Perfect day, perfect ride yesterday. How was your's?

[BumbleBeeDave]

Had a perfect fall weather day yesterday (except for that pesky 25mph west wind) so I went out for a 65 mile loop westward to Esperance, then north through Burtonsville and back across the hills to Schenectady. I couldn't get anyone to go along, but it was just as well. I stopped often to savor the moment.

The sun was low, giving that beautiful side light and lighting up all the leaves, and the colors of everything were so intense . . . the gold, red, and remaining green leaves, the steel blue sky, the highlighted textures of everything and the yellow stripes on the deserted country roads extending seemingly to infinity. I got a new little camera, a Samsung SL620, and it works great. 12 mp, 5x zoom, all sorts of gadgets on it, super sharp lens, and only $130. So I managed to stop a few times to snap some pics.

How was your ride yesterday on a perfect fall day?

BBD

[Keith A]

Super pictures BBD...looks like a fantastic ride! I sure do wish we had some hills around here :(

Edit: I'd be interested in any more input on your new camera. I'd like to get one to carry in my jersey pocket. BTW, where did you purchase yours?

[djg]

We had a really good day. I raced in the morning (way chilly early, so I stupidly chose the long-sleeved jersey and roasted as it warmed up, but I lived); later in the afternoon I took the family out for a ride on the MUT -- wife on the hybrid thing, 12 y.o. on her road bike, 7 y.o. son on his little sting-rayish type bike, and 7 y.o. daughter riding the trail-a-bike thing behind my CSi, which now lives on as a fixed gear bike. I made pasta and gnocchi for dinner (both red sauce and pesto).

[rwsaunders]

We went out early yesterday and I wish that I had the opportunity to head out in the afternoon when it was about 25 deg warmer. The sun came out though and the post ride coffee made it worth the while. Fall is definitely here.

Nice pics, Dave.

[BumbleBeeDave]

Edit: I'd be interested in any more input on your new camera. I'd like to get one to carry in my jersey pocket. BTW, where did you purchase yours?

. . . a couple of weeks ago on sale. My Olympus Stylus 820 has just not been the same after it ended up in the gutter under water in that thunderstorm.

This Samsung has 50% more mp than the Olympus, equivalent zoom, and a couple of more settings to deal with special situations. I generally have been leaving it in the "vivid color" mode. The only downside so far is that it's not water resistant, so I have to be careful how I put it in my pocket so it doesn't get condensation on the controls. Not that they've been hurt so far, but condensation gets on the little accordion lens cover and also on the lens. When I open it up there's condensation on the lens and I have to wait while that evaporates.

Here's the Best Buy page for it . . .

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9218697&type=product&id=1218061796621

And here's the one I'd really like to get--water proof to 10', 28mm lens equivalent, "tap control" to take pics in action situations by tapping on the body. THe color even matches my bike! But at $280 it's a bit steep for right now.

BBD

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9224118&type=product&id=1218062133460

[Nags&Ducs]

fackin A Beautifuuuuull!!! Can't ask for a more picture perfect day!!! Gonna go fer a ride here in West Linn/Sherwood, Oregon and the scenery looks a lot like upstate NY (I think that is where you are at, ehh?)

[OtayBW]

Sixty-six hilly miles yesterday near Shelburne Falls, MA. Cooler than expected, but a good day. Think we got the same headwind near the end....

Interesting 'glacial potholes' in pic:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j42/zelmo_2006/SF_Cycling_ShelburnFalls_IMG_1907.jpg

[profkrispy]

Beautiful pictures! I think there is one tree in all of Ventura, CA with leaves that are changing color. It was slate gray here most of the day yesterday and everything was going well. I had just come out of a turn when it felt and sounded like my rear wheel went square, "thdunk, thdunk." I looked down and my tire was flat, nailed to the rim, with a 2" nail going straignt through the wheel.

[BumbleBeeDave]

Sixty-six hilly miles yesterday near Shelburne Falls, MA. Cooler than expected, but a good day. Think we got the same headwind near the end....

Interesting 'glacial potholes' in pic:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j42/zelmo_2006/SF_Cycling_ShelburnFalls_IMG_1907.jpg

. . . some pretty country and colors around you, too!

BBD

[EDS]

Do you ride 20 west or something else? When I am in Albany I typically end up riding down Western/Route 20 west and then turn around and head home. I just don't know the side loops enough to trust myself getting back home.

[keevon]

Great pics Dave.

75 miles yesterday, solo, fixed gear. Brisk, but it warmed up nicely throughout the morning. I managed to get back before it really heated up though, so I didn't feel overdressed.

Route was an old standby, with high anticipation for the stops at 35 and 55 miles:

[Johnnyg]

Rode the Great River Ride for the 12th time. 106 miles with 8,550 feet of climbing. 30 degrees at the start. An incrediable route by the master of pain Don Pedowski.

[BumbleBeeDave]

Do you ride 20 west or something else? When I am in Albany I typically end up riding down Western/Route 20 west and then turn around and head home. I just don't know the side loops enough to trust myself getting back home.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Burtonville-Loop

I've started mapping more rides from the SCCC lot. It's about 3.5 miles from my house and there's plenty of parking, so it's a good place to start rides. I map it for myself and if others want to also do the ride on their own it makes it easy.

BBD

[Bruce K]

60 miles with 7 guys from the 4C's.

A perfect autumnal New England day with hot cider and cider donuts (cinnamon sugar variety of course :D ) at the turn-around point.

BK

[Ahneida Ride]

still getting over cold. :crap:

[skijoring]

Rode the Great River Ride for the 12th time. 106 miles with 8,550 feet of climbing. 30 degrees at the start. An incrediable route by the master of pain Don Pedowski.

That's Podolski to you! :) I'm sure that was a nice ride down there, maybe some input from Saunders on the route?

[BumbleBeeDave]

60 miles with 7 guys from the 4C's.

A perfect autumnal New England day with hot cider and cider donuts (cinnamon sugar variety of course :D ) at the turn-around point.

BK

Cider donuts? DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! :beer:

BBD

[OtayBW]

. . . some pretty country and colors around you, too!

BBD
Yep - Western MA is really nice. Reminds me a lot of the southern Blue Ridge where I lived for a long time (except there's more snow here :bike: ).
Cheers.

[Mike748]

2 1/2 hours of riding in the rainy drizzle followed by 2 hours of cleaning the bike. At least the latter included good adult beverages.

[spiderman]

but the starting temp was 27 degrees
...at least it was above zero.
today we had a couple inches of snow
so the fixed with a 25 road tire up front to 80 psi
and the rear 28mm studded snow tire at 60 psi
was a nice combination...
i've never tried that before but it really grips in slick stuff
and still feels nice on gravel or off-road!

[rugbysecondrow]

double post

[rugbysecondrow]

Had a great ride today on my new-to-me Serotta T- Max, even got checked out by some local wildlife. There was a big buck I saw too...good times.


http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp217/phpeter/T-Max/IMG_8360.jpg

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp217/phpeter/T-Max/IMG_8365.jpg

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp217/phpeter/T-Max/IMG_8375.jpg

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp217/phpeter/T-Max/IMG_8377.jpg

[Lifelover]

Yesterday was a wonderful day but my ride was just so so. A new rider couldn't start till 8:00, showed up 20 minutes late with a bike that was not ready to ride. I was on a time crunch so it was not much to report.

Today however was different. Not as pretty weather but great riding.

Me and some other Gov't worker friends took advantage of the day off while the kids were in school and went MTB riding.

A local trail system near Williamsburg.


6 mile loop
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/4006742736_5b15067bdc_o.jpg

Typical single track.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/4006742994_41289541c9_o.jpg

No! They are not waiting on me, they are resting.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/4006743334_565d967d6f_o.jpg

Instead of doing a second loop, 3 of us rode into Williamsburg.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/4005977837_49bb82d37d_o.jpg

Cruisin the Bike Lane
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/4005978093_17b9c8a3e2_o.jpg

The Colonial Parkway
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/4005978339_cb6b4eae33_o.jpg

The MUT back to the park.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/4005978615_ca6d6cef0e_o.jpg

[Pete Serotta]

I was around Nyack NY with some guys for a 40 miler yesterday. Back in rainy Raleigh today.


Dave you really have the eye for great shots...just get that guy out of the picture..... ;)

[gdw]

Here are a few pictures from a ride up the hill behind Boulder.

[Pete Serotta]

You make me wish it was once again Ride the Rockies with those great shots.

Thanks Pete

[dsimon]

me and the Mrs went on a nice ride today

[BumbleBeeDave]

I was around Nyack NY with some guys for a 40 miler yesterday. Back in rainy Raleigh today.


Dave you really have the eye for great shots...just get that guy out of the picture..... ;)

. . . After all, he WAS wearing all RED! :banana:

BBD

[Dekonick]

Worked on the bike - tune up. Having a small issue with my rear deraileur... but... I will fix it.

I did a quick 3.5 mile run... better than nothing. Still rehabbing my ankle...

[Ti Designs]

I've traded riding for posting on internet forums...

[old_school]

Rode a 3 speed fixed gear today.

[Peter B]

Got out Saturday for 83 miles fixed. Met a couple of friends for about half the ride. Very pleasant temps in the low 70's. Lots of hills, totaled 7,950' climbing. Great fun!

Tonight the tempest comes in. Forecast is for 3"-7" of rain and winds 25-30mph w/ gusts to 50+. Battening down the hatches....

[bkboom123]

no ride yet! Can't figure out how the hell to get my Sram force FD dialed in properly. Never ever had a problem with any of my shimano builds.....tide soon enough though

[EDS]

I was around Nyack NY with some guys for a 40 miler yesterday. Back in rainy Raleigh today.


Dave you really have the eye for great shots...just get that guy out of the picture..... ;)

How did you like Nyack? Were you impressed by the number of bicycles parked infront of the Runciple Spoon? I did an 80 miler from the city to points west and north of Nyack on Sunday, probably the nicest cycling weather of the year from my perspective.

[dogdriver]

Put our 14 year old dog down yesterday, it was time. Needed a quality of life event, so I put in 1:30 on the single speed Karate Monkey on the local singletrack. Life-affirming to feel a little pain in the lungs and legs...

[OtayBW]

Put our 14 year old dog down yesterday, it was time. Needed a quality of life event, so I put in 1:30 on the single speed Karate Monkey on the local singletrack. Life-affirming to feel a little pain in the lungs and legs...
Wow - very sorry. I/we know how tough that is. He was a handsome guy.