April 27-29 Weekend Rides

[emily_in_nc]

Got in 30.5 miles today, the first 10 or so with a neighbor friend who is just starting to cycle, so that was a more leisurely/social pace. Had a great time looking at flowers in the lovely gardens around and chatting it up. After dropping her back at the apartments, I did another 20 at a faster clip. Temp was in the 70s, sunshine to somewhat overcast at the end, east breeze, and light traffic, since it was a Sunday. So, I got in 59 miles for the weekend, very good for me, and am up over 500 for the year (all outside miles), also very good for me!

My DH got in 91 today and is up to about 2700 for the year. What an animal!

[Crankin]

We did a 35 mile very nice ride today. I had originally wanted to ride to Harvard, MA, but all of our longer rides have been up the same big climbs so far, so we headed out to my old school, in a very round about way. I rode up a climb that is a really beautiful road that I used to commute on, before I moved to Concord. It was just gorgeous today, between 59 and 72 during the ride. I took my arm warmers off for awhile, but put them back on for a long downhill near the end of the ride. Lots of cyclists out. My goal today was to warm up slowly for at least 5-8 miles, which seems to be the key to me feeling good. We didn't push it for the rest of the ride, either, but I feel like I worked.
We stopped at the Martin St. Playground in Acton and ate lunch on the way home. That's where this kind of bad picture is from.

[Chicken Little]

Did 50 in Taos, NM, at 8200 feet. Lots of hills, lots of wind, miserable.

Good beer.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

i was so tired and achey after the windy 20 mile ride yesterday, I was sure I'd be really sore today...but for some reason I wasn't! Not even my butt!
That's good news.

[emily_in_nc]

That's where this kind of bad picture is from.

That's not a bad photo - it's cute as a button!

[ASammy1]

I got about 14 super windy trail miles today. I could not get the bike over 11 mph because the wind was so bad. Half of my ride was miserable, the other half glorious!

[Becky]

A perfect day here....no wind, sunshine, and ~60 degrees. The strong sun and absence of wind made it warm enough for shorts and short sleeves DH wasn't feeling well, so I cranked out a quick 23 miles on my own.

Despite having worked hard (mostly off-bike) all winter and being it great shape, I've lost my taste for long rides. Maybe I'm becoming more of a utility/commuter cyclist, or maybe I'm just being lazy Anyone else experience this?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Despite having worked hard (mostly off-bike) all winter and being it great shape, I've lost my taste for long rides. Maybe I'm becoming more of a utility/commuter cyclist, or maybe I'm just being lazy Anyone else experience this?

Yes, I am. I'm finding i really enjoy the 10-15 mile rides now.
The 20 mile ride yesterday seemed more like the 30 mile rides used to seem to me 2 years ago.
i also took the bike computers off my two bikes because i didn't want to feel like I should ride faster anymore.
I think it's partly because i also want to get back home and garden, play with my bees and stuff. I want to do more things!

[Roadtrip]

Managed only 12 miles Saturday. Weather was picture perfect for the ride, which was to test out the changes the fitter made to the bike, but after only four miles the saddle was killing my backside and new stem makes the handling of the bike much more "twitchy" which took a little getting used to.

I stopped and raised the saddle (height fitter says I should be at is just not obtainable right now) a little and turned around. I limped back to the car standing on the pedals most of the last two miles as it hurt just to sit. Today I woke up to swollen lady bits on my underside which has made sitting painful. I did have the fitter level out the seat as it was "ever" so slightly pitched nose up in an attempt to keep me from sliding forward on the seat.

Wil just have to keep tweaking the fit until we get it right... In combination with working on my core strength.

Not the best ride I've ever had! That which dosnt kill you makes you stronger eh?

Shannon

[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:

[luv2climb]

Today was the most fun I've had on a bike in a long time. I replaced the heavy, power-robbing suspension seatpost on my Sirrus with a normal one. What a difference! I had three more Newcastle/Auburn climbs I've never done before to ride, so today was the day. First was Bald Hill Road. This was pretty steep, with a maximum grade of 14%:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82938865

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thq7v1vkaFY


view from top of Bald Hill Road by kittyz202, on Flickr


view from top of Bald Hill Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

This was spraypainted on the road near the top of Bald Hill Road:


'fi'zi:k' spray painted on road near top of Bald Hill Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

Next was Baxter Grade. This was the "easiest" of the three:

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


my Specialized Sirrus at top of Baxter Grade by kittyz202, on Flickr

Auburn city limits at top of Mt. Vernon Road:


my Specialized Sirrus at top of Mt Vernon Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

Then I got back to downtown Auburn just in time to get video of the entire Masters race in the Auburn Criterium. This was the final race of the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ_oTbli7_Y

After watching the race I asked someone where Linden Ave was. I read on The Hammerin' Wheels' website that it is about a 23% grade, so you know I had to climb it I measured 25%, and with my super-low climbing gears I was able to climb this in the saddle no problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxYS4xdgKRg

[Becky]

I think it's partly because i also want to get back home and garden, play with my bees and stuff. I want to do more things!

You might be onto something there......since I quit my second job a few weeks ago, I've been quite busy around the house. I'm exhausted each weekend, but get so much done that it's totally worth it.

There's just not enough time for all my fun

[Catrin]

So my plans changed a bit, but I rode on Sauvie Island for 25 miles! ... 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:

Congratulations on completing your ride, sounds great! I am the opposite of you, I've no desire for urban riding, but dearly love my country roads I just love to point my bike in a direction and just go there. I haven't yet done that this year, just waiting to get my base up a bit first.

Today was the most fun I've had on a bike in a long time....

It sounds, and looks, like you had a lot of fun!

[Trek-chick]

DH and I went to the local mountain bike trails for a few hours. It was great but the hills were kicking my butt. I hadn't done much technical singletrack since getting my Trek 520 commuter/ grocery getter. It was a nice change of pace.

[Crankin]

Lisa, I am doing less 50-60 mile rides; last year and the year before only about 2-3 a year, compared to 10 or so before. Two years ago, I did a lot of little farm stand runs, shopping, etc. on my "other" bike. Last year, hardly any. But, I had my highest yearly mileage ever, by doing lots of little rides and maybe 2 25-35 mile rides a week. Some mornings I go out and do 10 miles before work, which are just as enjoyable as 40.
You have a lot of hobbies, so no wonder you want to get back and do stuff. Most of my free time is spent riding, but sometimes I'd prefer to go on a hike, or even sit on my deck and drink coffee. I feel very guilty and get antsy if I don't do at least a small ride. I know that's a bad sign of addiction, but I guess it could be worse.