First 50 mile ride!

[northstar]

Yes, Lisa, I have to say, when I read your posts, your routes sound really charming and lovely!

[RoadRaven]

100 miles will come, grasshopper... that is my intention before the end of this year too...

50 miles is a great milestone (literally )

And so much nicer to do it in the way you have, on a nice day with lovely scenery. Part of the buzz for me on long rides is the smell and the feel of the breeze, not just what I see...

A good feeling, neh?

[HeatherErin]

Congrats on the milestone! Not quite there yet myself.

[Jiffer]

I'm completely jealous of your storybook 50 mile ride. Sounds amazing. The longest I've done on my single is 30 and I'm itching to make it longer soon. Either 35 or 40 in a couple of days. I've gone up to 60 on the tandem.

Your story of riding to your brother's and having him drive you back reminds me of when I was a kid and we went for a family bike ride on the bike trail. The farther we got, the more my parents realized how long it would take to get home if we turned around. So, instead, we rode on to my Aunt's house and she took us all home. Here I was, like 7 years old, riding a stingray, banana seat yellow bike with a basket on it. No gears. We went from Huntington Beach, CA to Yorba Linda. It would have been somewhere between 20 and 25 miles. Little did I know that this would become a huge passion in my future! MANY years later.

[makbike]

You did GOOD! Sounds like a simply beautiful and refreshing ride. Keep pedaling and before long you will be riding a century.

[sbctwin]

Wow, your ride sounds fantastic...Congratulations on the accomplishment. Soon, 50 miles will be your norm

[northstar]

Soon, 50 miles will be your norm

That's something to aspire to!

[Starfish]

Way to go! While 100 miles is a great aspiration, and I'll bet you'll get there soon, 50 miles is nothing to sneeze at! Your ride sounds absolutely beautiful. Give yourself a huge pat on the back!!

[northstar]

Part of the buzz for me on long rides is the smell and the feel of the breeze, not just what I see...

A good feeling, neh?

A GREAT feeling! It was really beautiful, meditative, even. I hope there are lots of days like that to come!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes, Lisa, I have to say, when I read your posts, your routes sound really charming and lovely!

Now you are one of us.

Hey, you know something?- after I got over the amazement of my being able to do a 30 mile, then 40, then a 50, then a 60, then a 70 (with sometimes months in between these achievements, mind you) anyhow- after I got over the amazement, I find my attitude is changing a bit...
After I did my 70 mile ride, everyone kept saying Oh, you'll be doing a century next!! Well, I have nothing against doing a century at some point, but now I am starting to think of my rides in terms of time rather than miles.

It's sort of like when I play music- I don't say "I played 10 tunes today". Rather, I might say I enjoyed playing music for an hour.

I get up in the morning and think Hmmm...do I want to ride for 2 hours today or 3? (that translates roughly to about 22 vs. 32 miles). I choose based on how strong I feel that day, what my schedule is like, and the weather. My REAL goal is just riding some great rides on my beloved bike and seeing the birds and the villages, feeling the wind and hearing the crickets. My other goal is getting home feeling all wonderful and tired after the exercise, feeling good and relaxed and happy all over and knowing that I'm getting healthier and stronger.
This morning I had a Good Ride and I rode for 3 hours.

[Jo-n-NY]

Your ride sounded wonderful!!!!

A few fellow employees here have relocated to MN as it is the home base of my company. Are you familiar with Opperman Dr? Anyway, the thought has crossed my mind because I hear the roads are great for cycling, but then I think of the Winter, ugh.

I love reading about your rides, however

~ JoAnn

[Ashgarth]

fantastic! I just did my first 50 a few weeks ago as well and it sure makes you feel great to know you can do it!!!

[northstar]

Your ride sounded wonderful!!!!

A few fellow employees here have relocated to MN as it is the home base of my company. Are you familiar with Opperman Dr? Anyway, the thought has crossed my mind because I hear the roads are great for cycling, but then I think of the Winter, ugh.

I love reading about your rides, however

~ JoAnn

Sorry, haven't heard of Opperman. Is that the company that's down in the southern burbs that you mentioned a while back?

The back roads of MN are fantastic, and Minneapolis has a great trail system as well. There was just an article in the Star Tribune that this year we will have our first Tour of Minneapolis. I think they're having a 13 and a 41 mile route. I'm pretty excited! Lots of good opportunities to ride here. I would love to ride in New York someday too!

[Kano]

There was just an article in the Star Tribune that this year we will have our first Tour of Minneapolis. I think they're having a 13 and a 41 mile route. I'm pretty excited! Lots of good opportunities to ride here. I would love to ride in New York someday too!

When?????

Karen in Boise

[Kano]

first Tour of Minneapolis. I think they're having a 13 and a 41 mile route. I'm pretty excited! Lots of good opportunities to ride here. I would love to ride in New York someday too!

Oh rats. I found it --- two weeks too late....

Karen in Boise