Weekend Rides?

[redrhodie]

We rode a pretty route up to Ninigret today and did some laps around the track. Well, I only did a lap, because I was hot by the time we got there, and stopped to remove a layer. It was one of those days where the temp rose 30° in a few hours.

My bike had maintenance on a squeaky pedal this week, and in the process of fixing the squeak, my wrench discovered my bottom bracket was shot. So, maybe that was part of my climbing issue, because I was up front on every hill today, and not once did I think (in Mark Cavendish's voice) "I'm not a climber." That guy's the little devil on my shoulder sometimes.

[sookiesue]

30 beautiful miles in the Oregon countryside. Fields of crimson clover, lots of cows, horses, llamas, sheep, goats, and even passed a house with a bunch of donkeys in the yard! At one point I rode past some type of hawk (wish I'd had the presence of mind to stop and take a photo so I could find out what kind) sitting on a fence post about 8 feet away from me. What an amazing way to start the morning.

I did the same route I did Thursday evening and I shaved 4 minutes off my time! I've been stuck at the same average MPH (14ish) forever. It seemed like no matter how hard or how easy I've been riding, I still end up with a 14mph average. So I'm trying to really push myself on flats and downhills, and also to stay in the middle ring on as many climbs as I can to try to regain strength for the summer.

Ahhhh...I love Oregon!

[indysteel]

I love Oregon, too, Sookiesue! Alas, my own home state isn't quite as pretty. DH and I did 44 miles today. Nice route in that there was little traffic and we didn't get chased by any dogs. This was our longest road ride of the year. I felt pretty good minus some neck and shoulder discomfort near the end.

[Catrin]

I love Oregon, too, Sookiesue! Alas, my own home state isn't quite as pretty. DH and I did 44 miles today. Nice route in that there was little traffic and we didn't get chased by any dogs. This was our longest road ride of the year. I felt pretty good minus some neck and shoulder discomfort near the end.

So glad to hear that you and your DH had such a good ride No dogs is even better! I just got in from a walk at Eagle Creek - now off to find the foam roller and stretch. Hopefully I can ride again Monday if I behave now.

[sookiesue]

I am not familiar with the Indianapolis area, but my brother and his family live in Bloomington, IN. I've had the pleasure of visiting them a few times and it is lovely. Maybe next time I visit I'll borrow a bike and check it out on two wheels!

[Owlie]

I just got home from a 48-mile ride. I got start, because I was listening to the voice in my head that wanted to crawl back under the covers. In hindsight, I probably should have listened, because I rode both Thursday and Friday. But I wanted a long ride, something around 30. So I rode up to Xenia, then south on the Little Miami trail. When I left my house I was hungry, despite eating breakfast. I was still doing okay to ride 30 by the time I got to Xenia (it would only have been another 6 miles south of Xenia to do 30). When I got to the 6.5-mile marker, my brain said "Let's do 40!." Okay...

I passed by a big snapping turtle just past the 10.5 mile marker, and stopped to take some pictures. I realized then that I was really really hungry...and was down to 1 tube of shot blocks. Hm. I could ride the 10 back to Xenia, or I could keep going and hope there was something nearby. I had to guess that there was, because of the relatively large numbers of cyclists and the occasional pedestrian--so that means that there's a trailhead nearby, which generally means at least some sort of food. 4 miles down the trail, I found Corwin, which has a nice little restaurant near the trail. One chicken sandwich, chips, a pickle, half a can of Pepsi and a cone of cookies and cream later, I headed back. I think my legs were jelly by the time I got back to the car. I called DBF to tell him I was done with the ride. He asked "Why don't you go out and do another two miles?" I think he heard the look I gave him...

I am tired. I think it's time to go take a shower and eat some ridiculously large quantity of mac and cheese. Not at the same time.

[Fredwina]

I did about 38 yesterday on my bent along the mohawk. Wonderful, except for not sill camera but:
http://youtu.be/khSWHdKbiac
Today, I had my still camera

The Erie Canal in Waterford
Old Champlain Canal:

Old house:

Back in Waterford:

[Catrin]

Looks like a beautiful day Fredwina! This weekend I am living through the lovely photos and stories of rides this weekend, but hope to be back on the bike tomorrow

How often do you ride through this area? It is just gorgeous and I love the historical ties!

[Reesha]

We had our long team ride yesterday... 50 miles of St. Louis rollers! The best part about the ride was that we rode out from the home of one of our students and rode back straight into a fully prepared banquet. Guacamole with pomegranate seeds, ham and cheese sliders, pizza... HEAVEN!!!!

I had a great day. Beautiful weather!

[Fredwina]

It's only abou 10 miles away, so I'm by there quite often. Glad you liked the pictures.

[goldfinch]

This weekend I had my best ride and my worst ride.

Yesterday I rode with an experienced rider and got some tips, especially for how to tackle the rolling hills in the area I am visiting. Over the 30 mile ride I had my best time ever, averaging 14mph, which is way above my usual 12.6 that I have been doing in this area. It was through Amish country, with nice rolling hills and little traffic. It was so much fun to have a riding partner!

Today I joined his group of about 16 for their usual Sunday ride. He said that the groups usually splits into three different clusters, from very speedy to a "leisure ride" group. I could not keep up with the leisure riders. After about 7 miles I was behind everyone by about a mile. Some were only going to the first stop, about 20 miles in. They were passing me on the return trip. Some of the riders were still at the first stop when I got there. My mentor kindly fixed me up with a couple who were going to do only a few miles more and then turn around. I protested that I could not keep up with them on the way in and probably would be slower still on the way out. They said no problem and so I had company for the next 28 miles to home. The guy in our small group of three even ran interference with a scary dog that came snarling after us.

Even though everyone was nice it was demoralizing. I had to stop and rest several times during the return trip. I would see myself lag behind as my riding partners would coast and take it easy. I had to work the entire ride. My average speed ended up only 12.5mph over 48 miles, which is even slower than my usual slow speed. If I had been alone I would have called the spouse for a rescue. Or I would have cried the last ten miles.

I think I had two problems. One is doing this long ride the day after a fairly long and rigorous ride, even though I felt great after yesterday's ride. The other problem is that I am not fit enough to keep up with even the slow riders in this group.

Maybe someday.