Saturday 6/20 rides!!

[Reesha]

This morning I joined a Team Revolution-organized women's only mountain bike ride to the trails at Southern Illinois U. Edwardsville.

It was awesome!!!

After the rains of the last few days the trailers were super slimy, a lovely bonus of the clay-rich sediments in the area. There were eleven women total and everyone did fabulous. It's a nice trail, probably not particularly technical when it's dry but in the muck we were snaking all over the place!

The singletrack there really fabulous-- but the damp underbrush and the steamy temperatures made it feel like tropical rainforest. We were drenched in sweat, dew, slimy mud-- all laughing and having a blast.

I had an extra good time because I was busy trying on a Gary Fisher Supercaliber for size. The shop is unloading this $4000 dollar '08 model for half price and I aim to bag me one after the fun I had on it today. It was deliciously cushy and handled magnificently with a drivetrain smooth like baby food bananas.


Afterward we went out for BBQ. I put a skirt on over my filthy legs

[Crankin]

I got a quick, but nice 20 mile in around Great Brook Farm in Carlisle. I actually haven't done this route since the beginning of May and we changed it up a little. I used to be sick of it, but it was pretty, though full of cyclists. Saw 3 tandems and 2 recumbents today. Lots of dead chipmunks .
When we got to the top of the hill, before the downhill to my driveway, there was a someone from the LBS giving a "lesson" to a rider at the crest of the hill. I said, "How would you like to live on this street and have to do this on every ride?" They laughed.

[Reesha]

My mom and step-dad live minutes from Great Brook... it's got some nice singletrack I like to hit while I'm home and sometimes my brother and I do road rides out in that direction. I'm always amazed at how many cyclists brave the shoulderless streets of Carlisle, but the drivers are usually pretty courteous. I suppose people who live around there don't have another option.

[OakLeaf]

I rode Columbus Outdoor Pursuits' notorious Blue Jay ride - 65 miles, 5600 feet of climbing, including (according to SportTracks) 18 hills over 15% grade. (That might be slightly exaggerated from real life, but not by much!) This is the third time I've attempted this ride, and the first time I've done the whole thing. I didn't come with anyone else today so I just rode my own pace - too slow for the fast group, too fast for the slow group, so I was by myself most of the ride, but that was okay.

I was glad I brought my Platypus. I hate riding with a hydration pack, and I'd forgotten to adjust the straps for cycling, so it was really hurting my back early on, but after I dropped it down some it was fine. I knew I'd need it today, when yesterday I had to move really slowly while bringing in my laundry, so as not to fling sweat all over my clean clothes. Two bottles were NOT going to be enough, with only one stop at 35 miles.

[tctrek]

I rode Columbus Outdoor Pursuits' notorious Blue Jay ride - 65 miles, 5600 feet of climbing, including (according to SportTracks) 18 hills over 15% grade. .

Yikes!! What a ride!!!

I did a 30 mile loop through Tallulah Gorge in the GA mountains. The first 15 miles was about 1500 feet of climbing. The last 15 miles was switchback fast descents. Absolutely gorgeous country up there... lakes and rivers throughout the whole ride. I am not a climber, so the beginning of the ride kicked my butt... but I more than made up for it on the descents 90-99 degrees - I was happy I had my double bottle holder under my seat. I drank 3 bottles!

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

A large (12?) group of us rode out towards Catoosa. Our fearless leader Jerry (GPS Jerry) seemed to find us the hilliest route he could. LOL

This ride had it all... heat, wind, hills, and... DOGS!

All in all, a good day's ride. I'm glad it was only 42 miles.. I don't think I had 43 in me!

[TrekTheKaty]

What a day for a mountain bike ride, Reesha! It's hot here is St. Louis--suddenly in the 80's and humid. Our whole group slept in but rallied and rode 20 miles on the Katy. It was busy on the trail--I suppose because it's Father's Day weekend.

Can't decide on our ride tomorrow--The Tour of Winghaven will close part of our route. Come check it out!

[Crankin]

Reesha, none of the roads here have shoulders. It's just the way it is. The drivers are OK. It's when you get closer to Boston that it's crazy.
I went mountain biking once at Great Brook. Most humiliating experience of my life on a bike. I guess it's one of those things that you actually have to practice to get good at.

[kenyonchris]

I was glad I brought my Platypus. I hate riding with a hydration pack, and I'd forgotten to adjust the straps for cycling, so it was really hurting my back early on, but after I dropped it down some it was fine. I knew I'd need it today, when yesterday I had to move really slowly while bringing in my laundry, so as not to fling sweat all over my clean clothes. Two bottles were NOT going to be enough, with only one stop at 35 miles.

OK, THANK YOU. I KNEW that someone else called a Camelbak a Platypus. I have always called my Camelbak a Platypus but don't know why? Did I once have a hydration pack brand name Platypus but blocked it from my conscience? Everyone looks at me strangely...but I still call it a Platypus. WHAT IS UP?

[divingbiker]

I got a quick, but nice 20 mile in around Great Brook Farm in Carlisle.

Hijack--Crankin, can you go cross country skiing at Great Brook Farm? A bell went off in my head when I saw that name, and it seems like I went skiing there 20+ years ago when I lived up that way.

[OakLeaf]

OK, THANK YOU. I KNEW that someone else called a Camelbak a Platypus. I have always called my Camelbak a Platypus but don't know why? Did I once have a hydration pack brand name Platypus but blocked it from my conscience? Everyone looks at me strangely...but I still call it a Platypus. WHAT IS UP?

I have two Platypuses. They don't make packs any more, but they made them for 15 years or so, and they still make bottles and bladders. They're a product of Cascade Designs, same company that does Therma-Rest. I MUCH prefer the ziploc bladders to the screw-top ones from Camelbak.

[PamNY]

I did a short, rainy ride. Went up to see the baby hawks. They are out of the nest now and flying a little. They are as funny to watch as puppies. I haven't gotten to see them playing on the ground yet, but here are some photos:

http://thebethlenz.blogspot.com/2009/06/play-time.html

On the way back I got to see a tugboat pull a cruise ship away from the pier. I've seen them push barges, but this is the first time I've seen them maneuvering a ship into the river.

Pam

[Crankin]

Divingbiker, yes, your bell went off correctly. It is an awesome local x country ski place. I love the fact that I live 7 miles from 20k of groomed trails, with one pretty good climb. Well, as long as I don't have to mountain bike up it...
In March I usually have one week where I am skiing there one Saturday and then the next Saturday I am riding my bike through the roads by the trails.
The ice cream at the farm is pretty good, too.
I love New England!

[Reesha]

Ice cream! I worked at Kimball Farm in Westford for five summers of my teenage years. Stopped at the Carlisle one while I was home this last week

I feel like the portions are getting larger still, but they're just kids working there and portion sizes are really subject to their whims. I'm glad they have sugarless maple walnut now for my grandparents in Acton!

when I'm home in July I'll probably ride my bike over to the one in carlisle for a treat. A vanilla/pineapple/walnut jr. sundae!

[divingbiker]

Divingbiker, yes, your bell went off correctly. It is an awesome local x country ski place. I love the fact that I live 7 miles from 20k of groomed trails, with one pretty good climb. Well, as long as I don't have to mountain bike up it...
In March I usually have one week where I am skiing there one Saturday and then the next Saturday I am riding my bike through the roads by the trails.
The ice cream at the farm is pretty good, too.
I love New England!

I remember it being gorgeous and lots of fun. Never thought about mountain biking when I lived up there, but that would be a great place for it. Maybe someday I'll go visit friends up there in the winter and go xc skiing again...