March 14th rides

[redrhodie]

Perfect day! No wind, partly sunny, a bit cold (it was in the high 30s when I left). I had so much energy. I did 3 different things from my usual routine today, so I'm not sure if it was one thing or all 3 that was workin' for me. I got new tires. I ate cereal (I usually eat oatmeal or eggs and toast), and, I used Nuun instead of my usual 50/50 mix of apple cider-water.

I have to say, I didn't like the Nuun. It was like drinking sweet alka seltzer. I don't usually drink anything sweetened, so this was too weird for me. But, I flew. So, who knows. It may really work.

I saw a mink. It was cute and slow to cross the street, but made it safely. Pfew! The St. Patrick's Day Parade is today, and traffic was rushed and heavy. I knew what I was in for, but I held my ground and it all worked out. For the mink, too.

I also wore my Ibex Shak on the bike today, so another new thing. I really liked it as cycling apparel. The front pocket was big enough to fit all my stuff, was easy to get into, and I was really comfortable. Had it been windy, it wouldn't have been my first choice.

The new tires are SWEET! They're Challenge Criterium with tan sides to match my cork bar tape and brown saddle. These tires are not just pretty. I don't know how to describe it, but somehow I didn't feel the fatigue I normally do (that could also be due to the ceral, Nuun, and lack of wind). But, I had to turn through a pile of sand, and they reacted really well. No slipping. Maybe it was psychological, but it all worked today.

What a ride!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I had so much energy. I did 3 different things from my usual routine today, so I'm not sure if it was one thing or all 3 that was workin' for me. I got new tires. I ate cereal (I usually eat oatmeal or eggs and toast), and, I used Nuun instead of my usual 50/50 mix of apple cider-water.

It was the Shak.

We had a perfect ride today too! Isn't Spring great?

[redrhodie]

It was the Shak.

By Jove, I think you've got it!


I just walked to the grocery store, and it's a intense here this St. Patty's day. I saw a near miss between 2 cars, which led to some swearing by the drunk jerk at fault. Then I saw a little girl fall down some stairs (not drunk, just clumsy) and she screamed her head off. After that, I saw a young woman sitting on the street, barefoot, out of it, and it's maybe 40º. I'll not guess what her condition is now, and hour later. More cussing at strangers by another guy followed, while I overheard some kids talking about the eggs they were going to throw. And this was all while it was still light.

I'm staying put.

[TrekTheKaty]

Yeah! It's warming up here in the midwest. Enough of the spinning class at 5:30 am! I wanted to do 25 miles today--in training for a metric century. But I followed my husband out on a hill route. Oh, well. Still got out on my bike! Maybe tomorrow?

[michelem]

CRAPPY ride today. Wind gusts up to 27mph. I just couldn't handle the wind. There were times where I was going a mere 7mph! It took me close well over 4 hours to make it 50 miles. I had to stop altogether several times. I just couldn't go the extra 6 to get back to my car, so called my dh to pick me up. Bleh. I have a race (running) tomorrow, and just couldn't chance completely burning myself out. It's just a two-person 1/2 marathon relay and I really could not care less about it. BUT, I am running it with my sister-in-law and don't want to let her down, 'cause she's super-excited about it.

I was just so excited for a weekend without rain! Oh well, hopefully next weekend there will be no rain AND no wind! One can dream . . .

Okay, for some positives: I saw a huge jackrabbit, some roosters, some squirrels, and some wild turkeys. I do love seeing wildlife while out on my rides, as long as they don't run out in front of my bike!

[chicago]

well coming off 16 days of the flu and bronchitis and a lung infection, I made it out on the bike. maybe not the smartest thing, but I did it. 50 degrees today and it started out warm but ended up chilly. i hope i didn't overdo it.

32 miles...

[gnarwhal]

I went out to the woods with my other half and we slogged up a very very long hill where i got to experience the advantages of my new Crank Bros clippy pedals and then we came down through the trees, on single track, roots and rocks and i got to experience the disadvantages of my new Crank Bros clippy pedals (or at least the disadvantage of not being used to them yet). Rode some stuff that i hadn't been able to last time; stormed through a rock garden section which had scared me pantless previously, powered through a boggy muddy section and managed a little teeny tiny drop off jump thing and a planked river crossing.

Windy but sheltered in the trees and we saw a pheasant and a squirrel and then a whole pond full of about 100 frogs and their spawn, they were so croaky that it sounded like a distant helicopter.

[kfergos]

We had a relatively warm day yesterday. I rode a pretty much flat 40-mile loop around the 'burbs of Boston and had a tailwind much of the way. People in Wellesley and Weston had jaw-dropping mansions! I can't believe the money out there! I got distracted and rode slowly, gaping like the country cousin, at some of those places. Yowzers.

Sadly the last 10 miles, along a really unpleasant, heavily-trafficked, no-shoulder road, buffeted me with a steady relentless headwind. Most of the ride I also went at what felt like an agonizingly slow pace (I averaged 14 mph, so 40 miles took me 3.5 hours) because I still have studded tires on my bike -- we did get snow last Monday! It's not too late for MORE snow! -- but at least it was warm enough that I did get to use clipless pedals for only the second time since November. Clipping in -- I forgot how great it was.

Today: Another 40-miler, hillier, but out in the boonies. Should be picturesque, at least, even if none of the plants have started turning green yet.