July 31st rides

[Crankin]

I haven't ridden my Jamis for awhile, so I decided to do a farm stand run. I discovered a new place last weekend that seems to have everything I like to buy; a lot of the farms don't have native tomatoes yet because of all of the rain has rotted most of them away. The weather said it would be partly cloudy through noon time and then steady rain/thunderstorms, more severe as the day goes on. So, I left about 9 or a little after. This farm is about 4.5 driving miles away, but again, since I can't ride my bike through the rotary, it's a little over 8 miles. Rush hour seemed to be over, and no nasty car incidents on the way. There's one good sized hill on the way, not too far from where the farm is. Got my blueberries, tomatoes, and peaches and noticed how heavy that amount felt as I started off to go home. It's really only noticeable when I am starting off, though and once I get rolling, it's fine.
West Concord was very busy, with people pulling in and out of parking spaces, so I felt especially on guard. Of course, I missed every light. Was going to stop at the natural foods place, but I got lazy. As I headed into Concord Center, there was a lot of traffic, construction, and cars parked along Main St., before the part where the stores are; there is a summer arts program going on at Concord Academy and it seems to have ratcheted up the number of people getting in and out of cars and crossing the street without looking. As I was in a line of cars going straight, and other cars were merging in from the right, I had my left arm out to signal that I would be turning on the next street, a car turned left in front of me. I knew she was going to do it. It was like she waited until I was really close and then went. This was after an older woman had blown her horn at me, because I was in the the lane, shaking her finger at me! Things were non-eventful after this, but it did start getting dark and raining about 1.5 miles from home. The rain felt good, but I was glad I got home when I did, because now it's pouring.
16.34 miles

[Fredwina]

I started out early to beat the heat. Was going to do an out and back on the rail trail, but it was a little too crowded for that, so I went back on the street - road construction so I detoured again went by home wasn't tried -s o I did a little extra -20 miles

[BeeLady]

Didn't want to ride today as feeling low energy still after my mom died two days ago. But I decided to ride into town for my errands and name it the Jean S.R. memorial ride after my mom, and even though I was the only rider it still felt good.

So, I did a bit over 16 miles to the grocery store, optometrist and back and used very little of my electric assist on my Big Dummy. It did come in handy in the wind heading out though.

Felt great to be on my bike as it has been a week now and I'm glad I went ahead and rode into town.

[Tri Girl]

Didn't want to ride today as feeling low energy still after my mom died two days ago. But I decided to ride into town for my errands and name it the Jean S.R. memorial ride after my mom, and even though I was the only rider it still felt good.

Oh, Lauren, I'm soooooo sorry. My heart aches for you. I'm glad you got on your bike and rode to town, and I know your mom was smiling down and glad that you were able to get out and about (and in her honor, too). I think every ride you do for a while should be the Jean S.R. Memorial Ride. She'd be pleased, I'm sure.


I just rode and did some errands today. Not much, but enough that I felt good about not driving the car.

[indigoiis]

I'm really sorry to hear about your mom.

[redrhodie]

Lauren, I'm so sorry for your loss.

[TrekTheKaty]

So sorry, BeeLady.

Apparently it was bad traffic day! DH & I headed out from home for a short, hilly ride. My legs felt terrible and I thought I might have to turn around (been low on energy all week) but they finally loosened up. Just as I hit my stride, I came to a red light. As I slowed, a BIG cement truck passed me on the left and then pulled over into the right turn lane. I ride defensively and I slowed even more. Then, out of nowhere, a woman in a sports car passed me on the left and IMMEDIATELY turned 90 degrees across my path to get into the right turn lane. I yelled, but she was on the phone. DH wanted to pull up and ask her why she tried to hit me--but she was clueless and drove off. I was lucky--going any faster and I could have gone over her trunk. The rest of the ride was uneventful.

On the way home, a jogger asked directions. I stopped. She asked if I wanted to go bike riding sometime--she's training for a triathlon! She whipped out her business card and made me promise to call! I sent her an email and suggested this forum, so hopefully she pops in!