Great Lakes - Did you ride today?

[6/25/07] yep - this biking thing is working out :) 16.5 miles (my personal best to date)

6/26 - 51 miles.

6/26 - yes

29 mile group ride. Always fun trying to hang on to the wheels of the faster riders!

I rode saturday La Grange park to college of Dupage in Glen Ellyn and back.suburban riding on biketrails and streets and slow with a stop at Cici's Pizza to refuel.I left at 5 and was home by 10.

6-27 = YES

on the tenth day he rides. finally, my first ride since the HHH. ten days off the bike with six spent in Mexico. man it felt good to ride again. the vaca really came at a bad time for me riding wise. i was really feeling like i was hitting my stride. lots of walking and a couple of short runs around the Mexico resort seems to have the legs feeling fresh. ride was 26 miles @ 17.5 mph. time to start to focus on some long slow rides for RAIN prep. later.

6-27 = YES

on the tenth day he rides. finally, my first ride since the HHH. ten days off the bike with six spent in Mexico. man it felt good to ride again. the vaca really came at a bad time for me riding wise. i was really feeling like i was hitting my stride. lots of walking and a couple of short runs around the Mexico resort seems to have the legs feeling fresh. ride was 26 miles @ 17.5 mph. time to start to focus on some long slow rides for RAIN prep. later.
Correct. I'm on vacation this week and it is definitely messing up my form. Hopefully you'll be slow enough to let me hang with you on the RAIN.

BTW - I've been running 2 miles a day each day on vacation. Not a lot, but helps keep the beer and shrimp effect to a minimum.

Correct. I'm on vacation this week and it is definitely messing up my form. Hopefully you'll be slow enough to let me hang with you on the RAIN.

BTW - I've been running 2 miles a day each day on vacation. Not a lot, but helps keep the beer and shrimp effect to a minimum.

awesome. now i know i have someone to hang back with at RAIN. seriously, i think i ingested more sugar in those 6 days then i did in all of 2006. why do i have to love me some pina coladas???? oh yeah, and cervasa too. :)

keep up the running. it will help. i know this much. later.

Still nothing great to many of you, but I knocked out my third 27 minute 10 mile TT this year without all the aero goodies. All three were a full minute faster than my best time last year, granted I have a faster bike this year, but it's also still early in the summer.

6/27 - Did 16 Miles on my mountain bike.

Still nothing great to many of you, but I knocked out my third 27 minute 10 mile TT this year without all the aero goodies.
Umm... I think you'd be surprised how many of us would struggle to hold 20 mph over even a 10 mile course.

Great job!

I have this theory that Chicago is the only place in the world where the wind can actually be blowing in all directions SIMULTANEOUSLY. I swear I have experienced this phenomenon. That said, today's steady 20mph from the North-northeast was at least consistent. Made the 16mile commute to Hyde Park in about 45 min. The trip back took over twice as long. But what fantastic air and temps! Felt like I was riding in Scotland (minus hills).

I have this theory that Chicago is the only place in the world where the wind can actually be blowing in all directions SIMULTANEOUSLY...

+1000 - Keep your head down, find a wheel to suck, or just wallow in the pain. Beautiful isn't it?

Umm... I think you'd be surprised how many of us would struggle to hold 20 mph over even a 10 mile course.

Great job!

Fastest time on the same course... 21'29", of course the guy who rode that does ride for Jelly Belly. :) No less, he and a couple of the hard core triathlete guys make me feel so slow.

I hope I get to ride with the BFNIC group some time yet this year, it just seems like there's always something else between my autocross schedule, rides more this direction and vacation etc.

6-29 - Yes. Lunchtime quicky ride.

6-30 - YES. 71.4 miles. Started at sunrise in chilly 54 degree temps, but it warmed up into the low 70's by 10:00 when I was home. I wound my way north up to some of the BFNIC Spring Classic roads near Union, Woodstock, and Bull Valley, then rode the bike path back down toward Elgin.

I had a wheel sucker from Rt 14 in Crystal Lake all the way to Rt 31 in Algonquin. The guy never said hi, never took a pull, and was wearing a local club jersey that might have had a Pocket Full of Kryptonite (if you get what I mean). Then the guy blows the stoplight at Rt 31 and I don't see him again. Nice talkin' to you, Jimmy Olsen. :rolleyes:

6-30 - YES. 71.4 miles. Started at sunrise in chilly 54 degree temps, but it warmed up into the low 70's by 10:00 when I was home. I wound my way north up to some of the BFNIC Spring Classic roads near Union, Woodstock, and Bull Valley, then rode the bike path back down toward Elgin.

I had a wheel sucker from Rt 14 in Crystal Lake all the way to Rt 31 in Algonquin. The guy never said hi, never took a pull, and was wearing a local club jersey that might have had a Pocket Full of Kryptonite (if you get what I mean). Then the guy blows the stoplight at Rt 31 and I don't see him again. Nice talkin' to you, Jimmy Olsen. :rolleyes:

Funny, I didn't see you ;) . I did my usual 40 mile loop through Bull Valley, Woodstock, Crystal Lake. I was out at 5:30 and home by 8:00 - you have to get on the road at 4:30 and we could meet up :p .

6/30 = YES

The Edge (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.do?episodePk.pkValue=3165515)

35 miles. legs were dead, stupid running! :) got out at 7am when it was a bit chilly, but great weather non the less. hopefully tomorrow afternoon's ride is better.

crossed paths with an older dude riding an white and orange Waterford. he was doing 120 miles today as prep for and upcoming 24 hour ride :eek: . we talked a bit and come to find out he was up in Wisconsin doing one of those Brevet (sp?) the weekend of the HHH. if you recall there were markings with "P" and arrows on the ground and this were the ones he was following on his 300K route!!!

later.

6/30 - 37 miles to end the month.

I'm downstate this weekend in Springfield, just off Toronto Rd., and rode the Interurban Trail down to Chatham, then to Auburn, up to Loami, back to Chatham, and the trail back up to Toronto Rd. I'm not big on trails but must admit that's a nice one. Ended up riding 46 miles.

07/01 - 52 miles.

Rode the BFNIC Century route - parts of loop 1 and 2. Felt OK for being off the bike for a week on vacation. Wind destroyed me coming back in to the Hampshire forest preserve. Dropped a whole 1 mph off my average during that suffering. Still ended up at 17mph for the ride though.

First ride in the Assos...mixed reviews. Jury still out. I think I would have prefered the thinner chamois of the FI.13 bibs instead of the Mille, but didn't feel like putting up the extra dough. That said I was very comfortable for 90% of the ride.

^^^^ did you get them locally? where?

7/1 = 36 miles.

legs were better today. that wind was a bit of a surprise as i headed back east to home. i kept thinking; it's july, two weeks from RAIN, shouldn't the wind be blowing West to East!! later.

An early morning 45 up to Mchenry County and back , half road/half trail. Most I've gotten in for awhile. At least the morning 20 or so before work help keep the legs somewhat functional. Can anybody tell me a SAFE way to ride from St. Charles to Palatine. I can't quite figure out an entire route that doesn't take me onto a heavy traffic road during rush hour.

6/30 -21 miles
7/1 17.6 miles on the Greenway (MUP) which has intersections every mile or so and gates you have to go around. 16.7mph avg, if this was on a normal road wihout all the stops I would say it would've been an 18.5-19mph avg.

6/28 - 44.7 miles from Pleasant Prairie to Northern Racine r/t
6/30 - 14 miles from Great Lakes to Ft. Sheridan (metra stops for reference) r/t
7/1 - 54.5 miles: Des Plaines River Trail from Russell Road all the way to Half-Day (RT22). ALL LIMESTONE. Urgh!

Can anybody tell me a SAFE way to ride from St. Charles to Palatine. I can't quite figure out an entire route that doesn't take me onto a heavy traffic road during rush hour.
That's a tricky one. A long way to go would be up the Fox River path to Carpentersville/Algonquin and then cut over through Barrington Hills toward Palatine.

I'm not familiar enough with Palatine to know which roads are reliable for riding with traffic. Anyone?

07/02 - Commute.

Felt like poo. Vacation was rough on me. Don't think I totaly lost my form, but these first few rides will be rough.

7/03 Commute

In the morning I ride about 15mi to visit my father (he's sick) and then in the afternoon I ride to work (about half hour commute). Feels great to ride again, though I need to work on my conditioning.

It started to rain while I was at work and it was my first rain ride. It felt great after I got used to the water. My messenger bag kept everything dry as well as my back.

Good times

7/4 - Yes.

27 easy miles down through Elgin, up the river path and then up and down some hilly streets in W. Dundee and Sleepy Hollow.

The wind was breezy out of the WNW. Skies looked threatening after last night's storms, but no rain fell during the ride.

Tomorrow hoping to get in a lofty solo century as last long ride before RAIN.

Happy Independence Day, all!

7/4 - 51 miles. Windy and the skies were grey but not a rain drop. Happy 4th of July to all.

7/4 = Yes = 68 Miles at the JBC 4th Metric.

My Ride (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.do?episodePk.pkValue=3209711)

Later.

7/3=25 miles
7/4 20 miles
Most of my rides this year around home seem to be in the 25-30 mile range.
Kenal0

I rode 20 miles to work. It was raiiiiin.

7/5 - Commute.

Trying to make up for the fact that I didn't ride in Plainfield yesterday. Just looked too much like rain when I checked at 4:30am. Had to make a choice then or I wasn't going to be ther in time.

Still don't feel 100% back on form yet. Fighting some apathy too. Really starting to think I'm not ready for RAIN. I know I am in better form than ever before for the ride, but you know how self doubt creaps in right before a big ride/event.

7/5 - Commute.

Trying to make up for the fact that I didn't ride in Plainfield yesterday. Just looked too much like rain when I checked at 4:30am. Had to make a choice then or I wasn't going to be ther in time.

Still don't feel 100% back on form yet. Fighting some apathy too. Really starting to think I'm not ready for RAIN. I know I am in better form than ever before for the ride, but you know how self doubt creaps in right before a big ride/event.

dude, you're ready. got it? good.

dude, you're ready. got it? good.
got....thanks :D:beer:

I'm starting to feel like a big :cry: 'er

got....thanks :D:beer:

I'm starting to feel like a big :cry: 'er
I'll bring you a pacifier for RAIN.

7/5 - YES. A Solo C Note.

I finally got up the gumption to ride 100 miles on my own. Didn't map it out, but had a route sort of in mind. Down through Elgin, up the MUP to Algonquin, then detour over through Barrington Hills, back to Algonquin, up to Crystal Lake, through Bull Valley, arc north of Woodstock, southwest to Union, detour west of Union, back through Huntley and on home.

The weather got hot and was a bit humid. I only stopped twice to get more liquids, but should have done it more often.

I hit my home street and the cyclometer said 98.0 miles, so even though my legs were a bit dead, I noodled around the subdivision and ended up with 100.2 miles. :D Ride time was 5:46 and total time with stops for drinks and stoplights and a zillion stopsigns was 6:03. Not too bad. I think I'm rounding into shape for RAIN.

Of note, I dropped a chain near Bull Valley and a truck stopped to see if I was okay, even as I was getting back on the bike.

And for the second time, a bird attacked me over on Highland in far west Elgin. Grey with a white breast (maybe a titmouse? dunno). The thing came after my helmet three times in that defensive way that little birds drive off a hawk. Not quite Hitchcock, but it was still a bit freaky to be attacked like that!

I'll bring you a pacifier for RAIN.

7/5 - YES. A Solo C Note.

I finally got up the gumption to ride 100 miles on my own. Didn't map it out, but had a route sort of in mind. Down through Elgin, up the MUP to Algonquin, then detour over through Barrington Hills, back to Algonquin, up to Crystal Lake, through Bull Valley, arc north of Woodstock, southwest to Union, detour west of Union, back through Huntley and on home.

The weather got hot and was a bit humid. I only stopped twice to get more liquids, but should have done it more often.

I hit my home street and the cyclometer said 98.0 miles, so even though my legs were a bit dead, I noodled around the subdivision and ended up with 100.2 miles. :D Ride time was 5:46 and total time with stops for drinks and stoplights and a zillion stopsigns was 6:03. Not too bad. I think I'm rounding into shape for RAIN.

Of note, I dropped a chain near Bull Valley and a truck stopped to see if I was okay, even as I was getting back on the bike.

And for the second time, a bird attacked me over on Highland in far west Elgin. Grey with a white breast (maybe a titmouse? dunno). The thing came after my helmet three times in that defensive way that little birds drive off a hawk. Not quite Hitchcock, but it was still a bit freaky to be attacked like that!
Nice ride. If you bring a pacifier for RAIN I can show you where it goes....

Sounds like you need a better mechanic to take care of that dropped chain issue ;)( swing by with a beer next Monday night after 7. Voldemort is bringing his bike by to do the same...).

Went outside a couple of times running up to our other building and it has gotten oven hot and muggy. That will make for a nice ride home :rolleyes:

wait, where do i sign up for a botto pep talk! :D

seriously though, nice ride Cylowe. likely no ride for me today. family time calls. i am off today and tomorrow and plan some type of ride for Friday. seems like the heat is warming up for RAIN. later.

Anyone besides me like riding in the heat. I put in a 6.5 mile run this am and it was great. I think all winter about these days and cannot get enough of them.
Kenal0

Anyone besides me like riding in the heat. I put in a 6.5 mile run this am and it was great. I think all winter about these days and cannot get enough of them.
Kenal0

the morning heat is fine, but this afternoon is nasty hot. so with that being said i think i will head out for a lovely little 4 mile run. so let me get back to you on my heat thoughts. :D later.

I am thinking of going for one of those TT 15 mile rides a good sustained hard effort for 45-50 minutes.
Kenal0

About twenty miles so far today and, as usual, enjoying every one. Of course, I ride a trike. <G>

George

yeah, i've missed out on this entire thread, so here are all my rides so far :)

http://nietsmas.motionbased.com

7/6 - 39 miles. Nice early morning ride before the heat and humidity start against me.

7/6 = YES

inspired by CyLowe's recent self supported solo century i decided to tackle a long solo effort today. i had an idea of where i wanted to go and if not for a couple of unsuspected gravel roads the route was perfect. i hit some new to me nice rolling tree covered roads along the fox river between Yorkville and Sheridan. i had thoughts of heading down to Morris and back on my back home, but i was running low on water and leg power. so no solo self supported century badge for me, but a nice long effort pf 68 miles. what else could a guy want to be doing on a beautiful July Friday.

The Edge Stats (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3224921)

later.

7/6 = YES

what else could a guy want to be doing on a beautiful July Friday.

The Edge Stats (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3224921)



nice. i wish i could ride during the day on a weekday.

i noticed in your MB comment that your cadence sensor isn't working. have the motionbased forums helped any? the couple times my sensor wouldn't connect it was fixed by simply replacing the battery.

nice. i wish i could ride during the day on a weekday.

i noticed in your MB comment that your cadence sensor isn't working. have the motionbased forums helped any? the couple times my sensor wouldn't connect it was fixed by simply replacing the battery.
Don't we all. Trust me...we've given him a hard time about that before. ;)

I wish I could ride on weekdays, too. Oh yeah, I did today. Had the bike in the car (never know when a lunch hour ride might be possible at work). Started off to work, drove 20 mnutes, and decided what the heck. Nice day, clear work schedule, so a spur of the moment decision and, hey, it's a vacation day!:) A jaunt through Valleyview, then up to that wooded, hilly park just north of Crystal Lake. Can't think of the name right now. One slight near-death experience when blasting down one of the steeps. Started into a turn too fast coupled with a bike coming the other way:eek: Off the trail, bouncing along in the dirt/grass for 20-30 feet or so. I was pretty shocked I got back on the trail without crashing! Ended up with 56 miles, a good day for me. A solo century...cool, I'm impressed.

Don't we all. Trust me...we've given him a hard time about that before. ;)

this day was official. a vacation day. you work at a place for over ten years and they give you a couple of them. later.

07/07/07 - Lucky solo century. I'll post more later.

EDIT: Wasn't feeling good about my prep work, and missing the Plainfield metric on the 4th had me feeling kind of down. I have a wedding to go to today (imagine that...it seems everyone is getting married on 777), but no major plans for the morning. I got up at 5 and decided to whip out a century.

I based the route on an unsupported century CyLowe and I did last year. I got attacked by the exact same bird that CyLowe did earlier this week. Creepy. It was right on Highland about 1/4 mile from the tracks. The bird attacked my helmet 8-9 times. I was hauling butt too and the bird followed for quite a way.

Stopped in Hampshire twice, and once in Morris (?) I think. Good ride. I had a lot of deep power. Rode the entire thing in the large ring (on a compact crank :p ). Came in around 5:45 riding, and 6:20 total time. Not bad to pull a sub-6 century solo..... Good day.

Bird attacked me in exactly the same place on the way back. That bird has issues. This time he found a vent in the helmet and pecked my head. :mad:

Feel great for the RAIN ride now. Recovery ride tomorrow.

Nice job on that solo century. For me it was a solo 1/4 century before my list of chores kicked in along with the heat but tomorrow a little longer and as close to the lake as possible to stay cool. I might even have to pull out the camelbak just for kicks.
Kenal0