Dan on Bike

Total for April: 124.3 miles

That’s a little shy of the 162 miles this month last year.

Total this year: 276.5 miles

Last year: 180 miles

I’m going to have to watch carefully for the dry periods this week!

I was a little rushed this morning getting out for work. I quickly stuffed some clothes for the ride home in my pannier and hung it on the bike. My garage door broke the other day, so I had to carry the bike into the basement and up the stairs to the front door. I had forgotten my lock, so I went back downstairs and retrieved it. Then, I remembered the elastic pants cuff strap. Finally, I’m ready to go, and that’s when I notice the flat back tire. I took everything back inside and drove to work. I didn’t think about using my son’s bike.

I stopped to buy tubes at the bike shop. Unlike last time, I knew which valve type I needed and was able to declare “Schrader” with confidence.

At home, a quick inspection of the tire found a 3/4 inch staple in the tread. I was able to change the tube quickly, so I’m all set for the next ride tomorrow.

Due to some creative flex timing, I was able to leave work early and get home by 5:00. It was 59°F and not very windy. I had a nice ride west on Division Road up Indian Creek Hill and back. That hill is very relaxing, and I like looking at the scenery as I go up. The creek runs next to the road, and it presents a thousand tiny waterfalls as the water falls from rock to rock.

I saw many other bikers out tonight, including members of the Purdue Cycling Team.

Miles Ridden: 11.1

Lots of errands and yard work this weekend, but I did find time to ride the Llama Route today. There was a strong WNW wind fighting me on Jackson Highway, but the tailwind on Division Road was nice.

I saw nine llamas in the pasture.

Miles Ridden: 12.7

I’m heading out of town today, so I didn’t go in to work. Instead, I took a slightly late bike ride. Following the River Road/Campus route put me on campus right around 8:00. I’m not used to that much traffic for a morning ride.

Miles Ridden: 9.5

(I shouldn’t post these things a day after the ride. I’m already forgetting what I was going to write.)

It took a lot of self-prodding to get off of the lazy boy and in the saddle at 5:30 today. With the NE wind, I decided to ride to the Levee and then north on Happy Hollow Road. The Wabash River Heritage Trail and Tapawingo Park were bustling with patrons (mostly young couples). Climbing the hill on Happy Hollow really zapped me, but at least I didn’t have to stop halfway like last time.

As I was riding on Cumberland Ave, I was thinking that I should write about the weird bike lanes in West Lafayette. There seems to be no consistency in markings or practices. Someday….

More happy park users on the Cattail Trail and at the Celery Bog Nature Center.

Miles Ridden: 16.7

Unlike 2 weeks ago, I didn’t let my excuses ruin a good weather day. My daughter and I celebrated her inclusion in the spring honor roll with a father/daughter breakfast before school. I dropped her off at 8:00, parked my car in the corner of the school lot, and rode the bike back into town. I was about 45 minutes late for work, so I flexed my schedule to compensate. My off campus meeting was easily reachable by bike, and lunch by bus. It was also once again the day to take shirts to the cleaners, but having my own bike back meant that panniers were available.

After work I took the long way back to the school, and the tailwind from the south made most of the ride easy and quick.

Towards the end of the ride, I noticed a wobble in the back tire again. Did I break another spoke? I’ll check tomorrow.

Miles Ridden: 18.1

I called the kids at home today and asked them if they wanted to go for a ride when I got home from work. I can’t believe how quickly they said no.

Later, my wife asked them to empty and load the dishwasher – unless they wanted to go outside and exercise. They both chose a bike ride.

We didn’t go far, but at least I got them out. At the turnaround point, we had to adjust my daughter’s bike seat up a couple of inches. Apparently, she’s grown since last fall.

Miles Ridden: 1.8