April 23d Rides

[Crankin]

Today I did my first group ride of the season. Well, a group ride that I wasn't leading. This was with the other club I ride with, but it is a specific group of "older" people who are really quite interesting. The ride left from a location about 8-10 miles from my house and was supposed to be 35 miles and mostly flat or rolling.
Well, yesterday I went out for a 27 mile ride (my longest so far) and my speed was slow. I am still having a lot of PT issues, even though I am much stronger. The group ride today is really perfect for me, since I am usually too slow for a fast group, but too fast for the slower people. There were 50 people on the ride today; big even for this group. I decided to stay at the back of the front group, since if you are right up with the leader, you get asked to be a "human arrow," which is the system this group uses to keep people on the route. I really don't like doing this, especially with big groups. It's hard to wait and be sure when the sweep has passed and you can leave your "post." Anyway, all was well until about 20 miles into the ride. The leader was moving a bit faster than the usual speed and it was fine. We were near the lunch stop, when I got caught at a light and then there was a gradual climb. But that wasn't the real issue, since I seem to be the only one in this group who catches people on a climb. A lot of these people live near Boston and totally fall apart when there is a hill. The issue was that it was 85 out! I don't like riding in hot weather to begin with, but this was a shock to me, after riding in 50 and 60 degrees for the past 2 weeks. After the climb, where I lost sight of the front group and was basically by myself, we regrouped. I though we'd be heading to lunch (I knew we were near the place), the leader said we had 10 or 11 miles to go. Then I realized I was on the verge of heat exhaustion. I ate my Luna Bar (there goes Passover) and practically drained my Accelerade. When we got to the lunch stop, my face was so red, it was gross. I went into the bathroom and poured water on my head. Then I bought a Gatorade and ate a bagel. After lunch, now realizing that this was going to be a 40+ mile ride, I seemed to regain some energy. I stayed behind the leader and when we stopped about 6 miles from the end, he had to help someone who lost their wallet. Me and a couple of others lead the rest of the group back to the cars.
I put my bike on the rack and got out of there quickly. I didn't want to socialize in my sweaty bike shorts. Came home and took a long bath! Going out to dinner helped me recover more, along with a nice glass of wine.
44 miles

[redrhodie]

Wow, Crankin, they just threw an extra 9 miles at you with no warning? Glad you made out okay, and that you're now well enough to ride 44 miles!

Today I rode my annual ride with DBF. Well, we ride together more than once a year, but not much more. It was fun. His first real ride this year, and my shortest! We did about 12 or 13 miles, into a steady wind with big gusts. With all the riding I've been doing, and all the sitting on the couch he's been doing, we actually stayed together pretty well . I'm stronger than him right now, and probably will still be until his next ride or 2, but shortly thereafter, I'm sure I'll find my old familiar place as the lantern rouge.

At the end of our rides, we always have a little sprint race, where the winner claims to be Robbie McEwin. He led out too soon, so he's Tom Boonen today (lucky me ).

[OakLeaf]

The usual. Again. I'll be glad to get home so I can do something other than the same loop over and over again. Soon, soon. I'm already talking to the folks up north about rides they're planning for this week

I got home just in time to not get my shower since we had a plumber working (seemed like just a weetie little leak in the bath/shower faucet, wound up having to knock a hole in the wall ). So may as well hop on the commuter and get another 8 miles of errands for a total of 45 today.

Then home to shampoo carpets and patch drywall. Thankfully the hole is in a closet.


ETA: Crankin, >too slow for a fast group, but too fast for the slower people< Story of my life

[RolliePollie]

Brrrrr! 24 miles and 38 degrees with wind, clouds and wet roads. I wore the following:

two pairs of wool socks
my favorite PI knickers
fleece tights
wicking long underwear shirt
silk turtleneck
thick fleece turtleneck
windbreaker

A week or so ago I was wearing shorts and a sleeveless jersey and I was hot!

Good ride even though it was chilly. Actually, it would've been great if it wasn't for the constantly running nose. To me, the runny nose is the worst part of riding in cold weather.

[Meg McKilty]

I didn't even get three miles into my ride when this happened:

[kelownagirl]

OWIE Meg!!!! What happened? (How's your bike??)

[chicago]

didn't ride, ran 6.5 miles.

[OakLeaf]

Ow Meg! Are you okay other than the roadrash?

[Meg McKilty]

It hurts a great deal, swelled like mad last night. The bike has to be taken in today for the derailleur and handlebar stem. My hood spacer also came out (I saved it).

This sucks. My brand new bike.

[Blueberry]

Meg -

Heal fast

What happened??

CA

[7rider]

It hurts a great deal, swelled like mad last night.

Ouch!
Get some Brave Soldier on that pronto!

[Meg McKilty]

Meg -

Heal fast

What happened??

CA

I slipped on some loose dirt that appeared to be packed mud. It was a simple turn, too, noting complicated.

[short cut sally]

YOUCHHHIE Meg...hope that heals ok for you..watch for infection!
My ride started off at 45 degrees in the morning..I froze until I hit the other side of town and there was some sun shining..oh my..my teeth were a chattering...Rode 21 miles and it was nice.