March 3 Rides

[DarcyInOregon]

Ellen and I had lots of fun. It was awesome. We are both the fitness and fun cyclists, not the club going to race all the time cyclists. So for us, the averages we accomplished are significant. Ellen is a very strong cyclist and by the end of the summer she will be cycling some serious distance.

It was 60 degrees when we started and 55 when we ended, which is far better than a ride I had earlier this week with high wind, heavy sleet and snow, all combined in one ride, and with the temp about 34.

A flock of ducks or geese took flight from a farm field on our left at about mile 7. That was great to see and hear.

There were other cyclists out today. While I was waiting for Ellen to show up, a pickup truck with an extended cab parked, and out hopped 4 male riders. They took their bikes out of the back of the pickup truck, then spent the next 15-20 minutes prissing around with the bikes. I have no idea what they were doing. I ride almost every day, so I keep my bike clean and oiled. Before I load it on to the car's bike rack, I pump up the tires. When I park I unload the bike, spend a minute or two putting on my helmet and gloves and so on, and off I go. But these guys, they were poking and prodding each other's bikes, adjusting their clothing, and basically primping and prissing for 15-20 minutes. Then on their way out to the road, after maybe biking for 10 feet, they stopped and fussed with their bikes some more. Ellen and I left about 5 minutes later, and the 4 prissy dudes got back about 2 minutes after us. I figure they probably only biked 10 miles because they had to stop every 1/4 mile and fuss with everything.

Darcy

[margo49]

Round the lake / Sea of Galilee. 70 km +/-
Really spring-like day (tho' kept my under-helmet poly-prop rainbow hat on half the way). Tons of wildflowers (pale yellow mustard and bright red anenome mostly and a purple thistle like Bruno28's avatar), tons of kingfishers (my favourite bird), nice flows in the river and streams...

Nice stripes - I *always* wear folded up long sleeves (to cover each and both of my delicate arms) and my gloves totally cover the back of my hand so I get this gorgeous forearm-to-wrist stripe (by which I mean really s*xy)

Knot - you gave me an idea. I will pack a pretentious book from now on.

[KnottedYet]

The funny part about my trip to the library is that the library only has ONE computer terminal for the card catalog. (no actual CARD catalog) There are about 20 other terminals that get internet.

ALL the terminals were busy (it was Saturday) so I had to go ask the reference librarian to help me find the Blake book. I think I made his day! He walked me to the exact spot on the shelf and kind of waved his hands over the Blake collections, like Vanna White.

From talking to friends who are public library reference staff, they usually get questions about how to work the public access computer terminals... This guy's lucky day, I asked him to help me find a BOOK!

[PinkBike]

when a ranger pulled up beside us - in a convertible Mini Cooper, not exactly a Government-issue vehicle! - and told us that "they" (i.e., Fish and Wildlife) don't want folks using their lot as a staging area for bike rides. He said if they had to close down the place and evacuate folks out, they wouldn't know where we were (?). He said they were fine with "ride in/ride out" but don't stage there.
Hmmmmm....

ok, . . . . so if you park somewhere else and ride in, and THEN they close down the place and have to evacuate folks out . . . . i see, much better . . . .

[Celeste]

Saturday was beautiful! No rain this weekend, thank goodness. But it was chilly. With the wind we rode in I did not take off any layers and I normally do.

We rode out in Katy, TX out from Katy Mills Mall and went 33.2 miles. Hubby went 34. Don't know how that happened as we rode together the entire way. This was our third training week with TNT. Going thru the Fulshear area was beautiful with all the large houses/ranches, horses, and these odd looking, but cute, mini-donkeys.

I am also proud that I took an overpass hill with direct head on wind and made it to the top and down; on my own! My first hill!! And I did NOT have to stop and walk up! Yippee! My quads were burning, my lungs were burning and I was seeing spots, but hey, I did it! I was ok after a few deep breaths.

I just keep telling myself; "wind is your friend; hills are your friend". They build me up and allow me to get stronger with every ride.

Have a good week all!