Saturday, 9/19 Rides!

[owlice]

I had frozen custard.

I took a 24-mile ride today with a group, which I've never done before. There were seven of us, and I didn't know any of them before meeting them in the parking lot by the trail.

Trail: http://bikewashington.org/trails/ncr/ncr.htm

[emily_in_nc]

I am so stoked: I did my first 50 mile ride today in four years, almost to the day! I had my bad accident (fractured pelvis in three places) while training for a century in April 2005. After surgery and extensive PT, I started riding again and was slowly building my mileage when I did the 50-mile organized event in Sept. '05. Then I lost my dad in a car accident the following month and just couldn't get out on the road until 2007. My father's death really did a number on my confidence, which had already been shaken by my own accident, and I am sure there was some depression involved too. I did start mountain biking in '06, so that was the one silver lining during a dark time - I just felt safer off the road.

Started road riding again, now and then, in 2007, but DH wasn't really into it by then so I didn't road ride at all in 2008, only rode MTB with a girlfriend. This year I am doing both and loving the road again. I've done several 40-45 mile rides with DH, but it felt really good to finally break the 50-mile barrier again. I guess there just might be a metric century in my future this fall!

[hilldweller]

Well done Reesha and Emily

Georgeous spring day here today (Sunday). Blue sky, no wind, blossom, daffodils, lambs and calves

First ride combining distance and a climb today, actually a little more distance than I'd intended - my guesstimate was about 10 k out, so ended up just short of 70k ending with the 300m climb to my house. Did a lot of it standing up including one continuous stretch of about a kilometre. There are still a couple of places where I'm in the lowest gear (34x25?), standing up, and have only just enough momentum to keep going, but keep going I did, all the way up .

And I wore my new 'She Loves Hills' jersey

Wish I had access to Baskin Robbins mint choc chip

[OakLeaf]

Aw Emily, I'm so sorry for all your troubles, but welcome back to the road. That's awesome!

I did the Knox County Bicycle Challenge. It was a beautiful day, maybe just a bit chilly, but a sunny, clear, early fall day.

Maybe it wasn't the greatest idea to put on a much firmer saddle just when I'm ramping up my mileage. But all I mean by that is that I should've done it much sooner. It'll be great once my *ss toughens up.

[emily_in_nc]

Reesha, congrats on your 50 miler too! I was a lot slower than you, but this was partly a utility ride for us with plenty of stops. We first rode to the post office, then to a friend's house to drop off something, then to the farmer's market, then to the food co-op for groceries!

The last 25 miles just had one "rest stop" for snacks and stretching, but we were riding our Bike Fridays, and DH had full panniers of all our groceries! I had a rack with rack pack on with various junk in it (including clothes I peeled off, b/c it was chillier at the start). We averaged 13.2 mph, which I was happy with under the circumstances!

[redrhodie]

I went out for a short loop at dusk. Saw a couple riding on the wrong side of the road. I looked at them while I passed, and wondered if they were tourists who didn't know the rules of the road. I stopped to make an adjustment a little bit up the road, and when I saw them coming, I pointed to the road and said you want to be on this side and the woman spoke with a clear southern New England accent, and said but the drivers can't see us because the sun is in their eyes.

I got back on my bike, wondering if I should explain why they'd be safer (like I'm sure a lot of you would have done) on the right, but decided they were adults, it's their choice. Oh well, at least I showed them by example. I went on my way.

When I circled back around, I saw them again, and they were on the right side. The man waved at me and smiled and I waved back. I was a little worried about them for the rest of my ride. They had a big hill coming up, along with the setting sun, no helmets, and no confidence. Talk about setting yourself up for disaster!

[Blueberry]

Yay Emily!! Glad you're enjoying it again!!

CA

[Reesha]

Congrats on passing 50 miles (again) We both know how good it feels!

I woke up this morning literally 1.5 lbs lighter-- I realize some is probably water weight but DANG! Next saturday is 50 mile ride #2. Then an 80 miler the following weekend. These fat-burn rides will help me reach my 148 lb goal at last!