September 3 rides

[7rider]

Did the shop ride with DH today. The B-ride was again populated by A-ride hammerheads "taking the day off." So, of course, the pace was UP! Did 28 miles in 17.7 mph. Ugh. That's a season high for me.
DH was telling me that he got "independent, third party confirmation that you (meaning me) are fast" as one of the guys in the group was lamenting the trio of women who smoked him on the unofficial sprint. Yay, girls!
DH hit 41 on that, I barely poked my head above 35, but Vicky and the other woman who's name I never got were quite pleased.
But I seem to be having major software issues with my Garmin 305 GPS bike computer. I tried to download some Garmin "updates" - HA! Big mistake. It seems to have erased my GPS software, so now it has no clue what the date is (it entered todays ride as 1/25/16!) and doesn't know how to search for satellites. I have an email in to Garmin, but they're "closed" for the holiday weekend. Looks like I'm back to the Polar for tomorrow's ride...if that's still working. Sigh. Are computers really worth it???

[HillSlugger]

I took the new Specialized Sequoia Elite out for her first road ride. It was awesome! It is so responsive; you push and it leaps forward.

I started out really tentative, very nervous on those very narrow tires (down to 25c from the 32c I've been riding on the hybrid) and slightly damp roads left over from Ernesto. I soon fell into a pretty nice rhythm. The fitter at the LBS did a nice job and everything felt pretty good. The mechanics, on the other hand, didn't have the brakes set quite right and I needed to back off the rear brakes.

I did my longest ride ever, 30.4 miles at 14.3mph average. That, in spite of my poor shifting and mis-shifting (big lever -> larger ring, small lever -> smaller ring. Sounds so simple until you're in the middle of it all ) I do miss the low gears of my hybrid and had to walk part of a hill.

I've got a lot to get used to with the new position required by the road bike. I've got too much pressure on my hands, but they still didn't get numb like they did on the hybrid. My shoulders and neck are sore, but not too bad. I even used the drops several times.

All in all, it was a great ride. I can't wait for next Saturday and the Covered Bridge ride.

[uk elephant]

Saturday I did not quite a century, but the longest I had ever done before. I figured Sunday I would need a recovery ride. So I cycled from the hotel up to Cambridge for a little wander around the colleges and the city center. As soon as I started pedalling I regretted the choice of plan. I should have planned to cycle home again instead. My legs felt great and I was whizzing along. Not stiff and tired at all. But I had already sent the maps and spare clothes with BF to take home in the car so I stuck with my plan and went up to Cambridge. The winds were terrible again, but not so much headwinds this time, more crosswinds that nearly knocked me over a few times. The ride ended up being 13 miles and rewarded with a muffin lunch by the river watching the punters punting. Then a looong train ride home. All in all a great week-end and definitely worth repeating.

[Kano]

Here in the states, at least my experience, punters punting means that a guy catches a football (the pointy kind) and kicks it away for the other team to catch.

What does a punter do when he's punting there???

Karen in Boise

[Duck on Wheels]

Uses a long pole to propel a boat along a river, lake, or canal.

[Kano]

I suppose they enjoy this? I think I'd prefer a trolling motor!

Karen in Boise

[Shiraz]

Karen (Kano),
I must say I always enjoy reading your postings. They always make me laugh! I can relate to the winds changing direction by which way you are riding! Is it only Idaho that this strange thing happens. When I ride in the great outdoors here in SE Idaho I get the head wind going both directions. The wind gods are out to get us roadies!

By the way, it sounds like you have really picked up the miles and are riding strong! Congratulations I don't believe you can call yourself a newbie anymore !

[Trek420]

Kano "I suppose they enjoy this? I think I'd prefer a trolling motor!"

what? you've never heard of the phrase "punting on the Thames" ?

Dita in Hayward