Weekend Rides?

[Slowspoke]

I am feeling rather smug about beating mother nature. I was whining about needing to go grocery shopping and how ugly it was to shop on a Sunday. Crowds of rude people are not my thing! I checked the weather channel and it said rain at 12:30 through 2. I thought great, when I get home in the rain, I won't be able to ride. DUH I jumped off the couch, grabbed my dog (he runs on the walkie dog when I do short rides) and off we went. We got in a quick 4 miles. It still has not rained but the radar looks really ugly. Now I am going to wait a few hours so I don't have to unload groceries in the rain. Lesson learned? Ride first, chores don't go away!!!

Hoping to get in a longer ride tonight. While I wait this out, I think I will try to make pop bottle fenders for my commuter.

[Kubla]

Although my first 2012 ride was unusually early for me (late March), I wasn't able to ride again until today due to scheduling/weather issues.

Beautiful weather-sunny, a little breezy and warm enough to ride without a jacket. My goal was 10-12 miles; I managed 13+ and could have easily stayed out longer. (I say easily now, but I would have paid for it dearly tomorrow if I hadn't stopped when I did.) The route was a perfect combination of gentle hills, scenic stretches and straightaways that invited some short sprints.

I had to cross two busy roads (at a crosswalk) and am still amazed at the motorists that will not slow down for a "pedal-destrian" around here. Or, one side will stop to allow a crossing-while the other side speeds on through. <Sigh>

[Crankin]

Did another 32 miles today. It's about 78-80 and partly cloudy. Good thing, for the cloudy. We did one of the rides we lead, but made it a little shorter so we could eat lunch at a convenient spot. Only one big hill, lots of rolling hills. This ride goes through Concord, Sudbury, Stow, Acton, and back to Concord. I won't even say how slow my average was, but it was sort of intentional after yesterday's sufferfest. My back is a little wacky, but not as bad as it was when I woke up today.
It's supposed to be 90 here tomorrow. They are very worried about the runners in the marathon. I think I will be riding in the early AM.
There seems to be about 2-3X the amount of traffic this weekend. What is going on?

[Reesha]

I did somewhere between 50 and 60 today. The first 30 were so pleasant and easy and I really should have been putting two and two together. Basically I had a 30 mph sustained tailwind the whole way out. On the way back? A 30 mph sustained headwind with gusts up to 46! I also forgot my sunglasses since it was cloudy and getting dust, bugs, and other debris blown at you at those speeds is really unpleasant. Also my eyelashes were getting blown sideways! And then I failed to put on sunblock and my arms are nice and pink. Ugh. Well, at least I have palmer's cocoa butter formula on hand, and at least the first 30 miles were great!

[redrhodie]

I did somewhere between 50 and 60 today. The first 30 were so pleasant and easy and I really should have been putting two and two together. Basically I had a 30 mph sustained tailwind the whole way out. On the way back? A 30 mph sustained headwind with gusts up to 46! I also forgot my sunglasses since it was cloudy and getting dust, bugs, and other debris blown at you at those speeds is really unpleasant. Also my eyelashes were getting blown sideways! And then I failed to put on sunblock and my arms are nice and pink. Ugh. Well, at least I have palmer's cocoa butter formula on hand, and at least the first 30 miles were great!

I know how that feels! I call it paying the piper. I think it's better you didn't know in advance.

[Reesha]

I'd never have gone out had I checked. Well I might have done an E-W route instead. That tailwind was mighty nice! Too nice! "Paying the piper" is an awesome expression!

[bluebug32]

I did 48 miles and 4,450 feet of climbing today. Was a gorgeous, summery day so I wanted to take full advantage of it. Lots of other cyclists out (including many women!).