July 22 Weekend Rides

[Crankin]

So we didn't ride to the charity ride, as it was raining in the early AM, stopping just about the time we would have had to leave. We drove.
It worked out fine. This was a small local fundraiser for domestic violence services in Middlesex County, started by the friends of a teen who was killed by her dad in a domestic violence incident. There was a 22.8 and 6 mile ride. We got in the front when leaving, as there were only about 30-40 people on the "long" ride. One group of 3 sped off ahead of us, but after that I couldn't even see anyone behind us. Finally one guy caught us and asked if we were on the ride (we had #s on the bikes). The ride was well arrowed and there were cue sheets. The group started following us, making lots of wrong turns, even though we were signaling and there were arrows. This ride was nothing special, in that it was on one of our local routes, except in the opposite direction. A group of 4-5 people passed me. And we had caught the first group.
Let's just say I woke up feeling crappy, a combination of chocolate cake, wine, mojitos, and a very good dinner for a friend's birthday. I knew we were going fast (for me). Finally, when we got to the hill on Monument St. DH went ahead, to "reign them in," as they were riding fast, missing turns, and skidding out. As we got closer to my neighborhood, I felt better and passed 2 of the people in the group. Then, I waited for the fun to begin as we turned up Strawberry Hill. I got behind a guy who was riding my speed or a bit slower, but as soon as we got to the steeper part of the climb, I started passing riders like crazy. All of a sudden, I hear a woman say "Oh no," as I passed her. She obviously was in too high a gear and crashed in the middle of the S curve, with tons of others in close proximity. Thankfully, no cars were around. I just couldn't stop to help on this part of the climb, and then saw I was right behind DH's group. He waited for me at the top and off we went for the last 9 miles.
The first group passed us and then they made a wrong turn about 6 miles from the finish.... DH and I were the 3d and 4th people to finish and I had a PR of an average of 16.5 , on a hilly ride. I've had higher speed averages, but on shorter, flatter rides, but very few and far between. Of course I felt like I was going to puke, but I guess the TdF riders spurred me to suffer.
The BBQ lunch was good, came home and had a badly needed cup of coffee and a shower. I am exhausted.

[azfiddle]

Sfa- very weird - were the worms actually caterpillars?? Your local Audubon group might know.

[sfa]

Definitely earthworms, not caterpillars. I've seen caterpillars swarm like that before (and, ewww, pantry moth larvae in my kitchen once). I'm going to ask the father of one of my girl scouts about it--he work as a biologist/wildlife expert with the state and although he's not necessarily an earthworm expert, he'd probably know who I could talk to.

[TrekTheKaty]

First sag wagon ride today. Temp over 100. I hydrated and DH pulled the first 25, but I just ran out of juice. At mile 43 of 53, pulled over to check mileage to the next rest stop and drop some more electrolyte tablets in my camelbak, when the van appeared like an oasis! LET ME IN!

We had a "Kevin Bacon 5 degrees of separation moment." Five people in the van--all sag virgins. Two went to college together and were in the same sorority (what are the odds!), 2 were in finance, two worked at the same company but didn't know each other, two of us live in the same suburb (I drove an hour to this ride!). Small world.

We pulled into the parking lot right in front of my husband. The van driver said, "Where's your car! I'll dump you out so he'll think you beat him!"

I've been talking about volunteering at a ride, and now I WILL! Thank you Trailnet Sag wagon!

[KathiCville]

I got in a very pretty 33 miles before 8:30 this morning, courtesy of a 5:45 a.m. start. Finished up just as the heat was kicking in. Thanks to the high 90s temps all week, this was my third longish dawn ride in six days (26 mi, 26 mi and 33mi)! It's a bit of a push to get up early enough to drive out of town to the country, but---wow!---the chance to catch the sunrise as I'm pedaling along is well worth the effort!

[indysteel]

How pretty , Kathi!

DH and I rode 15 miles yesterday. Nothing to write home about, but we had an errand to run by noon (which was a total waste of time as it turned out), and with the heat, I was just as happy to keep it short.

We did another 8 or so MTB miles today on some of the trails I'm cutting my teeth on as a new rider. It was fun, but hot. At least it wasn't overly crowded.

[MojoGrrl]

That is a really pretty view, Kathi!

I rode 60 miles today, only one hill (a little difficult, but fun to come down!), and got an early enough start that only half my ride was uncomfortably hot. And I only encountered one ******* driver, who was on the OTHER side of the road (I was not even remotely affecting his drive) and who felt the need, from the comfort of his $90,000 Mercedes, to flip me off as he drove by.

Here I am at Monticello Dam:

[Catrin]

Friday I rode 14 miles in a local park with Winding Road and her SO. Yesterday I drove to southern Indiana for a private mountain bike clinic to reinforce my new intro/beginner skills. No mileage, not really, but was on the bike in the direct hot sun for 2.5 hours or so, then off into the woods for about another 30 minutes.

Today I had too many errands to run, and while I could have ridden chose to take the night off as I will ride tomorrow, as well as meeting with my trainer both tomorrow and Tuesday.

My riding schedule is SO different this year from last summer! Then again, I wasn't learning how to mountain bike last year