Jen's Spring Break - Day 3

Ah Sunday. The day of rest. Really? NOT. Today found me repairing some stuff on my car and heading to Kroger for food before I could ride. The car needed repairing prior to going to NC in a couple of weeks and healthy food must be bought and consumed while maintaining a budget.

Anyway, time came to ride, and I couldn't have asked for better weather! I had absolutely no clue where I wanted to ride, but I knew that I didn't want to ride too far or too long. I headed out from my house wound my way to Rt 11 by Plantation and some neighborhood streets. I wound up on Shadwell Drive. I found a pet cemetary on this road. I had seen it in the past, but had no idea that it was a pet cemetary. And, yes there are grave markers with names and dates, etc. Disturbing and kind of creepy. I didn't stick around long, but now I know. I made good progress on Old Mountain Rd. I had ridden it once a long time ago and I remember thinking I was going to die. Not from the crazy fools in the cars, but of heart failure. Today, it didn't seem too bad at all. I guess progress has been made.

After Old Mountain Road, I decided to head downtown, but I didn't take a direct route. I rode Hollins Rd to Mason Mill to 13th St. Crossed 460 at the stoplight then headed through some streets in Vinton to pick up the Tinker Creek Greenway. TCG has got to be the GNATTIEST place I've ever ridden. You are literally pelted by bugs from the first train tracks until you climb the hill to Kenwood Blvd. The nice thing now is that there are signs to follow through this neighborhood to get to the Roanoke River Greenway.

If TCG is the GNATTIEST then RRG is the STINKIEST. It doesn't help that you get on RRG at 13th St right next to the sewage treatment plant. Evidently we were some odiferous people this weekend, but it smelled absolutely awful today. Of course, it took all of 5 minutes to get digusted with the RRG. It is like people loose all sense of what is around them on this section of greenway. Too many times, I had to slow or move side to side on the damn thing. I finally gave up and got off of it. I wish people would develop some common courtesty. Walk on one side or the other, not the middle. Pay attention to your kids, and please, please keep your dogs in check. Retractable leashes are a nightmare on the greenway.

Anyway once I got to Walnut Ave, I decided to see what 2nd Street is like. I usually take 1st St when I ride home from work, and after today will stick with it. 1st St despite the hills works better with stop lights and makes life easier when I get to Day Ave. near the Poff Bldg to get back to 2nd St to head over the bridge to Gainsboro. Before I went to 2nd St today I stopped by the newest addition to "green spaces" in Roanoke. What differentiates a "green space" from a park, I'm not sure; but given this "green space" has two swings, a teeter-totter like car and benches, I'd honestly call it a park. The City, however refrains from calling it a park because of it's neighbor - The Roanoke City Jail. Yes, the City has put a playground at the foot of the Jail. My only hope is that a child molester or sex offender doesn't have a view of this "green space." All logic is lost on Roanoke City at this point. Idiots. While I was taking my pictures, I was verbally assaulted by my racing pal, Kristin - no not really, but we did chat while waiting at the stoplight. I was pestering her about her lack of riding time, but it was good to see my young friend.

On towards home at this point which included riding over 2nd St Bridge, through Gainsboro - saw a building that intrigues me it's near the Gainsboro Library and the sign out front of it says, "Claytor Memorial Clinic." I'll have to look into this, but I think I know part of the story given it's location. My journey home would take me to another section of Greenway - Lick Run. LRG is a nice section of greenway that isn't as used as much as others, but today there were many people along it's length - walking, riding and playing. Funny thing is these were the nicest people about sharing the greenway. Hmmm, I'll leave you to make your own conclusions here. Of course LRG ends near Best Buy, and from there I cut through some parking lots and Huff Lane then headed home.

Great ride today - I could tell I have some mileage on my legs this weekend, so I was glad I didn't choose the parkway or some other routes today. This was just fine and wound up being 25 miles (1:55:43). I had a 13 mph average which really isn't bad for me, nor is it that bad considering stoplights, stopsigns and dodging the greenway users.

I've had a really fun weekend. I'm glad I spent the time to plan and ride. I'm taking tomorrow off from riding then may ride after work Tuesday before going to the gym.