New Hampshire

In NH today for Mother's Day Weekend.

We skipped riding yesterday because of finals stress. I think writing papers and studying for tests should have some equivalent to biking miles...I'll figure the equation out later.

So, instead of 25 for today, we rode this 18 mile loop around Paugus Bay that featured the biggest uphill climbs we have encountered yet. I personally loved it. There were small bursts of rain that kept us fresh throughout the ride, and after those big hills were some huge, satisfying downhill stretches overlooking the serene NH landscape.

It was interesting how a long, gradual uphill was so taxing. I'm happy I have that third "granny gear" on the front on my Trek 520, because when we are fully loaded up with 20+ pounds of equipment, I will probably have to use it a whole bunch. I've been purposefully trying to stay on the largest front gear when not fully loaded to simulate weight.

The more I ride, the more I feel I will be needing a better bike seat. (Emma has been dealing with pain from hers since the first 20 minutes of trying it!) For example, I felt fine for the majority of our ride today, but at the end of 18 miles, I could feel discomfort starting. If we plan on 30-40 miles a day in Europe, I'd rather not have it be in pain.

I will most likely end up ordering a Brooks B17 in Apple Green. They have a great reputation, and (I think) will look badass in contrast with my Rootbeer-colored 520. Or at least I hope it will give the bike a more personalized character, which I believe it is currently lacking.

...Besides, true cyclists would never ride a stock bike, right?

View Laconia friday ride? in a larger map

Reading Period Ride

Senior year classes are officially over! Now to hand in final papers and keep biking. Hopefully the rain doesn't catch up to us on this 15-mile loop.

Also, sorry about the other starting point on the map, 'tis a strange glitch I couldn't remove.

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Mayday Ride

Wutup yo.

We did this 15 mile ride today, my first with the panniers! I loaded up 4 pairs of socks, 4 pairs of undies, 3 shirts, a nice button-up shirt, jeans, a school textbook, and a towel. I pretty much forgot about them, which was a nice feeling, because I was slightly concerned the extra weight would be really obvious.

Pics of the bike with panniers/ my bloody leg coming soon...

View Mayday ride in a larger map

Tuesday 4/26 ride: Minuteman Trail, aprox 12 miles.

Today was a good ride, with more of a lets see how fast we can do this kind of feel. Not very many hills, well marked trails, signs in English. The biggest obstacle was avoiding other pedestrians/ cyclists on the Minuteman trail. It feels good to ride, come back and feel like you could do more. Tomorrow's yoga class will be a challenge for my bike-tired muscles.

Clip riding is also getting much easier. I have not fallen the last two rides (tho I dont want to jinx myself) and am getting better at timing the unclip. I do however have my battle scars (someone asked me today "what happened to your legs?" upon seeing my brusises exposed by my bike shorts) to remind me that I am not immune to the ol' toppling over at a busy intersection scenario.

Easter Bunny Ride

To celebrate Easter, we got up early and went on this 22-mile ride. Our previous ride was the longest straight bike ride the both of us have ever done, so even with a day of rest and yoga in between, we felt a bit of the "saddle soreness."

I hear this goes away with time, hopefully it is soon!

Considering our pacing and how early in our training we are, I am not worried about making our estimated 30-mile/day average in Europe. In fact, the more we train, the more excited I get for the trip! Woo!

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Some training...

Today we took a 26 mile training ride. I'll admit, I love my new bike, the Trek 520. If you are looking for a super solid bike, check it out.

It is also becoming more apparent to me that we will probably get lost a whole bunch, considering I wasn't even sure about the directions in a 15 mile radius of my house. After the ride, I feel pretty good, considering we are planning on a 30-mile/day average when overseas. However we were not loaded up with camping gear and extra clothes that we are planning on bringing. Good thing we got some time to train!

View First 520 bike training ride in a larger map