Oct 26 rides (Sunday)

[TrekTheKaty]

Cute buns, by the way!

[Aggie_Ama]

Beautiful Texas fall day= 83 degrees. We went out to a trail west of town for some mountain biking before visiting the inlaws. I haven't been to a trail since the last time we ventured to this one almost a month ago. My tremors intensified astronomically once I got out on the trail which was unappreciated. Only 3 weeks until my neuro appointment and it couldn't feel further off.

DH tried a new side trail out there that is tight and twisty, with all the shaking I was not a happy camper. But we got off that little monster and onto the trail I had been on before. I did a few things that tripped me up last time, cross trained a lot but had a great time.

I got done and went back to face the little monster one more time while DH did a hammer lap. Still had a lot of trouble with it but made it through a few parts. Then I saw a road runner on the little monster and my day was suddenly awesome. Even living in Texas all my life I hadn't seen one until I was an adult. Everytime I see them I am still in awe. We even saw one driving into the trail as well. A beautiful day and 7.5 miles of singletrack.

[Biciclista]

well, Raleighdon had us leave home 2 hours earlier for our opera date. he wanted us to go through the Arboretum so we could feast our eyes on the incredible autumn colors of the trees there. We ate a picnic lunch in the park and took a bunch of photos. Look carefully in the pictures you will see lots of other people taking pictures too. I've never seen so many people out taking pictures. The last photo is me, 5 blocks from home. nice ride 28.5 miles, and we saw Elektra, the Strauss opera too. Oh I forgot. we went home via my normal commute route but Dear Old Raleighdon decided we needed more of a challenge. So instead of the wimpy 6% grade up, we took the 14% one instead. 2 blocks of 10-14% grade with me muttering cusswords under my breath. Not really, i was breathing too hard, i was just THINKING the cuss words.

[jesvetmed]

Mimi: Beautiful pics. Thanks for posting them. I just cannot get over this weather we are having!
Jes

[Momonbikemob]

Okay, now I'm feeling guilty I haven't made it out there on the road! Those pics are beautiful Mimi! I should be enjoying this weather, uuugh!
... a 14% grade? Great job! You've inspired me to try our hill... on the next sunny weekend.
One way to get back to our house is going up a quarter mile and 18-20% grade hill. The other way is to keep going for about a mile or more of a 10-12% grade hill So I am a little nervous about leaving the house. And I refuse to drive to the bottom of the hill again! But now I will try to do it... on the next sunny day!

[Crankin]

Mimi: Gee, I thought I was the only one who thinks (and sometimes out loud) swears while going up a hill!

Lisa: Just because I'm "glad" it's the end of the season, doesn't mean I won't be riding. I've learned that this is the natural course of things for me, though. I actually like riding in the fall better, too, and this year, at least I have time to do it. I usually ride semi regularly through November and maybe a couple of times in December. Last year my last ride was Dec. 7 and I did ride twice in January, when we got our Jamis bikes. I think I might have missed February.
I've just been a little bummed because I've had a lot of fit issues and then my fibro. kicked up a bit since I got back from my tour. So I have had to slow down and at times struggle, which does not make me happy one bit.
But, I am resolved to deal with what is essentially a strength issue over the winter, so I can feel great in March when riding commences for real again. I am thinking of taking a spin class that is geared for building endurance and strength, using HR zones. It's for 6 weeks and is taught by a one of the top ranked tri athletes in MA, who is a trainer. There's always something to work on!

[Aggie_Ama]

Gorgeous Mimi! We do not have a showy fall color here, nothing I enjoy looking at more.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa: Just because I'm "glad" it's the end of the season, doesn't mean I won't be riding. I've learned that this is the natural course of things for me, though. I actually like riding in the fall better, too, and this year, at least I have time to do it. I usually ride semi regularly through November and maybe a couple of times in December. Last year my last ride was Dec. 7 and I did ride twice in January, when we got our Jamis bikes. I think I might have missed February.
I've just been a little bummed because I've had a lot of fit issues and then my fibro. kicked up a bit since I got back from my tour. So I have had to slow down and at times struggle, which does not make me happy one bit.
But, I am resolved to deal with what is essentially a strength issue over the winter, so I can feel great in March when riding commences for real again. I am thinking of taking a spin class that is geared for building endurance and strength, using HR zones. It's for 6 weeks and is taught by a one of the top ranked tri athletes in MA, who is a trainer. There's always something to work on!

Oh, I see. I'm glad you keep riding into the cold weather!
That spin class sounds good. I guess everything improves when you build up strength. (you are way stronger than me already though, you biking demon!)