Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
Broke some spokes
On Sunday’s ride, I heard something rattling in the back wheel. I examined the bike today and found I had broken 4 spokes. I probably ran over a branch and it got tangled up in the back wheel causing some spokes to break off at the nipple.
Thankfully, Ultimate Bicycle was able to fix it this afternoon and I was able to go for a ride today.
MTB: distance 13.34 miles, average speed 13.5 mph.
Sunday is for miles
Didn’t get a chance to ride much this week, so I went for a long ride today. I would of ridden longer but I ran out of water, wish there was a water fountain somewhere on the trail to fill up my bottles.
MTB: distance 19.24 miles, average speed 13.1 mph.
Cool and Breezy
Perfect afternoon for a ride.
In the high 60’s, cool easterly breeze and the sun was shining down. Was able to pick up my speed and do a quick 2 laps around the greenway, couldn’t ask for more.
MTB: distance 13.33 miles, average speed 13.5 mph.
Le Alpe de Boyce
Right above the McAlpine, sits James Boyce Park.
Finishing up today’s ride, I decided to ride up to Boyce, and I mean up. It’s a pretty steep grade, it does work the quads and if you keep a steady pace, it burns your lungs also. The reward is going down, so I headed out towards Sardis Road and slalomed downhill to the trail entrance to head back home.
MTB: distance 15.17 miles, average speed 12.8 mph.
Sightseeing with Jessica
Slowed down to enjoy nature.
Normally, I’m going as fast as I can, paying more attention to the miles per hour on the computer than the trees or animals I’m passing by. Today, Jessica and I took it easy, we just enjoyed going out for a bike ride.
MTB: distance 12.01 miles, average speed 8.4 mph.
Felt good
Finally, I’m able to ride without pain.
My shoulder felt good so I rode a bit longer today in the coolness of the afternoon. By the end of the third lap I was a bit tired but I can feel my body recovering it’s fitness quickly this time. One more week of steady riding and I should be back in shape.
MTB: distance 17.26 miles, average speed 13.1 mph.
Doe, a Deer
A female deer.
At least once a week, I see deer crossing the trail. Most often it’s a family, today it was a solitary doe, drinking in the creeks that run the length of the trails. Thankfully, the moisture we’ve had of late has replenished the water supply in the McAlpine.
MTB: distance 13.45 miles, average speed 13.0 mph.
Powered by Motrin
While taking time out as the McAlpine was being fixed up, my right shoulder started to bother me. It got to the point that I couldn’t use my right arm for anything, not even mousing.
A trip to the doctor and he assured me I was fine, he prescribed Motrin. A few weeks of this anti-inflammatory drug, my shoulder feels fine but I now have some tingling in my finger tips, carpal tunnel rearing it’s ugly head.
After a few miles today, I thought I’d have to cut the ride short from fatigue, but I decided to continue. I had to start riding again because I’ve gained 10 lbs in the last month of inactivity and I’m not about to give up my chocolate ice cream at night ;)
MTB: distance 13.33 miles, average speed 11.7 mph.
The trails are a mess
We take for granted the great job the city does in keeping our greenways in shape.
While doing my customary laps around the McAlpine and not being able to keep any decent speed to speak of, all I could think of was that I couldn’t wait for the city workers to get out here and level out the trails.
MTB: distance 15.8 miles, average speed 11.8 mph.
Erosion everywhere
Decided to see how the McAlpine was doing.
The good news is that the creeks have gone down, the bad news is that there is a lot of erosion on the trails. Riding today was tricky, if it wasn’t the mud making you slip, it was the sand bogging you down. Where water normally runs under the trail, there were huge ruts allowing me to take advantage of my dual shock bike.
The greenway is going to need a lot of work to get it back into shape. It’s a shame cause the city has been out here this summer working on the trail system, adding new irrigation pipes and trimming trees.
MTB: distance 13.2 miles, average speed 11.4 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
