Daily ride thread 5/12

[J-hawk biker]

I did a half hour ride this morning before work. Rode around the small lake in our small town (the same lake in the movie "Picnic"). We have a big 4th of July celebration every year with a 20 mile bike ride and a kids bike rodeo, so I took a break from my ride and went through the circles and figure eights that are painted on the asphalt in front of the bath house. It was fun! Beautiful weather here in Kansas, no wind for a change!

[mtkitchn]

Day off today, back to work tomorrow. Set off at 7am, when it was already almost 80 degrees. Rode my usual loop in the fancier part of town. Lots of schools on the route which I usually barely notice (since I don't usually ride at that exact hour), but I seemed to hit them all as people were dropping their kids off. I don't know what it is about people taking their kids to school, but they are the most distracted, ignorant drivers out there. And the bus drivers! Sheesh! Almost got sideswiped twice by school buses, and had more drivers cut me off and turn into me this morning than I have (total) since I started riding in November. Only one fall thanks to a mom in her minivan cutting me off (but no big body damage). She didn't even bother to stop, but a pedestrian helped me out.
Sorry this sounds like a rant, but really it was a nice day to ride and it's good to get out! There are worse ways to spend an hour and a half!
Next time I'll leave a couple hours earlier or an hour later!

[fatbottomedgurl]

Okay call me blonder-than-I-pay-to-be. I posted this on yesterday's post so if you read this twice, sorry!

I drove up to a trailhead all ready for a couple hours ride, rode one mile up the trail and decided to stand and hammer up a little hill. Didn't realize my gearing had my chain crossed and I broke my chain. Considered doing an on-the-trail repair but since it was mostly downhill from there I coasted out. I had to "Fred Flintstone" back to the car, as I didn't want to walk and my seat was lowered for the downhill anyway. So my little hardtail is at the shop getting a new chain (she was due). While I was there I test road a little 14" Gary Fisher WSD Cake2 GS full suspension bike... to be continued???

[Running Mommy]

That is quite an idea Geonz! I'll have to think about that. Though will prolly have to be after the heat subsides. We are just going into our evil season out here. Everyone else is looking forward to the warm weather the next few months, we in the Phoenix area are NOT!
I like to ride when it's hot, but 110+ is just too much!
I was joking w/ Tony the other night that I knew summer was coming because when I wheel my bike in after a ride it smells like hot rubber.
So the next few months will all be sunrise or sunset rides I'm afraid. Or the evil trainer of course. UGH

[Running Mommy]

mtkitchn- OMG! That sounds EXACTLY like my hood in Estrella mtn ranch! I purposely WAIT until about 8:00 - 8:15 before I head out (or I 'did' before I started working). I've had all of those things happen to me MANY times!! Even the school bus. I actually did get whacked in the arm by a bus mirror one day. Hurt like heck and took forever to heal. Of course the school district wasn't too happy when I reported it. They ended up paying my dr's bill since I had the bus number and exact time it happened. Plus I was less than a half mile from the school so I wheeled right over and let the principal have it... Not that it was 'his' fault, but I was super upset- not to mention in PAIN!
Anyhoo.. Yeah, Phoenix drivers! You have to live here to appreciate what we put ourselves through here everytime we put the rubber side down!

[VenusdeVelo]

Go out about 9:00pm here (stays light now in Netherlands late), ride about 3 blocks to the *great* italian ice cream shop, eat a cone outside, and then go off on a 1 hour tour around the city -- even as it darkens the bike paths here are unlimited and you never have a problem riding, night or day. Get back home around 10:30, all relaxed for bed. Did I mention that great ice cream?

[DrBee]

I can't ride today either. I'm in MD visiting my mom. No bikes here. Aargh! I'll live vicariously through all of you!

[Veronica]

Just my usual commute today. I did see this big black bird along the side of the road, trying to catch some dinner.

The campus catering guy was early, usually we pass on the school driveway. He waved anyway, even though I was blocks away from school. If he's delivering when I arrive, he's really cool about making sure I have space in the school driveway to ride right up to my classroom.

V.

[KnottedYet]

Didn't ride my commute today. Got a frantic call from Small Knot, he needed some parts to a game that he left at home when he went to his Dad's house. Found the stuff, loaded it into my pannier, and tootled off on my mission of mercy.

Nice quiet evening ride.

I need to get some lights.

[crazycanuck]

I did 45km today on and off road.

I joined our tri group's bike ride and (as noted on another post) i borrowed our coach's extra road bike. Road bikes are shall i say, interesting...Not going to become a full onroadie though...! I enjoyed the speed, powering up the hill without a struggle & just being able to ride without any dramas! Left them after a nice flat white & ventured home for a nutritious post breakfast. Took the bike to the bike shop to have it tuned as a favor to our coach and the other lady that uses the bike.(she's away)

Around 1pm we ventured off to do mtb hill work-for me it was just going up and down a certain hill that goes on & on over pea gravel etc. I am not working on speed, i'm just working on getting up the hill and picking the right line.

Ian and i are going there tomorrow to do the same hill but in a diff way-

c

[im4smiley]

Rain, Rain and more Rain so sad I went out on friday when there was a break in the rain, about 20 easy miles but now they are saying rain for 10 days...I refuse to listen to them....they must be wrong!!

[wavedancer]

My riding this week has consisted of two early morning rides on the trainer and opimisically driving my mountain bike back and forth to work in the hopes of being able to ride after work Too much rain!!!

I plan to do a 2-hour Coach Troy session today...Looks like this rain is here to stay for a while!

[mtkitchn]

mtkitchn- OMG! That sounds EXACTLY like my hood in Estrella mtn ranch! I purposely WAIT until about 8:00 - 8:15 before I head out (or I 'did' before I started working). I've had all of those things happen to me MANY times!! Even the school bus. I actually did get whacked in the arm by a bus mirror one day. Hurt like heck and took forever to heal. Of course the school district wasn't too happy when I reported it. They ended up paying my dr's bill since I had the bus number and exact time it happened. Plus I was less than a half mile from the school so I wheeled right over and let the principal have it... Not that it was 'his' fault, but I was super upset- not to mention in PAIN!
Anyhoo.. Yeah, Phoenix drivers! You have to live here to appreciate what we put ourselves through here everytime we put the rubber side down!

Glad you reported that bus driver. Those people are crazy and what a terrible experience you had!
I learned my lesson and will not ride at that time of the morning again!