August Riding

[north woods gal]

Had some heavy storms, yesterday, but still squeezed in some trail work between storms. Nice to be able to check the local radar for windows of riding opportunities. What makes trail riding possible for me under these conditions is the luxury of having my own trails right in my backyard. Originally made the trails for a variety of practical reasons, but being able to still ride on stormy days like this has been an unexpected bene.

The other thing that makes my trail riding doable on these very wet and stormy days is the fat bike. The big wide tires really spread out my weight and leave very little in the way of a "footprint" on a soggy trail. Our pet deer actually leave a much deeper print in the soft stuff. Definitely a shallower print than any human footprint, especially a lugged sole with a hiking boot. Even Star, our Border Collie and constant trail companion, leaves a deeper foot print. I really like the environmentally friendly aspect of riding fat tire bikes out on the trail. Even ride across a small section of our lawn to link up between sections of the trail without any damage to the lawn. Pretty neat.

This one is my muddy day bike for trail riding. It's my Salsa Blackboro. It has the widest footprint of any of my fat bikes, thanks to also having the widest rims (rim width makes a difference on actual tire width) and those big 4.8" tires. For the same reason, it's also my most capable fattie for deep snow riding. The big Salsa is no speed demon on hard pack, but in rainy years like this one, sees a lot of year round use.

[emily_in_nc]

That's a cool looking bike, NWG! It's so strange to see a snow pic, but I know that's not from real time.

Did 25 miles yesterday -- bike path and road. It's so nice to be back on the bike! I'm a little slower than last spring but about the same as when I started riding down here last winter, so I don't think I've lost a ton of fitness. What helped was all the hills in our NC campground, especially once we moved our motorhome up a steep one. I hauled our laundry up that a few times, and every walk we took required hoofing it up, so I think my aerobic capacity stayed fairly stable.

[Crankin]

I am mad! I led a 33 mile ride today, which was abruptly ended at mile 13, when my shifter cable broke. AMC always requires 2 leaders, so I knew the group was fine with the other person, but I was feeling good and the group was nice. Amazingly, I texted DH, who was 1/4 a mile away, on his bike! He jerry rigged the rear derailleur, so I could get home, where we found a whole plastic piece missing. The internal cable routing is fussier. So, we went to the LBS, to see if they had the part, but DH was already trying to convince me to get Di2. I refused to get electronic shifting when I bought the bike. Then, when we went to France, I had it on my rental. I liked it, but the earth didn't move. Long story short, I am switching over. Personally, I think it's a lot of $ to do this, but DH says now he won't ever have to change my cables again.
Now watch, when I go to ride my Guru tomorrow, something will break. I did have 2 nice emails from other riders, thanking me, which was really nice.

[emily_in_nc]

Bummer, Crankin! So sorry that happened to you. My DH had a shifter cable break not long ago, and I've had it happen as well. No fun at all when it messes up your ride.

[Crankin]

Decided to go hiking today! I haven't been on a hike since April, as I didn't want it to interfere with training for my bike trip to Spain, and then because of knee issues from bike crashes. It was nice to be in the woods and mostly shade, in a new local place. Told DH to put the pedals on my Guru, since it has been pedal-less since we went to Spain. I will probably just commute tomorrow, as i have a feeling legs will be toast from hiking 4 miles.
I got 5 thank yous from the riders in my group, which was a record. They loved the route, but I didn't have the heart to tell them I stole it from someone in another club.

[emily_in_nc]

Rode the bike path + roads there and back the past two mornings. 26.7 miles yesterday and 29.0 miles today. Super hot and sweaty, of course; this is Florida in the summer! Still, I'm not complaining; it's just great to be back out on the bike!

[north woods gal]

Sounds like you're back to your usual great form, Emily. Glad to hear it.

As for me, I'm not piling up the road miles, since my daily riding is always trail riding with some road riding thrown in every other day or two. I'm okay with that. I think it's a better match for me, given my age, than trying to do a lot long distance stuff. Riding for an hour or a bit more, every day, rather than doing the big rides, seems to keep my old bike injuries from flaring up.

[rebeccaC]

Super hot and sweaty, of course; this is Florida in the summer! Still, I'm not complaining; it's just great to be back out on the bike!

I know that feeling!...and about the heat, hey, you're on the wrong coast low 70's with an ocean breeze for me.....We rode the bike path to Redondo Beach and did some climbing in the hills above it. Just 45 miles but my hardest ride in 9 months. Felt good to feel and do a harder effort…....

and since my taste is getting back to normal and as a reward for the ride...we ate white chocolate bread pudding with caramel and caramelized banana’s watching this view on the way back


eta...Been enjoying some long late night/very early morning rollerblading on the bike paths. That also has helped to strengthen my muscles and build endurance.