My Most Recent Ride 2008 (Part I of series)

Re: My Most Recent Ride

It is no secret that I detest trainers simply because they are boring.
Now that I’m convinced that interval training will give the same
Desired results that long slow distance produces, the trainer is now
Much less hated. Tennessee temperatures are now in the 70’s. Mute
Point here.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

I haven't been around in a while, but Karen and I rode the Alcoa/Maryville greenway yesterday. Especially toward the south end, it had lots of walkers, runners, rollerbladers, and kids on scooters. The weather was very pleasant, though.

We're hoping to ride some on the Silver Comet in Georgia next weekend. We were down there to scout last weekend and wound up renting rides from the fine folks at the Silver Comet Depot. Karen tried out a TerraTrike Path and when we got back to the store, we bought her one. We hope they'll have it ready next weekend so we can go down and pick it up and ride more of the trail. We covered the first 8 miles or so with our rentals.

Which brings up a question we have. One of our favorite rides is the Virginia Creeper trail in Virginia. I know that others here have ridden the Creeper. Has anyone done it on a trike? Are there things to be concerned about when riding the Creeper on a trike? Any experience you care to share will be appreciated.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

Buddy is a local trike Creeper expert. He can expound on it, but I doubt it'll be positive.

Some of it can be a little rocky and rooty and bumpy. I ride a Rocket, so my teeth feel rattled by day's end.

Most of the Creeper is wide enough for all three wheels to be in the clear. Biggest problem is that occasionally, especially on the western half, it can be single track or non-consistently-spaced double track. So at least one wheel is off the riding surface.

I know someone who went there yesterday (Saturday) and the trail was often damp and crowded (believe it or not!) between Abingdon and Damascus. Shuttles were not running to Whitetop due to the remainder of several inches of snow earlier in the week.

If even the least bit damp, a clean bike can come home a real mess from mud and coal dust. Don't get me wrong. The VCT is one of the best unpaved rail trails you'll ever find, and I've ridden it dozens of times. But personally, I wouldn't take a brand new cycle there.

Finally, ride assuming that once out of Abingdon you will have zero cell phone service. Pack accordingly.

Dave "The Breeze"

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

tom,

if you head south early you can make the wheels of Fire ride in Harris County, Ga. http://www.harriscountychamber.org/CycleTour/

Not too far south of Atlanta, its probably the best supported ride have ever been on. It raises money for the fire department and most of the rest stops are at firehouses. The police are out in force and help with the few intersections that have traffic. Last year it actually snowed and snowed hard. When I got to the ridgeline there was a deputy sheriff and he escorted myself and another rider accross with his lights flashing. Weather looks better this year, high of 60 with 30% chance of rain.

lots of climbing on the ride so if you want nice and flat stick with the SCT.

have fun and stay dry

Ward

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

All of what Dave said plus I really had a rough ride with the new Catrike Road.
This was in 2005 coming out of Abingdon. Then dodging mud holes and cow pies.
Not any fun as I look back on it. Then on into Alvarado lots of large rocks and
Rough trail. Past Alvarado more rocks and then lots of single track on into
Damascus. One wheel up on the turf and the rear wheel and right wheel in the
Track. Slow grinding ride. No momentum at all.

Damascus up through the National Forrest is an ok ride. Lots of single track again
at the beaver dams. On past the last cross road where the final grind starts, I recall
more big rocks and ruts. Would never put another trike on the Creeper.

Didn’t have any problems on the Silver Comet.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

Dave and Buddy,

Thanks for the information about trike riding on the VC. Karen is thinking she'll hang onto her DF for those occasions and ride her trike elsewhere. She kinda thought it might be as you all describe.

For riding on paved trails, though, she's really excited about the trike. She wasn't even aware of how much tension she gets in her shoulders when riding her Townie until she had an extended ride on the recumbent trike and discovered how she stays relaxed.

Ward, thanks for the heads up about the Wheels of Fire ride. It sounds like a lot of fun. We'll probably just stick with the SCT this time, though, since we'll still be acclimatizing to a new ride and all.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

I think it's great that your wife is looking into a trike, Tom. I have a Trice QNT and I just love the whole trike thing as well as it being a 'bent. One really nice thing about a trike for me is that the husky can't pull me over. The other being that if my knees need a break going up a hill, I can just stop and relax.

It seems that Mother Nature and my own head are conspiring against me. Sunday, my hubby and I went and checked over a couple of my routes. Quite a few of the paths are clear and all of the roads. I was so pumped and mapped out a way around the icy sections and was going to bolt out the door Monday morning to attempt my 14 mile loop.

Woke up Monday excited at the idea of getting out for a ride with the dog since it was mostly clear and above freezing. As I was dragging my winter gear on, a migrane slammed into me like a freight train. It stuck with me all day.

Woke up this morning and no migrane, but it's been snowing and supposed to keep on going all day. We already have 3 inches. Now I get to wait for all that to melt.

The trainer makes things easier as it gives me a way to regain stamina, but I still miss getting out and seeing the countryside. I've done 45 minutes and planning get at least 2 hours.

Anyone get out today?

Terii

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

I'm sorry you missed your opportunity, Terii. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your snow to let up soon.

I'm hoping to ride to work here in the next hour or so. We're having a heat wave at the moment in East Tennessee. My thermometer this morning reads 56 degrees and the forecast for Oak Ridge calls for 78 this afternoon. Then it's supposed to rain tomorrow and turn colder for the rest of the week.

If I make it to work and home again today (about 10 miles each way), it'll be my first time this year to ride two days in a row. I did that regularly last summer, but apparently I lost a lot of stamina over the winter. I haven't been using a trainer, and I can tell. I may have to look into getting one for next year. We have a treadmill which I can get myself to use sometimes, so I have an idea how unmotivating an indoor static trainer is likely to be.

Karen and I both are pretty excited about her getting the trike. One of the biggest benefits that I foresee is longer rides together. When we both rode uprights, our limiting factor was how long our butts could hold out. Now on my 'bent bike, mine is fine for much longer but hers still gets tired as she's still riding an upright. With the recumbent trike, she feels confident she'll be able and want to go further.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

I have a trainer for my bent, so I guess you could say that right now my trike is exactly what my husband called it, an armchair with pedals. Now every day that I'm going to cycle, I go rent a movie, plop myself down and pedal. I decided that I won't watch TV at all between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm unless I'm pedaling while I do it. Of course, it's only workable since I'm currently a stay-at-home spouse, but it does help with the motivation factor.

Also the idea that when the snow and ice finally _do_ clear, I'll be able to start out the door at 15 mile rides instead of 5 miles is a huge motivator for me. I really wasn't looking forward to doing the river loop for a week, followed by the riverloop with extention for the next one or two. I think I'll be able to do the riverloop with extention with the dog and then head out again for the old mill and burial mounds loop.

I have to completely agree on the seat thing. I've always been crazy for cycling, but even when my back was strong and I could ride a DF, 30 miles was about my limit before my butt decided it had enough. With my 'bent, I've done almost 60 miles for my longest trip. Got a little numb, but no more than I would sitting in a chair at home in one position for too long.

Oh! Have to share this with everyone as well. My husband might be coming around to the 'bent thing. He's started going to the gym. When he goes for cardio, he's taken to using the 'bent cycle trainer. I've noticed him eyeing my trike in a considering fashion a few times as well.

Terii

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

Way to go Terii. Getting another bent convert from DF!!

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

For all you RRI members itching to get back to riding, I took my Flip digital video recorder with me yesterday as I rode one of my favorite Knoxville rides.

Click here if you want to see it. It is 18 minutes long, but you don't have to watch the whole thing if you want. However, you will get to see some beautiful landscape throughout the movie.

I am on ADSL and the movie paused to buffer the pictures. I would let it buffer for about 3 minutes before starting it. If you are on cable, you should be fine.

Enjoy!!!

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

Great VID, Jon, what was your average speed during the trip? Would like to ride, but not sure I could keep up. I enjoyed alot. Thanks and keep up the good work. Mike. Lamewolf, handcrank recumbent.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

Nice video, Jon. Thanks for posting it. Now I want to go ride the greenways you showed. Knoxville Greenways and parks should pay you for advertising for them.

Hey, Mike, good to see you on here. I'm the guy who bought Bill Gillette's red Django last fall through you and Doc. When I saw you on the Emory Valley greenway in Oak Ridge a few months back, you were cranking along at a pretty good clip until I hollered hi and made you stop.

I hope life is treating you well.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

Mike,

I have an open invitation to anyone who wants to join me at lunch Monday through Friday in Knoxville. I will be happy to tailor the ride to your level. No need to ask. I rather ride with friends than ride fast. (And I don't ride all that fast!!!) Average speed was only 12 MPH and I rode 16 miles that day.

I ride lots of short slow rides often which is why I ride 1800 miles a year. Very few of these miles are long or fast!!!!

Email me and I will be happy to ride with you. I have ridden with lots of other people and everyone seems to enjoy it. I have plenty of places to stop and rest and EAT!!!!!

So come join me!!! (Others who have ridden with me, give me a shout out so newbies feel comfortable.) I love the company!!!

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride

I will ride with anyone at any riding level (unless they are hammer heads who will leave me). Just email me here at RRI and we will hook up and have fun riding. I have 5 different rides I ride often (40 times a year) and would be happy to share any of them to RRI friends.

Hope to ride with you soon!!!