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

[rebeccaC]

I have a 4-day tour at the end of the month which should be wonderful and post-worthy, but for now I'm just trying to get my miles in. Besides one really nice ride through Ft. Harrison State Park, my rides have all been relatively boring mid-distance rides up and down the rail trail (convenient because I can drop my son off at the YMCA child care and get right on the trail for an hour or so).

Of note, though, is the fact that I have, for the first time, averaged 14 mph on a ride of any distance. It was only 11 miles, but I'm still proud! This may seem like a small accomplishment, but I am a slow rider -- I always think of myself as a 12-mph-rider. Looking back at mapmyride, my *fastest* ride in May of last year was 12.5 mph. So, I guess I actually am getting faster!

looking forward to a post on how the tour goes!!!! and BE proud! thinking you'll be getting faster and with more endurance the more you ride. I'm happy to get away for an hour's ride anytime Enjoy the rides, the miles and the tour!!!

[Crankin]

Commuted yesterday; my fastest commute since I moved. Not that I actually try to go faster on a commute...
There's a couple of places on my commute that it seems like a truck dumped a bunch of gravel/pebbles in the shoulder. It looks like maybe from some kind of paving? I can go out in the lane, but, it's annoying. Hoping some rain washes it away.
It's still cool enough in the AM, that I haven't had to use my bath cloths, just a quick face wash and fix my hair, but not have to use the flat iron. Another 10 degrees and/or humidity will change that. I must say, with a 3 mile commute, I don't dread it anymore, and while sometimes I feel it would be easier to just drive there, I am always glad I rode when I arrive at work in the AM.
Got my Guru in shape for riding. I've been bringing my clothes in on Mondays and just riding with a little backpack for things on my Silque. Looking into getting a smaller pannier. Mine is huge and really affects my balance, as well as hurting my back, as I tend to pack it full! It's great for shopping, but I don't need something that big for my clothes.

[north woods gal]

That's great, Crankin. When I had my 8 mile commute, I could always get home faster during rush hour on the bike, even in good weather. In bad weather, MUCH faster. Always waved at my fellow workers stuck in their cars, going nowhere, as I passed them.

I used a large messenger bag (goes over your back) for my clothes and it worked pretty well. You might also look at a frame bag. Those didn't hit the scene until after I was done commuting, but that might be a good option, too. I liked the messenger bag because I could take it with me, right into a store if I had errands to run. Leaving things in a pack on the bike while you go into a store was just not an option in my area.

[Crankin]

I cannot do a messenger bag. Tried, and I am just too short, for the size I needed. My balance is weird with things like that, in that once I get used to riding on a specific bike a certain way, I don't do well with anything that changes the feel. I am going to make myself ride the Guru tomorrow, despite the fact I don't like the way it feels to get on the bike (like I have to really push myself up onto the saddle). I can't let a custom titanium bike sit. It feels like a dream once I am riding, but the geometry on my Silque is just so perfect, now the custom doesn't feel right.

[north woods gal]

Gotcha. Oh, yeah, it's amazing how we adapt to certain bikes or may it's the bikes adapting to us. Switching bikes, often, like I do, it's always a bit of a jolt going to the next one when I've been riding another one for awhile.

I added a frame bag to my fat bike and like it because it doesn't change the balance of the bike. That may be a good option for you, but you'll probably want to take your bike into a shop that carries frame bags to make sure you get one with the proper fit. Best of luck. Hope you find something.

[Crankin]

I am not sure what you mean by a frame bag. I know panniers and trunk bags and front bags.
Went on a little 14 mile ride late this afternoon with DH. Great weather, but the pollen is flying.