Dan on Bike

Miles This Month: 225.5
Miles This Year: 1,220.5

I actually had two rides today. I took the van in for service, so I tossed the bike in the back. I rode from the mechanic on the Levee to my office, and then later to a meeting on the west side of campus. After the meeting, it was back down hill to get the van. I’ve said it before – I love riding during work!

Miles Ridden: 4.7

I left work early so that I could ride up to my son’s high school to watch his marching band play before the football game. He needed his marching shoes, plus I wanted to carry a jacket and camera, so I wasn’t able to use the road bike (no rack for the pannier). And actually, my choice of cargo shorts and t-shirt looks better on a commuter bike. The trip went pretty fast, and I always enjoy driving in city traffic.

And then, the weather turned.

I didn’t notice as I was riding up, but there was a bit of a south wind that had been picking up as the evening progressed. As I stood in the lawn eating my PB&J sandwich, I noticed that everyone else was wearing jeans and sweatshirts. One parent commented on my ‘optomistic outfit”. (He’s the guy involved in the West Lafayette Mayor’s Bike to Work Wednesdays.) The longer I stood outside, the colder I got. By the time the band started to play, I was nearly shivering.

Harrison High School Militia Band – Drumline and Sousaphones
After a great show, I donned my yellow jacket and turned for home. At this point, it had started sprinkling, and the wind had picked up. The temp was about 10 degrees cooler than the beginning of the ride.

Sure, I was worried about getting drenched or maybe succuming to hypothermia, but as always, the ride got better as I went. The rain dimished to a slow spit, and the winds slowed considerably as the sun set. That yellow jacket is pretty much windproof, which means it doesn’t breathe at all. I had to take it off because my arms were soaked with sweat! The last 5 miles may have been cold, but I was more comfortable.

I kind of enjoy riding at night, so I’m sure I’ll do this again.

Miles Ridden: 18.6

Swans in the Celery Bog

Miles Ridden: 14.9

Tanya says it well.

BTW, I pulled a dumb move on my ride the other day. The neighbor and I came upon a 2-way stop out in the country with him in the lead. I started scanning for cross traffic (visibility was very good) with the intention of rolling through and didn’t notice that he was stopping. I almost ran him over!

The neighbor and I met at 7:15, just as the sun was coming up, and headed west. We ended up hitting County Line Road and turned north to Otterbein. From there we took 500N to 375W/400W, heading south back home.

It was cloudy, but the rising sun did sneak out a little bit.

Morning Sun
I’m not sure what this RT route was for, but I’ve been seeing the markings around the area. This was at the intersection of 500N and US52, pointing east.

Miles Ridden: 25.2

The rain held off long enough after the game for me to get an hour in. I headed towards West Point, and made it as far as 200S before turning around.

Miles Ridden: 13.2

The Corn is About Ready

The neighbor and I took another pre-7:00, in-the-dark ride to work along River Road today. This time, his headlight gave out shortly after we started, so we relied on the headlights of the cars behind us to light our way. We were still covered in blinky lights, plus I wore my reflective jacket.

I came home on the North Work Route.

I also walked 1/2 a mile each way to and from a groundbreaking, and took the Trolley to lunch downtown.

Remember these guys? They’re growing up fast!

Miles Ridden: 13.4

So, when I see someone riding on the sidewalk, I think “what an idoit!”.

When they see me on the street, do they think “that guy is insane!”

After some issues at work, trouble with traffic, and lip from the kids, I really needed a ride tonight. The neighbor and I rode a slightly abbreviated Montmorenci Route. I was in the mood to roll, and I left him behind a couple of times.

Miles Ridden: 14.0

Miles Ridden: 22.2

Tandem seen in WL