June 21st Rides

[makbike]

Gosh, I can't believe I get to start this thread. I cheated a little bit and rode twice today (don't tell my doctor). I rode a total of 4.69 miles - nothing huge but it sure felt good to be on my bike even if all I was doing was going in a big circle. Maybe I'll cheat again tomorrow and take the bike out three times. I figure by next weekend (the 30th) I'll be on my bike and on the road riding a normal route to see where I am physically. I'm glad the teratoma "junior" is gone but boy I wish it was not keeping me from riding like I want to these days. This is not turning out to be the summer I had planned by any means. Oh well. I guess all I can do is go with the flow and see where the tide takes me.

[teigyr]

I bet junior is jealous he isn't riding too. Do you ever watch ATHF? I keep picturing him as Meatwad. Sorry for the visual, for those who have watched it.

Yay though! I don't think you overdid it. Your body will let you know and it's probably better you broke it up into two rides.

Exciting though! And way cool that you opened the thread

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

So Marcie, does it count as separate rides when you stop for a sandwich? Or a sip of water? Then you could tell the doc you are only doing 2 mile rides if you stop for water every 2 miles during your 30 mile ride.
Just easing- good that you are feeling good!

The past few days I was quite tired out on even short rides- now i think it was just the heat and humidity draining me. I have always lived without air conditioning all my life, but my office is upstairs at home here and it gets to be 90 degrees up under roof where I work! So we are getting a new furnace soon and are having central AC put in at the same time. Should be odd but a relief.
Anyway, today was not hot or too humid and I felt great again on my bike.
I did a 29 mile ride this morning and wasn't tired at all.

I had a special treat though- I saw a BALD EAGLE during my ride, just 2 miles from my home! Now that is not common around here unless you drive to the Hudson river. The only other wild bald eagle I've ever seen was on the coast of Maine when I was 18 (100 years ago). So this was very special to see!
I was riding past a hayfield surrounded by woods and I heard a gang of crows screaming. They were circling what looked like a huge black and white skunk (or a little border collie maybe?) hunkered down in the middle of the cut field. I stopped to watch, thinking this skunk was rather dumb to be sitting in the open mid-day. Suddenly the "skunk" takes off and flies across the field, revealing the brilliant white head and tail and giant wingspan! I was in awe! It flew off over the trees and away.

[liberty]

Well, I was the only person to show up for the club ride tonight. So, I did the route by myself. Some racer dude came up behind me. I noticed he was on the same bike I was. Same color designs, everything. And I ride a WSD. While I am sure he wasn't riding a WSD, it was still funny to me to think he possibly WAS riding one. Then I am riding a bit further and come across a man juggling things while he is jogging. He was seriously juggling those huge pin things... Then, on the way back to the car, I am riding along and get the feeling I am not wearing shorts. And I looked down automatically, and of course I had my shorts on. But it was so odd to feel as if all of a sudden the shorts had become part of me. The bands normally feel very tight, and it was if all of a sudden they fit perfectly. Very strange sensation. I stopped riding at 15 miles. Maybe the heat is making me crazy...

[solobiker]

It was a little on the hot side during the first half of my ride, probably in the upper 90s. The second half the clouds came in an a light breeze started to help it cool off. I managed about 21 miles. Nothing too exciting on my ride. I didn't get to see any bald eagles. Very Cool!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well, I was the only person to show up for the club ride tonight. So, I did the route by myself. Some racer dude came up behind me. I noticed he was on the same bike I was. Same color designs, everything. And I ride a WSD. While I am sure he wasn't riding a WSD, it was still funny to me to think he possibly WAS riding one. Then I am riding a bit further and come across a man juggling things while he is jogging. He was seriously juggling those huge pin things... Then, on the way back to the car, I am riding along and get the feeling I am not wearing shorts. And I looked down automatically, and of course I had my shorts on. But it was so odd to feel as if all of a sudden the shorts had become part of me. The bands normally feel very tight, and it was if all of a sudden they fit perfectly. Very strange sensation. I stopped riding at 15 miles. Maybe the heat is making me crazy...

Sounds like a Fellini movie....

[7rider]

I had a very mixed ride. Commuted in the a.m. on my Felt. Rode to the office picnic, then rather than going back to the office, I stopped over at the LBS. Ended up riding home a brand new '08 Trek Madone on demo. (see Bike forum for details)
I think all told, I got about 23 miles in, including my laps around the neighborhood trying out the Trek.

[short cut sally]

I have yet to add to this thread as my riding isn't done on a routine daily basis. But I thought, ive read this for months and have opted to join in and will participate with my rides. Today as with every THursday, I meet with another lady (whom we met and started biking together last summer). Today we biked 51 miles, 3/4 of the ride it seemed was in the wind. Oh my gosh. I ached at like mile 20 from struggling. We averted the rain storms by just getting sprinkled on 3 times but the clouds were dark and we could see rain off in the distance or come upon roads still wet from the rain. The deer were plentiful, 1 squirrel, and 1 blue heron. Which was beautiful as he took off from the marshy area, not a bald eagle, but it'll do. Today was cooler, high 70's. Made the hills a little more pleasant!

[Meg McKilty]

SouthernBelle and I went for a short ride today (16 miles) but about 2 miles into the ride, I was chased by a quite large german shepard, then a pit bull mix. At least the owner of the pit bull mix was outside with the dog. I was very scared and sprayed the dog with my water bottle. SB came up behind me and sprayed the dog with Halt.

The rest of the ride was good and easy.

[Aggie_Ama]

We did 32.37 miles after work. Surprisingly cool for Texas in June. I am not sure what was with me today but I was like superwoman! We averaged 17.1 mph and I never needed the little ring. The way back is about 8 hilly miles with a headwind. I have been trying to drink more water, don't know what is in our water at work.

[tygab]

three coworkers and I headed out for a route I planned, my first attempt at doing such a thing. Ride was 18.5 miles for some, and 28 for others.. I did provide printed maps but they were a little hard to read.

anyway, these three are guys and two of them are jackrabbit types. The other is just getting his riding legs and I slot in between them time wise. We stayed more or less together for the first 12 miles or so (the fast guys would wait for me, then we'd all wait for our last rider etc). But after a recollection point, the jackrabbits took off and I stayed with the newer rider, and didn't see them again. We had a very hilly course that I planned (mwuahhhhahaha), and I had a blast. Some of the roads were a little more trafficked than I'd like but it was rush hour after all. Got honked at a few times. Don't know why they honk, it only startles me more.

Anyway, we take a slow pace back on our last leg and pull into work and the jackrabbits are nowhere to be found. So, after waiting a bit and trying to call them, we hop in the car to go the course in reverse to see if we can find them. Sure enough, we do, about 3 miles out and where we'd just ridden through. Turns out they "improvised" part of their route, got some bad directions, etc. So, they ended up doing more like 28-30. Of course, if you're going to pick a day to be on the bike longer than expected, the day of solstice is not a bad choice. We told them the way to get back, and they rode in.

The funny think about cycling is a longer ride than expected is at once a source of complaints but also lots of secret pride... so, they are happy tonight.

All in all a nice ride for after work. I wish it were a little easier to get to quiet roads tho! We got back just as some storm clouds were rolling in.

I'm hoping to jam with some good rides this weekend. It's been hard to find enough time on the bike recently [I haven't been here in ages, among other things], but my bike butt has come back at least

[makbike]

So Marcie, does it count as separate rides when you stop for a sandwich? Or a sip of water? Then you could tell the doc you are only doing 2 mile rides if you stop for water every 2 miles during your 30 mile ride.

What a great idea, Lisa. I think I may have to try this next week after my dad leaves. Thanks for the great suggestion!

I'd love to see a Bald Eagle in the wild - what a cool sight that had to be. They are such awesome birds.

[Crankin]

I rode about 13.6 miles with my husband before he went to work. It was cool and dry, but I felt sluggish. We climbed 3 hills, still dealing with whatever delicate stomach issues I have had my whole life.
Average was 15.4, so not bad for a hill ride.
Glad to see you are riding more Tasha.