April 27-29 Weekend Rides

[Catrin]

Had a sweet 25 miles on my Gunnar yesterday Next to no winds - even across the naked corn fields and it was just sweet. I thought about riding further but want to ride today. Am ramping things up slower than I would like because the weather has prevented consistent riding.

Today is supposed to be 72 degrees and +19 mph winds. That translates to higher winds across the corn fields... I will ride in my favorite nature preserve park. It is something like a pretty treadmill, but the winds are really moderated there. I need to get around 30 miles today - which will be more of a chore in that park but I am up to the challenge

I could be riding now, when the winds are calmer, but would have to wear tights and I am SO over having to wear warm clothes on the bike

[hebe]

Your ride yesterday sounds perfect Catrin, I have some lovely pictures in my mind's eye of you and your beautiful purple Gunnar in "naked corn fields". I hope you get a lovely ride today and that the winds are lighter than forecast.

I had a lovely potter into town on my Marin today. I used my panniers for the first time and was therefore able to buy two big bags of catfood without having to take the car. Perfect.

[Crankin]

Did my first dark ride before work on Thursday. Well, at this time of year, even 5:30 AM isn't totally dark, but it was cloudy and I used my light for the first time in 2011. It was 62 at 5:30 with like 100% humidity, but a pleasant 10 miles around the town center. I love seeing the town wake up. Yesterday, I rode 20 miles in a very stiff breeze. I worked so hard dropping a guy who was wearing jeans, on a hybrid, that the wind really got to me during the second half of my ride. Today? Who knows? It's much cooler and cloudy-ish. I might have to wear my tights.

[Catrin]

Did my first dark ride before work on Thursday. Well, at this time of year, even 5:30 AM isn't totally dark, but it was cloudy and I used my light for the first time in 2011. .

You are SO lucky that it gets light so early! In Indiana, because we joined the Eastern time zone, the earliest it ever gets at the height of summer now is 6am...sigh

[redrhodie]

Yesterday was perfect commuting weather. I rode my Soma since the streets were still wet from rain overnight, but it was sunny and warm in the afternoon. First ride this year in short sleeves. I had on arm warmers, but didn't really need them, ended up rolling them down. 30 miles.

Today was an early spin just to meet my weekly mile goal. I rode my fastest time on my regular 18 mile loop. Have to give credit to the new wheels. They have made my bike noticeably faster. It really doesn't matter how fast I ride, but it is fun when it feels like flying.

[Crankin]

Catrin, that's because you are on the edge of the time zone. Our earliest sunrise, around the solstice is about 5 AM. I actually prefer the before work rides in the fall, though, because when I go out it is really dark and it feels so peaceful. I think more people (hence, drivers) are out and about early at this time of year, especially people who work outside. If I didn't do these little early AM rides, I might not be able to ride during the week. I have time to do 15 miles, but doing something shorter and different than my usual training loop (i.e. flatter) makes it more serene, which fits with the early time.
Sometimes I don't believe I taught a 5 AM fitness class for 5 years. I still feel a little a bit "weird" when I start my ride that early.

So, my ride today was 9.5 miles to Starbucks and back on the Jamis. First time I have been on that bike since last June or July. She's been very lonely. On the way back, we rode over the Old North Bridge, up the hard packed sand path to the street that leads to our neighborhood. So much fun and all of the tourists stopped to look at us.
Tomorrow will be a 35-40 mile hill ride.

[Velocivixen]

So my plans changed a bit, but I rode on Sauvie Island for 25 miles! Got a late start and it took over two hours including water breaks. The road is flat, but not smooth, has no bike lanes or shoulder. It was sunny & 70 degrees, windy (maybe 10 mph or so), and since we got a later start at around 5:00 p.m., it was chilly by the time we returned to the car as the sun was setting. I was sore, tired and hungry! But it was all good. No mishaps to speak of. I didn't really care for that type of riding, as it was my first riding on those types of country roads. It's a bit of a trek just getting to the island, so I doubt I will do it again. I'm much more an urban cyclist and we have great city roads where I can go for long ride in a bike lane. Here is a photo:

[emily_in_nc]

So my plans changed a bit, but I rode on Sauvie Island for 25 miles! Got a late start and it took over two hours including water breaks. The road is flat, but not smooth, has no bike lanes or shoulder. It was sunny & 70 degrees, windy (maybe 10 mph or so), and since we got a later start at around 5:00 p.m., it was chilly by the time we returned to the car as the sun was setting. I was sore, tired and hungry! But it was all good. No mishaps to speak of. I didn't really care for that type of riding, as it was my first riding on those types of country roads. It's a bit of a trek just getting to the island, so I doubt I will do it again. I'm much more an urban cyclist and we have great city roads where I can go for long ride in a bike lane. Here is a photo:

Very cute photo, and that looks like a beautiful area! I wonder if you would have enjoyed yourself more earlier in the day? I love country roads and used to ride them all the time when we lived out in the boonies. They do have a few downsides, though; no shoulders (here in the south), fast-passing cars and pickups, and lots of loose dogs. Don't have that much in the urban/suburban areas I ride in now. But I love how you can ride so much further without having to stop at lights/intersections so often, and there is a lot less traffic. Each type of riding has its pros and cons for me.

[Biciclista]

Completed my 5th 100 k ride for my p12 yesterday, the first of May
I was not in the mood, have been feeling out of sorts and we started the ride the day after my husband did the fleche, a 24 hour ride (ugh) and we started much later than we normally do for a long ride (almost 1pm when we finally got on our bikes)
big picture is our reflection on our truck "Honey, does your truck make me look fat?" "YES!"


We rode in the Olympia/Tenino/Rainier area and it was really very beautiful. My husband was strong but sleep deprived, so I was always worried he would not perform well, oh yes..we rode the tandem yesterday because I wanted us to be FAST. well, we weren't, we did a "keep together" ride instead.

The weather was perfect. with highs around 67 degrees, light wind, sun, dry pavement and few busy streets, it was a wonderful ride. Mount Rainier, covered with fresh snow, stood out like a jewel against the blue sky.

glad May is done, it's going to be a really busy month.