Virtual Biking Buddies 7/11 - 7/18

[SusanMac]

Thought I'd start the thread this week because I'm so excited about US Postal's win in the team trials on Wed. Did anyone else watch?? That's the one major title that they had never won before. Also, I really like watching the rest of the team get some limelight in the media, beyond Lance. And, team trials are just darn fun to watch.

Weather has been really cruddy here, and work is way busy, so I haven't gone riding at all this week. I have my first group ride coming up this Sunday, though. It's a 60-mile ride with a local club. Not sure how many people to expect, but maybe 20 - 30. I'm a bit nervous as I'm not terribly confident riding closely/side by side with others, mainly just because I haven't done it. And the whole drafting thing feels really strange with everyone's tires so close. I need the experience though, as my Aug century ride will be about 600 people.

Anyone have tips for me for group rides??

[Laura]

Susan, I watch the highlights every night. I thought it was very cool that US Postal won, and with such a commanding time difference.

I don't have any advice on biking, I used to get freaked out riding the boardwalks in Southern California, so I am of no help. Laura

Editing to say, I had to change my response as I thought was on the running thread!

[dulcecoeur]

The Tour has been great so far! The time trial win was definitely exciting :p

I expect to do a lot of riding this weekend. My BF has been away without his bike all week, is returning tonight and is missing his ride! (okay, and me too!)

I was also out on the trails Tues, Wed and Thurs this past week, although I took a bad spill on Wednesday due to some very unattentive kids not watching where they were going on the trail...and it was pretty slippy....grrr. A bit of blood shed on my part in MY efforts to avoid a collision, but no problem, I got back on and finished my ride :-)People should really learn trail etiquette before they venture on.

Also going to be an exciting weekend as I am buying some new gear (shorts/jersey/shoes)/ Plus my BF will be giving me his much better pedals/clips as he is treating himself to some Triple Ti egg beaters ;). Yippee for me!

[dulcecoeur]

P.S. Susan...good luck on your ride this weekend! I am sure it will go fine! I don't have any tips unfortunately, as I am not really a roadie ;)

[jazzyjas]

I find that with the group rides I have attended unless it is labeled a "training ride" then there isn't that much drafting and the group tends to spread out. Not sure, is this a part of the training for your century ride or just a local group ride?

Our wednesday night ride was rained out with monsoon winds and threats of tornados -- I am hoping to get in a quick ride this weekend and then reschedule the Wednesday night social ride (same bat time same bat station)

Have a good ride, Susan!!

Jas

p.s. I haven't seen any of the Tour since I don't have a TV so I can't comment except what I read in the paper.

[dulcecoeur]

I hope your ride went well Susan!!

I managed to get lots of moutain biking in this weekend. Saturday I went with my boyfriend for a 2 hour ride on various trails in the city, I think I did just under 30K. It was mega-hot though and I think I got a touch of heat stroke! I also clipped a tree with my handlebar and managed to drag the chain against one leg, and dig the pedals into the other shin - leaving some nice swelling and scrapes...:rolleyes:

This morning I went on my own for another 2 hour jaunt again on various trails..with no falls this time and much nicer weather! :p

I found out yesterday I am going to be going be part of a 4-person team in a 25 hour relay in a couple weeks (yes, 25 rather than the usual 24 for some extra pain I guess!) I am really excited about it, but its my first real race, as the last one I got a flat tire early on on. And of course for my first race, I decide to do a 24 hour relay!! It should be a lot of fun though, and we don't really expect to win, although we have a couple strong people on the team...there are others like me who are less so!

Anyone else ever do a 24 hour relay? Any advice?

[gltrgrl1]

The weather is finally cooperating and I was able to get out for a ride today. I went 13.2 miles. Thats the farthest I've gone so far. I had to tackle a couple of pretty big hills and I am so proud of myself because I made it up all of them without getting off my bike and walking it up. My legs are so sore!!! I'm going to sleep good tonight!

[cangoss]

I did my first big ride over the weekend - our local bike club sponsors the Helluva Ride. The people who do the 100 and 75 mile routes go through Hell, Michigan. I did the 30 mile route which ended up being 31 - my longest ride ever. Surprisingly I wasn't too sore on Sunday and now I really want to do more long rides like that. I do want to upgrade my bike a bit though - with new pedals and clips and then I'll need biking shoes. I've also been thinking about getting a new bike as my reward when I lose the weight I'm currently trying to lose, so I'll have to make a decision about upgrade vs. replace sometime.

My only advice about group rides is to be sure to know the etiquette of the group - for example, in our group, people point out potholes and stuff, and always call out when they're passing.

[SusanMac]

Sounds like an awesome weekend for everyone! Well, the bad news about my group ride is that we didn't end up riding with the group. Our friend had a flat right at the start, and we never caught up with the gang. So, I didn't really learn anything there. The good news is that we rode the entire route - 60 miles - my longest ever! Several really tough hills. I'm really pumped. I'm learning to like the hills, too. I think you just have to learn how to manage them. It's really rewarding. We had perfect weather and georgous views. I even convinced DH to give my feet & legs a massage last night! Along with a bottle of French wine (and the sheperd's pie stuffed peppers from CL 6/03) and watching the Tour, it was a pretty good Sunday!

[ChristieinMB]

Woohooo!! I just bought a new road bike, I will pick it up on the 25th. I'm so excited. It is a Calfee Luna. I did follow the advice of a good fit. I went to a small shop here that is great, it sponsors the local race club and the fitter started our Grand Prix years ago. He was very good, he will fit me again to the finished bike when I pick up my bike next week. Then I will get the seat and bars.
Well, everyone enjoy the TdF tomorrow!
Christie

[jazzyjas]

Well, Wednesday night ride went well. Not too many people showed up and so we kept the pace up -- we did 18 miles in an hour and 15 minutes with some decent hills thrown in to slow us down. I live at the top of a pretty steeply graded hill. I think I will try to get out again on Friday in the afternoon -- Pat missed the Wednsday night ride and is trying to reschedule some time this week. (oh, I got the "ultimate" compliment from Pat -- we were having drinks after the ride yesterday evening and he said to Tom -- "no offense to your gender, Jasmine, but I thought you were one of those girls who says 'yeah, I am into biking' and doesn't really ride. Tom, she really rides.")

Susan -- sorry to hear about the flat tire -- may I rocommend kevlar tires if it starts to be a cronic thing. They way more but you don't get flats (having 650 cs the tubes can be harder to find)


Christine -- I am jelous of the new bike. Having two currently I can't really justify another bike

Cangoss -- I find 30 miles is about the amount that is easy to do without too much soreness -- more then that and you feel it a little more.

dulcecoeur -- that 25 hour relay will be tough -- I can hardly stay up that long let anole ride the whole time -- how does it work?

Happy Riding everyone

Jas

[Natasha]

Rachel,

That relay should be fun. There are lots of those around here and my husband and most of the teammates have done one or more of them. I was asked to participate in one this year but was too chicken. Maybe next year! Good luck, though, and it's great that you're loving MTB so much!

Sounds like you are all doing some great riding. I haven't been out as often as I should be, partly because I've been emphasizing running more (not a bad thing, but I do need to ride more regularly). I did go out with my husband and a friend last night, and did a challenging ride on our favourite country road (or one of them). It was fun, despite the strong headwind we faced for much of the ride. :) I hope to ride more tomorrow or on the weekend!

Jasmine, that is a great compliment -- congrats! :D :) I know what you mean. I find that a lot of guys go, "Oh, yeah, she runs", but don't expect much from me, but then, after we run distance together, they usually have a bit more respect. ;) I like surprising people in a good way! Not that I'm a speed queen, but I do take it seriously and like to do well. I don't want to be "good for a woman", I want to be "good", period.

Question for those with Aero bars: how long did it take you to get used to them? :)

Natasha

[dulcecoeur]

Originally posted by jazzyjas

Susan -- sorry to hear about the flat tire -- may I rocommend kevlar tires if it starts to be a cronic thing. They way more but you don't get flats (having 650 cs the tubes can be harder to find)


dulcecoeur -- that 25 hour relay will be tough -- I can hardly stay up that long let anole ride the whole time -- how does it work?

Happy Riding everyone

Jas

I have Kevlar beaded tires, and they are actually quite light..love them though.

Basically for the relay, its up to you how you want it to work. You can go in solo or in a team, and I am going in with three guys as a team. We will probably just rotate every 1-2 laps, and you just keep on going! And try to have some naps in between as it gets later. In a three person team, that still gives you about 2.5-3 hours to have a nap and get some food into you before you go out again. Anyway, its a lot of fun, and it is more about the insaness of it all than the winning part anyway!

Rachel

[dulcecoeur]

Originally posted by Natasha
Rachel,

That relay should be fun. There are lots of those around here and my husband and most of the teammates have done one or more of them. I was asked to participate in one this year but was too chicken. Maybe next year! Good luck, though, and it's great that you're loving MTB so much!


Natasha

Definitely go for it next time you get the chance...it's my first race, and I am really psyched about it :p

[Natasha3]

Originally posted by dulcecoeur


Definitely go for it next time you get the chance...it's my first race, and I am really psyched about it :p

I really should, especially since there is one of these races practically in our backyard...but it will have to wait until next year. I have my hands full with getting ready for a sprint adventure race in September ;). That will probably be enough of a biking event for me this year! :p

Please let us know how it goes, though! :) Good luck!! Looking forward to hearing about it.

Natasha