Dan on Bike

I rode to work again today, on the North Work Route. It was quite cold when I left in the morning with a wind chill of 31°F. However, in the afternoon, it was a perfect 70°F.

Miles Ridden: 12.2
Total This Year: 101

This month brings a lot of ‘first time this year’ rides. This morning, my neighbor and I took a morning ride west on Division Road that included the first climb of Indian Creek Hill. Most hills we climb are short, but this one has a long, easy lead-in that ends with a steep section. The first time I ever rode up without stopping, I felt like I had conquered an Alp! It wasn’t so tough today, but still fun.

Miles Ridden: 11.2
Total This Year: 87

I packed up all of the bikes, and the whole family drove over to a small park by the Wild Bird Shop. After unloading everything, inflating tires, and spending way too long to get my wife’s front tire back on, we rode the north branch of the Cattail Trail – up to Hadley Lake and back. We didn’t ride for very long, but she’s still getting used to the whole thing – especially shifting.

Miles Ridden: 2.8
Total This Year: 76

My Sunday ride today was a nice route around West Lafayette.

I started out by heading east on River Road towards the Levee area. Just south of the Wastewater Treatment Plant is the beginning of the WL portion of the Wabash Heritage Trail. This trail is nice little path through the woods that takes us through Tapawingo Park and farther north, and it is almost a mile and a half long on this side of the river. (I’ll profile the Trail in another post.) I travelled north to the other end of the WL trail at North River Road and Quincy St.

I headed up the hill northwest on Robinson, and on up Salisbury, past the water tower, Happy Hollow School, and US52. I hung a left (west) on Kalberer Road and rode up to the Cattail Trail. Travelling south, I took the trail past the Evil Empire to Lindberg Road. I then cycled west to 400W and came south back to Division Road and home.

A quick word on bike lanes: The good people of West Lafayette have provided great bike lanes all over town. Today, I was able to ride safely out of traffic on US231, Salisbury, Kalberer, and Lindberg. Other streets, including Grant and University and also marked for bike travel. Along with the various trails, it is very easy to wheel around town without raising the ire of angry motorists. It’s too bad that Lafayette can’t follow their lead.

There may be another ride later in the day.

Miles Ridden: 17.3
Total This Year: 73

The neighbor and I took a quick, cold ride this morning. We traveled up 400W to Lindberg, east to the Cattail Trail, south to McCormick Rd, West on 26, and Newman back home.

If I had time, this would be a good day to ride to work. However, it’s already 7:20 and I haven’t showered yet. I have to leave by 7:30 to get there by 8:00.

UPDATE: Added an extra .9 miles riding with my wife on her NEW BIKE!. We bought a Trek Navigator 100 at Hodson’s Bay Company today during their Super Sale. We’ve been looking for a bike for her for about a year, and the price was pretty good.

Miles Ridden: 9.4 10.3
Total This Year: 55 56

The neighbor and I kicked off the season with our first before-work ride. We took the Granville route with a little extra riding south on 700W. It was a little chilly at first, but I warmed up quickly. With the road closure on Division Road, the traffic is light. (Pretty soon, they’ll start tearing up the pavement, and we may have to alter our route.)

Miles Ridden: 10.5
Total This Year: 45

I’m realizing already that I’m going to have a tough time naming these posts for each ride. Since I snapped this shot of goats in a pasture, today’s title is more individual than most will be.

I rode the Montmorenci Route today. It’s going to take a little time to get my bike legs back, but I did pretty well. I was also able to take a few photos today, including a couple of new ones for the route page.

A little bad news: the section of 125N between 750W and Kerber Rd that had been paved is now covered with gravel. I’m hoping that the County Highway Dept. is planning to repave it at some point, since it is already rippled and rutted.

Miles Ridden: 16.8
Total This Year: 35

I came home from work to an empty house, so I decided to ride.

I took the Granville Bridge Route. It was windy like yesterday, so I took my time going west. The ride back east was quick and easy.

My front brake is rubbing on the tire, and I have no idea how to fix it (I’m not very mechanically inclined). I need to take the bike in to Hodson’s Bay for its annual tune up anyway, so I’ll let them handle it.

Miles Ridden: 9.0
Total This Year: 18

Total for March, 2005: 18 Miles

Finally, I was able to ride to work today! Temperatures were in the low 50s this morning. Even with the tailwind, I took it easy so that I wouldn’t work up too much of a sweat. (I ride to work in full office dress wear – with the elastic band around my right calf. It’s quite the geeky assistant professor look.) It is just 3.5 miles to the office traveling on Newman, SR26, McCormick, Gates, Harrison, and Grant.

For the ride home, I headed down to the Speedway on the Levee to get a box of doughnuts. Then, I took South River Road out to Newman and home. The Weather Channel reported the wind from the south at a sustained 16MPH with 26MPH gusts. That strong headwind made the first half of the trip pretty slow. Once I turned far enough west to get the wind a little bit behind me, things went much better.

It feels good to get out on the road again. I’m looking forward to my next ride (probably on Sunday).

Miles Ridden: 9.3
Total This Year: 9

OK, I’m bummed.

According to this article in the J&C, March in the Lafayette area will continue to be cold and will see more precipitation. This is not good biking weather!

Who can I call?

I may be able to get a ride to work in next week. We’ll see.