Septmeber 15 Rides!

[Fredwina]

I'm going to have supper on Olvera street in downtown LA, so I did the short version of the club ride. The only problem was that we a bit too disorganized and lost several riders
had a latte, stopped by REI and got some chain lube, put some checks in the bank, and came home.
total 36.23 miles

[RoadRaven]

Well... I think this might be the first time I have posted in one of the daily ride threads

Hi there regulars

My ride for the 15th (which is now yesterday - its 7:15am on Sunday morning, 16th!) was a club ride.

We had an "Interclub" age-graded race, with visitors from Palmerston and Wellington joining us for the day. Unfortunately, only one vet woman came up from the other clubs, so the womens field was not big - mostly just Ramblers gals, and there was only one other woman in my age group (vet 2). So essentially all I had to do was finish to get 2nd place points.

Hills aren't my forte, so I had decided this would be a good training ride not a race and exceelnt preperation for an upcoming hilly 50km event i have.

An under-19 woman was feeling very nervous, she hadn't ridden for ages so I told her I would ride with her to the hills when I assumed she would probably go up better than me.

We ended up doing the whole ride together - I towed her on the flats, sometimes she got to the top of hills before me, I caught her or followed her downhills and so the cycle went. I had a great workout and she finished the whole race. She said to me she was so proud of herself. She had thought to pull out after the first lap (there were 2 laps) but I told her that I would get out the whip and crack it... and that all we had to do was set a steady pace - which we did!

A really enjoyable ride.

Total 52km (plus warmup of 10km) and 2hours 20minutes on the hills.

Fredwina, I would have enjoyed that latte...

[makbike]

I hosted a 50 mile ride for the club this morning. Nine adventuresome souls made their way up the expressway to my community to join in the fun. It was quite chilly this morning (51 F) with a 10 mph wind blowing out of the NE but the skies were a solid blue and the sun was doing its best to warm us up as we made our way through the little communities of Jacksonville, Bagdad and Chestnut Grove. I put the arm warmers on, my wind jacket, tights and glove liners in an attempt to stay warm (I'm a weather weanie). The pace was gentle and everyone seemed to be having a great time. We were treated along the way to a small herd of horses (I counted seven) racing us across their pasture as we may our way up the road which runs parallel to their lot. We passed the rooster ranch and that stirred up some conversation. It was a great day to be on a bike!

[mimitabby]

A gal from the Redmond Cycling club sent out an email advertising a "Low key" bike ride around Lake Washington. I didn't really feel like doing 50+ miles, but I liked the low key part.

To my delight, 3 of the nicest people in the club were there, and none of them were in the mood to go too fast. Weather was mostly overcast with some sun breaks, so we never got too hot. There were plenty of hills, some short ones with grades over 13% (but who's counting)

I felt quite puny but was able to keep up with everyone for the whole 42 miles.

we ended up doing a modified north lake loop with some interesting detours in Kirkland and Mercer Island.

[DDH]

My stepmother and I headed out for a ride and we weren't sure how far we watned to go. I have not been on the bike in 3 weeks due to my son breaking his ankle and appts. for him and my MIL and then after you haven't been on in a while it becomes a chore at times to find the time or want to get out there. Anyway, we headed toward a ride I'm use to doing that is about 17 miles and I told her there was a 30 mile route I've been wanting try that I had ridden in the car sometime back. Well, we did the 30. I was very surprised I was able to make it but I did. I was very proud of both of us.
There were a lot of challanging hills on that ride and I did pretty good for the first 22 miles and then I started to feel everything. My hip was hurting my hands were going numb my feet were on fire, but we couldn't quit, the only way home was on the bikes and there was no turn around point to get you there any quicker. I'm glad we did it. Now I know I can because I couldn't wimp out. LOL

[mimitabby]

YAY DONNA! (you went riding with your stepmother?!)

30 miles is a great achievement. I was feeling it long before 30 miles on my own ride. Good thing i am too embarrassed to whine.

[GLC1968]

Rode day one of our MS150 on the 15th. 104 miles. We went out strong and were convinced that it was going to be our best century time yet. It was socked in fog at the start, and I was getting soaked as we rode even though the rain had stopped hours ago and the roads were almost dry!

Pulled into our first rest stop (we skipped the first one) at mile 31 only to have difficulty steering. Well, look at that...a flat! My front tire was quite flat - no wonder I felt sluggish for the past 10 miles! Changed it and headed out again.

The sun came out, dried us all out and promised a gorgeous day ahead. Too bad Mr. Sun didn't discuss the day with Mr. Wind. The last 45 miles were really tough...into a head wind that really took one's breath away. I guess we should have expected high winds on the tail of a tropical storm, huh?

At mile 80, I was dead. I was ready to just skip the last 'century' loop and head straight into the finish. DH was also super tired, so I figured I'd wait and see if he'd suggest it. My pride would not let me be the first to speak up. Apparently, was thinking the same thing. Ugh. We made the loop, dragged our butts the last 25 miles...and got into the finish in time to still get free lunch - Whoopee! (It was AWESOME...anyone know how good Carrabas' tastes after 104 miles? No? Well, it's GOOD ).

Just downloaded my info this afternoon and lo and behold...we met our goal. Avg speed was 16 mph - our fastest century yet! I have NO idea how we managed that against that wind (and some of those hills), but I'll take it! Total climbing was 4000 ft (according to my Polar). I'm feeling quite proud today.

[short cut sally]

Saturday was the Highlander cycle tour. Participants just paid a registration fee and didn't have to collect/raise funds. There was several mileage options to choose from, they offer 2-100 milers, an easier one and a death wish. I chose the easier one with 6000 elevation, the other has like 14,000 +. The view is of 2 lakes, lots of vineyards and wineries, and small little towns. Our goal was to do it this year in better time than last year, our first century ever. We were 11 minutes past our goal to beat of 7hrs 39 mins. BUT we had (swirling) headwinds for 99 miles-I am pretty sure of that, and I froze. I was ready to quit at mile 60, I told my riding partner to go on w/o me. She informed me we were in this together and we were finishing. At mile 91 is a 5 mile hill, and going up that, the wind was so exhausting to me that I couldn't decide if I wanted to cry or laugh. The weather was supposed to be 60 and breezy. Turned out to be 45 and breezy. I was dressed for the warmer temp and wished I hadn't taken off my extra layers before starting. I changed out of the wet clothes (it showered briefly twice) at the lodge where the meal was and used the hand dryer in the lady's room to warm up my hands and feet.. I can laugh about it now but oh my, I was never so cold and all I wanted to do was be at home, under the blanket, drinking coffee and having my cat curled up with me.

[Aggie_Ama]

DH and I took off for a weekend in Port Aransas, Texas to celebrate our 10 year anniversary as a couple. Saturday afternoon we rented a couple of single speed beach cruisers and rode on the beach and the island. Covered approx 15-20 and had the best time!

[RoadRaven]

DH and I took off for a weekend ..... and had the best time!

*biiig sugh*
I lurve stories like these...