Wednesday, March 12 Rides

[Tiffany]

I looked for this thread but I didn't find one. I hope I haven't duplicated.

So I was finally able to get the bike out today for the first ride of the year! It was 70 degrees outside believe it or not ... but can I just say WINDY?!? Holy buckets. I am completely wiped out. I could tell that my running did wonders for my cardio though. I averaged 140 HR even though my legs were burning the whole time. Man, it was a nice day to be out riding. I can't wipe the smile off my face.

[crazycanuck]

I rode to work yesterday (it's thursday here kids) and it felt alright. I added a couple more things to my ride-my HR monitor again & 3 morekm's-flat ones! Lovely weather on the way home as it was 32C!!

THe worst thing about the whole day is when i stretched after my ride..OOOOOWWWWWW. OOWOWWWWWW.. My knee didn't like bending at all, even lying on my back/front! OWWW

My knee seemed fine this morning when i went swimming. THen again i wasn't paying attention to my knee, i was thinking about how my neck/collarbone/clavicle felt after a day of resting it.

I'm cycling to work tomorrow

May the force be with you, young luke skywalkers.

[KathiCville]

I rode just 7 miles, but at night...with a new headlight on my bike...and tackled the toughest hill in my neighborhood TWICE. Did OK on the hill, but then I rode through our university campus and when I popped out at the northern end got caught in a combo of traffic AND road construction that had me wishing I'd picked a slightly different route! A good if short ride on a beautiful evening. My goal is to be able to climb that steep hill 5x in a row.

[Starfish]

Well, yesterday for me was the first day back after a full 3 days of no exercise and knee icing. I did 30 minutes easy tension on the trainer. Knee didn't feel right, but it didn't exactly hurt much, either. (I had to abandon my last Saturday 3-hour climbing session after only 40 minutes due to fairly accute knee pain).

So...today...knee seems OK. Am going to try another easy ride on the trainer and keep my fingers crossed...

[Melalvai]

Sure was nice to commute without having to bundle up in more clothes than the rest of my wardrobe put together. I can darn near ride naked in this weather. A bit of strategically placed reflective tape and I'd be set.

[Tiffany]

A bit of strategically placed reflective tape and I'd be set.

Ha ha ha ha

[Ticia]

22 miles around my little town. I think I'll be trying out different routes close to home for more hill training. I like to ride with our group usually so riding by myself yesterday was new for me. I enjoyed it and there was VERY little traffic to contend with.

[KSH]

It was a beautiful day! 80 degrees and windy. Wind gusts up to 25/30 mph. But since I rode in wind gusts up to 45 mph for 50 miles a couple of weeks back, I was up for it.

OMG! I was fast. I was shocked. I passed a few boys. Yes, I like passing the guys. I know they look at little 'ol me on my roadie (I was riding with guys on a tri bikes)... and I'm flying by them and I know they are grumbling. A few even picked up their pace some.

I kept around 16-18 mph into the headwind... and around 25-29 mph with the wind at my back. FUN!

My boyfriend even commented that he has never seen me ride so fast.

I guess all my hours on the bike trainer are paying off!

So, 21 miles with a 17.5 mph average overall. Fast for me!

[KSH]

Well, yesterday for me was the first day back after a full 3 days of no exercise and knee icing. I did 30 minutes easy tension on the trainer. Knee didn't feel right, but it didn't exactly hurt much, either. (I had to abandon my last Saturday 3-hour climbing session after only 40 minutes due to fairly accute knee pain).

So...today...knee seems OK. Am going to try another easy ride on the trainer and keep my fingers crossed...

HEY! Sorry to hear about the knee pain. Accute huh? Do you know what has caused it? Or is it just from having to ride with a low cadence due to climbing hills?

Have you had your cleats looked at? What kind of pedals do you use?

I know you are striving to reach some goals this season so I hate to hear that you are nursing an injury.

[Starfish]

Hey KSH, thanks. Wow, you were fast yesterday! Yay!

Well, I have ITB and chondromalacia problems from running myself into the ground years and years ago. Usually has not be a problem on the bike.

A couple weeks ago, I got new pedals and shoes. Didn't ride hard with them, but enough. I think it is the built in varus (varus? vargus? I get them confused) wedge with the new Specialized BG shoes.

I've adjusted the pedals, etc. I am now awaiting the order of some inside-the-shoe shims and the Lemond wedgee thingies to shim the cleats.

I am hoping that is going to take care of it. Don't want to sell my brand new pedals and shoes already! I love everything else about them.

But, it was enough irritation to flare up the old knee problems. I am back to old pedals and shoes in the mean time, and icing tons.

Thanks for asking...I am really, really hoping this doesn't turn into something chronic this season.

[KSH]

Starfish, I hope you can get it all worked out and fixed up!

I'm sure you can. Good luck!