Sunday 8 Feb Rides

[Selkie]

My first time outdoors in several weeks, so I was in heaven.

When I started before dawn, it was clear and the moon was very bright. It actually lit up the trail. Warm (43 degrees!) but there were still the remains of melting glaciers along the trail. For those local to DC, I rode on the Custis and W&O -- neighborhood streets were clear but still some salt/sand. And new potholes! The only wildlife I spotted were bunnies. Wonder where the foxes were hiding, as there are a lot of them in the area and I usually have several cross my path.

I savored every moment of my 43-miler. Must admit that spending all that time w/Coach Troy and crosstraining has made me a lot stronger. I think I'm going to have to keep kickboxing in my schedule because my core has gotten very solid from it.

Tomorrow will be cold during my pre-work ride time. If it's above 25, I'll venture outside again.

My fluffiest golden (Fiona) is starting to blow her winter coat---dare I hope it's a sign that spring will arrive a little early?

[wackyjacky1]

You sure got an early start! I'm still sitting here, sipping my tea, and wondering what to wear for my ride today.

[OakLeaf]

My first ride in a week. I feel pretty much 100% recovered from the stomach flu, but as always with those things I've lost some muscle and stamina, so I was glad that a couple of the other guys had their own reasons for keeping the ride short, 32 miles. The cold snap's over and it's a beautiful day. I even made it back in time for church, which doesn't normally happen if I do the Sunday ride. So I got another two miles on the commuter bike!

[Aggie_Ama]

I was going to go today but decided my legs were too tired from the running yesterday for a road ride in 25 mph winds and DH didn't feel like heading to the trail. A warm bath and laundry made for a peaceful morning.

[Triskeliongirl]

Did the club ride again today, finally felt my strength coming back. Wind again, but not as bad as yesterday. Another beautiful day in the texas hill country. I am so glad winter seems to be behind us!

[Aggie_Ama]

Bite your tongue Trick! I have had plenty of ice days in February. I really wish we could be stuck inside with about a week a rain myself.

[emily_in_nc]

Gorgeous day in NC with temps in the low 70s! After a mighty cold snap (and snow) recently, it felt great. DH and I pulled out the mountain bikes, pumped up the tires, and took a short jaunt around the neighborhood gravel roads. Just 32 minutes total, but my palms (even in gloves) and wrists were already feeling it, and I am sure my neck will be tomorrow. I'm also just over quadriceps tendinitis so am taking everything a bit easy. Did a short trail run yesterday, but I must admit that the ride was a great deal more fun!

I am sure it will be cold again by next weekend knowing our typical up and down weather, but this early burst of spring was just great...

[pinkbikes]

I did a Dusk To Dawn mountain bike race. What fun we had! Now if only I could erase the memory (and the bruises) from the two little trips I had over the bars while I was a bit tired and the concentration slipped!

[SlowButSteady]

This has been the coldest, nastiest winter in South Carolina that I can remember in over 10 years.

I haven't ridden my bike outdoors in over 2 months, and ugh, I hate trainer rides but have done a few lately.

Today it was breezy but ABOUT 70 DEGREES. Whoopeeeee.

I rode 21 miles and had plenty of kick left at the end. I guess the occasional trainer rides and plenty of swimming have served me well this winter.

Yay!

[redrhodie]

I got out early for a spin 'round the island. 20-30mph steady west winds, and warm--almost 50º! Well, 50 sounds warm when it's been 4º the last few mornings. I wore only 1 base layer, 1 bolero, and a jacket. That was not quite enough. Still, my head was in a good place, and I felt great even though I was cold by the end.

[wackyjacky1]

I wimped out and didn't ride after listening to the 30 mph wind gusts blowing outside.

[Aggie_Ama]

I wimped out and didn't ride after listening to the 30 mph wind gusts blowing outside.

Wacky- It is howling in NW Austin Area today. DH went and rode, when he returned I asked how it was and his reply "brutal". He is a strong rider and said in the headwind he was having trouble keeping it in double digits on a relatively flat road he can usually average 18-20 mph on. Don't fret it is a bit hairy out there!

I may be a wimp but I generally chose to ride when I will enjoy it, feeling like I am blowing over is something I do not enjoy. If I am training for a ride I will suck it up but since right now I am not training for any rides, I chose to enjoy my Sunday with my fur kids, watch skiing on TV and do laundry. Have some more tea and embrace your wind weenydom.

[Triskeliongirl]

I lied a little bit about the wind today. What got me, was that it picked up over the course of the ride, so when we shoulda had a tailwind, it was pretty calm, but then when we came back in we had quite the headwind. I think it didn't *feel* as bad as yesterday cuz I drafted more on todays ride. We had one strong male rider willing to do all the pulling, so what's a girl to do? Hang on for dear life..................

[Crankin]

I was willing to put up with the wind (it must be everywhere today), but the frozen door on my bike shed had other ideas. My road bike is on the trainer and I would not ride it in the conditions on the roads today. But, I was really looking forward to getting out on the Jamis, even for 10 miles. But, despite the 47 degree temperature and lots of melting, I couldn't get one last bit of thick ice along the bottom of the doors to melt. This is the first time in 4 years I haven't had at least one ride in January or so far, February. But, I have been doing lots of winter sports, so I don't feel too bad.
I really needed a rest day after a very hard spin class Thursday, my wimpy, but hard for me running on Friday, and extremely challenging x country skiing yesterday.
Wednesday looks like another fairly warm day...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I had been hoping to ride today (I've been able to ride only ONCE, a 10 miler, since Dec 2nd!) ....but again foiled by the rotten weather.
It was 45F but dark and rainy and the winds were nasty. The roads were a huge mess of mud and sand and salt and old ice.
DH and i walked 4 miles instead.

I am determined to at least get in 10 miles on my bike tomorrow- forecast says high of 35F and SUNNY! I'll have to check the roads first though.

I'm going bananas not being able to ride my bike at all for weeks on end.