bittersweet.
and so it goes.
18.5 miles
and just like that, the summer passes and autumn rolls in. the ride after work was good, but abbreviated even from what it was 2 weeks ago. the sun hangs noticeably lower in the sky casting long shadows before my lungs have opened up. the roads that i have called "usual" for the past several months will be ridden less and less before they're abandoned entirely for a stationary trainer. tonight though, i will ride until i turn my blinky light on and then i'll ride a little bit more. just a little bit more.
and just like that, the summer passes and autumn rolls in. the ride after work was good, but abbreviated even from what it was 2 weeks ago. the sun hangs noticeably lower in the sky casting long shadows before my lungs have opened up. the roads that i have called "usual" for the past several months will be ridden less and less before they're abandoned entirely for a stationary trainer. tonight though, i will ride until i turn my blinky light on and then i'll ride a little bit more. just a little bit more.
late summer lament.
>0 miles
cicadas are the death gurgle of summer and they were out in full force today. the heat has broken and it was a pleasant 77°, even at midday. although the summer is the only time i make my living, a part of me is exhausted and wants it to be over already and get on with fall. i knew waking up today that i would be riding, but i was is a foul mood and sat staring at my bike for the better part of an hour. i flip-flopped from riding to going to the store for some retail therapy... but i eventually just flipped and pulled on my bibs. a much more ambitious ride was traded for a shorter, more "usual" ride, but it ended up being right on the money.
it took a lot longer than usual to shake the bad attitude that had begun the day with me. this certainly affeced my route and pace. short and slower... almost resentful, for some reason. after some miles, however, i began to leave the crabbiness behind and started thinking about the joys of riding. on such a pleasant day how can one not think about how perfect riding is? up the rolling backroads i pedaled my way north where the cars become scarce. it's nice to be able to ride in the middle of the road without constantly having to look over your shoulder for that driver on their cell phone. the more north i got the quieter it became... and the more content i became. when it came time to take a main road back it didn't care i had gotten what i wanted out of the ride. with a slight downward grade i popped my bike into a tall gear and cruised back home. you have to take advantage of these days when they're available.
cicadas are the death gurgle of summer and they were out in full force today. the heat has broken and it was a pleasant 77°, even at midday. although the summer is the only time i make my living, a part of me is exhausted and wants it to be over already and get on with fall. i knew waking up today that i would be riding, but i was is a foul mood and sat staring at my bike for the better part of an hour. i flip-flopped from riding to going to the store for some retail therapy... but i eventually just flipped and pulled on my bibs. a much more ambitious ride was traded for a shorter, more "usual" ride, but it ended up being right on the money.
it took a lot longer than usual to shake the bad attitude that had begun the day with me. this certainly affeced my route and pace. short and slower... almost resentful, for some reason. after some miles, however, i began to leave the crabbiness behind and started thinking about the joys of riding. on such a pleasant day how can one not think about how perfect riding is? up the rolling backroads i pedaled my way north where the cars become scarce. it's nice to be able to ride in the middle of the road without constantly having to look over your shoulder for that driver on their cell phone. the more north i got the quieter it became... and the more content i became. when it came time to take a main road back it didn't care i had gotten what i wanted out of the ride. with a slight downward grade i popped my bike into a tall gear and cruised back home. you have to take advantage of these days when they're available.
red barn blinky.
34-ish miles
the days are getting noticeably shorter these days so too are my post-work rides. it's getting more and more crucial that i get out on the road at 5:31 and not a minute later or else i'm going to be riding either 10 miles total or in total darkness, as i did tonight. people have a habit of showing up just minutes before close and either want to just chit-chat or they have some emergency that is never as quick as some air in the tires. today was just one of those days. i didn't get on the road for an extra 50 minutes, which absolutely killed me. the ride was still good... no, the ride was still great, but the last 30 minutes were basically in the dark with no light. i did, however, have the foresight to bring my rear blinky light. i did not die.
yesterday my computer started acting up... i'd get an average speed of 15mph, then 66mph... then 0mph, etc. today it just wasn't working at all, most likely it's just a dead sensor battery. no worries though, i have my phone with a GPS program... too bad that ate the battery up in about an hour and a half. that's why the mileage is approximated today. you gotta love technology.
the days are getting noticeably shorter these days so too are my post-work rides. it's getting more and more crucial that i get out on the road at 5:31 and not a minute later or else i'm going to be riding either 10 miles total or in total darkness, as i did tonight. people have a habit of showing up just minutes before close and either want to just chit-chat or they have some emergency that is never as quick as some air in the tires. today was just one of those days. i didn't get on the road for an extra 50 minutes, which absolutely killed me. the ride was still good... no, the ride was still great, but the last 30 minutes were basically in the dark with no light. i did, however, have the foresight to bring my rear blinky light. i did not die.
yesterday my computer started acting up... i'd get an average speed of 15mph, then 66mph... then 0mph, etc. today it just wasn't working at all, most likely it's just a dead sensor battery. no worries though, i have my phone with a GPS program... too bad that ate the battery up in about an hour and a half. that's why the mileage is approximated today. you gotta love technology.
goodbye, old chamois... may we meet again someday.
32.6 miles
gear. true cyclists love gear. every cyclist i know has a more extensive bike-specific wardrobe than they do a casual wardrobe by a very large margin. jersey and shorts is all you need, right? oh, i forgot the arm warmers... and knee warmers, leg warmers, gloves for fall, winter, early spring, late spring and summer, hats, ear warmers, tights, gilets, jackets for late/early season and winter, rain jackets, helmets, shoes, shoe covers both aero and thermal, chamois cream and embro... the list can get quite serious... and expensive.
recently, i finally had to give in to reality and move on from my favorite pair of bibs. they've been my favorites for quite some time and have thousands of miles in them. they just fit fantastic and the chamois just worked well with my garbage. i sat there the other day looking them over inspecting the holes and the seams that have worn out. i pinched the chamois and noted how lifeless it was. this pair will be put out to stud. i received my new pair the other day and took them out for the initial skidmarking last night. the fabric is nice and stretchy. the cuffs are sharp and exact. the chamois is thick and resilient. they smell of new lycra.
a new pair of shoes was also purchased as a late-season present to myself. not as necessary as the bibs it was still long overdue. the last pair of shoes had lasted me a little longer than they ought to have. they retain that permanent stink of sweaty food that no soak in baking soda can conquer. i deserve new pair of shoes.
it's funny how new gear can invigorate riding. sometimes when things get a bit dull or regular tossing some new gear into the mix can be exciting. sure, it's the same road, but it's a new chamois! as i road along last night i'd occasionally look down to admire my new stuff going around and around. doesn't it look fantastic? don't i look fantastic? probably not, but i feel fantastic. i can't wait to scuff the toe of my new shoes on my tire at 5:31pm tonight.
gear. true cyclists love gear. every cyclist i know has a more extensive bike-specific wardrobe than they do a casual wardrobe by a very large margin. jersey and shorts is all you need, right? oh, i forgot the arm warmers... and knee warmers, leg warmers, gloves for fall, winter, early spring, late spring and summer, hats, ear warmers, tights, gilets, jackets for late/early season and winter, rain jackets, helmets, shoes, shoe covers both aero and thermal, chamois cream and embro... the list can get quite serious... and expensive.
recently, i finally had to give in to reality and move on from my favorite pair of bibs. they've been my favorites for quite some time and have thousands of miles in them. they just fit fantastic and the chamois just worked well with my garbage. i sat there the other day looking them over inspecting the holes and the seams that have worn out. i pinched the chamois and noted how lifeless it was. this pair will be put out to stud. i received my new pair the other day and took them out for the initial skidmarking last night. the fabric is nice and stretchy. the cuffs are sharp and exact. the chamois is thick and resilient. they smell of new lycra.
a new pair of shoes was also purchased as a late-season present to myself. not as necessary as the bibs it was still long overdue. the last pair of shoes had lasted me a little longer than they ought to have. they retain that permanent stink of sweaty food that no soak in baking soda can conquer. i deserve new pair of shoes.
it's funny how new gear can invigorate riding. sometimes when things get a bit dull or regular tossing some new gear into the mix can be exciting. sure, it's the same road, but it's a new chamois! as i road along last night i'd occasionally look down to admire my new stuff going around and around. doesn't it look fantastic? don't i look fantastic? probably not, but i feel fantastic. i can't wait to scuff the toe of my new shoes on my tire at 5:31pm tonight.
snoodle.
51.9 miles
i originally wrote a post today that was a rant about charity rides... it came off as way too negative so i decided to scrap it. i will say this, however... it does bug me that charity rides seem to be the only reason people ride anymore. that, having been said, i'll move on. yesterday's ride was a good one. a friend and i set off in the hottest part of the day for a good stiff ride. i certainly felt it when i got home... and for the rest of the evening for that matter. i spend a lot of time on google maps looking for new routes or to rediscover old forgotten routes... this was one such ride. i'm glad i had found this a few days earlier while staring at the map. scenic, fresh, good rolling terrain... a perfect ride. within the last 3 miles of the ride it started to rain and the last 100' it really rained. a nice refreshing end to a long, hot ride. i can't wait for october.
i originally wrote a post today that was a rant about charity rides... it came off as way too negative so i decided to scrap it. i will say this, however... it does bug me that charity rides seem to be the only reason people ride anymore. that, having been said, i'll move on. yesterday's ride was a good one. a friend and i set off in the hottest part of the day for a good stiff ride. i certainly felt it when i got home... and for the rest of the evening for that matter. i spend a lot of time on google maps looking for new routes or to rediscover old forgotten routes... this was one such ride. i'm glad i had found this a few days earlier while staring at the map. scenic, fresh, good rolling terrain... a perfect ride. within the last 3 miles of the ride it started to rain and the last 100' it really rained. a nice refreshing end to a long, hot ride. i can't wait for october.
shadows of bikes.
24.6 miles
while out on a ride yesterday a friend asked, "you must think about bikes all day long... do you ever get tired of it and want think of something else?" well, i don't know, to be honest. i told him while at work I think about all the crappy walmart bikes, rusty 30-year-old peugots that aren't worth fixing and everything else about cheap bikes that make me angry. after work i think about everything bike-related that makes me happy. there is a clear line that is drawn and i try to keep them separate. i think that's necessary. over the past few years i've gotten very soured on the industry but i love bikes to death so it's important to keep that bitterness compartmentalized. it has affected my relationship with bikes for sure, but right now, while i write this, i am taking a nice relaxing bath before work and all i can think about is the ride i'll take after work.
while out on a ride yesterday a friend asked, "you must think about bikes all day long... do you ever get tired of it and want think of something else?" well, i don't know, to be honest. i told him while at work I think about all the crappy walmart bikes, rusty 30-year-old peugots that aren't worth fixing and everything else about cheap bikes that make me angry. after work i think about everything bike-related that makes me happy. there is a clear line that is drawn and i try to keep them separate. i think that's necessary. over the past few years i've gotten very soured on the industry but i love bikes to death so it's important to keep that bitterness compartmentalized. it has affected my relationship with bikes for sure, but right now, while i write this, i am taking a nice relaxing bath before work and all i can think about is the ride i'll take after work.
wave, dammit.
26.5 miles
the wave. i like the wave, and no, i'm not talking about the same wave you'd be unfortunate enough to be a part of at a baseball game, i'm talking about actually waving at someone... in this case, a complete stranger. motorcyclists do it. upon passing a motorcyclist headed in the opposite you cooly drop your left hand to the side and acknowledge the other rider. i haven't a clue where it started but i'm a big fan of it and i carry it over to my time on a bicycle. these days people are so buried in their cell phones, smart phones, tablets, pads, pods, laptops lattes, and uh... eyeliner, that there's little reason to smile at a stranger. let alone engage them in anyway. while riding i will wave at any other cyclist on the road, it's just good form. it's sad i need a reason to be friendly to another human being if even for something as small as "hey, you're also riding a bike, therefor we have something in common and i will wave at you." often people won't wave back or will only because i wave first... but it doesn't matter, i'll take it.
the wave. i like the wave, and no, i'm not talking about the same wave you'd be unfortunate enough to be a part of at a baseball game, i'm talking about actually waving at someone... in this case, a complete stranger. motorcyclists do it. upon passing a motorcyclist headed in the opposite you cooly drop your left hand to the side and acknowledge the other rider. i haven't a clue where it started but i'm a big fan of it and i carry it over to my time on a bicycle. these days people are so buried in their cell phones, smart phones, tablets, pads, pods, laptops lattes, and uh... eyeliner, that there's little reason to smile at a stranger. let alone engage them in anyway. while riding i will wave at any other cyclist on the road, it's just good form. it's sad i need a reason to be friendly to another human being if even for something as small as "hey, you're also riding a bike, therefor we have something in common and i will wave at you." often people won't wave back or will only because i wave first... but it doesn't matter, i'll take it.
cheesecake.
33.8 miles
yesterday after a long day of working two jobs and then meeting up with a friend for a bit i returned home to find my worst nightmare possible... an almost entire cheesecake nestled comfortably in the refrigerator. "bah!" i said, as i slammed the door shut in disgust. cake would not be on the menu for this evening. i had beaten the first self-discipline trial, but it wouldn't last. around 1am i found myself sitting on the couch with the entire container in my lap watching crappy tv. i hated myself for giving in to the cake's allure and hated myself even more with each bite. no matter what, at this point i was riding the next day, rain or shine. despite the punishment for my indiscretions, i had a good ride. i went in the complete opposite direction i normally go which was new and exciting. that cheesecake better not be in refrigerator when i get home.
yesterday after a long day of working two jobs and then meeting up with a friend for a bit i returned home to find my worst nightmare possible... an almost entire cheesecake nestled comfortably in the refrigerator. "bah!" i said, as i slammed the door shut in disgust. cake would not be on the menu for this evening. i had beaten the first self-discipline trial, but it wouldn't last. around 1am i found myself sitting on the couch with the entire container in my lap watching crappy tv. i hated myself for giving in to the cake's allure and hated myself even more with each bite. no matter what, at this point i was riding the next day, rain or shine. despite the punishment for my indiscretions, i had a good ride. i went in the complete opposite direction i normally go which was new and exciting. that cheesecake better not be in refrigerator when i get home.
a slight ghordo in your bike.
well it was bound to happen, my bike has begun to make an unidentifiable noise. it very much detracts from the overall ride experience when every revolution of the rear wheel brings that odd noise... of course that tell-tale sound of a spoke shifting under tension is a dead give away. for the most part, i can forget about the noise and enjoy the road ahead... i just have to remember to fix that noise before my next ride...
freshiness.
34.4 miles
taking new riders out on the old regular rides is a nice thing... and doesn't happen often. the roads i've ridden so many times with every crack and pot hole memorized are completely fresh to the new rider. it's refreshing to see the old route through new eyes.
crank stripper.
34.5 mi.
usually my rides go off without a mechanical hitch so when somehing does happen it is quite the event. today, a friend and i set off and within minutes he was having issues. as we limped back to the shoppe it became obvious this wasn't going to be a simple adjustment. once in the stand i popped the cranks off to find the aluminum spline teeth had been stripped out due to a loose crank bolt. very unfortunate seeing as though these cranks maybe had 100 miles on them. "this doesn't mean our ride is cut short", he said. "no worries", i said. i tossed on another set of cranks and off we went having ourselves a wonderful ride.
back it up.
24.9 miles
i love running errands on a bike... though i usually don't, today i rode with my mp3 player. the ride out gives you some time to really, i mean really, analyze the lyrics to zepplin's "whole lotta love".
it'll also markedly improve your mood.
i love running errands on a bike... though i usually don't, today i rode with my mp3 player. the ride out gives you some time to really, i mean really, analyze the lyrics to zepplin's "whole lotta love".
it'll also markedly improve your mood.
fat fit.
21.3 miles
you ride, you train, you get fit... you don't ride, you don't train, you get fat...
i'm currently working on the latter. for the past year riding has not been a priority or for much of the time even possible with the schedule i've worked. as a means of coping with stress i ate to forget... and i've paid the jiggly price. for the past month or so all of the riding i've been doing is in the woods, which is nice but it's obvious i have no endurance whatsoever anymore. today after short-stack of apple pancakes with raspberry puree i set out to get some miles into my legs and burn off that delightful side of bacon i was coerced into getting. it was good to again feel the manageable burn i was so used to at one point. i've got a long way to ride before i'm back in reasonable shape, but, i hate to sound cliché, it's like riding a bike, you never forget.
you ride, you train, you get fit... you don't ride, you don't train, you get fat...
i'm currently working on the latter. for the past year riding has not been a priority or for much of the time even possible with the schedule i've worked. as a means of coping with stress i ate to forget... and i've paid the jiggly price. for the past month or so all of the riding i've been doing is in the woods, which is nice but it's obvious i have no endurance whatsoever anymore. today after short-stack of apple pancakes with raspberry puree i set out to get some miles into my legs and burn off that delightful side of bacon i was coerced into getting. it was good to again feel the manageable burn i was so used to at one point. i've got a long way to ride before i'm back in reasonable shape, but, i hate to sound cliché, it's like riding a bike, you never forget.
dashbored.
about 2 weeks ago the battery icon flashed on the dashboard of my car. the manual said it means the battery is not being charged because either the belts are worn out or the alternator has met its demise. i popped the hood and sure enough the belt had been reduced to strands. $20 and one new belt later the battery is still not charging. the local auto parts store said a new alternator will be about $90. "i'll wait", i said and pedaled off.
it's somewhere in there.
there was a time when riding a bike was for fun only. then you get a little bit older and it becomes transportation. you get a car and the bike becomes recreation again. somewhere along the line you merge the two and going somewhere even if the weather isn't all that great becomes enjoyable. your hands may be raw and the bitter wind cuts through your hoodie because you misjudged the weather but you're still enjoying yourself. it is important to enjoy the stuff you do.
murkiness.
there are always those times during the winter when the only action your bike sees is a trainer. it's horrifically boring but it's better than nothing. while pedaling and staring at a motionless concrete floor i constantly think how i take asphalt in nicer weather for granted. so many missed days on the bike that i wish i could get back and then i promise myself that this year will be different and i'll ride every chance i get. it never happens that way, though. sure, i'll ride some but it's never quite as good as i remember or as good as i had hoped it would be. sometimes i think my time has passed on the bike but i still dream of riding often and it is good.
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