October 3 Rides

[Tater]

I was early today, but still saw this guy - I will have to bring the camera - who goes by me on his bike, with crutches diagonally across his back... his right foot is in a walking cast. Reckon he's pedaling *hard* with his left foot?

Either that or he had a cleat on the bottom of his cast!

Nice quiet commute in. At least it wasn't as tasty as last night's ride home! Some little flying bug hit my bottom lip and I swear, that was the most bitter, foul tasting bug I ever had the chance to taste! Blech! I had to stop and swish with water to try to get the taste out. Didn't work though. Went the last eight miles grimacing and spitting every chance I got.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think I got to a slightly better strength level today.
Friday we did a nice 20 miler with varied hills. Sat we rested (busy). Sunday I did a 13 mile ride with a girlfriend. Monday DH and I did a 18 mile MULTIPLE KILLER HILL route which really did me in bigtime, though I made it by walking half of those awful hills. (see Oct 2 rides).
After that ride, I devoured a HUGE plate of carbs and protein, l-o-n-g hot shower, then crashed in to bed at 9pm, exhausted, and I slept for TEN solid hours like a log. (!!) I must have been building muscles in my sleep, because...

This morning I got up feeling great and went out for a lovely morning ride I do often when I want just a short ride- 11 miles of country roads with a few moderate hills. (DH calls the route "Sweetie's Favorite")
Anyway, I have to say that something had changed- the ride felt suddenly really easy, I felt stronger, and I didn't have to go into my lowest gear on some of the hills where I always have had to do that before. So COOL! That's a real measurable difference that can't be attributed to imagination. My reward for toughing out that KILLER HILL ride I guess, even despite all the walking I did up the hills.
I'm so happy!!

[Geonz]

Yay
It's all relative!
Bottom line: keep riding, you get stronger. You go girl! Hills, schmills...

saber... oh, MYYY!!! at least you're coherent... if a tad obsessed with that project

[btchance]

Nice short ride to get some frustations out. Loved it, perfect weather, new pair of shorts that were quite comfy , what more could you ask for, except for it to have been longer.

[mimitabby]

Today I took my Veloce out in the rain. Needless to say, we were NOT veloce (this means fast in italian)

It's the first time I ever rode THIS bike in the rain, i want you to understand.
I rode 4 miles to the library and back to get a book.

Now that school's back in session, it is really aggravating to drive this particular route, because of all the school buses. On the bike, it was an entirely different
4 miles.

My DH put a rear fender on my bike so i didnt' get rain spattered.

and MY LEGS are like lead!!! from the race the other day. It's a good thing
no one else was with me...

[liberty]

Today was my first day back on my normal route since I tanked it with two dogs two months ago; but I felt it was time to face everything and see how well my body has recovered. I was dreading it, since I (1) haven't ridden hills for two straight months, (2) was worried about running into the dogs again, and (3) was trying the route with my clippless pedals for the first time ever. And I have to say that all three things kicked my booty... ALL my cardio ability and strength for hills is AWOL, the dogs found me again, and I ran into some road construction and was initiated into the "first clipless fall" club. It was an interesting experience to see myself falling down while cars pass beside my head... And as far as the dogs, the owner came out and yelled at the dogs, which did no good whatsoever. I got off the bike in order to avoid the crash scenario again, but no one tells you what to do after you get off the bike!!!

So all in all, I was able to face three giants and arrive back at my house safely, though a triffle banged up... The weather is awesome right now! And it was great to feel free on my bike again. I shortened the ride down to 7.6 miles due to time constraints. But it was a good 7 miles. Can't wait to do it again!

[Kano]

Tater's bugs were still flying tonight -- DH and I were covered in them, or something similar when we went out today!

Fifteen miles, and boy did it feel good! Been slacking the last few weeks, and spending my mornings thinking, a little later, when it warms up, then getting busy and missing the ride, followed by that lazy, day's almost over feeling. You know how it goes! So, today, I put on my bike clothes before DH came home, aired up the tires, and waited. Well, not exactly -- I got some stuff done while waiting, but then had to interrupt myself to go on the ride. I'm glad I did -- even though I haven't gotten back to what I was doing yet!

DH said "short ride" -- I said, oh fine. Then, while we were out, I detoured a bit.... NOOOOOOOOOOO he said, but followed anyway. My nemesis invisible hill was GREAT today, though it beat him up a bit. Fun coming back down it, though: 31 mph! Too fast to pedal without it being scary! I found another detour, again he howled, but went along anyway. He went home after that, though, while I went on down the hill that takes us into town, just so I could ride back up it. Now there's a first for me: deliberately going down a hill, just to be able to ride up again!

Karen in Boise

[mimitabby]

Today was my first day back on my normal route since I tanked it with two dogs two months ago; but I felt it was time to face everything and see how well my body has recovered. I was dreading it, since I (1) haven't ridden hills for two straight months, (2) was worried about running into the dogs again, and (3) was trying the route with my clippless pedals for the first time ever. And I have to say that all three things kicked my booty... ALL my cardio ability and strength for hills is AWOL, the dogs found me again, and I ran into some road construction and was initiated into the "first clipless fall" club. It was an interesting experience to see myself falling down while cars pass beside my head... And as far as the dogs, the owner came out and yelled at the dogs, which did no good whatsoever. I got off the bike in order to avoid the crash scenario again, but no one tells you what to do after you get off the bike!!!

So all in all, I was able to face three giants and arrive back at my house safely, though a triffle banged up... The weather is awesome right now! And it was great to feel free on my bike again. I shortened the ride down to 7.6 miles due to time constraints. But it was a good 7 miles. Can't wait to do it again!

good grief! The dogs did not hurt you this time, am I right? This ride of yours was an incredible achievement!