Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Full Again!
I have reached the capacity in this blog for holding pictures. For posts after 29 November 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike4.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
29 Nov 2011 Ride:
A very lethargic ride today. I suppose waking at 3:00 and being up for 1 1/2 hours before getting back to sleep for another couple of hours might have had something to do with that. A bit warmer than yesterday but also a bit more windy. We did start off with a fairly heavy coat of frost.
The Nikon camera is definitely kaput. Back to the Canon. I've also decided to pack the SLR Canon Rebel with the zoom lens.
An errand day, of sorts, as I had to pick up a card reader to be able to download the pictures taken with the Rebel. It seemed as if a lot of the route was into the wind and when it wasn't, there seemed didn't seem to be a whole lot of relief. I was in the mood for taking lots of pictures, but with the wind blowing, colder temps and the sun low in the sky creating quite a bit of glare, it seemed hard to focus on pictures. I did pass an auto salvage yard which always seems to have something new in the yard.
I'm not sure what it is about the salvage yard that appeals to me. It feels as if there is a bit of history lying in all those rusted heaps.
Just past the salvage yard, this quail was lying on the side of the road.
I wasn't in a rush but the ride seemed very long and drawn out; at times I was getting very sleepy and zoning out. Fortunately, I was mostly on quiet country roads so my wandering mind didn't put me in harm's way.
Speaking of wandering mind: A lively back and forth last night with Jane regarding the alphabetical neighborhood that I mentioned yesterday. I think there might be a good story, though, Tom might think otherwise!
Today's Ride: 3hrs 3mins. 31.17 miles. 40°-46° Miles YTD: 9,478.91
The Nikon camera is definitely kaput. Back to the Canon. I've also decided to pack the SLR Canon Rebel with the zoom lens.
An errand day, of sorts, as I had to pick up a card reader to be able to download the pictures taken with the Rebel. It seemed as if a lot of the route was into the wind and when it wasn't, there seemed didn't seem to be a whole lot of relief. I was in the mood for taking lots of pictures, but with the wind blowing, colder temps and the sun low in the sky creating quite a bit of glare, it seemed hard to focus on pictures. I did pass an auto salvage yard which always seems to have something new in the yard.
I'm not sure what it is about the salvage yard that appeals to me. It feels as if there is a bit of history lying in all those rusted heaps.
Just past the salvage yard, this quail was lying on the side of the road.
I wasn't in a rush but the ride seemed very long and drawn out; at times I was getting very sleepy and zoning out. Fortunately, I was mostly on quiet country roads so my wandering mind didn't put me in harm's way.
Speaking of wandering mind: A lively back and forth last night with Jane regarding the alphabetical neighborhood that I mentioned yesterday. I think there might be a good story, though, Tom might think otherwise!
Today's Ride: 3hrs 3mins. 31.17 miles. 40°-46° Miles YTD: 9,478.91
Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year: 16.28
Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to: Biking for Food, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.
To see older postings, search the Archives listed on the right had panel.
To see postings before 15 August 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike2.blogspot.com
To see postings before 11 June 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike.blogspot.com
Monday, November 28, 2011
28 Nov 2011 Ride: Random Thoughts
Up, down, up down, is the way to describe my energy level. Like a yo-yo. Again, probably not too bad if all I was doing was riding. Produce run for Community Meals in the morning, hauling wood for the fireplace and lots of yawning as I moved onto the ride by 12:30. A bit warmer than yesterday but still on the chilly side with a decent wind. I didn't try too hard to take pictures which turned out to be a good thing as it seems as if my camera is not working. Looks as if I may have to go back to the old Canon.
Some totally random thoughts:
Passing a couple of mailboxes, I saw that the names both started with "B." This got me thinking about neighborhoods where people lived in alphabetical order. If you wanted to move into the neighborhood, you had to look for a house where you would fit in alphabetically. That should take care of the economy.
Passing a yard full of cats. Forget attacking dogs but cats that suddenly leap out of yards and bushes and dig their claws into your legs. Reach down and try to remove one and the cat just lunges its claws into your hand. It's the new Alfred Hitchcock thriller.
Signs. As in good sign, bad sign. I'm approaching Hwy 45 and there are no cars coming from the left or the right for as far as I can see. Might one take this as a good sign for traveling on the highway? A few moments later, two cars are approaching from ahead. Make that three as one of them is now a pick up truck that is passing; one of a bicyclists favorite scenarios. You are the driver of the pick-up truck. You: 1) Slow down and move back into line (hahahaha!); 2) Continue on your way but proceed more cautiously, or; 3) Put the pedal to the medal so that you now have less control of your vehicle so that it actually veers slightly toward the shoulder and ensure that you scare the beegees out of the bicyclists who balances like a tight rope walker on the edge of the shoulder and the grass waiting to see if he needs to completely bail out into the grass as you pass at 70-80mph. I think 3 is the way to go.
Today's Ride: 2hrs 11mins 25.24 miles. 39°-43° Miles YTD: 9,447.74
Some totally random thoughts:
Passing a couple of mailboxes, I saw that the names both started with "B." This got me thinking about neighborhoods where people lived in alphabetical order. If you wanted to move into the neighborhood, you had to look for a house where you would fit in alphabetically. That should take care of the economy.
Passing a yard full of cats. Forget attacking dogs but cats that suddenly leap out of yards and bushes and dig their claws into your legs. Reach down and try to remove one and the cat just lunges its claws into your hand. It's the new Alfred Hitchcock thriller.
Signs. As in good sign, bad sign. I'm approaching Hwy 45 and there are no cars coming from the left or the right for as far as I can see. Might one take this as a good sign for traveling on the highway? A few moments later, two cars are approaching from ahead. Make that three as one of them is now a pick up truck that is passing; one of a bicyclists favorite scenarios. You are the driver of the pick-up truck. You: 1) Slow down and move back into line (hahahaha!); 2) Continue on your way but proceed more cautiously, or; 3) Put the pedal to the medal so that you now have less control of your vehicle so that it actually veers slightly toward the shoulder and ensure that you scare the beegees out of the bicyclists who balances like a tight rope walker on the edge of the shoulder and the grass waiting to see if he needs to completely bail out into the grass as you pass at 70-80mph. I think 3 is the way to go.
Today's Ride: 2hrs 11mins 25.24 miles. 39°-43° Miles YTD: 9,447.74
Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year: 16.74
Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to: Biking for Food, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.
To see older postings, search the Archives listed on the right had panel.
To see postings before 15 August 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike2.blogspot.com
To see postings before 11 June 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike.blogspot.com
Sunday, November 27, 2011
27 Nov 2011 Ride: Dutch Treat
The forecast for today was a high of 40 with winds of up to 25mph. Given my state of mind yesterday where I seemed to have bumped up against an immovable object, one would think my spirits would really take a beating thinking about today's ride. But, last night, just before getting ready for bed, I became excited over the prospect of riding in some challenging weather. I quickly assembled my extra warm biking gear and laid it out so I would have it ready to jump into first thing in the morning. Going to bed with an excitement of riding the next day was a very good feeling.
The temperature was 35 when I woke and only rose two degrees by the time I made it on the bike by noon.
But, before heading out this morning, there was the first fire of the season in the fireplace insert to be made. And, there was ratatouille to put on the kitchen stove on a slow simmer for dinner. Meanwhile, Rachel was preparing a buttermilk whole wheat bread.
I found myself on the trail again, which is a good place to be on windy days because of it being somewhat sheltered. Unlike yesterday when I wanted to focus more on riding, today I felt like taking pictures. On this gray day, it felt as it were more of a challenge where everything seemed to blend together. But, I knew there were pictures out there to be had.
The first picture was of Wendy, who I passed a couple of times and was well bundled up like me; it was good to see some other dedicated souls out there. After passing her the second time, I doubled back and asked if I could take her picture and she was very obliging.
She had just taken up biking again this past summer and has tried to ride every weekend.
Several miles later, still no other photo opportunities until I ran into Santa, aka Amy, a friend who Carol and I have known for many years.
On another part of the trail, I passed a small tree that stood out against all the gray. How vibrant it seemed today and I wanted to dive inside and swim among the colors.
The ride was going very well and I had dressed just about perfectly for the cold and windy conditions. The only thing experiencing a bit of a chill were my feet despite the wool socks, neoprene covers followed by a pair of shoe windbreakers on top of that. Any colder and I would have needed to stuff heat packs into my shoes.
I love how this large bleached log looks as if it is bone of a large mammoth.
I could have easily rode more but I was eager to get back home to catch the tail end of a surprise visit by Wim, an ex-student of Carol's from our very first years here back in 1991.
His visit was a most unexpected surprise as he lives in Holland. Carol and Rachel did stop over and visit with him and his family in Holland when they went over to Europe for the Women's World Cup this past summer.
Being from the country with the most bicyclists per capita, Wim was gracious enough to give me some biking tips :-).
A very good day all around.
Today's Ride: 2hrs. 1min. 22.11 miles 37° 15-20mph. Miles YTD: 9,422.5
The temperature was 35 when I woke and only rose two degrees by the time I made it on the bike by noon.
But, before heading out this morning, there was the first fire of the season in the fireplace insert to be made. And, there was ratatouille to put on the kitchen stove on a slow simmer for dinner. Meanwhile, Rachel was preparing a buttermilk whole wheat bread.
I found myself on the trail again, which is a good place to be on windy days because of it being somewhat sheltered. Unlike yesterday when I wanted to focus more on riding, today I felt like taking pictures. On this gray day, it felt as it were more of a challenge where everything seemed to blend together. But, I knew there were pictures out there to be had.
The first picture was of Wendy, who I passed a couple of times and was well bundled up like me; it was good to see some other dedicated souls out there. After passing her the second time, I doubled back and asked if I could take her picture and she was very obliging.
Several miles later, still no other photo opportunities until I ran into Santa, aka Amy, a friend who Carol and I have known for many years.
On another part of the trail, I passed a small tree that stood out against all the gray. How vibrant it seemed today and I wanted to dive inside and swim among the colors.
The ride was going very well and I had dressed just about perfectly for the cold and windy conditions. The only thing experiencing a bit of a chill were my feet despite the wool socks, neoprene covers followed by a pair of shoe windbreakers on top of that. Any colder and I would have needed to stuff heat packs into my shoes.
I could have easily rode more but I was eager to get back home to catch the tail end of a surprise visit by Wim, an ex-student of Carol's from our very first years here back in 1991.
His visit was a most unexpected surprise as he lives in Holland. Carol and Rachel did stop over and visit with him and his family in Holland when they went over to Europe for the Women's World Cup this past summer.
Being from the country with the most bicyclists per capita, Wim was gracious enough to give me some biking tips :-).
A very good day all around.
Today's Ride: 2hrs. 1min. 22.11 miles 37° 15-20mph. Miles YTD: 9,422.5
Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year: 16.99
Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to: Biking for Food, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.
To see older postings, search the Archives listed on the right had panel.
To see postings before 15 August 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike2.blogspot.com
To see postings before 11 June 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike.blogspot.com
Saturday, November 26, 2011
26 Nov 2011 Ride: Salient Saturday
I mentioned the other day that this point of time in the year-long journey feels comparable to the 20th hour in the 24 hour ride. That seemed especially true this morning when I wanted so badly to just kick back and not to think about riding and all the logistics surrounding getting a ride in on this rainy day.
An interesting weather day where our high was probably midnight last night. Rain till about 11:00AM with the temperatures dropping more dramatically around noon and then more rain about 1:00. So, I ran errands in the morning in the rain and finally got on the bike by 11:20. Planned on getting in 22 miles which would put me over 9,400 miles, the amount I wanted to reach by December 1.
Needing to get back to later take David to the airport, I focused on riding and did not worry about pictures unless something really struck me; I needed the break. A silent Saturday. The title "Salient Saturday" came about because I misspelled "silent" as I was typing it in and "salient came to mind. I liked the sound of it and kept it even though it has absolutely no relevance to the ride or day.
These short rides are sometimes more laborious than long ones as I expect them to be over in a snap. 22 miles is still 22 miles. But, even though I would have liked to be slouching back home on a couch, once on the bike I was still content to some degree or another.
Let it be known that when it came to crossing Hwy 265 today, I stopped, waited patiently until the closest car was several hundred feet away.
With about 8 miles to go, I stopped to zip up as the air began to get a bit more of a chill. A minute later, the wind kicked up and the rain fell for the remainder of the ride. There is definitely something about rain that seems to oxygenate the air as I was instantly refreshed and had more pep. Someone should do a study on whether more oxygen reaches the brain when it is raining. A different study may have to be done with rain in the tropics where the reverse may be true.
Today's Ride: 1hr 58mins. 22.10 miles. 59°-54° Rain. 15mph wind Miles YTD: 9,400.39
An interesting weather day where our high was probably midnight last night. Rain till about 11:00AM with the temperatures dropping more dramatically around noon and then more rain about 1:00. So, I ran errands in the morning in the rain and finally got on the bike by 11:20. Planned on getting in 22 miles which would put me over 9,400 miles, the amount I wanted to reach by December 1.
Needing to get back to later take David to the airport, I focused on riding and did not worry about pictures unless something really struck me; I needed the break. A silent Saturday. The title "Salient Saturday" came about because I misspelled "silent" as I was typing it in and "salient came to mind. I liked the sound of it and kept it even though it has absolutely no relevance to the ride or day.
These short rides are sometimes more laborious than long ones as I expect them to be over in a snap. 22 miles is still 22 miles. But, even though I would have liked to be slouching back home on a couch, once on the bike I was still content to some degree or another.
Let it be known that when it came to crossing Hwy 265 today, I stopped, waited patiently until the closest car was several hundred feet away.
With about 8 miles to go, I stopped to zip up as the air began to get a bit more of a chill. A minute later, the wind kicked up and the rain fell for the remainder of the ride. There is definitely something about rain that seems to oxygenate the air as I was instantly refreshed and had more pep. Someone should do a study on whether more oxygen reaches the brain when it is raining. A different study may have to be done with rain in the tropics where the reverse may be true.
Today's Ride: 1hr 58mins. 22.10 miles. 59°-54° Rain. 15mph wind Miles YTD: 9,400.39
Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year: 17.13
Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to: Biking for Food, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.
To see older postings, search the Archives listed on the right had panel.
To see postings before 15 August 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike2.blogspot.com
To see postings before 11 June 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike.blogspot.com
Friday, November 25, 2011
25 Nov 2011 Ride: Black (and White) Friday
Windy today but on the warm side. I was eager to get in a long ride as much cooler weather is in the 10 day forecast.
I had planned to ride from the house but yesterday I was surprised how much traffic was on Hwy 45 on Thanksgiving and I was afraid Black Friday would have a comparable amount with possibly even more aggressive drivers. So, I drove the short distance down the hill to Habbeton Rd and left from there.
Riding this past week has been emotionally interesting. After the six weeks of very intensive riding and then easing up this week, there is a part of me that interprets this change as if the journey is over. Of course, it's not. About 675 miles to still reach one goal and 36 days left till the end of the year. I guess this point in time in the year-long journey is similar to the 20th hour of the 24 hour ride; that hour felt as if I was just a couple of minutes from being finished whereas 4 hours is still a nice healthy ride.
But, even with those feelings as well as being a bit fatigued, it was a good day, a beautiful day with the sky filled with various cloud patterns. Sometimes a small gray cloud, blown by the wind, would zip by at a lower altitude in contrast to the clouds higher up that remained relatively still.
It seemed to be a great day for black and white photos, with a splash of color thrown in.
After covering a good amount of territory along the rural roads to the east, I finally headed for the trail where I planned to head for Fayetteville and then head back. I was surprised as I passed the main arteries in town the traffic was much lighter than I expected, even by the mall. Maybe Hwy 45 would have been okay.
I stopped at the bathroom at Wilson Park and I saw the man below at the picnic table. I believe I have seen him there before. He had a few belongings on the table and today he seemed to be napping.
I had the wind with me for part of the time on the ride back, which is always nice.
I was really moving along and became a bit too focused on making good time back to the van. When I was at the Botanical Garden I had to cross Hwy 265, a busy road. There were no cars coming from my left and there were a string of cars coming from the right. The first car coming from the right was turning right with a good gap between it and the next car coming; though "good gap" might be a relative term. I timed my crossing to end up behind the car turning right with time to spare before the next car came. Unfortunately, the car turning right didn't understand the intention of this mad cyclist coming across the road so he slowed down. This had me heading broadside for his door with the next car coming from the right heading broadside for me. Not good. I quickly maneuvered to the rear of the car in front of me with only a couple of seconds to spare before the next car reached me. I waved apologetically to both drivers. It was a very poor decision from the start. It's bad enough that I have close calls created by others without creating more of my own.
I had a good 7 miles to think about that one till the end of the ride.
Pulling into our road, in front of me was an amazing sight created by a contrail in the sky; a shadow of the contrail cast on the cloud behind. I quickly stopped the van and grabbed the camera hoping I could capture what I saw. Looking into the sky, I was blinded by the glare and wasn't sure if I was photographing the phenomenon or not.
I'm not sure what is creating the large dark disk shape.
Getting back home and looking at the pictures, I was surprised by what one of the other shots captured as I could not see it when I was out there.
Today's Ride: 4hrs 32mins. 51.01 miles. 48°-60° 20-25mph winds. Miles YTD: 9,378.29
I had planned to ride from the house but yesterday I was surprised how much traffic was on Hwy 45 on Thanksgiving and I was afraid Black Friday would have a comparable amount with possibly even more aggressive drivers. So, I drove the short distance down the hill to Habbeton Rd and left from there.
Riding this past week has been emotionally interesting. After the six weeks of very intensive riding and then easing up this week, there is a part of me that interprets this change as if the journey is over. Of course, it's not. About 675 miles to still reach one goal and 36 days left till the end of the year. I guess this point in time in the year-long journey is similar to the 20th hour of the 24 hour ride; that hour felt as if I was just a couple of minutes from being finished whereas 4 hours is still a nice healthy ride.
But, even with those feelings as well as being a bit fatigued, it was a good day, a beautiful day with the sky filled with various cloud patterns. Sometimes a small gray cloud, blown by the wind, would zip by at a lower altitude in contrast to the clouds higher up that remained relatively still.
It seemed to be a great day for black and white photos, with a splash of color thrown in.
After covering a good amount of territory along the rural roads to the east, I finally headed for the trail where I planned to head for Fayetteville and then head back. I was surprised as I passed the main arteries in town the traffic was much lighter than I expected, even by the mall. Maybe Hwy 45 would have been okay.
I stopped at the bathroom at Wilson Park and I saw the man below at the picnic table. I believe I have seen him there before. He had a few belongings on the table and today he seemed to be napping.
I had the wind with me for part of the time on the ride back, which is always nice.
I was really moving along and became a bit too focused on making good time back to the van. When I was at the Botanical Garden I had to cross Hwy 265, a busy road. There were no cars coming from my left and there were a string of cars coming from the right. The first car coming from the right was turning right with a good gap between it and the next car coming; though "good gap" might be a relative term. I timed my crossing to end up behind the car turning right with time to spare before the next car came. Unfortunately, the car turning right didn't understand the intention of this mad cyclist coming across the road so he slowed down. This had me heading broadside for his door with the next car coming from the right heading broadside for me. Not good. I quickly maneuvered to the rear of the car in front of me with only a couple of seconds to spare before the next car reached me. I waved apologetically to both drivers. It was a very poor decision from the start. It's bad enough that I have close calls created by others without creating more of my own.
I had a good 7 miles to think about that one till the end of the ride.
Pulling into our road, in front of me was an amazing sight created by a contrail in the sky; a shadow of the contrail cast on the cloud behind. I quickly stopped the van and grabbed the camera hoping I could capture what I saw. Looking into the sky, I was blinded by the glare and wasn't sure if I was photographing the phenomenon or not.
Getting back home and looking at the pictures, I was surprised by what one of the other shots captured as I could not see it when I was out there.
Today's Ride: 4hrs 32mins. 51.01 miles. 48°-60° 20-25mph winds. Miles YTD: 9,378.29
Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year: 17.26
Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to: Biking for Food, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.
To see older postings, search the Archives listed on the right had panel.
To see postings before 15 August 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike2.blogspot.com
To see postings before 11 June 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike.blogspot.com
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