Friday Afternoon Metric

[KarenG]

I have changed my work schedule to 4-9's and half day on Friday's. With that said, I'm going to do a metric from the Ranch Rd/Jack Rd area in Clayton Friday afternoon (as long as it's not raining when I start) that takes me to the Benson/Coates area & back.

The distance is a little more than 62mi (67mi) and the elevation profile shows it to be up & down with very little flat sections. It's not that bad of a route...a lot of it follows the 50mi route that Jay has done from his house to B/C. MapMyRide (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nc/clayton/660589743) of the route.

Pace - dunno. I'd really like to finish in under 4hrs, which is 17+ mph, but will have to see how things go....

Anyone wants to join me reply to the post, PM, email, or call if you have the cell #.

[TracyW]

Hmmmmm.......Any idea what time you're shooting for? I'm suppose to be working on my house tomorrow but since it might rain...:D

[KarenG]

well, i have to go by the credit union right after work to see about some house stuff. i was thinking around 12:30-1pm.

or, i could do the ride first and then the cu. that sounds better. so, leave the church on ranch rd around 12pm and hopefully be finished by 4pm.

[TracyW]

I'll have to let you know later today, but the later the better for me.

[KarenG]

ok. so, later in the afternoon is better for you? doesn't matter to me...

just let me know sometime today so i can plan with the SU about getting to the credit union....

[skiffrun]

saving my legs for 74 miler visiting Mt. Tirzah Saturday morning.

btw, KG, any chance you still have that Excel workbook with the four cue sheets I sent you a few months ago? When my old laptop with all the cycling stuff died, I lost my copy. If'n you still got, please send me a copy. Thnx.

[KarenG]

hmmm...74mi...what time? super early probably. wonder if the legs would be up for another ride.....

i think i still have that...lemme check.

*edit*
check your AOL email.

[TracyW]

As much as I would love to join you, I have volunteers willing to help me on the house tomorrow so I better bow out. I pretty much know the route and it's a great one. 17+ should be pretty easy.

We have the same work hours. Possibly we can look to do this on an upcoming Friday.

[KarenG]

ok. another time.

so...skiffrun....what time are you starting and from where on Saturday?? i'm seriously considering joining you if you don't mind....PM me.

[NealH]

Seems like an afternoon metric would be awfully hot. I guess with appropriate rest stops and lots of liquids its doable. I wouldn't mind trying it since it would give me a chance to try out my new Desoto arm coolers but, its easier to get a raise than Friday afternoon off where I work. Needless to say, it ain't easy.

[KarenG]

well, i know it's gonna be hot, but i didn't think about doing it in the morning instead until it was too late. 'sides, i need to get a little acclimated to the heat since i'm gonna be in San Diego in 2 wks!

[Pugslyyy]

Have a great ride Karen. Friday is my day off riding for the week!

[skiffrun]

only just now checked TC for first time since my post yesterday re cue sheet.

Sat, Jul-19, 0600 from PUE. 74 miles via Bahama, Mt Tirzah, Moriah, Culbreth, Stem, Creedmoor.

Targetting 16 mph. I.e., prob slightly slower than that to warm up, then stay conservative until summit Tirzah, and then just cruise on home enjoying the scenery, saving enough for Ghoston, Peed, MVC finish.

[KarenG]

well, that sucked. i won't be riding in the heat like that again unless it cannot be helped. next time, i'll work from 12-4pm and ride early in the morning.

only 35mi. hot/humid/yucky. is it winter yet?

[skiffrun]

I have found that if I ride in afternoon or early evening during the HOT season, that if I target 30-37 miles, I can do that and feel good and that I got something positive from the ride. More than that, YUK !!!

Maybe you could treat Friday pm rides as either "semi-easy" longish "semi-TT" rides, or as just 30 miler "spin out the legs" rides, and come away feeling good and psyched for the Saturday long ride.

[KarenG]

yea, gonna have to do that approach, because the thoughts of doing 63+ today (after only about 30min of riding) was not pleasant.

i also was a bit concerned about riding all the way to B/C solo. what with all the incidents with cars/drivers, it's a little bit scary to be out in BFE, being a solo female cyclist...

i think if i do another century around here next month, i'll just make a 25mi loop from the grocery bag and do that 4x. would feel more comfortable doing that than being way off somewhere....

[skiffrun]

solo, something similar to that is probably a good idea.

if you have a couple / few friends along that are intending / will do the same pace, being sure to take in the sights other than the wheel immediately in front of you, then a bit more adventuresome makes for a less boring ride.

[TracyW]

Hopefully, next time I will be able to join you.

[KarenG]

well, another reason for the not great ride, i just didn't feel very comfortable riding towards benson/coates and riding alone. not with all the incidents with motorists and the number of women being killed in the region. just don't think it's really safe right now...or at least that's how i feel....

[TracyW]

You don't have to tell me about the people around here. That's why I have started driving 30+ miles to ride with a group.