August 12th rides

[makbike]

I had promised myself I would not ride today for a century awaits me tomorrow. However, after getting up from my nap (this working thing is killing me!) I decided I just could not let such a beautiful day end without a short spin on my bike. I pulled my Giro out and off I went for a quick 14 mile journey. I tried not to push myself but to simply find a good spin, sit back and enjoy the trip. It is simply beautiful here today not a typical August day in Kentucky - the skies are blue, a gentle breeze is blowing, temps in the low 80's and little humidity - simply wonderful! I'm so glad I did not listen to that little voice that was telling me to stay inside and that I listened to the other little voice that told me to get my butt out of bed and ride.

[btchance]

Got in a quick ride this morning with a run afterwards. I was afraid to go too far out as there was rain all-around me and I didn't want to be caught in it. Plus this was one of the most humid days I have ever seen.

[SouthernBelle]

My ride was shortened and redirected by rain. At one point I was headed home because I couldn't see well enough. But then it let up so I headed out by the llama farm. I also drove by a factory with nice windows:



This is a camera phone pic so not a lot of detail. I tried to get one of me actually riding by, but I needed longer windows. But the temps were pretty nice so I still got in about 30 miles.

[HillSlugger]

The weather here is unusually cool. It was only 61 degrees at 8:30am in the DC suburbs! I got out for 22.5 miles, less miles than last week but more climbing. For the first time I feel up for another ride tomorrow. Hopefully I can get in a short route tomorrow, too. Could it be that I'm actually improving?!?

[Dr. Liz]

34 miles today. 17.3 mph average. DH was recovering from a bout of stomach flu, so instead of recreating our 50+ mile ride (with a few changes) from earlier in the week, we did a relatively casual ride. One of our ski racing buddies has just come back into town, and since he's decided to join us in this endeavor, he came out with us. It was only his 3rd ride of the summer, so he made sure we kept a nice, casual pace.

And now it's time to relax with DH and the poodles. I love lazy Saturday afternoons!

[Cassandra_Cain]

Early in the morning things looked a bit, well, dubious. Hanging clouds and a charcoal cast over the entire horizon made me wonder.

I went riding anyway, and as luck would have it - things cleared up. Bright glistening blue sky, sparkling sun, and a cool mountain breeze.

Rode 13.5 miles uphill to the summit of the Sandia Crest for a gain of 3800 feet, then whimsically made my way down with an ear-to-ear grin. My first time ever climbing the entire mountain, actually first time I ever tried it

[Geonz]

Nearly perfect weather for the Saturday Saunter. I only did the 16 to keep it honest (and I schedule things to keep myself honest!) - lots of other folks made it to St. Joe or Ogden for breakfast.
While of course I'm lamenting the shortening days, once Labor Day rolls around I relinquish "ride leader" title and will go on Saturday organized rides (like the "tour de manure" in Amish country)... I can go as FAR AS I WANT TO :-)
... of course, housekeeping suffers...

[Fredwina]

Was doing good, had 26 out of planned 55. crossed wheel in a paceline, and know I have a nice blue sling for my left arm! There goes the century of the month. At least I can still type....

[light_sabe_r]

30km group ride. Did it on my hybrid too with the back wheel rubbing halfway. >_< I blame BF for putting the damn bike together wrong!! (I wanted to do it but he wouldn't let me. lol he copped an earful)

I was EXHAUSTED because of this. bloody wheels...

But despite all this I ended up with an average speed of 18kph. ^_^ WOOHOO!

[DDH]

We rode the 26 miles on the organized ride today in Cove. It was exhausting!!
I know that is not much for most of you, but DH and I have not ridden in 8 or 9 years and I have been riding again the past 3 weeks every other day, but DH has only ridden twice. So he did really great making it and I think I did too. The first 20 weren't to bad, but those last 6 miles were killer, and the last 3 were the worst. I think if I had decided to let the SAG wagon come get us DH would not have argued, but I thought, "no way did we come 23 miles to have someone pick us up".

It took us 2 1/2 hours to ride that, and we even had 2 of the riders from one of the longer rides pass us, but I didn't care. We made it. I wasn't sure at the end if we were going to make it but we did.

The hills were killer. I even had to get off and walk a couple of times towards the end and I have never gotten off my bike. Of course it doesn't help that I have had a cold coming on for two days and my throat is killing me.
Well, now that cold can come get me all it wants. I was able to hold it off enough to get through this ride.
We haven't been worth much else today since we got home. Legs are very fatigued and we both have headaches. Guess we won't be riding tomorrow. LOL
End of Sept is the next ride we want to go on. Thats in Waco and a little more flat than this one, so we are thinking if we pratice for the next month maybe we will be able to do the 50. We will see. LOL

It was great after we were done and we could say we did it.

Took the camera, but DH only took pictures right at the begining of the ride. Get ready, I didn't realize how terrible I looked with that stupid sweat band and helmet on. LOL

[Brandy]

on your first organized ride Donna! Mine is coming up next week...can't wait!

[Kano]

We rode the 26 miles on the organized ride today in Cove. It was exhausting!!
I know that is not much for most of you, but DH and I have not ridden in 8 or 9 years and I have been riding again the past 3 weeks every other day, but DH has only ridden twice. So he did really great making it and I think I did too. The first 20 weren't to bad, but those last 6 miles were killer, and the last 3 were the worst. I think if I had decided to let the SAG wagon come get us DH would not have argued, but I thought, "no way did we come 23 miles to have someone pick us up".

WAY TO GO DDH!!!!! I have found that attitude gets me through a lot of things I might otherwise give up on -- and as you say:

It was great after we were done and we could say we did it.

I'm always glad I hung in there!!!!!!

Took the camera, but DH only took pictures right at the begining of the ride. Get ready, I didn't realize how terrible I looked with that stupid sweat band and helmet on. LOL

I was thinking you look great! I wear the sweat band too: nothing messes with my mood like sweat in my eyes, and my head is my body's favorite place to leak sweat from, I SWEAR!

I was so excited to see your post, DDH -- I'm sorry to read that you're battling that cold, but so glad to see you rode anyway today! I was thinking of you and your ride as I dragged myself out this morning, and as I rode too.

Karen in Boise

[Kano]

My ride today -- DH wanted me to go with him on this weekend's SPIN ride. Not the Blue Cruise that included a Century ride that as I recall, Tater was planning on. I wonder if she went? Nadine next door was going to be going with some of her friends. I think they were planning on the 50-mile option. Last "supported" "organized" ride that we went on, DH was annoyed by the lack of publicized support. I didn't go with DH -- his ride was early, and this cold's been keeping me dragging. I almost didn't go out at all, but then thought of DDH and her ride, and was annoyed I hadn't been out all week, so I got dressed and dragged myself outside.

Decided that I needed to take my bike down to the Greenbelt -- bike/walking path down by the river. If I'd ridden around the neighborhood, I would have been home in minutes -- chipseal, you know. Besides, it would have been so easy. So, down to the river it was!

The Greenbelt is mostly flat, has some bumpy areas, and a few teensy hills. Today, it had wind. (I'm guessing all those other rides had wind too) After my miserable week, and forcing myself out, I found myself having a lovely ride, and WAY more energy than I expected. I kinda just kept riding, wondering how long until my body gave out. DH called a couple of times, "when are you coming home," so finally I decided to stop...

Wound up with a 62 mile ride!

Karen in Boise

[kelownagirl]

I went into the garage today to get some gardening tools and my poor, sad roadbike (still nameless) looked up at me with those big blue eyes and begged me to go for a ride. I promised her I'd take her out for a spin tomorrow... Sigh.... It's been a week.....

[Bikingmomof3]

Went on a lovely 16.6 mile ride at a pace of 15mph-I am getting there, slowly...