CTS Rides

[Susan126]

What a ride I had today. The temperature at the start was 31 degrees. Starting from S. Bellevue P&R we went clockwise around Lake Washington. Coming around the southern point we turned north and straight into one heck of a headwind. Lake Washington had some choppy waves out there. Headwind and hills (yea, HILLS! It was a very hilly ride too) and 51.1 miles. The pace was good the ride leader awesome and the other riders were very nice too. The blue group (the one I was in) had such a turn out that we had to split into two groups. I'll sleep soundly tonight!

[XMcShiftersonX]

Awesome! So you think it was a good fit? Sorry you had a headwind though!

[Susan126]

Yes, the blue group (16-18) was a perfect fit for me. Towards the end of the ride my legs were very tired and I kept falling behind on the long long long hill climbs (two at the very end) but I always managed to catch up after I got over them on the downhill and flats. In the beginning I climbed just fine. It shows me how out of shape I am and how much endurance I need to rebuild. But it's the perfect group to push me and help me get back in top shape for my summer rides. Looking forward to the ride two weeks from now. April 25th's ride (this one is on a Sunday) the Renton - Cedar Grove Loop. I wish I weren't going to Spokane this coming weekend. Maybe we'll leave Saturday instead of Sunday and I can make the Daffodil? We'll see.

[XMcShiftersonX]

Well that's good. I think I will try them out on the May 1st ride then. I don't know that ride at all, so hopefully I don't get dropped. But, I'm sure I'll find my way if I do. Last time I had looked today and tomorrow were supposed to be really nice, but now the forecast sucks! It looks kind of iffy right now but I think my husband and I are going to go do this 55 mile ride today with 2500 feet of climbing, and then if the weather is okay tomorrow we'll do a 40 mile ride with 2200 feet of climbing. Friday and Saturday look nice so I might just do an easy 22 mile ride each day that will be flat. I don't want to overdo it so close to the 60 mile Daffodil ride. Do you know what type of rides are recommended and how close to a big ride? This is my first year doing training and big rides like that so I don't know. I'm so nervous because I haven't been outside on my bike for two weeks, even though I've been to the gym as much as possible. And I did my 50 mile ride almost a month ago, and since then have only done a couple 40 mile rides! I hope I don't hit a wall at the Daffodil. I also won't be able to do the Cedar Grove ride because I work that weekend, but that is a route I do all the time since it's just down the street from my house (a shorter version), I wish I could do it though!

[Susan126]

It’s raining right now in Bonney Lake. A very wet and gray day but tomorrow and the rest of this week look sunny and dry. So my plan is to ride after work on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday all this week.

The next CATS ride I will be attending will be the April 25th ride starting from Gene Coulon Park and also the May 8th Auburn Carbonado ride. The ride on May 1st in Arlington is too far north for me to drive just for a ride. I will do one of my local rides on that weekend or perhaps I will do the May Day Metric. It starts and finishes at Phil's South Side Cyclery in Federal Way.

The CATS training rides are a wonderful plan for building a rider up for the big rides. The only thing you need to add are your weekday rides. The CATS ride is your big long ride for the week but you should also include two to three short weekday rides in between the long weekend rides. For example, my plan is to ride twice or three times during the weekday. Anywhere from 20-40 miles and then do the CATS ride on the weekend. I believe this will sufficiently prepare you for your big ride.

I may be back from Spokane in time for the Daffodil ride on Sunday. But I think I will start riding a little earlier than I had planned.

[XMcShiftersonX]

Yeah today is not a good day weather-wise for a bike ride. But it's okay because my husband and I have a lot of errands to do. Yesterday turned out okay, it didn't rain at all! We ended up doing a 45 mile ride with 2300 feet of climbing, and I must say I felt it after wards! Of course with my husband I don't stop and eat/drink and stretch as much as I would if I were by myself. So, I think if I went at my own pace it might have been better. I had originally planned to do the May Day Metric, but I wanted to save money so I just picked 3 rides including STP that I really wanted to do for now. So, I think I'll make the trek to the north end for the CATS ride, I always like the adventure of going somewhere new. I work Wed and Thurs and when I work it's 7am-7:30pm so unfortunately I can't fit in a ride! I think I've decided to start the Daffodil at 10am. Waking up at 8am is a good time for me, and I want to be well rested. It's supposed to be in the low 70's on Sunday!!

[Susan126]

I'm happy to hear that you got a good ride in yesterday with your husband Jessica. 45 miles, little stopping, and 2300 feet of climbing is a pretty good workout. I haven't been on my bike since Saturday's CATS ride. I think tomorrow will be a nice enough day to finally get out and ride.

I've never done the May Day Metric and this is the year I'll give it a try. From what I've heard from others who have done it, it's pretty hilly and hard. But I need those hill rides!

Wow 70s on Sunday! I'm grinning ear to ear!