April rides

[Crankin]

I did ride home from work a longer way, a whole total of 5.6 miles. As I was just leaving the parking area, I saw a cyclist cross the highway and turn off on the road I ride home on. I didn't give it another thought, until after I made the decision to go home the longer way. There is a kind of annoying small hill on this road; I was feeling good, so I did the first part in the big ring and then kind of pooped out, so as I downshifted and crested the hill, I saw the cyclist who had crossed the highway, maybe 5-8 minutes earlier. She was seriously ahead of me, but it spurred me on. I got closer to her, but I didn't think I could catch her. So, this is one of those New England roads, where if you follow the road, it bears right and keeps the name, and if you stayed on the road and went straight, the name changes, counter intuitive to what is normal anywhere else. I went to the right, which connects to a road that comes out less than a mile from the condo. The woman slowed after the turn, I guess, because before I knew it, I had dropped her. This never happens to me, especially on a commute. But, for some reason, I was inspired to keep the speed up. I felt like I had a workout for a short amount of riding and was actually sweaty when I got home.

[azfiddle]

Two commute rides this week- yesterday and today. 9.5 miles each way on the new and improved bike pat, which mostly goes along the (dry) Pantano river wash and through the desert. Last night we also did a full moon ride at Saguaro N. Park.

[emily_in_nc]

I finally got out for a ride on Wednesday after nearly two weeks of no riding (weather, family obligations, and general busy-ness). The first mile in, I noticed my computer wasn't registering, so DH and I stopped to resolve that. Finally removed the battery and put it back in after nothing else worked, and that did it!

Soon thereafter, I noticed DH wasn't where he usually is early on in this ride in the neighborhoods around my mom's house. We ride some together and some apart but generally pass each other fairly often on the loops we do. Finally saw him coming up behind me, and he told me that he had been having pedal issues, but I thought that he'd resolved whatever it was. He was heading over to this one area where we warm up, and I was heading to the place where we ride the bulk of our miles. I had forgotten to bring my phone along on this ride, which I never do, so we couldn't stay in touch. He never made it to the main area. So, an hour in, I headed back to Mom's only to find DH back in his street clothes doing some weeding in her garden. Seems his pedal situation was bad enough that he had to head back, as he couldn't stay clipped in. Bummer!

He urged me to finish my ride, so I headed back out for another 1/2 hour, and we ordered new cleats for him (Speedplay Zeros) when we got back. I got in 20 miles on a very pretty, breezy day, temps in the 60s to 70s.

The new cleats arrived today, and he installed them, so we'll try again tomorrow and hopefully have better luck all around!

[Crankin]

Went out after lunch and had a hard, but pleasant 30 mile ride with lots of climbs. We rode to Bolton, near the winery (didn't stop, since it was after lunch), a different way, involving some hills I haven't done in awhile, including the one that goes by my old school. It's really sunny and about 59-60 out, with a breeze, my favorite kind of riding weather. We purposely kept the first 3/4 of the ride at our "touring" pace, and it was enjoyable. The last climb was the one I did on the hard group ride 2 weeks ago. We planned the last part of the ride on flat, slightly downhill roads, which was good, but it's main roads, with lots of traffic. Nothing I am not used to, but kind of a shock after riding in country like settings for 20 miles. We actually pushed the pace during this part of the ride, which was fun, but now I am a bit ready to rest! It's going to be raining tomorrow and Tuesday, so no riding until Wednesday.

[rebeccaC]

Saguaro’s and sunsets ftw Sharon!!!

Glad to be home after a week away. Did a pilates class at 6 this morning and then rode to Redondo Beach on the beach bike path for breakfast with a friend. Then we met up with two other friends for a 51 mile route into the hills of the Palos Verdes peninsula. The peninsula has climbing that’s only bettered in the Santa Monica mountains in this area. Plus it’s easier to get to and has lots of wide shoulders or bike lanes and well paved roads. We stopped by the Point Vicente Lighthouse for a stretch, fluid, nutrition break and the ocean views. Perfect weather today, overcast during the morning, temps starting in the middle 60’s and ending in the low 70’s when I got back home……did I say it’s good to be home

….................and game of thrones ftw!!!!!!!

[emily_in_nc]

20 miles again today, but my cyclocomputer was once again not working, so DH has to look at it. The display is fine (so I don't think it's the battery), but no time or mileage registers, and fiddling with the pick-up magnet on the wheel does nothing. At least I've ridden this route enough that I know how long it takes me to ride 20 miles.

A very nice day in the upper 60s to low 70s, sunshine, and not too much wind. Traffic picked up when church let out, and in this conservative southern city, you could set your watch by the after-church traffic!

This was my last ride in NC for this visit. We are starting our trek west on Tuesday!

[rebeccaC]

safe traveling and the finding good roads to ride emily!!!!!

[azfiddle]

Untitled by Sharon Goldwasser, on Flickr

[Crankin]

Rode 25 miles today, to Carlisle and back the long way. We had a vicious headwind on the way out, until we stopped for a break at Ferns. However, as soon as we got back on our bikes, starting the return trip, we had one of the strongest tailwinds I've ever had on a ride. Mostly, on this route, it's a crosswind. We were flying down Lowell Rd, and even after we rode through Concord Center and slightly changed our direction, we were able to maintain a good pace for me. First ride in shorts this year (I generally keep my knees covered until it's close to 70-75) and I had my arm warmers off after 6 miles. I need new ones. Which ever one I wear on my left side keeps falling down, and I know I don't put the same one on every time! They are Shebeest, women's x-smalls, with nice silicone grippers at the top, only 2 years old. They don't look stretched out. I know my right and left sides are kind of uneven, but this is weird and driving me crazy. It took me a long time to find women's x-smalls, and they are not too big. Anyway, my average was really good, I guess because of the tailwind, but I was able to maintain it through some small climbs at the end, too.