. Today's ride was 33 miles, with 1,719 feet of climbing.
Crankin, does "Bedford" rhyme with "Medford"? (I have a friend whose family is from Medford and he has schooled me in the correct pronunciation. )
It was chilly here last night, in the 60s, when I got home from work. Since then I've been thinking about what I need to wear to ride comfortably tonight. We skipped over short sleeves and shorts weather and are going straight from tank tops to long sleeves, capris and wool socks.
Ha, ha. My son lives in Medford, also pronounced as "Meffa" or "Medfa," or "Medfid." The first is the really old Italian townie pronunciation, which is who settled the city. The others are just variations of the Boston accent, which gets stronger as you get closer to the city. So, my answer is, not really, but you probably won't hear Bed-ford, with the last syllable accented and pronounced like the car brand. You probably will hear Bedferd, which is probably what I sound like. I moved away in 1969, came back in 1990, and I still have to force some of the "r" syllables.
It was 39 here last night and 53 when we started our ride.
We finally got out for a good long ride today after many days of traveling. We are in western Ohio now and rode on gorgeous rural roads from our campground, out through Amish areas, lovely farms, and over into eastern Indiana, where we picked up the Cardinal Trail. We had ridden this trail a couple of years ago when staying in Richmond, IN, but this time we only did around 8 miles each way into town, grabbed some ice cream, then headed back north. On the way north on the Cardinal, a passing shower caught us by surprise as we thought it was supposed to be sunny and warm all day long, but that's the midwest for you!
Ended up with over 51 miles, so made up for lost time. Even though the terrain was not too bad -- flat to rolling -- my quads were burning on the last 25% of the ride since I hadn't done anything over 30 miles for quite awhile. Fortunately my lungs seem to be doing very well after being in the high-altitude west for so long. No more huffing and puffing to extremes, thank goodness!
Very little fall foliage here; it's like going back in time after being in Colorado!
I decided to go for a walk after work tonight instead of riding. I'm just not ready for the cooler weather and playing the "how many layers" game. Now waiting to see how the weather shapes up for the weekend.
What with rain through mid afternoon, wasn't planning on a ride, but the rain stopped, the sun came out and the temp was right at 60 degrees, so couldn't resist. Only did 22 miles, but the gorgeous color and wonderful aroma of the north woods after a rain made for a great ride. Would have done more, but had to be back in time for a dinner date with friends. Yup, just cool enough to wear leggings with the brisk wind, but well worth it.
I've been riding regularly in spite the crash that finished my ride Saturday. (Detailed elsewhere). That was about 35 miles I think- "biking & birding". Tucson weather is great right now- cool in the morning but still pretty warm by late afternoon.
Sunday I took the Surly out on the path just to see if I could keep moving. Monday I did a bunch of errands on the Surly, and picked up the Ruby from the bike shop. Flat tire, a little brake adjustment (the rotor got bent a little and they tightened a couple spokes). That was a relief.
Tuesday- commuted into work for a meeting (even though we're on break), rode to a home visit to see a student, and took a very long way back to check a couple birding spots for 36 miles.
Wednesday- another student home visit, then continued to my classroom to do some clean up and get ready for having a substitute- I'm skipping the first day back after the fall break.
Thursday I drove to the other side of Tucson and did a 47 mile expedition looking for hawks etc through the Avra valley. Very flat- not my usual ride experience.
Rained all night, temps in the 50s and dropping all day with strong gusty winds as a cold front pushes through. For sure frost, tonight. Will ride, today, just around the house on my trails. One thing about riding back in the heavy stuff; wind is not as much a factor as when on the road.
We're looking at rain tomorrow and wind on Sunday. I'm trying to figure out if there's someplace I can ride on Sunday that will offer some protection from the wind. Many of the usual routes through farmland and near the Chesapeake are too exposed.
Had originally planned to do a 50 mile ride west of here, but we were not feeling it, to get out of the house by 10:00. We ended up doing 28 miles over to the cranberry bogs in Carlisle, hoping to see the harvest and some fall color. Apparently, they are not harvesting now, and I am not sure if it's due to the drought, or that it's just too early. I know they harvesting down on the Cape.
However, there were areas of some nice fall color, but I definitely need another week before it's photo worthy. All in all, a nice ride, and I always like it when my DH is feeling slow! It started out at 63, but it was cloudy and humid, and felt warmer. After 7 miles, I took off my arm warmers and vest. The temperature went down a couple of degrees, but not enough for me to put them back on. We will be getting some of the outer bands of the rain from the hurricane, combined with another front tomorrow, so no riding or hiking. I will go to the gym and do a power lifting class, as I am off from work Monday and will not be going then.
After doing some work in Colorado I did a couple days of research in the Mojave Desert by the Sierra Nevada’s this past week. The desert always calms me and gives me a perspective of peace and beauty, just what I needed after long days of work and traveling. I’ve found a few favorite roads that I try to ride every time I’m there. Did a couple of morning and evening rides and spent all of yesterday riding into the Sierra’s. Temps in the 50’s in the morning and only in the 70’s in the afternoon. Perfect weather and perfect rides.
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Had a nice ride yesterday in Ohio: 11 miles on somewhat busy (with no shoulder and high speed limit, not a great combo) road to get over to the Little Miami Scenic Trail, which we've ridden portions of several times and love, rode part of the trail, then rode back to our campground another way including up one killer hill I actually had to walk up it was so so steep. I had hoped to get 50 miles but ended up with 48 and was so glad to be finished as my quads were DONE. The trail was flat but the rest was most definitely not.
Not a lot of fall foliage in southwest Ohio yet either. Wore a sleeveless jersey for probably the last time this fall yesterday; a front came through last night, and today was breezy, brightly sunny, and cool (60s but felt cooler with the north breeze). Did yoga and weights and took a walk instead of a ride today!
So, a story on the front page of today's Boston Globe answered my question about the cranberry bogs. The lack of color (in the bogs, not on the trees) is related to the drought. Usually, the fields are irrigated, the berries float off the vines, and people or machines use a giant rake to harvest them. Because of the lack of rain, and hence, water to irrigate, a few harvesters have chosen to "dry harvest." This is labor intensive and they lose about 10-15% of the berries when harvesting this way. A few of the smaller farmers have chosen to give it up. While Ocean Spray will not be affected financially (the harvest last year was spectacular and they have been irrigating), the small bog near me is most definitely one of the ones affected by the drought.
Rebecca C that looks awesome - thanks for the photos
Yes, great photos. Thanks, Rebecca.
Unless the weather takes a turn to something unusually warm, probably had my last ride going sleeveless and no leggings, as of last week. A warm day is now in the 50s. Oh, well, that's bicycling in the north country.
Been doing more work on the MTB trails around the house, mostly clearing leaves on the tricky spots. Yeah, raking mountain bike trails. Who would a' thunk it? Darn leaves can hide a multitude of dangers, though.
Finally drying out a bit after a near record wet summer. Will work on some trails that will be rideable once the ground freezes. These swamp trails are fat bike, only, at the moment and given that it means a thorough washing of the bike when done, pretty much have avoided them.
The really good news is that my MTB house trails will get use as cross country ski trails, come snow, but will also fat bike them in the snow. That, too, is part of life in the north country. Home, sweet, home.
Emily, speaking of killer hills, I have about half dozen "steeps" on my MTB trails that take me into the lowest gear on the MTBs and still require me to stand on the pedals. Have one, though, that is impossible to climb, though I've tried many, many times. Hairpin turns at the top and bottom, so no way to build up speed to climb it. Will take another look, today, and maybe re-route it. An hour workout on my trails leaves me huffing and puffing, big time. Sometimes wonder if an old lady like me should have her head examined for pushing herself like this, but would rather crash and burn, so to speak, than just fade away. :)
Rebecca, those photos were great- the clouds in the second one really wowed me. Where exactly were you?
It's so different from the Sonoran desert....
Thanks sky and nwg
The second photo is looking towards the western edge of the Panamint mountains.Quote:
Originally Posted by azfiddle
We do work on the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan and other research grants in the northeastern Mojave between the western edge of the Panamint mountain range in Death Valley and the eastern Sierra Nevada’s. That area of the Mojave also gives me such a wonderful counterpoint to the usual urban/coastal mountain riding i usually do.
The Mojave is drier year round and colder in the winter than the Sonoran so yeah the landscape is different.
….and our tortoise’s are cuter than yours and we don’t have all those thorns on the road :)
here’s one more than I post processed after my last post…and one of my favorite riding roads.
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I used to get into that area occasionally. When I did research on Bell's Vireos in the late 1970's there was one little oasis (Shoshone?) that I would go to, plus some recreational birding at other oases.
The Sonoran Desert is lush by comparison with the stark beauty of that part of the Mojave. Beautiful country (but not in the heat of summer!)
Shoshone is on the eastern side of Death Valley and yeah the area has the same kind of ecosystem. Riding in the heat can be done with the right preparations and mindset. I see it as a good challenge when work takes me there during the summer.:) I usually only do long rides there in the fall/winter months though.
And speaking of birds, there is some productive and needed work being done on solar farms/avian mortality by the Ca. Fish and Wildlife Dept., the Center for Biological Diversity etc. I do worry that a change in U.S. political direction will have a big impact on that though.
I learned about this when we took the scenic train ride on Cape Cod. Though now I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly. But I think they told us that typically about 75% of the cranberries are wet harvested and these berries are used for processed products like juice and canned cranberry sauce. The dry-harvested berries are sold as is, unprocessed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Meanwhile, I have not been on my bike in a couple of weeks now. On Saturday we had rain all day, and I just couldn't get motivated to ride on Sunday because it was very windy. I've gone for a few walks around my neighborhood, though, which is not as good a workout but it does work some different muscles.
After posting that my riding sleeveless and shorts season is over, it actually warmed up enough, today, to at least not have to wear leggings. It also warmed up enough to have hordes of mosquitos on my MTB trails. ??? This is very strange for us, this late in the year. Makes me wonder what kind of winter we will have. Anyone else getting unusual weather for their location?
Although I haven't seen any mosquitos since I came back from my vacation, there have been 3 cases of West Nile Virus in my county in the past 2 weeks. The word is to still protect yourself. Our drought has been so bad, that the last 2 weekends, when we had one day of rain, each, I can't begrudge it. But, since I am so unused to lazy rainy days, I also have not ridden much either, NY. I feel lazy and guilty. On Sunday, I got up, was ready, but just did not want to go out and drive the one mile to the gym. So, I stayed home, ate bagels and lox, and read the paper, like a normal person. I did, for the first time since I moved to the condo, do one of my 30 minute yoga DVDs in the sunroom, which is perfect. Windows surrounded by woods, and peaceful.
Yesterday we did a 3 mile flat hike in local woods and then went to Cambridge and walked another 3 miles.
I rested today and tomorrow I am going to ride on a bike trail with a friend, who is being another bad Jew, by not observing Yom Kippor.
LOL...but I am sure you are in killer shape for doing all that! Wow!Quote:
Originally Posted by north woods gal
I rode yesterday around the large state park where we were staying (paved but cracked roads; should have taken the fullie MTB and not my roadie, as it was kinda miserable..bump.....bump....bump....ugh!) and a little on roads outside of it. DH has a bum shoulder -- either strained or torn rotator cuff -- and can't ride, and I just didn't feel all that motivated to head out on roads unknown without him. I managed to get in 20 miles, but it was a pretty slow and uncomfortable ride. Today was a travel day.
We had planned to ride over to see his folks tomorrow, but since he's out of commission, that is not going to happen. We have to drive over in our motorhome. This is one of the first times I've wished we had a tow'd vehicle. It's a pain to have to unhook from utilities, bring in the slides, take out the leveling blocks, stow everything away so it won't go flying, just to drive 14 miles down the road and back later (and reverse everything to get settled back into the site). Normally we only stay in campgrounds where we can walk or bicycle to places we need to go, but there was no place closer to their assisted living facility and we didn't count on DH being hurt when we came to visit. :(
First day in a while I've ridden with anyone else. (Since the Grand Canyon trip, actually!). I didn't make her stop for birds more than three times, but we did stop for a great look at a Peregrine Falcon. About 28 miles.
Sorry about your DH, Emily. Is he going to get it looked at? Hope it gets better quickly!
Emily, sorry, I missed that about your DH - I hope he's okay.
Me, too, on your DH, Emily. One thing I love about my drop bar bikes with the fatter tires is that those Ouch! Ouch! road cracks turn into more mellow Thump! Thumps!. :)
AZ, has been many years since I've seen any falcons, save a Kestrel pair the nests and hunts in the little open country we have, up here, via a potato farm on one of my paved bike loops. Just not great falcon country in our thick north woods. The one falcon I miss seeing the most, though, from my prairie days, is the Prairie Falcon. Magnificent birds.
Cranking' and NY, hope you'll be up and pedaling, soon. Yeah, the guilt thing is a real pest. I know it all too well. Just comes with the territory for those of us who ride a lot. Don't let it get you down.
So, my friend and I rode 19.7 miles today, not on the bike path, thankfully. What a gorgeous day. Leaves still not so colorful everywhere, but here's a picture at the South Cemetery in Boxborough, about a mile from where I used to live.
I must confess that I don't feel guilty. Today we had nice weather, I have my bike and all my gear to go for a ride after work, but I don't feel like it. I am going to have to force myself. All I really want to do is take a nap.Quote:
Originally Posted by north woods gal
Yet I am planning a ride on Saturday, possibly a metric. Part of my brain is business-as-usual and part of it has no motivation.
Emily, I hope DH's shoulder is better soon. It does sound inconvenient to have to drive short distances.
40s and rain, most of the day, but the rain stopped, so what could I do? Yup, pulled on the leggings, cap under the helmet, lobster mitts, the whole cold weather riding thing and worked my MTB trails for an hour. Walked back into the house with ruddy cheeks and a smile. The woods are avery different place, now that the leaves have fallen and the green undergrowth, gone.
NY, I feel guilty because I am at least 500 miles behind for mileage where I usually am at this point in the year. It sounds silly, but I started out really ahead, since I rode through the winter (no snow and warmer). But, this kind of confirms what I have thought. If I lived in a place where I could ride all year long, I think it would burn me out. I started doing more hiking, and I am a firm believer in cross training, but I started feeling lazy about riding in June, instead of August or September! I do love the fall, so I forsee some good riding ahead, until the snow flies. We have our hiking trip up to Acadia the 21st-24th, so after that, I hope I have at least 6-8 more weeks. I always look forward to the x country ski season, as it's so short here. The prediction is for a snowy and long winter, and I am looking forward to it.
We also didn't do any cycling trips this year, except our 4 days in the Berkshires, and even there, we had to shorten one day, because of the extreme heat. If all goes well, we will be doing a trip in northern Spain next summer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
I agree about not wanting to ride year-round. I think my problem for the past six months was that I worked hard in the early spring to be ready for a challenging metric in early May, and I ended up feeling burned out instead of enjoying rides during the summer that I usually look forward to.
I did enjoy my ride tonight after work, though. A little over 18 miles, skipping the steeper hills because my legs were burning from the start. Strange that after such a hot summer I still feel like it was just a week or so, not 5 months, since the last time I had to wear tights and toe covers.
Glad to hear that you got out, NY, but especially that you enjoyed it. In the end, that's what counts. I have a tendency to push myself, sometimes to the point of asking myself what the heck I am doing. Looking back, though, the memories that stick with me the most, are the moments of bicycling bliss and contentment I found and, more often than not, those were on the easy and pleasant rides, not the crash and burn epic adventure rides. Oh, I need those, too, and they do give me a sense of accomplishment and are great for confidence builders, but it's the less ambitious day to day rides I enjoy the most. Anyway, good for you.
I can see and enjoy the satisfaction of designing and implementing a training timetable/plan for a hard organized ride….and of course it’s a different type of riding than just going out to enjoy moving through a day on a bike. The next time you create a training plan perhaps things like stretching out the timeframe, preparing lots of strategies to help with motivation, designing it specifically for your strength/condition and the measurable success you need for the ride....can help in making it more enjoyable and not getting a ‘burn-out’ feeling. Training with someone/others can also bring an invaluable feeling of support too.….and for me, training intervals can help in getting rid of some of life’s frustrations :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ny biker
nothing better than just enjoying your riding now....and hoping you have more before winter :)
I avoid "training plans," like the plague. However, if I have a trip coming up, I do prepare by riding more, longer, hills, etc. I've always said I let the hills i ride prepare me for whatever. If it feels like work, it kills it for me. I tend to push through any riding challenge that presents itself, and then pay for it later. It's a head game.
After 35 years of endurance activities, sometimes I just wish I could be a lazy American who doesn't care... but, I am not, so onward.
Thanks ladies.
I didn't really have a training plan other than "ride often, ride hills, work up to 60 miles by the last weekend in April." But even that apparently was too much, possibly due to the weather and having to force myself to do longer rides on cold overcast early spring days. And I think I might have a sort of annual "circadian rhythm" when it comes to cycling -- I'm happier putting in the hard efforts during some parts of the year but not at other times. In past years I've felt plenty of pressure and anxiety while training for hard rides in August or September, but I was still able to keep riding into November before it stopped feeling like fun. I think I'm just better suited to a more relaxed, gradual buildup of miles in the spring. So, lesson learned, I will not plan to take on anything too ambitious next spring.
And speaking of ambitious, despite my inactivity over the past few weeks I'm looking at a 60+ mile club ride tomorrow. But I'll be with friends in one of my favorite places to ride, and the weather should be cool but sunny. I do expect my legs to be hurting long before the end, but no mental pressure to push too hard. As it should be!
And that, pretty much sums up my attitude.
60 miles by the end of April, no. Maybe by the end of May, more realistically, June. I did a couple of 50 milers in May this year, then I flamed out.
I worked up to 900 plus miles a month for June and July doing road work, but then got the mountain bike bug and my miles tally went downhill, fast (pun intended :)). Would love to find a way to translate mountain bike trail miles into equivalent road bike miles, but just not doable. If there's one thing I learned this summer, it's that the only thing the two kinds of biking have in common is that they both use bicycles. Very different kind of physical workout. Oh, well, love both kinds of riding and will enjoy both for what they are and not worry about it, even if it means my road mile count goes way down. Don't see too many more 900 mile months in my future.