Sunday, October 21st rides

[indigoiis]

I rode the fall foliage ride with our local club. I did the metric. It had some hills, but nothing like last Sunday's hills. It was a beautiful day, beautiful ride. Oh, and I had my first fall. It was at a stop, and I came to a slow stop, and just sort of tipped over before I could get my feet out of the straps (yes, I know, I need toe clips.)

I did well. 63 miles in four hours. Beautiful colors, scenery. Nice ride.

[amy]

Aly should speak about the numbers... she is the one with the fancy bike computer. But we got together yesterday and did 50 miles! My longest ride yet. It started out rough. We were lazy and tired and it was intermittently windy, but after 30 miles or so, it seemed a whole lot easier. We had a great time discussing the Los Angeles scenery... at least 10 homeless people along the bike path, a guy we swore probably had a gun ... and shopping carts in the LA river (Or how about the guy in the speedo lying in the river face down? For a minute I thought he was dead.). Ahhh... LA... what a place.

But it means so much to me to have a new riding friend. I feel so blessed to have Aly in my life and so blessed to have found TE because that is where we met. We talked a lot about how important TE is in our lives. Thanks to everyone for making this such a great place.

[firenze11]

Kalidurga - I used to live in the Annapolis area so reading of your ride makes me miss MD a bit.

Yesterday I went on my first real ride on my new bike. The wind was pretty incredible but I was determined. Until it slowed me down to about 0 mph. Then I turned around and headed onto a dirt road near my house. All I have to say is thank goodness for cyclocross bikes. I wouldn't have been to happy if my only choice was wind or wind yesterday. Although I know as I get stronger wind will be my friend, a mean friend, but a good training friend. I also saw my first road kill. . .a snake (I'm terrified of snakes!). I thought it was alive at first and it gave me and extra push of adrenaline.

All in all it was a good, short ride. I can't wait to get stronger and do more exploring. My neighbor just told me of some really great riding trails close by.

~E.

[aly]

Awww shucks, Amy. Right back at ya.

Too bad we didn't have our cameras for the guy in the speedo (yes TE, he was face down in the 1ft deep, dirty, smelly LA river while wearing a speedo- shocking.) It was an exciting 50 miles with loads of excellent chatting. I can't wait to see what we can do next time!!

[tygab]

I did a solo 18 mile ride around the home area. We too have several farms and orchards with all kinds of stuff going on now (pick your own apples, pumpkins, corn mazes, hayrides, you name it) and consequently city gawker traffic, but it was too beautiful not to ride. Still learning the area and took a few new roads, as well as busier numbered roads (since I wasn't sure how to get back). A few scary trucks went by but overall I was brave yesterday!

today I did spin class. sub teacher, pretty good tho. did more cycling style and not hopping around. she apologized for it being "boring" since she's taught 2 styles - hey speak for yourself. I get sick of all the hopping, let's focus on riding some too!

and sara, two trainer secret weapons. 1. really good music and 2. dvds (at least a few for variety). I have yet to get bored with that combination. some days I lock more on the tunes and the video people are there to entertain. some days I focus more on the vid workouts and the music helps to make the time go by. but it's all good.