May flowers... and bike rides

[ny biker]

All my rides are both flat and hilly. And I don't have to walk up any of the hills anymore. A couple hills took me forever to conquer but I did. Well, okay, I do have to walk up one. It's out at Fort Snelling and I don't think I will ever conquer that one.

Well you never know! Glad you're getting in some good rides.

I did 36 miles on Sunday. It was supposed to be part of a big club ride on Saturday, but was postponed due to rain. I ended up as one of the ride leaders since some of the people who were going to lead on Saturday had other commitments for Sunday. It was breezy, 10-15 mph winds with 25 mph gusts according to the weather forecast, with a chance of pop-up showers. Temps in the 50s, more like March than May for us. I was worried that the wind would make it one of those un-fun rides where you just struggle the whole time, but once I agree to lead I was committed. It turned out to be a nice ride, only a few miles of struggling into a headwind. The turnout was not as good as it would have been the previous day but I still was able to catch up with some friends that I hadn't seen in a while.

Unfortunately I'm still having the saddle problem, even though I'd moved my saddle back to its original position. The lump came back and by the end of the ride it felt like I was sitting on a small marble. It's under the skin, not a cyst or boil, on top of the narrow bone in front of the sit bone. No soreness or bruised feeling like I had the previous week. No bruise or skin discoloration. So I guess I need a longer break from my road bike to let it go away completely. The saddle is a new Affinity RXL, which I bought because the old Affinity RXL was feeling a bit too squishy like the foam was breaking down. I still have the old one and might put it back on the bike for a while.

[Crankin]

Hope that goes away, NY.
I commuted yesterday. It was 48 and partly cloudy, breezy when I left. Since the clothing I had at work was way too spring-y for a day where it was going to be 52 and raw, I wore something I could ride in, and wear all day. Terry commuting tights (really no chamois, sort of a tri chamois), which are super warm, a lighter than normal long sleeved base layer, and my rarely worn wool cycling dress, with my commuting jacket which is always warmer than I remember. It had rained earlier in the morning and that jacket is also waterproof. I actually think it's bombproof. I was too lazy to pull on my booties, so I wore my winter cycling shoes, with wool socks. For a 2.8 mile ride, I felt very stylish, so I added a scarf.
I felt a bit sweaty, even though it was very raw out! When I got to work, I deduced it was from the high humidity level. I had to take the scarf off for a bit, and wash up, as if it had been much warmer out. I went out to walk across the street to buy my lunch, and i felt freezing, even with the jacket on. On the way home, it was about the same temperature at 7 PM, and I felt sweaty again.
Wearing those tights all day was a bit uncomfortable, as the seams started feeling itchy at one point.

[rebeccaC]

Friday-Saturday we did the Tucson Audubon birdathon by bike. Friday sunset at Lakeside park, then a mostly moonlit and peaceful ride to Saguaro N.P. to look for nightbirds. We had 30 species including one Elf Owl... then got up to leave at 5 am to hit the east side desert and a little oasis before going up Mt. Lemmon................69 species - not too bad, and we raised over $500.

Such a nice way to be with other birding people and also getting some good exercise!!!.......and especially raising money for the conservation of birds and their habitats!!!!! Hoping Chuck feels better on your next ride together!!!

All my rides are both flat and hilly. And I don't have to walk up any of the hills anymore. A couple hills took me forever to conquer but I did. Well, okay, I do have to walk up one. It's out at Fort Snelling and I don't think I will ever conquer that one.

Thinking hills can get easier with more riding time ……..keep challenging yourself and good things can come from it…..wishing peace and strength for you!!!!


Having a good day less frequently has meant not much riding for me. Quiet beach walks are replacing riding more now. Today was one of those days in the sequence of treatments that I usually feel good enough for a short ride. Just 6 miles to and back from the farmers market this afternoon but I enjoyed every mile in perfect weather……and brussel sprout, rice, white bean and shiitake soup for dinner ftw…

[emily_in_nc]

Having a good day less frequently has meant not much riding for me. Quiet beach walks are replacing riding more now. Today was one of those days in the sequence of treatments that I usually feel good enough for a short ride. Just 6 miles to and back from the farmers market this afternoon but I enjoyed every mile in perfect weather……and brussel sprout, rice, white bean and shiitake soup for dinner ftw…

Rebecca, you are always so supportive of others here while going through your own difficult times; you are truly an amazing woman! I am sorry you are having more bad days but so happy you were able to ride to the market and have a lovely, fresh dinner. That is a healing thing in so many ways! <3

[rebeccaC]

That is a healing thing in so many ways! <3

indeed!!! and thanks for the nice words......

edit to add

Rebecca, I hope you're only in a temporary phase and that the good days come more often for you soon.

it’s temporary….just aggressive treatments for awhile....but rides to the market ftw
thanks

[Crankin]

Riding to a farmer's market makes most things better! Ours have not started up yet, but the local farms are open, and I prefer those, as I am buying right at the farm.
Got in a quick 15 mile ride, nowhere special. Since I moved, I have a much better choice of scenic, shorter routes from my house, which I appreciate. It's 55 out and partly cloudy, and I felt cool almost the whole ride. I was dressed like Sunday, with the addition of a vest and a head cover, but I actually ended up choosing a hillier route to warm up.
We leave on a 6 AM flight for California tomorrow. I have to get up at like 4AM. So excited to see my son, daughter in law and granddaughter. And, excited to see my son graduate from Claremont McKenna College with a double major in math and economics, and being commissioned as an officer in the Army. It feels a little weird to say that, as he was a Marine for 9 years. Well, he will be retiring at around age 40, so I cannot predict what lies ahead. He has been unpredictable his whole life. Almost 10 years to the day he would have graduated from U of A...

[ny biker]

Having a good day less frequently has meant not much riding for me. Quiet beach walks are replacing riding more now. Today was one of those days in the sequence of treatments that I usually feel good enough for a short ride. Just 6 miles to and back from the farmers market this afternoon but I enjoyed every mile in perfect weather……and brussel sprout, rice, white bean and shiitake soup for dinner ftw…

Rebecca, I hope you're only in a temporary phase and that the good days come more often for you soon.

[north woods gal]

You're in my thoughts, Rebecca. Walk or ride and do whatever it takes to find some peace.

[north woods gal]

Finally broke out of my trail riding habit to do some miles on the roads. If nothing else, it felt good to go fast enough to feel the wind in my face, again.

Decided to try my nasty sand trap of a half gravel/half sand road for the first time, this season. Held off because April was very wet and, even in the driest weather, this road has standing water in low spots where it crosses some bogs. Last two weeks, though, have been dry, so time to give it a try.

Was going to use my Trek 29x3, which has always made it through the nasty sections, before, but opted, instead, for the Pugsley fat bike with its wider 4" tires for the sake of getting a better workout with that heavier bike. Turns out the Pugs was the right choice. The road was the worst I've seen it. Major flooding, so was riding though water in spots, and sinking deeply into the wet sand. Then, in the dry areas, the sand was very soft and deep, so more work and challenges. In fact, the road was so bad in spots, can't imagine how even vehicles could get through.

Noticed a fresh bike track in the sand when I hit the sand section. Someone else was ahead of me. The width of the bike track was only half of what the Pugs was printing, so I figured the rider was on a conventional 2" mountain bike. That smaller bike track told an interesting story, for sure. The rider was having a tough time. Could see where the bike was doing a lot of fishtailing. Could see the rider constantly crisscrossing the road to find some firm sand. Could see where the rider had even stopped to walk the bike in sections.

Finally caught up to the rider at the end of the 4 mile sand section. He was a young guy on an old standard 26x2" MTB. He and the bike were standing off to the side of the road, so I stopped to see if he was okay. He nodded that he was, but the look on his face said it all. I could see the frustration and fatigue in his face. I knew the feeling. First time I hit this road was also on a standard 2" tire MTB. Told him that the next three miles were all good gravel, so the worst was over, then headed on my way.

As for the Pugs, what can I say? Never had to stop and walk, not even once. Pretty much rode a straight line for the four miles, too. Love my Pugs!

24 miles in all, 4 on sand, 3 on gravel, the rest on pavement to get to the sand and gravel. Got home, then added a little trail work around the house for fun. Also, this year, all my trail bikes wear a bell, which I ring, constantly whenever I come around a corner, so as not to surprise a bear. So far, so good. No bears, though I did see some tracks.

[ny biker]

Your road riding is very different from my road riding.

I did about a half hour on the recumbent stationary bike last night. Or maybe it was 20 minutes, I don't remember. I did a crossword puzzle to try to pass the time but it was still dull. Only had it set on level 2, more than that was too hard. Oh well, the goal was to spin some pedals for a while without aggravating the saddle-lump problem. And I finished the crossword.

[north woods gal]

Pedaling is always good, NY, even if it is indoors. Whatever it takes. I have my trainer situated so tat I'm looking out the living room window at the lake. I then put on some good earphones and enjoy some music. Helps to pass the time.

By the way, we do have some excellent paved county roads with very low traffic for conventional road biking. Mostly gentle rollers mixed with lovely flat sections, though I do have some routes with challenging hills, all through our beautiful north woods. Will probably head out, tomorrow, for some of that riding. Yes, I do tend to more of the adventure riding, though. Just my style. Hard to do all the types of riding we have available, this time of year. Too many choices.

[kajero]

Thanks so much for the reply!
I am glad to hear you can go for a short ride, although my sister says 6 miles is way too long and she will never be able to do it!

[north woods gal]

Be great if we could work out some kind of exchange program. I send everyone a little bit of my 40s and 50s weather and you send me some, but not all, of your 90s weather. No kidding, frost warnings are on, again, for tonight.

Yeah, still riding, no matter what, though. Those of you who have had to lay off riding for health/recovery reasons have been an inspiration to me not to take being able to ride for granted. Yes, you are in my thoughts and my prayers as I ride. Be well.

[Crankin]

Did our second iteration of our friends' spring warm up ride out in the Amherst area. There were 5 participants, us, our friends, and another friend from the Boston area. The ride was really slow for me, but it was a gorveous +10 day. I do love weatern MA, both the Pioneer Valley and the Berkshires. Relaxing at our friends now, good food and wine. We will do the same ride up to the Quabbin lookout point tomorrow. Hopefully, with no rain for the last 4 miles.

[north woods gal]

More rain, last night, so things just keep getting "squishier" around, here. The good news is that our soils are basically sand with rocks thrown in here and there, so only low sections of trail are too squishy, plus at least 90% of our county roads are paved, so pavement riding is always an option. With our current on and off rain pattern, though, much safer to stay around the house and ride trails and neighborhood paved roads than attempt any long distance riding. Have managed to get in at least one hour of hard trail time between storms, everyday, this very rainy week. Would dearly love to have a little sunshine, though. Always improves my mood.