The Huffman Connector

Monday, 18 February 2013

Today was a slog, riding my trail bike on the bikeway so I could explore the Huffman Connector.

 The bikeway in Eastwood Park has a rough layer of asphalt that stretches from the lagoon, east through the park, and under Harshman Road along the Mad River.

After the Mad River underpass, the rough asphalt layer climbs to the entrance to the Dayton Well Fields.

 The path is dug to an existing underpass of the railway, though the whole area is water logged from seepage from underneath Harshman Road. I suspect this will be a problem that requires further engineering to answer the wet conditions before applying underlayment and asphalt to the path.

The underpass was built in 1918, as attested by a date on the south approach. I guess that it was built by the railway company to allow higher speeds and eliminate infringement of auto traffic.

The connector work is in progress on the segment that closely parallels Springfield Pike and skirts the west and south edges of old Harshmanville. Almost the entire reach is in various stages from the Harshman Mansion to the railway underpass near the merge of Springfield Pike and Highway 444.



A few segments have a well-rolled rock underlayment, 

some segments have the top layers of dirt scraped away, other segments have a loose dressing of crushed rock, and others have a lightly compacted rock. The next coating of a rough asphalt will not be laid until all the path is at the same readiness.

The digging stops neatly at the boundary marker of Riverside, just a dozen feet from crossing into Greene County.


Inside Greene County, much detail work awaits final surveys and on-the-ground planning. Construction will include rerouting Springfield Pike into a two-lane underpass of the railway. The west arch of the underpass will be reserved for bike traffic, the east for auto.




After the railway underpass, the bikeway will curve into a 3-turn zig-zag down to an existing rough trail. This trail will be upgraded to bikeway standards, and it will climb Huffman Dam in another zig-zag.

Perhaps in late spring, the full routing from Eastwood Park to Huffman Dam will receive the final smooth coat.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 56.7°F at 13:57 to 16:09
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 16 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Mongoose MGX-D40 trail
Time: 02:12 for 18.6 miles
Heart rate: no data
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 23 pedestrians

Breakout from the job hunt

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Finally today I broke out of my cycle of breakfast-computer-lunch-computer-dinner-computer work to find a quick replacement for working at Kodak. The replacement was only for an hour-long ride along the Creekside Trail, but it served to break the monotony I had set up since leaving Kodak on February 20. It was a monotony tinged with depression, though I haven't felt depressed.

I know that it's for the best to be out of the work environment at Kodak. First, the atmosphere was toxic and every opportunity was taken to tear down my confidence as a writer. Second, the technologies in use to write documents were solidified and not forward-looking. Third, opportunity for advancement was absent. Fourth, the company's continuing failure to succeed meant that wages were stagnant, and I had taken a financial hit of almost 18% over five years.

I needed this kick in the pants. For some four years, I asserted that I should move out of Kodak. But never did I take resolute steps to do so. At first, in 2008, I was busy guiding the implementation of single-source writing. That program proved its viability by using a single set of files to support three parallel but separate products. But after two years, the progress was pulled back to traditional processes, and another team lead was chosen to do this. It took two years to reset the single-source files into three separate and independent books. Now I've been let go, once the status quo has been re-established. And I now have two months of salary without a requirement to work at the office. I use every moment for developing prospects for my next work situation.

Now perhaps I've come to a point where I can pull back a bit on the focused searching. I have resumés placed with many temp agencies and contracted services. I have search profiles set up with an array of job search engines. I have initial contacts with a network of professionals in the area. Perhaps the next major step will be to set up a similar framework for a possible job in the area around Palm Springs ...just in case. But for now, after ten days away from commuting by bike, I have both time and weather in my favor.

And I took the same route that I have as a commuter, down to the Miami River Bikeway, up the Mad River, and south on the Creekside Trail. But a change: I realize that I've reached the extent of a half-ride at Airway Boulevard, and I turn around to head home. With the turnaround, I head back to work ... at home.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 49 to 55°F at 15:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the  southeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 850 27x30-48x12 hybrid
Time: 00:57:07  for  13.80 miles
Heart rate: 130 bpm HRave, 150 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 1 pedestrian
Playback of the ride

Bike-commute day 95—postponed

Monday, 24 October 2011

I was nearly ready to change into my cycling kit this morning, but the rumble of thunder and the following heavy patter of rain told me that the ride wouldn't happen this morning. I'll take the bike into my Mazda, to provide an opportunity to ride home at least. For now, it's time to shower and dress for the drive.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 54°F at 07:30
Precipitation: currently light to heavy rain
Winds: calm to 5 from the southwest
Clothing: ...
Bike: driving

Bike-commute day 94—to work

Friday, 14 October 2011

Somewhere before the Findlay Avenue bridge, I saw Gary and Amy on their tandem, going my way. I slowed and said hello as I neared them and continued at their pace. They live near DeWeese Park, and every day they ride the bikeway, alternating to a turnaround at Woodman Avenue on the Iron Horse Trail or at Grange Hall Road on the Creekside Trail.

Though their pace is about 15 mph, it isn't quite leisurely. I heard Gary say, "Come on, give me some more pedal" to Amy. A couple times I noticed that Gary was exerting more effort, bringing Amy's cadence up a bit higher than it had been. Still, throughout the five miles we rode together, we had plenty of breath for conversation.

After we parted ways at the old railroad trestle, I saw Millie and Gladys walking south from the Linden Avenue crossing. I slowed only long enough to tell Millie that I had seen her walking yesterday, from my car as I crossed the overpass on highway 35.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 52°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:47:55 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 115 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 3 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride

Bike-commute day 91—to work

Friday, 07 September 2011

I stopped at the Burkhardt crossing with a runner beside me. "Good morning, there, runner."

"Hey. Everything going OK?"

"Yeah, except for all the walnuts on the bikeway. D'you think you could kick off the path every single one that you come across?"

"I'll see what I can do."

I counted 14 walnut trees along the way. For the last two weeks, and probably for the next four, they offer 14 chances of hitting a nut and going down. Especially while they are camoflaged by fallen leaves.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 49 to 54°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm 
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:52 for 12.03 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride

Bike-commute day 90—to work

Thursday, 06 September 2011

It was almost too cool for the open-finger gloves this morning, but not so much that I had to warm the fingers.

Somewhere near the Green Bridge, I passed a walker going my way that might have been Kevin Moore from the Human Race. I'm not so sure since he didn't turn to face me and his head was covered in a hood. But if so, it's the first time I saw him on the bikeway alone. He usually bikes with his partner Scott Stoney. I am looking forward to seeing their production of Caroline, or Change, which opens November 3. I bought tickets to the Thursday preview last night.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 44 to 52°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm 
Clothing: Skinsuit, undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:28 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride

Bike-commute day 89—to work

Wednesday, 05 October 2011

It seemed hard work today. Could it be that the atmosphere was heavy with Autumn or that the sparse fog impeded my motion? Whatever the cause, it did not result in any notable time. But the time was certainly affected by the street crossings today, of which every one had enough traffic to warrant a planted-foot stop.

Yesterday I noticed a newly paved access to the bikeway that comes from the parking area northwest of Findlay and Monument avenues. In the morning, the access was roped off with stakes and yellow tape, which in the evening had been pulled to the ground. Just as with other newly asphalted parts of the bikeway, cyclists had made use of the addition well in advance of announcements of the availability.

I hope that someday soon the short distance from the Monument Avenue bridge to the ramp down to the bikeway will also be paved. The little stretch was left unfinished through the rebuilding of the Monument Avenue bridge, which extended through early 2011.

Housekeeping note: I used the whisk broom to clean off the remaining glass slivers from the walkway across Monument Avenue bridge.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 43 to 52°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm 
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:13 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 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:

• 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

Bike-commute day 76—to work

Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Yestereday's forecast indicated rain storms this evening, but the skies are clear and the air is chill this morning. Only after I had ridden for the block along Princeton did I notice that I hadn't changed the bike profile on the Garmin device, so I stopped before the corner to make the change. Once more on the road, the speed and cadence righted themselves.

My route through Dayton View is also the route for several school buses now. Some of the drivers must be still asleep at 8 a.m., to judge by the strange driving choices they make. Last week, as I was stopped on Superior at Broadway, a bus driver turned left onto Superior, and his arc came to my right since a street crew was chopping down a tree on the left side of the street. This morning, another bus only slowed for the 4-way stop signs at Oxford. I guess that the drivers need only a regular license and a clear background of driving. But it seems the requirements for school bus driving should be more rigorous.

Finally safely removed from traffic once I reached the descent from the Monument Avenue bridge, I had the way to myself until meeting the first cyclist just outside of Eastwood Park. And I met the New Zealand couple just as they connected to the bikeway coming from the west at Woodbine.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 54 to 60°F at 08:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: mostly calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:49 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 124 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride

Bike-commute day 26—to home

Cold, wet ride. Cautiously performed.

Again, the Garmin device performed inadequately, presumably because of the cloud cover.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 48 to 50°F at 18:00
Precipitation: light
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the southwest
Clothing: 2-layer skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:50:57 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 116 bpm average, 136 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride. 10th Garmin day.

Bike-commute day 20—to workHeart strength training program

Today I began training my heart. I pushed into three 30-second periods of riding at or above 150 bpm. The locations for the sprints were from Irwin Avenue to the Mad River's concrete bank, from Fairpark Avenue to the former Multi-Service plant, and from Burkhardt Road to a point outside the DPL MacGregor Park. I found it very hard to get up to 150 bpm on the third sprint, and also very hard to sustain a sprint for more than 30 seconds. Improving on these two aspects will become my goal for May and June.

I'll continue training with three to four sprints on two commutes each week.

Goal one. Using the standard 220 minus your age, I should expect a maximum heart rate of only 161 bpm. My HRmax today reached up to 95% of this expected rate.
My goal for the next couple months will be to reach 161 bpm consistently for two out of three or four sprints.

Goal two.
By the end of May, I want to increase my stamina to 1:00 at a HR of 145 to 161 bpm (90 to 100% of HRmax).
By the end of June, I want to increase my stamina to 2:00 at a HR of 90 to 100% of HRmax.

These goals probably will have a joint result in a higher actual HRmax. I'll find a sports medicine facility that can measure my HRmax at the end of June.


Last night, I moved the Garmin Edge 705 mount as far forward as the stem and handlebars would allow, which means a difference of only 0.75 inch. The device performed without problem today, even with a consistent cloud cover.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 44 to 50°F at 06:58
Precipitation: none, medium to heavy clouds
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: 2-layer top, skinsuit; ankle socks. Full-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:45:53 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate:132 bpm average, 154 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 2 pedestrians, 2 cyclists
Here is a playback of the ride. 5th Garmin day.

Note about the illustration
The line drawings were published online and captured by me during the playback. The video provides stills from The Art of Frank Patterson by Horace F. Button, which was published 1952 by Temple Press, Ltd.

Bike-commute day 18—gym and home

Chuck emailed me soon after I posted this morning's commute, "Is the new gadgetgizmo broken already?"

I can't answer yes or no. The gizmo works great ...some of the time. When it failed—again—during my afternoon ride, it did so again while there was fairly heavy cloud cover. I also noticed that it dropped into autopause once while I was standing on the pedals, leaning forward. I'll try to reposition the mount, move it more forward, but I can't do anything about the cloud cover. Except ride only on clear, sunny days. See the bike leaning against the wall? Maybe that's my steed on the majority of days in Dayton, waiting for the sun.

The essential question remains: should the 705 be so sensitive, so reliant on a GPS signal at a given moment that it must autopause so readily and frequently?

Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 54°F at 17:36
Precipitation: none
Winds: 0 to 5 mph from the southeast
Clothing: 2-layer top, skinsuit; ankle socks. open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850 hybrid
Time: about 01:06:00 for about 16 miles
Bikeway users: 5 cyclists, 5 pedestrians
3rd Garmin day. Playback.

Bike-commute day 11—Linh's restau and home

Tonight's ride home was a bit weird.  I decided in the locker room to dress with only two layers, and I packed all four layers that I had worn this morning. Yeah, I knew that it was cooler than 50°F; yeah, I even asked Hunter Everett if he had been outside and whether I should add at least the Lycra tights.

But I found myself walking to the Lotus and thinking Well, it's not really cold, but it sure is cool. By the time the whipping winds took hold of my ride at the north edge of Research Park, I told myself I can stop anywhere, pull out a layer, and add it to my kit. I stopped at the Grismer store at Woodman, ripped off my shoes, pulled out the Lycra, pulled on the tights, tugged the crotch up, and then pulled the wool-Lycra jacket out, and put it on.

The wind and chill changed my mind about going to the gym, and determined my commute would include a nice, hot dinner at Linh's. So 15 minutes into my commute, I was seated and enjoying two goi cuon, and anticipating a steaming bowl of Hu Thieu ga saté (Chicken-shrimp noodle soup). Dayton marketing guru and political activist David Esrati came in with his family and knew that I was stopping at the best restau in Dayton on my way home from work.

Fully satisfied, I resumed my commute and arrived home after a leisurely ride.



Temperature: 46 to 50°F at 17:35, 46 to 48°F at 19:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 10 to 20 mph
Clothing: Top 2 layers (Lycra longlseeve undershirt, skinsuit); ankle socks.; open-finger gloves. Then top 3 layers and bottom 2 layers.
Time: 0:xx:xx (no timepiece) for 11.86 miles
Bikeway users: 0 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 5 dogs

17:55—depart from work.
—trestle remains at Linden.
dinner at Linh's
—west gate to Eastwood Park
—passing the zig-zag up from the Mad River Bikeway.
19:45—arrive home. 

Rainy Saturday

Temperature: 50°F.
Preciptation: rain
So my decision not to bike yesterday was borne out, throughout a day of rain, sometimes heavy. It's raining still, and I've decided to go to Practicce Yoga this morning at 11:00 for open vinyasa. I took an alendronate sodium pill as soon as I got up at 9:00, and I'm now waiting the 30 to 60 minutes before eating a light breakfast.