Thursday, 28 June 2011.
Finally, a day that allowed a visit to the gym for a quick workout. Then on the way home, a nice time to plan the meal: a small serving of leftover lasagna, a cob of corn each (with chipotle and butter), and a salad of cantaloupe, orange, and avocado.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 86 to 89°F at 16:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:57:44 for 15.84 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 28 cyclists, 13 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
30 June 2011
Bike-commute day 46—to work
Thursday, 30 June 2011.
The day started with a bad omen: I forgot my backpack, had to turn around to retrieve it, remove my helmet to reach the house keys around my neck, and return to the ride by doubling back through two blocks. But the omen was false. The only other problem was the crowds of Canadian geese who were commuting en masse along the banks of the Miami River at the confluence from the Mad River. These commuters are a messy bunch. You can always tell when they've been around.
As I approached Riverscape from the Monument Avenue bridge, a gaggle of geese waddled with some haste down the grassy bank, on a tear to beat me to the bikeway on the river's edge. Before the leaders reached the concrete path, I called out "Hup! Hup!" The first geese halted. I continued, calling "Hup!" frequently. All but a few of the 3 dozen geese stopped short of the bikeway, and I passed by without problem.
Not 100 yards distant was another gaggle. This time, all were resting well in full occupation of the bikeway. Have I found the Dayton Tahrir Square? Why do these interlopers feel such a birthright to the bikeway? were my thoughts as I slowed and resumed my warning barks to clear a path through them. Then just before the fountain jets, another gaggle, this time with two- and three-month-old goslings learning their rights as squatters.
I've found the Canadian geese, Branta canadensis, typically rest within sight of water, and they avoid locations that fail to provide for a quick flight either over or away from the water. (For example, seldom do I find geese at the concrete-walled bikeway below the YMCA, at the curve around the meadow near the Findlay Avenue bridge, or on the plateau between the Findlay Avenue bridge and the end of East Monument Avenue. And never on the bikeway from Eastwood Park south to the Iron Horse Trail.) Some exceptions may be larger expanses of asphalt parking areas, which may be mistaken for still waters from the air. It seems that a grass barrier about three feet tall at the water's edge is enough to make the geese feel uncomfortably distant from the water body.
The geese around Dayton are no longer migratory. I've seen one male with an injured wing for at least three years, year-round. The same pair of geese has taken the Kodak parking lot for three years as a favorite location for their annual brood of three to seven goslings.
It is indeed correct that Canadian geese are a protected species, and killing or capturing them is a felony. [Note on 2011.09.13: My information here dates from a publication of 1996. Since writing this, I found that Canadian geese are allowed early, fall, and winter hunting seasons in Ohio. The hunting must be licensed and along strict guidelines. The season dates vary by year and location.] Occasional exemptions have been granted to states and other jurisdictions to cull an exceptionally overgrown population. If only, I think each Thanksgiving, I could have roast goose for dinner!
Much further into the commute, I found Gladys and Millie on their daily excursion, joined by a third woman. I slowed to talk, pedalling slowly as they introduced me to their visitor from North Carolina, Ethel.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 64°F at 07:10
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:16 for 12.23 miles
Heart rate: 131 bpm HRave, 160 bpm* HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 12 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
* False report of "176" to "193" for 14 seconds.
The day started with a bad omen: I forgot my backpack, had to turn around to retrieve it, remove my helmet to reach the house keys around my neck, and return to the ride by doubling back through two blocks. But the omen was false. The only other problem was the crowds of Canadian geese who were commuting en masse along the banks of the Miami River at the confluence from the Mad River. These commuters are a messy bunch. You can always tell when they've been around.
As I approached Riverscape from the Monument Avenue bridge, a gaggle of geese waddled with some haste down the grassy bank, on a tear to beat me to the bikeway on the river's edge. Before the leaders reached the concrete path, I called out "Hup! Hup!" The first geese halted. I continued, calling "Hup!" frequently. All but a few of the 3 dozen geese stopped short of the bikeway, and I passed by without problem.
Not 100 yards distant was another gaggle. This time, all were resting well in full occupation of the bikeway. Have I found the Dayton Tahrir Square? Why do these interlopers feel such a birthright to the bikeway? were my thoughts as I slowed and resumed my warning barks to clear a path through them. Then just before the fountain jets, another gaggle, this time with two- and three-month-old goslings learning their rights as squatters.
I've found the Canadian geese, Branta canadensis, typically rest within sight of water, and they avoid locations that fail to provide for a quick flight either over or away from the water. (For example, seldom do I find geese at the concrete-walled bikeway below the YMCA, at the curve around the meadow near the Findlay Avenue bridge, or on the plateau between the Findlay Avenue bridge and the end of East Monument Avenue. And never on the bikeway from Eastwood Park south to the Iron Horse Trail.) Some exceptions may be larger expanses of asphalt parking areas, which may be mistaken for still waters from the air. It seems that a grass barrier about three feet tall at the water's edge is enough to make the geese feel uncomfortably distant from the water body.
The geese around Dayton are no longer migratory. I've seen one male with an injured wing for at least three years, year-round. The same pair of geese has taken the Kodak parking lot for three years as a favorite location for their annual brood of three to seven goslings.
It is indeed correct that Canadian geese are a protected species, and killing or capturing them is a felony. [Note on 2011.09.13: My information here dates from a publication of 1996. Since writing this, I found that Canadian geese are allowed early, fall, and winter hunting seasons in Ohio. The hunting must be licensed and along strict guidelines. The season dates vary by year and location.] Occasional exemptions have been granted to states and other jurisdictions to cull an exceptionally overgrown population. If only, I think each Thanksgiving, I could have roast goose for dinner!
Much further into the commute, I found Gladys and Millie on their daily excursion, joined by a third woman. I slowed to talk, pedalling slowly as they introduced me to their visitor from North Carolina, Ethel.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 64°F at 07:10
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:16 for 12.23 miles
Heart rate: 131 bpm HRave, 160 bpm* HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 12 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
* False report of "176" to "193" for 14 seconds.
29 June 2011
Bike-commute day 45—to home
Wednesday, 29 June 2011.
Biking home and thinking of what to prepare for dinner. Known immediately: broiled Salmon with a Worchestershire glaze. Inspired by the business near the bikeway: broiled Goi cuon from Linh's Vietnamese Restaurant. With a short jaunt to their location, I resumed the commute with four rolls packed into the backpack.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 81 to 94°F at 16:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from northerly
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:06 for 12.05 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 20 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
Biking home and thinking of what to prepare for dinner. Known immediately: broiled Salmon with a Worchestershire glaze. Inspired by the business near the bikeway: broiled Goi cuon from Linh's Vietnamese Restaurant. With a short jaunt to their location, I resumed the commute with four rolls packed into the backpack.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 81 to 94°F at 16:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from northerly
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:06 for 12.05 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 20 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 45—to work
Wednesday, 29 June 2011.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 57 to 61°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:56 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 2 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 57 to 61°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:56 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 2 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
28 June 2011
Bike-commute day 44—to home
Tuesday, 28 June 2011.
Chuck called me at work to find out when I planned to be home. He's making lasagna, a new recipe that he wants to showcase. One where the noodles are not cooked before baking, just soaked 45 minutes in cool tap water. I told him, "I'll be leaving pretty soon, but I plan on stopping at the gym for a short shoulder workout. So I'll be home about seven." "Well, just make sure you're home by seven. I'll bake the meal so it will be ready then." Never mind that I might want to shower to clean the crotch and prevent saddle sores.
As I neared Woodbine, where I would leave the bikeway to climb through residential areas to Cardinal Fitness at Forrer and Smithville, I deliberated It's 5:45 now, and getting there would be 5:55 and a workout would last until maybe 6:15 at the earliest, so that leaves a really tight 45 minutes to get home. I'd better not chance it, and instead push hard to get home much earlier. So I went north up the bikeway from Woodbine.
Lots of cyclists today, some in pretty good shape. I did a track stand at Airway beside a cyclist I had been tailing for a half mile, who maintained a good lead but had to stop for traffic. I pulled through at a letup in the cross-traffic, and I sensed his pullout also, nearly beside me but not quite. He took my tail, sheltered in the slipstream. I cranked up again to 90 rpm and kept it there or sometimes as much as 98. He stayed with me, silently. My sinuses filled. I wanted to blow out the accumulation, but when I made a half look back he made a sound to indicate that he was close enough to catch whatever spatter I would make. So I held off.
At the rise near Miami Valley Manufacturing, I called out, "Heads up!" for any cyclists hidden by the dense trees and dropped my open left hand as I slowed for the blind double corner. He stayed with me as I powered out of the second 90-degree turn. Same hand signal for the approach to Fair Park Avenue, and same powering into the canopy across the intersection. Again a hand signal for slowing to cross Smithville, but somewhere I had lost him. Or he had turned off.
I kept looking over my shoulder in the open areas west of Eastwood Park, but never saw him again. I hope he had a fun ride.
I'm of two minds about following another rider, drafting in the slipstream. Though the lead rider feels no drag from the other rider, there's a sense of having something of value that's taken without acknowledgement, especially if the drafter is a stranger who neither takes the lead nor pulls beside to introduce himself. It is a missed opportunity to meet another strong rider, to find an equal to share a long weekend ride with.
I could have used his pull in the leg along the Mad and Miami, where the headwinds cut down my speed and increased my time for the commute. But I still made it home in plenty of time to shower, download my Garmin data, and make the orange-avocado salad for dinner.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 81 to 86°F at 17:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the southwest, southeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:03 for 12.06 miles
Heart rate: 142 bpm HRave, 178 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 31 cyclists, 22 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
Chuck called me at work to find out when I planned to be home. He's making lasagna, a new recipe that he wants to showcase. One where the noodles are not cooked before baking, just soaked 45 minutes in cool tap water. I told him, "I'll be leaving pretty soon, but I plan on stopping at the gym for a short shoulder workout. So I'll be home about seven." "Well, just make sure you're home by seven. I'll bake the meal so it will be ready then." Never mind that I might want to shower to clean the crotch and prevent saddle sores.
As I neared Woodbine, where I would leave the bikeway to climb through residential areas to Cardinal Fitness at Forrer and Smithville, I deliberated It's 5:45 now, and getting there would be 5:55 and a workout would last until maybe 6:15 at the earliest, so that leaves a really tight 45 minutes to get home. I'd better not chance it, and instead push hard to get home much earlier. So I went north up the bikeway from Woodbine.
Lots of cyclists today, some in pretty good shape. I did a track stand at Airway beside a cyclist I had been tailing for a half mile, who maintained a good lead but had to stop for traffic. I pulled through at a letup in the cross-traffic, and I sensed his pullout also, nearly beside me but not quite. He took my tail, sheltered in the slipstream. I cranked up again to 90 rpm and kept it there or sometimes as much as 98. He stayed with me, silently. My sinuses filled. I wanted to blow out the accumulation, but when I made a half look back he made a sound to indicate that he was close enough to catch whatever spatter I would make. So I held off.
At the rise near Miami Valley Manufacturing, I called out, "Heads up!" for any cyclists hidden by the dense trees and dropped my open left hand as I slowed for the blind double corner. He stayed with me as I powered out of the second 90-degree turn. Same hand signal for the approach to Fair Park Avenue, and same powering into the canopy across the intersection. Again a hand signal for slowing to cross Smithville, but somewhere I had lost him. Or he had turned off.
I kept looking over my shoulder in the open areas west of Eastwood Park, but never saw him again. I hope he had a fun ride.
I'm of two minds about following another rider, drafting in the slipstream. Though the lead rider feels no drag from the other rider, there's a sense of having something of value that's taken without acknowledgement, especially if the drafter is a stranger who neither takes the lead nor pulls beside to introduce himself. It is a missed opportunity to meet another strong rider, to find an equal to share a long weekend ride with.
I could have used his pull in the leg along the Mad and Miami, where the headwinds cut down my speed and increased my time for the commute. But I still made it home in plenty of time to shower, download my Garmin data, and make the orange-avocado salad for dinner.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 81 to 86°F at 17:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the southwest, southeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:03 for 12.06 miles
Heart rate: 142 bpm HRave, 178 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 31 cyclists, 22 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 44—to work
Tuesday, 28 June 2011.
I saw Gary and Amy on their tandem, on the low plateau above the Mad River. This was one of the earliest passings by this year, and an indicator of how late was my start today. I opened up my intensity then, hoping to make up some time.
As I navigated the curve around the DP&L executive golf course, I saw a flash of two convict-orange-clothed walkers ahead in bright sunlight. As I neared, the walkers moved into shade and the bright orange shifted to a tea rose hue. I recognized them as I neared; it was Gladys and Millie. They had crossed Linden and were headed toward Burkhardt, extending their normal range quite a bit. I stopped to say, "From a distance, your orange was brightly lit, and I thought I would be accosted by some escaped convicts. But I think I'm safe with you two." They laughed and bragged about their excursion beyond their usual walk to Linden. As I clipped in to continue the commute, Millie warned me of another cyclist's approach from behind me, and I said, "Oh yeah. I passed him around Burkhardt. He's slow, at least compared to me. See ya."
After the short conversation, I opened up the intensity once again. In the last 2 legs, I closed with short sprints into Research Park, maintaining an HR of more than 150 bpm almost 3 minutes up to Airway, less than a minute between Woodman and Spaulding, and almost 2 minutes up to Research Boulevard.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 70°F at 07:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:46 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 161 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
I saw Gary and Amy on their tandem, on the low plateau above the Mad River. This was one of the earliest passings by this year, and an indicator of how late was my start today. I opened up my intensity then, hoping to make up some time.
As I navigated the curve around the DP&L executive golf course, I saw a flash of two convict-orange-clothed walkers ahead in bright sunlight. As I neared, the walkers moved into shade and the bright orange shifted to a tea rose hue. I recognized them as I neared; it was Gladys and Millie. They had crossed Linden and were headed toward Burkhardt, extending their normal range quite a bit. I stopped to say, "From a distance, your orange was brightly lit, and I thought I would be accosted by some escaped convicts. But I think I'm safe with you two." They laughed and bragged about their excursion beyond their usual walk to Linden. As I clipped in to continue the commute, Millie warned me of another cyclist's approach from behind me, and I said, "Oh yeah. I passed him around Burkhardt. He's slow, at least compared to me. See ya."
After the short conversation, I opened up the intensity once again. In the last 2 legs, I closed with short sprints into Research Park, maintaining an HR of more than 150 bpm almost 3 minutes up to Airway, less than a minute between Woodman and Spaulding, and almost 2 minutes up to Research Boulevard.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 70°F at 07:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:46 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 161 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
27 June 2011
Bike-commute day 43—to home
This morning I made rain predictions that I based on two websites, including a weather radar site. As the day passed, the radar showed the precipitation areas passed through from about 11:00 through 12:30, though no rain fell. Instead, the line dissipated as it moved eastward. The line of rain that earlier was passing through St. Louis has been dissipating also, and any moderate rain has been moving east-southeast, toward Louisville and away from Dayton. So, at least at 12:45, it seems that the rains will avoid Dayton.
Much heavier cloud cover rolled in from about 15:30 through 16:30, though the radar showed only a small cell of light precipitation in the south area of Dayton. So I left work confident that my route would be dry.
I walked outside after changing into my kit, and the pavement was wet! What happened, when could it have rained? I realized that the rain, whenever it fell, had been light and perhaps 30 minutes ago, or more. No puddles remained, just a drying pavement that warranted careful cornering only until I crossed Spaulding onto the first area of canopy-covered bikeway. From that point on, with a few isolated exceptions, the way was dry.
And a good thing, too. Just north of Airway is a slight drop and curve surrounded by heavy vegetation. Just as I reached the start of the curve, I saw a young couple embracing while standing in the middle of the bikeway. No time for a whistle, I could only WHOOP! in a warning, followed by "On your..." I couldn't decide which side to take, and which side it would register as to them, since each person was facing opposite directions together, but both toward the side of the bikeway. So I motioned to my right, as they broke their embrace, turned toward me, and then moved to my left, further off my intended path. After I passed, I called out to them, "Don't do it in the road!"
Whew! a collision averted. I still don't understand, though, why the couple decided to stop and embrace in the middle of the bikeway. They didn't seem so young that they needed privacy behind the cover of an overgrown corner.
Further on, close to Park Lane, I saw my neighbor Phil Hinrichs. Though I wanted to talk with him about his recent experience of someone stealing his bike, and of recovering it soon with the help of the Dayton Police, I had a need to hurry on, to be home in time to shower and be ready to go to see Terrence Malick's new film The Tree of Life.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 80°F at 16:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest-southeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:29 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm HRave, 159 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 16 cyclists, 14 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Much heavier cloud cover rolled in from about 15:30 through 16:30, though the radar showed only a small cell of light precipitation in the south area of Dayton. So I left work confident that my route would be dry.
I walked outside after changing into my kit, and the pavement was wet! What happened, when could it have rained? I realized that the rain, whenever it fell, had been light and perhaps 30 minutes ago, or more. No puddles remained, just a drying pavement that warranted careful cornering only until I crossed Spaulding onto the first area of canopy-covered bikeway. From that point on, with a few isolated exceptions, the way was dry.
And a good thing, too. Just north of Airway is a slight drop and curve surrounded by heavy vegetation. Just as I reached the start of the curve, I saw a young couple embracing while standing in the middle of the bikeway. No time for a whistle, I could only WHOOP! in a warning, followed by "On your..." I couldn't decide which side to take, and which side it would register as to them, since each person was facing opposite directions together, but both toward the side of the bikeway. So I motioned to my right, as they broke their embrace, turned toward me, and then moved to my left, further off my intended path. After I passed, I called out to them, "Don't do it in the road!"
Whew! a collision averted. I still don't understand, though, why the couple decided to stop and embrace in the middle of the bikeway. They didn't seem so young that they needed privacy behind the cover of an overgrown corner.
Further on, close to Park Lane, I saw my neighbor Phil Hinrichs. Though I wanted to talk with him about his recent experience of someone stealing his bike, and of recovering it soon with the help of the Dayton Police, I had a need to hurry on, to be home in time to shower and be ready to go to see Terrence Malick's new film The Tree of Life.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 80°F at 16:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest-southeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:29 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm HRave, 159 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 16 cyclists, 14 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 43—to work
Monday, 27 June 2011.
So is that person ahead walking toward me or away? I wondered as I crossed the Monument Avenue bridge this morning. As I approached, I could tell her direction and called out loudly "On your right" from about 100 feet away. No sign of hearing me. Then again, less of a loud call, from 50 feet. Still no sign. Then louder than conversationally, my outdoor voice, from 15 feet, "On your right." She looked to her left, pivoted almost 270 degrees before she saw me. And jumped at the surprise of a passing cyclist.
Was she wearing earbuds? I don't think so. Was she in her own world? I think clearly yes. Should I have given my shrill whistle instead of calling out from 100 feet away? Perhaps, but on a sidewalk along a roadway, I think a whistle is threatening instead of warning. And it provides no detail, just an approaching presence. Especially on streets and sidwalk crossings, a voice warning is better. I think.
On the bikeway, though, I tend to announce my approach first with a whistle from about 500 feet, a tenth of a mile. If the pedestrian (or cyclist) gives no acknowledgement, I whistle again at about 250 feet. Then it's verbal information if necessary. These biekway users who need two, three, four announcements of my approach are frequently the ones who turn to the left when I call out, "On your right!" What gives with the confusion of left and right, I wonder?
When I pass a walker with earbuds, I wonder how safe they think they are, shutting out contact with others on the way. Drowning out all traffic noise, too. And ignoring nature.
I have no patience at all with cyclists who do the same. Too much can happen in the quick traverse of 18 feet per second (12 mph). When I pass a cyclist who's obliterating his aural connection with the road, I have a strong desire to yank the buds out of their place. But I exercise restraint. And enjoy watching them jerk to attentiveness as I pass, after they had several audible signals of my approach. Audible to everyone but them.
I've been seeing more of the tandem cyclists, the father and daughter Gary and Amy, in the last couple weeks. Today I saw them in Eastwood Park, riding toward downtown. I hope I soon see them riding the same direction, so we can catch up on what's happened since we talked last year. Last year, Gary proudly announced as they passed me the number of consecutive riding days they had reached. He hasn't done that yet this year. Maybe he's saving up for some record number to announce.
At Airway Road, I let two cars from the east pass the crossing before I moved to the island. A car from the west, though she had 300 feet of approach, whizzed on through the crossing without a hesitation. Her license plate reads EQN 8226, for those of you who can check the Ohio vehicle registrations online.
As I crossed Linden Avenue, I saw Gledys & Millie coming toward me on their morning constitutional, and I greeted them with "Happy Monday" as I rode by.
The weather forecast for today gives a 50% chance of rain today. Based on the radar animations, the day will have a period of light to heavy rain from 10:45 through 13:00, followed by about 2:15 of no rain, and an evening of moderate to heavy rain. I'll either call Chuck to pick me up in time for getting to the film or actually leave work early enough to arrive home before the second line of heavy rain arrives—it's too early now to predict from the radar, but possibly as early as 15:30 or as late as 17:30.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 60 to 63°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:31 for 11.98 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 18 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
So is that person ahead walking toward me or away? I wondered as I crossed the Monument Avenue bridge this morning. As I approached, I could tell her direction and called out loudly "On your right" from about 100 feet away. No sign of hearing me. Then again, less of a loud call, from 50 feet. Still no sign. Then louder than conversationally, my outdoor voice, from 15 feet, "On your right." She looked to her left, pivoted almost 270 degrees before she saw me. And jumped at the surprise of a passing cyclist.
Was she wearing earbuds? I don't think so. Was she in her own world? I think clearly yes. Should I have given my shrill whistle instead of calling out from 100 feet away? Perhaps, but on a sidewalk along a roadway, I think a whistle is threatening instead of warning. And it provides no detail, just an approaching presence. Especially on streets and sidwalk crossings, a voice warning is better. I think.
On the bikeway, though, I tend to announce my approach first with a whistle from about 500 feet, a tenth of a mile. If the pedestrian (or cyclist) gives no acknowledgement, I whistle again at about 250 feet. Then it's verbal information if necessary. These biekway users who need two, three, four announcements of my approach are frequently the ones who turn to the left when I call out, "On your right!" What gives with the confusion of left and right, I wonder?
When I pass a walker with earbuds, I wonder how safe they think they are, shutting out contact with others on the way. Drowning out all traffic noise, too. And ignoring nature.
I have no patience at all with cyclists who do the same. Too much can happen in the quick traverse of 18 feet per second (12 mph). When I pass a cyclist who's obliterating his aural connection with the road, I have a strong desire to yank the buds out of their place. But I exercise restraint. And enjoy watching them jerk to attentiveness as I pass, after they had several audible signals of my approach. Audible to everyone but them.
I've been seeing more of the tandem cyclists, the father and daughter Gary and Amy, in the last couple weeks. Today I saw them in Eastwood Park, riding toward downtown. I hope I soon see them riding the same direction, so we can catch up on what's happened since we talked last year. Last year, Gary proudly announced as they passed me the number of consecutive riding days they had reached. He hasn't done that yet this year. Maybe he's saving up for some record number to announce.
At Airway Road, I let two cars from the east pass the crossing before I moved to the island. A car from the west, though she had 300 feet of approach, whizzed on through the crossing without a hesitation. Her license plate reads EQN 8226, for those of you who can check the Ohio vehicle registrations online.
As I crossed Linden Avenue, I saw Gledys & Millie coming toward me on their morning constitutional, and I greeted them with "Happy Monday" as I rode by.
The weather forecast for today gives a 50% chance of rain today. Based on the radar animations, the day will have a period of light to heavy rain from 10:45 through 13:00, followed by about 2:15 of no rain, and an evening of moderate to heavy rain. I'll either call Chuck to pick me up in time for getting to the film or actually leave work early enough to arrive home before the second line of heavy rain arrives—it's too early now to predict from the radar, but possibly as early as 15:30 or as late as 17:30.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 60 to 63°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:31 for 11.98 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 18 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
23 June 2011
Bike-commute day 42—to gym and almost home
Wednesday, 22 June 2011.
The weather was perfect as I left work, though the sky was filled with growing cumulo-congestus clouds and variable winds were buffeting the trees in the parking lot. Generally the wind was from the south, so I anticipated a quick ride up to Eastwood Park—enough time, I thought, to make a quick side trip to the gym and do some shoulder and arm exercises.
On my way to the gym from the Woodbine crossing, I saw a guy in his pickup who I had seen often working in his garden. I turned around for an introduction—his name is Scott—and a bit of information about each other. He recognized me from my passings to and from the gym, and mentioned his former use of a bike that now hangs on pegs in his garage, his promise to his wife that he might buy her a "recumbent tricycle," and his knowledge that the bikeway is so close. He also spoke of his trade recently of his gardening services for a window-installed air conditioner, and that the trade meant several hours per week of visiting his friend's home for the garden work. I mentioned my stop at the gym on my bike-commute, and he nodded in corroboration of what he assumed had been the case.
He was gone when I biked back from the gym, and the winds had kept their strength and direction, so I arrived at Eastwood Park in faster time than usual. The winds were not at all against me as I headed west-southwest along the Mad River, but the heavy cloud cover had turned ominous. I saw cumulo-nimbus forming above where I assumed Moraine lay, and possible wisps of rain falling in the area of Trotwood. With just the right timing, I could make it home before sprinkles dropped at home. I warned Rick the Walker as I passed him that he might not make his return before the storm.
As I dropped through the underpass to Findlay Street bridge, I noticed a severe wobbling in my front wheel, and I slowed to ease the angled response needed for the turn. The wobbling increased, and the front wheel softened as I slowed to a stop: the tire was flat. Well, that means I won't beat the storm home, even with the fastest of tube changes. Better call Chuck, since the storm could be severe. He was out shopping at the Siebenthaler Kroger, and I gave him my location for picking me up.
I walked the bike up to the corner of Monument and Findlay, where Chuck would expect to see me, and began to replace the tube. By the time I loosened the nuts, pulled off the wheel, pried off the tire bead, and replaced the tube, light sprinkles started to fall. As I thumbed the bead into the rim and pumped up the tire, the sprinkles had turned to a light rain. Worse weather was on its way from downtown, and I saw Chuck coming from the same direction.
I returned my tools to the seat pouch, packed my bike and the front tire separately into the back seat, and took the passenger seat. The storm unleashed itself as we left the gravel side lot, and became more and more ferocious as we headed west on Monument. Chuck was full of I-told-you-so about the day's prediction of rain and I-worry-about-you for the potentially unsafe riding conditions. I, defensive, argued that I, but for the flat, would have been home before the storm had reached this intensity. The topic shifted and returned and shifted again as we turned onto Salem and toward the last mile home.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 79 to 84°F at 17:15
Precipitation: none, until the flat, then an extremely heavy thunderstorm
Winds: 5 to 15 from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:07 for 11.45 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 144 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 18+6 cyclists,* 2 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
*6 bikes parked or laid beside the bikeway, riders not seen
Postscript
I checked the tube replacement on Thursday morning, reseated the tube, and shook in a lubricating dose of baby powder. Some time after returning the wheel to the front fork and inflating to riding pressure, I heard a huge POP! and the tube had exploded the tire off the rim. So Thursday became a drive day.
The weather was perfect as I left work, though the sky was filled with growing cumulo-congestus clouds and variable winds were buffeting the trees in the parking lot. Generally the wind was from the south, so I anticipated a quick ride up to Eastwood Park—enough time, I thought, to make a quick side trip to the gym and do some shoulder and arm exercises.
On my way to the gym from the Woodbine crossing, I saw a guy in his pickup who I had seen often working in his garden. I turned around for an introduction—his name is Scott—and a bit of information about each other. He recognized me from my passings to and from the gym, and mentioned his former use of a bike that now hangs on pegs in his garage, his promise to his wife that he might buy her a "recumbent tricycle," and his knowledge that the bikeway is so close. He also spoke of his trade recently of his gardening services for a window-installed air conditioner, and that the trade meant several hours per week of visiting his friend's home for the garden work. I mentioned my stop at the gym on my bike-commute, and he nodded in corroboration of what he assumed had been the case.
He was gone when I biked back from the gym, and the winds had kept their strength and direction, so I arrived at Eastwood Park in faster time than usual. The winds were not at all against me as I headed west-southwest along the Mad River, but the heavy cloud cover had turned ominous. I saw cumulo-nimbus forming above where I assumed Moraine lay, and possible wisps of rain falling in the area of Trotwood. With just the right timing, I could make it home before sprinkles dropped at home. I warned Rick the Walker as I passed him that he might not make his return before the storm.
As I dropped through the underpass to Findlay Street bridge, I noticed a severe wobbling in my front wheel, and I slowed to ease the angled response needed for the turn. The wobbling increased, and the front wheel softened as I slowed to a stop: the tire was flat. Well, that means I won't beat the storm home, even with the fastest of tube changes. Better call Chuck, since the storm could be severe. He was out shopping at the Siebenthaler Kroger, and I gave him my location for picking me up.
I walked the bike up to the corner of Monument and Findlay, where Chuck would expect to see me, and began to replace the tube. By the time I loosened the nuts, pulled off the wheel, pried off the tire bead, and replaced the tube, light sprinkles started to fall. As I thumbed the bead into the rim and pumped up the tire, the sprinkles had turned to a light rain. Worse weather was on its way from downtown, and I saw Chuck coming from the same direction.
I returned my tools to the seat pouch, packed my bike and the front tire separately into the back seat, and took the passenger seat. The storm unleashed itself as we left the gravel side lot, and became more and more ferocious as we headed west on Monument. Chuck was full of I-told-you-so about the day's prediction of rain and I-worry-about-you for the potentially unsafe riding conditions. I, defensive, argued that I, but for the flat, would have been home before the storm had reached this intensity. The topic shifted and returned and shifted again as we turned onto Salem and toward the last mile home.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 79 to 84°F at 17:15
Precipitation: none, until the flat, then an extremely heavy thunderstorm
Winds: 5 to 15 from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:07 for 11.45 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 144 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 18+6 cyclists,* 2 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
*6 bikes parked or laid beside the bikeway, riders not seen
Postscript
I checked the tube replacement on Thursday morning, reseated the tube, and shook in a lubricating dose of baby powder. Some time after returning the wheel to the front fork and inflating to riding pressure, I heard a huge POP! and the tube had exploded the tire off the rim. So Thursday became a drive day.
22 June 2011
Bike-commute day 42—to work
Wednesday, 22 June 2011.
The ride today started with a short conversation with Mike and Millie as they walked along Princeton Drive. Finally we had a chance to say more than just a hello while I whizzed by. Both are toying with retirement, both are working about half-time. Millie is a social worker who specializes in international adoption, and Mike has retired from teaching at a local college (he didn't name it) and now volunteers his services (I have forgotten where, for now).
Once on the bikeway, I saw a record number of weekday cyclists, including Gary and Amy on their tandem, just outside Eastwood/Park on the Springfield Street bikeway and Paul running near the trestle—today without his two dogs in tow.
The pleasant ride was marred only by a female driver on her phone in a black Wrangler-like vehicle (license tag EJK-5185) who was too intent in her conversation to pause for me at the marked crossing at Burkhardt.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 69 to 71°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:16 for 11.96 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 159 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 8 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
The ride today started with a short conversation with Mike and Millie as they walked along Princeton Drive. Finally we had a chance to say more than just a hello while I whizzed by. Both are toying with retirement, both are working about half-time. Millie is a social worker who specializes in international adoption, and Mike has retired from teaching at a local college (he didn't name it) and now volunteers his services (I have forgotten where, for now).
Once on the bikeway, I saw a record number of weekday cyclists, including Gary and Amy on their tandem, just outside Eastwood/Park on the Springfield Street bikeway and Paul running near the trestle—today without his two dogs in tow.
The pleasant ride was marred only by a female driver on her phone in a black Wrangler-like vehicle (license tag EJK-5185) who was too intent in her conversation to pause for me at the marked crossing at Burkhardt.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 69 to 71°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:16 for 11.96 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 159 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 8 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
21 June 2011
Bike-commute day 41—to home
Tuesday, 21 June 2011.
Totally refreshed by a double-tall glass of liquids sipped throughout the afternoon and also benefiting from the cooler temperatures, my route home was swift, even along the Mad River with headwinds pushing back at my cadence.
After a short workday, which started at 14:00, I took advantage of the Summer Solstice by leaving work after 19:00, with enough sunlight to provide lots of visibility through my arrival home by 8 p.m..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 74°F at 16:45
Precipitation: moderate rainfall around 17:00, wet bikeway for about 20%
Winds: 5 to 10 from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:53 for 12.01 miles
Heart rate: 134 bpm HRave, 162 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Totally refreshed by a double-tall glass of liquids sipped throughout the afternoon and also benefiting from the cooler temperatures, my route home was swift, even along the Mad River with headwinds pushing back at my cadence.
After a short workday, which started at 14:00, I took advantage of the Summer Solstice by leaving work after 19:00, with enough sunlight to provide lots of visibility through my arrival home by 8 p.m..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 74°F at 16:45
Precipitation: moderate rainfall around 17:00, wet bikeway for about 20%
Winds: 5 to 10 from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:53 for 12.01 miles
Heart rate: 134 bpm HRave, 162 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 41—to work
Tuesday, 21 June 2011.
Today Chuck had a colonoscopy, so I drove him to the treatment center, had breakfast with him at Hasty-Tasty Pancake House, took him back home, and then biked to work. The ride was good, but taxing at a record temperature for today. I've been a bit lethargic at work. I hope a large drink of water and juice will perk me up, prepare me for the return ride this evening.
Hydration —or rather, the lack of hydration—is a strange phenomenon. Dehydration can sneak up and leave you unaware that it is the cause of a loss of power. But you can force yourself past it, or take a sip that is enough to let you continue the exertion without quite replenishing the body's fluid needs. You can go a long period with just coaxing the body a bit more, and then just a touch more than that, pushing the dehydrated condition further and further beyond the edge. Then finally, suddenly the body responds adamantly that it can perform no more: full exhaustion, clammy flesh, lack of sweat production, and a gradual onset of real sickness that includes restlessness, overheating, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. This is nothing to toy with. It can result in heat stroke and death. And if you start force-drinking fluids early enough, you can prevent death, though you may feel like dying.
A provider of a regular training email, Chris Carmichael, has this information about hydration.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 86 to 91°F at 13:05, 88 to 94°F at 15:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the south-southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:48 for 11.98 miles
Heart rate: 141 HRave, 154 HRmax
Bikeway users: 11 cyclists, 7 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
Today Chuck had a colonoscopy, so I drove him to the treatment center, had breakfast with him at Hasty-Tasty Pancake House, took him back home, and then biked to work. The ride was good, but taxing at a record temperature for today. I've been a bit lethargic at work. I hope a large drink of water and juice will perk me up, prepare me for the return ride this evening.
Hydration —or rather, the lack of hydration—is a strange phenomenon. Dehydration can sneak up and leave you unaware that it is the cause of a loss of power. But you can force yourself past it, or take a sip that is enough to let you continue the exertion without quite replenishing the body's fluid needs. You can go a long period with just coaxing the body a bit more, and then just a touch more than that, pushing the dehydrated condition further and further beyond the edge. Then finally, suddenly the body responds adamantly that it can perform no more: full exhaustion, clammy flesh, lack of sweat production, and a gradual onset of real sickness that includes restlessness, overheating, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. This is nothing to toy with. It can result in heat stroke and death. And if you start force-drinking fluids early enough, you can prevent death, though you may feel like dying.
A provider of a regular training email, Chris Carmichael, has this information about hydration.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 86 to 91°F at 13:05, 88 to 94°F at 15:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the south-southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:48 for 11.98 miles
Heart rate: 141 HRave, 154 HRmax
Bikeway users: 11 cyclists, 7 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
20 June 2011
Bike-commute day 40—to home
Monday, 20 June 2011.
I joked with Joe, our floors janitor, "I hope you arranged for my dry ride home today." He assured me that it was all paid for.
Such is the power of paying for the weather. It was sprinkling as I stepped outside.
But the light rain let up almost as soon as I reached the crossing of Research Boulevard, and I had only the wet pavement to navigate as carefully as possible. Avoid the lane markings, especially the white paint. It's usually much slicker than even the yellow stripes. And once on the bikeway at Spaulding, even the painted markings diminished to the areas preceding the intersections across the streets.
I had fully recharged the Garmin device, and it functioned well, even with the heavy cloud cover. I skipped out on a side trip to the gym, in case the coming rain advanced more quickly than I guessed from the weather radar. After I cleared the bikeway under the canopy, the way was dry. So about 50% was wet or damp, and half was easily navigated.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 74°F at 16:45
Precipitation: moderate rainfall between 10 a.m. and noon, isolated showers in the afternoon, wet bikeway for about 50%
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:22 for 12.00 miles
Heart rate: 117 bpm average, 141 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
I joked with Joe, our floors janitor, "I hope you arranged for my dry ride home today." He assured me that it was all paid for.
Such is the power of paying for the weather. It was sprinkling as I stepped outside.
But the light rain let up almost as soon as I reached the crossing of Research Boulevard, and I had only the wet pavement to navigate as carefully as possible. Avoid the lane markings, especially the white paint. It's usually much slicker than even the yellow stripes. And once on the bikeway at Spaulding, even the painted markings diminished to the areas preceding the intersections across the streets.
I had fully recharged the Garmin device, and it functioned well, even with the heavy cloud cover. I skipped out on a side trip to the gym, in case the coming rain advanced more quickly than I guessed from the weather radar. After I cleared the bikeway under the canopy, the way was dry. So about 50% was wet or damp, and half was easily navigated.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 74°F at 16:45
Precipitation: moderate rainfall between 10 a.m. and noon, isolated showers in the afternoon, wet bikeway for about 50%
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:22 for 12.00 miles
Heart rate: 117 bpm average, 141 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 40—to work
Monday, 20 June 2011.
I had left the Garmin device on over the weekend, unused but attached to my bike. ...such was my cycling activity over the weekend. As I started out today at 08:22, the device displayed a warning that the battery was low. Within 90 seconds into the ride, the device went blank. I turned it on again at my first checkpoint, and it came to life only for about 15 seconds. Though I tried again at each checkpoint, the device remained dead through the rest of the ride.
The clock in the locker room read 09:08 when I arrived.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 70°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none, but threatening
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: about 00:56:00 for 11.97 miles
Heart rate: no data
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
I had left the Garmin device on over the weekend, unused but attached to my bike. ...such was my cycling activity over the weekend. As I started out today at 08:22, the device displayed a warning that the battery was low. Within 90 seconds into the ride, the device went blank. I turned it on again at my first checkpoint, and it came to life only for about 15 seconds. Though I tried again at each checkpoint, the device remained dead through the rest of the ride.
The clock in the locker room read 09:08 when I arrived.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 70°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none, but threatening
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: about 00:56:00 for 11.97 miles
Heart rate: no data
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
18 June 2011
Bike-commute day 39—to home
Friday, 17 June 2011.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 81°F at 17:05, 84°F at 18:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph, from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:47:07 for 13.03 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm average, 154 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 22 cyclists, 10 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 81°F at 17:05, 84°F at 18:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph, from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:47:07 for 13.03 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm average, 154 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 22 cyclists, 10 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
17 June 2011
Bike-commute day 39—to work
Friday, 17 June 2011.
I left home again later than usual—perhaps if I do so again, my usual will become today's later, then where will I be? But because of my departure time, I was again in need of a faster traverse time, which, I was happy to note at a few points in the middle of the ride, was entirely possible today. I noted several times that, at least from the Findlay Street bridge through my turn onto the Spaulding bikeway, my current HR was holding steadily above 146 and often holding above 150. For stretches much longer than the mere 60 seconds that I had attained on my first attempt at HR training.
What else contributed to my greater strength? Perhaps that I took a rest day yesterday and that the ride of the day before did not include a weight training period.
The number of fellow cyclists was relatively huge this morning. Among them were the tandem father-daughter team of Gary and Amy. And a shirtless runner with a white dog as a running companion, though I noticed much more the runner's superb back and arms. So much so that I took a long backward glance at his firm chest and gave him a wolf whistle.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 63 to 67°F at 07:15, 75°F at 09:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:22 for 11.97 miles
Heart rate: 136 bpm average, 160 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
I left home again later than usual—perhaps if I do so again, my usual will become today's later, then where will I be? But because of my departure time, I was again in need of a faster traverse time, which, I was happy to note at a few points in the middle of the ride, was entirely possible today. I noted several times that, at least from the Findlay Street bridge through my turn onto the Spaulding bikeway, my current HR was holding steadily above 146 and often holding above 150. For stretches much longer than the mere 60 seconds that I had attained on my first attempt at HR training.
What else contributed to my greater strength? Perhaps that I took a rest day yesterday and that the ride of the day before did not include a weight training period.
The number of fellow cyclists was relatively huge this morning. Among them were the tandem father-daughter team of Gary and Amy. And a shirtless runner with a white dog as a running companion, though I noticed much more the runner's superb back and arms. So much so that I took a long backward glance at his firm chest and gave him a wolf whistle.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 63 to 67°F at 07:15, 75°F at 09:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:22 for 11.97 miles
Heart rate: 136 bpm average, 160 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 38—to home
Wednesday, 15 June 2011.
Quick ride home to arrive in time for a dinner Chuck plans to have ready at 6:30.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 65 to 68°F at 16:55, 69°F at 18:00
Precipitation: some through 14:00 that left about 10% of the route damp
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:39:42 for 11.98 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm average, 148 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 16 cyclists, 10 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Quick ride home to arrive in time for a dinner Chuck plans to have ready at 6:30.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 65 to 68°F at 16:55, 69°F at 18:00
Precipitation: some through 14:00 that left about 10% of the route damp
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:39:42 for 11.98 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm average, 148 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 16 cyclists, 10 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
15 June 2011
Bike-commute day 38—to work
Wednesday, 15 June 2011.
My start today was the latest ever to get to work: 08:13. Usually I've decided to drive when I have too much to do and can't leave by 8 o'clock. But today was different: Chuck's car is in the drive, and that would mean a bit of musical chairs with the garage. So I decided to bike, no matter what, and pulled out whatever reserves I had to keep intensity up throughout the ride.
A FiveRivers Parks truck was exiting the maintenance compound as I passed out of Eastwood Park, and I stopped them to mention the need to sweep loose twigs on the corner a bit east of the yellow gate. While I'm at it, there are other housekeeping tasks for the bikeway segments that are part of my commute.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 61°F at 07:55, 63 to 66°F at 09:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:58 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm average, 156 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
My start today was the latest ever to get to work: 08:13. Usually I've decided to drive when I have too much to do and can't leave by 8 o'clock. But today was different: Chuck's car is in the drive, and that would mean a bit of musical chairs with the garage. So I decided to bike, no matter what, and pulled out whatever reserves I had to keep intensity up throughout the ride.
A FiveRivers Parks truck was exiting the maintenance compound as I passed out of Eastwood Park, and I stopped them to mention the need to sweep loose twigs on the corner a bit east of the yellow gate. While I'm at it, there are other housekeeping tasks for the bikeway segments that are part of my commute.
- The ramp from the Monument Avenue bridge to the river-level bikeway has many loose stones and twigs, over its entire distance.
- The culvert crossing underneath the Main Street bridge has concrete washed away by the Spring flooding. Though a part of the washout has been filled with compacted dirt, the entire width needs attention with filler concrete or asphalt.
- A relatively small amount of stones litter the bikeway just west of the Findlay Street bridge.
- The intersection of the bikeway, North Smithville, and Springfield Street and the bikeway crossing of Smithville just a tenth mile south of that intersection still lack road markings for the crossing.
- Quite a few dropped walnuts litter the bikeway in several areas between Airway and Linden. I suspect the number will increase over the next two weeks.
- Almost all crossings would benefit from reapplication of paint and better approach signage at Airway, Burkhardt, Linden, Woodbine, Woodman, Spaulding north of the county waste treatment plant, and Spaulding at the crossing to Founders Drive
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 61°F at 07:55, 63 to 66°F at 09:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:58 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm average, 156 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
14 June 2011
Bike-commute day 37—to gym and home
Tuesday, 14 June 2011.
Push push push, no matter how the body complains. The object: get home with enough time to make a quick dinner and be off to a film with Chuck. Oh, and stop at the gym for a very short abs workout.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 81°F at 17:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:57:03 for 15.86 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm average, 144 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 36 cyclists, 18 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Push push push, no matter how the body complains. The object: get home with enough time to make a quick dinner and be off to a film with Chuck. Oh, and stop at the gym for a very short abs workout.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 81°F at 17:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:57:03 for 15.86 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm average, 144 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 36 cyclists, 18 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 37—to work
Tuesday, 14 June 2011.
The initial leg of my commute from home is often a source of misjudging how the ride will go. Since it is downhill through my crossing of the Monument Avenue bridge, it's easy to feel strong and fast. This morning was no different on the descent to the river, and it was during the route along the Mad River that I thought my legs feel like iron weights, and not at all like powerful steel pistons. After the exhilarating ride with Jeff Collier yesterday, my body today was exercising some grudge against me, avoiding any successful push to reach again the higher performance level.
Every aspect of a bike ride has its yin and yang. Today, as I approached and slowed for the Airway Boulevard crossing, an auto driver from the east slowed, stopped, and waved me forward. There were no other cars from either the east or west, so I resumed my spin and waved and mouthed a Thanks! to her as I crossed. Then as I slowed to approach the Burkhardt Avenue crossing, a black sports car from the east also slowed without clearly intending to stop, and I applied reverse pedal effort to stop my fixed gear before reaching the marked crossing. The car continued its slowed traverse of the crossing, the driver glared. I read his license plate "LTH 1" clearly as he continued to the west.
The last leg of my route, perhaps the most sociable part, is where I often meet the most people that I know by name. Today Millie was walking south to bring Gladys to their morning walk, and Paul (who I had fictionalized his name as Double-Dog-Jason) was heading north with his two dogs. Today's ride included a short errand off the bikeway—a jaunt across three parking lots to a Shell gas station to buy lottery tickets. One of my past lotto numbers was a winner of a whopping $2. So no retirement nest egg from the last purchase.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 54 to 59°F at 07:55, 64°F at 10:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:45:35 for 12.30 miles
Heart rate: 124 bpm average, 143 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
The initial leg of my commute from home is often a source of misjudging how the ride will go. Since it is downhill through my crossing of the Monument Avenue bridge, it's easy to feel strong and fast. This morning was no different on the descent to the river, and it was during the route along the Mad River that I thought my legs feel like iron weights, and not at all like powerful steel pistons. After the exhilarating ride with Jeff Collier yesterday, my body today was exercising some grudge against me, avoiding any successful push to reach again the higher performance level.
Every aspect of a bike ride has its yin and yang. Today, as I approached and slowed for the Airway Boulevard crossing, an auto driver from the east slowed, stopped, and waved me forward. There were no other cars from either the east or west, so I resumed my spin and waved and mouthed a Thanks! to her as I crossed. Then as I slowed to approach the Burkhardt Avenue crossing, a black sports car from the east also slowed without clearly intending to stop, and I applied reverse pedal effort to stop my fixed gear before reaching the marked crossing. The car continued its slowed traverse of the crossing, the driver glared. I read his license plate "LTH 1" clearly as he continued to the west.
The last leg of my route, perhaps the most sociable part, is where I often meet the most people that I know by name. Today Millie was walking south to bring Gladys to their morning walk, and Paul (who I had fictionalized his name as Double-Dog-Jason) was heading north with his two dogs. Today's ride included a short errand off the bikeway—a jaunt across three parking lots to a Shell gas station to buy lottery tickets. One of my past lotto numbers was a winner of a whopping $2. So no retirement nest egg from the last purchase.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 54 to 59°F at 07:55, 64°F at 10:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:45:35 for 12.30 miles
Heart rate: 124 bpm average, 143 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
13 June 2011
Bike-commute day 36—to gym and home
Monday, 13 June 2011
My ride didn't seem so special in the first leg to the gym: at one point when my heart seemed to strain, I noticed the HR was only at 120 bpm, and I worried momentarily that I was way too tired to push hard for the ride home. But that feeling lasted only a quarter mile, and I felt power and wholeness return.
I kept my weight training short, with just a focus on the shoulder exercises, and I was at full power when I was back on the bike. The hill beside the frisbee golf course added to my sense of being at high power, and I continued through to Smithville at an average of over 20 mph. Through Eastwood, the intensity matched the need for care at the crossings and on the turns, and then I applied full power as I passed the 3rd lap point. Around Findlay Street, I saw a rider in the distance and my goal was to catch him before the Green Bridge. He had a good speed and remained a challenge until the catch below the Webster Street bridge. From that point, the large numbers of pedestrians required careful, slower maneuvering until the Main Street bridge, and then I could apply full power again. As I approached the turn to the Monument Bridge ramp, another rider approached from the south. When he stopped short of the ramp, I called out "Oh com'on. Go for it." He laughed with some embarrassment, but still walked his hybrid up the gentler, double-backed ramps.
As I crossed the bridge, I noted that my time was a bit earlier than usual, maybe the day will be a year's record time.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 72 to 77°F at 16:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed-gear
Time: 00:57:33 for 15.84 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm average, 155 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 13 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
My ride didn't seem so special in the first leg to the gym: at one point when my heart seemed to strain, I noticed the HR was only at 120 bpm, and I worried momentarily that I was way too tired to push hard for the ride home. But that feeling lasted only a quarter mile, and I felt power and wholeness return.
I kept my weight training short, with just a focus on the shoulder exercises, and I was at full power when I was back on the bike. The hill beside the frisbee golf course added to my sense of being at high power, and I continued through to Smithville at an average of over 20 mph. Through Eastwood, the intensity matched the need for care at the crossings and on the turns, and then I applied full power as I passed the 3rd lap point. Around Findlay Street, I saw a rider in the distance and my goal was to catch him before the Green Bridge. He had a good speed and remained a challenge until the catch below the Webster Street bridge. From that point, the large numbers of pedestrians required careful, slower maneuvering until the Main Street bridge, and then I could apply full power again. As I approached the turn to the Monument Bridge ramp, another rider approached from the south. When he stopped short of the ramp, I called out "Oh com'on. Go for it." He laughed with some embarrassment, but still walked his hybrid up the gentler, double-backed ramps.
As I crossed the bridge, I noted that my time was a bit earlier than usual, maybe the day will be a year's record time.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 72 to 77°F at 16:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed-gear
Time: 00:57:33 for 15.84 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm average, 155 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 13 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 36—to work
Monday, 13 June 2011.
Shortly before I reached Eastwood Park, Jeff Collier alerted me to his overtaking me. We rode together through to his turn east to parallel highway 35. He spoke of his 180-mile ride this past weekend, with a group that rode from southern Dayton to Kentucky. It was mostly flat, he said, and they ended the ride with a few selected hill climbs to make the ride worthwhile.
Hmm. His pace had me puffing a lot, not very able to keep up half of the conversation. My afternoon review of the commute showed me why: my HR was over 143 and ranging up to 155 throughout our ride together, with a short exception for a full stop at Springfield Street for heavier traffic than usual. But that I kept up and maintained a high HR for the duration shows that I've been easy on myself as a lone rider. Time to step up to what I really can do.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 56 to 60°F at 07:55, 63°F at 10:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:25 for 12.03 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm average, 183* bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 1 cyclists, 3 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
* not reliable, a more likely HRmax was 154.
Shortly before I reached Eastwood Park, Jeff Collier alerted me to his overtaking me. We rode together through to his turn east to parallel highway 35. He spoke of his 180-mile ride this past weekend, with a group that rode from southern Dayton to Kentucky. It was mostly flat, he said, and they ended the ride with a few selected hill climbs to make the ride worthwhile.
Hmm. His pace had me puffing a lot, not very able to keep up half of the conversation. My afternoon review of the commute showed me why: my HR was over 143 and ranging up to 155 throughout our ride together, with a short exception for a full stop at Springfield Street for heavier traffic than usual. But that I kept up and maintained a high HR for the duration shows that I've been easy on myself as a lone rider. Time to step up to what I really can do.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 56 to 60°F at 07:55, 63°F at 10:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:25 for 12.03 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm average, 183* bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 1 cyclists, 3 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
* not reliable, a more likely HRmax was 154.
Bike-commute day 35—to gym and home
Thursday, 9 June 2011.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 85 to 91°F at 17:10
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 01:00:16 for 15.67 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm average, 139 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 25 cyclists, 13 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 85 to 91°F at 17:10
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 01:00:16 for 15.67 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm average, 139 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 25 cyclists, 13 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
09 June 2011
Bike-commute day 35—to work
I hoped to have started out as early as 07:00 this morning, but didn't get out the door until 07:48. So I whipped myself as I rode my commute for the first time in six days. I had taken some errand rides over the weekend, but no commutes to allow for bringing Chuck home from the airport and making his first couple days comfortable. And so today, Thursday, was my first bike-commute since Friday.
From today on, I'm changing my morning routine to eat a breakfast bagel at work, after the commute. I plan to continue brewing a latté or French roast drip coffee before the ride, consumed while I feed Howard, read the Wall Street Journal, and do other tasks before I leave for the morning. For example, today I watered the plants in the front yard and a few that needed water in the back yard while I waited for the WSJ delivery.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 75 to 79°F at 06:55, 81 to 85°F at 10:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the north-northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:47 for 11.86 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm average, 146 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 3 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Another bike errand
One-way bike rip to pick up Chuck's car at Precision Tune Auto Care.
Ride details
Temperature: 86°F at 16:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed-gear
Time: 00:19:22 for 4.25 miles
Heart rate: 124 bpm average, 145 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: not tallied
Here is a playback of the ride .
Ride details
Temperature: 86°F at 16:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed-gear
Time: 00:19:22 for 4.25 miles
Heart rate: 124 bpm average, 145 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: not tallied
Here is a playback of the ride .
05 June 2011
Bike-errand day
Farmer's Market
Looking for Life Enrichment Center
Gym
Gay Pride Fesitval
Home for work in the garden
Ride details
Temperature: 72 to 88°F at 16:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed-gear
Time: 01:56:35 for 27.30 miles
Heart rate: 121 bpm average, 142 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: not tallied
Here is a playback of the ride .
Looking for Life Enrichment Center
Gym
Gay Pride Fesitval
Home for work in the garden
Ride details
Temperature: 72 to 88°F at 16:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed-gear
Time: 01:56:35 for 27.30 miles
Heart rate: 121 bpm average, 142 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: not tallied
Here is a playback of the ride .
03 June 2011
Bike-commute day 34—to Courteous Mass and home
I rode hard and fast to make it to Courteous Mass a few minutes before the scheduled start time, and I arrived by 17:20.
About 20 cyclists took part in a ride from Fifth/Third Field to the Second Street Market, then past the Cannery and south on Wayne Avenue (waved hello to Janelle at Press) to Fifth Street and through the Oregon District. We followed Fifth Street past the Neon Movies to Wilkinson Street, went north to Monument, and crossed the Monument Avenue Bridge. Then a block north to Belmonte Park North between the Dayton Art Institute and the Masonic Temple. From there, we took Belmonte Park East to Grand Avenue, turned left to Belmonte Park North and north to Five Oaks Avenue. Then we went east to Forest, north past Corpus Christi Church to Helena, and east to cross the Great Miami River and turn south on River Bend Road. Then we joined the bikeway, crossed the Green Bridge, took the underpass below Patterson Boulevard, and ended at the Bicycle Hub. (about 8.5 miles in 45 minutes)
Ride conditions
Temperature: 81 to 88°F at 16:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed-gear
Time: 01:18:10 for 17.59 miles
Heart rate: 116 bpm average, 145 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 22 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
About 20 cyclists took part in a ride from Fifth/Third Field to the Second Street Market, then past the Cannery and south on Wayne Avenue (waved hello to Janelle at Press) to Fifth Street and through the Oregon District. We followed Fifth Street past the Neon Movies to Wilkinson Street, went north to Monument, and crossed the Monument Avenue Bridge. Then a block north to Belmonte Park North between the Dayton Art Institute and the Masonic Temple. From there, we took Belmonte Park East to Grand Avenue, turned left to Belmonte Park North and north to Five Oaks Avenue. Then we went east to Forest, north past Corpus Christi Church to Helena, and east to cross the Great Miami River and turn south on River Bend Road. Then we joined the bikeway, crossed the Green Bridge, took the underpass below Patterson Boulevard, and ended at the Bicycle Hub. (about 8.5 miles in 45 minutes)
Ride conditions
Temperature: 81 to 88°F at 16:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed-gear
Time: 01:18:10 for 17.59 miles
Heart rate: 116 bpm average, 145 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 22 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 34—to work
As I finished my commute this morning, I thought I had arrived with a personal best time. That achievement countered my experience during the ride, since it was a set of frustrated attempts at raising my heart rate above 150. (Notes to self: Use the hybrid bike or the geared road bike when you want to do heart training and sprints. Also make sure you're well rested the night before the sprints.)
Special Note: World Naked Bike Ride
There must be some of you out there, either intrigued by or participating in the World Naked Bike Ride. The closest local event is in Columbus, Ohio. Here are the specifics.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 63°F at 06:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the east
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:08 for 11.98 miles
Heart rate: 130 bpm average, 146 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 12 pedestrians, 3 dogs, 2 deer
Here is a playback of the ride.
- My first unsuccessful sprint was about two minutes out from Eastwood Park. I reached 140 bpm quickly with a cadence of 95 rpm, but the slight changes in elevation and turns kept me from reaching more than 146 bpm. 2:10 minutes were over 140.
- My second sprint was around the former Multi-Service plant, where I had only 1:47 over 140.
- I started the third sprint almost immediately, after I had crossed Airway, but it was only 2:23 for an HRmax of 145.
- The fourth sprint, between Burkhardt and Linden, was again 2:23 with an HRmax of 145.
- The fifth was a half-hearted 1:08 that only reached 141 HRmax before I slowed for Woodbine Avenue.
- The sixth was a short 0:58 at 141 HRmax before I turned to parallel Spaulding Road.
- The last sprint attempt was an exact 2:00 with a 144 HRmax that stopped at the Patterson Boulevard traffic signal.
Special Note: World Naked Bike Ride
There must be some of you out there, either intrigued by or participating in the World Naked Bike Ride. The closest local event is in Columbus, Ohio. Here are the specifics.
- Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 11:30pm (yes, just before midnight)
- Third Hand Bicycle Cooperative
- 174 East 5th Ave
- Columbus Ohio
- Secure storage for items not worn during the ride
- Free body paint and costuming
- Each cyclist makes an individual choice about the amount of nudity they are comfortable with and no one is required to be naked
- Bring a bicycle, unicycle, long board, scooter, set of rollerblades or anything human powered
- Dance after-party just down the street.
"We ride in solidarity with people around the globe to point out the vulnerability of cyclists to automobiles, advocate for less oil-dependent transportation in our cities, and celebrate the human form."
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 63°F at 06:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the east
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:08 for 11.98 miles
Heart rate: 130 bpm average, 146 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 12 pedestrians, 3 dogs, 2 deer
Here is a playback of the ride.
02 June 2011
Bike-commute day 33—to gym and home
I got a reminder this afternoon on the unreliability of drivers. As I approached the bikeway crossing of Linden Avenue, a driver from the west graciously stopped for me. I slowed for the crossing, saluted a thanks to the driver, and then looked to the right. A driver was approaching from the east, obviously slowing. But not stopping, just slowing.
As she crossed in front of me, I saw inside the auto. The driver was busily fitting a supersize cup into the cup holder, oblivious of the marked crosswalk and the stopped vehicle in the approaching lane. Unaware that her slowing might have been understood as an invitation to cross in front of her.
The distracted driver is the greatest hazard presented to a cyclist who uses the roadways. And the cyclist who aims to use only the bikeways, since the bikeways intersect with roads, often at distances of less than a mile from one intersection to the next. The cellphone and texting are only the two more recent sources of distraction, joining many other sources that have been present almost as long as the automobile itself: lighting a cigarette, tuning the radio, opening and closing windows, conversing with a rider, eating and drinking at the wheel, responding to a nuisance insect, squinting from sun glare, daydreaming.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 81°F at 17:10
Precipitation: none, then a lot
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed-gear
Time: 00:58:03 for 15.82 miles
Heart rate: 123 bpm average, 142 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 31 cyclists, 14 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
As she crossed in front of me, I saw inside the auto. The driver was busily fitting a supersize cup into the cup holder, oblivious of the marked crosswalk and the stopped vehicle in the approaching lane. Unaware that her slowing might have been understood as an invitation to cross in front of her.
The distracted driver is the greatest hazard presented to a cyclist who uses the roadways. And the cyclist who aims to use only the bikeways, since the bikeways intersect with roads, often at distances of less than a mile from one intersection to the next. The cellphone and texting are only the two more recent sources of distraction, joining many other sources that have been present almost as long as the automobile itself: lighting a cigarette, tuning the radio, opening and closing windows, conversing with a rider, eating and drinking at the wheel, responding to a nuisance insect, squinting from sun glare, daydreaming.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 81°F at 17:10
Precipitation: none, then a lot
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed-gear
Time: 00:58:03 for 15.82 miles
Heart rate: 123 bpm average, 142 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 31 cyclists, 14 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 33—to work
Ah! All the bikeway is completely dry. The branches and logs have been carried away, and only a thick covering of what was mud before remains on the lowest parts of the bikeway. I bet Rob, a colleague who bike-commutes, that the dried mud would also be removed by the end of the work day.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68°F at 07:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:12 for 11.98 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm average, 152 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 11 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68°F at 07:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:12 for 11.98 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm average, 152 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 11 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
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