April Rides

[Jolt]

Just about 20 miles for me today...tried a new route that turned out to have an absolutely heinous climb followed shortly thereafter by the road turning into what was essentially a logging road--sketchy, loose, rutted dirt in places. I almost wiped out in one spot where it was slightly uphill with a loose surface, I lost momentum and the rear wheel slid to the left...fortunately I managed to get out of the Powergrips and land on my feet as the bike fell over. Oops. At least nobody was around to see my klutzy moment, and aside from that it was a good ride. Apparently I need some work on bike handling skills...earlier this week I was at a training class for presenting bike/pedestrian safety to schools etc. and it included some bike handling drills that can be set up in a parking lot for students to practice. I did not do so hot in the slalom course or the emergency right turn...just am not good at those quick maneuvers. Maybe once all the sand is cleaned up from the winter I can find a quiet place to practice some of those things.

[Crankin]

Jolt, I would have failed that test, too!
Today, I did a repeat of last Sunday's ride, but without the monster hills. The route is perfect now and it sure went faster than last weekend. It's only 20 miles, anyway. DH is still sick, so I went with one of the other leaders and his girlfriend. She's the one who bought my Kuota. It was weird to see someone else riding my bike. The ride was great, just have to remind myself not to eat an orange before a ride ...
On the way home, I stopped at the LBS and had them adjust the brake levers, so I can reach the brakes better in the drops. I didn't realize they were adjustable, thought I would need shims. I was told that's "old technology." Anyway, seem perfect now. I have tomorrow off, for Patriots day, so I may try to get a little ride in before the rain sets in. It will have to go west of here, cause let's just say things get a little busy with guys marching down the road with Brown Bess rifles and tri-corner hats here in Concord.

[Jolt]

Another approximately 20 mile ride today, this time without unexpected dirt sections! Lots of hills though, so I wasn't exactly burning up the road (not that I ever do). There is certainly no shortage of opportunities around here to practice climbing.

[rebeccaC]

Hooray! That sounds like a wonderful and fun day for all concerned--and hopefully just the beginning of many more such days!

It's kind of nice out here right now, though windy, but I think I may have a completely lazy day rather than another weekend of big bike adventures. I'll admit, as great as it is to get on the bike, sometimes it can feel just as nice to not get on the bike... After an intense week at work, resting my tired legs on the couch is pretty delicious!

It was a good day with lots of good feelings!!

Now…a couch, a good book and a bowl of chocolate gooey brownie ice cream and I’m happy


Rode into the Santa Rosa Mountains Saturday morning for just 36 miles while in the Palm Springs area for the Coachella music festival this past weekend. It felt good to get some hard climbing in, with a great descent coming back, before again starting the craziness of lots of people, so much good music and being with some of my best friends.

......and some great dancing with Pax's spirit

[rebeccaC]

rode to one of my favorite gardens today...between my commute, the gardens and some shopping just 18 miles

[ny biker]

So I did ride after work last Wednesday. My weekly post-work route offers lots of chances to add or subtract miles and short, steep hills depending on how I'm feeling, and last week was my first time this year doing the segments with the steepest roads. My overall average speed was right where it usually is, so I was pleased even though my legs were feeling it. The weather was warm and I ended up over-dressing a bit, since I wrongly expected it to cool down by the end of the ride. But in general it was a good ride.

Over the weekend I was out of town of a wedding, so there was no time for cycling. Yesterday a cold front came through during the afternoon with some gusty winds and a little rain, but the skies cleared in time for me to get out for another ride. This time I needed the tights and extra layers, since I started after sunset and temps were in the high 50s.

My pace was slower than usual, which I attributed to the fact that I really haven't been riding many miles lately. I'd also been feeling the pollen allergies more than usual, and actually needed the albuterol for some mild asthma symptoms after taking a walk the night before. But in general it was a good ride, very peaceful (everyone was home eating dinner and doing homework so traffic was nearly non-existent).

After I got home I realized those weren't pollen allergies that I was feeling -- I was coming down with a cold. I had a sore throat all night long, my head is congested and I have that exhausted feeling that I always get at the start of a cold. I worked from home today, which allowed me to sleep a bit later this morning, and may do the same tomorrow. I'm planning to do a 48-mile charity ride on Saturday and really don't want to have to miss it -- at the very least I'd like to be able to do the 36-mile version.

[Jolt]

Today I decided to try the weekly "randonneur" ride put on by one of the Portland shops...it is advertised as a more relaxed but longer ride so I thought that sounded pretty good. Today's ride was supposed to be 32 miles...well, it ended up being just over 40! My longest rides so far this season had been 20 miles so I was pretty beat by the end, particularly since I had a hard time staying with the group on uphill stretches (I'm pretty sure I had the heaviest bike in the group, by quite a bit). After seeing our distance, I felt a little better about how wiped out I was! The ride included a couple of short off-road sections too, just to keep it interesting.