May 17th Rides!

[OakLeaf]

See the thread about wind...

[Beane]

I can afford the extra $150. I had been planning on buying the Ruby which was $600 more. From where I stand, both carbons are made 'out-of-the-country'. LOL. The LBS guy says there's not real quality difference between the two, just a 'social' difference as far as what the people who put it together are being paid. I'm not saying that's not important to me but for the most part, it's becoming a colour issue.

I think that when you're in the $3000 range, $150 isn't much (only about 5%). IMO, the OCLV is worth the extra. And it sounds like you really prefer the color of the 5.1...

[Zen]

Fredwina- I just re-read your post.
You always have photos. I like that. Not just for me but because I think it says you aren't all about the miles and speed but you appreciate the scenery too.

Isn't it kind of early for wildfires?

[Mr. Bloom]

80.41 miles at 15.9mph

Wind from the west was fierce! Would have gone for a century, but I had to get my haircut.

I just crossed 800 miles for '08. I'll be over 1,000 miles by this time next week!

[Zen]

80.41 miles at 15.9mph
!

Mr. Silver, unlike Fredwina, never stops for photos.
It's like Goofus and Gallant

[Mr. Bloom]

Mr. Silver, unlike Fredwina, never stops for photos.
It's like Goofus and Gallant

I have to keep up with Silver!

But, I did post some pictures in last Saturday's report...

Remember, riding in Southern Indiana is the Tour de Corn & Coal!

It was very pretty yesterday though...the tall grasses were blowing in the (wicked) wind, the goldenrod hasn't been plowed out of the corn fields yet, everything is lush green...

[IFjane]

The 21st annual Tour de Madison. 250 riders. Sunny, not a cloud in the sky, breezy & about 75 degrees. Perfect.

My little group chose the 40 mile loop. That distance was not quite long enough so we added 5 miles. Avg. 15 mph. As Mr. Silver said, everything is lush green & beautiful. See for yourselves:

http://www.berrysports.com/slideshow...de-madison-08/

I am in slides #5 & 27. In #27 you can just barely see me to the ahead and a little to the left of the green "mad cyclists" jersey.

[Fredwina]

Fredwina- I just re-read your post.
You always have photos. I like that. Not just for me but because I think it says you aren't all about the miles and speed but you appreciate the scenery too.

Isn't it kind of early for wildfires?

Yes, it is.
With all rain we had in Jan and Fed, a lot of exotic plants grew, It hasn't rained since Eary march.....

[short cut sally]

Yesterday was the Terry tent sale and ride. My riding partner came to my house with her bike, we loaded and my sister came along. My sister had a bike Terry bike waiting for her when we arrived (however the one she wanted was given to someone else so she ended up with a small for her bike). They had bagels, bananas, coffee and juice when everyone arrived. We did the 30 mile scenic route and the map was very detailed. She has been riding my old bike and puttering around. so it's not like I tortured her for her first ride. My sister trudged along, I tried to pull her along for a little bit, but she didn't feel comfortable following that close. We all got sprinkled on twice, was windy in a couple of spots. All in all, the Terry sale was nice, they had a variety of things for sale. I came home with 2 pairs of socks, and a new sleeveless jersey. My sister, left with capris and shorts I think. I think this is just the beginning. She called me this morning to tell me how much fun she had, and wanted me to order her some jerseys..

[makbike]

The day started early, 7 a.m. The club hosted a ride from Louisville to Mammoth Cave and though I knew it would be challenging never could I have anticipated the major challenge which awaited the 37 riders who headed south.

It was a chilly start (50 F) and cloudy skies. A quick pace was set and the big group quickly split into several smaller groups. We followed the first part of the Old Kentucky Home Tour making our way up Lilly Pike and into the tiny town of Bloomfield. We then headed to Bardstown where we were greeted with some sunshine - jackets and arm/leg warmers began to come off.

Next stop was New Haven for a quick lunch and by this time it was very evident the winds were picking up and we would be facing a strong head wind for the duration. We continued on to Hodgenville (Birth place of Abe Lincoln) and on to Mundfordville. The winds were even stronger by the time we hit the 100 mile mark on our journey. We continued on to Horse Cave for a stop at the Dairy Queen. There were lots of tired faces the wind was even stronger - estimated to be close to 30 mph. It did not appear anyone was very eager to leave the Dairy Queen but we had yet to make our destination so back on bikes and we continued to pedal. At times the wind was unbelievably strong and riders were struggling to make their way up the hills we had to climb to make it to Mammoth Cave. At last we found ourselves in the tranquil setting of Mammoth Cave National Park and 37 exhausted by happy riders pulled up to the hotel where we had reserved a block of rooms.

A small party quickly developed on the lawn outside our rooms. Lots of laughing, teasing and happy faces were to be found amongst the group. A tasty dinner in the dining room and riders made their ways to their rooms for some well deserved shut eye. Alarms would ring early Sunday for the return trip!

In the end we logged 119.63 miles and fought some formidable winds. We passed through some absolutely beautiful countryside and enjoyed some great laughs and shared some strong words of encouragement. In the end it was a good day to be on a bike.

[Harley]

Saturday the temp. was heading for 95, so I got out at 8:30am for a ride from Winthrop to Mazama. No wind and a beautiful morning, not much traffic as the North Cascade Highway is closed due to high avalanche danger/slides.

I wanted to push myself and up my cadence and speed... I finally got my cadence to average 75 (I've been stuck in the 60's) Average speed 13.7mph for the 25 mile ride. Plus I only stopped twice! I really feel I've turned a corner on progress, best part is I didn't hurt at the end of the ride. Starting to feel I'm getting stronger, though I'm still slow on the uphills, but LOVE the downhills

Reading the forum posts has really inspired me to get out and put more into my rides... you ladies (and gents) are awesome. Thanks!

[chicago]

little late in posting this, but what the heck...

87 miles on Saturday, beautiful day in Chicago. My longest ride for 2008 (until this weekend that is, until I do 150 at Horsey!!)

[bluebug32]

I ended up doing nearly 30 miles with 2100ft. of climbing. We climbed up a nearby ridge and then enjoyed the sweet downhill. 38mph....a new record for me!