...no, not the tires, ME! The weather, and pollen and a touch of a cold has kept me off the bike for pretty much the whole week, but I purposed in my mind that I WAS going to ride this morning. And that is exactly what I did.
I set the alarm for 4:25 so I could get up and give myself enough time to put the pedals on the Roubaix and try them out, but I turned the alarm off and the next thing I knew it was 4:45. I scrambled and managed to get on the road at 5:07. I decided that I was not going to kill myself trying to get to the Rusty Bridge by 5:45, because I knew that the gang would be heading down the trail, and I would meet up with them at some point. I did make it to the bridge on time and myself and 8 other riders headed into Annapolis for breakfast.
It felt good to be on the bike again, but I could also tell that it had been almost a week. The legs did not want to spin quite so freely. I plan to ride tomorrow, but I am unsure if I will be able to make it for the 6:00 a.m. ride to Java Divas. I have to meet Eddie McGowen (Mr. Annapolis) at City Dock tomorrow morning for assistance in my fund raising efforts for the New England Classic (check out the link if you haven't already). Depending on what time he wants to meet, I may head out to Sandy Point and then into Annapolis, and skip the 6:00 a.m. pre-ride. In any event, I will be out riding tomorrow.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Saturday morning ride(s)
Well, the usually 6:00 a.m. pre-bagel ride did not happen today, at least not for me. I was not feeling like getting out of bed at 4:45 on a Saturday morning to meet the group. I did manage to grab myself by the scruff of the neck and make it to the Rusty Bridge for the 7:30 bagel ride. I made a quick stop at Java Diva's for a cup of coffee before meeting the begal ride group.
We had a smaller turn out than normal because several people are riding other events this weekend. A few are doing a 200k in Lancaster, PA and Chip is doing a 400k today. The numbers may have been decreased by the threat of rain, but I figured... that is why I bought a rain shell.
The ride into Annapolis was uneventful. A nice pace and some nice conversation as we mad eour way up the trail and over the bridge. The wind on the bridge was very strong and gusty and right in our face.
The group split when we got to the City Dock area. Several people went to the City Dock cafe while myself and a few other went to the Hard Bean. I enjoyed an Iced Mocha and a Lemon Poppy muffin. Mike was up against a time deadline to be home in order to get his kids to their various sporting events so he and I did not linger at the Dock for very long and we headed back down the trail. Conveniently, I was headed to the Farmer;s Market which is right where Mike leaves the trail for home. As we were getting close to the Farmer's Market, the skies were getting grey and the wind picked up a little more, and I figured that the rain was finally going to arrive.
When I met Bev, we put the bike in the back of the 4Runner and got our goodies at the market and we headed to a plant sale in Severna Park. By the time we got there, the skies had brightened and since I didn't want to walk through the plant sale in my bike clothes, I took the bike out of the car and rode home.
So far we have had no rain, and I am glad that I got up and was able to get some miles in on a beautiful Saturday morning.
We had a smaller turn out than normal because several people are riding other events this weekend. A few are doing a 200k in Lancaster, PA and Chip is doing a 400k today. The numbers may have been decreased by the threat of rain, but I figured... that is why I bought a rain shell.
The ride into Annapolis was uneventful. A nice pace and some nice conversation as we mad eour way up the trail and over the bridge. The wind on the bridge was very strong and gusty and right in our face.
The group split when we got to the City Dock area. Several people went to the City Dock cafe while myself and a few other went to the Hard Bean. I enjoyed an Iced Mocha and a Lemon Poppy muffin. Mike was up against a time deadline to be home in order to get his kids to their various sporting events so he and I did not linger at the Dock for very long and we headed back down the trail. Conveniently, I was headed to the Farmer;s Market which is right where Mike leaves the trail for home. As we were getting close to the Farmer's Market, the skies were getting grey and the wind picked up a little more, and I figured that the rain was finally going to arrive.
When I met Bev, we put the bike in the back of the 4Runner and got our goodies at the market and we headed to a plant sale in Severna Park. By the time we got there, the skies had brightened and since I didn't want to walk through the plant sale in my bike clothes, I took the bike out of the car and rode home.
So far we have had no rain, and I am glad that I got up and was able to get some miles in on a beautiful Saturday morning.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A commuting route change (Evening ride added)
This morning I made my way down to the kitchen at 4:20 to get ready to ride to work. One of the first things that I do is look at the thermometer that displays the outside temperature. I was surprised to see that it read 60 degrees. It was going to be a little nippy this morning. I got my coffee made and my lunch packed in my little bike bag and glanced at the thermometer again... 58 degrees. Better wear that extra layer.
I am glad that I did, because it was cool on the ride in. I had decided when I left the house, that I was going to ride at a leisurely pace, and concentrate on pedaling at a steady even pace. Well, that changed as I turned onto the trail from Jones Station Rd. I made the right hand turn onto the trail, and I saw the flashing tailight of another biker up ahead. Now, It is an instinctual reaction that I have when I see a rider in front of me. I always try to chase him/her down. Very much like a greyhound chases the mechanical rabbit around the track (Ok, so it's more like a St. Bernard chasing a bone... but you get the my point). So I set off to tail light. In my mind I was trying to figure out who it may be. I know Mike's bike is in the shop, and the tail light was not nearly as bright as his. I knew that if it was Dangerous Dan I would never catch him. I could see that I was closing the gap and I knew that I would catch them, so now I was trying to judge how far back I was and determine where on the trail I would over take them. I set a goal to catch them at the Ranger Station. I met that goal and caught up to him at White's Lane. It was not an SPP rider, just another commuter. I kept going at a pretty steady pace and before I knew it I was at Jumper's Hole Rd.
This winter, after I secured my bike box at BWI, I scouted a road route to get me to the airport in the event that the trail was closed. So, since I left the house early this morning (for a leisurely commute) and because I had made good time chasing down the other rider, I decided to take the road route for at least part of the way. Elvaton Rd. does not have much of a shoulder to ride on, but I only saw one car the entire time I was on it. I pretty much had that road to myself. Oakwood was a little busier, but it had a HUGE shoulder to ride in. There were piles of sand that I had to be cautious of, but other than that, it was great. I took a right at Aquahart and got back up on the trail. That little detour did not add too much distance to the trip and did not take up any more time than the trail. It was a nice change of scenary.
The nap on the train was uninterupted. I certainly hope I didn't snore, but I do not remember stopping at either of the two stops on the way in to Washington DC. I hope that means I will be well rested for the commute home.
Ride home... tired legs... tired body... glad to be home. Going to bed. Good night!
I am glad that I did, because it was cool on the ride in. I had decided when I left the house, that I was going to ride at a leisurely pace, and concentrate on pedaling at a steady even pace. Well, that changed as I turned onto the trail from Jones Station Rd. I made the right hand turn onto the trail, and I saw the flashing tailight of another biker up ahead. Now, It is an instinctual reaction that I have when I see a rider in front of me. I always try to chase him/her down. Very much like a greyhound chases the mechanical rabbit around the track (Ok, so it's more like a St. Bernard chasing a bone... but you get the my point). So I set off to tail light. In my mind I was trying to figure out who it may be. I know Mike's bike is in the shop, and the tail light was not nearly as bright as his. I knew that if it was Dangerous Dan I would never catch him. I could see that I was closing the gap and I knew that I would catch them, so now I was trying to judge how far back I was and determine where on the trail I would over take them. I set a goal to catch them at the Ranger Station. I met that goal and caught up to him at White's Lane. It was not an SPP rider, just another commuter. I kept going at a pretty steady pace and before I knew it I was at Jumper's Hole Rd.
This winter, after I secured my bike box at BWI, I scouted a road route to get me to the airport in the event that the trail was closed. So, since I left the house early this morning (for a leisurely commute) and because I had made good time chasing down the other rider, I decided to take the road route for at least part of the way. Elvaton Rd. does not have much of a shoulder to ride on, but I only saw one car the entire time I was on it. I pretty much had that road to myself. Oakwood was a little busier, but it had a HUGE shoulder to ride in. There were piles of sand that I had to be cautious of, but other than that, it was great. I took a right at Aquahart and got back up on the trail. That little detour did not add too much distance to the trip and did not take up any more time than the trail. It was a nice change of scenary.
The nap on the train was uninterupted. I certainly hope I didn't snore, but I do not remember stopping at either of the two stops on the way in to Washington DC. I hope that means I will be well rested for the commute home.
Ride home... tired legs... tired body... glad to be home. Going to bed. Good night!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Warm Muggy Commute (PM ride included)
It was a very warm and humid ride into the train station this morning. I met Mike at the Park and Ride in Severna Park and we rode together to BWI. It is always nice to have company any time you ride the bike. What is it they say about misery?
The afternoon ride home was nice until the very end. Mike and I met at the BWI rail station for the commute home. As we were just starting out we got passed by a guy in an Army cycling jersey. That didn't sit well with Mike, so we decided not only to catch up to the guy, but we afforded him the privilege of pulling us for a couple miles into the wind. After that, he held onto our wheels for a while and then broke off. We would like to think that he just couldn't hang with Mike and I.
The rest of the ride seemed very spirited. I think Mike may have eaten his Wheaties before he left work, because he was certainly driving the pace. We took turns at the front, but my legs were definitely feeling it.
My ride took a turn for the worse just as I turned for home on Deep Creek Ave. I direct your attention to the Garmin information. Look at the speed graphic, all the way to the right, where the speed shows 29.7. I was headed down the hill and just as I got into my best aerodynamic position on the bike, I got stung by a bee. What do you do when your doing almost 30 mph on 2 very skinny tires on a less that perfectly smooth and you get stung by a bee? You do nothing, because at that speed slight movement on the bike is exaggerated. So I slowed down as quickly as I could and then smacked the bee, but not before he stuck his stinger right down to my thigh bone. Definitely a buzz kill for an otherwise good ride. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
The afternoon ride home was nice until the very end. Mike and I met at the BWI rail station for the commute home. As we were just starting out we got passed by a guy in an Army cycling jersey. That didn't sit well with Mike, so we decided not only to catch up to the guy, but we afforded him the privilege of pulling us for a couple miles into the wind. After that, he held onto our wheels for a while and then broke off. We would like to think that he just couldn't hang with Mike and I.
The rest of the ride seemed very spirited. I think Mike may have eaten his Wheaties before he left work, because he was certainly driving the pace. We took turns at the front, but my legs were definitely feeling it.
My ride took a turn for the worse just as I turned for home on Deep Creek Ave. I direct your attention to the Garmin information. Look at the speed graphic, all the way to the right, where the speed shows 29.7. I was headed down the hill and just as I got into my best aerodynamic position on the bike, I got stung by a bee. What do you do when your doing almost 30 mph on 2 very skinny tires on a less that perfectly smooth and you get stung by a bee? You do nothing, because at that speed slight movement on the bike is exaggerated. So I slowed down as quickly as I could and then smacked the bee, but not before he stuck his stinger right down to my thigh bone. Definitely a buzz kill for an otherwise good ride. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Dry ride home
For as miserable as the morning ride was... the afternoon ride home was just as enjoyable. I made it home just before more showers arrived.
Rainy Days and Monday....
Well, I got both today. A rainy Monday! What better way to combat that kind of negativity than with a bike ride in the rain.
Weather.com said 40% chance of rain in the morning, and only 10% this evening around the time that I will be riding back from BWI, so I set the alarm and figured I would assess the situation when I woke up. At 4:15 the patio and the driveway was dry, so I saddled up and left the house. There was the occasional rain drop, but nothing serious. Until I got to Whites Lane. It was raining hard enough at that point that I stopped to put my rain shell on. It rained steady from Whites Lane to BWI. When I arrived at my bike box, it really started coming down, so I pushed the bike into the box and carried all my clothes to the area that has all the newspaper vending machines. It is under cover and dry. I am sure the people didn't appreciate my wet bike socks hanging off the handle of the USA Today box, but oh well.
The problem with riding in the rain is really NOT the rain. We wash our bikes with water. We wash ourselves with water. It is the dirt and sand that gets on everything when it is wet that wreaks havoc with the bicycle. I will wipe the chain off and re-lube it before heading home to hopefully minimize the wear and tear on the chain.
All in all (now that I am dry in my office) I am glad that I decided to ride. I certainly commend again Clint, Clif and Chip for riding their fleche in 40 degree rain... in the middle of the night... uphill. It was in the 70's and miserable riding in the rain.
Weather.com said 40% chance of rain in the morning, and only 10% this evening around the time that I will be riding back from BWI, so I set the alarm and figured I would assess the situation when I woke up. At 4:15 the patio and the driveway was dry, so I saddled up and left the house. There was the occasional rain drop, but nothing serious. Until I got to Whites Lane. It was raining hard enough at that point that I stopped to put my rain shell on. It rained steady from Whites Lane to BWI. When I arrived at my bike box, it really started coming down, so I pushed the bike into the box and carried all my clothes to the area that has all the newspaper vending machines. It is under cover and dry. I am sure the people didn't appreciate my wet bike socks hanging off the handle of the USA Today box, but oh well.
The problem with riding in the rain is really NOT the rain. We wash our bikes with water. We wash ourselves with water. It is the dirt and sand that gets on everything when it is wet that wreaks havoc with the bicycle. I will wipe the chain off and re-lube it before heading home to hopefully minimize the wear and tear on the chain.
All in all (now that I am dry in my office) I am glad that I decided to ride. I certainly commend again Clint, Clif and Chip for riding their fleche in 40 degree rain... in the middle of the night... uphill. It was in the 70's and miserable riding in the rain.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Inspiration day on the bike
I set out from Severna Park Park and Ride this morning at a little after 5 a.m. to mee up with the SPP 6 a.m. pre-bagal ride. This is usually a small group and the pace varies depending on the consensus of the group. We rode through Pasadena and ended up at Java Diva's. If you don't know what Java Diva's is, Google it and check it out. It is certainly a great conversation starter.
After coffee at the Diva's, we met the bagel ride group at the Rusty Bridge and headed into Annapolis for breakfast. I am not sure of the count, but we had a good size group for the ride. We enjoyed breakfast at the Italian place at City Dock and re-mounted our bikes and headed out for a quick ride through Quiet Waters Park.
We then headed to Jonas Green Park to meet up with the Wounded Warriors Project for a ride through Annapolis. I have to say it was one of the most humbling and inspirational events I have ever been a part of. The soldiers were riding with out arms and legs and they ALL had a smile on their faces and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Some were pedaling with their arms, some were pedaling with their legs, but steering with prosthetic arms and so on. If ever I feel like I am too tired or too sore to ride, I will draw on the inspiration that I got from these young men and woman.
The warriors were well recieved as we rode through Annapolis. The Naval Academy had Midshipmen line the street to cheer the warriors as they rode through. Signs were held up thanking them for their service and their sacrifice. Next year I hope to ride with the warriors from Andrews Air Force Base to Annapolis.
After coffee at the Diva's, we met the bagel ride group at the Rusty Bridge and headed into Annapolis for breakfast. I am not sure of the count, but we had a good size group for the ride. We enjoyed breakfast at the Italian place at City Dock and re-mounted our bikes and headed out for a quick ride through Quiet Waters Park.
We then headed to Jonas Green Park to meet up with the Wounded Warriors Project for a ride through Annapolis. I have to say it was one of the most humbling and inspirational events I have ever been a part of. The soldiers were riding with out arms and legs and they ALL had a smile on their faces and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Some were pedaling with their arms, some were pedaling with their legs, but steering with prosthetic arms and so on. If ever I feel like I am too tired or too sore to ride, I will draw on the inspiration that I got from these young men and woman.
The warriors were well recieved as we rode through Annapolis. The Naval Academy had Midshipmen line the street to cheer the warriors as they rode through. Signs were held up thanking them for their service and their sacrifice. Next year I hope to ride with the warriors from Andrews Air Force Base to Annapolis.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)