Rides -- week of November 29 to December 5

[redrhodie]

Thirteen windy miles for me today, on what could be a hybrid commute path. This is the second time I've ridden this route with a hybrid commute in mind. Getting from work to where my car would be left in the morning took me 51 minutes! Some of that was wasted time, however, as I took a wrong turn, had to stop when riding over cobblestones (!) I shouldn't have been on at all to reattach my water bottle (!!), and then had to get to where I was supposed to be. But that's why I do trial rides, right? Right??

The ride back was faster, but still took too long for commuting. The path is really bumpy in parts, and made it exceedingly obvious that parts of me need much more support than they are getting. It also has some little sharply steep bits which have me panting and granny gearing to get up them.

Obviously I will need to do this route many more times; those little hilly bits are good for me, aren't they?

51 minutes is good! The bike section of my commute takes me longer than that (but I take the scenic route ).

[kenyonchris]

Such terrible weather here. I did about 12 miles on the bike early this week while on patrol, but they don't even count.
Otherwise ran, gymmed it, and am still struggling along on the rollers.

[redrhodie]

Such terrible weather here. I did about 12 miles on the bike early this week while on patrol, but they don't even count.
Otherwise ran, gymmed it, and am still struggling along on the rollers.

I saw on the national news--do you have snow?! In Texas?! Crazy. We've had a nice long warm spell in southern New England, nearly 70º yesterday, even walked the dogs without a jacket.

Today I was on the bike at 7:30 am despite a sleepless night. I knew if I didn't ride, I'd feel awful. Seems counterintuitive, but riding actually helps me if I'm sleep deprived. Must be the endorphins. Did around 21 miles. Feel better than when I got up, that's for sure.

[kenyonchris]

I saw on the national news--do you have snow?! In Texas?! Crazy. We've had a nice long warm spell in southern New England, nearly 70º yesterday, even walked the dogs without a jacket.

Today I was on the bike at 7:30 am despite a sleepless night. I knew if I didn't ride, I'd feel awful. Seems counterintuitive, but riding actually helps me if I'm sleep deprived. Must be the endorphins. Did around 21 miles. Feel better than when I got up, that's for sure.

Yep, we had snow on Wed. morning. It didn't stick. It is really, really cold here. I am on the horse tonight for a Christmas festival, I am DREADING it. I am going to work out in the gym for a bit.

[shootingstar]

Yesterday rode 15 kms.
Today will be 22 kms. by end of day. Each morning, it's now taking more notice of frost and hoping black ice patches have melted off, especially areas facing open water bodies (ie. ocean). The good thing is that hardly anyone is around on these protected paths when am on the bike in morning.

[owlice]

Just returned from an 11-mile ride around the Lincoln Memorial, down the Reflecting Pool, and over to Hains Point, which I rode around 2x, and then back. Saw a cormorant taking off and a Bald Eagle (!!) in a tree on Hains Point.

It is 49°F and cloudy. Was just a mite chilly starting out, but once I was warmed up, two layers was definitely enough! (Biking shorts and thin sweats; mock t-neck with a regular t-shirt over it. This is stuff I'm still figuring out, because I haven't in the past ridden in cool weather.)

Forecast is for rain and snow and general winter slop tomorrow, so I'm glad I rode today!

51 minutes is good!

redrhodie, thanks! My average MPH was something like 8.2. I'd like to get it closer to 10 to make the ride in more reasonable, as I have to drive most of the way (timewise) to work before starting to bike anyway!

[Chile Pepper]

I've been trying hard not to whine or complain, but I'm also on the DL--and I've had enough already! I threw my back out last week and spent last weekend in bed. I went to the chiropractor on Monday, but one session wasn't enough. This is a holiday weekend here, so they can't see me again in until next Thursday. Ugh. That means it'll wind up being two weeks off from exercise, and I'm really going stir crazy. And my back hurts. And it's a beautiful day for riding.

[chicagogal]

Oh, it is getting chilly hear in Chicago! But really, at 25-30F in December, it could really be MUCH colder, so I can't complain too much. Today was my first day on the bike in a few days (since the temperatures dropped). Got a small group together for a low-key 30mi ride that involved a coffee/food/get warm stop at our midway point. It wasn't the distance or intensity we are used to, but given the cold, the point of the ride was "to just get on our bikes despite the weather." It definitely helps me to have people to ride with when the weather turns, as I must admit that I have trouble motivating myself to get out in the cold alone. However, with the right layers, I really wasn't as cold as I had feared!

I plan on riding tomorrow too (and am looking forward to it) - wanna log some more (easy) miles before we are under a foot of snow and the temps drop to 20 below!

[Crankin]

Did my first trainer ride of the season. Does that count? Thirty minutes of spin ups and super spins, punctuated by some easy spinning.
We were supposed to ride tomorrow (outside), but since there will be snow on the ground in the AM, the ride will probably turn into a hike or snow shoe.

[azfiddle]

I rode 14 miles Tuesday after work, it was getting dark after half an hour but I was with a buddy and we both had lights so I didn't mind, 8 miles on the loop road through Saguaro National Park on Weds after work. It used to take me 42 minutes, and lately it's closer to 36- there is a significant hill (a mile and 1/4 in the middle of the loop.

The fun ride was today, Saturday Dec 5! It was organized by a local bike club: "Toys for Tots Ride" from a park to the zoo, with over 60 riders with decorated bikes, holiday costumes and everyone had to pack a toy. I wired a little basket onto the front on my bike and put three little puppies (stuffed animals!) so they could peek out on the 17 mile ride to the zoo. It was really fun. A little cool for starting weather in Tucson (41 degrees) but warmed up to the low 50's by the time we got to the zoo, and around 60 by the ride home.

If you want to see pics, they are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dadgad1/...05?feat=email#

[Fredwina]

I've not been very happy about out club ride turning into a "training race" so I zigged today and did one of my favorite rides : Lytle Creek Canyon


This used to be a flag pole:


I made to Scotland (California):

I was going to going to go all the way to the end of pavement, but I had two flat tire, so I turned around at the Campground: