kahn

Oh, I like the double loop route. Nice. Is there a some term for that kind of "structure?" And very good for an "old" guy. But now I'm closer to 80 than 70! (yikes) Maybe I'll try beet whatever as it is I'm already BEAT!

kahn

Oh, I trained for RAMROD. It was the year that in July I decided I needed some lighter tights since it was darn cool that July. Our longest training ride was from Seattle to just north of Arlington and back. I recall hitting Monroe at one point and commenting to my friend that when we hit Monroe our car is usually parked "here"! No, still had to get home to Greenlake. Alas, we never did the ride since the forecast was awful and we had no sag support. It was the year they pulled people off the ride suffering hypothermia. We always regretted not riding but knowing we made the right choice. Even back then I needed electric insoles when chilly. I would have frozen to death. I think I still have the unearned shirt somewhere.

Some memories, both great and "ungreat", still rattle around up there!!!

rsbob 

I called it framing Mercer Island. Agree that the double loop is a winner - never would have dreamed you were pushing 80 considering the mileage you do. You no doubt have the health and legs of a man far younger.

It was interesting getting my clock cleaned by a teenager on a racing bike who rode the 3 intense climbs out of Beaux Arts out of the saddle like they were nothing. Ah youth.

kahn

Thanks but I'm way overweight and generally out of shape. Forcing myself to do some of this stuff just so that I can keep trying to do this stuff.

GhostRider62

I have a 1200km upcoming, so, I wussed out a 26 miler but did a PB on my local climb out of town. My PB at the start of the year was 2:51 and then I got to 2:42 and today to 2:31 at just under 400 watts. Good for a fat old basturd. The fast young racers are 1:55-2:00.

mschwett 

56 miles, 4,500 feet of gain.

beautiful start, epic descent … but the top of the climb (seven sisters southbound for locals) was utterly miserable for me. gassed out from the long climb but now in the SUN and still climbing.

and i discovered the downside of power meters. when you’re sucking / dying, they tell you exactly how much you’re sucking compared to normal!

mschwett 

i have never seen a route pattern like that! love it, and now going to find one.

kahn

You should be able to work one of your islands down there into something similar.

The term I was thinking about is a TORUS - a donut shape!!!!

Actually, someone with enough stamina could do a triple loop, Using the various bridges and lake perimeters.

rsbob 

Nice climbing! What a good route if it’s not cooking hot in San Rafael.

rsbob 

Knock it off you over achiever!

Troul 

Wasnt going fer it, but it sorta happened with some orange barrel detours. Glad I did it tho! today was a rainout.

rsbob 

Hate those. The last one I encountered took me up a one mile climb between 12-15% 😲 and it was hot. 🚴‍♀️. Had to stop at the top just to get the sweat out of my eyes since my head band failed.

beechnutC23

103 km (64 miles) and 1393 m (4600 ft), mostly gravel, exploring the western part of Québec's Eastern Townships. Visited a memorial to the battle of Eccles Hill when Canada repelled Fenian raiders. It was hotter than it had been for a while, I went through two three bottles of Gatorade which near the end were like hot tea, and replenished with cool mountain water in Sutton for the final 15 km. There was also a couple of km of trail.

mschwett 

great report. looks like an absolutely ideal ride, heat aside!!

Troul 

idk if i've just started paying more attention to road/ped construction, but I swear, 5+ years ago I don't recall this much of it. It'd probably be less of a problem IF the areas under construction weren't dragged on for many months/years or if the end product was actually done well...

It's getting hard finding a local area to ride (20+ miles) in without seeing those orange cones!

rsbob 

You are so right. The place I ran into construction has gone on for more than a year. I hit it last summer and had to detour, then earlier this summer it appeared finished and was free and clear. A month later, closed again. Go figure?

Troul 

Spot on for my area too.
The 45mph+ roads that are closed or have reduced lanes is bringing a lot more traffic to the areas with 35mph (& less) , however, those drivers also brought the higher speeds & careless habits with them too. A 30 mph single lane route that I used to like is lucky to have a car do within 5mph of that posted sign... I'd wager to say the average speeder is doing 45mph. Also, that road was relatively smooth a year ago. Now it's pothole infested, debris scattered about, & has had a watermain break resulting in a poor pavement patch job in place of the smooth concrete it once had.

kahn

I had never heard of those raids. Looking it up, they were even active on this side of the Continent.

"The Fenian Brotherhood organized openly in the Pacific Northwest states during the 1870s and 1880s, agitating to invade British Columbia. Although no raids were ever launched, tensions were sufficient that Britain sent several large warships to the new railhead at Vancouver, British Columbia for the celebrations opening the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1886."

diphthong

another (mostly) coastal c-note. oh sunday beach traffic!

kahn

16.7 and the usual about 800 feet. Attraction along the way but ignored - the very enticing aroma of the Ballard Seafood Fest's bbs salmon meal but I knew the crowds would make it unpleasant. Then a slight detour adding about a mile to hit the local bike shop to pick up new SPD multi-release cleats for a pair of new bike shoes. A gray, overcast day with temp just at 70 but Golden Gardens was a zoo.

rsbob 

Caveat: I compete in the 65 to 70 bracket. If we were talking all men, I would be off the map. The wana be Phil Gaimon of the senior set.

VegasJen

30.5 miles in just about 1:45.

zaroba

Only around 2 miles this morning before it started getting hot outside. But it was my first ride in 10 years besides a simple trip around the block 2 days ago. My knees have to get used to it again.

It's amazing how much more of a workout biking is than walking, knees tired after less than a quarter mile, yet no trouble going for a 5 hour walk on a beach.

Troul 

70 miles. 19 MPH headwind going out. Didnt mind it, it was dry warm, & very little vehicle traffic. I'd kept on going if I had the time.

kahn

Juanita Way? Time to wrap that one up.