We're riding Baby

[Surlygirl]

Hey Robyn,
Sorry you don't feel well. I've had the same problem this week. Think I'm fighting a bug off, but just feel run down. Opted out of a ride with hubby yesterday and today so he took my son.

Have you thought about just putting slicks on one of the mountain bikes for a few weeks till the roads are cleaned up? Probably the hardtail would be best.
My Surly tank is great because its a cross bike I can put fat tires on and ride the dirt and then skinnies when I ride the road. I pay on the hills because its heavy but I need the workout anyway.

Feel better, we hit the 50's this week I hear.

[paintgirl]

We have had sun for the last 10 days, so now only about a foot and a half of snow left. The paved roads are clear, other than a lot of sand on sides, still chilly -10 c or so in am, but I couldn't wait any longer, I went out for a ride on 21, 22 early in am so that the mud on my road was still frozen, got out to the paved and away I went, it so fun to pedal and move forward, not just stay put, trainer is ok for winter, but not the joy you get by going somewhere. I can't believe how I felt so young and carefree on that first ride last week, felt like I was 6 getting my first very own bike (had to ride to school), I am 53 now, but still feel like a young chick getting out and riding. The last few days have had a dreadful cold, can't taste anything or breathe and eat at the same time, but took Vinny(my bike) out anyway, not great speed but just fresh air. Back to work tomorrow, on the 11-7 shift so am thinking of maybe commuting to work(approx 25 miles) and having my daughter pick me up at 7 (too dark for me) will depend on this cold, but that is my goal for this riding season, to commute 3-4 out of 5 days. I think the older I get, the more I appreciate spring. have a great day everyone Lori

[Crankin]

Seems like there are a lot of colds going around this list. I did the right thing Surly, and did not ride Sunday. I did go for a 3 and a half mile hike in some local conservation land; about 500 feet of climbing in mushy snow. I probably shouldn't have. But I feel better today. I had my last session with the personal trainer today. More time to ride... I have a dentist appt. Wed. and i am not going to work (although i could have gone in late) so I can come home and ride. Thursday looks good, too.
Saturday I am going to a bike maintenance workshop. I hope I actually learn to change a flat. With all of the mechanically inclined people on this list, I am embarrassed. When I ride by myself, I tend to not go more thn 20-25 miles because I am so mechanically challenged and worry that I might have an issue. I wish I could say this is a case of being of a generation that didn't teach women these skills, but my dad was the klutz in my family and my mom could fix anything.

[Surlygirl]

Doing the happy dance. What great weather! 54 and climbing. Hope all who still have snow get a chance to get out.
Hey Robyn, where is the clinic on Saturday, maybe I can escape and join you?

[CorsairMac]

I rode today!!!....first time since 03/11. I still have a slight nagging cough in the morning but I figured cover my mouth in the AM, do an easy "recovery" type ride and drive tomorrow as a rest day. It just felt sooo good to be out there again on the bike! and in the 70s this weekend so I might try another easy ride!

[Crankin]

Doing the happy dance. What great weather! 54 and climbing. Hope all who still have snow get a chance to get out.
Hey Robyn, where is the clinic on Saturday, maybe I can escape and join you?

The clinic is at the Trinitarian (sp?) Church in Concord Center, on Thoreau ST. It is sponsored by AMC. You have to be there at 9:45 AM, bring a wheel, tire irons, pump, and lunch. I am not sure if there is still room; it says you can register at the door, but there is no phone # for the guy I sent the check to. If you go to the web site www.outdoors.org and scroll down on the right side, click on the Boston Chapter. When you get to the chapter home page, you can find the cycling activity page and you might find something there.
I am going for the techie stuff. I think there will be some stuff in the afternoon that will be too basic for me (and you).
I finally rode 20 miles yesterday with some hills. Today I did 14.5 and I feel like I have never ridden. This is quite discouraging! Let me know if you are coming to the worksop.

[SadieKate]

When are you girls going to post some pictures? You've seen us northern Californians! We've seen emily's trails. We've seen Irulan hugging a tree. When we going to see you?

[DeniseGoldberg]

When are you girls going to post some pictures?

Hmm... I'd be happy to post some pics, but unfortunately we seem to have another serious rain storm getting in the way of cycling this weekend - at least in the Boston area. Sounds like Saturday will be a total washout, but there's still a possibility of a Sunday ride (I know, I know, I'm just dreaming...). If the weather permits a dry ride, I'll bring my camera with me. Pictures may be coming...

Can you gals in California send some of your nice weather our way?

In the meantime, here's a non-biking photo from my early morning walk on Tuesday (3/29) - anyone for some very wet riding? Not me - my bikes like staying on the road, and they don't like riding through standing water!

--- Denise

[DeniseGoldberg]

Hey Robyn, where is the clinic on Saturday, maybe I can escape and join you?

If you're still looking for clinics - I took a couple of one-on-one sessions at Belmont Wheelworks before I started touring on my own. I just checked their web site, and it looks like they have both individual classes like I took and Park Tool classes that look more like structured classes. I was really happy with my one-on-one sessions. More info at http://www.wheelworks.com/class.htm.

--- Denise

[Surlygirl]

Hey Robyn I'm not going to make it on Saturday, to many kid obligations. Looks like a good thing to do on a rainy weekend. You'll do fine.

Here's a ride to consider and I've heard its lots of fun. The Flattest Century in the East. You have to register early though since it fills up by June. You can choose 25, 52, 68 or 100 miles. This is a ride, not a race the organizers say. Check it out. www.nbwclub.org and then go to the Flattest Century page. You can print out a registration form. I think Hubby and I are going to do it and it gives us all summer to train since its not until September.

Hey Denise, that looks like my back yard! The old Blackstone River has been over its banks once already this week. Good thing I live up on big hill.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Hey Denise, that looks like my back yard!

Well, it's practically my back yard - that photo was taken along the road leading into a college campus next to my townhouse.

I did get out riding today. I snuck out of work at 3 this afternoon - the sunshine was beckoning, I knew my bikes were screaming at home, ready to ride - and the weather forecast for the weekend makes it sound like this isn't going to be a riding weekend.

Yup, that wide band to the side of the road is sand! Some of the towns have started cleaning the roads, but for the most part they are still a mess with sand on the side, and lots and lots of pot holes where you could lose your bike! And I figured I'd better include a picture of my bike too so you'd all know that I was really out wandering on two wheels. Here it is, patiently waiting for it's ride to stop taking pictures! Ah, springtime...