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

[Sky King]

I don't think that would work on a 47 cm bike, with the size I need. I can get a smaller pannier for the commute.
Like that fat tire bike, though!

yep frame bag and small bikes don't go together While I like the idea of frame bags, when commuting a pannier or front bag that is easy on and easy off gets my vote. Lone Peak has some that make sense (well for me anyway)

[Crankin]

I was the sweep for a 30 mile ride today... not the usual crowd, only a guy and his wife, plus his adult daughter (20-25?) who is a new rider, but a fit runner. While they are AMC members, they are better known for being fast riders in the other club I belong to. Jack made it clear we wouldn't be racing, but the ride got really fast at one point, which was fine until we got 2 hills, one steep and one long-ish where I was climbing much faster than normal, which did me in. We stopped for a break shortly after that, and I said I was going to ride back to my car the shorter, flatter way, but they said no, they would tone it down. So, except for a part in the middle, it was fine. It's about 75 out, which is my limit for not feeling the effects of heat. We've had a few days of this temperature where I've ridden, but not enough for me to acclimate.
DH and I are doing a hilly 40 miler tomorrow, but I won't worry about speed, just fun.

[emily_in_nc]

Hi y'all! :-)

I've been away from the forum for awhile, thanks to flaky, slow, and sometimes non-existent internet access in the campgrounds we've been staying in for the past month. We've been in national forests, mostly, so cell signals are often pretty weak. I have revived our blog lately, though, and documented a few recent rides, so if you are interested, it's here:

http://travelingtwosome.weebly.com.

We are currently in Arkansas and are looking forward to our first bike ride here tomorrow. There aren't a lot of roads where we are, but we're hoping that on a Sunday morning, traffic on the (small, single-lane) highways won't be too bad. Weather is supposed to be nice, so that's a plus!

[Crankin]

Welcome back, Emily. It is always good to hear about your adventures.
We did a 40 mile hilly ride, to Berlin, MA and back. All but the part in Berlin, where we stopped to eat was familiar, but the combination of roads was hilly right from the start. It was cloudy, a few spritzes of rain, but about 75. After lunch, we rode up a hill, by an orchard, that felt so rural, it was like i was in Vermont. Then, in about 2 miles, we were back on familiar roads, not far from the school I taught at. I really was feeling the pain from yesterday's ride, but, with the aid of Shot Blocks, I actually finished with a better average than I thought I would. I was suffering in parts, feeling great in others, and happy to get home. I rode a lot this week, in terms of mileage, so tomorrow, when the weather is iffy, I may actually take a rest day.

[azfiddle]

Hi all

I've been riding the Surly for over a week because they are still sorting out the ridiculous tapping noise on the Ruby. In the meantime, I've been trying out a Brooks saddle on it.... the jury is still out, but I've only gone for four rides (between 10 and 24 miles each)- total of about 70 miles.

So that included a commute ride, a moonlight ride at Saguaro NP and two shorter rides that finished at the grocery store. (Hey, as long as I have the panniers on, I might as well fill them up.

[ny biker]

Ok so there is warmer weather in Massachusetts than in DC. Oy. And we're going to shoot from 50s/60s to above 80 in a few days. No chance to acclimate.

I had a nice bike ride last night after work. It was sunny and in the 70s during the day, and still in the low 70s-high 60s for most of the ride. And I was able to get by with just a blinking headlight for about half of it thanks to the later sunsets. It was uneventful, which was good. I rode just over 17 miles.

I was feeling optimistic on Friday while the sun was shining so I posted a club ride for tomorrow. At the time they were predicting a break in the rain tomorrow morning. But now it looks like possible rain all day and probably in the 50s all day. Honestly I'm not sure why I haven't cancelled the ride already. But I will wait until the morning, just in case it turns out that there's a good chance for a few dry hours. I need the exercise.

[Crankin]

I also am looking at those temperatures with trepidation. It's a bad combination for me, with no gradual ramp up. It was cloudy yesterday, and even felt cool when we were in the shade. But Friday's ride was sunny and hot, at the same temperature. I always say that 23 years living in hot climates where you are always inside, in AC, did me in for heat acclimation.
It was supposed to rain today, but it is mostly staying south of here. I need to rest, but a short walk/hike on the trail might be in order. A bit nervous about Thursday, when it is forecasted to be 85 and we lead a ride that starts at 6 PM. Obviously, the sun is going down by this time, but ugh! And, I hope Wednesday's group ride is in a shady spot, as I am planning to go.