Weekend Rides?

[Antaresia]

oh my goodness, **** is censored. Lol. Anyway, if you're confused it's this:

Richomond **** trails

[chatnoire]

oh my goodness, **** is censored. Lol. Anyway, if you're confused it's this:

Richomond **** trails

That's hilarious that it's censored. That's a pretty trail though!

[Norse]

Did the MS-150 this weekend from near Duluth to a northern Twin Cities burb. This was my 11th straight year. Except for the first year, which I naively did on a mountain bike this was the most brutal year ever. I thought the constant southerly headwind, which caused my first sub-15 mph average in forever for this ride, on Saturday, was bad. That was a piece of cake compared to yesterday. It was AWFUL!!! Heat (90's) but worst of all - the WIND - the wicked CONSTANT 25-35 mph headwind with gusts over 40 that just about knocked me off my bike more than once and stopped riders dead in their tracks! I have never seen such misery on this ride or so many folks who looked like zombies. People were dropping by the trailside, sides of the road and just sitting, staring blankly. Everyone was joining up with drafting lines but nothing much helped.

On the bright side, riders raised $3 million for the local chapter of the Nat'l MS Society, and it was great training for my upcoming AIDS ride in mid-July - lots of heat training and, thanks to the awful headwind, what was the equivalent of hours and hours of hill climbing work.

[GLC1968]

I managed my first ride in at least 3 months but likely more (I honestly can't remember my last outdoor ride!), yesterday.

10 miles on a local MUP. I was really stressed out the whole time, was clumsy and uncoordinated, couldn't stand on the pedals at all (had to try over large bumps), had my rear killing me after just 5 miles and generally had what should have been considered a lousy ride. But you know what? I was riding and outside, none-the-less! So it was awesome. I can't believe that little 10 mile ride took us an hour, too. I've got a LONG way to go...

[tulip]

22 quick miles with intervals, very flat. Much fun!

[goldfinch]

Did the MS-150 this weekend from near Duluth to a northern Twin Cities burb. This was my 11th straight year. Except for the first year, which I naively did on a mountain bike this was the most brutal year ever. I thought the constant southerly headwind, which caused my first sub-15 mph average in forever for this ride, on Saturday was bad. That was a piece of cake compared to yesterday. It was AWFUL!!! Heat (90's) but worst of all - the WIND - the wicked CONSTANT 25-35 mph headwind with gusts over 40 that just about knocked me off my bike more than once and stopped riders dead in their tracks! I have never seen such misery on this ride or so many folks who liked like zombies. People were dropping by the trailside, sides of the road and just sitting, staring blankly. Everyone was joining up with drafting lines but nothing much helped.

On the bright side, riders raised $3 million for the local chapter of the Nat'l MS Society, and it was great training for my upcoming AIDS ride in mid-July - lots of heat training and, thanks to the awful headwind, what was the equivalent of hours and hours of hill climbing work.

I had a friend who did the first day and then didn't do the second. Now I see why! And man that is hot for Minnesota this time of year. I was going to do the ride but didn't get my ducks in a row. Now I am glad I didn't.

Congratulations on beating the wind and the heat.

[Norse]

I had a friend who did the first day and then didn't do the second. Now I see why! And man that is hot for Minnesota this time of year. I was going to do the ride but didn't get my ducks in a row. Now I am glad I didn't.

Congratulations on beating the wind and the heat.

Thanks! Yes, if ever there was a year or day to miss, this was it!

[indysteel]

Wow, Norse. That sounds positively brutal. Good on you for sticking it out, and kudos for your efforts to raise money and awareness for MS.

[AppleTree]

Did the 45 miles loop of the Flying Wheels ride from Marymoor Park... ended up being "only" 41, but it was hilly too. But still I increased my average speed to.....drum roll.......12.6 mph!! Whoo hoo. I know that is nothing to most of you, but for me it is an achievement. Maybe it had something to do with the nice tailwind at the last stretch, but I will take it.

Met the most fabulous woman as we were grinding uphill and stopping to catch our breath together. An army major who was recovering from a disease that paralyzed her lower left leg...she had only been bicycling for three months and was doing this ride...with a brace and clipless pedals. I was so freaking impressed.

Sunday did a nice recovery ride from home, about 25 miles. Here is a photo of one of my favorite haunts, so beautiful and peaceful overlooking the marina and the Puget Sound in North Everett. Love it.