Sat. 3/21 rides

[Crankin]

It's beautifully sunny out, but just a little cool in the mornings (like 29 today). I lazed around until it was time to go to the grocery store around noon; I spent most of yesterday writing a paper and I slept in today from mental exhaustion.
Went out around 2:45 and did a 15.5 mile loop around Hanscom AFB. I went the opposite way I usually go, to make it different. Nothing special, I tried to work a little hard for the first part, but take it easy on the way back. It's already easier going up my hill than last week.
Quite a few cyclists out today, but at temperatures in the 40s it's still mostly the "serious" looking ones!
Hope to do 30-40 tomorrow.

[tctrek]

We started out at 8:30am and 40 degrees for a 35 mile ride in the rolling hills of Pike County Georgia. We were really hoping to have a ride without leg warmers and ear warmers and windbreakers, but it was not to be today. By the time we were finished the temp was 56 degrees. Maybe next weekend we can finally ride without being bundled up!

[Miranda]

I don't know how many miles I did today on my all day ride... but it was certainly a 'trip'... in more ways than one! AND with some biking firsts for me.

Both of my bikes need a trip to the lbs for mechanical reasons, plus with winter, I have not riddeen outside in a while...

Despite that, one of my best GFs asked me as her only b-day request to make a road trip to the WindyCity to visit her old stompin grounds of years ago (where she lived car-less--bike & public transpo travel only). Total spur of the moment plans.

The GF is a free spirit big city loving shiek chick. I'm a homebody from Mayberry. My riding routes are miles of rual routes with nothing but farm fields. Going to see the big city by bike I thought was literally going to give me a nervous breakdown before I even got there. BUT, I love my friend dearly. As her only known bike loving pal, how could I say no? Thus, away we went...

I ended up taking DH's mid priced mtb. The last trip she went, her ride mate's very nice road bike got the locks cut and stolen. DH was not thrilled about me taking his bike because of this. All I knew to do was go to my lbs last minute and buy the best lock they had in stock--heavy Kryptonite U lock +heavy cable. The lbs told me not to lock up to something like a parking meter--but a tall light pole, if no rack available.

First we did part of a bike/jog path by the lake. A chilly spring day, but beautiful sunshine. The path was packed! But, oh my... I could not believe how courtesy people were! I just followed my GF's lead, and everyone made room and all seemed to abide by the rules to share. The one path I took closer to home in a state park was not like that--just awful, and rude (once was enough there).

The next thing that struck me: dogs. A TON of dogs. At home, I swear our rual dogs must get conditioned from chasing farm animals and wild life in large fenced yards because I can never pass a dog on my route without it sprinting to eat me. Everywhere we rode not even *one* dog attacked. Very well mannered on their leashes. Maybe in the city it's a privelage to get outside for a walk when you don't have a big yard? ...thus, you behave???? I dunno, but I liked it.

I have no clue where we even rode to next, but it was into the city (where she used to live etc.). It was THERE that I found a bit of bike heaven. Something that could *almost* make a humble homebody Mayberry gal like me move to the city. That thing was: ***a bike lane***. WOW!

Being in "the big city" I was fully expecting to be multiple compounded with my usual road rage drivers cursing and throwing things out the car windows as they pass--apauled they must share a sliver of the road. This was not the case at all.

While some of my bike skills have lots of room for growth, I am VERY good at holding a straight and steady line--aka/read rual roads if you don't while being passed it literally could mean death by high speed. Thus, this was my strategy in the city bike lane. Cars were so courtesy--not even one near clipping (which happens regularly at home). Not even the taxi cabs.

It was like being in the bike twilight zone. I felt welcomed and like I 'belonged'. At that point I said to my GF, "if I lived here, I frankly do not see any (or very little) need for a car... what's the point?". Man, that was SO nice!

My cycling helmet tips off in respect to the Windy City of Chicago... thanks for making my bike day a great one!

Plus... I'm pretty proud of myself for making it through trying something new... without actually having the full nervous breakdown.

Thx TE for letting me share!

[ladyicon]

Today my DH and I rode around San Diego bay. Beautiful sunny day with a slight breeze. Temp. started out at 61 degs. and finished up at around 70 degs. We stopped to watch the whale that has been in the bay for a week, hopefully he will find his way out soon. They get lost during the migration from Alaska to their birthing grounds in Mexico. Then they go back to Alaska to feed with their young. It was great watching the guy. No riding tomorrow....supposed to rain .

[redrhodie]

No ride, but I went to the lbs with my best friend to test ride bikes (for her!). She has a very limited budget, but they managed to find some real deals for us to try. I wasn't expecting to be test riding today, so I was wearing chords and Keen Mary Janes. I got the old "You look like Pipi" comment that plagued my childhood, probably because of my harlequin socks, which showed when I rolled up my pants.

We tried 2 Bianchis, a Specialized Sequoia, and an Electra Amsterdam. Man, that Amsterdam is a fun bike. I felt like I should have been drinking a cappuccino while riding it. It's a very posh ride. I'd consider one if I had more room.

She couldn't decide...but the Celeste Bianchi Eros is in the lead. It's a lovely Italian handmade frame, with nice Campy components, for half original price. Just the setup was a little off, but with tweaking, it could be the one.

The Sequoia was pretty much perfect ride-wise, but a little more than she wants to spend, and she didn't love the color. Isn't it annoying when the prettiest bike is the least comfortable? The purple Bianchi, which she loved the look of, and was the cheapest, just didn't feel right.

Test riding bikes is so weird at this point. I'm so used to my bikes, that I feel like a total newbie on anything different.

[andtckrtoo]

I was late in leaving, especially with rain threatening. I managed to get in 33 miles anyway. The daffodils and mustard plants are in bloom and so are some beautiful purple things (I'm horrible when it comes to plants) so it was a very pretty ride for me today. The wind picked up on the way back, so the ride back was tougher, but that's okay. It was still nice to be out on my bike! The song, "I Want to Ride my Bicycle" kept playing through my head the whole time and I know I was grinning like an idiot. Go figure.

[Karma007]

Christine, "Bicycle Races" is my ring tone
I rode the the boys from Benicia today. (Rumor has it there are women who ride with them but I haven't met them. If you're here...) They're really nice people, and pretty patient. It was beautiful out, except for my first ride in real wind which I am not keen on. Hilight? I rode 60 miles, just in time for my first metic!!!!

[Fredwina]

I did The Santa Ana Trial with a bunch of Recumbents:

we made it to the beach:

on the way back:

I decided to do the whole Santa Ana trail

My First metric of the year! it went exceedingly well, expect for the guy who didn't think fat lady on recumbents should pass him

[kelownagirl]

First ride of the season!!!!! Whoo hooo! FINALLLY!!!!

[AnnieBikes]

It is a NASCAR race weekend here in Bristol, so what else to do but take a bike ride! Our little ride group got in 56 miles which is longer than we have done all spring, but we are doing a metric in late April so it was good for all of us. With over 3000 feet of climbing, it was a great workout. Tomorrow, we will do a recovery ride of 25-30 miles. Beautiful, fun weekend ride.

[7rider]

Back to winter, as it was 26 degrees at the start of our ride! Kind of makes me wonder about my poor bloomin' daffodils and the cherries along the tidal basin that they say are supposed to bloom early this year -- peak in another 2 weeks!

DH and I did the N2 group ride. About 30 to start, but not for long.
I've come to the conclusion that if a significant portion of the group is heading up to Sugarloaf (a local "mountain climb" that will give them about 85 miles for the ride), then I can almost hang with them to the first re-group point, as they are pacing themselves and going at a more sedate speed....meaning I can keep contact with the group ). Today, however, a few were going to Poolesville, which is an easy 55 mile ride for them, but many were not, so we were not even off Tuckerman Rd. before they threw the hammer down and I got popped off the back. Fortunately, traffic lights will always keep a few in sight, and I rode with 3 others who also got dropped. By the time we hit Glen, there were 6 of us. By the time we got to River and Falls Road in Potomac, it was up to a dozen or so, and we stayed together for the remainder of the ride.

Since DH was part of the hammer-fest that went on to Poolesville, I rode back to the LBS with another guy to schmooze. We got off our bikes and walked into the shop, and my companion remarked...."That ride is like banging your head against a wall. It feels soooo good when you stop!"

47 miles....

[shootingstar]

Should have gone further since it was gorgeous today. I dunno, but was happy just with 35 km. with some hills. Then went on a mega-grocery shopping expedition and came home with groaning and squeeking panniers due to weight.

I'm looking forward to the cherry blossom tree explosions in a few weeks. Should be lovely.

[mthr3brghtys]

Long ride today - first one of the season. 41 miles Slightly chilly, but it felt good.

[jesvetmed]

Headed out into the icy fog this am to do what I was TOLD was going to be a 30 mile ride. Turned out that the trip was 60 miles round trip
I've never ridden more than 38 until today. Whoa -- and the pace was quite a bit higher than what I would have done on my own. I have to admit I was hurting BAD! Had cramps in my thighs, calves and back by the end. But man, was I happy and proud to say I made it at the end!

My first ever 60 miler! I probably wouldn't have gone had I known it would be that long, but I'm glad now that I did. Turned out to be a gorgeous (yet COLD) day for riding, and I found some new routes to try out.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I feel like such a puss. Clouds and rain threatened all day and I kept thinking, I'll find a couple hour window where I can go out. But.. I didn't. Why? I didn't want to get the new baby rained-on! Is that pathetic or what?? OMG..

Somebody knock some sense into me, please!