Tues 10/14 RIDES

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I didn't feel particularly gung ho today, so I did a favorite short 13 mile loop with several hills in it.
Started with a nice bowl of oatmeal topped with fruit at Ralph's Pretty Good Cafe, along with a big latte. That alone is worth the effort to get on my bike and into town!
It was in the 50's, overcast, and very windy. A light merino wool base layer and then a bright yellow LS jersey and a yellow windbreaker vest. Long tights plus my smartwool helmet liner (which got removed after 5 miles).
It was a very refreshing cool windy ride. My speed was slow today, but I loved all the golden and red autumn leaves whirling through the air all around me and skittering across the roads. I enjoy the crunch sound when I ride over those crispy leaves. The Canada geese were honking in the sky as they prepared to fly south.

[cosc]

My 20 mile ride I barely got in before dark. A move, new job, broke toe, and only one way to ride has slowed my biking down considerably. I passed a big gaggle of turkey and set several mares running to protect their colts. The prairie dogs were having a grand time talking to each other on top of their little mounds.

There is a dog who runs out to defend his territory. He must own lots of land because he will stay with me for 1/3 mile before he gives up and goes home.
I usually get off the bike and walk. This happens going out and coming home. He seems to get more riled up when I yell at him. I'm going to have to get brave and try halt or a rock. This is a very busy road so is dangerous for motorists and me.

[emily_in_nc]

Amazingly, we managed an 80+ degree day today in central NC (not sure what the exact high ended up being), which made for one last after-work mountain bike ride (10 miles) in SLEEVELESS jerseys!

Unfortunately, the forecast has us going into the 30s over the weekend for the first time. I miss summer already.

[Jiffer]

I was finally able to do the Tuesday club ride with my friend, and was excited to see how well I'd do it since my riding has improved. However, the Santa Ana winds were killer! Didn't seem too bad when we left, but it got stupid when we were climbing against the wind along the 15 freeway. I was not only NOT looking forward to trudging up more hills against major headwind, but worried about the safety of coming back down at a fast speed with intermittent gusts of wind. So, my friend and I bailed before it got to the last climb and headed back. We were going to add more miles to our ride, but she got a call from her daughter, who needed a ride to Water Polo practice, so we only got 14 miles in. It was a weird ride, but what we did was strong and a good pace, especially considering the wind, so we felt good about that.

[wildhawk]

Does a Monday ride count? I got in 23 miles on Monday, but had an appointment with my cardio doc today - a followup to last Tuesday’s cardio stress test. He was very excited about the changes I have been making and yay - took me off one of my pills and will see me again in six months. He said I was getting more exercise than he was, and that everything I am doing is great - to just keep on going with my exercise, etc.

My Monday ride was great - even though I rode into a headwind practically the whole way. We are finally going to get some cooler fall weather by the weekend - yay!

Have a great week everyone!!

[Aggie_Ama]

I was planning to ride until my eye doctor took 1.5 hours (she is normally able to be much quicker) and the rain came down in buckets. We need the rain and got about an inch at the house but I wish I had been able to ride.

[skhill]

I went 50 miles for the first time-- woohoo!!!

And I really need to learn to pace myself better; those last 15 miles were a killer. But I made it! My legs were sore and stiff when I got up this morning, but loosened up when I took my dog out for his walk. But I felt it when I got on my bike to start out for my day today....

Oh, and the route had some longer climbs than I've done before, too (either that or I was just getting tired). Didn't get off to walk a single time, even tho I was sure thinking about it!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I went 50 miles for the first time-- woohoo!!!

And I really need to learn to pace myself better; those last 15 miles were a killer. But I made it! My legs were sore and stiff when I got up this morning, but loosened up when I took my dog out for his walk. But I felt it when I got on my bike to start out for my day today....

Oh, and the route had some longer climbs than I've done before, too (either that or I was just getting tired). Didn't get off to walk a single time, even tho I was sure thinking about it!

Hey congratulations!!!!
Last year I remember well when I rode 50 miles for the very first time. What a happy accomplishment that was for me! Unlike you, I rode 25 miles to a cafe where I sat and had a nice little snack for a while, bought some cheeses, and then rode the 25 miles back home....so I got to rest in the middle!
But later that season I did actually ride 70 miles in one shot. So far that is my absolute longest ride.
50 miles is a long ride, especially if it has some climbing. I'm surprised you didn't need to take a day off the bike today.
You GO!