Sunday 8/23 Rides

[Mr. Bloom]

A wonderful day in Southern Indiana. Other than the 15mph wind from the north, at 7AM, our ride was Sunny, 63 degrees, lush green fields and crisp green fields!

While Silver did the "second hill", I stopped to take pictures:



This is a hill overlooking a reclaimed open pit coal mine:


Silver coming back after the hill repeats:

[Crankin]

I only had time for a very short ride, about 13 miles, with 2 bigger climbs, one at the beginning and one at the end. My time was limited because my son rode out to our area on the minuteman Bike Path and we told him we would pick him up the terminus, which is 8 miles from our house. He rode a lot faster than we thought he would, because as we were climbing up the steep side of our street, he called to say he was in Bedford. So, we jumped in the car and got him, and then showed him the way to the house from the trail; he's thinking of doing the ride home from the house, which would be about 20-22 miles.
He is hooked! Has been riding a lot and is planning to commute until it gets cold. Now we are a 4 cyclist family.

[7rider]

I rode the bike leg of a triathalon today with MDHillSlug. DivingBiker was also there. It was my first ever timed event, and a whole lot of fun.
Check out my post in the tri forum: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=33215

[Miranda]

Went out with my regular ride buddy for a 35mi loop. Flatter route. Aerobic chatting pace. Nice ride. Except one dismount on my part for some unhappy loose farm dogs. But, they decided to let me pass on foot walking the bike without harm. Bonus.

[bmccasland]

Did an MS training ride this morning - 51 miles. The cold front that passed through yesterday mercifully lowered the temperature and dropped the humidity. It was 75 degrees and only 40% humidity! Not August weather for us!!!!

The ride took us through gentle rolling hills, and everyone was riding faster than normal. But the best, aside from the terrific riding weather, was that the rest stops were staffed by the Krewe of the Rolling Elvi and the Big Easy Roller Girls. The Elvi (one Elvis, two Elvi) are part of a Mardi Gras club ("crew"), and all dress as Elvis - so the rest stops had Elvis music blaring. One of the other rest stops was staffed by the Roller Girls - a roller derby team. Some of the Rolling Elvi ride in the MS tour, thus their support. They were having fun, and it was different than the usual volunteers or corporate sponsors.

51 miles, average speed 20! But on the Trace (Rails to Trails path) - on the way out - 21 mph, on the way back 14.5 mph. Yes, I was pooped!
I was able to sling-shot my way over some hills, and according to my computer, I got up to 37 - must have been going down hill, with a tailwind!!

[jobob]

I went from my home to Mission Coffee and back; about 25 miles with not a heck of a lot of climbing.

I'm so enjoying riding right now -- I'm not training or anything, just toodling around enjoying the experience.

I'm taking my dear sweet time getting back in the groove, and I'm seeing a little bit of improvement nearly every time I'm heading out.

Sooner or later I'll start training for real again (the Death Ride awaits ) but in the meantime I'm getting re-acquainted with my local routes, building back my stamina and base miles, and generally having lots of fun letting myself meander.

[denda]

After church went for a 24 mile ride. 94 degrees with 25 mph winds. Averaged 15mph. Getting ready for the Hotter 'N Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls, TX on Saturday.

[Owlie]

I have no idea how long a ride I went on, because my computer died in the middle and then started back up, so I have just under a mile on it, but my ride was longer than that. :/ On the upside, I've definitely improved my speed. Now, if only I could improve my confidence in traffic...and master the track stand... Beautiful evening, though. Mid-70s, sunny, nice breeze.