July 29th Weekend Rides

[surgtech1956]

I feel like a 'whimp' only riding about 10 miles a day. I need to 'kick it' into gear and get serious about riding. I rode 10 miles yesterday and going for a ride in a bit, it poured a few mins ago, going to make sure the storms are out of the area.

[Crankin]

Friday morning I got up really early and wanted to get out for a short ride while it was still dark, at about 4:45 AM or so. I thought i was being organized, but I had plugged in the wrong light charger the night before, as we have a few thrown in a pile near the place we charge all of them. DH got up, told me this and swore he wasn't going to ride with me, but he plugged in my charger and his and we got off around 5:15. By this time it was getting light, but the lights were still needed and they were charged. Only went ten miles, but at a brisk pace and it was super humid.
Today I rode 22 miles, in a combination of different loops. We changed our minds about where to go about 4 times, but it was good. Easy pace, saw a charity ride going in the other direction at one point, though I have no idea what it was. Next weekend is the PMC, and the number of people out there training is at a fevered pitch.
Tomorrow we are riding with friends to Kimball Fruit Farm in Hollis NH, from Boxborough (50 miles). We will be leading this ride 10/1, so it's a practice run. Beautiful and *very* hilly.

[MojoGrrl]

Sufferfest Part 3, The Punishment: new crankset, cassette and wheels put on the LeMond this morning and then we went out for 5200 feet of climbing over about four hours in the 90+ degree heat. Ugh. And after my awesome 36 mph sprint on the first flat, I ended up with an asthma attack (which almost NEVER happens to me anymore; I think I had an allergic reaction triggered). But I completed 46 miles, including going down one hill that was literally about a 30% grade and scared the crap out of me, and I am sure that my century ride next Saturday is going to be a breeze compared to this...

[emily_in_nc]

14.5 miles this am to the farmer's market and food co-op for fresh veggies. After we got home and unloaded, I thought it was too hot/humid to head back out, but DH went out for more punishment. Today's high was 102, and it was already 90+ by the time I finished up my ride.

It's supposed to be a smidge cooler tomorrow, so I am hoping for a longer ride!

[Owlie]

22 miles. My blinky has been gravely injured after it flew off going over railroad tracks, and will need surgery, but I expect it to survive. I didn't eat enough yesterday, it seems, and it caught up with me. I woke up hungry (bad sign, as it usually takes half an hour of wandering around for me to be able to eat), ate my usual breakfast, pushed it (yay speed!) and nearly bonked. I was seriously considering calling for a ride home around mile 8 or 9. Luckily I got a second wind when the shot blocks (all three of them) kicked in, and I managed to do another 13-14 miles. My hip and knee are not happy now, for whatever reason. Grump.

Ooh, I forgot to mention:
I got passed by a fairly young guy (compared to what I usually see on the trail) on a nice Trek, going at a decent clip. I decided to see if I could catch and pass him. Mischief managed! And with not too much effort.

[Catrin]

Took the Jamis across the street to Eagle Creek Park and worked on skills for about 90 minutes. Bikes aren't allowed in the trail there, but there are large mowed areas where I do play - lots of trees to weave around, some roots to go over, different surfaces to ride over, picnic tables to ride around, etc. I try to avoid riding her on paved surfaces as much as possible - I hate how she feels on the road but that isn't what she is meant for Amazing how different she feels off-road!

Going hiking later today to look at a brand new mountain bike trail in the city to see if it is too advanced for me - probably is at my current level, but my legs need something different to do that doesn't involve two wheels. Am having FAR too much fun to risk more over-use injuries this year

[redrhodie]

Did the 30 mile shop ride. I actually slept well the night before for once. I went to bed at 9:30, so when I woke up to check the time at 3:30, I knew I was good, with 6 hours already in the bag. The rest was gravy. I felt really good.

It was a beautiful day. Hot, but most of the ride is shady, so it was nice. I think 13 people showed up. We stopped and looked at the flowers. We talked. It's so fun.

There was a couple on a tandem with us. They flew up every hill, and whenever they'd go fast, the girl would laugh so hard. They were so cute. They accidentally went off road for a bit, and it was very impressive to see how well they handled it, riding across a field over grass and ending up right back with us. Very reminiscent of Lance going around Beloki.

I love riding my bike more every day.