35 miles Saturday - brought me to over 1,200 miles this year. Usually I ride solo, but I rode with my local club for this ride.

In general, I ride a little faster than the slowest group supported by local bike club want to go, but I can't keep up with the next faster group. Riding solo, however, I can usually do maintain the necessary speed. Recently someone led a a ride that promised to be on the low end of the next fastest group, so I decided to give it a try.

Man, the problem I have with group rides really hit me on that ride. I was fine when I stayed with the front group of 5 or 6 riders who didn't let big gaps develop. Then, out of politeness, I let a couple of riders get ahead of me after a stop, and they did let gaps develop. The constant falling back and speeding up to catch the main group exhausted me quickly, and I left the ride.

I was disappointed, but now I know what I have to prepare for to join and stick with the faster group. I'm not certain my body can actually do what's necessary, but at least I know what the requirement is.

No I did not
 

In fact it's been years since I rode. I was at the bike shop today buying a casual urban bike for my 30 y.o. daughter; making conversation with the bike shop guy, exchanging stories. So he challenged my excuses about health problems and whatever and basically told me I was a lazy wimp giving up what had been a lifelong passion. And he was correct. Not sure yet what I'll do about that.

Pinarello Test Ride Reveals Flaw
 

Back to the Cape Cod Canal RT last Friday. More boat traffic than bikes while test riding a new CL find from Wednesday: a ‘99 Pinarello Stelvio.This bike rides beautifully and is very fast!
While reviewing my ride pics at the halfway point in Bourne, I noticed a chunk of front tire missing and then another missing piece when I examined the tire carefully. So… my return to Sandwich was much slower, thanks to a strong headwind and some additional rider caution.

Test rides, that’s why we do them. I’ll be on this bike again with fresh tires on Sunday on a bikeforums group ride to Wellfleet on another section of the Cape Cod Rail Trail (after another test ride).





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This is the Buzzards Bay Railroad Lift Bridge. Finished in 1935, has a span of 544’ and is the 2nd longest lift bridge on the planet. If you look closely, you’ll see where a portion of my front tire is missing.


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The Bourne Bridge is one of two that span the canal and are the only driveable ways to get on or off the Cape. Driving them today is an adventure, given that they were engineered for the slower and smaller vehicles of the time. Both of them were finished in the early 1930’s, and are scheduled for replacement, hopefully before I croak.

Grateful to post this thread
 

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My 20 yo carbon hike
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Long ride to a nice but short trail.
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Last Saturday was The Heck of the North (the name is a play on "Hell of the North"), I rode the 105-mile course on my drop-bar Pugsley. I think I was annoying a rider on a nice new carbon gravel bike, he kept on seeing me on route and couldn't figure out how I was riding the same pace as him :D Truth is, the course has you riding some very tough sections of rocks, mud, grass, etc, and 4 inch tires let me ride these challenging conditions faster.

Here are the stats:Finish line photo:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fff3705600.jpg

YouTube edit from my GoPro


The route ... 2022 route in blue and 2019 route in red, both shared the last 35 miles

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Done that ride several times, always enjoyed it. The Cape has some really nice dedicated paths. Nice pix

Bought a new to me steel bike. Rode it for 18 miles. Sweet ride and my first Campy experience. All good.

Mike

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North County, Putnam, and Maybrook Trailways on a perfect day. Let's Go Mets!
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New bike? Pics or it didn't happen.


How's the weather up North?

Hypno Toad - 100+ mi on a fat-tired bike in 7 hours is awesome! :thumb:. Good finish line smile.








Oh to be 50s again. :p. Enjoying it thru you younger types.

Wildwood,


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Torelli Countach OS. Veloce/Centaur. Orange tires rotted out. Now all black. Sweet, fast bike. I am in America at the moment for cataract and knee replacement surgeries but weather in Haines is vey harsh at the moment. Mike

Always thankful to post this thread
 

Less smoke today, so instead of a bunch of easy shorty rides on a bunch of bikes like the last 2 days - I rode kinda long (for me). 40 miles with only quick camera stops (many). The smoke has not been bad, really. And temps in 70s with more dry is something to savor, as it will change. Sure as the Pacific is an ocean.
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Lugged steel - mixed tubeset but mostly EL-OS, Campa10
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Lake Sammamish south end boat launch
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The gliders landing alongside Issa/Hobart Rd.
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Tis the spooky season.

Not yet, hopefully this afternoon I will go out for 30 or so.

But this last Saturday I did the 65 mile Cycle Out Kids Cancer Ride that the City of Ridgeland MS sponsors.

Here is a video my son made. Just a bunch of people on bikes, I'm in there too! Look for the oyster white Tarmac. (Or what ever Spesh' calls that color)



Here is the route.....

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Always thankful to post this thread
 

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Too dry for vibrant colour - best reds
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Hazy from smoke east of Cascades
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A little hard-packed surface
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A nice ride past the Intl Peace Garden
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The reward at the end of this ride. Photo credit last pic to Big Sister, age 3. Excuse me, she would say 3 1/2!

I am old
 

Yes I did my granddaughter help me set this account up so i can interact with other bikers and so glad to be on this discussion with you all so yes 25k ride today was a chilly one but a nice one

Live about 5 miles from the ocean but stretched it out to a 26 mile loop ride. Some nice windey country roads between here and there. About 1000 feet climbing total.

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No more snow for me!. The only snow I will ever will be on TV or in pics. :speedy:

Looks nice....

Welcome. My granddaughter is 20 months and my twin grandsons are 9 months. They will be riding with soon. :tandem:

Only my 4th ride since June but a fun one. Managed 50 miles. Went into town in the historic district where lots of Halloween decorations were on display. Met my wife and son for some sushi and Pat Tai washed down with a tall Sapporo. Then rode the 15 miles back home. Perfect weather.
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Yesterday I did one of my favorite weekend rides: Only 28 miles, but with 1500 feet of climbing, most of that concentrated in the climb up to Blue Hill Observatory in Milton, MA. The elevation map is telling:

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Round barn selfie on Sunday's Gravel West ... I rode to-and-from the start for a 52-mile day with temps around 40F all day. The drop-bar Pugsley was overkill for the packed/fast gravel roads ... I mean, this bike is overkill for nearly all conditions, but I'm into it :D.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b14b751cf0.jpg

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Easy going ride, just keeping the wheels greased. 😎
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I declare the ‘cancer survivor 2’ bike an on the road success.

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Buying it at a clearance price means they build it with what’s in the box, so I knew narrower bar would be needed (how do you guys ride 44s? My arms ache). Will also need a seatpost with no setback. Size XL.

Got a nice XC/DH ride this morning:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6b521bf7_b.jpgIMG_2049 by 2cam16, on Flickr