Saturday July 26 Rides

[HillSlugger]

MDHillSlug dragged me - kicking and screaming - away from my Saturday N2 ride to ride with her along the rollers of Howard County.
Still, it was great to ride with her again....we hadn't ridden together yet all season. Got to see her spiffy new Allez. Got to compare LemonLime Shot Blocks vs. Watermelon Luna Moons. And, since I wasn't gasping for breath trying to hold on to last wheel, I got to chat! And talk I did...and talk, and talk, and talk (DH is not a talker when we go for rides!). I think that's why she REALLY bailed at New Hampshire and 108. Yeah...MD....I'm onto your game!
44 miles at a 15.5 mph with 2600' climbing. I think it was 0' descent, because it seemed like all we did was climb.

This was the first ride I've done with someone else all year. Been doing far too much tri-specific riding! Thanks 7!

I baled at 108 because you pushed me so hard earlier that I needed the shortcut home (maybe I need to take back that thanks!)

My total was 35 miles.

[mimitabby]

We left the house at 730 this morning, heading north via the industrial neighborhood between us and downtown. Once we arrived downtown, Raleighdon took me up a hill that used to terrify me, and then over to the Chocolate Box where we locked our bikes to a bike stand nearby. we were going on the Tour di Chocolat! After drinking a chocolate tea and learning the difference between Ivory coast and Madagascar chocolate, we hopped on a van that took us to Fremont, to Theo chocolates, one of 12 places in the USA where chocolate is actually roasted from beans. they even have supertasters working there! we were given more samples and then we moved on to Fran's chocolates in the U district, where we were again given more samples and iced hot chocolate. (REALLY good!) here raleighdon splurged and bought us two chocolate covered figs while i bought cocoabutter lip gloss for two of my near relatives.
Then we went to O chocolate on Madison street, where we tempered our own chocolates by hand. That was fun. we dipped oreos, graham crackers and a caramel. Then finally we went back to the chocolate box where they gave us an incredible hot chocolate and little bags FULL of MORE CHOCOLATE.
Raleighdon and i hopped back on our bikes and rode to Fremont (yes, we had just been there) and had lunch at blue sea sushi. Happily full of chocolate and sushi, we went to free range cycles and spent some money, and then over to speedy reedy to spend a little more and use their very nice bathroom. Then we headed to ballard, up the gentle hill of 8th ave nw, to a potluck/volunteer party for Ramrod (we stuffed packets) after that was all done, we rode another 3 miles to where my son had left our car the night before. 22 miles in perfect riding weather. and oh, my we have a lot of chocolate!!!

[withm]

Mimi - that sounds like so much fun. Reminds me when we used to visit the Wilbur Chocolate Factory in Littitz, PA. But I have to ask.... were Lucy and Ethel with you?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXN5s8fQvHY

I only rode 10 miles today, but it was on the hybrid with full panniers to Post Office, Library, and then to the grocery store. First time I ever rode with the full (and I mean FULL about $63.00 full) panniers - it was, well different. Riding with the load was not bad but I have got to do something about the fit of that bike cause it's just not working for me.

[mimitabby]

Do Lucy and Ethel like chocolate??
(I don't get it!)

[withm]

I was editing my message when you posted yours. go back and watch the Youtube link for full explanation

Martha

[mimitabby]

no, dear; it was more like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKGb0_4cBcc

[JLMitchell]

~ 28 miles with a group. I felt strong, but I still couldn't keep up with my usual subgroup for anything! We ran into a nice summer storm during the last half of the ride. It felt great, but the lightning got a little too close once. I was too far back to suggest stopping, but we rode through the rain and came out on the other side ok. I still wasn't going fast at all after being cooled off, even on flats. I come to find out that somewhere along the line I had broken a rear spoke and my brake was rubbing the wheel. I knew I was hearing something during the rain, but I didn't stop to investigate because I figured the bike was squeaking from being wet.

After the ride I also was informed that, in addition to riding with a broken spoke for miles and miles, I had been rolling on tires that were horribly dry-rotted and that they needed to be replaced before I rode another foot. I figured the LBS (to whom I immediately drove) that sold me the bike would have told me that. I didn't really know what to say, even though I bought the bike from them and they supposedly gave the bike a check up before they gave it to me. I just told them what was up and what I needed and didn't assume that they would take responsibility for it. I thank my lucky stars, my guardian angel, AND my fellow group riders for pointing those things out before I hopped back on.