November Rides

[Crankin]

Got out today, for the first time in a week. It is way above average temperature for this time of year, 57 when I left, and 62 when I got back. I thought I was dressed OK, but after 4-5 miles, I started feeling weird and realized I was just hot (and hungry), so I took off my arm warmers. Then, after another couple of miles, I had to stop to eat part of a Lara Bar. Despite feeling bonky for about half the ride, I actually felt "good," which sounds strange. I did a semi-loop of 15 miles, where at the beginning and end I was on the same road. Nothing special, all super familiar roads, mostly in Acton and then back to my house.
I have noticed that there is just more traffic out during the day now, and it is annoying. Obviously, where I live, it's not city type traffic, but it's noticeable. I think maybe because so many people work at home now, that they are out and about during the day, doing errands. If I had gone just a mile or two further west, I would have gotten into very quiet riding, but I am on a schedule.

[north woods gal]

Finishing up the trail work by adding some 6" PVC pipe as artificial logs to jump with the bike. Hoping to find some 8" pipe, too, at some point, but any bigger brings on the issue of the chain ring snagging when crossing. Mostly, though, have been putting in one solid hour of climbing and jumping every day and hope to work up to two full hours, this month.

Unusual weather for us. Have only had one night of actual freezing temps, though our daytime highs are in the normal 40s and 50s. A good hard freeze would actually firm up some of the muddy spots on the trail.

[emily_in_nc]

Finally got out today for my first ride since riding in Kentucky on October 17! Longest time off this year, I think. We've been busy with family time and travel, so it was great to get on the bike again, especially given the unseasonably warm weather and sunshine. It was around 65F at the start of the ride and 75 at the end, in November! :-)

We rode in our old neighborhood in NC as we are currently in the area for a short visit for some doctor's appointments for DH (routine stuff). Got to see a former neighbor and enjoyed riding many of the rural roads we've ridden hundreds of times. A few new houses, but not too many changes, which is kind of nice. We have not ridden in this area since 2011, before moving to Belize.

I was pleased to note that even though I am surely a bit slower than when we lived here, the ride didn't seem any more difficult (it's rolling hills), so I guess all the tough rides out west this past summer really helped my fitness level. Ended up with a little over 26 miles at a 14 mph pace.

We'll ride again tomorrow, then it gets much cooler, so that may be it for riding for this visit.

[azfiddle]

So far, I have two commute rides for November. Yesterday was the first time I had to wear a windbreaker in the morning! Seems like most of my miles are from commuting lately. But 19 miles round trip adds up!

[north woods gal]

Emily, that's a great pace for rolling hill country. All that summer riding, for sure.

Az, my best ever year for miles on a bike was one of the years I went bike, only, no car, including a 16 mile round trip for commuting. For sure, those commuting miles really add up.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks, NWG. I was significantly slower on today's ride, but I rode my Bike Friday with rack and trunk pack. We rode some of the same rural route as yesterday but detoured over to the food co-op in town where we used to be members. It has expanded substantially since we left the area! Bought a few things, then rode the same route back to the campground. Ended up with 30 miles today and am going to enjoy a day off tomorrow. I am feeling it now!

Today is the last day of the warm weather. We left in the mid-60s and returned in the mid-70s again. Looks like we may not enjoy this much warmth again until we get down to Florida later in the month. It has been delightful riding in shorts and short-sleeve jerseys as leaves fall all around us, I must say!

[Sky King]

Oh my gosh, we actually rode on pavement this weekend, on unloaded touring bikes. What a treat. We closed the shop an hour early on Friday, took the tear drop, the bikes and the truck and drove to Cambridge Idaho. The Weiser River Trail passes through Cambridge, and is mostly dirt and gravel but we opted to stay on paved roads for a change. Camped at Mondo Hot Springs - note they also have a hostel and host quite a few bike riders. We road Hwy 71 toward Hells Canyon and the snake river. A climb of 15 or 16 miles and then a 6 mile drop into the canyon. We didn't go all the way to the river but stopped at a fun little store and cafe. Even though they'd technically stopped serving breakfast, they did so for us. The climb out wasn't horrid - we were laughing as so much of our riding has involved hike a bike lately it was nice to pedal the whole ride! All in all was a 50 mile trip with wonderful weather - topped out at 58 degrees. Tons of wild turkey and these crazy apple trees are scattered all along the road - not an orchard, all the sudden there is just an apple tree in amongst the pine and aspen. The soak after the ride was lovely.

[emily_in_nc]

No riding today as it was chilly and breezy and we had to run a bunch of errands (two home improvement stores, mainly), but bike-related and fun, we went to Performance Bicycle for our annual visit and bought a few needed parts and accessories. Most was boring stuff like tubes, etc., but I got a pretty heather pink bike top (not a fancy road jersey but more of a quick-dry casual t with one back-zip pocket) and nice black socks with a cool pink/purple butterfly to go with it. I don't wear much pink, but I have one pair of bike shorts with pink stitching and only had one sleeveless top to wear with them, and this top was half off, so...!

I was actually looking for a long-sleeve jersey to wear on cooler-weather rides, but they were all black, some with just a bit of brighter colors as accents, but I wanted high-viz. Lots of short-sleeve mostly black jerseys too. What's with this? Sure, it looks good, but I want to be SEEN, thank you. I did see a great high-viz yellow one on the clearance rack, but it was in XXL, which wouldn't work for me.

DH got a nice new Bell helmet in high-viz yellow, a scullcap, and a pair of shorts.

Fun.

[north woods gal]

For those on a budget looking for tops and hoodies that would make a good choice for bike clothing, good old Wal Mart carries a lime of Active wear by Danskin that is 100% polyester and it comes in a variety of hi-viz colors, even some with selective accents. Tops run about $10. Designed more for jogging and not bike specific fancy label stuff, but it works.

[emily_in_nc]

For those on a budget looking for tops and hoodies that would make a good choice for bike clothing, good old Wal Mart carries a lime of Active wear by Danskin that is 100% polyester and it comes in a variety of hi-viz colors, even some with selective accents. Tops run about $10. Designed more for jogging and not bike specific fancy label stuff, but it works.

This is true. I actually have one of their long-sleeve high-viz yellow tops and am wearing it in my TE profile pic/avatar! It has faded quite a bit as I've worn it so much for running and cycling. But it's very thin with no rear pocket, since it's really not made for cycling. This time I was looking for a zip-up warmer jersey with back pockets, to wear over a sleeveless or short-sleeve jersey. My DH has a great screaming orange one like this made by Louis Garneau. Performance had some of the same brand for women, but they were just too black for me. I will end up looking online. I don't need it immediately, but I suspect there will be some chilly riding days even in Florida this winter!

Sorry for the brief hijack -- this should really be in the Apparel thread.

[Catrin]

Good foe you, keep riding!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[rebeccaC]

Visiting some wonderful friends of Alex in Michigan and we are enjoying all this trip is about. Good friends, great time making and eating food, playing music and singing together and even riding yesterday morning on borrowed mountain bikes in the cold on wet and muddy roads put a smile on my face …..20+ miles and high 30's low 40's...we knew the forecast for this trip so we were prepared for the biking weather!!

[Crankin]

Ha, ha, Northwoods. Skiing in New England is almost always like that. Metal edges, and good grooming help. No such thing as powder
nordic skiing!
We did a quick 11 mile hilly ride before heading out for western MA. It was 36 degrees and cloudy. Glad I went, but I am still discouraged with my foot. Riding is fine, but walking/hiking not so much.

[north woods gal]

Yeah, we just ski out our back door, so we have to break our own trails, sometimes over rough country, just like the MTB riding. Nope, no groomed trails for us and no skinny trail skis, either. We use wide, true backcountry wilderness type skis with metal edges. Not super fast, but great for climbing and breaking trail, and strong enough for walking over logs and rocks and so on. Once in awhile, after the lake has frozen enough, a neighbor will be out on his snowmobile. Those tracks make a nice, do-it-yourself groomed trail, for the skis or the fat bikes.



More work with this kind of skiing, but most days, have the woods and lake to myself. Pretty much a wilderness experience, right out my back door. Doesn't get any better than this.

[north woods gal]

Rebecca, all always, great pics. What part of Michigan is that?