Memorial Day Weekend Rides

[MojoGrrl]

Thanks Emily Luckily, since I got back before him, I was waiting at the finish with a blanket and dry clothes and a car with the heater on. But yeah, there was a moment when both of us weren't sure he was going to be alright. Apparently, some riders did have to get treated for hypothermia. Same situation as yours - it wasn't supposed to rain until the afternoon, and not everyone was prepared.

[Catrin]

I was going to ride my age (23) today, as I owed myself a birthday ride from October. I somehow added an extra mile. (So an early birthday ride for this year?)

Sounds very nice, especially being chased by non-biting wildlife

I really want to ride today, but my hip and sartorious is twinging a bit this morning - yeah - THAT leg, and the other quad is a little tender. I really have hit it much harder these past couple of days than the weather has allowed me to do so far this year so I need to take a rest day It is just so beautiful this morning & I want to RIDE. I COULD, it is pretty minor, but am trying to be better this year...

I rode Friday, hiked/mtn bike trail maintenance Saturday, 30 mile hot/windy ride yesterday...hmmmm, guess I can't complain. Will go for a gentle walk with a friend today and do my usual stretches. She can only go for easy hikes, and refuses to walk alone so we go when I need a recovery day. I've had some nice rides this year, but not more than 2 days in a row due to the weather - being so active for 3 days in a row was fantastic!

I had planned on taking the mountain bike to the Canal Towpath, it is a 5.5 mile crushed limestone trail that connects to the White River Parkway which would take me all the way downtown and back again and help to further break in the rear suspension. I suspect it is pretty flat and would have been an easy shortish ride but will do that next Saturday morning as I want to go in early AM to avoid foot traffic.

Rest today, ride tomorrow Part of me says that I am being overly cautious and I should just go for it - but of course that little voice is to blame for my assorted over-use injuries last year...

[evangundy]

All this talk of slow... I averaged 10.8 MPG when I was riding around the ginormous parking lot. I'd love to be able to sustain 15 MPH so I can do a century; at my usual average, I'm too slow to try one.
And those averages are on flat trails!

My first century about 14 or 15 years ago, was about 10mph average for the day. And a long day it was. Began at 7am and finished about 6pm - lots of stops to rest. Pulled back into the parking lot as the trucks were loading up the port-a-potties. We were last in on the ride, but there were quite a few that had finished just ahead of me.

And now, after becoming a much stronger rider, my fastest century so far has been about 7 hours but I don't remember my average speed. I've never been fast and probably won't ever be, but I don't let that stop me from doing those long organized rides. They are fun, no matter your speed. At a 10mph average, it would take you 10 hours. If you build up your "distance" so you are able to ride that many miles, you'll be able to do it, just at your own speed.

Just pick a century ride that you want to do, register for it so you are committed to riding it, and start increasing your distance a little each ride. There are lots of good training guides out there - I used this one while training to ride a two-day STP: http://shop.cascade.org/content/even...gested-mileage - and if you'll notice, it mentions mileage, NOT how fast you ride those miles :-)

Have fun :-)
Edna

[owlice]

Edna, thanks! I think I should be faster on the shorter rides, because I know on the longer rides, I will be slower. I don't think I'd have a problem actually riding a century from the standpoint of mileage; it's just from the standpoint of spending that much time in the saddle and finishing so late, I want to be faster. I did a metric last year and was dead last for that. I don't mind being dead last, but would like it to be before my friends have given me up for dead, turned in a missing person's report, driven several hours home, and been asleep for half the night before I finish, as would likely be the case for a century at this point.

If I can sustain 15 MPH regularly on 20-25 mile rides, I have a greater chance of averaging at least 10 MPH over 100 miles. I'd like the greater chance!

I've been thinking about buying a lighter, faster bike, but it occurs to me that what is on the bike could be lighter by way more than the difference between my current bike and any I might buy, so maybe I should concentrate on that, and simply pushing myself to ride faster, even if I do buy a lighter, faster bike!

ETA: Probably no riding for me today unless it's near/after sunset, as we are under a heat advisory.

[emily_in_nc]

Did a little 16.5 mile solo recovery ride this morning, concentrating on not pushing, using easier gears than I might usually, and just enjoying the scenery and quiet roads. My legs actually felt just fine, but I am feeling my chronic saddle sore start to get irritated. It's been fine up til this point, not giving me any grief, but I think the increasing heat/humidity and resulting sweating, plus longer rides, have finally awakened it from its winter slumber again.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

[ASammy1]

We rode "Bike the Drive" in downtown Chicago yesterday. 20 cold, wet, and foggy miles on Lakeshore Dr. It was so foggy, you couldn't see any of the skyscrapers or Lake Michigan It was nice to ride in the city without having to stop every mile or so though...

[owlice]

Emily, I have had good luck using Cortisone-10 on irritated bits; clears them up nicely, and I'll use it before a ride sometimes, too, to ward off developing a sore. In fact, I read a suggestion for Cortisone-10 here; looking for a solution to a persistent saddle sore is what led me to TE in the first place. And wow, was I (am I) ever grateful!!

[redrhodie]

I was dog sitting this weekend. Brought my commuter bike with me, and rode to the store both days. On Sat, I took the long way there, a shorter way back for 14 miles. I took the longer route both ways Sun, for 18 miles. The bike rack at the store was busy! I was lucky to get a spot.

Today is a rest day. Drove the car to get ice cream, and noticed a lot of cyclists out. Got behind a really nervous guy who couldn't get his foot clipped in. I was fine waiting for him as long as it took, but he appeared to be freaking out. I felt for him. I was afraid he would fall. It was a big relief when he finally clipped in, as much for me as him! Been, there, done that!

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, I have had good luck using Cortisone-10 on irritated bits; clears them up nicely, and I'll use it before a ride sometimes, too, to ward off developing a sore. In fact, I read a suggestion for Cortisone-10 here; looking for a solution to a persistent saddle sore is what led me to TE in the first place. And wow, was I (am I) ever grateful!!

Thank you for the tip - I am willing to try anything! I have actually had to have this sucker injected with cortisone twice at my dermatologist's...late last summer and two years prior to that. It's a nasty little beast! I should probably try some different saddles (have already tried several different shorts), but I think it's caused by the way I sit on the saddle a little crooked from my pelvic fractures in '05, so I am not sure a different saddle would help.

[Atlas]

Last Thursday and today were my Memorial Day Weekend since I work most every Saturday and Sunday. So Thursday I did my usual route but added a few miles of gravel since my partner is a huge gravel cyclist and wants to take some gravel on our tour. I thought 'oh this will be interesting and scenic'. First road was being graded, second got chased by my first dog (and nearly wiped out on him but at least he was friendly), then the hills started, and I decided to head back to the highway with the bike lanes

I had planned on going out today, but the wind is gusting up to 45 mph and I'm not exactly comfortable with that. So maybe just a nice stroll through town with extra hills to make up for the lack of miles.

[emily_in_nc]

My speed actually isn't that bad, but is a lot slower than I used to be on my Aegis Swift. Not sure if it's the bike or the engine - probably a bit of both. I feel pretty strong, but I am definitely not as fast as I used to be. On my Aegis, before my accident in '05, I averaged between 15-18 mph. On my Friday I'm usually doing utility rides so generally average between 11-13 mph. Today was 14.2. There, I said it.

Sorry to reply to my own post, but I think I figured it out, at least in part. After posting this, it got me thinking, so today after my ride, I weighed my Bike Friday. It currently has a rear rack on it, but I'd left the rack trunk (Arkel Tail Rider) off and just put on a small seat bag with an extra tube, tools, and a CO2 cartridge and chuck, plus my cell phone, lip balm, and keys. Weighed the entire thing: 25 lbs. Not bad, but...my Aegis, with similarly equipped seat bag, came in at around 21 lbs, if that. Doesn't seem like a huge difference, but since I am very light, it's definitely a higher % of my body weight and could certainly explain away most of the speed differences I notice.

But I'm really not a speed weenie any more, just enjoying the ride!

[rubysoho]

43 beautiful miles between yesterday and today.

Yesterday I rode with a friend along the river and had a nice break watching airplanes landing overhead (one scared me because the wing was dipping down low on one side and from my angle I thought it might crash into me!!! ). First time riding with a friend and he and I had some fun competitive moments.

Today i went out before it got too hot but it was pretty muggy still. This was a solo ride and I had planned to take it easy because yesterday I doubled my longest ride. Well, ended up putting in another 20 miles today with a lot of time spent between 15 and 20 mph. Definitely had to push myself the last 5 miles. My legs are spent. Can't wait until I can do a longer ride!

[Geonz]

Reading this thread makes me think that for *lots* of people this was the first weekend for "real riding" -- that 20, 30, or more that lays the foundation for longer later... and I think I *shall* endeavor to figure out a way to do the HOrseyHundred again, tho' it's 300 miles away from here. It is a fun ride and some of my friends from the SE head up there.
Saturday I led my ride and we did our usual 20, to Sidney this time. Had to pause and fix a flat so we didn't add the four miles to Philo -- and there were some relatively new riders, and it was a tad windy.
Today I'd called a Leisurely Ride to Monticello -- about 50 miles round trip (tho' I also had the ride out there). Just after I posted it I saw that the faster ride leader had posted that people would leave an hour later from the other side of town... happily, he posted a clarifying "here are your options!"
There were ten of us and the winds started at 18 from the S -- but we were mostly going West, and we spaced the four miles south so we did 'em one at a time. We got to Monticello and found all the "charming restaurants to go to Monticello for" places to eat were closed for the holiday. Subway was open... and as we were leaving the first one of the later group came by. Then as we got to the road out of town, three much faster riders with almost no clothing on went streaking (well, almost ) by the other direction. It *was* hot and sunny... backs of my calves did *not* get enough sunscreen; I'd worn capris because I knew the tops of my thighs were hopeless and... they're splotchy too. The old skin just doesn't like that sun stuff *at all* -- shold have lathered the sunscreen under the shorts, I suppose? Note to self to continue general habit of riding Early and Late... not when those mad dogs and Englishmen go out.
I stretched the ride home and got in a metric ... but these particular capris just are too much like diapers and have chafed where the padding meets the shorts.
And we averaged just about 12 mph -- somebody looked at the end. I have schooled those who ride with me about the value of learning NOT to look at the speedo when riding in the wind -- to ride what *feels* right. You MUST follow Sioux's Zen RUles!!!

[pll]

Sorry to reply to my own post, but I think I figured it out, at least in part. After posting this, it got me thinking, so today after my ride, I weighed my Bike Friday. It currently has a rear rack on it, but I'd left the rack trunk (Arkel Tail Rider) off and just put on a small seat bag with an extra tube, tools, and a CO2 cartridge and chuck, plus my cell phone, lip balm, and keys. Weighed the entire thing: 25 lbs. Not bad, but...my Aegis, with similarly equipped seat bag, came in at around 21 lbs, if that. Doesn't seem like a huge difference, but since I am very light, it's definitely a higher % of my body weight and could certainly explain away most of the speed differences I notice.

But I'm really not a speed weenie any more, just enjoying the ride!

I think a smaller wheel requires more effort relative to a bigger wheel. Each revolution of your crank will move you less distance in the Bike Friday, so perhaps you have not lost all your speed...

[skhill]

Where do ypu live? DH's family is in Frankfort, which is one of the reasons we do the ride every year, but I did it before I met him, so perhaps it was fate! It's a fun ride. I prefer Sunday's routes because they're less crowded. It was hot today though. Really hot! Mmaybe we'll see you next year!

I'm in Lexington, just a few exits south of Georgetown on I-75. And with the heat on Sunday, I'm glad I slept in. The heat was getting to me just mowing the lawn and working in the garden. But maybe next year!

Today my city had its annual bike celebration downtown. I did the fun ride, 10 miles cruising around town at very low speeds. There was one point where I checked the computer and saw I was going 7mph-- slower than I'll probably be running in our upcoming 10k that goes down that same street. It was an opportunity to work on bike handling skills, maybe. Then I racked up 10 miles more, just running around town, at much more normal speeds...