18 miles late Saturday afternoon, finally broke that pesky 15 mph barrier on this hilly route. Got close last time, 14.96 mph, and felt stronger that day but there was more wind. Just a light 3-5 mph breeze today. I'm probably close to maxed out on this upright bike. Time to try a different handlebar or lower position, then decide whether I'm ready to tackle a road bike again after more than 30 years.

23.3 miles (37.5k), cold (40s), partly cloudy, medium wind. Overall a decent ride. Lotza loose dogs (with their owners) on the multi-use bike path. I'm seeing quite a few more cyclists out now.

2017: 1,694m (2,726k)♂Total: 16,682m (26,847k)

40 solo miles this morning. Windy but nothing like yesterday.

26 miles at the big Washington DC Bike Ride today - 20 miles on the route, and 6 miles going back and forth to where we parked in Georgetown. It was a BLAST!! This was the 2nd annual event, and I heard estimates ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 cyclists. It was packed!!! Hubby and I left home at 5am and got into DC at 6:30am - our group of 6 parked on the waterfront on K Street at Georgetown and we cycled into DC via the Capital Crest trail that goes along the Potomac River. Once in DC we joined the throng of cyclists and were "corralled" into main groups (VIP, Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginners). The crush of riders was unreal! Riders were sent off in waves so that there was some breathing room on the roads.

DC had shut down some of their main thoroughfares, including a section of the overhead Whitehurst Freeway (through Georgetown) and even Interstate 395 near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial so that we could cycle it. It was too funny - imagine shutting down a segment of Interstate 95 for several thousand bikes! Great organization, wonderful roads looping around DC that are "owned" by the crazy 60+mph Washington DC traffic every other day except today. Bands and music along the way, lots of smiles and laughter. Once we all got moving at 10mph, things flowed beautifully, and we could all start breathing again. Everyone seemed to be having a fabulous time.

Unfortunately also saw 4 major bike accidents that required medical assistance with riders down and not moving. Yikes! Very sobering. Just so many bikes and you had to watch, even as you were enjoying the view.

All of us managed to stay together (amazing!!), and after the ride enjoyed the zillions of food and "stuff" vendors down at the finish line right next to MOMA (Museum of Modern Art). Endless parked bikes as far as the eye could see looking down Constitution and Pennsylvania Ave. (No sign of Trump, but Homeland Security was there as well as about a thousand DC and federal police - most waving with big smiles and wishing us luck, and some looking like they wished they were biking as well).

Hope to find out later exactly what the count was for attendance. All of us agreed we would absolutely do it again next year! Hubby also had a good time staying in Georgetown and enjoying the gorgeous waterfront park, people watching, and a good book. Glad he had fun, too.

Photo is just a tiny sampling of the crowds in front of our group. We were towards the front of the Intermediate Group. The VIP and the Advanced had already gone ahead. We were packed tighter than sardines in a can at the start!

ten miles late this afternoon. One hill. First ride this year when it seemed hot enough for ice water. Love the Polar bottles.

15 relaxed miles Sunday evening, no direction in mind, just exploring a new-to-me area for possibilities. Found some promising routes for both fast and challenging hill climbs.

21.2 miles (34.1k), mostly sunny, air is still cold. It should start warming up Thursday into the 80s by Sunday. The bike path is still flooded (since Feb) near Rock Park. Truckee River is very high. A machine shop/maintenance yard ran hoses w/2x4s across the bike path to drain their parking lot, but didn't put up any warning signs. Almost crashed into them.

2017: 1,715m (2,760k)♂Total: 16,703m (26,881k)

22 miles today as a Bike Commuter.

Was 60°here today, expecting snow showers tonight, rain tomorrow. Rode 46.5 miles on one of my usual routes.

50 miles with three of my riding buddies. Hoping that we could finish the ride before the wind picked up but it hit us pretty good in the last 8 miles.

Basically the same ride as yesterday, different bike, more wind. 21.2 miles (34.1k). Overcast, threatening to rain. Rest of the week should be rideable (if a bit cool) tho.

2017: 1,736m (2,794k)♂Total: 16,724m (26,915k)


Yahoo is an acronym for "Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle."

40 miles Saturday (some of it in unpleasant rain) and 38 on Sunday - the last two rides I'll get in before the Tour de Madison in VA on Saturday. I'll be on a loaner Specialized Roubaix Expert to test the Future Shock. I've ordered the 2018 Pro and wan't to ride the 58cm frame as it has slight differences in reach and stack versus the Domane (subtle, but there nonetheless). This will be the non-Di2 version (I haven't used mechanical shift in 5 years). Should be an interesting experience in the hills of VA.

Same today as yesterday, except only 21 miles.

Assault On Mount Mitchell complete
 

Well I finished the ride. I wasn't sure I was going to make it. My legs were cramping really bad. I couldn't stand straight up at times. Never felt such pain before and I was seriously considering throwing in the towel at mile 95. The total distance was 103.8 miles. My Garmin died so I stopped it right before it did to save this workout. It was freaking hot up there at 89°F. The weather forecast 69°F. But I guess it was better than last year. They said it was cold and had hail on top of Mt Mitchell.

This isn't very high for you western folk, but for us on the east coast it is the highest point east of the Mississippi.

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Temperatures are on the rise making rides artificially longer. The acclimation process will take a while but as usual perseverance will pay off.

As I was finishing up the 79 miles yesterday with the temperature at 90+F by 12:30pm had me looking forward a cold chocolate milk followed by a refreshing NA Coor's that ices up after being poured into a frosty mug taken from the freezer. I wasn't even sure that I would complete 25 miles because of feeling sluggish at the start but keeping the cranks rotating proved once again that hanging in there can resul in a good ride.

Cut the ride short to 16.4 miles (26.4k) because of really nasty wind. The rest of the week should be better, even warm on Saturday.

2017: 1,752m (2,820k)♂Total: 16,741m (26,942k)

Cedar River Trail, in Renton, passing Boeing's major 737 assembly plant with many awaiting refurb, out to the boatdock at the southernmost part of Lk. Washington. Then turn around and east to the more rural paved trail for a quick 20.

Only 14 out of the planned 18 with our bike shop's ladies group. My sore lower back is still recovering from three days ago - spent a whole day - from morning 'til dusk - digging up from in the sunken earth 25 year old laid bricks and 60lb slate slabs to rebuild/relevel the ground and replace everything. Unfortunately, I tend to forget I'm in my 60s now, and not 25 anymore. My back went on strike the following morning. Now I know what it feels like to be 90. I thought I'd be good to go today, but putting pressure on the pedals was translating up into my lower back. Not good. The residual soreness was slowly getting more intrusive as the miles moved on.

Hated to wimp out on the other gals - we really were having a great time, as always - but I have a full weekend of riding coming up - Saturday 28 miles on the bike, and Sunday 6 miles on the horse - and discretion ruled my decision to finally turn around and head back.

Going back I was forced to let my bike's ehub do all the yeoman's work on the uphills to save my back, but it did its job silently, efficiently, and with not one single complaint. I helped out when I could, generally on the flats, and arrived back at the car with a very happy back no longer in pain for which I was VERY grateful to my wonderful bike. Spent a few minutes cleaning and relubing the chain at home, and am now resting the back for the rest of the day. I'm sure I'll be right as rain tomorrow.

It sucks getting old (so says my younger sister - still in her 50s - as we were chatting this morning on the phone. Wait until she hits HER 60s! :lol:)

29.1 miles (46.8k). It's still cold at night (low 40s) so the morning air is chilly. Lost something out of my jacket pocket (flashlight/stun wand) and retraced my steps—to no avail. But I had a nice (if a bit windy) ride.

2017: 1,782m (2,867k)♂Total: 16,770m (26,989k)

18.5 miles Thursday, first ride since Sunday while recovering from respiratory bug. Strong wind out of the south, which made a long northbound run fun but was pretty grueling the rest of the way. Fortunately almost no traffic on these farm to market roads so slogging along at 8-10 mph into the wind wasn't too bad.

BRAVO!!!:thumb::D Very impressive, indeed!!!

Now I need to go check out Elisha's claim to fame on Wikipedia....

50 miles this morning with my buddy, Steve. First ride since my wife had surgery on her wrist on Wednesday and I was greeted by generous wind gusts. Good thing my legs were well rested.

24 miles (38.6k). First morning this year it was actually "not cold". I might be able to wear shorts Sunday. There has been a big increase in car traffic, especially driveways where they have to turn right so are looking left (only) and I'm coming up on their right. Scary. I always assume they don't see me until I make eye contact and they wave me on.

2017: 1,806m (2,906k)♂Total: 16,794m (27,027k)

Took my Lambert out on it's maiden voyage. Loving how it rides.
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Working from home today, so I took a quick (12 mi) lunch ride. Oy ... summer has finally arrived. :love: