Catching Up and Ranting

It’s time to catch up and put some things down on the blog that have been running through my head….

This time of year is heavenly for biking. The air is so heavily scented with the fragrance of lilacs. It’s great to be out riding down the road and hit an area thick with the incredible scent.

What’s up with so much wind? The morning commutes seem okay but the afternoon commutes are brutal with the wind!

Don’t you expect cyclists who drive cars to be somewhat courteous and understanding? But some of them just amaze me. For example, on the Tuesday night women’s ride we were honked at by a motorist behind us after going through a light. So we scrambled to all pull in for the motorist to pass. She then zoomed up and slowed down right beside us as we cycled through. She needed to turn…. right where we were. Why didn’t she just give us a few minutes to all pass through where she wanted to turn without honking, speeding up, only to stop before turning? (At least she didn’t try to turn right in front of us.) What really kills me is that she had a bike mounted on the back of her car. Perhaps it’s just for show.

On my commute I usually see some students waiting with their parents for the school bus. Now, these aren’t young students. They are in high school. Often times I arrive in the area right after the bus has picked up the students and the parents are departing to go back to their homes via cars. They don’t seem to be driving far. Why don’t they walk there with these kids? Why start up the car to drive such a short distance? It’s not like the weather has been bad and they have to sit in the car for warmth. Better yet, let the kids wait for the bus on their own. It’s not like it’s not a safe area. I just don’t get people sometimes. The high prices of gas, let’s drive kids perfectly capable of walking to the bus stop, in their big SUVs. I bet many of them even leave the darn things running.

Which reminds me of another interesting observation, though it wasn’t made on the bike. I was waiting in the bank drive through line with my car off. As I sat there I noticed all the bumper stickers on the car in front of me. I made the assumption she was quite liberal from the stickers and also noted an Al Gore sticker and I have no doubt it was in support of his claims about global warming. And here’s where the irony comes in – as she sat waiting for her transaction to be complete she let her car idle. Hmmmmm. After I pulled through and exited the area I noticed the same woman further along. She had obviously pulled up and stopped for some reason. And in the time it took for me to finish and go through, she was still sitting with her car idling. I have no problem with bumper stickers proclaiming to the world your beliefs, but listen up people…… YOU GOTTA BACK THEM UP WITH YOUR ACTIONS TOO!!

The next two Thursday night rides I’m gonna have to miss. Big bummer. But my daughter is graduating high school on the 5th and the 12th I’ll be traveling to Sunday River the night before the Trek begins. It’s going to be a busy couple of weeks.

Memorial Day Ride

The weather couldn’t have been better for our 6^th Annual CCCP White Mountain Memorial Day Ride. After a 6:30 departure, and picking up a few friends along the way, we arrived at the start in Fryeburg at 8am. That gave us enough time for preparation prior to the start of the ride. (I hate arriving too late and having to rush around.)

The ride started at 9:15 after a short “meeting” and a couple group photos. 32 riders started out.

Somehow I ended up leading the group out. I think everyone was just waiting for someone to leave first and I was it. So I snapped a couple shots of the riders behind me as we rolled along as a group.

A group of 27 chose the much harder course that included a climb up Hurricane Mountain. 5 of us decided to take the alternate route around the mountain and into North Conway. It was cool to be cycling up Route 16 with snow on Mount Washington in front of us.

We regrouped at Red Jersey Cyclery. It was a long regroup. Perhaps too long. I think we were all waiting for someone to leave.

After the regroup we were on our way to the top of Pinkham’s Notch for some lunch.

The group didn’t seem interested in hanging around much after lunch, perhaps making up time for the long stop at the Red Jersey Cyclery. Last year we at least let our food digest a bit before hopping back on the bikes. I guess it didn’t matter much because we had a few miles of descending to do before we had to put in much effort. Plenty of time for the lunch to digest then.

Now, last year I climbed Evan’s Notch twice, which was the last climb of our ride. The first climb on Memorial Day last year was a long an arduous one. In the fall during the Loon Echo ride it didn’t seem nearly as bad. This year I thought it would be a piece of cake. It wasn’t. I did have a friend pulling the entire way. I told him I’d help but he declined my offer. So I sat on his wheel, happy to have it.

I knew when the grade kicked up I’d get dropped and that’s exactly what happened. I did have to stand a bit to give my legs and butt a break, but not much. I find a seated climb works much better for me.

Evan’s Notch is a funny little climb, when approached from the Route 2 side. It’s a long stretch of 8 miles at a slight grade, which allows you to find a nice rhythm and even gain some speed. Then in the last two miles the grade increases, but it’s not horrible. Then there is a flat, a slight down hill, just enough to get a nice recovery and power through the last very short section of a climb. I found that sitting most of the way left me with the energy to crank it to a higher gear at the end and push the last little bit, blowing by a couple of the guys I was climbing with.

Then it was downhill into Fryeburg. The decent can be a little tricky. There are a lot of S-turns with some rough patches. One guy, cruising at 35-40 mph, came across a couple walkers on his side of the road, and a motorcycle on the other. Hitting the breaks he skid and went down. Medical assistance and ambulance transportation was required. Luckily there were a couple doctors and EMT personnel in the group. And by a small miracle Mike didn’t break anything. (You always suspect a broken collar bone.) It only proves the high speed crashes are better than slow ones.

The stretch from the bottom of Evans to Fryeburg seems to get longer every time I ride it. It’s 25-miles from the top of Evan’s. Since it’s 8 miles of climbing you think it’s equally as long on the other side. But it’s only 3 miles of decending. Then it’s flat, and long, and flat, and not very interesting at all. And what little hills there are on the road they seem to suck the life out of you.

I couldn’t wait to be off the bike. So much so that I really had to just pick up the pace so I’d finish sooner than later. Let the suffering end!

After a drink and food at a local pub, Ebenezer’s, we finally headed home. After departing my home at 6:30am, I finally arrived back home after 8 pm. Now, that’s not terribly long, but after all the climbing, some of it done in the blazing sun, and 5 hours in the saddle, I just wanted a hot shower and a comfortable bed. Only to have to get up the next morning for work. Next year I’m taking the day after Memorial Day off!

Long Weekends

Long weekends are good for getting caught up on various chores and items that don’t get as much attention during the week.

It also affords a long ride. As I’ve mentioned previously, I have a long (85-mile) ride Monday in the White Mountains of NH. So I had an easy ride today and will take off tomorrow in preparation for the ride.

Even though today’s ride wasn’t that hard, I felt a little wiped out after. In previous weekends I’ve wanted desperately to take a nap but was too busy to do so. Today, I allowed myself the nap. Then, in an effort to get caught up on some blog reading I came across a posting on Belgium Knee Warmers about napping. It definitely took the guilt out of my nap. I’m also one of the fortunately ones that has a grown/gone child so my time is pretty much my own and my husband is pretty supportive when I tell him I need a nap. It wasn’t the “fall on the sofa” kind of nap that normally happens, but instead the “crawl into bed and sleep for 1 1/2-hours” nap.

Belgium Knee Warmers also had a great posting on Neuvation R28 Aero4 Wheels. I have the Aero2s on my commuter bike and the Aero3s on the Ibex. I love these wheels. When I originally had them put on my previous (now commuter) bike I noticed a huge difference. They certainly aren’t as sexy as some of the Zipp or Mavic wheel sets but I enjoy riding on them very much.

In an effort to get caught up on my blog reading, including BKW, there’s some blogs that deal with some rough subjects – Fat Cyclists‘ wife’s battle with cancer and Masi Guy’s recovery from a pretty bad cycling accident. These guys have a fair bit of distraction in their lives and they just keep the postings on their respective blogs coming. Thanks to both of them!! Many of us read your blogs and even though many of us don’t post comments, we still think about you and what you are going through every day.

Tomorrow is a day of catching up on some housework. I’m looking forward to sleeping in and getting my house in order. Sometimes will all the cycling things get neglected. A long weekend is a good time to get caught up on those items.

The Habit of Commuting by Bike

Now that I’m commuting more by bike, it’s becoming second nature to do so.

Prior to Commute Another Way Week (May 12-16), I was commuting 2-3 days to work via bike, taking the car because it was easier, but not necessarily more enjoyable. During CAWW I did it every day. So this week, it was really second nature to get up a bit early and ride to work. It’s almost become a habit or routine. It’s also been nice weather so commuting is appealing. Even with temps just below 50 it’s quite comfortable in the morning to wear just enough to have you covered to be warm. Even at 7am that sun is working well to warm the air, and me.

Today I had to bring some items into work other than just clothes. So I brought the Scattantee with the panniers. I had more weight in the panniers than I normally have and surprisingly it didn’t feel any worse than other days. I also bought a handlebar bag to carry a few items, in addition to my seat bag from the other bike, which contains my spare tube, tire irons, and a couple allen wrenches.

Knowing I can commute to work with a little more weight in tow is comforting for the time when we start running errands by bike. (It’s coming!)

However, the commute home was a different story. It was extremely windy. So much so that all my friends were emailing and calling to see if anyone was really going to ride in the wind. So we all came to the same conclusion: bow out of the group ride tonight. On the commute home I managed a whopping 13mph average. Well off my 14.5 -16 mph average I normally have.

It’s supposed to be another windy day tomorrow so I’m not sure if anyone will show for the women’s ride. But I’ll still commute by bike. There are showers predicted for later in the week that might prevent me from riding to work so I’m going to take advantage of every good day that’s given to me, windy or not.

Sunday Morning Ride

Today was a great ride with the girls, Tracey and Julie. We left at 7am. Well, we gathered at 7am. I don’t live far from the meeting place and since we were close, one last rest stop was in order before hitting the road.

As we left, Tracey realized she had a flat. Better in the drive then out on the road. So that delayed our start by about 30 minutes.

It actually worked out well because that gave the sky a chance to clear a bit more and for it to warm up. By the time we hit the first climb it was time to shed the arm warmers. I was kicking myself for wearing tights instead of shorts with leg warmers. This time of year it’s so hard to predict.

The one thing that always bugs me riding is my nose and how stuffed up it gets. I know the “thing” to do is to blow “snot rockets“. But the learning curve isn’t the best on it so I’ve never done one. I usually carry tissues with me, when I remember, but that’s such a pain because they become damp from being in my sweaty back pocket.

So at a stop today I tried blowing one. To my surprise, I did really well! Now, the trick is to do it well on the bike, and in the back of the pack so you don’t spray others. (I know, really gross!) So I practiced a bit today on the bike, when it was appropriate to do so. I think I’ve got the hang of it and think I can successfully do this going forward. Now I’ll really be one of the guys. Hey, it beats the alternative!

Girls & Gears

Thursday night I went to a great event called Girls & Gears at Gorham Bike and Ski. When I arrive, by bike of course, the parking lot was full and there were many women in attendance.

I saw a few people I knew, but didn’t know they were going to be there, in addition to meeting some people that I’ve only emailed but hadn’t actually met, like Chess, a trainer and incredible athlete, that has been sending women my way for the women’s ride. I also met up with Tracey and Julie, once they arrived. Futhermore, I was able to hand out some business cards in an effort to promote the Women’s Ride.

In addition to free food, provided by Saco Island Deli, there was a wine tasting by the Old Port Wine Merchant, free massages, body scanning, test rides, and bike repair/maintenance clinics. They also had Karen Bliss, a representative from Fuji bikes and who used to race bikes, talk to women about women specific designed bikes/products.

At one point I was talking to Julie when I stopped because something had attracted my attention. For a split second I didn’t know what to think because my spare/commuter bike was coming through the door. I told the woman that was pushing it that I had never seen anyone else with my bike. It’s the exact same make/model as my bike. Even the rack looked like mine, except I have the drops on the sides for pannier bags, and I don’t have aero bars on mine. (A rear rack and aero bars are somewhat contradictory, don’t you think?)

I think the best part of the evening was listening to Karen Bliss, Marketing Director for Fuji bikes, talk about women’s specific designed bikes. It was worth shooting the video of her talking to the group:

I have to say, I was pretty impressed with the event. They drew in a big crowd and I really hope it becomes bigger and better every year. With the increase in women in cycling and triathlons I can’t see that it wouldn’t.

Sounds of the Bike

I rode by a walker this morning and as I did I shifted as I approached a red light. The walker said that my bike sounded great shifting. That got me thinking about sounds from the bike.

I become like the Pavlovian dogs when I hear pedals clicking in. What is it about that sound? I remember being at a light a couple years ago and was thinking I was too tired to ride that night. Then I heard a cyclist clip in when the light turned green. Hearing that sound make me wanna ride so I went home and did just that.

Bikes also make a certain whirring sound when you are riding in a group. I can’t describe it, but if you do any sizable group rides you know exactly what I mean.

Then, yes, there is the sound of shifting. It’s one of those things that you tune into and when you are riding behind a rider and they shift, up or down, you usually follow their lead and do the same. Not always, but often. Or at least I do.

Of course if you are really talented you could put all these sounds together, with a little background beat, and come up with a cool video like Rock Racing’s video.

Bicycle Musings

A Picture in My Head

Last night was a perfect day for the women’s ride. The temperature was around 70 degrees and the sun felt wonderful. On the way home, as we rode across the Falmouth Bridge, me in the back, the sun low in the sky, it’s reflection on the water and illuminating the brightly colored jerseys in front of me was a sight to behold. I wish I had taken a picture. It was the way a ride should end, on a very serene note.

Commuting

I have noticed that I don’t see many women commuting by bike on my travels to/from work. However, today I did see one. Though I can’t be sure she was commuting – she had a small back pack on but the might have just been out on a ride.

When you take the same route everyday, at approximately the same time, you tend to see the same people. There is one guy that I’ve seen a couple times this week. He doesn’t look to be commuting and my guess is that he’s just out riding early in the morning. There are other guys I see but this particular guy I recognize daily, he’s older and has gray facial hair.

There is also a guy that I see walking in the morning too. This morning his wife was out walking with him. To everyone I see, I always wave, say good morning, or both.

I also see the owner of European Bakery. I know it’s him/her by the license plate E Bakery, which I’ve recognized from the parking lot of European Bakery. (On a side note, European Bakery makes the best cakes in the Greater Portland area. They are outstanding! We are ordering one for our daughter’s graduation and that’s where our wedding cakes came from.)

I’ve shaved a bit of time off my morning commute these past couple days. Taking the Ibex helped, though I should be riding a bit more easy on my way in and home to avoid that Zone 3 Syndrome. Sometimes it just feels good to go harder. I also don’t use the panniers on the Ibex – I use a messenger bag. Tomorrow I’ll take the Scattantee and ride go easier.

May is a Month for Biking

May is a busy bike month for me.

First, it’s National Bike Month. National Bike Month also includes Commute Another Way Week, which ends with Bike to Work Day on the 16^th.

I typically bike to work 2-3 days a week anyway so far this season and this week I’ll be biking in every day. With the time change of the group rides from 5:30 to 6pm I have plenty of time to bike home casually and still make the group rides.

Secondly, this month was the start of the Women’s Only Ride that I’ve chosen to start and lead this summer. We’ve had a lot of interest and this ride should grow in popularity throughout the summer months.

Thirdly, it’s time for the first of the Grand Tours – the Giro d’Italia started Saturday. This will keep me glued to my computer for updates on the stages. Well, at least when I’m not out riding myself.

Finally, the first big ride of the season will take place on Memorial Day. The club will ride a few notches in the White Mountains for a total of about 85 miles.

Last year was my first year participating, and I’m really looking forward to it this year. Though my friend is a bit concerned about the lack of miles we’ve ridden so we might not be properly “prepared” for it. Even though I think we’ll be fine, I’m starting to agree with her. Not so much that we can’t ride the distance but it’s probably best not to ride it at a snail’s pace. It’s time to pack on some longer, faster miles in preparation for it.

Tonight was the CCCP Monday Night Ride. I had a chance to play with my new camera a bit. This is  Julie (one of our favorite spin instructors), Tracey and Jim, who all spin in the off season. Obviously Julie didn’t know she was being filmed. I look forward to the reaction from her when she sees this video:

Then I was able to catch a few other riders as they chatted prior to the ride. The pre-ride social is always fun.

I need to remember not to speak when recording video!

An Interesting Observation

Have you ever noticed that you might not see a particular car on the road until you have that car yourself? And then it seems you see that car all the time and it seems pretty popular.

That’s what it was like on our journey to visit my mother today. I was reading in the car when my husband drew my attention to a group of about 6 to 8 cyclists pedaling on the side of the road. Further up the road we saw a couple more cyclists out on a ride. Then on the way home we saw a group of three. We saw them all along Route 27 between Augusta and New Sharon.

Now, I’ve been traveling this section of road for years to go visit my mother. I’ve never seen many cyclists on that road, if any. My guess is that some of them were trying to get in some miles in preparation for the Trek. Still it was interesting, and good, to see.

Eventually I want to ride that route myself – Route 27 from Augusta to Farmington and pick up Route 4 into Phillips. It will be only a 50 mile ride and most of it has a nice wide shoulder and good roads. One day!