midschool22

5/27/08

15 miles in zone 2. Cloudy and 48 degrees.....

stumpsbmwm3

Greetings to all of you! Hope your holiday was a blast.

Rode this weekend for the first time in months. A lot of things going on.

Rode Saturday 25 miles, Sunday 25 miles, and Memorial day 41.00 miles.
Felt better each day. Soometimes in the midst of storms, one forgets that one of the best covers is to just ride and let things go; or at least lose the energy to concentrate on them. The result is the same: Relief!

duppie

Note to self: Roadies must be gluttons for punishment. Keep that in mind when asking a roadie again for a suitable route.

A few weeks ago I asked on this forum for some routes around New Glarus. Many of you responded.
So this weekend we went. Oh my, those are big hills, especially coming from Chicago, where a bridge over the expressway is considered a major climb. There were a few hills where you think you made it to the top, only to turn a corner and find an even steeper hill yet ahead. After about 40 miles at an average 11mph I was done for each day.

We still did 120 miles in 3 days. While less than planned in my overly ambitious mood, we had a great time The area itself is beautiful with lots of wildlife and quiet roads. We regularly clocked 15 minutes without seeing one car. In fact we enjoyed it so much that we will go back, maybe around 4th of July.

We also got some good training for the after ride activities at RAGBRAI. My favorite moment: Monday morning 11am. Baumgartners Cheese Shop and Tavern, "On the Square" in Monroe. Two Limburger Cheese sandwiches and a Spotted Cow. I even got to put a pin on their worldmap. I managed to make it back to New Glarus without accidents.

Duppie

dannwilliams

5/27 - Moving Time (h:m:s) 1:34:40 3:41 pace
Distance (mi ) 25.65
Moving Speed (mph) 16.3 avg. 33.0 max.
Elevation Gain (ft) +1,361 / -1,205

Avg. Heart Rate 131 bpm Zone 3.1

RubenX 

5/27

Distance 20.2Mi
Max Speed 23.4 MPH
Moving Time 1:28:14 (h:mm:ss).
Driver Hunk Count : 1

I thought I wasn't gonna ride today because I did a 60 miler yesterday. Last time I did a 60 miler I had saddle issues for 3 days. But the new saddle exceeded comfort expectations.

whitesox

you are obviously in the wrong region. Please don't depress us anymore than we already are with your 92 degree posts We do not, nor will not, have 90 degree days until August...

Big_e

Today was my Memorial Day holiday and I was determined to enjoy it, even though it was thunderstorming and raining hard. I did 20 miles today. I started on Katy trail but that got old, so rode the surrounding streets. Temp. was 88 so it was a warm rainy ride.
Ernest

Scummer

*snicker*

Psimet2001 

+1 - You can't describe it. You have to ride it. Not like it's mountainous, but definitely the next best thing. It's also not like I can spell.

5/27 - Rode the Penny road group ride. Took the sprint again....and proceeded to blow up again. I held on for longer and ended up doing more of the ride with the group than I did the previous week.

Somehow I let a bad week into my routine and have been paying for it ever since.

This weekend will be full of pain. I will come back stronger or I will not come back at all.

EDIT: BTW - I am SOOOOOOOOoooooooo sick and tired of riding in my cold weather gear. Tonight I had on tights, winter jersey, toe covers, full finger gloves, winter hat. Ditched the hat and gloves, but the jersey tights and toe covers were perfect.

My winter stuff is getting really worn out. My arm warmers are starting to look less like pieces of technical clothing and more like goth clothing accessories.

garysol1 

I TOOK A STAND YESTERDAY....F%%K MOTHER NATURE!!!! I refused to ride till warmer weather and winds under 20mph returned. Thankfully it looks like a nice day today

CyLowe97

As we love to tell aham23, you can climb those hills with a 53/39 and 11/23 setup. All you gotta do is work on the engine!

duppie, be careful. Those hills get addicting. Just wait until the first time you climb Blue Mound. It's insane and painful and exhilerating. Just you wait and see. You can do it.... just make sure you work on the engine and have a triple!

aham23

what is this triple you speak of?

triple grande no room needed Cafe Americano?

that is all i know about triples.

later.

Psimet2001 

5/28 - Commute in. Cold again. This sucks.

garysol1 

5-28 chilly and windy but lots of sun......

49.58 miles
time 2:41.10

Scummer

I took my bike in the Prius today and my wife unloaded me and my bike at my office so I can ride it home tonight. So my bike's waiting downstairs for my commute home. I can't wait, I'm itching for the 30 mile commute home so badly. The weather is stunning and should be around 65 today. Of course I forgot my water bottle at home

Once I figure out where to get a friggin shower in the morning I will start commuting both ways again, but without one it's a no go. Too much sweat after 30 miles to sit covered in it in the office for 8 hours.

Psimet2001 

I feel your pain. I lucked out with a Cardinal Fitness that was built within 1-2 miles of my work. $19 a month for membership and I shower there (plus I work out there during winter and during season at lunch time when not riding).

Word of advice though. You can try the baby wipe route. Does work wonders. Shower before the ride then baby wipe and bathroom sink "shower" to get rid of the sweat.

It's all a question of how dedicated you are.

Scummer

I was taking the sink shower into consideration and the showers at the health club. But here in downtown Chicago the memberships are to darn expensive to just use for a shower
And a sink shower to get rid of 2 hours of riding.... doubtful. But I might just do it if I don't find an alternative.

Every building by law should have some free showers to encourage riding your bike to work!

making

I found out when out in the field in the service the smell dont really bother the smelly one, so dont worry about it. If someone gives you a hard time tell them you are trying to save water or the planet or something green like that. Another couple of advantages of the stink strategy is people stay away from you and they quit inviting you to meetings (oh happy day). jsut a thought, it works for me.

jbernaeyge

5-27 Did some laps at raceway woods.

Scummer

5/28 Commute home from work was colder than expected. Still short sleeve jersey and shorts were the answer to welcome Summer. Refused to put on arm warmers.
30 miles in 2 hours.

Jose Perez

18.5 miles (commute to work and back) followed by a 3 mile run. Legs are finally feeling good after this past weekend's 1/2 marathon. Can't wait to hit the horrible hills this weekend

duppie

I ride about 45-50 minutes oneway every morning year round. In the morning I ride a little slower, to avoid becoming overly sweaty. When at work, I use the bathroom sink to wash my face and neck and wet my hair.
I then towel dry, apply WetOnes with antibacterial lotion on my armpits and other private areas and apply anti-perspirant before I get dressed.
I do all of this slowly, to build in cool-down time

Contrary to popular belief, sweat itself doesn't stink. It's the bacteria that feed off the sweat that make it stink. As long as you remove (change clothes) or kill the bacteria (WetOnes with antibacterial lotion) you should be OK.

85% of the bikecommuters don't shower when they get to work.
Long live ADA compliant stalls

Duppie

patester242002

28.5 miles today. Should go over the 1,000 mile mark (this yr) tomorrow unless mother nature brings her rain in much earlier than expected which isn't anticipated til nighttime.

dannwilliams

5/27 - Wednesday night bike ride! With the Hoffman Park group.
Moving Time (h:m:s) 2:14:20 3:36 pace
Distance (mi ) 37.15
Moving Speed (mph) 16.6 avg. 43.0 max.
Elevation Gain (ft) +2,009 / -1,959

Avg. Heart Rate 117 bpm Zone 2.3

voldemort

A quick 17 miles after work. Better than a sharp stick in the eye (as a friend of mine used to say).