Great rides last week.  Longest one was to Magnolia a total of 35 miles.   Since this is the season for farmers bringing their crops to market the route I take was inundated with more traffic than normal.  The biggest obstacle for me are the tankers, grain haulers and other semis.  Normally I can count on 13-14 semis passing me. During my ride last week there were 30,,,of those monsters.  As stated in the past, route 89 north has a minimum amount of shoulder so when approaching vehicles get near, I ride as near to the white line as safety allows. Of the thirty truck 28 passed showing a vast amount of respect. With no vehicles coming in the opposite direction the respectful 28 would change lanes and give me plenty of room.  Yet there are always some idiots that have some kind of dislike for bikers.  The first was a tanker. While passing it came within a foot as it rolled by and produced a long, loud blast from its horn.  I figure the only reason for doing that is to do personal bodily harm to me.  A startled cyclist, or a startled anyone,  will react in a manner that is reactive and defensive.  These actions often result in crashes and injuries.  I witnessed it many time on my various rides.  Fortunately for me neither of these occurred but I was not very happy someone would try to do that. 

The second episode was far more dangerous.  In previous posts I mention a maneuver I call a doubler.  I can ride for miles and miles and not encounter any traffic.  Yet, more often that I care to remember, a vehicle will be coming in my direction on the opposite side of the road.  Not normally a problem but for some odd reason a vehicle will be approaching from the rear.  And, both will pass at exactly the same time as they are passing me.  Very odd indeed.  Thus a doubler as I'm being double passed.  On this particular ride a semi was approaching from the front and low and behold another semi was closing from behind.  Normally the one from behind will slow, put on their flashers and wait until the oncoming truck passes.  Well, this jerk didn't.  And as it passed, the other  oncoming semi passed at the same time.  Less that six inches was the space between me and a multi-ton truck moving at at least 55 mph. I gripped my handlebars tightly, looked straight ahead and held on for dear life.  Unfortunately my bike camera was not on so I could record this near catastrophy.and I certainly dodged a bullet.  But all in all a great week for riding a bicycle across central Illinois.  Still looking for proper conditions to do my first century.  Later

New computer.  Checking it's ability to continue this blog.  Just purchased new Continental Gator tires.  My Alitia are very difficult to change when I get a puncture.  Snapped two pry bars attempting to place the tire on the rim.  Never had that problem before so new tires is the default remedy.  As far as biking since my last entry no outside rides due to weather and other interruptions.  Like many of my fellow riders I contracted squamos cell carcenoma. Surgery was last Tuesday and I was instructed to do no activity for a week.  I was a good boy for three days and biked on my trainer in the basement.  So far, no diverse effects.  This week looks like great weather for outdoor cycling so hopefully I'm back.  Still looking for conditions for my first century of the season. More later.

 

 

     Second try.   Half a page and hit a wrong button and lost the entire post.  So, here we go again.  Last weekend while visiting Eric for his birthday event we were joined by Christopher, Annie and our sweet grand daughter, Ruthie, for a three day visit.  Knowing there would be plenty of down time, I brought my bike to ride the route I trained on for my cross country ride.  The good news is I handled the hills and distance quite nicely.  I did notice one major change.  Garbage and trash littered the shoulder and right of way along route 51.  Very disappointing considering the amount of information given to discourage such behavior.  Well, some idiots just don't listen or just don't care. It was the worst I have seen in all the times I have ridden that route.  After the hard riding heading south with a S.W wind I looked forward to the "easy" ride with the wind at my back and mostly downhill.  Karma steps in and shows me to anticipate any and all circumstances. Crusing downhill hitting between 20 and 22 mph. and avoiding as much of the debris as possible, I experience that familiar feeling I have had so many times.  Tire Puncture.  This was supposed to be my relaxing time.  Not to be!  I could have taken the time and changed the tube but I called the lovely Veronica to come and pick my up.  End of the ride.  Since that ride I have had to suspend my outside rides as per instruction from the doctor who preformed Mohs surgery to expel the squamous skin cancer.  It was all removed but any strenuous activity was discouraged until my follow up visit next week.  I will indeed follow his instruction but I have begun my biking on the trainer in my basement.  However, I am looking forward to riding after my dr. visit.  Hopefully the weather cooperates as the outdoor season is rapidly coming to an end.  Enough for now.  Stay tuned.