Today was full of events .... Had a good ride around town and on the Dry Creek Trail. Left home around 12:30, and rode into town to thet Post Office to check my PO box. Nothing interesting. Then I rode over to Save-Mart to get my favorite sub-sandwich -- wheat bread with turkey and pepperoni jack cheese with all the vegies. Rode to the north side of town to check out Sports Authority. Stopped off at Barnes & Nobles first. Picked up a map of Oregon. Ate part of my sub-sandwich outside of Barnes & Nobles.
Then browsed the sporting goods. Lots of good stuff. Will have to wait till I get my tax return. Bought three pairs of shorts, on sale for only $7 each! Went back to Barnes & Nobles and ate a quick snack of chocolate and fig bars. While resting pastor Rick came out of Star Bucks with his coffee. We exchanged greetings briefly. My thermometer read 80 degrees before I left to ride back into town.
As I rode back to town, I decided to hit the Dry Creek Trail to get in a few more miles. Before I hit the trail, I rode up some of the steep hills several times. While riding around, I noticed a tree with good looking fruit. I stopped and asked the guy if I could have some of the fruit (grapefruit). He gave me enough to fill my backpack! While riding around before I hit the trail, it felt like there was something wrong with the rear wheel. When I stopped to check, I noticed my backpack was hanging over the edge of my basket, about to fall off! The grapefruits were rolling back and forth, which was causing my bike to wobble. That was funny!
I continued riding around looking for more hills, and noticed the biggest tree I've seen around town. Looks like an oak tree that must be around 500-600 years old! I must take my camera with me next time and get a good shot of that old tree. Ran into a couple of Mormons. I recognized one of them. Stopped to talk with them briefly. We have chatted before ...
As I started riding the Dry Creek Trail I saw lots of squirrels running all around. The must be collecting the acorns that are falling from the trees. About half way down the trail, someone called out my name. I stopped and looked at the guy, but didn't recognize him. He told me that he was one of the clients when I worked at Nirvana. We had a nice long chat. He was riding bikes with his son and daughter. He has 13 months clean and sober.
I continued on towards the end of the trail (4.5 miles each way). There were hundreds of people along the trail -- kids playing at the jungle gym, people playing frisbee golf, walking their dogs, joggers, and cyclists. Lots of kids riding their bicycles along the trail today.
I had to find a place to stop and sit. The only place I could find was a fallen log. I checked really good for ants first! After resting for a bit, back on the trail. Two people riding a tandem passed by. When I got to the end, there was this guy who was repeatedly climbing the hill at the end of the trail. I joined him and we chatted a bit, then I headed back to the other end of the trail, while he continued to climb the hill. He said he usually climbs the hill 10 times.
I need to continue working on the hills .... I'm getting better, slowly ... Lots of people riding the dirt trails with their mountain bikes and single speeds. Riding back I noticed more blossoms than the last time I was on the trail. Two ducks flew right over my head!
When I reached the end of the trail (back in town), the sun had just set. Was getting quite chilly. Forgot to look at the temperature, but it must have dropped to the 40s! My hands felt like they were freezing. I forgot my helmet light, but did have my cheap headlamp on the bars, and my blinkie on the rear. Made it back home about 5:30.
Total distance for today was 26.3 miles! Average speed was 10 mph., 2 hours and 40 minutes riding time. Burned 858 calories.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
More Groceries
Went grocery shopping last night with Ben. Hauled home $92 worth of food on our bikes! When we were pushing the shopping cart nearly full out the door, I had second thoughts about getting all that food on our bicycles .... Good thing we brought both of our backpacks!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Good Workout Today ...
Rode 13.3 miles today to pick up groceries from WINCO, $132 worth of food today! This ride was much easier than the last trip I made to WINCO. First loaded trip with groceries from WINCO was 67 pounds, and pretty grueling! My knees were hurting about half way home, so I had to gear down.
I'll be glad when I have panniers to carry everthing. Having to bungie bags hanging from the sides is no fun ....
I'll be glad when I have panniers to carry everthing. Having to bungie bags hanging from the sides is no fun ....
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
29.1 Miles Commute Today!
My goal was to ride 25 miles today. I put in 29.1 miles! Left home about 11:00 a.m., and got back just before 3:00. I had to take numerous breaks to rest my feet and stretch. It was raining pretty good the whole time I was out, so there was no dry place for me to sit down and rest my feet.
I rode the Dry Creek Trail two rounds trips, which is about 18 miles, and another 11 miles riding around town. I found a pretty steep hill near downtown which I never knew existed. Rode up the hill several times. I also rode the hill at the end of Dry Creek three times. I need to work on the hills more ....
Despite the rain, today's ride was good. I rode into a huge flock of what looked like robins, probably at least 50 of them. They seem to be attracted to the trees that are filled with blossoms. Saw dozens of mocking birds, some kind of blue bird (not blue jays), a few pigeons, small birds that seem to stay low in the branches of large bushes, ducks flying (maybe mallards?), and lots of squirrels everywhere.
Blossoms are all over many trees. Some flowers are already abounding. I think I even saw a dragonfly. The trail was pretty quiet today. Saw three or four joggers. One person with four or five dogs. Two stray dogs. Three or four cyclists. Looked like maybe four people were playing golf, even in the heavy rain.
I got pretty wet after about an hour. Had to change into a dry sweater, and wear my poncho. By the time I got home my shorts were dry though. I can really feel the miles in my knees! Had to use low gear on the middle ring often.
I rode the Dry Creek Trail two rounds trips, which is about 18 miles, and another 11 miles riding around town. I found a pretty steep hill near downtown which I never knew existed. Rode up the hill several times. I also rode the hill at the end of Dry Creek three times. I need to work on the hills more ....
Despite the rain, today's ride was good. I rode into a huge flock of what looked like robins, probably at least 50 of them. They seem to be attracted to the trees that are filled with blossoms. Saw dozens of mocking birds, some kind of blue bird (not blue jays), a few pigeons, small birds that seem to stay low in the branches of large bushes, ducks flying (maybe mallards?), and lots of squirrels everywhere.
Blossoms are all over many trees. Some flowers are already abounding. I think I even saw a dragonfly. The trail was pretty quiet today. Saw three or four joggers. One person with four or five dogs. Two stray dogs. Three or four cyclists. Looked like maybe four people were playing golf, even in the heavy rain.
I got pretty wet after about an hour. Had to change into a dry sweater, and wear my poncho. By the time I got home my shorts were dry though. I can really feel the miles in my knees! Had to use low gear on the middle ring often.
Lure of the Open Road, by Thelma Popp Jones
Somebody shared this story of two young women, setting out on a journey from Buffalo, New York to Cairo, Illinois, in 1944, one riding a single speed and the other a two-speed bicycle! Here is the full story for you to enjoy:
The Lure of the Open Road, by Thelma Popp Jones, 2007
The Lure of the Open Road, by Thelma Popp Jones, 2007
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Had to duck going through these low, overhanging branches!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Total Miles for February
Total miles riding this month = 420.857. My goal for March is to ride at least 500 miles.
Dry Creek Trail
Rode 23 miles today. Went into town, then off to the Dry Creek Trail. I rode my Townie on some of the dirt trails! I'll upload some pictures I took later. Got some nice pictures of birds and squirrels.
I tested my Townie on the smooth dirt trail for the first time.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Pacific Coast Touring Journal
I'm presently reading through Patrick's journal of their trip down the Oregon Coast. You can check out the journal here.
Another journal down the Oregon Coast, from Camel Hippo Tour.
Another journal down the Oregon Coast, from Camel Hippo Tour.
Favorite Cycling Pages ...
Here are just a few of my favorite cycling pages:
Bicycle Touring Forums, from Crazy Guy On A Bike
Surly Long Haul Trucker, from Palm Beach Bike Tours
Bike Forums, Bike Forums[/URL]
Bicycle Touring Forums, from Crazy Guy On A Bike
Surly Long Haul Trucker, from Palm Beach Bike Tours
Bike Forums, Bike Forums[/URL]
Bicycle Fever
I think that bicycle fever has hit me! I've been car light for the past year. Got rid of my van last week, and now am finally car free! I've been trying to ride as much as I can, and getting into better shape.
I've been doing lots of reserach on bicycling, reading books on cycling and fitness, and reading many cycling journals. I've decided to try setting some goals .... Short term goal is to experiment with bike camping at Caswell Memorial State Park, which is about 19 miles each way. I plan on camping for two nights, possibly three (if they will allow me to stay a third night).
Longer term goal for a short-distance tour is to ride up to Yosemite for one trip, and Calaveras Big Trees for another trip. Long-term goal is to ride the Pacific Coast from Oregon to the Bay Area.
As I read more journals of those who travel around on their bicycles, I have this itching, and longing to experience life on the road!
I've been doing lots of reserach on bicycling, reading books on cycling and fitness, and reading many cycling journals. I've decided to try setting some goals .... Short term goal is to experiment with bike camping at Caswell Memorial State Park, which is about 19 miles each way. I plan on camping for two nights, possibly three (if they will allow me to stay a third night).
Longer term goal for a short-distance tour is to ride up to Yosemite for one trip, and Calaveras Big Trees for another trip. Long-term goal is to ride the Pacific Coast from Oregon to the Bay Area.
As I read more journals of those who travel around on their bicycles, I have this itching, and longing to experience life on the road!
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