Holiday weekend rides

[Norse]

This was supposed to be the weekend to really push some final training for the upcoming Red Ribbon Ride (local AIDs/HIV 4-day, 300 mile fundraiser), but, it was rather a tale of misadventures.

Saturday: I planned about a 50 mile solo ride through rolling countryside, however, I made the BIG mistake of donating blood the day before. Note to self: never again. So, even though it was still early, it was hot, I felt sluggish, crappy and nauseated. Decided to keep going and just try to take it easy. The powers that be decided that if I would not stop myself, they would stop me. 6 miles in, rear flat with a bent piece of metal stuck in my rear tire that I could not pull out. Call DP for ride to LBS, ride over. Rode bike home after tire fix, hopped on trainer in cool basement for a 1 hour work out followed by yoga.

Sunday: Could not get out until afternoon and again, it was hot. So, I did a fairly easy 24 miles on local paved trails and wide-shouldered rolling roads.

The 4th: 5 of us doing the upcoming RRR had planned on meeting in WI to do a mighty hilly 60 mile ride - we have a day of horrid hills in southern MN bluff country on the RRR so hill training is crucial. Two bailed because of the heat and ever climbing dewpoint. Of the 3 of us left, my friend S kept falling behind and we were afraid he was not feeling well - turned out, his brake was rubbing. So, while J and I were up the road ahead of S, and a mere 8 miles into our ride, J's seat suddenly flies off his bike while riding up a hill. The seat bolt snapped clean in two and now we had a dilemma. J trotted over to some local friendly looking farmers and they helped him jerry-rig his seat on with another bolt, but it looked rickety so we decided to turn around and get him back to his car. Meanwhile, S fixed his brake. On the way back, J's seat comes off again. We got his car and went back to get him. His day was done. S and I figure, we came all this way, we've only gone 16 miles and we need more hill work! We found hills, BIG hills on a 9 mile out and back route. Did it twice, drained our gatorade, low on water, called it good and went home where DP and I grilled salmon and asparagus and watched the day's TDF. Yay Tyler!

[Trek-chick]

I only got out for a 20 mile ride on Sat morning. The rest of the weekend was spent with friends and family AND getting our stuff/packing for our trip to Mt. Rainier (93 mile hike on Wonderland Trail) at the end of this month.

[m.eliza]

Managed 46 miles on Saturday and a total of 60 on Monday (though in 3 separate rides). Got slammed with a migraine 10 miles from home on Monday. Fortunately I carry Ibuprofen on my bike! That plus a few minutes sitting in the shade dulled it enough so I could get home. Great weekend overall!

Crankin, I love your pics. I felt like I was looking at pictures of my own rides How does DH manage to take such nice pictures while riding? I'd be too nervous to operate a camera and ride straight at the same time.

[Crankin]

He has outstanding handling skills, though it still gets me nervous. He took 800 pictures on our tour in Spain last year, most of them, while on the bike. He did stop for a couple of them, yesterday.
I can barely do the water bottle, so I try not to pay attention to it! Though he did find out you can't take a picture mountain biking down even a little hill. Last summer, before we sold our mountain bikes, we took a practice ride before we went to Maine to actually use the mountain bikes. We were on the Annursnac Trail, right near the town line/Stonymeade, when I went ahead and was waiting, waiting. Finally, he appeared, all bruised, the result of trying to take pictures while riding in the woods. I laughed my head off.

[tulip]

21 derful miles on Saturday along the Chesapeake Bay, and 40 on Monday. It was extremely muggy on Monday. Liquid air. Ick. But a beautiful ride through fields of sunflowers.

[colorisnt]

Did about 27 miles and then returned to the park from whence I came with the cycling group.

I was going back to my car when I slipped on a wet algae surface. Worst crash to date. I have bruises everywhere including on my right cheek. Also terrible road rash on my legs/face. It hurts like crazy this morning - just really body sore. But my head was fine thanks to my hemet. About 9 months since I fell into a ditch and replaced the last one, but I am happy to do so.

I need helmet insurance. Had I not had it, though, I may not have lived. I hit my head HARD on concrete.