Fell 3 times today!!!

[Hell-uv-a-job]

It was very dry and dusty and although I make sure I grease my shoes and pedals (Speedplay) it was almost imposible to keep them sand-dust-free today. I fell 3 times at different stop lights and my wrist hurt more than my pride. My wrist really, really hurt, I hope it is ok since I bang-it pretty badly. Lets see tomorrow. Thinking I wanted to do another 30 miles tomorrow...

[slinkedog]

I learned the hard way not to put my hand out to break my fall. Best way I know of to mess up your wrist real nice. Hope you're feeling better SOON!

[Nanci]

Ooh that sucks!

I thought I was going to do some falling yesterday, too. Went out for a nice two-hour ride to scout part of the 400k route from my house, and got onto a road I hadn't ridden before. It was _so_ absoloutely perfect- 80 degrees, gorgeous blue sky, fields still dormant and brown, tons of curious cows and calves, NO traffic. Got to my turn-around, and thought I'd short cut back a different way, but after 100 yards on the new road the traffic was so horrible, and no bike lane, that I stopped to turn back, and saw two riders behind me. So talked to them for 20 minutes, and then was _really_ late, went back the way I came, thought I'd short cut through a limerock road, because there's one by my house I do that with, and it works out ok even with skinny road tires because the limerock is so smooth, like concrete. Well, this one wasn't, and I should have turned back, but, oh no, can never do that. I ended up in deep sand, and was trying to ride through it, but road tires don't have _any_ traction, and my bike was sliding all over the place. Luckily, I had MTB shoes, so could keep one unclipped just in case, but I really thought I was going down a number of times.

Maybe that pedal system just doesn't agree with you. It shouldn't be so hard! Is it because you can't get unclipped, because you're stuck, or do you just wait too long and lose momentum and then just tip over? When I come up to a stop light, I unclip _way_ before, and rest my foot on the pedal, not clipped in, or if it's apparent I am going to have to stop, kind of dangle my leg down to be ready. I just think MTB shoes are so much easier for riding in traffic, because you don't have to be clipped in to stick to the pedal.

Well, don't give up, because once you get the hang of clipless, there's just no comparison in comfort.

Nanci

[Hell-uv-a-job]

You are right, it was a beautiful day yesterday with nice soft breeze and blue sky. 83 deg and I was enjoying the view. I did 30 miles but I felt I slacked . I stopped a lot and I think that's the reason I fell that mant times and of course, It was hard to keep the pedals sand free since we parked at a sandy area.

So far this has been the warmest weather I have used my bike so I fell a little uncomfortable. Of course I was wearing long sleeves since you cannot predict Florida weather and was too hot for me. The forecast was 80 deg but when I finished the ride it was 86, go figure. At least there's a long way before the summer and I will get used to the hot weather. Of course that means hurricanes .

My hand is fine, since I iced it last night. Still sore but don't think I need it checked out. I'll be riding on my trainer later on so lets see.

[Nanci]

Hell-uv, we are _so_ lucky to live in Florida. It's not every time I ride, but once or twice even in the winter months it's warm enough (70's, 80) to wear my Shebeast tank tops that I _just_ this fall lost enough weight to be comfortable being seen in. I only own one LS jersey, and when I need it, it's nice to have, but I have so far resisted getting others, because it just isn't usually cold enough. Arm warmers are _great_, you can ride in a short-sleeved or even sleeveless jersey, then peel them down halfway when you get warm, then take them off when you get hot.

Now in the summer, at first it seems bad to be riding when it's 90, with 90% humidity, but if you are persistant, you get acclimated. Just carry a ton of water and sufficient electrolyte caps. Then when it rains, it's the best! The rain is _warm_! It feels great! Then there is the nice steam bath when the sun comes back out. I love Florida.

Sand: I never have to even think about sand. I don't know anything about Speedplays, but yesterday, if they are so sensitive to sand, I would have _died_ in the sand pit I was trying to ride in...I have plain old Shimano SPD's, the MTB kind. They never clog up with anything.

You know what helps with weather prediction:

http://www.wunderground.com

You can look at the hour-by-hour forecast, and know what the temps will be over the course of your ride.

I'm trying to decide if I want to do a 200k ride up in Bonifay next Saturday, as a training ride for the 400k two weeks later. The long range forecast is showing 65 for that day. I got spoiled yesterday when it was 80! I don't know anything about that part of the state, and some of the ride is in Alabama, too. But it would require a motel stay of at least one night...I wrote to the director of the brevet series (here) to see if he thought it would be a good training ride, or if it was too close.

Nanci

[slinkedog]

I also have Shimano mtb SPD's... love 'em. You can clip in on either side and my cleats have never been picky... I've even had some mud in them and I can still clip in and out just fine.