Sept 23 rides

[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: