Netta
Cathlete
Today will be an active rest day for me as my legs are sore from yesterday's organized bike ride. I ended up riding the century (98 plus miles). There was road construction for a short section so they shuttled all of the riders in pickups past the worst section (no pavement), thus why the # of miles was less than 100.
The ride was in Fall River Mills, California and absolutely my favorite organized bike ride. I've done modified routes (shortened) 3 times previous on this particular ride as it is always hot and the group I usually ride with never wanted to do a longer ride. However, this time I rode with 2 guy friends and they DID want to do the century. I've been wanting to do it, so this was my chance and the weather was predicted to be around 93 degrees.
I carpooled over the day before (Friday), set up my tent at the Fairgrounds under some nice shady trees on cool, lush grass, met up with another rider and the 3 of us had a nice dinner, tall beer, and walked thru the exhibits at a street fair. It was very nice and relaxing. Back to the Fairgrounds, filled water bottles, my Camelbak and in bed around 9:30, slept okay.
Up at 5:00 a.m. as we wanted to depart at 6:00ish to beat some of the heat. The beginning of the ride is my favorite part, there are mint fields, wild rice fields and fantastic views of Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen and Burney Mtns. And the smells... That's one of the nice things about cycling, you smell so many things on the road (good and bad). I stopped early to take off my jacket and one of our riders (he's aged 65, but been training very hard, he's awesome) kept going as he figured we'd catch him. We did eventually, but it took some work and the guy I was riding with is a VERY strong rider. I stayed on his wheel but in the back of my mind, I was afraid of going too fast, too early and then burning out later on.
There are a few big climbs on this ride and after the first big climb, I wondered if my legs were not quite recovered from this week's time trial on Tuesday, where I really pushed in the wind. I was getting that very slight burning in my legs on the hills and hoping I hadn't overdone it, but turns out I was okay for the rest of the ride. We made great time, easily climbed the 2nd big hill and after a nice long downhill, hit the lunch stop in Fall River Mills around 10:30 a.m. After that, we were on the Lassen Bench climb (very hot part of the ride) at around noon.
After the "bench", it was in to the town of Day (10 miles) for a cool indoor rest stop and they handed out frozen neck coolers for you to wear on the way back. They were very refreshing while they lasted. As we entered the town with the finish line, I got those lousy thigh cramps in my right leg and then my left leg. These are pesky and a sign of fatigue, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, any or all of the above. But I was done, so it was all good. Time at finish was 2:00 p.m.
I absolutely love this ride, it was all the challenge I wanted, most of the roads had a very smooth surface, and the rest stops/lunch stop/spaghetti dinner were top notch. And scenery, well you just can't beat it for this part of northeastern California.
Final stats:
Total miles: 98.5
Total ride time: 6 hours 4 minutes
Average Speed: 16.0
Max Speed: 40 mph
Elevaton Gain: 3,900'
Back when I started riding in 2001, this was my very first organized ride. I did the 25 mile option and NO WAY could I even fathom doing the 62 mile route, let alone doing the 100 mile route. But hey, I can and if I can, anyone can. On these organized rides, you see lots of folks, young and old (mostly 30 year olds on up to 70's). And you see lots of folks that don't look as fit as you and those that look very fit. As in other sports, most are very friendly and out there enjoying the day and their health.
Well, must get going now. My hamstrings are pretty tight so may pop in a yoga later if I get the chance.
Jeanette
The ride was in Fall River Mills, California and absolutely my favorite organized bike ride. I've done modified routes (shortened) 3 times previous on this particular ride as it is always hot and the group I usually ride with never wanted to do a longer ride. However, this time I rode with 2 guy friends and they DID want to do the century. I've been wanting to do it, so this was my chance and the weather was predicted to be around 93 degrees.
I carpooled over the day before (Friday), set up my tent at the Fairgrounds under some nice shady trees on cool, lush grass, met up with another rider and the 3 of us had a nice dinner, tall beer, and walked thru the exhibits at a street fair. It was very nice and relaxing. Back to the Fairgrounds, filled water bottles, my Camelbak and in bed around 9:30, slept okay.
Up at 5:00 a.m. as we wanted to depart at 6:00ish to beat some of the heat. The beginning of the ride is my favorite part, there are mint fields, wild rice fields and fantastic views of Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen and Burney Mtns. And the smells... That's one of the nice things about cycling, you smell so many things on the road (good and bad). I stopped early to take off my jacket and one of our riders (he's aged 65, but been training very hard, he's awesome) kept going as he figured we'd catch him. We did eventually, but it took some work and the guy I was riding with is a VERY strong rider. I stayed on his wheel but in the back of my mind, I was afraid of going too fast, too early and then burning out later on.
There are a few big climbs on this ride and after the first big climb, I wondered if my legs were not quite recovered from this week's time trial on Tuesday, where I really pushed in the wind. I was getting that very slight burning in my legs on the hills and hoping I hadn't overdone it, but turns out I was okay for the rest of the ride. We made great time, easily climbed the 2nd big hill and after a nice long downhill, hit the lunch stop in Fall River Mills around 10:30 a.m. After that, we were on the Lassen Bench climb (very hot part of the ride) at around noon.
After the "bench", it was in to the town of Day (10 miles) for a cool indoor rest stop and they handed out frozen neck coolers for you to wear on the way back. They were very refreshing while they lasted. As we entered the town with the finish line, I got those lousy thigh cramps in my right leg and then my left leg. These are pesky and a sign of fatigue, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, any or all of the above. But I was done, so it was all good. Time at finish was 2:00 p.m.
I absolutely love this ride, it was all the challenge I wanted, most of the roads had a very smooth surface, and the rest stops/lunch stop/spaghetti dinner were top notch. And scenery, well you just can't beat it for this part of northeastern California.
Final stats:
Total miles: 98.5
Total ride time: 6 hours 4 minutes
Average Speed: 16.0
Max Speed: 40 mph
Elevaton Gain: 3,900'
Back when I started riding in 2001, this was my very first organized ride. I did the 25 mile option and NO WAY could I even fathom doing the 62 mile route, let alone doing the 100 mile route. But hey, I can and if I can, anyone can. On these organized rides, you see lots of folks, young and old (mostly 30 year olds on up to 70's). And you see lots of folks that don't look as fit as you and those that look very fit. As in other sports, most are very friendly and out there enjoying the day and their health.
Well, must get going now. My hamstrings are pretty tight so may pop in a yoga later if I get the chance.
Jeanette
