december 28th saturday rides

[mimitabby]

hi guys! we drove out to Anacortes, washington today for a 3 day bike vacation. on the way out we passed several (more than 6) cars that spun out on the interstate, 3 were backwards and 1 was hanging with its front left wheel over the jersey barrier.
(I'm glad it was there!)

fortunately for us, the temp in Anacortes was balmy 38 degrees when we started our ride. I was decked out like an eskimo.
I had my balaclava, my rain pants and several layers of wool and fancy other materials too. I had 2 pairs of gloves and booties too. I was absolutely freezing for the first 5 miles. Then i warmed up (except my toes) we rode 19 miles to lunch, up and down little hills, the elevation varied by about 400 feet up and down and up and down.
The views were gorgeous, but we werent much in the mood to stop. we found a nice place for lunch (a brew pub) and we all had lamb stew.
we had a leisurely lunch but when we were done, it was WINDY! the first leg of the journey, we had a cross wind. my hands were getting tingly so i pedaled with all i had...
then we turned and had a tail wind. Ah, we sailed. and i warmed up too. Then we had a head wind! argh! down to 10 mph while US flags were going straight out.
instead of returning on the highway, we took a bike path that also had a long bridge across the water. It was also a tailwind spot, so we flew across that bridge.
In my haste while packing, i neglected to pack any slacks. so my priority upon returning to Anacortes was to find a thrift shop and slacks! the first one we went to had no clothing, the kiwanis; who knew? next we went to "the red door" aha, they had clothing. in less than 2 minutes i found wool pants 10 petite that fit me perfect. it took 10 minutes at the checkoutstand because they had the slowest checker in washington.
then we rode another mile to our hotel.. ah... it was 42 degrees now. we did it! 36 miles

[salsabike]

That sounds a little wild and fun, Mimi! Glad you got to get some, uh. clothes too.

[RoadRaven]

My Saturday ride saw me pass my yearly mileage goal.

My 17-years-old-in-2weeks son and I went out and did a 62km ride together of rolling hills, fast flats and steep (7-12%) climbs. A beautiful sunny day and an excellent riding partner.

About half-way through that ride I passed my goal of 4500km on the road for 2007

[OakLeaf]

I was all ready to go join the 9:00 group ride until I realized it left at 8:00

Fortunately I figured it out before driving 40 minutes to the meeting point... and in time to go to Pilates class.

After that, I still needed my cardio though. As I've said before, I really don't care that much for riding alone any more - but I'd lubed my shorts up and put them on, so I was going to have to wash them. No sense washing them unused! So, a quick spin to where the road ends and back, 25 miles.

[Geonz]

I was all ready to go join the 9:00 group ride until I realized it left at 8:00

Fortunately I figured it out before driving 40 minutes to the meeting point... and in time to go to Pilates class.

After that, I still needed my cardio though. As I've said before, I really don't care that much for riding alone any more - but I'd lubed my shorts up and put them on, so I was going to have to wash them. No sense washing them unused! So, a quick spin to where the road ends and back, 25 miles.

That's addicted

87 miles out and about yesterday, some on the Xtracycle and some on the Trek. Cold enough so the camelbak stayed froze so I had to stop inside places to hydrate. Today, happily, my water bottle that I'd left at church full of tea was still there *and* nasty things didn't grow in it - guess they kept the heat down! - so it rinsed out nicely and I had gatorade unfrozen on today's ride 'cause it snuck above freezing.

34 to go for 10K... but if it's nasty tomorrow I don't care, I"m stayin' in.

[Susan126]

Way to go Mimi! Love those tailwinds HATE those headwinds!