Aug 25, It's Saturday!

[cyclingmom01]

21 miles this morning with beautiful weather & beautiful scenery. A friend's chain messed up & she had to turn back. Ended up just enjoying the day and not riding for a particular time. I'm riding again tomorrow and will work on time then.

[michelem]

Approximately 34 miles with 1950 ft. of climbing. Got dropped on the downhill again. I didn't even touch the brakes and was pedaling my rear off in the hardest gears. I'm thinking that next time I need to start out at the front on the downhill and just not worry about holding anyone back - they can pass if they want - but, at least maybe this way I won't fall off the back from the get-go. All in all, a very satisfying ride though, with close to a 16 mph average (not bad considering one of the climbs at 13% grade).

[Starfish]

Nice riding SouthernBelle!!

We have cold windy rain today. We just aren't getting a summer this year.

Elliptical and ab work at the gym for me today. Guess it is time to start cross training in the pool, etc.

[emily_in_nc]

22.7 mile ride to the post office and farmer's market for loads of maters, squash, and peppers....yummmmmm! HOT day, sunny, humid, high of 99, though when we were riding it was 80-89. Kinda windy too. Glad we got out but equally glad it was a relatively short ride. We were pretty spent and soaking wet when done.

Emily

[Fredwina]

I had been using Saturday as my car free day. Today was was the club beach party in Newport Beach. So what's a Carbon Conscious gal to do? Ride to the party. and back!
116 miles
Banked on the way back between Corona and Ontario. should have had more than one burger
More to come....

[RolliePollie]

Approximately 34 miles with 1950 ft. of climbing. Got dropped on the downhill again. I didn't even touch the brakes and was pedaling my rear off in the hardest gears. I'm thinking that next time I need to start out at the front on the downhill and just not worry about holding anyone back - they can pass if they want - but, at least maybe this way I won't fall off the back from the get-go. All in all, a very satisfying ride though, with close to a 16 mph average (not bad considering one of the climbs at 13% grade).

Wow, Michele! Great speed average! I rode 32 miles today with about 2,400' of climbing and I only averaged 13.2 My slowest hill got me down to 4.1, but my top speed was 36.4. I tend to always average in the 12.8-13.9 range riding around here. Unless it's a shorter ride...then I can break 14.

I can't imagine riding where it's hot AND humid. When I got home from my ride, it was about 85 degrees (and not humid) and I felt like I was ready to die from heatstroke!

[michelem]

Sara - My top speed was only around 32 - however, that is really fast for me! I am getting much more confident, due in big part to the fact that I am getting more and more used to my bike. I went in for another fit tweak this week and I think we finally got it. Anyway, you did a lot more climbing than I did today, so your average sounds great! Also, maybe not, but for me I tend to have a higher average when I ride with a group - not from drafting, 'cause I don't get close enough for that - but I think I just push myself more than when I'm alone. And the encouraging words from the group don't hurt either.

I signed up for the Tahoe Sierra (60-miler, not the full century). I sure hope you decide to do it too!

Tygab - Sounds like you live in cycling paradise!

Veronica - 7,600 feet of climbing?!?!

Fredwina - 116 miles?!?!

And the rest of you sound like you had all kinds of weather to contend with. Good for you for getting out (or to the gym) anyway!

[dex]

I spent my afternoon and early evening riding Eva (my new singlespeed) from cafe to cafe (to cafe to cafe) up, down and around my hilly Seattle neighborhood. I'm not sure I've ever owned a more fun bike in my life. There are those that tell me I'll be saying the same thing again when I finally get around to going fixed. We'll see...eventually. It was only about 10 miles total, but it felt awesome.

And then tonight, I read this (I realize it's about SS mountain bikes, but the idea still holds):

To ride one gear is natural.
Sprints do not last all morning,
Descents do not last all day.

The follower of singlespeeding
is at one with his bike.
He who rides smoothly
Experiences flow.
He who loses the trail
Becomes confused.
When you are at one with your bike,
The trail welcomes you.
When you conserve your momentum,
The flow is always there.
When you are at one with pain,
The pain is experienced willingly.

He who does not get out of the saddle
Will not make it to the top of the hill.

Oh, and getting to return home to leftover Chinese food and Amaretto Milano cookies? Awesome.

[Zen]

He who does not get out of the saddle
Will not make it to the top of the hill.[/INDENT]

That definitely applies only to SS.

[DirtDiva]

The five gears of singlespeed: sit, stand, push, curse, throw. I want one.

Ha! Your ride puts my Saturday ride into perspective, V. I would've had to do my ride nearly three times to get the distance and at least four times to get the climbing. Ouch!