July 2nd rides

[makbike]

It was a tough day on the bike. I got a late start in tackling my new sixty mile route. I needed to ride the entire route, collect mileage markers and mark the route for an upcoming club ride. I knew ten miles into the ride it was going to be a long day. My legs were dead, dead, dead. I guess the 54 miles of hills I rode yesterday did me in and today I would pay. I kept plugging along and even with my dead legs I did enjoy the scenery - the countryside here is just beautiful. Along with my dead legs I felt really dehydrated - went through 100 ounces of fluid today and still felt thirsty. The one big climb about did me in and I gave some serious thought to dismounting and walking to the top but I slowly, very slowly made my way to the top (1/2 mile climb @ 9.9% grade). As the ride progressed so did the wind. I fought a crosswind or headwind the entire day. I would have loved a tailwind but it was not to be today. In the end I logged 60.09 miles and am exhausted!

[Susan126]

Went for an early morning ride. My legs were dead dead dead too. Last night I went mountain biking with the Lunachixs and it was a tough ride. These ladies can ride! But anyway, my poor legs they were just whimping out on me. And I felt kind of tired myself. So when I spotted an espresso stand about 7 1/2 miles into my ride I stopped and ordered an iced venti mocha. After drinking all that sugar and caffeine my legs and me came back to life. Either it was that or a mental thing. Whatever the rest of my ride was awesome. The temperature was 71 when I began but very very humid. Normally I could see awesome views of Mt. Rainier but not this morning. Rainier was washed out from the white humid sky. I could just make it out. I finally got to climb some hills today for the first time on my new bike. I was afraid that I would be walking going from my old road bike a triple with 650 wheels to a compact with 700 wheels but I climbed those hills better on my new bike then I ever climbed with my old bike! Better bike? components? stronger legs? Who knows, all I know is I flew up the hills this morning! Got a good 30 miles in.

Tomorrow I am meeting a lady I met at my local gym for a 50 mile ride. She was looking for a riding partner as I was. Sometimes dear hubby isn't availabe, working, or daughter so this will be great if she and I are about the same pace. We'll see how well we ride together tomorrow.

[Zen]

So when I spotted an espresso stand about 7 1/2 miles into my ride I stopped and ordered an iced venti mocha. After drinking all that sugar and caffeine my legs and me came back to life.

Just like spinach for Popeye!

[Susan126]

Just like spinach for Popeye!

LOL Zen, I think you hit the nail on the head. Caffeine must be my spinach because I felt strong to the finish after downing that venti mocha!



Sue

[Southside Sally]

I did a quick 18 miles after work today. It was 91 degrees but not too humid when we started, and was 84 at the end. Gorgeous evening!

[han-grrl]

I did about 20+ km round trip on the mtb trail - more of a fitness trail, gravelly...but given all the rain, it was best to stay off the technical stuff around here for a bit...

It was *supposed* to be a group ride with some people i know, but i headed out first expecting to be caught, but never did! I kept riding, i set a goal for a certain chalet along the trail, but never made it, it was further than i thought...that's ok. i climbed the hills in my middle ring, and it actually felt good! I let it go on the descents, and got some air off some rocks...eventually i met up with hubby and a friend on my way back. They were surprised how far i got to...

It was a 2 hour ride in the end, which is what i wanted

[rbs4fun]

wow, I can post here!

I rode a little over 24 miles at 5:30am today. Took me 1hr 45 minutes. Still slow going.

Yay I graduated from the "newbie" area. LOL.

[redrhodie]

I got out in the swampy air this morning and rode for about an hour and a half. I didn't see any other riders after about mile 5. Just some cows, a girl in English gear riding a white horse, and 2 sailboats out on the foggy sea.

There was not much traffic. Not much wind. I even felt strong on the hills. Perfect day.

[Blueberry]

I did about 12 miles of errand running. Post Office (why, oh why do they never have a bike rack?), couple of stores, by the shop and to the farmer's market. It was lovely here today - upper 80's and less than 50% humidity. We're back to miserable tomorrow.