Talk about your latest bike ride

[twisteroo]

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Forgot the bikes??

We were riding the trail the other day, we rode about 1.5 miles, I remembered that I forgot forks and shit to mess with our cooking of lunch, (buffalo chicken sausage, yum by the way), meh, no prob, I'll use my fingers or a stick or something. Then all of a sudden, FUCK!!!!....I also forgot a lighter, matches, two sticks to rub together, etc, etc.....So I unhooked BOB and rode back and got a lighter, and a knife, and a map.

[Rhubarb]

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We walked instead. Took emergency rations in case we got lost and ate them.
I don't think my bike would have stood up to the forest paths, although the tracks were easier (made for the school mini-buses) if they weren't SO steep!

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Well, after a late start in our day, we made it to Turkey Swamp Park to ride. Burned off 225 calories for a grueling (for me anyway) 5 mile ride.

It's a nice park but they don't manage the roots across the trails. I wouldn't be surprised if I wind up with a flat from all the damn roots. First half was all downhill and the second half is uphill a bit. Riding through grassy fields SUCKS.

I shouldn't have to learn several languages to get pedestrians out of the way either. Place was full of Indians and Arabs, none speaking English - or at least letting on they know what "ON YOUR RIGHT" means. "PASSING THROUGH" didn't have much of an effect either. Matt nearly drove right into some kid who thought playing chicken with the bikes was funny.

Don't be laughing about the roots. These were pretty bad in some spots. If I had the horses I can tell you that some shoes would be thrown because of them. Very close, very "high" and very bumpy!

I love my new saddle! Being asthmatic sucks. I had to stop twice to catch my breath and I even used my inhaler before the ride. Totally sucks.

But I got a couple of nice pictures that I'm going to upload to TrailFu later.

We stopped at the fruit stand and picked up some really nice Maryland cantaloupe and watermelon and honeydew and some berries. Making fruit salad now (taking a break to check things and post) and Matt's out food shopping for some BBQ rations.

Stopped at Staples and got myself an external hard drive because I've got a gremlin in this machine that won't go away. Going to back things up and clean it out real good. Was hoping for a rainy day but it's not going to let me have that leisure.

OK some pics to come later. I have to shrink them down and I'm transferring a massive amount of stuff to the new external drive that this thing is boggy from it.

*photo update*

Here are a few photos taken during the ride. These photos don't do the river justice on how red it really looks. Lots of iron and cedar in the water I suppose making it so red. Matt called it the River of Baby's Blood.

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[twisteroo]

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Roots always suck, especially if they are wet and slippery. (Wait, did I just say suck, slippery, root?)

Anyway, something to try, run softer air pressure in your tires if you are gonna be in very rough, roots, off road, stuff. But depending on the ride it is not always the best option. I've ridden the 8 miles to the park, ride trails and then ride back home, I don't want to do all that road time on soft tires.

You are right, grass sucks the momentum right outta you.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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You know, I was actually able to stand up and pedal for about ten rotations yesterday too. Big accomplishment with my bolted together back.

My brain just kept saying, :GO!" as if my body is still rock hard and 25 years old but my body kept saying, "Unless you're going downhill, fucking quit it bitch!"
The roots weren't wet but the were close and plenty. I had turned the fork pressure to a notch softer but that actually didn't help. I will try the softer tires. How much softer? Give me a 'squeeze by hand' parameter to go by. I don't mind stopping and hitting the air pump to bring them up again if necessary.

Today's plans are shot to hell. Raining all day here. I won't ride in a mud pit if the sun comes out. We were going to try the bike route around the reservoir. Might be a good day for Great Adventure if it lets up to a mist. No lines in the hot sun and NO CROWDS! Hit a few coasters and come home.

I try to let the bike gears do the work for me too, but it seems that the easier the pedaling, the more my thighs burn. You'd think it would be the other way around.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Did 5 miles today. I wanted to do more but stupid me forgot to take a drag off my inhaler. Then the deer flies were unbearable. I got bit to all he'll. On the way back from the beach road, I see something large in the marsh. So I stop in the office and tell Chris. He says, "I'll go have a look. I hope there isn't a body under it. Did you go in and look?". Erm... No.

[twisteroo]

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When I run soft tires in the woods it's like....uh, I can see the tires squishing out when I'm on the bike, I mean like about 30 psi I would think. I've never really done a squish by hand test to get a good judgement on that.

Myself and John rode 24 miles last night. All road, some bad hills.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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OK that's good enough for me to use as a guide. Thanks.

Going to try riding today again while Matt's out. Rained from yesterday afternoon until sunup today. It didn't get rid of any humidity, it only made it a steam bath.

We have no hills or mountains here, Twist. Last week I discovered just how out of shape I am when I had to walk up a few upgrades. Hell, they weren't even to be considered hills! Pretty sad isn't it?

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Updated post 43 with some pics from Turkey Swamp Park ride last weekend.

I also joined that TrailFu.com and added them there and a review.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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We went out and rode this morning before it got hot out. Yeah right. At 10 AM it was already 90º in the shade and we decided to go for a quick ride to the park and ride the beach trail and back. It was nice and cool in the woods, or so we thought! As soon as you stop, the sweat starts to pour out of you like a fountain! Thank God for wet towels!

I wish that trip meter had the capability to factor in humidity and temperature for the calorie burn. Today it says I only burned 198 calories but I'm betting I burned more due to the atmospheric conditions. Let's not forget the really heavy air making breathing a task as well! it's all good.... it just means I am exercising and the pounds are coming off. I already lost 8 pounds this summer from riding and swimming. I'd like to get below 115 and 110 is my goal - if I keep the rate of loss up, I should be my ideal weight (around 112) by September.