Weekday Rides?

[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.

[redrhodie]

That's a very good point, Indy. Even if I had my spare with me, it wouldn't have helped. But I'll always carry one with me from now on. This was literally the first time I went without it.

Getting stuck is part of riding, and I know a lot of women really worry about it, but I've had it happen enough to know you always get home. There were other options, but having my guy come on his bike was the most fun. It wasn't the fastest way to get home, but it worked.

[indysteel]

He's a keeper for sure, Red!

[Owlie]

Coincidence, red. I left my seat bag in the car because I was so anxious to get out for a ride. (I played hooky this afternoon so I could ride, because it is absolutely gorgeous. Low humidity, breezy, sunny. Ahhh.) No flats. Whew! I have, however, determined that I'll be needing new tires soon. I have about 2000 miles on them, and there's a very small piece missing from the front one.

30.8 miles, with a head wind both ways, but I made it up the incline of doom (not a hill per se, but it's a quarter of a mile and a shallow climb, so it sucks the energy right out of me, and of course it's at the very end of the ride) fairly well, considering.

[sookiesue]

I had an appointment for a haircut last night, and since I usually (thanks, wonderful husband!) get at least a short ride in on Tuesday nights, I thought I'd be smart and bike over to the salon and back. It's about 13 miles. 2 miles straight up hill from my house on a road, 3 winding miles down through the forest trail, 2 miles on a busy road with a bike lane, and about 5-6 miles through town, on and off bike paths.

I started off with what I thought was plenty of time to get there. About halfway up the hill it started to rain (20% chance of showers and 65 degrees, my a$$!!!) a bit, but not enough to deter me. When I got to the top of the hill it was coming down pretty well, but I figured once I got in the forest it would seem less rainy because of the canopy cover. WRONG.

Started down the wet, very muddy, very rutted trail. Now it was too late to turn around and get home and drive there and still make it on time, and I was still sure that the rain would clear and I'd get there easily.

Nope. I was covered in mud, front and back, freezing cold, and soaked to the skin by the time I got to the bottom of the hill. I tried to hurry, but realized that I was still 4 miles away and my appointment was supposed to start in 4 minutes. Guess I rode very slowly in the muddy ruts?

Called the gal who cuts my hair and explained that I was very late, very muddy, and she probably didn't want me in her nice new shop. Fortunately I've been going to her for 17 years (!) and she was understanding and rescheduled me for the weekend.

I turned around and headed home. Went up the road instead of through the forest this time. I got home and was very glad I'd decided to bail on the appointment. My front was pretty muddy but my BACK was completely covered in about 1/2 inch of mud, waist to heels.

Guess I'm a real Oregon cyclist now!