Distance - 32.94
Time - 2.25.04
Max speed - 31.0 mph
Avg speed - 13.6 mph
This route seems to get easier with time. Could be that it wasn't 100 degrees out and I'm in slightly better shape than earlier in the season. Basically the same routine as before. Except that after I left Nerdstrand and got to the next stop sign, I headed left toward Dennison on 42 and the took another left on, crap I can't remember the road right now, toward Northfield. But what was interesting was all of a sudden I realized where I was. When Lorrie and I rode to Cannon Falls, we came down that road and took a left into Dennison. So, all of a sudden I have in my head the picture of a route loop, which connects a couple different routes. That's how I'll get familiar with the country roads I suppose. I always feel a little lost when I'm out there in the fields. So it was nice to feel like I knew where I was. (= Nothing significant.... just a good ride!
Showing posts with label Cannon City Loop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cannon City Loop. Show all posts
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Cannon City Loop
June 26, 2007
Distance = 29.05
Time = 2.22.17
Max speed = 33.0 mph
Avg speed = 12.2
HOT! HOT! HOT! Remember that short route I did a couple months ago that I "just knew" had a good ride in it? Well turns out it's a regular ride for the cycling group in town. So I figured it was time to just do it. As I sometimes do, I started a little later than intended. It was about noon. And it was about 100 degrees. Call me crazy, but I kindof like that. Not while I'm in it necessarily. But it keeps me drinking water and somehow keeps me from cramping. So I went out from Northfield on Division, turned a slight right onto 20, then onto 22. All with a headwind. That, along with the heat, did make it pretty difficult. It was also during this ride that I remembered I am more interested in longer distances and find myself discouraged in the first 15-20 miles of many rides. Strange. And then I find my rhythm. I just needed to remember. There was also a lot of climbing on this particular route... with a head wind. All of these factors made the whole thing a little difficult. I just had to keep telling myself that I love this crap! lol Once I turned off 22 onto the road into Nerstrand Blvd, I thought maybe it would settle down a bit. But no. Not as many hills but the head wind was still there. But *then* I turned toward the town of Nerstrand, can't remember the road, and the tailwind was incredible! I hit 29 mph at one point and I was basically coasting. That was a nice break! I turned for a short detour to get some water and peanut butter crackers in Nerstand. I sat outside the gas station for a few minutes. I talked to a man with a prosthetic leg that had photos decopaged (sp) into it who was also from Northfield. He was taking a Saturday cruise on his motorcycle, just checking out the small towns in the area and seeing where the roads would take him. Cool! Then I talked to an older gentleman who warned me that it was just too hot to be outside exercising at this time. He was very sweet! I actually liked Nerstrand. It would be interesting to go check out prices of houses for sale there. I digress. Back on the road. As I was riding again down the highway, a man pulled up next to me in his car and slowed down. Of course I got a little nervous and was ready to use my bike as a weapon if necessary. But he said he was lost and needed directions. I've lived in urban areas, maybe that doesn't matter, so I stayed far enough away from him that he wouldn't be able to touch me. Paranoid eh? Safe though! Anyway, I tried to help him enough that he wouldn't realize that I actually had no idea where I was. But he was trying to get to Mankato and I knew he was going the wrong direction for that. So I gave him directions to Northfield and told him that was the only place I knew how to start from. He seemed thankful and took off. Strange to be stopped on a highway like that. Back to riding. Got to the next stop sign and, according to my map, had a choice I could make. It seemed like one had fewer hills so I took that one. In retrospect, I don't think either way would have been better in that regard. The way I chose just gave me a straighter route back to my house. But there were helacious hills there! One had been labeled by the Nfld Cycling Club as a King of the Mtn climb. Holy crap! I talked to my legs and asked them to keep going. I called them a few names to get them angry too. That seemed to work a little. But the girls respond best to niceties. (= I made it back to 426 or 406 or whatever Division becomes and headed back home. In the end, it was a great ride and just what I needed to get into TRAM training mode. Later in the evening I drove Lorrie on the route and she was impressed with the hills.
Distance = 29.05
Time = 2.22.17
Max speed = 33.0 mph
Avg speed = 12.2
HOT! HOT! HOT! Remember that short route I did a couple months ago that I "just knew" had a good ride in it? Well turns out it's a regular ride for the cycling group in town. So I figured it was time to just do it. As I sometimes do, I started a little later than intended. It was about noon. And it was about 100 degrees. Call me crazy, but I kindof like that. Not while I'm in it necessarily. But it keeps me drinking water and somehow keeps me from cramping. So I went out from Northfield on Division, turned a slight right onto 20, then onto 22. All with a headwind. That, along with the heat, did make it pretty difficult. It was also during this ride that I remembered I am more interested in longer distances and find myself discouraged in the first 15-20 miles of many rides. Strange. And then I find my rhythm. I just needed to remember. There was also a lot of climbing on this particular route... with a head wind. All of these factors made the whole thing a little difficult. I just had to keep telling myself that I love this crap! lol Once I turned off 22 onto the road into Nerstrand Blvd, I thought maybe it would settle down a bit. But no. Not as many hills but the head wind was still there. But *then* I turned toward the town of Nerstrand, can't remember the road, and the tailwind was incredible! I hit 29 mph at one point and I was basically coasting. That was a nice break! I turned for a short detour to get some water and peanut butter crackers in Nerstand. I sat outside the gas station for a few minutes. I talked to a man with a prosthetic leg that had photos decopaged (sp) into it who was also from Northfield. He was taking a Saturday cruise on his motorcycle, just checking out the small towns in the area and seeing where the roads would take him. Cool! Then I talked to an older gentleman who warned me that it was just too hot to be outside exercising at this time. He was very sweet! I actually liked Nerstrand. It would be interesting to go check out prices of houses for sale there. I digress. Back on the road. As I was riding again down the highway, a man pulled up next to me in his car and slowed down. Of course I got a little nervous and was ready to use my bike as a weapon if necessary. But he said he was lost and needed directions. I've lived in urban areas, maybe that doesn't matter, so I stayed far enough away from him that he wouldn't be able to touch me. Paranoid eh? Safe though! Anyway, I tried to help him enough that he wouldn't realize that I actually had no idea where I was. But he was trying to get to Mankato and I knew he was going the wrong direction for that. So I gave him directions to Northfield and told him that was the only place I knew how to start from. He seemed thankful and took off. Strange to be stopped on a highway like that. Back to riding. Got to the next stop sign and, according to my map, had a choice I could make. It seemed like one had fewer hills so I took that one. In retrospect, I don't think either way would have been better in that regard. The way I chose just gave me a straighter route back to my house. But there were helacious hills there! One had been labeled by the Nfld Cycling Club as a King of the Mtn climb. Holy crap! I talked to my legs and asked them to keep going. I called them a few names to get them angry too. That seemed to work a little. But the girls respond best to niceties. (= I made it back to 426 or 406 or whatever Division becomes and headed back home. In the end, it was a great ride and just what I needed to get into TRAM training mode. Later in the evening I drove Lorrie on the route and she was impressed with the hills.
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