Howdy from Iowa
05-08-18, 10:51 PM
#1
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Howdy from Iowa
Hey everyone, long time reader but first posts today. I’m an Athena from Iowa, started riding again two years ago after about a 17 year break. My bike stable includes my hybrid Trek DS 8.3 I purchased a couple years ago, along with my new Trek Domane AL 3 road bike I got last month. And my old beloved 92 or 93 Schwinn Hurricane mountain bike which I will get fixed up one of these days once I decide its purpose. Actually any suggestions would be welcome! Commuter? Touring-ish to haul things on longer overnights? Can’t decide.
I do miss my granny gear on my DS though, still getting used to climbing a hill with the road bike and realizing “oh yeah, that’s as low as I can go.” But so far so good. I’ve lost about 10 pounds since fall (220, 5’7”) and need to have even less of me to drag up the hills.
I enjoy trail and low traffic road riding. I’ve enjoyed seeing some of you mention the High Trestle Trail in the past, which is a fantastic trail in our state. I’ll be on it next week for the 48+ Mile Pigtails women’s ride, and am a little apprehensive as I did nothing over the winter and only got riding seriously again a couple weeks ago. We’ll see, at least it is flat and I have very good bike shorts!
I also signed up to do one day of RAGBRAI in July. Will be my first. Happy to hear pointers from any who have done that as well.
Cheers all!
I do miss my granny gear on my DS though, still getting used to climbing a hill with the road bike and realizing “oh yeah, that’s as low as I can go.” But so far so good. I’ve lost about 10 pounds since fall (220, 5’7”) and need to have even less of me to drag up the hills.
I enjoy trail and low traffic road riding. I’ve enjoyed seeing some of you mention the High Trestle Trail in the past, which is a fantastic trail in our state. I’ll be on it next week for the 48+ Mile Pigtails women’s ride, and am a little apprehensive as I did nothing over the winter and only got riding seriously again a couple weeks ago. We’ll see, at least it is flat and I have very good bike shorts!
I also signed up to do one day of RAGBRAI in July. Will be my first. Happy to hear pointers from any who have done that as well.
Cheers all!
05-09-18, 12:39 PM
#2
got the climbing bug
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welcome and post pics of your Domane 
__________________
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
05-09-18, 01:55 PM
#3
Member
On RAGBRAI, be sure to stop at Beekman's Ice Cream. It's "homemade" right on the trail. Mr. Pork Chop (look for a pink school bus without ears) is also a must stop.
Have a great time.
Have a great time.
05-10-18, 07:25 PM
#6
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I wish! Just did a nice little 12 mile ride tonight and there's this stupid hill I always have to quit and walk up or burst my aorta. It is about 8-9% and just goes too long so that I can only get halfway up. No puking though!
But hello Waldo! I'm from the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area.
And thanks for the RAGBRAI advice! I've heard of Mr. Pork Chop, didn't he die last year? I'm vegetarian in any case, but I will watch for that ice cream.
Huh, I took a pic of my Domane tonight but can't seem to get the forums upload to work. There's probably instructions somewhere I need to dig up.
05-10-18, 07:46 PM
#7
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Ah, looks like I need to have 10 posts to add a photo. Sorry to do this, but *post*
05-10-18, 07:49 PM
#8
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Hey everyone, long time reader but first posts today. I’m an Athena from Iowa, started riding again two years ago after about a 17 year break. My bike stable includes my hybrid Trek DS 8.3 I purchased a couple years ago, along with my new Trek Domane AL 3 road bike I got last month. And my old beloved 92 or 93 Schwinn Hurricane mountain bike which I will get fixed up one of these days once I decide its purpose. Actually any suggestions would be welcome! Commuter? Touring-ish to haul things on longer overnights? Can’t decide.
I do miss my granny gear on my DS though, still getting used to climbing a hill with the road bike and realizing “oh yeah, that’s as low as I can go.” But so far so good. I’ve lost about 10 pounds since fall (220, 5’7”) and need to have even less of me to drag up the hills.
I enjoy trail and low traffic road riding. I’ve enjoyed seeing some of you mention the High Trestle Trail in the past, which is a fantastic trail in our state. I’ll be on it next week for the 48+ Mile Pigtails women’s ride, and am a little apprehensive as I did nothing over the winter and only got riding seriously again a couple weeks ago. We’ll see, at least it is flat and I have very good bike shorts!
I also signed up to do one day of RAGBRAI in July. Will be my first. Happy to hear pointers from any who have done that as well.
Cheers all!
I do miss my granny gear on my DS though, still getting used to climbing a hill with the road bike and realizing “oh yeah, that’s as low as I can go.” But so far so good. I’ve lost about 10 pounds since fall (220, 5’7”) and need to have even less of me to drag up the hills.
I enjoy trail and low traffic road riding. I’ve enjoyed seeing some of you mention the High Trestle Trail in the past, which is a fantastic trail in our state. I’ll be on it next week for the 48+ Mile Pigtails women’s ride, and am a little apprehensive as I did nothing over the winter and only got riding seriously again a couple weeks ago. We’ll see, at least it is flat and I have very good bike shorts!
I also signed up to do one day of RAGBRAI in July. Will be my first. Happy to hear pointers from any who have done that as well.
Cheers all!
They predict awesome weather next Saturday.Oh I see it starts/ends at Jethro's, that's convenient! Are you going all the way to Woodward or just to the bridge?
05-10-18, 08:03 PM
#9
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Love the Trestle trail - if you're ok with tackling 9% grades (even if you walk some) the trail will be a walk in the park They predict awesome weather next Saturday.
Oh I see it starts/ends at Jethro's, that's convenient! Are you going all the way to Woodward or just to the bridge?
They predict awesome weather next Saturday.Oh I see it starts/ends at Jethro's, that's convenient! Are you going all the way to Woodward or just to the bridge?
They really feed the women riding on this thing, which kind of amazes me, even in light of typical rides. Huge breakfast at Jethro's to start, and seems like a lot of heavy stuff on the menu. Then huge lunch in Madrid. I'm afraid I'd get bloated and have to lie on the side of the trail for an hour before I could move again.
05-10-18, 08:25 PM
#10
SuperGimp
I wish! Just did a nice little 12 mile ride tonight and there's this stupid hill I always have to quit and walk up or burst my aorta. It is about 8-9% and just goes too long so that I can only get halfway up. No puking though!
But hello Waldo! I'm from the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area.
And thanks for the RAGBRAI advice! I've heard of Mr. Pork Chop, didn't he die last year? I'm vegetarian in any case, but I will watch for that ice cream.
Huh, I took a pic of my Domane tonight but can't seem to get the forums upload to work. There's probably instructions somewhere I need to dig up.
But hello Waldo! I'm from the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area.
And thanks for the RAGBRAI advice! I've heard of Mr. Pork Chop, didn't he die last year? I'm vegetarian in any case, but I will watch for that ice cream.
Huh, I took a pic of my Domane tonight but can't seem to get the forums upload to work. There's probably instructions somewhere I need to dig up.
You'll be getting up that hill soon enough, keep after it.
05-15-18, 07:49 PM
#11
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Here's the new Trek Domane AL 3. It is my first women's specific bicycle, and I can't for the life of me figure out the difference between this and the "regular" version, even comparing the specs side by side on the Trek website. At any rate it is a nice little bike for my first road bike (first since I was a teen anyway). So far it has been comfortable, though I think I need to raise my seat just a tiny bit more.
05-15-18, 08:05 PM
#12
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And my Trek DS 8.3, which is now my gravel/trail bike.
05-19-18, 10:50 AM
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Hi SunDog,
I did RAGBRAI twice and for a one day jaunt I'd say just ride your regular pace and look out for others. It can be crowded at times and while most riders have been great, I've experienced some less than courteous riders. There is SAG support and I saw a lot of riders helping others, but I'd take a spare tire and a tube or two. Bring cash since there is plenty to eat and drink along the way. If you aren't worried about setting up camp, like we were, I'd suggest stopping at all of the towns along the route and take in the local flavor. Most seem to go out of their way to show off and you can miss that if you are trying to make time.
Although Mr. Pork Chop has passed, his truck lives on. If it is along your route, I'd say stop for one!
I did RAGBRAI twice and for a one day jaunt I'd say just ride your regular pace and look out for others. It can be crowded at times and while most riders have been great, I've experienced some less than courteous riders. There is SAG support and I saw a lot of riders helping others, but I'd take a spare tire and a tube or two. Bring cash since there is plenty to eat and drink along the way. If you aren't worried about setting up camp, like we were, I'd suggest stopping at all of the towns along the route and take in the local flavor. Most seem to go out of their way to show off and you can miss that if you are trying to make time.
Although Mr. Pork Chop has passed, his truck lives on. If it is along your route, I'd say stop for one!
05-20-18, 08:46 PM
#14
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Thanks Brad_AZ that's helpful to hear. I'm still a little apprehensive primarily about the heat as I expect that to be my biggest obstacle - I grew up in the heat and humidity here but still wilt when it reaches a certain point. But at least I live here so not like I am traveling out of my way - if it is too hot/humid I just won't do it, or will shorten my route.
05-22-18, 01:52 PM
#15
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I've found the heat and humidity does not bother me cycling. I'm usually going fast enough to create a breeze, even in the humid Midwest summers.
05-24-18, 03:45 PM
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Ha I know exactly where that shot was taken! And nice bike.
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