My Most Recent Ride 2012 (Part V in a series)

Another metric century this weekend with 1800m of climbing, which is more than enough for my legs ! As if that wasn't bad enough I got a puncture and no sooner did I fix it than the heavens opened and I got completely soaked
Still back home nice and warm now, with dinner to look forward to

 

Well, at least it waited until you were done fixing the puncture, right Adrian?

The evening of the 22nd, my right knee went pop and I launched myself off the couch with a screech of pain. I spent the rest of the evening with it carefully propped straight on the couch and hopping when I had to move around.

Yesterday was coddle the knee day and much to my dismay, it was GORGEOUS out. Clear skies, no wind with a nice temp around 50 F. I stared mournfully out the window from my place on the sofa as I kept myself dosed with anti-inflammatories and topical pain gel. What made it worse was the fact rain was forecasted for the next 5 or 6 days.

So, imagine my joy when the day dawned clear and my knee back to normal. It would have been a perfect morning except Loke needs to go to the vet.. AGAIN.

So, I took the trike out with the intention of running us around the River Loop with a stop at the animal clinic to make an appointment.

For once, the sky didn't begin clouding as soon as I started getting ready. I got to ride under bright blue skies with a unveiled SUN. A glorious day to be out and I didn't even need a wool layer. In spite of the perfect weather, I kept it short for both our sakes. I shouldn't abuse my knee that much after the pain attack and while Loke isn't limping, I was unwilling to aggravate the small wound he has on the underside of his foot between the pads.

Still felt great to have such nice weather for the first time in ages and be out in it!

Terii

 

Well done Jon, well done. Makes me want to go out and grab a few for myself.
The Dragon is healed and sits resting comfortably while I tend to my lady's needs. The day is approaching though.

 

I'm a noob here...and I've spent this rainy, stormy evening reading through these ride narratives. I'm loving what I'm reading! If these storms move through, I'll be out in the morning!

 

That the purpose of these stories. To get YOU (the reader) motivated to go out and ride. Doesn't matter how far. Doesn't matter how fast. Just get out and enjoy the day on your bent. HAVE FUN!!!!

That is also the purpose of this website! To motivate you to ride and to connect with other recumbent riders. Maybe even ride together with a new RRI friend!

 

Well, here goes. My first ride report.

After a pretty stormy night, I took off from the house about 830 this morning. I'm fortunate to live just 2/10th of a mile from the Monon Greenway in Indianapolis, so just a quick spin down my street and I'm on the trail.

I first made a loop through Central Park in Hamilton County. It was a treat to see 2 Great Blue Herons stalking the edge of the lake, as well as a family of Killdeer running along the side of the greenway through the park.

I decided to go north on the Mono today, so I rode up to the town of Carmel (Here, we pronounce it like CARmul) which is always a lovely ride. At the 5 mile mark I took a break at the Japanese garden, which is beautiful with all the Blooming trees. There were a couple of red-eared sliders (turtles) just pulling themselves up out of the pond to sunbathe, and the Koi were feeding around the edge of the pond.

I headed north from here, through the tunnel and turned around at the Arts and Design District and headed back south. I kind of had to pick and weave through some fallen branches, but it wasn't too bad.

Headed south, I went down the tunnel, then up and over the overpass. I've found climbing isn't quite as easy on the 'bent as on my regular bike, but I made it.

I came back to Central Park, and took the back loop, around the other side of the lake. Since I am just starting to ride I was starting to get a bit winded at this point, but not too bad, but I did want to stop and take a bit of a break. I saw a lady walking a dog towards me, and it was a Basenji, the breed I used to raise and show. Gave me the perfect chance to just stop and pet a dog and visit for a couple of minutes before taking the final spin home.

I cut across College Avenue, through a housing addition, and then I was home. Good ride, averaged 9.8 MPH. Not a speed demon, but I got some good exercise and fresh air, and that's the whole point, right?

I got into my house and my cats IMMEDIATELY knew I had been petting a dog. They were not happy.

And that's my first ride report!

 

Thanks for that, Rick!

Makes me itch to go ride especially on this glorious day, but have to coddle Loke's feet still. Another round of infection and this time he might need a toenail removed. Maybe I'll get a chance to ride this long weekend while my husband is home to keep Loke's trike separation anxiety in check.

Terii

 

I rode today with Buddy and Paul in Mosheim Tennessee. Never rode there before. Lots of hills! All of the riders except Buddy, Paul and myself were on DF bikes. We rode about 24 miles today. I had a lot of fun on my Strada.

After 5 miles I followed the two fastest guys in the pack. The second guy dropped back, then I moved up to the first guy. When he got tired, I asked if he was done. When he looked at me, I said, "OK follow me" but I lost him in 30 seconds.

Had a great ride with new friends. Buddy, thanks for sending out the invitation. Beautiful day. New friends.
Had a great time. Thanks!!!! Buddy!!!

 

A very wet and cold 36 miles today. out on the GTT tandem into Central London to join 10,000 other cyclists campaigning for better/safer cycling provision in London. This comes a few days ahead of our elections for London Mayor, so far most of the candidates have pledged to improve things, with two of the candidates joining the ride themselves. Mind you once voted in, who knows what they will do !

Found a photo of us on a twitter feed, I'm on the front looking none to happy !

http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23thebigride/slideshow/photos?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyfrog.com%2Fkhih7bgj

In my defence, it was a bit cold and damp and we had to hang around a long time in the rain before the thing got going !

Adrian

 

Ha, how True, sound like most of our politicians around here....

 

Most, I'm sure their promises are just wind to get the votes. A very tiny few, I'm sure intend to do what they promise, but then have to spend the entirety of their terms arguing with the opposing party (or even their own) to so much as buy a paper clip let alone do something meaningful.

Loke and I went out for a ride yesterday. It was glorious out! Mostly clear skies, bright sparkling sun. I wore all all black cycling clothes and between that and the sun, the temp was perfect with no under layers. The heat absorbing ability of the black was just what was needed to counter the blasting wind. Bad enough, Loke went parts of the way with his head down and face turned just like on the snow storm ride a while back.

It was just a leisurely 6.2 miles or so. I'm not about to abuse Loke's foot, so I made it no rush. Took about an hour and a half with part of it stopping to talk with one of our neighbors who has a tiny little Chihuahua/Chinese Crested cross who is the sweetest little dog in the world.

Other than that, the ride was uneventful. Even with two small wounds on the underside of one foot and the scary looking toenail, Loke went along just fine. Not a single limp even when he went on a rocky shoulder.

I really need to get out and ride somewhere new. I'm starting to get the 'hamster in a wheel' mindset. Just seems so hard to convince myself to do it without my pace setter with me to keep me from tearing up my knees.

Terii

 

I managed a decent ride this afternoon before the winds got to bad ahead of the storms. Headed over to the Monon, then up for a spin around central park, where I found they've opened the recently paved spur up to 116th street. This one is a TREAT to ride...nice winding trail through the Woods (paved) with some really nice sweeping curves. GREAT fun. The weather was 71 degrees but the humidity was just "hanging" in the air....I rode up to 116th street, turned around, came back down the spur...downhill this time, and, man, I love those long, sweeping curves. Swung over to Westfield Blvd, then back through the park around the lake, and back home.

Had a really great ride, my average speed is up just a bit (which surprised me because the wind was strong and gusty) and I think I've finally got the seat adjusted so it doesn't cause me groin pain. Or maybe I'm just getting used to a 'bent. Probably a combination of both!

 

So how far did you go?

 

Jon, I went 9.7 miles. I wish I would've checked...I would've went the extra 3/10th. OH well, there's always tomorrow, weather permitting.