Magnificent or Mundane May Rides!

[Crankin]

Got in a 19 mile ride with Hirakukibou this afternoon. Rain is supposed to start at 4:00, thunder/lightening, too. There were dark clouds hanging over us as we set out, and we adjusted our route shorter and shorter as we went. I did not want to be caught in a thunderstorm. When we got close to my turn off point, we decided to both go back to Concord center, for coffee. It started sprinkling as we were sitting outside, so we both took off. Of course, the sprinkles stopped, and we probably would have been OK with the original plan, but I am fine with some miles rather than no miles!

[colorisnt]

Crankin, yeah, I know the feeling. It's better to get some mileage in than none always!

[Crankin]

15 of some the most torturous miles I've done. The last couple times I've ridden my Kuota, it seemed like the brakes got stuck after I put it away, or in the process, I banged something. DH checked, fixed something, but today I didn't spin the wheel before we left. I really thought I had lost all power, on every little climb. I could maintain a pretty good speed on the flats, but no flat roads until the second half of the loop. We sat on the porch at Ferns so I could rest. Seriously, I was ready to throw in the towel on this ride and even if I feel like this in the beginning of a ride, by the middle of this loop, I'm usually fine. There was a headwind, too. So, I got home and checked, and sure enough, brakes rubbing. Not totally stuck, but enough that I notice. On this loop, I know exactly how fast I usually go on good days, bad days, and in between, so I am not going crazy. We figured out this has happened since we replaced the brake/shifters and cables about a month ago. DH tightened something again, but said this should not be happening every time I ride. Will go to the bike shop if necessary, but this is rarely necessary in this house.

[Catrin]

Glad you figured it out Crankin, and hope the two of you can figure out why it is happening again.

[Fredwina]

I had a nice big blister, so I took a few days off riding. I did 42 miles today.
The American Queen in port:

Tom Lee (http://www.tomleeamemphishero.webs.com/history.htm ) Park:


Looking Upriver:

[Jolt]

No ride for me today...getting ready for tomorrow's big (for me) ride...50 miles. Will be sure to post a ride report!

[Crankin]

Did a 46.7 very hilly ride to Bolton Orchards for lunch and back. It's supposed to be 50, but because of road construction and tiredness, we took a bit of a shorter way home.
It's the first real summer like day of riding; really nice, about 75-78 and not too humid. That's good, because ofter lunch, we have a 5 mile climb, which isn't steep, but feels relentless, because of the lack of shade. All of yesterday's issues with my brakes rubbing are fixed and I made myself take this bike, even though I'd normally take the other one, with 2 lower gears on this kind of ride. I feel really wiped, and several "parts" are hurting, but my speed was the normal for this kind of ride and the heat didn't get to me. I had 2 bottles of Skratch Lab lemon-lime, and a bottle of water, and two Shot Blocks, as well as a nice chicken wrap and baked chips for lunch. I guess it took me this long to realize I need to eat more on these kinds of rides.
We'll see if I commute tomorrow, especially since I will go to boot camp before work.