40 mile 3000’ of climbing gravel ride with 4 others celebrating one of the riders turning 50!! It was my third time doing the same loop in 3 weeks. My time improved by 20 minutes riding with others. It was chilly with temperatures in the mid 30s and cloudy skies. One more layer of clothing was added all around.

The group greatly enjoyed the mix of dirt roads and gravel. Fun times.

Recovery ride.....64 miles with 3000’ of hills. Still have 4 gates open trying to bring water levels in High Rock Lake back down.


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High Rock Lake Dam
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Today’s vehicle
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The debris field beside my in-laws pier on zhigh Rock Lake was the most they’ve had in 35 years.

I got in the longest ride I have done on my recently restored Lemond Tourmalet, 37 miles. Also my longest of this year at this point. Truthfully, I set out to get in a 50 miler. At 26 miles, I stopped and talked to a friend for awhile on the Bethany Beach boardwalk. Soon after getting back on the bike, a very strong hunger came upon me and I felt myself running out of gas. I took a couple of neighborhood detours going back to my house, where I planned to get some food and head back out. Once I got the food in my belly I just felt very tired. Decided to be satisfied with the 37 and called it a day.

1.5 chilly hours on the Botty today, just for fun. Winds were light, for a change. :D

Temps in low 70s with winds in high teens and gusts to 25.

13 of us began in a Sunday ride I started five years ago with some friends. Goal was to have a recovery ride at 17-19 MPH — recovery from fast Saturday ride of 20-25+ MPH.

I rode 40 miles — most with group doing 19/20 with wind and 15/17 into the wind.

Four of us are over 70. Very spirited. Have to say nice to have a ride we can do when we reach 70. Three of four are 74-75. Youngster 72. Balance of group in 50s to 60s. They help keep us younger.

22 warm and windy miles in SW Florida this morning.

I rode 11 miles yesterday and 11 miles today on my desert trails.

These are the 4 50+ fellas that rode the 40 mile gravel ride with me on Saturday. We were celebrating the fella in the middle 50th Birthday.


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Last night it was raining so I went out to do some hills in the neighborhood just to say I did something and because I'm looking at showers and thunderstorms all week. But that was OK, so I went a little more, which led to a little more, and I ended up doing 16 miles. 55F, dark, rainy. My new rain gloves are still nice.

Was up in my happy place this morning having a hardtail party:
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This evening, 20 miles, 63F. (Where's winter?) All day 20+ mph winds from the south, which during my ride ran into a front coming in from the northwest. Crazy lightning as that came on, then later a downburst with sudden 30-40mph headwinds. Soaked me to the skin in under a minute. I was barely making any headway and I seriously doubted whether anyone in a car could see much through that torrent, so I got off and walked. Two people stopped and offered rides. Eventually the storm let up enough that I could ride the rest of the way home. I had to pour out my boots.

I rode with a new Jogalite safety triangle pinned to my pack, down low over the outside pocket, it got a real baptism.

Just quickly around the neighborhood
but it surely did my mind some good.


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1989 Falcon - 531c

77 miles with 4000’ of climbing. A real slog fest. It was 28 degrees at the start but eventually mellowed into the 40s. I basically rode in a northerly direction the entire way and there was a nagging headwind most of the way. A good endurance training ride as there was a lot of saddle time. I met my wife and son at one of the better pork bbq restaurants in the state.......I love destination rides! My wife and son had just finished up a good 6 mile hike at one of NC’s state parks.

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We've had a few very cold days of late but today got up into the lower 40's and dry. So, a 12 mile ride this afternoon. One hill. Much more fun than my time at the YMCA gym yesterday.

Yesterday evening, to the greenway for time (I sucked), then loop back by a northern route. 13.2 miles, 62F, sunset into dark, light clouds and still. A nice ride. I wanted to go longer but I had to be back in time for symphony night.

I'm a wuss.
With daughter + family visiting, wet days, temps in the mid to low 40's, I just rode a short while in the neighborhood (again). Using these rides to check out the bikes and make sure my brakes & hill climbing gears are in order. Down the hill (chilly) and back up gives 2.5mi and a bit short of 500ft of elevation change (each way).

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Early 70’s Zeus

Low 40s is better than the below zero we had a few days ago. Be Well, Bluesfrog.

43 miles today, under partly cloudy skies, mid-70s, but stupid windy. I don't think I've had a single ride in 2020 that wasn't windy. Must be that global warming thing...

I rode the West Orange Trail in Winter Garden, FL end-to-end and back. It was a nice ride, but crazy crowded with people wanting to enjoy a day on the trail. With their kids. And their dogs. And zero knowledge of trail etiquette (including my being run off the trail by a young woman, despite my saying "on your left" but of course with earbuds on she couldn't hear me. Fortunately I ran onto grass and didn't wipe out). The crowds and the wind kept my pace down a bit, but at this point, training for an upcoming half-century I'm focused on distance, not blinding speed (hah).

REALLY STUPID WINDY SOUTH WEST OF YOU on Cape Haze Peninsula.

Got out Saturday 8AM for a 51 mile solo ride already with winds at 13+mph. Then got out at 11PM for 50 miles and still windy but not as bad. Was planning on more miles but flatted at mile 46 and that took the WIND out of my sails. Walked the bike to nearby church to change out tube while under a light. Made it home, showered, ate, prepped bike number 2 and out again at 7:30AM for another 76 miles with HIGHER WINDS but this time with Coastal Cruisers group so drafting. Thinking about a Midnight Madness ride tonight with winds only 2mph to 4mph. :thumb::thumb:

Sunday 12.2 miles at midnight, riding to a neighborhood Walmart for a snack. Made it five minutes before they closed. I didn't really need the snack, but for me a ride with a reason is better than a ride with no reason, which is still way better than no ride at all.

Monday evening, two loops around a "mountain" and farms fields, then over to the library to return a book. (William Gibson's Agency. I barely got into it and needed more time but couldn't renew because someone else had it on reserve. Two can play that game.) 21.2 miles, 55F, 10mph winds from the south, dark and pleasant.

This ride included the two-dog gauntlet, which this time only had one dog.

21.5 peaceful, calm, and serene gravel road miles. An unexpected jump in the temps to 52° in mid afternoon allowed for some quality bike time on a quiet lovely day before the temps sadly tumbled and the cold chased me back indoors yet again. Warm temps promised for today, so that means more bike time as well. Not to shabby for February..if the growing evidence of climate change doesn't scare you to death.

Rode the rail-trail back into town today. Was out winter camping since Saturday February 15. It snowed twice but the tent was dry and the sleeping bag was warm. It was a very nice experience. No black flied or mosquitoes to be seen anywhere.

Cheers

I routinely check wind forecasts in WeatherUnderground. When winds are forecast for 20-25 mph I don't even bother riding, unless I'm stir-crazy and really ready for a wild ride. But you're right -- best riding time seems to be midnight!! :-)

8PM tonight to 8AM tomorrow only 2mph to 4mph. :thumb: Might have to charge the lights and head on out.

With limited time, but sunny - I decided 1200’ of climbing was a good goal. 3 reps on the hill. The Falcon is a better climber, 17 years younger than Bottecchia! What 69yo cyclist WASN’T a better climber 17 yrs ago? Tubing differences, too.


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Mossy on sides of road
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