i finally hopped back on a bike

Zach and I went for a really wonderful tandem ride on Saturday. The weather was beautiful and sunny, maybe a little chilly. I think we ended up wearing knickers rather than tights. W e rode from the base of Bull Run Mountain to the base of another mountain at Bluemont, VA. It was about 44 miles round trip according to the map, but we both though it felt like 70. I guess all those rolling hills on the way made it feel that much harder! We’re planning on doing similar rides each Sunday, and make it a little bit further each time. It shouldn’t be as hard each time, since we’re both getting back into shape after way too much time off our bikes due to moving. Anyway, this route was very peaceful, very little traffic, and the roads were in pretty good shape. There wasn’t much of a shoulder, but there was so little traffic this didn’t seem to cause us any problems. The scenery was beautiful- rolling hills, picturesque pastures and farms, horse country, old stone houses, old stone walls, really old log and mortar houses and barns (some standing, some not), mountains off in the distance and many varieties of birds, some of which I’d never seen before. I had a heck of time taking photos that really captured the beauty. All my photos seemed to flatten out the view, or make the mountains smaller than they appeared in real life. Not that these are exactly big mountains to begin with, but they are still quite beautiful, and I just couldn’t capture their true essence. Of course, I only had my point & shoot with me, and I was on the back of tandem rolling down the road, so that didn’t help with the picture quality.

Sunday, we went mountain biking at a private farm. I don’t remember the name of the farm, but it was apparently open for people to preride the course for the Leesburg Baker’s Dozen MTB race that will be held there in a few weeks. The race is full (375 riders!!), so Zach and I won’t be racing, but it was cool to be able to ride the course. Our cyclist neighbor took us out there and we met up with his friend and his friend’s wife, who rode with me. The guys met up with a few other guys in the lot and had a small little group going. The course went along the Potomac River and through wooded areas, pasture and a pine tree grove. The pine trees were obviously planted there, they were in perfect rows, but it was a neat effect riding through them and having the trail jog at different points through different rows. I rode the Surly, and was geared perfectly for the trail, which made me happy. I was a little worried I’d be pushing my bike through way too many spots. I did however learn that I need to find some confidence to go over steeper log piles. I had some kind of mental block that made me basically freeze as I was heading up the pile and have to unclip and push up over the top. I know this is completely a mental thing and I can actually do it. We only did one lap, the guys did two. I met a few of the other women that were hanging around in the lot after our lap though. Everyone seemed really nice. It was a really neat trail, and I’ll be sure to register for the race next year assuming I don’t have any work conflicts.

Wednesday I went for a ride that consisted of the first part of Saturday’s tandem ride. I turned around at Aldie, VA to avoid US 50. That stretch of road isn’t too bad especially in the middle of the day or weekend, but still, I’d rather avoid any traffic if possible. You do have to hop on it for a stretch to hop on a road a little ways up that will take you to the rest of our Saturday tandem ride, but the speed limit is 35mph and then 25mph, so not too bad as far as the traffic is concerned. Anyway, I turned around there, and road back, taking a few offshoot roads along the way to increase the ride time. Then once I was back on Mountain Rd, I kept going for a few miles instead of just heading back up our street. Eventually I realized that I was getting tired, and I’d better head home because I still had to do the climb to get to our street. Both times I’ve climbed this hill solo I was in granny gear, standing, using everything I had to get up this dang thing. It makes me glad we don’t live at the top of the mountain. I probably would have to push my bike up to the top! I ended up riding 1 hr 38 mins, and a little over 20 miles. I started at a slow leisurely pace, and picked it up as I went along. I took a few photos, but again I’m not impressed with the quality. This one is of an old church that I’ll pass by on the majority of road rides that I’ll do from the house, including the ride to the Aldie Post Office. There are old headstones strewn along the hillside here. Someday I’d like to ride up there just to take more photos.

This next one just doesn’t do the scene justice but I’ll share it anyway. That’s part of Bull Run Mountain in the background. Those cows are lucky to have such a nice view I think.

Yesterday, I rode to the Aldie Post Office. It’s basically the same ride I did Wednesday, without any offshoots, and with a little stretch of US 50. Again, the speed limit is low and the traffic is pretty light so it’s not too nerve wracking. Plus, it was just nice to be able to ride there and back. I was out for about an hour, and it was approximately 15 miles round trip. I didn’t take any photos, since I was pushing the pace pretty hard. I felt like I had worked pretty hard by the time I arrived home, especially because I rode back via Youngs Dr instead of Mountain Rd. Youngs Dr is a long sustained climb on the way back. I didn’t realize that before yesterday!