Sat., 2/9 ride report!

[KathiCville]

Just in from a nice 22.5 miler, my longest ride to date. Temps were in the 60s when I started at 3 pm, but dropped at least 10+ by the time I finished at 5 pm.

I started out thinking that I wouldn't be able to do more than about 10---felt tired when I first put foot to pedal---but once I got warmed up, I felt so good that I added 2.5 to the 20 I usually do on Saturdays. To boot, I ended up going at a much better av mph AND hit the highest high speed so far this year. So, I guess something must'hv kicked in during the ride!

[IFjane]

Congrats Kathi! Sounds like all the riding is paying off!

After riding 77 miles last weekend, we only rode 24 today. Windy but warmish until the giant cloud rolled over the sun!

[melissam]

Got in a nice 40 miler today -- the weather was picture perfect.

I left my house and had a lovely descent for the first 2 miles. You know what that means -- what goes up must come down and vice versa.

About 10 miles into the ride, I encountered the Wall. It's a short, steep hill -- I think my Garmin said it was 15% at one of the steep points. I thought I could make it, since I've been riding fairly regularly and I have a nice low 30-34 gear. But no -- about halfway thru, I ... um ... had to take a break because I got violently ill. Then, to add insult to injury, I couldn't get enough momentum to get back on my bike, so I walked up the rest of the hill.

After that fiasco, the ride got much better. I did fine on the rollers, descended from the false summit, turned around at Welch Creek and rode back from where I came. Stayed in my middle ring for the shallow ascent and rollers.

Of course I was dreading the last 2 miles. After my performance on the Wall, it didn't bode well. Surprisingly, though, I ascended some double digit grades and made it to my house without stopping or barfing.

[Aggie_Ama]

Someone let spring slip into Texas! DH and I did 51.78 miles, sunny, little wind and 80 degrees at the start! I unfortunately had the lead legs and felt like dead weight but it was a spectactular day. The cows along the way we particularly amusing, the weather must have gotten into them too!

[Starfish]

KathiC, good going!

I got in 32 miles today on my flat-ish route, because of the snow still in the hills. It was raw, wet and sandy today. Bike still needs cleaning now.

I was supposed to just go out and do an endurance pace ride today, but I hammered instead, and that was dumb. I'm still sore from Thursday.

Had a showdown with two dogs on the road today (actually I could tell they were pretty nice dogs...after I got the bike stopped, I know I was not in danger). The dogs almost got hit, though, and I stood there not wanting to ride off and get chased again. The woman came out and just called her dogs, and I yelled at her that her dogs almost just got killed on the road. I'm trying to decide if I should write them a note or something, to protect their dogs by restraining them.

[kelownagirl]

An easy 52 min, 21km on the trainer this afternoon. Can't wait for the snow to be gone but realistically, I won't be on my road bike until mid-March...

[Mr. Bloom]

About 10 miles into the ride, I encountered the Wall. It's a short, steep hill -- I think my Garmin said it was 15% at one of the steep points. I thought I could make it, since I've been riding fairly regularly and I have a nice low 30-34 gear. But no -- about halfway thru, I ... um ... had to take a break because I got violently ill. Then, to add insult to injury, I couldn't get enough momentum to get back on my bike, so I walked up the rest of the hill.

After that fiasco, the ride got much better.

I imagine that some people try the wall and don't make it.

I also guess that there are some who don't even try.

You did GREAT!

[RoadRaven]

Most excellent Southern Belle- glad you finally had a really nice sunny day - is a horse rescue farm a place where old horses go to retire, or a place where neglected horses are nursed back to health?

Sundial... you would really have time for wind-surfing??

Mak's got her new bike back... Froglegs played leapfrog... Fredwina takes some stunning passes in and Kathi does a personal best!

Cat can flirt on a bike even when she's feeling blah and now I'm too tired to respond to everyone elses rides.

I got in just over 50km on my Saturday... 32km of that was racing. Overcast and not too bad, but I misjudged it, got dropped at the half-way turn-around and had to slog back into the wind on my own. Even so, I think I got about 5th or 6th in my grade. A good result despite a bad ride.

[Susan126]

Glad to see so many of you getting a ride in today! Hey Fredwina gorgeous pictures!

Well, hubby, daughter, and me did get a great ride in today. When I first woke up I was kind of hesitant about going out. It was gloomy and overcast. But the temperature was warm. Warmer than it has been in a long time. So Joe put our fenders on and we dressed and got ready to RIDE! We started off slow but once our legs and bodies warmed we picked up the pace. We were cruising today! We got over 40 miles in and stopped at Starbucks afterwards! It's days and rides like this that make it all worth it. And to think I almost decided to can it and go to the gym. This definitely beat the gym any day!

Tomorrow it's supposed to be in the mid 40s plus the sun might make an appearance! So hopefully another great ride coming up for Sunday! Two rides would make my weekend!

[SouthernBelle]

Raven, I'm pretty sure it's for neglected and abused horses. There were 5 horses in the front pasture.

[melissam]

I imagine that some people try the wall and don't make it.

I also guess that there are some who don't even try.

You did GREAT!

Thanks Mr. Silver! It's just that I've had some sort of mishap EVERY TIME I try to ascend the Wall. One of these days I'll make it up without any episodes...

-- Melissa