Weekend rides 8/2-8/4

[thekarens]

Saturday we went out for our usual ride with the club. I ride with the "No drop, one stop" group, which usually averages between 14-16 and we go various distances. This Saturday they decided to do the "Clay Walker ride" route which is 43 miles. I felt I did fairly well, I was somewhere in the middle and averaged 15.1 mph. Today my partner went mountain biking while I was a slacker and slept in. My partner is on the left on the red/white Madone and I'm on the ride on the blue Jamis.

[indysteel]

DH and I took Friday off and went mountain biking. It was only our second time out this year, but the ride went well. Today, we drove to a state forest and did a couple of loops that have some good climbs and descents. The main thing we note when we mtb is that our climbing has really suffered from all the flat road rides we do. Today's ride was an effort to get some climbs in.

[Catrin]

DH and I took Friday off and went mountain biking. It was only our second time out this year, but the ride went well. Today, we drove to a state forest and did a couple of loops that have some good climbs and descents. The main thing we note when we mtb is that our climbing has really suffered from all the flat road rides we do. Today's ride was an effort to get some climbs in.

Sounds nice Indy! Where do you go? I had planned on riding the Cultural Trail + Monon today, but I didn't have much left after my group workout this morning and decided that was enough exercise for one day.

[indysteel]

Morgan Monroe today (the loop is both in and outside the actual forest); BCSP on Friday.

[Catrin]

Morgan Monroe today (the loop is both in and outside the actual forest); BCSP on Friday.

I had wondered about Morgan Monroe when you mentioned it was a state forest, somehow I didn't know they have mtb trails there, sweet!

[indysteel]

I had wondered about Morgan Monroe when you mentioned it was a state forest, somehow I didn't know they have mtb trails there, sweet!

Sorry, I wasn't clear. Today's ride was a road ride. Morgan Monroe doesn't have mtb trails.

[thekarens]

Morgan Monroe today (the loop is both in and outside the actual forest); BCSP on Friday.

Sounds pretty!

[Catrin]

Crankin, hill starts still scare me so I just won't do them. When I see it must happen I stop early so I don't get scared about tipping over and then walk the rest of the way. Of course that is all theoretical as I've not been in real traffic this year

Indy I hope your back continues to improve. I've wondered just how hilly your Memorial Day ride is given the location. I figuded there must be some steep/long climbs.

[indysteel]

Crankin, hill starts still scare me so I just won't do them. When I see it must happen I stop early so I don't get scared about tipping over and then walk the rest of the way. Of course that is all theoretical as I've not been in real traffic this year

Indy I hope your back continues to improve. I've wondered just how hilly your Memorial Day ride is given the location. I figuded there must be some steep/long climbs.

The Horsey Hundred is the Memorial Day weekend ride that we do every year. It's fairly hilly, but not crazy hilly. Saturday's routes change every year/two years. Some years have been harder than others; there have been a few memorable climbs over the years. Sunday's routes cover more rolling terrain, but of course if you rode on Saturday, your legs are somewhat fatigued. There are different route lengths from which to choose, so you can pick your poison. The Lexington area makes for fantastic riding, and the Bluegrass Cycling Club generally does a great job with the ride.

[Crankin]

Well, I've discovered that almost every intersection around where I live has at least a slight incline at stop signs! It's nothing you'd realize in a car. If I come to a a light/stop sign on a real hill, I slow down, unclip one foot, and pray the light will change before I get there. Since most of these are at places I do regularly (or at least a few times a year), I can time it. I do avoid these types of intersections, though, if possible. I am pretty strong, but I do find it very difficult to start at even a small incline. I am sure this is the same reason I find it hard to stand up while climbing. Of course, now, it's in my head and like Indy said, I anticipate trouble. I've been known to scoot across a street, which is just ridiculous.
I don't obsess on this, but when I plan a group ride, I work pretty hard to avoid all spots like this. Several of the participants on my rides have thanked me for this, so, I know I'm not the only one.

[thekarens]

I can't imagine...Houston is 100 percent flat and the few times when we've gone to places with a few rollers we've never had to start uphill. I remember learning to start on a hill with a stick shift and how stressful that was. I can't imagine on a bike.

[Owlie]

Rode to Yellow Springs yesterday, using the bike trails. First time I've been on the bike since my century just over a week ago.

I think that may also be my last ride in Ohio for a long time.

[Norse]

Did a nice, easy 24 miles mostly on trails on Saturday - the Luce Line, Wirth Parkway and Cedar Lake trails. Gorgeous day. I clearly have not done enough riding, or core work, since finishing the Red Ribbon Ride 3 weeks ago and felt it in my lower back. Time to get back to some Pilates and crunches.