Recreational & Family - How was your rec-ride today?

Inspired by the ever-popular How Was The Commute thread, I thought it might be fun to report on our recreational rides and share our experiences.

I had a great ride today. :) I went on the Wiouwash State Trail from Hortonville to Oshkosh and back. Apart from the usual fun of riding a rail-trail through a beautiful area, there were a WHOLE lot more people out than I've ever seen on a rural trail. Cyclists, hikers, dog-walkers, and horseback riders. :) (I enjoy solitary rides, but I often have wished that more people seemed to use the trails.)

Probably the most memorable thing was when the Fox Valley Horse Driving Association came from the opposite way! I had to clear off the trail, but it was worth the sight...three wagons, the first drawn by big draft horses (Clydesdales, I think), the second by a pair of pintos, and the third by MULES! I don't think I've ever even seen a mule in person before.

To add to the fun, a news helicopter or something was hovering low over the area the entire time.

Anyway, it was a great ride. :) I think about 43 miles.

How was my rec ride today?

Please see:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=240248#post240248

Originally posted by Inkwolf
[B MULES! I don't think I've ever even seen a mule in person before. [/B] You hav'nt seen my boss:( :( .Seriouesly sounds like a great ride full of pleasant suprises, these things happen sometimes on a ride & they make you feel good all day :D

Well let's see....

See if you can picture this: Riding through a mist shrouded rainforest, next to a bubbling creek watching the sun's rays gently peek through the trees. Then as you pass through those patches of sunlight, seeing the tiny droplets of the mist floating right in front of your eyes.

Does that explain it?

Originally posted by Chris L
Well let's see....

See if you can picture this: Riding through a mist shrouded rainforest, next to a bubbling creek watching the sun's rays gently peek through the trees. Then as you pass through those patches of sunlight, seeing the tiny droplets of the mist floating right in front of your eyes.

Does that explain it?
An Ozy poet,I don't believe it ,you pinched that from some where Chris:D ;) :D

Today I test road my newly assembled touring bike along the Red River from the north of the city of Winnipeg to the south side near the University of Manitoba. I crossed to the east side of the river and road back home. I stop for a beer and French fries in the city centre. So today it was 59 km in total.

This is a great idea Inkwolf.
:beer:

You know Inky now I am really teed off on my ride to day I had this great inspiration to come back here and start a "How was your ride today" thread from the inspiration that I receive on the commuter site. So take all the glory I don't care just for that I am not going to telly you all about my ride :(

Well okay twist my arm. I took pics of my ride today but since I am not digital some will be ready in a couple of days the others will have to wait until I finish the roll. Because my bro has decided to come north and ride in the Seattle to Portland ride this year I had to hit the road for some serious millage this weekend today I grabbed my camera and set out form my house in Everett to ride one of my favorite rides to Monroe and back again. I rode this a lot last year to get ready for the STP I thought it was 40 miles but my computer logged it in at 48 what pleased me the most was how strong I rode it so I have been keeping up on my riding. The coolest thing was since I had my camera I made some side trips and saw things on this run that I would not of normally checked out like the HUGE wildlife preserve I had been riding by thinking it was just another boat launch on the river. There I met John, Sally and family hiking through the park then I went down by the river talked to a couple of fisherman waved at a bunch across the river (today was opening day) then I continued my peddle when I got to the other side of the river I decided to check out the fisherman I had waved to, turns out I couldn't hear them yelling at me from across the way but they recognized me, they were co workers sat with them for a while turned down an offer of a good beer (boy did that hurt) then went on my merry way a ride that normally took around 3 1/2 hours took almost 6 today but I feel good and had a most excellent day in the process. I will post a link to the pics I took later this week. All I can say really Inky is that great minds think a like :) now it is to the back yourd withg a bottle of good local IPA and a soak in the hot tub.

P.S. it was your pics you posted that inspired me to grab my camera this morning thanks!

Originally posted by ngateguy
You know Inky now I am really teed off on my ride to day I had this great inspiration to come back here and start a "How was your ride today" thread from the inspiration that I receive on the commuter site. So take all the glory I don't care just for that I am not going to telly you all about my ride :(

:lol:


All I can say really Inky is that great minds think a like :)

Funny, I was just about to say that....


P.S. it was your pics you posted that inspired me to grab my camera this morning thanks!

Thank you! I look forward to seeing them...just wish I had taken mine yesterday.

Originally posted by Chris L
Well let's see....

See if you can picture this: Riding through a mist shrouded rainforest, next to a bubbling creek watching the sun's rays gently peek through the trees. Then as you pass through those patches of sunlight, seeing the tiny droplets of the mist floating right in front of your eyes.

Does that explain it? WOW
You either have a great place to ride or you've been smoking some new stuff! :D

A quick pre-dawn 42km this morning. Nothing really special to say about it - except that it was WARM! Isn't it supposed to be "winter" out here?

90km/56miles of hills today from my home in Norton to Hinckly and back south through Doylestown and over to Norton.
Lots of freshly plowed fields and pungent smells.

Man I am thankful for that granny.

Finally some sun yesterday (6/2/3). My daughter had a softball game right after work. After dropping my family off at the ball field I was able to get a nice ride in. Everything is so green and the farm fields look beautiful with the low sun accenting the rolling hill sides. I felt great (maybe because I'm eating smarter) and rode hard. My body felt wonderful after the ride.

The only problem was that my daughter's game ended early and my family had to stand outside the locked car for 20 minutes until I got back from my ride. OOPS!

Great fun and motivation to read about your wonderful rides. I am so eager to take my bike and ride some new trails. I'm still doing my daily ride in Goldhead State Park near my home and trying to prepare myself for longer rides. It really is warm here. 94 yesterday.

These are the first of the pics from last weeks ride This is taken about a mile form my house from the Hewitt Ave Trestle (Hwy 2) looking SSE across Ebby Island ( on the Snohomish River)

This is from the same spot looking back at beautiful down town Everett

Exiting the trail on to Ebby Island is that a pretty site one straight and flat road and you have a ramp down of the trail to launch yourslef. it's one of my favorite stretches I like it so much I forgot to stop and take the picture of the flood levels some one had hung on a telephone pole they had one so bad back in the 70's it was as high as the second story of a house and with the area being as flat as it is it must of been huge! I don't remember it but I was in Cleveland at that time.

This is coming off Ebby Island and heading out the Valley toward Monroe.

Here is a picture of the Snohomish River from the same bridge.

This is another shot of the river. I took this picture because the road I return on is on that side. I remember thinking I'll stop and take another shot in a couple of hours when I am over there it turned out to be more like 4 hours and I didn't stop I was expected back in Everett so I had to scoot

Main Street USA, well actually 1st Ave in Snohomish Washington once a quiet little river town, in the last 10 years it has become a popular place to live so there has been a lot of development and increased traffic but they have managed to hold on to there small town charm in the original town. This street is has a nice collection of Antique stores, Restaurants, and Taverns. It is a very popular spot for both motor and non motorized 2 wheeled vehicles.

This is where I stopped for juice and a muffin It is one of the local Espresso stores (it is the second bld from the corner) and the third building is a nice little tavern that has good micros and food. Now that is the PNW for you Brew and Brews (okay I know it stinks) right next door to each other.

This is the last shot of this installment it is an antique store on the other end of Snohomish just before you turn to head toward Monroe. Last time I went buy he had about 8 antique bikes out front but he was closed today. You cant see the date but that building is celebrating it's centennial. This is where I put my camera away until I got through Monroe those pics are another roll of film I turned in yesterday so I should be posting more next week. Today I have to work around the house so no real ride today thats tomorrow when it is supposed to be cooler anyway.

Cool pics, ngateguy! Thanks for sharing your ride! I like the old antique shop. :)

Notice I included our beautiful grey skies remember the song from Here come the brides about the bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle, Hollywood propaganda I tell you :D)

ngateguy, I could have run into you today! My bikeshop owner friend and I went right through Snohomish around 10AM this morning on our way from Mill Creek where he lives to hook up to the Centennial Trail so we could take it to Lake Stevens. 'Course speaking of running into people. My friend who has lately been dabbling with buying up HUD property, fixing them up and selling them got enamored by a particular house he could see from the trail and drifted into me while we were riding side-by-side at around 20MPH. We locked handlebars momentarily and then he slid back and wiped out my rear wheel sending us both down. I think I might have been able to stay up if he hadn't touched my rear wheel and actually I was beginning to recover until I had drifted far enough over and caught the gravel shoulder. We both ended up in the ditch... me slightly ahead of him. No damage other than some scraped elbows and knees although I did lose a handlebar plug which was replaced for free when I stopped in at his shop on my way home.

My report on a fine weekend of rec. riding:

Saturday had a brunch planned with some friends on other side of town, and it was beautiful out. So I hopped on my road bike about an hour before I needed to, and made a long ride out of it. Ended up stopping at about 5 garage sales, picking up random garage-sale items. Luckily I had brought my panniers along to put the new stuff in....
After the brunch, I again took the long route home, making sure to enjoy the day as much as possible. This included stopping at the pub. :beer:

When I got home I felt like I just didn't yet get enough riding in, so I headed out on my mountain bike just up Mt. Tabor about a 1/2 mile from my house. Small mountain, but nice to practice climbs on, and some decent singletrack back downhill. Up and down Tabor about 3 times, practicing trial-style riding at the top, and back home. I finally felt like my biking was complete for the day.

Sunday morning it was again a beautiful day, so I woke up early, and headed out on the road bike down the Springwater Corridor Path. This is a 40 mile loop out into wilderness, wildlife refuge, wetlands, and ends up in Boring, Oregon. Not joking.
Anyways, it was a very spiritual ride for me. It passes Powell Butte, another small mountain with trails. So I peddled up to the top, where awaited panoramic views of the Gorge, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. St. Helens, and the Willamette Valley. :)
Luckily, I had thought ahead and packed a 22 oz. of Fat Tire Amber Ale in my panniers. I climbed a tree at the top of the hill, had a nice drink, and soaked in the sun.
Heading back I was all smiles, and was thoroughly content with my bicycling adventures for the weekend.:)

Friday I left work early and rode 20 miles on the S. Platte River (Road Bike). Stopped at a gazebo and slept on the bench for 20 minutes.

Saturday, it was supposed to snow, but didn't and got into the mid 50's. So, the wife and did 12 miles on the path. (Mtn Bike)

Sunday we went to Waterton Canyon which goes up about 1,000 feet over 7 miles of dirt road. Very popular place - mostly mtn bikers who take a single track at the end of the road up Waterton Canton. Good climb, kept heart rate between 130-140 most of time going up, about 120 going down (headwind).

Monday - Took car in for new struts, rode mtn bike back (2 miles). Then rode 10 miles s towards Castle Rock - this is uphill all the way. Met wife for lunch, came back an hour ago. Kept heart rate about 130-140 all the way out, about 110 coming back down.

I still don't have full recovery after a year of heck - illness, operations, etc., but I feel like I am getting there. Next goal is 30 mile ride.

Just a couple of years ago I was doing centuries. Oh well, it is great just getting out and riding.

My ride today was too short. My seat post slipped to an uncomfortable height, and as I was trying to loosen the bolt I realized it was stripped. Luckily a very nice (and very attractive) fellow cyclist came to my rescue. He got the bolt loosened enough so I could raise my seat and head home.

On my way back, I fell off my off my bike. I have a bad habit of falling and maiming myself at intersections, I guess I subconciously need the attention. This poor guy in a blue Honda started to get out of his car to check on me (reminder to self: black shorts, gray tank, and red sports bra appears to attract men, wear more often). I got up and smiled and waved to let him know I was going to be okay. This was my first fall on my bike, and I am glad I got it over with so I can quit worrying about it. Luckily my pride was the only thing really injured.

When I got home I spent and hour trying to remove the seat bolt so I can take it to the LBS tomorrow to see if they have a replacement I can buy. I wish I could have ridden longer this evening, but the two helpful gentlemen and the trucker who told me I was too pretty to run over more than made up for it.

Maybe next time I will have some scenery (not men) and wild life to write about.

P.S. IW - this was a great idea.

Originally posted by cyclochica
trucker who told me I was too pretty to run over


Whoa! Lucky you're good-looking, eh? :eek:

Originally posted by cyclochica
(reminder to self: black shorts, gray tank, and red sports bra appears to attract men, wear more often).

hmmm, yep I think it does :D

next time include pics ;)

Originally posted by Inkwolf
Whoa! Lucky you're good-looking, eh? :eek:

He was actually unloading his cargo and pushing a hand truck, I was slowly coming around to make sure I didn't run into anyone. I wouldn't play chicken with a semi, those are odds I know I want no part of.

Friday I left work early and rode 20 miles on the S. Platte River (Road Bike). Stopped at a gazebo and slept on the bench for 20 minutes. I thought I was the only one who did that!
One morning I woke up early and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I started my bike ride early. About 1 hour into the ride I started feeling sleepy. I stopped at a picnic area and slept for 30 minutes on the bench. The rest of the ride lasted 2 hours and I felt great. I never admitted that I did this before.

Friday I left work early and rode 20 miles on the S. Platte River (Road Bike). Stopped at a gazebo and slept on the bench for 20 minutes.


I thought I was the only one who did that!

I love doing that, catching 40 winks in the middle of a ride. Most, most relaxing.

HEY - Today I did my FIRST 30 MILER of the season. After the operation and sickness of last winter, I finally feel as if I am making progress in fitness,

It was a glorious ride - perfect temperature, blue sky, everything green except for the beautiful wildflowers, the stream was flowing high, and the birds were a literal symphony!! I saw perhaps 10 bicyclists and 20 walkers over the 30 miles of bike path.

I took one of my grandaughters, age 11, on a 26 mile(42km) ride today. We started near my home near the Ohio and Erie canal and rode the towpath south to Massillon Ohio, about 13 miles(21km) and returned.

She is a history buff like I am, so we stopped and studied the canal locks and read all the placards and talked about life in this part of Ohio in the mid 19th century. She was very impressed.

This was her first long bike ride so she couldn't wait to brag to her siblings about her accomplishment.

The only person happier than her, was me.

Originally posted by MikeR
I thought I was the only one who did that!
One morning I woke up early and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I started my bike ride early. About 1 hour into the ride I started feeling sleepy. I stopped at a picnic area and slept for 30 minutes on the bench. The rest of the ride lasted 2 hours and I felt great. I never admitted that I did this before.

There really is nothing like beating it out on the pedals, then stopping for a nap on a park bench, or some nice lush green grass, or a sand dune overlooking the water, sunshine on face and body, and the helmet under the head as a pillow... I hate to think what the passers-by make of the snoring, though! :sleep: Especially if its a very public park like the many we have around here.

R

Nice 28.5 miles this am.

Feeling like I am getting endurance back. Did some "sprinting" - well not exactly - but pushed myself as hard as I could up a 4.5 mile uphill. Felt good.

Beautiful weather, in the low 70's Just another pic!!

I only worked half a day today. Went home before I picked the kids up from day care and went on a 25 mile ride. Did not even see one pervert today!!

:)

Originally posted by Sandra
Did not even see one pervert today!!

:)

Yeah... I'm on travel for business... :D

A beautiful pre-dawn 38km this morning. Nice to get a few quick hills in before work. Also nice winter weather - temperature 11 deg C.

Rained out :(

Donna and I took her daughter Steffanie out for her first real ride on the Fuji Ace I built for her. We got to the parking lot, unloaded the bikes and as soon as our normal riding partners showed up the heavens opened up and dumped rain on us big time. We thought about waiting it out but when we saw a very bright flash of lightning not too far away we took the hint and headed back home.

We're going to give it another try this afternoon after work. Hopefully it won't rain.

Zack

Bif rain dump here yesterday pm, lightning, hail. Cloudy and rainy this am. Glad I rode on the early am yesterday!!

I am doing rec rides now during my lunch hour now that the weather is nice. i like the stress release it gives me. Monday was the BG trail North to MAthrews beach a quick 5 min break and back. Yesterday same trail diferent direction. Went to Shilshoe bay actually had enough time to sit and eat lunch then back. Today I wll climb to Maple Leaf then back down.

Great ride. Please see:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30098

Man o Man, the more I read this site and see everyones photos, the more impatient I get and want my bike to be in now. Oh well, only a few more days and then I can start taking rides and photos.

Nice little ride through Currumbin Valley this morning. Watched the clouds roll in across Mt Tallebudgera before descending upon the rainforest, and a nice little shower (well, it isn't called rainforest for nothing :D ). I might have to start remembering my camera on these short rides.

Just a 31 k ride today ,in the dark :( . by the time I'd cut the fire wood it was dark (shortest day of the year here ). just took it easy & worked up a bit of a sweat on the hills , afterall I am on leave :) , planing an easy trail ride tomorrw on my just finnished rain bike , but not if its dark though :( . Im giving my body a bit of a rest after all the 12hr night shifts I've been working & just doing some easy stuff for a while .

:beer:

Originally posted by stateman
Man o Man, the more I read this site and see everyones photos, the more impatient I get and want my bike to be in now. Oh well, only a few more days and then I can start taking rides and photos.

I don't know if it is just me, or what, but I am finding extremely low interest by others in seeing pics of rides. I posted my "Ride up Waterton Canyon" several days ago, and so far it has been viewed only 26 times - (about 1/2 of those are by me!!).

As I went to a fair amount of work assembling the pics, etc., it is disappointing that they are appreciated by so few.

Of course, there is no way that others can be forced to look at ride pics, nor should they be. But, given the obvious extremely low interest in pics that I post, I think that I am going to no longer go to the effort.

Others may have better experiences. I might just have a reputation for boring pics. I bet if I posted nude bike riders, I would get more interest!!

In general the Rec and Family forum seems to be pretty well ignored by the vast majority of BF viewers, which is also unfortunate. But, again, what folks view and don't view is simply a matter of their choice, and nothing that could or should be controlled.

Devner, just give me a week or so until I'm able to ditch this stupid dial-up connection that I've got. Lately I've been saving all the pic threads for a time when they'll download a bit faster than glaciers roll.

Keep the photos coming Denver,I think a lot of people are out cycling in real time while the weathers good & saving the cyber_cycling for winterdays !


:beer:

I'm back from a great weekend of half-loaded riding. I didn't quite achieve the distance targets, but still put in 115km on Friday (largely because of a late start after a morning meeting) and 125kim on Saturday, plus another 50km total on Sunday before and after yacht racing.

Friday was one of those days memorable for lack of conflict on the roads. It was extraordinary... I rode southward on the coast of the Derwent Estuary then the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. The roads were lightly trafficked, and what there was was patient and polite. and gave me wide berths when passing.

I got in a couple of decent hills (Bonnet Hill and Oyster Cove to Nicholls Rivulet), before heading off to Huonville, then Mountain River to stay the night with a riding partner who was just heading off for overseas to do PBP. The toughest hill was right at the end -- his home is nestled up the end of a long valley in the shadows of Sleeping Beauty -- and requires a steady 1.6km slog on a gravel road with the last pitch about 20%, and with some washouts. I got off and walked the last 100 metres or so as the dynamo was not putting out quite enough umph to light the way.

The ride back home on Saturday took me all the way around the D'Entrecasteaux Channel between the mainland and Bruny Island. Again, a pretty good run, with only one idiot in a van cutting close. This route was a little hiller than Friday, which was good for PBP training, and the scenery was worth a million dollars.

R