Despite a very late night last night I was determined to ride this morning. The spinning machine was an ok work-out yesterday, but it is not a lot of fun. While I may still have to use it when the weather is really bad, 36 degrees and clear is not a good enough reason to stay in bed even if I didn't get to sleep until midnight! So Annie and I rode and it felt great (I have to admit the spinner makes riding the actual bike seem much easier, though the significant reduction in wind from the previous few rides helped, too.) The sun rose magnificently over the river as we rode.



Before riding I glanced over Today's NY Times and found this great picture and article on cycle cross that I recommend.

Spinning

Talk about riding with all the comforts! the New York Times ran this picture of a guy with a 500 watt stereo on his bike and this accompanying story:
check it out.

As for me, I must admit, the cold and dark mornings are getting to me, especially in light of my heavy schedule. So I decided that today would be the day when I experiment with the trainer indoors. We'll see how it feels.

Pretty + Windy = Pretty Windy

It was a very pretty morning and I thought I might get a long ride in. But the wind was very strong and coming directly at me along Kelly Drive and I almost gave up after completing one loop around the river. I convinced myself that I really needed to push to get to at least two loops, my fitness is off a bit after last week's lay-off, but thaqt was all I could do. Of course, the fact that it was about 36 degrees didn't help and in the windier sections of the ride my hands and toes were pretty cold. It was a good ride and a good workout, but that beautiful sun can be decieving.

A Cold Crisp Return

My week of formal mourning came to an end and Annie and I went out for a quick ride in the cold (32 degrees0 crisp morning. It was really beautiful out and I enjoyed the ride. Felt strong and very happy to be back on my bike. It has been a long week, sad but mixed with much appreciation for all the support I received from the community. Not much more to say.

If you haven't seen the following incredible video, take a look. Imagine cruising through Manhattan traffic on a Unicycle!

In Mourning

Blogging and cycling will be on hiatus following the death of my mother this morning.

A Quick Hello

Given my schedule I have been riding less and blogging not at all. Perhaps things will slow down in a few weeks. Meanwhile I didn't manage to get up and out yesterday morning and only added a few around town miles. today Annie and I managed one loop despite both being home on my "day off" (meaning only two meetings!) I also rode around town a bit and added 16.4 to the total. The 5000 mile goal is beginning to fade, but much will depend on December's weather.

Perfect Autumn Sunday

Annie and I waited to ride after I returned from work this morning. We went out around 11 AM and the weather was perfect: sunny and brisk. We wrestled our way through the crowds on Kelly Drive gathered for some regatta or other on the river and then were clear, riding up to Ridge Avenue and then up the Wissahickon trail to the Rittenhouse House and back along West River Drive. Only about 18 miles, but very pleasant and a good re-entry for Annie who hadn't been on her bike all week.

In other items of interest, check out the upcoming Tour of Pennsylvania scheduled for the last week in June. It is a UCI event for under 25 year olds with a huge purse of $25000. The tour starts in Philadelphia and ends in Pittsburgh. Should be fun.

Frost

This morning's ride was brisk and wonderful; first frost sighted along the grass on the West River Drive. But it felt so good to ride and I rode a bit more on errands today, but not nearly enough. I wanted to keep going in a way that I haven't felt for a few weeks (getting two good night's sleep in a row helps,) but time did not allow.

I did come across this fun internet tv series, The Bicyclist which I had time to watch a few episodes. Just fun. I recommend watching a few episodes, though I'll eventually view them all.

No ride to Lancaster Sunday; life is too hectic right now, but we'll ride somewhere.

A beautiful fall day: sunny and crisp. Exhausted as I've been I woke up a bit late and then rode 30 miles around the loop. It was not easy and at points not even fun. I'm too tired and the wind was strong. But in the end I was happy I did it and loved the ride. I thought about getting off the loop and heading out but I didn't feel like dealing with cars and I wasn't sure how far I'd be able to go anyway.

I returned home just in time to spend some time with my visiting grandaughter in the park. a great way to end the ride!

Looking Ahead To Sunday

Not much to write about today. The rain this morning combined with growing exhaustion kept me off the bike until late afternoon when I used it to go out to vote and run an errand or two. A paltry 2 miles. But tomorrow is a much needed day off and if I have the energy a longer ride. Meanwhile, if things are stable we may join Hazon in an unsupported ride back in Lancaster county. for those who might be interested here's the ride info and route map.


Lancaster Farm Fresh
Bike Ride
Nov 11, 11:00 am
(raindate: Nov 18)


Savor the sights, sounds and smells of Lancaster County Amish and Mennonite small family farms. 30 mile route on rural roads over rolling hills and four covered bridges, few moderate climbs.

11 AM start at Ephrata Middle School This is not a supported ride.

Link to route map | Directions

RSVP to csa@kolami.info. Ride leader and contact Mark Kaplan cell phone (215) 906-6200

Tough Weekend/Great Cycling News Story

We had a tough weekend. Our cat began having seizures on Friday and we spent hours at the University of Pennsylvania Vet Hospital on Friday, Saturday night and Sunday morning, wiping out all plans to ride. The cat is holding his own, but it remains precarious. I finally got back on the bike this morning and did a regular run. It was particularly enjoyable since after the clock change it was light again for most of the ride and that's really nice.

If you haven't seen today's NY Times you should check it out. A great story about the bike economy growing in Portland Oregon, including a great video if you can check it out on the web page. Bike Economy

Busy Isn't The Word

Busy isn't the word for the past few days. Both yesterday and today I was out and about on my bike working, from meeting to hospital to meeting. After yesterday's regular morning ride I added enough miles so that the paltry 7.3 miles I rode around town today still left me with an average two day total. I was unable to get up this morning to ride for really only the first or second time since I began to ride every day. Yesterday was just too long. But while I didn't ride in the morning I rode all around town to and from three hospitals. The ride s between sharing in people's angst helps clear my hear, too.

I stopped by Bicycle Therapy on the way home and picked up a set of brake pads for my rear brakes. I put them on and toed the front brakes which are still squeaking somewhat. I'll bring the bike in next week when i have a chance. The shop was too busy to look at it right away as they usually do and I didn't want to leave the bike. I hope we'll have a decent ride Sunday morning, though I still have too busy a day planned to do any distance. We hope to ride over to the Schuylkill Banks Park in mid afternoon for the community meeting about the plans to construct a bridge over the rail track to access the trail.