July 2nd rides

[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.

[jesvetmed]

Got in a group ride with the club tonight. 25 miles around the Bayview State park area. BEAUTIFUL NIGHT!

After we had a potluck at the beach. As we sat in the shelter drinking our beers and eating (fresh picked strawberries... mmm!), the light show began. Thunder and lightning in front of us over the water -- it was VERY cool -- our own fireworks show! We finished the ride just in time, it seems.

Avg speed around 16mph. Another girl and I kicked the boys' butts on the Bow Hill Road (ugh... that is a bad one!).

[NoNo]

Over the last few weeks I've been staring longingly at my beloved mountain bike, remembering the fun times we used to have. After I picked up the Dolce last September, the only time I touched my precious Hardrock was when I moved. My legs were feeling a bit sore from all the squats I did Monday, and it was on the warmish side. I thought, "This would be a perfect day to hop on the bike and thrash around in the dirt!"

I have no idea how the hell I used to ride this thing! I couldn't even pick it up to get it out the door! The trail is a little over a mile from my house, so I just rode there. Wow, was it slow! How weird to be sitting upright again, too.

Got to the trail, turned down the path, and thought "What did I just get myself into?" What a weird feeling it was having my tires sliding around under me, bouncing off rocks and tree roots. Not very far along the trail, I went down a series of exposed roots, my feet came off the pedals (another bizarre sensation to not be clipped in), and I came to an unceremonious halt after the last bump threw me onto the top tube. The girly bits were not pleased After the pain subsided, I took one stroke and was immediately dumped back onto the tube The chain had popped off! Get that all worked out and finally get back to riding. As I enjoyed the scenery the old thoughts of "Which one is poison sumac?" popped into my head. I'm not itchy today, so I guess I didn't touch anything bad, but it was just one more thing I didn't have to think about on the road. Made it around the loop, and circled it one more time. I have a tough time climbing hills normally, let alone when there are rocks all over the place. Is this really what I used to ride on?

Ladies, I have a confession to make: I'm a road weenie now I have much respect for those of you on here that regularly ride the trails and play in the dirt. I had fun yesterday, but I think I'll be sticking with my light, fast roadie on my smooth pavement, thank you.

Total: 5.5 of the most harrowing miles of my life, amazingly burning the same amount of calories that it would take me 12 miles to do on the road

[Aggie_Ama]

27.15 miles commuting home. It threatened rain all day yesterday (sadly it didn't rain we need it) so it was actually below 100!

After getting home I decided cooking was not on my agenda, so DH and I rode 2 miles to the local Subway for dinner. 31.15 miles for the day.