April 27-29 Weekend Rides

[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.