September riding

[Crankin]

The ride yesterday was weird. It was quite cool when we arrived at the farm for the start, and cloudy. I had arm warmers on, but DH did not. He pulled an emergency light weight hoodie out of his car, though. One of the workers made us move our cars, saying there would be 5,000 people there later in the day. Then, she told us we couldn't use the bathroom! We did, anyway. Not an auspicious start. So the ride was advertised at a 11-13 mph average and very hilly for 21 miles. Laura started out way faster, though. I couldn't keep up with her, but at least I was not in the back, with the slowest. We went down a steep descent for awhile, on a road the was horribly pot holed. A bunch of people passed me, which I was nervous about, as we had no GPS route, although I took a cue sheet, which was in my jersey. The plan was to stay together. We did, that, but I felt horribly agitated for the whole ride. I was tired from boot camp and riding on Friday, not from lack of sleep, but my quads were tired. The environmental part the tour was interesting, and we were on a few roads I have never been on. Part of the ride was on the same roads DH and I were on 2 weeks ago, when we were on that ride that was not the ride we thought it was... however, the detour we encountered was finished. The 2 biggest, steep climbs yesterday were on roads I have done, so not a big deal, but there were a couple of longer, less steep climbs at the end, that got to me. And the other riders were a strange combination of, what I am not sure. A lot of them tried to pass me while climbing, I would go ahead, and then they would play cat and mouse on the flats. I tend to keep a very consistent pace, which allows me to do the climbing I do. Anyway, let's just say there was a high level of geekdom here, and not bike geekdom. One guy harassed DH about his rear blinkie being too strong; it was on daylight mode. After trying to be nice, DH told him not to ride behind him, then! He wanted to tell him to get ****, but since we are leaders of the sponsoring group, we have to restrain ourselves.
There were about 5,000 people at the farm when we got back. What a zoo. Again, I guess this provides a Disneyland type experience for people, but ruins the quieter suburban and country roads we ride on. The lunch options there were horrible and I don't eat cider donuts, or any donuts. We went home, where I ate, showered, and then did some errands.
I know I felt weird beause I did too much on Friday, but also, a combination of some crappy roads and the other riders didn't help! Still glad I went, though.

[emily_in_nc]

Sounds like a bit of an odd ride, Crankin. Also sounds like you need a day or two of rest. Better to come back fresh next time than to be so fatigued. Also helps mentally, I think.

I'll take the cider donut you didn't want! Although I eat donuts only very rarely (like when traveling to Portland or Seattle, where there are some awesome donut shops) they are a true guilty pleasure due to that rarity!

[Crankin]

For some reason, donuts have never appealed to me.
I did ride today, a ride I enjoyed with my Wednesday group about a month ago. DH changed the route, to start from our house, instead of Concord center, which made it 32 miles. No big climbs and not near any orchards! It is extremely warm and humid out. We left at 10, should have left at 9. My quads were a little sore when I started riding, but I felt great when I got up. Traffic was light, as I think most people were inside, getting ready to watch the Patriots' game, which to me is an excuse to go places that are usually crowded!
The last 4 miles of the ride, basically getting back to our house is pretty unshaded. That kind of stunk, but despite the weather, we made it back with no issues. I did drink a whole bottle of Scratch, though.
I hope my body gets used to cycling with my boot camp classes. I did this before, so I imagine it might take a couple more weeks. I actually looked at my paltry mileage total for the year, and this might be my lowest since 2004. I think my back issues in the spring were a lot of it, as I started off strong in the winter. I'll be lucky to make 2,000 miles.

[north woods gal]

Abnormally warm weather, this last week, with highs into the upper 80s and very humid. That's what we get for a maximum at the peak of our summer, but here it is heading into the last of September. Have to say, though, that I've enjoyed it. Gotten a lot of work done on our trails, followed up each day with a heavy dose of trail riding. Yup, get back to the house soaking wet with sweat, but I'm not complaining. We're heading back down, now, to our more normal highs in the 50s and low 60s, but nice to have had a last taste of summer while it lasted. Winter will be here soon enough.

Every year, at this time, as winter approaches, I do think about spending the winter in a southern state where I can ride without snow, but just don't know if I can handle all the crowds that have the same thing in mind. Kind of spoiled being able to ride in my woods, every day, with just me and the woods for company.

[emily_in_nc]

Every year, at this time, as winter approaches, I do think about spending the winter in a southern state where I can ride without snow, but just don't know if I can handle all the crowds that have the same thing in mind. Kind of spoiled being able to ride in my woods, every day, with just me and the woods for company.

It's the truth about the crowds! Of course, we find Florida to be way too crowded even now, and it will only get worse as the snowbirds descend. (Since we got here in August this year, I get to say that... ) Arizona is similar, and when we spent January in North Padre Island, TX a few years ago, I got to learn all about "Winter Texans". But I get it...I don't want to be anywhere cold during the winter, having spent the last seven or so in places like Belize, Mexico, and Florida!

We're still having hot (upper 80s to low 90s) and humid weather here in central Florida, of course, but I'm used to it by now, and it's nice to know that the trend is in the right direction, even though the change in season is infinitesimally gradual. It definitely doesn't feel like fall yet!

30 miles on the bike path today. They've done a great job of clearing up hurricane debris, although there's still a long way to go along the sides of the trail, but at least the path itself is clear!

[Crankin]

Just got back from a group ride that was so horribly hot and humid, it was making me feel weird. I get a certain feeling when it's really hot and I had it almost the whole ride. My mistake was volunteering to be a human arrow, at about mile 2. When my turn was done, I never made it back to the front. I did end up riding with a small group, but I also was alone a lot of the time. There was one point, where we were within 1/4 of a mile of my house and I almost went home. But, I knew I would have to ride the 10+ miles back to the start for my car, so I dug in. We went up a very steep hill just about then, and I was really getting overheated when we turned on a flattish road and I was able to tuck in behind a guy and draft him up to the point where we were getting close to the rest stop in Concord center. By then, a lot of others were fading. When we stopped, I finished my bottle of Scratch, ate a Shot Block, and dumped some cold water down my jersey. It was 7-8 miles back to Great Brook Farm, with one climb right at the outset. I actually dropped a few here, but I was done!
As we turned on to the road the park is on, I realized the front group was right in front of me, so I finished with them. I checked my average when we got back, and sure enough, it was faster than this group usually does. Not faster than I ride, when I am with DH, but I felt pressure to move it. A group had also done a mountain bike ride at the park, and they were done when we got back. I had brought my lunch to eat there, as did a few others. On my drive home, the temperature on my car said it was 90 degrees for most of the way home, dropping to 88. It's clouding up now, thankfully, fall will resume tomorrow night.
32 miles. I am done with summer!

[emily_in_nc]

Amazing about those temps there, Crankin! We have been 93-94 the past few days for highs, which is horrible, but this is Florida, not New England!

Yesterday I had my fastest average for our usual West Orange Trail ride all year, so I know the change in tires (from Schwalbe Marathon Plus, super heavy-duty) to Conti Gatorskins, plus lighter tubes, is helping. 14.1 mph, which is still "slow" by my old standards, but given the urban nature of this ride, many road crossings, slow campground roads at the beginning and end, I will take it! It's hard to imagine averaging 15-17 mph, as I used to in my peak cycling years of 2003-2005, but I was a lot younger then too! I felt pretty good despite the heat and humidity, so I guess I'm pretty acclimated to this climate now. 31.6 miles.