Finally!!!

[LBTC]

Yay! My turn to celebrate! I finally did a real ride yestereday!! It was 8 degrees (that's 46 degrees F) and WINDY, but I persevered....and got very cold....
Total distance 47.65km (29.6 miles), total time 2:22:15, max speed 52 kph (32mph), average 19.5 kph (12.1mph)

My friend took me on a road that has very nice pavement for here, the traffic was very light since the logging trucks are on breakup and it's a very winding and hilly road (no mount diablo, I'm sure, but I sure felt it!)

My focus was on spin - I did several stints over 100 rpm, was able to maintain low to mid 90's on the flats and light rollers, but hill climbs were at best in the 80's, and the long steep ones got down to the 60's. I know what I need to work on!!

by the last 3km cheese hill (1.8 mile) with a 6 degree grade (OMG it feels so much steeper!) My "area 51" was on fire, but my feet and hands were frozen. Good way to learn my limits!! I can't wait for my new saddle and bars!!

I was so COLD after the ride, I ended up having to have a nice long bath. Partway through the bath, the tired hit me and I was rather a zombie for a couple of hours. Luckily, I got my second wind back and got dressed nice, and DH said WOW and had to take me out for dinner! We both had a nice healthy salad. And no alcohol.

Today, so far, I feel hungover. not extremely, but it's still kind of annoying....heh. I suppose that perhaps I did not hydrate on the ride enough. I had 2 bottles with gatorade, but only drank one...and I didn't make my recovery drink after (I found a nice recipe in a fitness magazine and I make it with soy protein because of lactose in tolerance...it's very yummy), as I couldn't stand the thought of drinking something cold (it has frozen strawberries in it!)....

ah, well, live and learn!! This Wednesday will be the first group mtb ride. There's a chance a few other girls will show up, although it's often that I'm the only one in a group of 20-30 guys. It's alright, though, I'm not at the back of the pack anymore! The forecast isn't showing rain anymore, YAY, and with the wind we've had all week, the singletrack should all be dry. wahoooooooooo

yup, love the time change!!!

happy riding everyone

Namaste,
~T~

[snowtulip]

Way to go on the ride! I'm a wind sissy, so it's always amazing when I hear people riding in the cold and wind. I think you did great on those climbs, when I'm climbing I don't even feel like I'm moving (probably 20 rpms), so to think you still climbed up the steep hills in the 60's sound good to me.

I'm also looking forward to my first real mtb. ride of the season ( I ride in the foothills now, but our fun technical trails are still snowy and muddy).

Enjoy!

[LBTC]

I suppose I should mention I've got a three ring bike, so those decent cadence climbs were in full-granny mode!! I can't imagine how those with only 2 rings!

Namaste,
~T~

[nuthatch]

I suppose that perhaps I did not hydrate on the ride enough. I had 2 bottles with gatorade, but only drank one...

I find it so hard to remember to drink when I'm riding in cool/cold weather! The incredible thirst doesn't kick in until about two hours AFTER the ride and then even my eyeballs feel dry!!

Congratulations on a good ride!!

[SnappyPix]

Great stuff LBTC - there's always a headwind/sidewind for me - unless I'm having a great ride, and then it's a tailwind!
I'm exactly the same when it's cold, don't drink as much as I should as I don't find it a pleasant experience when the bottle gets chilled. I've seen thermal bottles available on the internet, which is a great idea, but I prefer the squeezable kind, so haven't invested in one.