Sunday, May 23 Rides

[Owlie]

23.x miles yesterday on the bike trail. It was sticky, as we'd just had a lot of rain, and the trail was muddy in places. Only fell over once too. (See other thread...)

[HoosierGiant]

90 miles, 90 degrees, 5100 feet of climb. Whoo! That's livin!!!

[Catrin]

90 miles, 90 degrees, 5100 feet of climb. Whoo! That's livin!!!

Indeed! Where did you go for the 5100 feet of climb in 90 miles?

[HoosierGiant]

Indeed! Where did you go for the 5100 feet of climb in 90 miles?

We have several courses we train on in the southern portion of east-central Indiana. The hills there will rival anything in the Bloomington area or Brown County -- we've ridden in both places, and I'm convinced they're not as tough as the eastern routes.

This particular ride wound through the countryside of Franklin County, up and down the ridge line along the Whitewater River. Started in Laurel, then on to Metamora, Peppertown, Oldenburg, St. Mary's, Brookville, back to Metamora, then Laurel, off to Orange, and finally back to Laurel.

Haven't downloaded my Garmin yet, but at least 10 of the hills are over 15%, several top out over 20%, and a number of the climbs are in excess of a mile, with one right at two miles. Is it climbing mountains? No, but it's one heck of a workout for those of us who scoff whenever someone says, "Indiana? There are hills in Indiana?!"

[Owlie]

90 miles, 90 degrees, 5100 feet of climb. Whoo! That's livin!!!

I can't imagine moving in 90-degree weather...

[withm]

Well at least you can create your own breeze

[HoosierGiant]

I can't imagine moving in 90-degree weather...

I'm one of those people who isn't warm until it's at least 80 degrees outside. I LIVE for 90 degrees!! Will take any opportunity I can get to be outside and sweat in the heat and humidity.

Well at least you can create your own breeze

Absolutely! Some of the downhills we were on yesterday were definitely white-knuckle-inducing -- winding, tree-lined roads with no sight-line now that the vegetation is going gangbbusters. Riding the brakes for all you're worth so you don't end up in oncoming traffic on a curve (and still doing 35 mph)... yep, quite the breeze!

[zoom-zoom]

I did 40 miles with DH's JDRF cycling group...mid-80s, hills from Hell, humidity...but it was fun. By the end I was TOAST!!!

[indysteel]

DH and I did 55 miles with the local club. This was my longest ride of the year and my first ride in almost a month. I rode my old bike (a Bianchi) for the first time since buying my new bike last year. I just haven't worked out my fit issues with the new bike, and I'm ready to throw in the towel and sell it. It's incredibly frustrating. The good news is that I felt a bit closer to my old cycling self on the Bianchi. DH said we our average was up by 2 mph from previous rides. It was still far slower than I averaged two years ago, but I'm not all that hung up about it. My comfort level is far more important.

The Bianchi has a triple that has long irritated my IT band. DH is swapping it out for the compact that's on the new bike. Once that change is made, I expect to be good to go.