Daily ride thread 5/12

[Running Mommy]

Just getting this thread going for all of you early riders. Today is my day off, but I'll probably pull the nobbies out and go for an evening ride with the family. Those are my all time favorites!
Will post more later...
So how was your ride today? Tell us all about it!

[Brina]

Its raining and cold here in Chicago today. My riding will be confined to the spin studio.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I hope that those of you who do not live in the very rainy northeast don't mind us riding along on your shoulders today (and for the next several days from the looks of the forecast!). I'd love to put a real ride entry here for today, but somehow my bikes have put their brakes on and refuse to ride in our wet, wet, weather!

Oh well, I managed my first of the season bike commute to work last Friday, and my first of the season weekend trip by bike last weekend, so I guess I shouldn't really complain. Maybe I really need a rest...
--- Denise

[Tater]

Mid 70's and not a cloud in sight. But I'll be on the mountain bike today, since my beloved will be in the shop.

[Running Mommy]

ohh tater, sounds like some good dirt lovin fun! Do tell when you get back!!

[Geonz]

They say this cold clammy stuff will be here for the duration - but heck, it's better than tornadoes.
My Xtracycle just won't let me drive. IT's like a big labrador retriever at the back of the garage, just LOOKING at me with those big wheels that want to ROLL. It's not that wet... (and it isn't, here;we're just south of the real rain. It's just sort of a damp nasty perspiration kind of thing oozing from the air. As weather goddess, I arranged it because for the first time in my life I PLANTED STUFF in my yard and now I don't have to be responsible for the heavy watering you're supposed to do at first. Apologies for any inconvenience for the rest of the universe!)

So much for a full moon ride, though!

[fatbottomedgurl]

I'm getting ready to go out after riding with daughter to school. It is overcast - 57 F and forecast is partly cloudy/ high of 77 . I will be hitting the dirt, will keep you posted!

[FreshNewbie]

Ladies, may i just let out one scream of FRUSTRATION here it comes: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I can't ride outside during weekdays, and every day of the week I am checking weather and it rains every other weekend. So tired of that NY weather. I am trying to train for century this August, and there is nothing worse than to depend on that factor. GRRR
Sorry, had to let it out, feel better now. Off to work....

[mtbdarby]

Wellllll......I woke up to a little snow on the roof and sleet. It's in the 40's and still raining, which is better than yesterday's 30's with winds into the 70 mph range!

If I am fortunately enough to get my sons bday cake baked, dishes done, dogs groomed, house cleaned and kitchen cabinets painted and hardware put on tonight, I may spend some quality time on the hulk watching the tube. Unfortunately, I don't think it will happen tonight. Maybe in the morning while Bryce is watching cartoons

For those fortunate enough to have some decent riding weather - ENJOY!

[profàvélo]

So it's officially Bike to Work day in my city. I rode about six miles from my house to get downtown and was pleasantly surprised by the traffic, or lack thereof. Most of the roads are either very wide or multi-laned; only one truck got too close to me. It was a gorgeous morning, perfectly blue sky, about 52 degrees. A little cool, but in a good way. I got downtown just in time for a gathering of the mayor, city council members and cyclists. The mayor and some reps. of our cycling club spoke. He signed a resolution to make Greenville more bicycle-commuting-friendly. The turnout was decent; there was free coffee, juice and bagels for everybody--nice! Several of my cycling friends were there as well. There were some cameras, so it should be on the news. I work two miles from my house, so I rode back out of town, past my house to campus, and just really enjoyed the sunshine and the blue sky. It was a nice way to start the day and support local cycling efforts, all at the same time. This summer we will be moving downtown, so now I am considering riding my bike to work at least a few days a week, especially in the summer when it doesn't really matter how I look when I get there.

[Bike Goddess]

Now that it is getting light earlier, I am more apt to go out and get a few miles in before I head off to work.

Today I left the house around 5:55AM and did my usual 15 mile ride. On the way I met a runner friend who is talking about getting a road bike. So, we chatted a few minutes- I always get excited when someone tells me they are going to buy a new bike.

I then headed out for my ride. It's about 60 degrees outside with slight winds coming from the Southwest.

I live in an historical town, so my ride includes going by buildings that were constructed shortly after the civil war of the 1800s. I always admire these buildings and wonder what stories they have. One building, the guard house, has been restored and is quite lovely sitting by itself on a knoll overlooking the Carquinez Strait.

After I ride through the arsenal I head for the hills. The first one I do used to be my practice hill- up, down, up down - to get strength hill climbing. Even though I don't do the repeats anymore, I use this hill up to get warmed up. This is followed by a quick descent on another nearby street- my reward!

After another mile, I'm on my 2nd hill. This one gets steeper as you go up. Even though I've already been riding for about 1/2 hour, I still work hard to reach the top. A fast one mile descent and I'm off to the state recreation area where we have a bike trail in the marshlands followed by a road that goes out to a point near the Strait. This is my favorite part of my morning ride. Since it is early, the birds and ducks are abundant as well as all of the runners and early morning walkers. The vistas on this ride are expansive- open space in all directions with the Sacramento river in the distance. Sometimes I see the oil tankers coming in as well as container boats often bringing cars from the Far East to unload at the docks a few miles upstream. I'm riding into the wind now, but it is ever so slight- a big change from the winds we've had this Spring. The sun comes up behind me as I ride along providing light and a little warmth. After reaching the turnaround, I'll have it in my face going home.

Upon leaving the park, I take the rolling hills route home so that I get a couple of more to do before I get back. When I turn onto 1st street-the main street of my town it is now just 3/4 mile to my place. Since few cars are on the street at that hour, I can really go full out. I sprint to the end.

Upon arriving at my driveway (an hour after I had begun), I hop off the bike, refreshed and glad that, once again, I got to do this very special ride.

[Running Mommy]

You know I have considered biking to work, but it's a good 20 miles I think. I'll have to measure it. There are a few roads that are narrow farm roads I'd have to ride on as well. Unfortunately it's not 'farm' traffic anymore either, since the farmers are selling out to the home builders. We also are in a big industrial area w/ lots of big rigs. So I'd be fighting the harried comuters, and the semi's... Could be a scary proposition. Plus, I have a munchkin I need to get home to in the afternoons. maybe in a few years... But I really would rather ride to work! I'd be stoked for that!

[Crankin]

No riding here........unless you count the advanced bicycling skills class that I am supposed to take tomorrow. Forecast: pouring rain, gusts up to 30 mph, flooding. And, I am driving 1.5 hours to go to this.

Robyn

[Kimmyt]

Off work in an hour and heading out to meet my SO for a nice relaxing trail ride! It's goooooorgeous outside and there is no way I'm not gonna enjoy it. Hopefully will follow the ride with a yummy dinner of corn on the cob, salad and wine out on his deck.

I heart beeyewteeful weather!!!

[Geonz]

You can drive 10 of the 20 miles and make your own "Park and Ride," too... I like to make my ride 20 miles on the way home, but I"m not sure I could make a habit of doing it both ways.