This Ride: 26.6 miles
Month: 421.1 miles
2011: 6,973.3 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 13093 miles
Four riders gathered at the Rusty Bridge in the foggy dark morning just after the rain ended. We were disappointed that more didn’t join us, but we knew that for many the Thanksgiving holiday had begun. The plan was to ride to Annapolis for breakfast, and to be back home around 8 am. It was warm, and I wore a short sleeve jersey and my bib shorts. Mike B had more on and stripped off a layer before we pushed off. It was nice riding in these temperatures this late in November. We picked up Chip along the way. He was riding his brand new randonneuring bike, getting it dirty on its very first time out. Matt turned around at the end of the trail leaving Chip, Bryan, Mike and I for the trip into Annapolis. Near the south end of the trail the fog thickened, and it was increasingly hard to see, especially with glasses fogging over and the wet road surface.
Breakfast was nice. It was a breakfast sandwich for me, with hot coffee and Myna brought us a piece of Red Velvet cake and a piece of Carrot cake. Yummy (although we only ate a few bites each). I hated to leave cake on the plate, but since Dan wasn’t with us, it wasn’t polished off.
On the way back home, the sun was up and the fog was starting to burn off. We discussed fleche plans and began to plan a Boxing Day 200k. The pressure to accumulate another R-12 immediately on the heels of this last one is mounting!
The rib only complained lightly. I’m starting to think about fixie again.
Rides between November 13 and November 22 (inclusive) = 2
These Rides: 47.9 miles
Month: 404.6 miles
2011: 6,946.7.8 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 13066.4 miles
Yes, this has been a tough stretch. The rib hurts, although the pain is gradually subsiding. When I stress it, as in riding Flatbread or lifting something heavy, I suffer the next day. The most painful time is at night in bed. I can’t lay in a position that is comfortable. Today I intended to ride, but when I got up, the pain was more intense than it has been in a week. Besides, it was raining.
Maybe I can get back on the bike and be a little more consistent soon. I’m still not riding the fixie. I need the ability to coast to assist with pain management.
I really did enjoy the rides.
This Ride: 128.7 miles
Month: 356.6 miles
2011: 6,898.8 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 13018.5 miles
A year in the making, my R-12 is accomplished! I’ve had one ride of at least 200k each month for 12 consecutive months. I’ve ridden these in wind, cold, heat, sun, night & clouds (good planning and flexibility kept me out of the rain). It is now just a matter of the paperwork and ordering the medal from RUSA.
The Flatbread 200k has become one of DC Ranndoneurs most popular rides in just a few year’s time. It is the flattest ride (about 600 feet of climbing in 128 miles), and held when the fall leaves on the Eastern Shore are in full splendor. Temperatures are usually comfortable, and Chip is first-rate in his organization. What this means is that the Flatbread 200k gets to be like a reunion of riders from all the rides all year.
I had some apprehension going into this ride. I’m not healed from last week’s crash. I’ve consulted a physician, and the best diagnosis without an x-ray is a broken rib. My right elbow’s road rash started complaining at the end of the week. I put a gauze pad on it, wrapped it with an ace bandage to hold it in place hoping to keep the movement of fabric against the wound to a minimum. Maybe it wasn’t smart to ride such a ride with a broken rib, but with the goal accomplishment so close and so much effort in it over the course of a year, there wasn’t any other option as far as I was concerned. I arranged to ride with Mike B who was recovering from some lung congestion. Two wounded riders together for what would likely be a long day. Mike C and Alex M also were interested in riding with us, and eventually did.
This is a longer post, so there is more after the break.
This Ride: 27.9 miles
Month: 227.9 miles
2011: 6,770.1 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 12889.8 miles
I chose not to ride the fixie this morning. I’m still pretty sore and thought I’d like to be able to coast when I want to. I couldn’t see spinning a high cadence without increasing the pain level.
People were slow to arrive this morning at the Rusty Bridge. At 5:45 there were only four of us, but soon our ranks swelled to nine riders on a chilly, slow morning down the trail. It felt much colder than the 40°F temps, some of that caused by a building wind, and some caused by our relatively slow pace. Everyone was content with the pace, and we enjoyed watching the sunrise add color to the sky. It sure is different to ride with more light in the morning, but that will fade soon enough.
Our crew was slim on the way to Annapolis for breakfast. We had five for breakfast and were joined by Jeff (via car). He passed us on the Naval Academy Bridge, giving us grief as we pushed slowly up the hill. Jeff is recovering from his crash last Friday, with a broken clavicle, a broken finger, and something wrong with his hip/pelvis. We were treated with double chocolate raspberry cake and whipped cream during breakfast and endured the very chilly start of the ride back from breakfast. (We get a little sweat going, sit in a warm building, then climb on the bikes again and the temperature feels like it has dropped 10 degrees for the first few miles.)
Much of our conversation was about Flatbread tomorrow. We will have a good turnout from SPP and I’m looking forward to the ride. The forecast is chilly for the start, reasonable winds for the Eastern Shore, and pleasant highs during the day. Happy Hour follows the ride.
These Rides: 45.1 miles
Month: 200.1 miles
2011: 6,742.3 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 12862 miles
Despite the suggestion of Lori to stay in one more day to heal, I decided yesterday to get back out on the bike. I was a little amazed that I was a bit hesitant and concerned about falling, but then, if I fall, I will hurt the places that are still hurting. We had 6-8 riders out on a cool morning, and I suffered through every bump in the road for the first half of the ride. After riding a while, the endorphins seemed to kick in and I didn’t hurt quite as much. By the end of the ride I was feeling much better.
It was an easier decision to get out this morning. The pain is gradually subsiding, but bumps still hurt my ribs and elbow. It was 50° F with thick fog. Visibility at times was about 30 -5o yards. This kept our speed down. Those who could ride without glasses did because the fog was so thick that the lenses needed to be wiped 4-5 times every mile. After riding a little while, most were noticing that water was dripping off the helmets onto our faces. We encountered a few people walking on the trail without benefit of lights or much reflective gear, but we were hyper-alert for this possibility and kept a sharp watch as far as the lights would reach. Several of our more seasoned riders wore full reflective vests for this ride. I wore my usual reflective belt and ankle reflectors.
My fall and road rash has regenerated the ongoing discussion of shaving legs or not. Dan and I both rode together for a while and promised each other an intervention if the other wavered on our strict no shaving legs policy.
All too soon the ride was over. Two great rides are coming up in the next two days. Tomorrow is Friendly, Fixie Friday and breakfast in Annapolis. Saturday is the Flatbread 200k on the Eastern Shore … a brevet sponsored by DC Ranndoneurs. We are expecting about 50 riders for a great fall day of riding. This will be my 12th consecutive monthly 200k, qualifying me for the R-12 medal/award. We also have riders who will be completing their R-36 and R-24.
In the maintenance department, I installed a new chain on my Kona on Tuesday. This was the first time I attempted that feat and it was so easy that I’m embarrassed I had not attempted it earlier. Before Saturday, new tires and brake pads are in order. I’m also still tweaking my cleat position on my shoes.
Wednesday
I didn’t see this coming on Saturday when I fell.
The last two days have been full of pain. The most troublesome is the chest pain in my right ribs. I can breathe deeply without pain, but laughing, coughing, and any movement involving my “core” is extremely painful. That means transitioning from standing to sitting or the reverse, turning in bed, bending down to pick up something, etc. When I don’t move, I’m fine. My left knee is swollen and painful to the touch. The road rash on my right elbow and right knee only hurts when I bump it. I’m better this morning, and I anticipate riding tomorrow.
Here are some photos of a new cleat compared to my dangerously worn cleat. Never let them get this bad!
This Ride: 48 miles
Month: 155 miles
2011: 6,697.1 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 12816.8 miles
Lori went in to work this morning which was a perfect excuse for a ride. Clint texted me last night asking if I wanted to go to the Red Canoe, a coffee shop/bookstore in northern Baltimore, and I jumped at the chance. We were able to enlist two others, making it four of us pushing off from the Rusty Bridge at 7:30 am to negotiate the awful streets and traffic of Baltimore on a Saturday morning. I decided to ride the fixie. It was cool (38°F) and clear with all the color of autumn in our neck of the woods.
The trip into Baltimore was uneventful. We negotiated potholes, dangerous storm drain grates, traffic, and some shady sections of town without incident and arrived at the Red Canoe shortly after 9:00 am. We were very warmly greeted by the owner, who was excited to have us come all the way from Severna Park. Clint had called ahead to let her know we were coming, and she had informed other riders she knew that we were making the trip.
The Red Canoe is well known for it’s marvelous muffins and great small batch roasted coffee. I had a honey drizzled pumpkin muffin served on a red plate and a nice cup of coffee served in a red mug. The shop was constantly busy. We sat in the room with the fireplace. I’m glad I don’t live in this neighborhood. I might be at the shop all the time.
All too soon it was time to push off again. We dealt with the inevitable chill that comes from being slightly damp in a warm cozy building and then climbing on bikes in the chill of the air. We negotiated our way to Lake Montebello and then back to the busy streets of Baltimore. That’s when disaster hit for me.
My right cleat was giving me trouble because it was very worn and needing to be replaced. I forgot to pick up some new cleats when I was at the bike shop yesterday, and decided to push on thinking the cleats would last at least one more ride. I went to clip in after stopping for a traffic light, and the cleat did not lock into the pedal. As I put weight on that pedal and stood up, my foot slipped out and my momentum caused me to fall onto my right side in a heap in the intersection. It was not a pretty sight. I laid there for a moment, assessing the damage and the pain. I tried to get up and simply fell back down. I waited for another few moments as someone moved my bike out of the street, then helped me up. Clint started asking questions about concussion symptoms even before I got sat down on some convenient steps. My helmet does have some scrapes. My right elbow and right knee have a bad case of road rash. My right ribs are sore … I think my side landed on my arm bruising some ribs. I sat for about a minute or two, trying to decide whether or not I could continue the ride, then as the pain subsided, climbed back on the bike for the 20 mile trip home.
This hurts as bad as it looks
As we moved into Baltimore, we decided to stop by Light Street Cycles, and while there, I bought new cleats and attached a new right cleat. Problem solved.
The trip back home was painful. The fixie doesn’t absorb much on rough pavement, and every bounce and jiggle sent pain into my chest and elbow. There were no other incidents along the way. I arrived home around 11:40 and immediately climbed into the shower for the heat and to clean my wounds.
Except for this one part, this was a great ride. All told, it was about 48 miles and a good workout for me on the fixie. I do notice on these longer fixie rides that my legs feel the aftermath of the ride in a way that doesn’t happen on the other bike unless I do twice the distance.
Lesson Learned: Replace cleats when worn.
This Ride: 31.6 miles
Month: 107 miles
2011: 6,649.2 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 12768.9 miles
The crash? Not me.
We had a great turnout this morning for our Friendly Fixie Friday ride and warmer than usual temps for this week. It was about 50° F, and it felt great! At least 15 riders were out with 10 going to breakfast. We had a spirited ride south on the trail once Jeff S. got in front, and yet for the most part, all stayed relatively close. Over the Naval Academy Bridge, Jeff took off fast and got way ahead of us. I pushed it a bit and had my quickest time over the bridge. I was hoping for my fastest speed on the fixie, but I topped out 0.5 mph below my fastest. Jeff remained out in front, extending his lead. As Mike B and I approached the turn onto King George Street, we noticed Jeff lying in the grass along side the road. He had taken the turn fast, hit some kind of pothole or road surface anomaly, and crashed. He says he dragged himself off the road into the grass.
He was feeling pretty banged up: shoulder & ribs mostly. His front wheel was out of round and while we were attending to Jeff the front tire blew, sounding like a gunshot. We called his wife, and in the meantime, one of Mike’s friends came by with a vehicle, offered to take him home, and soon Jeff was on his way back home … and probably also off to get x-rays. The mood was subdued the rest of the way into Annapolis.
Breakfast was good, as was the coffee. (I wouldn’t recommend the poppy seed muffin though.) The ride back was uneventful, but spectacular as there was a stunning red sunrise this morning. There are a variety of rides happening this weekend, and it is possible I’ll be able to join a Saturday morning ride if Lori works.
I extended my ride just a little in order to pick up the car at the hospital again. I had too much work to do today to complete the Airport Loop. As it was, I got back later than I really wanted to.
I’ll be checking in on Jeff occasionally throughout the day.
This Ride: 22.2 miles
Month: 75.3 miles
2011: 6,617.6 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 12737.2 miles
The title has nothing to do with the morning ride, but everything to do with Tiffany and Greg’s Awesome Adventure which will begin in short order. This is their itinerary:
November 20 – Drive south to visit grandparents @ Gulf Shores & Tampa Bay
December 1 – Fly to Iquitos, Peru, from Miami Florida
December 10 – Fly to Cuzco, Peru
December 27 – Fly to Santiago, Chile
January 3 – Bus to San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
January 11 – Bike Carretera Austral from Bariloche to Puerto Natales
February 22 – Backpacking Torres del Paine Circuit
March 1 – Sea Kayaking from Puerto Natales
March 9 – Bus to Tierra del Fuego
March 20 – Bus to Buenos Aires/Montevideo
March 27 – Fly to Miami, drive to Kansas City
The bike portion of their trip is a nearly 1100 mile trek along the coastal Andes. Details are here.
Follow this adventure if you like. You can get email updates whenever they are able to post to the blog.
Tiffany and Greg’s trip was on my mind this morning as I rolled out of bed and hit my morning ride. I mentioned it to a few of the riders.
We had 8 riders out in temperatures in the low 40’s. We seem to be pretty constant with about 8-9 riders these days, but there are about 12-14 who make up this gang of 8. Yes, there usually are a few slackers who stay in bed rather than enjoying one another’s company. An email thread went around last night from someone who had joined us after a hiatus, and he described how great it was to do a ride with a group of regulars. He was out again this morning. We once again split into two natural groups, a faster and slower group. We are now into our winter riding pattern, which has Wednesdays billed as “fast” and the rest of the days easier: Mosey Monday, Timid Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursday, Friendly-Fixie Friday. Much of our time this morning was spent coaching some new winter riders on techniques to stay warm and tricks we’ve all learned through experience and conversations with other experienced riders.
My thoughts were also on my next 200k. On Saturday, November 12th I’ll be riding the Flatbread 200k (only my second organized brevet … all the rest have been permanents). This will complete the requirements for my R-12 award. I’ll join about a dozen SPP riders who have achieved this award. I’m really looking forward to the ride. But in the meantime, I’ve got some work to do. The bike needs new tires, a new chain, new brake pads, a general cleaning, and I’ve got to chase down a clicking sound that I’ve yet to locate. This will be my first time installing a new chain. I can’t think it will be hard, and I’ll save about $10 doing it myself.
This Ride: 22.4 miles
Month: 53.1 miles
2011: 6,595.3 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 12715 miles
I need to get out the door soon, and if I don’t post something now I probably won’t, so just a quick update.
There were 8 riders out on a chilly morning. It stayed above freezing … but just. We split into two groups, those who wanted to go fast and those who didn’t. I didn’t. Great conversation. We are starting to talk about forming two SPP Flèche teams for the ride in April. (The Flèche team is up to 5 riders who ride 24 hours together and log their time as a team.)
I wore my summer shoes with hand warmer and shoe cover and my feet were toasty. My Achilles tendon did not revolt like it has with the Lake shoes. I need to fine tune the cleat set-up if I want to wear those shoes.
Not enough time for a map. A link will have to do.
Rev Rider 