Rides: December 13-19

[owlice]

Ooooooh, I LOVED my ride today!!! Loved it, loved it, loved it!

It wasn't long, but wow, did it ever feel goooooooood!!!! I started out just about sunset, under grey skies and in a light mist, the rain of earlier today having mostly tapered off. Temperature was either 36 or 43, depending on which town's temp one wants to use. I parked at a neighborhood park to ride my nearest (and much-loved) trail, rode up the street and then into the woods.

It was great! The trail was wet, there were puddles on the trail, the swamp was flowing over the trail, even! I got wet and gritty, water soaked into my shoes, and by the time I got to the lake, just over 4 miles in, I had to peel off a couple of things because I was so warm. It was dark, and a low light fog lay over the lake. I rode around the lake in the dark; I could make out geese, lots of geese, along one part of the lake.

Part of the trail has new blacktop, which means the roughest part of the trail is now smooth, and oh, how lovely that was!! Zoom zoom zoom!

I startled numerous deer, one trail ninja who complained I was about to hit him (I wasn't; not by a long shot. I told him I couldn't see him, and after I left him behind realized I should have told him that he doesn't show up in the dark, so he should do something about that!), a couple of rabbits, and a bird of some kind -- couldn't tell in the dark -- which flew in front of me across the path.

The light on my helmet was reflected back to me by the mist, which presented a column of light straight down in front of me that was pretty distracting; I had to turn my head slightly so that I could see the trail rather than the column of light. I found myself wishing that my headlight was brighter and was glad that I know this trail pretty well (or I'd have surely plowed into something, creek, fence, post, SOMEthing!).

I also found myself wishing that my ride was longer!! Just over 10 miles, but boy, was I tempted to turn around and do it all over again!!

Not the fastest I've done that trail, at 10.4 MPH, but under the conditions, I wouldn't have wanted to go any faster anyway.

It felt fabulous! I loved it!!

[crazycanuck]

When we were planning yesterday's ride late last week we knew we'd have to be out on the trail by at least 730am. It reached 39C yesterday & by about 9am you could feel the heat (ready or not, some like it hot when the heat is on...woo hoo...Thank you The Power Station...).

Twas a short ride & sooo glad we stopped when we did as the next bit we could have done would not have been in the shade...No shade, no wind & a gazillion sand flies is not the best riding combination. Oh and the #*$&%&%&% March flies are back!!! Aghgh

The sand flies are driving me nuts...Going downhill on slippery pea gravel whilst trying to find the best line and keep the sand flies away from your eyes & mouth..is a challenge.

Tons o fun though!

[redrhodie]

I did 27 miles yesterday. It was gorgeous for the first half, then got cloudy and I felt a little cold without the sun. I'm waiting for the streets to dry now, then I'll head out for a short loop.

[Karma007]

8 boring miles on the rollers. i usually enjoy it, but I just wasn't there today. I have an actual day off from work tomorrow, and I think I'm distracted.

[redrhodie]

After waiting hours for the roads to dry, and finally deciding I wasn't going to ride, I got a momentary urge at around 1 pm to go, so I went. I felt really sluggish, but did 20. There were still some sections of road that had major puddles which I couldn't avoid. It's not that I don't like wet conditions, but that I didn't really have time to spend cleaning my bike when I have so much other stuff to do. Well, I ended up putting off some more important things on my list, and cleaning both my bikes. Now my Xmas cards will go out late!

I bet my sluggishness was due to how much crud was in my drive train. My jockey pulleys were thick with gunk and there was a lot of sand everywhere. I tired Oakleaf's chain lubing method of just a few drops instead of a drop on each link. Seems good so far!

[Karma007]

It was SUNNY today! I took an easy 8.5 miler of coasting and daydreaming, catching up on some much needed Vitamin D. Actually, it wasn't all fun and games, my purpose was to see if I could fit in an outdoor ride before work. I can, but it's not an awesome ride. By the time I escape the terrors of suburbia (moving cars, parked cars, intersections, driveways), it's time to go home. Bterr than nothing I suppose. Once the rain stops, I will put the bike rack back on an escape. For now, it was nice to get off the rollers for a day!

I DID notice subtle differences since using the rollers. It's almost a more 'liquid' feeling. Very nice! Now, off to the showers! Have a great day!

[owlice]

I rode both Tuesday and today. Tuesday's ride was ~11 miles, the usual easy around-the-Lincoln Memorial-over-to-Hains-Point-around-twice-then-back route. Headwind on the west side of the Point is what I'm going to blame my slowness on! Yes, yes, that's it!

Today's ride was what I'm thinking of doing for a hybrid commute, except in reverse (from work to the parking lot and back). I might try this out tomorrow for real, since a storm is forecast for this weekend and I likely won't be able to ride for a few days.

I was warm enough today -- a little toasty, actually, once I was fully warmed up! -- but wonder whether I will be warm enough in the same clothes if it's 10 degrees (F) colder out tomorrow morning or whether I need to add another layer.

I saw two Downy Woodpeckers today as I rode; both flew across the trail in front of me. If I'd been a little faster, I might have gotten a bird in the teeth!

[kmehrzad]

Sounds like a nice ride Owlice. I enjoy riding around Hains Point, especially at night, if I'm riding with a group enjoying the sights of Washington, DC. Hope you're able to get out on the early morning ride tomorrow.

[owlice]

Thanks, k! I packed my as-yet-untested-garment-bag-pannier last night and just talked with my assistant to verify he'll be at work (he's my backup plan ). I read through one of the commuting threads for inspiration and as soon as I can find a scarf to wrap around my head -- I have a balaclava on order -- I'll give this a shot. I wish it were just above freezing, though, instead of just below, since there are always spots where water runs over the trail.

Signed,

Exorcising my winter wuss, one cold day at a time

[arielmoon]

MRI and CT scans show that I not only have a muscle "crowding" issue but one of the pelvic fractures has not healed. Dr. did not say no to riding my bike (he said to stay off my horse totally) but further discussion with my acupuncturist makes me think it is not a good idea. Particularly riding on bumpy roads which are hard to avoid here.

I am not sure where this leaves me. The good thing is that I was able to do the 2 fall rides I wanted to and it is winter and I have already reduced my riding quite a bit.

So, I may try to take some spin classes or get a stationary bike because for some reason the trainer and rollers cause pinching and soreness that I didnt get out on the road.

[redrhodie]

(((arielmoon))) that's too bad. Will you be able to ride again when the fracture heals?

[Becky]

DH and I did 6.5 miles on the MTBs today. It was just below freezing, we were both dressed perfectly, and there was no one else out there. Just a perfect day

[Ritamarie]

MRI and CT scans show that I not only have a muscle "crowding" issue but one of the pelvic fractures has not healed. Dr. did not say no to riding my bike (he said to stay off my horse totally) but further discussion with my acupuncturist makes me think it is not a good idea.

Arielmoon, Dressage rider and bicyclist!? We've gotta talk girl! I feel your pain... no horse and no bike? Whatever will you do?

Exorcising my winter wuss, one cold day at a time

Too funny Owlice! Exactly how I feel.

I had a pretty good week despite the weather. Two 30 mile solo rides Monday and Tuesday. It was in the 40s both days, and I realized that 40 degrees is perfectly comfortable to ride in without any major wardrobe upgrades. Why do most of my riding buddies stop riding when the temps fall below 55 degrees?

I did a 45 mile ride today with two of my hardier friends. It was 22 degrees to start and 32 degrees to finish. I was perfectly comfortable and I am getting the clothes figured out!

[owlice]

Ouch, arielmoon! And yeah, I suspect riding your bike isn't a good idea right now.

Maybe it's time to take up swimming?

Ritamarie, looks like you've already exorcised whatever winter wussiness you might have had!

~~~

I drove partway to work today and biked the rest of the way. The biking itself was a little faster than I've done in my test rides; the gearing and wrapping up took WAY too long, though. And then in the middle of the afternoon, I had to ride back to my car and then drive it to work, since parking in the lots after sunset is prohibited. So, no environmental points for this, but at least I got to ride my bike!

[Fredwina]

Hmm.
Thursday about 15 miles on the rail trai;
Yesterday about 24.
Today a Metric, and I go to see snow

more pics here
the second was fun, as we were having mild Santa Anas - had a nice 12 mph headwind go all the way back