April 19th rides

[Crankin]

Only the second time I've started a thread...

I had 2 rides yesterday (it's spring vacation here). Amazingly, the sun finally came out around 10 AM, just around the time my husband finished putting new shifters on my Voodoo commuter bike. Around 11:30 I set off on a trip to the drugstore, about 3.3 miles away. Feeling very stylish in my Terry scooter capris, a wicking shirt from Patagonia, a hoody, and my new yellow helmet, I froze a bit on the 1.5 mile downhill that begins my ride, but after that, I was fine. Only saw one other cyclist before I got to the store, but a lot of people were walking on the sidewalk by the Concord River, which is severely overflowing its banks from all of the rain. I decided against buying a magazine that felt like it weighed 4 lbs., got my stuff and started back. It is definitely work to ride that bike with a loaded pannier up my hill. There were a lot more cyclists out on the way back, and I took a little detour around the back of the North Bridge/battle area and there were tons of tourists on the street who were walking like 3-4 abreast. I was sweating going up my street and driveway, but it was fun. 7.2 miles.

Later my husband and i went out for a 16 mile ride. My quads were screaming, not sure why. I felt generally crappy almost the whole time, until near the end. On one stretch of Lowell Rd. I managed to stay at 22-23 for about 5 minutes, but that didn't make up for how miserable the ride felt overall. Managed to keep my average over 15, including the hill, but it's funny how my mental set changes from a "fun' commuter trip to a training ride that seems like work.

[crazycanuck]

After a week of being off my bike I finally got to use it!!! I'm so far behind in terms of my mileage

To make a long story short I ended up with the flu & had tues/wed off work..The flu came along at the same time as adopting our dog Yukon. My eyes were puffy & drippy & coughing etc. I felt well enough to do a short ride thurs to the train station.

Anywho I took it easy on my way home tonight(fri) & felt pretty good. I still felt as if i was overheating and unsure if i should go any faster than 25km/hr or pushing it for fear of having a coughing fit. The nose was a dribble fest but not much i could do about it.

It was only a 30km+ ride but it's better than nothing.

C

[limewave]

Did my regular group ride last night after two weeks off 'cause of snow. I checked the temp before I left home and it was 68 degrees. I put on shorts and, after lots of thought went with a long sleeve jersey but packed a short sleeve and wind vest (just in case).

In the 25 minute drive south, the temp dropped 13 degrees. I put my short sleeve jersey over my long sleeve and the wind vest over that because it was so chilly and windy out--complete change from the sunny calm weather at home.

My teeth chattered the entire 40 mile ride. My fingers and toes were numb The post-ride beer, however, did wonders to warm me back up.

But, on a good note--I've been working on increasing my cadence or spin so I'm not mashing as much. I tried to shift down one gear than where I was comfortable thus I was having to spin more (hope this makes sense). It was a little awkward at first and I felt like I was working harder but, really, I ended up having more energy at the end of the ride and was able to finish stronger than I ever have. yay!

[RolliePollie]

Great 30 mile ride except for the part when I tipped over. I'm fine - just a few bruises, but bike has some little issues, like a strangely bent and curved left brake hood. It was supposed to rain but it turned out to be a nice day so I was happy to get out there!

[SheFly]

On one stretch of Lowell Rd. I managed to stay at 22-23 for about 5 minutes, but that didn't make up for how miserable the ride felt overall. Managed to keep my average over 15, including the hill, but it's funny how my mental set changes from a "fun' commuter trip to a training ride that seems like work.

Good for you, Robyn! I think your quads were likely sore from your morning ride - we haven't been able to ride much here, you know .

I was driving home from work to go and ride yesterday when it started to RAIN in Concord! I ignored it, hoping it would go away, and it did . Since I was late, I had to TT into Lexington from Bedford to meet my teammate, but we managed an awesome ride. I finished with just over 32 miles at a fairly easy pace (trying to save up for the races this weekend).

It is SO NICE out now that I SHOULD be riding, but I need a recovery day before the weekend...

SheFly

[pooks]

I had a fabulous riding day, not for distance so much as accomplishment. I rode four miles to a greasy spoon, locked up my bike and clomped through to a booth (drawing a lot of attention from codgers and businessmen) and started in on the all-you-can-eat salad bar and iced tea while I worked on a project. Eventually my husband showed up and we had lunch together, then I rode onto the post office, the library, and made a detour to a sandwich shop to see if it has reopened after remodeling. (It has not.)

It was just a glorious spring day and I caught a lot of people looking at me enviously as I zipped around on my bike.