Your end of season report.....
10-08-18 | 05:01 AM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 219
I think one of the best things about cycling is that allows one to deeply experience the seasons. After three months of hot rides to work and back, I'm now experiencing more comfortable weather.
In a month, all my trips home from work will be in darkness. In two months, the studded tires go on, and snow may come. A few months later, trips home slowly become light again and the warmth returns. The passage from Ecclesiastes definitely applies.
In a month, all my trips home from work will be in darkness. In two months, the studded tires go on, and snow may come. A few months later, trips home slowly become light again and the warmth returns. The passage from Ecclesiastes definitely applies.
This [thread] reminded me of the song "Turn, Turn, Turn" by the Byrds (Itself based on Ecclesiates 3:1-8). It seems to be somewhat relevant to seasonal bicycling:
"To everything
Turn turn, turn
There is a season
Turn, turn, turn,
And a time to every purpose under Heaven"
(And especially the beginning to verse Two)
"A time to break down
A time to build up"
"To everything
Turn turn, turn
There is a season
Turn, turn, turn,
And a time to every purpose under Heaven"
(And especially the beginning to verse Two)
"A time to break down
A time to build up"
…And I cycle a nice distance of at least 14 miles through one of America’s most charming, interesting, and historic metropolises on residential and light commercial roads (and partially on a bikepath in a park) in the reverse commuter direction early in the morning, during all four (pleasant to tolerable) seasons.
10-08-18 | 08:27 AM
#52
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,162
Likes: 647
From: Brooklyn NY
Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others
I just keep going through fall as long as my hands can stand it. At some point it will get too cold, around 40F or so. I know a lot of people will ride all winter in a lot colder weather, and all I can say is good for them. I'll still be riding, but on the trainer especially since I just got a new one.
10-08-18 | 12:43 PM
#53
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 3
Bikes: Colnago ACR
Well...end of season if you're in New England for sure. Mine goes something like this: Thanks to weird weather and other demands, I rode about 1/2 the miles I would ordinarily ride. Part of that was intentional in that I am, by nature, not a long distance athlete. I spent a lot more time riding HIIT solo rides than I have in the past. I found that I am faster and am climbing better than I have in previous years. I had a goal of doing my 6.5 mi. TT at 18 mph. My previous best was 17.4 mph. Not only did I reach 18 mph, I actually hit 19.2 mph! Having just reached age 72 I was stoked. But, the best part has been that I actually enjoyed riding a lot more this year. I'm feeling supple and smoother on the bike. That's my story.
But, I created this post to ask, "What's your story?" Just wondering how everyone has viewed their season thus far.
But, I created this post to ask, "What's your story?" Just wondering how everyone has viewed their season thus far.
I'm 59, did a few races this year and learned from failing! I did enter the TN Senior Olympic 20K road race and won the Silver, so that was good. I just completed a ride for JDRF (type 1 diabetes) fundraising ride on Amelia Island, FL where I'm one of the USA Cycling coaches. LOVED helping other riders achieve not only their riding goal but their fundraising goal as well.
10-08-18 | 12:56 PM
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 966
Likes: 216
Bikes: 2015 Spec. AWOL Elite,2022 Spec. Diverge, 1984 Trek 620 1985 Trek 620, 1979 Trek 710
This was a good season for me - not yet over, but slowing down - and not because of temps. but because of fewer organized club rides. It's like the skiers who hang up their boards once March rolls around - bike riders here seem to lose some interest once the leaves turn.
I have ridden just under 1100 miles since the end of April - mostly on the '85 Trek that I rebuilt last spring and usually with the club on Wednesdays and Sundays. I like that Trek more than any other bike I have owned except maybe a mid-80's Peugeot I had (and maybe that is just nostalgic thinking). I used to ride solo, but enjoy the social aspect of club riding. Group riding is a bit more hazardous in terms of potential collisions with other riders, but I do think a group is more visible to approaching cars than a solo rider - it's a trade-off I'm willing to make.
Any decent day above 40* is a potential ride day from now until next spring.
I have ridden just under 1100 miles since the end of April - mostly on the '85 Trek that I rebuilt last spring and usually with the club on Wednesdays and Sundays. I like that Trek more than any other bike I have owned except maybe a mid-80's Peugeot I had (and maybe that is just nostalgic thinking). I used to ride solo, but enjoy the social aspect of club riding. Group riding is a bit more hazardous in terms of potential collisions with other riders, but I do think a group is more visible to approaching cars than a solo rider - it's a trade-off I'm willing to make.
Any decent day above 40* is a potential ride day from now until next spring.
10-08-18 | 02:03 PM
#55
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Portland is excited to start the cyclocross season. https://bikeportland.org/cats/racing/cyclocross with your grandkids?
10-08-18 | 03:05 PM
#56
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,158
Likes: 1,743
From: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Bikes: Canyon Aeroad, CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX, Guru steel & Guru Photon
Okay, so you hit 19.2 & you're 72? Way to go & keep on spinning!
I'm 59, did a few races this year and learned from failing! I did enter the TN Senior Olympic 20K road race and won the Silver, so that was good. I just completed a ride for JDRF (type 1 diabetes) fundraising ride on Amelia Island, FL where I'm one of the USA Cycling coaches. LOVED helping other riders achieve not only their riding goal but their fundraising goal as well.
I'm 59, did a few races this year and learned from failing! I did enter the TN Senior Olympic 20K road race and won the Silver, so that was good. I just completed a ride for JDRF (type 1 diabetes) fundraising ride on Amelia Island, FL where I'm one of the USA Cycling coaches. LOVED helping other riders achieve not only their riding goal but their fundraising goal as well.
10-08-18 | 09:34 PM
#57
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 110
Likes: 5
From: Huntington, West Virginia, USA
Bikes: 2001 Waterford RST-22, 2002 Gunnar Sport, 1999 Trek 520 gravel grinder
There's still another six weeks or so of "good" riding weather left, so the season hasn't yet reached its end. Bottom line, though, I'm pleased. When this year began, I wasn't sure I would ever log any significant mileage again. I'd been off the bike for 16 years after back surgery, two bouts with cancer and an assortment of lesser physical setbacks. I did my first outdoor ride of the year in late April, a 7-miler. Today my mileage log reads 698.2 -- not great, but not bad considering how ridiculously wet our summer was here in West Virginia.
At 63, with my medical history, I probably won't ever be a 3,000-mile-a-year rider again. Even so, this feels pretty darned good.
At 63, with my medical history, I probably won't ever be a 3,000-mile-a-year rider again. Even so, this feels pretty darned good.
10-09-18 | 06:12 AM
#58
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 966
Likes: 216
Bikes: 2015 Spec. AWOL Elite,2022 Spec. Diverge, 1984 Trek 620 1985 Trek 620, 1979 Trek 710
There's still another six weeks or so of "good" riding weather left, so the season hasn't yet reached its end. Bottom line, though, I'm pleased. When this year began, I wasn't sure I would ever log any significant mileage again. I'd been off the bike for 16 years after back surgery, two bouts with cancer and an assortment of lesser physical setbacks. I did my first outdoor ride of the year in late April, a 7-miler. Today my mileage log reads 698.2 -- not great, but not bad considering how ridiculously wet our summer was here in West Virginia.
At 63, with my medical history, I probably won't ever be a 3,000-mile-a-year rider again. Even so, this feels pretty darned good.
At 63, with my medical history, I probably won't ever be a 3,000-mile-a-year rider again. Even so, this feels pretty darned good.
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