Labor Day Weekend Rides

[Crankin]

My ride today was 43 miles, not 50, but it was about 80% humidity. Thankfully, it stayed cloudy and around 73 until we got back at around 1:00. We did some challenging hills, ate lunch on the side of the road at the top of the biggest one, and then rode rather quickly back home. I was exhausted, but glad we got out before the temperature went up to 85, with the humidity.
After our ride we went to the LBS, where I picked up my new road shoes and a pair of new mountain shoes and Frogs for the Guru. I got Shimano shoes in both, as my Sidi road shoes are giving me terrible hot spots. I am sad to see my red shoes be relegated to my "second" pair, but it's driving me nuts.
DH is going to put the Frogs on our Kuotas so we get used to them before we get the Gurus.

[tangentgirl]

Today I rode almost the same route I rode yesterday...on the back of a motorcycle.

Ok, that doesn't count, but it was fun.

[redrhodie]

I just did 18 windy miles. It's so humid. I am my own private rain forest. It was so windy the ride took 7 minutes longer than usual, and I was working! I felt really good, though.

[Becky]

Our planned 40 miles turned into 21 miles. It started raining about 3 minutes after we left the house, so we cut the ride short. However, all was not lost- we stopped at the Italian bakery near our house on the way home

[tytbody]

Kathi- love to see pictures of where people ride. I know someone may think awe, who wants to see this. I see it but now I see, how beautiful it is to see someone else's place to ride.

[azfiddle]

25 solo miles this morning- it was cloudy all morning so the temps were quite moderate compared to the rest of the weekend- just in the low 80's. Coffee stop to meet DH after 20 miles, then I rode the last 5 miles home.

[westtexas]

Started out at 58˚F this morning (!!!!) as a cold front came through Sunday. Never thought we would see anything other than the 110˚ heat we've been having all summer in Texas. I rode to work and back, because even though we are closed, I have still have patients to keep an eye on. By the time I got home around 9, it was only 64˚, so I went ahead and donned up for a nice ride on my road bike. I just bought some Castelli knickers in anticipation of my trip to Wisconsin in a month (hopefully it isn't snowing so my brother and I can ride) and I tried them out this morning. Verdict: they're awesome. It was a blustering 20mph steady wind today with gusts in the 30s but I managed to do a 22.48 mile loop with about 3/4 of the time spent in a crosswind or headwind in about an hour and twenty minutes. Usually the wind makes me SO cranky, but today was so beautiful and so cool outside I couldn't help but smile. At each leg of the journey I just said to myself, "You're almost there, Em!"

Wonderful day. I hope this weather keeps up. Sure makes riding to work a whole lot more pleasant!

[Crankin]

Rode 20 miles to check out my Frogs and new Shimano mtb shoes that will be going on the Guru. After putting the pedals on my Kuota, we set off.
It's a good thing I did.
The Frogs were fine, after learning the little extra motion needed to clip in, different from regular Speedplays. After about 5 miles, my feet, under the whole top part/toes were burning. I thought, OK, it is 87 and humid, but still. DH felt a teeny bit of discomfort which went away. When we got home my feet were hurting for 15 minutes after I stopped.
So, first we thought it was the pitiful liners that came in the shoes, as compared to DH's. Mine are the top of the line women's mtb shoe Shimano makes. They don't make the ones DH bought for women. His shoes have a rigid, thicker liner.
But, that wasn't the culprit, although it is part of it. When looking, under the liner, DH found the screws from the cleats pushing up throughout he bottom of the shoe. No wonder my feet hurt! There's 2 screws pushing up against the sole of the shoe! That, plus the crappy liner made me feel it. So, back to the shop I went. The screws are just too long, but they are the ones you have to use with the cleats. Problem was solved by the mechanic cutting them down and then DH just applied epoxy over the plate where the screws are.
I am going to write to Shimano. The LBS owner stated clearly companies do this, because they don't think women will pay the $ to buy the shoes with the more expensive liner. I am betting there are people riding around in pain... Speedplay clearly states these pedals are compatible with Shimano shoes.

[bmccasland]

First time on my road bike, outside, in over a year. The weather is beautiful, so me an the bike went to the Cedar River MUP. I've been approved for flat rides with my "improved" knee. Road approximately 18 miles, in 1hr-20min. Why yes I did see the 10 mph signs

Felt good to be out. Knee did pretty good, felt a tad odd (there's a cut nerve area), but no pain. Tomorrow I see my PT again and tell her the news.

[Catrin]

Rode 20 miles to check out my Frogs and new Shimano mtb shoes that will be going on the Guru. After putting the pedals on my Kuota, we set off.....
I am going to write to Shimano. The LBS owner stated clearly companies do this, because they don't think women will pay the $ to buy the shoes with the more expensive liner. I am betting there are people riding around in pain... Speedplay clearly states these pedals are compatible with Shimano shoes.

This is really sad they do this. I've given up on Shimano shoes myself as they are generally too wide for me. I love my Mavic mtb shoes - outside of the color (WHITE mountain bike shoes? Really?) I do look forward to eventually using my mountain bike cleats, pedals, and shoes on the actual mountain bike

First time on my road bike, outside, in over a year. The weather is beautiful, so me an the bike went to the Cedar River MUP. I've been approved for flat rides with my "improved" knee. Road approximately 18 miles, in 1hr-20min. Why yes I did see the 10 mph signs

Felt good to be out. Knee did pretty good, felt a tad odd (there's a cut nerve area), but no pain. Tomorrow I see my PT again and tell her the news.

Congratulations on the road - whooo hooooooo! I remember the agony of being off the bike for almost 4 months...

Since I rode 40 miles Saturday, and planned on mountain biking today, yesterday I just went for a hike. Good thing I did because my right glute started cramping while hiking

Today I spent a full 3 hours mountain biking, and I felt much better on the trails today than ever! Lots of fun, though was shocked at the number of people I saw on the trails without helmets. It was also obvious they didn't really know what they were doing, which had me concerned for their heads

[redrhodie]

Congratulations, Beth!

[Biciclista]

here's my trip report for our ride yesterday

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showp...3&postcount=55

I hope you find it interesting.

[Catrin]

here's my trip report for our ride yesterday

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showp...3&postcount=55

I hope you find it interesting.

Wow - thanks for sharing this, you were awesome! Hot rides are so hard...

[Crankin]

Catrin, I agree, I dislike the white shoe trend. Both my new road and mtb shoes are white... for me, who scuffs up and ruins cycling shoes quite easily, I fought this. At least they are not pink.
The Shimano shoes fit me perfectly. I don't have wide feet, but my left foot is half a size bigger and has a small bunion. I need a wide toe box. Plus, not a lot of companies make women's shoes in my size. Well, the shoes are fixed, the epoxy is dried, and new Frog cleats are installed in my winter cycling boots and Keen sandals. DH convinced me to keep the Frogs on my road bike until I can test out the shoes again. Looks like it might not be until late Thursday or Friday, as rain is moving in. I actually feel like I need a break from riding and this will force me.

[Catrin]

Catrin, I agree, I dislike the white shoe trend. Both my new road and mtb shoes are white... for me, who scuffs up and ruins cycling shoes quite easily, I fought this. At least they are not pink.

The Shimano shoes fit me perfectly. I don't have wide feet, but my left foot is half a size bigger and has a small bunion. I need a wide toe box. Plus, not a lot of companies make women's shoes in my size. Well, the shoes are fixed, the epoxy is dried, and new Frog cleats are installed in my winter cycling boots and Keen sandals. DH convinced me to keep the Frogs on my road bike until I can test out the shoes again. Looks like it might not be until late Thursday or Friday, as rain is moving in. I actually feel like I need a break from riding and this will force me.

My LBS staff tells me that men want white shoes, women do NOT want white shoes, and what color shoes are delivered by the bike shoe companies? White for women and not for men. It was an interesting conversation and it appeared to be a little frustrating for them.

I am sorry that you've had this problem with the shoes and cleats. I do think you will like them, and glad you were able to discover/solve the problem so quickly!