June Mileage

I finished June riding today with a regular loop in the morning and over 5 miles of errands and hospital visits during the day. My total for June was 390.1. the first respectable total of the year. It was a lovely morning but the weather has turned more and more overcast throughout the day. I hope I can ride some tomorrow.

Tri-ing Days

This was triathlon weekend in Philly. Both Saturday and Sunday there were events and both days we managed to get out early enough to beat the congestion on the Drives. In fact, today both drives were closed to cars so we really made great time doing a double loop with almost no interference, no pedestrians to watch out for. Perfect weather, in case you were wondering!

The 43.4 miles of weekend riding finally brought my mileage total for the year over 1000. Way below previous years' pace, but starting to creep up there.

Stretching It Out

Took my longest ride of the year, believe it or not only 31 miles. And I was bushed. I'm glad I forced myself to stretch it out, though I'm a bit depressed at how far I've fallen from previous levels.

Spring Today Summer Tomorrow

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man’s convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man’s brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.” —Elizabeth West

Thus begins a really nice posting over at EcoVelo by Alan. Read his reflection on this quote and on bicycling speed here

Meanwhile the weather was beautiful this morning. Still a bit overcast and remarkably cool, a day that felt like spring. A month or two ago it would have been wonderful. On June 23 it was just weird but welcome. By this afternoon the temperature was approaching summer and tomorrow, when I want to take a longer ride, it may well feel like summer. Its ok by me.Hopefully, I can stop talking about the weather so much.

Enough Already

After our ride of 22 miles yesterday it rained all day. Good timing. Today we added another 22 miles in drizzle. Enough already! Happy Father's Day to all.

Sun Day

For a few minutes as we rode the Drives. Perfect really, but the sun doesn't look like its planning to stay around much yet. Weekend could be iffy. We'll see. Meanwhile Annie's Fuji is back for the shop (still no tiket!)but I was still on the Brompton. Pick up my Fuji today.

Between The Drops II (III,IV,V....)

It rained yesterday. This morning it was beautiful and I rode the Brompton 21.5 miles in a double loop before going off to a day of seminars. It is raining again and is supposed to continue through most of tomorrow. Will I get in a ride? Stay tuned to the summer that wasn't in Philadelphia.

I rode the Brompton for my morning ride because both Annie and my Fuji's are in the shop for their yearly tune-up. We both need new brake pads and we both need new chains and cassettes. This is the second time I've replaced the chain and cassette, but that isn't surprising when I ride 5,000 miles a year. This is Annie's first such replacement and that makes sense. Hopefully the parts will come in by tomorrow and we'll have the bikes for Friday or at worst before the weekend. Annie couldn't ride with me since her Bike Friday Tiket is still in the shop. We had the folders tuned almost two weeks ago and mine was back in a day. But Bike Friday put out a recall on her steering post and we've been waiting ever since for the part to come in. Very frustrating.

Today's ride gave me a mileage total over 200 for the first time in 2009! That represents an incredible reduction in my usual total, but I'm happy to be riding pretty regularly again and I'm not worrying about the total. Clearly one thing missing is the time to take longer rides, but there looks like a window of opportunity a week from today of the weather cooperates.

Between The Drops

It rained Friday. I rode a 13.5 loop in the afternoon. It rained yesterday. We rode early enough to stay dry. It looks like rain today but we rode again, as always enjoying especially the closed West River Drive. That just makes the ride so much more fun and faster. I will be traveling today and away for tomorrow so will not get to ride again until Tuesday at the earliest. It will probably be glorious weather tomorrow!

Between Storms

Yesterday Annie and I had a lovely morning ride until we had to wait, and wait, and wait, for a train to cross the Locust entrance. By the time the train passed the storm had arrived and we returned home soaked. The rain only got worse and no more riding was possible the rest of the day. This morning I rode alone and the weather was a bit foggy but fine. Another batch of storms is predicted overnight, so will see how tomorrow turns out. I sure would like a normal hot and sunny Philadelphia summer already, but it doesn't seem to be happening.

You might enjoy this article in the Interbike Times about folding bikes (pictured below) at Normandy on D-Day. I did.

Philly '09!

After an early ride with Annie this morning in beautiful weather and with clear sailing on both drives, closed for the race, I returned to watch the race. I don't think I got any photos as good as the one I took last year and then framed, but these will give you an idea of today's activities. The one prize though is the one below. It comes out a bit too small on the blog but the rider near the front on the right as you look at it is Floyd Landis. I must admit I didn't actually see or know I was seeing Floyd until I came home and downloaded the photos, but there he is as if I'd set out to get his picture (which I really did, but didn't hope to actually do.)



After watching I took another spin up and back on West River Drive to bring my total for today to 25 miles, 12.5 on the Fuji this morning and 12.5 on the Brompton later this morning.

Nasty

I rode. It rained. It was nasty. I didn't enjoy the first 6 miles, then I got into it and was fine. A good ride.

In The News

A big news day for cycling leading up to the big Philly race, I guess. First, in this morning's NY Times this article of Bicycle Fashion. Quite interesting and entertaining.

Then, in this morning's Philadelphia Inquirer this nice piece on a foundation setting up cycling teams for disadvantaged youth. Check it out.

Meanwhile, it was lovely this morning. Nearly 70 degrees, overcast and a bit humid. My favorite riding weather. I did a double loop. It's not much, 25 miles on the day, but definitely an improvement.

I Get My Ten Degrees

Another great ride, but this time we started out in 61 degree temperature. It makes all the difference.

Where"s The Warm

We rode a beautiful loop this morning: blue skies and plenty of sun, but no warmth. June 1st and the temperature holding at 53 degrees. Still long sleeve and jacket weather. Unprecedented. I know it won't be long until the heat is oppressive, but right now I'd really like to ride without starting out shivering.
After cleaning and lubricating all the bikes yesterday afternoon, I took Annie's folder in for a tune and to replace a latch that broke on our last trip. It is a plastic latch the holds the handle bars in the folded position. They now make it of stainless steel which is a lot smarter and will be a lot better. I'll take the Brompton in for a tune later in the week and then the Fujis next week.