New Years Day Rides

[SouthernBelle]

Too cold to ride outside so I opted for 18 miles on my trainer in my warm living room. I watched the WV vs. GT football game - a good one at that and much better than the one I watched earlier as my Tenn Vols went down in defeat - oh well.

No! They're my Vols. I watched much of that game from my trainer as well.

[Fredwina]

I got up at 5:30 and was on the road by 6:15. We had a three club ride to watch the Tournament of Roses parade. There was about 20 people that got up bright and early to do the 57 mile route. A couple of folks turned back because of dense fog at the start. We were out of it after 5 mile and soon arrived at Citrus College in Azusa, where we picked up about 30-40 more riders who were only doing 25 miles. We had a wonderful time watching the parade (Favorite "float": The Star wars Stormtroopers marching band - George Lucas was the Grand Marshall) after a couple of hour, my clubs folks, about 20, decided to have lunch. We went to our traditional sport only to find out it had closed for the day! I knew where there was a Denny's so we headed there. There was line out the door there, so we backtracked to a Bagel and Grill place (it was either that or In-n-out - sorry Caligurl!) after the refuel stop, I escorted a tandem couple who did not the way back. When we got to where they knew the way, the let me go on ahead - I thought I could in 75 - I was feeling good- but when got further east (about mile 65), I ran into the Santa Ana Winds coming off the Cajon pass. They're about 40 mph gusts. I was doing 6mph on level ground. It's like a hurricane without rain. I fought them for about a mile, before deciding it was safer to return home. Wound with 70 for the day, which is 1% of my goal for the year
PS - I'm working on uploading my photos will edit when they're ready.
Edit . I got them uploaded. Sorry the Stormtrooper didn't turn out too well:

http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o...parade%202007/

[Aggie_Ama]

Once I finally decided I did want to ride today, we only had time for a short ride. It was better that way, I have been battling tummy cramps for two days and last nights festivities left me a little less than 100%.

We did a 15.18 mile loop around our little country town. The bad thing about being out here is there is no real regulation on dogs. Someone's pit bull and chow came chasing me. I thought they were behind a fence until they jump through the barb wire! I am normally not one that gets worried about a particular breed, but these two were snarling and barking. DH kept encouraging me to just keep riding, hoping I would get away from their territory. Bad thing was they were at the base of a semi-steep climb, I was pushing along with all my might but dropping speed quickly. Luckily, a motorist in a Dodge Durango made a u-turn to pull on their side of the road and block them from me. He/she also kept honking at them. I was too scared to turn around and thank her, but I was relieved. I really think she distracted the pit from lunging at me.

After that, the second half of the ride was pretty uneventful! We came home, I took a warm shower and now plan to retreat to watch some football.

[Meaux]

DH and I got up and rode a little over 12 miles. It doesn't seem like much but my average speed was around 15 mph, which makes me very happy. Of course, I was dead tired when I got back, but I'm very very proud of myself. I'm starting to feel ALMOST like a "real" cyclist.

[suzieqtwa]

Got up, looked at the rain ,and went back to bed...never got out of my PJs today. ; ((( I think its supposed to rain much of the week.

[bikerz]

A beautifully brisk and clear day (once the fog burned off) here in the Bay Area - I did a 20 mile "saddle break-in" ride with 2 friends along the San Francisco Bay Trail. I was on and off my bike several times to adjust my saddle, and even so, it was lovely ride - everyone was out trying out their new gear (or their new year's resolutions!) The jury is still out on my Brooks, but I know I need to give it another 100 miles or so.

[Triskeliongirl]

A beautifully brisk and clear day (once the fog burned off) here in the Bay Area - I did a 20 mile "saddle break-in" ride with 2 friends along the San Francisco Bay Trail. I was on and off my bike several times to adjust my saddle, and even so, it was lovely ride - everyone was out trying out their new gear (or their new year's resolutions!) The jury is still out on my Brooks, but I know I need to give it another 100 miles or so.

FYI, what I finally figured out on my brooks finesse, was that I needed to have the nose of the saddle level, which means the rear is higher, and also have it far back enough on the rails that my sit bones were supported by the leather and not metal frame. Furthermore, since it is higher in back, I had to slightly lower the seatpost, and that eliminated any crotch discomfort, if that is what you are still feeling. It takes about 100 miles to feel pretty good, and about 1000 miles to feel like you are gliding on air. YMMV, but its worth playing with the fit cuz once you dial it in its the best saddle I've ever used.