June 4 Weekend Rides

[Catrin]

I will start with my lovely 20 mile ride this morning in the wind-swept corn fields. I saw a large number of cyclists no matter where I went - which is rather unusual. I am accustomed to seeing some out there, but this was different. It was nice to see everyone taking advantage of the lovely warm weather

I had planned on 30-35 miles, but I had a little mishap before I got going. Had a little clipless fall and got caught up in my saddle...my girly bits were in agony I suspect there is some bruising, and I probably shouldn't have ridden but I wasn't about to NOT ride after all of that I just rode until my soft bits started telling me they were ready for a break - which turned out to be 20 miles.

The ride was awesome, and my average speed was higher than it has ever been - 13.4 mph! This is my personal best so I am happy. Considering my riding position I will never win any races.

All I can say is I am very thankful I had my PI elite bib-shorts on, not the Terry shorts with the thinner chamois...

[pinsonp2]

I did a ride to a park about 12 miles away. On the way home had a flat. DH rescued me. Beside that little issue, it was a great ride and a beautiful day here in SE MI!!!!

[hirakukibou]

I did a lovely 46 mile solo ride to Harvard and Bolton, for which Crankin had written out a cue sheet for me. (The directions were great!) Looking forward to doing that one again.

[KathiCville]

I did a short ride this morning--just 11 miles--but enjoyed every inch of pretty country road. I was trying out new insoles to see if they might help with a problem I posted about earlier in the week (clenching toes on one foot). Lol, no joy in that regard so I headed to my local Specialized dealer to consult the staff. Ended up signing up for a Body Geometry Fit session to get to the bottom of the problem (appt in two weeks).

Soooo, this morning's gorgeous spin was double the value!! I also hit my mid-year goal on the ride: 750 miles for 2011. Almost a month ahead of schedule! Yeehaw!

[azfiddle]

I overdid it last weekend, spent the week recuperating and ventured out for an easy, flat 10 miles this morning

[indysteel]

DH and I did about 25 miles this morning before turning our attention to some much needed yardwork. The first 5 miles were into a wind, and I was just crawling. I couldn't figure out why I felt so puny. I kept asking DH to slow down. He finally asked if I was okay, and I said I must be a little dehyrdrated or something. Another mile up the rode, it finally dawns on me to check my rear brake. It's a single pivot Campy Centaur brake, and we've had a heck of a time keeping it centered. Sure enough, it was rubbing. I readusted it and then just took off. I was relieved that it was the bike and not me.

From there, we finally got a tail wind and DH and I took turns chasing one another at max speed. Weeeeee!

Now I'm pooped though. We spent a few hours planting flowers and this heat is a real drag.

[Crankin]

Yesterday I rode 20 miles with a friend. She now has a second home on the Cape, so she isn't around as much to ride. It was good, but I felt guilty thinking that her new Ruby Elite is just gorgeous looking when my bike is perfectly good.
Today DH and I led a 15 mile ride for our club's bike rally. We rode there, did the ride, and rode home, so almost 42 miles. The ride starts out with a very challenging climb, and since riders choosing the 15 mile option are not always used to this, it's interesting. That was OK, since we regrouped at the top, but then one woman was on her first ride of the season and her bike could not shift out of the highest cog after she dropped her chain. I was a little miffed that she hadn't checked her bike's shifting before her first ride of the season. But it was my job to sweep, so I coached her through the whole ride, which was as tiring as riding fast. I was exhausted when we got home, and then we showered and went back for the dinner and speaker. It was probably the nicest day for riding that we've had this year.

[emily_in_nc]

Just a little 12.75 mile market ride this morning in gorgeous weather (70s and sunny, low humidity). I debated going back out for some more miles after dropping off our loot, but decided to take it easy as I'm planning for 50 miles tomorrow, and I wanted to rest a pretty bad saddle sore I developed recently from a few longer and sweaty rides. Fortunately, it started draining this afternoon (sorry TMI!), and is no longer angry, so I think tomorrow's ride is going to be much more comfortable!

[redrhodie]

I commuted, but had time to kill, so I did my long route. Then I rode to the store after work. So, around 35 miles for the day. It was really nice out, as it's been all week. Stopped by my lbs, where they threw stuff at me, since evidently people like to do that. I <3 my lbs.

[Reesha]

Yesterday I rode 20 miles with a friend. She now has a second home on the Cape, so she isn't around as much to ride. It was good, but I felt guilty thinking that her new Ruby Elite is just gorgeous looking when my bike is perfectly good.
Today DH and I led a 15 mile ride for our club's bike rally. We rode there, did the ride, and rode home, so almost 42 miles. The ride starts out with a very challenging climb, and since riders choosing the 15 mile option are not always used to this, it's interesting. That was OK, since we regrouped at the top, but then one woman was on her first ride of the season and her bike could not shift out of the highest cog after she dropped her chain. I was a little miffed that she hadn't checked her bike's shifting before her first ride of the season. But it was my job to sweep, so I coached her through the whole ride, which was as tiring as riding fast. I was exhausted when we got home, and then we showered and went back for the dinner and speaker. It was probably the nicest day for riding that we've had this year.

I'd be curious to hear what hill it is! That one hill in Westford that goes up from the railroad tracks and nursery in Nabnassett to Westford Center is fairly brutal. Spin spin spin for me.


Anywho... yesterday I did an easy 20. Today will be an easy 40-60. Depends on how I feel. Need more miles in my legs.

[AppleTree]

Must have been a good weekend for everyone, what great ride stories and photos.

I got to do over 52 miles on the Centennial Trail on what was a nearly perfect day for cycling...the kind of day we dreamt about all winter long. Not too warm, clear... we could see each mountain range from different points along the trail... Mt. Baker, Rainier, Pilchuck and Three Fingers, and the Olympic Mountains. It was fabulous.

No flats, the only bad thing was a big fat slug being thrown up on my leg by the front wheel... major ick. Oh, I also dropped my waterbottle trying to put it back in the cage while riding...a skill I really need to practice more. I ran over it with my back wheel, luckily didn't crash or ruin my water bottle!

[withm]

I'm cheating - but my weekend started early. These are some of the stops I made on my 23 mile ride in northern Michigan on Thursday.

[Jo-n-NY]

What a great weekend of riding it was. A nice little 20 mile ride on Saturday, 50mi organized ride called Bike Boat Bike on Sunday and another 20 mile ride after working from home on Monday I ended up with 90+ miles in the 3 days. The nice weather continues this week although some will complain about the heat, I will be welcoming it with open arms.

For those who are not familiar with Bike Boat Bike, it is a ride that begins on the North Fork of Long Island fairly close to the wineries. We ride to Greenport where we take a ferrie to Shelter Island, ride around there then on the 50mi route take the ferry back to Greenport and loop the other side of the North Fork. The longer miles take the riders to the South Fork. We do not find that as scenic and nice as the North Fork. A very enjoyable ride on a nice day.

[Crankin]

I am one already complaining about the heat. Just came back from a little 15.5 mile ride and at 80 degrees I was suffering the whole time. I opted for shady rather than longer, but the shady ended up being not so shady because of the time of day. Supposed to do a 42 mile ride tomorrow and it will be even hotter. Not sure, but I guess I have to suck it up and acclimate.