June 30 rides

[Duck on Wheels]

Wheeee! Just did 20k (the short route 'round Jonsvannet, cutting across the "8" by taking the bridge between Litjvannet and Jonsvannet (little John's Lake and big John's Lake -- the city's resevoirs) in gorgeous weather. Bright sun, 70's F, bit of a breeze (bit of a sunburn! ). Cross-trained a few hills, especially towards the end of the ride, but also made some that were bigger before that. Stopped for ice cream when I was almost home. Heard band music in the distance and followed my ears til I found TWO (Trondheim Wind Orchestra) enjoying the suddenly excellent summer weather by practicing outdoors. They're headed for Valencia soon and things (what I heard was a symphonic piece called The Pines of Rome) were sounding good.

Just a tad sunburnt. Tummy not on its best behaviour, but not totally cramped either thank goodness. Back aching a bit from hauling a backpack full of papers (had to stop by the office en route to pick up some I'd forgotten). Left ankle hurt towards the end. That's the one with osteoarthritis from a break 8 years ago. Still need to adjust this and that on the bike -- can't get into the big chainring in front; must be a wobble in one or both wheels cuz I was feeling a bump-bump-bump up the seatpost. Nevertheless, a good ride.

Yippee! Now I can feel ok about being tired. Just checked my route on Googlemap. Not 20k after all, but 32.

[SouthernBelle]

I did a shorter ride this morning. Only 20 miles. Interesting thing happened.

I was riding through town and a black pickup pulled up next to me. Guy in it asked if he had seen me riding through the lot at Floyd Rec Center. Turned out he was the guy I told about who was leading the beginner's ride. He works there part time and at Cracker Barrel HQ full-time. He leads a couple of rides, one beginner & one not, and leads spinning classes there. I'm invited on a 60 mile ride on the 4th and to sneak in his spinning class when I want (I'm not a member there). Thought that was very nice. He gave me his #.

[makbike]

I got myself out of bed early this morning and drove into Louisville to join the LBC for its 30/60/100 ride. I opted for the 30 given the hills involved in the 60/100. The 30 had plenty of hills mixed in to keep things balanced. It was a nice ride, very scenic.

[7rider]

DH and I did the "N2" Ride - the "No Name" ride put together on Saturday mornings by a bunch of folks from the Sunday ride with our LBS. This crowd is plenty fast, but not the Type-A riders that populate the sunday ride. Was a very social, chatty group, and they all knew each other well. I was the total newbie in the group, although I knew many of the folks there from the LBS ride (although they are the A/B riders, and I hang with my peeps in the C ride). Still, they were very welcoming. We did their standard route - 40 miles from Silver Spring out towards Riley's Lock and back. I did it in a personal best for this year (and probably for the past 4 years!) of 17.7 mph average. Ugh. Now, a quick power-nap, and then DivingBiker is coming over to help load the kayaks for a paddle with KaliDurga!

[mudmucker]

Went for a lovely ride into southern New Hampshire; from Phillipston, MA to Fitzwilliam, NH town common and back, about 41 miles. Sunshine, solitude, zoned, became one with the earth, and shook off the hectic work week I had. SO arrived shortly after I got back. He gave me a leg and back massage. Yum.

[roguedog]

34 miles this morning with the intent of catching one of my fave club rides. Note the word intent.

Sigh.. got myself a little lost. turned around to look for the right road. Got there a tad late but saw a cluster of bikes up ahead stopped a few lights up. Went to chase them and lost them when i was stopped at the light. I was ONLY 1 block away...

Oh..well, so I head home and just decide to enjoy the day.. following the road where we were supposed to meet. DOH. Turns out I should have jsut gone over the hill before turning around and they were just down the hill. LOL.

So I chuckled my way home and enjoyed the scenery.

Hey.. if nothing else I averaged 14.6 mph today. My fastest ever.. and I got a laugh.. at myself

[Fredwina]

I did 63.63 miles
I did the club ride, and i actually managed to hang with the Fast riders until we got to the fist hill, where I got dropped. I tried to chase back one, but only managed to hit every red light for 5 miles I then took the short cut up to Jiffer's hill (i went up Padua, and the group goes up Mills). I managed to barely the fast riders regroup at Shinn. I could see them and this this point, I could have easily chased the down (descending muscles ), but another Lady had caught me on the climb, so we waited for her DH and another gal to make it and recover, then we rode back to the coffee shop together, doing another Killer climb in the process(Day Creek Blvd to Eitwanda).
I had a smoothie at the place next door to the coffee house. and then did Neely's Corners(15 and Sierra). That was real fun, since the temps are in th high 90's. Had a chocolate milk and a nap when I got home.

[oxysback]

Suzie, Darcy and I had a great ride today! We started at around 8:30 from Champoeg State Park. The weather was warm with puffy white clouds in the blue sky. It's been raining on and off all week, so this was a nice change.

Here's a profile of our route through the farmlands of NW Oregon.

http://www.routeslip.com/routes/48871

We saw a lot of interesting things...

Here's an alpaca farm. I love these cute guys...especially their cool 80's-style hair!





I think Darcy's banana is in need of a keeper. Anyone wanna send her one? I think she'd like pink to match her bike.





We took a short break at this roadside eatery. No, we didn't get anything.



The high point was lunch at this roadside fruit stand. They had delicious sandwiches, ice cream, baked goods, and a small gift shop. The grounds were beautiful with hanging floral baskets, a greenhouse full of flowers, and a seperate one for herbs. They also had the biggest blackberries ever! Thinking back, I should have gotten a little basket of those to eat. The small green berries are gooseberries.

















All in all, around 50 miles and a fabulous time!

[Tri Girl]

I didn't ride today (am riding tomorrow), but I just had to say some things:

trekin'- LOVE the name (MassConnfusion). HA! So clever and what a great group you all make!!! I hope you have a wonderful time on your century- sounds like you are having a great time training together!

Aggie Ama- how scary about the weather! You know we've been having the same weather up here- scares me to go too far from "safety" in case something comes along and catches me off guard. I'm not above ditching my beloved bike and running for the ditch if need be. Glad you made it home safe and sound!

oxysback- that fruit looks AMAZING!!! I just want to reach in there and gobble it up! What a fun ride you had! A most pleasant way to spend a Saturday.

onimity- your part of the country is soooo beautiful. I envy your scenery and the killer climbing skills you must have!

lisa- hope your DH is doing much better this evening. Tell him congrats from all his online fans! Hopefully he's feeling better after some din-din in his tummy!

You ladies are all amazing! Congrats on fantastic freedom riding today!

[DDH]

Lisa, Congrats to your DH, I hope he is feeling better.

Amanda, I had the same thing happen to me today on my ride. I did my normal 12 miles loop that I do and I noticed the sky on the way back getting really dark. I wasn't home 15 minutes and the sky let loose and it poured here again. Guess I won't be going on a ride tomorrow, but at least I have been able to get a ride in the last two days.

[divingbiker]

I did a duathlon today--50 mile bike ride, and 3 hours kayaking.

I headed out shortly after 7am to head down the creek trail over to the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge--50 miles total in way too much time.

Then I went over to Regina's where we loaded up her two kayaks and met Kalidurga at the Monocacy Aqueduct for kayaking. They were kind enough to allow this kayaking neophyte to join them. We went up the Monocacy River, then turned around and joined up with the Potomac. It was great fun with good company.

After a delicious Chipotle dinner with Regina and her husband, I'm finally home, the dogs are walked, the shower has been taken, and a well-deserved beer never tasted so good.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Donna, Great the you are getting back in to riding again!

All- Yes, happily my DH DID feel way better after a major hurl and a shower - we then went out and had a lovely dinner and he looks and feels normal again. Getting a good night's sleep tonight. He thinks it was a combo between dehydration and the eggsalad platter (!) he had for lunch during the ride. I tend to agree. He says he was drinking water constantly but probably just couldn't keep up. Anyway the two century Boys are happy and safe now.

Ellen those are great pictures. But Suzie's going to be way mad that you caught her with her mouth open so big! That guy behind the screen is priceless too! Oh my god if I saw all those berries I would have to try to pack them ALL into my saddlebag!!!!! (after first packing myself full) YUM!!!!!!!!!
Glad you girls didn't eat at Fatheads Smoke Pit there (eeeeww)....or you'd all be hurling after your ride too!

[DDH]

Lisa, glad you got your mulch done. I wish I really could have been there. I make good tea, you would have enjoyed it.

Today was my birthday so I was going to do what I wanted to do today and that was, ride my bike, if the weather let me, and it did, held out until I got home then it cut loose. LOL