July 2nd rides

[Crankin]

I rode for the first time in 6 days, been fighting some bronchial crud. When I didn't sleep until 8 o'clock, I knew I was well enough to ride. So, I drove to my friend's house and we started off at 80 degrees and very humid, with thunder showers predicted for late this afternoon. My lungs were not happy for the first ten miles or so, but it did involve climbing Oak Hill, which feels much shorter now, but today was hard. I went really slowly compared to usual and I stopped at the top of the climbs to wait for my friend who is a much slower rider than me. The good thing is when we stopped in Harvard Center, we noticed that the general store which has been closed for one-two years is now reopened. So I went to buy some more energy drink and had a good laugh when the first thing I saw when I walked in, in front of the register was about ten different flavors of Shot Blocks. This is a major stopping place for cyclists, so they did their research. After visiting a newly found porta potty, we headed up Bolton Rd. to the end, into Bolton Center. The beginning of this road is a long gradual climb, which always annoys me. It's not steep, but it always hurts. Today was fine, though, because I MADE myself pick a slow speed and just turn the pedals over. When I'm not trying to to follow my husband, I'm a bit more relaxed. It turns out that rest of this road, which we usually turn off of to do more climbing is a nice downhill and more shady than the beginning. After we crossed a major street, we stopped at a nice park and ate our Luna Bars. As we sat there, I heard thunder and noticed the sky was very dark to the north. So we headed out and rode through some lovely farm country, very flat, which is unusual for this area. When we got back to the main road we decided to stay on it until we had to turn off to get back to my friend's house, so we could take shelter if it started to rain. We were about two miles from her house when it started thundering really badly, so I told her I was sprinting ahead... I don't think I've ever done this stretch so quickly, since it's always at the end of our rides when I am tired. The wind was really gusting, but, the rain didn't start until I was in my car on the way home. It's already sunny again...
31.03 miles, 15.3 average.

[sundial]

So I went to buy some more energy drink and had a good laugh when the first thing I saw when I walked in, in front of the register was about ten different flavors of Shot Blocks. This is a major stopping place for cyclists, so they did their research.

Don't you just love those little dives tucked away in the farmlands?

Today was recovery ride/doggie exercise day. It was sunny, windy, and hazy. Did 4.72 miles.

[Zen]

No ride today but I'll toss in yesterday's.
Brunswick to Harper's Ferry-12 miles round trip.
I thought it was going to be longer, guess I should look at a map next time
This is where the river flows uphill



Stairs to RR bridge


You can't ride up them, you hot-dogger you.





No rafters today, but wait till this weekend

OK, I know it's not much but it was FUN

[makbike]

It was a tough day on the bike. I got a late start in tackling my new sixty mile route. I needed to ride the entire route, collect mileage markers and mark the route for an upcoming club ride. I knew ten miles into the ride it was going to be a long day. My legs were dead, dead, dead. I guess the 54 miles of hills I rode yesterday did me in and today I would pay. I kept plugging along and even with my dead legs I did enjoy the scenery - the countryside here is just beautiful. Along with my dead legs I felt really dehydrated - went through 100 ounces of fluid today and still felt thirsty. The one big climb about did me in and I gave some serious thought to dismounting and walking to the top but I slowly, very slowly made my way to the top (1/2 mile climb @ 9.9% grade). As the ride progressed so did the wind. I fought a crosswind or headwind the entire day. I would have loved a tailwind but it was not to be today. In the end I logged 60.09 miles and am exhausted!

[Susan126]

Went for an early morning ride. My legs were dead dead dead too. Last night I went mountain biking with the Lunachixs and it was a tough ride. These ladies can ride! But anyway, my poor legs they were just whimping out on me. And I felt kind of tired myself. So when I spotted an espresso stand about 7 1/2 miles into my ride I stopped and ordered an iced venti mocha. After drinking all that sugar and caffeine my legs and me came back to life. Either it was that or a mental thing. Whatever the rest of my ride was awesome. The temperature was 71 when I began but very very humid. Normally I could see awesome views of Mt. Rainier but not this morning. Rainier was washed out from the white humid sky. I could just make it out. I finally got to climb some hills today for the first time on my new bike. I was afraid that I would be walking going from my old road bike a triple with 650 wheels to a compact with 700 wheels but I climbed those hills better on my new bike then I ever climbed with my old bike! Better bike? components? stronger legs? Who knows, all I know is I flew up the hills this morning! Got a good 30 miles in.

Tomorrow I am meeting a lady I met at my local gym for a 50 mile ride. She was looking for a riding partner as I was. Sometimes dear hubby isn't availabe, working, or daughter so this will be great if she and I are about the same pace. We'll see how well we ride together tomorrow.

[Zen]

So when I spotted an espresso stand about 7 1/2 miles into my ride I stopped and ordered an iced venti mocha. After drinking all that sugar and caffeine my legs and me came back to life.

Just like spinach for Popeye!

[redrhodie]

I got out in the swampy air this morning and rode for about an hour and a half. I didn't see any other riders after about mile 5. Just some cows, a girl in English gear riding a white horse, and 2 sailboats out on the foggy sea.

There was not much traffic. Not much wind. I even felt strong on the hills. Perfect day.