Today and over the last few weeks, distances have been less but intensity is upped with the goal of higher average speeds first, and second, improved climbing ability. Southern Rhode Island is quite flat with few hills but what hills there are I try to blast up while standing. It is probably a good thing these hill are relatively short. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRFNK...eature=channel This is the model I try to keep in mind while climbing. He states early on to try to be relaxed and efficient. He is very smooth and could likely carry on a thoughtful, philosophical conversation all the while riding your legs off.

I also pay close attention to breathing the same way musicians of wind instruments and high altitude mountaineers do by using the diaphram to breath deeply and with control. I believe a similar technique is used in childbirth and who could argue with that. Yen, in a recent post on another thread mentioned breathing deliberately during a hill climb. Breathing is important folks.

I seem to be able to get out only on the weekends now and even then I'm often obligated elsewhere. It's been rainy here the past two days but maybe I can sneak a ride in Friday?

Rode up Glendora Mountain Road Saturday night solo, 22 miles,2500 feet of climbing. Sunday morning, back up GMR plus out to Baldy Village with friends, 47 miles, 5,000 feet of climbing. Tuesday morning, back up to top of GMR, another 22 miles and 2500 feet of gain. From Saturday night to Tuesday morning, 91 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing. Seeing how I turned 56 last Friday, that is how I celebrated my birthday. The legs feel it, but great weather made for great times.
November 13, 2010 .jpg
(click pic)Saturday night from
top of GMR Los Angeles basin
November 14, 2010 GMR-Gina makes the Village 035..jpg
Stop at top of GMR on way
back from Baldy Village,Sunday
November 14, 2010 GMR-Gina makes the Village 028..jpg
Sun on Pacific Ocean,
Catalina Island in background
November 16, 2010 GMR 002..jpg
Tuesday, half way up GMR
November 16, 2010 GMR 018..jpg
Just below top of GMR,
the fun part.

I have had a very nice smorgasboard of cycling over the past few days. Tempuratures in the mid-50s and not too windy:

Today: 10 miles on the mountain bike in the woods
Yesterday: 20 miles on the road bike on the road
2 days ago: 5 miles on the beach bike at water's edge

Incredible sights, sounds and smells!

Michael Barrett rode 78 miles from Chicago to Gurnee, IL and back in 4 hours 35 minutes. I've done 245 miles in the last 10 days. Overcast with mostly calm winds and a temp between 45 & 52f made for a great day. Can't waste a single good day this late in the year!

It didn't rain, so I got out for a very nice 39 miles. I went out of town to the southwest among vineyards and farms, a few nice hills and almost no car traffic.

After leaving town I started up Briggs Hill


Over Briggs hill is a pleasant valley with two nice vineyards


Crossed the bridge over Coyote Creek

Easy 15 miles on the tandem. One more short ride on Friday in Tucson and then the century on Saturday. Should be quite an experience riding with 8,999+ of our closest friends.

Finished work at 8 pm today and decided to take a long road home. There is still not enough snow to make proper skitracks so I can ride on what will become tracks soon. A bit more snow than I had thought so I should have chosen wider tires. Nonetheless a beautiful clear night with a waxing moon.

49 miles, only had 3 hours to ride. Mostly sunny, mid 60s to low 70s. Slight breeze, no wind to speak of. Pack of dogs, some horses, assorted zombies out on the MUP. All and all a good ride. 2 hours, 46 minutes ride time.

WHOA!!
I thought my 24 mile ride today in 20 mile winds gusting up to the 40's+? was rough! Had to hang on for dear life at times . . being <100 lbs I nearly got blown off the road; into traffic; backwards. I found riding in extreme wind like that was exhausting.
I was the only rider besides the leader & co-leader that showed up today, so I got lots of special attention! Besides, it was just fun . . lunatics bike riding during a Wind Advisory!

37 miles today, rode to Liverpool and back. Hadn't been down there before. There were a couple of 'bridge out - road closed' signs along the way but we managed to get across both bridges. We were planning a 50 mile ride but cut it short due to my wife's legs being a little sore from riding into the wind. I gave her an ibuprofen I was carrying and that was good for a 6 mph increase! She said she didn't feel any pain after the ibuprofen kicked in. Perfect weather by the way, high of 75 and partly cloudy with lots of Sun.

Yes, finally. Did about 22 miles. It was 37*, (thank goodness for those small chemical marvels known as Toasty Toes).

12 miles yesterday, 16 miles today. Suburban/rural both days. Temp in the 60's today! Breezy but dry. Might not see that (60's) again for a while.

About 23 miles in flat country in 80 degrees in north Florida. Pretty boring compared but I liked it.

The rain stopped, the sun came out, and it was one of those beautiful, crisp fall days that sends people in the great white north packing their bags to head for SoCal. Rode 2 hours, my "bike fit test ride #2" with the short-reach bars on loan to see how I like 'em. So far, I do.


Thompson Creek Trail, one of my favorite leisurely rides.


On Baldy Rd, approaching the climb. Nope, not today --- too many trucks and SUVs in a hurry to see the first snow. Saw one of them swerve into the bike lane ahead of me.


Back home along the trail

Rode the trainer while watching the Chef's game. Then, after the game took a ride on what will probably be the last warm day of the year.

On the beach at Cancun yesterday in 11:30 AM then raced cyclo cross today at 12:45 PM. I think a couple days recovery from the vacation would have been appropriate before racing.

Another Sunday dirt/road ride. 47 miles on a perfect partly cloudy day in the mid to upper 60s.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post11822491

11_21 by BluesDawg, on Flickr

BD, you do realize that your NOT making it EASY on my idea of selling off the MTB for a Fitness bike!!!!! I may just have to find a nice dirt road and have lot's of second thoughts! Sweet Ride!

I rode 20 miles today on the GAP near where I live was very peaceful. There was very few people out even tho it was like 60°F in the afternoon.

It stopped raining here so I went for a short ride. While climbing I was worried about the clouds above.


When I got up there it cleared up some but it was pretty chilly.


Going back down it stayed dry.

This was a dirt and paved road ride, not a MTB ride. I love my MTB, but I prefer road bikes for road rides.

DirtDawg2 by BluesDawg, on Flickr

Wife and I rode the tandem in the El Tour de Tucson on Saturday. Last 25+ miles of the 109 were into brutal headwinds, but my wife's efforts got us to the finish after I had started to cramp. There were over 3000 riders in the century mass start and over 9000 total, so plenty of folks on the course to pass and be passed by.

18 miles with the club in the am, helping sweep the beginner hill ride. Then 24 more with the club in the afternoon, followed by dinner at Chevy's. Two chilly but fun rides. A good day on the bike.

Short ride with my neighbor to the sorta new Alexandria, VA bicycle Co-op where I have started to volunteer. Perfect weather, and am having a great time at the co-op. She bought a replacement bike from the shop while we were there.
https://velocitycoop.org/
Oh, $25 raffel for a Zambian bamboo frame to support the shop and bikes for kids.