June 24 rides

[Kalidurga]

Epic ride today

I know epic for many of you ladies means 60 or even 100 miles, but I've yet to crack the 40 mile mark. I'm getting closer, though, and today was just shy. I made up for it in other ways, though.

I've been doing so many road-type rides lately that I had really begun missing my favorite rural rail-trail, the Western Maryland Rail-Trail. Yeah, it's totally flat so not the same type of workout as a hilly road ride, but I get other benefits from this sort of ride. So, after fueling up with a good plate of Waffle House steak'n'eggs in Hagerstown, I headed on to Hancock, MD, to hit the WMRT.

The trail was surprisingly not as busy as it would usually be on a gorgeous summer Sunday afternoon, and I quickly settled into a smooth rythm at a pace that was a good bit higher than normal for me. Obviously, the two recent road rides that I thought were going to kill me must have made me stronger (at least a little ) Right away, I ended up in exactly the state I've been missing lately: Not having to think about cars or when the next hill was coming up, or "What gear am I in? What gear should I be in??", put me into a zen-like mode. I shifted back and forth between two gears just to keep my legs fresh, but other than that I just pedaled. Of their own accord, my feet began spinning out nice, big, fat, round circles, leaving my mind free to absorb the beautiful scenery with not a care in the world. We're talking serious endorphin high

The WMRT runs parallel to the C&O Canal towpath, so at the end of the rail-trail I hopped over to the towpath and did a more rugged handful of miles up to just beyond Little Orleans and back. By that time, the sky had clouded over and was threatening rain, so I got back on the WMRT and fought the onset of fatigue to crank out as high a pace as I could for the last 12 miles.

Ended up with just over 37 sweaty, exhausting, glorious miles, with an avg speed of 17 on the rail-trail and 13 on the towpath. Next time, I'm stretchin' it to 40 miles

[Zen]

Ended up with just over 37 sweaty, exhausting, glorious miles, with an avg speed of 17 on the rail-trail and 13 on the towpath. Next time, I'm stretchin' it to 40 miles

Next time, call me.

Meanwhile, enjoy Bad Video Playhouse

[Kalidurga]

Next time, call me.

1) I figured you'd still be up near Gettysburg
2) Sometimes, I just gotta ride alone

Pick a Sunday, Zen, and let's plan a C&O ride. Ice cream in Harper's Ferry is definitely more fun with a buddy. I'll even carry your bike up the steps to the bridge, if ya want (What was up with that video?)

Triskeliongirl, your experiment with carbs vs protein is interesting. That could possibly explain why I ride better with a stomach full of greasy steak'n'eggs. Too bad there's not a Waffle House in Poolesville...

[Zen]

1) I figured you'd still be up near Gettysburg
2) Sometimes, I just gotta ride alone
(What was up with that video?)

I warned you it was bad I forgot my camera could do that and that was the first time I used it.

Don't worry, if you're riding with me you'll have plenty of time to ride alone
When you ride on the canal does it ever occur to you that one false move and you're swimming with the snapping turtles?

I think of everything.

[bikerz]

Yesterday was my first time back on the bike since my slow-speed wipe-out 3 weeks ago. It was great to be back out there, and my ankle felt OK- it is generally stiff, and unclipping is still uncomfortable, but definitely do-able. I am still totally loving my new bike!

Melissam, Ace and I did the Bay Trail- 20 miles - and it was gorgeous, clear, breezy - perfect riding weather. We had our share of "slow-speed cycling skills" practice, dodging kids, dogs, etc. We had several stops so I could tweak my saddle height, and I think it is pretty well dialed in now.

And what a surprise as we got to the Richmond turn-around - who was there with her BF but the long-lost Windance! Her BF was on his brand new Specialized Roubaix, and it was his FIRST RIDE EVER! Get this - he was clipless! What a champ! No falls at all, and only one near fall, with a great save! So the 5 of us rode back to Emeryville together and had a grand time.

[Dr. Liz]

Epic ride today

So, after fueling up with a good plate of Waffle House steak'n'eggs in Hagerstown, I headed on to Hancock, MD, to hit the WMRT.

Hagerstown. Wow. Brings me back to my high school days; I went to Mercersburg Academy (about 50-ish miles north-something-or-other) from Hagerstown. Haven't been back since (no family there, etc., etc.), but I don't think I've heard 'Hagerstown' in years. Now I'm feeling all nostalgic!

And today's ride? 25 miles in Heber. A 'recovery' ride. Maybe for DH. For me, given that I'm still beat up from Wednesday's crash, it was tough. Great ride, though. And after the ride, DH played 9 holes of golf (it's out of the question this season, what with recovering from the broken arm and all), and then we headed home. A good day, even if my legs are killing me (the bruising and swelling more than anything).

And, we stopped by to see our buddy who crashed and suffered serious trauma on the Tuesday night crit. He's doing much better and will probably recover completely (or close to it). But he's still a mess. He'll be okay in the end, but if he hadn't had a helmet on, we'd be planning his wake.

[7rider]

Nostalgic for Hagerstown?????
Hmmmmmm
Now THAT's a feeling I'd never pondered.

Glad your buddy is recovering. That was quite a crash. I hope he continues to improve.