July 15th rides

[denda]

My husband and I just rode 57 miles. We averaged 15.1 mph. That's an improvement for us.

[SouthernBelle]

Had a good ride, took another cruise thru the construction giving me my own 2 lane hwy. So glad they aren't working weekends. Then thru some country roads making a loop back to the hwy. Sprayed a dog for the first time. I don't mind running, barking, but snapping at my ankles, he gets it. Rescued a box turtle. Stopped to put pennies on the RR tracks (I've always wanted to do that). Rode thru town singing 'Pink Cadillac" with the Boss rather loudly.

If you clean your Camelbak with vinegar, make sure you clean AND RINSE the mouthpiece well.

34.1 miles

[sarahkonamojo]

Not 57! I only rode 22 miles and gained 1,040 feet, 15% max grade. My average was only 13.3, but I'll take it!

Really HOT, for us. Lots of other riders out smiling in the relatively cool morning air. Watched the wake boarders loving it in the lake. And riding along the river was really pleasnt. Full on summer! Wore my new terry sunblocker jersey.

sarah

[Dogmama]

If you clean your Camelbak with vinegar, make sure you clean AND RINSE the mouthpiece well.

34.1 miles

Or bring some lettuce & a little olive oil?

Too hot to ride. 85 degrees and 50% humidity at 4:00 AM. Gets to 95 degrees by 6:30. Hardly worth putting on a helmet. I might bust out & sweat tomorrow, but this is a complete drag.

[CycleChic06]

Got up early this morning to try to beat the heat (and traffic). I was going to die when I took a new route that ended up being a highway-like road. It was really scary. I still can't get used to really loud diesel trucks rumbling up from behind me. It scares the crap out of me every time!

Ride totals: 37 miles, best avg speed of 14.5mph and new top speed of 24.5mph! And my legs are killing me.

[btchance]

I got up early to ride, got in about 16miles before I had to go to the car dealership. I averaged about 15mph, but was doing intervals so that was all over the place!! Also, this route is pretty popular with cyclists, as I always see other people out there. Must be the wide open roads with very few cars but those that are are going fast, though

[makbike]

I took my recumbent out this morning and got in a slow 24 miles. It was however a beautiful ride and I had plenty of time to take it all in as I cruised along the back roads. I'm getting ready to leave for the Saturday evening club ride and the dinner outing that follows (I admit I ride so I can eat).

[Kitsune06]

total: 22 miles of mtb track.

At least half was uphill (took short, xc singletracks down, which was sad... so much work for such a short thrill.)

Hadda finish much earlier than I would've liked, but time had run out and I could no longer summon the strength to my legs to push 'down' on the pedals anymore.

Had half an hour to shower, eat, and run out the door to work, and now my body's begging for a nappynap.


*curls up in a corner to sleep*

[Kalidurga]

I'm the weenie of the group so far with only 10 miles but under the circumstances, for me that's a big deal. I've been riding flat trails for the past few years, so this year I decided that I need to tackle hills.

Drove up to Gettysburg National Battlefield, thinking I'd have just a few mild inclines. You don't realize how big those rollers are when you're driving the auto tour. When I stopped at the top of one curvy, fairly steep section that goes around Devil's Den, I felt a bit nauseous from the heat and the effort. Then I looked at the bike and realized I hadn't shifted down from the big chainring. If my legs hadn't felt like noodles, I would've done a little dance. I also hit my fastest speed today-- 29mph (downhill, of course).

Beautiful scenery around the battlefield. A pretty sky full of puffy clouds, once the threat of rain had passed away. A challenging route, but a short enough one that I can get back out tomorrow on one of the flat trails and aim for a longer distance. Adds up to a good ride

[kelownagirl]

Did 42 km on the road bike today. Tried doing the hilly local club ride route to see if I could do it, and to find out what my average speed was (about 14 mph). Based on the number of times DH had to wait for me at the top of the hills, I'm thinking I'd get dropped pretty quick. Guess we'll just keep doing the route on our own.

[eclectic]

Finished the longest ride I have done to date

The original route was mapped out at 55 miles but I asked my riding partner if he would be willing to go a little extra so we could do a century, he was agreeable even though he was on a new bike and his longest ride to date on it was 38 miles.

I had the stem replaced on my bike for a better fit and What a Difference ! ! !
no more shoulder pain or pubic bone pain, and being in the drops was waaaaay better

Weather was ideal +65 at departure and +90 at completion, no wind until the last 16 miles and then it was a light cross wind.
started at 6:45AM and done at 12:15PM (riding partner didn't eat breakfast before leaving and at 23 miles decided he was ready to, so a major stop while he downed toast, sausage and eggs at a very slow service restaurant) We are doing a major tour together in a couple of weeks and I warned him he had better get used to eating BEFORE starting because "there ain't no place to stop to eat other than light fare at rest stops" Plus it killed an hour of no wind and cool temps

Had a couple of other short stretch breaks and one longer powerade, granola bar break at about 48 miles

total ride time 4 hours and 15 min, average speed 15.5 mph, total distance 64.9 miles

Amazing what no wind can do, my regular average 2 weeks ago was 13.5 mph

All in all the BEST DAY ON A BIKE EVER ! ! !

[mtkitchn]

Did my first century at BikeJournal Reunion in Illinois and Wisconsin. It was incredibly hot and humid and I was pretty sick afterward, but now I can say I did it! Thanks to some great friends for pulling me through the last 20 miles!

[SJCzar]

Did a 60 mile MS benefit ride. HOT...Humid and rather hilly. Still had a fun time. Great Mexican restaurant at the 30 mile point. Only allowed myself one small margarita and back on the bike....anymore time in the air conditioning and another margarita and I would have been tempted to sag it in.

[kelownagirl]

Congratulations Ecletic! I did my first metric century a few weeks ago - it makes you feel so proud doesn't it?! So what's next?

[eclectic]

Congratulations Ecletic! I did my first metric century a few weeks ago - it makes you feel so proud doesn't it?! So what's next?

Many Kudos to you TOO for doing the metric century (and yours was even more legit - you are in a country that is actually metric

Next on the agenda is a week long 410 mile tour, longest day is 75 miles with a century option. I have no major plans to do the century but will play it by ear and let the weather, and how I feel at the time be my guide. just getting through as much of the tour as I can will be the main goal

eclectic