April 27th rides

[solorider]

Well it was cool and breezy here today- I broke out my merino wool again today...but lots of sunshine and all the flowering trees and forsythia made for beautiful scenery.

I managed to get in my longest ride yet this year- 42 miles with an average of 15.3 mph. (much faster & much more fun when the wind was at my back!), and that will hopefully set me up to complete a metric century next weekend.

I was feeling kind of wiped out this morning from the strenuous week I had at work, and decided to do experiment with my food intake and brought along some easy to eat nutrition bars, and as many of you have recommended on the site, after the first hour I ate a little bit every 30-45 minutes or so- and it really helped me keep up my pace and not get wiped out- I couldn't believe I was able to do 40+ strong miles considering how crappy I felt this morning. Thanks to all of you who share tips on this site- I'm sometimes slow to listen - but the tips are all still extremely helpful!

[SouthernBelle]

2 nice rides in a row. Today I got in 25 hilly miles. I had intended to take a less hilly route, but changed my mind and turned left. I saw lots of pretty scenes, plants and animals both, but I didn't want to stop and snap and pic.

I think I could have ridden farther, but I got hungry. At one point I stopped and ate my entire Honey Stinger bar.

BTW, this was my 3rd or 4th ride in my Voler shorts. I really, really like them.

[Ana]

I had a beautiful first spring ride today It renewed my enthusiasm for cycling and reminded me how nice it is to be on a bike Such an improvement from the trainer indoors!

My trip only totaled 15 miles or so and I accidentally took a wrong turn since I'm out of practice of following my route Have to say, my sitbones are SO SORE! I , too, was out in my voler shorts. I can't decide whether I like them or not I like some things about them...but that's not the same thing.

I put on my wool this morning too, as it is quite breezy and chilly (especially in the shade!).

[SouthernBelle]

I , too, was out in my voler shorts. I can't decide whether I like them or not I like some things about them...but that's not the same thing.

I do butt'r mine. With that formed chamois I think it made a bif difference.

[OakLeaf]

Well I'm back home.

45 miles today with a friend who hadn't been riding as much as he'd liked over the winter. Garmin and SportTracks both call it about 3050 feet of climbing (MotionBased says 4800 which just can't be right!). Two climbs of 200+ feet at a 10% grade. I'm noticing my knees, but they don't seem bad. (And I haven't had any more of the lower leg cramps since I moved my saddle back and started trying to push through my heels instead of ankling so much.) Not bad for someone who hasn't seen anything taller than a bridge since November.

What a beautiful day, even if it started off much chillier than I'm used to. Everything's so green, my apple tree and daffodils are blooming, the house wrens are singing their heads off as they do every year. A kingbird has built her nest right over one of our windows - I'm trying not to disturb her too much.

Things are in an uproar with DH's sister and I don't know how long we'll be able to stay - but for now, it's really good to be home.

[motochick]

I did it! I conquered the mountain behind my house today. I climbed for 18 solid miles up 4000 feet. Coming down was pretty fun, too. I have been wanting to do this climb for a year now, and at one point convinced myself that I was crazy even to try. Well, it was a hoot and not that bad at all. I guess I have a thing for pain, cuz I had a huge grin on my face the whole way up. My ride ended up being 32 miles long, but the first 18 are what mattered.

Brenda

[alpinerabbit]

It was beautiful.

I aced my favorite climb (aced means I did not drop below 10 kph as previously ) , I felt strong and making my legs burn felt nice. Well it offset the sitbone pain from my new saddle I'm testing
I dropped DBF (he having in him: a ride yesterday and a wedding reception)
I thought for a 2hr spin I would not need sunscreen, now I am burnt on my forearms

On the down side, I felt totally lopsided for some reason. Shoe plates felt "off", my ar$e hurt more on one side than the other. That got better later after coffe (!!).

[kelownagirl]

It was beautiful.

I aced my favorite climb (aced means I did not drop below 10 kph as previously ) , I felt strong and making my legs burn felt nice. Well it offset the sitbone pain from my new saddle I'm testing
I dropped DBF (he having in him: a ride yesterday and a wedding reception)
I thought for a 2hr spin I would not need sunscreen, now I am burnt on my forearms

On the down side, I felt totally lopsided for some reason. Shoe plates felt "off", my ar$e hurt more on one side than the other. That got better later after coffe (!!).

Well done! Staying above 10 kph s always my goal too. What's the grade?

[OakLeaf]

Well done! Staying above 10 kph s always my goal too. What's the grade?

You guys are lucky to be metric. Staying above 10 miles an hour just isn't an option for me on some of these grades!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mimi!- fabulous!!!!!!!

[chicago]

wow, had a great day today!! Biked 72 miles with the boyfriend and some of our bike group... had an awesome time. Great great ride... rode 40 with the group, and then the bf and I did another 32 on our own

Now he's cooking some stir fry with brown rice... oh gosh, what a guy... I so love him

[makbike]

I tackled my fifth century of the season today and had a great ride! The day started off chilly (upper 40's) with a noticeable headwind. We started in Jeffersonville, Indiana and made our way to Salem, Indiana for lunch. It was an out and back route. The route was nicely put together and we traveled some absolutely beautiful roads. And, the route smelled good too for all the lilac bushes are in full bloom along with the red bud trees. The sun even came out and stayed with us for several hours. By the time we reached the last store stop I was able to shed my layers (arm warmers, leg warmers, jacked and glove liners). It felt great to be riding in just a jersey and shorts. In the end I logged 101 miles and had an average speed of 15.9 mph. Again, a great day to be on my bike!

[PinkBike]

last ride of our season. its already mid-90s so the 100 degree days arent too far away. they'll last til about october.

we went down to tucson for a 70 miler. it was my last chance to try for platinum before el tour de tucson in november. i had tho't platinum was 3:30, and i did this ride in 3:37 last year. but no-o-o-o-o, platinum was 3:10 and i knew i couldnt do that, the winds notwithstanding. plus i just felt "off," i barely made it under 4 hours. kinda disappointed, but actually i had a good time riding solo the whole distance. i had tried to hang with some groups but i just felt like i was working too hard and not getting any draft. so i rode alone and spent all the miles enjoying the scenery.

brenda, you totally rock. i am way impressed with your climbing!

[mimitabby]

fantastic 50 miler from Wenatchee to Leavenworth and Back.
Instead of taking the highway, we went through gorgeous orchard country

Here I am with Raleighdon:



Here's the whole gang (except Raleighdon)


This is a typical view


This one is really from yesterday, at the top of Navarre Coulie mountain pass

[kelownagirl]

Wow Mimi - looks judt like the Okanagan! Nice ride - great pics!