riding into the new year

[Becky]

DH and I did 22 miles today.

I had a hard time getting out the door. Something about the new year has me in a funk, and the cold damp air by the river didn't help either! However, it felt good to start the new year with a bike ride, rather than a hangover

[Ritamarie]

Something about the new year has me in a funk

Me too Becky! I was in a funk all day. Something about starting a new bike log and seeing 0.0 miles seemed kinda sad. Not seeing the sun for a few days never helps my frame of mind. And waiting up until 1:00 AM for my daughter to get in (safely thank goodness) didn't help either! I did feel better after I dragged my butt out the door and did 14.5 miles on my cross bike solo.

[owlice]

papaver, as Ritamarie said, what a great picture! (My thoughts may not be original, but they are heartfelt! )

I did 15 miles on my favorite trail today. I picked up my bike Wednesday night after getting it serviced, and the gears are totally screwed up. It was very annoying to have all the higher gears slipping no matter what I did. I ended up riding the big ring most of the ride, though I usually use the middle one. I stopped a few times to try to adjust what I could adjust -- of course I had NO idea what I was doing! -- and eventually made things a little better, but one of my tasks this weekend will be to learn how to adjust the gears, because I can't go through what I went through today again.

All that said, I'm glad I rode!

[owlice]

Ritamarie!

Something about starting a new bike log and seeing 0.0 miles seemed kinda sad.

I see it a completely different way -- it's a whole new year, with all new rides to look forward to!! Time to set goals and plan on how to meet them (and for you, make sure you'll have more miles than your DH... start plotting now!! ) and dream of rides to come and challenges to take on!

This year, I will ride a metric century. I didn't try for one last year, but did get close anyway (by accident, which is why I now have a bike computer), so I have a half-century. I don't know whether I'll try for a century, but it's in the back of my mind; depends on whether I can increase my speed enough.

This year, I will also do another tour. Don't know where yet, but I have some ideas.

Yes, it's a whole new year, a time to reflect on all the lessons from last year (for me, anyway -- I learned an awful lot, mostly the hard way!), think about the rides to come especially now that the days are getting longer, and scheme to find ways to get in even more riding!

[nolemom]

Rode 21 miles this morning with my DH in a steady rain. It just didn't seem right to not ride on the first day of 2010. Can't wait to see what rides are in store for us for the rest of the year.

[7rider]

DH and I met the shop crew for a jaunt through Rock Creek Park today. About 20 of us showed up (including Pfunk12), and there were lots of laughs, hugs, high-5's, best wishes for the new year, and even pictures taken before the start of the ride. What a fun group.
The pace was casual and conversational. But the roads were wet and I ended up flatting near the end of the ride. DH fixed it for me (yay!), but he missed the stone that caused the flat. So about 1/2 mile (1 km) up the road, I flatted again. This time, I just pulled over and let DH ride the 2 miles (5 km) or so up the road to the car, and he came back to pick me up with it. Lots of tire surgery after we cleaned the bikes at home.
A bit over 20 miles. Almost 1/4 of what I did the entire month of December!

[pfunk12]

As 7 mentioned, great group ride today. Of course, I had no idea what happened to you, 7...or Tom. Sorry to hear about the flats. Glad it happened towards the end of the ride. I never do New Year's resolutions but if I'm going to do one this year, it will be to get out more consistently with the shop riders this year. So much fun.

[Fredwina]

I rode to the Rose Parade . perfect weather and too many pictures

[shellkay1212]

We had the annual Chili Challenge in Fort Wayne. The temp was cold but evidently I've learned to dress for the weather. Here we are at our break to watch the Polar Bear peeps swim in the river. I was HOT - I even had to take my helmet and gloves off for a bit.