August 12 Rides

[RolliePollie]

40.12 miles and about 3,000' of climbing for me this afternoon...and my thigh muscles are complaining about it! I rode in the heat of the day (not too hot...probably about 85) and for some reason, my body felt great. This is the longest distance I've ridden here locally and it was a great ride.

Two kind of weird/negative things...I stopped at two different vineyards to refill my water bottles. Both places did end up filling my bottles for me, but they acted really funny about it. I guess I'll have to keep trying different places until I find some friendlier folks. Then I passed a guy on a mountain bike, and I guess he did not appreciate it, because he suddenly flew by me and said "catch me if you can, you little p*s*y" which completely scared me to death so I put my hand on my pepper spray, made a quick u-turn, and took off the other way.

Here are some pics of where I ride...it's a little smoky and hazy today so they didn't turn out that great.

[sandra]

Sara, sounds like a nice ride. Love the pictures. The guy on the bike would have scared me too. Where do you keep your pepper spray?

I have pepper spray and have thought of taking it myself. There have been a few reports of attacks on the rails to trails that are scary.

I didn't ride today. Yesterday I pushed myself harder and further than ever. My body was complaining and my thighs were sore. It was so hot today, 101. I rode around the neighborhood a little and then used my Aqua Jogger in the pool!

[Fredwina]

I did 28 and 1/2 miles. was 96 when I started. wasn't too bad

[7rider]

I did the Sunday B-ride with the LBS today. Someone must have sent out notice that Mike, LBS owner was not going to be around this a.m., so no "adult supervision" as one guy put it. There must have been 120 riders on this mornings' ride! It was amazing to see them all -- and there were a few local race clubs represented with several riders apiece. So, the A-ride was a pretty speedy affair. Fortunately, the only attacks here came on the hill climbs.
The B-ride, with our 25 or so, was more reasonable pace, but everyone seemed to have the flat-tire-bug today. I stopped to help or lend moral support to 3 people today, changing flats on the side of the road. And I passed two others, where things seemed to be pretty well in hand.
I dropped into the park today, for my "Extra 10" - I had the small Camelback on, so I had enough water/gatorade to do it. With this exertion, I can't do 40 miles on just 2 water bottles. So, during the heat of summer, out comes the camelbak. If you think it's fred, tough noogies.
38 miles at 17.5 mph.

[RolliePollie]

Sara, sounds like a nice ride. Love the pictures. The guy on the bike would have scared me too. Where do you keep your pepper spray?

I have pepper spray and have thought of taking it myself. There have been a few reports of attacks on the rails to trails that are scary.

I found a very high tech (ha ha) solution for carrying my pepper spray. I hooked a velcro strap to my handlebars using a zip tie. Then I just velcro in the pepper spray. In theory, I should be able to grab the spray, pull it out of the velcro, and spray whatever it is that's after me. However, in reality, I can only imagine myself crashing, the pepper spray flying through the air, and my attacker either attacking me or collapsing in laughter at the sight of it all. But it makes me feel better having it with me on the bike.

[sandra]

Thanks for the pic. It's a very clever idea! I have this visual of myself saying "WAIT!" while I dig around in my seat bag for my pepper spray. My fear is also that the pepper spray would drift back on me instead of the attacker.

[RolliePollie]

Thanks for the pic. It's a very clever idea! I have this visual of myself saying "WAIT!" while I dig around in my seat bag for my pepper spray. My fear is also that the pepper spray would drift back on me instead of the attacker.

I read a post somewhere about someone who sprayed a dog and inadvertently also sprayed her water bottles. Spicy water would NOT be a good thing.

[maryellen]

today i went on my first group ride since my accident last year. it was too early for me to be nervous about it. surprised at how difficult i'm finding it to get my mileage up.

today (sunday) about 40 miles in westchester and fairfield counties. took the train up to westchester and returned home via connecticut. the best possible choice on a warm day.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for the pic. It's a very clever idea! I have this visual of myself saying "WAIT!" while I dig around in my seat bag for my pepper spray. My fear is also that the pepper spray would drift back on me instead of the attacker.

Pepper spray is pretty useless in your seat bag. If you can't rig it to your handlebars, just put it in your jersey pocket. I have a "Halt holder" from Nashbar ($2!) which attaches HALT (brand) pepper spray to my handlebars for very easy access. Won't fit other brands, though. I have never had to use it on a human, only dogs (very rarely!)

Emily

[Crankin]

Tested our annual September "cookout" ride. We rode 39.5 miles, 3600 ft. of climbing. This ride is probably the most challenging local ride I do. We played with the route a bit, taking out one of the climbs and changing the last part a bit. We ate lunch on top of the biggest climb in Bolton, on the side of the road, by an old barn at an apple farm. It really feels like you are way up in Vermont at this spot. It was pretty hot (85), but 85% of this ride is very shaded. Otherwise, I would have been miserable. My average was 14.6, which, considering the climbing is pretty good for me.