11/17 report

[Aggie_Ama]

Pink Bike- That is a great time for 109 miles! Glad you had a good ride.

We did 13.62 miles- in the dark! We had many errands today getting ready to go to Disneyworld but decided to pick up some lights and try night riding. What a blast!! I felt more visible to cars but those twisty county roads were interesting. Definitely will be closing in on our yearly goal of 4,000 miles with the new lights.

[makbike]

I woke up early filled with anticipation for it was my first ride on my new addtion. Headed into Louisville to join the 10:00 club ride (35 miles). Upon arrival I quickly discovered I had left my shoes at home However, decided to give the fairly flat course a try in my tennis shoes - it was no fun. At about the 10 mile mark I decided to head back to my car for I was having a hard time keeping my feet on the pedals. However, the first ride did reveal a computer issue. I looked down at one point to see what my cadence was and discovered, according to the computer, that I was spinning at an unbelievable rate of 192 rpm - but my speed was only 7 mph. So, once back at the car I loaded the bike and headed back to the LBS to see if they could solve the mystery. It did not take long, they had crossed the wires and quickly corrected the problem. Great I thought for I still have time to head home grab my shoes and still get 40 miles in before daylight fades.

I grabbed my shoes and something to eat and headed back out with a great route in mind. I was flying and feeling great atop my new bike. As I came down a hill I shifted from the middle chainring to the big ring only to hear my chain skip over the ring and onto my crank arm. Keeping pedaling I told myself but the chain slipped further down the arm and with the slack got caught under my rear tire. I quickly got off the bike to discover my chain was broken. I decided to start walking back to the main road (about 7 miles) hoping that a local farmer would pass me and stop to offer me a ride. I was correct, several farmers passed me as I pushed my bike up the road but unfortunately not a single person stopped to offer assistance. I kept walking and finally made it back to the main road. My hopes were again high hoping someone would stop but numerous cars/trucks passed me without a second look. Finally, a mile or so from my house my neighbor saw me and stopped. What an angel for the blisters on my feet were screaming. She dropped me off at my doorstep and I quickly loaded my bike back into my car and made yet another trip to Louisville to see my friendly LBS. They quickly replaced the chain and adjusted the FD and I returned home with the hopes of getting in a short ride before the sunset.

I quickly grabbed a Cliff bar and attempted my third ride of the day. Things were going well until I looked down at my computer to see what my cadence was at the moment - screen read 0. I stopped to see if the sensors needed to be adjusted only to discover the sensor on the crankarm was missing. Did it come off in my walk home, was it in my neighbor's van or did it fall off at the LBS? Don't know but did decide to keep riding and I'm glad I did. It was a fun ride albeit short. I think I'm falling in love with my new bike and can only hope I'll get a few more chances to ride it before winter settles in here.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, Marcie, you are admirably persistent! After the chain break and long walk most of the way home, I would have been DONE. Good for you for going out for try #3!

Emily

[mimitabby]

Raleighdon and I rode the tdt TODAY. we decided on the 80 mile route since 109 seemed overwhelming to yours truly.
we started at 9am and rode like bandits. we finished in 5 hours and 13 minutes of riding time (i cannot believe i went this fast)
my personal average was 15.8mph!!

i will tell you all more tomorrow. i'm too tired. it was very hot, but this dry air coupled with very very gentle slopes and a bit of altitude makes for a much faster ride.

[fastdogs]

saturday's ride was a short hilly one. My family got together for our thanksgiving dinner (military family, we do birthdays and holidays whenever everyone can get together), my niece wanted to go bike riding with me. My DH came along also. My DH has been out for the past two weekends with me, but my niece has never been into it, the bike was my sisters and was pretty old, a walmart bike (like DH's) and sitting on flats. She aired it up, sprayed some lube on, and we took off. I had her adjust her seat higher, and she did quite well. My DH brings up the rear, but never complains or seems tired. He passed both of us on the hills though. At some point his chain ate his pants leg and broke the plastic chain guard, but he never said anything so I didn't know till we'd got back. We rode to an old cemetary and looked at some of the headstones from the 1800's, then rode back, about 8.5 miles. The plan had been to ride to st. james, but at the graveyard they let me know that I was welcome to go on by myself! I would have, but needed to get back for visiting with family.
vickie