With a weather report that was calling for showers in the evening, I decided to just head out from home and get in my usual 32-mile route.
I decided to ride the route in the opposite direction for something new and exciting...
There is a lot more traffic on cty 9 at this time, but the winds pushed me along nicely.
Then I had to work extra hard on the return strech.
And it sure looked like rain was coming as I neared home.
But like most things, I was wrong. The rain held off for a few more hours.
Sun. 7/26/09
I got out later on Sunday for a 32 mile loop.
The winds were WNW and gusty, so I got a nice push to Dover.
But I paid the price on the northern and western stretches home.
Seems like I'm just not getting back into shape (or at least the shape I want to be in).
I'm really working to get enough miles in to make this year's Dawn to Dusk, but only time will tell if I make it...
The winds were WNW and gusty, so I got a nice push to Dover.
But I paid the price on the northern and western stretches home.
Seems like I'm just not getting back into shape (or at least the shape I want to be in).
I'm really working to get enough miles in to make this year's Dawn to Dusk, but only time will tell if I make it...
Sat. 7/25/09
I met the guys at Dunn Brothers South this morning for the standard Saturday ride.
We had 8 riders including: Jeff, Steve, Terry, Big Al, Jim T., Chris, Dan G., and myself.
With the stiff winds we decided to hang out on the Douglas trail to Pine Island. At PI, Steve noticed a buldge in his back tire, so we took the time to boot it before the tube popped.
As we were finishing up, Todd, Steve G., and Kristi rode up. We tried to talk Kristi into tagging along, but she didn't want to go as fast as the group was planning. But Todd and Steve G. hopped on.
We headed west to Roscoe and then we continued west until we got the cty 1, where we turned south and then east into Wasioja.
We contiued east and then we turned south into Mantorville, while Todd and Steve G headed east for home. After a quick water stop, we continued south and east past the golf course. By now I was starting to run out of gas, so I passed on my turns at the front or in the rotation.
We rolled into Byron and then we headed back into town on old 14, up radio hill and in past Country Club Manner. Jeff and Dan headed north for home, while Terry, Chris, and Al headed east into Rochester.
Jim T., Steve and I headed south for Dunn Brothers. Steve split for home and I headed past the fair grounds and continued east for home.
Over 76 miles at 19+ mph, no wonder I'm tired...
We had 8 riders including: Jeff, Steve, Terry, Big Al, Jim T., Chris, Dan G., and myself.
With the stiff winds we decided to hang out on the Douglas trail to Pine Island. At PI, Steve noticed a buldge in his back tire, so we took the time to boot it before the tube popped.
As we were finishing up, Todd, Steve G., and Kristi rode up. We tried to talk Kristi into tagging along, but she didn't want to go as fast as the group was planning. But Todd and Steve G. hopped on.
We headed west to Roscoe and then we continued west until we got the cty 1, where we turned south and then east into Wasioja.
We contiued east and then we turned south into Mantorville, while Todd and Steve G headed east for home. After a quick water stop, we continued south and east past the golf course. By now I was starting to run out of gas, so I passed on my turns at the front or in the rotation.
We rolled into Byron and then we headed back into town on old 14, up radio hill and in past Country Club Manner. Jeff and Dan headed north for home, while Terry, Chris, and Al headed east into Rochester.
Jim T., Steve and I headed south for Dunn Brothers. Steve split for home and I headed past the fair grounds and continued east for home.
Over 76 miles at 19+ mph, no wonder I'm tired...
Thur. 7/23/09
I decided I would do the same route as yesterday (minus the threat of rain).
As I made my way out, I passed Shaun and Larry as they were heading back into town.
I continued on my way thinking I was feeling real good tonight. After a quick stop in Dover for some water, I headed north out of Dover and that's when I noticed the nice WNW winds that had picked up.
So, from here out it was cross or headcross all the way home.
I tried to keep the pace high, just because I felt like going a little harder tonight.
And by the time I reached home, I was plenty tired.
As I made my way out, I passed Shaun and Larry as they were heading back into town.
I continued on my way thinking I was feeling real good tonight. After a quick stop in Dover for some water, I headed north out of Dover and that's when I noticed the nice WNW winds that had picked up.
So, from here out it was cross or headcross all the way home.
I tried to keep the pace high, just because I felt like going a little harder tonight.
And by the time I reached home, I was plenty tired.
Wed. 7/22/09
I looked like rain in the NW, so I decided to head out from my house and go east rather than drive up to the Erik's ride.
I made my way out on my usual 20 mile route to hwy 42, then I turned north and headed into Eyota.
From there I headed east again past the elementary school and up and over the rollers as I made my way on into Dover. At Dover I turned north on cty 10, crossed over hwy 14 and continued north up and over some more hills, until I got to cty 9.
I turned west on cty 9 only to see the dark clouds were now completely over Rochester. I decided right then I was going to get wet at some point, so I kept an eye on the oncoming traffic to see when the wiper blades were being used. To my surprise no wiper blades as I made my way back on cty 9.
So, I turned south on cty 11 and headed for home without getting wet.
But the sky looked pretty nasty to the west...
I made my way out on my usual 20 mile route to hwy 42, then I turned north and headed into Eyota.
From there I headed east again past the elementary school and up and over the rollers as I made my way on into Dover. At Dover I turned north on cty 10, crossed over hwy 14 and continued north up and over some more hills, until I got to cty 9.
I turned west on cty 9 only to see the dark clouds were now completely over Rochester. I decided right then I was going to get wet at some point, so I kept an eye on the oncoming traffic to see when the wiper blades were being used. To my surprise no wiper blades as I made my way back on cty 9.
So, I turned south on cty 11 and headed for home without getting wet.
But the sky looked pretty nasty to the west...
Sat. 7/18/09
I met up with Jeff and Steve for a nice easy mile day.
We started from Jeff's and were going to meet up with Big Jim on the road. We got a later than normal start (because Jeff couldn't get his garage door to close) and we took a bit of an alternater route to the Douglas Trail. And you guessed it, we missed Big Jim out on the road.
We tried calling his cell phone, but he had left it at home. We doubled back to Douglas, but no Big Jim. So we headed to Pine Island without Big Jim pulling us into the wind. :(
We continued north toward Roscoe and got tangled up in an organized ride, but they all turned toward Kenyon as we continued on to Zumbrota. We rolled through Zumbrota and then turned east for Mazeppa.
After a quick stop in Mazeppa, we continued east and then south (past the spot of my most recent fall) and then headed south for Oronoco.
We then rolled into Oronoco and on south back to Jeff's.
Big Jim had rolled on past our rendevous spot to hwy 63 and then backtracked to PI, Roscoe and then home.
Sorry we missed you, Big Jim.
We started from Jeff's and were going to meet up with Big Jim on the road. We got a later than normal start (because Jeff couldn't get his garage door to close) and we took a bit of an alternater route to the Douglas Trail. And you guessed it, we missed Big Jim out on the road.
We tried calling his cell phone, but he had left it at home. We doubled back to Douglas, but no Big Jim. So we headed to Pine Island without Big Jim pulling us into the wind. :(
We continued north toward Roscoe and got tangled up in an organized ride, but they all turned toward Kenyon as we continued on to Zumbrota. We rolled through Zumbrota and then turned east for Mazeppa.
After a quick stop in Mazeppa, we continued east and then south (past the spot of my most recent fall) and then headed south for Oronoco.
We then rolled into Oronoco and on south back to Jeff's.
Big Jim had rolled on past our rendevous spot to hwy 63 and then backtracked to PI, Roscoe and then home.
Sorry we missed you, Big Jim.
Wed. 7/15/09
I met the guys at Erik's for the regularly scheduled Wednesday night ride.
We rolled out right at 5:45pm and headed north on the Douglas trail.
As we turned west at Douglas and headed for Genoa hill, someone touched wheels and one rider went down. He looked mostly shock up and a little road rash on the left knee. His bike was OK, but Big Steve lost two spokes on his front wheel.
Big Jim took the broke wheel to his house and came backk with a spare.
The group had rolled ahead and we all got back together at the top of Genoa hill. Then we headed south until we got to cty 10 (I think) from there we headed into the stiff wind out of the west until we got to cty 11.
We headed north on cty 11 until we came to the river road. Big Jim turned north for more miles, while the rest of us headed to Pine Island.
After Big Jeff took the sprint and a quick rest stop, we headed back to cty 3 and made our way to Douglas. And then back on the trail to the shop.
It wasn't a bad evening (if you could take out the crash)...
We rolled out right at 5:45pm and headed north on the Douglas trail.
As we turned west at Douglas and headed for Genoa hill, someone touched wheels and one rider went down. He looked mostly shock up and a little road rash on the left knee. His bike was OK, but Big Steve lost two spokes on his front wheel.
Big Jim took the broke wheel to his house and came backk with a spare.
The group had rolled ahead and we all got back together at the top of Genoa hill. Then we headed south until we got to cty 10 (I think) from there we headed into the stiff wind out of the west until we got to cty 11.
We headed north on cty 11 until we came to the river road. Big Jim turned north for more miles, while the rest of us headed to Pine Island.
After Big Jeff took the sprint and a quick rest stop, we headed back to cty 3 and made our way to Douglas. And then back on the trail to the shop.
It wasn't a bad evening (if you could take out the crash)...
Tues. 7/14/09
I met up with Shawn and Larry on their favorite route.
We made our way to Chester, then north to cty 9. From there we followed cty 9 all the way to cty 7, where we turned south into Eyota.
We headed south and east past the school and then headed back west and south to cty 23. And from there back into town past the gun club.
I finished with about 25 miles on a very windy night.
We made our way to Chester, then north to cty 9. From there we followed cty 9 all the way to cty 7, where we turned south into Eyota.
We headed south and east past the school and then headed back west and south to cty 23. And from there back into town past the gun club.
I finished with about 25 miles on a very windy night.
Sat. 7/11/09
I got in a quick 20 miles on Thursday evening and I had a chance to chat with Shawn and Harry (I think that was his name) as they made their way back into town.
Today, I met the VeloRochester group at Dunn Brothers South for the 8:00am Saturday ride.
We had a great group, let's see if I can remember them all: Dr. Tim, Bruce, Jason, Tim B., Jim T., Dan G., Chris, Terry, Big Al, one other (I didn't catch his name), and Big Steve, Big Jim, Big Dave, and Big Jeff.
We headed for Millville, heading out of town past RCTC and then north on cty 11. As we turned east on 247 for Potsdam, Big Dave, Terry, and Jason headed back to ROchester as they had things to do this morning. We turned north out of Potsdam and had a nice steady pace all the way to the downhill run to Millville.
A brand new Millville bridge was waiting for us (there was still some gravel on the approach). We continued out of town to the west and headed for Hammond.
At Hammond we turned north again and made our way to hwy 60. Some nice climbs and rollers on this road. Then we turned west on 60 and headed into Zumbro Falls.
After a stop at the convience store, the grou split as Big Steve, Big Jim, Big Jeff, Bruce and the other un-named guy headed west to Mazeppa, while the rest of us headed south on 63 for Rochester. We each took some nice pulls as we made our way back.
I turned on 37th street and headed for home, while the others continued on into Rochester.
I got home with around 66 miles and some very tired legs.
Thanks to all guys that pulled me back up to the group (numerous times)...
Today, I met the VeloRochester group at Dunn Brothers South for the 8:00am Saturday ride.
We had a great group, let's see if I can remember them all: Dr. Tim, Bruce, Jason, Tim B., Jim T., Dan G., Chris, Terry, Big Al, one other (I didn't catch his name), and Big Steve, Big Jim, Big Dave, and Big Jeff.
We headed for Millville, heading out of town past RCTC and then north on cty 11. As we turned east on 247 for Potsdam, Big Dave, Terry, and Jason headed back to ROchester as they had things to do this morning. We turned north out of Potsdam and had a nice steady pace all the way to the downhill run to Millville.
A brand new Millville bridge was waiting for us (there was still some gravel on the approach). We continued out of town to the west and headed for Hammond.
At Hammond we turned north again and made our way to hwy 60. Some nice climbs and rollers on this road. Then we turned west on 60 and headed into Zumbro Falls.
After a stop at the convience store, the grou split as Big Steve, Big Jim, Big Jeff, Bruce and the other un-named guy headed west to Mazeppa, while the rest of us headed south on 63 for Rochester. We each took some nice pulls as we made our way back.
I turned on 37th street and headed for home, while the others continued on into Rochester.
I got home with around 66 miles and some very tired legs.
Thanks to all guys that pulled me back up to the group (numerous times)...
Wed. 07/01/09
Oh Hells Bells, Rat Farts, and Monkey Noodles!
It's been 6 months since I had my last fall (in case you missed it, I broke both the fibula and tibia just above the ankle and now I have a cool looking scar and a 4 inch piece of titanimum and 5 screws in my right leg).
Anyway, last night was the Erik's ride and things were going along nicely until just after Mazeppa where Big Steve and I were leading around a corner onto some newly paved roadrway, when I crossed the freshly-painted white line and hit a patch of the loose sparkly gravel-dust. Well the next thing I know I'm on the ground and Big Tom is standing over me checking out my shoulder. I don't think I was out, but I really don't remember anything about the fall.
My right side is a series of cuts and scraps, with my shoulder, hip, and head taking the brunt of it. My new helmet is cracked in two places, so off to find another...
Jeff straightened my brake levels and we got rolling along again (before I stiffened up too much). It's funny, but I can't remember the ride from Mazeppa to the turn on hwy 63. Not even the big climb out of the valley.
Anyway, we rolled along back into town without a problem and I only started to feel sore and stiff as we turned of of 37th street and headed north and then west back to erik's on 41st street.
Kathy is getting real good a patching me up. Maybe she should think of a career in nursing.
No Spam Jam ride for me, I guess...not that I was in shape for it.
Now I have to go out in the garage and give the bike the once over. I hope nothing is broke there (or the wife is going to kill me).
It's been 6 months since I had my last fall (in case you missed it, I broke both the fibula and tibia just above the ankle and now I have a cool looking scar and a 4 inch piece of titanimum and 5 screws in my right leg).
Anyway, last night was the Erik's ride and things were going along nicely until just after Mazeppa where Big Steve and I were leading around a corner onto some newly paved roadrway, when I crossed the freshly-painted white line and hit a patch of the loose sparkly gravel-dust. Well the next thing I know I'm on the ground and Big Tom is standing over me checking out my shoulder. I don't think I was out, but I really don't remember anything about the fall.
My right side is a series of cuts and scraps, with my shoulder, hip, and head taking the brunt of it. My new helmet is cracked in two places, so off to find another...
Jeff straightened my brake levels and we got rolling along again (before I stiffened up too much). It's funny, but I can't remember the ride from Mazeppa to the turn on hwy 63. Not even the big climb out of the valley.
Anyway, we rolled along back into town without a problem and I only started to feel sore and stiff as we turned of of 37th street and headed north and then west back to erik's on 41st street.
Kathy is getting real good a patching me up. Maybe she should think of a career in nursing.
No Spam Jam ride for me, I guess...not that I was in shape for it.
Now I have to go out in the garage and give the bike the once over. I hope nothing is broke there (or the wife is going to kill me).
Tues. 6/30/09
Well, last weekend was not a good weekend for riding (for me at least). Saturday looked like rain at any minute with 20+ mph winds, while Sunday looked better there was still plenty of wind. Plus my list of household duties had gotten quite large, so I tackled some of those items.
Anyway, last week I got in a couple of weekday rides. Mostly, my 20 mile out and back loop. But I did stretch one day to Dover and back.
This week, I've managed to get out on Monday and Tuesday evening for a quick 20 miler. I even added the cty 11 hill climb to the end of the 20 miler to stretch things out.
Recently, I've been really concentrating on spinning with my right leg. It needs some strength back in a big way. It seems that I really rely on my left leg to keep me moving and if I'm ever going to feel better than 80% on the bike, I need to get the right leg to help out a little...
Problem is that the next day my right ankle is pretty stiff and sore from the workout. But I'll keep working through it and hope that the soreness gets less and less each day.
Anyway, last week I got in a couple of weekday rides. Mostly, my 20 mile out and back loop. But I did stretch one day to Dover and back.
This week, I've managed to get out on Monday and Tuesday evening for a quick 20 miler. I even added the cty 11 hill climb to the end of the 20 miler to stretch things out.
Recently, I've been really concentrating on spinning with my right leg. It needs some strength back in a big way. It seems that I really rely on my left leg to keep me moving and if I'm ever going to feel better than 80% on the bike, I need to get the right leg to help out a little...
Problem is that the next day my right ankle is pretty stiff and sore from the workout. But I'll keep working through it and hope that the soreness gets less and less each day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Where You At???
About Me
|
| Subscribe to the new Silver Cycling Club group email |
| Visit Silver Cycling |
| Subscribe to the Velo Rochester Cycling Club group email |
| Visit VeloRochester |