Wind.

[Jenn]

I decided to commute to work on my bike today (didn't yesterday as I got a lift in from hubby - we both work in the same place and we both slept in ).

It was quite calm in the morning and I had a really good run into work. Coming back the wind had got up and was quite strong at times, plus it was a headwind. Feeling very pleased with myself that I got up the long hill without stopping again

There is NOTHING better then that feeling of making it up a long hill especially when you have a HUGE wind (picture the fans they use on movie sets) blowing against you.! We have a massive one here on base that I avoid on windy days, but you have inspired me that this weekend I will go and CONQUER!! ( And not ask DH to ride behind me in the car with hazard lights on...lol )

[CR400]

Oops Sorry, that wind we were riding in I mentioned was 30-35mph with gusts over 40mph. I got hit in an open field by one of those 40 gust and got dropped into my drops and struggled to maintain 8mph. I was in a 52/17 gear and could have swore it was much bigger. I usually don't gear down in big winds because I want the strength they'll give.

During the winter I rode my mountain bike on the road with a sustained wind of 30 mph, and hopefully no gusts. It was about 3 degrees above 0 too. It took me a little over 7 min to go a mile. It was brutel I could have swore I was in a monster gear, because it took so much force to pedel. It was like 42/26. Lets put it this way on the way back from that mile of torture I didn't have to pedel if I didn't want to. Its a love hate relationship, I hate riding in it but love the strength it gives.

[Jenn]

Oops Sorry, that wind we were riding in I mentioned was 30-35mph with gusts over 40mph. I got hit in an open field by one of those 40 gust and got dropped into my drops and struggled to maintain 8mph. I was in a 52/17 gear and could have swore it was much bigger. I usually don't gear down in big winds because I want the strength they'll give.

During the winter I rode my mountain bike on the road with a sustained wind of 30 mph, and hopefully no gusts. It was about 3 degrees above 0 too. It took me a little over 7 min to go a mile. It was brutel I could have swore I was in a monster gear, because it took so much force to pedel. It was like 42/26. Lets put it this way on the way back from that mile of torture I didn't have to pedel if I didn't want to. Its a love hate relationship, I hate riding in it but love the strength it gives.

I bow to you in respcet and envy...woman I bet you have some killer quads!

[Python]

I didn't manage the long hill today. The wind was very strong and I couldn't change to the lower gears Got new tyres on the bike and the guy at Halfords took up the slack in the gear shift cable just a little bit too much. I can change to the small cogs easy enough but getting to the larger cogs when you need them...well...I got off and walked!

Got a lovely calf full of bruises as I kept getting whacked by the pedal. The back of my leg is black and blue. Anyone else do this?

I'll have a go at the derailleur over the weekend and see if I can put it back the way it was. Before I set off for work in the morning, I'll put the bike in 3rd gear as it seems to be a good all rounder.

Mind you, I did manage to get 3/4 the way up the hill before I had to get off - that was on the second smallest cog (I never know if that's referred to as high gear or low gear ).

[Jenn]

Python, bless your heart!! You did GREAT though, OMG that was a tough one I'd say! Gosh, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have, what is it....20 something gears, and that puppy is on the smallest ring and at the lowest and my legs may be moving fast but I'm moving like and inch an hour.
You did it though!!!
Before I could conqure Mt Hockalugie here on the base, if a car was coming, I would just stop and pretend I had a flat...then walk it up...I can take it now though....

[ehirsch83]

Python, bless your heart!! You did GREAT though, OMG that was a tough one I'd say! Gosh, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have, what is it....20 something gears, and that puppy is on the smallest ring and at the lowest and my legs may be moving fast but I'm moving like and inch an hour.
You did it though!!!
Before I could conqure Mt Hockalugie here on the base, if a car was coming, I would just stop and pretend I had a flat...then walk it up...I can take it now though....

Ahh jenn you are scaring me! haha the SO's parents live in Four Hills(which is where he is staying right now, and I will be staying until we find a place to rent)

Anyways, I dread the ride into four hills(climb all the way up to the house). The ride out isn't nearly as bad(downhill until you get to the big downhill, so you have some propulsion going up)

I am going to need you with me cheering me on!(the SO is a good climber, he always surpasses me by far, and I hate feeling like I am sooo far behind).

[Jenn]

Ahh jenn you are scaring me! haha the SO's parents live in Four Hills(which is where he is staying right now, and I will be staying until we find a place to rent)

Anyways, I dread the ride into four hills(climb all the way up to the house). The ride out isn't nearly as bad(downhill until you get to the big downhill, so you have some propulsion going up)

I am going to need you with me cheering me on!(the SO is a good climber, he always surpasses me by far, and I hate feeling like I am sooo far behind).

HAHA, that's funny you say that because DH and I ride up through there and play around and then take Tramway all the UP to the County Line Resturant and then FLY down Tramway on the way back!. My best friend's parent's live up in the four hills to, and I hear you about climbs...girl....you are more woman then I because I couldn't do em!