December 27th rides

[Crankin]

I decided to start the thread because I had a weird, but good ride today. My husband took the day off and we were going to go on a club ride starting at 10. But, it just looked really gray and freezing out and it was only 32 at 8:30, when we were starting to get ready. So, first we did a 20 minute warm up on the trainers and did a core workout DVD with Graham Street (I think he spells his name differently). I decided we should ride our mountain bikes to the trail about 3.2 miles away, explore a trail we discovered hiking last weekend, and then ride to Concord Center for lunch. So, it was 36 when we left. The sun was poking out a little, but not much. Got to the trail and we both decided that riding the FS mountain bikes on the road is a plenty good work out. I can't go much faster than 11 mph on the road on that bike. Started out on the trail feeling very confident. That is until we got to a short rock garden on a little down hill. My pedal scraped a rock, I freaked a little, and forgot I was clipped in. I got my foot out and stopped, and continued. But, I was way too cautious after that. A lot of the trail was slightly down hill and rocky and I was dreading going back, although I tend to do better going up than down on the trails. I actually walked around a couple of obstacles on one downhill. Then we got to an area where I could see houses, but the trail kept going. I was interested to see where it came out, so we rode up to the street and near the entrance to the street, it actually intersected with another conservation land trail (off of someone's driveway). It turned out we were on the main road back to Concord Center, so instead of going back the way we came, we rode into town on the road. By this time, it felt colder and windier. I was sweaty, though. Somehow, my core didn't feel warm enough on this ride and I can't figure out why. But my feet were toasty, since I put chemical warmers on my socks! Perfect, with booties and wool socks. We passed the North Bridge, with millions of tourists crossing the street. We ate in a really good French bistro, that is conveniently next to the bike shop, so there are good racks where we can lock our bikes. After a nice cup of soup and half a sandwich, we headed home, about 4 miles. It was really windy and I saw a few snowflakes in the air. It felt like torture, but after climbing up our street and driveway (15 &#37, I felt great. A total of 11.5 miles, average speed about 8 mph!
I truely appreciate my road bike.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Robyn, that sounds like a really nice morning, despite the challenges! (especially the French bistro part).

DH and I are on semi-vacation this week. It was 35 degree mild-ish morning with little wind.
We got up early and rode into town for breakfast. The cafe we go to has many townsfolk and we all tend to sit down with each other in various configurations. It's really nice and friendly. After that we rode to the bank, and then on a new variation of a route that I really like- I like this new route! 21 miles exactly. I felt really good riding today- and just the right layers to feel cool and refreshed but not cold. We had such a nice time!!
We only saw one other biker- a friendly older guy on a mountain bike going down the road. We're no longer seeing many other bikers out at this point in the season- they're a bunch of temperature-wimps! (I suspect their Lucky Charms jerseys are just not warm enough)

[makbike]

I logged 14 miles on my trainer this evening. The next couple of days are suppose to be beautiful/warm outside so hopefully I'll get out on the road for a bit each day.

I spent this afternoon at a bike fitting - an amazing process. They worked with me for over 2 hours adjusting everything but my cleats (I had them in the correct spot ). When I climbed aboard my "little blue bike" this evening it felt so good - not stretched out, legs working without pain in the knee/ankle - amazing. I'm so looking forward to taking her out for a spin tomorrow and seeing how all the adjustment really affect my ride. I think I'll ride her again on Friday and take the recumbent out on Saturday's club ride (I only need 13 more miles on my Giro to break 1000 miles on its odometer).

[Brandi]

waaaaaaay to windy! 25 miles mph. I don't think i need that torture. I almost got blown over just going to pick my trash cans back up.

[Geonz]

Slept in mroe than I have in years - 'til 9:00 - but then got out for 24 miles, and then rode across town to the DMV for that registration sticker I forgot abotu in October. Ouch, an extra twenty bucks, but as soon as I stick it on, I"m legal again ... for that once a month when I drive...
Took a bunch of pictures... will try and get 'em online. Why? Welp, both times I've done pictures of the vagaries of our paths, routes and trails... improvements have been made on them. Saturday I discovered the after of BEfore and after: became this: ,

[Trek420]

whoo hoo Geonz! did you have anything to do with getting that fixed? nag them a little? If so, good going.

I DVR episodes of Inhale on O network, a yoga series. So I might as well try it. Barely survived a half hour of the hour long program (even with zipped past commercials).

Half hour and I feel like jello.

Aaack I have no flexibility.

Want to build to the full hour, keep working on more flexibility, core strength then I'll be a rocket in June...a slow fizzling rocket but speedier nonetheless.