Sunday, June 1 Rides

[spotlightmama]

Today I had my first long-ish ride in a few weeks. I did 30 miles - I rode up to the trailhead of a gorgeous bike trail, rode the trail, and then rode home. This was also exciting because it was the first time I rode on two major arterial roads - I finally did it! I didn't make the brightest move in the world by leaving for my ride at 10:45 AM in Florida, but it was worth suffering through the heat (and believe me, there was a lot of heat). I had a GU at mile 15 and then just boinked by mile 25; those last 5 miles were a killer. Next time, I think I will try bringing one water bottle and bottle of a sports drink. Umm, and try to leave earlier.

Anyway, here are some pics (sorry for the poor quality; they were taken with my cell phone. Too bad, because this really was such a pretty trail):

[Flybye]

Glad you had a great ride. Your landscape is so different than ours - thanks for the pictures.

I'll be headed out with my 10 year old daughter for a quick ride today.

[RoadRaven]

A short ride today, but one of my most favourite types of rides.

Out on the new Team Equip again and did about 13kms in recovery mode - which brings my total up on him to nearly 60kms. I relished it because he will usually only come out on race days.

But what made these 13 or so gentle kms so special was I rode them with my life-partner... thats my favourite time on the bike (even more than doing a TT, and thats saying something!)

[Muddyfox]

Your photos are great. I'm jealous because the sun is shining in them! I went out with my husband this morning at 8.00am on our CUBE bikes (he has an Aerial and I have an Axial Comp) and we cycled 18 miles. The weather where we are in England was cloudy, overcast and there was dampness in the air but it wasn't cold. We crossed over the path of a time trail that was happening and stopped to watch a few of the cyclists. Quite a few were women and doing really well. Saw a few bikes I had never seen before too.
The trouble is, I enjoyed the ride out so much that I just want to go out again but know I have a week's worth of work to get through before I can get in the saddle again.
I suppose if I did it every day I would get bored...no chance!!

[KathiCville]

Was supposed to join IFJane and some others for a charity ride in Winchester, VA, but personal business kept me close to home. So, instead, I did a new-to-me 24-miler in the Shenandoah Valley along beautiful backroads.

As I pedaled, I kept one wary eye on the sky and one on the road. Fortunately the big, bulky clouds that kept blowing in from the west didn't turn into anything seriously threatening.......LOADS of adorable calves and lambs in the fields---too cute! And lots of wonderful old farmhouses and barns to boot. Great route that I'll definitely do again soon. Treated myself at ride's end to a visit to my favorite old-fashioned drive-in in Staunton: BBQ sandwich and crispy tater tots---yummm!

[divingbiker]

I did a ride through the agricultural reserve and wildlife refuge, so I saw some lambs also. Beautiful day, but it was getting a bit hot by the end. I had to keep the ride fairly short because I need to be home to observe my dog, who just got out of the hospital yesterday. 26.5 miles.

I kept hearing a ticking sound which got louder as the ride progressed, so I dropped the bike off at the LBS on the way home to have the wheel rebuilt, since this is the third spoke that's gone bad.

Also, I'm in the second day of my weekend fruit and veggie "fast", and boy could I tell it! Not much energy in reserve.

[7rider]

Sunday means shop ride with the LBS.
About 20 of us did the "C-ride" - a nice sized group.
Interestingly, my average speed for 29 miles was the same as yesterday's N2, yet my average heart rate was 7 beats lower (145 vs. 152). I don't think it's climbing: the N2 has about 52 ft/mile, whereas the LBS ride has 50 ft/mile.
I also started a new thing. At the bottom of the climb up Anglers' Hill, I hit the lap button on my Garmin. At the top of the hill, right at the yellow sign for Falls Road, I hit the lap button again. This way, I'll isolate the climb, so I can compare my performance from one ride to the next.
Why? I don't know. Because I'm a data nerd.
DB..I hope Bailey is doing okay. Give him an ear scratch for us!

[Zen]

for a proposed canal ride which I'll put over on that thread

[solobiker]

No ride today as my back has been bothering me. DH and I went on a nice hike up in the Indian Peaks. There is still tons of snow. I would have to say that 90+% of our hike was on the snow. It was so beautiful out there.

[dingster1]

Ok I'll post my lowly miles. I did a small 12 miles around my neighborhood. Just a short ride, cause the ankle still isn't 100% yet. Found a historic site, Boyd's Negro School, in the process of being preserved, took the wrong shortcut through Black Hills Park and finally made it home. Wrapped the ankle and fed it some motrin.

[shootingstar]

dingster, hopefully that ankle will heal soon before summer starts. Keep at the cycling!

Didn't get up until later so we changed our cycling route abit.
Today was 56 kms. which included a very popular area that I saw over 10 months ago. It's not far from where we live, but just amazing how, given little time on weekends, I just don't go there. The area has changed and become more dynamic. (during day it is crowded with people, another reason).

Headwind half of time, cloudy with some sun. But still good riding weather.

[Crankin]

We started a little later than usual, since we had a graduation party to go to. I loaded up on a bagel, cream cheese, lox, and eggs for my pre-ride feast. We left from our friends' house, which is conveniently located near where the party was. It was about 75 and humid today. At one point it looked like it might rain, but it didn't. I wore sleeveless for the first time this season!
We did one of our loops backwards today. It's always weird when you do that. The first six miles were flat and then we started a 6-7 mile up and down climb in Bolton and Harvard. At the end of one of the climbs I felt like toast from the heat. I passed a whole group of cyclists (they were going slowly) at about 9 mph up the hill. It was nice to descend into Harvard center, where we relaxed on the town green, ate our Luna bars and talked with 2 other cyclists who were resting there, too. After that, we had a short and steep climb and then we got to go *down* Oak Hill for once. I felt really strong after our stop, which seems to be happening less frequently. After the ride we sat on our friends' porch and had cheese and crackers.
27.88 miles, with 2700 feet of climbing.

[BeeLady]

I went to visit my dad this morning, his first day home from the hospital.

The round-trip to his house is about 18 miles, fairly flat. Not much traffic on a Sunday morning. Add the three mile taco run, so a bit over 20 miles. Got home at noon and the temperature was only 90. Much cooler than what I have been riding in during the mid-afternoon.

[Zen]

I did a small 12 miles around my neighborhood.

Hey, I only did 12 miles. But mine were big

Found a historic site, Boyd's Negro School, in the process of being preserved

That's the kind of ride I like, finding cool stuff.
Maybe that's why I'm so slow.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

20 miles today. Rolling terrain, lovely back rural roads.