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]

Originally Posted by Keith A

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....=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....=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:

[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]

Originally Posted by 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:

. . . 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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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 ) at the turn-around point.

BK

[Ahneida Ride]

still getting over cold.