Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
Wish you were here
So, so you think you can tell,
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange a walk on part in the war,
For a lead role in a cage?
How I wish,
How I wish you were here.
We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.
MTB: distance 13.56 miles, average speed 14.1 mph.
Columbia Northway
Jessica needed a new bike.
With a 10% off coupon in my pocket and the promise of great deals, we headed to the local Performance Bicycle store. As soon as I got down from the truck, I spotted the bike on the sidewalk. It was marked down to $139, and with 10% off, we loaded up a new bike in the truck for $125, not bad.
We got suited up as soon as we got home and headed out for the trail. Jessica kept up a good speed for 8 miles, then spun up the hill towards our house, never getting off the bike once. She was all smiles throughout the ride.
MTB: distance 21.01 miles, average speed 11.9 mph.
CR2032
Need a new battery for my speedometer.
Finishing up today’s ride and the Cateye started to freak out. I had to keep messing with it for it to show me the digits, until it died as I was entering the driveway.
The CR2032 battery lasted a couple of years, not bad.
MTB: distance 13.32 miles, average speed 14.2 mph.
Rest and Relaxation
Needed some time off the bike, time off to recover and to prevent burn out.
When I began cycling many years ago, I would ride almost everyday, I figured that was how you got better. I soon realized that the day after I couldn’t ride for some reason, I felt stronger, rode better and enjoyed it more. So I began to include rest days and periods off the bike, but I continued to stay active, like go for walks or work on the yard.
MTB: distance 17.23 miles, average speed 14.4 mph.
Duck, duck, goose?
The city is cleaning up the lake.
They cut down the aging wooden rails that surrounded parts of the lake and they’re now bringing in large rocks to control the erosion on the embankment.
Dang, there goes my beach idea.
MTB: distance 18.79 miles, average speed 14.4 mph.
Stay in the saddle
Made a conscious effort to remain in the saddle on all the uphill climbs. My thighs were burning but I wanted to give them a workout today. I felt good after a day off, recovery helps, so does the ice cream at night ;)
MTB: distance 15.27 miles, average speed 14.7 mph.
Fifteen!
Finally, a 15 mph average speed.
The trails didn’t have a lot of people on them, so I pressed the accelerator. After the first lap, I knew I had a really good ride going, so I continued to hammer away. Not that I’m going to ride at this pace everyday, it’s just a good feeling to know that I can.
MTB: distance 13.45 miles, average speed 15.1 mph.
Tired but rode good
It never fails, I feel tired, like I don’t want to ride. Then I get out there and I have a good ride. My legs felt tight but I was able to keep a good constant speed throughout the ride, even got out of the saddle and hammered up any inclines.
MTB: distance 13.32 miles, average speed 14.7 mph.
Cinco de Mayo
Battle of Puebla remembered.
The McAlpine lake was packed with people celebrating their independence from the French. Food, drinks, games and music filled the park today, it was a very entertaining ride.
MTB: distance 19.34 miles, average speed 13.1 mph.
Tighten all bolts
It’s a good thing I got a flat.
While patching the rear tire I noticed a missing bolt on the rear shock triangle. Had to make a quick trip to the local bike shop to pick up a spare bolt along with a new patch kit. On today’s ride I kept looking down at the rear triangle, making sure the bolt stayed on, kind of paranoid at this point.
MTB: distance 13.60 miles, average speed 14.4 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
