Dec 21 rides

[makbike]

Yet another day outside on my bike! Today, like yesterday, was not a "pretty" day - gray, gloomy and topped with a fine mist. However, the temps found themselves in the mid-50 with a slight breeze out of the south. Today I logged 23.7 miles and averaged 16.5 mph. Looks like tomorrow will be the last shot at outdoor riding for awhile - 60's with some hints of sunshine. Not a bad way to have to spend my winter break!

[RolliePollie]

I've been off the bike with tendonitis for 4 weeks now! My muscles are disappearing fast. Today would've been a beautiful (and very chilly) day for a ride. We've had some much needed rain and snow over the past few days, but it's just beautiful out today. Some friends are doing a short ride on the bike trail tomorrow and I really want to join them. If I can fit my stupid swollen foot in my cycling shoe, I might give it a try! But I probably shouldn't push the issue. I sure would love to get in one more ride before the end of the year.

[OakLeaf]

Red tide's still blowing up, but not as bad as it was when we first got to Florida, and not nearly as bad as people say it's been.

I planned to ride this morning, but it poured down rain - even though it had stopped by the time we planned to meet, I'd already blown off riding, besides I hate the way fine sand sticks to everything when the roads are wet. Sand is bad enough in the dry!

So: waited for the roads to dry off, five miles round trip on the commuter bike for a little Christmas shopping and lunch; left my reading glasses at the restaurant; five miles round trip on the road bike to pick up my glasses and just to shake the bike down for tomorrow's ride after being re-assembled.

It needed a little derailleur adjustment, but handlebars and seat seem to be in the right position and front brake properly adjusted. But getting back on after a hiatus, especially wearing non-padded shorts, I think the seat is definitely too narrow for me. Time to start shopping for a new one!

[divingbiker]

I think the anticipation of four days off had a few people freaking out tonight. The commute home was crazy--cars honking at each other (not at me, at least), going way too fast, turning when it wasn't safe, etc. I am glad to be home looking forward to my own five-day break.

[KathiCville]

I got in a solid 18 miles this afternoon, yahoo! Was planning to ride tomorrow, but bad weather is supposedly moving into the Blue Ridge tonight. That gives me 33 miles in three days of riding, and puts me within 10 miles of hitting my goal of 700 miles for the year. (Since February, when I started riding again.) Happy dance, happy dance!........Definitely cold today, but gave me a chance to tinker more with making my new winter cycling shoes "toastier" with insole-switch and chem warmers........Only downside was nearly getting hit by a woman who came up behind me (on a quiet country road, straight stretch, visibility a solid 1/4 mile) and slammed on her brakes just 4 to 5 feet from my back tire. I was 18" from edge of pavement, well out of her way, easy to pass, but I guess she wasn't paying attention. Anyway, the sound of squealing brakes about a bike length behind me was NOT a joyful noise, LOL! ..........Best part of the ride was knowing that I was cycling, not fighting teeming mobs at the mall!!

[Fredwina]

Did my usual route, but turned around early due to some very stiff Santa Ana Winds. Average showed I had been fighting winds

[Veronica]

20.5 miles after work today. It seemed like I had a cold headwind the entire route!

V.

[Tater]

Twenty-two miles before running errands today. The mountains behind Boise are blanketed in snow from the last three days' storms. They look so nice!