I hate driving to work. I hate 581. I can't wait until it warms up a bit more and the weather gets a bit more settled. I've been taking scenic drives to work some mornings and afternoons to figure out different routes to ride my bike to work. I did commute a bit by bike last year and loved it. It was so relaxing in the mornings to not have to fight the crazies on 581. I even rode to work aided by a bike light on a few occassions (of course that ended with the theft of my light). I've replaced that light and added an additional small, cordless light that I can put on my helmet.
I usually go to the gym twice a week and would like to do at least one MTB ride/week in the spring; but I really want to commute by bike. I've found a place at one worksite where I can store my bike inside given the incident last year, and I will scope out a place at my other worksite in a couple of weeks.
I've figured out a couple of approaches to and from work which are a slight variation on what I've done in the past. I also figured out one that's a bit longer, yet using a longer section of greenway. I will have to try it out one day before I decide to use it as it goes through a part of town I'm not so sure about. I'm not stupid and carry correction's officer strength pepper spray, but I'd rather not get killed getting to and from work.
Meanwhile, I'm heading to bed to dream of more rides!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
YAY!!! The streak is over!!!
A few weeks ago I was ecstatic when Stanford beat Connecticut to end UConn's ridiculously long winning streak in women's basketball. Today another annoying streak ended! I FINALLY GOT TO GO RIDE A MOUNTAIN BIKE!!!
I layered up and headed out to the Cove today for a sunny bike ride. It hurt, but in a good way! I chickened out on stuff, I normally ride, but that's ok. It is January! I rode 10.35miles in about 1:21. After a nice trip across Songbird, I was going out the fireroad to the next trail head when I heard, POP, WHOOOSH, DINK DINK. DAMN IT!!! FLAT TIRE!!! Yet again, I got a nail in my tire. How does that happen? Who has had nails at the Cove in the last 20 years? GEEZ!!!
It didn't take me too long to get the wheel off the bike, but soon I had the shed the layers from my head and neck because my glasses were fogging up. I had to take my fat winter gloves off because I was fumbling with the tire tools. Then the friggin tube was stuck to the inside of the tire ALL THE WAY AROUND, so I had to take the whole tire off. HA HA! Fortunately this wasn't my first flat, so it didn't take me too long to fix it. Getting the tire to stay on the rim was the hardest part for some reason! Oh well, soon I was back on my way.
Alas, it was a great time on the bike! Glad I went and I look forward to the next trip!
And did I mention that I took Ritchey? It's a good, reliable bike for sure! The full squish was nice for a change and it zips through turns smoothly!
I layered up and headed out to the Cove today for a sunny bike ride. It hurt, but in a good way! I chickened out on stuff, I normally ride, but that's ok. It is January! I rode 10.35miles in about 1:21. After a nice trip across Songbird, I was going out the fireroad to the next trail head when I heard, POP, WHOOOSH, DINK DINK. DAMN IT!!! FLAT TIRE!!! Yet again, I got a nail in my tire. How does that happen? Who has had nails at the Cove in the last 20 years? GEEZ!!!
It didn't take me too long to get the wheel off the bike, but soon I had the shed the layers from my head and neck because my glasses were fogging up. I had to take my fat winter gloves off because I was fumbling with the tire tools. Then the friggin tube was stuck to the inside of the tire ALL THE WAY AROUND, so I had to take the whole tire off. HA HA! Fortunately this wasn't my first flat, so it didn't take me too long to fix it. Getting the tire to stay on the rim was the hardest part for some reason! Oh well, soon I was back on my way.
Alas, it was a great time on the bike! Glad I went and I look forward to the next trip!
And did I mention that I took Ritchey? It's a good, reliable bike for sure! The full squish was nice for a change and it zips through turns smoothly!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Planning ahead...
For my summer break trip (after this term and the 5th term), I'll be heading to Lancaster, PA for a week. I found these two great looking rides to build off of. The one called Farmersville Frolic sounds great as I can modify it easily to start from where we camp!
AND
AND
Monday, January 17, 2011
64 days....
Wow, I do think this is the longest I've ever gone without a mountain bike ride... November 14th marks the last time I rode at the Cove... No wonder my tires are deflated and the bikes look so sad.
Depressing.
Depressing.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Rhetoric
President Obama: "Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways that our hopes and dreams are bound together." (1/12/2011)
I agree with this statement and have removed my previous post that was written in anger. I do still believe that the political rhetoric while not proven to be a direct cause or instigator in the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords is still too bitter, too pointed and too hate filled. We all need to get along and learn to compromise. We should all look after one another.
And the awesome news last night that Congresswoman Giffords opened her eyes was moving indeed. She making huge strides towards a meaningful recovery. I've seen gunshot victims before and they hardly seem to have these positive results. GO GABBIE!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Summitt
PAT SUMMITT, coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols!!!!
This weekend brings my 3rd trip to Knoxville since December to see one of my favorite teams play!!!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
I owe it to me!
Things I want to do this year:
That's a lot of stuff to do along with school. Don't forget my foolish goals for the MTX series, the 5k Explore Your Limits run in March and the bike race in Danville in March.
Daydreaming while pondering schoolwork is dangerous. =)
- Make it a point to ride long road rides to new and different places
- Find some new trails to explore on my bike
- Make each opportunity to ride fun
- Ride the Metric Century @ the Storming of Thunder Ridge
- Ride to Blacksburg by bike this year, take a picture of me and my bike at Virginia Tech, then have lunch then ride home
- Ride my bike(s) in more than one state (I did this in 2010)
That's a lot of stuff to do along with school. Don't forget my foolish goals for the MTX series, the 5k Explore Your Limits run in March and the bike race in Danville in March.
Daydreaming while pondering schoolwork is dangerous. =)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
FROTY 2011
I am excited. If you ever thought you weren't addicted to something meet me... I have missed my bike(s) terribly!!! In order to get 2011 off to the right start, I decided that I was going to ride regardless of the weather. One of my bikes would be on the move and NOT inside!
Fortunately for me, I have a very good friend, in fact I consider him one of the best friends I've ever had. His name is Tim. He's featured right over there on the sidebar. I had messaged him early in the week to ask if he had plans for a New Years Day ride. As it turns out we were able to meet for a 0930 road ride. A friend of his named Rhonda also came along as well. We had a tremendously fun ride.
We met at Patrick Henry HS and wound our way through Grandin Court to ascend Mill Mountain on the old road. The Old Road is the shorter, but steeper road up Mill Mountain. We rode to the base of the Star where I took a few pictures. From there we headed out to the Parkway and took it to Rt 24 in Vinton. From there we took Mountainview Road to Gus Nicks, wound our way to Wise Ave through downtown back to Grandin Rd. All total we rode 26.42 miles (coincidentally the temperature on my way home was 42°F so I guess we could say we rode the temperature!).
I had a great ride, I felt good for the most part of the ride. I was able to climb the Old Road until I encountered some snow that I was unsure of how to get around. I had to walk a bit then got back on to finish the climb. Usually I struggle on the Mill Mtn spur road but for some reason today I managed just fine. Maybe the gym is paying off. =)
Had an awesome ride and hope that this starts off 2011 right! I want to ride as much as my schedule will allow and today proved that I can layer my clothes right!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Fortunately for me, I have a very good friend, in fact I consider him one of the best friends I've ever had. His name is Tim. He's featured right over there on the sidebar. I had messaged him early in the week to ask if he had plans for a New Years Day ride. As it turns out we were able to meet for a 0930 road ride. A friend of his named Rhonda also came along as well. We had a tremendously fun ride.
We met at Patrick Henry HS and wound our way through Grandin Court to ascend Mill Mountain on the old road. The Old Road is the shorter, but steeper road up Mill Mountain. We rode to the base of the Star where I took a few pictures. From there we headed out to the Parkway and took it to Rt 24 in Vinton. From there we took Mountainview Road to Gus Nicks, wound our way to Wise Ave through downtown back to Grandin Rd. All total we rode 26.42 miles (coincidentally the temperature on my way home was 42°F so I guess we could say we rode the temperature!). I had a great ride, I felt good for the most part of the ride. I was able to climb the Old Road until I encountered some snow that I was unsure of how to get around. I had to walk a bit then got back on to finish the climb. Usually I struggle on the Mill Mtn spur road but for some reason today I managed just fine. Maybe the gym is paying off. =)
Had an awesome ride and hope that this starts off 2011 right! I want to ride as much as my schedule will allow and today proved that I can layer my clothes right!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)