Sept 23 rides

[KnottedYet]

I got to draaaa-aaaaft! I got to draaaaa-aaaaaaft!

(and I had a draft beer!)

Met up with SGTiger's dh, Boy In A Kilt. (SGTiger home with ookie-boogies, so she couldn't ride today. Darn!) We went about 15 miles to Oktoberfest, had some beer, and rode back. Looked for Teigyr and HeatherErin et al, but didn't see them at Oktoberfest.

He taught me to draft, and I drafted! WHoooooHOOOOoooEEEEEEE! That's some fun! I love how you get into that sweet spot, and suddenly you don't have to pedal nearly as hard and you're going a gazillion miles an hour faster!

Hot diggety!

This was my first longish ride on the BMX pedals. Let me tell you, they are GREAT platform pedals! Rode through some bumpy asphalt areas that normally bounce me off my platforms, but my feet stayed right with the BMX pedals. SKnot wants his BMX pedals back (Kona Jacksh*ts), so I might be buying some of my own soon. (like maybe some Speedplay Drilliums?)

[slmdunc]

Rode 42 miles today, in Malibu, north on the PCH - including my first climb up Encinal Canyon. It is not *supposed* to be one of the harder climbs in the LA area, but it *is* almost 6 miles up and a 1,678 foot elevation gain. That, along with the considerable "rollers" and formidable head wind on the PCH had me pooped. I was already not at my best today - started late, didn't eat enough, and just never could get it together to feel great on the bike... although the weather today was gorgeous.

So there I was, chugging up Encinal Canyon, trying to just keep going - and insult is added to injury when I AM PASSED BY A DUDE ON A RECUMBENT. Now that's already not fun... and THEN, right as I'm trying to huff out the words "nice job" as he passes - he has the gall to say to me, "This is the first time I've ever passed an upright on this hill. Shame on you." And he pedaled on his merry way.

I spent the rest of the grueling pedal uphill contemplating his meaning. Was he just giving me good-natured ribbing? Was he trying to motivate me to pick up the pace? Was he just a royal A-HOLE?

Whatever the answer - his comment did not help. I wish I could say the anger fueled me up the hill, but instead it seemed to make it harder. I have only been riding on my road bike for a short couple of months - and I have to remind myself that I AM doing well. I know we all have off days... but I've only met encouragement and positive thinking from other bikers - until this guy today.

Okay - sorry for the whoa-as-me story. I did make it in the end. The screaming downhill on Mulholland made up for the pain up into the canyon My legs are wobbly tonight, but I feel accomplished.

Next week will be better!

[crazycanuck]

I don't normally post about my rides but i will about yesterdays.

I did a 40km team time trial cycling event in York. (www.cyclosportif.com.au) There were 5 of us and we were out to ride & not go fast as a few of the girls were recovering from the flu. The last time i biked through York it was on my 200km in May.

Anywho, we were the last to leave and started off at about 23km/hr which was fine. It had been a while since i'd biked with a group and the speed actually helped me build my confidence. We discussed what speed we wanted to stay at and agreed on 25km/hr. The roads were relatively quiet but had one dork zoom past us..gee don't slow down for cyclists or anything ok.. That and an ambulance! Dunno what happened?

We pushed the speed up a bit to 28km/hr and that felt cool. IT was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, a slight wind and flat roads. I never felt i'd gotten into something over my head and we were all ok with our speed. ON the way back it was great as we sat at 30km/hr & watched the A(i think 70km) distance riders zoom past. Most of the folks who cycled the A & B distances are preparing for the upcoming Tri season.

It was a great day out. I forgot my sunscreen though and have to remind myself that yes summer's just about here.

C

[Jo-n-NY]

I also do not usually post my rides, but I had a real enjoyable one yesterday. 53 miles from Massapeuqa into Sayville with my old time cycling buddy and my new cycling buddy. Hi Tina if you see this

It was a perfect weather day, sunshine, temps in the 70's, although it probably reached 80 towards the end of the ride. There was a strong North wind so it was a cross wind for us but we did hit a strong west wind also on the way back. We formed a pace line on the way back and this was a first for me.

I am riding a century ride next Saturday for our bike club members only. Since it is all going east, I will be happy if we have this west wind for the ride.

I usually ride Sundays solo, so this was a real treat as it was last Sunday to have company.

~ JoAnn

[PinkBike]

we missed our saturday shop ride because it was spozed to rain hard (it didnt) so we were totally bummin. we have the hilly tour de scottsdale in 3 weeks and we havent done anything long or hard yet. so while i was at work saturday evening i just decided we could go to tucson (100 miles south) for a training ride sunday morning. they have rides every sunday up until el tour de tucson in november. got on hotwire.com, bid on a $59 3-start hotel, scored the Hilton! so DH got us all ready then when i got off work we drove to tucson. rode 70 miles sunday morning, an absolutely gorgeous day for riding. we got back to the hotel and still had an hour to shower, pack and check out. the Hilton has a noon checkout time, this is the first time we didnt have to pack everything up the morning of the ride then drive home afterwords all stinky. all in all it was an ideal ride!!

[Aggie_Ama]

we got back to the hotel and still had an hour to shower, pack and check out. the Hilton has a noon checkout time, this is the first time we didnt have to pack everything up the morning of the ride then drive home afterwords all stinky. all in all it was an ideal ride!!

Holiday Inn Express gives a late check out of 4:00 to Priority Club members! Just something to keep in mind because nothing beats a good shower before a long drive home.

[Fredwina]

...So there I was, chugging up Encinal Canyon, trying to just keep going - and insult is added to injury when I AM PASSED BY A DUDE ON A RECUMBENT. Now that's already not fun... and THEN, right as I'm trying to huff out the words "nice job" as he passes - he has the gall to say to me, "This is the first time I've ever passed an upright on this hill. Shame on you." And he pedaled on his merry way.

I spent the rest of the grueling pedal uphill contemplating his meaning. Was he just giving me good-natured ribbing? Was he trying to motivate me to pick up the pace? Was he just a royal A-HOLE?

Gee, I thought people with the Jerk gene were banned from 'bents.
seriously, I tjink cycling does tend to draw some "socially inefficent" type. As Sadie Kate would say "some one will always be faster than you, and some one will always slower than you" My goal is to make sure no one is more Happier than me Which I think you did , too, right

[boy in a kilt]

I got to draaaa-aaaaft! I got to draaaaa-aaaaaaft!

(and I had a draft beer!)

Met up with SGTiger's dh, Boy In A Kilt. (SGTiger home with ookie-boogies, so she couldn't ride today. Darn!) We went about 15 miles to Oktoberfest, had some beer, and rode back. Looked for Teigyr and HeatherErin et al, but didn't see them at Oktoberfest.

He taught me to draft, and I drafted! WHoooooHOOOOoooEEEEEEE! That's some fun! I love how you get into that sweet spot, and suddenly you don't have to pedal nearly as hard and you're going a gazillion miles an hour faster!

Hot diggety!

This was my first longish ride on the BMX pedals. Let me tell you, they are GREAT platform pedals! Rode through some bumpy asphalt areas that normally bounce me off my platforms, but my feet stayed right with the BMX pedals. SKnot wants his BMX pedals back (Kona Jacksh*ts), so I might be buying some of my own soon. (like maybe some Speedplay Drilliums?)

Did you ever get a chance to try the trackstand?

Knot is stronger that she claims and any claims on her part to the contrary must be regarded as blatant sandbagging.

As evidence I submit that Knot has been telling me for weeks that she isn't very strong. Once I convinced her to get in close enough to find the pocket of dead air behind my bulky self, she held my wheel like she was born in a paceline.

We did this for about 4 or 5 miles at 17-18 miles an hour.

Further, she was riding her Surly with BMX pedals, carrying a pannier filled with assorted items, and was wearing Keens. Not a clipless pedal or toe strap to be found.

QED.

[KnottedYet]

Awww, shucks....