April 27-29 Weekend Rides

[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.

[malkin]

We have more snow today.

Our ten days in Munich were gloriously sunny, highs in the 70s and 80s. I'll post a real thread when I get around to managing some pictures, but the highlights were that we had a wonderful time, rode every day but one, loved our hotel and hated our rented bikes.

[emily_in_nc]

Snow?! Poor you.

Today was gorgeous in NC. A cold front came through, so we waited until about 9:45 am to start our market ride. It was about 62 degrees then, perfectly sunny, with a bit of breeze. I wore shorts and a SS jersey with arm warmers. A bit chilly starting out, but quickly warmed up. We hit the farmer's market and food co-op, then back to the apt. to drop stuff off.

DH chose to stop for lunch then since he wanted to take his Trek out for a longer, faster ride this afternoon. I just grabbed a few cookies with Nutella spread on top, topped off my water bottle, and took off again for a neighborhood loop. Ended up with 28.5 miles total, and the temp was 74 when I got done. Gorgeous out! Didn't notice any pollen today either, a huge plus. LOTS of lovely roses and irises in the ritzy country club area I was riding through part of the time. Nice to look at other people's yards w/o having to do the work myself!

Tomorrow morning I'm riding with a friend, and the day promises to be a carbon copy of today, weather-wise. What a lovely weekend!

[Catrin]

I did a nice 20 miles today with Winding Road at a local park to try and beat the wind a bit - had a tight muscle in one leg that just didn't want to loosen up, so I wound up sitting out the last loop. Very nice ride though, I normally ride by myself and was glad to see that I had the wind for both riding AND talking I also got to show off my brand new pretty purple bike

Am considering heading south tomorrow to help out with trail building efforts at Brown County State Park, it will depend upon the weather. If'en I am looking forward to riding those trails, then I can provide a little labor

[owlice]

Took a nice 23-mile ride today on some of my usual trails. Was in the mid- upper 60s while I was riding, a lovely day but with lots of pollen in the air. I had to stop to wipe my face, it was so gritty. (I do this in a most ladylike fashion... I pour some water into one hand, pour a little from one hand to the other, splash the water on my face, then pull the neck of my [cotton] tee-shirt up over my face and wipe down. )