Rode home from work on Monday and then back in on Tuesday. Up until now I had been wanting to commute in and back on one day only. I'm not sure why I didnt have this figured out already, but it was surprisingly easier to pack clothes commuting one way per day. Anyways, the ride home was fantastic...almost 80 degrees. The trail was packed with people riding bikes and running. Everyone with smiles on their faces. I thought I had one of my fastest rides to date on Monday, but I looked it up and I had ridden 7 minutes faster on two occasions. The last time was two years ago though.
The ride back in the next morning was also pretty good. It was nearly 50 so I was able to wear my new knickers and long sleeve jersey I got for my birthday. All was good! Looking forward to the spring and summer months. Have a few rides I need to start being serious about, so my training rides are going to have to happen at nights or something. In fact, I have a 6 hour church meeting Saturday that I'm riding to, even though its only 8 miles from home. Gotta get miles in somehow I guess.
4.23.2016
3.15.2016
Commute #3: March
I battled the previous night with trying to change out my studded cross tires with my regular ones (blew up a tube, then couldn't get the second try to seat the bead) and gave up in a slight baby-hissy fit. Eventually the big baby grew up and grabbed the road bike off the trainer and took that instead.
Turned out to be a good choice. The rail trail was fairly free of debris. The ride into work was pretty foggy - at times hard to see about 30 feet in front of me. I was soaked by the time I got to work, but I got there about 10-15 minutes quicker than usual.
The ride home was a little different. Started out really strong - at one point doing 26mph on a slight downhill with a calm tailwind and riding some sweet clean and new pavement. The only scary thing was the evening rush and flying past parked cars (expecting to get doored).
Of course, once I turned north on the rail trail, there was a beautiful headwind. Some guy came out of no where and decided to pass me and squeeze between two sets of walking people. I guess he was trying to be Mr Tough Guy or something, because I later caught up with him on the steep pedestrian bridge crossing West River Road. Dumb. He stayed steadily in front of me, which means his act of being super man was just a farce.
I was super tired when I got home. Need a hot shower (was getting cold) and wifey made burgers, pork chops and red potatoes on the grill. Yum!
Three commutes down, nine more to go.
Turned out to be a good choice. The rail trail was fairly free of debris. The ride into work was pretty foggy - at times hard to see about 30 feet in front of me. I was soaked by the time I got to work, but I got there about 10-15 minutes quicker than usual.
The ride home was a little different. Started out really strong - at one point doing 26mph on a slight downhill with a calm tailwind and riding some sweet clean and new pavement. The only scary thing was the evening rush and flying past parked cars (expecting to get doored).
Of course, once I turned north on the rail trail, there was a beautiful headwind. Some guy came out of no where and decided to pass me and squeeze between two sets of walking people. I guess he was trying to be Mr Tough Guy or something, because I later caught up with him on the steep pedestrian bridge crossing West River Road. Dumb. He stayed steadily in front of me, which means his act of being super man was just a farce.
I was super tired when I got home. Need a hot shower (was getting cold) and wifey made burgers, pork chops and red potatoes on the grill. Yum!
Three commutes down, nine more to go.
3.05.2016
Fat Bikes!? We don't need no stinkin' Fat Bikes.
Went out to Luton for a ride this morning. With another warm forecast for this week, I knew the snow was going to melt and get slushy/muddy - and the trail would be closed for awhile. I have never been out to Luton for a ride in winter, so figured what the heck - with all the talk about Fat Bikes around here I figured there would be plenty of tracks for me to follow. Negative. One set of tracks and they only lasted for about 1.5 miles of my 2.0 miles of riding. Stuck to the green loop and blue loop only as it turned out to be kind of tough for the ol' cross bike today. My thumbs were cramping and it was as if I were riding drunk in pure sand. If you strayed anywhere off the 6-8" wide fat bike track and shoe prints from runners/walkers, you were toast. I had to walk for the last half mile as the trail was way too fluffy and not packed down by nothing more than 4 sets of shoe prints.
Here's some funny stats:
2 miles ridden
1/2 mile walked
4.7mph average (ha!)
20 miles driven in car
Yeah, pretty pathetic. Although my bike did get a bath afterwards due to massive slush and salt spray during transport.
Oh well. It was still sweet to be out there in pure silence - and to be the only idiot on a skinny tire bike.
Here's some funny stats:
2 miles ridden
1/2 mile walked
4.7mph average (ha!)
20 miles driven in car
Yeah, pretty pathetic. Although my bike did get a bath afterwards due to massive slush and salt spray during transport.
Oh well. It was still sweet to be out there in pure silence - and to be the only idiot on a skinny tire bike.
Slush wheels after transport to lot.
Blue Loop first bridge crossing.
Orange/Blue connector.
Green loop return to parking lot. This was the section I walked.
I thought I could sit on this log for a rest for awhile. Turned out to be pretty rotten and down I went.
2.01.2016
Commute #2: February
Five and a half hours into February 2016, I found myself pedaling my way to work. This was for sure going to be the warmest morning at 34 degrees this week, with a high of near 40 by evening.
Guessing as much as the trail would be more clear than last week when it snowed, and getting about .25" of rain over the weekend, I decided to stage my car at 12mile road instead of downtown Rockford. (extra 2 miles each way).
Upon entering the staging area, I found the entire parking lot to be solid ice. Attempting to dismount my vehicle, one foot out the door and firmly planted on the icy ground, I went down without as much as even standing upright. ha ha! I forgot that plastic shoe soles don't like fresh ice. I eventually (carefully) got my bike off the rack and walked slowly to the trial.
Riding started off good, more ice than I was expecting. I soon saw the guy and dog that I often see on my commutes (for 3-4 years now?) approaching within the first mile. I slowed down and chat with him a bit. He walks the trail with his dog every weekday morning. He used to have two dogs and the one he had with him was looking very old. It was confused by my bright headlight. After a few pleasantries, I was off again riding.
The ride in was actually way more treacherous than last week. All I could figure was that all the rain from the weekend had washed existing snow onto the trail and froze overnight. I don't think I'm racist, but the white ice was sure easier to spot than the black ice. I found myself sliding around on the bike more than last week, and it sure seemed colder than the temperature suggested.
The ride home was great. Almost 40 degrees and I was surprised that the trail was 98% clear of all ice and snow. It was tough to just manage a steady pace of 14mph with those studded tires. I was plenty tired when I got home. Tonight's reward dinner: Ground Turkey Tacos. (sorry, no pictures).
Now the weather can do whatever it wants for the next 4-6 weeks while I wait for the March deadline to roll around.
Guessing as much as the trail would be more clear than last week when it snowed, and getting about .25" of rain over the weekend, I decided to stage my car at 12mile road instead of downtown Rockford. (extra 2 miles each way).
Upon entering the staging area, I found the entire parking lot to be solid ice. Attempting to dismount my vehicle, one foot out the door and firmly planted on the icy ground, I went down without as much as even standing upright. ha ha! I forgot that plastic shoe soles don't like fresh ice. I eventually (carefully) got my bike off the rack and walked slowly to the trial.
Riding started off good, more ice than I was expecting. I soon saw the guy and dog that I often see on my commutes (for 3-4 years now?) approaching within the first mile. I slowed down and chat with him a bit. He walks the trail with his dog every weekday morning. He used to have two dogs and the one he had with him was looking very old. It was confused by my bright headlight. After a few pleasantries, I was off again riding.
The ride in was actually way more treacherous than last week. All I could figure was that all the rain from the weekend had washed existing snow onto the trail and froze overnight. I don't think I'm racist, but the white ice was sure easier to spot than the black ice. I found myself sliding around on the bike more than last week, and it sure seemed colder than the temperature suggested.
The ride home was great. Almost 40 degrees and I was surprised that the trail was 98% clear of all ice and snow. It was tough to just manage a steady pace of 14mph with those studded tires. I was plenty tired when I got home. Tonight's reward dinner: Ground Turkey Tacos. (sorry, no pictures).
Now the weather can do whatever it wants for the next 4-6 weeks while I wait for the March deadline to roll around.
Scene of where there was a "man down!" sighting.
The lot when I got back in the evening. All still very slick, most of it turning to mush. Tomorrow morning is going to be a rutted out, bumpy mess. Glad I will not be there to see it.
1.26.2016
Commute #1: January
I quickly realized late last week, I was running out of time to make good on my promise to myself to commute to/from work at least once a month for every month in 2016. Looking ahead to the weather the temps were going to be a rather balmy 35(ish) - "balmy" to Michigan standards in January - I had to make it happen quick.
I asked people in our club about the condition of the rail trail. Only one respondant said "you better have studs or fat tires - it's all ice!" So within hours of that response, off I went to the bike shop to get some Kenda Klondikes with studs. They are heavy as hell (almost 1.5lbs each).
Last night as I'm prepping the cross bike for winter-time commuting action by installing these beasts, I run my hands over the spokes on the rear wheel which is now in my lap. I hear a noise, then some movement. Holy crap! I have a broken spoke. So I decide to check the others while I'm at it and holy crap, another one! Two broken spokes, both busted right at the collar of the hub. Both on the drive side, maybe 10 or so spokes apart from each other. In all the thousands of miles I've ridden, I've never had one single broken spoke. I had no idea what to do about them. A few texts exchanged with Matt Remus and I decide I'm riding it with them missing. Safe! The rim was a bit wobbly, but figured it would be worth a try. Better than my other option to install the studded tire on my ROAD bike rim - for I wouldn't have any brakes due to them being rim brake only. Glad I didn't do that.
Next was strategizing the wake up time, leave time and depart location. Wake up time ended up being 4:20 am, leaving the house at 5am. I say "depart location" because having scouted various sections of the rail trail (the most dependable and safest commuting route for me), I knew I was going to be dealing with some rather terrible conditions. It was due to rain that night, then shift to snow later in the afternoon after getting windy - and what was already there, wasn't good.
Past winter-time riding experience also told me that no matter how I'm dressed, if the temps are between 20-40 degrees, I'm good for about 90 minutes of exposure. Less than 20 degrees, and I had better limit my time to 60 minutes or less. Knowing that the route was going to be wet and icy, I guessed at my average speed to be around 10mph, which would leave me with too long of a time to be out on the trail if I left right from home. Also knowing that the trail is not plowed north of 14 mile road, (the first 4 miles of my ride) it would likely spell disaster for a "fun commute" into work. I made the decision to rack the bike and drive to Rockford for my departure there. "Cheating!" some of you say, but wait a minute...I make the rules here! And, what the hell were you doing on January 26 - uh huh - commuting in your warm, comfy, leather encased seat listening to talk radio and screaming at idiots on the road. Sounds great, I'm sooooo jealous. (At least, that's how I talked myself into doing this.)
Anyways, back to the story....leaving from Rockford turned out to be a very good guesstimate on my part. Each trip took about 80 minutes, and I averaged between 10-12mph. Good pace for ice and wet conditions. Things were very wet to begin with, hard to see through my glasses. Cold, but I had all the right layers for warmth and wind/rain protection. I was actually pretty cozy. My rear fender kept my ass from getting wet. (Very important)
The first 2-3 miles were total ice. The Klondikes performed beautifully. So stable and grippy. Only inflated to 60lbs, they stayed nice and pliable and able to grip all ruts. About half way to work, the rain/snow stopped and the wind kicked in. Made it to work in super-happy spirits. What fun to brave the elements and operate on the fringes of "acceptable behavior". ha ha
Later in the day, as I watched the radar to prepare for the ride home, I saw a band of snow coming and it wasn't dissipating but building. Okay, here we go! Put the bat suit on and get out there, man!
Wasn't bad actually. Better than rain. The hardest thing about it though was that the snow was coming down thick enough to cover the road and hide all the ice. I had to rely on shadows and textures from my headlight and then by feel of my bars. Bumpy like a dirt road = ice. Smooth and the clack, clack, clack of the studs = pavement.
Saw two fat bikers, one mountain bike and a few people running/walking dogs on my way home. Everyone seemed jacked to be out in the snow when no one else was. I love the unspoken camaraderie experienced when you roll up on those people.
Early next week looks to be near 40 degrees. That will also be February. Might have to get my next month's worth of commuting within a week from now!
I asked people in our club about the condition of the rail trail. Only one respondant said "you better have studs or fat tires - it's all ice!" So within hours of that response, off I went to the bike shop to get some Kenda Klondikes with studs. They are heavy as hell (almost 1.5lbs each).
Last night as I'm prepping the cross bike for winter-time commuting action by installing these beasts, I run my hands over the spokes on the rear wheel which is now in my lap. I hear a noise, then some movement. Holy crap! I have a broken spoke. So I decide to check the others while I'm at it and holy crap, another one! Two broken spokes, both busted right at the collar of the hub. Both on the drive side, maybe 10 or so spokes apart from each other. In all the thousands of miles I've ridden, I've never had one single broken spoke. I had no idea what to do about them. A few texts exchanged with Matt Remus and I decide I'm riding it with them missing. Safe! The rim was a bit wobbly, but figured it would be worth a try. Better than my other option to install the studded tire on my ROAD bike rim - for I wouldn't have any brakes due to them being rim brake only. Glad I didn't do that.
Next was strategizing the wake up time, leave time and depart location. Wake up time ended up being 4:20 am, leaving the house at 5am. I say "depart location" because having scouted various sections of the rail trail (the most dependable and safest commuting route for me), I knew I was going to be dealing with some rather terrible conditions. It was due to rain that night, then shift to snow later in the afternoon after getting windy - and what was already there, wasn't good.
Past winter-time riding experience also told me that no matter how I'm dressed, if the temps are between 20-40 degrees, I'm good for about 90 minutes of exposure. Less than 20 degrees, and I had better limit my time to 60 minutes or less. Knowing that the route was going to be wet and icy, I guessed at my average speed to be around 10mph, which would leave me with too long of a time to be out on the trail if I left right from home. Also knowing that the trail is not plowed north of 14 mile road, (the first 4 miles of my ride) it would likely spell disaster for a "fun commute" into work. I made the decision to rack the bike and drive to Rockford for my departure there. "Cheating!" some of you say, but wait a minute...I make the rules here! And, what the hell were you doing on January 26 - uh huh - commuting in your warm, comfy, leather encased seat listening to talk radio and screaming at idiots on the road. Sounds great, I'm sooooo jealous. (At least, that's how I talked myself into doing this.)
Entering Rockford. Wet, but pretty.
Anyways, back to the story....leaving from Rockford turned out to be a very good guesstimate on my part. Each trip took about 80 minutes, and I averaged between 10-12mph. Good pace for ice and wet conditions. Things were very wet to begin with, hard to see through my glasses. Cold, but I had all the right layers for warmth and wind/rain protection. I was actually pretty cozy. My rear fender kept my ass from getting wet. (Very important)
The first 2-3 miles were total ice. The Klondikes performed beautifully. So stable and grippy. Only inflated to 60lbs, they stayed nice and pliable and able to grip all ruts. About half way to work, the rain/snow stopped and the wind kicked in. Made it to work in super-happy spirits. What fun to brave the elements and operate on the fringes of "acceptable behavior". ha ha
Later in the day, as I watched the radar to prepare for the ride home, I saw a band of snow coming and it wasn't dissipating but building. Okay, here we go! Put the bat suit on and get out there, man!
Wasn't bad actually. Better than rain. The hardest thing about it though was that the snow was coming down thick enough to cover the road and hide all the ice. I had to rely on shadows and textures from my headlight and then by feel of my bars. Bumpy like a dirt road = ice. Smooth and the clack, clack, clack of the studs = pavement.
Saw two fat bikers, one mountain bike and a few people running/walking dogs on my way home. Everyone seemed jacked to be out in the snow when no one else was. I love the unspoken camaraderie experienced when you roll up on those people.
Early next week looks to be near 40 degrees. That will also be February. Might have to get my next month's worth of commuting within a week from now!
Leaving work.
Snowy commuter lane.
Even snowier rail trail. No tracks, fresh snow.
This section was particularly super quiet. My favorite thing about winter riding, the silence.
My reward: Skillet Lasagna with homemade garlic toast. My wife makes a special dinner for my commutes. It just sort of started last year or so. It makes me ride faster so I can get home quicker. Its always something different and she's such a great cook.
I love her for accepting the "affliction" I have for cycling.
1.03.2016
Welcome 2016!
Went for a good ride to start off the year with Matt Longest. We donned all our cold weather gear and battled mother nature's cold wind for a good 18 mile ride. Almost all dirt roads were snow or ice covered yet. Ice was slick - we each almost went down a few times. Surprisingly we made it up some steep hills without incident.
12.27.2015
Final 2015 Ride and 2016 Goals "Year40"
Headed out to Luton for one last 2015 ride on the trails. I have never hit the trails so late in the year. I have ridden later in the year, but only on roads. It's been unseasonably warm and it wasn't until just a day or so before this ride that it started to really get cold. With snow, wind and freezing rain coming this week, don't think I can squeeze in one more ride before 2016.
There are some goals I'm trying to meet for 2016. I'm coining the year as "Year40", as I turn 40 years old in April. Time to do some amazing things, here are a few of my goals in no particular order:
I don't know how many of these I can make happen, but they're on the list so I have to at least give them a good try. With Patti going to school full-time, spare time has been hard to come by. I've been trying to get to the gym twice a week for the last month. The good news is that its actually happened for the most part. My available time period to hit the gym is between 5:30-7:00 am, so that means getting to bed early is critical so my alarm can go off at 4:15.
Wish me luck!!
Some hard winds about 3 days prior pushed down quite a few trees. This was one of the biggest. I was surprised that the trail was all cleaned up and ridable.
It was a nice (freezing) day for a ride. Trail was perfect. 34 degrees with a 10mph breeze. As usual, the first 10 minutes is brutal until everything warms up. Lots of runners on the trail too.
There are some goals I'm trying to meet for 2016. I'm coining the year as "Year40", as I turn 40 years old in April. Time to do some amazing things, here are a few of my goals in no particular order:
Ride a total of 2,000 miles
Ride the N24HC (National 24 Hour Challenge)
Lose 30 lbs, get to the 200lb mark
One Day Ride to Sturgis from my house (approx 120-130 miles)
Ride to work and back once a month for each of the 12 months
Run a 10k with Patti
I don't know how many of these I can make happen, but they're on the list so I have to at least give them a good try. With Patti going to school full-time, spare time has been hard to come by. I've been trying to get to the gym twice a week for the last month. The good news is that its actually happened for the most part. My available time period to hit the gym is between 5:30-7:00 am, so that means getting to bed early is critical so my alarm can go off at 4:15.
Wish me luck!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)