July 12th Rides

[Fredwina]

I got up(actually had to wear tights) and climbed. and climbed some more. Then , I do more climbing, up to the aptly named Hillside dr. Then, I rode across the hill before going down the hill and back home. Got to see about 15 minutes of Le Tour, but then why watch folks ride their bikes, when you could be riding your own bike?

[mudmucker]

Have some time off so I'm able to ride on weekdays. What a picture-book perfect day ! Sunshine and temps in the 80's. Solo ride - to Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, NH. Tygab said she rode it last weekend and I said, hmmm, that looks like a nice ride and destination. It truly is in the pines, with outdoor sermon benches looking towards an outdoor alter with an open vista view to Mt. Monadnock. Clocked 50.3 miles roundtrip from the house.

[liberty]

I am so tired. Barely any riding over the past two months, and I tried to make up for it in one ride. Good club ride with good, patient friends. They waited and waited for me the whole 29 miles of vicious hills. Learned a lot though.

1.) Don't expect to pick up where you left off if you haven't been on the bike in awhile. Hills will kill you if you don't spend time with them!

2.) Don't go to the chiropractor for neck/shoulder problems right before you ride. The adjustment and muscle work was wonderful. But then, for the ride several hours later, I spent the majority of the ride barely able to hold on to the handlebars. Familiar with the legs feeling like jelly during a ride. This is the first time my arms have felt like jelly...

3.) Memo to self: take extra clothes so you don't have to drive home in damp cycling gear!

[Kalidurga]

mudmucker, that is a gorgeous photo. I'd ride hills every day, if I knew there was a view like that waiting at the top.

[tygab]

Heya Mud! Glad you made it up there. Beautiful riding no? You caught it on a much clearer day so thanks for sharing the photo. There happens to be great kayaking nearby which is the first way I found out about this place. But a quiet reflective spot such as this is always welcome...

[makbike]

I started the day off hosting a club ride in my neck of the woods. As is typically with my rides (due to travel time) few attend but I still enjoy sharing my communities beautiful rural roads. Today three people (this is a big crowd for one of my rides) came out to play. Two were regular club members and very strong riders. The third was a retired teacher in the community who is trying to get back into biking. She has only been on her bike a few times this season but decided to give it a go. She completed the whole route. It was a great ride, very leisurely and we were able to catch up while we took in some beautiful countryside. She was so excited to have riden 25 miles from start to finish- the joys of biking!

Second ride was also a club ride - "the fruit ride." The club supplies fresh fruit to all participants after the ride. I opted for the 15 mile route simply because my little legs are very tired (I rode for the fruit!). Not a blistering pace but I felt strong and enjoyed the quiet time on my bike.

Total for today, 40 miles. I'm taking tomorrow off to let me legs rest for I'm toying with the idea of a century on Saturday. So many options I just don't know what to do.

[MomOnBike]

Since William's (the 'bent) back wheel is getting rebuilt, I took Walter (the Raleigh) for the daily commute. I hadn't been on that upright in over a year, and it was odd. I ended up walking a hill I would have ground right on up on the 'bent, and my sit bones hurt - which is a good(ish) thing, at least it isn't the soft parts. And different parts of my legs are complaining.

I should either ride that bike more, or never again.

Am I the only one who is slower uphill on an upright bike that is a good 10 lbs lighter than a 'bent?

[Zen]

mudmucker, that is a gorgeous photo. I'd ride hills every day, if I knew there was a view like that waiting at the top.

Sugarloaf, anyone?

[Kalidurga]

Sugarloaf, anyone?

I hardly even hike at Sugarloaf anymore. Development is encroaching, it can be crowded and noisy, and the view ain't what it used to be I am curious about the mtb trail that runs around the base of it, though. I need to check M.O.R.E. and see if there's a description and difficulty rating.