August 10th rides!

[Tater]

Nice and cool, fifty-seven degrees. Finally got Nice-Calves-Commuter-Guy to say hi to me this morning! Still trying to figure out what kind of bike he's on. I think he needs to bump up his saddle a bit though, as his knees stick out!

[Geonz]

I had a guy coming hte other way on campus say hi as if he knew me, too - I'm wondering if he's the guy that came behind and around me a few months ago, but I didn't have time to check his bike.
Supporting my theory of "finite contact time means comfort level with contact," I had an almost enthusiastic good morning exchange with a guy probably waiting for a bus on Green STreet. (If we were both waiting for the bus we'd have muttered and wanted to keep our own space - at least I would have!)
I had my cooler and blender set up in assortedbags - but still made it in basically the same time frame because of the SOuth wind, which makes a solid minute's difference on the penultimate stretch. There are very strong storms blowing down from the North... and strong winds from the south... sometimes I think it's a good idea to have a helmet with me having nothing to do with cycling!

[xeney]

I had to work late last night and almost missed my bike date with J., and he was grumpy because he could have gone on a longer ride by himself. But we managed a quickie. (Uh, a bike ride. Not that kind of quickie.) We decided to check out the bike route to the California State Fair, which is going to be a breeze for us if we decide to go this year. But the gate at the end is locked -- I don't know if that is just until the fair opens, or what, but we managed to shove our bikes through a gap in the gate and make it through to the other side of the bike trail. We felt like 12-year-old trespassers. Unfortunately, he dropped his bike on some gravel and scratched it up a bit. Fortunately he was riding one of his older road bikes, but he was still bummed, because he just bought this gorgeous ten year old Allez on eBay and it was pristine, like it had been in a bike shop for ten years, and now it's scratched up. Oh, well.

Unfortunately that shortcut took us through two miles of rough gravel, which is not fun on a road bike. I was sorry I wasn't wearing a sports bra. But we saw two deer, a jackrabbit, a couple of turtles, and a lizard. We rode home at sunset and it was still about 90 degrees, but it was a great ride all around.

I haven't been riding my bike to work because I am listening to a great audio book right now and that makes me want to walk to work instead. (I don't do iPods and bikes.) But I will probably ride today so that I can do the grocery shopping. I predict that I will have to dodge some cats sleeping in the middle of the street, and that someone on a cell phone will fail to give me my right of way. Heh.

[DDH]

Started off on my same route this morning and then decided I wanted to ride more. I'm in a mood, Needed to stay out.
I road 13.3 miles this morning, but took my time so it took me 1 hr and 22 min. Lots of hills some pretty steep. I had my mind on other things though and they didn't seem to affect me as much. Yes of course I had to gear down, but just didn't seem to phase me as far as getting tired or running out of steam. I could have ridden longer but need to get home and get a shower and finish up this stupid school supply and uniform shopping. Plus tonight is the orientation for school.
Maybe I need to have more serious thoughts while riding so I am not thinking about my riding. LOL

Hope you all have great rides and a great day today.

[Fredwina]

saw some odd thing on my "hilly" day.
Saw another bicycle abandonded on the side of the street.It looked like the rear wheel had been taco'ed(bent) and the tires were off. later on, I ran a across a Herd(covey? Whole lot of?) of rabbits. The only bad thing is that My Heart Rate monitor bit the dust. Avoid Timex Ironmans.....

[makbike]

Just my commute today for the weather made it impossible to get any extra miles in after school. So I was able to sneak 4 miles in and 2 of those were in the rainstorm that came through my area this afternoon.

[Kano]

Does it count to say "I took my bike for a ride today" if the bike was in the back of the car when I drove to work?

Okay, so tonight I'll say I'm just as glad I've still got the cold. All day I didn't say so, and just the thought of getting off my butt to do anything had me exhausted -- it's amazing what not breathing does for one's energy levels!

I'd about decided to ride my bike to work tonight, but then didn't get up and going early enough, so rather than taking the bike out of the car (still sitting there after picking it up from the bike shop) I drove said car down to work.

About time to come home, a major wind storm whipped up here in the valley, and fires started, and the "kill me or cure me" ride I was thinking about would have turned into the former, given that I would have been riding in 900+ mile an hour winds, smoke, and flying debris from the next town over!

Just as well I gave into the cold again tonight!

Karen in Boise

[DDH]

Kano, I think you gave me your cold. LOL
I have had a sore scratchy throat all day, body aches and head congestion.
I have that organized ride Sat. I cannot do this ARRRGGG. Right now, I have it in my head that I am going regardless. I guess I will see how I am feeling in the morning since this just started today after I got home from my ride this morning.
Why does it always have to happen like this. ARRRGGGG

[Bikingmomof3]

DDH,
I am not happy to hear you have a cold, yet at the same time, glad to know I am not alone. This cold is truly dragging me down. DH and I went out for a fast (for us) pace-averaged 19.5 mph. I am working up endurance. I, unfortunately, can only keep up that pace for around 10 miles-please do not laugh, I am improving. I really love going fast and I love hills. My ultimate goal is to do a few tours next summer as well as a century. Anyway, our ride was short due to a migraine that came on as I was about to make the next 2 mile loop. Slow and Steady.

[denda]

28 miles today. About 70 degrees. No wind when I started, but breezy before I got home. It was a tailwind though, so it was a great ride. Averaged 15.7mph.

[tulip]

Was having a great ride into DC, noticing how light the traffic was, and smack! a guy opened his car door at just the wrong time. Usually I'm pretty aware of this possibility, paying attention to brake lights etc, but this guy gave no clue. I think he had tinted windows so I didn't even see him in there.

Luckily I was even with him when he opened the door, so he couldn't open the door far enough for me to hit the door head-on. My pannier caught on the door and it shook me up, but no damage was done.

Unfortunately the road I ride on is busy and is too narrow to move over enough to clear the car door path without impeding traffic.

Hoping the evening commute is uneventful...

Oh no! That almost happened to me yesterday. I have to remind myself that I am entitled to the lane, but on some roads it's just not safe to take that lane, NOR to ride in the door zone. I've pretty much perfected my route to avoid busy, fast streets. Where you riding between? My commute is between Prince Georges and Alexandria. I'm glad you weren't hurt more than just shook up.