A Soggy One

No, it didn’t rain today, but it was so humid that I was pretty soggy when I arrived at work, and again when I rode to a meeting at SSOF. I wasn’t paying attention to the weather report this morning other than the promise of no rain. I should have noticed the warm temps and high humidity. I had to close my office door, open my shirt, and crouch over my tiny fan to try to dry off before an 8:30 meeting.

Coopers' Tree
I wonder if this dead tree will ever fall on their garage

I came home on the South River Road route. My legs have been feeling pretty good lately, and the ride home was no exception.

Miles Ridden: 12.1

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Morning Quickie

I took the reverse South Work Route this morning before work.

Miles Ridden: 8.4

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Bridge, Fog

I rode the Granville Bridge Route through fingers of fog today.

Miles Ridden: 9.0

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Hazy Morning

The forecast calls for mid-90s with high humidity today, so the neighbor and I left just after 7:00 to beat the heat.

Hazy Morning
Haze on Jackson Highway

Our route took us to Montmorenci on Jackson Highway (which isn’t really a highway – at least not anymore) and then west to the County Line. We followed Co. Line Road south across SR 26 to 75S (with the last 3/4 mile on gravel). This road heads east to the Ross Hills Camp. With a couple turns we were back on Division Road and on to home.

Miles Ridden: 22.1

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I See the Light

Steeker asks, “How did those new blinky lights work out?”

I first installed the Electrodynamic Bikelights in March, and I’ve only ridden in the dark one time since then. However, I can report that they are holding up well. I performed a quick inspection tonight, and I found that they still look great. They are also still working just fine. I just need a night ride to get any benefit from them.

When I picked up my new wheel back in May, the tech told me that the magnet brackets that attach to the spokes may limit the spokes’ flexibility and could contribute to breakage. I’ll watch for any more problems, but nothing so far.

Speaking of a night ride, I don’t think I’ll be attending the Indy NITE Ride next weekend. My wife has already said she wouldn’t be joining me after last year’s ride. Apparently, she didn’t have as much fun as I thought she had, and she actually hasn’t ridden since. I probably pushed her too hard.

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On The Road Again

(Another song title for a post? It’s unheard of! It’s unimaginable. It’s unnecessary!)

I got a call Sunday afternoon asking if I would fill in for an ill co-worker at a three day conference. So I was out of town once more – which means no bike rides. If I had driven myself, I could have put the bike in the trunk of the Purdue car (as I will next month for my trip to Columbus). However, I was riding with the SrVP this time.

My travels took me to East Lansing, MI – Home of Michigan State University. I was only able to see a few showcase buildings (the Breslin Center, the new suites on the side of the football stadium, the Weldon Center for the Performing Arts, and the Harrison Roadhouse), but what I saw was impressive. What I didn’t see was any bike riders.

Discarded bike in the river
In the Red Cedar River

The dorms all looked empty, and even the bike racks were barren. I did see a few bike lanes and a trail along the river, but they were idle.

Bikes Only - Bike Lane Marker

On the way back, we stopped in Saugatuck for lunch. This is a small lakeshore town, and despite the crowded streets and sidewalks, I saw several cyclists even on a sleepy Wednesday.

Comfort Bikes for Rent

It looks like the next few days will be great for riding, so I should be out.

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Blockbuster Ride

The neighbor just returned from a 6 month sabbatical out of the country, and today was our first ride since last September.

He had to return a video to the south side Blockbuster location, so we headed over the Brannigan bridge. After Blockbuster, we rode through my old neighborhood, along the bike trail between 9th and 18th, past the old Pythian Home, down into the valley and the Art Museum, and finally the Farmers’ Market on 5th street. We stopped for breakfast at the Sunrise Diner where my short stack and sausages was quite filling.

Across the river, we watched the beginning of the boat races on the Wabash as a part of the annual Riverfest.

Riverfest
On the Wabash

We traveled through campus to return home.

Miles Ridden: 18.0

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Good Samaritans

Another great day to ride to work. Next week looks rainy, so I’ve been happy to take advantage of this week’s sunshine.

I wasn’t about to take the same route for the third day, so I opted for the North Work Route home. However, I ran by the theater on the way to pick up tickets for Pirates 2 (there were none left), so I headed up Robinson to Salisbury and followed the rest of the route as usual.

I was coming up to the rail tracks on Lindberg when I noticed another cyclist coming up behind me. I figured he was a roadie that would blow past me after the bumpy crossing, but he seemed to disappear. It was only about 10 seconds later when I noticed a gentleman getting out of a pickup that had just passed me and then pulled over. He asked me if I had lost a pack, and sure enough, my pannier was gone – containing my wallet, keys, camera, Blackberry, and work clothes!

Just as I turned around to head back (after thanking him profusely), a 2nd pickup pulled over while honking. The driver motioned to the bed of his truck and said the bag was there. As the missing cyclist rolled past, the #2 driver told me that the lagging biker had stopped to grab the bag to return it to me.

A big thanks to all three of these guys who saved me much aguish and trouble.

It all turned sour, unfortunately, when the #2 pickup turned around in the middle of the road, stopping traffic in both directions. A lady in an SUV honked at him, and he returned the anger by stopping next to her and screaming something back at her. She looked to me for support, but I gave her the two hands up maneuver signaling “I’m not getting involved”. I waited until all of the traffic had cleared, and my pannier was as securely fastened as possible, before continuing. I checked about every 3 seconds for the rest of the trip to make sure everything was still there.

A quick story from Wednesday’s ride. I was waiting in line at the stop sign at the bottom of Williams Street about 6 cars back. Williams is a narrow 2-way street with parking on both sides where it hits River Road/US231 – a five lane, busy highway with a bike lane on each side. I refrain from passing the waiting cars on the right, since I know they won’t be watching for me as they look for an opening in the passing traffic. Another cyclist was at the bottom to the right of a car waiting to turn right, and he made a sudden move to the left. Crossing in front of two waiting cars, he pedaled north in the southbound bike lane. What a bad move!

Miles Ridden: 12.8

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Burger Day

Today, I took the same route as yesterday. However, instead of the meeting ride, I rode downtown for lunch. Once again, I didn’t have my camera to document the lack of a bike rack at Sgt. Preston’s of the North.

Coming home on River Road, I had two cars pass me while there was oncoming traffic. You’d think the 2nd guy would learn watching the first car almost get hit head on!

Miles Ridden: 11.1

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Paid to Ride

Rode to work today, and came home on the South Work Route. Also, I took the bike to a mid-day meeting across campus. I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I love riding while in pay status!

I stopped to talk with these two on the way home.

Horses
Horses on River Road

Miles Ridden: 10.8

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