November 15 rides

[owlice]

I emailed a friend last night to see whether she and her husband wanted to take a bikeride today with me. (This is part of my nefarious scheme to turn friends into friends who bike. ) Her husband is out of town until tonight, but she was willing. I started at one end of a bike trail and met her at the other, then we rode to where I'd started, had a chat at a picnic table there, and then back to where we'd met.

She bought his-and-her bikes as a surprise for her husband seven years ago; nice Treks, and they look brand new. They have hardly used them.... but I'm trying to change that!

We rode about 10 or 11 miles together, slow miles (and if *I* -- the slowest cyclist out there -- am saying we rode slowly....!) but fun. She'd never been on these trails before, and got a quick lesson on shifting to boot.

After we were back at her car, I rode around the nearby lake, then back eventually to my car. 24 miles for me today, through woods and along streams, over leaves and new blacktop on one part of the trail, yee-haw!

How was your ride? Please tell!

[7rider]

It was (finally!) a beautiful day in the D.C. area today.
I met some friends to do the LBS's "C" ride a bit earlier than the shop's group left. We had about a 20 minute head start on them. I thought for sure the hammerheads would catch us - especially since we weren't exactly lighting the roads on fire. But they didn't.
Along the way, we picked up several other riders - friends, really - who we happened to run into along the way. So our original group of 3 ultimately grew to 6. I always find it amazing that while out for a ride on roads miles from home, in a county that has a population of nearly a million people, I will randomly run across people I know. Well, maybe it's not soooo random, as the people I know ride bikes, and beautiful, warm, sunny Sunday's in November are the PERFECT time to be out on a bike!
47 miles for the day (because we rode from home to the ride and back).

[HillSlugger]

Yes, it was a beautiful day in MoCo, MD! I got a late start but got in 31 hilly, tough miles near the Triadelphia reservoir. It would be fine with me if this weather never ended.

[PamNY]

Today's ride was nothing special as far as route, but everything was beautiful. My sweet baby hawk has returned to his natal territory to show off his hunting skills. After he chowed down on a yummy squirrel he sat around showing off just how lovely hawks look in autumn.

I went on to Central Park where the fall colors were glorious (though it was crowded). I rode by the river on the way home, and the sunset was the best. I'm so glad I bought a bike, and I wish this weather would last forever.

[MommyBird]

I graduated to the real road today.
Hubby left from our driveway and I had instructions to meet him at a gravel lot on Stage Coach Rd at 2:00.
I put my bike on the truck and drove to the planned meeting point. He rolled in as I was putting on my shoes.
We took an out and back route through the fox hunting country of Thompson, GA. It was beautiful and so was the weather. Dave had taken this route for the first time last week and he wanted to share it with me. He is so sweet.
I rode 21 miles.

[7rider]

Yes, it was a beautiful day in MoCo, MD! I got a late start but got in 31 hilly, tough miles near the Triadelphia reservoir. It would be fine with me if this weather never ended.

Dang! You should have come with us!! Next time. I think I reeeally enjoy these much-smaller group rides.
e.t.a.: Love the weather, but I have to admit...I'm looking forward to getting some skiing in this year!

[pfunk12]

I had 3 options to choose from this morning - a 7:30 ride with 2 of the guys from the shop ride, the 8:30 ride with 7rider and her small group or the regular 8:30 shop ride. Surprisingly, I chose the earliest ride. I say 'surprisingly' because I have a repuation for sleeping in late on the weekends and missing all the morning rides! Like everyone else has said, the weather was fantastic. Lots of amusing banter back and forth during the entire ride. I ended up doing 42 miles.

[HillSlugger]

Dang! You should have come with us!! Next time. I think I reeeally enjoy these much-smaller group rides.
e.t.a.: Love the weather, but I have to admit...I'm looking forward to getting some skiing in this year!

Today I didn't want to start riding until after Michele had left for a work trip but yes, I do need to get out riding with you!

[IFjane]

North/central Virginia was equally gorgeous after the rain of the past week. I drove down to Charlottesville & hooked up with my son (visiting from Denver), for 44 gorgeous miles down into Albemarle/Nelson counties, then back into town for the UrbanCross races. My neice, Kat, (works in a bike shop in Arlington) raced. Great fun & a wonderful way to spend the day.

[tprevost]

Did a nice 20 miler with a group from Angels Camp to Murphys... absolutely gorgeous fall colors and lots of pretty streams!

[solobiker]

We got too much snow, close to 6inches. DH and I went up to the mountains and hiked around. I loaded up my pack with extra weight to get in a good workout. It was so pretty out there. We got in only about 6 miles. Not too bad considering there was quite a bit of snow, plus I had to go into work for a bit in the afternoon. In a few more weeks the trails should be ready for some x-country skiing.

[blackhillsbiker]

No ride today. We took the big dog to the dog park for the first time. What a hoot. I'm loving this not yet winter weather!

Deb

[arielmoon]

I did the 70 mile ride of the Horrible Hundred in Clermont FL. It started out rather chilly but I was glad I decided to not wear a jacket or tights because it turned out to be a gorgeous warm day.

I rode really well until I got behind someone that bonked on Sugar Loaf Mountain. I lost my rhythm and momentum on the very steep climb and had to get off and walk. At mile 63 I had a flat on the back tire and a well meaning fellow changed if for me. I was grumpy for a while because he wasnt able to inflate much more than 80 psi and I could feel it bumping along. Turns out it was a good thing cause the tube was pinched in two places!

After the tire change my front derailleur cable got wonky somehow as I was only able to shift from the smallest to the biggest chain ring. This was better though than the guy whose derailleur was broken and he had to ride the whole thing on his big chain ring. I met him at about mile 67 and he looked tired as I passed him. Poor guy.

I did the 72.7 miles in 4 hours 10 mins. The best part is that although I was tired I was not sore at all. I am more sore after a bike shop group ride! This morning I feel great!

[kenyonchris]

My DBF and I took his daughter (8yrs) out on her mini road bike. She hangs on the sidewalk. He and I ride on the street next to her and take turns doing sprints and returning, switching off. It must be quite a sight, him on his Madone with his team race kit, me on the Colnago with my PD kit, and the little one on her itty bitty Fuji with her leopard print jersey.
Little one did 12 miles. I did 15, sprinting and returning, he did 14 the same way. Even got a few hills in. Not enough distance to really count as a ride for either of us, but she was bushed.

[nolemom]

I also rode the 70 miler at the Horrible Hundred. It was such a beautiful day that I found myself not worrying about my time and just enjoying the experience. Took a little longer than Arielmoon (4:27 min) but had a great time with a lot of my friends.