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
02 September 2011
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
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
30 August 2011
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
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
29 August 2011
Bike-commute day 76—to home
Monday, 29 August 2011
My first ride of the day was the evening commute home, since I had driven my bike to work this morning. After lunch I took the car to a dental appointment with Dr. Mark Buchwalder in Xenia. He talked about taking part in the Hotter 'n Hell Hundred around Wichita Falls TX. He had just returned Sunday from the event that he and his wife had taken in. My hygenist Marilyn also spoke glowingly of the bike rides she's had recently and the trips she splans through the end of the year, including a trip to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Canyonlands Park.
Just west of Eastwood Park, one rider of a couple cyclists said, "Oh so you're here!" and before it registered, we had passed each other. I recognized the voice and face of Ellen, a frequent client at Cardinal Fitness. So I turned around and caught up to them before they reached the concrete embankment. Ellen introduced me to her boyfriend Glenn, and when she said she had just bought the bike for him as a birthday present, I began singing The Birthday Song but stopped before I had to pay royalties. Ellen excused her relatively lower frequency at the gym by way of their cycling together from home in the Oregon district, and I mentioned that this was my twice-daily route to work..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 76 to 80°F at 18:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the northand east
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 750 hybrid
Time: 00:46:55 for 12.95 miles
Heart rate: 123 bpm HRave, 139 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 18 pedestrians, 3 baby wagons
Playback of the ride
My first ride of the day was the evening commute home, since I had driven my bike to work this morning. After lunch I took the car to a dental appointment with Dr. Mark Buchwalder in Xenia. He talked about taking part in the Hotter 'n Hell Hundred around Wichita Falls TX. He had just returned Sunday from the event that he and his wife had taken in. My hygenist Marilyn also spoke glowingly of the bike rides she's had recently and the trips she splans through the end of the year, including a trip to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Canyonlands Park.
Just west of Eastwood Park, one rider of a couple cyclists said, "Oh so you're here!" and before it registered, we had passed each other. I recognized the voice and face of Ellen, a frequent client at Cardinal Fitness. So I turned around and caught up to them before they reached the concrete embankment. Ellen introduced me to her boyfriend Glenn, and when she said she had just bought the bike for him as a birthday present, I began singing The Birthday Song but stopped before I had to pay royalties. Ellen excused her relatively lower frequency at the gym by way of their cycling together from home in the Oregon district, and I mentioned that this was my twice-daily route to work..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 76 to 80°F at 18:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the northand east
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 750 hybrid
Time: 00:46:55 for 12.95 miles
Heart rate: 123 bpm HRave, 139 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 18 pedestrians, 3 baby wagons
Playback of the ride
26 August 2011
Bike-commute day 75—to gym and home
Friday, 26 August 2011
My commute home was some four hours earlier than usual. Kodak has announced new austerity measures that preclude working and billing for overtime. Since I had already put in five hours in late evenings through the week, I was advised to take the afternoon off in lieu of billing for overtime.
I left the Garmin device on while doing my 8-exercise weight training. The result was a confusion of spikes and lows in HR counterposed with strangely fluctuating speeds from 0 to3 mph.
At my third checkpoint, I left the bikeway to grab an iced coffee at Press so I would have sufficient energy to do a bit of gardening before the evening shadows lengthened..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 82°F at 12:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:16:179:27 for 18.32 miles
Heart rate: 122 bpm HRave, 152 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 5 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
My commute home was some four hours earlier than usual. Kodak has announced new austerity measures that preclude working and billing for overtime. Since I had already put in five hours in late evenings through the week, I was advised to take the afternoon off in lieu of billing for overtime.
I left the Garmin device on while doing my 8-exercise weight training. The result was a confusion of spikes and lows in HR counterposed with strangely fluctuating speeds from 0 to3 mph.
At my third checkpoint, I left the bikeway to grab an iced coffee at Press so I would have sufficient energy to do a bit of gardening before the evening shadows lengthened..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 82°F at 12:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:16:179:27 for 18.32 miles
Heart rate: 122 bpm HRave, 152 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 5 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
24 August 2011
Bike-commute day 74—to work
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Last evening I was preparing myself for a rain day and commuting by car. But it was clear this morning, and the weather radar showed that the storms had bypassed Dayton further to the north. Our only storm effects were higher winds from the southwest that apparently worked to move the wet clouds away from Dayton. So I set out for a bike-commute after eating breakfast, which I had started before I checked the weather.
Thanks to the fast southwest winds, the second leg of my commute was extremely fast today. With almost no exertion, my cadence reached 104 rpm and speed 25.3 mph on the Great Miami and Mad River bikeways. In the remaining parts of the ride, I had good speeds in the sheltered areas, but slower going on the open stretches of the Creekside and Iron Horse trails.
After I crossed Linden, I saw Millie and Gladys up ahead. I slowed to a stop as I reached them. Millie had a new perm, and her freshly colored hair was under a fine net. We joked about the likelihood of a hot date in her future, and I kidded Gladys that I could make an approintment for here to get a tight perm too. I asked them if they often stopped to talk to some of the regular walkers, and they named a few that they shared conversation with. Then Paul jogged by, this time without his dogs, and I said goodby to Millie and Gladys.
I pulled beside Paul to ask about his dogs, whom he said had walked earlier with him, on their usual course about 2.5 miles around the circle of the bikeway and Woodman Avenue. Paul walks his dogs daily, starting on the bikeway because of its convenience to his home to the west of the bikeway and north of Woodbine.
Once again on the way, near Woodman I saw a woman on her bike with a small dog running beside her. The bike had an extension off to the right that held the dog's lead, and the dog had some sort of harness. "Nice setup for both of you," I said as I passed them.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 75 to 79°F at 09:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 10 to 15 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:34 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 149 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 5 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
Last evening I was preparing myself for a rain day and commuting by car. But it was clear this morning, and the weather radar showed that the storms had bypassed Dayton further to the north. Our only storm effects were higher winds from the southwest that apparently worked to move the wet clouds away from Dayton. So I set out for a bike-commute after eating breakfast, which I had started before I checked the weather.
Thanks to the fast southwest winds, the second leg of my commute was extremely fast today. With almost no exertion, my cadence reached 104 rpm and speed 25.3 mph on the Great Miami and Mad River bikeways. In the remaining parts of the ride, I had good speeds in the sheltered areas, but slower going on the open stretches of the Creekside and Iron Horse trails.
After I crossed Linden, I saw Millie and Gladys up ahead. I slowed to a stop as I reached them. Millie had a new perm, and her freshly colored hair was under a fine net. We joked about the likelihood of a hot date in her future, and I kidded Gladys that I could make an approintment for here to get a tight perm too. I asked them if they often stopped to talk to some of the regular walkers, and they named a few that they shared conversation with. Then Paul jogged by, this time without his dogs, and I said goodby to Millie and Gladys.
I pulled beside Paul to ask about his dogs, whom he said had walked earlier with him, on their usual course about 2.5 miles around the circle of the bikeway and Woodman Avenue. Paul walks his dogs daily, starting on the bikeway because of its convenience to his home to the west of the bikeway and north of Woodbine.
Once again on the way, near Woodman I saw a woman on her bike with a small dog running beside her. The bike had an extension off to the right that held the dog's lead, and the dog had some sort of harness. "Nice setup for both of you," I said as I passed them.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 75 to 79°F at 09:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 10 to 15 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:34 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 149 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 5 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 3 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
22 August 2011
Bike-commute day 72—to gym and home
Monday, 22 August 2011
All day I've had this dull ache in the upper back, focused between my spine and right scapular. I couldn't pinpoint any twist or strain that might have caused it, so I attributed it to a lack of rest or sleeping "funny." As I left work today, I considered whether any weight training would make it worse or if very light training would help relieve it. I opted for the latter, but only within a minute of taking the turn on Woodbine.
The workout was brief and gentle: two bench press sets with an empty bar and then carrying 20 pounds; dumbbell flyes with a set of 10 pounds and a second of 12.5 pounds; dumbbell military press at 12.5 and 15 pounds; two cable row sets at light weights; two cable pulldowns at light weights, and two sets of reverse flyes. The back muscles felt a bit better, less tense after the gentle use. Let's see how a good rest helps too.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 79 to 84°F at 18:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph variable from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:00:22 for 15.83 miles
Heart rate: 116 bpm HRave, 135 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 31 cyclists, 20 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
All day I've had this dull ache in the upper back, focused between my spine and right scapular. I couldn't pinpoint any twist or strain that might have caused it, so I attributed it to a lack of rest or sleeping "funny." As I left work today, I considered whether any weight training would make it worse or if very light training would help relieve it. I opted for the latter, but only within a minute of taking the turn on Woodbine.
The workout was brief and gentle: two bench press sets with an empty bar and then carrying 20 pounds; dumbbell flyes with a set of 10 pounds and a second of 12.5 pounds; dumbbell military press at 12.5 and 15 pounds; two cable row sets at light weights; two cable pulldowns at light weights, and two sets of reverse flyes. The back muscles felt a bit better, less tense after the gentle use. Let's see how a good rest helps too.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 79 to 84°F at 18:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph variable from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:00:22 for 15.83 miles
Heart rate: 116 bpm HRave, 135 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 31 cyclists, 20 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 72—to work
Monday, 22 August 2011
Very few people on the bikeway this morning, and only a couple of the regulars. The most notable was a cyclist who headed parallel to me just outside of Eastwood Park. I rode the bikeway immediately adjacent to Springfield Street, and he took the right edge of the right lane. His pace was just a bit better than mine, and he passed in front of me as I took the crossing into the winding creek path.
I passed the Kiwi and her younger riding partner, this time with us going in opposite directions near the DPL executive golf course. And I passed Paul in the curve between Woodbine and Woodman. I stopped and u-turned to ask the names of his two dogs: Ruby and Bettis-the-Labrador. Pet names can tell a lot about a person, and I surmise that Paul was a Steelers fan about ten years ago.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 55 to 60°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:22 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 119 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
Very few people on the bikeway this morning, and only a couple of the regulars. The most notable was a cyclist who headed parallel to me just outside of Eastwood Park. I rode the bikeway immediately adjacent to Springfield Street, and he took the right edge of the right lane. His pace was just a bit better than mine, and he passed in front of me as I took the crossing into the winding creek path.
I passed the Kiwi and her younger riding partner, this time with us going in opposite directions near the DPL executive golf course. And I passed Paul in the curve between Woodbine and Woodman. I stopped and u-turned to ask the names of his two dogs: Ruby and Bettis-the-Labrador. Pet names can tell a lot about a person, and I surmise that Paul was a Steelers fan about ten years ago.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 55 to 60°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:22 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 119 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
19 August 2011
Bike-commute day 71—to home
Friday, 19 August 2011
I decided to buy a lottery ticket at the Shell station that's adjacent to the bikeway on Woodman, and as I left the convenience store, I decided that I would add a few miles to my commute instead of going to the gym. So at the trestle checkpoint, I turned east toward Beavercreek. Was it Matt who described with such pride and astonishment the tribute installation of rusting girders from the World Trade Center? That will be my turnaround point, maybe five miles out.
The slight but continuous climb to the gazebo at I-675 is matched by a gradual but continuous descent to the Beavercreek Station. What exertion I made on the first half was matched by exhiliarting ease on the second. Similarly, after the turnaround and quick appreciation of the massive verticals of the deep red beams rising above the bikeway, the way back had its canonic structure and a finish with easy speed.
The finish, back on my typical commute route, was strong also.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 84 to 90°F at 17:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph, variable from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:12:55 for 20.55 miles
Heart rate: 124 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 35 cyclists, 24 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
I decided to buy a lottery ticket at the Shell station that's adjacent to the bikeway on Woodman, and as I left the convenience store, I decided that I would add a few miles to my commute instead of going to the gym. So at the trestle checkpoint, I turned east toward Beavercreek. Was it Matt who described with such pride and astonishment the tribute installation of rusting girders from the World Trade Center? That will be my turnaround point, maybe five miles out.
The slight but continuous climb to the gazebo at I-675 is matched by a gradual but continuous descent to the Beavercreek Station. What exertion I made on the first half was matched by exhiliarting ease on the second. Similarly, after the turnaround and quick appreciation of the massive verticals of the deep red beams rising above the bikeway, the way back had its canonic structure and a finish with easy speed.
The finish, back on my typical commute route, was strong also.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 84 to 90°F at 17:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph, variable from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:12:55 for 20.55 miles
Heart rate: 124 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 35 cyclists, 24 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 71—to work
Friday, 19 August 2011
I started my commute with an errand to mail a package with a failed wireless router. If only our local post office would decide to have better hours—they opened a couple minutes after 8:30.
Perhaps 50 riders were assembled in the parking lot of Eastwood Park this morning—a traffic jam on the bikeway! I asked a man in a Five Rivers MetroParks jersey what the group was, and though he seemed to have some authority, his naming of the group was corrected by another rider standing nearby. ACS? AFC? All the solid information I gathered was that the ride was sponsored by some group at the airbase. My number for bikeway cyclists is probably made larger by this group ride, from which several may have taken an early start. Any other counting occurred only after I left Eastwood.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 66 to 71°F at 08:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:18 for 11.75 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 143 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Playback of the ride
I started my commute with an errand to mail a package with a failed wireless router. If only our local post office would decide to have better hours—they opened a couple minutes after 8:30.
Perhaps 50 riders were assembled in the parking lot of Eastwood Park this morning—a traffic jam on the bikeway! I asked a man in a Five Rivers MetroParks jersey what the group was, and though he seemed to have some authority, his naming of the group was corrected by another rider standing nearby. ACS? AFC? All the solid information I gathered was that the ride was sponsored by some group at the airbase. My number for bikeway cyclists is probably made larger by this group ride, from which several may have taken an early start. Any other counting occurred only after I left Eastwood.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 66 to 71°F at 08:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:18 for 11.75 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 143 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Playback of the ride
18 August 2011
Bike-commute day 70—to work
Thursday, 18 August 2011
It was a slow, easy pace today, perhaps I need to recover from last night's ride of higher intensity. Overnight, I woke perhaps four times with cramps in my right calf, which is another sign of a higher level of performance yesterday. So I enjoyed the time on the bike without pressure to make a good time.
I stopped to introduce myself to one of the regulars, Paul (yet another Paul) and his dog Stinky. We talked a bit, and I found he's been using the bikeway to walk his dog ever since it was built. Back on my way, I saw Gladys and Millie on their way to Linden Avenue and Gene and his dog Patches under the Haverfield Canopy.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 73 to 77°F at 07:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:35 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 123 bpm HRave, 144 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 32 cyclists, 8 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
It was a slow, easy pace today, perhaps I need to recover from last night's ride of higher intensity. Overnight, I woke perhaps four times with cramps in my right calf, which is another sign of a higher level of performance yesterday. So I enjoyed the time on the bike without pressure to make a good time.
I stopped to introduce myself to one of the regulars, Paul (yet another Paul) and his dog Stinky. We talked a bit, and I found he's been using the bikeway to walk his dog ever since it was built. Back on my way, I saw Gladys and Millie on their way to Linden Avenue and Gene and his dog Patches under the Haverfield Canopy.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 73 to 77°F at 07:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:35 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 123 bpm HRave, 144 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 32 cyclists, 8 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
17 August 2011
Bike-commute day 69—to home
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
I had hoped to go to the gym on my way home tonight, but I left work too late (leaving my desk at 17:30 and the locker room around 17:45). Perhaps just as well, since Chuck wants me to help him prepare for his trip to the GNI gathering, for which he's leaving tomorrow morning. And to give me time to prepare a nice going-away meal for us. I think there are skinned chicken breasts thawed in the refrigerator and a package of pad thai noodles and sauce in the pantry. I'll garnish it with Italian flat-leaf parsley instead of cilantro, roasted whole peanuts, and the half-lemon still in the fridge.
I took the route that last year was my usual commute, which takes a different route from the river bikeway to my home. At my last checkpoint, I headed up the zig-zag and to the Riverside Drive bridge, then around the Veterans' Memorial Park and down to the bikeway on the right bank of the Great Miami River. I followed the river to cross Wolf Creek and then took the bikeway west from there to the gravel-grass ramp to Broadway Avenue. I took an alley and a block of ---- to reach Broadway and then crossed the Broadway Avenue bridge. I turned left on Riverview, and then right on --- to Superior Avenue. From that point, I joined what has been my typical route this past year up Bryn Mawr and to my home.
The bikeway on the right bank still suffers from inattention. A few patches of sand and gravel, a couple instances of glass debris, and the still-lousy shape of the grass-gravel ramp up to Broadway make this a problematic route for my Lotus and its skinny tires. It will be better to take this route on my Trek hybrid bike, since its tires are more impervious to the stones and litter.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 84 to 91°F at 17:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the south, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:37 for 12.90 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 145 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 16 cyclists, 12 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Playback of the ride
I had hoped to go to the gym on my way home tonight, but I left work too late (leaving my desk at 17:30 and the locker room around 17:45). Perhaps just as well, since Chuck wants me to help him prepare for his trip to the GNI gathering, for which he's leaving tomorrow morning. And to give me time to prepare a nice going-away meal for us. I think there are skinned chicken breasts thawed in the refrigerator and a package of pad thai noodles and sauce in the pantry. I'll garnish it with Italian flat-leaf parsley instead of cilantro, roasted whole peanuts, and the half-lemon still in the fridge.
I took the route that last year was my usual commute, which takes a different route from the river bikeway to my home. At my last checkpoint, I headed up the zig-zag and to the Riverside Drive bridge, then around the Veterans' Memorial Park and down to the bikeway on the right bank of the Great Miami River. I followed the river to cross Wolf Creek and then took the bikeway west from there to the gravel-grass ramp to Broadway Avenue. I took an alley and a block of ---- to reach Broadway and then crossed the Broadway Avenue bridge. I turned left on Riverview, and then right on --- to Superior Avenue. From that point, I joined what has been my typical route this past year up Bryn Mawr and to my home.
The bikeway on the right bank still suffers from inattention. A few patches of sand and gravel, a couple instances of glass debris, and the still-lousy shape of the grass-gravel ramp up to Broadway make this a problematic route for my Lotus and its skinny tires. It will be better to take this route on my Trek hybrid bike, since its tires are more impervious to the stones and litter.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 84 to 91°F at 17:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the south, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:37 for 12.90 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 145 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 16 cyclists, 12 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 69—to work
Wedensday, 17 August 2011
I left early for once, at 07:50, to have time to shower and prepare for a 9 o'clock meeting. The ride was rushed, barely enough chance to recognize the few regulars on the way. I was planning topics to discuss in the coming meeting.
Once in the conference room, I waited ten minutes before deciding my colleague wouldn't show. And when I got to my cube and started up our email and meeting scheduler software, I found the meeting had been rescheduled.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 55 to 64°F at 07:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:25 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
I left early for once, at 07:50, to have time to shower and prepare for a 9 o'clock meeting. The ride was rushed, barely enough chance to recognize the few regulars on the way. I was planning topics to discuss in the coming meeting.
Once in the conference room, I waited ten minutes before deciding my colleague wouldn't show. And when I got to my cube and started up our email and meeting scheduler software, I found the meeting had been rescheduled.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 55 to 64°F at 07:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:25 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
15 August 2011
Bike-commute day 67—to home
Monday, 15 August 2011
I left work very late—leaving my desk at 18:45, as the ever-earlier sunset rules me now. And as I rushed from the locker room in my cycling kit, Dave Stephens asked me as he approached the exit also, "What are those things on the bottom of your shoes?"
I lifted my heel as I held momentarily at the door. "It's a kind of cleat that mates to the pedals on my bike. Here, I'll show you at the bike rack."
I led him outside to my waiting bike, and then twirled the Shimano pedal. "The pedal is the same on both sides, for easy clipping in."
"Oh, so you can pull up as well as push down on the stroke!"
"Well, actually so I can apply power throughout the stroke, not only up and down, but also pulling back at the bottom of the stroke, and using the full circle of movement to apply power."
"Well that makes sense, to tie your leg to the machine."
"But that's not the only way to make the man-machine more efficient. You see the gears? It's just one gear on this bike, and it's a fixed gear—there's no coasting. When I pedal, the bike moves. And if I would happen to pedal backwards, that's the direction I would go."
By this time, I had turned on the Garmin, clipped it onto its pedestal, unlocked and recurled my padlock cable. I pulled the bike our of the rack and set it beside me, ready for the hop on.
"Well," Dave said, "I have to take the top down on my convertible. And you have the top down all the time, perfect for a day like this." He headed on to his waiting auto.
I gave Dave a whoop of a goodby and a wave. We were both looking forward to the commute home.
So with this fresh reminder of the importance of a circular, fluid stroke, I had additional power against the north winds that had open stretches to build their strength for the short ride along Spaulding Road before I turned into the Haverfield Canopy. I wondered if Dave's engineering background would incite thoughts of how the man-machine efficiency I experience compares to the power and joy of driving his vehicle.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 76 to 82°F at 18:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:09 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 152 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 30 cyclists, 17 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
I left work very late—leaving my desk at 18:45, as the ever-earlier sunset rules me now. And as I rushed from the locker room in my cycling kit, Dave Stephens asked me as he approached the exit also, "What are those things on the bottom of your shoes?"
I lifted my heel as I held momentarily at the door. "It's a kind of cleat that mates to the pedals on my bike. Here, I'll show you at the bike rack."
I led him outside to my waiting bike, and then twirled the Shimano pedal. "The pedal is the same on both sides, for easy clipping in."
"Oh, so you can pull up as well as push down on the stroke!"
"Well, actually so I can apply power throughout the stroke, not only up and down, but also pulling back at the bottom of the stroke, and using the full circle of movement to apply power."
"Well that makes sense, to tie your leg to the machine."
"But that's not the only way to make the man-machine more efficient. You see the gears? It's just one gear on this bike, and it's a fixed gear—there's no coasting. When I pedal, the bike moves. And if I would happen to pedal backwards, that's the direction I would go."
By this time, I had turned on the Garmin, clipped it onto its pedestal, unlocked and recurled my padlock cable. I pulled the bike our of the rack and set it beside me, ready for the hop on.
"Well," Dave said, "I have to take the top down on my convertible. And you have the top down all the time, perfect for a day like this." He headed on to his waiting auto.
I gave Dave a whoop of a goodby and a wave. We were both looking forward to the commute home.
So with this fresh reminder of the importance of a circular, fluid stroke, I had additional power against the north winds that had open stretches to build their strength for the short ride along Spaulding Road before I turned into the Haverfield Canopy. I wondered if Dave's engineering background would incite thoughts of how the man-machine efficiency I experience compares to the power and joy of driving his vehicle.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 76 to 82°F at 18:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:09 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 152 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 30 cyclists, 17 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
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
12 August 2011
Bike-commute day 66—to work
Friday, 12 August 2011
The ride today was laborious, so much so that I asked myself often, Are you coming down with something? Didn't you get enough sleep? Are you run down or overtraining? Or is it that last night's dinner didn't have enough calories for this morning's ride? I'll wait out the day to see how I feel...
Late in the afternoon, after a larger lunch than usual, and after a large cup of fluids, I feel better at my desk. Since I'm driving home, there's no road test for me tonight. But my guess is that the lowered food intake for dinners is resulting in a lower energy store.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 56 to 61°F at 07:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:40 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 142 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 3 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
The ride today was laborious, so much so that I asked myself often, Are you coming down with something? Didn't you get enough sleep? Are you run down or overtraining? Or is it that last night's dinner didn't have enough calories for this morning's ride? I'll wait out the day to see how I feel...
Late in the afternoon, after a larger lunch than usual, and after a large cup of fluids, I feel better at my desk. Since I'm driving home, there's no road test for me tonight. But my guess is that the lowered food intake for dinners is resulting in a lower energy store.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 56 to 61°F at 07:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:40 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 142 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 3 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
10 August 2011
Bike-commute day 65—to home
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
It all seemed so labored this evening. I left my desk at 6:30, called Ch to alert him to a later arrival than usual, and wondered what is available to cook. Maybe a pizza with the Boboli shell? No, too much bread for Ch's taste. And he perhaps overate at lunch, since Russ was over for the afternoon. What else? Pasta with fresh pesto? Nah, there's probably not enough basil ready, and Ch might object to the pasta. So a fish grilled, and maybe a vegetable. See what's there when I get home. You would think that my running commentary on food would draw me away from cycling, but the dull ache of my laboring heart and leaden legs pulled me back to the work I was doing. The heavy traffic up and down Woodman, across Woodbine and Airway nagged at my attempts to reach above the labor of the ride.
Just some rides aren't pleasant at every moment. This was one. Lots of larger groups walking on the bikeway, some confused about which side of the way to clear toward, some barely even in control of the children in their horde. Finally, along the Mad River was a nicely open stretch, though the westerly winds made this, too, a slog. One pleasant highlight: I saw Rick-the-Walker again after a couple months' absence. And then below Riverscape was a group of 30 (or more!) young people using the steps, banks, and bikeway as part of their training program en masse.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 78 to 81°F at 17:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:24 for 11.96 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 21 cyclists, 31 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
It all seemed so labored this evening. I left my desk at 6:30, called Ch to alert him to a later arrival than usual, and wondered what is available to cook. Maybe a pizza with the Boboli shell? No, too much bread for Ch's taste. And he perhaps overate at lunch, since Russ was over for the afternoon. What else? Pasta with fresh pesto? Nah, there's probably not enough basil ready, and Ch might object to the pasta. So a fish grilled, and maybe a vegetable. See what's there when I get home. You would think that my running commentary on food would draw me away from cycling, but the dull ache of my laboring heart and leaden legs pulled me back to the work I was doing. The heavy traffic up and down Woodman, across Woodbine and Airway nagged at my attempts to reach above the labor of the ride.
Just some rides aren't pleasant at every moment. This was one. Lots of larger groups walking on the bikeway, some confused about which side of the way to clear toward, some barely even in control of the children in their horde. Finally, along the Mad River was a nicely open stretch, though the westerly winds made this, too, a slog. One pleasant highlight: I saw Rick-the-Walker again after a couple months' absence. And then below Riverscape was a group of 30 (or more!) young people using the steps, banks, and bikeway as part of their training program en masse.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 78 to 81°F at 17:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:24 for 11.96 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 21 cyclists, 31 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
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
01 August 2011
Bike-commute day 62—to home
Monday, 01 August 2011
A direct ride home so Chuck and I can continue work in the front yard.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 91 to 100°F at 11.93
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:07 for 15.85 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 17 cyclists, 8 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
A direct ride home so Chuck and I can continue work in the front yard.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 91 to 100°F at 11.93
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:07 for 15.85 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 17 cyclists, 8 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 62—to work
Monday, 1 August 2011
Like most Mondays, the ride was lower intensity while my body accustomed itself to another week of bike commuting. Several times, I turned my attention to the cadence, to the spin, and particularly to the arc from 5 to 8 o'clock. Pull through, get some advantage from the hamstrings flex. And it worked for a bit, until my attention was pulled elsewhere.
On the Mad River plateau, a group of riders approached me from Eastwood Park. They were likely members of a similar group I had seen Friday morning in the clearing by Miami Valley Manufacturing, which then was 6 riders. Today the group had 5 cyclists whose control of the road and apparel implied their presence was a training ride, perhaps an LSD (long, slow distance) ride. I almost u-turned to ask them if they have ridden together over a long time, their typical start time and distance, and other details of their ride. ...But the need to arrive at work had precedence, and the questions were left unanswered. Perhaps over a few similar meetings on the bikeway, I can glean at least how much of our routes covers the same points. Or, on some day that I start out much earlier, I might afford some time to ride with them and ask my questions. For now, I'll name them the Northbound Trainers.
A couple miles on, a half mile north of Burkhardt, I said good morning to a couple of women whom I had greeted and exchanged some information perhaps a week ago. One of them, the older who is about 55 or perhaps as old as 65, is from New Zealand and is the more outgoing of them. The other is no older than 40, more athletic in appearance, more reserved.
As I neared the end of my route, I saw a single rider ahead of me at the turn from the Haverfield canopy onto Spaulding. He was about 25 seconds ahead of my own turn at the same corner, and once on Spaulding, I saw him approach and overtake a pair of other riders around the drive to the water treatment plant. All three were new on this stretch, as far as I knew. And all three had reached the bend toward County Line Road by the time I headed off the bikeway into Research Park.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 73°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:05 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
Like most Mondays, the ride was lower intensity while my body accustomed itself to another week of bike commuting. Several times, I turned my attention to the cadence, to the spin, and particularly to the arc from 5 to 8 o'clock. Pull through, get some advantage from the hamstrings flex. And it worked for a bit, until my attention was pulled elsewhere.
On the Mad River plateau, a group of riders approached me from Eastwood Park. They were likely members of a similar group I had seen Friday morning in the clearing by Miami Valley Manufacturing, which then was 6 riders. Today the group had 5 cyclists whose control of the road and apparel implied their presence was a training ride, perhaps an LSD (long, slow distance) ride. I almost u-turned to ask them if they have ridden together over a long time, their typical start time and distance, and other details of their ride. ...But the need to arrive at work had precedence, and the questions were left unanswered. Perhaps over a few similar meetings on the bikeway, I can glean at least how much of our routes covers the same points. Or, on some day that I start out much earlier, I might afford some time to ride with them and ask my questions. For now, I'll name them the Northbound Trainers.
A couple miles on, a half mile north of Burkhardt, I said good morning to a couple of women whom I had greeted and exchanged some information perhaps a week ago. One of them, the older who is about 55 or perhaps as old as 65, is from New Zealand and is the more outgoing of them. The other is no older than 40, more athletic in appearance, more reserved.
As I neared the end of my route, I saw a single rider ahead of me at the turn from the Haverfield canopy onto Spaulding. He was about 25 seconds ahead of my own turn at the same corner, and once on Spaulding, I saw him approach and overtake a pair of other riders around the drive to the water treatment plant. All three were new on this stretch, as far as I knew. And all three had reached the bend toward County Line Road by the time I headed off the bikeway into Research Park.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 73°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:05 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
29 July 2011
Bike-commute day 61—to work
Friday, 29 July 2011.
My morning commute was the second half of my 61st day of bike-commuting, which results from driving to work yesterday with my bike in the van and biking home in the evening. This afternoon, I'll drive home with my bike in the van again.
I developed this practice for the parts of the year when the daylight time is too short than the time needed for two commutes and a full day of work. My typical week then alternates one day in which I drive to work with the bike in my van in the morning and then bike home with the next day in which I bike to work and then pack up the bike for the drive home.
My commute seemed to be energized today, in contrast to the last week of cycling with lower energy. The last time that I had the same average speed (17.4 h) was almost two weeks ago.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 75 to 79°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:33 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride.
My morning commute was the second half of my 61st day of bike-commuting, which results from driving to work yesterday with my bike in the van and biking home in the evening. This afternoon, I'll drive home with my bike in the van again.
I developed this practice for the parts of the year when the daylight time is too short than the time needed for two commutes and a full day of work. My typical week then alternates one day in which I drive to work with the bike in my van in the morning and then bike home with the next day in which I bike to work and then pack up the bike for the drive home.
My commute seemed to be energized today, in contrast to the last week of cycling with lower energy. The last time that I had the same average speed (17.4 h) was almost two weeks ago.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 75 to 79°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:33 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride.
28 July 2011
Bike-commute day 61—to gym and home
Thursday, 28 July 2011.
I lost the opportunity to bike to work this morning, since I had to change a tube at the last moment. (I rode the last couple blocks last night with an ever-softening rear tire. I had pumped it up on my arrival, hopeful that it had miraculously sealed itself. But physics is a constant: the leak had left me with a flat to repair this morning.) So my bike commute today starts with the evening ride, since I carried my bike to work in my van. As I do during the seasons with short days, I'll leave the car at work overnight, and then drive home on the last workday of the week. Which is tomorrow for this week.
At Cardinal Fitness, I had time only for bench presses, cable rows, lat (latissimus) pulldowns, and dumbbell lat raises. And I spoke with Kathy and Jesse, a couple who I had seen attending the appearance of Ira Glass, the host of NPR's This American Life. I mentioned to Kathy that David Sedaris is appearing at the Victoria in October, and she seemed happy to know that tickets are now available. Jesse complained of feeling less enthusiasm, despite changing his routine. We talked about several possible sources of the lack of energy, including suppressed blood pressure, low blood sugar, lack of rest. But we didn't speak of a strong possibility: overtraining.
Back on the commute by 6:20, and planning the evening's dinner, I decided on grilling butterfly pork chops with a citrus rub and thick slices of eggplant drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Sonst nichts, außer'm Brot und Butter—etwas einfaches. First thing when I get home will be to fire up the charcoal, and then I'll have time for a shower by the time it's ready.
Chuck wasn't home yet; I guessed that he was still jabbering with Susan Carpenter, who was in Yellow Springs for the writers' conference. He had planned lunch with her and perhaps a visit with our friend Pat White, if she was at home. I checked for messages that might indicate when he would be home: nothing on paper, on the home phone, or on my cell. So I let Howard-the-Dog out of his self-confinement in the bathroom (he usually has the run of the upstairs and landing, held back from the downstairs by a child-proof gate at the bottom of the stairs), went with him to the deck, where I pulled off my skinsuit and dumped charcoal in a mound in the grill. It'll need only a squirt of fluid and a match to be blazing for dinner. Then I walked Howard to the dog run and coaxed him to give us another brown offering and a watering of the gravel.
Still no Chuck, so I brought Howard in before he could think of attacking the tomato plants for their green fruit and sat at the piano to sight read through a few Bach preludes and fugues from Das wohltemperierte Klavier. After excursions into G minor, A major, and A minor, Chuck interrupted the reading with a quick phone call from the gym. He would be home soon. The evening could start.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 94 to 97°F at 17:15
Precipitation: none Winds: variable 5 to 10 mph from the south, west, and north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:57:36 for 15.65 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 29 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride.
I lost the opportunity to bike to work this morning, since I had to change a tube at the last moment. (I rode the last couple blocks last night with an ever-softening rear tire. I had pumped it up on my arrival, hopeful that it had miraculously sealed itself. But physics is a constant: the leak had left me with a flat to repair this morning.) So my bike commute today starts with the evening ride, since I carried my bike to work in my van. As I do during the seasons with short days, I'll leave the car at work overnight, and then drive home on the last workday of the week. Which is tomorrow for this week.
At Cardinal Fitness, I had time only for bench presses, cable rows, lat (latissimus) pulldowns, and dumbbell lat raises. And I spoke with Kathy and Jesse, a couple who I had seen attending the appearance of Ira Glass, the host of NPR's This American Life. I mentioned to Kathy that David Sedaris is appearing at the Victoria in October, and she seemed happy to know that tickets are now available. Jesse complained of feeling less enthusiasm, despite changing his routine. We talked about several possible sources of the lack of energy, including suppressed blood pressure, low blood sugar, lack of rest. But we didn't speak of a strong possibility: overtraining.
Back on the commute by 6:20, and planning the evening's dinner, I decided on grilling butterfly pork chops with a citrus rub and thick slices of eggplant drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Sonst nichts, außer'm Brot und Butter—etwas einfaches. First thing when I get home will be to fire up the charcoal, and then I'll have time for a shower by the time it's ready.
Chuck wasn't home yet; I guessed that he was still jabbering with Susan Carpenter, who was in Yellow Springs for the writers' conference. He had planned lunch with her and perhaps a visit with our friend Pat White, if she was at home. I checked for messages that might indicate when he would be home: nothing on paper, on the home phone, or on my cell. So I let Howard-the-Dog out of his self-confinement in the bathroom (he usually has the run of the upstairs and landing, held back from the downstairs by a child-proof gate at the bottom of the stairs), went with him to the deck, where I pulled off my skinsuit and dumped charcoal in a mound in the grill. It'll need only a squirt of fluid and a match to be blazing for dinner. Then I walked Howard to the dog run and coaxed him to give us another brown offering and a watering of the gravel.
Still no Chuck, so I brought Howard in before he could think of attacking the tomato plants for their green fruit and sat at the piano to sight read through a few Bach preludes and fugues from Das wohltemperierte Klavier. After excursions into G minor, A major, and A minor, Chuck interrupted the reading with a quick phone call from the gym. He would be home soon. The evening could start.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 94 to 97°F at 17:15
Precipitation: none Winds: variable 5 to 10 mph from the south, west, and north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:57:36 for 15.65 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 29 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride.
27 July 2011
Bike-commute day 60—to home
Wednesday, 27 July 2011.
Wooze was what I felt as I started out tonight. And then a few blocks from home, a bit of broken glass made my day. But I was lucky that the leak was a slow one, and I made it home before the tire was too flat to ride.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 89 to 95°F at 19:12
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:59:27 for 15.85 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 31 cyclists, 19 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
Wooze was what I felt as I started out tonight. And then a few blocks from home, a bit of broken glass made my day. But I was lucky that the leak was a slow one, and I made it home before the tire was too flat to ride.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 89 to 95°F at 19:12
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:59:27 for 15.85 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 31 cyclists, 19 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 60—to work
Wednesday, 27 July 2011.
Today is the 60th day of commuting this year, but I was in no shape for a celebratory ride. It was slow going this morning. I felt a bit of wooziness even as I started out. Is it from dehydration? I wondered, thinking then of the triple hands-cups of water just before bed and the frothy mix of orange juice and La Croix water this morning and deciding No, I don't think I've been lax in taking the fluids. Maybe from our low-carb salad dinner last night? Perhaps. But in any case, I had allowed myself a late start this morning, after hand-watering plants both in the back yard and the front. So the late start and a continued slow pace would mean no time for shaving during my shower.
At the Springfield Street crossing out of Eastwood Park, I caught up to a single cylist, a woman who I had never seen before. After navigating the crossings of Springfield Street and North Smithville, I decided to wait for her to catch up. Her pace was slower than my usual, but at 14 mph was well matched to the lower intensity I could muster today. Her name was Bonnie, and she typically rides a few days each week from her home in Beavercreek to Xenia and back. Today she wanted a change of scenery, and she was enjoying the canopied cover and occasional open areas of the ride into Dayton.
Bonnie is retired, as is her husband. They had often taken their bike rides together, until he had suffered a few bike crashes, one of which broke his hip and collarbone. Now his sense of balance is lower, and he's much more tentative, so Bonnie rides alone. We had reached the split of the Iron Horse Trail by the time I had offered my own crash stories, and she turned east toward Beavercreek and I headed south to work.
Mid-Season Summary
Looking back over the blog posts for the commuting season, I see I was anticipating the commute as early as February. But that month had no commutes and only a Saturday trial to check the viability of commuting. In March, I had 10 days of commuting; a few "rain days" are accounted for in the month. April had only 7 days of commuting by bike and 4 documented days of rain that prevented commuting. May had 16 commute days by bike, and some of these occurred with rain in the forecast or actually making my ride a wet one. I took 14 bike-commute days in June, and the same number so far in July.
So my average is commuting about 60% of the workdays from March through July. That's a bummer to me: I've often said that I commute by bike four days a week on the average, and the truth is more like three days a week.
Housekeeping
One of the FiveRivers staff was mowing the grass bank above the Mad River bikeway this morning. It seemed a strange choice to me that he had mowed over plastic bottles, shredding them into gnarled segments. If a cleanup detail is posted for the area, they'll have a bit more work because of the mowing activity.
Mowing always seems a strange choice to me. First, why not leave the river banks in their natural state, except for removing trees and shrubs as they begin to gain a hold? The uncut grasses would cut down the numbers of geese squatting on the bikeway, since the geese prefer to be within view of water and the safety it provides. Another benefit to leaving the grass uncut is financial: mowing costs are lowered and cleaning the debris on the bikeway is made unnecessary. Finally, leaving the grass uncut benefits the cyclist users too, since the mowing always kicks stones and rocks onto the bikeway, which offer a potential of flats or, in extreme cases, instability from gravel patches on the bikeway.
Glass still on the bikeway about 0.15 mile south of the Linden Avenue crossing. I'll call this in today to the Springfield Street shed.
Tree debris still littering the bikeways under the canopies.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 69 to 80°F at 07:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:45:31 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 121 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride.
Today is the 60th day of commuting this year, but I was in no shape for a celebratory ride. It was slow going this morning. I felt a bit of wooziness even as I started out. Is it from dehydration? I wondered, thinking then of the triple hands-cups of water just before bed and the frothy mix of orange juice and La Croix water this morning and deciding No, I don't think I've been lax in taking the fluids. Maybe from our low-carb salad dinner last night? Perhaps. But in any case, I had allowed myself a late start this morning, after hand-watering plants both in the back yard and the front. So the late start and a continued slow pace would mean no time for shaving during my shower.
At the Springfield Street crossing out of Eastwood Park, I caught up to a single cylist, a woman who I had never seen before. After navigating the crossings of Springfield Street and North Smithville, I decided to wait for her to catch up. Her pace was slower than my usual, but at 14 mph was well matched to the lower intensity I could muster today. Her name was Bonnie, and she typically rides a few days each week from her home in Beavercreek to Xenia and back. Today she wanted a change of scenery, and she was enjoying the canopied cover and occasional open areas of the ride into Dayton.
Bonnie is retired, as is her husband. They had often taken their bike rides together, until he had suffered a few bike crashes, one of which broke his hip and collarbone. Now his sense of balance is lower, and he's much more tentative, so Bonnie rides alone. We had reached the split of the Iron Horse Trail by the time I had offered my own crash stories, and she turned east toward Beavercreek and I headed south to work.
Mid-Season Summary
Looking back over the blog posts for the commuting season, I see I was anticipating the commute as early as February. But that month had no commutes and only a Saturday trial to check the viability of commuting. In March, I had 10 days of commuting; a few "rain days" are accounted for in the month. April had only 7 days of commuting by bike and 4 documented days of rain that prevented commuting. May had 16 commute days by bike, and some of these occurred with rain in the forecast or actually making my ride a wet one. I took 14 bike-commute days in June, and the same number so far in July.
So my average is commuting about 60% of the workdays from March through July. That's a bummer to me: I've often said that I commute by bike four days a week on the average, and the truth is more like three days a week.
Housekeeping
One of the FiveRivers staff was mowing the grass bank above the Mad River bikeway this morning. It seemed a strange choice to me that he had mowed over plastic bottles, shredding them into gnarled segments. If a cleanup detail is posted for the area, they'll have a bit more work because of the mowing activity.
Mowing always seems a strange choice to me. First, why not leave the river banks in their natural state, except for removing trees and shrubs as they begin to gain a hold? The uncut grasses would cut down the numbers of geese squatting on the bikeway, since the geese prefer to be within view of water and the safety it provides. Another benefit to leaving the grass uncut is financial: mowing costs are lowered and cleaning the debris on the bikeway is made unnecessary. Finally, leaving the grass uncut benefits the cyclist users too, since the mowing always kicks stones and rocks onto the bikeway, which offer a potential of flats or, in extreme cases, instability from gravel patches on the bikeway.
Glass still on the bikeway about 0.15 mile south of the Linden Avenue crossing. I'll call this in today to the Springfield Street shed.
Tree debris still littering the bikeways under the canopies.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 69 to 80°F at 07:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:45:31 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 121 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride.
26 July 2011
Bike-commute day 59—to gym and home
Tuesday, 26 July 2011.
I was zooming down the bikeway after a short legs workout at Cardinal Fitness, paying more attention to the bottom kick-back of the pedal strokes and getting more efficiency through that focus. I had already taken my second lap check north of Linden Avenue, crossed Burkhardt and Airway, rounded the meadow near the Multi-Service plant, and entered the canopy heading toward Park Row, still focused on cadence.
Suddenly two individual cyclists turned into the stretch of canopy and approached me. The first cylist was bare chested, lean, handsome. My pace faltered, but he had passed before I could whistle at him. The second cyclist on a red-white Cannondale passed and called out, "Tom Kohn!"
I recognized the voice of Matt Kemna, a colleague from Kodak. I slowed enough to make a U-turn at the double corner, and headed to catch him.
When I returned to the meadow, I saw both cyclists yet to enter the canopy that leads to Airway. I whistled my most shrill signal, three bursts. Neither turned at the sound.
I increased my pace as Matt passed into the canopy. I rounded the meadow, and then I, too, entered the canopy. The bare-chested guy was making the rise near the renegade BMX course beside the Wright View neighborhood. I took a close look at him—just had to, don't ya think? Not only was his chest bare, but it was also smoothly shaved, and he had an exquisitely gentle face too, framed by white earbuds and their cord. No wonder he didn't turn at my whistle. But I also saw Matt at the end of the canopy, paused just before he could cause cross Airway. I whistled again, once clear of the bare-chested beauty.
Matt looked back after he navigated the crossing. He recognized me and slowly pedalling to keep a forward momentum but also to hold up his pace. When I reached him, my cadence was still fast, and I said, "Don't ride too slowly!" as I applied backward force to the cranks' revolutions.
We traversed the half mile south to Burkhardt, just chatting about our recent rides and naming co-workers we should encourage to ride with us sometime. We stopped short of the intersection, said goodby with a handshake, and I turned around to resume my ride home. Lucky me: I got another glance at the bare-chested cyclist as I rode toward Airway.
I was happy with my pace today, though I didn't approach a training heart rate for any length of time. The variable winds were with me, except for a short, hard blast from the west at the concrete "ship" below the YMCA.
Housekeeping
The glass south of Linden still hasn't been cleared, and tree debris still littered the bikeway under all the canopy.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 88 to 95°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph variable, most from the north and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:06:28 for 18.23 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 26 cyclists, 21 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
 |
| Creekside Trail from Park Row (top) to Burkhardt (bottom), Airway at midpoint. |
Suddenly two individual cyclists turned into the stretch of canopy and approached me. The first cylist was bare chested, lean, handsome. My pace faltered, but he had passed before I could whistle at him. The second cyclist on a red-white Cannondale passed and called out, "Tom Kohn!"
I recognized the voice of Matt Kemna, a colleague from Kodak. I slowed enough to make a U-turn at the double corner, and headed to catch him.
 | |
| Creekside Trail from Double-Corner (top) to Airway Canopy (bottom), Multi-Service Meadow at middle right. |
I increased my pace as Matt passed into the canopy. I rounded the meadow, and then I, too, entered the canopy. The bare-chested guy was making the rise near the renegade BMX course beside the Wright View neighborhood. I took a close look at him—just had to, don't ya think? Not only was his chest bare, but it was also smoothly shaved, and he had an exquisitely gentle face too, framed by white earbuds and their cord. No wonder he didn't turn at my whistle. But I also saw Matt at the end of the canopy, paused just before he could cause cross Airway. I whistled again, once clear of the bare-chested beauty.
Matt looked back after he navigated the crossing. He recognized me and slowly pedalling to keep a forward momentum but also to hold up his pace. When I reached him, my cadence was still fast, and I said, "Don't ride too slowly!" as I applied backward force to the cranks' revolutions.
We traversed the half mile south to Burkhardt, just chatting about our recent rides and naming co-workers we should encourage to ride with us sometime. We stopped short of the intersection, said goodby with a handshake, and I turned around to resume my ride home. Lucky me: I got another glance at the bare-chested cyclist as I rode toward Airway.
I was happy with my pace today, though I didn't approach a training heart rate for any length of time. The variable winds were with me, except for a short, hard blast from the west at the concrete "ship" below the YMCA.
Housekeeping
The glass south of Linden still hasn't been cleared, and tree debris still littered the bikeway under all the canopy.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 88 to 95°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph variable, most from the north and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:06:28 for 18.23 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 26 cyclists, 21 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 59—to work
Tuesday, 26 July 2011.
After I passed under Webster this morning, a RiverParks workman was driving a tractor along the bikeway, heading toward Eastwood Park. Towed behind was a sweeper, its brushes stilled and lifted off the pavement. Good, I thought. I guess they scheduled some bikeway cleanup, perhaps to clear the fallen brush today.
Just at the curve before the dip under Findlay Avenue, a rider on a yellow and red Oceam bike pulled silently beside me. It was Matt Siebers, husband of Kate whom I had met a month ago or more on the same section of bikeway. Matt is a student at WSU in Cyber Technology, and this was his first day commuting to school by bike. The bike was a carbon frame of some beauty, and he bought it while living in Europe. A few searches on Google didn't result in a website for the manufacturer.
We didn't ride together long, since his route took him east out of Eastwood Park, and onto Springfield Street toward Wright State.
Housekeeping
Broken glass on Iron Horse bikeway 0.15 mile south of Linden crossing.
Tree litter on the Creekside Trail under the canopy between Airway and Burkhardt and the canopy between Burkhardt and the split-off of the Iron Horse Trail.
Tree litter on the Iron Horse Trail under the canopy between Linden and Woodman and the canopy between Woodman and Spaulding.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 79°F at 07:55
Precipitation: none, humidity 9%
Winds: 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:48 for 11.91 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 11 cyclists, 7 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
After I passed under Webster this morning, a RiverParks workman was driving a tractor along the bikeway, heading toward Eastwood Park. Towed behind was a sweeper, its brushes stilled and lifted off the pavement. Good, I thought. I guess they scheduled some bikeway cleanup, perhaps to clear the fallen brush today.
Just at the curve before the dip under Findlay Avenue, a rider on a yellow and red Oceam bike pulled silently beside me. It was Matt Siebers, husband of Kate whom I had met a month ago or more on the same section of bikeway. Matt is a student at WSU in Cyber Technology, and this was his first day commuting to school by bike. The bike was a carbon frame of some beauty, and he bought it while living in Europe. A few searches on Google didn't result in a website for the manufacturer.
We didn't ride together long, since his route took him east out of Eastwood Park, and onto Springfield Street toward Wright State.
Housekeeping
Broken glass on Iron Horse bikeway 0.15 mile south of Linden crossing.
Tree litter on the Creekside Trail under the canopy between Airway and Burkhardt and the canopy between Burkhardt and the split-off of the Iron Horse Trail.
Tree litter on the Iron Horse Trail under the canopy between Linden and Woodman and the canopy between Woodman and Spaulding.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 79°F at 07:55
Precipitation: none, humidity 9%
Winds: 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:48 for 11.91 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 11 cyclists, 7 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
25 July 2011
Bike-commute day 58—to gym and home
Monday, 25 July 2011.
Unexpected winds pushed back at me as soon as I left the parking lot, and it took unusual effort to get to the bikeway that parallels Haverfield Road (the marked crossing of Spaulding Road between American Sales Inc. and G.W. Smith and Sons). Once I had reached the shelter of the canopy and residences, the wind had less noticeable effect. Nevertheless, my ride to the gym and home was one of much lower intensity.
Housekeeping
Glass over half the bikeway 0.1 mile south of Linden. The fallen tree from this morning's ride had been cut and cleared away.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 87 to 97°F at 17:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph variable from the north and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:59:58 for 15.76 miles
Heart rate: 117 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 21 cyclists, 14 pedestrians, 2 dogs, 4 unattended bicycles at the creek across from Multi-Service plant
Playback of the ride.
 |
| Iron Horse Trail, Haverfield Canoy (horizontal, left) to Spaulding Road (vertical, right). |
Housekeeping
Glass over half the bikeway 0.1 mile south of Linden. The fallen tree from this morning's ride had been cut and cleared away.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 87 to 97°F at 17:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph variable from the north and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:59:58 for 15.76 miles
Heart rate: 117 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 21 cyclists, 14 pedestrians, 2 dogs, 4 unattended bicycles at the creek across from Multi-Service plant
Playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 58—to work
Monday, 25 July 2011.
Soon after I dropped down to the bikeway from Monument Avenue Bridge, I spied a group of three cyclists some half mile ahead of me, on the upstream side of Riverscape. A pack of rabbits! I thought as I increased my cadence to chase them down. As long as they don't take the zig-zag up to the Green Bridge, I'll catch them in a bit, I bet.
They went along the Mad River (Good, they're heading my way) as I passed under the pavillion at Riverscape, and further along crested the small rise at Keeowee as I passed below the zig-zag. I checked my time, to measure the distance between us when I reached the same point. (One minute, twelve seconds.) They held a 55-second lead at the curve before the dip below Findlay Avenue, and it seemed I had lost sight of them entirely at the plateau above that dip. But as I curved into the straightaway by the water pumping stations, I saw them again momentarily, dropping into the level above the concrete embankment below the firefighters' training camp. (Nice. Thirty-eight seconds.) As I entered Eastwood Park, I again caught a glimpse of one of the trio, before he slipped into the rockwork train trestle. (Twenty-three.)
I followed him through the trestle, and saw the same cyclist stepping out of the saddle at the FiveRivers maintenance shed. Probably ready to start work soon, and he could count the ride as an inspection of the bikeway. I continued along Springfield Street, crossed at the intersection with Smithville, and saw the remaining two cyclists crossing Smithville as I navigated the weaving bikeway along the creek.
Just after I also crossed Smithville, I reached close enough to hear them conversing, done for the moment with intensity in their ride. The rear rider noticed me as they slowed for the Park Row crossing, and he said "Clear" for my benefit.
As I passed, I said, "On your left. Thanks there, and good morning."
They made no attempt to match my speed, and the last I saw them was at the meadow around the former Multi-Service building, when they entered the clearing and I left it.
Housekeeping
Lots of fallen twigs and walnuts needed careful steering for the half mile between Airway and Burkhardt. About a mile further on, a fallen tree across the bikeway required a stop and step over the trunk.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 75°F at 07:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:06 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 17 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride.
Soon after I dropped down to the bikeway from Monument Avenue Bridge, I spied a group of three cyclists some half mile ahead of me, on the upstream side of Riverscape. A pack of rabbits! I thought as I increased my cadence to chase them down. As long as they don't take the zig-zag up to the Green Bridge, I'll catch them in a bit, I bet.
They went along the Mad River (Good, they're heading my way) as I passed under the pavillion at Riverscape, and further along crested the small rise at Keeowee as I passed below the zig-zag. I checked my time, to measure the distance between us when I reached the same point. (One minute, twelve seconds.) They held a 55-second lead at the curve before the dip below Findlay Avenue, and it seemed I had lost sight of them entirely at the plateau above that dip. But as I curved into the straightaway by the water pumping stations, I saw them again momentarily, dropping into the level above the concrete embankment below the firefighters' training camp. (Nice. Thirty-eight seconds.) As I entered Eastwood Park, I again caught a glimpse of one of the trio, before he slipped into the rockwork train trestle. (Twenty-three.)
I followed him through the trestle, and saw the same cyclist stepping out of the saddle at the FiveRivers maintenance shed. Probably ready to start work soon, and he could count the ride as an inspection of the bikeway. I continued along Springfield Street, crossed at the intersection with Smithville, and saw the remaining two cyclists crossing Smithville as I navigated the weaving bikeway along the creek.
Just after I also crossed Smithville, I reached close enough to hear them conversing, done for the moment with intensity in their ride. The rear rider noticed me as they slowed for the Park Row crossing, and he said "Clear" for my benefit.
As I passed, I said, "On your left. Thanks there, and good morning."
They made no attempt to match my speed, and the last I saw them was at the meadow around the former Multi-Service building, when they entered the clearing and I left it.
Housekeeping
Lots of fallen twigs and walnuts needed careful steering for the half mile between Airway and Burkhardt. About a mile further on, a fallen tree across the bikeway required a stop and step over the trunk.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 75°F at 07:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:06 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 17 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride.
22 July 2011
Bike-commute day 57—to home
Friday, 22 July 2011.
Very hot today. High headwinds on the Mad and Great Miami rivers. And despite the heat and winds, I had to hurry to get home for an early dinner and perhaps a couple films.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 94 to 101°F at 15:45, 97 to 105°F at 17:20
Precipitation: none, humidity 50%
Winds: 5 to 15 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:11 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 136 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
Very hot today. High headwinds on the Mad and Great Miami rivers. And despite the heat and winds, I had to hurry to get home for an early dinner and perhaps a couple films.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 94 to 101°F at 15:45, 97 to 105°F at 17:20
Precipitation: none, humidity 50%
Winds: 5 to 15 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:11 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 136 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 57—to work
Friday, 22 July 2011.
The heat was welling up early this morning, and during the ride I sipped more than half my bottle of water before arriving at work. Usually I don't drink at all on the morning ride, so now I have a new indicator of ride conditions.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 78 to 84°F at 07:15, 86 to 88°F at 08:55
Precipitation: none, humidity 94%
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:27 for 11.88 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 144 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride.
The heat was welling up early this morning, and during the ride I sipped more than half my bottle of water before arriving at work. Usually I don't drink at all on the morning ride, so now I have a new indicator of ride conditions.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 78 to 84°F at 07:15, 86 to 88°F at 08:55
Precipitation: none, humidity 94%
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:27 for 11.88 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 144 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 56—to gym and home
Thursday, 21 July 2011.
Today's slow, conservative ride because of the heat was still hard with headwinds from the north and west. The winds were especially strong along the Mad and Great Miami rivers. To take my mind off the effort, I planned dinner. There's a lot of leafed-out basil in the garden. Better pick it and make pesto. And use that package of scallops tonight. With a nice amount of garlic and olive oil and a couple tablespoons of fresh pesto, you'll have a nice sauce for pasta. I think there's still a half-pound of perciatelle to cook.
So by the time I crossed the river on the Monument Avenue Bridge, it was just a matter of putting it all together. Dinner could cook itself. Almost.
When I arrived home, the house was again too cold to be comfortable. I set my bike up alongside the rowing machine, pulled my flip-flops and gym shorts from the closet, and walked out to the deck to change.
The sun had taken its toll on the potted plants: the petunias, coleus, and lontana were all wilting. So I quickly pulled off my shoes and skinsuit, slipped into the shorts and flip-flops, and doused the flowers with several watering cans of refreshment. Only then could I turn to harvesting the basil for dinner, and I had a full gallon container of top leaves for the pesto.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 93 to 102°F at 19:35
Precipitation: none, humidty 50%
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the north and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:59:32 for 15.77 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 143 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 2 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
Today's slow, conservative ride because of the heat was still hard with headwinds from the north and west. The winds were especially strong along the Mad and Great Miami rivers. To take my mind off the effort, I planned dinner. There's a lot of leafed-out basil in the garden. Better pick it and make pesto. And use that package of scallops tonight. With a nice amount of garlic and olive oil and a couple tablespoons of fresh pesto, you'll have a nice sauce for pasta. I think there's still a half-pound of perciatelle to cook.
So by the time I crossed the river on the Monument Avenue Bridge, it was just a matter of putting it all together. Dinner could cook itself. Almost.
When I arrived home, the house was again too cold to be comfortable. I set my bike up alongside the rowing machine, pulled my flip-flops and gym shorts from the closet, and walked out to the deck to change.
The sun had taken its toll on the potted plants: the petunias, coleus, and lontana were all wilting. So I quickly pulled off my shoes and skinsuit, slipped into the shorts and flip-flops, and doused the flowers with several watering cans of refreshment. Only then could I turn to harvesting the basil for dinner, and I had a full gallon container of top leaves for the pesto.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 93 to 102°F at 19:35
Precipitation: none, humidty 50%
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the north and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:59:32 for 15.77 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 143 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 2 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
21 July 2011
Bike-commute day 56—to work
Thursday, 21 July 2011.
I had already begun my commute before I remembered to start the Garmin device. So the time and distance under Ride conditions show a double entry, in which the first value is estimated, for the ride portion that occurred before I turned on the device and started recording on Bryn Mawr Drive.
Shortly after I started up the Mad River Bikeway, I saw a slowly moving person ahead. From a distance, I could see the person had some machine with wheels. But the rider was bobbing up and down for a few strokes, then holding upright, and then bobbing up and down again. I slowed as I approached, and noted the front wheel was smaller than a 26-inch wheel typical on mountain bikes and the back wheel was even smaller. Between the wheels was a low shelf that was long enough for a foot. I asked the rider about his scooter and how he used it in his routine.
He bought the scooter—the exact name is a kickbike—online from a Norwegian company, since he knows of no retailers in this area that sell them. He uses the kickbike for crosstraining, to build the hamstrings.
As I rode along with him, he kicked three times with his right foot, then swivelled his left foot on the shelf and landed his right foot alongside it, lifted his left foot and kicked with it as he pivoted the right foot fully onto the shelf. After three kicks from the left foot, he repeated the actions to shift again to kicking with the right foot. His speed ranged from about 9 to 12 mph. He was sweating as much as I was, so the work factor was evident.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 74 to 79°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none, humidity 100%
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:01:30 + 00:42:14 for 0.20 + 11.72 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 149 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 9 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
I had already begun my commute before I remembered to start the Garmin device. So the time and distance under Ride conditions show a double entry, in which the first value is estimated, for the ride portion that occurred before I turned on the device and started recording on Bryn Mawr Drive.
He bought the scooter—the exact name is a kickbike—online from a Norwegian company, since he knows of no retailers in this area that sell them. He uses the kickbike for crosstraining, to build the hamstrings.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 74 to 79°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none, humidity 100%
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:01:30 + 00:42:14 for 0.20 + 11.72 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 149 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 9 pedestrians
Playback of the ride.
20 July 2011
Bike-commute day 55—to gym and home
Wednesday, 20 July 2011.
Whew! It was really hot this afternoon. Accordingly, I again took it easy on my way to the gym and then home. But still my time was usual for the route, though I kept my HR mostly within a range of 130 to 140 bpm.
When I arrived home, Chuck was there to open the door for me. I stepped inside to a refrigerator blast, it seemed, and I stepped onto the deck to remove my wet skinsuit, dry off, and put on a pair of shorts. Chuck left for a quick errand, and I prepared a light dinner of two types of fish (cod and salmon) broiled with fresh green grapes from our arbor
Ride conditions
Temperature: 95 to 102°F at 16:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves...but maybe it would have been better naked
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:58:54 for 15.76 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride.
Whew! It was really hot this afternoon. Accordingly, I again took it easy on my way to the gym and then home. But still my time was usual for the route, though I kept my HR mostly within a range of 130 to 140 bpm.
When I arrived home, Chuck was there to open the door for me. I stepped inside to a refrigerator blast, it seemed, and I stepped onto the deck to remove my wet skinsuit, dry off, and put on a pair of shorts. Chuck left for a quick errand, and I prepared a light dinner of two types of fish (cod and salmon) broiled with fresh green grapes from our arbor
Ride conditions
Temperature: 95 to 102°F at 16:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves...but maybe it would have been better naked
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:58:54 for 15.76 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 55—to work
Wednesday, 20 July 2011.
I took a couple days off, using Monday as a rest day and Tuesday's morning thunder shower as another reason not to ride to work. I used the auto commute to fill my gas tank for the month, replenish my stock of canned water and juices, and to bring fresh clothes to my locker. Ready for another stint of bike-commuting.
One of the first things I noticed once I got to the bikeway was the repaved culvert crossing under the Main Street Bridge. Where nearly the full width of path had had a 3-inch-deep hole ever since the Spring floods, the bikeway now has a smooth transition over the sluice from underneath Main Street into the river. The new asphalt is smoothly graded and the tar seams are full without a noticeable hump to them. I hope the workers get a nice review passed to them.
I took a relatively easy pace this morning, not only because of the two rest days but also in deference to the heat index (over 100°F). I plan on braving the heat today and through Friday, for which the heat index is forecast to remain over 100°F.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 75 to 79°F at 07:00, 84 to 87°F at 10:00
Precipitation: none (Humidity 100%)
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the west-southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:55 for 11.91 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 142 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride.
I took a couple days off, using Monday as a rest day and Tuesday's morning thunder shower as another reason not to ride to work. I used the auto commute to fill my gas tank for the month, replenish my stock of canned water and juices, and to bring fresh clothes to my locker. Ready for another stint of bike-commuting.
One of the first things I noticed once I got to the bikeway was the repaved culvert crossing under the Main Street Bridge. Where nearly the full width of path had had a 3-inch-deep hole ever since the Spring floods, the bikeway now has a smooth transition over the sluice from underneath Main Street into the river. The new asphalt is smoothly graded and the tar seams are full without a noticeable hump to them. I hope the workers get a nice review passed to them.
I took a relatively easy pace this morning, not only because of the two rest days but also in deference to the heat index (over 100°F). I plan on braving the heat today and through Friday, for which the heat index is forecast to remain over 100°F.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 75 to 79°F at 07:00, 84 to 87°F at 10:00
Precipitation: none (Humidity 100%)
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the west-southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:55 for 11.91 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 142 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride.
15 July 2011
Bike-commute day 53—to home
Thursday, 14 July 2011.
No gym stop today, because of a late start. And during my lower-energy ride, I planned our dinner: a Boboli pizza shell topped with mozzarella, asparagus chunks, onion pieces, baby portabellas, hard-boiled egg chunks, anchovies, and Parmesano-reggiano—a garbage bin pizza made from a variety of whatever leftovers are in the fridge. The plan was made before I reached Eastwood Park, and the course along the Mad River was faster, more energetic because of the slight tail wind.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 81 to 86°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:11 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 121 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 22 cyclists, 17 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride.
No gym stop today, because of a late start. And during my lower-energy ride, I planned our dinner: a Boboli pizza shell topped with mozzarella, asparagus chunks, onion pieces, baby portabellas, hard-boiled egg chunks, anchovies, and Parmesano-reggiano—a garbage bin pizza made from a variety of whatever leftovers are in the fridge. The plan was made before I reached Eastwood Park, and the course along the Mad River was faster, more energetic because of the slight tail wind.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 81 to 86°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:11 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 121 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 22 cyclists, 17 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride.
14 July 2011
Bike-commute day 53—to work
Thursday, 14 July 2011.
Ce jour-c'est le quatorze de juillet, la fête de la Bastille, et je suppose que les courreurs feront une étape française aujour-d'hui. Yes, I've been watching the Tour de France, avec horreur parce-que ces écrasements choquants.
Yesterday morning was the first day in July that I noticed another cyclist with Tour colors, and I called out, "Hey, it's the yellow jersey right here!" as we passed each other. I think I saw the same rider again on my return commute, and I noted his yellow jersey was actually a jersey that advocates a 3-foot passing space for autos. A safety-yellow jersey.
My performance today was low-energy, probably due to the sleep deficit I've developed because of watching the recorded Tour broadcasts.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 64°F at 06:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:39 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 150 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 17 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 5 dogs
Playback of the ride.
Ce jour-c'est le quatorze de juillet, la fête de la Bastille, et je suppose que les courreurs feront une étape française aujour-d'hui. Yes, I've been watching the Tour de France, avec horreur parce-que ces écrasements choquants.
Yesterday morning was the first day in July that I noticed another cyclist with Tour colors, and I called out, "Hey, it's the yellow jersey right here!" as we passed each other. I think I saw the same rider again on my return commute, and I noted his yellow jersey was actually a jersey that advocates a 3-foot passing space for autos. A safety-yellow jersey.
My performance today was low-energy, probably due to the sleep deficit I've developed because of watching the recorded Tour broadcasts.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 64°F at 06:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:39 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 150 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 17 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 5 dogs
Playback of the ride.
13 July 2011
Bike-commute day 52—to gym and home
Wednesday, 13 July 2011.
I noticed a relatively low energy level early on in today's ride, even before I stopped by the Shell station to replenish my lotto tickets. (C'mon, didja really think I needed to buy gasoline?)
The bikeway was still littered with debris from the rain-wind storm of Monday evening, so the lower energy gave me opportunity to use more care in avoiding the larger twigs and small branch pieces that remained. In the outer Belmont area, trees were still in the streets and power lines still down, making a small detour necessary again today. Shirtless workers hauled fallen branches to their treelawns, and two tree trimming trucks were busy making wood mulch.
My weight training consisted of three sets on each of four abdominal machines. I rationalized myself out of doing the leg lifts in the Roman chair, since I was "so far out of shape for my core work."
Back on the road, I seemed to gain some energy, though I knew my pace was below my average.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 82 to 87°F at 16:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:01:20 for 16.09 miles
Heart rate: 119 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 15 cyclists, 12 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
I noticed a relatively low energy level early on in today's ride, even before I stopped by the Shell station to replenish my lotto tickets. (C'mon, didja really think I needed to buy gasoline?)
The bikeway was still littered with debris from the rain-wind storm of Monday evening, so the lower energy gave me opportunity to use more care in avoiding the larger twigs and small branch pieces that remained. In the outer Belmont area, trees were still in the streets and power lines still down, making a small detour necessary again today. Shirtless workers hauled fallen branches to their treelawns, and two tree trimming trucks were busy making wood mulch.
My weight training consisted of three sets on each of four abdominal machines. I rationalized myself out of doing the leg lifts in the Roman chair, since I was "so far out of shape for my core work."
Back on the road, I seemed to gain some energy, though I knew my pace was below my average.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 82 to 87°F at 16:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:01:20 for 16.09 miles
Heart rate: 119 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 15 cyclists, 12 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 52—to work
Wednesday, 13 July 2011.
I pedaled up to a cyclist on the Creekside Trail south of Airway. As I passed him, I asked, "Are you going to work?"
He responded with a chuckle, and that made me reverse pedal some to slow to his speed.
"I guess that's a 'No,' huh?"
"Yeah. I'm a student. Out for a ride before I go to class."
"Oh. What school do you go to?"
As he answered "Sinclair" and mentioned his plans to transfer in the Fall to Wright State, I had almost formed a piece of advice on the need to wear a helmet. Thought twice about it when I appraised his hairstyle, a medium-length 'Fro, as being well-groomed and probably important to him.
Instead, I pursued another line, "Do you live around here?" I glanced at his handlebars that held some object. It was not the helmet I expected to see hanging from the stem, but a fairly large handlebar pack.
But his response was indirect, I guess. He turned at an off-path into a neighborhood, "See ya around."
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 73°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:46 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 130 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 1 pedestrian, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
I pedaled up to a cyclist on the Creekside Trail south of Airway. As I passed him, I asked, "Are you going to work?"
He responded with a chuckle, and that made me reverse pedal some to slow to his speed.
"I guess that's a 'No,' huh?"
"Yeah. I'm a student. Out for a ride before I go to class."
"Oh. What school do you go to?"
As he answered "Sinclair" and mentioned his plans to transfer in the Fall to Wright State, I had almost formed a piece of advice on the need to wear a helmet. Thought twice about it when I appraised his hairstyle, a medium-length 'Fro, as being well-groomed and probably important to him.
Instead, I pursued another line, "Do you live around here?" I glanced at his handlebars that held some object. It was not the helmet I expected to see hanging from the stem, but a fairly large handlebar pack.
But his response was indirect, I guess. He turned at an off-path into a neighborhood, "See ya around."
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 73°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:46 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 130 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 1 pedestrian, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
12 July 2011
Bike-commute day 51—to gym and home
Tuesday, 12 July 2011.
In a late afternoon phone call, Chuck and I negotiated when we would both arrive home. He was out shopping after a lunch with his former colleague Mark, and he wanted to fit in a short workout at the Y. I hoped I could actually stop at my gym for throwing the weights around, too. So we ended up with being home by 7:30.
My weight training was very abbreviated: just two sets of bench press and two sets of cable rows, and then it was already 6:45, just enough time for the ride home. If I ride fast.
So today along the Mad River, I hoped to be passed by the Young Turk again. Perhaps my wishes kept him away.
From that point on, I kept calculating when I would arrive home: maybe 7:40 for the ride from the Findlay Avenue Bridge I thought, then Hm. Maybe 7:35 for the way from here at the last checkpoint, and then If I'm aggressive on the hill at Bryn Mawr, maybe I can make it by 7:30 from the Monument Avenue Bridge. As it turned out, I arrived at about 7:33. Chuck wasn't home yet, and I had time to pull off my shoes and wet skinsuit, find components of our dinner in the freezer and start their thawing, and begin to pull together the ingredients for Tony's Friendship Bread, since this is the tenth day of creating the sourdough starter.
Then at 7:50, Chuck was home, and I was ready to shower. Then dinner: a nice square of Chuck's lasagna fresca surrounded by prawns broiled with pesto.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 89 to 94°F at 17:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:59:27 for 15.85 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 32 cyclists, 8 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
In a late afternoon phone call, Chuck and I negotiated when we would both arrive home. He was out shopping after a lunch with his former colleague Mark, and he wanted to fit in a short workout at the Y. I hoped I could actually stop at my gym for throwing the weights around, too. So we ended up with being home by 7:30.
My weight training was very abbreviated: just two sets of bench press and two sets of cable rows, and then it was already 6:45, just enough time for the ride home. If I ride fast.
So today along the Mad River, I hoped to be passed by the Young Turk again. Perhaps my wishes kept him away.
From that point on, I kept calculating when I would arrive home: maybe 7:40 for the ride from the Findlay Avenue Bridge I thought, then Hm. Maybe 7:35 for the way from here at the last checkpoint, and then If I'm aggressive on the hill at Bryn Mawr, maybe I can make it by 7:30 from the Monument Avenue Bridge. As it turned out, I arrived at about 7:33. Chuck wasn't home yet, and I had time to pull off my shoes and wet skinsuit, find components of our dinner in the freezer and start their thawing, and begin to pull together the ingredients for Tony's Friendship Bread, since this is the tenth day of creating the sourdough starter.
Then at 7:50, Chuck was home, and I was ready to shower. Then dinner: a nice square of Chuck's lasagna fresca surrounded by prawns broiled with pesto.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 89 to 94°F at 17:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:59:27 for 15.85 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 32 cyclists, 8 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 51—to work
Tuesday, 12 July 2011.
As I made the corner after the west gate of Eastwood Park, I saw a cyclist at the bridge. Triathlon top and no helmet were two clues that indicated it was Retired Phil. I whistled, waved, and turned around to ride to the bridge.
But as I neared him, he raised a helmet. It wasn't Phil after all, but a new rider on the course today: Joe from Beavercreek. We rode together the Creekside Trail to the trestle, me leading a bit, used to my usually faster speed.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 79°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:39 for 12.05 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 149 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
As I made the corner after the west gate of Eastwood Park, I saw a cyclist at the bridge. Triathlon top and no helmet were two clues that indicated it was Retired Phil. I whistled, waved, and turned around to ride to the bridge.
But as I neared him, he raised a helmet. It wasn't Phil after all, but a new rider on the course today: Joe from Beavercreek. We rode together the Creekside Trail to the trestle, me leading a bit, used to my usually faster speed.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 79°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:39 for 12.05 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 149 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
11 July 2011
Bike-commute day 50—to home
Monday, 11 July 2011.
Woah! I finally got a reminder of what real work is on the bike. Just after negotiating the drop, curve, and rise underneath the Findlay Avenue Bridge, a cyclist in a blue kit—and with shaved legs—whirred past me. I said, "Mind if I hop on?" and jumped into his slipstream.
For a few moments.
He continued on, knowing that I had pulled in behind him, and his tempo increased just a bit. For a moment, I was with him: 25 mph and 108 rpm.
Then he feinted to the right as we whipped around a decaying bridge abutment, and I caught the wind. My strenght failed, and I dropped back as he rode on.
I stayed near him, but never caught the slipstream again, and managed a salute to him as he turned and climbed the ramp to the Green Bridge, still ahead of me by 100 yards. I'll keep looking for him again, hoping that the next time I'll be up to riding with the Young Turk for more than just a minute.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 87 to 94°F at 18:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:50 for 12.04 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 10 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Woah! I finally got a reminder of what real work is on the bike. Just after negotiating the drop, curve, and rise underneath the Findlay Avenue Bridge, a cyclist in a blue kit—and with shaved legs—whirred past me. I said, "Mind if I hop on?" and jumped into his slipstream.
For a few moments.
He continued on, knowing that I had pulled in behind him, and his tempo increased just a bit. For a moment, I was with him: 25 mph and 108 rpm.
Then he feinted to the right as we whipped around a decaying bridge abutment, and I caught the wind. My strenght failed, and I dropped back as he rode on.
I stayed near him, but never caught the slipstream again, and managed a salute to him as he turned and climbed the ramp to the Green Bridge, still ahead of me by 100 yards. I'll keep looking for him again, hoping that the next time I'll be up to riding with the Young Turk for more than just a minute.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 87 to 94°F at 18:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:50 for 12.04 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 10 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 50—to work
Monday, 11 July 2011.
Last Friday was a drive day. You'd think it was a loss. But no, I drove across all the intersections with my commute over the bikeway. I had an amazing revelation: not one of the crossings was well-enough marked to make the crossing safe.
I had started my posting for the Thursday commute home as a well-modulated rant about the obstructions to viewing traffic from the bikeway or viewing cyclists from the approaching roadways. That was appropriate but also—at least now with the drive on Friday—off-target. So expect something more for the Thursday posting, still on its way.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 75°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:43 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 121 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Last Friday was a drive day. You'd think it was a loss. But no, I drove across all the intersections with my commute over the bikeway. I had an amazing revelation: not one of the crossings was well-enough marked to make the crossing safe.
I had started my posting for the Thursday commute home as a well-modulated rant about the obstructions to viewing traffic from the bikeway or viewing cyclists from the approaching roadways. That was appropriate but also—at least now with the drive on Friday—off-target. So expect something more for the Thursday posting, still on its way.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 75°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:43 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 121 bpm HRave, 140 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
07 July 2011
Bike-commute day 49—to work
Thursday, 7 July 2011.
Gaggles of geese gathered at the water's edge below Riverscape this morning. They must have been spooked still by the fireworks, because they scattered easily with flapping wing swaps as I approached. Perhaps it also helped that I hissed in my exertion to pass quickly to my first checkpoint.
Along the Mad River, I began to recognize my lower energy level, probably due to my late bedtime last night. Even noticing a "rabbit" rider ahead at the Findlay Avenue bridge didn't elicit a chase. When I did catch him, west of Eastwood Park, I asked if he was going to work, and he puffed out an answer, "No; riding to Xenia."
I rode on until I saw Gladys and Millie in shades of pink emerging from the DPL canopy, on their way to Burkhardt Road. Somebody's going to kiss me! I thought when I saw the pink hues. When I stopped to report my thought to them, Gladys smooched an air kiss my way. The Xenia-bound cyclist passed us, and that was my reason to return to the commute. I reached him again still north of where the Iron Horse trail splits from the Creekside, and we spoke a little about our typical riding activities.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 67 to 72°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:58 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
Gaggles of geese gathered at the water's edge below Riverscape this morning. They must have been spooked still by the fireworks, because they scattered easily with flapping wing swaps as I approached. Perhaps it also helped that I hissed in my exertion to pass quickly to my first checkpoint.
Along the Mad River, I began to recognize my lower energy level, probably due to my late bedtime last night. Even noticing a "rabbit" rider ahead at the Findlay Avenue bridge didn't elicit a chase. When I did catch him, west of Eastwood Park, I asked if he was going to work, and he puffed out an answer, "No; riding to Xenia."
I rode on until I saw Gladys and Millie in shades of pink emerging from the DPL canopy, on their way to Burkhardt Road. Somebody's going to kiss me! I thought when I saw the pink hues. When I stopped to report my thought to them, Gladys smooched an air kiss my way. The Xenia-bound cyclist passed us, and that was my reason to return to the commute. I reached him again still north of where the Iron Horse trail splits from the Creekside, and we spoke a little about our typical riding activities.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 67 to 72°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:58 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
06 July 2011
Bike-commute day 48—hitching a ride home
Wednesday, 6 July 2011.
Chuck picked me up after work. I hoped to wheedle him into going with me to the gym on the way home, but he wanted to eat as soon as possible. Except he wanted to stop at Linh's Market also to buy their Vietnamese sandwiches for tomorrow's dinner. Food, food, and more food is the driver of our household. His metabolism is so very different from mine. He needs at least a nibble every few hours, but I have coffee before my morning commute, a bagel sometime between 9 and 10, a pasta lunch around 1 p.m., and then dinner around 8. When he's ready for a dessert at the end of the evening, I'm yawning and cranky, nearly asleep on my feet. And sound asleep by 11:30.
So dinner tonight centered on thick veal T-bones grilled with a citrus rub and the sides include some perciatelle with fresh pesto, leftover roasted corn with chipotle, and a salad of iceberg wedges and watermelon slices. After I changed my tire and tube, we finished dinner with cocoanut ice cream and fresh raspberries.
I changed only the rear tire and tube, just what failed on my commute this morning. I plan to change the front tire, which shows some less amount of wear, over the weekend. I think it's always good to change both tires at the same time, just to keep it simpler with the same mileage for each tire. But the rear tire always will wear faster than the front, since the drive wheel receives more torque and develops more friction than the steering wheel.
The Garmin time and mileage for this replacement is 25:23:02 at 416.38 miles. I'm trying out a new tire to me: the Michelin ERiLiUM/2/ with Kevlar.(The Michelin website indicates this tire is no longer available. I remember buying it as a close-out at a local bike store.)
Changing a tire is only a bit more involved than changing a tube. The package for my Bontrager tube has 14 steps for replacing a tube, and the only missing step is to shake about a teaspoon of talcum powder into the fresh tire and to dust the inside of the tire and rim with the powder before inserting the tube. The powder acts as a dry lubricant between the rim, tube, and tire, which allows you to make the small shifts necessary to position the valve stem vertically through the valve hole and allows the tube to make a small changes in position as it is being pumped to full inflation. The Michelin package suggests an inflation pressure of 7.75 bar (about 112 psi) for my weight.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 89 to 95°F at 17:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 mph varied southerly
Clothing: Jeans, polo shirt, bare feet
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear—onto the shoulder and into the hatch of my Mazda MPV
Time: unrecorded
Heart rate: 78 to 97 bpm HRrest
Bikeway users: not me
There is no playback of the ride.
Chuck picked me up after work. I hoped to wheedle him into going with me to the gym on the way home, but he wanted to eat as soon as possible. Except he wanted to stop at Linh's Market also to buy their Vietnamese sandwiches for tomorrow's dinner. Food, food, and more food is the driver of our household. His metabolism is so very different from mine. He needs at least a nibble every few hours, but I have coffee before my morning commute, a bagel sometime between 9 and 10, a pasta lunch around 1 p.m., and then dinner around 8. When he's ready for a dessert at the end of the evening, I'm yawning and cranky, nearly asleep on my feet. And sound asleep by 11:30.
So dinner tonight centered on thick veal T-bones grilled with a citrus rub and the sides include some perciatelle with fresh pesto, leftover roasted corn with chipotle, and a salad of iceberg wedges and watermelon slices. After I changed my tire and tube, we finished dinner with cocoanut ice cream and fresh raspberries.
I changed only the rear tire and tube, just what failed on my commute this morning. I plan to change the front tire, which shows some less amount of wear, over the weekend. I think it's always good to change both tires at the same time, just to keep it simpler with the same mileage for each tire. But the rear tire always will wear faster than the front, since the drive wheel receives more torque and develops more friction than the steering wheel.
The Garmin time and mileage for this replacement is 25:23:02 at 416.38 miles. I'm trying out a new tire to me: the Michelin ERiLiUM/2/ with Kevlar.(The Michelin website indicates this tire is no longer available. I remember buying it as a close-out at a local bike store.)
Changing a tire is only a bit more involved than changing a tube. The package for my Bontrager tube has 14 steps for replacing a tube, and the only missing step is to shake about a teaspoon of talcum powder into the fresh tire and to dust the inside of the tire and rim with the powder before inserting the tube. The powder acts as a dry lubricant between the rim, tube, and tire, which allows you to make the small shifts necessary to position the valve stem vertically through the valve hole and allows the tube to make a small changes in position as it is being pumped to full inflation. The Michelin package suggests an inflation pressure of 7.75 bar (about 112 psi) for my weight.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 89 to 95°F at 17:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 mph varied southerly
Clothing: Jeans, polo shirt, bare feet
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear—onto the shoulder and into the hatch of my Mazda MPV
Time: unrecorded
Heart rate: 78 to 97 bpm HRrest
Bikeway users: not me
There is no playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 48—to work
Flat and HitchHiking
Wednesday, 6 July 2011.
Just after the second checkpoint, I saw a cyclist ahead of me taking a leisurely pace. As I reached him, I saw his hair flying. I warned him for the overtaking, saw no reaction, and I glanced at him as I passed. Earbuds were wrapped around his lobes.
I slowed to a crawl in the winding area between the crossings for Springfield Street and North Smithville and waited for him to reach me. I said, "You should take one of those earbuds out so you can hear traffic while you're riding."
"But I can hear you. The music's not on now." He was in the early twenties, his neck-length brown curls were disheveled from the ride. His gentle features were countered by a jutting lower jaw, tightening expression, and narrowed eyes.
In response to more about the need to hear traffic, he said, "Why don't you mind your own business. I can do what I want."
Sure, I can ride on by, mind my own business, and let him think that it's fine to ride without a helmet and to close out the traffic sounds around him. Perhaps he doesn't need a reminder that 175 pounds of flesh and bike are no match for 1800 pounds of power and auto. That even a slow speed of 12 mph means he covers 17.6 feet before he has a second to reach for the brakes. That a helmet often means the difference between minor injuries and death.
Was I wasting my breath, my time to continue talking to a young rider who assumes his invulnerability?
Doesn't the biking community need to take on a more visible public education role, where cyclists are taught about preventing and surviving accidents, motorists are encouraged to share the road and obey marked crossings, and all are taught to follow traffic laws and provide basic courtesy to others?
I considered these questions and others as I continued through my commute.
In the middle of the last leg of the commute, everything was going fine. Nice speed, little traffic, friendly greetings from the cyclists and walkers. And in one moment, I heard "Phiss phiss phiss" and then "phew, phew; phew. Phew." as I slowed to a stop.
A flat, judging by the sound. I looked at and felt the front tire: hard and perfectly inflated. Then the back tire: very soft, though it wasn't completely deflated yet. The air escape had stopped, and I rotated the tire to find what had caused the flat. I noticed a few points where fabric was showing through the rubber, and those were indications of what to expect. And when I rubbed my thumb over several threads that showed through the rubber, the fissure appeared, tube rubber popped through, and more air escaped.
With no chance of changing the tire itself, I lifted the bike to my shoulder and started walking toward Woodman Avenue, only 300 yards ahead of me. —Just enough time to say hi to Paul, this time without his two dogs, as he jogged passed me.— Once at Woodman, I took off my helmet and sunglasses, put on my happiest smile, and held out my thumb to the passing southbound traffic. After a wave of traffic passed, I looked behind me to check for adequate room for someone to stop. I moved about 30 feet north, to the end of a long, empty side lane intended for parking access to businesses.
Several waves of traffic passed, and I held up my thumb selectively. I knew that female drivers were unlikely to pick up a male hitchhiker, unless they happened to know me and work at Kodak also. Since my fixed-gear bike has bolted-on wheels, it wouldn't fit in most cars. And since drivers of business vehicles are usually scrupulous about liability issues, I held out my thumb only to male drivers of non-commercial pickups and vans.
I noticed a bronze Ford F-150 in the northbound lane make a u-turn at the light. The pickup pulled into the parking lane in front of me, and the driver waved for me to advance. I walked up to his window, and he said, "My wife is a biker. Figured I'd want someone to stop for her, so I should do the same." So I lifted the bike from my shoulder to the truck bed and climbed into the cab. He asked where I was headed, and he saw no problem with the side trip to Research Park from his normal course down Woodman. He even offered the use of his cellphone if I needed to call in to the office, though the travel to Kodak took less time than a phone call. The time was enough for introductions, a bit of talk about his wife's triathlons and his mountain biking at MoMBA, and quick interjected directions to the engineering entrance to the building.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 69 to 72°F at 07:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:36:28 for 9.95 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
Just after the second checkpoint, I saw a cyclist ahead of me taking a leisurely pace. As I reached him, I saw his hair flying. I warned him for the overtaking, saw no reaction, and I glanced at him as I passed. Earbuds were wrapped around his lobes.
I slowed to a crawl in the winding area between the crossings for Springfield Street and North Smithville and waited for him to reach me. I said, "You should take one of those earbuds out so you can hear traffic while you're riding."
"But I can hear you. The music's not on now." He was in the early twenties, his neck-length brown curls were disheveled from the ride. His gentle features were countered by a jutting lower jaw, tightening expression, and narrowed eyes.
In response to more about the need to hear traffic, he said, "Why don't you mind your own business. I can do what I want."
Sure, I can ride on by, mind my own business, and let him think that it's fine to ride without a helmet and to close out the traffic sounds around him. Perhaps he doesn't need a reminder that 175 pounds of flesh and bike are no match for 1800 pounds of power and auto. That even a slow speed of 12 mph means he covers 17.6 feet before he has a second to reach for the brakes. That a helmet often means the difference between minor injuries and death.
Was I wasting my breath, my time to continue talking to a young rider who assumes his invulnerability?
Doesn't the biking community need to take on a more visible public education role, where cyclists are taught about preventing and surviving accidents, motorists are encouraged to share the road and obey marked crossings, and all are taught to follow traffic laws and provide basic courtesy to others?
I considered these questions and others as I continued through my commute.
In the middle of the last leg of the commute, everything was going fine. Nice speed, little traffic, friendly greetings from the cyclists and walkers. And in one moment, I heard "Phiss phiss phiss" and then "phew, phew; phew. Phew." as I slowed to a stop.
A flat, judging by the sound. I looked at and felt the front tire: hard and perfectly inflated. Then the back tire: very soft, though it wasn't completely deflated yet. The air escape had stopped, and I rotated the tire to find what had caused the flat. I noticed a few points where fabric was showing through the rubber, and those were indications of what to expect. And when I rubbed my thumb over several threads that showed through the rubber, the fissure appeared, tube rubber popped through, and more air escaped.
With no chance of changing the tire itself, I lifted the bike to my shoulder and started walking toward Woodman Avenue, only 300 yards ahead of me. —Just enough time to say hi to Paul, this time without his two dogs, as he jogged passed me.— Once at Woodman, I took off my helmet and sunglasses, put on my happiest smile, and held out my thumb to the passing southbound traffic. After a wave of traffic passed, I looked behind me to check for adequate room for someone to stop. I moved about 30 feet north, to the end of a long, empty side lane intended for parking access to businesses.
Several waves of traffic passed, and I held up my thumb selectively. I knew that female drivers were unlikely to pick up a male hitchhiker, unless they happened to know me and work at Kodak also. Since my fixed-gear bike has bolted-on wheels, it wouldn't fit in most cars. And since drivers of business vehicles are usually scrupulous about liability issues, I held out my thumb only to male drivers of non-commercial pickups and vans.
I noticed a bronze Ford F-150 in the northbound lane make a u-turn at the light. The pickup pulled into the parking lane in front of me, and the driver waved for me to advance. I walked up to his window, and he said, "My wife is a biker. Figured I'd want someone to stop for her, so I should do the same." So I lifted the bike from my shoulder to the truck bed and climbed into the cab. He asked where I was headed, and he saw no problem with the side trip to Research Park from his normal course down Woodman. He even offered the use of his cellphone if I needed to call in to the office, though the travel to Kodak took less time than a phone call. The time was enough for introductions, a bit of talk about his wife's triathlons and his mountain biking at MoMBA, and quick interjected directions to the engineering entrance to the building.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 69 to 72°F at 07:55
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:36:28 for 9.95 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Here is a playback of the ride.
01 July 2011
Bike-commute day 47—to Courteous Mass and home
Friday, 1 July 2011.
CM had only 10 participants. We took a course along Wayne Avenue up to Esther Price's store, and then right to Woodland Cemetery. After a short rest outside the gate, we took our own routes and speeds up to one of the highest points in Dayton. One of us (guess who) descended to a mid-point, climbed a second time, and then repeated for a third ascent.
An ossuary was recently constructed at this high point of the cemetery, and all the CM riders enjoyed the overlook of downtown, some two miles to the north. We descended along another set of roads to the main entrance, and turned north on Brown Street to make our return to Fifth-Third Field.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 85 to 94°F at 16:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:13:48 for 17.67 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 163 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 6 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
CM had only 10 participants. We took a course along Wayne Avenue up to Esther Price's store, and then right to Woodland Cemetery. After a short rest outside the gate, we took our own routes and speeds up to one of the highest points in Dayton. One of us (guess who) descended to a mid-point, climbed a second time, and then repeated for a third ascent.
An ossuary was recently constructed at this high point of the cemetery, and all the CM riders enjoyed the overlook of downtown, some two miles to the north. We descended along another set of roads to the main entrance, and turned north on Brown Street to make our return to Fifth-Third Field.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 85 to 94°F at 16:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:13:48 for 17.67 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 163 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 6 pedestrians
Here is a playback of the ride.
Bike-commute day 47—to work
Friday, 1 July 2011.
What an experience today! I had stopped at the crossing of Linden Avenue and then entered the crossing, after I had seen a car at least 150 feet east—plenty of space for him to stop or even to allow my crossing with just a slow down. Instead, the car sped up—or perhaps just didn't slow down at all. I raised my hand to him, he continued. He pulled into the left lane for opposite-direction traffic, and I slowed to another stop before reaching the middle of the street, where he passed in front of me. His license plate: EIE 1916.
Further down the way, I saw Gladys walking alone today. Her neighbor Millie was holding a yard sale, and Ethel was helping her. I pulled out my camera and photographed her in the dappled light. Then along came Paul (Double-dog-Jason) trailing his two dogs. They wouldn't let him pause for a photo, but I tried to capture his passing. Pictures to come.
Much earlier in my commute, I had passed Gary and Amy going in the opposite direction, toward downtown. No pictures for them.
This morning I had lots of energy on the commute, especially in comparison to my commutes on Wednesday and Thursday. But three hours later, I was lacking the pump. So I've been replenishing my fluids since then, to improve my hydration.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 67 to 72°F at 07:35, 76 to 80°F at 09:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:47 for 11.96 miles
Heart rate: 137 bpm HRave, 160 bpm* HRmax
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 8 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
There is a series of HR spikes to 193 bpm around the crossing of Springfield Street and to 170 bpm at the crossing of extreme north Smithville. I've been checking other playbacks for similar data, to figure out what's happening.
What an experience today! I had stopped at the crossing of Linden Avenue and then entered the crossing, after I had seen a car at least 150 feet east—plenty of space for him to stop or even to allow my crossing with just a slow down. Instead, the car sped up—or perhaps just didn't slow down at all. I raised my hand to him, he continued. He pulled into the left lane for opposite-direction traffic, and I slowed to another stop before reaching the middle of the street, where he passed in front of me. His license plate: EIE 1916.
Further down the way, I saw Gladys walking alone today. Her neighbor Millie was holding a yard sale, and Ethel was helping her. I pulled out my camera and photographed her in the dappled light. Then along came Paul (Double-dog-Jason) trailing his two dogs. They wouldn't let him pause for a photo, but I tried to capture his passing. Pictures to come.
Much earlier in my commute, I had passed Gary and Amy going in the opposite direction, toward downtown. No pictures for them.
This morning I had lots of energy on the commute, especially in comparison to my commutes on Wednesday and Thursday. But three hours later, I was lacking the pump. So I've been replenishing my fluids since then, to improve my hydration.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 67 to 72°F at 07:35, 76 to 80°F at 09:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves.
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:47 for 11.96 miles
Heart rate: 137 bpm HRave, 160 bpm* HRmax
Bikeway users: 13 cyclists, 8 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Here is a playback of the ride.
There is a series of HR spikes to 193 bpm around the crossing of Springfield Street and to 170 bpm at the crossing of extreme north Smithville. I've been checking other playbacks for similar data, to figure out what's happening.
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