July 28 Rides

[tygab]

We'd picked out a route around Wachusett Reservoir which is Massachusetts' 2nd largest lake. Was to be 45 or so miles. Forecast was for possible heavy downpours and you can remove the possible. When we started there were some ominous looking clouds but we tried to set off anyway. It started pouring maybe 2 miles into our ride. We pulled over, thought about turning around, but decided to go on anyway. It poured for maybe another 10 to 15 minutes, and water was just sheeting off of us, and our shoes were full of water, we were soaked etc. I had my rainjacket by my husband didn't. There were a few new wrinkles too - I was wearing contacts and new riding shades and I haven't worn contacts in many years before this. Also, we put on our new Michelin Pro Race tires so I was to be on guard for a different feeling and slickness with them...

The rain stopped and we encountered challenge #2 - a road closure that was on our route. We took a left there and managed to work our way back on route. We alternated between periods of no rain and light but manageable rain. Things were looking better. We passed a charity ride water stop (didn't know there was one on) where several wet and bedraggled riders were refueling.

We had a slow ride overall. There were lots of hills and everything was wet. We had the skies open up a 2nd time on us, just pouring and pouring. It was raining so hard the water was pouring down my helmet into my jersey/shorts. At times it was hard to see with so much water on my lenses. We almost pulled over to stop again but just like that the rain was gone.

Then came the truly scary moment, though, oddly I didn't feel it at the time. We came upon a railroad tracks at an angle to the road. I have ridden over tracks many many times, and know to try and approach at 90 (it wasn't easily possible here), and that they can snag you bad. I was trying to figure out my approach and decided to go across with good speed. Between new tires, wet everything, angled tracks, it wasn't the right decision and I got across halfway maybe and then started fishtailing. Somehow, I have no idea how, I righted the bike and kept going, no fall. I wasn't scared in the moment of it, but after it happened I was like holy @#$%#$. I feel extremely lucky to have not fallen and likely hurt myself. I will be more careful around tracks especially non perp ones and when wet. I am actually a very cautious rider so this seems like I just made a bad judgement here.

At that time we were still 6 or so miles away from the parked car, and I think we both decided we would skip the "optional" extra mileage I had planned, since we'd had enough for the day. We were still sopping wet. We got back to the car, and did do an extra out and back across the Res bridge, mostly for the views, and then returned to car (with a hot dog cart parked nearby, so we had some).

Of course, then the sun came out.

It was a strange day on the bike and I'm still not sure what to make of it. But everything turned out ok...

we have a ride planned for tomorrow. I hope it does not rain like today...

[PinkBike]

We did 19.1 miles at 19.3 avg mph.

wow, silvers, very impressive!!!!

[wannaduacentury]

I did 30 on our club sponsored ride yesterday in West Ga. we had a cloud cover until it burned off around 10 am and it started getting more humid(hot in afternoon-90's- It was called the Blazing Saddles Century and we had black/yellow/orange socks to go with it). It was a lovely ride and I had a blast. We had 115 show up for our clubs first sponsored century. The one catch that everyone talked about was the rolling hills- I mean one lady requested a warm up course(she's in better shape than I was) if/when we do it next yr. The hills attacked from the beginning and very few flat parts to recover. Everyone really enjoyed the routes themselves, just didn't expect so many hills. Of course I knew they were there, just haven't ridden them a whole lot, but the scenery was very pretty and I passed one guy on his tractor and he waved at me and I waved back. Really cool. btw atl Laura was able to come and she and I got to vist after the ride. First time meeting a TE member in person. Another, cindyloo lives nearby too and I want to get together w/. her and ride sometime. A great day . Jennifer

[onimity]

Wow, you guys are fast!

I found a notice about a local ride in the paper on Friday, the Sunrise Century, and my sister and I decided to do it. It was a beautiful route, heading north from Boulder, CO then west into the mountains, up the S. St. Vrain Canyon and up to Ward (9,450 ft). About 15 miles from Ward, the point where we;d reach the descent, it started raining. A little mist at first but it quickly increased to huge sheets of rain. On the hill into Ward we passed a lady with Hill Slug socks. Very cool. The rain was hard to deal with but I was happy with how easy I found the climbing. By the time we got to the top the rain had let up but we were cold and very wet. We didn't stop long at the aid station there because we didn't want to get too cold, so we headed down Lefthand canyon (a 3,600 ft descent! ) It would have been a really fun descent if the roads hadn't been wet and my hands frozen to the point of not being able to use the brakes reliably... So we kept it slow and stopped every once in a while to warm up.

The last 10 miles were the worst because we took a crowded MUT which is at its worst on weekends, so it was a lot of slow-going, dodging dachshunds and passing pedestrians (after 5 bikes pass in the opposite direction).

All in all, 80 miles, 5,500 feet of climbing, 12.1 MPH (<-but I blame the slow descent! )

Anne

http://blog.annedirkse.com/blogs/v/n...unrisecentury/