35 miles this morning. Really enjoying this low humidity and 4-5 mph winds we've had these last few days.

42.4 at 17.8 with one other. Not bad since off a week while in Michigan.

Yay. I bought a new el-cheapo Schwinn saddle, to replace the OEM specialized 1992-era saddle, that was... ahem! pressing delicate areas. Today I gave it an inaugural ride with a 25 mile loop around SIU-E. I chose it over the Velo Express because it was cheaper by half, and a little wider in the buttockal contact area. After ride-adjust-repeat for a few minutes, I got it dialed into my comfort zone, and off I went. I'm not used to the hard-foam padding, after riding all these years on the soft smooshy foam of the OEM saddle, but I see what folks mean about them actually being more comfortable in the long run.

At the end, my buttockal region was a bit sore, but my prostate was perfectly happy. I even seemed able to pedal faster/harder because of the stable surface, which didn't punish me for trying to lean forward. This saddle is at least better than what I had, and if it doesn't last, the Velo saddle will be what I try next, I guess. (I bought it from Wal-Mart for $17 cash. I don't trust using cards or checks online or off anymore.)

The trip was nice. I visited the Botanical Garden at SIU-E while I was there, and the plants were looking nice! Even with the frequent stops to chat, race a chipmunk across a bridge, spot a fawn on the bicycle path, and look at those fancy colorful lettuce-like plants at the Gardens, I still managed the 25 mile loop in 2 hours flat.

Edit: I forgot to mention that at one intersection of the Watershed Trail, there was an overturned tractor-trailer truck that was hauling scrap lumber. The Police Officer at the scene asked me if I would push it back upright for them! I made arm motions as if I'd try, then said "Nah. I don't think so!" The truck driver was alright. On my return trip, they had a boatload of vehicles there, including two steroid-abusing tow-trucks and one crane truck. It completely blocked the path, so you had to walk your bike through weeds and big rocks-in-the-ground to get on the path on the other side, while avoiding wood/nails/scrap that spilled out of the trailer.

16.6 miles at 16.6 mph. Didn't ride as long as I would have liked but tomorrow I ride with a buddy who is faster and we will do 20 plus miles. No wind coming off the Bay meant easier ride. The sun was hiding and humidity was down.

Nice 41 mile ride today. Cut the ride short by 3 miles due to rain. That's what I get for starting out late.

Did my commute today, after taking two days off. It felt good. I took the Motobecane with its sew-up tires. It was awesome.

45 miles, 1300 feet elevation gain and a nasty & gusty head wind at times.. Overall not bad but it was hot as the temps for today are 100+

21 miles at 18.6 mph. Riding with my buddy who is much faster makes for a great workout. I'm trying to drop a few pounds so not eating as much and I think I went overboard because I felt weak at end of ride.

Hi. Did 46 at 19.1 thanks to group ride with low wind. Temps in 70s at 7 and didn't get hotter till after 9. Boy is it easier to ride in a group!!!! And lot more fun.

Best part was one rider I know asked if I was 58 as was really improving; you should have seen the look on his face when said nope, 69 :). Made my week.

Did some hill repeats, I feel a trip to Italy in my future :)

Four miles after work Thursday. 8 miles yesterday evening on the tandem.
21 miles today.
Ran across.......no, I didn't run over it.............saw a dead skunk......on the side of the road........didn't smell too bad...............
Guess it wasn't the skunk in that song. You know the one.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z284/JanMM/skunk.jpg

A very hot morning for a 44 mile ride with one of my riding buddies. And summer has just started.

Did 43.45 on the tandem today with my sweetie.

http://users.rcn.com/jimmuller/pics/...dburyRiver.jpg

Turned around when this hill came into view.
http://users.rcn.com/jimmuller/pics/...reInHudson.jpg

Drove 2 hours to where I planned to ride. Rode 3 hours and then 2 hours back to the house. Wanted to see how I felt on some steeper climbs. All felt great except for the shifting on the bike. The barrel adjuster was broken on the RD in transit from RtR last week--probably my bad on how I packed it???? Got a temporary fix but worried about a hilly century next weekend-doubt I can get a new part in by then.

68 miles on a fast (20.4 MPH) club ride. So that's both the longest and fastest ride of the year. Riding NE of the metro, where it's flat even for Minnesota and the roads are unusually smooth, especially for Minnesota.

I'd been feeling dispirited and slow on my solo rides this week. Like I had somehow lost my mojo. Well, it's true that I did a lot of drafting today (but I pulled too! really!), but this definitely lifted my spirits.

Riding in the early afternoon on the solstice in the bright sunshine, I noticed that our shadows were chiefly beneath us and quite small. It was the most direct sunshine we get all year.

sure!

My husband & I did a nice after dinner ride. There was lots of animal action - we saw a number of deer & turkeys hanging out in the fields; a big turkey vulture flew back and forth in front of us, quite close, about 3 times (we were worried he might know something we didn't!); and as I rounded an turn and was heading down a hill, a doe ran across the road about 20' in front of me.

101 miles on the first century ride day at Bike Virginia. 5:50 ride time. Wow the roads were crowded with bike riders. And flat. And monotonous.

20.7 mi @ 15.2 mph hill repeats, 2650' elevation gain in roughly 8 mi.

30 miles, 15.1 mph average.

50 miles in the piedmont Carolinas heat. Rode to the inlaws for lunch. Pork chops, slaw, squash casserole, corn on the cobb, beets, homemade pickles and peach pie with ice cream.

A nice 34 mile ride with the Sunday Bicycle Rider's Group. Temps were pretty high for an early morning ride.

I got out on the Masi this morning, a first run on new wheels I strung up a week ago and new tires, Veloflex Criteriums running 140psi.
http://users.rcn.com/jimmuller/pics/...2014/GL125.jpg

http://users.rcn.com/jimmuller/pics/...4/Veloflex.jpg

They performed spectacularly. 44.9 miles, Waltham out to Carlisle, with a moving average around 15.5mph. No flats either, probably because I was carrying two spare sew-ups in the handlebar bag. When you are prepared you never encounter the problems you are prepared for!

It was a good day.

Then my sweetie and I took our canoe out the Assabet River. A very pleasant afternoon.
http://users.rcn.com/jimmuller/pics/...tBlueHeron.jpg

42 miles with a bit of climbing. I'm stuck in a one ride/week mode as I readjust to an uptick in my consulting hours, home projects and a new hobby. I'm shooting for 3x next week and 80+ miles