March 14 rides - spring hath come?

[alpinerabbit]

Woo hoo!

today was my first real long ride - and possibly my 2nd ride at all this year? Yes, I think so.

In the morning, I took out a workmate for a test MTB ride. About an hour, plus almost half an hour there, and then back to my favorite BS to return the test bike and discuss what she might need (if she decides to get one).

But after the attempt of getting a new person hooked, I was in need of another fix:

By 2 pm it had turned into an almost balmy pre-spring day, as announced, about 15°C, and I just exchanged shoes and took the road bike for its ride. 2.5 hrs or so for a flat 65K. I worked at it hard, muscles sometimes complaining - boy did I lose fitness, but what can a girl do. Last September I managed this loop 3x in a row.


*give it to me*

[Biciclista]

bleah. is that what this is??
happy riding to you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Still trying to figure out what that picture means....

But anyway-
DH and I had a really nice ride this morning too! Started around 33F degrees, warmed up to 40 by the end- but sunny and no wind, so it was really pleasant weather for riding. Had my snuggly merino wool base layers and a screaming yellow windbreaker vest on. Three pairs gloves were needed and 2 heavy socks, but I judged it all well and was comfy for the 24 mile ride.
I'm out of shape- not my muscles so much but my breathing and heart rate. So the next month I'll be struggling along a bit. I managed fine today on the hills, but my speed is down by about 2mph from last Fall. I'm slow enough already! Oh well, it'll get better slowly.
We had a lovely ride, and I feel like I got an excellent workout too.
Not much road kill yet either, so that's always nice.

[alpinerabbit]

Still trying to figure out what that picture means....

Shows how much a bike junkie needs her fix - and a little bit how I feel after the ride (I had to do a food run after - yikes...)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oh, ok. whew!- I was afraid you were doing steroids to get through your rides.

Funny story-
Today as DH and I were going down the road (and DH was further up the road than me), I heard bikes in back of me at the last second when they were about to pass me (I hate that when they sneak up behind you without letting you know they are about to pass, but...) so these two 45-something men came blowing by me and I said hello as they passed me and they did too. We were just about to start up a very steep hill, so I said "well here comes our big hill now" in a cheery way.
The one guy then said "Sometimes I like to go up hills like this in my big ring."

So I said "If I did that I'd probably fall over dead." To which he replied "Well it's great conditioning for the quads." What arrogance!! I mean here I am breathing heavy and he can see I'm in my very lowest granny gear and I'm gamely and steadily grinding up that steep hill.

I wanted to say "Well how nice for you!" or... "WhatEVER" or... "Well aren't YOU the macho one though!" or... "I could crack your puny skull like a walnut between my quads"...(but then maybe he'd get so distracted by that mental image that he'd fall off his bike and get hurt).

But I said nothing more because he was obviously an insensitive insecure dope that didn't deserve my attention. Besides, a real man was sweetly waiting for me at the top of the hill.

[redrhodie]

What a jerk.

[emily_in_nc]

We had spring last weekend. Today it's in the 30s and raining. Just lovely. NOT!

I did have a wonderful mtb ride on Tuesday after work with temps in the 60s, but none since.

[Aggie_Ama]

He thought it made him look macho too bad he looked stupid.

It is cold and I don't do cold so I guess a short run for me.

[ladyicon]

Oh, ok. whew!- I was afraid you were doing steroids to get through your rides.

Funny story-
Today as DH and I were going down the road (and DH was further up the road than me), I heard bikes in back of me at the last second when they were about to pass me (I hate that when they sneak up behind you without letting you know they are about to pass, but...) so these two 45-something men came blowing by me and I said hello as they passed me and they did too. We were just about to start up a very steep hill, so I said "well here comes our big hill now" in a cheery way.
The one guy then said "Sometimes I like to go up hills like this in my big ring."

So I said "If I did that I'd probably fall over dead." To which he replied "Well it's great conditioning for the quads." What arrogance!! I mean here I am breathing heavy and he can see I'm in my very lowest granny gear and I'm gamely and steadily grinding up that steep hill.

I wanted to say "Well how nice for you!" or... "WhatEVER" or... "Well aren't YOU the macho one though!" or... "I could crack your puny skull like a walnut between my quads"...(but then maybe he'd get so distracted by that mental image that he'd fall off his bike and get hurt).

But I said nothing more because he was obviously an insensitive insecure dope that didn't deserve my attention. Besides, a real man was sweetly waiting for me at the top of the hill.

Awww lisa that was such a great story, I mean the part when DH is waiting at the top of the hill for you .
Those other guys were jerks, I run across them all the time here. I just say hi and that is all. You know how some men can be..........

[solobiker]

Lisa, I always love your posts. I would love to meet you and your husband. You both seem so down to earth.
As for those guys, yeah...I run across people like at times too. I just say to myself too bad that they have to "show off" or try to impress others. It does nothing for me. It kind of reminds me when young men or older men for that matter have to squeal their tires on their cars. Boy aren't they cool

Today was probably my 4th time out for the year. My back is hurting so I just went for a shortish ride of about 16 miles. I need to get myself in shape as I have a duathlon May 9th. I signed up for the race just to give me some focus. Yikes....what did I get mysefl into

[Crankin]

First ride of the year!
Like Lisa, we did 24 miles, which may have been a wee bit much for the first time. We did part of the route of the ride we are leading 4/18.
I am not in cycling shape, despite the running, snow shoeing, etc. Had to use the granny for little hills I don't usually have to. Going up my driveway, well, I saw 3.5 and thought I would fall over!

But it was beautiful.

[Fredwina]

I did the shop ride at bent up cycles in Van Nuys:


a soccer tournament

This guy had his other recumbent stolen. if you get a "really Good price" on a Burley Canto, you may want to talk to these guys

The shop owner in (Red Jacket) show up on a CarBent. Must.... win.... Lottery)

Going over the LA river:

and yes it does have water in it. and it's not channelized:

back at the shop:

[SheFly]

Almost 3 hours on the dirt today. It was so nice to be out on the trails. Unfortunately for me, I spent the entire time chasing...

Supposed to be even NICER here tomorrow. Tandem ride with a big group on tap - that way I can't get dropped .

I've been outside to ride every day since Weds this week - woohoo, and TGF DST!

SheFly