Quote Originally Posted by Lakerider View Post

I also talk to my bike, "Come on, we can do it!"

Do you talk to your bike? We should talk to all of our best friends, right?
But of course, and often with a very similar message about how *we* can do it. In the short time I have had this bike (6-ish weeks) I continue to be amazed at how I have personified her. I just started a Tues-Thurs indoor class at a LBS. I knew both the weather and my schedule would prevent me from riding on Wednesday, so I left her hanging at the shop. It was odd how much it bothered me when I got in my car to go to work that she wasn’t standing proud in the garage. Silly or what?

Quote Originally Posted by Crankin View Post
I voted for the first ten, because no matter what I do, it takes me about 30 minutes to warm up. I always feel like crap in the beginning of a ride, unless I go really slowly.
But, if I ride from my house I have the 10-15% grade hills to contend with, as the last thing I do. Since I consider it my cool down, I just slow down and deal with it. I'm beginning to wonder why I bought this house!
If I do a ride longer than fifty miles, the end can be pretty challenging, too. My quads often start complaining if it's a ride with a lot of climbing at this distance.
That brought a smile. Since starting riding, I’ve realized that we seem to live at the highest point for miles. Our area (suburban Milwaukee) has plenty of rolling hills, so most rides are a nice mix of climbs and fast descents. But I know no matter which way I go from the house there will be a significant ascent at the end. Some routes are just more gradual than others – and I’ve been known to go several miles out of my way just to avoid the tough one. There is one particular hill that I haven’t attempted. It’s on my 2010 goals. At this point I’m afraid to even try. Have visions of running out of steam, being clicked in and crashing violently along a rather busy road (thankfully, with a separate bike path on this hill)