Tapered some this week in anticipation of an upcoming ride. 68 miles with 2800’ of hills. More wind than normal but it was mostly helping the last 30 miles. My plan was to just do some easy spinning for a few hours and I was following the plan until I saw 3 riders up ahead of me. I thought it might be some of my cycling friends but it wasn’t. It was three fellas out on their TT bikes.

I've been riding quite a lot, daily when I can. I took the bike in for its post break-in adjustments last week, and afterwards spent some time on a new trail (The Ohio Towpath, which runs along the Erie Canal), which was nice. This morning I went on a dirt/gravel trail for a bit, then connected to a section of a rail-trail I'd not ridden before. And I stopped to take a photo.

Yes I did ride today, my bike, a Trek FX1 disc, is only two weeks old and during the first week of trying to get the feel of the new bike I found the reach was uncomfortable and I was squirming around on the saddle. Talked to the guys at the shop and it was suggested that maybe a shorter stem with a greater rise may be a solution so they said they'd order one. In the meantime I started doing some research here and online and came up with my own solution to my fit issues. I bought a new saddle to replace the stock generic one that came with the bike, I then changed the position of my Ergon GP2 grips so my hands weren't bent at the wrists, along with this I moved the saddle forward just 10mm. I took the bike out for a relatively lengthy ride this afternoon and was amazed at the difference the changes had made. No discomfort at all during the ride and looking forward now to extending my times and distances on future rides.

cheers,

Lorne Miller

26+ miles, sunny, mid-60s and E wind off the Lake, so I felt chilly. Averaged over 12 mph, which is very good for me. Great ride ... I'd just like a little bit more warmth - not my favorite (apparently) age-related change....

Saturday I gave in to the desire to ride some dirt. Started in Manhattan, up to the Bronx and got on the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail in Van Cortland Park. The full trail is about 40 miles one way from home and I didn't want to take a train home so I went up as far as Tarrytown and back. Total for the day was a bit over 47 miles, of which about 35 was trails ranging from broad dirt to singlepath. It felt GREAT to be out!


Welcome to The Bronx!


Happy to be playing in the dirt


Hello friend


Resting just past the halfway point


Lyndurst Mansion - the previous photo is on the grounds as well


Brief stop off-trail in Dobbs Ferry for an excellent iced espresso. Hudson River in the background.

36 and change with 2400 ft elevation two days ago. Good hills.
26 even today with 1300 elevation. Easier ride.

Quite nice late afternoon ride, mid to hi 70s. 32 mi. Will have take some photos sometime.

52 miles with 2500’ of climbing. Great weather to ride. High 60’s, calm winds and cloudy skies. I had planned to ride about 30 miles but it was just too nice of a riding day to not do more.

Walked 18 holes of golf this morning which we normally do M-F.

Just shy of 55 miles before the heat set in.

I’ve been tweaking my grips for wrist position discomfort. While thinking of the saddle position, I’d not considered simply moving it forward (or back?). Thanks for the idea..

Not a pretty ride today, lots of joint pain, but still managed to get in 115 miles.

I’m almost embarrassed to post today. 5.5 miles at about 10 mph. It’s my short ride I do several times a week. Today I went with a friend and we went really slow on purpose so we could talk easily. Not a workout at all. Did it for the friendship and the movement.

Another 50 miles over to visit my Father in Law for his 92nd birthday. He’s a good man! It rained for a while but it was warm enough so no issues. We were supposed to be doing Ride the Rockies this week but COVID cancelled it so just wore the jersey instead.

Did a couple of hours, I really don't look at miles since much of what I ride is rough road and very steep.

Adding a picture so you get the idea. The crazy road builders down here figure if a car doesn't flip over, it isn't too steep and no, I am not exaggerating.

6/17 - 22 miles, sunny and windy, warm, I've taken to stopping every 5-10 miles, and I'm really enjoying sitting in the sun. Sometimes it's hard to get back on the bike again.
6/19 - 26 miles, sunny but not windy on the way North, cloudy and noticeably cooler on the way home. 3 more rides in Jun, and I'll hit 500 miles for 2020 - but lots of rain is predicted for the next 10 days.

Rode 22 mi yesterday in mid 80s temps, 22 today in low 90s. Felt better and was faster today.

102 miles with 5150’ of climbing. I did a shortish climb in one of our State Parks which is Morrow Mountain. The motorcyclists would not practice social distancing in the parking area at the summit so they closed the road to motor vehicles. It was different doing the climb with no vehicles. I was the only person at the summit.

I got an early start to minimize the heat and humidity.

Empty parking lot up top.

A view of Badin Lake in the distance.

Today’s ride.

A golf course that’s permanently closed I once played. It dated back to the 20’s with Alcoa’s influence. Alcoa built the lakes to produce hydroelectric power for their aluminum plant.

Looking back in the direction where I rode from.

Lunch! Fortunately I could eat inside and was the only person there.

I used the Southern Uwharrie Route for 20 miles after Morrow Mountain.

Hi Lorne ~ I put Ergonomic grips on my previous bike, a Bianchi old-school mountain bike. I thought they were great at first, but then I noticed I was getting slightly sore wrists and a slightly sore back. Fidgeting with the grips just a bit, and adjusting them both so that my wrists were not bent made all the difference in the world! Glad you found other things that made your ride smoother as well. I may have to put Ergonomic grips on my FX as well, after I make sure that they will fit.

Enjoy your rides. ~ Les

Did 15 miles today, went out at 7:30am and It was "air you can Wear" type of day here in Estero FL

Some of my rides in the last week...

20 miles today, Chicago North Shore, so the usual 18" of elevation gain. I scored a silver-colored water bottle cage at Green Bay Cycles in Winnetka, so I'll be able to carry 2 water bottles easily. That will be nice, now that it's so much harder to get a refill.

Standing in front of a college founded by Norwegian immigrants in my Norwegian jersey.

41 miles in the mountains of VA on the new Bianchi Infinito with Di2. The ENVE wheels and Vittoria Corsa tubeless are a welcome addition.

This is Whippoorwill Road in Madison Co. and a view of Old Rag Mtn. And a cute 9 yo handing out free blueberries.

Another 52 miler from the house to the in-laws on High Rock Lake.......after walking 18 holes this morning. Not as hot but pretty humid, but it’s typical summer weather in NC.


Water was clear and calm for High Rock.

Today’s ride.

Selfie crossing Potts Creek.

Fishing under the bridge at Potts Creek.

Two nice white bass, he caught one when I first got there.

A great area to ride! Have you ridden Skyline Drive?