Wednesday, 15 February 2012
The weekend's snows have passed, leaving only a thin layer that dissipated by evening yesterday. The weather is supposed to clear today and then bring in rain tonight. I decided to make use of the full day of daylight, which is one that stretches to nearly eleven hours and leaves me plenty of time for a commute before and after a work day of 8.5 hours.
Early in the season, as I return to commuting by bike, I expect each way to take up to an hour. So I prepared my departure in anticipation of sunrise at 7:30, and I left as soon as it was well lit, by 7:20.
The bikeway was clean for the most part. Some light mud remained on the path underneath I-75; muddy tractor tracks documented some recent work removing trees near the firemen's training station; very light frost clung to the bridges west and south of Eastwood Park. Otherwise, the way was free of fallen branches and broken glass. This year's light touch of Winter has been easy on the bikeway, which allowed me to begin bike-commuting almost a month earlier than any year that I've kept records.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 34 to 35°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, quilted tights, Gore-tex jacket, ankle socks, quilted gloves
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 00:49:39 for 11.86 miles
Heart rate: 142 bpm HRave, 159 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclist, 1 pedestrian
Playback of the ride
15 February 2012
14 February 2012
Green lane envy, misplaced
A recent L.A. Times article on the green tone required for painted bike lanes was off in a world of photographic speculation, I guess. At issue, according to the journalist, is the color of green mandated by federal transportation and that it cannot easily be digitally erased from images. The writer focuses on "the color" itself, without realizing the issue is whether the color is evenly toned. Wheel marks, subtleties of light and shadow, and other factors make digital scrubbing difficult. Not the particular shade of green.
12 February 2012
Short MoMBA ride
Sunday, 12 February 2012
This is the week to start commuting by bike for another year. The daylight is strong enough for leaving home by 7:20, even on cloudy days, and for returning home by 6:30 in the evening. So there's plenty of time to put in eight hours of work. ...Now if Kodak doesn't lay me off as part of its stated aim of reducing the workforce by 16%, I can be cycling as much as 125 miles per week just in a daily commute.
Today, Sunday, was extremely cold, in comparison to the Winter we've had in Dayton so far. The bikeways were covered with a light snow that had fallen yesterday. But an alternative, the MetroParks Mountain Biking Area was open, according the the daily update on their phone line (937-277-4374).
I took Howard, my 11-year-old yellow Labrador with me, and he alternately followed and led me on the Twisted trail and the Mr. Zig-Zag trail. For the early half of the ride, trails were frozen pretty solidly, but by 11:45, the trail segments that received direct sunlight had thawed and the mud built up. So I decided to follow only two of the trails. The decision was good for another reason too, because Howard's stamina started to fail with only a half trail left to cover. He'll sleep well tonight.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 21 to 25°F at 12:00 noon
Precipitation: none currently, but about an inch of snow still covering the ground
Winds: 11 to 15 mph from the north and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, quilted tights, Goretex light jacket, ankle socks, quilted gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:32:45 for 2.69 miles
Heart rate: 142 bpm HRave, 164 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 3 cyclists, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
This is the week to start commuting by bike for another year. The daylight is strong enough for leaving home by 7:20, even on cloudy days, and for returning home by 6:30 in the evening. So there's plenty of time to put in eight hours of work. ...Now if Kodak doesn't lay me off as part of its stated aim of reducing the workforce by 16%, I can be cycling as much as 125 miles per week just in a daily commute.
Today, Sunday, was extremely cold, in comparison to the Winter we've had in Dayton so far. The bikeways were covered with a light snow that had fallen yesterday. But an alternative, the MetroParks Mountain Biking Area was open, according the the daily update on their phone line (937-277-4374).
I took Howard, my 11-year-old yellow Labrador with me, and he alternately followed and led me on the Twisted trail and the Mr. Zig-Zag trail. For the early half of the ride, trails were frozen pretty solidly, but by 11:45, the trail segments that received direct sunlight had thawed and the mud built up. So I decided to follow only two of the trails. The decision was good for another reason too, because Howard's stamina started to fail with only a half trail left to cover. He'll sleep well tonight.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 21 to 25°F at 12:00 noon
Precipitation: none currently, but about an inch of snow still covering the ground
Winds: 11 to 15 mph from the north and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, quilted tights, Goretex light jacket, ankle socks, quilted gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:32:45 for 2.69 miles
Heart rate: 142 bpm HRave, 164 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 3 cyclists, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
31 January 2012
Bikeway projects listed by MVRPC
The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) held a series of public meetings in October 2011 to encourage participation in the 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan Update. The update includes a draft list of transportation projects for all forms of transportation, including bicycling.
The list includes these projects that may be completed in 2012:
The cycling projects in the list (for activity from 2012 through 2040) are coded on the map with these letter-number designations:
Montgomery County, clockwise from top left
The list includes these projects that may be completed in 2012:
- In Montgomery County
- Centerville-Dayton connector trail from downtown Dayton 6.4 miles to Kettering
- Kettering Trail south from the Kettering Business Park 1.5 miles to the corner of Stroop and Wilmington
- Connector trail along Austin Road, north of the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport, 1.0 mile toward and through Waldruhe Park, then north on the eastern side of SR 741 to connect with an existing trail
- In Greene County
- Bellbrook-Fairborn connector trail from the existing bikeway at New Germany-Trebein
Road (the Fairfield Commons-WSU Connector), traveling north across I-675 for 0.5 mile to
Colonel Glenn Highway - Mad River Trail east from Eastwood Park, 3.4 miles to Huffman Metro Park
- Xenia-Jamestown connector trail from Xenia Station, 3.7 miles to Jasper Road
- In Miami County
- Great Miami River Trail pedestrian bridge across the Great Miami River, 1600 feet south of Peterson Road
 |
| Map of 2012-2014 cycling projects. Click to enlarge. |
Montgomery County, clockwise from top left
- G3—Wolf Creek Trail linking the segments from J.H.McGee Boulevard, 2.2 miles to Vickwood Lane unfunded
- M2—Wolf Creek connector trail along US 40 from Union Boulevard 0.6 mile to the Englewood
Reserve unfunded - M1—Wolf Creek connector trail along Union Road from the Wolf Creek Bikeway 4.1 miles to the
existing path at I-70 unfunded - L3—Stillwater River Trail from the existing Englewood Reserve Bikeway, 10.4 miles north along the Stillwater River corridor, to SR 55 unfunded
- L1—Stillwater River Trail from existing bikeway at Sinclair Park, north 4.7 miles to Grossnickle
Park unfunded - U3—Carriage Hills connector trail from Huffman MetroPark to Carriage Hill MetroPark via Union
School House, Baker, Kitridge, and Bellefontaine Roads 8.3 miles unfunded - X1—Great Miami River-Creekside connector trail paralleling US 35 to 4th St. along rail right of way then west to Keowee St and North to Monument Avenue 3.1 miles unfunded
- J1—Centerville-Dayton connector trail from downtown Dayton 6.4 miles to Kettering that uses a combination of on-street and off-street facilities funded 2012
- D1—Kettering Trail south from the Kettering Business Park 1.5 miles to proposed bikeway (see J2b) terminus at Stroop and Wilmington funded 2012
- C7—Germantown-Spring Valley-Bowersville connector trail from existing SR 725 bikeway,
0.7 mile east from Marwyck Drive to Wilmington Pike unfunded - J4—Centerville-Dayton connector trail from Boyce Road, 2.4 miles to Social Row Road using Clareridge Lane, Spring Valley and Atchison Roads unfunded
- J3 (not on map)—Centerville-Dayton connector trail with bicycle/pedestrian crossing at I-675, 0.33 mi east of Loop Road and 0.5 mile to Alex Bell Road unfunded
- C5—Germantown-Spring Valley-Bowersville connector trail east along residential streets from McEwen Road 5.0 mile to Alexandersville-Bellbrook Pike unfunded
- C4—Germantown-Spring Valley-Bowersville connector trail (bike lane retrofit) 0.4 mile of Spring Valley Pike to between Yankee St. and McEwan Road unfunded
- N1—River Corridors connector trail 10.7 miles along Miamisburg-Springboro Road, Austin Pike, Social Row Road between Medlar Road and Wilmington-Dayton Road; widen shoulders on Ferry Road, Lytle Road between Wilmington-Dayton Road and North St. in Corwin; develop signed on-street bikeway along North St. and Corwin Road to Little Miami Scenic River Trail unfunded
- N1a—Connector trail along Austin Road, north of the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport, 1.0 mile toward and through Waldruhe Park, then north on the eastern side of SR 741 to connect with an existing trail funded 2012
- T1—East-West Corridors connector trail facilities along SR 741 between Austin Pike and Cox
Arboretum (including path between Austin Pike and Miami Village Drive; bike lanes from Miami Village Dr, 3.9 miles to Lyons Road; sidewalks and wide outside lanes between Lyons Road and Cox Arboretum) unfunded - V1—Great Miami River-Centerville connector trail following 8.2 miles of local streets and shared use paths that connect Moraine, West Carrollton, Washington Township, Centerville, and Bellbrook via Cox Arboretum, Yankee Park, Grant Park and Pleasant Hill Park unfunded
- N2—River Corridors connector trail from Miami Twp. at the Great Miami River Trail 2.1 miles to Miamisburg-Springboro Road unfunded
- C2—Germantown-Spring Valley-Bowersville connector trail using widened shoulders on Lower
Miamisburg Road, Riverview Ave., and Maue Road, 6.8 miles between SR 4 and
Alexandersville Road unfunded - C1—Germantown-Spring Valley-Bowersville connector trail along Twin Creek from Main St, 1.0 mile to intersection of SR 4 and SR 725 unfunded
- M3—Wolf Creek connector trail using widened shoulders on Union Road from existing Wolf Creek Trail in Trotwood 11.6 miles to SR 725 unfunded
- K11—Great Miami River Trail on Gettysburg Avenue, 1.6 miles to West River Road via Guthrie Road and McArthur Park unfunded
- K10—Great Miami River Trail on the west river bank from Stewart
street, 3.0 miles to Gettysburg Avenue and spur to Sunwatch Indian Village unfunded - G2—Wolf Creek Trail from J.H. McGee Boulevard, 2.0 miles to Vickwood Lane unfunded
- I4—Bellbrook-Fairborn connector trail 1.0 mile north through Wright State University from Colonel Glenn Hwy. to Kauffman Ave. unfunded
- I3—Bellbrook-Fairborn connector trail from the existing bikeway at New Germany-Trebein
Road (the Fairfield Commons-WSU Connector), traveling north across I-675 for 0.5 mile to
Colonel Glenn Highway funded 2012 - B1—Fairborn-Yellow Springs-Cedarville connector trail from South Street, 1.6 miles to Xenia Drive (Add bike lanes on Xenia Drive between Yellow Springs-Fairfield Road.) unfunded
- E1 (not on map)—Mad River Trail east from Eastwood Park, 3.4 miles to Huffman Metro Park funded 2012
- E4—Mad River Trail northeast from existing Mad River Corridor Bikeway along former
railroad, 2.8 miles to Enon unfunded - B3—Fairborn-Yellow Springs-Cedarville connector trail, 6.1 miles (Widen shoulders on Yellow Springs-Fairfield Road between Xenia Drive and Little Miami Scenic Trail.) unfunded
- B4—Fairborn-Yellow Springs-Cedarville connector trail using widened shoulders on SR 343 and SR
72 between Yellow Springs and Cedarville unfunded - O2—Bowersville-Jamestown-Clifton connector trail using widened shoulders on Charleston Road
and Selma-Jamestown Road from Jamestown 10.4 miles to Greene/Clark county line unfunded - O1—Bowersville-Jamestown-Clifton connector trail using widened shoulders on SR 72 from Bowersville 5.4 miles to Jamestown unfunded
- C11—Germantown-Spring Valley-Bowersville connector trail using widened shoulders 16.3 miles between Spring Valley and Bowersville via Spring Valley-Pointersville Road and Hussey Road unfunded
- C10 —Germantown-Spring Valley-Bowersville connector trail from Sackett-Wright Park in Bellbrook, 4.6 miles to the Little Miami Scenic Trail unfunded
- I1 (not on map)—Bellbrook-Fairborn connector trail from SR 725 along W. Walnut St., 0.3 mile to existing bikeway at Bellbrook Park unfunded
- I2—Bellbrook-Fairborn connector trail 5.5 miles north along Upper Bellbrook, Feedwire, S. Alpha-
Bellbrook, Stutsman, and N. Fairfield Road, to Seajay Drive unfunded - H1 (not on map)—Xenia-Jamestown connector trail from Xenia Station, 3.7 miles to Jasper Road funded 2012
- C8 (not on map)—Germantown-Spring Valley-Bowersville connector trail east along SR 725, from Wilmington Pike to 0.02 miles east unfunded
- C9 (not on map)—Germantown-Spring Valley-Bowersville connector trail east along SR 725, from Bellevue Drive, 0.5 mile to Rosecrest Drive unfunded
- N1—See Montgomery County
- Q1—Cardinal Trail using widened shoulders along the Cardinal Trail route (Covington-
Gettysburg Road) from Covington 4.7 miles to the Miami/Darke County line unfunded - A1—Covington-Piqua "Fletcher Connector Trail" from Cardinal Trail, 3.5 miles north on High Street to abandoned Conrail right-of-way, then east along right-of-way unfunded
- K7—Great Miami River Trail north from Johnston Farm, 2.1 miles to the County Line
- Y2 (not on map)—Piqua Bikeway Hub redeveloped historical building at the intersection of the Great Miami River trail and the Piqua-Covington Fletcher Trail unfunded
- K6b (not on map)—Great Miami River Trail from Riverside Drive, 1.5 miles to Eldean Road unfunded
- K6e—Great Miami River Trail pedestrian bridge across the Great Miami River, 1600 feet south of Peterson Road funded 2012
- Q2—Cardinal Trail using widened shoulders along the Cardinal Trail route from Covington 20.1 miles to the Miami/Champaign County line (Spring St., CR 30, Farrington Road, Peterson Road, Alcony-Canover Road, and Loy Road) unfunded
- A2—Fletcher connector trail from Piqua, 9.0 miles to and Miami/Champaign county line via Garbry’s Big Woods Reserve and Sanctuary unfunded
- P1—Troy-Fletcher connector trail using widened shoulders along SR 55 and SR 589, providing an on-street 10.6-mile bikeway linking Troy, Casstown, and Fletcher unfunded
- U2—Carriage Hills connector trail from Carriage Hills MetroPark 8.0 miles to New Carlisle via widened shoulders on SR 202, Singer Road, Palmer Road, SR 571, Dayton-Brandt Road, and former railroad corridor between Dayton-Brandt Road and New Carlisle unfunded
- U1—Carriage Hills connector trail from Great Miami River Trail 4.2 miles to Carriage Hills MetroPark through Carriage Trails development unfunded
- Y1 (not on map)—Troy Bikeway Hub constructed structure unfunded
- R2—Laura-Troy connector trail paralleling SR 55 and along former Penn Central Railroad from Ludlow Falls 7.6 miles to Troy unfunded
- L3—See Montgomery County
- R1—Laura-Troy connector trail along former railroad corridor from Laura 6.1 miles to Ludlow Falls unfunded
- L5—Stillwater River Trail roughly paralleling SR 48 from Covington, 10.0 miles to Ludlow Falls unfunded
- F1—Great Miami-Little Miami connector trail along SR
123 from downtown Franklin through Clear Creek 3.6 miles to Lower Springboro Road unfunded - F2—Great Miami-Little Miami connector trail on Lower Springboro Road from proposed
Clear Creek Trail 8.2 miles to US 42 unfunded - K9—Great Miami River Trail from Baxter Drive, 2.0 miles to Miami River Preserve Park unfunded
- T2—East-West Corridors connector trail (bike lanes) on SR 741 from Springboro High School
4.1 miles to Austin Pike unfunded
Daylight comes
The daylight wins ever so gradually more of the time cycle from night. As I eat breakfast and care for my dog Howard, I watch for the first glimpse of sunrise. It's 6:58 and still dark, though a lightening haze floats over the houses to the east.
Last night, driving through Kettering on an errand to buy another bag of special dog food for Howard, I found myself thinking It's already too dark to be biking home, and here it is 6:17. As I left work a half hour ago, I thought that it was light enough to still be well-enough lit after a forty-minute commute. But that first hopeful thought was proven wrong.
I had looked up the sunrise and sunset times a week ago and decided that Valentine's Day might be the first day with a workable amount of sunlight to allow a bike commute.Sunrise at 7:31 and sunset at 6:11 will leave10 hours and 40 minutes for eight and a half hours of work and an hour and a half for the commute.
As long as the weather holds.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 45 to 48°F at 07:11
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the south
Sunrise today: 07:46
Sunset today: 17:55
Last night, driving through Kettering on an errand to buy another bag of special dog food for Howard, I found myself thinking It's already too dark to be biking home, and here it is 6:17. As I left work a half hour ago, I thought that it was light enough to still be well-enough lit after a forty-minute commute. But that first hopeful thought was proven wrong.
I had looked up the sunrise and sunset times a week ago and decided that Valentine's Day might be the first day with a workable amount of sunlight to allow a bike commute.Sunrise at 7:31 and sunset at 6:11 will leave10 hours and 40 minutes for eight and a half hours of work and an hour and a half for the commute.
As long as the weather holds.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 45 to 48°F at 07:11
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the south
Sunrise today: 07:46
Sunset today: 17:55
29 January 2012
Preparation for 2012 commuting
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Winds were not too bad on my way to the gym, but the return trip was a slog through the westerly winds. The gym workout was a scaled-down upper body session.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 32 to 39°F between 13:30 and 16:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: 18 to 23 mph from the west
Clothing: Longsleeve skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, light tights, ankle socks, light Neoprene jacket, full-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 01:30:51 for 17.44 miles
Heart rate: 140 bpm HRave, 166 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
Winds were not too bad on my way to the gym, but the return trip was a slog through the westerly winds. The gym workout was a scaled-down upper body session.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 32 to 39°F between 13:30 and 16:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: 18 to 23 mph from the west
Clothing: Longsleeve skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, light tights, ankle socks, light Neoprene jacket, full-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 850
Time: 01:30:51 for 17.44 miles
Heart rate: 140 bpm HRave, 166 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
11 December 2011
Second ride with the World Gym group
Sunday, 11 December 2011
I met up with the group from World Gym/Palm Desert on Mesquite as they crossed Crossley. Several riders greeted me by name, among them Cheryl from Tri-a-Bike, Anthony from World Gym, and Craig. Then a woman who had not been with the group last week rode up and introduced herself as Tracy. Off and on during the ride, Tracy spoke of some of the best trails for off-road riding (Art Smith, Goat Trails with an access from Cathedral Cove, and up around Pinyon Flats).
We rode as a group through Palm Springs to The Coffee Bean on North Palm Canyon, rested there a bit—this was a half-way point for them, and headed through the airport roads back to Dinah Shore Drive for the return to the Palm Desert area. Some discussion aimed at a breakfast at Aqua Pazza fizzled at the end of discussion, since several riders had plans with their families or preparing for the holidays.A couple of the riders (Roger and —) were heading back to the World Gym meeting location, and I tagged along to find the best way there from The River. Then I headed back to Palm Springs as a solo rider, following streets with marked bike lanes or separated bikeways.
Ride conditions
Route: major roads of Dinah Shore, DaVall, Frank Sinatra, Country Club, Bob Hope
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 11:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Bibshorts+jersey, undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 3700 trail bike
Time: 02:10:31 for 30.68 miles
Heart rate: 134 bpm HRave, 160 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
I met up with the group from World Gym/Palm Desert on Mesquite as they crossed Crossley. Several riders greeted me by name, among them Cheryl from Tri-a-Bike, Anthony from World Gym, and Craig. Then a woman who had not been with the group last week rode up and introduced herself as Tracy. Off and on during the ride, Tracy spoke of some of the best trails for off-road riding (Art Smith, Goat Trails with an access from Cathedral Cove, and up around Pinyon Flats).
We rode as a group through Palm Springs to The Coffee Bean on North Palm Canyon, rested there a bit—this was a half-way point for them, and headed through the airport roads back to Dinah Shore Drive for the return to the Palm Desert area. Some discussion aimed at a breakfast at Aqua Pazza fizzled at the end of discussion, since several riders had plans with their families or preparing for the holidays.A couple of the riders (Roger and —) were heading back to the World Gym meeting location, and I tagged along to find the best way there from The River. Then I headed back to Palm Springs as a solo rider, following streets with marked bike lanes or separated bikeways.
Ride conditions
Route: major roads of Dinah Shore, DaVall, Frank Sinatra, Country Club, Bob Hope
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 11:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Bibshorts+jersey, undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 3700 trail bike
Time: 02:10:31 for 30.68 miles
Heart rate: 134 bpm HRave, 160 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
10 December 2011
Rimcrest and Goat Trails, first return
Saturday, 10 December 2011
So today I finally got the self-confidence to return to the Goat Trails above Rimcrest Plaza. Lots of walking the bike and maneuvering with one foot to terra firma, even though I was riding double-track trails for the most part. But as the ride progressed, the tentativity relented except for the most crumbly descents.
The walk-a-bike sections were in what are usual places for my Winter visits to the trails: the steepest part of the second climb (below a north-facing cliff), in the approach of the first hilltop, on the south uphill of the circle around the first hilltop, on the steep escape from the same circle, and a couple of isolated sections after the stone man intersection. With another ride or two through this course, some of these walks will transition to riding, I'm sure. Part of that expected progress is in regaining a sense of body position over the wheels combined with slightly better timing of my shifting.
On the way nearing the stone man intersection, I heard somewhere behind me a police siren, and I stopped to view the course behind me. Stopped at the promontory of the plateau corner was a Palm Springs black-and-white with its lights flashing. I wondered if they were trolling for riders because of some closure that wasn't announced at the gates. The black-and-white continued toward me as I headed on to reach the overlook to Bob Hope's home.
The patrol truck reached another promontory above me as I negotiated a sliding downhill between them and the Bob Hope overlook. I stopped again when their siren sounded, and I whistled a shrill blast after a silence from them. One of the patrolmen had stepped out of the truck, and waved me on. He turned and raised binoculars to sight across the deep divide between Araby Cove and the hills that formed the east side of Palm Canyon, and I looked in that direction. There on the northeast-facing hills was a glider wedged between two outcroppings.
I headed on to my goal, and the patrol truck headed down the same trail, showing more traction than I thought possible with the sliding rock and dust trail. They took a turn-off that I knew headed toward a wash through even rougher terrain while I headed the short distance to the overlook.
Heading back from the overlook, I took the same turn-off, even though it meant some tough walk-a-bike stretches. I just had to see if their truck could actually navigate the trail and cross the wash. By the time I had made it through 150 meters of downhill, I saw one of the patrolmen far ahead near the wash, walking the trail toward me. His attention was to his rear, walking up the trail, looking backward below him, and signalling as he went. In a few seconds, the black-and-white passed from behind a ridge. It was returning up the trail in reverse, guided by the gesticulating officer. I too turned around, and reached the main tail only shortly before the patrol truck. To make way for them on the trail back, I took a rockier single-track around the most rocky and steepest double-track while the truck navigated the double-track with much more surety than I could.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 72°F at 11:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, SPD-cleated sandals, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 3700 trail bike
Time: 01:37:51 for 12.36 miles
Heart rate: not available
Playback of the ride
 |
| Panorama from the Goat Trails, above the Bob Hope mansion |
The walk-a-bike sections were in what are usual places for my Winter visits to the trails: the steepest part of the second climb (below a north-facing cliff), in the approach of the first hilltop, on the south uphill of the circle around the first hilltop, on the steep escape from the same circle, and a couple of isolated sections after the stone man intersection. With another ride or two through this course, some of these walks will transition to riding, I'm sure. Part of that expected progress is in regaining a sense of body position over the wheels combined with slightly better timing of my shifting.
On the way nearing the stone man intersection, I heard somewhere behind me a police siren, and I stopped to view the course behind me. Stopped at the promontory of the plateau corner was a Palm Springs black-and-white with its lights flashing. I wondered if they were trolling for riders because of some closure that wasn't announced at the gates. The black-and-white continued toward me as I headed on to reach the overlook to Bob Hope's home.
The patrol truck reached another promontory above me as I negotiated a sliding downhill between them and the Bob Hope overlook. I stopped again when their siren sounded, and I whistled a shrill blast after a silence from them. One of the patrolmen had stepped out of the truck, and waved me on. He turned and raised binoculars to sight across the deep divide between Araby Cove and the hills that formed the east side of Palm Canyon, and I looked in that direction. There on the northeast-facing hills was a glider wedged between two outcroppings.
 |
| From the overlook above the Bob Hope mansion, looking north to Palm Springs |
Heading back from the overlook, I took the same turn-off, even though it meant some tough walk-a-bike stretches. I just had to see if their truck could actually navigate the trail and cross the wash. By the time I had made it through 150 meters of downhill, I saw one of the patrolmen far ahead near the wash, walking the trail toward me. His attention was to his rear, walking up the trail, looking backward below him, and signalling as he went. In a few seconds, the black-and-white passed from behind a ridge. It was returning up the trail in reverse, guided by the gesticulating officer. I too turned around, and reached the main tail only shortly before the patrol truck. To make way for them on the trail back, I took a rockier single-track around the most rocky and steepest double-track while the truck navigated the double-track with much more surety than I could.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 72°F at 11:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, SPD-cleated sandals, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 3700 trail bike
Time: 01:37:51 for 12.36 miles
Heart rate: not available
Playback of the ride
28 November 2011
Gym commute day 01—there and back
Monday, 28 November 2011
Today was a trial run for getting to World Gym at Sunrise and Vista Chino. I thought my way could be pretty direct and without much traffic, and I found that to be true on my return home. Each direction took the same time, about 16 minutes
On my way to the gym, I first headed north on El Cielo, which is the usual direction by car. I turned west on Baristo and then took Cerritos and intervening curved streets always in a north-bound path. Finally at Tacheva I had no choice but to cut over to Sunrise, where I found a bikeway that runs parallel to the sidewalk—though it was a swerving expanse that goes all the way to Vista Chino.
The return trip was straightforward: Sunrise south to the Desert Chapel at Warm Sands, and then east along the golf courses to home.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 73°F at 08:45 and 10:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 3700 off-road bike
Time: 00:32:05 for 7.19 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 144 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
Today was a trial run for getting to World Gym at Sunrise and Vista Chino. I thought my way could be pretty direct and without much traffic, and I found that to be true on my return home. Each direction took the same time, about 16 minutes
On my way to the gym, I first headed north on El Cielo, which is the usual direction by car. I turned west on Baristo and then took Cerritos and intervening curved streets always in a north-bound path. Finally at Tacheva I had no choice but to cut over to Sunrise, where I found a bikeway that runs parallel to the sidewalk—though it was a swerving expanse that goes all the way to Vista Chino.
The return trip was straightforward: Sunrise south to the Desert Chapel at Warm Sands, and then east along the golf courses to home.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 73°F at 08:45 and 10:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 3700 off-road bike
Time: 00:32:05 for 7.19 miles
Heart rate: 125 bpm HRave, 144 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
27 November 2011
Bob Hope climb and tour of Araby Cove
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Man, am I out of shape! Before I left home, our discussion of when I should be back included my statement, "I'll probably make a few repeats of the climb" up the hill toward Bob Hope's mansion on Rimcrest. As it was, I made only two attempts, and both included a recuperation stop at some point below the top of the climb. So much for the long time of inactivity for the bike commute.
I'll give myself one or two days of rest and then make the attempt again.. Clearly I'm not fit enough for any successful outing on the Goat Trails, so a week of training on the Bob Hope ascent and a few commutes to the gym may help in regaining any lost ground.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 58 to 68°F at 08:45 and 10:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek off-road bike
Time: 01:00:50 for 10.13 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 156 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
Man, am I out of shape! Before I left home, our discussion of when I should be back included my statement, "I'll probably make a few repeats of the climb" up the hill toward Bob Hope's mansion on Rimcrest. As it was, I made only two attempts, and both included a recuperation stop at some point below the top of the climb. So much for the long time of inactivity for the bike commute.
I'll give myself one or two days of rest and then make the attempt again.. Clearly I'm not fit enough for any successful outing on the Goat Trails, so a week of training on the Bob Hope ascent and a few commutes to the gym may help in regaining any lost ground.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 58 to 68°F at 08:45 and 10:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek off-road bike
Time: 01:00:50 for 10.13 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 156 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
16 November 2011
Hanging it up for this year
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Today I faced up to the knowledge that I would not commute again by bike this year. I have only three more work days before my holiday and year-end vacation time starts, and each day is filled with responsible things to do that require a car.
With that realization came another little thing to do—cart away the toiletries that I've kept in a locker at work for the shower and shave after my commute in each morning. Pack up all the clothes that have awaited their turn for my work wardrobe. And carry all the washables home.
Now everything is in order, ready for the winter wait for good commuting weather. With a bit of luck, there may be some isolated days in February. But if 2012 is like most previous years, the first real days of commuting will come in March. And 2012 brings the challenge of biking to work something more than 100 days. That's my goal and my early New Year's resolution.
Ride conditions
No ride
Today I faced up to the knowledge that I would not commute again by bike this year. I have only three more work days before my holiday and year-end vacation time starts, and each day is filled with responsible things to do that require a car.
With that realization came another little thing to do—cart away the toiletries that I've kept in a locker at work for the shower and shave after my commute in each morning. Pack up all the clothes that have awaited their turn for my work wardrobe. And carry all the washables home.
Now everything is in order, ready for the winter wait for good commuting weather. With a bit of luck, there may be some isolated days in February. But if 2012 is like most previous years, the first real days of commuting will come in March. And 2012 brings the challenge of biking to work something more than 100 days. That's my goal and my early New Year's resolution.
Ride conditions
No ride
09 November 2011
Been quiet on the cycling front
Wednesday, 11 November 2011
Just to keep you up with what's happening:
The daylight period is shorter.
I've been busy at home packing up boxes of books to give to Planned Parenthood, sell on Amazon.com, and throw away.
I've been busy at work finishing a book to be published before I leave for the holidays.
On weekends, I've been busy in the yard, closing up the garden for the winter.
I've been going to the gym for a quick workout, so I'm not a full-fledged slouch.
I'm experiencing what the road racers call the "veteran's restriction."
With a little luck, I may have fewer demands on my time for the next couple weeks. That might mean I can at least do a one-way bike commute each day, for which I leave the car at work overnight twice a week. Here's hoping that I'll really get to bike-commute 100 days this year!
Ride conditions
No ride.
Just to keep you up with what's happening:
The daylight period is shorter.
I've been busy at home packing up boxes of books to give to Planned Parenthood, sell on Amazon.com, and throw away.
I've been busy at work finishing a book to be published before I leave for the holidays.
On weekends, I've been busy in the yard, closing up the garden for the winter.
I've been going to the gym for a quick workout, so I'm not a full-fledged slouch.
I'm experiencing what the road racers call the "veteran's restriction."
With a little luck, I may have fewer demands on my time for the next couple weeks. That might mean I can at least do a one-way bike commute each day, for which I leave the car at work overnight twice a week. Here's hoping that I'll really get to bike-commute 100 days this year!
Ride conditions
No ride.
25 October 2011
Bike-commute day 95—to work
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Going to work today is the second half of my commuting day, since I drove to work yesterday with my bike in the van and then rode home. This part of the year always has an alternation of drive-bike-bike-drive since the daylight is so short. And tonight, during the drive, I'll stop at Cardinal Fitness to get in a bit of weight training. The leg routine is due tonight.
Today was the first time I broke out the quilted tights. Since my breath was visible when I took Howard out, I thought that a heavier layer would be good, even with the temperatures above freezing. At some midpoint of the ride, I decided that I was overdressed. I had begun to heat up, even though my effort was not too great. I've got to learn once again when the added layers are necessary, when they're too much.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 34 to 41°F at 07:40
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, quilted tights, Gore-tex jacket, ankle socks, full-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:15 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclist, 6 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
Going to work today is the second half of my commuting day, since I drove to work yesterday with my bike in the van and then rode home. This part of the year always has an alternation of drive-bike-bike-drive since the daylight is so short. And tonight, during the drive, I'll stop at Cardinal Fitness to get in a bit of weight training. The leg routine is due tonight.
Today was the first time I broke out the quilted tights. Since my breath was visible when I took Howard out, I thought that a heavier layer would be good, even with the temperatures above freezing. At some midpoint of the ride, I decided that I was overdressed. I had begun to heat up, even though my effort was not too great. I've got to learn once again when the added layers are necessary, when they're too much.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 34 to 41°F at 07:40
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, quilted tights, Gore-tex jacket, ankle socks, full-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:15 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclist, 6 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
24 October 2011
Bike-commute day 95—to home
Monday, 24 October 2011
I had driven to work in the morning, and so I pulled my bike from the car for the evening ride. My start at 18:07 was later than it should have been. I knew that it would be well into dusk when I would arrive home.
My Garmin device began losing its signal below Riverscape and continued to do so through the rest of the ride. I wondered if something had happened to one of the satellites, but realized only at the end of the ride that the wheel magnet had swiveled to perpendicular with the wheel. Its position was too distant to be adequately registering my speed, and without speed in my Lotus setup, the device assumes I've stopped. So it stops.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 60 to 65°F at 17:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 from the northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: (elapsed) 00:43:20 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Playback of the ride
I had driven to work in the morning, and so I pulled my bike from the car for the evening ride. My start at 18:07 was later than it should have been. I knew that it would be well into dusk when I would arrive home.
My Garmin device began losing its signal below Riverscape and continued to do so through the rest of the ride. I wondered if something had happened to one of the satellites, but realized only at the end of the ride that the wheel magnet had swiveled to perpendicular with the wheel. Its position was too distant to be adequately registering my speed, and without speed in my Lotus setup, the device assumes I've stopped. So it stops.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 60 to 65°F at 17:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 from the northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: (elapsed) 00:43:20 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 95—postponed
Monday, 24 October 2011
I was nearly ready to change into my cycling kit this morning, but the rumble of thunder and the following heavy patter of rain told me that the ride wouldn't happen this morning. I'll take the bike into my Mazda, to provide an opportunity to ride home at least. For now, it's time to shower and dress for the drive.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 54°F at 07:30
Precipitation: currently light to heavy rain
Winds: calm to 5 from the southwest
Clothing: ...
Bike: driving
I was nearly ready to change into my cycling kit this morning, but the rumble of thunder and the following heavy patter of rain told me that the ride wouldn't happen this morning. I'll take the bike into my Mazda, to provide an opportunity to ride home at least. For now, it's time to shower and dress for the drive.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 54°F at 07:30
Precipitation: currently light to heavy rain
Winds: calm to 5 from the southwest
Clothing: ...
Bike: driving
20 October 2011
Four Autumn Rain Days
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Over the weekend, forecasts for the week called for rain through Wednesday. Although rain held off on both Monday and Tuesday, I had decided each morning that rain was likely enough to drive to work. I even posted on Facebook, I "will be pissed if it doesn't rain later today. Declaring a rain day just because of the forecasts." It rained a spit later that day, and the streets were dry during the evening commute. Wednesday started with an ultrasounding of my abdominal aorta, and I enjoyed the misty rain that fell the entire day. Today has more of the same light rains.
Each evening I've stopped at Cardinal Fitness to start my off-season weight regimen. Tuesday I went through a six-exercise program that focused on the abdominal core. Most of the workout was on machines that allow work on specific muscles, and a finish with straight-leg deadlifts. Wednesday I went through an eight-exercise program that focused on my legs. This is my most enjoyable time in the gym, where the muscles respond most quickly to the training. However, since this was the first day of focus, all the exercises were at low weights for me. The leg workout starts with several opposing-muscle sets for abductors and adductors and for hamstrings and quadriceps, then final exercises on the calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps again. Tonight is my chest-shoulders-arms evening.
Ride conditions
No ride.
Over the weekend, forecasts for the week called for rain through Wednesday. Although rain held off on both Monday and Tuesday, I had decided each morning that rain was likely enough to drive to work. I even posted on Facebook, I "will be pissed if it doesn't rain later today. Declaring a rain day just because of the forecasts." It rained a spit later that day, and the streets were dry during the evening commute. Wednesday started with an ultrasounding of my abdominal aorta, and I enjoyed the misty rain that fell the entire day. Today has more of the same light rains.
Each evening I've stopped at Cardinal Fitness to start my off-season weight regimen. Tuesday I went through a six-exercise program that focused on the abdominal core. Most of the workout was on machines that allow work on specific muscles, and a finish with straight-leg deadlifts. Wednesday I went through an eight-exercise program that focused on my legs. This is my most enjoyable time in the gym, where the muscles respond most quickly to the training. However, since this was the first day of focus, all the exercises were at low weights for me. The leg workout starts with several opposing-muscle sets for abductors and adductors and for hamstrings and quadriceps, then final exercises on the calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps again. Tonight is my chest-shoulders-arms evening.
Ride conditions
No ride.
14 October 2011
Bike-commute day 94—to gym and home
Friday, 14 October 2011
It's been a very long time since I stopped at Cardinal Fitness on my way home from work. I was able to stop there today only because I worked a partial day. That left the afternoon for the gym visit and going to the Neon to see The Future.
I had to leave Kodak at noon, since overtime is not allowed. I had worked a very long day Wednesday to finish revisions on a book that must be reviewed and completed by the end of October. After FrameMaker "blew up" three times while making the PDF, it finally succeeded after I made enough space available for builing the intermediate files. So I left that evening after 12.5 hours of work. So I cut the workday short to avoid recording more than 40 hours. CEO Antonio Perez announced several acts of belt tightening. And in August, Kodak announced that about a thousand of its patents on imaging technology were offered for sale. Perhaps revenue producers like the Versamark and Prosper brands offer another strength in the transition to a digital focus.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 56 to 60°F at 11:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 15 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 1:02:06 for 15.82 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm HRave, 149 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
It's been a very long time since I stopped at Cardinal Fitness on my way home from work. I was able to stop there today only because I worked a partial day. That left the afternoon for the gym visit and going to the Neon to see The Future.
I had to leave Kodak at noon, since overtime is not allowed. I had worked a very long day Wednesday to finish revisions on a book that must be reviewed and completed by the end of October. After FrameMaker "blew up" three times while making the PDF, it finally succeeded after I made enough space available for builing the intermediate files. So I left that evening after 12.5 hours of work. So I cut the workday short to avoid recording more than 40 hours. CEO Antonio Perez announced several acts of belt tightening. And in August, Kodak announced that about a thousand of its patents on imaging technology were offered for sale. Perhaps revenue producers like the Versamark and Prosper brands offer another strength in the transition to a digital focus.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 56 to 60°F at 11:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 15 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 1:02:06 for 15.82 miles
Heart rate: 132 bpm HRave, 149 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 10 cyclists, 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 94—to work
Friday, 14 October 2011
Somewhere before the Findlay Avenue bridge, I saw Gary and Amy on their tandem, going my way. I slowed and said hello as I neared them and continued at their pace. They live near DeWeese Park, and every day they ride the bikeway, alternating to a turnaround at Woodman Avenue on the Iron Horse Trail or at Grange Hall Road on the Creekside Trail.
Though their pace is about 15 mph, it isn't quite leisurely. I heard Gary say, "Come on, give me some more pedal" to Amy. A couple times I noticed that Gary was exerting more effort, bringing Amy's cadence up a bit higher than it had been. Still, throughout the five miles we rode together, we had plenty of breath for conversation.
After we parted ways at the old railroad trestle, I saw Millie and Gladys walking south from the Linden Avenue crossing. I slowed only long enough to tell Millie that I had seen her walking yesterday, from my car as I crossed the overpass on highway 35.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 52°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:47:55 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 115 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 3 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Somewhere before the Findlay Avenue bridge, I saw Gary and Amy on their tandem, going my way. I slowed and said hello as I neared them and continued at their pace. They live near DeWeese Park, and every day they ride the bikeway, alternating to a turnaround at Woodman Avenue on the Iron Horse Trail or at Grange Hall Road on the Creekside Trail.
Though their pace is about 15 mph, it isn't quite leisurely. I heard Gary say, "Come on, give me some more pedal" to Amy. A couple times I noticed that Gary was exerting more effort, bringing Amy's cadence up a bit higher than it had been. Still, throughout the five miles we rode together, we had plenty of breath for conversation.
After we parted ways at the old railroad trestle, I saw Millie and Gladys walking south from the Linden Avenue crossing. I slowed only long enough to tell Millie that I had seen her walking yesterday, from my car as I crossed the overpass on highway 35.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 52°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the southwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:47:55 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 115 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 3 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
11 October 2011
Bike-commute day 93—to home
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
After I was shown how to do it, it seems easy to keep a steady, high pace through the evening commute. Not that the pace equals that of two drafting each other, but there were fewer times of letting up the intensity, and the periods of lower intensity were shorter than on my previous solo rides.
The comparison is interesting in this regard. Yesterday (top) while drafting, my cadence was higher than today, averaging 95 rpm versus 85 rpm in the first leg for example. My heart rate was also higher yesterday, but not as markedly increased as the cadence, averaging 140 bpm versus 137 bpm. A couple spikes in the HR indicate where I took the lead yesterday from Burkhardt to Airway.
For the most part, both graphs fit well to my typical commute. The seven street crossings typically result in a sudden drop of cadence and slowing of heart rate. From Airway to the west gate of Eastwood Park, my cadence and heart rate fluctuate widely with the increased turns and shifts in elevation. Then on the Mad River bikeway, my effort evens out until I pass Riverscape and climb the ramp to Monument Avenue.The final portion, on residential streets with lots of stop signs, also typically has fluctuating cadence and heart rate.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 74 to 78°F at 18:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and east
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:06 for 11.96 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 20 cyclists, 31 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Playback of the ride
 |
| Day 92, top, graph of cadence (orange) and heart rate (red) compared to day 93, bottom. |
The comparison is interesting in this regard. Yesterday (top) while drafting, my cadence was higher than today, averaging 95 rpm versus 85 rpm in the first leg for example. My heart rate was also higher yesterday, but not as markedly increased as the cadence, averaging 140 bpm versus 137 bpm. A couple spikes in the HR indicate where I took the lead yesterday from Burkhardt to Airway.
For the most part, both graphs fit well to my typical commute. The seven street crossings typically result in a sudden drop of cadence and slowing of heart rate. From Airway to the west gate of Eastwood Park, my cadence and heart rate fluctuate widely with the increased turns and shifts in elevation. Then on the Mad River bikeway, my effort evens out until I pass Riverscape and climb the ramp to Monument Avenue.The final portion, on residential streets with lots of stop signs, also typically has fluctuating cadence and heart rate.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 74 to 78°F at 18:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and east
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:06 for 11.96 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 20 cyclists, 31 pedestrians, 4 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 93—to work
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Ugh! My lungs still clog at the thought of the diesel emissions from the school buses I have to follow each morning. Do school buses get a pass on emissions, or do the school districts just evade action by the EPA and OEPA?
Way back in 2006, the Dayton Business Journal reported on several school districts that benefited from an OEPA program to retrofit 238 school buses to lower-pollution engines. None of the $120,000 was awarded to the Dayton school district. Since then, Dayton was awarded retrofit money several times. Perhaps the buses that serve my neighborhood were overlooked. Or worse: those buses were retrofitted, the exhaust has been reduced up to 80%, and the amount is still offensive to a cyclist waiting behind a bus while kids are boarding.
The transportation department of the Dayton School District offers this information:
In 2009, the city received a grant of $583,000 to develop a "Safe Routes to Schools" program. The award went to five projects that focused work for Cleveland Elementary, Edison Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Kiser Elementary, and Ruskin Elementary. In support of the program the regional transportation planning agency, MVRPC, developed a well-reasoned plan for implementing similar programs for the entire city—and by example, for the entire Miami Valley. The federal money didn't arrive in Dayton until 2010, as reported by the Dayton Daily News.
I hope that the city and MVRPC continue to write grant proposals and fill applications for broadening the accessibility of schools, shopping, recreation, and places of employment for cyclists and walkers. Let's give those diesel school buses their final destination: the junkyard.
Ever the counting habit affects me. This morning, I counted 17 areas along the bike-commute where walnut alerts are necessary. While counting, I said good morning to some of the regulars: Gary and Amy on their tandem, Gladys, and Gene and his dog Patches. I also saw the group of regulars heading north from their start at the Gazebo. Usually they ride on Wednesdays, and often Bob Pinnell leads the ride. There must have been collusion among the five riders to change the day.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 51 to 57°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and east
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:14 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Ugh! My lungs still clog at the thought of the diesel emissions from the school buses I have to follow each morning. Do school buses get a pass on emissions, or do the school districts just evade action by the EPA and OEPA?
Way back in 2006, the Dayton Business Journal reported on several school districts that benefited from an OEPA program to retrofit 238 school buses to lower-pollution engines. None of the $120,000 was awarded to the Dayton school district. Since then, Dayton was awarded retrofit money several times. Perhaps the buses that serve my neighborhood were overlooked. Or worse: those buses were retrofitted, the exhaust has been reduced up to 80%, and the amount is still offensive to a cyclist waiting behind a bus while kids are boarding.
The transportation department of the Dayton School District offers this information:
The school district now advocates a neighborhood school program, in which students are enrolled in a school near where they live. With 22 elementary schools, 6 high schools, 2 special centers, and 2 community schools spread throughout the city, all are an easy bike ride away. So why drive the 8,000 miles each day?
The Transportation department is located at 4290 James H. McGee Blvd., Dayton, OH 45427. The Transportation Department provides the community a safe, professional and efficient means to transport eligible students in the Dayton area. We provide transportation for over 15,000 students to and from school, athletic events and field trips. Transportation is also provided for special events as assigned by the district superintendent.
Our school bus fleet travels over 8,000 miles per day and over 1.5 million miles a school year! The transportation department employs over 300 employees, including more than 250 qualified school bus drivers and substitutes. Additionally, there are highly qualified mechanics that maintain our fleet, body shop/metal workers to repair damaged school buses and trained paraprofessionals that ride and assist our special needs students.
The Dayton Public Schools transportation department has received the highest marks for safety and reliability from the annual Ohio State Highway Patrol inspection team. We strive to provide safe and reliable transportation for our students by managing effectively time, resources and personnel.
In 2009, the city received a grant of $583,000 to develop a "Safe Routes to Schools" program. The award went to five projects that focused work for Cleveland Elementary, Edison Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Kiser Elementary, and Ruskin Elementary. In support of the program the regional transportation planning agency, MVRPC, developed a well-reasoned plan for implementing similar programs for the entire city—and by example, for the entire Miami Valley. The federal money didn't arrive in Dayton until 2010, as reported by the Dayton Daily News.
I hope that the city and MVRPC continue to write grant proposals and fill applications for broadening the accessibility of schools, shopping, recreation, and places of employment for cyclists and walkers. Let's give those diesel school buses their final destination: the junkyard.
Ever the counting habit affects me. This morning, I counted 17 areas along the bike-commute where walnut alerts are necessary. While counting, I said good morning to some of the regulars: Gary and Amy on their tandem, Gladys, and Gene and his dog Patches. I also saw the group of regulars heading north from their start at the Gazebo. Usually they ride on Wednesdays, and often Bob Pinnell leads the ride. There must have been collusion among the five riders to change the day.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 51 to 57°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and east
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:14 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
10 October 2011
Bike-commute day 92—to home
Monday, 10 October 2011
As I waited to turn onto Spaulding Road—within half a mile of my start, I found a cyclist coming out of the corner, heading north. Behind him, I pulled onto Spaulding. He stayed on the street, and I pulled as usual onto the bikeway. I edged to nearly beside him as he pulled into the center lane to turn onto the Haverfield canopy. I had to wait for several cars, but he had slowed to allow a catch.
As I approached, he sped to cruising speed while motioning with a wave behind his saddle that I should pull into the slipstream. We rode in close formation through to Woodman, and he extended his left hand down to caution me of his slowing. "Clear left," he called out. "To the center median." We stopped together for traffic from the north.
Once we were on the Rainier Canopy, we rode side by side and introduced ourselves. He is Charles Love. He was on his way home from a bike part shopping at Performance Bike. He mentioned heading toward Riverscape. Then we reached the Woodbine crossing. Even though it was clear, I advised him that no motorists stop, and few slow at the crossing.
He took the lead again as we sped up, and I called from behind as we approached specific parts of the canopy, "Keep an eye out for walnuts on the path." And each time, we avoided several fresh fruit, squashed skins, and broken shells. We made the Linden crossing and lightly accelerated toward the junction with the Creekside Trail.
Charles asked, "Are you heading straight or turning?" And I told him I was heading toward Riverscape also, and beyond. We exchanged more information to discover our homes were only a few blocks from each other, and then reached cruising speed as I pulled again into his slipstream. After crossing Burkhardt, we had learned each other's age, and I took the lead for the near-mile to Airway, alerting Charles for the three walnut trees along the way.
Airway was treacherous as usual: a driver in the right lane from the west had stopped for us, the left westbound lane also had traffic, and we hesitated until it was finally clear that both lanes were stopping for us. Since it was clear of traffic from the east, we accelerated across the rest of the street and gained full speed as we reached the drop at the edge of Wrightview. Love asked, "So I bet you know Phil?" and no sooner than I could answer yes, Mr. Hinrichs rounded the corner ahead of us. Charles remarked, "Speak of the Devil, and old Nick appears the next moment." We continued on through the industrial park and across Fair Park Avenue.
As we reached Smithville, Charles turned onto the street while I headed across to the bikeway that hugs the creek. We met again at the railway arch that bounds Eastwood Park and regrouped into the drafting machine after passing through the west gate. I was nearly spent by this time, some 01:04 faster than the fastest times this year. I considered sitting back, taking a breather, letting my heart rate recover from the nearly constant tempo over 145 bpm. But we kept together, indeed taking it a bit easier with me in the lead or riding side by side. The time at the third leg was again lower than any previous solo ride, and I was 01:21 ahead.
As we crossed under Riverscape, we discussed how I typically reach home. Love let me take the lead up the ramp to Monument Avenue, across the bridge, up Grafton Hill, and over toward Salem Avenue at the police station. Then along my route up Bryn Mawr and to Princeton. Charles offered a fist bump as we separated at Cory Drive. My final time was almost two minutes faster than my best time. What a ride, and a pleasant reminder of what really working hard feels like.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 78 to 82°F at 17:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the south and east
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:38:21 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 141 bpm HRave, 172 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: no counts taken
Playback of the ride
As I waited to turn onto Spaulding Road—within half a mile of my start, I found a cyclist coming out of the corner, heading north. Behind him, I pulled onto Spaulding. He stayed on the street, and I pulled as usual onto the bikeway. I edged to nearly beside him as he pulled into the center lane to turn onto the Haverfield canopy. I had to wait for several cars, but he had slowed to allow a catch.
As I approached, he sped to cruising speed while motioning with a wave behind his saddle that I should pull into the slipstream. We rode in close formation through to Woodman, and he extended his left hand down to caution me of his slowing. "Clear left," he called out. "To the center median." We stopped together for traffic from the north.
Once we were on the Rainier Canopy, we rode side by side and introduced ourselves. He is Charles Love. He was on his way home from a bike part shopping at Performance Bike. He mentioned heading toward Riverscape. Then we reached the Woodbine crossing. Even though it was clear, I advised him that no motorists stop, and few slow at the crossing.
He took the lead again as we sped up, and I called from behind as we approached specific parts of the canopy, "Keep an eye out for walnuts on the path." And each time, we avoided several fresh fruit, squashed skins, and broken shells. We made the Linden crossing and lightly accelerated toward the junction with the Creekside Trail.
Charles asked, "Are you heading straight or turning?" And I told him I was heading toward Riverscape also, and beyond. We exchanged more information to discover our homes were only a few blocks from each other, and then reached cruising speed as I pulled again into his slipstream. After crossing Burkhardt, we had learned each other's age, and I took the lead for the near-mile to Airway, alerting Charles for the three walnut trees along the way.
Airway was treacherous as usual: a driver in the right lane from the west had stopped for us, the left westbound lane also had traffic, and we hesitated until it was finally clear that both lanes were stopping for us. Since it was clear of traffic from the east, we accelerated across the rest of the street and gained full speed as we reached the drop at the edge of Wrightview. Love asked, "So I bet you know Phil?" and no sooner than I could answer yes, Mr. Hinrichs rounded the corner ahead of us. Charles remarked, "Speak of the Devil, and old Nick appears the next moment." We continued on through the industrial park and across Fair Park Avenue.
As we reached Smithville, Charles turned onto the street while I headed across to the bikeway that hugs the creek. We met again at the railway arch that bounds Eastwood Park and regrouped into the drafting machine after passing through the west gate. I was nearly spent by this time, some 01:04 faster than the fastest times this year. I considered sitting back, taking a breather, letting my heart rate recover from the nearly constant tempo over 145 bpm. But we kept together, indeed taking it a bit easier with me in the lead or riding side by side. The time at the third leg was again lower than any previous solo ride, and I was 01:21 ahead.
As we crossed under Riverscape, we discussed how I typically reach home. Love let me take the lead up the ramp to Monument Avenue, across the bridge, up Grafton Hill, and over toward Salem Avenue at the police station. Then along my route up Bryn Mawr and to Princeton. Charles offered a fist bump as we separated at Cory Drive. My final time was almost two minutes faster than my best time. What a ride, and a pleasant reminder of what really working hard feels like.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 78 to 82°F at 17:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the south and east
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:38:21 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 141 bpm HRave, 172 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: no counts taken
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 92—to work
Monday, 10 October 2011
Today as I came south from Burkhardt and approached the canopied way along the DPL executive golf course, two deer were in the clearing. On seeing me, one deer bounded away from the K-Mart dock area, across the bikeway, and into the overgrowth that borders the houses to the west. The doe, who was grazing on the west side of the bikeway, looked up from her foraging and watched me as I passed. Calm, confident.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 55 to 61°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the north and east
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:37 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 124 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, 4 dogs, 2 deer
Playback of the ride
Today as I came south from Burkhardt and approached the canopied way along the DPL executive golf course, two deer were in the clearing. On seeing me, one deer bounded away from the K-Mart dock area, across the bikeway, and into the overgrowth that borders the houses to the west. The doe, who was grazing on the west side of the bikeway, looked up from her foraging and watched me as I passed. Calm, confident.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 55 to 61°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the north and east
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:37 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 124 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclists, 5 pedestrians, 4 dogs, 2 deer
Playback of the ride
07 October 2011
Bike-commute day 91—to home
Friday, 07 September 2011
A cyclist was coasting along the block parallel to Springfield Street..As I passed him, I said as gently as possible, "Hey there, you know that if you coast, you can only go downhill."
"Yeah, coasting is a quick way to catch my breath. Good thing there aren't many hills to climb on the bikeway."
He has a point. The bikeways of the Miami Valley might seem very flat, but typically a ten-mile ride will include a total of about 250 feet of climbing or descending. Usually, though, the climbs are gentle, 30 feet at a time or spread over a couple miles.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 83°F at 15:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the north and east
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: 18 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 0 dogs
Playback of the ride
A cyclist was coasting along the block parallel to Springfield Street..As I passed him, I said as gently as possible, "Hey there, you know that if you coast, you can only go downhill."
"Yeah, coasting is a quick way to catch my breath. Good thing there aren't many hills to climb on the bikeway."
He has a point. The bikeways of the Miami Valley might seem very flat, but typically a ten-mile ride will include a total of about 250 feet of climbing or descending. Usually, though, the climbs are gentle, 30 feet at a time or spread over a couple miles.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 83°F at 15:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the north and east
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: 18 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 0 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 91—to work
Friday, 07 September 2011
I stopped at the Burkhardt crossing with a runner beside me. "Good morning, there, runner."
"Hey. Everything going OK?"
"Yeah, except for all the walnuts on the bikeway. D'you think you could kick off the path every single one that you come across?"
"I'll see what I can do."
I counted 14 walnut trees along the way. For the last two weeks, and probably for the next four, they offer 14 chances of hitting a nut and going down. Especially while they are camoflaged by fallen leaves.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 49 to 54°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:52 for 12.03 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
I stopped at the Burkhardt crossing with a runner beside me. "Good morning, there, runner."
"Hey. Everything going OK?"
"Yeah, except for all the walnuts on the bikeway. D'you think you could kick off the path every single one that you come across?"
"I'll see what I can do."
I counted 14 walnut trees along the way. For the last two weeks, and probably for the next four, they offer 14 chances of hitting a nut and going down. Especially while they are camoflaged by fallen leaves.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 49 to 54°F at 07:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:52 for 12.03 miles
Heart rate: 127 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
06 October 2011
Bike-commute day 90—to home
Thursday, 06 September 2011
As I passed through the plateau east of Findlay Avenue, I remembered the pair of deer I surprised there yesterday morning. I had been noisily scaring back the geese from the bikeway, since they seemed to have found a new place for their foraging and pooping, foraging and more pooping. But as I completed the slow, wide corner that heads to a closer path near the forested area above the Mad River, the two deer startled and took off along the path ahead of me. After only 30 feet, the doe darted left through an opening in the undergrowth. The 6-point buck high-tailed it on. I had nearly caught up to him, even though his sinewy muscles had reached about 20 mph, when he found his own break in the undergrowth, and dashed into the thicket and away from the bikeway.
Today I had a follow-up appointment with my family physician to discuss the cardiac stress test that showed a deviation that is usually associated with ischemia and the cardiac CAT scan that revealed no abnormalities.My family doctor advised that the first test could have had a glitch for any number of reasons, and the CAT scan was a more reliable reading that sufficiently countered the first reading. But he cautioned that today's accepted practice aims away from exploring tests and using them to establish a baseline. Rather, the preference now is to pay close attention to risk factors, including heredity and lifestyle.
Though my genetic pool might suggest a predilection toward heart attack (the cause of my father's death) or stroke (my mother's demise), one could argue that our differing lifestyles give me an advantage of a longer, healthier maturity. My father was mostly sedentary from age 50 on, and he smoked throughout his life. My mother was relatively inactive, always overweight, and plagued by hypertension and perhaps a mildly congestive heart condition. And using non-direct family is of less use. For example, the one aunt I know of who died of Alzheimer's may have little bearing on my future. And if it were applicable, her survival into the 90s after several years of late-onset Alzheimer's is a better genetic factor than the worst alternative, early-onset that may occur in a person's 40s or 50s.
Thus were my preoccupations during my ride home. I didn't feel any particular exertion, though I arrived home in one of my shorter overall times.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 81°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:58 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 134 bpm HRave, 172 bpm HRmax*
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 8 pedestrians, 1 dogs
Playback of the ride
* Perhaps unlikely.
As I passed through the plateau east of Findlay Avenue, I remembered the pair of deer I surprised there yesterday morning. I had been noisily scaring back the geese from the bikeway, since they seemed to have found a new place for their foraging and pooping, foraging and more pooping. But as I completed the slow, wide corner that heads to a closer path near the forested area above the Mad River, the two deer startled and took off along the path ahead of me. After only 30 feet, the doe darted left through an opening in the undergrowth. The 6-point buck high-tailed it on. I had nearly caught up to him, even though his sinewy muscles had reached about 20 mph, when he found his own break in the undergrowth, and dashed into the thicket and away from the bikeway.
Today I had a follow-up appointment with my family physician to discuss the cardiac stress test that showed a deviation that is usually associated with ischemia and the cardiac CAT scan that revealed no abnormalities.My family doctor advised that the first test could have had a glitch for any number of reasons, and the CAT scan was a more reliable reading that sufficiently countered the first reading. But he cautioned that today's accepted practice aims away from exploring tests and using them to establish a baseline. Rather, the preference now is to pay close attention to risk factors, including heredity and lifestyle.
Though my genetic pool might suggest a predilection toward heart attack (the cause of my father's death) or stroke (my mother's demise), one could argue that our differing lifestyles give me an advantage of a longer, healthier maturity. My father was mostly sedentary from age 50 on, and he smoked throughout his life. My mother was relatively inactive, always overweight, and plagued by hypertension and perhaps a mildly congestive heart condition. And using non-direct family is of less use. For example, the one aunt I know of who died of Alzheimer's may have little bearing on my future. And if it were applicable, her survival into the 90s after several years of late-onset Alzheimer's is a better genetic factor than the worst alternative, early-onset that may occur in a person's 40s or 50s.
Thus were my preoccupations during my ride home. I didn't feel any particular exertion, though I arrived home in one of my shorter overall times.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 77 to 81°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:58 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 134 bpm HRave, 172 bpm HRmax*
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 8 pedestrians, 1 dogs
Playback of the ride
* Perhaps unlikely.
Bike-commute day 90—to work
Thursday, 06 September 2011
It was almost too cool for the open-finger gloves this morning, but not so much that I had to warm the fingers.
Somewhere near the Green Bridge, I passed a walker going my way that might have been Kevin Moore from the Human Race. I'm not so sure since he didn't turn to face me and his head was covered in a hood. But if so, it's the first time I saw him on the bikeway alone. He usually bikes with his partner Scott Stoney. I am looking forward to seeing their production of Caroline, or Change, which opens November 3. I bought tickets to the Thursday preview last night.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 44 to 52°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:28 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
It was almost too cool for the open-finger gloves this morning, but not so much that I had to warm the fingers.
Somewhere near the Green Bridge, I passed a walker going my way that might have been Kevin Moore from the Human Race. I'm not so sure since he didn't turn to face me and his head was covered in a hood. But if so, it's the first time I saw him on the bikeway alone. He usually bikes with his partner Scott Stoney. I am looking forward to seeing their production of Caroline, or Change, which opens November 3. I bought tickets to the Thursday preview last night.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 44 to 52°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:28 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 4 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
05 October 2011
Bike-commute day 89—to home
Wednesday, 05 September 2011
For the first third of the commute this evening, I thought I was the only user of the bikeway. Then riders and walkers suddenly abounded in the two miles between Linden and Airway. Then again I was the lone user until I reached Riverscape, where another five users were waiting for the fountain to end its spray. As for me, I never wait for the fountain, but I speed through the curtain of water just below the zig-zag up to the Green Bridge..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 74 to 82°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:04 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 152 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 20 cyclists, 17 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
For the first third of the commute this evening, I thought I was the only user of the bikeway. Then riders and walkers suddenly abounded in the two miles between Linden and Airway. Then again I was the lone user until I reached Riverscape, where another five users were waiting for the fountain to end its spray. As for me, I never wait for the fountain, but I speed through the curtain of water just below the zig-zag up to the Green Bridge..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 74 to 82°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:04 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 152 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 20 cyclists, 17 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 89—to work
Wednesday, 05 October 2011
It seemed hard work today. Could it be that the atmosphere was heavy with Autumn or that the sparse fog impeded my motion? Whatever the cause, it did not result in any notable time. But the time was certainly affected by the street crossings today, of which every one had enough traffic to warrant a planted-foot stop.
Yesterday I noticed a newly paved access to the bikeway that comes from the parking area northwest of Findlay and Monument avenues. In the morning, the access was roped off with stakes and yellow tape, which in the evening had been pulled to the ground. Just as with other newly asphalted parts of the bikeway, cyclists had made use of the addition well in advance of announcements of the availability.
I hope that someday soon the short distance from the Monument Avenue bridge to the ramp down to the bikeway will also be paved. The little stretch was left unfinished through the rebuilding of the Monument Avenue bridge, which extended through early 2011.
Housekeeping note: I used the whisk broom to clean off the remaining glass slivers from the walkway across Monument Avenue bridge.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 43 to 52°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:13 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
It seemed hard work today. Could it be that the atmosphere was heavy with Autumn or that the sparse fog impeded my motion? Whatever the cause, it did not result in any notable time. But the time was certainly affected by the street crossings today, of which every one had enough traffic to warrant a planted-foot stop.
Yesterday I noticed a newly paved access to the bikeway that comes from the parking area northwest of Findlay and Monument avenues. In the morning, the access was roped off with stakes and yellow tape, which in the evening had been pulled to the ground. Just as with other newly asphalted parts of the bikeway, cyclists had made use of the addition well in advance of announcements of the availability.
I hope that someday soon the short distance from the Monument Avenue bridge to the ramp down to the bikeway will also be paved. The little stretch was left unfinished through the rebuilding of the Monument Avenue bridge, which extended through early 2011.
Housekeeping note: I used the whisk broom to clean off the remaining glass slivers from the walkway across Monument Avenue bridge.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 43 to 52°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:13 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
04 October 2011
Bike-commute day 88—to home
Tuesday, 04 October 2011
My HRave reading for this evening's ride is much lower than it should be. The pickup wasn't functioning well through the first two miles of the ride, since I wasn't sweating enough to conduct signals. So for that time, the monitor was reading HRs like 49 and 52, despite a normal effort;
I saw only one regular on the bikeway: Rick the walker, who I saw in the stretch between the west gate to Eastwood Park and the plateau east of Findlay Avenue.
After I rose to the Monument Avenue bridge, I took the way very slowly. The past few times I had crossed the bridge, I had had to avoid some glass smashed across the sidewalk, and I wanted to clear as much of the debris as possible from the way. By the point of reaching the midpoint, I began to think that someone else had cleaned up the debris. But much closer to the traffic signal than I remembered, the glass was still there. I dismounted, set the bike aside, and began pitching the larger shards over the balustrade. When small slivers were left, I used my shoes to kick and nudge the pieces into the roadway. But I left the job unfinished, and I've remembered to stuff a whisk broom into my pack for finishing the work tomorrow morning.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 72 to 78°F at 18:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:56 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 122 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 24 cyclists, 18 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
My HRave reading for this evening's ride is much lower than it should be. The pickup wasn't functioning well through the first two miles of the ride, since I wasn't sweating enough to conduct signals. So for that time, the monitor was reading HRs like 49 and 52, despite a normal effort;
I saw only one regular on the bikeway: Rick the walker, who I saw in the stretch between the west gate to Eastwood Park and the plateau east of Findlay Avenue.
After I rose to the Monument Avenue bridge, I took the way very slowly. The past few times I had crossed the bridge, I had had to avoid some glass smashed across the sidewalk, and I wanted to clear as much of the debris as possible from the way. By the point of reaching the midpoint, I began to think that someone else had cleaned up the debris. But much closer to the traffic signal than I remembered, the glass was still there. I dismounted, set the bike aside, and began pitching the larger shards over the balustrade. When small slivers were left, I used my shoes to kick and nudge the pieces into the roadway. But I left the job unfinished, and I've remembered to stuff a whisk broom into my pack for finishing the work tomorrow morning.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 72 to 78°F at 18:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:56 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 122 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 24 cyclists, 18 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 88—to work
Tuesday, 04 October 2011
Today was the first day with cool weather, cool enough to require two layers. Not many others were using the bikeway. Just an older cyclist around the Fair Park crossing, Paul and his dogs (AKA double-dog Jason) near the Woodbine crossing, and Gene and his dog Patches near the Woodman crossing. Even Millie and Gladys were apparently scared away by the cold snap.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 41 to 48°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, undershirt, tights, ankle socks, full-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:19 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclist, 2 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
Today was the first day with cool weather, cool enough to require two layers. Not many others were using the bikeway. Just an older cyclist around the Fair Park crossing, Paul and his dogs (AKA double-dog Jason) near the Woodbine crossing, and Gene and his dog Patches near the Woodman crossing. Even Millie and Gladys were apparently scared away by the cold snap.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 41 to 48°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, undershirt, tights, ankle socks, full-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:19 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 146 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclist, 2 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
29 September 2011
Cardiac stress test and echocardiogram, part two
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Today was not a bike-commute day because of a 7 a.m. appointment for a more definitive stress test. Last week's test showed an area of concern that my doctor wanted to check out with a procedure that combines a cardiac stress test on a treadmill and CAT scans before and after the exercise. (While at the doctor's office, I got a copy of the test report, which reads in part, "There was 1 to 1.5 mm of horizontal ST segment depression laterally suggestive of ischemia.")
The procedure took a bit over three hours. First I was given a radioactive marker by intravenous, after which I had to wait 30 minutes for the material to "settle" in the veins and arteries of my heart. Then I was placed in the CAT machine for a localized scan of the thorax. This was followed by a treadmill stress test that aimed to bring my heart rate up to about 130 bpm in 5 stages. During the fifth stage, another dose of the radioactive marker was injected into the IV. I rested long enough for recovery to normal heart rate and a total of 30 minutes for the isotope to find its way to the cardiac vessels. The final step was another CAT scan.
I should hear the results early next week.
What runs counter to the charting is that I have no pain on exertion. So, perhaps it's good that I pursued what the genetics have produced in me, despite my care to keep active into maturity.
Today was not a bike-commute day because of a 7 a.m. appointment for a more definitive stress test. Last week's test showed an area of concern that my doctor wanted to check out with a procedure that combines a cardiac stress test on a treadmill and CAT scans before and after the exercise. (While at the doctor's office, I got a copy of the test report, which reads in part, "There was 1 to 1.5 mm of horizontal ST segment depression laterally suggestive of ischemia.")
The procedure took a bit over three hours. First I was given a radioactive marker by intravenous, after which I had to wait 30 minutes for the material to "settle" in the veins and arteries of my heart. Then I was placed in the CAT machine for a localized scan of the thorax. This was followed by a treadmill stress test that aimed to bring my heart rate up to about 130 bpm in 5 stages. During the fifth stage, another dose of the radioactive marker was injected into the IV. I rested long enough for recovery to normal heart rate and a total of 30 minutes for the isotope to find its way to the cardiac vessels. The final step was another CAT scan.
I should hear the results early next week.
What runs counter to the charting is that I have no pain on exertion. So, perhaps it's good that I pursued what the genetics have produced in me, despite my care to keep active into maturity.
28 September 2011
Bike-commute day 87—to home
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Very easy ride tonight because of the wet pavement. The bikeway beside the Miami River was still flooded.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 57 to 59°F at 16:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00: 47:57 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 113 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Very easy ride tonight because of the wet pavement. The bikeway beside the Miami River was still flooded.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 57 to 59°F at 16:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00: 47:57 for 11.99 miles
Heart rate: 113 bpm HRave, 138 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 7 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 87—to work
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
This morning I was antsy to get going, waiting for the rosy-fingered Dawn or the yellow-wreathed Maple to announce it was light enough to get on the way. But the day's light snuck in unannounced, somewhere above the cloud cover.
I was getting lonely on the commute, when finally I saw another cyclist—no, three cyclists in a tight, single-file group—just north of Airway. They were coming toward me, dressed in two and three layers of cool-weather bike wear, a mix of purples, pinks, blues, and black. I guessed that they were part of the organized weekly ride that leaves the Gazebo at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. Then, halfway through the canopy behind the DPL headquarters, I saw an infrequent regular on the bikeway, pedalling fast on a hybrid, wearing casual work clothes, the front of his unzipped hoodie flapping below his arms.
Then finally, after crossing Linden, I saw the first pedestrians of the day: Millie and Gladys heading south. I slowed to their speed as I reached them, and we talked for a while, almost for three and a half minutes. Their health is holding up, but Gladys told me of her husband's mild stroke that was discovered only when he had an eye exam in July. They also shared that one of Millie's two husbands had died in the 70s and the second had died after they had divorced and Millie had dropped frequent contact with him. Gladys spoke of her first marriage to a man who abused her but who presented little drama when they divorced after seven years. And now Gladys has been married 46 years.
In the remainder of my ride, I was visited by happy memories of the 31 years together with Chuck:
Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 55°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 to 10 to 15 mph from the nor south ea west
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:46:53 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 3 pedestrians, 1 dogs
Playback of the ride
This morning I was antsy to get going, waiting for the rosy-fingered Dawn or the yellow-wreathed Maple to announce it was light enough to get on the way. But the day's light snuck in unannounced, somewhere above the cloud cover.
I was getting lonely on the commute, when finally I saw another cyclist—no, three cyclists in a tight, single-file group—just north of Airway. They were coming toward me, dressed in two and three layers of cool-weather bike wear, a mix of purples, pinks, blues, and black. I guessed that they were part of the organized weekly ride that leaves the Gazebo at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. Then, halfway through the canopy behind the DPL headquarters, I saw an infrequent regular on the bikeway, pedalling fast on a hybrid, wearing casual work clothes, the front of his unzipped hoodie flapping below his arms.
Then finally, after crossing Linden, I saw the first pedestrians of the day: Millie and Gladys heading south. I slowed to their speed as I reached them, and we talked for a while, almost for three and a half minutes. Their health is holding up, but Gladys told me of her husband's mild stroke that was discovered only when he had an eye exam in July. They also shared that one of Millie's two husbands had died in the 70s and the second had died after they had divorced and Millie had dropped frequent contact with him. Gladys spoke of her first marriage to a man who abused her but who presented little drama when they divorced after seven years. And now Gladys has been married 46 years.
In the remainder of my ride, I was visited by happy memories of the 31 years together with Chuck:
- making a weekend visit to Ohio Caverns that was one of several day trips we took during my convalescence from a life-threatening auto-bike collision in 1984
- playing volleyball on a Friday night with a supportive group of gay men at the Pan-Pacific Pavilion in West Hollywood
- playing one of our weekly raquetball games at the downtown YMCA
- renewing our marriage promises in the garden chapel of Corpus Christi church on Forest Avenue
- snuggling together with a projector behind the bed for a screening of Wild Strawberries
- working together on the final-final-final edit of his book Dark Dreams 2.0
- riding together in our Toyota Celica to Wright State for the classes I attended and the classes he taught
- arriving late at night at the Headlands Center for the Arts after an evening dinner in San Francisco
- walking through the Jardin du Luxembourg on our week-long visit to Paris.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 50 to 55°F at 07:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 to 10 to 15 mph from the nor south ea west
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:46:53 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 3 pedestrians, 1 dogs
Playback of the ride
27 September 2011
Bike-commute day 86—to home
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Though the temperatures were in the cool part of the 60s, I decided not to wear the longsleeve undershirt on the ride home. I was a bit uncomfortable at the start, but I soon built up enough warmth to become comfortable. The paths were lightly travelled, covered with yet more fallen leaves and walnuts. I kept reminding myself to avoid the scattered leaves, since they might cover a walnut. At one point, while passing a couple and their dog, I was forced to the left side of the path, and rode over a large stick on the path. For the next mile, I worried that my tire was getting flat. But though the tire certainly had less air after the encounter, it never flatted.
On this morning's ride, I noticed the renewed smells of each segment of the way, and tonight some of those scents were still enshrouding the bikeway: a skunk's protective spray bolstered the natural area between Airway and Smithville, a small foundry's burnt-carbon funked the plateau between Eastwood Park and Findlay Avenue.
I made it home well before sunset, though the actual horizon was obliterated by a building blue cloud bank that foretold a night of rain.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 18:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:07 for 12.01 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 8 cyclists, 12 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Though the temperatures were in the cool part of the 60s, I decided not to wear the longsleeve undershirt on the ride home. I was a bit uncomfortable at the start, but I soon built up enough warmth to become comfortable. The paths were lightly travelled, covered with yet more fallen leaves and walnuts. I kept reminding myself to avoid the scattered leaves, since they might cover a walnut. At one point, while passing a couple and their dog, I was forced to the left side of the path, and rode over a large stick on the path. For the next mile, I worried that my tire was getting flat. But though the tire certainly had less air after the encounter, it never flatted.
On this morning's ride, I noticed the renewed smells of each segment of the way, and tonight some of those scents were still enshrouding the bikeway: a skunk's protective spray bolstered the natural area between Airway and Smithville, a small foundry's burnt-carbon funked the plateau between Eastwood Park and Findlay Avenue.
I made it home well before sunset, though the actual horizon was obliterated by a building blue cloud bank that foretold a night of rain.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 66°F at 18:25
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:07 for 12.01 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 8 cyclists, 12 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 86—to work
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
After a weekend of rain, some heavy, the lower bikeway was flooded to a depth of a few inches. I guessed it might be clear as I headed down the ramp from the Monument Avenue bridge, but the flooding started just below the YMCA. I took the ramp up to the gravel path under the Y, and continued across to Riverscape and the Bike Hub.
The bikeway from the confluence of the Mad and Miami rivers was passable. Only one small stretch of 20 feet had been flooded earlier in the night.
The rest of the commute was usual, with few others on the path to allow a fairly fast passage.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 51 to 55°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the southeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:54 for 12.11 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
After a weekend of rain, some heavy, the lower bikeway was flooded to a depth of a few inches. I guessed it might be clear as I headed down the ramp from the Monument Avenue bridge, but the flooding started just below the YMCA. I took the ramp up to the gravel path under the Y, and continued across to Riverscape and the Bike Hub.
The bikeway from the confluence of the Mad and Miami rivers was passable. Only one small stretch of 20 feet had been flooded earlier in the night.
The rest of the commute was usual, with few others on the path to allow a fairly fast passage.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 51 to 55°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the southeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:44:54 for 12.11 miles
Heart rate: 135 bpm HRave, 151 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 1 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
22 September 2011
Bike-commute day 85—to gym and home
Thursday, 22 September 2011
On my way to and from a short workout at Cardinal Fitness, I saw Scott working in his yard.
At Cardinal, the workout consisted of bench presses, barbell curls, pec deck alternating with delt deck, and cable pushdowns. I talked with Brandon, who is goalie on the Wright State hockey team. He observed that the team lacks defensive skills and they can't pass or score, though they are fast on the ice.
As I left the Eastwood gate, I passed a male cyclist on a road bike who seemed to be on an acceleration up to a good speed. Immediately ahead of him was a pair of women who I had first thought he was chasing to catch. I pedaled on, gaining quite a nice speed tempo through the Findlay underpass. Then at the corner back to paralleling the river, I caught a peripheral glimpse of the rider in the red-yellow jersey. It was time for a breather, and he caught me at the old bridge buttress. His name is Jim, and he bikes this path infrequently .
At my normal third checkpoint, I made a quick loop up to Brixx to see if the cycling group was meeting there, but I found that the meeting was Tuesday.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 76°F at 17:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from westerly
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:00:24 for 16.67 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 157 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 14 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
On my way to and from a short workout at Cardinal Fitness, I saw Scott working in his yard.
At Cardinal, the workout consisted of bench presses, barbell curls, pec deck alternating with delt deck, and cable pushdowns. I talked with Brandon, who is goalie on the Wright State hockey team. He observed that the team lacks defensive skills and they can't pass or score, though they are fast on the ice.
As I left the Eastwood gate, I passed a male cyclist on a road bike who seemed to be on an acceleration up to a good speed. Immediately ahead of him was a pair of women who I had first thought he was chasing to catch. I pedaled on, gaining quite a nice speed tempo through the Findlay underpass. Then at the corner back to paralleling the river, I caught a peripheral glimpse of the rider in the red-yellow jersey. It was time for a breather, and he caught me at the old bridge buttress. His name is Jim, and he bikes this path infrequently .
At my normal third checkpoint, I made a quick loop up to Brixx to see if the cycling group was meeting there, but I found that the meeting was Tuesday.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 76°F at 17:20
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from westerly
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 01:00:24 for 16.67 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 157 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 9 cyclists, 14 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 85—to work
Thursday, 22 September 2011
The bikeway was very sparely used this morning. That was good, since I had energy to spare for the ride and not much to devote to counting the users. I first sensed the spare energy as I approached the Findlay underswoop, out of which I climbed to a sprint on the plateau and scattered the geese snacking on the greens.
I also made pushes at the former Multi-Service plant and under the canopies north and south of Burkhardt.And mentioning Burkhardt reminds me of how bad that intersection is. From a driver's perspective, the crossing is as good as unmarked. The paint markings on the pavement are at the high point of a rise that prevents their observation from a car. The crossing signs that should alert drivers from each direction are so distant from the crossing and so mixed into the confusion of foliage and signage that a driver can easily miss them completely. From a cyclist's perspective, the wild growth of weeds and shrubs is never contained, and the sight lines to the west are always obstructed. At least the sight lines to the east are open.
This morning's crossing proved my point for fully stopping there. A driver of a Pepsi truck must have been distracted as he approached from the west, because—even though I had stopped—he stomped on his brakes when he caught full sight of me at the crossing. I heard his load crunch against the inside of the cabin as the brakes took hold.
His stop wasn't perfectly timed to keep a person in the crossing safe, by perhaps 2 feet. Since he was obstructing the path, I saluted his hard stop, pointed at the crossing marks, and waved him on past.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 53 to 59°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:16 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
The bikeway was very sparely used this morning. That was good, since I had energy to spare for the ride and not much to devote to counting the users. I first sensed the spare energy as I approached the Findlay underswoop, out of which I climbed to a sprint on the plateau and scattered the geese snacking on the greens.
I also made pushes at the former Multi-Service plant and under the canopies north and south of Burkhardt.And mentioning Burkhardt reminds me of how bad that intersection is. From a driver's perspective, the crossing is as good as unmarked. The paint markings on the pavement are at the high point of a rise that prevents their observation from a car. The crossing signs that should alert drivers from each direction are so distant from the crossing and so mixed into the confusion of foliage and signage that a driver can easily miss them completely. From a cyclist's perspective, the wild growth of weeds and shrubs is never contained, and the sight lines to the west are always obstructed. At least the sight lines to the east are open.
This morning's crossing proved my point for fully stopping there. A driver of a Pepsi truck must have been distracted as he approached from the west, because—even though I had stopped—he stomped on his brakes when he caught full sight of me at the crossing. I heard his load crunch against the inside of the cabin as the brakes took hold.
His stop wasn't perfectly timed to keep a person in the crossing safe, by perhaps 2 feet. Since he was obstructing the path, I saluted his hard stop, pointed at the crossing marks, and waved him on past.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 53 to 59°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:16 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 138 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 9 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
20 September 2011
Bike-commute day 84—to home
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
I must be out of practice. Though I had put on the HR monitor as I was changing for the commute, it still wasn't well seated for the first mile or so of the ride. During that time, its reading was often as low as 45 bpm. So today's HR readings are skewed.
Further down the road, I stopped at the Gulf station to buy a lottery ticket. PJ, the daytime cashier, was training a new cashier, and he had to go through the steps of placing a recurring entry by scanning the previous ticket. (And I didn't win a release from the work world.)
I had stopped my Garmin to buy the tickets—or so I thought. I tapped the stop/start button as I resumed my ride, but didn't verify that it was registering speed. But what actually happened: I failed to press the stop/start button before buying the lottery ticket, and my press to restart actually stopped the device. I noticed the mistake only shortly before the first checkpoint, so the recording lost about 4 minutes of riding time.
Even with a day of intermittent sun, the bikeway was still damp under the dense canopy between Linden and Burkhardt, but otherwise the way was dry and only lightly travelled..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 74 to 79°F at 17:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:47:23 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 118 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 14 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
I must be out of practice. Though I had put on the HR monitor as I was changing for the commute, it still wasn't well seated for the first mile or so of the ride. During that time, its reading was often as low as 45 bpm. So today's HR readings are skewed.
Further down the road, I stopped at the Gulf station to buy a lottery ticket. PJ, the daytime cashier, was training a new cashier, and he had to go through the steps of placing a recurring entry by scanning the previous ticket. (And I didn't win a release from the work world.)
I had stopped my Garmin to buy the tickets—or so I thought. I tapped the stop/start button as I resumed my ride, but didn't verify that it was registering speed. But what actually happened: I failed to press the stop/start button before buying the lottery ticket, and my press to restart actually stopped the device. I noticed the mistake only shortly before the first checkpoint, so the recording lost about 4 minutes of riding time.
Even with a day of intermittent sun, the bikeway was still damp under the dense canopy between Linden and Burkhardt, but otherwise the way was dry and only lightly travelled..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 74 to 79°F at 17:35
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:47:23 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 118 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 14 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 84—to work
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Though the sidewalk and street at home seemed dry after the light rains overnight, much of the bikeway remained damp due to the high humidity. Wherever the path was asphalt, it tended to retain a sheen of moisture; where concrete, it was completely dry. So my first bike-commute since last Thursday was gentle, tentative.
Few others were on the bikeway, but the regulars included Gary and Amy on their tandem and Millie and Gladys on their morning stroll. But making up for the low numbers of cyclists and pedestrians were the gnats.
It is gnat time! Their presence means slight changes to how I bike: keep my mouth shut and breathe through the nose, keep my sunglasses tight up against the helmet front, ziip up myskinsuit to the neck, and get used to the gentle strikes on the bare face, arms, and legs. These critters swarm together in whatever rays of sunlight they can find, often just at the edge of a shady bend. The swarms can have hundreds of gnats, and often that means that a dozen or more strike me when I pass through the swarm.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 64°F at 07:15
Precipitation: less than 0.1 in since midnight
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:14 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: not available
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dogs
Playback of the ride
Though the sidewalk and street at home seemed dry after the light rains overnight, much of the bikeway remained damp due to the high humidity. Wherever the path was asphalt, it tended to retain a sheen of moisture; where concrete, it was completely dry. So my first bike-commute since last Thursday was gentle, tentative.
Few others were on the bikeway, but the regulars included Gary and Amy on their tandem and Millie and Gladys on their morning stroll. But making up for the low numbers of cyclists and pedestrians were the gnats.
It is gnat time! Their presence means slight changes to how I bike: keep my mouth shut and breathe through the nose, keep my sunglasses tight up against the helmet front, ziip up myskinsuit to the neck, and get used to the gentle strikes on the bare face, arms, and legs. These critters swarm together in whatever rays of sunlight they can find, often just at the edge of a shady bend. The swarms can have hundreds of gnats, and often that means that a dozen or more strike me when I pass through the swarm.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 62 to 64°F at 07:15
Precipitation: less than 0.1 in since midnight
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the northwest
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:14 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: not available
Bikeway users: 4 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 1 dogs
Playback of the ride
13 September 2011
Cardiac stress test and echocardiogram
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
I convinced the nurses in Dr. Markus' office to allow me to connect the HR monitor while they guided me through the stress test and echocardiogram. The stress test took about 15 minutes, though the playback shows it occurring within 00:01:43. This was followed by about 5 minutes of monitored cooldown, and then time in the waiting room until the echocardiogram. The echocardiogram took perhaps 15 minutes, after which I turned off the HR monitor.
The HR monitor consistently corroborated the HR recorded by the medical machines.
Ride conditions
Time elapsed: 01:04:20Heart rate: 75 bpm HRave, 156 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
I convinced the nurses in Dr. Markus' office to allow me to connect the HR monitor while they guided me through the stress test and echocardiogram. The stress test took about 15 minutes, though the playback shows it occurring within 00:01:43. This was followed by about 5 minutes of monitored cooldown, and then time in the waiting room until the echocardiogram. The echocardiogram took perhaps 15 minutes, after which I turned off the HR monitor.
The HR monitor consistently corroborated the HR recorded by the medical machines.
Ride conditions
Time elapsed: 01:04:20Heart rate: 75 bpm HRave, 156 bpm HRmax
Playback of the ride
12 September 2011
Bike-commute day 82—to home
Monday, 12 September 2011
I didn't intend to make a fast commute tonight, but I left a lot later than I should have. Nevertheless, I tried to keep my exertion down to a fairly low level.
I was working late to make up for a doctor's appointment tomorrow, when I'm scheduled for a cardiac stress test and an echocardiogram. Ch says I won't see Dr. Markus at the two tests, but that he may schedule another visit to discuss the results. I hope that there will be a written report or image for my records.
At Riverscape, The Unit was holding their Boot Camp Training. A group of thirty men and women were double-stepping up and down the stairs beside the sluice, and another group of twenty was performing calisthenics at the Y formed by three segments of ramp between the river bikeway and the Riverscape plaza. I pulled up to talk with Terry Perdue, who was guiding the aerobic work at the stairs. His enthusiasm is infectious, and I almost jumped off my bike to join in the stair climbing.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 80 to 83°F at 18:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:41 for 12.07 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 145 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 21 cyclists, 24 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
I didn't intend to make a fast commute tonight, but I left a lot later than I should have. Nevertheless, I tried to keep my exertion down to a fairly low level.
I was working late to make up for a doctor's appointment tomorrow, when I'm scheduled for a cardiac stress test and an echocardiogram. Ch says I won't see Dr. Markus at the two tests, but that he may schedule another visit to discuss the results. I hope that there will be a written report or image for my records.
At Riverscape, The Unit was holding their Boot Camp Training. A group of thirty men and women were double-stepping up and down the stairs beside the sluice, and another group of twenty was performing calisthenics at the Y formed by three segments of ramp between the river bikeway and the Riverscape plaza. I pulled up to talk with Terry Perdue, who was guiding the aerobic work at the stairs. His enthusiasm is infectious, and I almost jumped off my bike to join in the stair climbing.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 80 to 83°F at 18:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the south and west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:42:41 for 12.07 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 145 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 21 cyclists, 24 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
09 September 2011
Bike-commute day 81—to home
Friday, 9 September 2011
Fast ride home so Ch & I can go to lunch together, and then maybe to some films. He's interested in Contagion; I Apollo 18..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 73°F at 13:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:32 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 139 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 8 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
Fast ride home so Ch & I can go to lunch together, and then maybe to some films. He's interested in Contagion; I Apollo 18..
Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 73°F at 13:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph, variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:32 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 139 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 8 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 81—to work
Friday, 9 September 2011
Today, after two rest days for rain, was a sprint day. Kinda.
I felt strong through the Findlay Street bridge, and pushed into a sprint from the plateau to the gate to Eastwood Park. About 1:40 was at or above 150 bpm. Once my HR came down to the 130s, and after passing the double-L south of Park Lane, I took a short sprint almost to Airway, and then resumed the sprint after regaining speed from the crossing almost to Burkhardt—about 1:15 around 150 bpm. Then after crossing Linden, I took a third sprint for 1:00 around 150 bpm.
During all this, I met three regulars: Gary and Amy on their tandem and Paul and his dog Stinky.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 61°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:27 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 136 bpm HRave, 158 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
Today, after two rest days for rain, was a sprint day. Kinda.
I felt strong through the Findlay Street bridge, and pushed into a sprint from the plateau to the gate to Eastwood Park. About 1:40 was at or above 150 bpm. Once my HR came down to the 130s, and after passing the double-L south of Park Lane, I took a short sprint almost to Airway, and then resumed the sprint after regaining speed from the crossing almost to Burkhardt—about 1:15 around 150 bpm. Then after crossing Linden, I took a third sprint for 1:00 around 150 bpm.
During all this, I met three regulars: Gary and Amy on their tandem and Paul and his dog Stinky.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 61°F at 07:45
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph variable
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:27 for 11.94 miles
Heart rate: 136 bpm HRave, 158 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 7 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
07 September 2011
Rain day—here's another reason I bike-commute
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
It's been raining, usually lightly, since late last night, but that's not the primary reason that I drove to work today. I'm scheduled for an entry appointment with my cardiologist. Yep. Heart problems, stroke, poor circulation, low pulmonary function, and how I can avoid them are my topics with Dr. Tim Markus of the Dayton Heart Center.
I just turned 60. How did that happen so suddenly? Did I know anything about its coming? So I've been setting up tests and interviews. I want to have a baseline of my condition now, and maybe some idea of what I can expect of myself in the next decade. Because my father died of a sudden-onset heart attack and my mother of a stroke that left her weakening for a month on her way toward death, and because I am now ten years and seventeen years, respectively, from their ages at death, it's time for an investigation of what their genetics has manifested in my body.
I started a month ago with a simple body fat analysis at the University of Dayton. I've also requested a lactose threshold test or a VO2max test from the same UD physiology department. Today I saw the cardiologist to see if any standard cardiac tests are in order. After an entry EKG and interview, he suggested an exercise stress test just to quantify what I've experienced in my heart training on the daily commute and an echocardiogram because of the results of an echocardiogram from ten years ago. He also suggested two other tests that are available at local hospitals, a "heart saver CT" (an coronary calcium scan, available from Kettering Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital) and a "lifeline screening" (an ultrasound of arteries in the neck, belly, ankles, and arms, available from Kettering and Good Sam).
Non-ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 63°F throughout the day
Precipitation: constant light rain, 1.46 inches since 5:00 a.m.
Winds: ranging from 6 to 11 mph from the northwest
It's been raining, usually lightly, since late last night, but that's not the primary reason that I drove to work today. I'm scheduled for an entry appointment with my cardiologist. Yep. Heart problems, stroke, poor circulation, low pulmonary function, and how I can avoid them are my topics with Dr. Tim Markus of the Dayton Heart Center.
I just turned 60. How did that happen so suddenly? Did I know anything about its coming? So I've been setting up tests and interviews. I want to have a baseline of my condition now, and maybe some idea of what I can expect of myself in the next decade. Because my father died of a sudden-onset heart attack and my mother of a stroke that left her weakening for a month on her way toward death, and because I am now ten years and seventeen years, respectively, from their ages at death, it's time for an investigation of what their genetics has manifested in my body.
I started a month ago with a simple body fat analysis at the University of Dayton. I've also requested a lactose threshold test or a VO2max test from the same UD physiology department. Today I saw the cardiologist to see if any standard cardiac tests are in order. After an entry EKG and interview, he suggested an exercise stress test just to quantify what I've experienced in my heart training on the daily commute and an echocardiogram because of the results of an echocardiogram from ten years ago. He also suggested two other tests that are available at local hospitals, a "heart saver CT" (an coronary calcium scan, available from Kettering Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital) and a "lifeline screening" (an ultrasound of arteries in the neck, belly, ankles, and arms, available from Kettering and Good Sam).
Non-ride conditions
Temperature: 59 to 63°F throughout the day
Precipitation: constant light rain, 1.46 inches since 5:00 a.m.
Winds: ranging from 6 to 11 mph from the northwest
Rain day—here's another reason I bike-commute
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
It's been raining, usually lightly, since late last night, but that's not the primary reason that I drove to work today. I'm scheduled for an entry appointment with my cardiologist. Yep. Heart problems, stroke, circulation, pulmonary function, and how I can avoid them are my topics with Dr. Tim Markus of the Dayton Heart Center.
Since I turned 60 this year, I decided it's time to assess my health, assure my ability to carry on as active life as possible, quantify my current abilities, and determine the corrections I can make to maintain a healthy life. My father died at age 70 of a sudden heart attack. Perhaps he had indications of heart problems, but he always called the attacks "heartburn." His self-administered treatment was to stretch back in his chair and pound his upper bellly, just below the ribcage. A few solid raps would stop the pains he felt, or so he said. Then one July afternoon, he lifted some item that an auctioneer friend of his was to start the bidding for, and collapsed. He died on the spot from a heart attack.
Ride conditions
Not applicable
It's been raining, usually lightly, since late last night, but that's not the primary reason that I drove to work today. I'm scheduled for an entry appointment with my cardiologist. Yep. Heart problems, stroke, circulation, pulmonary function, and how I can avoid them are my topics with Dr. Tim Markus of the Dayton Heart Center.
Since I turned 60 this year, I decided it's time to assess my health, assure my ability to carry on as active life as possible, quantify my current abilities, and determine the corrections I can make to maintain a healthy life. My father died at age 70 of a sudden heart attack. Perhaps he had indications of heart problems, but he always called the attacks "heartburn." His self-administered treatment was to stretch back in his chair and pound his upper bellly, just below the ribcage. A few solid raps would stop the pains he felt, or so he said. Then one July afternoon, he lifted some item that an auctioneer friend of his was to start the bidding for, and collapsed. He died on the spot from a heart attack.
Ride conditions
Not applicable
06 September 2011
Bike-commute day 80—to home
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Strong, cool winds buffeted me on the first mile of my commute, but I knew they would be assisting me in other parts. For example, on the Mad River and Great Miami River bikeways, I reached as much as 24 mph with the tailwind—for a moment or two only.
Just before the crossing at Burkhardt, I saw Phil Hinrichs standing astride his bike, jabbering on his mobile phone. I called loudly out to him as I passed, but I didn't slow my strong homeward pace.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 66 to 68°F at 18:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:38 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 33 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
Strong, cool winds buffeted me on the first mile of my commute, but I knew they would be assisting me in other parts. For example, on the Mad River and Great Miami River bikeways, I reached as much as 24 mph with the tailwind—for a moment or two only.
Just before the crossing at Burkhardt, I saw Phil Hinrichs standing astride his bike, jabbering on his mobile phone. I called loudly out to him as I passed, but I didn't slow my strong homeward pace.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 66 to 68°F at 18:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: 5 to 10 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:40:38 for 11.95 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 148 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 12 cyclists, 33 pedestrians, 2 dogs
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 80—to work
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Today seemed like the first day of Winter because of the sudden change from temperatures in the 90s to the mid-50s. Last night, when we saw 58°F on the way home from seeing a double bill of The Debt with Helen Mirrin and The Help with Jessica Chastain, Chuck asked, "When are my tickets for Palm Springs?"
I think he was only half joking. Suddenly Summer is over, and we begin the trudge toward Winter.
I took an easy pace this morning, since it was my first time out but for an errand to the Famers' Market on Friday. After the crossing of Linden, I saw Millie and Gladys bundled up in in jackets. I asked them if they were enjoying the first walk of "winter."
Ride conditions
Temperature: 53 to 56°F at 07:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:57 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 120 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
Today seemed like the first day of Winter because of the sudden change from temperatures in the 90s to the mid-50s. Last night, when we saw 58°F on the way home from seeing a double bill of The Debt with Helen Mirrin and The Help with Jessica Chastain, Chuck asked, "When are my tickets for Palm Springs?"
I think he was only half joking. Suddenly Summer is over, and we begin the trudge toward Winter.
I took an easy pace this morning, since it was my first time out but for an errand to the Famers' Market on Friday. After the crossing of Linden, I saw Millie and Gladys bundled up in in jackets. I asked them if they were enjoying the first walk of "winter."
Ride conditions
Temperature: 53 to 56°F at 07:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the northeast
Clothing: Skinsuit, longsleeve undershirt, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:57 for 11.93 miles
Heart rate: 120 bpm HRave, 141 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 6 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
02 September 2011
Bike-commute day 79—to work
Friday, 2 September 2011
The commute by bike was going fine up to the bridge just west of Eastwood Park. A group of five runners, each in the same gray tee-shirt and blue shorts, rounded the corner ahead of me. Even as I called out, "Heads up!" they noticed me and jostled to their right. Then more clumps of runners came around the corner, perhaps as many as 50 total, all dressed alike. Some needed another "Heads up!" call, others were more aware of the course. As I reached the gate to the park, a few stragglers made me take the right outside of the way. I signaled my planned course as well as possible with my right arm curving toward full extension. As I slowed to round the corner inside the park, one final runner was also in the nook of the curve, and I said as clearly as possible, "Taking the inside of the corner, may be passing really close."
Was it a training group from the air base? As I picked up speed through the parking lot, I heard music off to the north, across the lagoon. But I didn't see the source of the sound nor any assemblage of people to register the runners.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 77°F at 07:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:24 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
The commute by bike was going fine up to the bridge just west of Eastwood Park. A group of five runners, each in the same gray tee-shirt and blue shorts, rounded the corner ahead of me. Even as I called out, "Heads up!" they noticed me and jostled to their right. Then more clumps of runners came around the corner, perhaps as many as 50 total, all dressed alike. Some needed another "Heads up!" call, others were more aware of the course. As I reached the gate to the park, a few stragglers made me take the right outside of the way. I signaled my planned course as well as possible with my right arm curving toward full extension. As I slowed to round the corner inside the park, one final runner was also in the nook of the curve, and I said as clearly as possible, "Taking the inside of the corner, may be passing really close."
Was it a training group from the air base? As I picked up speed through the parking lot, I heard music off to the north, across the lagoon. But I didn't see the source of the sound nor any assemblage of people to register the runners.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 71 to 77°F at 07:05
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the north
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:24 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 11 pedestrians, 3 dogs
Playback of the ride
01 September 2011
Bike-commute day 78—to home
Thursday, 1 September 2011
I found myself pushing hard today, since I left work a half hour later than I had hoped to. Late in the afternoon today, Chuck expressed a wish to go to a film at the Neon tonight, and during the phone call I looked up the times: Another Earth plays at 7:50. So I placed the burden on Chuck to have plans for dinner that would allow my arrival and shower to be done by 7 p.m.
The going was good through checkpoint 2, and high winds along the Mad River made my third leg much slower than I wanted. Nevertheless I made it home by about 6:40. Chuck was on his way back from Linh's Asian Market with two Vietnamese sandwiches for us.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 95 to 103°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 10 to 15 mph from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:29 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
I found myself pushing hard today, since I left work a half hour later than I had hoped to. Late in the afternoon today, Chuck expressed a wish to go to a film at the Neon tonight, and during the phone call I looked up the times: Another Earth plays at 7:50. So I placed the burden on Chuck to have plans for dinner that would allow my arrival and shower to be done by 7 p.m.
The going was good through checkpoint 2, and high winds along the Mad River made my third leg much slower than I wanted. Nevertheless I made it home by about 6:40. Chuck was on his way back from Linh's Asian Market with two Vietnamese sandwiches for us.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 95 to 103°F at 17:30
Precipitation: none
Winds: 10 to 15 mph from the west
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:41:29 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 133 bpm HRave, 147 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 19 cyclists, 4 pedestrians
Playback of the ride
Bike-commute day 78—to work
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Pushed for speed from the first checkpoint on, aiming toward keeping my HR between 130 and 140. I also timed several of the areas that are most suitable for sprints. Then after checkpoint three, I saw Millie and Gladys on their walk and I slowed to talk with them as they walked toward their homes.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 74°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:28 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 142 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
Pushed for speed from the first checkpoint on, aiming toward keeping my HR between 130 and 140. I also timed several of the areas that are most suitable for sprints. Then after checkpoint three, I saw Millie and Gladys on their walk and I slowed to talk with them as they walked toward their homes.
Ride conditions
Temperature: 70 to 74°F at 07:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 5 mph from the south
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Lotus Legend fixed gear
Time: 00:43:28 for 11.92 miles
Heart rate: 126 bpm HRave, 142 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: 2 cyclists, 16 pedestrians, 1 dog
Playback of the ride
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
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