May 17 Weekend Rides

[lauraelmore1033]

I did a hilly 61 mile ride with the Cascade Club training group. Started in Renton, went out to Hobart and did a loop of Mercer Island on the way back to the start. I have dreaded each and every one of these rides, and it takes everything I have to get up early and just get there, but by the time the ride is over, I'm rolling back to the car belting out a triumphant chorus of "We Are The Champions" and generally feeling pleased with myself. That feeling never lasts and soon I am dreading the next ride. Next weeks ride is 75 miles with 3600 feet of climbing and I'm already feeling that resistance building.

[velo]

I did an organized ride this weekend and I have to say that I was extremely surprised and pleased that my garmin told me I managed to ride over 2400 ft. of ascent here in Flatland, during the course of the 67 miles. Who'd a thunk we could get any "elevation" here in this flattest part of the Midwest! That was the most "climbing" I've done since living here, I think. Went out for an easy ride on Sunday for about 20 miles and that got me my first 200 mile week this year. Extended the weekend into Monday morning for a very beautiful sunrise ride of 25 before work. Turned out to be a very nice weekend!

[AppleTree]

I did a hilly 61 mile ride with the Cascade Club training group. Started in Renton, went out to Hobart and did a loop of Mercer Island on the way back to the start. I have dreaded each and every one of these rides, and it takes everything I have to get up early and just get there, but by the time the ride is over, I'm rolling back to the car belting out a triumphant chorus of "We Are The Champions" and generally feeling pleased with myself. That feeling never lasts and soon I am dreading the next ride. Next weeks ride is 75 miles with 3600 feet of climbing and I'm already feeling that resistance building.

Are you still on your recumbent then? It must be working out well for you if you are doing 60+ miles, go you!!

I wanna hear how your next ride goes too. You can do it!

[Crankin]

Lauraelmore, I always feel that way. DH and I joke that we have a case of the "dreads," often accompanied by 3 trips to the bathroom.
In fact, DH said I should propose this as a new mental disorder, for the DSM... it happens to me even when I'm just going out alone or with a friend.

[lauraelmore1033]

Are you still on your recumbent then? It must be working out well for you if you are doing 60+ miles, go you!!

I wanna hear how your next ride goes too. You can do it!

I only ride the recumbent occasionally now. I found a good program for stretching and strengthening just the right parts and it seems to be doing the trick.

Crankin: How discouraging to hear that it doesn't get better!

[Crankin]

I don't mean to be discouraging. I've talked to lots of cyclists who experience this. I tend toward high anxiety anyway, so I just use the calming skills I teach my clients... Breathing and positive self talk.
DH only recently started feeling like this, and he is a super strong rider.

[AppleTree]

I only ride the recumbent occasionally now. I found a good program for stretching and strengthening just the right parts and it seems to be doing the trick.

Crankin: How discouraging to hear that it doesn't get better!

That is good to hear!

[rebeccaC]

My first post on this forum. One of the things I enjoy, besides riding, is photography. I usually carry a camera in my handlebar bag to take photos of some of my rides here in Southern California. The weekend of the 18th/19th I rode/hiked in Joshua Tree National Park.