Little buddy I met along the road, asked him "why do caterpellar cross the road"?     

   He replies....to see where all the chicken went!  Funny stuff!!                                    

Wow! Cannot believe it's the middle of September. No century yet but still time before winter sets in.  Another dry hot spell forced me into my trainer in the basement.  I'm getting real proficient in guessing if the people are going to Love it or List it.  Yep it's on HGTV which is interesting to watch while biking inside.  On another note, the son of a friend has inquired as to insights riding a bicycle across America. I have had several inquires since my RIDE and I start with my usual first line of questioning.  Are you doing it "lone eagle" or with a group?  What route are you crossing?....the upper U.S. which means many mountains or lower U.S. which means riding through three deserts.  I do mention if crossing the Mohave you must have a plan or it could be catastrophic.  Upon his reply he stated his mom insisted he do it with a group for many reasons.....the primary being safety.  Also, he preferred riding East to West and traversing the upper route.  He looks forward to the climbing and not a fan of dry desert.  Now I must inquire of my biking friends for information to companies that will meet his preferences.  I had thoughts of doing the ride with him but after due consideration, primarily my age, I think I will just advise and keep to my mini-rides.  Stay tuned for undates.  Also, this week I got a year older and am approaching, but not quite there, 80, which I hope doesn't restrict or impede my biking.  Time will tell.  Stay tuned.

 

 I often say "the Yin and Yang of the universe prevails"  That certainly was the case the last couple of weeks.  Last week had days with little wind and perfect mid seventy temps. Completed over 200 miles at a fairly good speed....14-15 mph.  Then there's the opposite this week.  Temps in the mid 90's with winds in the 10-15 mph.  Yin/Yang! If I really wanted to bike outside I could start about 7-8 o’clock. Haven't really been motivated to ride that early so again, it's on the trainer in the basement watching programs in front of the T.V.  On another note, I thought I would be doing more cycling with my granddaughter but she has little interest in riding her new bike.  Other interests have taken over her time and biking is not one of them.  Also, she doesn't ride her bike to school as she doesn't like her bike in among the many other bikes in the rack.  Maybe that will change and if it does I will be available to assist. On the century ride that I was looking forward to, nothing in the forecast looks promising in accomplishing that goal.  But time will tell.....later and stay tuned.

 

Great two weeks of outdoor bicycling.  Yes it was hot.  At times it was windy.  Often it was smoky and hazy.  But, all that aside biking was possible even with the obstacles.  Extremely long rides were not a realistic goal but anytime outside is better than in my basement. Looks like my trips to Magnolia will be somewhat more comfortable since they refinished the miles between Varna and Magnolia.  That was becoming quite bumpy and now it will be smooth.  Hopefully, when they have completed the resurfacing, they will add a small shoulder and not place rumble strips like some other project like that in the area.  I'm still looking for favorable conditions for my first century of the season.  Stay tuned!

 

 Seems like this is becoming an annual event.  Smoke from wildfires either from our western states or our Canadian neighbors are creating havoc on my biking routine. And, I don't like it.!!!  Nothing to do but decide on whether to go ahead and ride outside or back in my basement on my trainer.  The older I get the smarter I get.....maybe.  I could use a mask or my neckerchief  to catch the nasty smoke, but a ride with those barriers would be very unpleasant. The basement it was! Had a heat wave where the temp was in the mid 90s.  I rode outside when it was 91 and decided that was enough of that.  Now the smoke.  It seems like my outdoor ride opportunities are getting more limited.  I considered a ride to LeRoy was to happen recently as the wind was 15-20 mph from the NW.  Did not happen.  I'm getting to a point where a 50-55 miler is not doable since my training is inadequate.  Riding a century seems like a small probability. Maybe the second half of this summer is better that the start. Stay tuned  

 

 

Another post for my friends in general and biker friends in particular. No rant, angst or other notes of negativity. Good, Better, Best. That's how I rate my bike (bicycle} rides. But during today's 30 miler there were several areas that exceeded all those designations. It actually reached the P.R.C Perfect Riding Conditions. So what would criteria be for that designation? Well here it is.

1. Perfect weather. Moderate temp and humidity with intermittent clouds providing cooling shade.

2. Smooth roads, no traffic, no one trying to run me off the road and/or swearing at me.

3. Wind at my back

4. Going downhill

Other cyclist, and indeed non cyclist, might disagree and inform me that the perfect ride is when you are napping on the couch watching reruns of Rockford files dreaming of such condition.  Still waiting for favorable  conditions for my first century of the season.

 

 Mad dogs and Englishmen.....Yep, I rode from Washington to Magnolia, a trip of 35 miles I have done many times.  The wind was favorable but not as brisk as I anticipated prior to the beginning of the ride.  Hills that I have conquered many times, somehow, seemed steeper and more difficult. Hummm wonder why.  After the particularly steep hill about three miles from the end I was struggling. Finished the journey strong and the lovely Veronica awaited with refreshments and a tide back to town.  I actually needed to rest on the van before preparing to leave.  Ronni then informed me that I had competed the ride in 94 degree temp with a heat index over 100.  While I had ridden in conditions similar to this, the last being my ride across Europe, I had not acclimated to the temperature and my age now must be considered.  It was no wonder why this vessel I call my body reacted the way it did.  That was not particularly smart and I will make sure it doesn't happen again. Again, mad dogs and Englishmen. Still awaiting weather conditions conducive to my first century of the season.  Later!

 

Rain, rain, rain.  After reported drought conditions, the last week certainly last week relieved it.  7 inches of rain took care of the dry conditions.  Good news for farmers, bad news for bikers.  Most of the week rides were on the trainer.  Now the good news.  Fathers Day was a perfect biking weather day.  Along with son and granddaughter we completed a nice ride near our apartment.  It wasn't particularly long (about 5 miles) but great fun nevertheless. The last three days I rode close to 200 miles.  Still looking for those conditions that I can attempt a century.  Time will tell.  Later