July 31 rides

[7rider]

Wow.
I actually (1) rode my bike today - first time in about 9 days, and (2) commuted to work by bike - first time for THAT in about 14 days.

[teigyr]

I rode 30 miles in the heat and wind. For Seattle, 84 degrees is hot (ok, for me it is hot!) and the wind ranged from side wind to headwind.

The great part was that I tested out a new saddle. I always liked my old saddle but it was becoming just "ok" and there was discomfort. I'd shift around in longer rides. This new saddle was incredible! I don't think it's adjusted quite right but I rode faster, I had more energy (I think because there wasn't that constant pressure/semi-pain), and the bike handled better. It might be a fluke but I could actually balance a tiny bit without using my hands and I could never do that before.

Of course now my legs hurt. It's always something but legs hurting is good.

[short cut sally]

I had big plans to ride my bike to work for our mandatory meeting at 8am. decided against it because easy to get there, all uphill to get back home. After sitting in a meeting I really didn't want to venture up any hills. So got home and changed and went for 18 miles. It was warm. A nice small ride as i haven't rode in several days.

[mudmucker]

After a hard day and a long commute I get home between 6:30-7 pm and I have about an hour before dark. I love my biking routes. It's peaceful - tonight I counted only 31 cars that passed me in the 50 or so minutes I was out, and that was partially because I was on a main road for a spell. These photos are along the hill interval route I take, that I fit in the hour. A nice respite from the work day, especially near the top of one of my hills where I have my prize view of Mt. Monadnock, about 1.5 miles from the house as the crow flies. (the hazy Mt. left in the cow picture and on the right in the no-cow picture). All the day's hassles melt away when I see this. I never tire of this view. It reminds me of a Grant Wood painting and I always marvel at the lush green of New England. Unfortunately the sun is near setting and it is a hot hazy humid day so Monadnock doesn't show so prominently. I'll have to get a different photo when the clear dramatic skies of the autumn fronts start blowing through.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mudmucker- what beautiful scenery!! We have many similar wonderful views here in upstate NY too.

Today on my 17 mile morning ride I saw a ton of ripe blackberries on the side of the road. I put my bike down and just stuffed my face until I was full.
I'm going back there in a couple of days for more!

I picked up a lovely 5" long painted turtle from the middle of the road in a congested area and just put him in my saddlebag. A couple of miles later I passed a wonderful pond with lily pads and grass carp swimming in it. I saw another painted turtle in the water there. I tossed my little fellow in and he swam happily into the cool green depths.

[tygab]

Both your rides sounded wonderful! We are very lucky