July rides

[Crankin]

Congrats NWG!!!
Wow, that is a story, Emily. I know some think I am a dog hater, but it's actually the owners I dislike! I don't have a dog because I don't want the responsibility, maybe because I take that seriously. We had a cat for 14 years and I knew that was my limit.
So, good thing I looked at the AMC bike committee calendar last night. There is no Friday ride today. The agreement I have with Jack is that if I show up, I get leader credit for sweeping. That's fine, because I didn't realize it's going to be 90 and humid. I am getting ready to go out now, probably on the shady streets, and then back on the bike trail as far as I can get.

[Crankin]

Emily, I give you lots of credit for riding in Florida in the summer!
DH is working from home and then meeting someone for lunch, so I waited an hour and rode with him. So, it had to be a short ride, and once we got out, we made it even shorter. It's 85 and a dew point of 70, not sure of the actual humidity, but I was so sweaty from a 12 mile ride, I had to lie down on the floor when I got home, and let the AC cool me. This is a ride I usually do before work, a good mixture of flats and rollers, with one or two decent hills. It was my fastest average ever, on this route, which didn't help!
Glad I went, because this is the kind of day I might stay inside. Actually going over to the office, to see 2 clients after lunch and later out with friends for tapas. We head out to Amherst later tomorrow. The ride on Sunday is over 2,000 ft of climbing. It will be hot, but not humid, which I can manage much better. Looking forward to riding in a new place.

[north woods gal]

Yeah, I'm baaaccckk.

First ride in six weeks, this morning, and wanted it to be with my hubby. I wanted it to be a together kind of ride. For a bike, I decided on my new Pugsley, since it was a bike that we bought, brand new, but it didn't come home till the day after my accident. In other words, six weeks of looking at a new bike without riding it, not even once. That's pure torture for someone like me.

The Pugsley did exactly what I expected it to do. The new, re-designed Pugs has a longer wheelbase for even better stability, so I expected it to be a steady, predictable ride and it was. Fast, uh no, but about as safe a ride as I could pick for a first ride after my accident. DH and I managed only 5 miles of laps around the neighborhood, but then I did another three full laps on my trails for another 2 plus miles of trail work, making double extra sure to play it safe on the trails. My fears about trail riding didn't completely evaporate - I still balked, here and there, and walked some tough spots - but nice to know I can ride the trails without freaking out. Of the two types of riding, I felt much better about the road riding, though.

Whew! Overall, I was pleased. I was in better shape than I thought I was, but nowhere near where I was before the accident. I've got some catching up to do, but almost cried for joy for being able to ride, again.

Wasn't really planning on making it a double ride day, but this afternoon, I looked at the Gunnar single speed and just couldn't help myself. Hubby and I did another couple of laps for another 5 miles on the neighborhood roads. Honestly, riding the Gunnar was EASIER than climbing hills with the Pugsley. Honestly, the Gunnar rolls so easy that I think a tailwind could push me without any pedaling on my part. Looks like my single speed addiction continues, despite my accident. Again, I have a ways to go to get back in shape, but the fact that I could ride the Gunnar, again, after a six week layoff was like the icing on a very sweet cake of day riding. I am one very, very happy girl.

[emily_in_nc]

nwg, that is great! I can't believe you rode trails on your first ride out after your accident, but at least you showed yourself you can do it, so you won't be too scared to try. Back on the horse! Very happy for you!

Crankin, our dewpoint here has been running around 74-77, so I understand completely what you felt after your short ride. Multiply that by three, and you can see one of the reasons we decided to cut back to only three times a week. For me, it's a 35-ish mile ride, and 40 for DH, who doesn't mind the heat nearly as much as I do. Within the first 30 minutes, I am drenched, and that continues on. At the speed I ride, and with my two stops, it's about a three-hour effort. However (and it's a big however!), we do have a super nice pool to cool off in here in the RV park afterwards. Because of all the afternoon rainstorms here during rainy season, today the pool was actually chilly when we got in! I never expected it to be anything but bathwater this time of year. It was bathwater about a month ago, but since the near-daily rains began, it has been perfect. Really helps revive us after the incredibly muggy rides we do.

Enjoy your riding in Amherst. I can't even imagine how lovely a low-humidity ride would feel right now!

[Crankin]

Thanks, Emily. The ride is in what are called "The Hill towns," so that may give an idea of the terrain.
I remember that bathwater thing well. After 23 yers in FL and AZ, I cannot go in a pool or the ocean/pond without the water being at least 75 degrees. Preferably 80. That means I almost never go in any water!
NWG, that is great. I also cannot believe you went into the woods. Although, I understand why you went. It's called desensitization. But, I hope you stay on the road...

[north woods gal]

I had to try the trails, Crankin, to see how I would respond and I was afraid that if I put it off, I might lose my nerve and never try. There's also the practical side of me that hated to see three years of work building them go to waste, at least as fr as the biking. Although I managed the trails, well enough, I was still a bit shaky and nervous and, like I mentioned, I walked the bike over some spots that wouldn't have even slowed me down, before. I was especially panicky around boulders. No surprise, there. I'm still not sure about the trail riding at this point. Going to have to try some more before I make any decisions.

As for the road riding, though, including the little bit of gravel road I tried, it was pure exhilaration. That's where my heart is at this point, but, of course, it's still a bit early to make any final decisions.

Will ride, again, today. Our weather, fortunately, has been great. Have had the furnace come on the last two mornings and highs have only been in the 70s.

[north woods gal]

I'm working my way back, slowly (a lot of slowly ), but sure. Managed 15 miles, yesterday and another 11, this morning. No afternoon ride, though, with heavy thunderstorms in progress as I write this, but probably just as well. I do push things. (Duh!) Anyway, first three days back and over 40 miles of riding. Most of those were road, but maybe a quarter trail. I am feeling better about the trail riding as far as being able to do it and not freak out, but that old daredevil, give it hell attitude just isn't there. Might never be, again.

Have been doing a lot of switching on the various bikes to get reacquainted with them all and all have done well out on the road, some better than others, of course. All are roadworthy, though, and that's what counts, since that may be where I do most of my riding from now on. Yes, for those of you who aren't familiar with fat bikes and plus bikes, they can be quite roadworthy with the right tires. That, and it's always nice to bail to and ride the shoulders, safely, if need be, not to mention exploring those gnarly dirt side roads or even a cowpath whenever the mood strikes.