June rides....hopefully a pleasant month of weather and rides for all

[ny biker]

I had to take a vacation day today (I'm a government contractor and there's a delay in getting funding for our work due to a paperwork problem), so I got a few friends together for a 32-mile ride this morning. We're having our first heat wave of the year, yesterday the high temp of 97 broke a record and today was only a few degrees lower. I tried to plan a shady route, but ended up with lots of shade in the first half and some long sunny stretches in the second part of the ride. Luckily there were large white clouds in the sky that kept the sun from blazing down on us without mercy. Despite the heat, it was a nice ride overall.

[Crankin]

It's awesome out today, so both DH and i came home around 11:30. After dealing with some computer stuff, eating lunch, we decided just to do a short loop.
11.2 miles, hilly, and fast. I will ride tomorrow before I leave for the airport, hopefully at least 30, which will put me within 60 miles of my July 1 goal. I can easily make that, if the weather cooperates next weekend, since we have a 50 mile ride scheduled a week from tomorrow.

[colorisnt]

Nybiker, that sounds like an awesome excuse to ride. Glad you got out! And crankin, Congrats!

My goal was 120 miles. I am now at 142, so I kicked butt this week. Did the club ride with the ladies last night and it was awesome. If you can believe it, I am struggling more with pace on the flat than hills. There's just no goal. I feel great at first and then get lost. During the climbs last night, I led the entire group (including two very, very experienced cyclists). I just passed everyone. I am really starting to miss hills. If I do the ride I want to do soon (to Meech Lake and back with a new acquaintance) I should be on target for some good climbs. I really need to figure out a strategy for pushing it on the flat. It seems like the best approach is to ride with some people who really push the pace.

Met some really cool women to ride with, so I cannot complain. Loving Ottawa. For 20 straight days, I have ridden my bike. That's dang impressive. Loving every minute and really enjoying my time here.

[Crankin]

Colorisnt, I am the same way. It's harder for me to maintain speed on the flats. This is why I was surprised I could stay up front on my ride Wednesday. I did pass almost everyone on the 3 hills, but as usual, I start feeling better, near the end of a ride, and that had a lot to do with my ability to stay with the faster group. I need a long time to "settle in."

[colorisnt]

Yeah. I need some hills to get my legs responding, I think. It's weird. Most people look at me like I have two heads. The group leader was like, "You hung back and seemed rather timid until you passed us all on EVERY HILL. Where the f*ck did you learned to climb like that?" And I was like, "I'm living in a VERY hilly place currently and my commute has some serious grading to it". They all were dumbfounded but the leader says next time she's going to force me to stay in front and pace with her. I'll take it. It will be good for me, Ithink.

[ny biker]

Re: hills vs flats -- is it that your legs get tired on the flats, or could it be that you don't have a gear that works well for you?

[colorisnt]

I have a perfect gear for the flats. I don't think I get tired as much as distracted/bored. I can't focus well. It's really not my body being tired or sore just not really being told what to do by my brain more than anything. I myself forget I am capable of a faster pace on the flat.

[Jolt]

Yeah. I need some hills to get my legs responding, I think. It's weird. Most people look at me like I have two heads. The group leader was like, "You hung back and seemed rather timid until you passed us all on EVERY HILL. Where the f*ck did you learned to climb like that?" And I was like, "I'm living in a VERY hilly place currently and my commute has some serious grading to it". They all were dumbfounded but the leader says next time she's going to force me to stay in front and pace with her. I'll take it. It will be good for me, Ithink.

I think I am the opposite...I can get into a rhythm and cruise along pretty well on the flat but when I hit a hill (unless it is a very gradual incline without any steeper segments) I just can't seem to maintain any speed. It's frustrating.

[ny biker]

I slow down a lot on hills but it doesn't bother me. Though in my case, it's because I have to shift down and slow my cadence to prevent the asthma from kicking in.

I had a great ride today. I led a 47-mile club ride in rural southern Maryland, in the area between the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay. The day started cloudy and cool with light rain early in the morning, but the clouds thinned out and the roads dried and we ended up with a nice day.