June 14 Weekend Rides

[Crankin]

AMC Bike Rally ride is done.
We had probably 50-60 people for the 28.7 mile ride, which we split into 2 groups. I sweep the "fast" group, DH leads. We had a perfect day. Right away, I noticed the group had a natural break, but all was OK, until we got to some little hills. We stopped at a porta potty at a playground at around mile 10 and about 15 people decided to stay and wait for the slower paced group to come by. All was good, until we hit more small rollers. I was stuck with a woman who told me she "hadn't been out much," this year. Now, if you had a choice, would you go with the faster group if you hadn't been out much? But, I take my sweep role seriously, and I stayed with her, even asking if she wanted to stop and rest as she was gasping for breath going up a little rise. We finally made it to the lunch stop, where I made DH tell her she had to go with the slower group!
I thought the last 7 miles would be fine, but a guy dropped his chain going up a short steep rise, so I waited for him to fix it. Both he and his girlfriend were taking their time and then we came to Nagog Hill. Oy, I have surmised most people just don't use their gears right. They both stand and mash (these people are at least 30 years younger than me) and I pass them going faster, because I am in a lower gear and spinning. But DH waited with the rest of the group and we all made it back.
Someone from AMC has linked this ride to a Meet Up group and I hate this. These are the people who you can clearly tell aren't AMC members. They have poor riding skills, despite being able to ride at a decent speed. We saw several making lefts from the right, so both DH and I gave a "talk" at the lunch about this. Someone from DH's work went into the left lane on a left turn, and up onto the grass on the wrong side of the road . Thankfully, it was in Boxborough, so no cars.
Everyone loved the newly designed route and generally, everyone seemed happy at the end. I just wish people would stop and think.

[colorisnt]

Hey guys. Sorry, I should be more clear.

I'm riding with the club at home. It's looking like a big herd for the 28. We just went down to Indy for the day to see family and drove back. Gotta watch the game here in a bit. Your rides sound like fun. Saw so many trails this afternoon when we were in Noblesville. Looks like cool cycling that way. My cousin may be riding with the CIBA at some point this summer (soon-ish). He's training to do the Hilly this year. I swear everyone in my family is just cray-cray for bikes.

Sorry to hear about that, Indy. That's rough.

[shootingstar]

Well I only put in around 32 km. I spent several hrs. looking for frames (prescription) glasses. Several places had sales..and I felt slightly under pressure since I had already looked for past 2 wks. I can't wait 6 months later..

So I did put in an order. Finally. Then I rode off at 2:00 pm for some lunch on my way home.

[TrekDianna]

I rode the Gorge Ride today. It's about 39 miles from The Dalles to Hood River, Oregon. Great scenery and starts out with a climb that ends in a great view.

[rebeccaC]

I rode the Gorge Ride today. It's about 39 miles from The Dalles to Hood River, Oregon. Great scenery and starts out with a climb that ends in a great view.

That looks like a great riding area!!

Was suppose to do a long ride in the Los Olivos to Santa Maria area but work got in the way this weekend. Next weekend!!!! I got a quick 25 miles last night on the beach path here to unwind and catch the sunset.

[Crankin]

I rode 15.2 miles this morning, while DH went to the Minute Clinic to make sure his cold is nothing more than a cold . I did my early AM route in the full daylight for the first time. I don't usually go out riding in Concord on Sunday mornings, because there are so many cyclists, it's not always peaceful. I rode to Concord center, up Nashawtuc Hill and then back down, out Thoreau St., and back around a loop past the cemetery where all the famous authors are buried, and back home. It was humid, and I had that little asthma thing again for a bit, but I am still not sure it's that, as I was fine after the first 20 minutes, and I was riding fast for me. I am also a bit under the weather, so I think a combination of humidity, allergies, going fast without too much of a warm up, contributes to this. I purposely went slow up Nashawtuc, which made my average much slower than I thought it would be. A bunch of really fast dudes passed me, but when I'm going 18-20, I don't care. I dropped one woman, which is enough to make me feel good.
I'm glad I went, as we got back from Father's Day brunch in Boston about 2 hour ago, and are headed out to friends' for dinner!

[colorisnt]

I didn't get out I had a complex migraine and woke up with no feeling in my right hand so I didn't ride. Blargh.

Glad to hear you all got rides in, though. That gorge ride looks beautiful