As promised, the weather took a big turn for the better, and so has my back. So I saddled up for an easy ride to get back in the swing of riding. The route I chose would take me over most of the 28 mile route I did last week. I drove a segment of it to check the accuracy of my odometer. So I wanted to ride that segment, and check my Incite against the mileage from the car. It was spot on.
I must say that things were going annoyingly well. Once again drivers were giving me a nice wide berth. Sure, there were the occasional close pass, but nothing evil. A guy in a pick up said something I couldn't make out, probably harmless.
And so, just when I was mentally preparing another glowing report of the area drivers, the wheels came off.
It started with a maroon Saturn SUV that passed me while we were approaching a stop light. I was on the white line, or perhaps even right of it. The Saturn passed me, got ahead of me, and then did the "I will move as far to the right as possible" move, trying to block me from scooting through on the shoulder. Such a childish play really. It didn't have time to work, the light changed, and there were not enough cars lined up to impede me. So no need for the slow up.
But the real fun was just around the corner, literally. After the first incident, I rode a short distance to the next light, where I make a right. At this point the road parallels a path, which leads exactly nowhere. I have been "encouraged" by many drivers to use this path in the past. Don't think it is legal for me, and it is always being used by the usual pitfalls; kids, dogs, strollers. It's a dead end to boot.
Sailing along at 19 to 20 mph, the traffic was fairly light. There was a car, and a white van with some businesses logo on it travelling with me. We came up on a car making a left, so that car and and the van had to slow, bringing the van exactly next to me. This is when I sensed that the driver was crowding me, really angling towards me trying to corral my into the dirt. Fortunately, the turning car cleared, and both drivers went forward, leaving me. I thought that was the end of it.
I rode at a good pace for about 3/4 of a mile, approaching another light, and there was the van, pulled all the way over to the right, partially on the shoulder. A classic block.
At the light, there is a left lane, a straight lane, and a right lane. The traffic had backed up from the van, perhaps 10 or 12 cars. It was not going to be possible for me to get past on the right (I was going straight anyway), So I swung out to the left of the cars and rode down the yellow line. My intention was to pull back in once I cleared the van. There was no oncoming traffic, so this move was not risky, or in any way impeding other drivers.
As it turns out, the driver of the van was a dead ringer for Ernest Hemingway, the old man and the sea himself, and his language was quite salty.
I rolled past, and the F bombs commenced. "Get the fuck off the road!" "You fucking idiot!" A few others I missed because I was busy yelling for him to go fuck himself.
At this point all traffic is rolling though the light, and I am ramping up some big speed. A green Jeep was next to me, window down. I asked the guy driving if I could cut in, he said sure, so I was now through the light, and back on the white line.
It was then that it dawned on me that Ernest Hemingway was probably boiling mad, AND going straight as I had. I fully expected him to run me down. But he only wanted to roll up next to me, very close again, and launch some more f-bombs. I responded with a one finger salute, and for a split second, I think he actually thought about stopping and getting out.
I can't figure out why this guy got so bent out of shape. I was riding politely, not in his way, and carry a good pace. It is people like him that give the courteous drivers a bad rap.
We parted ways, and I smiled, knowing I now had a good topic for the blog. I actually saw the green Jeep dude later on the ride, he gave a me a nice nod of recognition, as if to say, "dang how did you get here so fast".
For the record, the ride was 23.5 miles, slightly windy, 17.5mph average speed. Not bad for being off the bike for a week.
Safe travels today.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Much Better Today
My back is feeling so much better today. Finally! I was really getting sick of the pain. I have another appointment with the chiro today, and hopefully that should do it. And not a moment too soon. The weather is going to make a huge turn for the better starting today, and I am itching to get back on the Madone.
There are a few items on my wish list for the bike for this year. The big ticket item will be the Race XXX Lite carbon wheels I have had my eye on. Those should be on the bike within the next 30 days. Certainly they will be on by June when the big rides begin.
I also need a travel case, so I will be getting the Thule 699 case very shortly. Ideally I would like the Sci Con case due to its ease of packing, but the astronomical price tag will keep that one on the wish list. The Thule case should work well, and also fit in my car.
The final item on my list this year is a Garmin 705. I have a wireless Trek Incite now, but have had my eye on the Garmin since my ride buddy J. installed one on the Black Knight. The Garmin does so much more, and will come in handy on my longer training rides. Since this is also fairly pricey, not sure when I can do this, but hopefully it won't be too long.
I should have more ride-oriented posts soon. In the meantime,
Safe travels today.
There are a few items on my wish list for the bike for this year. The big ticket item will be the Race XXX Lite carbon wheels I have had my eye on. Those should be on the bike within the next 30 days. Certainly they will be on by June when the big rides begin.
I also need a travel case, so I will be getting the Thule 699 case very shortly. Ideally I would like the Sci Con case due to its ease of packing, but the astronomical price tag will keep that one on the wish list. The Thule case should work well, and also fit in my car.
The final item on my list this year is a Garmin 705. I have a wireless Trek Incite now, but have had my eye on the Garmin since my ride buddy J. installed one on the Black Knight. The Garmin does so much more, and will come in handy on my longer training rides. Since this is also fairly pricey, not sure when I can do this, but hopefully it won't be too long.
I should have more ride-oriented posts soon. In the meantime,
Safe travels today.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Bad Back, Better Weather
The weather has been a little too cool and rainy to ride for the past several days, which has been perfect. I tweaked my back earlier in the week, and the pain of being in the ride position would have been too much. So I have been thankful for the respite, and to use the weather as my excuse.
I have seen the chiropractor seveal times, and it is feeling better already. The weather is supposed to really improve starting Tuesday, so after my appointment on Monday I should be aces again, and ready to ride.
Since I started writing this, I have searched the web for other such sites. I was shocked to find some blogs and posts that were filled with the most vial anger, from both drivers and cyclists, that I face an interesting situation.
I had been eagerly looking forward to having my blog "discovered", and read by others. Yes, your humble writer was looking for a little fame for himself. But now I am not so sure. I mean, who wants their blog hijacked by both sides, each convinced that they are more correct than the other, and promoting violence and hatred for the other.
I started this bog to try to make sense of why some drivers have given me problems. Nothing physical, yet. Just general harassment. Sure, I have had lit cigarettes, trash, slurpees and things thrown at me while riding, but I have only had one guy steer his car at me. Funny thing about that one, it freaked out the drivers next to me more than it did me. There was one woman who did the yelling for me, and she was driving.
So, we will wait and see whether I attain fame, or the blog is taken over. In the meantime, I look forward to riding again soon.
Safe travels today.
I have seen the chiropractor seveal times, and it is feeling better already. The weather is supposed to really improve starting Tuesday, so after my appointment on Monday I should be aces again, and ready to ride.
Since I started writing this, I have searched the web for other such sites. I was shocked to find some blogs and posts that were filled with the most vial anger, from both drivers and cyclists, that I face an interesting situation.
I had been eagerly looking forward to having my blog "discovered", and read by others. Yes, your humble writer was looking for a little fame for himself. But now I am not so sure. I mean, who wants their blog hijacked by both sides, each convinced that they are more correct than the other, and promoting violence and hatred for the other.
I started this bog to try to make sense of why some drivers have given me problems. Nothing physical, yet. Just general harassment. Sure, I have had lit cigarettes, trash, slurpees and things thrown at me while riding, but I have only had one guy steer his car at me. Funny thing about that one, it freaked out the drivers next to me more than it did me. There was one woman who did the yelling for me, and she was driving.
So, we will wait and see whether I attain fame, or the blog is taken over. In the meantime, I look forward to riding again soon.
Safe travels today.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Kashi Go Lean
In my quest to slim down for the ride season I have been taking what are, by my standards, drastic steps.
I first started on a sugar reduction mission. I drink a very large glass of iced tea (fresh brewed) each day. It was here that I waged the first battle. I would guess that I make about 32 ounces of tea, to which I add 6 teaspoons of sugar. I tried going "sans" sugar, but no dice. I craved the sweet taste. So I went to a sugar substitute based on stevia. Probably better for me, but the taste was off. Tried it in coffee too, same result.
So I am back to sugar, but only 4 teaspoons now. This is, I feel, a happy compromise.
Fresh off that overwhelming victory, I next looked at my other sources of sugar. And that's when an old friend my have been lost. My weekday breakfast has always been a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats. Love them! I must say here that I measure the serving size to follow the rules, but the word "FROSTED" should have been a very large beacon indicating SUGAR included.
And hence my pilgrimage to the grocery store to find the cereal that is better for me.
If you haven't done this, it can be eye-opening. My Mini Wheats always came from Costco, great prices, huge box size, limited choices. The grocery store has crappy pricing, normal sizing, and an ENTIRE aisle of choices. I worked my way down the whole length, it seemed like a football field, and back. Everything from Cap'n Crunch (oh to be 7 years again) to Grape Nuts. But nothing was blowing my dress up with excitement. As a side note, I lived in Tokyo for many years. I met a guy there whose father is the inventor of Cap'n Crunch. He also invented Gaines Burgers for dogs. I often wondered if these inventions were in some way related.
It was then that my wife and I wandered over to the organic foods aisle, and I discovered Kashi! Now this stuff was more like it. I truly must the last person in the nation to discover Kashi. I settled on Kashi Go Lean Crunch, because I have a nut allergy it really my only choice.
I had a bowl of it this morning with banana slices. Delicious! And so it is good-bye to my old friend Frosted Mini Wheats, hello KGL Crunch.
Travel safe today.
I first started on a sugar reduction mission. I drink a very large glass of iced tea (fresh brewed) each day. It was here that I waged the first battle. I would guess that I make about 32 ounces of tea, to which I add 6 teaspoons of sugar. I tried going "sans" sugar, but no dice. I craved the sweet taste. So I went to a sugar substitute based on stevia. Probably better for me, but the taste was off. Tried it in coffee too, same result.
So I am back to sugar, but only 4 teaspoons now. This is, I feel, a happy compromise.
Fresh off that overwhelming victory, I next looked at my other sources of sugar. And that's when an old friend my have been lost. My weekday breakfast has always been a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats. Love them! I must say here that I measure the serving size to follow the rules, but the word "FROSTED" should have been a very large beacon indicating SUGAR included.
And hence my pilgrimage to the grocery store to find the cereal that is better for me.
If you haven't done this, it can be eye-opening. My Mini Wheats always came from Costco, great prices, huge box size, limited choices. The grocery store has crappy pricing, normal sizing, and an ENTIRE aisle of choices. I worked my way down the whole length, it seemed like a football field, and back. Everything from Cap'n Crunch (oh to be 7 years again) to Grape Nuts. But nothing was blowing my dress up with excitement. As a side note, I lived in Tokyo for many years. I met a guy there whose father is the inventor of Cap'n Crunch. He also invented Gaines Burgers for dogs. I often wondered if these inventions were in some way related.
It was then that my wife and I wandered over to the organic foods aisle, and I discovered Kashi! Now this stuff was more like it. I truly must the last person in the nation to discover Kashi. I settled on Kashi Go Lean Crunch, because I have a nut allergy it really my only choice.
I had a bowl of it this morning with banana slices. Delicious! And so it is good-bye to my old friend Frosted Mini Wheats, hello KGL Crunch.
Travel safe today.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
My Secret Fear
Much to my disappointment, I am not riding these days. I have tweaked my lower back, and it is too painful to lean forward. It will pass, I am sure. But I would rather be riding.
I think every road rider harbors one fear or another. Being hit, hitting the wall, flat tire and a crash, whatever it may be. Mine is a little weird, but I can not help but think about it on each ride. I am concerned about those other issues too, but not like I am about the following.
My fear is the fear of roadkill. Not the roadkill itself. I see tons of dead animals; squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, hawks, deer, you name it. The mere presence of dead things is not unsettling to me. I am, afterall, a hunter. I see, touch, carry, and gut dead critters of all shapes and sizes.
No, what scares me the most is being sprayed by a dead critter. Here is the scenario: I am riding along. There is a dead animal in the road, and not near the edge. Out in the middle, where the cars are. As I approach it, I hear a car coming up from behind. Just as I draw even with the kill, the car overtakes, and does not (or maybe they do) see the roadkill. They smash through it, splattering the stinking crap in all directions, and all over me. Guts, fur, blood, and it is all rancid. Would on earth would I do? Puke is my guess.
And I think about this every single time I pass a roadkill. Told you it was weird.
Safe travels today.
I think every road rider harbors one fear or another. Being hit, hitting the wall, flat tire and a crash, whatever it may be. Mine is a little weird, but I can not help but think about it on each ride. I am concerned about those other issues too, but not like I am about the following.
My fear is the fear of roadkill. Not the roadkill itself. I see tons of dead animals; squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, hawks, deer, you name it. The mere presence of dead things is not unsettling to me. I am, afterall, a hunter. I see, touch, carry, and gut dead critters of all shapes and sizes.
No, what scares me the most is being sprayed by a dead critter. Here is the scenario: I am riding along. There is a dead animal in the road, and not near the edge. Out in the middle, where the cars are. As I approach it, I hear a car coming up from behind. Just as I draw even with the kill, the car overtakes, and does not (or maybe they do) see the roadkill. They smash through it, splattering the stinking crap in all directions, and all over me. Guts, fur, blood, and it is all rancid. Would on earth would I do? Puke is my guess.
And I think about this every single time I pass a roadkill. Told you it was weird.
Safe travels today.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
My Ride Calendar
Here are the rides I am marking on my ride calendar for this season. These are all century rides
Harpeth River Ride - Nashville, TN on June 12, 2010
Livestrong Challenge - Seattle, WA on June 20, 2010
One Helluva Ride - Hell, MI on July 10, 2010
Tour De Lacs - Fenton, MI on August 7, 2010
Livestrong Challenge - Philadelphia, PA on August 22, 2010
Levi Leipheimers King Ridge Grand Fondo - Santa Rosa, CA on October 9, 2010
I will probably add in a few more as the season develops.
Safe travels today.
Harpeth River Ride - Nashville, TN on June 12, 2010
Livestrong Challenge - Seattle, WA on June 20, 2010
One Helluva Ride - Hell, MI on July 10, 2010
Tour De Lacs - Fenton, MI on August 7, 2010
Livestrong Challenge - Philadelphia, PA on August 22, 2010
Levi Leipheimers King Ridge Grand Fondo - Santa Rosa, CA on October 9, 2010
I will probably add in a few more as the season develops.
Safe travels today.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Fooling around with the blog features
Trying to figure out how to post a photo. Here are a couple of pics of my bike. It's a Trek Madone 6.5 Pro Fit. Note the IHome2Go sound system. It works very well.
Safe travels today.
Turkey Prep and a Friday ride
No riding yesterday. The weather has turned a bit snarky, nothing unusual for Michigan in March. Instead of riding I went with my friend Dan to do some scouting and prep work on his property for the upcoming spring turkey hunting season. I am an avid hunter, and I always enjoy being outdoors. It was great to slog around the fields, soaked and flooded from the snow melt off, and get ready for the approaching hunt. Also good exercise, and a chance to use some muscles I haven't used recently.
Friday was a different story. The weather was incredible, nearly 70. So I simply could not resist going out for a quick 30 mile ride. The temps were great, but there was a fierce wind out of the west, and the route I selected put me into the teeth of the wind for a very long stretch. It nearly blew me to a standstill on one series of nasty little bumps. But overall, I still managed to average 17mph for the ride, so all in all I was quite pleased.
Once again, a relatively incident free ride. Had 2 or 3 close passers, people that just feel the need to pass me so closely, that I could literally touch their cars with my hand. Don't these folks consider their actions? Why not wait the extra 10 seconds to pass me safely? I fail to understand this. But I accept that it will happen, and this rarely bothers me anymore.
Actually, I expect things will happen. When I hear cars behind me, I anticipate that they will honk. If I expect it and it happens, I will not be startled. If I expect it and it doesn't happen, I am pleasantly surprised.
One of these days, I am sure the drivers will return to their inconsiderate ways. For now I am just enjoying the ride, so to speak.
My weight has been a big focus for me recently. My goal is to get under 170 by the time the ride season really gets going. 165 would be perfect. I am 6 feet tall, I just picked 165 as the number that seems right. I was close to 180 during the winter, and am now down to 173. I have cut out a lot of sugar, but portion control will be the key. That and my ability, or inability, to ignore the ice cream that I make every weekend for the family.
Today is Sunday, weather does not look promising. The week is supposed to improve. No riding today, but ice cream could be in the forecast.
Safe travels today.
Friday was a different story. The weather was incredible, nearly 70. So I simply could not resist going out for a quick 30 mile ride. The temps were great, but there was a fierce wind out of the west, and the route I selected put me into the teeth of the wind for a very long stretch. It nearly blew me to a standstill on one series of nasty little bumps. But overall, I still managed to average 17mph for the ride, so all in all I was quite pleased.
Once again, a relatively incident free ride. Had 2 or 3 close passers, people that just feel the need to pass me so closely, that I could literally touch their cars with my hand. Don't these folks consider their actions? Why not wait the extra 10 seconds to pass me safely? I fail to understand this. But I accept that it will happen, and this rarely bothers me anymore.
Actually, I expect things will happen. When I hear cars behind me, I anticipate that they will honk. If I expect it and it happens, I will not be startled. If I expect it and it doesn't happen, I am pleasantly surprised.
One of these days, I am sure the drivers will return to their inconsiderate ways. For now I am just enjoying the ride, so to speak.
My weight has been a big focus for me recently. My goal is to get under 170 by the time the ride season really gets going. 165 would be perfect. I am 6 feet tall, I just picked 165 as the number that seems right. I was close to 180 during the winter, and am now down to 173. I have cut out a lot of sugar, but portion control will be the key. That and my ability, or inability, to ignore the ice cream that I make every weekend for the family.
Today is Sunday, weather does not look promising. The week is supposed to improve. No riding today, but ice cream could be in the forecast.
Safe travels today.
Friday, March 19, 2010
What's the deal?
I rode a recovery ride yesterday, March 18, 2010. Nothing big, maybe 20 miles or so. Just wanted to go out and spin the pedals without going all out, and to enjoy the marvelous weather we have had lately. Had the IHome2Go on, as I usually do on short rides.
I am staring to wonder about the title of the blog. For the second ride in a row nothing serious to report. I was tooling along, and everyone was giving me plenty of room, no honks, nothing. Thanks to the nice woman who gave me a pleasant hello at a traffic light, that was just what I needed. Very kind of her.
Another guy in a mini pick up truck said something at the same light. I was waiting in the lane to go straight, they were in the lane turning right. Not sure what he said exactly, but he was calm, and it did not seem threatening.
So I was really thinking about the blog while I was chugging along. No hate on the road, should I changed the title? I thought back on some of the other rides that did not go so well, and decided to simply enjoy the reprieve. At least there are no idiots taking the supreme idiot Tony Kornheiser up on his idea to run cyclists down. What a tool! I have always enjoyed Tony in the past, but what was he thinking? We cyclists have enough to think/worry about on the roads without that jackass inspiring motorists to take matters in their own hands (or steering wheels).
And then I got the subtle reminder about why I started this. To the kid in the white Bonneville, son if you put the drivers seat in an upright position, I am certain your driving skills will improve. You are driving, not sleeping. He did the casual close pass by me, and then cut me off move. Perhaps is it was because his seat was so reclined that he couldn't see well. I hate people that drive with the seats that way. It should a driving offense, driving in an unsafe manner.
On a side note; did anyone catch Lance's Twitter regarding Southwest Airlines, and his request that they become the first airline to fly bikes for free? I emailed SWA to ask them to do this, and I think that if we all do it, they will make the change. So email SWA and tell them how you feel.
The weather is going to be great again today, so I will be riding again. After today the weather will turn crappy, riding is questionable. I don't mind riding in the rain, it just takes quite a while to clean my bike afterwards.
On another note, the young man killed in the car accident near my home in my first blog lived in my neighborhood. I feel so badly for his family.
Safe travels today.
I am staring to wonder about the title of the blog. For the second ride in a row nothing serious to report. I was tooling along, and everyone was giving me plenty of room, no honks, nothing. Thanks to the nice woman who gave me a pleasant hello at a traffic light, that was just what I needed. Very kind of her.
Another guy in a mini pick up truck said something at the same light. I was waiting in the lane to go straight, they were in the lane turning right. Not sure what he said exactly, but he was calm, and it did not seem threatening.
So I was really thinking about the blog while I was chugging along. No hate on the road, should I changed the title? I thought back on some of the other rides that did not go so well, and decided to simply enjoy the reprieve. At least there are no idiots taking the supreme idiot Tony Kornheiser up on his idea to run cyclists down. What a tool! I have always enjoyed Tony in the past, but what was he thinking? We cyclists have enough to think/worry about on the roads without that jackass inspiring motorists to take matters in their own hands (or steering wheels).
And then I got the subtle reminder about why I started this. To the kid in the white Bonneville, son if you put the drivers seat in an upright position, I am certain your driving skills will improve. You are driving, not sleeping. He did the casual close pass by me, and then cut me off move. Perhaps is it was because his seat was so reclined that he couldn't see well. I hate people that drive with the seats that way. It should a driving offense, driving in an unsafe manner.
On a side note; did anyone catch Lance's Twitter regarding Southwest Airlines, and his request that they become the first airline to fly bikes for free? I emailed SWA to ask them to do this, and I think that if we all do it, they will make the change. So email SWA and tell them how you feel.
The weather is going to be great again today, so I will be riding again. After today the weather will turn crappy, riding is questionable. I don't mind riding in the rain, it just takes quite a while to clean my bike afterwards.
On another note, the young man killed in the car accident near my home in my first blog lived in my neighborhood. I feel so badly for his family.
Safe travels today.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Getting Started
Well, this is my first blog entry, so we'll see where this takes us. I have enjoyed reading the Rusted Tour blog, and have always found it well written, and humorous, as well as far reaching in its diversity.
I am an avid road cyclist, and ride nearly every day. As a roadie, I share the road with our four wheel friends. I encounter every kind driver you can imagine, so each entry will relate to my experience on the road on each ride.
First, a little about me. I ride between 100 and 200 miles each week during the season. I ride almost exclusively alone. I do not like riding in groups on the open roads. I do not like they way the ride in packs, making it difficult, if not impossible for drivers to pass. I ride as far to the right in the lane as possible, always trying to give traffic room to get around me. If there is a shoulder outside the white line, that is where I ride. I ride at all times of the day, whenever I can fit one in based on my work schedule.
I do not always obey traffic rules; I do not stop at all Stop signs. I obey the rules of the road when the conditions merit. Again, I am as respectful to traffic as possible. But there are certain conditions where stopping is not required, or may in fact not be prudent.
I NEVER ride on the sidewalk. The word "walk" should be enough explanation. Too many joggers, old ladies, and women with strollers and dogs on leashes there for me. I seldom if ever ride on a trail, unless I know for a fact that it is completely paved. My bike is a ROAD bike, not a TRAIL bike. It does not safely handle on unpaved trails.
Second, it is all about the bike. I wear cycling shorts and jerseys featuring a sponsor, but unlike most riders, I actually ride events for the sponsor. I am not a paid athelete, but I do ride for an organized team at events around the country. I strongly prefer that my kits and accessories match my bike, helmets, glasses, the works! It is an illness, I am good with that. Sponsor kits do not always match, but I am good with that too.
I rode a quick 22.5 miles yesterday without major incident. The weather here is just getting nice again, the temps in the mid-60's at ride time. The warmer weather is making people upbeat and excited. So the only issues to report are some exuberant teens screaming the usual stuff, like"go Lance!" and the like.
I wanted to ride today, the weather is really nice, but it is St. Patricks Day, and all that goes with it. Did not want to share the road with texting drunks.....too dangerous for me.
Case in point, just saw on the news that a person was just involved in a huge car wreck not far from my home on a road I ride regularly. The car was wrapped around a tree and the driver was killed. No indication about alcohol, but just another reason to us two wheelers to stay off the road, and out of harms way. My thoughts go out to the family of the young person killed in this tragic accident.
Riding tomorrow, will report on the driver reactions, and my observations after the ride.
I am an avid road cyclist, and ride nearly every day. As a roadie, I share the road with our four wheel friends. I encounter every kind driver you can imagine, so each entry will relate to my experience on the road on each ride.
First, a little about me. I ride between 100 and 200 miles each week during the season. I ride almost exclusively alone. I do not like riding in groups on the open roads. I do not like they way the ride in packs, making it difficult, if not impossible for drivers to pass. I ride as far to the right in the lane as possible, always trying to give traffic room to get around me. If there is a shoulder outside the white line, that is where I ride. I ride at all times of the day, whenever I can fit one in based on my work schedule.
I do not always obey traffic rules; I do not stop at all Stop signs. I obey the rules of the road when the conditions merit. Again, I am as respectful to traffic as possible. But there are certain conditions where stopping is not required, or may in fact not be prudent.
I NEVER ride on the sidewalk. The word "walk" should be enough explanation. Too many joggers, old ladies, and women with strollers and dogs on leashes there for me. I seldom if ever ride on a trail, unless I know for a fact that it is completely paved. My bike is a ROAD bike, not a TRAIL bike. It does not safely handle on unpaved trails.
Second, it is all about the bike. I wear cycling shorts and jerseys featuring a sponsor, but unlike most riders, I actually ride events for the sponsor. I am not a paid athelete, but I do ride for an organized team at events around the country. I strongly prefer that my kits and accessories match my bike, helmets, glasses, the works! It is an illness, I am good with that. Sponsor kits do not always match, but I am good with that too.
I rode a quick 22.5 miles yesterday without major incident. The weather here is just getting nice again, the temps in the mid-60's at ride time. The warmer weather is making people upbeat and excited. So the only issues to report are some exuberant teens screaming the usual stuff, like"go Lance!" and the like.
I wanted to ride today, the weather is really nice, but it is St. Patricks Day, and all that goes with it. Did not want to share the road with texting drunks.....too dangerous for me.
Case in point, just saw on the news that a person was just involved in a huge car wreck not far from my home on a road I ride regularly. The car was wrapped around a tree and the driver was killed. No indication about alcohol, but just another reason to us two wheelers to stay off the road, and out of harms way. My thoughts go out to the family of the young person killed in this tragic accident.
Riding tomorrow, will report on the driver reactions, and my observations after the ride.
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