Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
I ate a bug
Though I took a banana with me, I didn’t eat it, instead I was nourished by the bug that flew into my mouth.
The McAlpine trails are looking great, new pavement where needed, nice level gravel and dirt everywhere else. It’s been 5 months since I last rode on the trails, and I felt it today.
Though I continued walking during the winter months, biking does get the aerobic side of things churning. My leg muscles were fine, it’s my lungs that need to be reawakened.
MTB: distance 8.37 miles, average speed 10.9 mph.
A pound an hour
Weigh myself before I go for a ride, an hour later, I weigh a pound less. Never fails, no matter how much I drink during the ride, I lose a pound.
I can eat all I want, knowing that when I go for a ride, it’ll all go off.
My favorite snack, chocolate ice cream, two scoops please.
MTB: distance 12.96 miles, average speed 12.8 mph.
Skipped a Summer
The heat was unbearable, in the 90’s for most of the day this summer. I wanted to ride, but the thought of heatstroke kept me inside, nicely air conditioned.
To commemorate the first day of autumn, I put air in the tires and went for a spin. It’s still warm, 83F on the way out, 89F dropping back into the driveway. The forecast is calling for cooler temperatures by the weekend, fingers crossed.
MTB: distance 13.54 miles, average speed 12.2 mph.
It's heating up
Would of ridden longer, but the heat was kicking my butt.
After having gone through the winter that we just did, it’s taking a bit of getting used to the higher temperatures. By the end of my customary second lap around the McAlpine, my water bottles were almost empty, and what little water was in them was very warm.
MTB: distance 15.05 miles, average speed 13.6 mph.
Rainy start of June
For the last week, it’s been nothing but wet.
Don’t get me wrong, the rain has done wonders for my yard, but riding in mud is not my favorite pastime. There’s still muddy patches here and there on the trails, and the ground feels moist, but I needed to get a ride in.
MTB: distance 21.13 miles, average speed 13.6 mph.
Turtle Power
This time of year we see the turtles coming out of the high brush and crossing the trails. Turtles of all shapes and sizes, enjoying the nice weather on a spring morning.
MTB: distance 15.04 miles, average speed 13.7 mph.
Sun shining bright
On the main trail in the McAlpine, there is no shade for 2.5 miles, this is where I work on my tan. By now, I’m darker than I was in winter and getting progressively darker as summer looms around the corner.
MTB: distance 14.79 miles, average speed 13.8 mph.
My aching back
With more miles come the aches and pains.
My back is starting to bother me a bit. If you’re an hour and a half bending over a bicycle, your back muscles are going to ache somewhat. Other than my back, there’s the occasional cramping in the hands or feet, gladly I haven’t woken to a leg cramp, those hurt.
MTB: distance 21.69 miles, average speed 13.0 mph.
Rested up due to rain
Rain kept me off the bike the last few days, but it was a welcome rest after 4 straight days of riding last week.
The sun came out today and the temps have been cool, so I was able to get 20 miles in today with the water I carry in 2 small bottles. Gotta make a trip out to Performance Bike and get another cage so I can carry a third bottle for those hot days of summer.
MTB: distance 21.06 miles, average speed 13.4 mph.
Four Mile Creek
Lower McAlpine Creek, McMullen Creek, and Four Mile Creek Greenways combine to form a 5.8 mile nature trail. Having walked it in the past, I wanted to try my bike on it.
This morning, after having logged some good miles this week, I set off riding from my house towards the Rea Rd. entrance of Four Mile Creek. Riding on the streets brought back memories of the long rides I did when I lived in Central Florida, though I was riding a mountain bike this time, I still reached speeds of 30+ mph on some descents.
When I arrived at the Greenway, I had to slow down quite a bit. The trails are a mixture of paved, gravel and boardwalk, and walkers far outnumber riders. I wasn’t about to ditch my bike into the swamp if I happened upon a group of walkers who were shoulder to shoulder on the boardwalk.
All in all, I welcomed the slower pace, I enjoyed the scenery, and truly liked riding in the shade most of the time.
MTB: distance 27.34 miles, average speed 12.3 mph.
Charlotte, NC
Spent 10 years in Charlotte, a block away from an entrance to the McAlpine Creek Greenway.
Switched to a mountain bike from the road bikes I was accustomed to riding for 15 years.
The time spent on these trails was most appreciated.
Trek Fuel 70
