Thursday, 29 September 2011
Today was not a bike-commute day because of a 7 a.m. appointment for a more definitive stress test. Last week's test showed an area of concern that my doctor wanted to check out with a procedure that combines a cardiac stress test on a treadmill and CAT scans before and after the exercise. (While at the doctor's office, I got a copy of the test report, which reads in part, "There was 1 to 1.5 mm of horizontal ST segment depression laterally suggestive of ischemia.")
The procedure took a bit over three hours. First I was given a radioactive marker by intravenous, after which I had to wait 30 minutes for the material to "settle" in the veins and arteries of my heart. Then I was placed in the CAT machine for a localized scan of the thorax. This was followed by a treadmill stress test that aimed to bring my heart rate up to about 130 bpm in 5 stages. During the fifth stage, another dose of the radioactive marker was injected into the IV. I rested long enough for recovery to normal heart rate and a total of 30 minutes for the isotope to find its way to the cardiac vessels. The final step was another CAT scan.
I should hear the results early next week.
What runs counter to the charting is that I have no pain on exertion. So, perhaps it's good that I pursued what the genetics have produced in me, despite my care to keep active into maturity.
29 September 2011
28 September 2011
Bike-commute day 87—to home
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Very easy ride tonight because of the wet pavement. The bikeway beside the Miami River was still flooded.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 57 to 59°F at 16:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00: 47:57 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 113 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Very easy ride tonight because of the wet pavement. The bikeway beside the Miami River was still flooded.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 57 to 59°F at 16:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00: 47:57 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 113 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 87—to work
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
This morning I was antsy to get going, waiting for the rosy-fingered Dawn or the yellow-wreathed Maple to announce it was light enough to get on the way. But the day's light snuck in unannounced, somewhere above the cloud cover.
I was getting lonely on the commute, when finally I saw another cyclist—no, three cyclists in a tight, single-file group—just north of Airway. They were coming toward me, dressed in two and three layers of cool-weather bike wear, a mix of purples, pinks, blues, and black. I guessed that they were part of the organized weekly ride that leaves the Gazebo at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. Then, halfway through the canopy behind the DPL headquarters, I saw an infrequent regular on the bikeway, pedalling fast on a hybrid, wearing casual work clothes, the front of his unzipped hoodie flapping below his arms.
Then finally, after crossing Linden, I saw the first pedestrians of the day: Millie and Gladys heading south. I slowed to their speed as I reached them, and we talked for a while, almost for three and a half minutes. Their health is holding up, but Gladys told me of her husband's mild stroke that was discovered only when he had an eye exam in July. They also shared that one of Millie's two husbands had died in the 70s and the second had died after they had divorced and Millie had dropped frequent contact with him. Gladys spoke of her first marriage to a man who abused her but who presented little drama when they divorced after seven years. And now Gladys has been married 46 years.
In the remainder of my ride, I was visited by happy memories of the 31 years together with Chuck:
Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 55°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 to 10 to 15 mph from the nor south ea west
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:46:53 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 3 pedestrians, 1 dogs
Playback of the ride
This morning I was antsy to get going, waiting for the rosy-fingered Dawn or the yellow-wreathed Maple to announce it was light enough to get on the way. But the day's light snuck in unannounced, somewhere above the cloud cover.
I was getting lonely on the commute, when finally I saw another cyclist—no, three cyclists in a tight, single-file group—just north of Airway. They were coming toward me, dressed in two and three layers of cool-weather bike wear, a mix of purples, pinks, blues, and black. I guessed that they were part of the organized weekly ride that leaves the Gazebo at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. Then, halfway through the canopy behind the DPL headquarters, I saw an infrequent regular on the bikeway, pedalling fast on a hybrid, wearing casual work clothes, the front of his unzipped hoodie flapping below his arms.
Then finally, after crossing Linden, I saw the first pedestrians of the day: Millie and Gladys heading south. I slowed to their speed as I reached them, and we talked for a while, almost for three and a half minutes. Their health is holding up, but Gladys told me of her husband's mild stroke that was discovered only when he had an eye exam in July. They also shared that one of Millie's two husbands had died in the 70s and the second had died after they had divorced and Millie had dropped frequent contact with him. Gladys spoke of her first marriage to a man who abused her but who presented little drama when they divorced after seven years. And now Gladys has been married 46 years.
In the remainder of my ride, I was visited by happy memories of the 31 years together with Chuck:
- making a weekend visit to Ohio Caverns that was one of several day trips we took during my convalescence from a life-threatening auto-bike collision in 1984
- playing volleyball on a Friday night with a supportive group of gay men at the Pan-Pacific Pavilion in West Hollywood
- playing one of our weekly raquetball games at the downtown YMCA
- renewing our marriage promises in the garden chapel of Corpus Christi church on Forest Avenue
- snuggling together with a projector behind the bed for a screening of Wild Strawberries
- working together on the final-final-final edit of his book Dark Dreams 2.0
- riding together in our Toyota Celica to Wright State for the classes I attended and the classes he taught
- arriving late at night at the Headlands Center for the Arts after an evening dinner in San Francisco
- walking through the Jardin du Luxembourg on our week-long visit to Paris.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 55°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 to 10 to 15 mph from the nor south ea west
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:46:53 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 3 pedestrians, 1 dogs
Playback of the ride
27 September 2011
Bike-commute day 86—to home
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Though the temperatures were in the cool part of the 60s, I decided not to wear the longsleeve undershirt on the ride home. I was a bit uncomfortable at the start, but I soon built up enough warmth to become comfortable. The paths were lightly travelled, covered with yet more fallen leaves and walnuts. I kept reminding myself to avoid the scattered leaves, since they might cover a walnut. At one point, while passing a couple and their dog, I was forced to the left side of the path, and rode over a large stick on the path. For the next mile, I worried that my tire was getting flat. But though the tire certainly had less air after the encounter, it never flatted.
On this morning's ride, I noticed the renewed smells of each segment of the way, and tonight some of those scents were still enshrouding the bikeway: a skunk's protective spray bolstered the natural area between Airway and Smithville, a small foundry's burnt-carbon funked the plateau between Eastwood Park and Findlay Avenue.
I made it home well before sunset, though the actual horizon was obliterated by a building blue cloud bank that foretold a night of rain.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 18:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:07 for 12.01 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 8 cyclists, 12 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Though the temperatures were in the cool part of the 60s, I decided not to wear the longsleeve undershirt on the ride home. I was a bit uncomfortable at the start, but I soon built up enough warmth to become comfortable. The paths were lightly travelled, covered with yet more fallen leaves and walnuts. I kept reminding myself to avoid the scattered leaves, since they might cover a walnut. At one point, while passing a couple and their dog, I was forced to the left side of the path, and rode over a large stick on the path. For the next mile, I worried that my tire was getting flat. But though the tire certainly had less air after the encounter, it never flatted.
On this morning's ride, I noticed the renewed smells of each segment of the way, and tonight some of those scents were still enshrouding the bikeway: a skunk's protective spray bolstered the natural area between Airway and Smithville, a small foundry's burnt-carbon funked the plateau between Eastwood Park and Findlay Avenue.
I made it home well before sunset, though the actual horizon was obliterated by a building blue cloud bank that foretold a night of rain.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 18:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:07 for 12.01 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 8 cyclists, 12 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 86—to work
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
After a weekend of rain, some heavy, the lower bikeway was flooded to a depth of a few inches. I guessed it might be clear as I headed down the ramp from the Monument Avenue bridge, but the flooding started just below the YMCA. I took the ramp up to the gravel path under the Y, and continued across to Riverscape and the Bike Hub.
The bikeway from the confluence of the Mad and Miami rivers was passable. Only one small stretch of 20 feet had been flooded earlier in the night.
The rest of the commute was usual, with few others on the path to allow a fairly fast passage.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 51 to 55°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the southeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:54 for 12.11 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
After a weekend of rain, some heavy, the lower bikeway was flooded to a depth of a few inches. I guessed it might be clear as I headed down the ramp from the Monument Avenue bridge, but the flooding started just below the YMCA. I took the ramp up to the gravel path under the Y, and continued across to Riverscape and the Bike Hub.
The bikeway from the confluence of the Mad and Miami rivers was passable. Only one small stretch of 20 feet had been flooded earlier in the night.
The rest of the commute was usual, with few others on the path to allow a fairly fast passage.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 51 to 55°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the southeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:54 for 12.11 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
22 September 2011
Bike-commute day 85—to gym and home
Thursday, 22 September 2011
On my way to and from a short workout at Cardinal Fitness, I saw Scott working in his yard.
At Cardinal, the workout consisted of bench presses, barbell curls, pec deck alternating with delt deck, and cable pushdowns. I talked with Brandon, who is goalie on the Wright State hockey team. He observed that the team lacks defensive skills and they can't pass or score, though they are fast on the ice.
As I left the Eastwood gate, I passed a male cyclist on a road bike who seemed to be on an acceleration up to a good speed. Immediately ahead of him was a pair of women who I had first thought he was chasing to catch. I pedaled on, gaining quite a nice speed tempo through the Findlay underpass. Then at the corner back to paralleling the river, I caught a peripheral glimpse of the rider in the red-yellow jersey. It was time for a breather, and he caught me at the old bridge buttress. His name is Jim, and he bikes this path infrequently .
At my normal third checkpoint, I made a quick loop up to Brixx to see if the cycling group was meeting there, but I found that the meeting was Tuesday.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 76°F at 17:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from westerly
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:00:24 for 16.67 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 157 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 14 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
On my way to and from a short workout at Cardinal Fitness, I saw Scott working in his yard.
At Cardinal, the workout consisted of bench presses, barbell curls, pec deck alternating with delt deck, and cable pushdowns. I talked with Brandon, who is goalie on the Wright State hockey team. He observed that the team lacks defensive skills and they can't pass or score, though they are fast on the ice.
As I left the Eastwood gate, I passed a male cyclist on a road bike who seemed to be on an acceleration up to a good speed. Immediately ahead of him was a pair of women who I had first thought he was chasing to catch. I pedaled on, gaining quite a nice speed tempo through the Findlay underpass. Then at the corner back to paralleling the river, I caught a peripheral glimpse of the rider in the red-yellow jersey. It was time for a breather, and he caught me at the old bridge buttress. His name is Jim, and he bikes this path infrequently .
At my normal third checkpoint, I made a quick loop up to Brixx to see if the cycling group was meeting there, but I found that the meeting was Tuesday.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 76°F at 17:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from westerly
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:00:24 for 16.67 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 157 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 14 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 85—to work
Thursday, 22 September 2011
The bikeway was very sparely used this morning. That was good, since I had energy to spare for the ride and not much to devote to counting the users. I first sensed the spare energy as I approached the Findlay underswoop, out of which I climbed to a sprint on the plateau and scattered the geese snacking on the greens.
I also made pushes at the former Multi-Service plant and under the canopies north and south of Burkhardt.And mentioning Burkhardt reminds me of how bad that intersection is. From a driver's perspective, the crossing is as good as unmarked. The paint markings on the pavement are at the high point of a rise that prevents their observation from a car. The crossing signs that should alert drivers from each direction are so distant from the crossing and so mixed into the confusion of foliage and signage that a driver can easily miss them completely. From a cyclist's perspective, the wild growth of weeds and shrubs is never contained, and the sight lines to the west are always obstructed. At least the sight lines to the east are open.
This morning's crossing proved my point for fully stopping there. A driver of a Pepsi truck must have been distracted as he approached from the west, because—even though I had stopped—he stomped on his brakes when he caught full sight of me at the crossing. I heard his load crunch against the inside of the cabin as the brakes took hold.
His stop wasn't perfectly timed to keep a person in the crossing safe, by perhaps 2 feet. Since he was obstructing the path, I saluted his hard stop, pointed at the crossing marks, and waved him on past.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 53 to 59°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:16 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
The bikeway was very sparely used this morning. That was good, since I had energy to spare for the ride and not much to devote to counting the users. I first sensed the spare energy as I approached the Findlay underswoop, out of which I climbed to a sprint on the plateau and scattered the geese snacking on the greens.
I also made pushes at the former Multi-Service plant and under the canopies north and south of Burkhardt.And mentioning Burkhardt reminds me of how bad that intersection is. From a driver's perspective, the crossing is as good as unmarked. The paint markings on the pavement are at the high point of a rise that prevents their observation from a car. The crossing signs that should alert drivers from each direction are so distant from the crossing and so mixed into the confusion of foliage and signage that a driver can easily miss them completely. From a cyclist's perspective, the wild growth of weeds and shrubs is never contained, and the sight lines to the west are always obstructed. At least the sight lines to the east are open.
This morning's crossing proved my point for fully stopping there. A driver of a Pepsi truck must have been distracted as he approached from the west, because—even though I had stopped—he stomped on his brakes when he caught full sight of me at the crossing. I heard his load crunch against the inside of the cabin as the brakes took hold.
His stop wasn't perfectly timed to keep a person in the crossing safe, by perhaps 2 feet. Since he was obstructing the path, I saluted his hard stop, pointed at the crossing marks, and waved him on past.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 53 to 59°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:16 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
20 September 2011
Bike-commute day 84—to home
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
I must be out of practice. Though I had put on the HR monitor as I was changing for the commute, it still wasn't well seated for the first mile or so of the ride. During that time, its reading was often as low as 45 bpm. So today's HR readings are skewed.
Further down the road, I stopped at the Gulf station to buy a lottery ticket. PJ, the daytime cashier, was training a new cashier, and he had to go through the steps of placing a recurring entry by scanning the previous ticket. (And I didn't win a release from the work world.)
I had stopped my Garmin to buy the tickets—or so I thought. I tapped the stop/start button as I resumed my ride, but didn't verify that it was registering speed. But what actually happened: I failed to press the stop/start button before buying the lottery ticket, and my press to restart actually stopped the device. I noticed the mistake only shortly before the first checkpoint, so the recording lost about 4 minutes of riding time.
Even with a day of intermittent sun, the bikeway was still damp under the dense canopy between Linden and Burkhardt, but otherwise the way was dry and only lightly travelled..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 74 to 79°F at 17:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:47:23 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 118 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 14 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
I must be out of practice. Though I had put on the HR monitor as I was changing for the commute, it still wasn't well seated for the first mile or so of the ride. During that time, its reading was often as low as 45 bpm. So today's HR readings are skewed.
Further down the road, I stopped at the Gulf station to buy a lottery ticket. PJ, the daytime cashier, was training a new cashier, and he had to go through the steps of placing a recurring entry by scanning the previous ticket. (And I didn't win a release from the work world.)
I had stopped my Garmin to buy the tickets—or so I thought. I tapped the stop/start button as I resumed my ride, but didn't verify that it was registering speed. But what actually happened: I failed to press the stop/start button before buying the lottery ticket, and my press to restart actually stopped the device. I noticed the mistake only shortly before the first checkpoint, so the recording lost about 4 minutes of riding time.
Even with a day of intermittent sun, the bikeway was still damp under the dense canopy between Linden and Burkhardt, but otherwise the way was dry and only lightly travelled..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 74 to 79°F at 17:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:47:23 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 118 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 14 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 84—to work
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Though the sidewalk and street at home seemed dry after the light rains overnight, much of the bikeway remained damp due to the high humidity. Wherever the path was asphalt, it tended to retain a sheen of moisture; where concrete, it was completely dry. So my first bike-commute since last Thursday was gentle, tentative.
Few others were on the bikeway, but the regulars included Gary and Amy on their tandem and Millie and Gladys on their morning stroll. But making up for the low numbers of cyclists and pedestrians were the gnats.
It is gnat time! Their presence means slight changes to how I bike: keep my mouth shut and breathe through the nose, keep my sunglasses tight up against the helmet front, ziip up myskinsuit to the neck, and get used to the gentle strikes on the bare face, arms, and legs. These critters swarm together in whatever rays of sunlight they can find, often just at the edge of a shady bend. The swarms can have hundreds of gnats, and often that means that a dozen or more strike me when I pass through the swarm.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 64°F at 07:15
Precipitation: less than 0.1 in since midnight
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:14 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: not available
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dogs
Playback of the ride
Though the sidewalk and street at home seemed dry after the light rains overnight, much of the bikeway remained damp due to the high humidity. Wherever the path was asphalt, it tended to retain a sheen of moisture; where concrete, it was completely dry. So my first bike-commute since last Thursday was gentle, tentative.
Few others were on the bikeway, but the regulars included Gary and Amy on their tandem and Millie and Gladys on their morning stroll. But making up for the low numbers of cyclists and pedestrians were the gnats.
It is gnat time! Their presence means slight changes to how I bike: keep my mouth shut and breathe through the nose, keep my sunglasses tight up against the helmet front, ziip up myskinsuit to the neck, and get used to the gentle strikes on the bare face, arms, and legs. These critters swarm together in whatever rays of sunlight they can find, often just at the edge of a shady bend. The swarms can have hundreds of gnats, and often that means that a dozen or more strike me when I pass through the swarm.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 64°F at 07:15
Precipitation: less than 0.1 in since midnight
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:14 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: not available
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dogs
Playback of the ride
13 September 2011
Cardiac stress test and echocardiogram
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
I convinced the nurses in Dr. Markus' office to allow me to connect the HR monitor while they guided me through the stress test and echocardiogram. The stress test took about 15 minutes, though the playback shows it occurring within 00:01:43. This was followed by about 5 minutes of monitored cooldown, and then time in the waiting room until the echocardiogram. The echocardiogram took perhaps 15 minutes, after which I turned off the HR monitor.
The HR monitor consistently corroborated the HR recorded by the medical machines.
Ride conditions
Time elapsed: 01:04:20Heart rate: 75 bpm HRave, 156 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
I convinced the nurses in Dr. Markus' office to allow me to connect the HR monitor while they guided me through the stress test and echocardiogram. The stress test took about 15 minutes, though the playback shows it occurring within 00:01:43. This was followed by about 5 minutes of monitored cooldown, and then time in the waiting room until the echocardiogram. The echocardiogram took perhaps 15 minutes, after which I turned off the HR monitor.
The HR monitor consistently corroborated the HR recorded by the medical machines.
Ride conditions
Time elapsed: 01:04:20Heart rate: 75 bpm HRave, 156 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
12 September 2011
Bike-commute day 82—to home
Monday, 12 September 2011
I didn't intend to make a fast commute tonight, but I left a lot later than I should have. Nevertheless, I tried to keep my exertion down to a fairly low level.
I was working late to make up for a doctor's appointment tomorrow, when I'm scheduled for a cardiac stress test and an echocardiogram. Ch says I won't see Dr. Markus at the two tests, but that he may schedule another visit to discuss the results. I hope that there will be a written report or image for my records.
At Riverscape, The Unit was holding their Boot Camp Training. A group of thirty men and women were double-stepping up and down the stairs beside the sluice, and another group of twenty was performing calisthenics at the Y formed by three segments of ramp between the river bikeway and the Riverscape plaza. I pulled up to talk with Terry Perdue, who was guiding the aerobic work at the stairs. His enthusiasm is infectious, and I almost jumped off my bike to join in the stair climbing.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 80 to 83°F at 18:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:41 for 12.07 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 145 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 21 cyclists, 24 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
I didn't intend to make a fast commute tonight, but I left a lot later than I should have. Nevertheless, I tried to keep my exertion down to a fairly low level.
I was working late to make up for a doctor's appointment tomorrow, when I'm scheduled for a cardiac stress test and an echocardiogram. Ch says I won't see Dr. Markus at the two tests, but that he may schedule another visit to discuss the results. I hope that there will be a written report or image for my records.
At Riverscape, The Unit was holding their Boot Camp Training. A group of thirty men and women were double-stepping up and down the stairs beside the sluice, and another group of twenty was performing calisthenics at the Y formed by three segments of ramp between the river bikeway and the Riverscape plaza. I pulled up to talk with Terry Perdue, who was guiding the aerobic work at the stairs. His enthusiasm is infectious, and I almost jumped off my bike to join in the stair climbing.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 80 to 83°F at 18:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:41 for 12.07 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 145 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 21 cyclists, 24 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
09 September 2011
Bike-commute day 81—to home
Friday, 9 September 2011
Fast ride home so Ch & I can go to lunch together, and then maybe to some films. He's interested in Contagion; I Apollo 18..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 73°F at 13:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:32 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 139 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 8 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
Fast ride home so Ch & I can go to lunch together, and then maybe to some films. He's interested in Contagion; I Apollo 18..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 73°F at 13:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:32 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 139 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 8 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 81—to work
Friday, 9 September 2011
Today, after two rest days for rain, was a sprint day. Kinda.
I felt strong through the Findlay Street bridge, and pushed into a sprint from the plateau to the gate to Eastwood Park. About 1:40 was at or above 150 bpm. Once my HR came down to the 130s, and after passing the double-L south of Park Lane, I took a short sprint almost to Airway, and then resumed the sprint after regaining speed from the crossing almost to Burkhardt—about 1:15 around 150 bpm. Then after crossing Linden, I took a third sprint for 1:00 around 150 bpm.
During all this, I met three regulars: Gary and Amy on their tandem and Paul and his dog Stinky.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 61°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:27 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 136 bpm HRave, 158 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
Today, after two rest days for rain, was a sprint day. Kinda.
I felt strong through the Findlay Street bridge, and pushed into a sprint from the plateau to the gate to Eastwood Park. About 1:40 was at or above 150 bpm. Once my HR came down to the 130s, and after passing the double-L south of Park Lane, I took a short sprint almost to Airway, and then resumed the sprint after regaining speed from the crossing almost to Burkhardt—about 1:15 around 150 bpm. Then after crossing Linden, I took a third sprint for 1:00 around 150 bpm.
During all this, I met three regulars: Gary and Amy on their tandem and Paul and his dog Stinky.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 61°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:27 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 136 bpm HRave, 158 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
07 September 2011
Rain day—here's another reason I bike-commute
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
It's been raining, usually lightly, since late last night, but that's not the primary reason that I drove to work today. I'm scheduled for an entry appointment with my cardiologist. Yep. Heart problems, stroke, poor circulation, low pulmonary function, and how I can avoid them are my topics with Dr. Tim Markus of the Dayton Heart Center.
I just turned 60. How did that happen so suddenly? Did I know anything about its coming? So I've been setting up tests and interviews. I want to have a baseline of my condition now, and maybe some idea of what I can expect of myself in the next decade. Because my father died of a sudden-onset heart attack and my mother of a stroke that left her weakening for a month on her way toward death, and because I am now ten years and seventeen years, respectively, from their ages at death, it's time for an investigation of what their genetics has manifested in my body.
I started a month ago with a simple body fat analysis at the University of Dayton. I've also requested a lactose threshold test or a VO2max test from the same UD physiology department. Today I saw the cardiologist to see if any standard cardiac tests are in order. After an entry EKG and interview, he suggested an exercise stress test just to quantify what I've experienced in my heart training on the daily commute and an echocardiogram because of the results of an echocardiogram from ten years ago. He also suggested two other tests that are available at local hospitals, a "heart saver CT" (an coronary calcium scan, available from Kettering Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital) and a "lifeline screening" (an ultrasound of arteries in the neck, belly, ankles, and arms, available from Kettering and Good Sam).
Non-ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 63°F throughout the day
Precipitation: constant light rain, 1.46 inches since 5:00 a.m.
Winds: ranging from 6 to 11 mph from the northwest
It's been raining, usually lightly, since late last night, but that's not the primary reason that I drove to work today. I'm scheduled for an entry appointment with my cardiologist. Yep. Heart problems, stroke, poor circulation, low pulmonary function, and how I can avoid them are my topics with Dr. Tim Markus of the Dayton Heart Center.
I just turned 60. How did that happen so suddenly? Did I know anything about its coming? So I've been setting up tests and interviews. I want to have a baseline of my condition now, and maybe some idea of what I can expect of myself in the next decade. Because my father died of a sudden-onset heart attack and my mother of a stroke that left her weakening for a month on her way toward death, and because I am now ten years and seventeen years, respectively, from their ages at death, it's time for an investigation of what their genetics has manifested in my body.
I started a month ago with a simple body fat analysis at the University of Dayton. I've also requested a lactose threshold test or a VO2max test from the same UD physiology department. Today I saw the cardiologist to see if any standard cardiac tests are in order. After an entry EKG and interview, he suggested an exercise stress test just to quantify what I've experienced in my heart training on the daily commute and an echocardiogram because of the results of an echocardiogram from ten years ago. He also suggested two other tests that are available at local hospitals, a "heart saver CT" (an coronary calcium scan, available from Kettering Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital) and a "lifeline screening" (an ultrasound of arteries in the neck, belly, ankles, and arms, available from Kettering and Good Sam).
Non-ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 63°F throughout the day
Precipitation: constant light rain, 1.46 inches since 5:00 a.m.
Winds: ranging from 6 to 11 mph from the northwest
Rain day—here's another reason I bike-commute
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
It's been raining, usually lightly, since late last night, but that's not the primary reason that I drove to work today. I'm scheduled for an entry appointment with my cardiologist. Yep. Heart problems, stroke, circulation, pulmonary function, and how I can avoid them are my topics with Dr. Tim Markus of the Dayton Heart Center.
Since I turned 60 this year, I decided it's time to assess my health, assure my ability to carry on as active life as possible, quantify my current abilities, and determine the corrections I can make to maintain a healthy life. My father died at age 70 of a sudden heart attack. Perhaps he had indications of heart problems, but he always called the attacks "heartburn." His self-administered treatment was to stretch back in his chair and pound his upper bellly, just below the ribcage. A few solid raps would stop the pains he felt, or so he said. Then one July afternoon, he lifted some item that an auctioneer friend of his was to start the bidding for, and collapsed. He died on the spot from a heart attack.
Ride conditions
Not applicable
It's been raining, usually lightly, since late last night, but that's not the primary reason that I drove to work today. I'm scheduled for an entry appointment with my cardiologist. Yep. Heart problems, stroke, circulation, pulmonary function, and how I can avoid them are my topics with Dr. Tim Markus of the Dayton Heart Center.
Since I turned 60 this year, I decided it's time to assess my health, assure my ability to carry on as active life as possible, quantify my current abilities, and determine the corrections I can make to maintain a healthy life. My father died at age 70 of a sudden heart attack. Perhaps he had indications of heart problems, but he always called the attacks "heartburn." His self-administered treatment was to stretch back in his chair and pound his upper bellly, just below the ribcage. A few solid raps would stop the pains he felt, or so he said. Then one July afternoon, he lifted some item that an auctioneer friend of his was to start the bidding for, and collapsed. He died on the spot from a heart attack.
Ride conditions
Not applicable
06 September 2011
Bike-commute day 80—to home
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Strong, cool winds buffeted me on the first mile of my commute, but I knew they would be assisting me in other parts. For example, on the Mad River and Great Miami River bikeways, I reached as much as 24 mph with the tailwind—for a moment or two only.
Just before the crossing at Burkhardt, I saw Phil Hinrichs standing astride his bike, jabbering on his mobile phone. I called loudly out to him as I passed, but I didn't slow my strong homeward pace.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 66 to 68°F at 18:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:38 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 33 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
Strong, cool winds buffeted me on the first mile of my commute, but I knew they would be assisting me in other parts. For example, on the Mad River and Great Miami River bikeways, I reached as much as 24 mph with the tailwind—for a moment or two only.
Just before the crossing at Burkhardt, I saw Phil Hinrichs standing astride his bike, jabbering on his mobile phone. I called loudly out to him as I passed, but I didn't slow my strong homeward pace.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 66 to 68°F at 18:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:38 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 33 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 80—to work
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Today seemed like the first day of Winter because of the sudden change from temperatures in the 90s to the mid-50s. Last night, when we saw 58°F on the way home from seeing a double bill of The Debt with Helen Mirrin and The Help with Jessica Chastain, Chuck asked, "When are my tickets for Palm Springs?"
I think he was only half joking. Suddenly Summer is over, and we begin the trudge toward Winter.
I took an easy pace this morning, since it was my first time out but for an errand to the Famers' Market on Friday. After the crossing of Linden, I saw Millie and Gladys bundled up in in jackets. I asked them if they were enjoying the first walk of "winter."
Ride conditions
Temperature: 53 to 56°F at 07:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:57 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 120 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
Today seemed like the first day of Winter because of the sudden change from temperatures in the 90s to the mid-50s. Last night, when we saw 58°F on the way home from seeing a double bill of The Debt with Helen Mirrin and The Help with Jessica Chastain, Chuck asked, "When are my tickets for Palm Springs?"
I think he was only half joking. Suddenly Summer is over, and we begin the trudge toward Winter.
I took an easy pace this morning, since it was my first time out but for an errand to the Famers' Market on Friday. After the crossing of Linden, I saw Millie and Gladys bundled up in in jackets. I asked them if they were enjoying the first walk of "winter."
Ride conditions
Temperature: 53 to 56°F at 07:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:57 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 120 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
02 September 2011
Bike-commute day 79—to work
Friday, 2 September 2011
The commute by bike was going fine up to the bridge just west of Eastwood Park. A group of five runners, each in the same gray tee-shirt and blue shorts, rounded the corner ahead of me. Even as I called out, "Heads up!" they noticed me and jostled to their right. Then more clumps of runners came around the corner, perhaps as many as 50 total, all dressed alike. Some needed another "Heads up!" call, others were more aware of the course. As I reached the gate to the park, a few stragglers made me take the right outside of the way. I signaled my planned course as well as possible with my right arm curving toward full extension. As I slowed to round the corner inside the park, one final runner was also in the nook of the curve, and I said as clearly as possible, "Taking the inside of the corner, may be passing really close."
Was it a training group from the air base? As I picked up speed through the parking lot, I heard music off to the north, across the lagoon. But I didn't see the source of the sound nor any assemblage of people to register the runners.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 77°F at 07:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:24 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
The commute by bike was going fine up to the bridge just west of Eastwood Park. A group of five runners, each in the same gray tee-shirt and blue shorts, rounded the corner ahead of me. Even as I called out, "Heads up!" they noticed me and jostled to their right. Then more clumps of runners came around the corner, perhaps as many as 50 total, all dressed alike. Some needed another "Heads up!" call, others were more aware of the course. As I reached the gate to the park, a few stragglers made me take the right outside of the way. I signaled my planned course as well as possible with my right arm curving toward full extension. As I slowed to round the corner inside the park, one final runner was also in the nook of the curve, and I said as clearly as possible, "Taking the inside of the corner, may be passing really close."
Was it a training group from the air base? As I picked up speed through the parking lot, I heard music off to the north, across the lagoon. But I didn't see the source of the sound nor any assemblage of people to register the runners.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 77°F at 07:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:24 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
01 September 2011
Bike-commute day 78—to home
Thursday, 1 September 2011
I found myself pushing hard today, since I left work a half hour later than I had hoped to. Late in the afternoon today, Chuck expressed a wish to go to a film at the Neon tonight, and during the phone call I looked up the times: Another Earth plays at 7:50. So I placed the burden on Chuck to have plans for dinner that would allow my arrival and shower to be done by 7 p.m.
The going was good through checkpoint 2, and high winds along the Mad River made my third leg much slower than I wanted. Nevertheless I made it home by about 6:40. Chuck was on his way back from Linh's Asian Market with two Vietnamese sandwiches for us.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 95 to 103°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 10 to 15 mph from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:29 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
I found myself pushing hard today, since I left work a half hour later than I had hoped to. Late in the afternoon today, Chuck expressed a wish to go to a film at the Neon tonight, and during the phone call I looked up the times: Another Earth plays at 7:50. So I placed the burden on Chuck to have plans for dinner that would allow my arrival and shower to be done by 7 p.m.
The going was good through checkpoint 2, and high winds along the Mad River made my third leg much slower than I wanted. Nevertheless I made it home by about 6:40. Chuck was on his way back from Linh's Asian Market with two Vietnamese sandwiches for us.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 95 to 103°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 10 to 15 mph from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:29 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 78—to work
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Pushed for speed from the first checkpoint on, aiming toward keeping my HR between 130 and 140. I also timed several of the areas that are most suitable for sprints. Then after checkpoint three, I saw Millie and Gladys on their walk and I slowed to talk with them as they walked toward their homes.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 74°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:28 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 142 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Pushed for speed from the first checkpoint on, aiming toward keeping my HR between 130 and 140. I also timed several of the areas that are most suitable for sprints. Then after checkpoint three, I saw Millie and Gladys on their walk and I slowed to talk with them as they walked toward their homes.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 74°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:28 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 142 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
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