Wow. Here it is the middle of April and I was only able to ride outside once in the last two weeks. Maybe one of the coldest and wettest springs I have experienced in awhile. Looks like this week the weather will be more conducive to outside biking. Lets hope. Riding in my basement on the trainer is getting rather boring and mundane but I shall persist. Looking forward to my first century and as soon as weather permits I will attempt it. So, enough for now as not much to describe.
Not much outside riding the last couple of weeks. Two outside rides last week included a 50 miler to Spring Valley. As usual, 99 percent of the traffic were respectful but another idiot made a very dangerous pass. It was a semi trailer with no attached truck. With no on-coming traffic this moron passed by a mere foot. And as it passed the buffoon layed on his horn. What was his intent I wondered? Was it to cause me to wreck? Was it to try to intimidate me? No idea! But its things like this that really frost my jibblets. Anyway, all biking has been on my trainer for the last week. Also, would weather reporters try to be more accurate in their predictions? Sunday was supposed to be cold and rainy. After my "ride" in the basement I looked outside. It was sunny and the temperature was 60 degrees. The wind was a mere 2 to 3 mph from the WNW. It would have been a great day to get in a 35 miler. Oh well. It is what it is. There are certainly signs that spring is near. With all the rain we have been getting and robins abound, it can't be long before my outside rides will resume on a regular basis. On another note, my brother is looking at getting an e=bike. I will do my best to see that he gets good value for his money. As another shout-out to my local bike shop-Russells Cycle... I'm sure Joe will get the best deal for the amount of money he intends to spend. Stay tuned.
My
first outside ride (except for my Florida vacation) of the season. Two
observations during this segment of the trek. First, my bovine buddies
are absent from their normal roaming area. It would be to the right of
the video beside the barn. Logic would indicate there are only two
reasons for this. First, it is too early in the season to turn them
out. Or, they were on the Tuesday special at the Western Sizzilin..Yum,
Yum. Secondly, even though we have had two consecutive days of 60 plus
temps there is still plenty of snow along the ditches....as well as a
full compliment of trash. Enjoy
Two weeks in sunny Florida, specifically Key West. Biked eight of the ten days. The weather was great, a little windy at times but nothing I could not bike in. And, of course, there must be a bit of drama. My first three days I rode from Casa Marina on the south end of the island. I took my normal route around the Smathers Beach area. Highway 1 is the only entry and exit from Key West so there was not much diversity in routes while in the area. We then moved into a cute little cottage near the center of the island. During my first day from that location there is a sidewalk/bike path. Heading east I noticed two riders coming toward me. Approaching an intersection with a narrow path to traverse the curb the idiots remained two abreast instead of single file. As I approached I had a choice. Continue forward and crash into the oncoming biker, hit a light post near the curb or go into the oncoming traffic. Neither option was good. So, I cut to my right with the hope I could "bunny hop" over the curb. Didn't work. As I tried to lift the bike, I hit the curb. I was thrown off the bike crashing onto the grass on the opposite side of the trail. The front tire was split and both front and rear tubes flattened. My injuries were relatively minor with bruised ribs and a jammed right thumb. Not enough to prevent me from further rides but I needed Ronni to get me and take the bike to the shop. Eaton bike shop did a great job. Within 10 minutes they had replaced the front tire and replaced both tubes. I was back on the road. After that, I took a different route leaving the island. It was as fast and much safer. All in all a great time biking in the middle of winter.
Lets see...Obstacles working against my outdoor riding in Key West. Airline cancellations, rental car cancellation, bike shop cancellation, improper clips, among others are some of the obstacles that might keep me from biking along the Florida Keys. Hopefully, not of these events will come to fruition and I will have a normal experience on my vacation. As one who has traveled extensively my entire life, this "stay at home" attitude has resulted in Cabin Fevor. Therefore, I am going to live life as normally as possible, with precautions, and hopefully avoid Covid. Next entries will be from Key West Florida.
Outside biking very slim....Only on the trainer in the basement. Had a wonderful holiday season, both Christmas and New Years. Now we have a conundrum. With the spread of the virus we need to decide ether to fly to Florida or drive. Many factors play out here. Can we rely on the airlines to not cancel? Will a back up plan to drive down be a problem with the weather? How can we avoid getting Covid if we fly? How can we avoid Covid if we drive? In Key West, how much can we enjoy the trip and avoid Covid. All very intriguing questions to be answered very shortly. So, time will tell and of course I will be doing a daily bike ride when we arrive in Key West. Such an interesting time. Later
