October 7th rides

[Mr. Bloom]

OK, we'll start this one:

Silver and I did the Great Pumpkin Metric in Evansville today. Silver did great finishing 5 minutes ahead of me. We averaged about 17mph. I didn't finish strong, but I feel I finished well. I'm whipped right now...it's the first long ride I've done in about three months!!

The weather was good, but at 93 degrees, it was more than you would expect in Mid-October in Indiana.

Next Week: The Hilly Hundred in Bloomington

[makbike]

I so badly wanted to do this ride and spend the evening with my younger brother and his family in Evansville. However, something much better came along - a family gathering in Celina, Tenn. So I packed my car (bike included) and headed south yesterday. All my siblings where there (it has been over 2 years since we were all together at the same time) and we had a wonderful reunion. Maybe next year I'll make it to Evansville for this ride. I'm giving some thought to the Hilly Hundred but have yet to make up my mind. If I don't make it to Bloomington have a wonderful time.

Now for my ride. My older brother and I got up with the sun and decided to ride from Celina, TN to Gainsboro, TN (about 40 miles). There were three challenging climbs along the way with a good measure of flat tossed in to even things out on the journey. We started out in a very thick fog which had rolled in off the Cumberland River. Along the way we spotted several deer enjoying their breakfast. I also spied several kingfishers on the lines and heard but never saw a red tailed hawk in a stand of trees of along the roadside. The land is so very dry in this area and the river is running low. When we departed our parent's house it was 61 F outside and when we returned it had climbed into the upper 70's. It turned into yet another hot and dry day in the Cumberland Platteau. It was great to once again ride with my older brother for a short distance (he is much faster than I). I had to chuckle for when I finally arrived back in Celina my brother had pulled over so that both of us would pull into our parent's driveway at the same time. He did not want to hear mom lecture him about leaving me out on the road by myself. He is a good brother and a smart one at that!

[Tri Girl]

Holy smokes - 93 in Indiana today? Sheesh- that's crazy! Must've been a tough ride! Heat zaps me so quickly. Congrats on finishing strong (and I'm sure you finished stronger than you're letting on ). Good luck next week at the Hilly Hundred.

Makbike- what a nice story! Glad you got to see your siblings. I, too, rarely get to see mine. Haven't seen them altogether since our father's funeral almost 10 years ago. It's too bad we all live far too far apart. How nice that you got to ride with your brother (and how funny that he waited for you so you could ride to mom's house together ).

I just did a little trail riding today. Didn't feel the need to get back on my road bike after yesterday.
Of course, I had to take a picture. I actually get riding done, but always feel the need to take pictures. It's a compulsion, I suppose. Sorry if I bug you guys with all the pictures that I post...

The first one is a hill that always gets me everytime. I decided to take a picture of it because it's caused me many bruises. The other one was just a pretty sunflower.

[Mr. Bloom]

Along the way we spotted several deer enjoying their breakfast.

Last week, I saw a 10 point buck on the traffic rotary below my condo in Bloomington 2.7 miles from downtown!

Bloomington has definately found a way to balance urban and nature!

TG: That is one awesome flower pic!

[indigoiis]

RedRhodie and I met up with Mama Beane and another friend in Jamestown, RI and rode together, on varying routes and distances, with RedRhodie and I doing 48 (two loops, the first longer, the second shorter.)

It was great. There was a squall for the first hour and a half - no rain but plenty of wind and ominous looking clouds.

[bmccasland]

Or maybe I should say the MS 138...
Day one was warm and muggy, and I bonked at rest stop 5, mile 64. Even after a good rest I just couldn't face the 11 miles of hills to the finish. So I took the SAG truck in. Made sure I hydrated and ate some dinner.

Today was cooler (sort of), and at least the hills were the start and not the finish. Did the 75 miles in 4.5 hours with breaks. Let's hear it for cheesy garlic mashed potatoes at lunch! I'm home and my bumm is sore. Think I need a new saddle, or rather a replacment.

(and I need to change my sig line)

[sundial]

Beth--congratulations on your MS 150 ride. I hope to do it next year.

My hill work partner and I attacked the hills today. We rode 14 miles, did over 1000 feet of climbing, and did it in 53 minutes. Then we did a cool down ride on the shady roads of our state park. It was so pleasant and peaceful. It was sunny with a high of 92, 46% humidity, winds 6-8 mph.

[Fredwina]

I decided to go see if there was stil snow on Mt Baldy. with 75 degree I did think it would last, but there is about 9,000 feet(2,000 vs 10,000) of elevation
darn!


Baldy has the "V: shaped of bare rock at the top, Its; Formal name is Mt San Antonio:
and of course Ontario and Cucamonga Peaks:

Did about 30, had a Blast!

[sundial]

That's a nice ride, Fredwina. I would really enjoy those mountains--particularly in alpenglow. Thank you for sharing.

[Mr. Bloom]

As we left the 27 mile SAG, I look down and in the center of my handle bars was a praying mantis going along for the ride.

He stayed there until the 40 mile SAG!

Mostly was planted looking straight ahead. Looked like the figurehead on a ship!

After he left, I hit the wall....I guess his praying kept me going!