My Most Recent Ride 2013 (Part VI in a series)

Jon, you arn't that far behind me this year. Way to go! Terii, I'm pulling for you to get that 50 miles in.

 

Thanks, Ward! I actually managed to drag myself out for a ride today.

I'm still fighting with a cold or multiple ones. Today dawned absolutely gloriously clear for the first time in over a week or maybe as much as two. Coughing, wheezing and all, I was determined to go out even if just for a river loop with as little exertion as possible. Loke needs it and I'm turning into a lump while waiting on getting healthy.

It's still very warm here for this time of year. 43 F when we woke up and 40 F when Loke and I went out. He was half crazed with joy to be out and running with his favorite toy even if it was just locally. I had several layers on, foot warmers and shoe-covers. I didn't really need the foot warmers.

A month and a half of rain, rain and more rain with even MORE clouds, it was a huge mood boost to get out into the SUN even if it was a little hard to breathe while doing the short, local climbs.

It was good for us both even if Loke was a bit limpy in the hind end. 4 miles leaving 46 for the year. Easy if I can just shake this cold!

Terii

 

No riding these days. 27 degrees right now. Brrrrr.

 

Heh. Much colder there than we've had since before last spring's thaw.

Terii

 

Another 9.98 miles under the trike's wheels leaving roughly 31 miles to comfortably tip over 1000.

3.6-ish mile ride with Loke, cut short because he started limping badly on 3 or maybe all legs around mile 2. Had to nurse him home. Of course, once he was home, he was bounding around after his kibble ball without a hint of discomfort.

In spite of feeling completely wrecked after yesterdays' cleaning fest followed by lugging 6 washer loads of laundry back and forth, I went out for a solo ride. Just a smidge under 6.4 miles as I aimed to do the full River Loop which has been a long while. With the wind and my body hurting from yesterday, I cut the out-n-back by the river short by about half and just slogged for home.

Coming down the one high hill on the route, passed an old man on a bike with his old black lab (lots of gray on the muzzle) running beside him. He apparently decided his owners pokey pace wasn't as fun as mine, so he started running with me as I skimmed down the slope.

Gray, but at least no rain. Chill around 48 F and fairly windy. Now I'm going to curl up with pain relievers and watch TV until they kick in.

Terii

 

Off work at a decent time! the VKHi was already loaded and ready to go I just had to air up the tires.

Seventy degrees bright sunny and breezy. I went out to ride one of my harder loops with some pretty tough climbs. The VKHi is the first bent I have had with no granny gear. I am running a tradition 53/39 double on the front with an 11-32 on the back. This ride had one climb in particular that hits 11 percent and I was very worried that I might have to do a bit of walking.

I blasted out of the gate for a PR on a rolling downhill segment with a 9th overall on Strava. However, I burned a few matched that I would need later on some long sustained climbs and my speed on the Ring of Fire suffered. My fitness level is down considerably and my speed was .5 mph slower than my best run on the Cheetah.

Returning those rollers (now uphill) were brutal. My calves and my inner quads were all trying to cramp. I drug myself in as slowly as possible just wanted to make it back to the car.

I need to pick it back up. :
http://app.strava.com/activities/95890461

 

Rode for first time in 2 weeks. Cold weather and work got in my way. Even though my desk is piled high with work, after my 1:00 PM conference ended I changed clothes and headed out.

Beautiful day. Sunny and 63 degrees.

I was going to ride easy since I had not ridden in a while. Well I was at the top of the parking lot getting ready to get started when a Greenspeed trike zipped by me and waved.

Hmmmm.

Rational brain said "Let it go. You haven't ridden in a while and you need to warm up first."

Greyhound brain said "Let's go!!!"

Greyhound brain won. Got up to 18 MPH and slowly catching up. We got to a long straight slight downhill portion. I could see the trike accelerate. He had a rear view mirror so I am sure he saw me coming.

Clicked up to my big chain ring, click down to my lowest cog and started pumping. Half way through the straight I passed him going 25 MPH. I rang my bell, waved and moved ahead.

Each lap the trike got further and further behind. Then he went home.

Fun but sore legs. Nothing like Wards. So I am going riding again today. This time I plan to warm up first.

 

Rode today. Turned into a popsicle and quit. Only 10.1 miles. Brrrr.

Today I was the rabbit and a DF greyhound drafted me for a lap. I couldn't shake them. Oh well....

 

Sometimes the dog wags the tail.....sometimes the tail wags the dog.

 

Greene county 11-22-2013

We had a great day. The Greenway Lightfoot has a 35cc Honda engine so keeping up was no problem. I stay back a ways or ride way ahead so the engine will not be heard. The Honda engine is very quiet except when going up a steep grade. Most of the time it is at idle and barely audible. This machine with Staton gear-box, is faster than our strongest riders and and will climb the steepest grade.

 

Sounds like the shepherd leading the flock or holding back as he sweeps up the slow or lost ones.

Or Peter Pan leading the Lost Boys.

Or maybe the Pied Piper.

A great leader is also a great follower. Either way, maybe someday you can convert your flock to using a real bicycle.

BTW, who shot the picture?

 

Dennis shot the picture with Vic's smart phone. They put everything on Face Book, so I don't mind giving names etc. I don't do FB, but they send notices to me. They are all educated to recumbents and Crank Forward as well as gas and electric. That's my job. They know what's available when the pain becomes intolerable and they want to put fun back in the ride. Jon brought the Strada up and rode with us and Paul has ridden with us with his Catrike. They remember Dave and his RANS Rocket. This group rides a schedule that includes most days and the number of riders swells to over 20 at times. They welcome all riders. The schedule is online at Greeneville Hiking Biking Club.

 

Well the weather and work have caught up to me. Haven't ridden since November 20th. Too cold for me. Been on the treadmill at home getting some exercise but it is just not the same!!!

For the next 3 days we are to have monsoon rains.

Can't wait for a weather turn around.

BTW I want to take my hat off to AD. He is a co-founder of RRI. He retired this year and man he must do nothing but ride. In the last 6 months he has ridden 1460 miles. WOW!!! He will be a leader of this pack next year with that type of performance.

Go AD!!!!!

 

Rode each day this week

This group and I rode each day this week. Weather was nice, but it did get too warm on Thursday as dressed. Had to remove wind breakers on second leg of 20 mile ride. Have stood down this morning due to rain and thunder, but may get a ride in later in the day. Scheduled for a thirty mile ride, but that is not likely to happen. We are doing ok with temps in the 30's.

 

Glad you are getting out Buddy. It's been a while since I got out and now I have a bad crud.