January rides? Anyone?

[azfiddle]

Rebecca- stunning, absolutely stunning photos. I've never been there to bike, but in my serious birding years in California in my 20's- did some intense weekends in the area searching for rare migrant birds lost in the desert. Went to sleep at 10 pm on the golf course in Furnace Creek at 10 pm and it was still over 100 degrees!

[rocknrollgirl]

No nice photos to share, just a ride update to add to the thread. We got in a couple hours mt biking this morning. Conditions were perfect. It was about 15 degrees when we started and warmed up to 25 when we were done. I have been cleared for 3 weeks to ride after my surgery and I feel like I got my mojo back. The first week I was pretty tentative, but today I was able to ride some pretty techy stuff without issue, conquered a few new big log overs and a very sketchy bridge. So I was very pleased to feel back in the saddle. I just have to regain my top end anaerobic umph and I will be all sorted out.

[lauraelmore1033]

Top end anaerobic umph! I coulda used some of that yesterday when dh and I did the Stinky Spoke ride in Woodinville! I've done this ride a couple of times (before the Hysto and back problems)and squeeked by with some half-@$$ed training on parts of the course. Recently, they've reversed the course so it starts out with a climb up a hill with a 20% grade (guess who was walkin'that...) and just generally it seemed harder to me. Of course, I'm heavier this time, and older, and was trying to do it on a cyclocross bike. Saw lots of fatbikes, seemingly floating up those hills and tearing down the descents without a care in the world. I made it through, though. Thirteen miles of climbey gravel pipeline trail and well groomed woodsy bits and 5 miles along the Sammamish River trail where I passed with pleasure, a large number of the properly equipped mountain bikers who had passed me earlier. If I do this ride again next year, I would have to do it on a proper mountain bike--but that would mean buying yet ANOTHER bike! Not sure I can do that...

[salsabike]

Laura, did 32 miles on/around the Samm River Trail yesterday and saw you all Stinky Spoke riders! Bet I saw YOU. One of these days we'll have to meet.

[lauraelmore1033]

Laura, did 32 miles on/around the Samm River Trail yesterday and saw you all Stinky Spoke riders! Bet I saw YOU. One of these days we'll have to meet.

I bet you did. I finished with 15 minutes to spare, so I was out there around noon. Yes, we should meet.

[rebeccaC]

laura, sounds like a good/fun 18 mile ride......and wondering how someone gets stinky spokes??????

thanks azfiddle!!

just a relaxing at home weekend for me....did a ride to the farmers market this morning and will do a later ride today to a friends for dinner. weather is finally back into the 70's

[lauraelmore1033]

laura, sounds like a good/fun 18 mile ride......and wondering how someone gets stinky spokes??????

thanks azfiddle!!

I think the stinky part of the name comes from the anticipated stinky weather. It is held on what is supposed to be, statistically, the day with the worst weather of the year. (typically, it isn't, though...) There is another organized ride, called Red Spoke, and I think Stinky Spoke alludes to that ( mainly because they start in the same area).

[rebeccaC]

It is held on what is supposed to be, statistically, the day with the worst weather of the year..

you people in the pnw are crazzzzzy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....but truly adventurers

[lauraelmore1033]

you people in the pnw are crazzzzzy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....but truly adventurers

Well, it was only about 45 degrees and drizzly. So, really not soooo adventurous. (it did start dumping shortly after the ride was over, and the wind kicked up, and I probably wouldn't have ridden in those conditions)

[AppleTree]

Well, it was only about 45 degrees and drizzly. So, really not soooo adventurous. (it did start dumping shortly after the ride was over, and the wind kicked up, and I probably wouldn't have ridden in those conditions)

Ha ha, it's all relative isn't it?? During the middle of winter 45 degrees sounds like a balmy day up in these parts! Glad the heavy weather waited till you were done, but it sounds like a fun ride in some more remote areas than our regular biking trails. Bet it was beautiful!

I got to ride TWICE last week, woo hoo, both short rides, nursing a rather sore knee right now, just a bit of tendonitis. Both sunny days and in the mid-40s. I'm doing PT in Kenmore on Wednesday, so hope the weather is good that day to ride afterwards on the Burke. We signed up for STP this year, so want to start getting in good shape for that.

[lauraelmore1033]

oooh, take care of that knee! We're doing stp again this year too (and the training series).

[salsabike]

Hey, AppleTree, keep an eye out for me on Wednesday. I ride a green and copper colored Seven out of Logboom and I plan to ride midday, so give a wave if you see me! Guessing you're seeing Erik Moen?

Laura, what # STP will this year be for you??

[lauraelmore1033]

I've lost count. #8?

[AppleTree]

Hey, AppleTree, keep an eye out for me on Wednesday. I ride a green and copper colored Seven out of Logboom and I plan to ride midday, so give a wave if you see me! Guessing you're seeing Erik Moen?

Laura, what # STP will this year be for you??

I will do that salsabike! Yes, Moen's office, actually one of the other associates there, they are SO wonderful. I'll be on my "winter" bike, the Jamis with fenders and my usual trunk bag on the back... ha ha. I am like a turtle, I like to carry my home on my back. :roll eyes: My appointment is at 9:00 that day, so will be on the trail a little after 10...probably heading toward Redmond this time.

Laura, 8 STP's is really extraordinary...

[azfiddle]

Finished a 200k brevet yesterday... my third.