Weekend Rides, April 25-27

[Bike Writer]

Yesterday I did the Kensington Park Loop, it's not a long ride, just about 9 miles but it has some pretty good hills on it, variable terrain and it's a gorgeous ride around the lake.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/32466264

[owlice]

I spent most of yesterday afternoon test-riding bikes* so rode up and down more hills than I normally encounter in a month (I'm sooo not a hill rider). After dark, I took a nice 12-mile ride through woods, around a lake, and back... and I found my back tire flat today. I'm glad it was a slow leak, because I'd not have been thrilled at having to change a tire in the woods in the dark.

After changing the tire today, I took a 21-mile ride through the same woods and over to the lake, and then took a couple of the other trails which branch off from there. I knew the forecast was for storms this afternoon/evening, so kept one eye on the sky and when I saw clouds in the west, I headed home. Was home about 10 minutes when the thunder started, followed by a deluge. It was 88°F when I got home; I'd had to dump water on my head twice while on the trails.

I noticed my front tire was looking a little low on the way home. Bet it's flat now; I checked the tire when I got home and found a piece of glass embedded in it. That'll be my fourth (!) flat tire this year, more than I've had collectively since buying the bike eight years ago!


*Bianchi Imola, Jamis Coda (twice), Cannondale Quick 2 (twice), Marin Fairfax (twice), and a Kona Dew Plus. The Marin was unbelievably bad [for me], I'd kill myself on the Bianchi [lovely ride, though], the Jamis is still in the running, and the Cannondale felt as though it was made for me except for the width of the top tube, which is fat, as are my thighs, which hit it. Were it not for that, I doubt I'd have kept looking, as that bike felt that great.

[smittykitty]

We had wonderful weather on Sat. -- 70 degrees!!! We've barely been above 50 degrees this spring. It was heavenly. DH and I did 35 lovely miles on winding country roads around the neighborhood. Lots of wonderful scenery. Actually felt warm. First time out without full gloves and headband over ears, but kept the toe warmers on just in case. As a reward, we stopped at mile 32 for Mini Blizzards at the local DQ. We sat outside and enjoyed them in the sun.

Raining again today, but yesterday was perfect!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

On Friday I rode to town for breakfast and then took the longer 'scenic' route back- only about 3 miles but it was FUN!

Mimi- you and D. look terrific!

[Jo-n-NY]

Finally yesterday we had picture perfect weather. Sun, temps reached the into the 70's during the ride. It was our bike shop clubs 1st Anniversay ride and despite the holiday at least 20 riders showed up. Since the shop was closed all the workers got to go for a longer ride as they did not have to get back quickly to work. 34 miles with plenty of climbing.

An added plus, I gave up cooking for the holidays as of last year as I hosted 3of the major holidays and fed 17-20 people for 25 yrs. It amazes me how I fed all these people and no one picked it up. Well my darling daughter who still lives at home wanted to cook, so the reigns of the kitchen was hers which made the ride even more enjoyable

Today, the sun is trying hard to come out with the threat of rain later. I am hoping for nothing but sunshine in May. Our flowers have had plenty of April showers this year.

[Norse]

Saturday was raw, chilly and blustery, but I had a test ride scheduled so I went out and did an estimated 20 miles or so on a Specialized Roubaix. Yesterday was gorgeous - got up to 60! - and DP and I had tix to the Twins' baseball game so we road our hybrids there - about 9 miles - and then she took the bus back to take care of the pets before heading over to her family's for Easter dinner. Using mostly the trail system, I rode my bike over to her family's after the game for total mileage yesterday of 22. It was a fantastic day!

[Bike Writer]

Easter Sunday I had a short bike ride with my Godson on a bike path that winds through their subdivision. We had fun after dinner spending some one on one time together doing something we both enjoy, I forgot how much fun it is to go riding with a kid.

[kacie tri-ing]

I was able to get in another century this weekend, which was a great one. It climbed up chandler mountain in Alabama. It was a small one in an inaugural year, but on a gorgeous course and well supported. Time to taper for my big race now! My husband (in the picture) had a great--and very fast ride--and I felt strong throughout!

[luv2climb]

I read that these three climbs in the foothills were tough climbs, so naturally I had to do them They are all in the Newcastle/Auburn area in Placer County, CA. As usual I recorded video of all the good climbs, so here they are.

Garmin Connect data for the entire ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81350751

Ridge Road. This was the "easy" one compared to the next two. Maximum grade was only 11% near the top, and I accidentally caught up to a couple of women who had started the climb before me. The conversation with them is in the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyKjhQc9Qbk

Chili Hill Road. This was steep and painful! Maximum grade was 17%. At the top I saw a cyclist taking pictures of his son who was climbing the hill. I mentioned that I recorded my climb and he liked that When his son got to the top of the hill he saw my camera setup and was very interested as he also wants to start recording his rides. He also loves watching cycling videos. I told him I would be uploading all the good climbs to YouTube later on that evening. His father said he is trying to get his son into cycling. I told him his son has a climber's build and he agreed. He said his son had the Andy Schleck look

When I got ready to upload the videos I noticed I had a new subscriber to my YouTube channel. When I uploaded the first video it immediately got a view and a thumbs-up. It was the kid on the hill.

I think his father will have no problem getting him interested in cycling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnT0vfuP3iY

Glenview Road. This was also steep and painful, and was the next to last climb in the ride. Maximum grade was 19%

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22q2zixhX18

Here's a picture from the top of Glenview Road. I rode my Specialized Sirrus hybrid with road wheels and tires:


Specialized Sirrus at top of Glenview Road climb by kittyz202, on Flickr

[ladyicon]

luv2climb, looks like you have beautiful roads to ride on. I was getting tired half way up with you, looking for the top

[luv2climb]

luv2climb, looks like you have beautiful roads to ride on. I was getting tired half way up with you, looking for the top

Thanks I love going up there and getting away from all the typical urban BS.

I didn't know where the top was until it was in sight on these climbs, since it was my first time riding these hills. That made things interesting