riding through May....National Bike Month!!!

[Crankin]

I forced myself, but I did do a 26 mile group ride today, despite it being 48 degrees and spritzing when I left to drive to the start. It's just a bit too far for me to ride to the starting place we had today (14 miles), when the weather is not great, but it didn't rain, the group was compatible, and it was on familiar roads in Bedford, Westford, and Carlisle. A couple of leaders from AMC, who don't usually come on this ride were there, so that was nice.
The lunch was at an Indian restaurant, which I passed on. I was starving, but eating that is an automatic 5 pounds for me. Had a nice lunch when I got home, and now, finally, after 2 phone calls, and other stuff, I am ready to shower.

[ny biker]

What is that blue stuff in Sky King's photos? I have vague memories of something like that here, but it seems long ago. Now it's just gray, gray, more gray, drizzle, heavy rain, gray. In the 50s. Seriously is this what it's like in the Pacific northwest, and if so how are you sane??

My first May ride was in my living room last night. It was so humid, I had to force myself to do 45 minutes. It was my tapering ride before the Tour de Cure on Saturday, which is only 62 miles -- a distance I rode last weekend -- but is hillier than what I'm used to and definitely more ambitious than my usual riding for early May. So I just wanted to spin a bit without wearing myself out.

And now the indoor trainer goes into storage for the summer.

[Sky King]

Enjoy your ride! Worry that our blue sky will turn to dry & hot with range land and forest fires by end of June ...

What is that blue stuff in Sky King's photos? I have vague memories of something like that here, but it seems long ago. Now it's just gray, gray, more gray, drizzle, heavy rain, gray. In the 50s. Seriously is this what it's like in the Pacific northwest, and if so how are you sane??

My first May ride was in my living room last night. It was so humid, I had to force myself to do 45 minutes. It was my tapering ride before the Tour de Cure on Saturday, which is only 62 miles -- a distance I rode last weekend -- but is hillier than what I'm used to and definitely more ambitious than my usual riding for early May. So I just wanted to spin a bit without wearing myself out.

And now the indoor trainer goes into storage for the summer.

[Crankin]

Just went out with DH for a little 14.5 mile ride. He said short and slow. It was short, but not that slow.
Best thing was, I saw a glimpse of the sun, for about 5 seconds.
Tomorrow is an AMC leaders' ride and party. I did not volunteer to sweep, as last year I was behind with the woman known as the dreaded "red pannier lady." She should have been on the shorter ride, to put it nicely. Hoping it does not rain for this event.

[ny biker]

Just went out with DH for a little 14.5 mile ride. He said short and slow. It was short, but not that slow.
Best thing was, I saw a glimpse of the sun, for about 5 seconds.
Tomorrow is an AMC leaders' ride and party. I did not volunteer to sweep, as last year I was behind with the woman known as the dreaded "red pannier lady." She should have been on the shorter ride, to put it nicely. Hoping it does not rain for this event.

Congrats on the glimpse of sun! It is pouring rain here.

There is a part of me that believes it's important to be the sweep, to help the people who are slower or having a bad day and need encouragement, as a cosmic thank you to those who rode sweep and helped and encouraged me when I needed it. But on the other hand, there's only so much you can take -- you can't do it all the time, not if you want to be patient and truly helpful.

[Crankin]

Well, I am always the sweep when DH and I lead, and when I lead with my friend Jack on rides for members. However, this is a ride for other leaders. There is a 15 and a 25 mile ride, but Jack (he leads the 25 and his wife leads the 15) didn't post any average speeds, so it wasn't entirely her fault. The thing is, this woman has been leading a lot longer than me; I would ask! He didn't post speeds this year, either, so hence, I want a decent ride. I can be patient with people who are within the range for a group (this is why we screen people on weekend day rides and longer trips, but not for weekly series, which are at night and very well described in terms of average speed), but no joke, I think my average was <10 on this ride last year. Some of it was the constant stopping for her to take pictures... in the town I live in, I was not amused, since it's a very popular route and can't believe she needed to take a picture of a place she's probably been a million times. I actually like being the sweep with DH, because we have a good system going, but I guess my expectations were different for a group of peers. Our liability rules require we keep the group together, and if someone wants to go ahead, or fall behind the sweep, we have to tell them they are off the ride. It sucks, but it makes being the sweep easier and people tend to be more honest about their ability. The point is to have fun.

[Crankin]

So, the weather forecast kept the group smaller yesterday. Perhaps they were smart. I wore my rain jacket and brought my helmet cover. The above woman in question came, was going to do the shorter ride, but didn't "hear" the insructions that the leader would be starting a few minutes later, so she came with us. We stopped and regrouped at turns for much of the ride, but after awhile, a couple of the others stayed back with her. It was misty and lightly raining, no biggie for most of the ride. When we were about 2/3 done, the sky opened up. We stopped, I put the helmet cover on, and we went forward. The cloudburst did not last too long, but by then my legs were wet from it all. We had one more cloudburst, shortly thereafter, but were on the home stretch. Hey, some of the others had shorts or knickers on, short gloves, no rain jacket. Some of these people have interesting get ups, to begin with.... after all, they are AMC leaders. At the end, we picked up the speed, and all of a sudden, I felt horrible, bonky, etc. But, I sprinted back to Jack's house, and got inside to change. I have been feeling somewhat off the past few days, sinuses, stomach, so I think it was just that and the fact I was a little hungry. A good 27 miles, despite the rain.
We had a great party, food and drinks, so it was worth it. I think i need to rest today, though.