Saturday, April 5, 2008

Weekend Ride Report

On Friday, I broke out the Treks and took my wife and my daughter on the Jamaica trail out to Roca be after school - beautiful day for a ride. I can't wait until everything is green and the trees have leaves. It was nice and cool with almost no wind.


On Saturday, I rode with six other hardy souls (or hard-core loonies) out to Sprague, then to the Kramer cutoff, then to Denton, and home for about a 40 mile loop. The worst wind was at the beginning (14th street and 77) and the end coming back from Denton. The original intent was to go to Cortland, but the south wind (30 mph, with higher gusts) was so extreme we decided to get off of the highway as soon as we could. I felt good and was able to stay with the fast guys, Mike (can't remember his last name) and Dave Rowe until about a mile after climbing the Denton hill.

If I was ever going to get somebody addicted to road riding, I think I would drop them off at the beginning of the Denton alps with a good south tailwind. What a blast! We were going 25-30 mph over the hills and several times got up over 40 mph going downhill. Coming home from Denton was a little rough, though, as the wind had shifted just slightly to the east by the time we were on Denton road.

Thanks to Mike, Tami, Craig, Dave, and Don for coming out for a nice afternoon ride.

14 comments:

kevin said...

You were brave souls. I had a kiddie soccer game as an excuse. That wind would've kept me home anyway.

Adrian Olivera said...

Wish I could have ridden. Knee troubles.

kevin said...

Adrian -- what kind of knee troubles? I've had some issues with the back of my knee. I think my problem is my kneecap was too far behind the peddle spindle at the 3/9 o'clock position. Hopefully, I corrected it by moving the saddle a little forward.

Bob K said...

Kevin, you can also sometimes help that by lowering your seatpost - which was effectively accomplished by moving your seat forward.

kevin said...

I've done that too, Bob. It's funny -- I didn't have any problems last year. But this year, it's been nagging. Part of my problem is I ride three different bikes, so getting them all set up exactly the same is tough. I'm zeroing in on it, though, I think.

I have to figure it out before TDN gets too close.

gravy said...

I've solved my nagging bike problem by staying home and not riding. Now the only thing that hurts is my ego.

kevin said...

Hey Gravy -- if you head to Pioneers Park this weekend to watch the races, I may tag along. You know where to find me.

Bob K said...

I may go out and watch on Saturday - if I have time to do that and ride myself. I'd like to go Sunday, but it's my son's birthday.

kevin said...

Let me know if you go Bob -- I might go with, depending on what I have going on around here.

gravy said...

Pioneers Park?

Should I bring some high power binoculars?

kevin said...

There's a circuit race Sunday at Pioneers Park, I believe.

gravy said...

I think you're thinking of the Branched Oak race on Sunday... It's in Raymond... at least that's what Janna's racing in.

But yeah, I could toodle to Pioneers Park instead. Much more in my range limits.

kevin said...

There is a circuit race at Pioneers Park on Sunday (part of the Branched Oak events). We'll hash out the details after you fertilize my lawn and bring over some beer.

Bob K said...

Click here for race schedules.