Fog? Rain? No problem.

Hello my loyal blog readers!  It's been a month!  I figured I'd better let you know I'm still kicking!  The 2nd term of school is almost over, but I decided a while back to get back on the bike more regularly.  Sundays have been my road ride day while Monday is the Chicky ride at Carvins Cove.  Each has offered up some adventures for sure!  The road rides have been the hottest rides ever and the coolest.  Last week it was absolutely sweltering by the end of my ride and this week I was cold when I left home!  Last week the sun was baking; this week the rain/fog/drizzle dominated the landscape.  I had forgotten what it was like to be chilly on the bike!  I'm glad I chose to wear my fluorescent yellow wind vest.  I selected it primarily for visability's sake, but ended up being grateful for the extra layer of warmth.  The fog was weird today.  I rode up Mill Mountain right in the middle of it.  I got drizzled on a few times.  Totally enjoyed being out on the bike today and not roasting for once!  I had planned to ride the Cement Loop which is a route through Botetourt Co by way of Rt 779.  You end up in Catawba.  Since it rained all night, I was afraid to try this one alone today.  Instead, I elected to take a route that my friend Tim had shown me once before.  The key today would be finding the path from the BRP to Dawnwood Road, which as it turned out is worn enough that you can see it without much problem.  

Today's ride took me up Mill Mountain, south on the Parkway to the path.  From there, you take Dawnwood Road to Poages Valley Road.  After crossing over Rt 221 and continuing on Poages Valley Road, you take South Roselawn to Roselawn which takes you to Brambleton Ave.  This ride seems to have a lot of climbing which is fine.  It also has some beautiful scenery.  Even with the dreary day, I was able to see nature at it's best.  Today was odd too because I kept seeing cops everywhere.  There were two Roanoke Co cops going out Poage Valley Road which I thought was odd.  Then I saw multiple Roanoke City cops on Brandon Ave, like 3 in a row.  And the oddest was when I was riding back up the Lick Run Greenway, a Roanoke City Sergeant was walking back up the greenway.  He startled me, I wasn't expecting a cop to be walking on the greenway.  He could tell that I was surprised and apologized as he walked past.  No problem dude, at least I know you guys are out and about!  I also got to see a whole RFD response to a call.  Medic-7 passed me on Brambleton. I heard Eng 7 on another road then RS-1 came flying by on Brambleton near Shenandoah Life.  I then ran across Eng 1 and Ladder 1 (well 901) on Franklin Road. Be safe guys and thanks for all that you do!  


Tomorrow is the Chicky ride again.  Let's hope we break the snake jinx.  I've been two weeks in a row and both weeks we've encountered a snake.  The first week was Timber Rattlesnake who was making sure we knew he was there.  HISSSS, RATTTTLLLLLEEEE.  This was the night I learned that my max heart rate is probably 178 bpm.  It's amazing how fast you can take off and ride up hill when you see a rattlesnake.  Last week, my pal Rachel found what turned out the be a Garter(?) snake.  I missed it as I was passing her when she had seen it.  She took a picture with her phone though.  One of the guys in the parking lot informed us of the identity of this harmless snake.  None the less, I hope that we don't see any tomorrow!


Ok, well I know this isn't a very exciting blog post, but just wanted to give ya'll an update.  Hope everyone is well.  I'm behind on reading your blogs because I have spent hours on Healthcare Finance.  See ya soon!  Take care!!!