August 27th rides - post 'em here

[ace]

I did a nice flat solo ride of about 25 miles today, from my house down around Alameda. It was my first ride of any distance with my first-ever pair of bike shoes and clipless pedals, so I wanted to mostly focus on remembering to clip out! Didn't have any problems with that, but my foot started to kill me at about 15 miles. I just rode through the pain, and it abated a bit after another 5 miles. But it's hurting me now...I think I need to get insoles for my shoes, and possibly go in for a bike fit. My seat doesn't feel like it's at the right level anymore with the new pedals, and I feel like I'm torqueing my knee strangely all of a sudden. Anyway, I'm glad I did the easy ride today. Next Saturday is my club ride which is 40 miles with 2000 ft of climbing, and I'd croak if my feet hurt like that.

[HillSlugger]

It was my first ride of any distance with my first-ever pair of bike shoes and clipless pedals, so I wanted to mostly focus on remembering to clip out! Didn't have any problems with that, but my foot started to kill me at about 15 miles. I just rode through the pain, and it abated a bit after another 5 miles. But it's hurting me now...I think I need to get insoles for my shoes, and possibly go in for a bike fit. My seat doesn't feel like it's at the right level anymore with the new pedals, and I feel like I'm torqueing my knee strangely all of a sudden.

Do you have the cleats positioned so that your foot is in the same alignment to the center of the pedals as they were before? Even a small difference front to back could make a big difference in comfort. If you are torquing your knee too much it may also be that you need pedals with more float to allow you to get your heels turned as you body needs them to be.

[Cindyloo]

DH and I did 42 miles on the Silver Comet Trail today. Got out there early and it was a really nice ride. I saw a lot of ladies out there riding today!

[Blueberry]

Did a reasonably short 17 mile ride today - late afternoon/early evening (with lights towards the end). Rode the American Tobacco Trail in Durham, with some extra loops through lovely neighborhoods.

On the way back to the car (and after dark) had a baby bunny run *between* my wheels (I was doing about 15 at the time). Amazingly, I didn't hit him. Don't know who was more scared - me or him!

It's finally getting cooler at night here (heat and humidity seem to be going away earlier in the day...). Fall is on the way!

[solveig]

I did my first metric century today! About 63ish miles. Totally informal, just DH (does that mean Dear Hubby?) and I, from our place to Lansing, IA and back. Never ridden that far before, and I felt really good - more strength in my legs than I expected.

And a beautiful day for a ride - hazy sunshine and upper 70's, headwind for the first half and then maybe a teeny tailwind for the second.

Thanks for the good-spirited community and support! This forum is my new favorite time vacuum!

[7rider]

Did the shop ride with DH, adding a drop into the park (Rock Creek Park in D.C.) afterwards to add a few more miles. Ended up with 34 miles at 16.8 mph. I was whupped and happy to refuel with a poppyseed hamantaschen from the deli afterward! ....mmmmmm....
DH said he was "chompin' at the bit" when the A-ride came screamin' past us across East West Highway (boy, did they reek! I told the guys at the shop that in addition to helmets, deodorant should be required for the ride! I can only imagine what a pro peleton is like after a 200 km stage on a hot day. Yuck.).
Anyway...DH may be looking to lose me as he joins the A-group and leaves me in the B-group. I've done that ride solo before, so it's not a huge issue, but I do remind him he just had knee surgery in June, so he's supposed to be taking it easy!