June rides, summer begins

[north woods gal]

Glad you survived that kind of humidity. Last time I bicycled on a visit to Florida, I think that's what did me in the most when I bonked. We'll be going back to the same area, come September, but at least I know what I'm up against.

My hubby and the other neighborhood guys got together, this morning to work on repairing a community dock on the lake used only by members of our association. I got to help by hauling tools and gallon jugs filled with water with my Surly ECR. The ECR is designed to handle heavy loads, so I was eager to see how it handled the extra weight. Ha! Couldn't even tell the difference in the way the ECR handled. In fact, with the extra weight, it rode a bit nicer. I honestly think I could load all my camping gear on the ECR and disappear for months. After all, it was designed with that in mind.

[Crankin]

Our club bike rally was today, and our ride was a success. The forecast, as I mentioned earlier, was all over the place. It was 82 and humid/sultry when we left and rain/scattered thunderstorms predicted. We were scheduled to leave at 12:30. Before we left, DH and I figured out several bailout points, going back a shorter way, on a main, flat road, if I it either started raining hard or lightening. We had about 40 people, and then broke the group into 2 by speeds, so we ended up with about 20. The group was pretty good, with 2-3 people who stayed back behind me, as the sweep. DH seemed to speed up after we did the big climb, so I stayed with these people, until they told me to go ahead. I seriously was working hard to catch up with the next rider, whom I could barely see up ahead. At this point, we had sprinkles, it got cloudy, and was cooling down, thankfully. I was super hungry, too, even though I had a big breakfast and large snack right before we left. At one point, it was clear that it had rained quite heavily, about 5 miles from the end of the ride, with the street very wet and road spray hitting my shorts. But, we never got wet from the sky. I caught up to the last rider, who was struggling, stayed with him until the second to last turn, and then kept him in my rear view until I got back. I rolled in about 5 minutes after DH, so not bad compared to other years.
We had no incidents and no real azzholes in the group, which has not always been the case. We left to quickly drive home, shower and change, to go back for happy hour and dinner, at the local farm where we start. It's under a tent and they do a great job of catering. On the drive home (5 miles), we saw the slower half of our group returning; the sky opened up. They got soaked. But, when we returned, it was sunny, much drier, and cooler. Overall, a success, but I feel like I am on the edge of even being the sweep for this group.

[north woods gal]

You mean the stem was not aligned with the front tire, Sheila? If so, that can happen on its own, over time, with any bike. I have to redo the stems on all my MTBs I use for my trail riding, on a fairly regular basis, because he front ends on those bikes take a pounding, of course. Have had it happen with road bikes, too, but nowhere near as much of an issue. Something I check, now and then, though, with any bike.

Hope you get the pain issue solved. Been there. The worst of it is trying to figure out what caused it. Since you have other bikes, might see if it goes away when riding them. Best of luck.

Another good rain for us, last night, but very cool, today, only in the 50s. Our weather really is like a box of chocolates ... Will take a fattie out and see how the trails did, later in the day.

Put a new set of trail tires on my old Kona steel 26" MTB, yesterday and then proceeded to do some tuning on the rest of the bike. Almost forgot what a pain in the *&# those old center-pull brakes are! Disc brakes have spoiled me. Got it ready to ride the trails, though, and off we went. That old school steel Kona and I have a lot of history, together, so it was a nice ride down memory lane. Still the same old pal of a steel bike it's always been.

1995 Kona Kilauea. Steel bikes never go out of style for this gal

[Crankin]

Sheila, I am glad you found the cause of your pain, but sorry it took so long. I hope it resolves soon.
I woke up with my hip/back really hurting and my sinuses screaming. I rushed so much to get back back to the dinner last night, I neither stretched or did my saline nasal rinse. Upon waking, I did both, as well as take some Claritin, and I felt much better.
It was only 55 today, clear, dry, and breezy. We decided to do something different and took a 2 hour walking history tour of Somerville. It's a very cool, but rapidly gentrifying city, next to Cambridge. The change has been extremely fast and the young man who did the tour grew up there and is into social activism to help the different factions work together. So, not a sedentary day, as the tour was about 2 miles, including a couple of big hills. When we finished, we had wine and an app and then went across the street to the restaurant where my DIL is gen manager, but she had taken the day off. We didn't say who we were until we were paying the check, and we were surprised when the waiter knew both our son and granddaughter.
So, I am full of food and my legs kinda hurt from walking up big hills in the city and we are in for 2 days of cold rain. Gym tomorrow and rest Tuesday.

[north woods gal]

Our showers, yesterday, were supposed to quit by noon, but they had other ideas. Rained off and on all day and temps never got out of the 50s. Of course, I refused to quit, too, so just took the single speed out for about 15 miles on the local pavement. Had to dig out the leggings, again, and even added some light gloves, but it was worth it. The ride was quite comfy. Never got around to trail riding, but figured I might as well let things dry out a bit, anyway.

Warmer, but very windy, today. Hope to get back into my usual mix of road and trail, today.

Was reading about the famous Dirty Kanza 200 race, the brutal 200 mile gravel and dirt road race in Kansas which is ridden in one day, straight though. Learned there was a team of 5 gals from Chicago that competed, this year, in the single speed division. Way, way out of my league, but go girls, go. How cool is that?

[emily_in_nc]

After reading about the Dirty Kanza 200 , I have right to complain about my ride yesterday, but I will anyway.

OMG, the humidity was brutal! We really did have a nice spring here in Florida, but then the rains came for a couple of weeks, and now that we've dried out a bit, summer is here with a vengeance. Yesterday we were riding in the 80s up to about 92F, and the humidity had to have been about that high as well. DRENCHED! I stayed hydrated and had some yummy potatoes (with coconut oil, salt, pepper, mustard, and tumeric) for my snack, but it was still rough.

Today we are hitting the road for some time in NC visiting my family and a few doctor/dentist appointments. We'll take three days driving up in the motorhome. Probably won't get to do a lot of cycling in the next couple of weeks as I'll be doing stuff with and for the family, but I honestly don't mind missing during such a hot time of year. We'll be back here in Florida in the latter part of June and still have plenty of hot and humid rides ahead!

[north woods gal]

That was how that heat hit me in Florida, too. I do understand. That kind of heat and humidity combo is brutal. Hope you can escape some of it up in North Carolina. Ride when you can, of course. Have a great trip and visit.

We're doing fine, now, for our weather. Normal stuff for us in June. Cool enough i the morning for a light coat if I ride, then the coat comes off for the rest of the day.