July 4th Saturday RIDES

[mudmucker]

I'm finally on vacation. The past couple of days I've been parking 15-20 miles outside of town and have been biking to the Longsjo Classics a 4-stage road race held anually in Fitchburg, MA.

For those of you in the vicinity, there is still one last stage race tomorrow when the criterium races will run. For the most part, the weather finally broke (as in sun) and has held some during the races, but some start times had downpours.

Fifty-year old cycling legend Jeannie Longo is participating in the race this year.

I basically have been going in the morning when the women are racing. It's fun to watch and to provide encouragement and support to some of the local women as well. I have a friend racing as a Cat 3 so I have someone specific to cheer for. She's moving up to Cat 2 and will abrubtly lose her Cat 3/4 "comfort".

Tomorrow I may ride from the house to the back side of Fitchburg to watch the criterium, around 50 some odd miles or so. Don't know yet.

Speaking of weather, I finally also got out to mow the lawn. Because of schedule or work but mostly rain and more rain I haven't gotten a chance to mow it since May!

[Reesha]

I'm finally on vacation. The past couple of days I've been parking 15-20 miles outside of town and have been biking to the Longsjo Classics a 4-stage road race held anually in Fitchburg, MA.

For those of you in the vicinity, there is still one last stage race tomorrow when the criterium races will run. For the most part, the weather finally broke (as in sun) and has held some during the races, but some start times had downpours.

Fifty-year old cycling legend Jeannie Longo is participating in the race this year.

I basically have been going in the morning when the women are racing. It's fun to watch and to provide encouragement and support to some of the local women as well. I have a friend racing as a Cat 3 so I have someone specific to cheer for. She's moving up to Cat 2 and will abrubtly lose her Cat 3/4 "comfort".

Tomorrow I may ride from the house to the back side of Fitchburg to watch the criterium, around 50 some odd miles or so. Don't know yet.

Speaking of weather, I finally also got out to mow the lawn. Because of schedule or work but mostly rain and more rain I haven't gotten a chance to mow it since May!

ooo I'm envious! I went to one day of Longsjo last year and I loved every minute. God to see the Women's pro race (or whatever cat it is... the main women's event!) And the final race of the men's pro. Team Colavita made things exciting last year!


As for my ride today I'm sad to say I had to cut it in half. I'm kind of wondering if my seat isn't getting old and squashy because after 40 miles yesterday and then 8 miles of 'hammering' today my frontal lady parts felt absolutely miserable. Burning in discomfort! I've got well over 2000 miles on this saddle, so maybe it's time replace it... I've never had this problem before this summer. The seat also doesn't have a cutaway... maybe I should consider getting one with a cut away? Those Selle SMP Lady models look appealing... aside from the hefty price tag.

[kfergos]

I'm finally on vacation. The past couple of days I've been parking 15-20 miles outside of town and have been biking to the Longsjo Classics a 4-stage road race held anually in Fitchburg, MA.

For those of you in the vicinity, there is still one last stage race tomorrow when the criterium races will run. For the most part, the weather finally broke (as in sun) and has held some during the races, but some start times had downpours.

Fifty-year old cycling legend Jeannie Longo is participating in the race this year.

I basically have been going in the morning when the women are racing. It's fun to watch and to provide encouragement and support to some of the local women as well. I have a friend racing as a Cat 3 so I have someone specific to cheer for. She's moving up to Cat 2 and will abrubtly lose her Cat 3/4 "comfort".

Ohmygoodness, I was there!! I rode Route 62 from Hudson to Princeton, and accidentally ended up riding on a very short bit of the Mt. Wachusett Road Race course -- that steep little hill into Princeton. People mistakenly cheered for me although it was pretty clear I wasn't a racer. I sat around in Princeton for a while and saw the leading Cat 3/4 women come through in their big group with one lap left. I can't imagine riding that loop MULTIPLE TIMES. Once on just a short stretch of it was plenty for me.

That was part of the 60-mile loop I did today on a rented bike. My normal one is making its way to Seattle for the STP, so I rented a Madone 5.2 from my LBS. It was my first time on a carbon fiber bike and I loved the feel. I didn't love the SRAM Rival components, the gearing, or the agonizing not-my-shape saddle, though, so it was a very mixed bag as far as cycling enjoyment went. However, the bike was clearly built for speed, and I averaged 19.3 mph on the 46 miles that my GPS worked -- and that was uphill into Princeton, alone, against a decent headwind. Normally I average about 15 mph on these rides, so it was really fun to blaze along at speeds normally way outside of my ability range. Plus it didn't rain and I didn't get lost, so I'd peg it as a pretty darn successful ride.

[TrekTheKaty]

That was part of the 60-mile loop I did today on a rented bike. My normal one is making its way to Seattle for the STP, so I rented a Madone 5.2 from my LBS. It was my first time on a carbon fiber bike and I loved the feel. I didn't love the SRAM Rival components, the gearing, or the agonizing not-my-shape saddle, though, so it was a very mixed bag as far as cycling enjoyment went. However, the bike was clearly built for speed, and I averaged 19.3 mph on the 46 miles that my GPS worked -- and that was uphill into Princeton, alone, against a decent headwind. Normally I average about 15 mph on these rides, so it was really fun to blaze along at speeds normally way outside of my ability range. Plus it didn't rain and I didn't get lost, so I'd peg it as a pretty darn successful ride.

You're not helping--I want a Madone really bad, but I'm trying to wait another year. DH says when I keep up with him, I can have the Madone--but I need the Madone to keep up with him! UUGGHHHH