July 3rd Rides!

[mimitabby]

I rode to work and back today. Nice rides each way probably because everyone grumpy took the day off. It was warm in the morning and hot going home.

And about those sore arms; it's from gripping the brakes with a death grip.
Ask me how I know.

I don't think there's a cure for it except maybe coaster brakes. I WANT COASTER BRAKES!!! WHY NOT????

[lauraelmore1033]

Didn't feel like riding, but I hadn't ridden since saturday and even then, the ride was cut short by a slipping chain problem (learned you're supposed to get a new one every 1000 miles and Bessie was long overdue) so I grudgingly set out for a spin on the Interurban trail near my house. I'm a total wuss about riding in the heat, so I put ice in my hydration pak and wore my new clipie sandals without socks. It was over 80 degrees, but felt hotter on the trail since there was not a speck of shade to be found. I was in poor-me mode the whole way, cursing the headwind which followed me both ways, the blackberry bushes which were out to get me, the hills which had grown hillier since the last time I'd ridden. Oh, and there were some chuck holes that had it out for me too, and, well, it was so hot. Whaaaa, whaaa, whaaa, I know, I know. What a baby! ( I used to think it funny that northwesterners thought 80 degrees was hot too, when we moved out here from Indiana 20 some years ago. I guess I've acclimated). As I headed back up the hill from Alderwood Mall Parkway,griping inwardly at the butt ugliness of the area and the steepness and duration of the hill (which hadn't seemed like much of a hill the last time I rode it) I briefly entertained the notion of getting off and walking the rest of the way. This damn hot, ugly hill didn't deserve the effort. I dismissed the idea, and, just as I clicked down a gear and picked up the cadence, my young neighbor drove by in his sleek little sports car and honked at me. A wave of gratitude washed over me that this young man (who had never had a very high opinion of me) had not had the opportunity to catch his ridiculous old-lady neighbor walking up a hill. Suddenly, everything seemed brighter, and the pedaling was easy breezy after that. When I got home, hubby was impressed that I'd ventured out in the heat and, I was really happy that I had.

[maillotpois]

Great ride up Mt. Tamalpais - it was warm and sunny and the view was amazing!!

[mimitabby]

Laurelmoore, great story, thanks for sharing. Been there, done that. (except for the cute neighbor part)

[Jiffer]

Suddenly, everything seemed brighter, and the pedaling was easy breezy after that. When I got home, hubby was impressed that I'd ventured out in the heat and, I was really happy that I had.

Hilarious.

[Kano]

I wasn't aware there was such a thing as a "nasty downhill". Downhills are my friend!!! It's them uphills that I have issues with.

Oh YES THERE ARE! The twisty turny ones are nasty!

Straight shot hills, though, on the other hand....

Karen in Boise

[Kano]

I wonder why your forearms would hurt so much going downhill? I wonder if you need a bike adjustment or if you just have to let your arms get stronger by doing more downhills. Do you have any ideas because this truly puzzles me!

Doesn't confuse me at all! Squeezing them brakes for a mile or more, that HURTS after a while! I don't think a girl can survive a longer hill...

Karen in Boise

[mimitabby]

Doesn't confuse me at all! Squeezing them brakes for a mile or more, that HURTS after a while! I don't think a girl can survive a longer hill...

Karen in Boise

Yeah, you can. I did 18 miles downhill a couple weeks ago, but it took a while (days) before my hands weren't so sore.

other bad downhills: invitingly long straight hills with CARS and intersections..

[East Hill]

I wonder why your forearms would hurt so much going downhill? I wonder if you need a bike adjustment or if you just have to let your arms get stronger by doing more downhills. Do you have any ideas because this truly puzzles me!

We went down a short trail known as the 277th Recreational Corridor. It's not a street, it's a trail that has a lot of very steep switchbacks--lt's like a paved mountain bike trail without tree roots and stumps .

The first few times I went down it I was terrified--it's so steep in spots that you think you are going to go head over heels on your bike, especially if you are on a road bike.

The nice thing about getting to the bottom is that then you get to ride along Green River Road .

Edit: here is the mapmyride.com version of our route (only the second half--we actually started at Cedar River Park in Renton, and went through Maple Valley again, turning LEFT at the pedestrian signal at Big Soos Creek, instead of right, as on Sunday's ride):

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...kent/557899610

East Hill

[short cut sally]

I was lazy for yesterdays ride, I didn't feel like doing any hills whatsoever! Loaded up my bike and went downtown and did 18 miles of flat for a leisurly ride. Had a head wind all the way back, who could complain! As for arms aching going down hill, I agree with that mimi, I ride those brakes and my arms ache after going down small hills. Going down hills scare me too. All i can imagine is loosing control, end up tangled around the guardrail and dead or paralyzed. Hence, why I ride those brakes. Of course, that image could happen on the flats cause by a careless driver but I have no control over that.

[Kano]

downhill survival...

Yeah, you can. I did 18 miles downhill a couple weeks ago, but it took a while (days) before my hands weren't so sore.

other bad downhills: invitingly long straight hills with CARS and intersections..

Good to know! And yeah, long straight hills that would otherwise be delightful with cars and intersections, or GARBAGE TRUCKS that keep stopping every few feet!

Karen in Boise