Dan on Bike

It was difficult to get rides in this month, mostly because of the cold, wet weather. There were only a couple of days when I couldn’t convince myself to get out when conditions were favorable. My total this month was over 50 miles less than this same month last year, and the same amount off the mark towards my secret goal for the year. Looks like I’ll have to make up some in May. (What is that? 3 or 4 rides? Totally doable).

Total Miles This Month: 140.5
Total for 2008 to Date: 265.1

Total Miles for April 2007: 195.3
Total for 2007 to Date: 306.6

My daughter had an early morning orthodontist appointment this morning. So, like I’ve done before, I tossed the bike in the back, and drove to the appointment and then to school.

Sure, I could have driven back home and biked from there while using the same amount of gas, but I had three good reasons to use the school parking lot today:

• Riding from the school is a couple of miles farther from the office, so I get a little more time in the saddle
• Driving home first would have taken more time, and I was already well into the work day when I checked my daughter in at the school office
• I get to use a different route, which is a nice change of pace

So, I did it, and the rides there and back were both great.

There was one little bit of drama when my pannier bounced onto the pavement after I hit a pothole. Apparently, I didn’t have it hooked on correctly. I’ve never really been comfortable with the way it hangs there, but I don’t have a solution.

Lifting the Bike into the Truck

This was also the inaugural ride with the new tires and brakes. The wheels went round and the bike stopped when asked, but there was one problem. The rear wheel seems to be something other than round. It’s kind of like a subdued version of the clown bike where the axle is off center. I checked at the end of the ride, and it seems that there is something amiss with the rim. Another reason to visit the LBS.

Miles Ridden: 11.1

I wasn’t able to get out for a ride yesterday (and probably won’t today with storms on the way), so I spent a little time on bike maintenance on my commuter bike. I had stopped by the LBS earlier in the week to get new brake pads, and ended up coming home with a few more things.

It was pretty obvious that the brake pads were shot, and it was an easy job to change them out. Here’s the before and after shot.

While in the shop, I asked about tires. My front tire was pretty worn, although the rear tire was in much better shape. With my current tire in hand, I asked about something a little narrower than my Michelin Day Trippers (I think) that would still fit the rim. The sales guy showed me three options, including a set of slicks much like I used to ride (and still have in the garage), and a set of massive road tires that he said were stock on the police bikes (Lt. Jim Dangle!). I opted for the middle of the road model – a set of Geax Street Runners, which apparently include Kevlar. They went on pretty easily as well.

New Street Runners on the Left
As I performed these rudimentary repairs, I learned quickly that a shop stand would be quite handy. I’ll add that to my wish list.

Here’s My Son Trying Things Out

I can’t imagine why someone would put this in the bike lane. I’m stumped. It leaves me wondering. Probably someone who hasn’t put down roots in the community. I don’t want to go barking up the wrong tree, but he must have been a real sap.

I haven’t done the River Road/Campus Route yet this year, so I gave it a shot this morning. I’d forgotten how hilly it was. It seems as if I went up more than down.

Miles Ridden: 10.1

Tailwinds, Baby!!

Waiting on Williams Street

Miles Ridden: 8.3

Today was the first morning, pre-work ride of the year. The neighbor and I set out at 6:00 to run to the bridge and back. Because I had an early appointment at work, we didn’t get any extra miles in.

It’s pretty dark at six, but my new headlight worked really well. I used the setting that has two LEDs blinking and two on solid.

On the way back, we spooked a group of four deer that seemed to be hiding near the road.

Miles Ridden: 9.1

April is turning out to be a good month for commutes. Todays included an after lunch trip to the stadium for a meeting (I’ve said it before: I love getting paid to ride!) before heading home on the South Work Route. Our muppett today was an unsafe passer – which is my pet peeve. This young lady in a Pontiac with a paper plate straddled the double yellow line to pass me on River Road, and she did not yield her position when an oncoming car appeared over the hill. Luckily, she also didn’t lurch to the right knocking me into the tree line at the side of the road. Instead, the oncoming driver swerved into the grass to avoid the head-on collision.

(There was a little cursing on my part.)

Miles Ridden: 10.6

This morning was a little windy, and a bit chilly, but I went out anyway. I had to stop at work, so I took the long way around.

I started by heading north on Sharon Chapel and Klondike Roads. Between the two, Drury Lane is part of a short cut. While riding through this quiet residential neighborhood, I heard the gobble of a turkey close by. It turns out that I experienced a sighting of the turkey that my son used to see during his morning bus ride to school. This guy was all puffed out, perhaps upset by my presence, or maybe just his reflection in the screen door.

The Turkey of Drury Lane

I turned east on 500N, and the slight tailwind made a quick, enjoyable ride. As I passed a small country church a lady who was getting out of her car with a large box of doughnuts said hi as I rolled by.

Roadkill

Sheep

This is the Second of These Markers I Have Come Across
Here’s the First

Miles Ridden: 21.2

(via Officially Lucky)