Here are yesterday's rides, for those interested:Riding 7.75 miles each way to the start/finish point of the club's ride was a bit too much, as I'm pretty sore today. The pace for the ride was supposed to be 12-15 mph and I averaged 13.7, but there were a lot of stops. I felt like the real average pace should've been something closer to 16, which is hard for me on a gravel bike. Also, this was my 3rd day in a row riding at least 25 miles. My legs are sore today; I overdid it when Tuesday night became available.

Every time I do something like this, I gain a new respect for the pros who do these grand tours riding 70+ miles per day for 2-3 weeks, averaging over 25 mph each day, and often while climbing 7,000' or more per day. My local speed demons are happy when they go one night per week in a (illegal) peloton and get 25 mph for 25 miles. I consider them fast and strong, but the pros are an order of magnitude stronger.

I will almost certainly not ride today. It is supposed to rain all day, then I will drive to go spend time with my daughter in the evening. Maybe just eBike commuting tomorrow. I'm contemplating my first "gravel race" (I won't be "racing", just riding) Saturday up in northern WI. I need a new saddle. I have the one that came on my Domane on the gravel bike and it is too hard. The Selle X-2 on my Domane is outstanding, but it's too late to get another one new. I may have a local guy with one to give or sell to me.

If you want to follow me on Strava, here's a link to my profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/120040584

If you do, drop me a message there saying you're from here so I know who you are and where I met you.

Nice job!

I chalk it up to the endurance you've built up over all the road rides, including a lot of climbing.

Thanks, I think there is some utility in the phrase "ride lots."

Did 49 miles and 5400' of gravel at an easy pace. My legs were feeling a bit tired today, so I didn't want to build up too much fatigue by the end of the week. Did some of my favorite local gravel/fire roads. Saw a bear and her cub, they weren't too interested in me...unfortunately I didn't have time to grab a pic of them, but I see at least several bears a year, so I'll get another chance. Perfect spring day up in the mountains today, averaged around 70.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...24dadebd9e.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d46280e66a.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c026905d01.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c0a5300873.jpg

so you were bearly trying today? :D

Yesterday was a rest day.
Today, I will have 4 miles on the eBike commuting.
Then, I will pack the car and drive up to the northwoods for the Hungry Bear gravel race: https://hungrybeargravel.com/information
I waited too long to register, wanting to be sure of the weather before I drive 4+ hours each way, so they sold out. I emailed the director and he replied simply: "If you show up, we can figure something out."
I booked a hotel and will pack and leave after lunch.
Note that I won't be "racing". I'm slow and so's my bike, I just thought it would be fun to do a gravel ride up in the northwoods.

107 miles. Decided to take a mostly unpaved route back to avoid sharp debris that has been more evident than usual on the cycling "friendly" roads. Kinda pooped & need to clean everything up.

Today I rode 26 miles. Almost to my 100 mile per week goal.

54 miles and 6300' of climbing today. My legs didn't feel the greatest at the start of the day, as I did some gym work last night, but they quickly warmed up. Managed to set a PR on the main climb of the day, a measly 13 seconds faster than last week over a 5+mile climb.

The last time I did this exact loop was over 3 years ago. I managed to do it 22 minutes faster today, with an average HR 4 beats lower, yet with an average power of 15ish watts higher.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...11f4aafc14.jpg

Got in 24 miles and 1220 ft of Rouvy, was out of power most of the day due to some heavy storms that rolled through this morning and I tree limb down the road took out a powerline. Now I get to play catch up on the work I needed to do today. However, tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day, calls for wind < 10, but it is still blowing pretty hard here, 25+, so thinking the < 10 is a lie, but will see.

Just curious, were the storms expected? the forecast here has been pretty much flat out wrong & not in a positive way... I may need road tires with wake paddles & a wet suit.

No it was pretty spot on. They been calling for strong storms on Friday mid morning, but we had a set last night about 8, then the really bad stuff this morning, it blew out quicker than expected, but the winds were blowing 25-40 pretty much all day. I just took the dog for a walk and it has calmed down quite a bit since I last posted about an hour ago, so maybe the < 10 will be true.

32 miles this wet chilly morning, didn't see rain in the forecast overnight.

Little recovery ride today, 41 miles and only 3000' of climbing. Saw a bunch of cyclists out today, there was dang-near a small peloton pace lining up what we call the "creek" road. Saw even more down in town getting ready to start their ride, which for me is the low spot/turnaround point of my ride...the joys of living on top of the climb.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...47e8cd0e28.jpg

Was planning for about 60, wind was pretty heavy, 20 to 25 from the Northeast, but I powered through it. On my way back, with the wind at my back, at mile 49, something jumped up and bit me.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d4af313d0.jpeg

It's a good size cut, but I decided to put in a tube and a $1 bill to see if I could make it home, but after a 1/4 mile, it just seemed really sketchy, so I made the call of shame to my wife.

Once I got home, I still felt good, so I grabbed another bike, and went back out for another 28. This experience sort of puts a big hole in my 1 bike to rule them all theory I had last week, LOL.

So a total of 77.4 miles and a rethink of selling some bikes.

40-spot vintage ride.

Today I rode 26 miles completing my 100-mile goal for the week.

25mi even, MS Coast the Coast short route

I can't tell, is the core removable on those that you bought? I see some that have it, but some that do not specify one way or the other.

I was cleaning up the bike after the tire cut this evening, and when I was taking off the tire to remove all the tubeless sealant residue, I noticed I have a nice little nick in the rim right near the top of rim edge. I do not think it compromises the rim, but I am going to take it in anyway to have to checked on Monday. I wish I knew what I hit, it sounded like a shot gun when the tire popped. I did not see anything on the road either, but the tire has such a clean cut in it.

Couldn’t tell you since the bike is at the shop getting climbing gears and a new chain. Will let you know.

25 miles today. First ride towards 100-mile goal for the week.

88 miles. didnt get back to the future though.

I’ve been alternating MTb and road. Mtb usually when I need to stop by the store after the ride. Road the new Checkpoint SL5 I got for gravel, mixed surfaces and with the rack stop offs at the vegetable and fruit and fish stands. Road 27 windy miles. Picked up some tomatoes cucumbers cheese and tuna steaks. Was planning spaghetti but thought the SO deserved better for Mother’s Day. So sorry no pictures.