November 12/13 rides

[Fredwina]

Warmer this Saturday:

Mohawk River

Made it to Schenatday:


not too much longer:

[Catrin]

I wasn't going to ride today as they were forcasting winds >20 mph and my doctor has impressed upon me that I can only ride pavement right now if I maintain an upright body position - no hunching over in the wind allowed...

The promised winds didn't come though

I went out for an EASY ride of no more than 45 minutes and actually rode 40. Easy pace, when I did encounter wind I just geared down and took it easy - it was hard to make myself do that but muscle spasms reminded me that I've got to be good. In the end I rode an entire 8 miles and, you know, I will take it

Tomorrow I am going to go to our canal tow path that is totally flat and is protected from the wind - I will be able to ride further that way.

It is nice having a doctor who is a mountain biker - he is easier to talk to but he also keeps me honest - can't fool him because I really want to ride. Not that I would ever do that

[Crankin]

So far, I rode a whole 7 miles to Trader Joe's and back, as I had my consultation group with my grad school buddies today. Put the pannier on the new bike when I got home, which of course, is a whole new experience, but basically, I get to go even slower with a load in there. We used our new lights (me for the second time) and even though it wasn't quite dark out when we got home, it's a really great light.
Tomorrow, it's supposed to be 60 and I plan on riding my Kuota at least 30 miles, maybe more.

[Bike Writer]

Rode 12 miles today at a favorite State Park with a trail around the lake. We had warmer temps even than last weekend. Mid 50's with loads of sunshine and some wind. Supposed to be warmer tomorrow but windier and I'll need to seek out a more protected ride. Love cycling in November!

Beautiful pictures Fredwina!

[Giulianna23]

Just finished my first 12 miles ride @ the Monon Trail .17- 20MPH winds but the temp was nice 61 degrees . I kept and average of 13MPH regardless of the wind a few sprints were I went up to 23MPH...I am pretty impressed with myself.....no doubt working out is paying off....just can't wait to get aluminum wheels.

[Owlie]

I wasn't going to ride today as they were forcasting winds >20 mph and my doctor has impressed upon me that I can only ride pavement right now if I maintain an upright body position - no hunching over in the wind allowed...

The promised winds didn't come though

I went out for an EASY ride of no more than 45 minutes and actually rode 40. Easy pace, when I did encounter wind I just geared down and took it easy - it was hard to make myself do that but muscle spasms reminded me that I've got to be good. In the end I rode an entire 8 miles and, you know, I will take it

Tomorrow I am going to go to our canal tow path that is totally flat and is protected from the wind - I will be able to ride further that way.

It is nice having a doctor who is a mountain biker - he is easier to talk to but he also keeps me honest - can't fool him because I really want to ride. Not that I would ever do that

Good to know, since your weather's heading our way.
No riding today because of studying, but I'm sneaking out tomorrow morning. Shh, don't tell my notebook!

[azfiddle]

I started the 3 day weekend early - and concentrated on refreshing my memory of a few sections of the El Tour de Tucson for next week.

Thursday after work: I rode 16 miles, about 6 on the ETT route- reviewing the first big hill on the route, near Saguaro NP. Friday's ride was 27 cloudy but pleasant miles, 12 of which were on the next section of the ETT route. This morning I revisited the steepest hill on the course: It climbs 160 feet in 1/2 mile. I was standing in the pedals in my lowest gear, but I made it to the top. My heart rate was 175!!! Another cool and cloudy day, and the predicted wind did not arrive until after I got home.

Tomorrow, there is a 50% chance of rain, but it is the last ride with our El Tour training group. I have 3 different rain rackets, none of which have ever been put to work on a bike- I live in the desert! Maybe one of them will get a chance tomorrow.

[7rider]

Mtb'ing with DH at Rosaryville State Park....Fun stuff.

[MojoGrrl]

Haven't ridden in almost two weeks and was starting to feel depressed about it! Went out today for 21 miles. Rather dry, cold wind and I felt warm enough riding but when I got home I realized that my eyeballs were so dry I could barely see, my lips were almost cracking, and my face was freezing. Time to start moisturizing/coating on the petroleum products/carrying eye drops!

[redrhodie]

Yesterday we did our old 30 mile lbs "peace ride", so named because we're not supposed to ride that fast, or drop each other. As is the case with bike rides, that never happens, but at least it's not so hard we can't talk. We've been doing another shorter route for a few weeks, now, so the old loop felt long and the hill felt hard. The guys I was with dropped me on it, and I ended up riding the rest of the way in the middle of the 3 groups we split into. It was pretty fun, despite lagging on the hill. It was in the low 30s when we started, but the time change had us in full sun and we warmed up rather quickly, even with a hard headwind for the last 10 miles.

Today I did my 22 mile ocean ride. It was over 20º warmer than yesterday, and the SW wind felt good. I was just spinning, trying to keep a high cadence and recover from yesterday's hard hill effort, when a guy on a Ti bike passed me. I kept doing my thing, and without even trying, I passed him back on a hill (see, I'm not the worst climber ). I could feel him trying to get onto my wheel after the road flattened out, and I got a bit of the devil in me, and sprinted away from him. It wasn't very nice, but if felt good. So much for spinning. More like intervals at the end.

[indysteel]

Just finished my first 12 miles ride @ the Monon Trail .17- 20MPH winds but the temp was nice 61 degrees . I kept and average of 13MPH regardless of the wind a few sprints were I went up to 23MPH...I am pretty impressed with myself.....no doubt working out is paying off....just can't wait to get aluminum wheels.

Sounds fun! Just an FYI that parts (in Carmel I think) of the Monon have a 15 mph speed limit that is often enforced. Even without a speed limit, it's often crowded enough that it's smart to keep your speed in check.

[Giulianna23]

Sounds fun! Just an FYI that parts (in Carmel I think) of the Monon have a 15 mph speed limit that is often enforced. Even without a speed limit, it's often crowded enough that it's smart to keep your speed in check.

Didn't know that Indysteel...thanks for the heads up. But I was very carefull I did slow down when I saw people around or other riders...I did the sprints when I saw no one ahead and the path was cleared..I did my ride I bit late..around 5 p.m...and it wasn't that crowded...But I will keep your advice in mind. Went to the gym this morning and I am heading over to the monon again in about an hour or so if nothing else comes up...

Thank you very much..

[Catrin]

Didn't know that Indysteel...thanks for the heads up. But I was very carefull I did slow down when I saw people around or other riders...I did the sprints when I saw no one ahead and the path was cleared..I did my ride I bit late..around 5 p.m...and it wasn't that crowded...But I will keep your advice in mind. Went to the gym this morning and I am heading over to the monon again in about an hour or so if nothing else comes up...

Thank you very much..

Yep, this is one of the reasons I love my country roads and I avoid the Monon There are some very nice, and generally empty, roads in SE Boone and western Hamilton counties. Lots of empty roads, though if you are in Hamilton county there is a route that allows you to see some pretty exotic animals.

[Crankin]

I am lazy. Did about 16 miles, around Hanscom AFB and back home, on my Kuota. A stiff headwind for the first half of the ride, but it was warm out, about 62. This sounds weird, but I felt great, even though my back is hurting and something is up with my knee. I could have done more, but I am off to CVS to buy a heat thing for my back and to do some stretching. I think Ihave to raise the saddle on my other bike or maybe stop doing so many squats and lunges at the gym?
I have time to ride tomorrow morning, so I will make up the extra miles I didn't do today

[HillSlugger]

22+ windy miles with Madei.