July 29th Weekend Rides

[azfiddle]

Indysteel- the event was fantastic! It was so cool because most of my new cycling friends had never seen me perform. I collected over $150 and almost 150 pounds of food for the food bank, all of my music friends joined in at various times.

And the cake... mmmmmmm.... giant chocolate strawberries topped a fabulous chocolate cake with raspberry filling.

[maggie's sister]

The BF and I did 24 fast miles on Friday before work and 65 miles with 7000 feet of climbing on Saturday. Both were great. My only complaint is that PA thinks that oil and chips are the best way to avoid costly repaving, so portions of the long ride were on new chips (a.k.a. loose gravel). I think that loose gravel is the one thing that I fear the most.

[rubysoho]

Was hoping to break 60 miles yesterday but ended up only getting through 40 before I was not feeling "right." Still, I am pretty happy because I doubled the distance I've ever done alone (so I wasn't drafting! ) and while I stayed on track keeping my mph low the first 10 miles I ended up setting a good time for my 40 (I ended up getting bored staying under 15 mph and kicked it up to a range between 17 and 21 mph).

I learned two things:

1. I need to pace myself if I want to go further and not give into my "I wanna go fast"/Ricky Bobby self. I think I could have at least gone 50 on my own, and probably 60 had I not increased my speed. (Also, I needed a bigger breakfast.)

2. I love that cycling allows me to shut my brain off. The constant chatter going on in my head about work and other stressful items gets annoying! There was a good 20 miles of "quiet" which I really needed.

Thankfully I planned my ride so that the first 40 put be back at my car in case I needed to bale and not complete the last twenty. Was able to chat with a few cyclists at a watering hole, always good meeting new people. I was a bit in awe of a guy who had a Ironman Finisher jersey on.

It was a good ride. The temperature did jump nearly 20 degrees from when I started to when I finished. And I think I need to increase the amount of water bottle holders I have (only 2, I want the attachment so I can put two more behind my seat) because I was feeling dehydrated the remainder of the day.

[indysteel]

Indysteel- the event was fantastic! It was so cool because most of my new cycling friends had never seen me perform. I collected over $150 and almost 150 pounds of food for the food bank, all of my music friends joined in at various times.

And the cake... mmmmmmm.... giant chocolate strawberries topped a fabulous chocolate cake with raspberry filling.

I'm glad it went well. Good on you for raising food and money for a good cause!

[Norse]

Shortest ride of the season, quite sticky hot, but quite enjoyable: we took our 12 year old niece out on one of the trails along Lake Minnetonka. 8 miles - a new mileage "high" for her so she was thrilled. I am so glad that at least one of my nieces has a real interest in biking.

[MojoGrrl]

Rode again yesterday, only 26 miles and about 700+ feet of climbing....then after I was done, went and got a deluxe pedicure with foot and leg massage and hot stone massage. Must do that more often!!!