CTS Rides

[XMcShiftersonX]

Sue - I believe that is right (because it's certainly not an average for the whole ride!). On the way out to Seward Park in the green CTS group we intentionally rode slow, before coming back, they said to expect to be going 16MPH (it was the 14-16MPH group) on the flat. So, I imagine it's the same for the CATS group. Hey, if you're taking the plunge too, at least we'll have each other haha... I think my co-worker may also be joining us. she's never done these rides before, but we ride together usually and we're a pretty equal mach. I told her how it went, so she's going to check out the website and see if she wants to join that group too.

[XMcShiftersonX]

I hate to ask, since I bailed on today's CTS/CATS rides because of the wind and potential for rain. But did anyone else go? And how did the weather end up? It didn't rain here, so I somewhat feel bad that I didn't make it! I just hate getting caught in bad weather on a ride and today was so unpredictable. I know I'll regret having asked, if I hear the rides were fun, so you can lie to me, haha j/k.

-Jessica

[Eden]

I was out on a team ride, not the Cascade ride, but we had fine weather throughout (we were out from 9 until almost 3). It dripped a few drops on us and hailed for a brief instant coming into Bellevue, but that was the extent of the precipitation. It was quite windy.

[lauraelmore1033]

I'm still trying to get rid of this lingering cold, so I didn't go, but even if I'd been feeling 100%, I'm not sure that you could have paid me to ride on the I-90 bridge today.

[Eden]

It was windy on I-90 today, but not horrid. I was out there once in 35 mph gusts (there's a chart online somewhere and I confirmed there really were 35+ winds when I was out there....) - it was *not fun*

[XMcShiftersonX]

Holy Scheisse!!! Yeah I-90 is not fun with just a little bit of wind, let alone a gusty day. When I ride on it I always imagine I'm going to crash into the black railing going 18MPH. I can't stop myself! Well, I think I made the right decision, even if it didn't rain. I've never really taken in to account to check the wind pattern for the day when deciding to go on a ride, but I've gotten stuck in gnarly head winds that are ALMOST as bad as getting rained on. So, I think it's something I'll start to keep in mind. I wanted to be on my bike so bad though when I was out walking my dog this morning and saw so many cyclists!

[lauraelmore1033]

It was windy on I-90 today, but not horrid. I was out there once in 35 mph gusts (there's a chart online somewhere and I confirmed there really were 35+ winds when I was out there....) - it was *not fun*

I have a suspicion that "not horrid" for Eden is the equivalent of "I'm going to die now" for Laura...

[lauraelmore1033]

Jessica, I'm sure you're fit enough to do the stp with one leg tied behind your back. No worries, it'll be a breeze for you. You are way ahead of the game at this point!

[XMcShiftersonX]

haha thanks for your vote of confidence. Today my other friend said I should do STP in one day... now that's just crazy talk!

[Susan126]

I hate windy days too! I went to the gym yesterday and spun for an hour then did my core workout. I hope to get some good after work rides in this week (weather permitting) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I want to do my out and back routes. I can make my out and back short, 23 miles from Enumclaw to Kanaskat State Park, or as long as I want like 30-45 miles, depending on when I want to turn around. Then hit the gym for my core workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I'm doing the STP in one day but I'm not starting at the start at the University of Washington. Instead I'm going to pick it up where it goes by Sumner near the Cannery. I'm going to leave my house in Bonney Lake and cycle down the hill into Sumner and catch the course there. I will get a total of 167 miles. I just don't want to deal with the thousands of cyclists at the start. I've experienced that start a few times and for me it's never been fun.

The extended forecast for Saturday, April 10th looks pretty descent so I plan on doing the CATS Lake Washington Loop, 52 miles.

[XMcShiftersonX]

I imagine the next time I do STP I'll probably do the one day, but since this is my first year doing it, and doing long rides in general, I think it's best I stick to the two day!

I wish I could go to the CATS ride on the 10th, but I have to work, then the week after that is Daffodil and then I work again. So I'll try to do their ride at the beginning of May.

Yesterday I tried to go to the gym but they closed early because of Easter, so I came home and got on the trainer for an hour and a half while watching "The Business of Being born," which was an interesting movie.

The weather looks really nice right now, maybe a little windy though. But I was thinking about doing the S. Lake Wa+Mercer Island loops from Coulon Park. I wish the weather would just cooperate with my plans!

[XMcShiftersonX]

I think I'm going to have to stick to my old rule that if there's ANY chance of rain on a day I want to go ride, I won't go ride!!

So... I get all ready, drive to Coulon Park because my legs are sore from weight lifting and I wanted to do an easy route (instead of leaving from my house). I get there, get all my gear on, the sky is starting to look grey but it looks blue over towards Seattle. I get on the bike, don't even go 1/2 a mile and it starts pouring down rain... not a drizzle, it's literally raining sideways.... I turn back around go back to the car, load everything up, and begin driving home. It stops raining, and the sun comes out. This happens all too often to me!!

Off to the gym I go... I was just a little frustrated and had to vent!

[Susan126]

Sorry to hear about your rainy ride yesterday Jessica! I HATE riding in the rain! So if there is any possibility of rain I do not even attempt it. I had a very bad crash five years ago in the rain. The roads were slick, cars and trucks passing me were splashing and spraying me, I came around a corner and hit either oil or sand or just the wet pavement, whatever it was I fell and slid about 50-75 feet right into a guardrail. My right butt cheek all the way down the outside of my right thigh to my knees was black and blue and swollen for weeks. I could barely walk. I don't know how I managed to get home but I did. My helmet was cracked in three places (and probably saved my head). So NO riding for me whenever I see a chance of showers. I'm still nervous on wet roads.

I think it's supposed to be nice today after work and tomorrow too. I hope so because I'm tired of the gym.

[XMcShiftersonX]

Holy cow! That's a horrible crash! I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm so scared of crashing... I haven't fallen at all yet. I'm wondering if it's like an earthquake, the longer it takes to happen, the worse it is. I have a lot of respect for people who can get back on the bike after an experience like that.

[Susan126]

No you don't want to crash! It was not fun and I was sore for quite some time. My daughter crashed going down a hill at 30 mph and her neck still bothers her 3 years later. She's been seeing a chiropractor and it's getting better but now she has a fear of going fast down any hill. I have to wait for her at the bottom of any long steep downhill that we used to race down together. The mental injury is sometimes a lot harder to get over then the physical one.

So stay safe and be alert out there everyone!