#329 / #124
A late afternoon ride today after a 4 hour car ride. Yes!
Folsom's parking garage to Sunrise and back again - 18 miles, all on the south side of Lake Natoma. The last little bit coming back to Folsom involves a hill that is nice and shady on a hot summer day, but houses mosquitoes on a warm spring afternoon. As soon as I dropped into my hill climbing gear and slowed down to a sedate creep, the bugs started biting. At least I could feel comfortable swatting away while creeping along.
This is my new favorite ride - all the little hills provide built in intervals and the twists and turns are fun, although Red Leader still takes corners faster than I am willing to do so. I catch him up on the straightaways. Everything is dressed in spring green. Really pretty.
that's all, folks!
23 March 2014
15 March 2014
Be Prepared
#328 / #123
Red Leader and I decided to mix it up a little bit and rode from the Folsom parking garage to William Pond and back. Yep. 30 miles. We are both tired. I'd like to do a ride like this with him at least once a month. But it takes a big chunk out of our day, especially since Red Leader is not an early riser on weekends.
We came across the aftermath of a bike/bike collision near the Fish Hatchery. I stopped, after inquring if they needed a first aid kit. I handed out a couple of wipes. That's it.
In addition to water, tube and/or patch kit, inflation method (cartridge, pump) I think we should all carry just a little first aid stuff. How about a couple of wipes, some antibiotic gel, a couple of large gauze pads and maybe some adhesive tape, since getting stuff to stay in place on bendy elbows is tough. If you have that on hand (I've carried a minimal kit like that packed in an Altoids' tin) you won't have to wait for the person who has the kit to show up.
Anyway, that's enough lecturing for now. Enjoy Spring!
Red Leader and I decided to mix it up a little bit and rode from the Folsom parking garage to William Pond and back. Yep. 30 miles. We are both tired. I'd like to do a ride like this with him at least once a month. But it takes a big chunk out of our day, especially since Red Leader is not an early riser on weekends.
We came across the aftermath of a bike/bike collision near the Fish Hatchery. I stopped, after inquring if they needed a first aid kit. I handed out a couple of wipes. That's it.
In addition to water, tube and/or patch kit, inflation method (cartridge, pump) I think we should all carry just a little first aid stuff. How about a couple of wipes, some antibiotic gel, a couple of large gauze pads and maybe some adhesive tape, since getting stuff to stay in place on bendy elbows is tough. If you have that on hand (I've carried a minimal kit like that packed in an Altoids' tin) you won't have to wait for the person who has the kit to show up.
Anyway, that's enough lecturing for now. Enjoy Spring!
10 March 2014
The Mom-glare
#237 / #122
Saturday, March 8th
Have you ever seen the Mom-glare?
It starts with a lowering of the eyebrows, followed by a deep, slow inhalation which unfolds into a stern admonishment, often graced with an extended arm tipped with a menacingly slow unfolding of the index finger.
I got to use the Mom-glare on the driver of a white van who seemed to think that Red Leader was going to wait for him (we had the green, and he was oncoming, preparing to turn left). The driver stopped. Then I waved cheerfully. For that is another characteristc of the Mom-glare, the sudden transformation into sweetness and light after the storm clouds of displeasure have passed. Whipsawed!
All this happened very slowly, as we had all been stopped at our respective red lights down in Sacramento.
Anyway, we spent a sunny, breezy Saturday riding down to Alphabent on C Street to hang out at the shop and chat. Bike Dude had almost every trike out and there were several test-riders wheeling happily about.
We noticed that Red Leader's Gekko seat mesh will need replacement or repair sometime. The spot right under his rump has the mesh pulling away from the material at the sides. We might slap some adhesive on it, or an additional section of mesh (pet guard at the local home improvement store has been recommended) or I might dig through my box of outdoor fabric and see if I can find a useful sized scrap to reinforce the stretched out area.
It's supposed to be a high just shy of 80 on Wednesday. Whoo! March my shiny posterior!
CU
Saturday, March 8th
Have you ever seen the Mom-glare?
It starts with a lowering of the eyebrows, followed by a deep, slow inhalation which unfolds into a stern admonishment, often graced with an extended arm tipped with a menacingly slow unfolding of the index finger.
I got to use the Mom-glare on the driver of a white van who seemed to think that Red Leader was going to wait for him (we had the green, and he was oncoming, preparing to turn left). The driver stopped. Then I waved cheerfully. For that is another characteristc of the Mom-glare, the sudden transformation into sweetness and light after the storm clouds of displeasure have passed. Whipsawed!
All this happened very slowly, as we had all been stopped at our respective red lights down in Sacramento.
Anyway, we spent a sunny, breezy Saturday riding down to Alphabent on C Street to hang out at the shop and chat. Bike Dude had almost every trike out and there were several test-riders wheeling happily about.
We noticed that Red Leader's Gekko seat mesh will need replacement or repair sometime. The spot right under his rump has the mesh pulling away from the material at the sides. We might slap some adhesive on it, or an additional section of mesh (pet guard at the local home improvement store has been recommended) or I might dig through my box of outdoor fabric and see if I can find a useful sized scrap to reinforce the stretched out area.
It's supposed to be a high just shy of 80 on Wednesday. Whoo! March my shiny posterior!
CU
05 March 2014
Dodging Drops
#236 / #121
It rained one whole drop on us today. We did a short ride, Sunrise to Wm Pond as we didn't want to get stuck riding too far if it decided to rain.
Had a nice conversation with a trio of guys interested in our trikes. One of the fellows had some Sun recumbents, but not a trike. The front suspension on my Scorpion was the most impressive feature.
Not a lot else to report, other than Sam the Suicide Squirrel was out again. This time he dodged Red Leader's left front wheel instead of mine.
CU
It rained one whole drop on us today. We did a short ride, Sunrise to Wm Pond as we didn't want to get stuck riding too far if it decided to rain.
Had a nice conversation with a trio of guys interested in our trikes. One of the fellows had some Sun recumbents, but not a trike. The front suspension on my Scorpion was the most impressive feature.
Not a lot else to report, other than Sam the Suicide Squirrel was out again. This time he dodged Red Leader's left front wheel instead of mine.
CU
25 February 2014
One Bike, Two Bike, Red Bike, Blue Bike
#235 / #120
Red Leader and I did our usual ride on the American River trail (this time together - I took the weekend off of bicycling since my foot was sore).
Many people out enjoying the horrible dry, warm weather (we need RAIN, otherwise I wouldn't object to such nice weather).
Some of what we saw: wide dude on a very short bike, knees up around his ears, serenely cruising along. Recumbent bike, overwhelming impression of Yellow. Usual dude on his high racer passing us like we were not going 15mph, but rather standing still. Buzz - blue-black-black-orange-black-red-green-black - buzz: pack of fast racers.
I had a close call with an oncoming bicyclist. I was hugging the right edge of the pavement, my right wheel about an inch from the dirt. Small drop off, so if I bobbled I'd roll. Oncoming bike - I think he was passing someone? Or just swerving, going pretty fast, passing 4 inches from my left front wheel, our combined speeds leaving me just enough time to transfer my gaze back to my right wheel, concentrating on keeping it off the dirt, while hunching my left shoulder in anticipation of a collision which did not come. Whew. I think I let out one loud contralto squeak.
CU
Red Leader and I did our usual ride on the American River trail (this time together - I took the weekend off of bicycling since my foot was sore).
Many people out enjoying the horrible dry, warm weather (we need RAIN, otherwise I wouldn't object to such nice weather).
Some of what we saw: wide dude on a very short bike, knees up around his ears, serenely cruising along. Recumbent bike, overwhelming impression of Yellow. Usual dude on his high racer passing us like we were not going 15mph, but rather standing still. Buzz - blue-black-black-orange-black-red-green-black - buzz: pack of fast racers.
I had a close call with an oncoming bicyclist. I was hugging the right edge of the pavement, my right wheel about an inch from the dirt. Small drop off, so if I bobbled I'd roll. Oncoming bike - I think he was passing someone? Or just swerving, going pretty fast, passing 4 inches from my left front wheel, our combined speeds leaving me just enough time to transfer my gaze back to my right wheel, concentrating on keeping it off the dirt, while hunching my left shoulder in anticipation of a collision which did not come. Whew. I think I let out one loud contralto squeak.
CU
19 February 2014
Blow, thou Winter Wind
#234 / #118
Finally back on the bikes (travel, work, torrential rain (yay!) all conspired to keep us off our bikes.
Gusts to 27mph this afternoon. But nice and sunny and in the mid 60s. The trailside is starting to green up thanks to the ride-preventing torrential downpours. The wind slowed me down so much (and I didn't have my trusty goo with me for quick fuel), that I watched Red Leader pull steadily away from me on our return leg from our Sunrise/Watt/Sunrise ride.
Oh well, I was just so happy to be back on the bike I didn't really mind.
Hopefully another ride Friday or Saturday!
CU
Finally back on the bikes (travel, work, torrential rain (yay!) all conspired to keep us off our bikes.
Gusts to 27mph this afternoon. But nice and sunny and in the mid 60s. The trailside is starting to green up thanks to the ride-preventing torrential downpours. The wind slowed me down so much (and I didn't have my trusty goo with me for quick fuel), that I watched Red Leader pull steadily away from me on our return leg from our Sunrise/Watt/Sunrise ride.
Oh well, I was just so happy to be back on the bike I didn't really mind.
Hopefully another ride Friday or Saturday!
CU
09 February 2014
Chillin'
#233 / #117
Wednesday, Feb 5th
This is about our ride on Wednesday. I forgot to write about it until now. oops. We went up and down the American River trail again, as usual. It was pretty cold. I didn't take off my full-fingered gloves until our turn around at Wm Pond.
Neither Red Leader nor I were moving too fast - 1mph average slower than our usual. The cold, maybe?
We enjoyed it anyway, even though the sun was not out. It seemed only the hardiest of riders were out; we saw one triking couple, with her scarf wrapped all the way up to her eyeballs!
Rained all weekend (8th adn 9th). I went to the gym today (Sunday) for a 40 minutes recumbent exercise bicycle ride. It was weird. The cranks are long and the angle is different. But at least I got sweaty! I used a 'rolling hill' workout. Baby hills in my opinion. I couldn't pedal faster than 90 rpm as the machine got to rocking quite a bit at that speed. I'll probably use it again when I can't get out on a real bike.
Wednesday, Feb 5th
This is about our ride on Wednesday. I forgot to write about it until now. oops. We went up and down the American River trail again, as usual. It was pretty cold. I didn't take off my full-fingered gloves until our turn around at Wm Pond.
Neither Red Leader nor I were moving too fast - 1mph average slower than our usual. The cold, maybe?
We enjoyed it anyway, even though the sun was not out. It seemed only the hardiest of riders were out; we saw one triking couple, with her scarf wrapped all the way up to her eyeballs!
Rained all weekend (8th adn 9th). I went to the gym today (Sunday) for a 40 minutes recumbent exercise bicycle ride. It was weird. The cranks are long and the angle is different. But at least I got sweaty! I used a 'rolling hill' workout. Baby hills in my opinion. I couldn't pedal faster than 90 rpm as the machine got to rocking quite a bit at that speed. I'll probably use it again when I can't get out on a real bike.
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