September 12th Rides!

[Fredwina]

I forgot a book I had borrowed from the Library
So I rode my bike to drop it off

The library is at the mall. I know you're saying why take picture of the mall
Victoria Gardens is an outdoor mall with a Faux Main Street theme. It does have some neat stuff:







Then I went by Bass Pro Shops next door:

[mudmucker]

Interesting pictures. I do like the Grant Wood-like painting in the 2nd one. Gotta love regional contrasts across the country... that is so unlike where I live.

I had some business travel Mon-Wed and put in some intense 40 hrs in those 3 days. Instead of $$ I took Thurs and Fri off as that is more valuable to me now, so I have a nice 4 day weekend. Yesterday I had grand plans of doing a long ride out to the Quabbin but I was very tired so I did a short ride. Today I tried to get out before the predicted rain - I did a short 15 mile ride, came home and then about a half hour later went out for a 2.5 mile run. The first 1.5 miles was a trail run and the rest is pavement. By the time I emerged from the woods to the road it had started to rain pretty hard. Got everything in just in time.

Supposed to rain all weekend - there may be gaps of dry so I might be able to squeeze in a Quabbin ride later.

[wackyjacky1]

The mural of the orange grove is cool!

I did my little commute to work and back. It was hella humid! I was drenched with sweat by the time I got to work. The ride back home was just as humid, with the addition of the temp being in the mid-90s, and some occasional strong winds. (We're experiencing hot, humid, windy weather ahead of Ike.)

On the upside, the massive hill that kicks off my ride home usually forces me to take two rest stops -- today, just one! (Baby steps...!)

[Fredwina]

It's doesn't show up well, but the mural was done on ceramic tiles.

[rubysoho]

neat mural!


I had my first "sorta" ride today. Just test riding a few bikes. I wouldn't even mention it except earlier this morning I followed a link that someone had posted here to a traffic safety. On my first test ride I was just about to pass a taxi cab and UPS truck when I thought about the rule that states you ought to give extra room in case someone opens their door. So I cruise over a little farther left and just as soon as I am close enough, to not be able to stop, the taxi driver's door flew open.

Big thanks to whoever it was that posted that link! Otherwise I'm sure I would have had to buy a broken bike.

[Crankin]

I took my second ride on my new bike, feeling mostly recovered from my 2 day no sleep trip to AZ. It is supposed to rain almost all weekend and we had to cancel our TE ride for Sunday . I did a 15.5 mile loop around to Hanscom AFB and back through the Minuteman National Park. It's a loop that's flatter than most of my local rides, just one hill in addition to my street. I don't do this ride very often, since it's somewhat stop and go traffic on part of it at rush hour.
The new bike feels good and lighter than my old frame, even though it is actually a couple of pounds heavier. I think it's just that it fits me. I noticed that I am going up the little rollers and false flats faster. The shorter bars still feel weird when I am turning, but I guess I just have to get used to them. But, I am so happy that I can reach the brakes. Now I just need to work on descending in the drops. Last Sunday I went down a few small hills in the drops, but I just feel unstable enough to chicken out of using them on big hills. I really developed some bad habits and after 8 years, they are hard to break!

[Kvixen23]

After completing my first Century ride last Saturday I went out with my husband and did a short 13 mile ride.....While short, I still exerted some energy. Also, he hasn't been able to ride for several weeks so we had to take it slow