I've been riding have you??

[Dogmama]

Reminds me of my first real dirt bike ride. A friend told me about this area that was for "beginners." Not on your life - especially for those of us who have been flat-lander-roadies! Huge drop offs, cambered turns, big boulders in the path that went straight up - I ended up pushing the bike through a lot of it. No shame either, just wanted to get to the end!! Oh, and it was about 90 degrees and I brought one lousy water bottle (hey, it was only 10 miles!). Climbing is one thing I do *really* well on my road bike, but I'm not used to ruts bigger than my front tire! (whine whine whine!)

[IronHorse213]

Hey!! I'm so glad the list's finally back!!! I've been missing it. Was it gone for everyone? It went out of commision just before my big first ride - on May 4. I rode all 42 miles (plus at least another 5 going and returning) of the annual Five Borough Bike Tour! It was hard and very crowded - I believe I actually walked through most of the Bronx leg - and I definiately wanted to quit at least a dozen times, but I didn't! This, however, is completely an example of having done the thing much better than actually doing it. It wasn't fun doing it, but I'm proud of myself that I did - I did almost a half century!!!

Since then I've done one 20-mile trail run from home to my work location to see if I could really ride to work (my goal for the summer) and only a few short rides becuase the weather in the Northeast has been horrible! I'm growing moss it's been so rainy here. I sneaked in a 5 mile spin Saturday morning before the rain started coming down hard... my poor bike didn't know why all kinds of bit and pieces of cut grass and leaves/buds were sticking to it! (it's a newbie and rain riding is something I avoid generally, but just couldn't stand another weekend without)

I have a 70-mile ride planned for June 21, so I'm hopeing that some very hard work in the gym and a few more good long rides will prepare me for it....

I'm glad you all are back and I'm looking forward to reading up on what you've been doing!!!

'calla
iron horse warrior

[pedalfaster]

Like a few other posters, I just discoverd the that the board is back up and running.

Riding season has finally started for me. I did my first mtb ride of the year this past weekend; a 12-hour race. Boy did that hurt.

I've had a couple of longish road rides and my next "event" is a 162 mile ride across the state.

Will probably make it down (Louisville) for a few master's nats events too...anyone else going?

Happy riding everyone

[elevenpointfive]

Hey all, newbie checking in. Haven't been riding much but I hope to change that soon. The winter was rough, got sick a lot, had to start from scratch and it's been slow going. But 30 miles a week is better than nothing, am I right? It's mostly commuting for now, trying to get used to being on the bike again. Trying not to dwell on past glories, such as they were--I used to sock away 500 miles a month. Seems a long way off, now. But y'all are an inspiration to a recovering grrl in the North Star State. I *will* check back tomorrow after I ride, yeah. Low mileage and all.

[Susan126]

Hello and welcome elevenpointfive!

Hey we all have to start somewhere! Just keep biking and before you know it you will be doing those 500 miles a month rides in know time at all! This site is an inspiration to me and I always check it out whenever I need a boost. Right now I am training for a 3 day event in August. Let's keep each other motivated! Can't wait to hear about your ride!

Sue

[tinkerbell]

Hey, welcome to another rider from the land of 10,000 lakes. Well, I' m not much of a winter rider myself so I'm much like you--starting over. Fortunately in less than a month I am doing a 4 day 350+ mile ride around S. Minnesota to raise money for AIDS (Red Ribbon Ride) which means I have to get my butt in gear, and fast! Nothing motivates a girl much like the thought of 4/ 100 or so miles days in a row on the bike in steamy July! The weather here hasn't been all the great as well so far this Spring, which means I've been struggling to get started. Luckily today is beautiful, so I hope your ride goes well. Head downtown tonight and watch the pros at the Great River Energy Festival--watching the women and men zoom around the downtown crit is sure to motivate a girl!! I want to grow up and be just like them Even if you aren't into the racing scene it's still a sight to behold how fast they go. And if you really want to see a motivating sight check out the crit in downtown Stillwater on Sunday with it's 24% grade--makes me wince as they speed up that hill time after time (I'd be happy to make it once!)...well, happy riding, maybe I'll see ya on the road!!

[tinkerbell]

Ooops, bad grammar...I'm not raising money for AIDS, but rather the fight against AIDS

[elevenpointfive]

Sue, Tinkerbell, thanks for the welcome. Nice to meetcha! How's riding? Tinkerbell, the AIDS ride sounds hardcore.

Good news is, I got out for 12 miles this AM. Don't laugh--that's a pretty decent ride for me right now. Baby steps. It was super nice out, calm, 65 to start, all the birds singing and feeding kids, and butterflies starting to mass at the clovers. Almost bisected a garter snake--but a little fancy stepping on both our parts and he slithered safely off. Yeah it's great to be back on the bike. A new butt would be nice, though. Owww. Bummer that I missed the race in town, but that's par for me lately--haven't been up on events.

[Susan126]

No laughing just yahoooooing for you elevenpointfive! Morning rides (especially on a weekday) are one of my favorites! Especially the ones on my favorite country back roads (no traffic)! Birds singing, like you said, beautiful fields of wildflowers, cow pastures, and some awesome backdrops! And oh boy do I remember those sore butt checks and sit bones! But mine are all broken in (thank goodness) and in know time at all so should yours! Don't worry about events right now just get out and ride and build up your body, butt, and distance! And most important . . . just enjoy being on a bike! Summer is ahead of us and I feel it will be a good one!

[Barb]

Yahoo only 7 more days of work til I am off for the summer. I have decided to celebrate by riding my bike to work on the last day. I will take an hour in VERY heavy traffic but I will get a kick out of it and I am sure my coworkers will!!!

Next saturday I ride in the Tour De Cure for American Diabetes Association. It is a very hilly ride (YUK) and I live in a very flat suburb so I know it will be a challenge! It is 30 miles, early morning so I should be ok. This is my second ride ever

[Dogmama]

OK ladies, this really works, but I suggest doing it in privacy because it looks a little weird.

Right after your ride & your shower, get your blow dryer out, set it on max/cool and dry off that tender area. Ahhh, relief! Then, get a little desitin ( baby butt ointment) and slather it on.

That, with the raging endorphins, and you'll be in hog heaven!

Kim

[Irulan]

This one was a fun one yesterday:
Rollercoaster

10 miles of rollers, what a blast. Just right kind of day very warm but not hot. I hadn't been out there in three years, it seems a lot easier than it used to be!

Irulan

[Kpicha]

Originally posted by Irulan
This one was a fun one yesterday:
Rollercoaster

10 miles of rollers, what a blast. Just right kind of day very warm but not hot. I hadn't been out there in three years, it seems a lot easier than it used to be!

Irulan

Yikes! Those hills sure do look steep! They'd be fun to go down but I'd hate to have to go back up them

[Irulan]

Originally posted by Kpicha
Yikes! Those hills sure do look steep! They'd be fun to go down but I'd hate to have to go back up them

look again at the elevatio profile. It's marked off in 25' increments... kind of misleading until you look close. So you drop and rise 30' in a roll... that's why it was fun.

Irulan

[Kpicha]

Ahh, I see now. I was wondering how that was "fun" Thanks!