Magnificent or Mundane May Rides!

[Crankin]

Did about 20 Sunday afternoon. We set out with no idea where we were going, except to ride slowly. Ha, that's often a recipe for disaster. After climbing up Strawberry Hill first, we headed out to do our "flat ride," which is really pretty flat until we get back to the house. Of course, being flat, the speed ratcheted up, until by the time we got back to the neighborhood, I had my fastest ride of the year. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to ride in a flat place all of the time, which is why I don't pay much attention to my speed, given the terrain around here. Yes, not mountains, but lots of very short, steep hills and rollers. Anyway, the weather was cooler that Saturday, which I appreciated. I have discovered I really feel it once it goes over 70 degrees. If there was a gradual increase, it would be OK, but this being New England, of course not!
So many riders out today, and it was already about 2 when we left. There was a Brain Tumor Society ride that went through my neighborhood earlier, so that was why we waited.

[Dragonfly5]

Got together yesterday with some ladies that I met through a facebook cycling group (see? FB is good for something!) Went for a 22 mile ride - my longest so far. (i'm looking forward to the days when I can be like some of you and say "Oh just went for a short spin - about 20 miles." lol One pedal stroke at a time ) The weather was nice, not too hot or too cool. The sun peeked out here and there. I'm really loving meeting new people that enjoy cycling as much as I do.

[Jolt]

Longest ride so far for me too (at least recently)...about 25 rolling miles or so with a total of 972 feet of climbing (need to get a bike computer, MapMyRide is a PITA to try to get the route entered right). It got interesting when one road first turned into a dirt road (no problem there), then into what appeared to be an ATV trail--this was NOT shown on my map, it just appeared that the road continued. So, I started down the trail thinking it would hook back up with the road. I must say, the LHT did pretty well off-road except for coming to a dead stop in the middle of a puddle with squishy mud at the bottom (which really had more to do with my having slowed down too much before hitting it) resulting in me having to dismount in the middle of said muck and finish the ride with soaked shoes. Shortly after crossing that mess, the trail became a pretty steep uphill at which point I said "screw this, I'm turning around" and went back the way I came, then found another road that led to the rest of the loop I had planned. The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful, and BTW I did find the other end of the road that seemed to turn into a trail, maybe next time I will follow it and see where it actually goes. I won't even say how long the ride took me, because it's embarrassing. Suffice it to say, it was enough saddle time for me to realize there are a couple more adjustments I need to make to the bike before my 50-mile ride that's coming up.

[ny biker]

I rode on Saturday. It was a 58-mile club ride with a stop at a strawberry festival after 45 miles. The terrain was flat for most of the ride and the group I was with rides fast. My average speed halfway through the ride was 16 mph, which is very high for me. Fortunately at that point someone else cried uncle, and four of us ended up riding together at a more manageable pace for the rest of the ride. My average was 15.1 at the end, still higher than average for me, and I'm still feeling it in my legs. Also I've had a bit of a cold for a week now, and I felt worse yesterday than I did the day before the ride. I spend most of yesterday on the couch but I'm still feeling a bit weak today.

I had strawberry shortcake at the festival and brought home four chocolate-covered strawberries, which I enjoyed for lunch yesterday.

[IBrakeforPastry]

It's so nice reading about everyone's rides! Except for local errands, I haven't been out yet at all. When I finally had some time last weekend, I came down with a cold, then some allergy attack (new to me in the past two years) that kept me home from work for a day, cold weather, hot weather. Now I'm working midnight shifts. So I hope it's okay to ride vicariously through this thread, and hopefully get out soon! But I did get the bikes out of the basement, wiped down and adjusted.

[redrhodie]

I've been riding like once a week of late. I took my white bike out today for her first ride of the year. It was really windy and that bike is much better in the wind than my others.

It was a pretty day with white caps on the water and gold finches flying. I had California Stars playing in my head on a loop. Doesn't get much better than that! I once had Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen stuck in my head on every bike ride for weeks. It was ominous, so this was pleasant in comparison.

Glad you're all still riding!

[Blueberry]

Glad you're all still riding!

Glad you are too! I've missed "seeing" you as much around here!