May 10th ride

[Crankin]

Today we led our club's "New Member" ride. It's not really just for new members. Last year, 60 people came on this ride. We divide it into 2 groups and we lead the faster group (which is not really fast--15 average or so).
Well, we had a storm yesterday, which was predicted to go into the early morning. It never rained as hard as they predicted and there was absolutely no rain when we got up at 6. The ride started at 10 and only 7 people showed up! But, it was good I had 2 other people to lead the slower group, because they definitely were newbies, injured, etc.
It ended up being a nice day and it was nice to ride in a group of 5 people that all rode around the same speed. We did just under 23 miles through Concord and Carlisle, with an average of exactly 15.01. The slower group averaged 11.7. There were so many cyclists out in Concord today, it was crazy. It was also hazardous waste recycling day, so there were cars lining up for that, too, near our start point. At one point a group that had passed us at one point got in behind me when we were almost back and flying down the flats. Since I was sweeping, I couldn't go any faster, but they stayed behind me until we turned.

[mimitabby]

Well, some of you remember that last week my DH was rather disappointed because i didn't want to do a long ride with him.

So this morning he got up and said "I am doing the south loop of Lake Washington, and then I am going downtown to the bike shop." He didn't even ask me if i wanted to go.
We'd checked the weather and we were told by the weather experts that the rain would be coming in later in the day. So I got up and got ready to ride. He was delighted that I was interested, but hey, he picked all my favorite places to ride. We had breakfast and got out the door. And it started to rain. I stood in that doorway and sighed. Years ago, he used to say "If it's raining at the beginning of a ride, I tend to cancel" well, I feel the same way. Who wants to ride ALL DAY in the rain... another big sigh. Went out to the street where he was waiting for me with that puppydog look he gets; "let's go, let's go" I said "it's raining" he said, "yeah, I know; but remember, you don't have to ride.." another big sigh... and we set off. by mile 6 the rain had completely stopped. We rode 40 miles in and out of our favorite urban places and he bought a rack for my bike at Elliott bay bikes.

[Mr. Bloom]

Today, we set out with friends. Dan, a 59 yr old stud on a bike, Ken & Maureen on a tandem, Silver and me.

Along the way, in a way out of the way intersection near the Ohio River, we met Brent who is traveling cross country from Lincoln Nebraska to Washington DC (and beyond) before starting at Stoneybrook University in NYC in a few weeks.

The pics are grainy since they were my cell phone.

Here he is with his 80 pound bike:


We went to the beautiful suspension bridge that crosses the Ohio River in Rockport Indiana. Here is Brent and Silver after we passed to the Kentucky side:



Here is me after we returned to the Indiana side. This bridge is beautiful!


While the beauty of the bridge draws the eyes up, you have to be careful of the treacherous, bike eating expansion grates! We walked across them!


In total, 82.6 miles at 15.5mph. Wind from the east at about 10mph was a pain going out, but wonderful on the return.

Here's Brent's Blog!

[Fredwina]

62 miles
I was debating going down to San Diego an doing a popularie(a 100K brevet ) today
But yesterday , I had an optometrist appointment .I was going to the oen at the loacl outlet of the "evil empire" (aka walmart), but My boss said if went to his wife's place, a get a "big discount"
Well, after getting the bill, i really blew my Budget (so much for "big discounts") so I decided to stay local
I did the club ride,a nd actaully hang with a group
relaxed at the coffees shop. They had been advertising a drink called the "funky Monkey", so I dedcided to try it
Road out to Pomona to make it a metric
I like this picture from Mt Baldy road:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

25 miles today through beautiful farmland.

[makbike]

Joined the club for yet another "MadDog" century. We had been warned about this ride - lots of climbing we had been told but were also promised some beautiful scenery. The ride started in Carefree, Indiana and we quickly found ourselves climbing. However, the view at the top was awesome. I never knew the Ohio River could be so beautiful. The ride flattened out and the pace picked up as we made our way through the little towns of Alton, Magnet, Derby, Cannelton, Bristow and Sulphur. The climbing really picked up after the lunch stop and it was one hill after the next for the next fifty miles. In addition to the tough climbs we also had a headwind to fight. However, it was one of the prettiest rides I've been on and I'm hoping they will offer this ride again in the fall when the leaves change.

In the end I logged 97 miles and completed the ride in 6 hours and 11 minutes. It was a great day to be on my bike!

[redrhodie]

I did hill repeats. New to me, and quite a fun little workout in a short amount of time.

[jesvetmed]

Redrhodie... did you say hill repeats are a "fun little workout"? Did mine earlier in the week, and that isn't the word I used!

Today's ride was the club's annual "Spring Classic"... I showed up early for parking help -- directed traffic for 3 hours in the COLD and WIND, and then finally got to ride. 2.5 hrs, 37 miles in the BIG WIND! Made for a heck of a workout! Excellent ride, well supported (if I do say so!).

[btchance]

I did an easy 24miles, but since I injured my quad about 7 weeks ago, my rides have been few and far between. This ride was great for a number of reasons. One, I was actually able to get out there. Two, for the perfect temp in the low 70s and no wind. Three, for the wonderful smell of honeysuckle as I rode along the back roads of Alabama (remember that lyric "and I can taste that honeysuckle and it's still so sweet, when it grows wild on the banks down at old camp creek, and it calls to me like a warm wind blowin' "). And four, that I got off the bike with no pain, no limp, and wanting to ride again tomorrow. All in all, a wonderful ride.

[Jolt]

Today we led our club's "New Member" ride. It's not really just for new members. Last year, 60 people came on this ride. We divide it into 2 groups and we lead the faster group (which is not really fast--15 average or so).
Well, we had a storm yesterday, which was predicted to go into the early morning. It never rained as hard as they predicted and there was absolutely no rain when we got up at 6. The ride started at 10 and only 7 people showed up! But, it was good I had 2 other people to lead the slower group, because they definitely were newbies, injured, etc.
It ended up being a nice day and it was nice to ride in a group of 5 people that all rode around the same speed. We did just under 23 miles through Concord and Carlisle, with an average of exactly 15.01. The slower group averaged 11.7. There were so many cyclists out in Concord today, it was crazy. It was also hazardous waste recycling day, so there were cars lining up for that, too, near our start point. At one point a group that had passed us at one point got in behind me when we were almost back and flying down the flats. Since I was sweeping, I couldn't go any faster, but they stayed behind me until we turned.

I had thought about going on that ride, but ended up making other plans because the weather forecast looked so iffy and there was something else going on today (that wasn't weather dependent). There were probably plenty of other people who had the same thought process and that would explain the low turnout. 60 people last year?! Wow.

[smilingcat]

Went to the garden party... actually to the Cruisin the Canejo Ride.

Well 2 out of 3 fun ride ain't that bad. Managed to finish the basic Cinderella ride with a flu/cold whatevar. Finished the Wildflower ride in San Luis Obispo ride also with flu/cold... Yes I did cut my distance down for both, 64mile for cindy and only 50 easy mile for the wildflower. Canejo ride I signed up was for metric century 64 miler with hills my fav.

so it's this 2 out of 3 ain't bad part. I ended up chucking biscuit at around 5 and half mile mark into the ride. This flu/cold is still hanging on tenaciously and I just wasn't feeling up for it. So I dumped the ride (DNF'ed it). I didn't want to end up all wired up to machines in a hospital like last time. So I turned around and returned to the car. total 11 miles better than nothing I guess. Really too bad about the ride though.

After resting in a car, I did try out the Giant TCR AW. Very nice... Very nimble. (Cannondale and Giant had a booths set up and were demo'ing bikes)I tried the small frame. at 5'-3" it felt bit small on top tube length then again, the seat was pushed all the way forward and the stem was really short. so it could have been another 10cm or so longer had it been adjusted for me. One other thing, the handle bar was up way too high for my taste. I would have liked it if was mounted much lower. Even with my complaints, I really like the bike. I also hopped on their Trinity A0 bike my size but they weren't demo'ing those besides I already have Specialized Transition-pro which I really like.

maybe I'll hop on a trainer and see if I can burn this cold/flu out of my system tonight...

smilingcat

[redrhodie]

Redrhodie... did you say hill repeats are a "fun little workout"? Did mine earlier in the week, and that isn't the word I used!

I have a secret weapon…an 11-34 cassette. And, it's ultegra 10 speed compatible (the website it says you'll need a mtb deraileur--not true) http://store.interlocracing.com/10elcas.html.

Climbing is soooo much more fun now.

[SouthernBelle]

I headed out this morning in a bit of gloom. After all week on the commuter beast, the carbon road baby is like a feather. I cranked out some hills topping out at a 20 % grade. The sun came out too.

Earlier that morning I had found it a good idea to dump my breakfast all over myself, the couch and the floor, so I had to stop for a snack. 2 guys came riding up, stopped and we had a nice chat. They had ridden 3 state 3 mtn the week before. They said my bike was beautiful. I agree!

Cranked up, then down Microwave Hill. Stopped to try and get some pictures of the zebras that live there, but my camera phone wasn't up to the task. They were too far from the road.

Headed through town to finish out down the new road that isn't really open yet. Then headed home but detoured a little so I could get over 30 miles.

typed with kitty assistance.

[NJBikeGal]

I raced today. 15 mile crit...15 racers...5th place (30+ category, today, also known as Cat 1/2/3)...$30 for the donut fund. Can't beat that!

[cyclinnewbie]

I got up early and went to Mother's Day breakfast with my mom, dad, hubby, kids, mother in law and father in law. Told myself I was gonna ride today.

After breakfast, went to the antique shops looking for a teacup/saucer for my daughter (she collects). Told myself I was gonna ride as soon as I got home.

Got home, noticed I needed to vacuum. Told myself I would ride as soon as my vacuuming was done.

Finished vacuuming, decided to fold laundry. Told myself I would ride as soon as laundry was folded and put away.

Finished laundry, decided to plant my tomatoes. Told myself I would ride as soon as my tomatoes were safely tucked into their pots.

Finished tomatoes, was freezing cold and sick of the wind, so went inside, wrapped up in a blanket, drank a cup of coffee and watched a movie.

No ride today....