Great Lakes - Saturday Bicycle Heaven Ride

All....we've been running a group ride out of Bicycle Heaven in St Charles, IL for the last few weeks. This is a road ride made up of entry level road, cross racers, and road enthusiasts. We will attempt to ride even into the cold weather as long as it is clear.

This ride is neither a total hammerhead ride nor a "hey let's look at the trees" ride. Currently most of us have a Cyclocross race the next day and are not looking to bury ourselves. Come out prepared to challenge yourself. We go between 25 and 40 miles depending on who shows and what everyone's timing looks like.

Chime in here if you plan on giving it a shot. I will also use this thread as a clearing house for ride status.

So far we have been leaving at 8am. We plan on continuing that for the time being.

So...who's in for this week?

All....we've been running a group ride out of Bicycle Heaven in St Charles, IL for the last few weeks. This is a road ride made up of entry level road, cross racers, and road enthusiasts. We will attempt to ride even into the cold weather as long as it is clear.

This ride is neither a total hammerhead ride nor a "hey let's look at the trees" ride. Currently most of us have a Cyclocross race the next day and are not looking to bury ourselves. Come out prepared to challenge yourself. We go between 25 and 40 miles depending on who shows and what everyone's timing looks like.

Chime in here if you plan on giving it a shot. I will also use this thread as a clearing house for ride status.

So far we have been leaving at 8am. We plan on continuing that for the time being.

So...who's in for this week?

I'm in.

And, we should add that this ride is NOT organized by the same folks to lead the way on the Bicycle Heaven tuesday night ride. Although everybody who loves to push it should try that ride a time or two, our pace is not as insane (but lively enough so ensure a good time).

Come out and try it. We won't bite.

Good point. This is being put on by MJH2 and myself....the resident CAT 4/5's.

Temps in the 30s and good chance of snow flurries on Saturday morning.

Let me think on this for a day or two.

Temps in the 30s and good chance of snow flurries on Saturday morning.

Let me think on this for a day or two.

The weather predictions of rain around here are never right more than 24hrs out.

i may skip the gobbler hobbler run and join you dudes.

snow i run. no snow, i ride. :)

later.

wow...awesome. Don't let the runners know....

wow...awesome. Don't let the runners know....

So, how are we looking?

I'm looking pretty hawt.


As for the ride....right now it looks like it will be about freezing with an over 40% chance of showers....not exactly ideal.

We'll have to play it by ear. Everyone check in here before leaving. If it isn't raining and looks like it might hold off then I'm in. If it's already raining and looks like more of the same then I will most likely be out.

I'm looking pretty hawt.


As for the ride....right now it looks like it will be about freezing with an over 40% chance of showers....not exactly ideal.

We'll have to play it by ear. Everyone check in here before leaving. If it isn't raining and looks like it might hold off then I'm in. If it's already raining and looks like more of the same then I will most likely be out.

I keep thinking of how miserable it might be if it's 35 and raining. Then my thoughts turn to two hours on the rollers.

I'm likely going to ride outside tomorrow, one way or another. If the Bicycle Heaven ride doesn't happen, then I may opt to ride the cross bike on one of the prairie path/Fox River Trail loops.

I dread riding in the basement.

Well...seeing as how we're the ones putting this on....it will happen if one of us shows up. I can be talked into riding in just about any weather.

I say that unless it's some really wicked combination involving a driving rain, nasty wind, and cold weather, we should try to ride.

Worst case scenario we could just ride over to Colonial!

I say that unless it's some really wicked combination involving a driving rain, nasty wind, and cold weather, we should try to ride.

Worst case scenario we could just ride over to Colonial!

Is Colonial a bar? Just asking given that it is Sat, after 8am and my racing season is over.:p

OK...I'll promise here and now that I will drive down there with gear to ride (road or cross) and make a judgement call in the parking lot. Worst case we eat.

weather looks nasty. looks like i will do the 10k race. 30 and snow is perfect for that kind of suffering. later.

I'll be there.

weather looks nasty. looks like i will do the 10k race. 30 and snow is perfect for that kind of suffering. later.

Good luck! If I hadn't run again today at lunch I might have joined you. Sometime you'll have to teach me what runners wear in this kind of weather. I didn't get it 100% correct today.

^^^^ for us cyclist the clothing thing is confusing. it is the opposite of cycling. so, figure it will feel 10 degrees warmer then the actual outside temp when running. the reason being is the body warms up fairly quick when running. dont try the arm or leg warmers when running as they negatively effect times if you have to remove them. later.

Typically, where do you go? And, might an old guy like me slow you down toooooo much?

This is about what we have been doing, but I think we've been cutting parts of it short. We had 28 miles last week...this comes out at 35....

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/il/st%20charles/638576365923

Typically, where do you go? And, might an old guy like me slow you down toooooo much?

The Saturday am ride has been leaving from the Bicycle Heaven parking lot and doing one of a few loops that take us west of St. Charles (and a little north, depending on the loop). We've sorta been deciding which loop based on who shows up and how they're feeling.

When I ride the cross bike on the prairie path/fox river trail loop, I prefer the Geneva/Wheaton/Aurora loop, but all of them are good.

If you're the kind of guy willing to ride in what tomorrow brings, I don't think you'll slow us down at all! Come on out.

Ain't lookn good for tomorrow - it's snowin out there!

It's still dark out, but there appears to be a fine glaze of frozen water coating the driveway.

You all have fun out there riding or running. I'm hitting the dreadmill.

It's clear. Looks like some snow off to the west. Temps are just under 40. I'll be there.

Yeah, my initial assessment of supposedly seeing ice occurred when it was still dark outside. Upon further review, the roads should be fine for you all.

I just killed myself on the treadmill, so will recuse myself from the ride. Take care out there.

Hey, is there a cross race tomorrow?

Yeah, my initial assessment of supposedly seeing ice occurred when it was still dark outside. Upon further review, the roads should be fine for you all.

I just killed myself on the treadmill, so will recuse myself from the ride. Take care out there.

Hey, is there a cross race tomorrow?

It's been 20 minutes since you posted....you already killed yourself? ;)

Race tomorrow is in Northbrook. "Save Ferris" cross. Wilke is coming down to it. We're carpooling out to it at noon most likely.

^^^^ dreadmill before 7am? now, that is just sick. i am sticking with the 10k race at 9am. enjoy the ride boys. later.

Not me - at 7AM it was raining (some of it bouncing off the deck) and 35 degrees here.

Even the racoons stayed under cover last night......

Well, it's after 8, and not raining any longer, even starting to dry off a little. Leaves are plenty wet, and a 10 mile ride to get up there to the start - I think I'll just try to work on leaves today if it dries enuf ---the forecast for the rest of today is rain and snow showers.....

You guys have fun, and stay warm and dry......

It's been 20 minutes since you posted....you already killed yourself? ;)

Nice math skills, Purdue. Those posts were over an hour apart. No wonder wheelbuilding is challenging for you.

:thumb:

Great ride for all who showed! We managed 35ish miles on the cross bikes.

Who's in for next week?

It was an awesome ride. Since no one other than MJH2 showed up we both decided to do a cyclocross ride instead. Got in 34 miles. Wind was bad and the drizzle turned into light rain in spots.

I am cold though. I get cold after rides anymore. It's weird. Not as much insulation.

Just got in from the _only_ roller ski race in these parts ... a whopping 6 skiers braved the 37F rain. Winning margin for the 20 mile race was 17 minutes and the winner was 50 years old! He said that after the start you don't feel the cold anymore, you just go numb. Atta boy Pete!

Looking forward to the 'cross race tomorrow. It's gonna be ugly. :love:

No rain for tomorrow. It will be muddy and cold, but not raining. Hopefully....

Looking to do the double cross racing weekend this weekend so it looks like this ride is off for me. I believe MJH2 is joining me as well.