Sept 23 rides

[tygab]

I haven't done a longer/more difficult ride in a while. Recently, I've done short and/or slow rides, and they've been sporadic. Last week was a 10 mile race ride but it didn't feel long enough to settle in.

So, today my husband and I went for a local ride. We live in a hilly area and I was immediately up in my HR in the 180s. Didn't help that my husband took off like a bat at mile 2 or 3 for his "warm up" - we exchanged some good natured discussion of what a warm up is. He hadn't ridden for even longer so I imagine it was part out of joy to be on the bike. But I did recover and we settled down to a more maintainable pace.

Weather was perfect - sunny, dry, upper 70s, and the trees are already turning here since it's been a dry late summer. It was beautiful out, but I didn't feel like stopping for photos anywhere, I just wanted to ride.

Eventually I settled in after our first bigger uphills, and we toured some of our usual areas around Hollis NH. Noticed some people swimming at the state park which is closed, and I've been wondering if I could swim there myself before it gets too cold again. I don't know. It is only 7 miles from the house by the way we went so next summer I could easily ride up there.

Saw several other road riders out but fewer than I would have expected, on such a beautiful day. Maybe they all went to do the Seacoast Century.

We rode back down from Amherst and my husband decided he was done but I wanted to keep going. So, I dropped him off at the house and did another 12 or so miles for a total of 37. I enjoyed both riding with him and riding a bit on my own.

More days with this weather would be fine by me!

[elk]

I did my second trail ride ever.. ....6... miles and it was just plain easy fun!!
I am starting to feel Way more fit...every week a little more. (Fanno Creek Greenway today way out and back)

Plus I did it on my new Brooks B67s and by golly I think its a keeper!!!
I am sooooo excited about my new bike!!!

elk

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

58 miles of more hills and me whining like a baby. I am NOT ready for the century next Saturday.. wah wahhh

(maybe if I whine enough now, I'll be all whined out by Saturday?

[redrhodie]

Rode my short route, 13 miles, since there was a chaffing issue with my shorts. Dern shorts!

When I got almost to my turn-off to home, a young(er than me) roadie guy pulled up next to me and asked how much further I was going. I think he wanted to ride with me ! Guess Jessica Rabbit (that's my bike) is living up to her reputation! She's a man eater! Smiled, made my turn, and rode home to DBF, but that made my day. My new bike's hot!

[7rider]

Oh, c'mon, BabyBlue. You can do it. Just keep telling yourself that. At least you didn't spend this weekend home in bed, sick, as I did the week before my big hilly century. I survived. I can't say I "thrived," but I did it and it was a great accomplishment at the end. You can do it. I know it!
Whining just saps you energy. Save the energy for the ride! Good luck with it.

Today, DH and I did the shop ride with our LBS. I did fine up until the second half. After the mid-point regroup point, 4 others and I got dropped like hot rocks, and lost further ground due to some long traffic lights. The pace was incredibly fast once we picked up the A-ride and I just didn't have the legs to hang. I should have know it was going to be fast, when 3 of us, at the beginning of the ride, rode through the last gate at Rock Creek Park. Chandler looked behind him and said "Whoa, where are all the people behind us??" I replied "We ARE the people behind us!" Just 3 miles into it, and we were barely hanging on to the back of the pack. It always makes you feel just a teensy bit better to look behind you and see others from the ride. But when you look back, and there's no one, and you realize YOU are the last rider. Whew! Man, that hurts.

But, the last survivor and I did the extra lap, and folks were still hanging out in the shop when I got back (and gave me a good healthy ribbing for wandering in so late).

So...the damage was: 38.9 miles at 17.1 mph. Ugh. Off the bike now for 3 days, and I'll relish the break.

[makbike]

BabyBlue just remember to ride your ride not weekend. Don't allow yourself to get caught up in how fast others are riding. Find your rhythm early and stick to it and it will be a grand day!

I passed on today's century, legs simply were too tired after yesterday's hammerfest. I joined the club for a 22 mile ride mid-afternoon. It is mostly flat and my legs appreciated that little factor. They did scream out when I headed up the one big hill on the route but as always they carried me to the top. The best part of today's ride was riding with a good friend whom I have not seen for quite some time. We spent the ride catching up and bless her heart listened patiently to me as I shared my pain over my recent breakup with my partner. We went out after the ride for a drink and I'm hoping she will come back to some of the upcoming club rides - she is a real joy to be around and offers great advice and insight.

[Fredwina]

despite not getting started till 4 due to church commitments, I still got in 35. I went up to The Hyundai pavilion at Glen Helen park: