Sunday, 11 December 2011
I met up with the group from World Gym/Palm Desert on Mesquite as they crossed Crossley. Several riders greeted me by name, among them Cheryl from Tri-a-Bike, Anthony from World Gym, and Craig. Then a woman who had not been with the group last week rode up and introduced herself as Tracy. Off and on during the ride, Tracy spoke of some of the best trails for off-road riding (Art Smith, Goat Trails with an access from Cathedral Cove, and up around Pinyon Flats).
We rode as a group through Palm Springs to The Coffee Bean on North Palm Canyon, rested there a bit—this was a half-way point for them, and headed through the airport roads back to Dinah Shore Drive for the return to the Palm Desert area. Some discussion aimed at a breakfast at Aqua Pazza fizzled at the end of discussion, since several riders had plans with their families or preparing for the holidays.A couple of the riders (Roger and —) were heading back to the World Gym meeting location, and I tagged along to find the best way there from The River. Then I headed back to Palm Springs as a solo rider, following streets with marked bike lanes or separated bikeways.
Ride conditions
Route: major roads of Dinah Shore, DaVall, Frank Sinatra, Country Club, Bob Hope
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 11:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Bibshorts+jersey, undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 3700 trail bike
Time: 02:10:31 for 30.68 miles
Heart rate: 134 bpm HRave, 160 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
Showing posts with label 65°F. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 65°F. Show all posts
11 December 2011
27 November 2011
Bob Hope climb and tour of Araby Cove
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Man, am I out of shape! Before I left home, our discussion of when I should be back included my statement, "I'll probably make a few repeats of the climb" up the hill toward Bob Hope's mansion on Rimcrest. As it was, I made only two attempts, and both included a recuperation stop at some point below the top of the climb. So much for the long time of inactivity for the bike commute.
I'll give myself one or two days of rest and then make the attempt again.. Clearly I'm not fit enough for any successful outing on the Goat Trails, so a week of training on the Bob Hope ascent and a few commutes to the gym may help in regaining any lost ground.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 58 to 68°F at 08:45 and 10:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek off-road bike
Time: 01:00:50 for 10.13 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 156 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
Man, am I out of shape! Before I left home, our discussion of when I should be back included my statement, "I'll probably make a few repeats of the climb" up the hill toward Bob Hope's mansion on Rimcrest. As it was, I made only two attempts, and both included a recuperation stop at some point below the top of the climb. So much for the long time of inactivity for the bike commute.
I'll give myself one or two days of rest and then make the attempt again.. Clearly I'm not fit enough for any successful outing on the Goat Trails, so a week of training on the Bob Hope ascent and a few commutes to the gym may help in regaining any lost ground.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 58 to 68°F at 08:45 and 10:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek off-road bike
Time: 01:00:50 for 10.13 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 156 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
24 October 2011
Bike-commute day 95—to home
Monday, 24 October 2011
I had driven to work in the morning, and so I pulled my bike from the car for the evening ride. My start at 18:07 was later than it should have been. I knew that it would be well into dusk when I would arrive home.
My Garmin device began losing its signal below Riverscape and continued to do so through the rest of the ride. I wondered if something had happened to one of the satellites, but realized only at the end of the ride that the wheel magnet had swiveled to perpendicular with the wheel. Its position was too distant to be adequately registering my speed, and without speed in my Lotus setup, the device assumes I've stopped. So it stops.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 60 to 65°F at 17:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 from the northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: (elapsed) 00:43:20 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Playback of the ride
I had driven to work in the morning, and so I pulled my bike from the car for the evening ride. My start at 18:07 was later than it should have been. I knew that it would be well into dusk when I would arrive home.
My Garmin device began losing its signal below Riverscape and continued to do so through the rest of the ride. I wondered if something had happened to one of the satellites, but realized only at the end of the ride that the wheel magnet had swiveled to perpendicular with the wheel. Its position was too distant to be adequately registering my speed, and without speed in my Lotus setup, the device assumes I've stopped. So it stops.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 60 to 65°F at 17:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 from the northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: (elapsed) 00:43:20 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 4 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
31 August 2011
Bike-commute day 77—to work
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
It was kinda threatening rain this morning as I left. I had expected rain last night, as advised by WeatherForYou, but nothing materialized. Then upon seeing the heavy cloud cover this morning, I checked the weather radar, and found a line of lighter showers on their way across eastern Indiana. Judging by their progress over an hour and a half, they wouldn't reach Dayton until after 9 a.m. So I decided on riding.
It's been dry here even through close to noon.
I observed carefully how I felt in my ride. It seems strange how my feelings of energy vary througout the ride, though the waves of energy ebb and flow much the same every day. On the first two miles, which is predominantly downhill and in residential areas, I feel great and often think, Well maybe today I'll do some strength training with several sprints.
But by the time I have crossed the Monument Avenue bridge and descended to the river, that feeling dissipates first into managing the descent with little hand braking and more cadence controlling the down the hill, then into maneuvering the double corner and gaining momentum as I pass by the low dam. Then come several minor technical points with the transition from asphalt to concrete below the YMCA, a patch of weathered concrete detritus at the end of the YMCA landing, a culvert underneath Main Street, a hop over the lip of concrete at the west edge of the Riverscape area, and another hop over the gravelled transition from concrete to asphalt at the east edge of Riverscape. Finally, I press my lap button as I pass the roadway markers at the bottom of the zig-zag up to the Green Bridge.
The Webster Street bridge marks the first point where a sprint might be possible because fewer technical concerns need attention. The bikeway maintains a nearly flat course for this 1.4 miles to the Findlay Street bridge. By this point, I've ridden nearly twelve minutes and it is during this portion that I can best check how much energy I have for the day. Usually at some point along this mile, I feel the first exertion and my body's response with a very dull ache in my shoulders. Often I glance at my HR reading at this point, interested in the momentary comparison of subjective and objective experience. It is usually 125 to 130 bpm, only about 78% of my maximum.
When the bikeway reaches the Findlay Avenue bridge, it takes a slight rise and then a curving dip below the bridge and up to the Findlay Plateau. The little climb is usually my first opportunity to rise off the saddle and provide strength to move my cadence from its momentary drop into the 60s. And the plateau is my first opportunity to try a sprint—if I feel ready for it. The plateau continues for about 0.9 mile with only two small curves and a finish with a slight drop, onto the bikeway above the concrete embankment.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 67°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph, variable from the north and east
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:16 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 123 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 13 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
It was kinda threatening rain this morning as I left. I had expected rain last night, as advised by WeatherForYou, but nothing materialized. Then upon seeing the heavy cloud cover this morning, I checked the weather radar, and found a line of lighter showers on their way across eastern Indiana. Judging by their progress over an hour and a half, they wouldn't reach Dayton until after 9 a.m. So I decided on riding.
It's been dry here even through close to noon.
I observed carefully how I felt in my ride. It seems strange how my feelings of energy vary througout the ride, though the waves of energy ebb and flow much the same every day. On the first two miles, which is predominantly downhill and in residential areas, I feel great and often think, Well maybe today I'll do some strength training with several sprints.
But by the time I have crossed the Monument Avenue bridge and descended to the river, that feeling dissipates first into managing the descent with little hand braking and more cadence controlling the down the hill, then into maneuvering the double corner and gaining momentum as I pass by the low dam. Then come several minor technical points with the transition from asphalt to concrete below the YMCA, a patch of weathered concrete detritus at the end of the YMCA landing, a culvert underneath Main Street, a hop over the lip of concrete at the west edge of the Riverscape area, and another hop over the gravelled transition from concrete to asphalt at the east edge of Riverscape. Finally, I press my lap button as I pass the roadway markers at the bottom of the zig-zag up to the Green Bridge.
The Webster Street bridge marks the first point where a sprint might be possible because fewer technical concerns need attention. The bikeway maintains a nearly flat course for this 1.4 miles to the Findlay Street bridge. By this point, I've ridden nearly twelve minutes and it is during this portion that I can best check how much energy I have for the day. Usually at some point along this mile, I feel the first exertion and my body's response with a very dull ache in my shoulders. Often I glance at my HR reading at this point, interested in the momentary comparison of subjective and objective experience. It is usually 125 to 130 bpm, only about 78% of my maximum.
When the bikeway reaches the Findlay Avenue bridge, it takes a slight rise and then a curving dip below the bridge and up to the Findlay Plateau. The little climb is usually my first opportunity to rise off the saddle and provide strength to move my cadence from its momentary drop into the 60s. And the plateau is my first opportunity to try a sprint—if I feel ready for it. The plateau continues for about 0.9 mile with only two small curves and a finish with a slight drop, onto the bikeway above the concrete embankment.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 67°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph, variable from the north and east
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:16 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 123 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 13 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
23 August 2011
Bike-commute day 73—to work
Tusday, 23 August 2011
Hurricane Irene has developed and its landfall is forecast for Satuday over the Carolinas. The forecast here for tomorrow and Thursday includes rain and thunderstorms, though I doubt it has any connection to the hurricane activity. I'm expecting that Saturday and Sunday will both be stormy here, expressing the further reaches of Irene as it breaks apart.
But today I enjoyed another day of cycling weather, along with the 10 other cyclists I saw on my way to work. Only the New Zealand couple and the tandem-riding Gary and Amy were familiar cyclists, though most of the walkers were well-known.
At the Findlay Avenue bridge, I began to feel up to more intensity. It was hardly a sprint, though I did maintain a 150 HR for about two minutes. Then I held higher-intensity stretches for the two mile-long sections between Airway and Burkhardt and between Burkhardt and Linden.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 57 to 65°F at 06:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:58 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 130 bpm HRave, 152 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Hurricane Irene has developed and its landfall is forecast for Satuday over the Carolinas. The forecast here for tomorrow and Thursday includes rain and thunderstorms, though I doubt it has any connection to the hurricane activity. I'm expecting that Saturday and Sunday will both be stormy here, expressing the further reaches of Irene as it breaks apart.
But today I enjoyed another day of cycling weather, along with the 10 other cyclists I saw on my way to work. Only the New Zealand couple and the tandem-riding Gary and Amy were familiar cyclists, though most of the walkers were well-known.
At the Findlay Avenue bridge, I began to feel up to more intensity. It was hardly a sprint, though I did maintain a 150 HR for about two minutes. Then I held higher-intensity stretches for the two mile-long sections between Airway and Burkhardt and between Burkhardt and Linden.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 57 to 65°F at 06:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:58 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 130 bpm HRave, 152 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
15 August 2011
Bike-commute day 67—to work
Monday, 15 August 2011
By the time I reached the concrete embankment on the Mad River, I thought, Well it's Monday, so there's no point in aching over the time or cadence or heart rate. And as soon as thought, I glanced at the Garmin device to check my speed, cadence, time, and heart rate. I was pleasantly surprised that all were a level above my typical ride last week.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 64 to 66°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:35 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
By the time I reached the concrete embankment on the Mad River, I thought, Well it's Monday, so there's no point in aching over the time or cadence or heart rate. And as soon as thought, I glanced at the Garmin device to check my speed, cadence, time, and heart rate. I was pleasantly surprised that all were a level above my typical ride last week.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 64 to 66°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:35 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
10 August 2011
Bike-commute day 65—to work
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
In memory I was replaying the C Minor prelude from Bach's WTC volume 1 and using that insistence of sixteenth notes to keep my cadence and heartbeat high. Then, after I left Eastwood Park and cornered to parallel Springfield Street, I saw the Northbound Trainers coming my way, though they were on the pavement of Springfield Street. Ah-hah! A chance to find out the habits behind their weekly ride, if they have the time to stop! As I slowed. I called out, "Would one of you stop?"
They all slowed, or perhaps had slowed already to navigate the turn into Eastwood Park. A couple looked my way as I planted a foot on the bikeway, and one or two actually hesitated, considering what I was up to. But the leader kept going, and they all decided to follow him.
I completed a u-turn before the last one turned onto the park's roadway, and I caught the tail-end of the group under the trestle just inside the park gates. I asked the caboose, "Do you have an email address, so I can ask you about the group?" He replied negatively, and I accelerated to the next group of three. The one man I asked directly was evasive, referred me to the Dayton Cycling Club website for more information and maybe a contact person. Even after a rather quick explanation of my hope to interview him for this blog, he gave only an address for the club rides. I sped to the lead rider, who was more forthcoming. We went back and forth on the details of his email address, and I committed as much as needed to memory.
By this point, we had reached the concrete embankment over the Mad River, and I turned quickly to resume my commute. As I passed my second checkpoint a third time, I heard the Garmin automatically register yet another lap based on my GPS coordinates.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 02:25
Precipitation: none presently, heavy rain early last night
Winds: calm to 5 mph
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:44 for 13.31 miles
Heart rate: 134 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 11 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
In memory I was replaying the C Minor prelude from Bach's WTC volume 1 and using that insistence of sixteenth notes to keep my cadence and heartbeat high. Then, after I left Eastwood Park and cornered to parallel Springfield Street, I saw the Northbound Trainers coming my way, though they were on the pavement of Springfield Street. Ah-hah! A chance to find out the habits behind their weekly ride, if they have the time to stop! As I slowed. I called out, "Would one of you stop?"
They all slowed, or perhaps had slowed already to navigate the turn into Eastwood Park. A couple looked my way as I planted a foot on the bikeway, and one or two actually hesitated, considering what I was up to. But the leader kept going, and they all decided to follow him.
I completed a u-turn before the last one turned onto the park's roadway, and I caught the tail-end of the group under the trestle just inside the park gates. I asked the caboose, "Do you have an email address, so I can ask you about the group?" He replied negatively, and I accelerated to the next group of three. The one man I asked directly was evasive, referred me to the Dayton Cycling Club website for more information and maybe a contact person. Even after a rather quick explanation of my hope to interview him for this blog, he gave only an address for the club rides. I sped to the lead rider, who was more forthcoming. We went back and forth on the details of his email address, and I committed as much as needed to memory.
By this point, we had reached the concrete embankment over the Mad River, and I turned quickly to resume my commute. As I passed my second checkpoint a third time, I heard the Garmin automatically register yet another lap based on my GPS coordinates.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 02:25
Precipitation: none presently, heavy rain early last night
Winds: calm to 5 mph
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:44 for 13.31 miles
Heart rate: 134 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 11 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
20 June 2011
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.
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.
27 May 2011
Bike-commute day 31—to gym and home
I needed to make the ride and gym work quick today, so I would have time to feed Howard-the-dog, shower, and make it to the 8 p.m. screening of In a Better World.It seemed fine by the online radar and by feel on the road to Cardinal Fitness. But it had started to sprinkle after my 20-minute power shoulders workout. By the time I approached Linden, it had turned to real rain, though a light rain. It continued so for about a mile before tapering off. The roads were still wet, though, and I cautiously navigated corners and stops.
The ick factor was how much road splash my ankle-high cycling shoes caught and retained. The shoes were soaked through by the time the rain stopped. —The shoes and socks were still wet the next morning.
At the concrete bank of the Mad River, which is my gauge of whether the river is flooded as it joins the Great Miami, the water churned and roiled from the recent increase of flow.
- The Mad River's normal depth allows all of the concrete and its bottom horizontal edge to show, and a ribbon of mud embankment below the concrete is visible.
- As the Mad River rises, the water covers the western end of the horizontal edge first.
- Usually when half the length of the horizontal edge is covered, at least the depression in the bikeway west of the Webster Avenue bridge will be flooded.
- If all the horizontal edge is covered, then at least another depression east of Webster Avenue is also flooded.
You and Ohio law
I found an excellent summary of Ohio traffic laws that relate to cycling.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 65 to 68°F at 17:10
Precipitation: none, then a lot
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 01:03:04 for 14.90+ miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm average, 138 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride. 15th Garmin day.
25 May 2011
Bike-commute day 30—to work
Today was to be a sprint day, but my body wasn't into the ride at all as I pedalled along the lower river bikeways. It wasn't a time to push myself because of basic tiredness. Maybe a contributing factor is lower than optimal hydration. I remember thinking as I climbed into bed I should grab another glass of water; no, I want the juice-water mix, and it's too much trouble... and I was asleep.
So this morning I bought an 8-oz "juice beverage" to mix with a full styroglass of ice and LaCroix water for an all-day sippie. Perhaps I'll feel up to sprints this afternoon, though the bikeway may be too congested to do them. Maybe the best plan is one sprint on the curve from Woodman to Woodbine, another sprint up the hill near the frisbee golf course, and a third near the Kettering apartment village—all before I get to the gym and on less-used bikeways.
Three notable things happened this morning: several geese were conducting an école maternelle for about 35 goslings at the Green Bridge, I saw Millie and Gladys out on their walk for the first time this year, and I assisted a young woman who had taken a wrong turn and didn't know where she was.
Millie and Gladys are in their 70s, both with husbands at home who are affected by long-term health issues. I've known Gladys for perhaps three years, and Millie for at least two. Gladys lives in the area bounded by the bikeway and Woodman Avenue, somewhere a little south of Woodbine. Millie lives just west of the bikeway and about a block north of Woodbine. They walk together along the bikeway, and I usually see them in the stretch from Woodbine to Linden. Gladys is by far the more devoted to her morning exercise, and she is always the more forthcoming in what is happening in her life and the more inquisitive in how I'm doing. Millie has had periods off from walking, to allow recuperation from torn ligaments in her knees and the apparently poor surgical repairs to them. I described and performed several knee exercises for her this morning, which I prefaced with an explanation that they help strengthen the tendons that hold the patella in place and relieve achiness at the top and inside of the front of the knee.
While we three jabbered on the bikeway, a woman in her 20s passed us, going south. I had never seen her before in the morning, and her passing made me aware of the need to eventually get to work, so I said goodby to Millie and Gladys soon after. As I approached Woodman, there was the woman looking first at the bikeway signage, then up and down Woodman. As I passed I asked, "Are you lost? There aren't many ways to go here." She laughed and said, "Well, I think I really am lost. I rode from the Beavercreek hub this morning and went into Dayton. But I must have taken a wrong turn when I came back—I don't know how, though. And I really don't know where I am now." So I turned around, and told her that she mised a turn at the trestle, which she recognized as a landmark. Then I told here the simplest way back to the correct way home would be to turn back, cross two streets, and turn right at the T intersection beyond the trestle. She remembered the graffiti wall, and I used that as a landmark to place Linden Avenue for her, and to relate the trestle as being a block's distance north of Linden.
She seemed confident in the correct way home, so I took off for the remaining 2 miles of my commute.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62°F at 06:55, 66°F at 07:55, 68 to 70°F at 10:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:45:33 for 11.89 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm average, 147 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, about 35 goslings
Here is a playback of the ride. 14th Garmin day.
So this morning I bought an 8-oz "juice beverage" to mix with a full styroglass of ice and LaCroix water for an all-day sippie. Perhaps I'll feel up to sprints this afternoon, though the bikeway may be too congested to do them. Maybe the best plan is one sprint on the curve from Woodman to Woodbine, another sprint up the hill near the frisbee golf course, and a third near the Kettering apartment village—all before I get to the gym and on less-used bikeways.
Three notable things happened this morning: several geese were conducting an école maternelle for about 35 goslings at the Green Bridge, I saw Millie and Gladys out on their walk for the first time this year, and I assisted a young woman who had taken a wrong turn and didn't know where she was.
Millie and Gladys are in their 70s, both with husbands at home who are affected by long-term health issues. I've known Gladys for perhaps three years, and Millie for at least two. Gladys lives in the area bounded by the bikeway and Woodman Avenue, somewhere a little south of Woodbine. Millie lives just west of the bikeway and about a block north of Woodbine. They walk together along the bikeway, and I usually see them in the stretch from Woodbine to Linden. Gladys is by far the more devoted to her morning exercise, and she is always the more forthcoming in what is happening in her life and the more inquisitive in how I'm doing. Millie has had periods off from walking, to allow recuperation from torn ligaments in her knees and the apparently poor surgical repairs to them. I described and performed several knee exercises for her this morning, which I prefaced with an explanation that they help strengthen the tendons that hold the patella in place and relieve achiness at the top and inside of the front of the knee.
While we three jabbered on the bikeway, a woman in her 20s passed us, going south. I had never seen her before in the morning, and her passing made me aware of the need to eventually get to work, so I said goodby to Millie and Gladys soon after. As I approached Woodman, there was the woman looking first at the bikeway signage, then up and down Woodman. As I passed I asked, "Are you lost? There aren't many ways to go here." She laughed and said, "Well, I think I really am lost. I rode from the Beavercreek hub this morning and went into Dayton. But I must have taken a wrong turn when I came back—I don't know how, though. And I really don't know where I am now." So I turned around, and told her that she mised a turn at the trestle, which she recognized as a landmark. Then I told here the simplest way back to the correct way home would be to turn back, cross two streets, and turn right at the T intersection beyond the trestle. She remembered the graffiti wall, and I used that as a landmark to place Linden Avenue for her, and to relate the trestle as being a block's distance north of Linden.
She seemed confident in the correct way home, so I took off for the remaining 2 miles of my commute.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62°F at 06:55, 66°F at 07:55, 68 to 70°F at 10:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:45:33 for 11.89 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm average, 147 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, about 35 goslings
Here is a playback of the ride. 14th Garmin day.
24 May 2011
Bike-commute day 29—to work
Even the bit of the Great Miami River bikeway was clear today! As I dropped from the Monument Avenue Bridge to the bikeway, I thought I should try the old way again, to use the Wolf Creek bikeway to Broadway. Gotta remember to try it tonight.
My time for each leg were pretty good today, even without much of a press for speed. It was just that I focussed, from time to time, on the bottom part of the revolutions, kinda kicking back through the stroke. It's always pleasing, almost amazing, how subtle attention to form pays off in efficiency.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 63 to 64°F at 07:10 and 65 to 68°F at 09:30
Precipitation: moderate overnight, but bikeway was dry with a few wet areas under tree cover
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:45:07 for 11.87 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm average, 148 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog, 7 goslings
Here is a playback of the ride. 13th Garmin day.
My time for each leg were pretty good today, even without much of a press for speed. It was just that I focussed, from time to time, on the bottom part of the revolutions, kinda kicking back through the stroke. It's always pleasing, almost amazing, how subtle attention to form pays off in efficiency.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 63 to 64°F at 07:10 and 65 to 68°F at 09:30
Precipitation: moderate overnight, but bikeway was dry with a few wet areas under tree cover
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:45:07 for 11.87 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm average, 148 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog, 7 goslings
Here is a playback of the ride. 13th Garmin day.
19 May 2011
Bike-commute day 27—to home
Quick ride home, with little time to shower, feed Howard-the-Dog, make a snack, and get to the Neon Movies to see Veer, the film prelude to the Cycling Summit.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:45:36 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm average, 148 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 20 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride. 11th Garmin day.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:45:36 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm average, 148 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 20 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride. 11th Garmin day.
13 May 2011
Bike-commute day 25—to work
Friday: Smell of the Queen Anne's Lace
Ride conditions
Temperature: 63 to 67°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves. (A bit too warm.)
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:45:35 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 123 bpm average, 142 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride. 9th Garmin day.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 63 to 67°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves. (A bit too warm.)
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:45:35 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 123 bpm average, 142 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride. 9th Garmin day.
12 May 2011
Bike-commute day 24—to work
Thursday. Sprints for heart training.
Today was a sprint day, with one sprint in the second leg and two sprints in the third leg. I brought my HR to above 145 for periods of 1:24, 1:39, and 1:33.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 63 to 67°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves. (A bit too warm.)
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:47:09 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm average, 156 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride. 8th Garmin day.
Today was a sprint day, with one sprint in the second leg and two sprints in the third leg. I brought my HR to above 145 for periods of 1:24, 1:39, and 1:33.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 63 to 67°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves. (A bit too warm.)
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:47:09 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm average, 156 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride. 8th Garmin day.
11 May 2011
Bike-commute day 23—to work
News links
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced a “Commuter Relief Act” that would expand tax credits for those who commute by bike, foot, carpool or transit.
Pedaler Clothing announces a line of hoodies and jeans that incorporate reflective elements to make the urban cyclist more visible.
Levi's announces the 511 Skinny Commuter jeans that include more back fabric for "coverage," antimicrobial treatment for limiting stink, reflective strips, and "performance stretch fabric."
Ride conditions
Temperature: 63 to 67°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves. (A bit too warm.)
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:47:18 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm average, 147 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride. 8th Garmin day.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced a “Commuter Relief Act” that would expand tax credits for those who commute by bike, foot, carpool or transit.
Pedaler Clothing announces a line of hoodies and jeans that incorporate reflective elements to make the urban cyclist more visible.
Levi's announces the 511 Skinny Commuter jeans that include more back fabric for "coverage," antimicrobial treatment for limiting stink, reflective strips, and "performance stretch fabric."
Ride conditions
Temperature: 63 to 67°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves. (A bit too warm.)
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:47:18 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm average, 147 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride. 8th Garmin day.
09 May 2011
Bike-commute day 21—to work
The Great Miami bikeway is still flooded by as much as 0.5 meter, at least from Riverscape to the low dam at Monument Avenue. If the week's forecasted chance of showers and thunderstorms doesn't pan out, even that part of the bikeway may be clear within the week. The forecast of showers, though, is for all periods except Wednesday night.
My ride today was almost leisurely, despite a very late start.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 57°F at 07:55 61 to 65°F at 10:10
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the east
Clothing: 2-layer top, skinsuit; ankle socks. Open-finger gloves.
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:49:59 for 11.89 miles
Heart rate:128 bpm average, 142 bpm maximum
Bikeway users: 2 pedestrians, 5 cyclists
Here is a playback of the ride. 6th Garmin day.
Note about the illustration
The line drawings were published online as a video slideshow 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.
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