April 27-29 Weekend Rides

[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.

[Bike Chick]

A group of us went to New Harmony, IN on Saturday to ride the Harmonie Hundred. It was a very windy 50 miles but a nice ride. Yesterday, I rode around the neighborhood and took pictures of the flooding. All the state highways and county roads that we use are closed due to flooding and the interstate is the only access to anywhere. No bike rides longer than 5 or 6 miles for a while until the water goes down.

[Catrin]

A group of us went to New Harmony, IN on Saturday to ride the Harmonie Hundred. It was a very windy 50 miles but a nice ride. Yesterday, I rode around the neighborhood and took pictures of the flooding. All the state highways and county roads that we use are closed due to flooding and the interstate is the only access to anywhere. No bike rides longer than 5 or 6 miles for a while until the water goes down.

I was thinking about you Saturday, was wondering how windy it might be down there. I limited my riding to a nature preserve park, but Friday had a nice ride on my country roads

Sorry to hear the flooding is so bad, sounds quite extensive!

[Velocivixen]

@Emily, I should have clarified a little. I think that part of my "dislike" of the ride had more to do with feeling the road. In a parking lot while we stopped for a break I rode my DHs bike (hybrid with bigger tires and no heavy pannier on the back), and his bike felt so much more "cushy". The cars on the island expect cyclists and were gracious in their passing of us. I am already thinking about getting a more "road-type" bike (I think I've been bitten!).
@Emily, I loved your photos! I saw Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and a third mountain. I absolutely LOVE living in the great PNW.

[Biciclista]

I absolutely LOVE living in the great PNW.

yeah, especially when the sun comes out for a few minutes!!!

[chryss]

Nice thread! As a road cycling beginner, I like the idea of reporting in on rides!

So this was the second weekend with the new Kona Sutra. I rode twice, Saturday 16.8 miles "flat", Sunday a bit over 15 miles "hilly". It looks to me as if 50 miles/week could be a realistic goal for me to start out with. Does this sound reasonable?

Where I live, there's basically 1 road (that's not untypical for Alaska). I'm at mile 21 (well, about a mile off, via currently muddy unpaved side roads). It ends at mile 53 or so at a resort built around natural hot springs, and afterwards there's wilderness and then, somewhere, Canada. Mile 1 is a little outside Fairbanks, and at about mile 7 or so a road goes off to the town of North Pole. The bit between Fairbanks and where I am is pretty hilly (for me), older pavement with some chipseal and potholes, but a shoulder (presently occupied by lose gravel). The bit between me and the end of the road is nearly completely flat, has a new road surface, fewer cars, and no shoulder. The road passes in a river valley through a very picturesque State Recreation Area with numerous hiking trails going off (into the mountains), fishing ponds... It's extremely beautiful to drive out a little bit, to one of the trailheads, and ride out a few trailheads down, turn around.

If I want to ride anywhere else than on this road (or the one at right angles at mile 7) I need to drive. Or to get a mountain bike, which I may.