Still Riding

But not really writing much. Just wanted to reassure those of you out there that despite the frigid weather I'm still riding almost daily. Rode Sunday and today. Over 20 degrees is no problem. I probably could have managed yesterday's single digits as well, but didn't push myself. I haven't felt much like writing, though. I'll keep in touch.

No Excuses

No excuses for not riding today. I just didn't feel up to it.

Meanwhile check out the publicity growing around the idea of a city-wide bike sharing program in Philadelphia: in today's Inquirer

Another Pleasant Ride

After a lovely ride in the brisk but gloriously sunny weather (34 degrees,) we took off for our granddaughter's 2nd birthday party. She is now the proud possessor of a glider that we hope will enable her to learn to ride a bike without having to go through the training wheel stage. Of course, she will need better weather, but the wait for spring will only make it more likely that she will be old enough to handle the bike and catch on to gliding, and then riding, quickly.

Video Of The Loop

Well, if you've ever wondered what it is like to ride the Schuylkill Trail along Kelly Drive to the Falls Bridge as we do everyday, here is a video from the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia. Definitely very boring, but you wondered, so here it is. Actually, it covers from the Bridge back to the beginning of the Drive so normally I would be riding the other way, but you'll get the idea, if you have absolutely nothing else to do. Check it out!

Otherwise today was a wash out.

Kudus To Portland...As Usual

As usual, Portland Oregon, the friendliest cycling city in America, as acted even more aggressively in protection of cyclists rights, and lives. Check out the article in today's NY Times:

Portland Acts to Protect Cyclists

A brisk ride this morning, comfortable 44 degrees but heading back toward winter.

Summer Temperature; Winter Wind

A rainy morning combined with a long day and late night last night kept me from an early ride. I didn't get out until after 2 PM on my day off, but managed to ride 23 miles on another beautiful lull in winter. The temperature was around 62 degrees and it felt great riding without a jacket,etc. The wind, however, was winter strong so the work-out was better than might have been expected. Temperatures are beginning to fall, but still promise to be relatively moderate for morning rides the rest of the week.

A Perfect Day

January in the mid-sixties, who can complain. Of course, at 5:45 AM it was only 48 or 51 depending on which radio station you believe, but it was still a wonderful ride. Then I was able to take the bike with me for the first time in awhile. It only added a few miles, but was great fun getting around the city on this gorgeous day. I love darting around traffic!

Well, That Was Winter

At least for the moment winter has disappeared again. Not that I'm complaining. It is near 60 degrees this afternoon and the forecast for the week is continued warm weather. Of course at 6 A.M. it wasn't that warm and probably won't be in the coming days. In fact, it was 38 degrees and drizzling when Annie and I did our loop, but it felt good anyway. It was warming even as we rode and after Fridays arctic ride my toes were plenty appreciative.

Now This Is Winter

Went out for my morning loop with the temperature at 17 degrees. Now this is winter. Annie doesn't ride under 30 degrees or so, but actually this was an easier ride than Wednesday because there was very little wind. Wednesday's wind with today's temperature would have been too much. As it was, the temperature (or the layers) definitely slow me down. In this cold I feel like my pedaling is much more sluggish. I almost think it is the bike, not me. I don't know if anyone out there knows the physics/chemistry of it (I sure don't,) but it feels like the pedals actually are more sluggish. Anyway, it was beautifully clear and a wonderfully bright last-quarter moon gave way to a sunset just peeking over the horizon as I came home. Nice. Forecast is warmer for Sunday.

Finally, A Longish Ride

Well, it has taken me awhile to clear my schedule, but despite a few early snow flurries the weather cooperated with me today and I rode 36.6 miles. May not sound like that much, but after the past month or so, it was a lot. Especially in the killer wind that was howling down Kelly Drive. I felt like I was going up the Alps! But then I would come back along West River Drive and feel revived. So I kept going until I had reached my goal...you see 36.6 miles translates into just about 59 kilometers. So this was a birthday ride. My birthday isn't until Saturday. But I won't be riding on Saturday or tomorrow and even if I get out Friday morning it will only be for a regular loop. So one kilometer for each of the 59 years that I will celebrate on Saturday. Plus the extra exercise will allow me to be less guilty when, after my talk in NY tomorrow, I head to the newly re-opened 2nd Avenue Deli for a birthday lunch.

For the past few months we've been detouring around some very exacting construction going on along Kelly Drive just before reaching the Falls Bridge. I finally stopped to get a few shots of it. Looks like they are doing something that will forestall flooding at that spot, which has been a problem in the past.

The Sun Shone (briefly) on 2008

The rain ended early and Annie and I started the year with our first ride, a simple loop of 13.4 miles. The sun was actually out and the temperature was 50 degrees. Not bad for January 1st. The sun had just about disappeared by the time we came home and the rest of the day was pretty dreary. Tomorrow's forecast is not promising, but it is my day off and I would like to get at least a slightly longer ride in for a change. We'll see. I also have a lot of work to get done before a speaking engagement in NY on Thursday.

Meanwhile, I thought I'd share this Cycling Code of Conduct posted on the Fredcast website. It comes from Australia and is part of a growing recognition that we cyclists are going to have to take ourselves more seriously as road users as more of us use the roads. Enjoy