Sunday, November 18, 2007

Easy Saturday Spin

Did a 40-miler with Mike and Bob on Saturday. The usual Brands route up Round Swamp Rd., LIE service road, and back to Brands. Very easy pace, a little windy on the way back, too.

Sunday AM ride was a longshot since we were out late on Saturday night. Also, some errands to run and work to do for Monday, so I skipped it. Too bad, as it turned out to be a bit warmer, after all.

I have been reading Pyzahl's reports from Trevor's rides. There is a slower group doing the same route. I'm thinking about joining them after Thanksgiving. Also, possibly will meet up with Pyzahl for RP2IB ride if possible. Another good ride with tough hills at the end, but generally with a smaller group. As a bonus, there is a Bakery at the end!

Will be away from Thursday to Saturday for the holiday. Not sure what riding plans will develop yet.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Winter Weather is Here

After trading some e-mails with Mike and Bob during the week, we had tentative plans for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was wet due to leftover rain from Friday night. I went to Brands at 7:00am but there were no other takers. I did a solo 24 miles up to the LIE and back. I rode the rain bike, along with a rain jacket, think it might turn into a wet ride. The roads were wet but only got a little dizzle the last five miles of the ride.

Sunday, we met up at Brands earlier than usual (6:30am) as some of the guys had other commitments for the day. It was a cold one, 35F at the start. Everyone broke out the cold weather gear for this one. For me it was: full shoe covers, balaclava in head/ears configuration, ski gloves, AMFib bib tights, and winter riding jacket. I thought I might be a little over-dressed, since I wear this outfit down to 20F, but it worked out well. We rode at an easy pace and overheating was not a problem at all. We kept the group together and, as the sun came up, got to enjoy the remnants of the LI fall foliage. On the return leg, Bob had a mechanical when his front derailleur cable slipped out of the bolt but it was not dragging and he was able to ride it in with no problems. Nice tailwind on the way home, too!

I'm off from work on Monday too but no riding plans at this point.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Another "Light" Riding Week

Skipped ride on Saturday morning due to a late night out for dinner on Friday night and some dreary weather on Saturday morning.

Since it was a whole week with no ride, I was not really up for a "sufferfest" at Trevor's ride so I headed to Brands to meet Mike and Bob for an easier pace. That didn't quite work out as I had some time constraints and we were a little late starting out. I did solo 40 miles up the LIE service road and back. A total of only 95 miles for the past two weekends! Not good.

I think I will try to hit the trainer this week and prepare myself for Trevor's, next weekend. Part of the problem is that it starts one hour later than EB, so its a long day when coming from Nassau county. :-(