August 1 ride reports - Is it Aug already?

[DrBee]

August has snuck up once again.

I went on another relatively short ride this AM - 16.5 miles. Why is it that the wind feels so much stronger than the flags make it look? A skunk apparently was startled in a nearby field - that smelled lovely. At least there was some wind to blow it away! One of my friends/coworkers almost pulled in front of me - he stopped and smiled. That was fun.

Have a glorious day!

[GLC1968]

I was not looking forward to this morning's ride as I was dead tired when I woke up. Unfortunately, (or fortunately?!) I had no other way to get in to work as I'd left my car there for yesterday evening's commute!

It was extremely humid and already 80 degrees by 6:30 am, but the ride was enjoyable anyway. No jerk drivers for once! I did come to the realization that I do need to invest in a front light...it's just a tad too dark when I start out for true safety without it.

14 mile ride, avg 14.8 mph...defintely a slower start to my morning!

Happy August, everyone!

[Geonz]

Rabbit rabbit, sure is!

I had to take Springfield - an even busier road than I usually take. Construction blocked my route (I suspect it was just for 10-15 minutes at a critical point) and I was already late so I couldn't try the side roads. I did not see a *single* bicycle along the way which gave me even more pause (they all got run over already? Hope they were just all on the other roads), but it was still early enough so there was never a lot of traffic going in *both* directions. (It's a busy, pretty narrow road.) Also helps that it's even between summer sessions at the U, I think... EVERYBODY is on vacation or at least sleeping in except those of us ... oh, and all those construction workers but they're already working! (It does make sense to tear up the roads when there's minimal traffic...)

It's pretty warm already and oging into the 90's... but it's still not horrible compared to other places.

[Tater]

Another nice cool morning at fifty-eight degrees. Ended up wearing the day-glo yellow wind breaker, not just because of the slight breeze, but because I need to get another tail light! At least I was a bit more visible this morning.

Nice cager report for the day: signal is green, I am still a few hundred feet from the intersection and can see in my mirror that a car coming up behind me is signaling to turn right. I slow down, anticipating the car turning in front of me after they pass. Well, the car stops and waits for me to clear before turning. As I passed, I waved to the driver for being mindful of things other than cars around him.

[tulip]

While I don't mind riding when it's 100F and 90% humidity (really, I don't, I just don't go fast), I don't like combining all that with novacaine (sp), and this morning's dentist appointment definitely was heavy on the novacaine.

Tomorrow, however, I'll ride slow and drink plenty of water.

[Kimmyt]

I managed to do my bike commute this morning, only the second time I've done it since I started my new job. I've started getting a lift into The Boy's work with him, throwing my bike in the bed of his truck. It makes the commute a much more manageable 8 miles, instead of 18. Plus on the way home from work I can hit the rock gym and meet my friends there, so it just makes sense. It felt wonderful to ride this morning, the temp was warm enough to make me sweaty, but it was so nice to be by myself on the road and trail for once, since lately I've been doing a lot of larger group rides.

Once in awhile I just need some me-time, and it felt lovely to have it this morning.!

[spokewench]

had a very enjoyable ride to work today. It was one of the cooler mornings we have had for a while since we have monsoons (Rain!) finally. It is humid, but not hot so it was very enjoyable. I ride about 6 miles to work and 6 miles home. It will probably pour on me on the way home but that is the way it goes!

Riding makes me feel so good - what a great way to start the morning.

[eclectic]

Was lounging around reading and old issue of bicycling mag THINKING about going for a leisurely ride (seeing as my son took the gas can for the lawnmower so no yard work today)

A friend called right then to go for a ride Hooray ! I didn't have to ride alone.

Once again it was a decision where to go depending on wind, 12 mph SSE, 82 degrees at start - pretty fine conditions. 15 miles into ride the wind dies down but it starts to sprinkle.We decided it wasn't too bad so kept going, we were on a loop around the perimeter of town so could bail at anytime.

Came to the crossroads - Do we do the additional 15 miles (no turning back or bailing) or go home and make supper? The rain made the decision for us. Rode home in a fairly soft rain for the last 6 miles.

Total distance 25.6, average speed 15, fastest 24.5 (no tough climbs, but no good downhills either)

[Pascale]

I got in 25 miles today, mostly in a light sprinkle, and 2 HUGE downpours. I was soaked head to toe and LOVING IT -- it was cooler today (in the high 70's, low 80's this morning, as opposed to the high 90's, low 100's over the weekend).

I hate doing things in the rain, and I had SO much fun, so I MUST be getting hooked on biking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DDH]

I didn't ride today. I whimped out. LOL I took my son and all the cousins swimming yesterday after my ride and my legs and shoulders are sunburned, so I whimped out this morning. The tops of my feet are burned and swollen and I haven't put shoes on all day. LOL

What an idiot I can be sometimes. LOL

I will be back out there in the morning though. Even if I am sore. I skipped two days in a row this past weekend and my ride Monday was harder I think because of it.

[Kano]

DDH, it's okay -- put your feet up so the swelling can go down, drink lots of water -- it helps with sunburn -- and relax! It's okay to not go EVERY day! It gives your body time to recover from the day before, you know. All those biking muscles need to heal now and then. I do agree, though, as we're working on getting into the habit, it's harder to get back on the bike the longer we rest!

I had a few days where I was pretty much non-functional as I got started, probably over did the first few times, and then didn't let myself recuperate. I went out for very short rides just to loosen things up a bit, during the heat of the day, but that was before the heat of the day got quite so hot!

My ride today -- we just got back from a jaunt to the post office and the carwash my daughter works at. Special stop to say hi to her, and buy a lottery ticket! All told, just 5.5 miles, but at least we got out! (DH needed dragging tonight, and I should have dragged him farther down the road!)

Karen in Boise

[im4smiley]

I don't know how you girls do it in the HOT weather.. We are having some hot weather here for the next few days. When I went out at 6pm it was 97 very very humid, the air was so heavy I could hardly breathe...but I did a 16.6 mile loop, I was drenched by the time I got home! Tomorrow is supposed to be even worse than today...I think its a good rest day!!

[AuntieK]

Rode a whopping 3.5 miles today with some friends. We were planning on going for a 30 mile ride, but almost two miles into the ride a huge thunderstorm/downpour started, so we headed back home.
Actually, it was kind of fun riding in the pouring rain, although it hurts a lot when the rain pelts you in the face! By the time I got back home I was totally soaked! My shoes were so full of water that it felt like I was stepping in a big puddle. Eight hours later, my gloves still haven't dried out!

[bcipam]

Last night, a milestone for me. I joined two dear friends to do a mountain bike ride in Chino Hills. One of the dreaded routes is NORTH RIDGE. A 6 mile grind straight up hill, no breaks - other than stopping to rest. I hadn't done the trail since last October so I didn't know how I would do or what to expect.

As we started out, my legs felt heavy and tired. Uh-ho, not a good sign. As we approached the climb (and the trail is the steepest the first 1/2 mile) I was very apprehensive. But once on the climb, I got into a nice easy cadence (down in granny gear) and started up. In all the times I've climb North Ridge, this was the easiest. I had to stop only twice - once to fix my rear brake which was rubbing and another cause for some reason my feet were hurting but my legs were good. We got to Gilman Peak in an hour (that's at 4.3 miles), good time for me. The grade averages around 6% but at times runs up to 10%.

Since I was feeling good, my friends convinced me to ride over to the Sycamore trail. Mmmmmm, normally I don't care for Sycamore, it's a fast, gnarly, rocky downhill and I was on my hardtail (cause it climbs easier than my fully). Getting there was not the problem although we did encounter some heavy sand. Once on Sycamore, I followed my friends down and for the very first time, ever, I did he whole trail down without stopping and walking the hairy parts. A milestone for me. Can't tell you how excited I was to finally get over that hurdle. Of course, I have to add Sycamore was in pretty good shape - normally it has deep, rocky ruts but they were pretty smooth last night (just some smaller ones, not bad). The trail back, Telegraph, is just fun and straight downhill, but not scary downhill.

We saw lots of cool things - the tarantulas were out. We actually (for the first time) watched a Tarantula Hawk (a very large wasp) attack and take down a tarantula (so sad to watch but it's nature), we saw lizards, and snakes and even a salamander (bright orange - it was cool), several velvet ants, large raptures, etc. The air was perfect, temperature (finally) pleasant and the view, especially on Gilman went on for miles. Great ride!

total time 2 hours 15 minutes (we had along stop at Gilman) and distance about 12 miles.

[eclectic]

Bcipam

Sounds like one tough ride 6-10% grades for 6 miles You ROCK!