Weekday Rides?

[Crankin]

DH and I rode about 21 miles this morning, through Great Brook Farm, and back a slightly different way than usual. This is the day I either usually ride with Hirakukibou or go on a group ride, but alas, Hirakukibou has embarked on her journey across the USA.
Didn't leave until 9:15 AM or so, and it was already steamy. And then there was the little issue of only 3 hours of sleep. I drank a full mug of strong coffee at 3 PM and then, right when I was getting tired, I had an emergency phone call and dealt with that until around 9 PM or so, I couldn't fall asleep. I felt dead, although my legs were fresh from resting yesterday. At about mile 11, we got a phone call from our friend and we decided to go ahead and book our trip to the Berkshires this weekend; it looks like the weather will be OK Sat. and Sun. although Friday looks questionable.
I need to get away. Hard riding, but, good.

[Owlie]

Be careful out there!

[azfiddle]

I've had lots of time to ride my bike on vacation- today's ride was 34 miles southeast of Tucson to Pistol Hill. We're "enjoying" temperatures above 100 now, so it's essential to get out in the early morning, when it's still in the 70's and 80's.

[pangaea99]

I had a lovely 11mile ride along the Mississippi on my hybrid today in hot humid weather. It's fun to get on my hybrid after riding my roadbike for the last few days. I've been getting discouraged because I haven't biked with chamois padding ever and it's been burning (finally broke down and bought knickers today, never needed them for my hybrid).

But anyway, I always feel like I'm on an escalade - so high and comfy - when I ride my hybrid and I'm so much more confident on it. Riding my roadbike gives me anxiety and I dont notice till I rid my hybrid and realize how intuitive riding is supposed to be. I just have to give it time I guess.

[Owlie]

I had a lovely 11mile ride along the Mississippi on my hybrid today in hot humid weather. It's fun to get on my hybrid after riding my roadbike for the last few days. I've been getting discouraged because I haven't biked with chamois padding ever and it's been burning (finally broke down and bought knickers today, never needed them for my hybrid).

But anyway, I always feel like I'm on an escalade - so high and comfy - when I ride my hybrid and I'm so much more confident on it. Riding my roadbike gives me anxiety and I dont notice till I rid my hybrid and realize how intuitive riding is supposed to be. I just have to give it time I guess.

There's definitely a learning curve with road bikes. It took me quite a while to get comfortable. If you haven't done so already, get your road bike fitted.

[chatnoire]

I still get anxious on my road bike.

I went out for a ride last night that was Not. Fun. 20 miles in 35 mph winds around the reservoir. I thought we could do a full loop, and the climbs were non-existent, so I was looking forward to a long, flat ride. Nope. It was short, hard, and unpleasant. Also, the trail didn't do what I expected.

I got really annoyed at myself for being unable to maintain speed when a high wind gust would essentially "apply the brakes" - literally slowing me from my top speed of 29 down to 9 mph.

[redrhodie]

I had a funny ride today. As I was heading out the door, I decided to pull my seat bag off, thinking, well, if I get a flat, I'll just ride home on it. Okay, in hindsight this makes me look like an idiot, but know that this was my bike with tubular tires, and I've done that the last 2 flats, no problem. And also, I wasn't going very far.

Well, sure enough, like clockwork, I flat at the furthest point from home, but for some reason, (probably because it was completely flat and the front tire) the bike was completely uncontrollable. It was like riding on sand, and braking was downright scary. So, first time ever, I called my dbf for help.

His options were to drive my car out to get me, or to ride his bike with my saddle bag, which had a spare tire and tools. He opted for the bike, and made it in a bit over half an hour. While I was waiting, I pulled the glued tire off, which wasn't that easy. But I did it and figured he could help me mount the spare, which was pre glued. Well, the spare had been in that bag for over a year, and when I unrolled it, the rim tape ripped off.

So now the two of us are there, no closer to home, but at least we had each other. Ha! What I ended up doing was taking his front wheel, riding home, and driving my car back to get him. See? Funny.

The joy of tubluars. They do ride great, though.

[indysteel]

What a ride, Red! Glad you both made it home and I suppose it was better to learn that your spare was worthless under these circumstances than when you were both really far from home, riding at night, etc.